Red Mansions: My Book is Cool

Prince Zhongshun excitedly came to see Emperor Yongjia, the eunuch behind him was holding a tray with a bottle of wine and two small wine cups on it.

"Brother Huang, it's time for dinner soon. The younger brother is here to have a meal and have a few drinks with Brother Huang."

There was no one else in the hall except the eunuch who was waiting on him.And his younger brother, Emperor Yongjia didn't pay so much attention to the rules.Sitting down at the dinner table, the eunuch served the imperial meal, and the two began to eat.

Since Emperor Yongjia came to the throne, he suffered from the emptiness of the national treasury, so he considered himself very frugal. On weekdays, only eight dishes and one soup were allowed in the imperial meal, and the most precious delicacies from mountains and seas were not used.

Prince Zhongshun looked at the dishes on the table and sighed: "Brother Huang is too harsh on himself! But to solve the shortage of the national treasury and the internal treasury, of course we must reduce expenditure, but we must also increase revenue!"

Emperor Yongjia held a chopstick of food, and said slowly: "Then what good idea do you have, let's hear it!"

Prince Zhongshun picked up the wine bottle, poured one for Emperor Yongjia and himself, and after testing the eunuch's poison, said with a smile, "Brother Emperor, how about you try this wine?"

Emperor Yongjia picked up the wine cup in doubt, took a sip, and his eyes lit up immediately: "Good wine!" As he said, he drank the rest of the wine in the cup, and his excitement was still not over.

"Lao Liu, where did you get this wine? It tastes great!" Emperor Yongjia exclaimed.

"Lin Ming'an gave it to me, and it was actually given to the emperor through my hands." Prince Zhongshun said: "This is the wine brewed in the winery he and his cousin jointly run, and he brought some to the capital. When it was shown at the scribes gathering a few days ago, there was a sensation. People who drank this wine were all vying to buy it, and now this wine has become famous in the capital."

"Lin Mingan is also proficient in the method of brewing wine?" Emperor Yongjia suddenly remembered: "Yes, you once said that Lin Mingan knows a method of purifying wine. Is this what he made using this method?"

"Before they went to Beijing, they bought a winery by the Chishui River in Guizhou. They took the wine stored in the winery and used their method to brew this strong wine. In fact, they don't know how to make wine themselves, but Yes, I know this method. The younger brother drank it softer and more vigorously than before. This kind of wine will definitely sell well! They can also refine a much stronger wine than this. I’m afraid we won’t be able to drink it here. Go on, but people in the bitterly cold places in the north, on the highlands and grasslands, and overseas will definitely like it. After drinking this, the whole body will be warmed up, which is very good for keeping out the cold!"

"Brother Huang, if you know this method, wouldn't it be a lot of money? Lin Mingan and his cousin are determined to brew the best wine in the world, so that the Daqing Dynasty will know their reputation, and they want to build the winery so that it can be passed on to future generations A hundred-year-old restaurant. As far as I can tell, there is nothing better than getting the royal approval to show the excellence of their winery!"

"By the way, Royal Brother, Lin Ming'an and his cousin have the heart of serving the imperial court, and are willing to donate this method to the imperial court free of charge. If there is a wine shop that wants to learn this method, the wine brewed with this method in the future must follow the The selling price is to pay some money to the court. Lin Mingan said that this is the protection fee for intellectual property rights. Just like renting a house, you have to pay the rent, and you have to pay for using other people’s secret recipes and skills. The court can send people to check, If someone is found to be stealing a teacher, he will be punished as a theft. Only in this way can capable people be encouraged to continue to create and come up with good methods, which will benefit both the country and ourselves.”

"Brother Emperor, this wine making is different from wool spinning. It has nothing to do with the national economy and the people's livelihood. Can it be handed over to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and the proceeds should also go to the Ministry of Internal Affairs! The purchase of wool can be controlled by the imperial court, but the brewing of wine must be prevented from being used by profiteers. The secret method, you have to check and punish from time to time. I will do this offending thing! Anyway, I am used to the absurdity!" Prince Zhongshun laughed at himself, and then smiled: "Brother, just don't forget to reward me a lot That's it!"

"By the way, there is also Lin Ming'an! Although he said that he donated to the imperial court free of charge, we can't treat him badly. We must show the royal family's grace, right?"

