Kang Chang was not called in immediately, but waited quietly at Hou Jian's place.
Wu Chunlai, who had met him once, hired a young eunuch to serve tea. He didn't have breakfast today, and his head still hurts from last night's hangover. It would be best if he could drink some hot water.
But when the hot tea reached his mouth, he put it down again.
Who knows how long it will take in the palace? What should I do if I want to go to the toilet?
Ruining something once was enough to teach him a lesson, but if he did it again, he would have no choice but to go head-first into death.
He sat here, staring at the other side of the bead curtain. The emperor was meeting someone, a person he also knew, Wang Pingyao.
This old guy is really getting stronger with age, his voice is calm and his tone is powerful.
"...I'm still not used to the climate in the North. It's always hard to leave my homeland. As long as I can have a foothold in the South, I don't dare to think about it anymore. The Wang family is an aristocratic family, and all the people in the world are in the eyes of the Wang family.
It is by no means idle. The Ming Dynasty has exhausted its energy, and the emperor upholds the way of heaven. I admire him in my heart. The Wang family will help the emperor to calm down..."
Kang Chang hadn't finished listening and couldn't help but snorted. What does it mean to not be used to the North and just hope to have a foothold? Isn't this bargaining here? It means that the Wang family can assist the emperor, but there are conditions. That is not the case.
Move the Wang family at its foundation.
I don’t know where this old guy got his confidence from. The emperor must have agreed. These aristocratic families are deeply involved with the Ming Dynasty and Prince Zheng. They are treating the emperor as a soft persimmon.
Having the confidence to step on both sides can be considered a character.
There was only Wang Pingyao's voice inside, but Guo Chang didn't hear a word from the emperor.
Wang Pingyao also felt that the emperor was so exhausted, and heard a cold voice without any anger inside: "The Wang family has been in the Southland for many years, and I would like to hear your thoughts. What do you think about the governance of the Southland?
"
Wang Pingyao was stunned at first, and then he was happy. Who will fall into the hands of the Southland now depends on the attitude of the family. And the emperor is so sure to ask for advice on how to govern the Southland. Isn't it clear what he means? This is a promise.
Set your own terms.
He breathed a sigh of relief and was heartbroken. The emperor was not shameless. He wanted to use himself and ask for help, but he still couldn't lose his face. He didn't care about these, but instead told the emperor about the customs and customs of the south.
The Fourth Master was not impatient, he just listened patiently and asked a few questions from time to time.
"I heard that each family has a few sea-going ships and has always had close contact with overseas countries." Fourth Master asked suddenly.
Guo Chang was stunned when he heard it outside. The emperor knew a lot. A wild boy from the countryside had probably never been to the south. But he knew such a secret thing.
More than ten years ago, the Ming Dynasty banned maritime trade. However, the profits of maritime trade were astonishing, but it was banned repeatedly. Many people from these big families were involved. The Wang family was the leader here and had the largest share.
He made more money by relying on this, otherwise why would other families just follow his lead?
But thinking about the red cannon and thinking that Fang Changqing was always by the emperor's side, I felt relieved.
He listened quietly to what was going on inside. He didn't hear Wang Pingyao's voice for a long time, and knew that the old guy had been frightened.
Wang Pingyao was really stunned. The emperor's permission to move the Wang family was already the limit. If trade was banned, it would be regarded as cutting off the family's financial path. Not only the family's financial path was cut off, but also the relationship between these families was cut off.
link.
For a moment, he really didn’t know how to answer. There was only the sound of the fourth master fidgeting with the teacup in the room, and Wang Pingyao recovered. In fact, thinking about it, he felt a little more at ease. Just now, he felt that the emperor had promised a little.
It's so happy. If the emperor had known where his lifeline was and could have controlled it, it wouldn't be difficult to understand. As long as the Southland is pacified and the emperor increases the tax collection on their merchant ships, then he can really control them.
's lifeblood.
When Wang Pingyao started to break into a cold sweat after thinking about it, Fourth Master said: "Actually, I have called you here for another purpose, which is maritime trade. You don't have to be afraid. I will not prohibit this. On the contrary, everything will be done in the future."
When the ships go out to trade, they will be escorted by the imperial navy. You don’t have to worry about pirates. In addition, the imperial ships are also bought and sold. As for what the imperial ships will look like, there will be a dedicated person to explain to you later. You
I’ll know it after seeing the model.”
Wang Pingyao understood in an instant that he was asking them to buy a sea-going ship, and by the way, dispatching the navy would not be in vain. This all requires money, which is equivalent to dividing the profits in their hands, and using this part of the profits to support the navy and practice water training.
division.
He asked tentatively: "This ship only requires a deposit first, right?"
"Of course." Fourth Master said matter-of-factly.
really!
It turns out that the imperial court has no money and plans to borrow chickens to lay eggs.
