"Sang Hongyang? What, you have been very close to him recently?" Emperor Wu of Han frowned slightly.
Ancient emperors disliked their ministers forming cliques for personal gain.
Why?
Because the ministers are closer and the power is gathered, it will affect the imperial power. For example, emperors such as Liu Che and Zhu Yuanzhang, the emperors of Han Dynasty, and their subordinates were loyal, but they still had to be killed!
When Huo Guang heard Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty's question, he was not afraid, but said calmly: "It's not that I want to get close to Sang Hongyang, but that I like to make money. Once I figure out a way to make money, this Sang The big farmer came over after smelling the smell."
"This is what happens when paper is produced."
"It was the same when I opened a restaurant."
After hearing what Huo Guang said, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty had a smile on his face.
At first.
Huo Guang was willing to hand over his papermaking skills, and it was he and Sang Hongyang who jointly deceived Huo Guang.
but.
When he thought of papermaking, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty immediately became unhappy. He cursed: "Sang Hongyang has a bad idea. He said that paper can account for about 10% of the national tax revenue, but now one year has passed. Damn!" The increase in national wealth from paper is not enough to cover the Yantie official camp!"
really!
Ever since Huo Guang told Sang Hongyang how to make paper.
The production volume of this paper can keep up, but the sales volume is still not enough.
Don't look at the sales in Chang'an City.
But after leaving Chang'an, no matter how cheap the price of paper was, it could not be sold for much.
Nothing else.
It’s just that there are too few people who read and write in this era. Most of them are working people. There are very few people who have access to the six arts.
so.
Facing Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty's complaint, Huo Guang said calmly: "Your Majesty, I believe that the sales of paper are mainly for promotion reasons and have little to do with Sang Danong."
However.
Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty waved his hand and said: "Since you recommend Sang Hongyang so much, then call him over and take a look."
then.
Here, Sang Hongyang, who was enjoying the banquet, was summoned by His Majesty's verbal order.
Strange to say.
Sang Hongyang was suddenly summoned, but he seemed to be prepared in advance. The old fox actually answered all the questions His Majesty asked.
at last.
Liu Che, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, was moved by him and began to interrogate him about the money business, saying, "Hongyang, you said this money business is good. If you lend the money to those people, what if they don't return it?"
There are old people in modern times.
Were there no such despicable people in ancient times?
The answer is obvious, yes.
and.
The founding emperor of the Han Dynasty, Liu Bang, was this kind of person.
Sang Hongyang immediately said: "Your Majesty, don't worry. When a bank borrows money, it must be reviewed first to see if the other party has the ability to return it in the future before allocating it!"
But Liu Che, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, still frowned and said, "Then how can we guarantee that others will find money banks to borrow money?"
Sang Hongyang continued: "This point needs to be related to the house built by Huo Yilang."
"House? What house?" Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty was confused at this moment.
then.
Huo Guang reminded aloud: "Your Majesty, you have forgotten. Some time ago, I asked you to circle four places outside the city to focus on building houses."
Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty frowned and asked, "How is the construction of the house going?"
Huo Guang replied: "We are currently building the houses in the north. It has just begun. The scale is still small and it is not finished yet."
Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty raised his eyebrows and asked, "What does this money business have to do with houses?"
Sang Hongyang replied at this time: "Your Majesty, houses are expensive and ordinary people cannot afford them. Therefore, the money bank allows these people to buy houses in advance. The price is that they have to pay back part of the money on time in the future."
Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty still didn't understand, so he asked again: "The people can't afford Huo Yi."
Why buy a house built by Lang? "
"This..." Sang Hongyang was a little speechless. After glancing at Huo Guang, he said to Han Wu Emperor Liu Che: "Your Majesty, it is better to ask Huo Yilang about this matter. After all, the house builder does not understand. These are Huo Yilang did it."
then.
Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty turned his eyes to Huo Guang.
Huo Guang had no choice but to deceive Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty again with the same tricks he used to deceive Sang Hongyang last time.
After hearing this, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty was still puzzled and asked: "In this case, if I open a money bank, and the money I lend out, won't all the money go into your hands?"
Good guy.
What Sang Hongyang said about relationships was all in vain.
Huo Guang immediately explained: "Your Majesty, the money is not coming to me, but is waiting for repayment from the house buyer. The money I earned is just the money from the house I sold. After all, I hired a group of farm workers to work, and that's why I paid him back." You have to pay!"
"As for money shops making money, they just have to wait for home buyers to repay their loans."
"Generally speaking, after deducting the principal lent, the money the bank makes is the same as the money I make from selling the house."
It is really not an easy task to fool His Majesty.
In fact, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty was right.
The money lent by the money bank went into Huo Guang's pocket.
