First Minister of Ming Dynasty

When I was free, it was very comfortable to see Li Shanchang domineering in Zhongshu Province. Apart from facing Zhang Ximeng, he showed his prestige as the leader of all officials.

But when it came time to fight, Lao Li became an old scalper in an instant, staying up day and night, distributing supplies, food and salaries in sums... and without any computer assistance, the financial, material and human resources of the whole country were all Contained in his heart, distributed through one head and one mouth.

All officials must come to the Ministry of Education to take orders.

Li Shan grew up yelling, and within a few days, his voice became hoarse.The rest of the ministers were also so busy that they dared not slack off in the slightest.

Although these people may not be good, and there may even be many corrupt officials, but at the moment, most of them are still doing their duty.

In contrast, Zhang Ximeng's affairs are much easier. He only needs to discuss the military situation with Zhu Yuanzhang and make a general plan.

On this day, Junchen talked about the approaching noon, facing the list sent by the Ministry of Education, both of them looked very unhappy.

"The cost is still too high. At the beginning, it exceeded the budget by [-]%! Li Shanchang, Xiao He, has ordinary skills!" Old Zhu said with a snort.

Zhang Ximeng didn't say anything, maybe, Lao Li is really not good, but who can do better than him?

Zhu Yuanzhang also seemed to realize that he was going too far, and then lowered his voice and said: "Sir, to be honest, we still have a sum of money in hand, I wonder if we can move it?"

Zhang Ximeng was taken aback, and quickly asked, "What did the lord say?"

Zhu Yuanzhang sighed softly: "Didn't that kid Zhu Ying receive several million guan? Before he went to Lingnan, he left us 300 million guan." Old Zhu pressed his thigh with one hand, leaned forward, and asked for advice. : "Sir, do you think this money can be moved?"

Zhang Ximeng frowned, and he understood it almost instantly.

The kid really understood what he said.

It seems that Zhu Ying does not need so much money, as long as people know that he is rich...so he left 300 million guan for Zhu Yuanzhang and 30 guan for Zhang Ximeng.

As for himself, he brought 70 guan.

However, this money is not for work, on the contrary, it is used by Zhu Ying for ostentation, publicity, and storytelling... Anyway, he has grasped the essence of creating something out of nothing.

But fortunately, the Ganjiang shipping route has been unblocked, and Dayuling has also been renovated... Since the Red Turban Uprising, the commercial route has been cut off.Especially overseas businessmen are so greedy, they just look forward to tea, porcelain and other things.

As long as the business routes are smooth and the wealth is abundant, even if there is not a tael of silver, it is enough to become a mountain of gold and silver.

But having said that, it was really not easy for Zhu Ying to keep the big boss.

"My lord... the money seems to be movable, but it cannot be moved directly."

Zhu Yuanzhang was taken aback, "Sir, what do you mean?"

"My lord can borrow it!"

"borrow?"

"Yes! My lord can use the salt tax as security, mortgage the debt, and borrow the money."

Zhu Yuanzhang became even more stupid. He is the emperor, rich in the world, and the whole world is his own. Do you still need to borrow money?

What's more, if you are still a son and borrow money from him, isn't that snatching the lollipop from the child?

Our old Zhu is so unstyled?

"Sir, we have become emperor!"

"The emperor can't do whatever he wants, turning a stone into gold!" Zhang Ximeng smiled and said, "My lord, please think about it. He Zhen who sent troops to subdue Guangzhou was the only one who opened up trade in the south of the Five Ridges. God-sent opportunities came out all of a sudden. So many merchants went south to make a fortune. Isn't it Relying on the protection of the emperor? If it’s just doing business and paying taxes, doesn’t it seem a bit inexhaustible... The lord borrowing money from them is also giving them a chance to serve the country. And the lord won the battle, the business route expanded, and the opportunity came. So that they can share the profit... I think this is the best of both worlds, and there is nothing wrong with it. Moreover, relying on the debt relationship, the upper and lower levels are tied even tighter. In the past, the lord was also worried, the merchant family and us are not of the same mind, now With this level, at least those businessmen who are willing to buy bonds and share weal and woe with Daming can still be trusted."

