Lu Hao has always been a gentleman in Wu. As a son of a noble family, he socialized with poor and ambitious people, and even often shared his treasures with them.
Even people in the county who did not know Lu Mao were willing to entrust their wives and daughters to him.
If you say that such a person is a hypocrite, Governor Feng will not believe it.
But you want to say that Lu Hao, who lived for decades, was entrusted with an important task and was sent as an envoy to the Han Dynasty.
Now it's just for consultation on how to govern the country, and Governor Feng also doesn't believe it.
After all, it’s only been a few years since Zhang Wen’s incident?
The most important thing is that Governor Feng had a big quarrel with Zhang Xiaosi just two days ago.
During the deep introspection of Governor Feng, he realized that apart from the group of elders left over from Sun Ce’s time, the Sun family was the most trusted among the large families in Jiangdong that Sun Quan had won over after he came to power.
After all, among the four surnames in Wu County, the Sun family's family tradition has the character "loyalty".
As Lu Xun’s younger brother, Lu Mao was naturally a loyal minister of Wu.
So what Lu Hao said just now, asking for advice may be true, but nine times out of ten it is not just a request for advice.
Feng Jishi's heart was racing, but he didn't dare to neglect his work: "Lu Gong, you really want to break me, sit down, please sit down first!"
He helped Lu Mao sit down, then poured him a cup of hot tea himself, and then returned to his seat and sat down.
"Master Lu, it is said that if you are not in the position, you will not seek political power." As he said this, he took a sip of tea, and then continued, "I am appointed as the governor of Liangzhou, and I will focus on defeating the thieves."
"To be honest with Mr. Lu, although I am the governor, I have never attended a court meeting. Even the position of Marquis of Jiequanting was actually accepted by me in Longyou."
“So Mr. Lu wants to talk to me about the way to run the army. I can say a few words, but the way to run the country...”
At this point, he smiled a little sheepishly.
Lu Hao was about to stand up.
“Hey, hey, Mr. Lu, don’t be in a hurry, please listen to what I have to say first.”
Feng Jishi quickly pressed his hand and said, "Although I don't know how to govern the country, I have served as the governor of a certain country, so I know a bit about the herdsmen's skills."
"Jian Zhiyong has been reading history these days, and he has gained something by chance. Lu Gong happened to come to ask, so he can talk to Lu Gong about his experience. However, these are the words of the Yong family. I hope Lu Gong will understand the omissions."
When Lu Hao heard this, he quickly raised his hands and said:
“Why do you need to be humble? Just tell me.”
Governor Feng took another sip of tea and then said:
“The so-called governing a country is nothing more than organizing the army, herdsmen, and governing officials. The most important thing is money and food.”
Lu Hao raised his brows, as if he was about to speak, but he didn't know what he thought of, his eyes flickered, and he finally said nothing.
While Feng Jishi was speaking, his eyelids were drooped, trying not to let Lu Hao peek into his heart.
But this subtle change in Lu Hao's expression did not escape his secret observation.
“Looking at the history books, every country will have its shortcomings after it has been established for a long time. Anyone who is determined will try to make changes to prolong the country.”
At this point, he pointed at himself, then at Lu Hao, and said:
“Whether it’s the Ji Han Dynasty or the Eastern Wu Dynasty, although they were both founded not long ago, in fact they inherited most of the systems of the Later Han Dynasty, and their disadvantages were also inherited.”
"Yong Guan, the Wei thieves have started practicing the Nine-Rank Zhongzheng method a few years ago. Isn't this a change?" He paused and said, "So from Yong's point of view, Han and Wu should also try to become a strong country in order to defeat the thieves."
Although he disagreed with some of Feng Yong's views, Lu Hao felt as if he was enlightened when he suddenly heard the word "Tu change". The dark clouds were lifted before his eyes and he saw a bright and clear sky.
I saw him blurt out:
“Therefore, the monarch presided over the examination system in Liangzhou, which is also a plan to change?!”
Feng Jishi smiled slightly: "The reason why Mr. Lu came here to ask about the way of governing the country is actually because of the examination, right?"
Lu Hao was secretly surprised: "How did the prince know?"
These days you go to the school gate and squat every day, and the concierge, Uncle Qin, already knows you.
