Don't be a prince

Chapter 272 Partner (seeking monthly ticket)

Since it is necessary to choose a famous family, it is natural to carefully consider the candidate.Although the five surnames are the best choice, from the current point of view, choosing the five surnames will only result in backstabs.What's more, if the emperor knew that he was in business with the five surnames, he would probably die of anger.

Just like the five surnames looked down on the royal family back then, now Li Shimin also wants to see a pile of shit when looking at the five surnames.

The Jiangnan family is actually a natural choice. Although the background is profound, the Jiangnan family has been forgotten by the stage of history.The background is still there, but the influence in the court is completely inferior to that of the five surnames.It's ironic to say that in terms of orthodox clothing, the five surnames are actually inferior to the Jiangnan family, but it is the official power that they blatantly discarded that made the five surnames the latecomers.

When taking measures against the Jiangnan family, the emperor chose to win over and divide them, allowing them to fight on their own from the perspective of a bystander, but he would never provide help or become an ally.Because of a bad management, the Jiangnan family will be more difficult to deal with than the five surnames.

But such a powerful family was so excited beyond words after receiving the invitation from the crown prince.It was Zhang Yun who went in to deliver the letter. People who didn't know would think he was just an ordinary eunuch, but Gu Xiangyuan, the person who told the Gu family to stay in Chang'an, went out to send him off in person, and he was extremely considerate.

"Your Highness, they seem very excited about your visit."

As soon as he got into the carriage, Zhang Yun began to talk about the treatment he received after entering.

"It's no surprise. During the Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties, they couldn't compete for the five surnames. The bad results have continued until now, causing many people to forget what the Gu family in Wuzhong is. The visit to them made them mistakenly think that It's the royal family that is planning to draw them in as allies. Hehe, this guy doesn't even think about it, would a person like the father try poison with a scent?"

Zhang Yun shook his head, and then asked, "Tomorrow, when we visit Gu's family, do we have a present in the East Palace?"

Li Chengqian leaned on the carriage, and said lazily: "There is no superior who gives gifts to inferiors. Anyway, Gu is a prince, and there is no need to lower his status to elevate them. Besides, Gu will go tomorrow to give them benefits. Yes, with presents? They'll have to fill up the wagon when they go out!"

The carriage passed through the busy street, bypassed Taipingfang, and entered the imperial city from Zhuquemen.

After returning to the East Palace, Li Chengqian began to write about his understanding of gunpowder weapons.Now that you have decided to let go, you have to make a full gesture.People who keep their hands on things will be hated no matter where they go.

Early the next morning, after sending his manuscript directly to the harem, Li Chengqian dressed neatly and prepared to meet the clans in the south of the Yangtze River.

Even if it was a formal visit, Li Chengqian did not send out his staff. It was not necessary. In the early days of the bank's establishment, the help of these people was needed, but it was too shameful for them to turn them into customers.From the beginning to the end, it is the most correct way to face him with prestige.

The Gu family is in Yanshoufang, and the decoration of the other courtyard is not ostentatious at all. If you pass by their house without knowing it, you will think it is a wealthy businessman's residence.

Because the prince was coming, the Gu family specially invited the square officials to clear the road.Starting from the Fangmen, Gu Xiangyuan led the way himself. There were maids spreading flowers on both sides of the road, and the road was paved with red blankets.It is difficult for them to be able to do this in just one night.

The carriage drove to the door of Gu's house, but Li Chengqian did not get off the carriage.Chang He led a brigade of imperial guards, rushed into Gu's house like a tiger entering a sheepfold, and drove out the majestic servants from time to time.

Regarding this scene, Gu Xiangyuan did not dare to resist at all, and he was glad that the women and children in the family had moved out in advance so that they would not be disturbed.

When Ji Feigou danced for a stick of incense, Chang Hecai came out of the mansion gate, walked quickly to the side of the carriage and cupped his hands: "Your Highness, the guards' change of defense has been completed, you can go in."

"Ah."

After answering, Li Chengqian walked out of the carriage and got off the carriage with the support of Gu Xiangyuan.

To be honest, Li Chengqian was surprised that Gu Xiangyuan was so tolerant, and even felt a little guilty for being so arrogant.

Well, a little bit.