Zhu Yuanzhang just listened silently, his eyes rolling from time to time.Grain

To be honest, he was still a little hesitant...Old Zhu originally thought very simple, that is, to simply embezzle the money and find a way to fill it up after the war. Even if the hole is dug and not filled, what can the emperor do?

In the end, when he came to Zhang Ximeng, he even encouraged him to borrow money from merchants, and even put forward a lot of reasons.

More or less, it made Lao Zhu hesitate a bit. Mr. Zhang could have thought so well, I'm afraid he had already figured it out... Could it be that proposal to develop business, what idea did he have?

Lao Zhu pondered in his heart, and after a long time, he finally breathed a sigh of relief and nodded with a smile, "Sir, then do as you wish...but don't make a big fanfare beforehand, so as not to cause turmoil in the hearts of the people, and it will not end well."

Zhang Ximeng nodded quickly, "Don't worry, my lord, I will arrange it properly. As for the interest, I think three percent is enough. After all, this is my lord's loan, the risk is very small, and there is no need for too high interest."

Seeing that he had thought it through clearly, Lao Zhu nodded, and listened to Zhang Ximeng!

Coming out of the palace, Zhang Ximeng couldn't help heaving a sigh of relief, his back was already soaked.Thinking back to discussing the military situation with Lao Zhu in the past few days, Zhang Ximeng felt a little uneasy.

He kept leading Lao Zhu on the road of borrowing money and issuing debts.

Although Zhang Ximeng didn't have selfish motives to affect military affairs, but sometimes he lost his detached composure and became irritable and reckless...Of course he knew his problem.

It's not the 30 pennies in his arms!

You want to collect money, want to spend money, want to enjoy... you can't help but feel frightened and fidgety.When something happened, he lost ground... He suddenly understood Zheng Shiyuan's state of mind. He had collected so much gold and silver, but he just hid it and couldn't enjoy it openly.

What he ate was dried tofu and broad beans. Did he enjoy the money?

Obviously not, he is just a very unlucky custodian!

When it comes to Zhang Ximeng, although the 30 guan is not regarded as greedy income, it is not upright.Of course he can enjoy it, but he still feels ashamed!

If Zhang Ximeng was worried about being passive and honest back then, he would always want someone to challenge his weakness.But someone actually did it, and it was Zhang Ximeng who was worried.

In the final analysis, he is still a young man who has not shed his true qualities as a petty citizen.In his heart, there is also a dream of gold and silver like mountains, hugging left and right.

Wake up and take control of the world, drunk on the knees of beautiful women.

Why can't you enjoy it?

But when he really got the money, Zhang Ximeng found that he couldn't bear it at all. He went all the way, writing articles and teaching others.In the end, when he came to himself, he couldn't be flawless in white jade, flawless in silk... It's still a bit of self-deception!

Zhang Ximeng, Zhang Ximeng, you can't even get past your own test, why are you talking about other things?

What a slap in the face!

The principles of heaven, the laws of the country, the laws of humanity... How can it be fulfilled?

Expose Zhu Ying, and even ruin the overall situation of developing Lingnan?

Obviously it doesn't work.

Telling Zhu Yuanzhang that it is no problem to ask Lao Zhu to agree, but even if he got the money, Zhang Ximeng didn't think he could spend it calmly.

There is no other way, as there is a shortage of military supplies, let Lao Zhu issue the debt!

Zhang Ximeng then bought 30 bonds of bonds in Zhu Ying's name... Then he wrote a long letter, sealed it, and asked people to chase Zhu Ying overnight, give him the bonds, and explain the truth clearly.

It may not be perfect, but it is resolved after all.

Zhang Ximeng had no dreams all night... Another day later, when he arrived at Menxia Province, he happened to run into Jiang Nan again.

"Zhang Xiang, did you say that you invited me to eat leg of lamb and anchovies, did you forget?"

Zhang Ximeng was slightly startled, and said with a smile: "Yes, come over at noon!"

Jiang Nan readily agreed, but at noon, there was only a bowl of Yangchun noodles in front of her.

