Reborn in the last years of Kangxi

Chapter 763 Jimin

Henan Prefecture, post station.

Tomorrow is August [-]th, and Cao Yong is still stranded in Luoyang.I heard that the minister of the Ministry of punishment has arrived at the governor's yamen and has begun to review the civil disorder case in Henan.

On Cao Yong's side, he finally waited for Kangxi's will and ordered him to hand over the case in his hand to the governor's office and return to Beijing.

Jiang Jian finally breathed a sigh of relief. It seems that the emperor still treats Cao Yong differently and wants to get him out before the case is finalized.

In the past half month since the officers and soldiers broke the Shengou Village, Cao Yong looked very leisurely. During the day, he often went to the market in the city to hang out, or he went to restaurants, and occasionally went out of the city.

Cao Song's colleagues, seeing Cao Yong so at ease, inevitably chattered in private.It's just that he is sour and arrogant, not to mention that he doesn't dare to suppress bandits, and he is still out of tune every day.

Only Jiang Jian, following Cao Yong, knew that everything he did had deep meaning.

"Your Excellency pays attention to the farmland, but he cares about it?" Jiang Jian couldn't help asking.

"In the farmland here, the main crops are grain and sorghum, and the rest are wheat, beans and cotton. Huguang has already started planting double-cropping rice, which can not only be self-sufficient, but also supply Jiangnan and Gyeonggi. I heard that Jiangnan is intensively cultivated, rice There are those whose yield reaches five or six shi per mu. Here in Henan, there are many hills, few good fields, and the crops are not drought-tolerant. Waterlogging, Dianer sells daughters, and families are ruined." Cao Yong said.

When Jiang Jian heard this, he felt cold sweat on his head.

Although he is not as good as Cao Yong, he comes from a family of officials and eunuchs, but he is also a gentry family and has not suffered from famine.He only thought that Cao Yong was unwilling to come to Henan Mansion in vain, and wanted to make some political achievements to show to the king above, but he did not expect that he had some insights into farming.

"The war in the Northwest does not stop every year or two, and the drought and floods cannot be controlled by human beings. Food is the most important thing for the people. If you want Henan to be stable, you must let the people fill their stomachs." Cao Yong said.

Corrupt officials, now he can't control them, and in a few years there will be an "emperor who copied the family" to power, and free people care about it.Cao Yong just wants to try his best to do something for the poor local people.

The other thing is selfishness. Ever since he was driving in Jehol to escape the summer heat, Brother Sixteen has told him several times that this is the way to make money.

Where is this Henan?It is the hinterland of the Central Plains. Even after a few hundred years, the population is approaching the [-] million mark. This Henan is also a famous granary. It can't help being self-sufficient and can supply other provinces.

Cao Yong remembered clearly that half of the flour eaten at Daxiao's family was produced in Henan.

In addition to wheat, Henan also has two specialties, namely cotton and tobacco leaves.

Although corn and potatoes have been introduced for hundreds of years, they have not been popularized and are only available in Zhili, Gyeonggi.Both are drought tolerant and will grow well on hills.

Cao Yong told Jiang Jian his intentions.That is to promote the two new crops of corn and potatoes in the hilly areas of Henan, to promote winter wheat and cotton on good fields, and to grow tobacco on bad fields.In this way, farmers' income increases, and the place is stable.

Not only Henan, if this method is suitable, Shanxi, Zhili and other provinces can also appropriately promote agriculture according to the actual situation of each province.

Jiang Jian listened to Cao Yong's eloquent and eloquent talk, and his heart was extremely shocked. He really didn't expect Cao Yong to be as simple as a new idea, but also to have hills and valleys in his chest.

With solemnity on his face, he embraced his body and bowed to perform the salute: "It's very fortunate for the people of Henan to be tricked by an adult!"

Seeing him like this, Cao Yong felt a little embarrassed, and quickly helped him up and said: "Don't be ashamed of me if you are Feilin, it's just a talk on paper. Whether it can be done or not depends on the future."

Hearing this, Jiang Jian remembered something. The harvest in this official warehouse was wheat and millet. If he wanted to change the crops, he had to ask for an order.

"Please also ask Feilin to help me draw up an excerpt to explain this farming matter. The promotion of new crops is not something that can be done overnight, it is related to the livelihood of the local people. With the emperor's temper, he will not allow the whole province to implement it. If I As expected, it should be tested in Henan Province first. In this way, there are more hills and mountains here, and the effect will be more obvious, so that the questioners will be silenced." Cao Yong said loudly.

Others are fine, but Jiang Jian was puzzled about the tobacco issue, hesitated for a moment, and asked, "Didn't your lord advocate smoking ban in Beijing?"

"Blocking is worse than sparse. Since the introduction of tobacco into our country in the previous dynasty, it has gradually become popular in the northern provinces. Can it be banned? But these tobaccos are not intended to be circulated among the people, but to be returned to the Ministry of Internal Affairs." Cao Yong said with a smile .

This is a way of making money that Cao Yong came up with, and it is naturally aimed at the bureaucratic landlord class with money in their hands.

