The oil bottle of the Red Chamber

After finishing talking about the important affairs outside, Third Sister You smiled at her uncle and said, "Uncle, I would like to ask you for a favor, but I don't know if Uncle agrees or not?"

When Chen Gui heard the words, he couldn't help laughing and said, "If you have anything to say, just say it. Could it be that I still refuse to agree to your request?"

The third sister You said with a smile: "I want to ask my uncle to help me arrange an identity. From now on, it will be convenient for me to wear men's clothes and act outside. I don't want to stay in the back house all my life and look at the square world." , it's strange."

Chen Gui's heart was moved when he heard the words, and because he remembered how different Miss You San had been all these years, he said with a smile: "Do you really think of yourself as a young master?"

Third Sister You smiled and said: "I think my daughter's family is very good, why do you treat yourself like a young master? It's just that it's troublesome when you're walking outside... Uncle don't ask so many questions, just say Do you want me or not?"

Chen Gui smiled, shook his head and said: "Didn't you already arrange it? You said that your name is Chen Shan, and you are an old relative of the Chen family, my distant nephew... Isn't it very well arranged by you?"

When Third Sister You heard this, she knew that Chen Gui had agreed, and she was overjoyed and said, "I knew that Uncle loves me, so he will definitely agree."

After finishing speaking, he bowed to Chief Chen Gui like a boy, and said in his mouth: "Chen Shan has seen Uncle, Uncle Wan'an."

Seeing this, Chen Gui waved his hands with a smile, and said in his mouth, "Since you say you are Chen Shan, it's not easy to call me uncle anymore, you should call me uncle."

Third Sister You responded with a smile.He bowed again to Chief Chen.Chen Rong felt very helpless, so he could only return the salute with a smile.

Seeing that the third sister You ran out to make trouble with Mrs. Chen, Mrs. Chen, sister Feng Shiwan and others, Chen Wei shook his head unconsciously, and said to Chen Gui: "Father indulges my sister like this, and the indulgence makes my sister more and more casual." Sexual willful, when you marry into your husband's family in the future, I'm afraid that your husband's family will not be obedient to your younger sister, and if you become more restrained by then, won't there be a gap?"

Hearing this, Chen Gui sneered and said: "My Chen family's daughter, even if she is married into her husband's family, she has to live according to her temperament. How can she be bullied by outsiders. Your aunt was like this back then, and your younger sisters should do the same in the future." That's it. Otherwise, what does the Chen family want you to be a top-notch? Since you know that the world is demanding on your daughter, you should study hard and work hard. Always surpass those in-laws, so that you can support your sister and daughter in the future. As for those people In-laws..."

When Chen Gui said this, he sneered again, and said disapprovingly: "As the saying goes, there are hundreds of daughters in a family, and when our Chen family marries a daughter, we have never used power to force others to marry. Not only I will not use power to overwhelm others. Even if others come to beg, we feel good in our hearts, and we have to observe for a few more years to thoroughly understand this person's temperament. It must never happen again that your aunt married into the Zhao family Such a bad thing. As for the two families getting married, let alone. Since he was willing to come to the door to propose marriage, he must have inquired about our family's family style. I don't care if he is trying to cling to the power of the Chen family. Or try to plot something else. Since you married our girl, you have to hold it up like an aunt. If you want to control it, I won't obey. Not only won't I, I'll leave the word here today, who dares to let us The girl in my family is not happy for a while, but I have the ability to make things difficult for their family, and they will never want to be happy in this life!"

As Chen Gui said, he rubbed Chen Rong's head worriedly, and said earnestly: "I said you kid, don't be so stupid in reading, learn the craftsmanship of those sour and rotten scholars, and talk about it at home." What are the three obediences and four virtues? I don’t care about people outside. As long as they are members of our family, they don’t like that! For example, I married your mother, and I have never had a second wife in my life. In the future, if you marry a sister from the Xu family, it will naturally be the same .In the future, when your sisters get married and get married, just let it go as you like. If things don’t go your way, or if your husband’s family is biased and wants to give wine and take concubines, you should be the first to call. Even if You can't break their family's opinion, and you can't make them feel better. You have to let them know that my Chen family's men are not easy to get along with, and my Chen family's girls are not easy to marry."

