Because of the matter of returning to their hometown, the relationship between the Wang brothers was somewhat tense. Wang could not discipline his brothers like his sons, so when they quarreled, Wang was very angry.
Wang Pu was also angry, but he still knew that an elder brother was like a father, so despite arguments, he always listened to his brother's words in the end.
But today was different. The main reason why Wang asked him to go back to his hometown was Li Mu. And now that he and Li Mu had resolved the conflict, he didn't have to go back. Wang Pu was looking forward to Wang Pu's expression when he heard the news. His brother probably couldn't guess.
I don't think this kind of thing will happen.
The king is also in a very good mood today. Today the emperor summoned his ministers to discuss a major matter. Although the ministers still had some concerns, at the end of the day, it was basically passed. And the biggest beneficiary of this matter is Taiyuan.
Wang family.
How could the king not be happy and cheerful? Therefore, on his way back from duty, before he got home, he asked his entourage to find Wang Pu, just to share this joy with him.
The banquet was still being prepared, and the brothers came to meet each other in the study. Seeing that his brother was beaming with joy today, Wang Pu couldn't help but wonder. The reconciliation between him and Li Mu had just happened. Logically, his brother shouldn't know, so why was he happy?
Wang also saw that Wang Pu's expression was different. When he was a child, if Wang Pu did something that he thought was extraordinary, such as getting recognition from his husband for studying, he would look like this. As the saying goes, "a dog's belly can't hold two things."
"Two sesame oils", even if you don't ask him, he can't help but say it.
After all, he is his own brother, and Wang cannot bear to be too harsh on him. Wang Pu will return to his hometown tomorrow, just in time to catch up with the new policies of the court, and Wang has many things to say to his younger brother.
"sit."
Wang Pu sat down obediently, his lips twitching, he couldn't help it anymore.
The king glanced at him and said, "If you have anything to say, just say it. Finish it quickly. I have something else to tell you."
"Brother! I don't have to go back to Taiyuan!" Wang Pu blurted out. Seeing Wang Cuo's astonished expression, he suddenly felt relieved.
Wang frowned and said: "What are you paying attention to? I told you. You can't afford to offend Zhuluhou. He is a man of great talent. Do you know that today..."
Wang Pu interrupted Wang's words and said: "Brother, of course I know that Zhuluhou is a man of great talent, and I also know that he has a big belly. You don't know that just now, Zhuluhou came to my house, and he
Frankly speaking, he was confident in his bet with me that day, so he was plotting against me. But later on, I encouraged Kong Jijiu to impeach him, and encouraged the students of the Imperial College to slander the winery. He was also aware of it. Originally
He was planning to retaliate against me, but for Ou'er's sake, he planned to resolve the conflict with me. I thought he had other intentions and was still worried about it, but I didn't expect that he actually took away the 2,000 yuan I lost in a racecourse bet.
You brought the money, but you must return it to me."
Wang's brows furrowed even closer. He couldn't explain why, but he felt something was wrong.
Wang Pu's face was full of admiration and he said: "Zhuluhou is a young man, and he is so generous in his work. He really doesn't take thousands of dollars in his eyes. But I think, as a descendant of the Wang family in Taiyuan,
If you lose the bet, you lose. How can you get the money back? Doesn't this insult the reputation of my Taiyuan Wang family?"
"So I refused verbally, and he refused to take the money back. Just when the argument was going on, Zhuluhou came up with an idea. He said that the Ministry of Industry uses coal for iron-making..."
When Wang heard the word 'coal', his expression changed instantly, and he asked anxiously: "Did he buy your coal land?"
"Eh?" Wang Puqi said: "Brother, how do you know? That's right! I have one hundred and ten hectares of coal land, but most of it has been deserted because it can't grow food. If the current price is too high, it's only one thousand and fourteen hectares.
Bai Guan, I wanted to make good friends with him, so I offered to give him 700 Guan, but he refused and insisted on keeping the two thousand Guan. I think we will be together for a long time in the future, so I don’t want to make trouble for this little thing.
It didn't come out quickly, so I accepted it. In a few days, I plan to visit him at his house, buy a few affordable gifts, and repay the price difference."
Wang said in a trembling voice: "You, have you made a contract? If not, send the money back quickly, this deal will not work!"
"Why can't we do it?" Wang Pu asked puzzledly: "Brother, we are from a high-ranking family and we must not be stingy in doing things. Isn't this what you taught me? People have come to ask for peace, how can I refuse them thousands of miles away?
, what’s more, they gave me a premium. If I continue to sway, wouldn’t I become a villain who only has money in my eyes? I signed the contract, and I wrote it in my own hand on the spot, signed and stamped it, and even took my fingerprints..."
"Oops!" Wang felt his head hurt when he heard that. He slapped his thigh suddenly and said, "You have fallen into his trap!"
"Ah?" Wang Pu has always been known for his 'steadiness'. He never panics when faced with anything, and rarely reacts so violently. Seeing his brother like this, Wang Pu knew something was wrong and hurriedly asked: "Brother, what do you mean?