"Mr. Gu, a long time ago, Mr. Li often mentioned the Gu family, saying that Gu Yong, the prefect of Kuaiji, was diligent and diligent in office. Famous ministers like Zhuge, yearn for him alone!"

Hearing the crown prince mentioned the ancestor Gu Yong, how could Gu Xiangyuan not know the crown prince's allusion.Gu Yong, the ancestor, was prime minister for 19 years. With his meticulous and tolerant elder style, he maintained a harmonious and cooperative relationship between the Sun Wu regime and the Jiangdong family, so that the national situation can be stable and rising.

You can't mess around at this time.

Gu Xiangyuan saluted in the direction of the imperial palace without hesitation, and said after getting up: "The ancestor Gu Yong was able to achieve the name of a hero, thanks to Sun Jun's trust, today's saint has a heart that can accommodate all rivers, and Fang is equal to his ancestors. Give way!"

Li Chengqian nodded in satisfaction, laughed and entered Gu's house under the leadership of Gu Xiangyuan.

Regardless of the poor decoration of the front door of the Gu family, there are caves inside, among other things, this huge pond and the pavilions and pavilions built on the water alone are more advanced than many nobles.From these, we can see how different the traditional clan is from the emerging aristocracy.This kind of life is called elegant, and it cannot be compared with hanging gold and paving jade.

"Gu's Bieyuan is well-deserved of its reputation, Gu wants to live here for a long time."

Gu Xiangyuan bowed and said, "If Your Highness likes it, it's enough for the grass people to live in another yard, and this place will be given to His Highness for rest."

Li Chengqian said with a smile: "A gentleman doesn't take what others like. I just feel a little bit of emotion, and I don't want to grab it. Well, hurry up and lead the way. I heard that Gu's family has a lot of guests today."

Gu Xiangyuan smiled and said: "They all came here in the name of His Highness, because they are both guests with you, so they didn't go out to greet them."

After finishing speaking, Gu Xiangyuan brought Li Chengqian to the lobby of the Gu family.

It stands to reason that the lobby of the Gu family is not small, but now it has a tendency to be broken.A large group of people stood outside the lobby and saluted, no one dared to do anything wrong.

"Grassman Wuzhong Lu Clan Lu Di, pay homage to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."

"Caomin Wuzhong Zhu's family, Zhu Chang, pay homage to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."

"Grass people..."

...

After everyone reported their families, Li Chengqian was a little surprised.The four surnames in Wuzhong, the four surnames in Kuaiji, the Wang family in Langya, the Yuan family in Chenjun, and the Xiao family in Lanling.

Each family is a Zong Lao plus the speaker in Chang'an, a total of 22 people.

Although the lobby is very large, it will still be crowded if more than 20 people enter, but they take the initiative to sit next to each other, in a daze to give enough space for the Patriarch of the Gu family and the crown prince.

Under such circumstances, there is no way to talk, so Li Chengqian took the initiative to suggest: "The lobby of the Gu family should be expanded. Let's go to the center of the pond. Presumably the Gu family often entertain guests there, just look at the space there." Still big."

Gu Xiangyuan also received amnesty, and quickly ordered the servants to prepare tables, tea bowls.He also didn't expect that the arrival of the prince would alarm the ten families, all of whom were members of the Jiangnan clan, and the Gu family had no right to reject them.

After changing the venue, it became much more spacious. Under Gu Xiangyuan's repeated insistence, Li Chengqian took the main seat, looking like the leader of the meeting.

After taking a sip of tea, Li Chengqian nodded: "The tea in Jiangnan is indeed better than those around Chang'an."

Gu Xiangyuan said without hesitation: "If Your Highness likes it, the Caomin will inform the clan and supply it to the East Palace."

Li Chengqian nodded with a smile. Since he wanted to give benefits to the Gu family, it would not be too much to accept some gifts from them.

Seeing that the crown prince has accepted the benefits of the Gu family, Lu Di, the person in charge of the Lu family, hurriedly cupped his hands and said, "As for the tea, my Lu family's is not bad, especially the top-grade teas collected by the family members, which are rare to see. Your Highness Love tea, the Lu family is willing to donate tea, His Royal Highness Prince Bo smiles!"

