In Xiangyang City, Yang Anxuan returned to the back house and saw his daughter Yang Ying playing with her niece Shen Sheng in the courtyard. Seeing Yang Anxuan come in, they both ran towards him in unison, one called "Daddy" and the other "Uncle", their laughter was like the ringing of silver bells.
Yang Anxuan smiled broadly and pinched the two girls' faces affectionately. Yang Ying is eight years old this year, and Shen Sheng is seven years old. The two children grew up together, and they are like cousins.
"Is your mother here?" Yang Anxuan asked.
Shen Sheng smiled and said, "Mom is talking to my aunt in the house, and Aunt Xuan is here too."
Yang Anxuan didn't take it seriously. Yang Qiu came here every two days, sometimes taking Zhao Xuan with him. Yang Anxuan knew that they were discussing cotton matters with Kong Miao and Yin Huizhen. He had told Kong Miao and Yin Huizhen about the big regulations. They go and take control.
Several women were singing opera in the house. Yang Anxuan was too lazy to enter the house and teased Yang Ying and Shen Sheng in the courtyard, promising to take them to the market to play during their break.
Yang Qiu heard the third brother talking outside the house. After waiting for a while, Yang Anxuan didn't come into the house. He couldn't bear it anymore. He got up and came to the corridor. He called out softly: "Third brother, come in quickly. I have something to say to you." explain."
Yang Anxuan took the two children's hands and walked into the house, jokingly saying: "Qiu'er is here to eat again."
Yang Qiu said angrily: "I came to see my mother. I will leave after saying this. I won't eat with you."
Yang Anxuan laughed and said, "You can go and let Sheng'er stay. Someone gave Yu some game yesterday, and Yu is going to cook some dishes to satisfy Sheng'er's craving."
Shen Sheng clapped her hands and jumped for joy. Yang Qiu rolled his eyes and said, "Sister-in-law just left me to eat, and I have already agreed."
Yang Anxuan looked at the girl who was now a mother. She was as cute and naive in front of him as before. Warmth surged in his heart. He stretched out his hand to rub her hair, which made Yang Qiu squeal.
When Kong Miao and other girls saw him entering the room, they all stood up and saluted. Yang Anxuan led Yang Ying and Shen Sheng to sit down on the brocade banquet, and said to Yang Qiu, "Are you here for 40,000 sets of cotton clothes?"
Looking at the smiling third brother, Yang Qiu felt that in front of him he would always be the coquettish girl asking for toys. This feeling had been felt by his father. After his father passed away, it seemed that it had moved to the third brother, but he never felt towards the elder brother. This feeling. .Ь.
"Third brother, you asked your slave to secretly manipulate the price of cotton and control the Yiyang cotton shop. But you asked for 40,000 sets of cotton clothes. The cost alone cost more than 500 taels of gold. Liu Yu asked for another 40,000. The man in the cotton shop can't hold it anymore." Yang Qiu said, "Big brother sent someone to find the slave to ask you to show mercy."
There are about 300,000 acres of cotton fields in Yongjing, and about 40,000 acres of cotton fields in the Huaihe River area of Yiyang Cotton Company. Half of these cotton fields are controlled by the government. At the beginning of the year, Wan Chang purchased more than 30,000 acres of cotton fields in the Jiangnan area. The amount controlled by the cotton bank was far from enough compared with the amount of cotton controlled by the government.
Yang Anxuan wanted to use cotton to destroy Liu Yu's economy, let Yang Qiu step in to control the cotton controlled by the government, and then use the merchants in the form of secret guards to purchase the cotton circulating in the market. He controlled nearly 70% of the cotton, and the chess piece had been put down. Just wait until the time comes to kill the dragon.
Yang Qiu was not stupid. She knew that her third brother was using cotton to deal with Liu Yu. She didn't want to understand the reason, but she naturally had to ask because she made less money.
Yang Anxuan said: "If you don't ask Yiyang Cotton Shop for 40,000 sets of cotton clothes, I'm afraid they won't be able to stand in Jiangnan. Will Liu Yu let them buy land in Jiangnan to grow cotton?"
Yang Qiu smiled and said, "That's the truth, but if you and Liu Yu continue to squeeze me like this, how can the cotton shop survive? I don't have the bonus, so I don't dare to tell you in front of you, but I wrote a letter to complain to the slave."
"The wool comes from the sheep, just let the people in the cotton shop raise the price of the cloth."
Yang Qiu shook his head and said, "The price of Jiankang's cloth this year has already reached 12,000. I'm afraid it won't be sold if it goes up any higher."
Yang Anxuan thought for a while and said, "How are the sales going on the market?"