A set of long-winded Chen Wei was dumbfounded.He just nodded in a daze.Seeing his son's appearance, Chen Gui frowned even more displeased, because he said, "Why do I feel that you are not like me at all, nor like our Chen family. You are a bit like that stupid scholar Xu Zichuan. Could it be that not only the nephew resembles the uncle, but the son-in-law must also resemble the father-in-law?"

Chen Rong: "..."

Now, not to mention that Chen Wei's three views reprimanded by his father are completely shattered, it is only said that Chen Gui presented the terms of the issuance of national debt to His Royal Highness, and His Royal Highness discussed it with all his subordinates in the East Palace. According to the situation of the court, it may be deleted or revised. Just now I got the instructions from the Palace of Qinzheng to beg for the saint.Now that the sage's approval has been obtained, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince must hand over the matter to Chen Gui for handling.

As a result, Chen Rong, a poor child, became more and more flustered.Opening his eyes every day, he either followed Chen Gui to meet merchants and wealthy households, or was ordered by Sister You to go to his home to do errands.Usually it was already dark when I returned home, and I only had to eat a bite of food in a hurry, and then I had to go back to the study to read and write articles.After reading the book, it was already the climax of the moon, and the third watch was played, and after a hasty grooming, I fell asleep with the pillow on my head.After waking up the next day, it was another busy day.

Chen Rong just followed Chen Gui to do some chores, and he was already in such a panic.Chen Gui, who shouldered a heavy responsibility, was so busy that he didn't even have time to eat.

Because the national treasury was empty, and disaster relief and armament raising were imminent, Chen Gui's plan was to write an IOU in the name of the court, first to borrow money from rich salt merchants, and then go through all the procedures for issuing national debt in exchange for rich merchants. IOUs within.

Most of these rich salt merchants were money bags raised by the Prince's family, so they naturally knew how proud Chen Gui was in front of His Highness the Prince.Hearing that Chen Gui was in such a business relationship, no matter what he thought in his heart, he dared not doubt it on his face.So Chen Gui immediately raised a total of 300 million taels of disaster relief and military equipment and handed it over to the crown prince, who handed it over to the court, and then officials from the Ministry of Household Affairs and the Ministry of War discussed how to spend the money.

As for Chen Gui himself, although the most important money has been raised, the remaining trivial matters are even more troublesome.He has to lead the officials of the Ministry of Households to properly and meticulously establish various procedures for issuing national bonds to ensure that every link is correct.It is also necessary to take into account the power and interests of the various officials in the court - after all, this is an open source item approved by the sage's imperial pen. Since money and fame are involved, it is not good for one person to monopolize it, and everyone will be jealous.Therefore, both in public and in private, Chen Gui must find a way to be considerate of personnel affairs, so that the prince eats meat and he gnaws bones, while others can also drink soup.

In addition, Chen Gui had to think about how to use this matter to develop contacts in the court and strengthen himself, and how to gain the trust of rich salt merchants.After all, the issue of national debt is not a one-off deal.It is necessary to ensure that the court does not compete with the people for profit, but it must also benefit the people and win the hearts of the people.It would be better to make it so that when the imperial court issues national debt next time, everyone will rush to buy the national debt, instead of the current situation. Chen Gui has worn out his lips, and these people are still skeptical, for fear that the imperial court is looking for excuses to blackmail the government. Their silver is not returned...

Another thing is that Chen Gui's preparations for the issuance of national bonds this time was because of an emergency and he was ordered to do so.Because the imperial court itself is too green to accept, I am afraid that it will not be able to pay back the money by then.Therefore, after discussing with His Highness the Crown Prince and the sage, Chen Gui decided to pay the debt with taxes.

It's just that this kind of behavior is tantamount to tearing down the east to make up for the west, even if it solves the urgent need at this moment.But what about next year?At that time, the court will not be able to collect taxes, isn't there no money?

Thinking about this, the sage couldn't help but think of what the Twelve Princes blurted out seemingly inadvertently in the Palace of Qinzheng that day, urging the payment of the owed money while feeling depressed.It's just such an offending job, if the person who does it doesn't have great perseverance and ability, I'm afraid it won't work.Nowadays, in the imperial court, there are not many people who are capable, persistent and willing to wade through this muddy water...

Not to mention how the sage thought about it, but after Chen Gui raised money and military equipment, he also knew that this matter was not a long-term solution.He believes that if we want to increase the amount of money in the treasury, we need to think more about open source.