"Zhang Xiang? You, how do you lie to me?"

Zhang Ximeng chuckled, served himself a bowl of noodles, and then said with a smile, "Have you ever heard a saying? Courtesy means that people must ask for something!"

Jiang Nan was taken aback, "Then, so Zhang Xiang doesn't need a lowly job?"

Zhang Ximeng smiled and said nothing, just asked Jiang Nan to eat noodles, Jiang Nan stared angrily, but he had no choice but to chew, as if he was eating fresh and tender mutton.

"Jiang Nan, in fact, the noodles I ate today are sweeter than any meat... You must have misunderstood that day. I didn't intend to deal with Li Xiang." Zhang Ximeng said in a slightly low voice.

Jiang Nan was startled, and suddenly laughed, "Sure enough, Li Xiang's young master has not arrived in Lingnan, so even if he wanted to send money, he couldn't do it! At that time, there was only one person who was able to send money, and he would definitely not give it to Li Xiang. Send money!"

Zhang Ximeng nodded and said with a wry smile, "What do you think now? Do you feel disappointed?"

Jiang Nan lowered her head and said softly, "But it's dealt with?"

"Yes! I lent it to the lord for military expenses."

Jiang Nan actually smiled slightly, and the louder the laughter, the shoulders twitched, and finally managed to control himself, looked up at Zhang Ximeng, and said with a smile: "It seems that Zhang Xiang is also a mortal!"

Zhang Ximeng sighed softly, "I dare not compare myself to a sage!"

"When Confucius was an official in his early years, he was also arrogant when he became an official. When he was 70 years old, he dared to say what he wanted." Jiang Nan said with a smile: "Zhang Xiang has returned to his original nature so quickly. From the perspective of a humble official, he is far superior to a sage!"

"Good flattery! It's a pity that there is no reward, only Yangchun noodles!"

"Yangchun noodles are good! Innocent!" Jiang Nan quickly picked up a chopstick, added it to his bowl, and said with a smile, "I also think this is sweeter than lamb leg and shad."

Chapter 426 Iron Mine

After eating a meal of fresh and sweet Yangchun noodles, Jiang Nan burped lightly, and Zhang Ximeng couldn't help laughing and said, "You are so unladylike!"

Jiang Nan said with a smile: "It's not a good thing to hold the boss's handle, and the only way to show a shame to Zhang Xiang is a humble job."

Zhang Ximeng was startled, shook his head and said, "You have sharp teeth and a sharp mouth, that's not good!"

Jiang Nan wasn't afraid of him, but said, "Master Zhang, I can't take the liberty to ask, how much money do you have? It doesn't mean anything else, are you really short of money?"

"Lack of money?"

Zhang Ximeng thought about it seriously, then shook his head and said, "I don't know either." Zhang Ximeng was very helpless, and laughed at himself, "Do you think I'm lying?"

"How could that be!" Jiang Nan said with a smile: "With Zhang Xiang's status, he has to do so many things every day, so it would be strange to be able to figure out how much money he has! But I think Zhang Xiang should be much richer than he looks .”

Zhang Ximeng raised his brows and pondered for a while. He really hadn't figured out how much his family property was... and he didn't know if there would be jokes about "I don't know what Zhang Ximeng earns" in the future.

"The mansion I live in now is free. The coachman, the groom, the cook, the guard, and the housekeeper all receive the imperial salary, which has nothing to do with me. Then there are some lumi, clothing materials, and some annual allowances every year, plus A salary of several hundred guan... By the way, I am still Qi Guogong, and my income has increased a lot. It should be one or two thousand guan per year."

When Zhang Ximeng said this, he also paused. Not only is he not rich, but he is also quite rich!

A family of five, relying on farming, counts all the grain harvested, which is about a hundred cents. Among them, taxes have to be paid, and they have to be kept as rations. The actual amount of money that can be allocated is pitifully small.

Zhang Ximeng has no worries about food and clothing, and basically spends his salary casually. If this is not rich, what is rich?

Is it really necessary for a chicken to eat only one tongue, and a fish to eat only a few whiskers, or to feed a pig with medicinal materials, and finally kill it with a wooden stick, and only take one tenderloin?