"It's about the same price." Yang Qiu frowned and said, "The price of cloth is high. Many people weave their own cloth. A piece of undyed cloth can be sold for eight or nine thousand yuan. Farmers say that growing grain is not as good as growing cotton. .”
Yang Qiu has new spinning machines and looms, so the loss is not big for her. Yang Anxuan secretly ordered the Ordnance Department to build a batch of textile machines and looms, which were temporarily stored in the warehouse and prepared for use on the blade.
Yang Anxuan told Yang Qiu: "Don't grow cotton on the land in your home. Cotton consumes too much land and water. You can't destroy the land just for the sake of small profits. The gain outweighs the loss."
Yang Qiu said impatiently: "I know, I have to say it every time, and my ears are ringing. What's the reply from the cotton shop and big brother?"
Yin Huizhen sat next to Yang Qiu, pulled her clothes and said with a smile, "Why did Qiu'er talk to your brother?"
Yang Anxuan took a sip of the tea and said: "The cotton store cannot afford less than 40,000 sets of cotton clothes. However, the government can secretly reduce half of the commercial tax as a subsidy. Ask your elder brother to tell the people in the cotton store that in the future, we will no longer collect land for planting cotton in Jiangnan." Transit tax."
"Also, let the cotton bank organize caravans to sell cotton directly to Wei, Yan, Xia, Qin, Liang, Tuguhun, or even Rouran and the Western Regions, and you will have the border card to let it go." Yang Anxuan looked at it. Looking at Yang Qiu, he continued: "When Beiqingzhou builds large ships to go to sea next year, the cotton cloth can also be sold to Goguryeo, Baekje and Japan. Since the cotton shop is buying land in the south of the Yangtze River to grow cotton weaving, it might as well think of ways to win Sell cotton cloth to Linyi and Nanyang."
Yang Qiu's eyes lit up. This kind of cross-ocean trade was the most profitable. The profits from the exchange were huge. The price of cotton could be doubled, so no matter how much cotton there was, there would be no need to worry about sales.
Yang Anxuan put down the tea cup, stroked Shen Sheng's hair, and said, "Don't just think about selling cotton cloth. You might as well find some tailors to study the styles of cotton clothes. Making some new clothes will definitely sell well. Also think about this What else can cotton fabrics be used for besides making clothes?”
Patting the mat under the seat, Yang Anxuan said: "For example, cloth mats, cloth curtains, and cloth screens."
Yang Qiu thought of the new cotton skirts he saw at Yin Huizhen's house. They were gorgeous and moving. He wanted to borrow them and make a few of them this time. When the third brother said this, he immediately became inspired and said with a smile: "What a good idea. , Third Brother casually said that this is the way to make money."
Several women started discussing in a lively manner, and Yang Anxuan got up and went into the kitchen, preparing to stir-fry some dishes and have a few drinks with his family. …
Dangyang City, the city lord's mansion, the cold wind and rain beat on the eaves. XiuShu.com
Sima Chuzhi hurriedly stepped into the courtyard dressed in military uniform, came to the eaves, took off his wet and heavy poncho, and handed it to the attendant.
A violent coughing sound came from the room. Sima Chuzhi frowned and lifted the curtain, and a strong smell of medicine hit his nostrils.
The room was dark, with lamps lit, and several figures were sitting or standing in front of the bed in the middle. When he saw Sima Chuzhi coming in, Sima Wensi (1) came over to greet him and said softly: "Brother Seven is here."
On the bed, Sima Xiuzhi's face turned yellow and he was breathing rapidly. The thick quilt made him breathless.
In early October, when news of Emperor An's death came, Sima Xiuzhi fell ill. The weather in Dangyang was wet and cold, and Sima Xiuzhi's condition never improved.
After Yang Anxuan returned to Xiangyang, he learned that Sima Xiuzhi was ill. He sent Medical Officer Tao to diagnose the illness and invited him to recuperate in Xiangyang. Sima Xiuzhi politely refused.
Hearing the sound, Sima Xiuzhi opened his eyes and asked with difficulty: "But Dexiu is here."
Sima Chuzhi was meeting Sima Wensi, Sima Guofan, Sima Shufan and others. When he heard Sima Xiuzhi calling him, he hurriedly stepped forward and bowed and said, "My nephew has met my uncle."
Sima Xiuzhi took out his hand from the quilt, motioned Sima Chuzhi to sit down on the couch, and asked, "How is the battle going?"
Sima Chuzhi shook his head with difficulty: "Liu Zhong's defense is very strict. Jiangling City often sends troops to support Ji Nancheng. Without reinforcements, it may be difficult to capture Ji Nancheng."
