Chongzhen felt really angry and funny when he saw the name "Secret History of Guanwai" written generously on the list.
I don’t know what the hell this traitor is doing in the fairy world, but he can even think of such an extremely despicable thing.
Now that Huang Taiji's army had been repulsed and Wang Shi had won a complete victory, he no longer bothered with such trivial matters.
However, since it has been transported thousands of miles to Nandu, it can be put to good use!
Because according to the factory guard's report, almost everyone from the imperial officials to the merchants and scholars have read this book...
They talk about benevolence, righteousness and morality, but behind the scenes they are so despicable, they are a bunch of complete hypocrites!
Thinking of this, Chongzhen despised all the men in Nandu except the servants, including those around him!
Otherwise, how could this book sell nearly 100,000 copies?
Isn’t this total sales volume scary?
But it is true, even though it is the total sales of the three books, and it is the total sales of the Eight Corners of the South.
For every volume sold, Chongzhen could make a profit of two taels of silver, because the purchase price was three taels of silver and the selling price was five taels of silver.
This book, which can be called a wretched book, actually made him 20,000 taels of silver. Although it also included labor costs, it was enough to make Chongzhen feel shocked.
The 10,000 volumes shipped this time are two, which seems like a lot. If these hypocrites in the city heard about it, they would probably be sold out in one day.
So attractive?
That's right!
It's so big!
Read during the day and apply what you have learned at night!
Then the next day, you can review the past and learn the new. As the saying goes, you can study again after returning from a hundred battles...
All the literate generals rushed to read it. You can imagine how strange this book is!
It is conceivable that every hypocrite has a list of books that should not be borrowed, and "The Secret History of Guanwai" is firmly ranked first!
After the new book arrived, Chongzhen felt that the chips he could reward heroes had increased a lot.
The new military boots are an object that can be seen, and the book is to be tasted in private.
It would be a bit embarrassing to give it directly as a gift.
Is it possible to stuff it into boots and send it out?
this……
It seems to be a good idea!
But as an emperor, he is also a wise king. To be so secretive and send the same kind of dross is really a loss of face.
Chongzhen thought about it and decided not to give it away.
In all dynasties, only Hunjun has done similar things!
Since magazines such as "War Chronicles" and "Fashion Trends" arrived at the same time, it was convenient for Chongzhen to reward his subordinates. If that didn't work, they could also be sent directly to Wanhao Department Store for sale.
"My lord, take one copy of each of these periodicals and magazines, package them into one copy, and reward each official of fifth rank and above with one copy. The prince said that this is spiritual food and is indispensable, and I think so too!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
This is something that is hard to find in Wanhao department stores. It is usually sold out within three days of arrival.
A magazine that sells for 500 yuan a piece will be bought by someone for 600 or even 700 yuan a piece, a hundred copies at a time, or even more.
Can you see it?
Do you think you are watching it yourself?
Once you get it, it will be sent directly to other places at the price of one tael of silver per copy!
Just because of the existence of such dishonest people, retail customers gnash their teeth with hatred. There is no shortage of such people in Nandu City.
Even a high-ranking person like Qu Shichun, the first assistant, could only buy it by asking the servant who went to buy it to give his name.
Anyone who privately prints counterfeit publications of this kind will be beheaded or sent to mines if caught by the Jin Yiwei.
Therefore, even if there are people who are jealous of this business, they can only do this kind of thing in other places, and there is no such thing in Nandu City.
Civil servants like Qu Shichun and Gao Hongtu, who were diligent and eager to learn when they were young, have long lost interest in yellow and white things.
If I can get the latest journal, I really can't put it down, and I can't wait to read it to my heart's content.
When I heard that the emperor had rewarded me with several books at once, I was naturally overjoyed and bowed to express my sincere gratitude.
Huang Degong and other generals also saluted, because these reckless men had already heard that the long-awaited "Secret History of the Passengers" had arrived.
The favorite thing among military generals is to have their concubines read out certain plots of this book softly...
It is said that this method has spread rapidly since its invention, and now even civil servants use it.
The journal itself is not worth much, but the contents inside are precious.
You won't see similar content in other books at all. There are some books on the market that imitate "The Secret History of the Passengers", but they are basically just superficial imitations, and they are far less enjoyable than "The Secret History of the Passengers".
Chongzhen was naturally a loyal reader of this book, for no other reason than to resolve his hatred!
Although I can’t defeat you for the time being!
I will ask that traitor to send someone to write you to death!
I can't write it down yet, otherwise the protagonist of this book will be gone.
The captive emperor Taiji must still be alive, otherwise how could his wives and concubines go behind his back to seduce...
Thinking of this, Chongzhen felt very good, and the more he thought about it, the more comfortable he became. The author of this book is really talented.
Chongzhen knew that the traitor was busy with state affairs every day and had to write various explanations in his spare time, so he could not write such a book at all.
But this book is written in a very special way. It is written in vernacular, the language is simple and clear, and the content is extremely clear. It is unmatched by other books on the market.
Referring to the article written by Na Nizi, it is not difficult to see the clues. This must have been written by Na Nizi under the guidance of some bored and down-and-out scholar.
Chongzhen did not clearly support or object to this kind of thing that could destroy the prestige of the captive chiefs but undermine their elegance.
The traitor can write or print whatever he wants, but he cannot sign with his real name, otherwise it will undermine the dignity of the royal family.
