After calling Bu San to prepare the carriage, Huo Guang originally thought of returning to the restaurant to rest for a while.
And on the way back.
He was still thinking about what he should say when he went to the ironworks to meet the big farmer Ling Yanyi.
The refining of cement cannot be separated from iron ore.
But during the period of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty.
If you go privately to mine iron ore, you will definitely be despising your longevity.
so.
Huo Guang's target was not iron ore, but the useless slag produced after iron smelting. But the problem is, even if you want the slag left after iron smelting, there must be a reason.
After all, the ancients were not fools.
Why would you want this if you have no motive?
then.
Huo Guang was thinking about deceiving the great farmer Ling Yan into a different place, so he didn't notice anyone approaching.
When the other person patted his shoulder, he subconsciously turned around and saw that the other person was a young man of the same age as himself.
But I don’t know why.
I always feel that the other person exudes an indescribable aura that blows towards me. He immediately frowned, looked at the other person twice, and said, "Hey, aren't you Zhang Anshi, the second son of Mr. Zhang's family?"
The gentle young man immediately smiled and said, "It's rare that Brother Huo still recognizes An Shi!"
"Erlang is so noble, how could Huo not recognize it?" Huo Guang laughed twice, then looked at him suspiciously and asked, "Why did you come to me specifically? Oh, Did I promise you to come and enjoy this restaurant last time? Hey, I almost forgot about it."
However, Zhang Anshi shook his head and said, "Brother Huo, don't make fun of me. You also know my father's temper."
"If I were to visit a restaurant, I would be ignorant and incompetent."
"If my father knew about this, I'm afraid he would be severely punished."
Are you ignorant when visiting restaurants?
What is this nonsense!
Huo Guang complained a little in his heart, then raised his eyebrows and asked, "Since Erlang didn't come to the restaurant to have fun, what did he do here? Could it be that Mr. Zhang has something that I want you to inform me about?"
"Brother Huo is indeed as smart as my father said. He guessed it right away." Zhang Anshi had a look of surprise in his eyes.
To this.
Huo Guang didn't take it seriously.
The second son of Zhang family said he was afraid of his father, but also admitted that he didn't come here to have fun?
Then what else can you do to yourself?
To learn?
I'm sorry, Zhang An's talents are better than mine. How can a famous young talent in Chang'an City be as good as myself?
Moreover, the two of them only have a relationship.
The relationship is also average.
Then there is only one possibility to find yourself.
Zhang Gong asked him to come.
Huo Guang looked at the surprised expression on the other party's face, smiled faintly, and said without paying much attention: "Mr. Zhang asked you to bring me a message. What is it?"
Zhang Anshi replied: "My father had a minister named Lu Yeju. He was seriously ill recently. He didn't survive and passed away."
"Uncle Lu has a younger brother named Lu Yu."
"I wonder if Brother Huo knows this person?"
No one in Chang'an City, a place where only the rich and powerful could move in, cared about the death of Shi Lu Yeju.
after all.
A censor with an annual salary of 400 shi is 200 less than Huo Guang, a censor official with an annual salary of 600 shi.
Who cares if such a person dies?
Only Zhang Tang, the imperial censor, would care!
so.
Huo Guang just replied indifferently and said: "I don't know about Shi Lu Yiju, I have never seen him. But I have met his brother once, and he is a bit flattering. I don't like such people. The last time we met, I Drive him away."
actually!
It’s not that he hates flattery!
But I am afraid that if Lu Yu, a fool, befriends him, he will deceive me!
But Zhang Anshi didn't know Huo Guang's true thoughts!
After hearing such remarks, an embarrassed look suddenly appeared on his face, and he said, "Huh? How could this happen? I originally wanted to ask Brother Huo to place Lu Yu's family here and take care of him."
Is it fun to put people here?
Being sick is not.
After hearing this, Huo Guang shook his head and said, "My restaurant business is to collect money, how can I have the time to take in others!"
"besides."
"Did Erlang say something wrong? What are you doing to arrange for Lu Yu's family?"
"Isn't the person who died Lu Yeju?"
After Zhang Anshi heard this, he immediately smiled bitterly and said: "Uncle Lu is the one who died, but Brother Huo didn't know. Uncle Ju's brother Lu Yu has been taken away by the Tingwei Mansion and is being imprisoned at the director's place."
"I'm here to ask something."
"The main reason is that I hope your restaurant can take in Lu Yu's family. My father said that he will find a way to rescue Lu Yu later."
"But I can't take care of Lu Yu's family."
After hearing this, Huo Guang was filled with doubts. Why was Lu Yu also arrested?
It's because Lu Yeju died.
Tingwei couldn't find a breakthrough, so he turned his attention to Lu Yu? :
Huo Guang was also very curious. Although he sympathized with the Lu family's experience, he still refused and said, "If Erlang came here for this matter, let it go. I opened the restaurant to make a profit, not to do good deeds."
"Moreover."
