My Brother-in-law is the Prince

  When a report was delivered to Zhang Anshi.

   Zhang Anshi looked at it carefully, his eyes flickered, and his face was completely confident.

  He said to Chen Li beside him with a smile on his lips: "It's about time, it's time for Chen Deng to speak up, so I can clean him up."

  Chen Li listened and said yes repeatedly.

  However, Zhang Anshi also appeared in Chen Deng's cell. Someone had bathed Chen Deng before.

  Chen Deng put on fairly clean clothes, only the bloodstains on his face were clearly visible. Although he occasionally suffered from some wounds on his body, he still looked disdainful.

   Unexpectedly, he didn't see any embarrassment. It seemed that even the pain of flesh and blood didn't clear away the arrogance in him.

  Zhang Anshi actually had to admire this person, he really suffered a lot!

   Immediately, he ordered: "Go and get some food."

  A school captain hurried over.

   Zhang Anshi then smiled and said: "Mr. Chen has been doing well for the past two days."

  Chen Deng looked at Zhang Anshi coldly and said: "Now that things are up to now, why do you need to be courteous? Since your Highness knows Chen's ambitions, please don't continue to pretend."

Zhang Anshi said: "Although you and I are enemies, Chen Gongzhi's feeling is much higher than those who only know great principles, but are actually greedy for life and afraid of death, and only know about profit. Therefore, even if it is This king also admires it."

  Chen Dengdao: "Scholars in the world, how many people do you know? I wait for the disciples of the sages to this day, and I will not be photographed by your despotic power. As for Chen, what is it?"

  Zhang An Shidao: "No, Mr. Chen is a thousand times stronger than others."

  Chen Deng only sneered, and then said slowly: "This is because Your Highness has never seen the real courage of scholars."

  Zhang Anshi pondered for a moment, and said: "Then, Mr. Chen...does it mean that there are many courageous people like Mr. Chen in the world? So... Mr. Chen's comrades will surely succeed?"

  Chen Deng said firmly: "This is inevitable."

He paused, but sighed, and said: "For thousands of years, the world has regarded Confucianism as the righteousness, and because of this, whoever practices the rule of benevolence and righteousness, the world can live and work in peace, just like today, Today’s new policies, tomorrow’s under the banner of reform, will eventually lead to disasters. Your Highness is too young... thinking that as long as you accumulate money, you can make the world stable, and when disasters happen everywhere in the future, you will know the benefits.”

Zhang Anshidao: "The words of Mr. Chen are hard for me to agree with. In my opinion, people in this world are nothing more than profit-seeking. Those so-called sages, so-called gentry, and so-called scholars are angry because of It hinders their interests, so there are such drastic measures."

"This is what I admire about Mr. Chen. At least Mr. Chen believes that those articles about benevolence, righteousness and morality are not like other people. They just use the banner of these articles to make profits for themselves. Mr. Chen always said that Zhang was making money. But before the New Deal, where did the world's wealth go?"

Chen Dengdao: "Your Highness's words are really ridiculous. You and I have different ways, and we don't conspire with each other. It's just that... Chen has something to say. Chen is determined to take justice. If His Highness knows himself, he doesn't have to ruin it on Chen." It worked."

  Zhang Anshi laughed: "But this king still wants to try one last time."

  Chen Deng turned his face away coldly, as if unwilling to continue talking.

Zhang Anshi said: "How about this, Mr. Chen might as well go out for a walk with Mr. Zhang. If Mr. Chen still believes in his own judgment after what he sees and hears, then... Mr. Zhang will fulfill your wish. I'll give you a good time. But if Mr. Chen doesn't insist anymore, then why not..."

  Chen Deng looked at him with sarcasm and said, "Does Chen still have a choice now?"

  Zhang Anshi was not annoyed, and even said politely: "Then please fill your stomach first, Mr. Chen, and a carriage will come later."

  Zhang Anshi smiled at him and walked out.

   After half an hour, Chen Deng was picked up and got into the carriage.

  ...

  Prefectural Yamen House.

  Zhu Di was talking with Yang Rong and others at this time.

  Zhu Di suddenly said: "Why hasn't Zhang Qing moved in the past two days?"

