Huan Rong

When Xun You and Zhong Lin arrived in Jiankang, Huan Rong let go of a big stone in his heart, and put it on the agenda to take out the hidden gold in Qingxi.

"The servant is equal to Guangling, and the merchant ship will be salted. In addition to the goods on board, there is also a letter written by Jingde. The person who sends the letter must hand it over to Minggong."

After returning from the Northern Expedition, Xun You and Zhong Lin no longer called Huan Rong "Fu Jun", but changed their names to Ming Gong.

On the surface, it is only a change of title, which has no real significance.

In essence, the two were expressing to Huan Rong: from now on, following Duke Ming, whether they are serving the government or entering the court, whether they are a minister of power or a king, they must devote themselves to death.

In short, the two of them have made up their minds, no matter what Huan Rong's plan is, there is no difference between going up the mountain of swords and going down into the sea of ​​fire!

After understanding the intention behind it, Huan Rong didn't say much.

Instead of talking empty teeth, it is better to prove with practical actions that their decision is not wrong, and follow Huan County Magistrate to have meat to eat!

At present, the house in Qingxili needs to be taken back as soon as possible, and the hidden gold and treasures in the house must be transported out, so as not to attract the attention of outsiders.Huan Rong can't do everything by himself, entrusting the matter to two people represents extraordinary trust.

Xun You and Zhong Lin said on the spot, Minggong, don't worry, leave the matter to them, and guarantee that there will be no mistakes!

Before dispatching people, Xun You took out Shi Shao's letter and attached two volumes of bamboo slips.

The letter was sealed with rice milk, the bamboo slips were wrapped in a cloth bag, and the mouth of the bag was sealed, and the rope wrapped around the bamboo slips was tied with a knot.

"The person who sent the letter said that since Langjun's Northern Expedition, Qin's merchant ships went back and forth several times, transporting a large amount of sea salt. Due to the rapid increase in the population of Yandu, there was a shortage of food, and the traded rice did not increase, but there were two more ships of silk cloth."

When they were in Guangling, Xun You and Zhong Lin had a general understanding of the situation and made an estimate of Wubao's business.

Due to the pricing relationship, the net profit of each shipment fluctuates occasionally, which cannot stand up to the high demand, so it is definitely a good deal.

What's more, making friends with the Qin family through business is tantamount to forming an ally in the north.As long as they don't turn against each other in the short term, no matter what plans Duke Ming has in the future, the Qin family will be a big help.

"The servants on the ship heard that there are Hu merchants going to Yandu to sell their goods one after another. Apart from silk, the ornaments of Jinfang are especially sought-after."

Huan Rong nodded, opened the letter in front of the two of them, read it once, then ordered the maid to bring a knife, opened the sealed cloth bag, and took out the tightly wrapped bamboo slips.

"Jingde said in his letter that Tuyuhun and Persian merchants entered Yandu on Qin's merchant ship."

"Qin Merchant Ship?"

Xun You and Zhong Lin looked at each other, both a little surprised.

"This business is not small, it can be regarded as a favor of the Qin family."

Huan Rong unfolded the bamboo slips, seeing the surprised faces of the two, he simply pushed the letter over and motioned them to read it for themselves.

"The north is in turmoil. There has been no major war, but small wars have continued."

"Murong Xianbei's court is full of smog. The country has just encountered a catastrophe, and heavy taxes have been imposed. The people are almost destitute. When the Di people met Zhang Liang and sent troops, they are at a loss for themselves at the moment."

"There are a lot of miscellaneous people. Apart from robbing the county seat, the caravans passing through the border will not be spared."

Looking at the handwriting engraved on the bamboo slips, Huan Rong tapped his fingers habitually, remembering the news sent by Qin Jing.

"In recent months, the caravans of the Han people have rarely gone to the north, and some of them only operate on the border and do not go deep. As a result, the life of the Hu merchants is getting worse."

For example, the Xianbei Duan clan is strong, and the combat power of the guards is comparable to that of the army. They form a large-scale caravan, and naturally they are not afraid of random soldiers.

Changing to an ordinary Hu merchant, he could find a way, barely able to travel with the big caravan, and exchange the profits of the goods for protection.If you can't find a way out, or if you don't go out, you may encounter robbery when you go out. In the end, if you don't make money, you may lose your life.