Do I still know?
Governor Feng murmured in his heart, his expression remained unchanged, and he said slowly:
“Whether it is an army, a herdsman, or even a government official, all need people to do it. And if these things are done by good people, they will often lead to good government; if they are done by mediocre people, they will often be bad government.”
Lu Hao slapped his thigh and cheered:
“Wonderful, what you say is a great kindness!”
Feng Jishi modestly said:
“Mr. Lu is overly praised.”
Lu Hao waved his hand: "Your Majesty, please continue."
Governor Feng cleared his throat, and his index and middle fingers formed a sword, pointing toward the void:
"Therefore, if you want to govern a country, you need good talents, and the method of seeking good talents," Feng Jishifang paused, then said, "The times are different, and the methods are different."
“For example, the shortcomings of Chaju, I think it will be obvious to Mr. Lu, so there is no need to say more.”
As he spoke, he glanced at Lu Hao meaningfully:
“As for the best talents for Wu, I have never been to Wu, so I dare not say more...”
Lu Hao nodded, sighed, stood up and bowed to Governor Feng:
"I will benefit a lot from what you have to say. Please accept my thanks!"
“Mr. Lu really wants to break me!”
Feng Jishi quickly stepped forward and helped Lu Hao up.
The two of them talked for a long time, both of them had something to say. At this moment, they held hands and couldn't help but look at each other and smile.
Feng Jishi secretly thought: Now both the Han and Wei dynasties are seeking changes in order to attract talents, but Wu is the only one who has not moved. When Lu Mao returns this time, he will most likely persuade Sun Quan.
Given Sun Shiwan's character of being tolerant on the outside but violent on the inside, especially when both the Han Dynasty and the Wei State were undergoing changes, Sun Shiwan would at least show off on the surface.
It is said that the economy determines the superstructure. If Wu wants to learn from the Han Dynasty, he will not be able to do so. If he learns from the Wei Dynasty, it is a matter of great probability...
What Lu Hao thought about was: Feng Mingwen was indeed worthy of the title of "Xiao Wenhe" and was extremely talented.
Fortunately, this person is too profit-oriented and thinks that running a country should put money and food first, but he is biased.
I think Jiang Wan has the talent to govern the country but does not know how to fight, and Feng Mingwen knows the military but does not know how to govern the country. If the two can meet the master of the Ming Dynasty, the Han Dynasty will prosper.
However, the emperor of the Han Dynasty today has only mediocre qualifications and has no independent opinions. He is afraid that he may not be able to use him even if he has capable ministers and good generals!
At the same time, Zhuge Kongming is physically weak, and he may die soon. After he passes away, the Han Kingdom may not be able to achieve its current prosperity.
But that’s fine, in this way, I, Wu Wu, will be worry-free!
…
The two of them have their own thoughts, but there is a look of sympathy on their faces.
After the pleasant conversation, Lu Mao left with satisfaction after being repeatedly persuaded by Feng Jishi to stay.
A few days later, the Wu delegation packed up their luggage and set off to return south.
By the time they reached Longyou Jicheng, the first heavy snowfall in Liangzhou began to fall one after another.
Time has come to the winter of the thirteenth year of Jianxing.
Many people in the Wu delegation simply could not adapt to the weather in the northwest. Under the erosion of the cold air, nearly ten people were infected with wind chill on the spot.
However, fortunately, the medicine of the Han Dynasty is relatively advanced, and coupled with the fact that it has accumulated a lot of experience in the northwest over the years, it is naturally easy to treat this kind of wind and cold.
Even so, Lu Hao and others hurried on, not daring to delay any longer.
It wasn’t until I returned to Hanzhong and felt the warmth that was different from that in Northwest China that I breathed a sigh of relief.
The emperor of the Han Dynasty learned that the Wu envoy had returned from Liangzhou and personally summoned Lu Hao.
And taking advantage of this free opportunity, Qin Bo took Feng's letter of recommendation and quietly went to visit Li Yi, who was joining the army in the Prime Minister's Mansion.
Li Yi got the news and actually came out to greet him personally:
“Thank you very much for the letter sent by the school official Qin from my brother. I would like to express my gratitude to you. Please tell me if you have any questions, please!”