This is not enjoying food, this is being a monster!

Not only is Zhang Ximeng too lazy to do it, but he also despises anyone who does it.

So Zhang Ximeng is really not short of money.

"Jiang Tiju, in fact, I have a terrible hobby... I like buying books. You must know that ancient and rare books are very expensive!"

When it came to buying books, Jiang Nan gave Zhang Ximeng a blank stare, "Mr. Zhang, why don't you mention this? Don't you know that Luoyang paper is expensive for one of your articles, and the money is still less?"

Zhang Ximeng was stunned... the manuscript fee!

A word that made him feel a little sad. He also wrote it at the "end point" in his previous life, but unfortunately the writing was poor, the plot was broken, and he didn't make any money.

Can I earn royalties in my life?

Well, yes, well worth celebrating.

Then Zhang Ximeng hesitated again.

"Jiang Tiju, the things I'm writing now are selected for school, but it's for teaching and educating people. I want money... and I can't open my mouth! No one in the Ministry of Rites will count it for me. ah!"

Jiang Nan laughed, "Maybe they think that Zhang Xiang is unreal!"

"Ball!" Zhang Ximeng was in a hurry, "You think I love to eat Yangchun noodles every day? I also want to get some dishes! Besides, other things are fine. I need to buy books now. I buy a lot of books. The cost is too high. It’s very big. And if they don’t give me the publishing fee, they can deduct other people’s money. The people in the Ministry of Rites have ulterior motives and must be severely punished to make an example to others!”

Jiang Nan couldn't help laughing again, as an ordinary person, Zhang Xianggong is quite interesting.

"I think your prime minister can hold a boat, so don't bother with others. In the name of the Du Branch Bureau, I will clear up the expenses related to the textbooks of the Ministry of Rites, and send them an official document to let them pay attention. It is estimated that the money will be sent soon. Go. It’s better for Zhang Xiang to open an account by himself, so that it will be clear at a glance. In the future, no one will be able to control the purchase of books. Also, I read that there are articles about Zhang Xiang in newspapers. This is easier to handle. They sell Although the newspaper is very cheap, the writers all have a certain income, if Zhang Xiang is willing, it is enough to use it as pocket money."

"it is good!"

Zhang Ximeng's eyes lit up, he was very happy, and the way he looked at Jiang Nan changed. This subordinate is smart and capable, and he is a good seed!

"When I receive the manuscript fee, I will fulfill my promise and find a master in Yangzhou to make a meal of fugu."

Jiang Nan smiled and nodded, "I've made a note of it!"

"Well! Don't worry, I won't break my promise for such a trivial matter." Zhang Ximeng was in a good mood, and he also figured it out, but a clean and honest person was put in front of him, making Zhang Ximeng tied up.

From time to time, I always think about what the upright officials are going to do... Hai Rui bought two catties of meat for his mother's birthday, and it would make a sensation in the whole city.

It's not so clean and honest, but it can't be wasted recklessly.

Moreover, Zhang Ximeng really didn't plan his life carefully. He had no idea of ​​how much he earned or how much he spent... After chatting with Jiang Nan, Zhang Ximeng had a good idea.

Of course he is not poor, just counting salary, he is not poor either.

As long as you are open and frank, you can spend whatever you want, and you don't need to pay too much attention to it.As for wanton squandering and frenzy, Zhang Ximeng can't do it either!

"Jiang Tiju, help me choose some sets of furniture later!" Zhang Ximeng said, "It shouldn't be too expensive. The key is to be simple and elegant, and of course not too shabby. Big bed, living room tables and chairs, and desk paintings case, simply get a set down.”

Jiang Nan nodded with a smile. After all, Zhang Ximeng still felt sorry for Qian.Mr. Zhang may know how much a grain of grain costs and how much a catty of iron costs, but it is difficult for him to tell how much a good set of furniture costs.

But Jiang Nan knows Zhang Ximeng's hobbies like the back of his hand... Zhang Ximeng pays more attention to the material itself than to the complicated craftsmanship.