"The territory of the Di people is a little bit better, and the Xianbei area is about to become a mess."

In contrast, the prefectures and counties under the jurisdiction of Qin's Wubao have almost become a peach blossom garden.

According to what Shi Shaoxin said, in just half a year, the Qin family had accumulated a large amount of wealth.Over [-]% of the Persian, Tuyuhun, and Rouran caravans that traveled among the Di people and Xianbei tribes in previous years gathered in Wupu of the Qin family, and a few even stayed in Wupu permanently.

"Xianyang during the Qin Dynasty, and Chang'an during the Han Dynasty."

Huan Rong murmured, which attracted Zhong Lin's strange glance.

"Duke Ming is referring to the Wubao of Qin's family? Is it too famous?"

Huan Rong shook his head.

What he was talking about wasn't Qin's Wubao, but the emotion in his heart when he thought of the chaos in the Northland today, compared with the prosperity of the Qin and Han Dynasties.

"The letter said that the Hu merchants who came with the ship are all stationed in Qin's Wubao, and they need a lot of silk and silk cloth, as well as pearls from the southern land."

Xun You read the last few lines, and said, "Jingde means that we can set up a small market in Yandu to trade with Hu merchants."

Hu merchants are resident in Wubao of the Qin family, which is equivalent to handing out a "certificate of voting".Unless you don't want your head, it will basically not pose a threat to Yan Du's safety.

The quantity of goods they demanded was huge, and the price they offered was quite high. Shi Shao intended to win this business, so he suggested in his letter that a small market could be set up in Yandu to sell goods exclusively with Hu merchants.

Qin's Wubao brought the Hu merchants to Yandu, and skipped the intermediary procedure of transferring goods, which is equivalent to directly sending benefits, which is not a small favor.

In the future, a small city will be set up in Yandu, and more Hu merchants will use Wubao merchant ships to communicate, and the relationship between the two parties will be stronger.

At that time, the Qin family will not only transport the Hu merchants, but also transport the cargo into the boat, which will not only gain the gratitude of the other party, but also get benefits.In the same way, it was difficult for Huan Rong to refuse the proposal to increase the amount of sea salt and grain.

After thinking carefully, Huan Rong couldn't help but click his tongue.

This kind of business experience, I really still have to learn.

"Zhongren thinks, should this small city be established?"

"The servant thinks that the advantages of this matter outweigh the disadvantages."

What Huan Rong could think of, Xun You and Zhong Lin naturally would not ignore.In the long run, this business is not a loss.As for the favor owed, it is really nothing.

There is no shortage of sea salt in Yandu, as much as you want.

As for food, Yandu's stock is insufficient, and the two parties are in a cooperative relationship, so they will never force it.

"The one who made the contract is the Lord of the Qin family, Duke Ming can rest assured."

Huan Rong looked at the two suspiciously, they have so much confidence in Qin Jing?

"I don't want to hide it from Mr. Ming. The servants and others suffered from wars, the whole family was separated, and eventually became refugees. They saw all kinds of things in the world and people of all colors. I dare not say anything else. It is ninety percent of the things that the Qin family's husband does on a daily basis. None of the above will happen.”

Xun You's expression and tone did not seem to be fake, Huan Rong frowned, hesitant to speak.

"From my servant's point of view, if there is an unavoidable day, Mr. Ming should put himself first and act from the heart." Zhong Lin added with a meaningful smile.

Looking at Zhong Sheren, who is breezy and bright, Huan Rong blinked.

This is to tell him clearly that once the other party opens his mouth in favor of favors, he can't bear it, directly tear up the contract, and turn his face ruthlessly?

"A man doesn't care about trifles." Zhong Lin brushed off her sleeves.

"Of course." Xun You nodded calmly, expressing agreement.

still?

Huan Rong was speechless for a while, pinched the root of his nose, and suddenly realized that in front of the heroes of the world, he was more than just a fool.

After the three of them discussed, Huan Rong personally wrote a reply letter to Shi Shao, and sent it to Yandu by his servant.

Yandu's income for one year is attached to the two scrolls of bamboo slips, which are briefly listed item by item, and the figures are recorded at the end.

Why not use account books, you can understand after thinking about it.

With such a large volume of shipments, even if a new type of account book is used, more than a dozen boxes or even dozens of boxes must be loaded.