  Yi Shiha then said: "My servant, please send someone to invite His Royal Highness Wuhu County King."

   Not long after, an **** came in a hurry and said, "Your Majesty, His Royal Highness Wuhu County took Chen Deng to the Ma family ship."

  Zhu Di listened, frowned and said: "Then Chen Deng is against the party, he led this person hastily, what if there is a danger on the way? Ma's Shipping... I have a good impression... But the champion's business?"

  Yi Shiha said: "Your Majesty, yes."

  Zhu Di asked suspiciously: "Why did you suddenly go to the Mashi boat?"

  Yi Shiha then said: "My servant heard... this Ma Yu has a lot of relationships with many gentry and scholars recently, and hangs out with them all day long. I think... he has some intentions."

  Zhu Di nodded, and immediately said: "Zhang Qing must have his own ideas in what he does. I have been in Hezhou for a long time, and I will drive back to Beijing in the next few days. Why don't you... go to the boat shop to have a look."

  Yi Shiha was also sensible, and immediately said: "Your maidservant, let's make arrangements."

  Yang Rong, Hu Guang and others looked at each other in blank dismay.

  Yang Rong said: "Your Majesty...in Hezhou, many scholars and gentry have complaints about Your Majesty and the King of Wuhu County..."

  The meaning behind the words is actually quite obvious, it is not safe for Your Majesty to go out!

  But Zhu Di didn't seem to be thinking about it at this time, so he didn't hear the meaning, and even said bluntly: "What are you complaining about? It's just full of resentment!"

  Yang Rong smiled and continued: "This Ma family has a lot of relationships with many scholars, and his majesty's daughter is still..."

At this moment, Zhu Di understood, and immediately snorted coldly and said: "In my life, I have only been afraid of those scholars who will use their mouths. How can I be afraid that they will invade me? Don't I know what they are? Zhang Qing If I can go, I can go too.”

  Yang Rong and the others dared not persuade them anymore.

  Therefore, Zhang Anshi arrived at Ma's Firm, Ma Yu heard that Zhang Anshi had arrived, and immediately came out to greet him.

  Zhang Anshi only said to him: "Arrange a quiet place."

  Ma Yu understood immediately, and immediately said: "Yes."

Not long after, Zhang Anshi, Chen Deng, and Chen Li were seated in a side room near the Ma's business shop. Ma Yu poured tea himself, and did not ask Zhang Anshi anything else, as if he understood Zhang Anshi's intentions. Intention, after pouring tea, he has already left.

   Not long after, someone came in a hurry and whispered a few words to Zhang Anshi.

  Zhang Anshi frowned, suddenly stood up, and said to Chen Li: "You don't move, I will pick you up."

   After a while, Zhang Anshi led Zhu Di, Yang Rong and others.

  Everyone was seated, Zhu Di looked around, but he didn't even look at Chen Deng, he just said to Zhang Anshi: "Why is Qing Zhang here?"

  Zhang Anshi smiled wryly in his heart, and said in his heart: I still want to ask Your Majesty.

  Zhang Anshi replied: "Your Majesty, I have brought Chen Gong here to see the world."

Zhu Di ignored the so-called Mr. Chen, he wouldn't talk too much nonsense about the dead, he just said: "Then I also want to open my eyes and see your world. Why, what will happen to this Ma's firm? "

  Zhang An Shidao: "Ma's Shipping Company is raising funds."

   "Fundraising?" Zhu Di suddenly became interested, and he said with great interest, "How does this raise money?"

  Zhang Anshi said: "Your Majesty, wait a moment."

  Here is only a wall away from the pavement, and the movement next door can be heard clearly.

   There is also a small window facing the shop. People passing by in the shop will not pay attention to the movement in the ear room, but if the people in the ear room pay attention, they can also observe what happens in the shop.

  At this time, Chen Deng was still sitting upright, his eyes were slightly closed, as if he was resting his mind, and he seemed to turn a deaf ear to what happened outside.

   And at this moment, there was movement next door.

  Many scholars and gentry-like people came in, as if they were looking for something.

  Many people came in and asked, where is Ma Dong's house?