As soon as Lu Di finished speaking, the rest of the families also scrambled to express themselves.They don't think it will be a disadvantage to give gifts to the prince. Judging from the unprecedented achievements made by the prince in supervising the country some time ago, the position of the prince can be said to be almost stable.Paying some tribute to the future emperor is not a loss no matter what.

Seeing that two families were about to quarrel, Li Chengqian quickly clapped his hands and said, "Okay, no matter what you give, I will accept it. But I have agreed in advance that I will not accept your things in vain. On the contrary, there will be a big benefit." I want to give it to you."

Hearing this, everyone shut their mouths, waiting for the prince to continue with full expectation.

After taking another sip of tea, Li Chengqian said: "Gu came here today to find eleven of your families. Come here by yourself, but save Gu and call you again. Then, Gu will ask you first, what do you think about lending money?" ?”

"Lending?"

Xiao Xiao, the speaker of the Xiao family in Lanling, curled his lips and said, "That's something only those bald donkeys would do. Your Highness asked us why we came here?"

Li Chengqian couldn't help laughing: "Okay, okay, don't pretend, don't think that you don't know, it's not just Buddhists who lend money, your local wealthy families also rely on this to make a living. Otherwise, how can your family involve So much business? Didn’t you get it by collecting loans? But don’t worry, I don’t mean to pursue this. On the contrary, I want to remind you that the court will promulgate the loan law in a short time, prohibiting Any organization other than banks lending money will be severely punished."

"Bank? May I ask Your Highness, what is a bank?"

The elders of the Xiao family are not old ears, and when others were discouraged, they keenly caught the word "bank".

Li Chengqian applauded and laughed: "Good question, old man. I'm here today to talk to you about the bank. Let's put it this way, the bank is an institution that lends money in the country of Datang. At the same time, it also promotes business development and stimulates exchanges between various places. The role of it. It is no exaggeration to say that it is a giant net bound on the land of the Tang Dynasty...."

Following Li Chengqian's narration, many clan elders were dumbfounded, and the more they listened, the more confused they became, while those who were selected by each family could half understand.But in any case, "the bank is very powerful", but they all heard it.

Speaking of forgetfulness, even Li Chengqian felt his throat was smoky, so he had to drink a cup of tea to moisten his throat.

The narration stopped, but no one spoke for a long time.

After a long time passed, Gu Xiangyuan cupped his hands and asked: "Your Highness, the grassroots understand, but, isn't it safer to hand over such an institution to the imperial court to operate it? Why do you want to drag me in?"

Li Chengqian sighed and said: "I will tell you unabashedly that this lonely move is counterproductive, and there is no way to do it. The initial construction of the bank is too terrifying, and the treasury can't afford it. Although the lonely East Palace Industry It is also very profitable, but in front of it, it is still a drop in the bucket. However, if it is only built from the foundation at the beginning, it will take hundreds of years to make it take shape. If you want to build it in a very short time, even if it is just A prototype also requires massive investment.

Only by uniting the royal family and your eleven families can this prototype be built.Don't look at how difficult it is, in fact, it doesn't need much money to invest, what the bank needs is the background.Only with sufficient background can businessmen and even rich peasants everywhere trust the bank.

I don't hide from you, I chose you alone, it's the idea of ​​your background and reputation.But you can rest assured that Gu Ke has no intention of annexing your background, and it will never be done.

The operating mode of the bank, I think you can almost understand it.It is no exaggeration to say that this is an institution that can stand up to the imperial court when it grows up.Therefore, its ultimate ownership can only be the imperial court, not even the royal family.I don't need to tell you how much credit I have made for building such an institution that benefits the people and the country from scratch.Gu promises that before handing over to the imperial court, all the bank's income, no, net profit, will be shared equally by us.

Think about it, what kind of a huge sum of money is this, it is more profitable than your sneaky business and lending for decades.Moreover, with this credit, this reputation can also benefit your family endlessly! "

After saying so many words, Li Chengqian felt that his throat was about to smoke.

He simply drank a whole pot of tea and quietly waited for the stone carvings to resume their actions.

The clan leaders and clan elders, their hearts almost stopped now.More than once, they wanted to rush up and stop the prince's mouth, so as not to sink in the temptation and be unable to extricate themselves.But, I can't bear it!