As soon as Qin Bo saw Li Yi's enthusiastic look, he felt happy. He secretly heard that most of the young talents of Han State followed Feng Junhou's lead. Now it seems that he is not bad.
With Feng Junhou’s recommendation, it seems that the food issue in Jingzhou can be worry-free!
He was thinking as he followed Li Yi to the front hall.
"Please take a seat on the campus affairs of Qin. When Qin Jun came to Hanzhong a few months ago, I didn't know that Qin Jun had a good relationship with my brother, so I missed him. It's really disrespectful."
“Li Jun’s words are serious. As the saying goes, guests should do as they please. It would be really rude not to come and visit someone when he arrived in Hanzhong.”
The two were polite, and after greetings, Qin Bo proposed the purpose of his trip to Li Yi.
Unexpectedly, Li Yi frowned after hearing this.
Qin Bo originally thought that with Feng Mingwen's endorsement, there would be no big problems in this business, but he did not expect that Li Yi would look troubled.
This made his heart thump.
Li Yi only heard a "tsk" sound, sighed again, and then said:
“Alas, Mr. Qin is too late!”
Qin Bo quickly asked:
“What does Mr. Li mean by this?”
Li Yi looked at Qin Bo and asked:
“Qinjun, do you know what the current grain price is at the Nanxiang Exchange?”
“I just arrived in Hanzhong, how do I know about it?”
Li Yi raised three fingers.
Qin Bo was shocked: "Three hundred dollars?!"
Li Yi nodded.
“Why is it so expensive?”
Three hundred coins are naturally not the Daquan fifty coins of the Wu State, nor the straight hundred coins of the Han State, but a real five baht coins.
In fact, caravans traveling between Han and Wu would in many cases prefer to receive Han's hundreds of coins rather than Wu's Daquan fifty.
The reason is also very simple. In recent years, the Han Dynasty has stopped minting hundreds of coins, and the value is real.
But the Great Spring Fifty in Wu State were becoming more and more abundant and thinner. They even contained a large amount of iron, and the quality was extremely poor.
At the Nanxiang Exchange, five baht is the only price standard for various bulk materials.
All experienced traders who resell various materials know that there was a rumor circulating in the market a few years ago:
That is, when there is no war, the food price shall not exceed 200 yuan.
Because after two hundred yuan, some people may starve.
After three hundred coins, real famine will begin.
Of course, there have been changes in the past two years.
Grain prices seem to be higher than in previous years, often floating around 1,780 yuan, and sometimes reaching 199 yuan.
This does not mean that the Han people are hungry. On the contrary, many people have much more food in their homes in recent years than they did a dozen years ago.
Why do food prices rise?
First, because the imperial court guaranteed the price of grain and protected the people's enthusiasm for growing grain.
The second reason is that more and more copper mines are being developed in Nanzhong.
But no matter what, if the price of food reaches 300 yuan, it is already a bad signal.
If the local grain price in central Shu is already as high as 300 yuan, then plus the cost of transporting it to Jingzhou, the cost will probably be more than 400 yuan.
Thinking of this, Qin Bo's face turned ugly.
The woolen material monopoly is planned to be available in the year after next;
To monopolize brown sugar, we must find new sources of sugar cane, and the supply of grain is the prerequisite.
In this case, wouldn’t the three great achievements in hand have to fly away?
The reason why I came out this time is precisely because everyone in the imperial court regards the school office as a thorn in their side. If I can't produce results in time and consolidate my position in His Majesty's heart, who knows what will happen next?
“Li Jun, I heard that the price of food in Shu has never been high, so why did it suddenly rise so much?”
Qin Bo asked anxiously.
If Feng Mingwen hadn't been in Liangzhou, Qin Bo would have suspected that Xiao Wenhe was playing tricks on him, or wanted to take the opportunity to raise the price.
"To be honest with Mr. Qin, these days, people from the north and west want to buy a large amount of grain to store for the winter, so the price of grain has increased a lot."
"North? That's not Wei..." Halfway through, he felt something was wrong. How could the Han people sell grain to Wei thieves?
And to the west?
Li Yi coughed: "It's the Qiang and Hu. Qin Jun, you don't know something. I, the Han Dynasty, regard Han and Yi as the same. In recent years, many Hu and Yi have benefited a lot from following us, and they are very prosperous."
