Yuan Qian frowned slightly. He once failed in the imperial examination, but later he gave up the imperial examination because he had no intention of pursuing an official career.
Yuan Qian began to devote himself to some knowledge, teaching a few students, adding some ancestral property, and joining some family members in a business to get some dividends. In his free time, he devoted himself to the mountains and rivers, and his life was quite comfortable.
However, that year, Yuan Qian's father and mother became seriously ill one after another. Yuan Qian did not hesitate to sell his property to treat his parents, but his parents' condition did not improve significantly.
Later, someone suggested that he go to the capital to see the imperial doctor. However, as a commoner, his parents' physical condition might not be able to withstand the long journey, let alone the thousands of miles away from the capital.
Even if he was in the capital now, how could he hire an imperial doctor? I'm afraid I won't even be able to see the imperial doctor!
Not to mention that he was already in huge debt at the moment.
At this time, He Zhi, the father-in-law of the second prince, helped Yuan Qian tide over the difficulties at the suggestion of others. Not only did he pay off his debts, but he also redeemed the properties and shops he sold as gifts.
At the same time, they paid a lot of money to hire a retired imperial doctor to diagnose and treat Yuan Qian's parents. After all, due to the old doctor's superb medical skills, Yuan Qian's parents' condition improved quickly.
The subsequent medical consultations still cost a lot of money, and He Zhi continued to support him continuously.
Yuan Qian felt uneasy about not being rewarded for his efforts. After his parents' situation stabilized, he went to see He Zhi, not only to thank him in person, but also to ask why they were so generous to help him!
After all, when I was heavily in debt, I would avoid even meeting my close relatives!
He Zhi did not see him, but asked the housekeeper to tell him that he should devote himself to studying strategies in the next year. Specifically, he would help the He family improve their status and maintain wealth forever.
This is a completely new topic for Yuan Qian, but Yuan Qian is a person who sticks to his promises.
He thought about it and found out that the He family was already among the top five in Jiangnan in terms of wealth. Of course, they had rich experience in how to do business. A sneeze would take you several years to learn!
Finally, Yuan Qian decided that the way to stay rich forever was to have the blessing of power!
For more than a year, Yuan Qian disguised himself and entered the capital, wandering around restaurants, teahouses, brothels, theaters, and gambling houses.
Sometimes, as a young man from a wealthy family, he would chatter and gossip with men of letters, bookkeepers, and clerks.
Sometimes, he was just a young boy who came to the capital to find work after joining his relatives. He sifted tea and poured wine, washed and washed, and carried firewood to light the fire.
Sometimes, he is a businessman doing a small business...
After more than a year of experience, Yuan Qian has a clear understanding of the power structure of this dynasty. And he also learned many unknown secrets through rumors in the market, whether true or false.
"Marrying the second prince" is a big move planned by Yuan Qian for the He family!
But the first step in this big move is in the capital.
At that time, the second prince reached the age of getting married.
Because the prince had just disappeared at that time and the queen was ill, the entire harem was taken care of by Concubine Shangguan Shu and Concubine Han De.
The two of them knew that this was an excess, so they did not dare to have any ambitions and just followed the rules.
The second prince was not their biological child, and their relationship was not very close. In addition, the second prince was not well received by the emperor and the queen, and the queen mother and concubine Lu were also very indifferent to the second prince. So just go with the flow.
The second prince was also very clear about his future wife's position at this time. At this time, if he chose a woman from a wealthy family, it would inevitably arouse the emperor's suspicion.
Because at that time, many people in Beijing were secretly thinking about this idea. They felt that the prince was already in danger, so the second prince was truly the eldest son.
Although the second prince's mother-in-law was not of high birth, the second prince has now become the eldest son of the emperor, and his status is naturally different from what it used to be. Many people who originally did not want to get married to the second prince or simply looked down on him began to ask the second prince for help. The prince moves closer.
For example, Ning Guogong and Yi Guogong began to express their desire to marry their daughters to the second prince.
Ning Guogong and Yi Guogong did not hold military power. Although they were the founders of the country and were of the same rank as Li Guogong and Qin Guogong, their nephews had far less say in the court than the other three princes. Therefore, they Being married to the royal family does not appear to be out of the ordinary, and the status is similar, so it is natural.
However, the second prince knew that at this moment, he must not make his father jealous or give evidence to the ministers, so he took the initiative to say to the emperor,
"Father, I have been a child since I was a child, my mother and concubine have a low status, and my maternal grandfather's family is of average status. For so many years, although I can't say that my son's life has been stretched, it is really tight. Compared with his elder brother and younger brothers, I I have little talent, little knowledge, and no great ambitions. Now, I just want to live a more prosperous life with the help of the Yue family’s financial resources. I hope my father will be able to fulfill his wishes!"
The emperor is actually in a dilemma at this moment. This is his first son to start marriage negotiations. If it is too hasty, where will the royal family's face be?
However, if we treat it carefully and choose a noble girl for him, those ministers may be ready to make a move!
The second prince’s future in-laws may have to help the second prince become the crown prince!
Now, wouldn't the peace that had just been achieved in the court be broken again?
However, the second prince himself said, I love money, I like a lot of money! I don't care about status!
That will be different!
So, the emperor scolded the second prince "with great sadness", and then asked Concubine Shangguan Shu and Concubine Han De to choose a rich father-in-law for the second prince!