As the prince said, they are a clan, and what they care about most is their reputation.Being able to complete the bank and engrave one's own name on its monument of meritorious service, not to mention profit, even if half of the family property is evaporated, so what?

Of course, none of them dared to sway their minds about the ownership of the bank.Although the prince's words were soft, the sharp arrows mixed in them made them tremble with fear.There is no doubt that whoever dares to move his mind will be completely crushed by the royal family.They don't know the saying "Drink with you from the golden cup, and you will not forgive each other with a white sword", otherwise they would think it is particularly appropriate.

After a long time, there was an obvious sound of breathing from here in the center of the pond. All kinds of thoughts were mixed together in their minds, so that they did not dare to breathe too loudly subconsciously, for fear of disturbing others, especially their own thoughts. .

Gu Xiangyuan breathed a sigh of relief, cupped his hands and said to Li Chengqian: "Your Highness's proposal is indeed touching, but such a master, we are not qualified to do so, we must return to the clan land, ask the clan leader, and even all the clan elders to come down together." It’s up to you to decide, please forgive me, Your Highness.”

Li Chengqian nodded: "Gu naturally knows this, so I give you time to think. But be quick, Gu has always been a quick temper."

Gu Xiangyuan nodded, and when he lifted it up, he realized that the time had already come to noon. He couldn't help but feel guilty and said: "Listening to your highness's words is like drinking fine wine, and before you know it, it's already noon. If your highness and everyone don't mind, my Gu family's meal The meal is not bad, why don't we have a drink together?"

Gu Xiangyuan's proposal immediately got everyone's response, except of course Li Chengqian.

Li Chengqian said with a smile: "Although Gu has a heart, but he is still young, he doesn't want to drink, and replaces the bar with tea."

Naturally, no one dared to object.

That day, in the pavilion in the center of the pond in Gu’s Bieyuan, everyone was drunk, some sang loudly, some took off their shoes and stepped on the water, intending to float on the water, some drew with chopsticks, only to realize that no ink had been prepared after painting...

As a sober person in the field, Li Chengqian saw that their happiness was not fake.

No one can refuse this temptation, even if there is a deadly steel knife hanging above the temptation.

When he came, there was only one carriage, but when he left, as predicted yesterday, Li Chengqian's carriage was not only full, but also received two carriages from the Gu family, which were full of curiosities.

Playing with a bronze statue in his hand, Li Chengqian smiled and said to Zhang Yun next to him: "Look at him, he really has a lot of background. The bronze statues that you take out and give to Gu are at least the things of the Warring States period. You go The auction house called Lao Jin and asked him to see how much these things cost, and auctioned off all of them except for some high-quality goods to save face."

It is difficult for Li Chengqian to develop an interest in antiques. It is said that it is a way for the rich to show off. Only a few people are really interested in antiques.He admits that he has no interest in this area, and instead of putting them on the shelf, he might as well sell them for money.Instead of drinking from a bronze statue full of patina, it is better to drink from a porcelain cup.

Zhang Yun looked at these gifts worriedly, and said, "Your Highness, you didn't discuss it with His Majesty, did you? This servant always thinks it's inappropriate for you to do this. What if His Majesty gets angry?"

Li Chengqian squinted at Zhang Yun: "What do you know? Since Father didn't stop Gu last night, it means that he acquiesced to Gu's actions. You have been by Father's side for so long, don't tell Gu that you don't know how disgusting Baiqisi is." .”

Thinking of Baiqisi, Zhang Yun immediately chose to shut up.

Throwing away the bronze statue and picking up a piece of ancient jade, there are some things that Li Chengqian is not prepared to say openly.

In the end, it was not a happy thing to find that I was also on the list that Bai Qisi paid close attention to.

But he didn't plan to find out those people, so it's rare to be confused. I am frank and frank, and there is no need to doubt this and that like a thief.

Chapter 273 It's Better to Break One Finger

Perhaps a suspicious creature like the emperor never trusted anyone other than himself.Maybe in the dead of night, I will doubt myself, is the treatment I made during the day too soft-hearted?