"A restaurant is a place for communication. The number of customers coming and going is complex, and their quality is also different."
"Such a situation."
"How can Lu Yu's family be left to my care in this restaurant!"
Hearing this, Zhang Anshi could only smile awkwardly and said: "If it doesn't work, then forget it. By the way, Brother Huo, I have one more thing to ask you."
And one more thing?
Huo Guang frowned slightly and asked, "What's the matter?"
at this time.
Zhang Anshi looked a little embarrassed, and he stretched out his hand and said, "Brother Huo, can you borrow some money? Our Zhang family is in trouble, so we have no choice but to ask you for some help."
Why can't the pot be opened in Zhang Tang's house?
He knew that Mr. Zhang was very poor.
But no matter how poor you are.
The annual salary is 2,000 stone, and the annual income of forty farmers' families is no more than this!
Will it be impossible to open the pot?
Thinking of this, Huo Guang asked directly: "Did An Shi come to tease me? I know that Mr. Zhang is an upright man. But no matter how incorruptible he is and how he can be so poor with an annual salary of two thousand dan, how can he be so poor that he can't take the blame?"
However.
Zhang Anshi sighed and said, "Brother Huo doesn't know something. A few days ago, you asked officials to donate money for disaster relief for the people in the northwest region."
"Although my father's donation was small, he still contributed a full three thousand dollars."
"That's the money my Zhang family saved to buy food. Now the money is gone, and my family has no property. When the salary comes down next year, I'm afraid I will starve to death."
After hearing Zhang Anshi's explanation, Huo Guang still disagreed and said: "An Shi, don't you know how much the imperial salary of more than 2,000 stones is? No matter how hard it is for Mr. Zhang, he, the imperial censor, should not do it. After donating thousands of dollars, the family doesn’t even have money to buy food.”
Seeing that Huo Guang didn't believe it, Zhang Anshi said calmly: "My father often takes care of people outside with his salary. For example, when Shi Lu Yeju passed away this time, my Zhang family took care of his death."
"Be kind and charitable."
"Of course there is no money."
When he mentioned the words "be kind and charitable", the expression on Zhang Anshi's face was obviously that he was complaining about his father.
What is a good imperial censor, one of the three princes of the Han Dynasty, doing to be so impoverished? In the end, he, the second son, was asked to come out to borrow money.
day!
Isn’t it shameful to borrow money?
Shame on you!
Seeing Zhang Anshi like this, Huo Guang then handed over his hands and said, "Money is actually just a trivial matter to me. Huo has always admired honest officials like Zhang Gong. If he hadn't been afraid of insulting Zhang Gong's reputation, why would he need Erlang?" Come on, I sent it to you a long time ago."
This is not true.
He did admire honest officials like Zhang Gong.
The position is extremely powerful and the power reaches its peak!
If such a person can live in poverty, his level of integrity is not comparable to that of ordinary honest officials!
in ancient times.
What does an official need to do if he wants to be famous throughout the ages?
Don't do anything, just do your part.
Well, that's right.
It's that simple.
But it is a pity that throughout the ages, few officials have been able to do this.
It’s also funny to say.
aside.
Seeing that Huo Guang was willing to borrow money, Zhang Anshi immediately said, "Can I borrow it? That's great! Brother Huo, I don't want to borrow too much. I only need three thousand dollars to buy food."
Three thousand dollars can buy a lot of food.
But in Huo Guang's eyes, this money is nothing more than numbers!
Still an extremely small number.
Huo Guang looked at the anxious Zhang Anshi and said with a smile: "Don't worry, An Shi. I only said I was willing to borrow it, but I haven't said the conditions yet!"
Zhang Anshi suddenly frowned and said, "Huo Yilang, how do you say this?"
"Don't worry, it's not a harsh condition." Huo Guang smiled slightly and continued: "The main reason is that I'm afraid that if I lend you money, others will find out and think it's a bribe!"
"so."
"If someone reports it, it will be a disgrace to Mr. Zhang's reputation."
"so."
"I want to make an IOU so that I can have an explanation then."
The iron rooster plucks its feathers, how can it be done without establishing written evidence?
No matter how good Mr. Zhang’s reputation is.
The first step in borrowing money must not be done randomly.
When other people know about this thing, they all come to borrow money. How can that be done?
Zhang Anshi felt much relieved when he heard that it was just a written note, and he immediately said: "Okay, since it is a loan, it is appropriate to write a written note."
then.
Huo Guang took out three thousand money and handed it to Zhang Anshi after he signed the document.
Talk about three thousand dollars!
That's three thousand, never give one more.
At this time, Fu San also brought Huo Guang's new carriage, which was quite novel and beautiful in style.
"Brother Huo, since I have got the money, let me say goodbye first. I am going back to my hometown to buy food." Zhang Anshi handed over his hand and wanted to go back.
Huo Guang smiled lightly and said, "Are you going back? How about I take you back?"
Zhang Anshi shook his head quickly and said, "How can this be done? I've already lent you three thousand dollars, so I don't have the nerve to ride in your carriage again."
