Reborn, meet you again!

Song Wan naturally understood Jiang Zheng's worries.

This was also the reason why she had not brought up this idea before.

The current situation of the Prime Minister's Mansion is that it cannot help the Jiang family for the time being. She originally wanted to cure her grandmother's eye disease and her reputation would become more famous. Then she could often go in and out of the official court, use her medical skills to make good friends, and find a stable backer for the Jiang family.

But after meeting Jun Jiuchen today...

She already had a better choice in mind.

"I understand your father's concerns. I have an idea in my mind. Perhaps I can find a talisman for the Jiang family! From now on, the Jiang family can do business in Shangjing steadily and avoid being bullied."

"However, this matter may cost a lot of money, even... it may be 50% more than what my father spent on raising food and wages for the Ningyuan Marquis' Mansion."

"So, the daughter has to ask her father's wishes before doing this."

Jiang Zheng immediately became more energetic after hearing this.

If it is 50% more than what the Ningyuan Marquis' Mansion raised in terms of food and wages, it would be 1.5 million taels.

Although it is a considerable expense, if it can bring complete stability, the Jiang family can still afford it if they grit their teeth.

For those who are doing business, the important thing is never to save money, but to increase income. Otherwise, no matter how big the family business is, there will be a day when it will be exhausted.

"Qiao Qiao, tell me about it."

Song Wan nodded.

"Father, have you heard anything about the Mobei Army returning to Beijing these days?"

Jiang Zheng had been in Beijing for some time, so naturally he had heard something about it.

"Of course, but what does this have to do with our Jiang family?"

Song Wan thought about what she heard from Dong Da when she was treating him, and explained to Jiang Zheng.

"Tianqi and Mobei have been fighting on and off for years. This time, Mobei was severely defeated and agreed to cede territory and withdraw its troops. After signing the armistice agreement, nearly ten thousand wounded soldiers and elderly soldiers who needed resettlement have been returning to the capital from Mobei."

"My daughter treated a soldier who had returned from Mobei a few days ago, and learned a lot about the Mobei Army from him."

"Although arrangements have been made for the 10,000 people who have already arrived in Beijing, they are largely relying on the silver confiscated by the Regent. This shows that the court is currently unable to come up with the funds."

"As far as I know, the last batch of Mobei troops will be arriving in Beijing soon, but it seems that there is still no money to support their resettlement."

"Since the imperial court is short of silver, and we happen to have silver, this deal...isn't it done?"

Jiang Zheng now understood somewhat of what his daughter meant.

"Qiao Qiao's intention is to have my father donate money to the court, gain a reputation as a righteous businessman, and do the court a favor. That way, if anyone wants to cause trouble for the Jiang family, they will have to take it into consideration."

Song Wan shook her head slightly.

"Father is only half right!"

"We do want to pay the silver, but it's useless to sell this favor to the imperial court. Not to mention who will hand it over, and whether it will eventually reach the Mobei Army."

"Such a superficial reputation will not have much deterrent effect."

"Now that the money has been spent, we must strive for the greatest benefit!"

"So... if I want to sell this favor, I'll sell it to the Regent, and as a condition, ask him to protect my Jiang family."

As soon as these words were spoken, Jiang Zheng immediately thought of the scene of meeting the Regent today.

In his opinion, the Regent was not someone who could be easily controlled.

"Regent? Is this... possible?"

Song Wan didn't dare to say anything final, so he just said.

"My daughter isn't entirely sure either, but since he's the commander-in-chief of the Mobei Army, these people are his personal soldiers. He certainly won't stand idly by."

"My daughter thinks that as long as we help him solve this matter, he shouldn't refuse some of our Jiang family's small requests that are not too much for him!"

"As for this condition... I have also thought of two. Father, please listen to whether they are feasible and whether they are worth the money the Jiang family can spend."

"If the father thinks it is feasible, the daughter will give it a try."

Jiang Zheng was still a little worried.

When he was in Jiangnan, he saw many corrupt officials who were obsessed with money and collude with each other.

I always feel that negotiating with the Regent is like courting disaster.

Isn’t the Pei family a good lesson?

At this time, Liu gently pushed the silent Jiang Zheng.

"My daughter is asking you a question, why are you just daydreaming?"

"In my opinion, Qiao Qiao's analysis is quite reasonable. In this court, who has the power to deter more than the Regent? It's always a good idea to give it a try."

"If our Jiang family wants to gain a foothold in Shangjing, we have to worry about arousing jealousy and rebellion in front, and there is the hidden danger of the Pei family behind us. We are surrounded by wolves in front and tigers behind."

"It would be better if we take the initiative to plan it ourselves. That way, even if we are defeated in the future, it will be a clear defeat. We don't have to be the fool who gets taken advantage of like we did in Jiangnan."

"Besides, I trust Qiao Qiao's vision."

Jiang Zheng came to his senses immediately after being pushed by his wife.

Yes.

How could he forget about the Pei family?

My daughter has such a big handle on the Pei family in her hand. I heard that the young lady Shen, who was newly married into the Marquis' Mansion, was also named a princess by the Empress Dowager.

What if the Marquis' Mansion becomes more powerful from now on and turns around to deal with Qiao Qiao?

Besides, at the moment, they really have no better way to go.

Thinking that he was not as courageous as his wife and daughter, Jiang Zheng suddenly felt ashamed. He looked at Liu with an apologetic smile and said with a flattering smile.

"Madam, you are right. Am I too cautious, or is it that you are farsighted?"

"Qiao Qiao, keep talking. Father is listening."

Song Wan watched the interaction between Jiang Zheng and Liu and couldn't help but smile.

"Yes, father!"

"The first condition is naturally the most direct one, ensuring the smooth opening of our Jiang Family Pharmacy in Shangjing. So, my daughter thought, why not ask the Prince Regent to personally write an inscription for our Jiang Family Pharmacy on the opening day?"

"And secondly... my daughter wants to ask the court for a favor, allowing five generations of the Jiang family's direct relatives to take the imperial examinations normally, or to enter officialdom through all other formal channels."

When Jiang Zheng heard the first condition, he felt a little uneasy.

After all, he originally just thought that even if he did the Regent a favor, at most he would just ask him to uphold justice for the Jiang family when someone caused trouble.

But this autograph...

But it is equivalent to telling others clearly that the Jiang family is protected by the Regent.

But when he heard the latter sentence, his eyebrows jumped and a hint of excitement arose in his heart.

"Enter the government! Will the court allow this?"

Among the four classes of scholars, farmers, merchants and artisans, merchants have the lowest status. Therefore, in Tianqi, the descendants of merchants cannot enter the officialdom!

This also meant that the Jiang family was destined to be unable to break free from the restrictions brought about by class.

Song Wan sensed Jiang Zheng's emotions and nodded seriously.

"Of course! Although it's an old rule that merchants are not allowed to enter the government, as far as I know, there were two such exceptions in the previous dynasty. As long as one has made contributions to the court or the people, the court can grant additional special orders!"

"It's just that the two families who received this special order haven't had anyone successfully enter the government, so they're little known."

"Our Jiang family contributed money to help the imperial court settle the Mobei Army. This is a great achievement. Why can't we compete for it?"

"Isn't it because of this background that father was constrained in Jiangnan and hesitant in the capital?"

"Even if we can successfully persuade the Regent to temporarily protect the Jiang family and allow them to gain a foothold in Shangjing, this is only for the time being. The affairs of the court are unpredictable. Who knows what the situation will be like in ten or twenty years?"

"Relying on others...is never as good as relying on yourself!"