Huan Rong's stay in Jiankang will not exceed one month, and transporting the account books back and forth is not enough to consume manpower and material resources.Besides, he might not have time to look carefully.It is far better to list the total number, so that he can have a rough idea in his mind, and check it when he returns to Yandu.

After sending out the letter, Huan Rong settled down a concern and handed over everything in Qingxi to Xun You and Zhong Lin, then called a healthy servant and brought a wooden box to see Princess Nankang.

"By the way," Huan Rong suddenly stopped, and said to Zhong Lin, "Reserve some of the spices and colored treasures brought back, and send the rest to the shops in the city together with the jewelry."

"promise!"

Now, Yandu's sea salt and gold and silver jewelry have all been sold to Jiankang. In addition to the Wang family, Huan Rong has had business contacts with the Xie family, the He family, and the Lu family.

Shi Shao took care of most of the things that were not handled by him.

Now that I have returned to Jiankang, I always have to walk around with a few families and give a copy as a gift to consolidate the "friendship" between each other.

It would be awkward to come forward by yourself, and it would be more appropriate to use Aunt's name.After all, the profitable business is obvious to all, so it is better to keep a low profile so as not to attract hatred.

Bypassing the wing room under the corridor, a gust of cold wind blows head-on, with a little bit of drizzle in the wind.

Huan Rong raised his head, watching the raindrops become silk and gradually connect into a thin curtain, like a light veil wrapping an ancient tree in the courtyard, the scenery is really pleasant.I didn't realize that poetry was very popular, and I wanted to imitate the ancients and recite a few sentences, but suddenly I ran out of words.

After pondering for a while, he finally shook his head.

Literature and art, talent, etc., really aren't suitable for him.It's better to be honest and work with gold and silver, and run wildly on the road of making money and cheating your father.

The rain came suddenly, and Princess Nankang was in a good mood, standing on the porch to enjoy the rain.

A pair of pigeons came flying from nowhere, with gray-black feathers, only a dark red patch on the neck and abdomen, it doesn't look bright enough, but it is round and very pleasing.

Two servants brought rice and sprinkled it in the courtyard to feed.

After a while, several pigeons flew over, scrambling each other for grain, and the sound of "cuckoo" in the courtyard became one.

"This little thing is interesting, not afraid of people at all."

Princess Nankang laughed when she saw it, and said to Mrs. Li who was leaning against the porch: "I remember my sister said, how many rare pheasants and birds did you raise in the early years?"

"It's all from the early years. I just mentioned it casually. It's hard for my sister to remember it."

Mrs. Li turned her head to the side, her hair swayed slightly, and her delicate face showed a bit of nostalgia.

"When I was young, my father loved me the most. I specially found two surviving birds from the barbarians. Unfortunately, I couldn't keep them for long."

Recalling the old events in Chenghan, Mrs. Li rarely showed a bit of fragility, leaning against Princess Nankang, her eyes slightly closed, her long eyelashes trembling like butterfly wings.

"Sister-in-law likes the wolverine?"

"En." Mrs. Li nodded slightly.

"After spring, if you find a merchant ship going to the wild land, you can find a few for my sister."

Mrs. Li raised her head, her eyebrows and eyes crooked with a smile, her complexion became more and more beautiful, and she said softly: "Sister has a heart, why do you need to overtake the birds, these few pigeons are enough."

When the two were talking, the rain gradually decreased, and the number of pigeons in the yard increased to seven or eight, and a few unknown small birds appeared.

The servants brought more grains, but did not dare to throw them vigorously, for fear of frightening them away.

Unexpectedly, these birds seem to be used to being fed by people, and after scrambling for the rice in the yard, they began to search around.Looking at the lacquer dishes in the hands of the servants, they flew over one by one, the feathers fluttered in the fluttering of the wings, the servants dodged in a hurry, and the startled laughter instantly joined together.

Along the way, Huan Rong first encountered the two-person world of Princess Nankang and Mrs. Li, and couldn't help but stop in the corridor.Then he saw the fat bird flying in the air, and his jaw almost fell to the ground.

Pigeon?

Or a common domestic pigeon in later generations?

If you really step through the iron shoes, there is nowhere to find it, and it takes no effort to get it.