?”
"Do you know what your Majesty discussed today when he urgently recruited important ministers?"
Wang Pu smiled bitterly and said: "Brother, how can I know this?"
The king put his hand on his forehead and thought to himself that I was so angry, otherwise why would I say such stupid things? He quickly took a deep breath, calmed his mind, and said: "Today, your majesty summoned the important ministers urgently, and even he was sick.
Prime Minister Du was invited over to discuss a major matter. Our country followed the Sui system. In addition to the salt and iron monopoly, the mining of other minerals was the cooperation between local governments and local families, and the court collected taxes. However, His Majesty wanted to reform the system and set up a special department.
Responsible for the world's mineral resources, the imperial court leases the mines out. Although they are similar, they specifically point out that all mineral deposits in the world belong to the imperial court."
Wang Pu said in confusion: "Brother, does this have anything to do with what I just said?"
"Just listen to this!"
Wang cursed angrily and said: "The mining tax collected by the imperial court before was insufficient every year. If it were managed by the imperial court, the tax would have to be paid in full, which would inevitably affect the interests of mining. But in today's world,
Who is going to open the mine? Isn’t it us, the powerful officials? Behind each of the important ministers in the court, there is the support of the powerful officials. I originally thought that this matter would definitely be opposed, but surprisingly, there was not a single person who objected."
"I thought about it carefully and then I understood the reason. His Majesty has set up a special department to manage the world's mineral deposits and rents out the mineral deposits on a lease basis. In this way, the merchants who lease must have a certain level of strength. And with this
The capable people must be mainly big merchants and powerful people. Although this move harms the interests of small families and small merchants, it is indeed a good thing for the big families."
Wang Pu was still in a confused state. He really didn't understand how this matter had anything to do with him and Li Mu.
"Do you know who gave His Majesty this idea?"
"Ah?" Wang Pu was stunned for a moment and said, "It can't be..."
"It's Li Mu!" Wang sighed: "Li Mu is indeed a talent. This idea he came up with can not only increase tax revenue for the court, but also does not hurt the interests of the powerful families. On the contrary, the powerful families are seeking for their own interests."
Interests will definitely push forward the success of this matter. Because only in this way, small families will be more dependent on large families. It will also strengthen the court's ability to manage local areas. It can be done in one fell swoop, which is really formidable."
Wang Pu murmured: "He is so powerful..."
"There is something even more powerful!" Wang stared into Wang Pu's eyes and said, "Did you know that he solved the hidden danger of coal poisoning and invented the coal stove, fire wall, and bed kang? Now the coal everywhere has become
Mines! And the place where my Wang family in Taiyuan is located is the most abundant coal and stone place in the world. Just imagine, we in Taiyuan produce eight out of ten coal and stone in the world, how much profit will we make from it?"
"Oh my god..." Of course Wang Pu understood what he meant. In winter, people spend as much money buying charcoal as they do on rice for heating. Even if they need heating for three months a year, the price of coal is only one-quarter of the price of rice.
One. How much money is this? You must know that food needs to be planted in spring and harvested in autumn, and the production may be cut off in disaster years. However, coal and stone are everywhere in Taiyuan, and there is no way to dig them all. This is tantamount to having no capital.
Business, make money while lying down!
Suddenly, Wang Pu's face turned pale. He understood what Wang just meant when he said that he had been fooled. Coal was already a mineral, and the value of the coal land was bound to skyrocket. And Li Mu had just spent 2,000 yuan to buy all his coal land.
Gone...
"That's too much!" Wang Pu gritted his teeth. When he saw Wang's ceremonial knife hanging on the shelf, he reached for it and stamped his feet: "I will fight with that guy!"
"What are you going to do!" Wang grabbed Wang Pu's sleeve, took the knife from his hand, and said: "He is the Marquis of the Founding County. Do you dare to assassinate him and risk your own life? Besides, there is a person beside him.
He is an eight-foot-tall warrior with natural brute strength. If you want to kill him, his head will be missing before you even get close!"
Wang Pu was so angry that he burst into tears and said: "Brother, he is really... bullying others too much. I really believed him in vain. I thought he was a good person. He... made me angry!!"
Seeing that his younger brother was so sad, Wang felt helpless. He patted him on the shoulder and said, "I have long seen that he is a person who will seek revenge, so I wanted you to go back to your hometown and hide. I didn't expect to find him anyway."
Opportunity, but at this time, for the sake of the family, you must not provoke him, so you should just endure it."
"I can't bear it!" Wang Pu shouted hysterically: "Brother, you ask me to bear it, how can I bear it? This bullying has already reached the door. What are we afraid of him? Do we, the Wang family of Taiyuan, have to let it go like this?
Is he bullying?"
"Now... this is really the case." Wang sighed: "Do you know who your Majesty intends to entrust to be responsible for this restructuring?"