"Brother, Ming people don't speak dark words. Lin Ming'an didn't give me any money. How much money does his family have when he just got up?" Prince Zhongshun said truthfully: "However, he gave me the 'hot pot' he had in Sichuan. I brought it! All the recipes and seasonings are ready. Chendi plans to open a few restaurants in the capital. Chendi thought, there was no one in Beijing before, and probably no one would snatch food from me? Of course , I'm not unreasonable, I don't care if the common people imitate eating at home. But if you want to use this method to do business, you can."

"Lin Ming'an thought of two ways for Chendi. Chendi opened the first hot pot restaurant in the capital, managed it well, and strived for the first shot. The capital is so big that one person can't take all the business. If other businesses want to follow suit , as long as he pays a sum of money every year, my younger brother will allow him to use the name of my shop as a branch, with the same decoration and furnishings, as well as the preparation of ingredients and the way to operate it. Lin Mingan told me a new It’s called franchising. If this is the case, and the business is not doing well, then simply wave your hands and change careers. Also, we can also open a shop to sell prepared ready-made seasonings, so that ordinary people can buy them home and cook hot pot. It's more affordable! Brother Huang, look, these two methods are reasonable and reasonable, don't you bully others?"

Emperor Yongjia snorted: "The second type is fine, but what about franchising, is this hot pot difficult to learn, and they have to pay you? Sixth, don't invite the judge to impeach you!" In his understanding, Whoever opens the restaurant will open it. Why do you need a license? Are you bullying others?

"Don't worry, Brother Huang!" Prince Zhongshun repeatedly assured: "I will never force anyone, Jiang Taigong is fishing - those who wish to take the bait! Wait until this matter is done, you can watch it. Even if it doesn't work, there is no loss, right? ?”

"I can't explain clearly. Tomorrow I will bring you a whole set of hot pot, including the seasoning and the prepared ingredients. We brothers will cook it once, and you will understand, Brother Huang. The taste of the hot pot is addictive! The key, Lin Mingan The seasoning is very good, and it is famous in Sichuan. If it weren't for the remoteness of the place, if it was placed in the capital, or in Suzhou and Hangzhou, it would have been popular long ago!"

Emperor Yongjia glanced at him: "Then I will take a good look at it tomorrow."

Prince Zhongshun repeatedly agreed.He remembered Lin Mingan's words.This franchising is not worrying that no one is willing, the business is profitable, on the one hand; on the other hand, joining his business also means that under his protection, it can be operated properly, and there are no small officials to fight against the wind , the yamen will not find fault easily, and local snakes dare not come to the door. It can be said to kill two birds with one stone, and the price is extremely high!The price-performance ratio is new this time, and it's the first time he's heard of it, but he can guess the general meaning, so it's a good deal!

"However, it's not appropriate for all the proceeds from the sale of the wine-making method to go to the Ministry of Internal Affairs!" Emperor Yongjia pondered, "In this way, your reputation will be bad, and the court will criticize the royal family and compete for profit with the people!"

"But Brother Huang," Prince Zhongshun's rare expression became serious: "Do you know how much the Supreme Emperor and the concubines spend? No matter how much you save here, you can't make up for his expenses! The Ministry of Internal Affairs can't help it." Support, otherwise I will be accused of being disrespectful! Without these open source subsidies, I will not be able to do this job!"

Emperor Yongjia pondered for a moment, showed a smile, and said softly: "Since this is the case, you must let the princes in the court know about your difficulties, so as not to be blamed. The emperor's generation of emperors must not be misunderstood. It's the demon concubine who deceives the master, extravagant and lustful. The Zhen family covers the sky with only one hand in the south of the Yangtze River, and the cause of Lin Ruhai's death is strange. These news,..." He looked at Prince Zhongshun meaningfully.

"Emperor Brother, don't worry!" Prince Zhongshun understood: "My brother has ordinary skills, but he is good at these things!"

"The income from the hot pot will also be distributed to Lin Mingan. I am not confused and not too greedy. I will not do things like fishing in a dry lake!" Prince Zhongshun said with a smile: "If Lin Mingan is like the golden rooster that lays golden eggs Same, the younger brother is willing to offer him! I don’t know, how will the emperor plan to reward him?"

Emperor Yongjia lowered his eyes and thought, Prince Zhongshun said again: "By the way, there are two more things."

"Last time, Lin Ming'an mentioned that the spinning machine was too slow. If the wool weaving was done, he was afraid that it would delay the work. He was going to renovate it. Anyway, now that he doesn't have to take the imperial examination, he has the time and thought. He said Progress has been made, and if it succeeds, the new looms can weave several times more than the current looms!"