Cao Yong himself is also a big landlord, so he naturally knows how happy the landlord's life is and how much he earns every year.After arriving in Henan Mansion, I became more and more aware of this.

Because after Li Tingchen slaughtered three Zhuangzi, he came back to honor Cao Yong's silver, which was 8000 taels.

In addition to the previous 2 taels, Cao Yong received nearly [-] taels of "bribery" in less than two months after arriving in Henan.Cao Yong didn't keep a single penny of the silver. After reporting to Emperor Kangxi of the Ming Dynasty, he was transported to the northwest in the name of donation.

The most fundamental reason why the Kang brothers were able to occupy the cottage this time and confront the officers and soldiers for half a month was because they had money in their hands.In addition to theirs, there are also donated by the White Lotus believers.With this money, they bought private guns, armor and swords, which made them form a "peasant army" in style.

If it is changed to 100 years later, Cao Yong might still be a little bit of a little kid in his heart, thinking about selfishness.Right now, it is the most severe time of feudal centralization, and there is no opportunity to take advantage of it.

The people have experienced the wars of the previous dynasty and the trampling of the Eight Banners cavalry. It is a time for the people to cultivate their health and rest.

To put it bluntly, there is no time to rebel.

On Cao Yong's side, he can only think about being a "famous minister" and do more practical things for the people.

*
Cao Xiang's house looked at the two packs of clothes that Luju had packed, Cao Xiang nodded, and said, "It looks so warm, it's enough to come here for the winter."

These are women's clothes, thinking of the one in the governor's yamen prison, Luju doesn't know what it feels like.I should be grateful, but seeing Cao Xiang being so caring, I still feel a little sour.But he didn't show it on the face, and said: "Master, besides these two sets of winter clothes, should you prepare some money? I heard that in the yamen, you have to spend money to manage it."

Cao Xiang hesitated for a moment, nodded, and said, "That's fine."

It turned out that Cao Yong had already set out to return to Beijing on the [-]th, and he was going to the Governor's Yamen on the way.Jiaojiao is now in the Governor's Yamen Prison, Cao Yong has already gotten wind of it, and Kangxi has no intention of being implicated.This Jiaojiao might end up as an official slave.

Cao Yong knew that his cousin was still thinking about the promise of the day, and wanted to try his best to protect Jiaojiao.Although he doesn't know how to destroy flowers with harsh hands, he will not let Cao Xiang do whatever he wants, otherwise he will lose his "respect" in the future, and he doesn't know what disaster he will cause.

Therefore, Jiaojiao was still imprisoned in the name of Kang's bandit family.However, Cao Yong was still soft-hearted and made people say hello to her, meaning to protect her.

"Master, the eldest wife and grandma sent someone to send gifts last month. Although we returned the gift at that time, it is not good for these uncles and second masters to go back to Beijing empty-handed. Among the things that the emperor rewarded, there are some good materials. How about some jewelry that you can get out, plus that inkstone from my master, how about showing filial piety to elders and sisters-in-law?" Luju said with a smile.

When the people from the capital were sent back last month, Cao Xiang hadn't returned yet, and the gift was rushed, so Lu Ju said so.

Seeing that Luju was thinking so well, Cao Xiang took her hand and said, "Thanks for your hard work, you have been worrying about this for me all day long. The elder brother and the second elder brother have already trained me well. Those things, since they have become the emperor As a reward, you also make two new sets of clothes, don't be so plain. If I knew I would make you suffer, I shouldn't be so rash that day."

Lu Ju licked her temples, shook her head and said, "Master, I don't feel bitter. I just feel that I have been wronged. If I were in the capital, I wouldn't be so tired that I would suffer these crimes."

"Wronged?" Cao Xiang couldn't tell whether he was sad or happy when he heard the words, "What is wronged? It's just because of the blessing of the family, otherwise why would he become a seventh-rank official before twenty!"

Seeing his dark and thin face, and the gloomy look in his eyes, Luju felt a pain in her heart, grabbed Cao Xiang's arm, and said in a low voice: "Master, tell me, you go back to Beijing?"

"Back to Beijing?" Cao Xiang was puzzled.

"Did I never let go of my homework in the past year since I left Beijing, didn't I? Next spring, I will go back to Beijing to take the exam." Lu Ju expressed a bit of distress, and persuaded: "A Jinshi in the middle school, and entering the Imperial Academy is the way I beat the juniors." wish, isn't it?"

After hearing this, Cao Xiang felt that the boy's wish was so far away.

He smiled wryly and said: "In order to find this job, I spent a lot of money on my second brother, and even used my elder brother's favor. It's only been a year now..."

"Grandpa, think about it carefully. Both the uncle and the second master love you, and they don't expect you to make many political achievements outside. If the master takes the imperial examination again, they will not object." Luju said.

Cao Xiang was silent when he heard the words.

If you want to rush to the Shuntianfu Township Examination, you are too hasty, and I am afraid it will be too late.However, he is a student of the Imperial College, so he is eligible to participate in the examination next spring with Juren.