After being happy for less than two seconds, Huan Rong suddenly remembered a serious problem. Huan Rong quickly raised his head and looked at the sky. Sure enough, a black figure suddenly appeared in the rain, swooped down instantly, and caught a fat bird in the blink of an eye.

噍——

Goo-goo-goo-goo

The doves scattered and flew away, the goshawk caught two, killed them with one claw, and threw them at Huan Rong's feet to claim credit.Seeing that the other party didn't express anything, he let out a high-pitched cry, soaring into the sky, chasing the flock of pigeons that flew away.

Huan Rong looked at the lifeless fat bird, then at the slightly messy courtyard, and silently looked at the sky.

He was right to be worried.

With Goshawk by his side, these little fresh meats are really a dish.

The servants cleaned up the spilled rice and feathers, Princess Nankang was about to return to the room, when she saw Huan Rong standing looking up at the sky, she couldn't help raising her eyebrows.

"Guar."

"Mother."

Hurrying back to his senses, Huan Rong took a few steps quickly, stepped forward to salute, and asked worriedly: "Are you surprised, mother?"

"No problem." Princess Nankang smiled, "I heard Ah Mai said that you have an eagle, but this one?"

"It's my fault that I surprised my mother and aunt today." Huan Rong lowered his head, his ears turned red,

"It's just an eagle, it will be startled anywhere." Princess Nankang didn't take it seriously, and entered the room with Mrs. Li, motioning Huan Rong to follow.

"In the early years when the rebel army invaded Jiankang, blood flowed into rivers inside the city, and flocks of crows gathered outside the city. Their eyes were all red, and they wanted to bite anyone they saw. That was scary."

The mother and son were seated indoors, the servants brought tea soup, and the box Huan Rong brought was put aside.

"Speaking of which, shouldn't you go to Qingxi today?" Princess Nankang picked up the tea soup.

"The matter has been entrusted to the two servants. There are other important matters for my son to see my mother."

"what's up?"

"It's about business in the city."

Huan Rong briefly explained the matter, opened the lid of the box with his own hands, and the golden light was dazzling.

"These are new styles from Yandu, and they haven't entered Jiankang yet. I know that my mother will enter Taicheng in the future, so I asked my mother for help." At this point, Huan Rong suddenly felt a little embarrassed.

"I think it's something." Princess Nankang smiled, raised her hand and patted Huan Rong's shoulder, "It makes my mother sad to be so hesitant."

"Son..." Huan Rong's ears turned red.

"Sister, don't tease your husband." Mrs. Li said with a light smile, "Sister also said yesterday, what kind of gift should be prepared when entering the palace on the first day. It can be seen that it is a mother-child bond."

Princess Nankang smiled even more, stroked the top of Huan Rong's hair, and said, "Did you hear that?"

"Yes." Huan Rong also smiled.

While the mother and son were talking indoors, Huan Rong took out the jewelry from the box one by one.

Most of the gold hairpins are inlaid with colored agate and amber glass from Persia.

The step-shaking is made into a flower-and-bird style, with hair-thick gold threads hanging down, connected with round Hepu beads and red corals, shaking it a few times, and the colorful light flickers.

Compared with the craftsmanship of the master craftsmen of Jiankang City, the value is comparable, and the style is better than the novelty.

"These ones are suitable for young girls." Princess Nankang picked out two plum blossom hairpins, looked at Huan Rong with a smile, "It's really not suitable for you to give them."

Huan Rong suddenly felt his scalp go numb, so in order to avoid making too many mistakes, he simply kept his mouth shut and didn't say a word.

After looking at the whole box of jewelry, Princess Nankang only selected a few pieces, and told Ah Mai to keep them, and the insufficient amount was taken from her private treasury.

"Gift giving is also learned." Princess Nankang said earnestly, "It's nothing more than ordinary, but it's not very suitable to meet those in Qingxili and Wuyi Lane."

While talking, Ah Mai brought a square wooden box, and Princess Nankang opened it casually, and inside was a jade screen carved out of whole jade.But the size of two palms, the carved insect stone flowers and birds are lifelike, and even the feathers on the birds are very clear.

After Yuping, Princess Nankang took out several important treasures one after another and left them for later generations. Ninety percent of them are national treasures.

While Huan Rong was eye-opening, he realized that gift-giving is very knowledgeable and status is very important.If you don't know the key and give gifts easily, not only you can't make good friends, but you will make enemies.