Sima Xiuzhi took a few breaths and said: "I wrote to Yonggong asking for help. Yonggong said that he would send troops southward in the next spring. The winter is cold, so Dexiu and his sons should return to Dangyang City temporarily." Xiu Shuzhu said.
After closing his eyes and resting for a moment, Sima Xiuzhi raised his voice and called: "You all come here."
Sima Wensi and others gathered around the bed, and Sima Xiuzhi said in a solemn voice: "The emperor was killed by Liu Yu. Although Dewen proclaimed himself emperor, the Jin Dynasty has died, and Liu Yu's usurpation of the throne is a foregone conclusion."
Everyone looked sad and fell silent.
"The energy of the Jin Dynasty is exhausted." Sima Xiuzhi opened his eyes and roared: "Yuyuan wanted to occupy Jingzhou, and maybe he could continue the country pending changes, but Liu Yu couldn't tolerate it."
Sima Wensi consoled him: "Sir,
Yonggong's strength is not weaker than Liu Yu's, and he may be able to restore the country and reorganize the country. "
Sima Xiuzhi smiled bitterly and said: "If Yang Anxuan annihilates Liu Yu, how will the Jin Dynasty continue? If he really wants to assist the Jin Dynasty, he will send a large army to capture Jiangling first, instead of consuming the last few troops of the Jin Dynasty. He and Liu Yu is also Cao Cao."
Sima Wensi saw that his father's face was sallow and his eyes were bulging, so he hurriedly said softly: "Sir, don't be anxious, rest in peace and recuperate. We will discuss everything in the long run after you recover."
Sima Xiuzhi closed his eyes and gasped for a while, then murmured: "I'm afraid my life is not long. I dreamed about Emperor Xiaowu and my eldest brother the day before yesterday."
Sima Shufan sobbed, and everyone shed tears. Medical Officer Tao had already told them to prepare for the funeral, so a few people decided to call Sima Chuzhi back from the front line.
Sima Xiuzhi looked at Sima Chuzhi. He was the most powerful descendant in the clan. If Dexiu could be based in Jingzhou, there might be hope for a revival. It's a pity that Jingzhou was captured, and the Sima family no longer had a foundation, and its strength was exhausted with no chance of revival.
"After Yu died, you all will be loyal to Yang Anxuan." Sima Xiuzhi said with difficulty: "Compared with Liu Yu, Yang Anxuan is more tolerant. His son married the daughter of Dewen, and the two families are also related by marriage. He should be able to continue the Sima clan."
Sima Chuzhi and others' hearts were as sharp as a knife, and although they were unwilling to do so, they were unable to change.
Sima Xiuzhi pointed to the table beside the bed. Sima Wensi took out a memorial and handed it to Sima Xiuzhi. Sima Xiuzhi motioned to give it to Sima Chuzhi.
Sima Chuzhi opened it, and it was a suicide note written by Sima Xiuzhi to Yang Anxuan, "I have heard that luck is not always the same, and chaos comes from generation to generation. When Yang Jiu is over, it will be withered, and when it is over, it will be peaceful..."
The last statement was filled with sorrow, stating that the power of the Jin Dynasty was exhausted, that Yonggong was established in Jin Dynasty, and hoped that Yang Anxuan would treat the Sima family well in the future, and that the Sima family would be willing to serve for him, etc.
Sima Chuzhi burst into tears and broke down in sobs. Everyone in the room burst into tears.
On December 6, Sima Xiuzhi died of illness in Yangcheng.
Yang Anxuan got his death certificate and sent people to Dangyang to worship and appease the Sima clan. Sima Chuzhi led the Dangyang soldiers and horses, and Sima Chuzhi and others swore to serve Yonggong.
In Jiankang, when Emperor Sima Dewen learned of Sima Xiu's death, he shouted "Heaven is dead and the Jin Dynasty is dead" in the palace and got drunk.
"Note (1): Sima Wensi is the eldest son of Sima Xiuzhi. He was adopted by Sima Shangzhi as the successor of King Qiao. Because he committed murder in the capital, he was sent to Sima Xiu by Liu Yuzhi, who asked Sima Xiu to kill him. Sima Xiuzhi was only dismissed from his official position. Liu Yu was dissatisfied and used an excuse to attack Jing. Historically, after Jingzhou was destroyed, Sima Wensi fled to the Later Qin with his father Sima Xiuzhi. Liu Yu destroyed the Later Qin and fled to the Northern Wei. Later, he was captured by the Northern Wei Dynasty King Qiao and returned to the Northern Wei Dynasty. He is the general of the capital of Huaishuo."