One night was actually the time Li Chengqian set aside for the emperor. If he felt that something was wrong and that these eleven families could not be trusted, he could send Li Jian to the East Palace to warn him. Then, Li Chengqian's visit to Gu's house today was just admiration. Just look at their garden.

Since there is no, it means that the emperor agrees, so there is no problem.

After returning to the East Palace, Li Chengqian began to write the bank's rules and regulations.

It was said before that the bank can grow up to fight against the imperial court. This is really not a joke. Li Chengqian deeply knows how terrifying the power of money is.The success of Nanshan Pizza Hut in later generations has almost nothing to do with the strong support behind them, and it would make people laugh out loud.

Because of this, before the bank is on the right track, the royal family and the eleven can share the profits, but after learning to walk, it has to be completely handed over to the imperial court, and even the royal family cannot control it.No one person or family dares to bear the responsibility that almost involves the whole world, and the royal family is no exception.

Only the court can bear it.It should be noted that although the court and the royal family are closely related, the two must never be confused.

"It's too much to share the shares. It's too much for each family to give four percentage points. Let's just three. The East Palace is independent from the royal family, accounting for 17.00%, and letting the father occupy 50.00%. Such an arrangement, it is estimated that those few companies will also agree. Nothing comes out."

After filling in the numbers on the list, Li Chengqian put down his pen in satisfaction and went to sleep.

The construction of the bank is not busy for a while. In terms of government affairs, because the emperor wants to re-acquaint himself with the empire as soon as possible, there is no memorial sent to the East Palace.The personal lead there has been handed over to the emperor to command, and there is no need to worry about it.

At least, I can rest for a long time before the head of the Jiangnan clan in Wuzhong Kuaiji responds to the news.

Recalling the busyness during the prison period, Li Chengqian felt dizzy, thinking that he would eventually enter such a life, even in his sleep, he still sincerely wished the emperor's father a long life.

...

After 15 years of peace in the Tang Dynasty, it is now officially beginning to recover. The businessmen and families who had withdrawn from the national stage due to the chaos at the end of the Sui Dynasty began to gradually wake up from hibernation.At this time, even a fool can see that the Tang Dynasty is different from the Sui Dynasty, and the two generations will not die easily. The prosperous age can already be expected.

The common people's attitude towards things is naturally different from that of the princes in the court. What they saw was that the court would take down the Eastern Turks in one fell swoop for another four years in Zhenguan. Until now, they have never heard of any Foreign enemies invaded, and I have never heard of any grass-headed king standing on his own.

But in fact, the imperial court has never let go of its internal surveillance of foreign enemies.

Luoyang, Xianyang, Yangzhou, these important cities of Tongzhou, all have troops staying behind, and the powers of staying behind are so vast that they even retain the privilege of making decisions on the fly.In such a position, all of them are the emperor's confidantes, such as Hou Junji who stayed behind in Luoyang, and because he is in this position, it shows the emperor's trust and reliance on him.

As for the defenders on the border, they must not relax.It can be said that Li Shimin was extraordinarily serious about dispatching troops. Han Wei stayed behind in Songzhou. When facing the Tubo army that was ten times larger than his own, he still fought in a daze, and the city wall of Songzhou collapsed because of this.

As for the punishment brought about by the Lu Dongzan incident, he didn't have the slightest grievance, it was just that the punishment was not to eat meat, it was nothing.What pleased him the most was that the imperial court took the initiative to send him a large amount of cement. The official of the Ministry of Industry who supervised the delivery of the materials said that His Royal Highness has an order, and Songzhou must not be lost, regardless of the cost of transporting cement from Chang'an to Songzhou. As long as Songzhou wants more, the imperial court will not be short of Songzhou cement even if it eats bran and swallowed vegetables.

What do you care most about being a general?It is the support from the rear, as long as the support from the rear continues, even if he is asked to face tens of thousands of enemy troops alone, he will fight with a smile.After receiving the order, Han Wei led the whole army to kneel down on one knee and saluted in the direction of Chang'an, then laughed and directed the soldiers to start repairing the city wall of Songzhou.

There are still many people who are treated the same as Han Wei, such as Zhang Jian who stayed behind in Liaodong.

The coal mines in Mayi are still being mined, but the coal here is not transported to the Central Plains, but directly supplied to the Liaodong army.