Are you embarrassed to ride in a carriage if you want to borrow money?
Huo Guang looked at Zhang Anshi and immediately felt that this guy was simple-minded and could be acquainted with him.
immediately!
Without any explanation, he grabbed the other person's arm and said: "You are embarrassed to borrow money, but you are embarrassed to ride in a carriage. What are you talking about? Hehe, since you called me Brother Huo, then I will let you sit in it." .”
then.
In this way, Zhang Anshi was dragged onto the carriage.
Doesn’t Mr. Zhang have a carriage?
Yes, I have.
Isn't there a shabby carriage? Huo Guang even rode in it.
However, even if the carriage was in tatters, Zhang Anshi could not ride it at will. After all, it was his father's carriage.
Han Dynasty.
Can’t a son drive his father’s car?
There is no such rule.
Zhang Anshi couldn't drive his father's carriage, but he alone
Father Zhang Tang refused to give it.
After getting on the carriage.
Zhang Anshi stared blankly at the brand-new carriage, a little curious, and asked: "Brother Huo, is your carriage newly built?"
"Um."
Huo Guang nodded.
Zhang Anshi said: "It would be great if I could have a carriage of my own sometime."
Huo Guang smiled slightly and said: "When you are crowned and become an official, carriages will no longer be rare. There is a saying in my hometown that buying osmanthus flowers and carrying wine will not be like a young man's trip. It is almost the same. That's what I mean."
After hearing this, Zhang Anshi asked thoughtfully: "Where is Brother Huo from?"
"People from Pingyang County are not too far away from Chang'an. With a new carriage like mine, I can drive back in a few days." Huo Guang said with a smile.
The two were talking in the carriage.
The coachman had already arrived at the home of Zhang Gong, the imperial censor.
then.
Zhang Anshi got off the carriage and said goodbye to Huo Guang: "Thank you, Brother Huo, for driving me back. If necessary in the future, Anshi will definitely repay you."
Huo Guang shook his head with a smile and said, "I brought you back because I think you and I have hit it off. If you want to repay me, wouldn't you bury me?"
Zhang Anshi waved his hands quickly and said, "No, An Shi didn't mean that."
Huo Guang smiled faintly and said, "I know you don't mean this. Well, you can go back and buy food! I have other things to do later, so I won't tell you more."
"Farewell."
"Walk slowly!"
The two of them bowed their hands slightly and said goodbye.
After explaining to the coachman, the carriage sped towards the ironworks. Although Huo Guang had already lowered the car curtain, he was still thinking about Zhang Anshi.
This kid...
Why do I always feel a sense of nobility coming to my face every time I see him?
Isn't he the youngest son of Zhang Gong, the imperial censor?
Is it possible that he is more noble than Prince Liu Zhi?
He couldn't even feel this kind of nobility in Prince Liu Zhi...
Huo Guang couldn't figure it out, thinking it might be because of his appearance?
The new carriage ran very fast, and the driver soon drove the carriage to the iron-making place outside Chang'an City.
An ancient ironworks!
In fact, it is no different from a small workshop.
Especially in the Han Dynasty, more than 2,000 years ago, iron-making technology was particularly backward. Looking at everything in the iron-making factory, Huo Guang felt that everything was wasted.
What a fine iron ore.
However, the smelted iron has too many impurities and the quality varies from good to bad.
but.
These matters were none of Huo Guang's business. The first thing he had to do now was to find Yan Yi. Yan Yi, as a great farmer, was watching from the ironworks at this time.
Yantie official camp!
To put it bluntly, it is for the fiscal revenue of the imperial court and belongs to the national economy.
The Da Nong Order is the department in charge of the country's economy, so it is normal for Yan Yi, as the Da Nong Order, to be in charge of both granary grain and iron smelting.
only.
He came to visit Yan Yi, but found that Sang Hongyang was also here.
Suddenly.
Huo Guang frowned and asked, "Hey, Mr. Sang, why are you here at the ironworks?"
Sang Hongyang said calmly: "His Majesty's salt and iron government reform policy, I am one of the driving forces behind it. At the same time, your majesty ordered me to manage the salt and iron affairs. I am here, isn't it normal?"
wipe!
I actually forgot about this.
aside.
After Yan Yi finished busy with the things at hand, he said to Huo Guang, "Why did Huo Yilang invite me to come to the ironworks to see it instead of going to the capital warehouse?"
"correct."
"Using your method, the cotton grown grows quite well."
His cotton planting methods all come from the previous farming experience of the village elders.
The old man’s planting experience is naturally correct.
certainly.
It's the village from his previous life!
However, Huo Guang did not come here to discuss the cotton issue. After thinking for a while, Huo Guang said directly: "Da Nong Ling, I see that in the iron smelting plant here, there is a lot of slag produced after iron smelting. I wonder if this slag is smelted Is the iron factory still useful? If not, how about I come and get some later?"