The emperor's original words were,
"Don't you like money? Don't you think that the amount given to you by the royal family is not enough for you to squander? Don't you think that money can help the gods, and money can make the devil work? Okay, I will give you one of the richest men as your father-in-law. ! See if his money can kill you!"
But in fact, Yuan Qian knew that the second prince made this choice because of his influence.
The second prince was actually very hesitant before choosing a concubine. In the Zhou Dynasty, status was emphasized, with scholars, farmers, and merchants having the lowest status.
Not to mention princes, heirs, noble sons of first- and second-grade officials, even ordinary officials' sons, and even some merchants, but men with fame, or even men with little fame, if they can compete with high-ranking officials, It is difficult to marry a girl from a wealthy family, but few people are willing to marry a girl from a merchant family.
Especially the second prince is a majestic phoenix son and grandson! He is still the "eldest son of the emperor"!
If the marriage was negotiated normally, and if the prince was still alive, it would be extremely difficult for the second prince to marry the daughter of Ning Guo Gong and Yi Guo Gong.
But if you are like the young lady from the Marquis of Huai'an, or the daughter of the Minister's family, it will be easy to achieve.
However, the second prince was very depressed at that time. Some people suggested taking this opportunity to attach himself to the prince's family, while others advised him not to arouse the emperor's suspicion, as he would have a long future.
Occasionally, when his depression could no longer be relieved, the second prince would dress up like an ordinary scholar, take two attendants with him, and go to a restaurant or theater to relieve his boredom.
At this time, Yuan Qian, who had been staring at the second prince, would find someone to come to him, pretend to chat casually, and through some stories, subtly help him analyze the pros and cons of marrying a merchant girl.
After all, the second prince is not deeply involved in the world. He is an unpopular prince. He goes out casually in casual clothes, and he "happens" to meet someone mentioning this matter. The second prince has nothing to doubt.
In addition, Yuan Qian knew that if he wanted to impress the second prince, he could not preach in general.
A drunken man muttered in a hazy state,
"They all look down on merchants! That's because they are blind! Without Lu Buwei's business money, how could Zi Chu impress Mrs. Huayang! Without Mrs. Huayang's support, how could he become the King of Qin? What a dream!"
Another person comforted me by saying,
"Brother Lu, don't be angry. Most of the people in the world are saying what they say, but they don't mean anything. Everyone despises merchants, but they don't know that from officials to people, no matter what they eat, wear, drink or use, they can leave The hard work of merchants?”
The drunk man laughed and said,
"Yes! Just like that time, after the heavy rain in Qianzhou, the city wall collapsed, and the help from the court was delayed. My parents borrowed 70,000 taels of silver from my brother and I advanced the cost of repairing the city wall, so that the progress of the project was not delayed. Soon, the nearby bandits heard that the city wall was damaged and wanted to take advantage of it. As a result, they were firmly blocked from the outside of the city. When they encountered the imperial army escorting supplies, they cooperated inside and outside, and they had a mess! Lord Qianzhou was promoted as a result. Where is the officer!"
Someone praised it,
"Brother Lu is so righteous! Brother Lu provides help in times of need and benefits the villagers. His merits are immeasurable!"
The second prince was deeply shocked!
It’s great to have money!
In the end, the second prince's determination was strengthened.
The color of Yuan Qian's eyes rarely changed, and the second prince was used to it. He trusted Yuan Qian, and even if he sometimes disagreed, it didn't hurt.
"Sir, how do you think my father will deal with the fifth brother regarding this imperial examination?" The second prince's tone was very respectful.
Yuan Qian's face was calm, without any disturbance.
"It won't matter. The fifth prince is just assisting. What's more, there is also the protection of the wise concubine."
The second prince lowered his eyes. After all the trouble, he couldn't be touched at all?
Yuan Qian continued,
"Your Highness, don't worry. Even if you are not restrained, you will not be entrusted with important tasks for the time being. In this way, the direction of the wind will change, which will be beneficial to you. What's more -"
Yuan Qian paused for a moment and saw the second prince looking up at him without any displeasure. Knowing that he had calmed down, he said,
"This matter was handed over to Dali Temple. Prince Huan had a good relationship with the fifth prince when he was young. Now, we have led the clues about the Chen brothers to Chen Guogong. Following this line, the Prince of Guangning County and the Prince of Jiangxia County will fight against Chen Guogong. Ichiban!"
The second prince smiled lightly when he heard this.
"Chen Zhuoxin, you have been comfortable for too long! You should find something to do for him!"
Two Chens cannot be written in one stroke! With a little effort, someone will contact you on their own! You can’t blame yourself for this!
Yuan smiled lightly and said,
"Your Highness is wise, but what are your plans for Miss Ji's family?"
The second prince suppressed his smile and looked disdainful.
"Concubine Jiao Xian, Hong Peiju, including Chen Zhuoxin, the eldest son and wife of Duke Li, and others from the Juqu family, all think that they are empty-handed and want to be grateful without giving anything! This palace hates this the most Such a self-righteous idiot!"
"What do you mean, Your Highness?"
The second prince was calm and calm, but his eyes were dark, and his gaze fell on Yuan Qian,
"This palace will give her an unexpected surprise! Make her wholeheartedly serve this palace!"