  The shopkeeper in the store is in charge of entertaining, only saying that the owner has something to do and can't come out to greet him.

   As a result, everyone asked about buying shares.

   Immediately afterwards, the treasurer patiently explained that the shipping company was divided into millions of shares and then sold. The future income and dividends will be distributed according to the annual profit and the number of shares in hand.

  In fact, all these can be done with just one click.

  Many people were discussing in low voices, some were hesitating, and some were discussing in low voices.

   After learning that 300,000 shares will be sold in the future, more people began to discuss.

   When asked about the selling price, it was ten taels of silver a share.

  The price...is prohibitive.

   Soon, Wu Tong also arrived. Seeing that there were more and more people here, he was startled and couldn't help smiling bitterly, feeling a little sorry for Ma Yu.

   Soon, a few familiar faces came over and muttered to him. When he realized what was going on, Tong Wu said, "Ten taels of silver a share? This... this is also..."

  Even he felt that the price was a little too high.

  At this time, someone said: "Let's go and see, someone posted the account and it came out."

  Wu Tong followed the crowd to see, but it was the annual turnover and profit of the Ma's firm.

  The amount of profit that year was actually 370,000 taels.

  Therefore, Wu Tong and the others calculated.

If it is calculated by ten taels of silver, then the entire Mashi Commercial Bank is worth tens of millions of taels of silver, 370,000 taels of silver per year, which means that if you invest 1,000 taels of silver, after a year, the income is only 37 taels of silver. silver.

   Calculated in this way, it doesn't seem to be a lot, but at this time, some merchants came and started to buy.

  Wu Tong and the others were indecisive for a while.

  When someone brought a merchant over, he whispered: "One thousand taels a year earns thirty-seven taels... If you buy this, is it really worth it?"

The merchant was sweating profusely, looking eager, but said: "You can't look at this year's profit. The reason why this year's profit is 370,000 taels is because there are only more than 130 ships. But this fundraising is for Ordering more new ships will increase the size of the fleet several times in the future, and the profit in the next year, the next year, five years or ten years will not be 370,000 taels, even 3.7 million may not be impossible . Are you new here?"

  Everyone was stunned when they heard this.

But the merchant continued: "You can't look at this year's accounts. If you know something about this Ma's firm, you have to look at their accounts from last year and the year before. In the year before last, the profit of Ma's firm was only 70,000 taels. , it becomes 160,000 taels, and the profit can be doubled in a year, and it is like this every year. If I can invest in this Mars firm, I am afraid that I will become rich overnight. If you don’t buy it now, you will be able to make a profit in a year. When there is one million taels of silver, it is no longer the price of one share of ten taels of silver.”

  After everyone listened, they finally realized it.

  Wu Tong is also a shrewd person. He immediately understood the meaning, thought about it immediately, and didn't say anything more to others, so he hurried to the counter and wanted to buy shares.

  He was so angry that he bought a thousand shares directly.

  A total of ten thousand taels of silver is nothing to a big family like the Wu family.

  Soon, Wu Tong noticed that there were already a lot of extravagant dragons behind.

After Wu Tong bought the shares, he heaved a sigh of relief, but he still refused to leave. He wanted to find an opportunity to chat with Ma Yu, but someone pulled him aside and said in a low voice, "Follow me." Come."

   Immediately, Wu Tong was pulled to the ear room aside.

  He was almost dragged in by someone, and when he saw the people in the ear room, he was suddenly taken aback.

  At this time, his face was miserable, and he wanted to say something, but he couldn't open his mouth. Zhu Di and Zhang Anshi, these were people he recognized even when they turned into ashes.

  Zhu Di was more generous, and smiled at him: "Come, give me a seat, don't make a fuss, I will chat with you."

  Wu Tong finally calmed down a little.

  In any case, he has met the holy man twice. Even if this majesty is a foolish king, for him, it will be his own talk when he gets old in the future, and his grandchildren will be happy with him.

   Immediately, he tried his best to calm himself down a little, leaned over and sat down.

  Zhu Di said: "I heard that you spent ten thousand taels of silver?"

  Wu Tong timidly said: "Yes... yes..."