It's just that with Chen Gui's way of dealing with the world, even if he was given a few more courage, he would never think of calling for the payment of the owed money.Firstly, there are too many enemies, and secondly, it is too troublesome.And because Chen Gui has had a lot of dealings with wealthy merchants and rich people in recent years, and he himself is the one who benefits from it, so Chen Gui's advice to His Highness the Crown Prince is naturally related to this...

"You mean to lift the sea ban and rebuild the Shibo Department?" Hearing Chen Guizhi's remonstrance, His Royal Highness put down the teacup in his hand and asked.

Chen Gui said patiently: "Reporting to the prince, it is to open the sea ban, not to rebuild the Shibo Department."

His Royal Highness was in a daze for a moment, and then Fox asked: "Isn't the rebuilding of the Shibo Department the same thing as the opening of the Sea Ban?"

Chen Gui said with a smile: "To the crown prince, I have an old relationship with the owner of Yutai Merchant, so I am honored to invest some money in Yutai Marine Merchant's fleet and get some bonuses. His Royal Highness must also know about this matter." .”

The crown prince nodded, Chen Gui was his favorite confidant.Besides, their monarchs and ministers got acquainted because of this matter.He naturally knew why.

Seeing this, Chen Gui continued: "Because of this share split, the dividends of Wei Chen are as high as more than [-] taels every year. And this more than [-] taels of silver is no more than the income from a caravan trip." It's a drop in the bucket. It can be seen that this sea merchant has made a lot of profits. Now the treasury is empty and the court is in trouble. If you want to make money from the poor people, you can't get much money, and your reputation is not good. Why don't you look farther and earn those The silver of overseas Fanyi."

Chen Gui paused, seeing His Royal Highness holding the teacup thoughtfully, and said: "Overseas foreign barbarians have admired me for a long time, so the silk, porcelain, silk, salt tea and other things produced by my dynasty are sold in China. The land of Fanyi is very popular. The spices and various Western machines produced in the land of Fanyi are also very popular in our dynasty. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is wise and wise, so he naturally knows the profits...Since this is the case, instead of watching With them earning money to honor their filial piety, wouldn’t it be better for the imperial court to set up a caravan and earn money to enrich the treasury?”

His Royal Highness the Crown Prince rubbed the teacup lightly with the tea cover, pondered for a long time, and then said: "So you just proposed to open the sea ban, just to do business with the Panyi vassals?"

"That's right." Chen Gui nodded, as if he had seen through His Highness the Crown Prince's thoughts, and continued: "Maritime trade is hugely profitable, as long as it goes back and forth successfully once, it will be a huge profit. When the sage sees these benefits, he will naturally know why those A meritorious dignitary knows that the imperial court has banned the sea, but still secretly supports the sea merchants to do business with the Fanyi. Seeing a large amount of money slipping away under his nose, the sage is wise and mighty, and he will naturally think of the opening of the previous dynasty. Department of Municipal Ships, the collection of the Municipal Ship Tax. Why do you need me to remind you?"

His Royal Highness the Crown Prince smiled when he heard the words, he had to point to Chen Gui and said with a smile: "After all, it's not that you don't want to offend people."

Chen Gui also apologized and said with a smile: "It's the so-called prospering and eliminating disadvantages. A humble minister is light-hearted, so naturally he only thinks about how to be loyal to His Highness, serve the court, and not cause trouble for His Highness. So we can only do small things that benefit. As for eliminating disadvantages It's better to leave the important matter to someone else."

After hearing this, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince liked it more and more, but he said in his mouth: "Whoever said that benefiting is a small matter, and eliminating disadvantages is a major matter. In Gu's view, it doesn't matter whether promoting benefits or eliminating disadvantages, as long as you really think about the court and the people, then everything will be fine." It's a big deal. Don't be like those rotten people, who will only make people headache every day when they are in court, talk about loyalty and filial piety, but keep quiet about virtuousness, if they really want to make up their minds, they can't think of any way."

When Chen Gui heard the words, he naturally knew what His Highness the Crown Prince meant.It's just that he is cautious and never likes to gossip.Hearing this, he just smiled and didn't reply.

His Royal Highness the Crown Prince was used to getting along with Chen Gui in private, and he was used to it, but occasionally he would say something out of place.Now that he thought about it, he knew it was wrong, so he smiled unconsciously, and didn't say any more.

For a while, Chen Gui bowed and resigned, leaving the palace and returning home.I saw Mrs. Chen, Mrs. Chen, Mrs. Feng, Chen Rong, Chen Wan and her second sister all sitting in the hall and gossiping.Only the third sister You was missing.He couldn't help but asked with a smile: "Why didn't the third sister disappear?"