“So I have a lot of good things on hand. Hu Yi, who is not good at farming, is about to survive the winter, so he has to quickly replace the cattle and sheep he has raised for a year with grain..."
When Qin Bo heard this, his eyes widened immediately.
There is such a thing?
How did Hanzhong get up?
Where did the name Nanzhong Ghost King come from?
You think I really don’t know?
I just came back from Liangzhou, do you know how to cut it?
Do you know how much a two-legged animal is worth over there?
Now you tell me that the Han and barbarians are all the same and the barbarians are prosperous, but they can still speculate on grain prices?
Enter your mother!
It’s just that Qin Bo saw that there was no trace of deception on Li Yi’s face, and that such matters could be found out by just asking around, and there was no way to hide them.
This made him a little more suspicious: Could it really be such a coincidence?
Li Yi felt very sure in his heart.
That's right, the rise in food prices this time does have the shadow of the Xinghan Hui behind it.
But White Glove is definitely the leader of Hu Yi.
With King Feng Gui’s appeal in Longyou, the military capital of Yinping, he wanted to bring a few Huyi tribes over to wipe his butt, and some came up to lick him.
What’s up?
Hu Yi are not Han people?
Can’t buy food?
As long as the government does not take action, Xinghanhui will be the largest banker in the grain trade.
Those who sell grain wish for the best to rise every day!
When Qin Bo came to Hanzhong, the most he could do was visit Nanxiang to see the rumored place where ghosts were dancing.
He doesn’t even know the trading rules of the exchange, so how can he know how many twists and turns there are in this place where ghosts are dancing?
Seeing Qin Bo's appearance, Li Yi also looked a little ashamed, as if he was ashamed of not being able to fulfill his brother's request.
I saw him comforting and saying:
“In my brother’s letter, I said that Lord Qin was interested in finding financial resources to replenish his treasury, and he devoted himself to sharing the worries of the Lord. I also admire him very much.”
After a pause, he continued, "There will be no way to solve this food issue for a while, but the Yihui has been watching over it for Mr. Qin. If the price drops, the Yihui will immediately send someone to notify Mr. Qin."
Qin Bo has some waning intentions:
I'm afraid something will happen to the school office by then...
Unless we can find another credit to help the school government survive this crisis.
“The so-called money and food, there is nothing we can do about food now, but there is a way to save money…”
“Oh!” Qin Bo perked up, “Please Li Jun teach me!”
“Qin Jun, please follow me.”
Li Yi took Qin Bo to the door of a room and told the servants guarding there:
“Light all the lamps in the house.”
Then he led Qin Bo into the house, and Li Yi ordered his servants to close all the doors and windows.
“Please take a look, Mr. Qin.”
"This this……"
But I saw the candles in the house were bright, with rows of flames dancing on the nine lamps. The red and yellow flames were shining brightly, making the room brighter than the outside.
Even though Qin Bo has been in and out of the palace all year round, he has never seen so many candles lit at the same time.
In other words, even the emperor would not burn so many candles at one time.
Because candles, as tributes, are very precious.
Qin Bo swallowed hard, his eyes were blurred.
“Please take a look, Mr. Qin.”
Li Yi opened a box, which was neatly arranged, all filled with candles.
He took out one and handed it to Qin Bo, "Qin Jun, touch it. Is it round?"
"round."
“Slippery or not?”
"slip."
“White or not?”
"white."
“Is it beautiful?”
"beautiful!"
“Where did Li Jun come from? This thing is actually round, smooth, beautiful and white...”
Qin Bo couldn't put it down. He had never seen candles like this before.
The tribute candles from the State of Wu are all yellow, and there are light yellow, dark yellow and mixed yellow, and the yellows are not all the same.
It's not like the one in my hand, it's like jade.
Li Yi chuckled:
"Don't worry about where you came from, Mr. Qin. I just ask Mr. Qin, is Mr. Qin willing to sell this thing to the land of Wu?"
Qin Bo suddenly raised his head and held the round, smooth, beautiful and white thing in his hand tightly:
“How many of these things does Mr. Li have?”
“It’s not much. I’ll give Qin Jun about 30,000 to 40,000 pieces next year.”