  Zhu Di said: "Isn't this a small sum?"

  Zhu Di's voice was quite soft, and he tried his best to appear friendly.

   Zhang Anshi, who was sitting on the side, also laughed.

  The rest of Yang Rong and the others looked curious.

  Only in the corner, Chen Deng, who was sitting upright, had always closed his eyes in a restful state, but now he couldn't help opening them, looking at Wu Tong.

  Tong Wu said: "Yes, it is indeed not a small sum."

  Zhu Di said: "Why are you so willing?"

  Wu Tong was also determined, but he didn't dare to commit the crime of deceiving the emperor. He immediately said: "Ma Yu is the number one scholar, and I can be regarded as an old friend. Regardless of his talent and learning, students can trust him in terms of his virtue."

   "Just these?"

The muscles on Wu Tong's face trembled, as if he had made up his mind, and immediately said: "Since the family moved to Hezhou, the fields in the village may not last long. The family has a large population. The shadow of the ancestors and the ancestors can actually live comfortably. It's just... sooner or later, if you go down like this, you will have to sit and eat. To be honest, Your Majesty, the grass people have never slept well since they came to Hezhou. I think they are unworthy descendants , I’m sorry to my ancestors. I’m also worried that the Wu family will fall into the hands of grass-roots people in the long run.”

  Zhu Di nodded secretly, but he understood.

Wu Tong continued: "However, Mr. Wu can't get a title on the gold list, enter the court as an official, and can't manage business, let alone imitate the merchants to do business. He has some money in his hand. It's better...to find a reliable one. The people who are here, do some business and give the Wu family...an extra income, otherwise...sooner or later, the whole family will be ruined."

   "Caomin doesn't know anything about business, but after listening to some advice from Ma Yu, Caomin has some understanding of the operation of the ship industry. He thinks...he should be able to earn some money, so...he came."

  Zhu Di smiled: "Aren't you afraid of being cheated?"

Wu Tongdao: "Caomin is also a person who has seen the world. The reason why he has such courage is that Ma Yu was born as a number one scholar, and his family business is not small. If you think about it... that's not the case. Second, Hezhou's laws and regulations, the small These days, people have some understanding. The officials are happy to accept such lawsuits and are willing to protect buyers like Cao Min. Third, the operation of the shipping industry is easy to understand and should be able to generate huge profits, so...although there is capital Possibility of going homeless, but . . . a great opportunity for profit."

   As he spoke, Wu Tong gradually became more worried, and continued: "Of course, the most important thing is that the Wu family can't just sit and eat forever, otherwise, even if it is a mountain of gold and silver, it will be exhausted sooner or later."

Zhang Anshi said from the side: "Your Majesty, this Ma Yu is really a wonderful person. Not only is he a champion, he can talk to scholars, and he can explain business matters to scholars in an easy-to-understand manner. The most important thing is , He grasped the mentality of the gentry in Hezhou, and there are so many gentry in Hezhou, they also brought a lot of wealth, and this wealth, in a sense, is called old money."

   "This money has been passed down for generations. In order to avoid risks, it has been hidden in the silver vaults and cellars of these gentry families. It has been accumulated from generation to generation, but they are not willing to take it out easily."

   "In the past, the gentry had silver, and either stored it or used it to buy land. Apart from that, they had no choice."

"But today, the road of buying land is too risky, and it is no longer feasible. Especially these gentry who came to Hezhou to avoid disasters have lost their previous livelihoods, and it is precisely the most in need of a new means of livelihood when."

   "Ma Yu has identified this point, and wants to attract all of Hezhou's wealth to himself."

Speaking of this, Zhang Anshi smiled, and then continued: "However, this matter can only be done by Ma Yu. As for other merchants, the gentry have always despised them. How could they hand over the money to the merchants?" Management? But if a gentry like Ma Yu doesn’t know how to manage business, only Ma Yu is proficient in business management and is a leader among scholars. Wealth will all go into Ma's firm."

   Zhu Di couldn't help being moved when he heard this.

   There are at least tens of thousands of households of gentry, and I don’t know how many generations have accumulated their family business. How much will this wealth be?