Before everyone could speak in the future, old lady Chen laughed and scolded: "Stop mentioning this wild girl. Ever since you recognized her as a distant nephew, this girl has been crazy. He ran outside like a man. When he came back, he hid in the room and wrote and drew, and he didn’t know what he was planning. He was busier than your uncle.”

Hearing this, Chen Gui smiled and raised his eyebrows unconsciously.Look at Chen Rong.

Chen Wei smiled wryly and said, "Before, I heard the third sister mention it in a daze, saying that she wanted to find a solution to Zhou's national debt. These days, I rode horses all over Chang'an city and outside the city, saying that I wanted to investigate. I was worried. , I wanted to follow her, but she refused. She only said that I learned interpersonal communication with my father, and I also had to take care of homework, and had to read and write articles. It was really hard. She also said that even if I followed her, it would I didn’t believe it, but after walking with her for a few days, I found that she was only wandering around Chang’an, asking merchants and passers-by inside and outside the city to inquire about trivial matters, and that’s all.”

When Chen Gui heard the words, he also felt curious.When I wanted to ask something, I only heard the sound of boots outside the door, and a little girl said with a smile: "The third girl is back."

Everyone's eyes brightened, and they saw an extremely young and handsome young man walking in.Black silk like ink, tied with a golden crown, white face and vermilion lips, eyes like stars, wearing a red tapestry with golden silk flower arrow sleeves, tied with a stone sapphire belt, with an azurite palace sash and an azurite flower sash around his waist. Purse.Overlaid with a cloak of orangutan felt.Standing pretty under the lamp, her eyes are clear, her temperament is handsome, and her gestures are generous and romantic.He is really a handsome young man.

Chen Gui was so happy that he gave Chen Rong a push, and said with a smile: "This is not my nephew, it's like my own son. It's really a comparison."

When Chen Wei heard the words, he had no choice but to smile.

The third sister You took off the cape of the orangutan felt under the service of the maid, and first stepped forward to greet Mrs. Chen, Mrs. Chen Gui and Mrs. Feng, and met her sisters and brothers. Mrs. Chen smiled and waved He asked the third sister to sit down beside her, and she hugged her into her arms and said, "My little monkey, where did you go wild for half a day, and you're only coming back at this time?"

Seeing the question, Third Sister You smiled and said, "I'm just wandering outside. I almost forgot the time, so I ask my ancestors to punish me."

After that, You Houer smiled in the arms of Mrs. Chen: "I bought the cakes after waiting for more than half an hour in Daohuaxiang today. My grandfather, my grandfather, my aunt, my sister Wan, my sister, and my second sister can eat it. Is it delicious?"

Old Mrs. Chen smiled happily: "After eating, the taste is better than ours. It's just that it's freezing outside, you just waited for so long, and you won't be afraid of freezing."

Third Sister You said: "Where, it's very warm in his shop. I'm waiting, and they even bring tea and water, so why is it getting cold?"

Feng Shi heard the words, and said from the side: "That's not okay. Besides, you are coming back more and more late now. Don't you know how anxious we are waiting at home. If you keep doing this, I will tell your mother to let you She took you back to You's house."

Third Sister You shrank her neck, and had no choice but to beg for mercy: "Auntie, forgive me once. I will never dare again."

Chen Gui also agreed with Feng Shi's words this time, and nodded in response: "That's right. You are still young, even if you dress up like a boy, there are a dozen followers behind you and behind you, but it's hard to keep someone from having a bad intention. Now Now it's the end of the year, and there are many people outside, not to mention the freezing weather, so you don't want to go out anymore."

Third Sister You had almost inquired about all the things that should be inquired about, and upon hearing Chen Gui's instructions, she stopped talking.Just smiled and said yes.Seeing such a submissive appearance, everyone couldn't help laughing: "You are a monkey grandson, and your uncle is also the Tathagata Buddha. You have to be treated by your uncle."

For a while, the third sister You went back to her room and changed her clothes at home, then came out to have dinner.

Xinran finished the meal and had refreshments.Chen Gui went back to the study to deal with official business, and Third Sister You took advantage of the situation to follow.She handed over to Chen Gui the report she had written after the visit these days.When Chen Gui looked down, he couldn't help raising his eyebrows and asked, "Building roads? Road maintenance fees?"