It's just that the relationship has changed slightly.
What does businessman mean? To put it simply, he is just a second-rate dealer, a middleman!
Everyone hates middlemen, why?
Because the price difference earned is too much.
The money bank acts as a middleman, but he is a middleman who can provide money.
Huo Guang and others became manufacturers among them.
After listening to Huo Guang's explanation, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty frowned slightly and said, "Huo Guang, what you said is very good, but the problem is that the matter of the money bank and the house cannot be completed overnight, right? Why do I feel that it is worse than promotion?" Paper is even more difficult, this distant water cannot save the near fire!"
Regarding Liu Che’s doubts about Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty.
Huo Guang immediately replied: "Your Majesty, this matter cannot be completed overnight."
"But it doesn't matter."
"It can be promoted slowly, and it's just right. Isn't there some drawbacks to Yantie's government-run policy?"
"We can slowly transition from a salt and iron official operation to a money-based policy. In this way, your majesty will not have to worry about the treasury being short of money, nor will you have to worry about the moths hollowing out the salt and iron!"
now,
Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty had a gloomy and uncertain face, and Huo Guang could not figure out the emperor's thoughts.
After looking at each other and Sang Hongyang, the two did not dare to say anything more.
At this time.
The hussar general who was standing nearby and had been silent for a long time spoke up and said, "Your Majesty, the auspicious time has come and I will go to marry my wife. Do you think?"
Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty finally came to his senses, waved his hand to Huo Qubing and said, "Oh, go ahead, go ahead!"
The words fell.
He then said to Huo Guang and Sang Hongyang: "You should go out too, I will think about it alone."
at this time.
Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty missed Yan Yi, his former great agricultural minister. If he were here, he would definitely analyze Qian Xing's affairs.
Even Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty didn't like it.
But there is always some truth to what Yan Yi said.
But the knife has already been cut down, and there is no use regretting it!
Huo Guang and others could not tell what Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty was thinking. Seeing His Majesty speak, everyone had no choice but to salute and say: "No."
Say it.
They all left the house.
After exiting, Sang Hongyang patted Huo Guang on the shoulder and said, "Huo Yilang, wait a moment. Sang wanted to ask, didn't you say last time that you would wait until my Han army fought with the Huns cavalry before meeting with Your Majesty?" Did you mention the money bank thing? Why did you bring it up in advance again!"
Hearing Sang Hongyang's question, Huo Guang shook his head and sighed: "Sang Danong, do you know why you have been serving His Majesty for more than 20 years before becoming a great farmer?"
Of? "
Sang Hongyang didn't understand and immediately shook his head.
Huo Guang continued: "Because you don't know how to adapt. One moment and another moment."
"There were no problems in the Yantie official camp before. The imperial court's finances were sufficient. There were no problems, so of course we can't bring them up."
"But now there are some problems in the Yantie official camp."
"Of course I can mention it again."
"Sang Danong, with your intelligence, you should be able to understand what I'm saying, right?"
Hearing this, Sang Hongyang nodded quickly and replied: "I see, Huo Yilang is really smart, Sang feels ashamed."
Huo Guang smiled faintly and said, "Sang Danong is so complimentary. I will accompany my brother to the wedding later, so I won't accompany you."
Sang Hongyang immediately spread his hands and said: "Okay, the wedding is a big deal, Huo Yilang please do it!"
"Um."
Huo Guang nodded.
After separating from Sang Hongyang, he first came to the hall and met his cheap dad Huo Zhongru.
At this time, Huo Zhongru still had a droopy expression on his face, as if he was very upset about why he spoke nonsense and offended His Majesty.
This time.
The futures of his two sons were ruined by him.
After Huo Guang came over.
Huo Zhongru hurriedly asked: "How about it, Guang'er, does your Majesty want to punish our Huo family? It doesn't matter if you punish the sins of the father alone, I'm afraid it will affect both of you brothers!"
Seeing Huo Zhongru looking so scared.
Huo Guang did not go around in circles and waved his hand directly: "Don't worry, father, your Majesty has no intention of punishing anyone."
"You called me in to discuss some matters."
"Of course, I can't tell you anything. After all, it's hard to reveal these things."
Huo Zhongru felt relieved when he heard that His Majesty did not intend to punish him.
Then he kept praising His Majesty as a wise king.
such a pity.
His Majesty could not listen to his compliments.
actually!
Huo Zhongru had never offended Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty. Although his majesty pretended to be the Marquis of Pingyang was exposed by him, he did not say anything bad and even let his majesty go to the Le Restaurant for a banquet without knowing it.
As for Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, he became angry later.
It was simply because Huo Zhongru had some misunderstanding that he actually mentioned the official camp of Yantie in front of His Majesty.