After understanding this, he didn't panic anymore. Speaking of it, this can be regarded as a good thing. The relationship between the aristocratic family and the royal family has taken a step further. This bond of interests is much stronger than the bond of nepotism.
Already.
But Kang Chang smelled something unusual. Why did he feel more and more dangerous the more he felt it?
The army marched south with an arrow on the string. However, the emperor did not lead them away, but instead invited guests. Is this strange? Who didn't care about it? But when they arrived in the capital, they were put in the Juxian Pavilion and allowed to discuss political affairs without any fuss.
No one intervened. And the army heading south did not make any move. I am afraid that the uneasiness in these people's hearts had long been eliminated by this display of generosity and tolerance.
And now, another bait has been thrown out to make these people put down all their guard. This is to tell these people to stay in the Northland in peace and contentment.
He was sensitively aware that what the emperor just said was 80% true, except for anything other than cooperating with the aristocratic family.
So, it also means that the emperor knows that these wealthy families are dissatisfied with the court's policies, so he has already thought of another way to appease these wealthy families. If this maritime trade really becomes the norm, and there is capital to participate
It must be a wealthy family. The profits here are not comparable to the profits from the land.
This scented bait is not only attractive to aristocratic families, but also to people from wealthy families.
The emperor knows that these big families are dissatisfied, so gathering all these unsettled elements who may cause unrest due to dissatisfaction in the capital, gathering them under his nose, is another layer of truth hidden behind the glorious reason for asking for political power.
.
In other words, the emperor has locked up all these people in the capital. It means, I am busy pacifying the Southland, so you all should be honest and don't get in the way.
But this pit happened to be jumped in by everyone crying and shouting.
He wiped the sweat from his head. No wonder Fang Changqing said that he hates smart people. These smart people are indeed too annoying. Every time you think you have seen the truth, you realize that what you have realized is only the tip of the iceberg.
What is hidden between their hands, unless he wants to tell you the truth, otherwise, you may never be able to guess it.
He also starts to hate smart people now. It's so annoying.
Wu Chunlai was lost in thought here, but Wu Chunlai was a little helpless. He had called him several times, and he didn't know what he was thinking. He didn't hear a word. Who dared to desert in the emperor's palace?
is the first person.
"Master Kang, Master Kang." He called twice more.
Kang Chang suddenly woke up and stood up: "Oh! There he is! There he is! That old guy Wang Pingyao is gone?"
Wu Chunlai: "..." You are really brave. Are you afraid that the emperor doesn't know that you have been listening in the corner?
After Kang Chang finished speaking, he was stunned, and then slapped his mouth: "I drank too much last night, and I haven't woken up yet. Drunk words! Drunk words! You can't take it seriously."
Wu Chunlai was silent for a moment, somewhat worried. Is the person Long Live the Lord has hired this time really reliable? He would dislike being his apprentice because of such an impetuous person.
He said helplessly: "Master Kang, the emperor wants to see you, please."
There was a voice that kept echoing in Kang Chang's ears. It was Wu Chunlai who kept calling him 'Master Kang'. According to the rules, he was a white man, so how could he be called a master?
And would Wu Chunlai use random names without knowing the rules? Definitely not.
This also means that the emperor’s summons this time is a good thing.
In an instant, his back straightened and his mind became clear. He followed Wu Chunlai inside.
The fourth master in front of me was different from the fourth master yesterday. He was wearing a homely robe, leaning casually on the couch on one side, with a leather mattress draped over him. Seeing him come in, he only raised his eyes and asked, "Just now
Did you hear everything that was said in the inner room?"
Kang Chang nodded: "Yes, did you hear it?"
"What do you think?" Fourth Master asked seemingly casually.
Kang Chang chuckled: "Long Live Master must be a master of fishing. He uses a straight hook, but the bait is real. No wonder they all look like fools. These are the real ones who take the bait."
Wu Chunlai quickly lowered his head and stepped away slowly. This man's mouth is so unflattering. He doesn't even understand the principle of seeing through but not telling. You have guessed the emperor's thoughts, the emperor
Are there any secrets in front of you? Where is your majesty?
Is he really from a rich family? Why does he look like a fool?
The fourth master raised his eyebrows and looked Kang Chang up and down, and then said: "You are lucky to have met me. If you try it with someone else, you will die sooner or later with just one mouth." The fourth master said, waving his hand, "Okay, from now on I will be in front of you.
Let’s walk.”
ah?
Walking in front of the emperor?
Isn’t this Fang Changqing’s seat?
"Working with Mr. Fang?" Kang Chang couldn't help but ask.
Fourth Master shook his head: "No, you take his place."
ah?
"No wonder he put on a dead face when he saw me today." Kang Chang blurted out.
Fourth Master: "..."
Wu Chunlai: "..." You are the first person to tell me something so blatantly and straightforwardly in front of you. Master Fang will definitely want to bite you to death if he finds out.