"These are left to me by my mother, and they are all objects passed down a hundred years ago."

Princess Nankang picked up a wine cup.

It is also carved from white jade, and in the middle of the cup stands a small lotus seat, less than the size of a knuckle, crystal clear and moist, not like a wine set, it is clearly a priceless handicraft.

"I got this when I was young, and my elder brother also has one." Thinking of her deceased elder brother, Princess Nankang sighed, put the wine cup in the box, and pushed it in front of Huan Rong, "It's useless for me to keep it. You can play with it."

Let's play with it?

Startled for two seconds, Huan Rong picked up the wine cup and once again saw how rich and powerful his mother was.

In Taicheng, the palace servants and eunuchs were busy to welcome the Yuan Dynasty.

The imperial road was swept three times a day, and the palace where the court meeting was held was cleaned several times. The eunuch wiped every corner with a cloth towel, and there was not even a little water stain on it.

Outside Duanmen, Hu beds were prepared in rows for the officials to sit on during the court meeting.Because it has been raining recently, tarpaulins are spread on them to avoid getting wet.From a distance, it is magnificent.

It is said to be a bed, but it has nothing to do with the bed, but a small bench that can be folded, which is the so-called Maza in later generations.

The brazier hugged by several people was moved to the front of the hall, and the musicians were rehearsing intensively.

As the master of the imperial palace, the emperor Sima Yi ignored everything as usual. He was drunk when he got up early, and fell asleep on the couch.Empress Yu has been seriously ill since last year and has not been able to stay in bed again. The doctor is relieved on the surface, but in his heart they all understand that with the empress's condition, she is just living through the day.

The Empress Dowager Chu had already returned to the emperor and retired to the harem.However, Sima Yi gave up on himself, even being incompetent as a mascot, on the contrary, he was more worried than when he was regent.

The day after tomorrow will be the court meeting, and Huan Dasi will immediately make an announcement, please offer prisoners in front of the emperor.No matter what purpose is behind it, it is a good thing for Yu Guo.

However, the Son of Heaven is still drunk and sleepy, and the time of sobriety is getting less and less.The queen became so ill again, she only cried when she saw her, she didn't dare to think about helping, it would be nice not to make trouble.

Really too busy, Empress Dowager Chu could only use the old method to ask Princess Nankang for help.

The two had a rift before, although they made up for it, they couldn't get back to the past after all.But when it comes to the stability of the court and the face of the royal family, the Empress Dowager Chu took the initiative to put down her figure. Princess Nankang will not lose face after all.

Empress Dowager Chu asked to see Huan Rong, which was a disguised gesture.

Princess Nankang took over the olive branch, putting aside the past, on the surface, her sister-in-law was once again in harmony.

Before the Yuan Dynasty, the sorcerer Hu Qian still performed divination for the royal family, and the hexagrams he got were the same as last year.

Empress Dowager Chu had expected it a long time ago, but she still sighed helplessly.

"Really?"

"I dare not speak nonsense." Hu Qian said solemnly.

"That's all." The Empress Dowager Chu said wearily, "The Jin family is safe and sound, and I don't ask for anything."

Hu Qian respectfully agreed, seeing that the Empress Dowager Chu was still frowning, he finally felt compassionate, and said: "Empress Dowager, servants have made divination a few days ago, and it has been detected that the emperor's fate is uncertain."

"What?" Empress Dowager Chu was quite surprised, and asked in a deep voice, "What variable?"

"It's unknown at the moment, but as far as the Jin Dynasty is concerned, if it can adapt to the situation, it will benefit future generations."

"Beneficial to future generations?" Empress Dowager Chu frowned, her expression becoming more solemn.

"Yes." Hu Qian nodded.

"It is possible to detect whether this variable is a person or a thing?"

"It's human."

"people?"

"Of course." Hu Qian paused, and said in a deep voice, "A few days ago, when the Duke of Fengyang County entered the city, I got a glimpse of it, so I couldn't take a closer look. If the Empress Dowager agrees, on the first day, I would like to ask you to do divination for the Duke of Fengyang County. "

"You mean, the variable may be in Huan Rong's body?"

Hu Qian knelt down on the ground, although he didn't say anything, his attitude showed everything.