Emperor Yongjia suddenly opened his eyes wide, tried hard to control the excitement in his heart, kept a calm face, and said in a deep voice: "Zhen will order him to concentrate on research and development! What's the other thing?"

"Lin Ming'an's cousin is the one who co-founded the wine shop with him. His name is Li Junshan. He refined a stronger wine on a whim, but it tasted like fire, and people couldn't eat it, so he had to throw it aside. Later, he didn't intend to Among them, I found that the essence of this wine is the poison that can kill the wound. Use it to wash the wound, and most of the wound will not be festered and infected. Therefore, the possibility of the injured person's survival is greatly increased. I am still observing Among them, I want to wait and see for a while, and then report when I am sure."

Emperor Yongjia's eyes lit up again.If this is true, the spirit of wine can be used in large quantities in the military.In every battle, many wounded soldiers did not survive.It's not that their injuries are too fatal, it's often that the wounds are infected, they develop a high fever, and they can't survive in the end.

Doctors will also prepare gold sore medicine, but the effective ones are expensive and can only be used by generals.Just looking for herbal medicine to configure it will not be of much use.But this is the essence of wine?

"Is this also expensive?" Emperor Yongjia had to consider this.

"It's enough to use low-quality wine to refine it on the wound. It shouldn't cost that much!" Prince Zhongshun touched his chin, and added: "Maybe Lin Mingan can find a better solution?"

He smiled at Emperor Yongjia and said, "My brother thinks that Li Junshan probably came up with this method after receiving Lin Mingan's advice. The Li family and their father and son have always been close, and Lin Mingan is willing to repay a little bit."

Emperor Yongjia nodded, and sighed: "He is a man who knows how to repay his kindness. Sixth, if Li Junshan's wine can be made into the essence, plus the contribution of the joint wine making method, you and the Minister of the Ministry of Industry will think about it. What kind of reward should be given to Li Junshan. As for Lin Mingan, after he returns to the capital, the Shinke Scholars will start observing politics."

"Brother Huang, send him to the Ministry of Internal Affairs!" Prince Zhongshun hurriedly said: "There are many workshops under the Ministry of Internal Affairs, so he can do whatever research he wants!"

"Lao Liu, Xinke Scholars have always gone to places like Liubu, Yushitai, and Imperial Academy." Emperor Yongjia shook his head and said, "There is no such example as entering the House of Internal Affairs. Besides, Fang Shangshu of the Ministry of Industry has long asked me Lin Ming'an. I can't agree to this request!"

Prince Zhongshun resentfully stopped talking, and suddenly a thought flashed in his mind: "Hey, isn't Lin Mingan's father, Lin Qing, the head of the sixth grade in the Ministry of Industry? Can the father and son stay in the same yamen?"

"Well, I remembered now." Emperor Yongjia rubbed his eyebrows: "That's against the rules!"

"However, Lin Ming'an can't be placed in the House of Internal Affairs." He glanced at Prince Zhongshun, and said with a smile, "Lao Liu, don't even think about it."

"I can't reward Lin Ming'an's merits for a while. He still has to watch politics, so it may not be a good thing for him to rise to the top too quickly. Besides, if he makes more contributions in the future, how can I reward him?"

"However, I will distribute the favor to his family." Emperor Yongjia changed the subject: "Lin Qing can't stay in the Ministry of Industry, I have prepared two positions for him, one is to go to the Ministry of Internal Affairs to be in charge of the Construction Department; the other is To be the supervisor of the Imperial Academy, to manage the general affairs of the Imperial Academy. Both are five-rank official positions, let him choose one of them."

The House of Internal Affairs is rich and affordable, with a lot of benefits; the Imperial College is dignified and dignified, and his promotion to a higher rank, from the sixth rank to the fifth rank, is also one of the rewards for his good education.

"The Ministry of Internal Affairs deliberates to reward Lin Ming'an with some of the money collected from selling wine."

"Give Lin Qing another title of earl. Doesn't Lin Ming'an still have a younger sister? Lin Ming'an has meritorious deeds, so he can't reward him generously for the time being, but should benefit his younger sister. Since Lin Ruhai's daughters are all treated like village lords, then Lin Ming'an's younger sister might as well Just canonize it as the village lord! Take care of it well, and make sure it looks good! Let the courtiers know that I treat loyal subjects with extra favors!"