Thinking of his career as an official for more than a year, Cao Xiang felt a little nostalgic for his life of studying and rushing for exams...

*
Capital City, Cao Mansion, Wutong Garden.

Just before the Mid-Autumn Festival, Han Jiangshi came to pay the bill.Now Daoxiang Village's income is fairly stable, and the income of the ten shops is very rich.Because it was just in time for the birthday of the youngest son of the Cao family, Heng Sheng, Han Jiang made a special trip to prepare a gift.They are the top four treasures of the study, and they are worth a lot just by looking at them.

"You're too polite. He's a kid, and when he's most mischievous, how can he use these good things?" Chu Yu put down the gift list and said to Han Jiangshi with a smile.

"It is said that the second son is brave, and he should have prepared some swords and swords, which would suit the second son's mind. It's just that the young lady is a woman's family, and she is not familiar with those things. If she can't find a good one for a while, she might as well give this. To the Second Young Master. Although it is not as good as your family's, it is more or less kind." Han Jiangshi said.

Chu Yu knew that she was a person of great courtesy, so she accepted the kindness and asked someone to call Hang Sheng to thank Han Jiang.

Han Jiangshi didn't dare to accept the Hang Seng's full ceremony, so he got up to avoid it, and after a lot of tossing, the host and guest spoke again.

"Grandma, in the past few years, Tongrentang has sprayed pesticides in both winter and spring, and has a very good reputation. Although Daoxiang Village is not easy to learn to invite names, there have been more and more shops in Nandian in recent years. This year has already affected Daoxiang Village a bit. Otherwise, with the income from the Dragon Boat Festival and Mid-Autumn Festival, the income should have been more than it is now. When they gain a foothold and promote it next year, the business of Daoxiang Village will be difficult. How to make people recognize the brand of Daoxiang Village? Think of a few good ideas." Han Jiang said.

When Chu Yu heard this, he hesitated for a moment, and asked, "Does Guixiang Village be included in the several stores in the South that Shopkeeper Han mentioned?"

Han Jiangshi nodded and said: "It seems that grandma has also heard the rumors. I didn't think anything about it at first, but I only knew that Jiu Beizi seemed to be interested in this pastry business, so he opened a shop in Qianmen. I didn't expect this In a few months, Guixiang Village opened several branches, all near Daoxiang Village. The master chefs in Daoxiang Village signed a 20-year contract, and they couldn’t poach them. But I heard that the masters of other South Point shops in Beijing, They have all gathered in Guixiang Village, and there are also masters invited from the south. The shop plans and invites people to feed, just like Daoxiang Village back then."

Han Jiang was also depressed about this matter.

At the beginning, it was just a whim of Brother Jiu. Unexpectedly, in just two or three months, five shops in Guixiang Village have opened.

Even Chu Yu didn't think of this.After all, Brother Nine is her uncle.Who in this capital city doesn't know that Daoxiang Village is Chuyu's property, and this uncle and niece compete for business, which is a shame.

When others talk about it, they can only say that Jiu Beizi is completely in the eyes of money, and he doesn't want any face.

On Chuyu's side, there is no shortage of money to order, and the business in Daoxiang Village is just icing on the cake.According to her temperament, the reputation of Daoxiang Village is already too great, and even the dignitaries in the palace talk about the snacks outside, which is a bit ostentatious.

With the sale of Brother Nine, although Daoxiang Village's income has decreased, it is also a good thing that it has lost some of the limelight.

"Peace is the most important thing in buying and selling. If there is any movement, let's talk about it after the uncle comes back. According to our master, the uncle will be able to go to Beijing around the Double Ninth Festival." Chu Yu thought for a while, and said: " But when it comes to Tongrentang's medicine application, I remember something. I made a wish before the Buddha in the early years. If my eldest brother's eye disease is cured, I would like to build roads and bridges and accumulate some great merit. It's just that my uncle is an official in the court. , It’s more convenient to do things. It’s just my sincerity as a mother, and I don’t want to invite fame. If it’s convenient for shopkeeper Han, I’d like to ask shopkeeper Han to help me. See if I can act with the reputation of the shop, To avoid getting involved with the Cao family and attracting the tongue of the villain."

"Grandma, even in the name of a merchant, it would be unfair to donate money directly." Han Jiangshi thought for a while and said, "Now the imperial court is accepting donations, why don't grandma think about this?"

"This?" Chu Yu asked puzzled, "What does shopkeeper Han mean? Do you still want to donate fame?"

"Grandma, if you want to spend money, there is nothing more suitable than a donation. I heard that the court donates money to raise money. If grandma donates money, it will not only accumulate virtue and pass it on to the imperial court, but also benefit the future of Master Cao." Alright. This is to donate credit for good shopkeepers and buyers, so they will naturally become more and more devoted to the owner." Han Jiang said.

Chu Yu couldn't help being tempted by what she said...

*
It is about to fall to the fourth place in history, and I am asking for a guaranteed monthly pass.

(End of this chapter)