The life in Chang'an City is magnificent, so the problems of the Yantie official camp do not affect the people above.
The life of the common people in Pingyang County was miserable due to the Yantie government camp. Buying farm tools costs a lot of money, and you may not necessarily get good products. Buying salt will be subject to various restrictions.
Huo Zhongru is still a small official in Pingyang County after all!
Still troubled by it.
Not to mention other powerless people.
Huo Zhongru criticized Yantie Guanying, but he still did it in front of the instigator, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty!
Your Majesty, can you not be angry?
Fortunately, those who do not know are not guilty, and His Majesty did not think of punishing Huo Zhongru for any crime.
After comforting his cheap dad for a few words, Huo Guang said, "Dad, I won't tell you anymore. My brother is urging me to accompany him to pick up the bride!"
"Well, go ahead, go ahead."
Huo Zhongru's voice was trembling.
seem.
Even after the disaster, he still felt a little uneasy.
After leaving the General's Mansion, Huo Guang found his brother. At the same time, he had someone bring a custom-made eight-carat sedan to prepare to have fun here and welcome Sun Ying back.
A wedding in the Han Dynasty?
There is no hard requirement for an eight-carrying sedan, not even such a thing as a sedan.
It was not until the Song Dynasty that the term sedan came into being.
but.
The prototype of the sedan still exists, and it can be traced back to the distant Xia Dynasty.
"Shangshu" says that it has been inherited for four years, and the trees are published along the mountains.
four years
What does that mean?
Ma Qian of the Taishi Company once explained it in "Historical Records", saying that it was "a boat traveling on water, a car traveling on land, a sled traveling on mud, and a sheng when traveling on mountains." And this sheng was the prototype of the sedan chair.
The eight-carry sedan that Huo Guang prepared was naturally for his sister-in-law who had not yet passed the wedding.
He and his brother, champion Hou Huo Qubing, went here to enjoy themselves on horseback. Although Huo Guang was not good at everything, riding a horse was not a big problem.
When Huo Guang accompanied the imperial censor to the state of Zhao, he went there on horseback.
Not to mention now.
The two brothers each rode a horse. Their handsome appearance naturally attracted the attention of the girls on the streets of Chang'an.
Han Dynasty.
Girls are different from women in other dynasties, they are very open-minded.
Naturally, he is also bold.
Huo Qubing didn't pay attention to these glances, but turned his head and asked Huo Guang: "What's going on with this sedan? Huo Guang, we don't go on mountain roads, why do we need it? Is there such a rule for marriage in the Han Dynasty?"
Huo Guang explained: "Brother, although there were no regulations before, there are no regulations since us."
"hey-hey."
"If nothing else, brother, let me tell you, the means of transportation I invented will become popular in Chang'an and even other places in the future."
Why is the sedan, a human-powered means of transportation, so popular?
Because ancient cities were too small.
Even in an imperial capital like Chang'an, there were only 20,000 to 30,000 people living there.
The dignitaries, including His Majesty, used horse-drawn carriages to travel.
Carriages are acceptable for long distances. For example, traveling within the city is sometimes crowded and may not even be as fast as walking.
The sedan was naturally born out of use.
If Huo Guang wants to sell sedans as a means of transportation, the first thing to do is publicity. There is no doubt that the wedding of General Huo Qubing is undoubtedly the best publicity for the sedan chair.
and!
Hearing about the eight-carrying sedan chair makes you feel more face-saving.
A group of people arrived here and enjoyed themselves.
As planned, the elder brother dismounted, entered the restaurant, and spoke to a group of guests who were having a banquet at the Le Restaurant.
Then.
He took Sun Ying out and put her into the eight-carry sedan prepared by Huo Guang.
only.
During this process?
Huo Guang didn't expect that his mother would burst into tears.
Huo Guang was dumbfounded by this and asked, "Mom, why are you crying when my brother gets married?"
However.
Mrs. Huo explained: "Everyone will cry. When a bride gets married, her mother's family will not cry. Although Sun Ying has been lonely since she was a child, but she married from us, then I, Mrs. Huo, will naturally cry for her mother. Down."
Forehead? ? ?
Is there such a saying?
Huo Guang didn't know clearly, so he shook his head and said, "Mom, just cry slowly. My son is going back to the General's Mansion with his brother."
But at this moment, Mrs. Huo grabbed him and said, "Wait a moment!"
Huo Guang turned around, frowned slightly and said, "Mom, what else do you want?"
Mrs. Huo looked sulky at this time and said, "Mother asked you, what happened to Sang Danong's daughter Sang Meiren? She told mother that you are scornful of her!"
"What? Am I frivolous towards her?"