But when it was published, it was sold in all corners of the south. As the general agent of this book, Chongzhen had to make some money.
We can't let a father work for his son, only to end up working in vain.
The purchase price of this book is three hundred yuan, and Chongzhen can set the retail price by himself.
Since the ministers had contributed a lot in the past, especially Huang Degong and others, they had brought a lot of silver and items to the court, so Chongzhen was embarrassed to charge any more.
"My dear friends, the prince also presented me with a telephone. The telephone is a thing from the fairy world. The prince successfully imitated it, and it can transmit sound at a thousand steps. I intend to set up lines in the palace, the main hall, and the military aircraft. It’s convenient for calls, and if the line is long enough, it can be extended to six government offices!”
"My emperor is wise and your highness is a great talent!"
The second assistant, Gao Hongtu, has heard of the phone, but has never seen it. Not to mention him, his colleagues have not seen it either, but this does not delay the old Gaotou from giving him a double-ring flattery!
"Come here, do you know if Xiao Xuzi is near the main hall?"
Xiao Xuzi was the chamberlain who was responsible for setting up the lines. He was a member of the 24th Yamen of the Beiting. Now that he had gone south, he had become a capable person who made immortals in the eyes of Chongzhen.
"Slave, I'll go look for you now!"
"good!"
Chongzhen also knew little about telephone matters. It would be a bit embarrassing if he was asked by the ministers. It would be better to ask professionals to explain it to these ignorant ministers.
"Your Majesty, I heard before that a telephone line needs to be set up. If the line is not long enough, the conversation will not be possible, right?"
Ni Yuanlu, the Minister of Rites, knew a little about telephones. Although he did not know more than the emperor, he understood the basic principles and would not be deceived.
"That's right, I'm also worried about the two thousand steps of the route!"
Chongzhen was afraid that the line was not long enough. Even if a one-step long line cost as much as one tael of silver, he would have to buy 10,000 steps for 10,000 taels. But what should he do if the traitor only gave away two thousand steps?
"Zhang Shenyan, Zhang Aiqing!"
"I'm here!"
"Do you know how far it is from the main hall to the northernmost end of Liubu Yamen?"
"...Your Majesty, please give me your estimate!"
"good!"
Zhang Shenyan was the minister of the Ministry of Industry, but he did not carry the drawings of the imperial city with him. He could only estimate the distance based on his experience in going to court and the time it took to walk.
"Your Majesty, I think that if the wiring is not difficult to work on, we might send craftsmen to imitate it!"
Ni Yuanlu was thinking about this problem before. The key is that no one seems to understand the internal structure of the line, because it involves top secrets.
In the whole world, perhaps only the prince and those at the Academy of Sciences have such a secret. If others want to know, they have to steal a section and then the cook and the cow can know the secret.
"Yeah! That's a good idea!"
Chongzhen also felt that this plan was appropriate, but thinking about it, how difficult it is to actually imitate can only be known by asking Xiao Xuzi, otherwise it must be a daydream.
If possible, Chongzhen also wanted to extend the line through Houdi and directly north to the Yulin Army garrison on the other side of the Tongzi River. This would make it easier for him to mobilize his own troops at any time.
But now, I am afraid that even connecting to the six yamen will be a problem, and I don't even dare to hope for other lines.
"Zhang Aiqing, what's the calculation result?"
"Your Majesty, I think it seems that a 2,000-step route is enough!"
"..."
Chongzhen was choked and speechless at that time. The two thousand steps of the route are not all given to you, and you still need to use them in the back house!
It was difficult to say this in person, so Chongzhen could only bite his lips and think about it in the long run.
"excellent!"
"The slave is here!"
"Why are so many medicines sent this time?"
"Back to Your Majesty, the weather in Beiting is cold and it is convenient to make elixirs. Your Highness sent your slaves to bring some surplus so as not to delay the treatment of the king's soldiers."
Liu Dahao is the general person in charge of this escort. He cooperates with some members of the Guards Battalion and the East Palace Guards to ensure that all tributes are delivered to Nandu.
"That's good. My Ming Dynasty King has been tired for a long time, but this time he finally turned defeat into victory!"
When he thought of the victory in the battle, Chongzhen felt that all his worries were swept away by the news of victory.
"You are responsible for the escort. It has been a hard journey. I will arrange dinner, entertain you, and reward each of you with two taels of silver!"
Even if they are slaves who have traveled thousands of miles, they still have to comfort them. At least these people are loyal and much better than those white-eyed wolves that can be seen everywhere in the city.
Originally, Chongzhen wanted to reward him with a tael of silver, but considering that he had to go back and forth for a month at least, he had to give the servants a month's salary anyway.
The traitor will take care of the rest. I only gave you so much, which is considered to be my most benevolent and righteous act.
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for all the servants!"
Liu Dahao did not seek merit, but sought no faults. As long as all the tributes were safely transported to Nandu, he could go back to deliver his duties and rest for ten days and a half.
Whether you are a chamberlain or a soldier, the purpose of participating in this trip is very simple, that is, to save up for vacation and earn some money to spend a good New Year with your family.
"If you like something and want to bring it to your family, feel free to purchase it. I will leave this matter to you, my dear companion!"
"Your Majesty, rest assured, I will do my best to cooperate!"
Chongzhen also looked away from the matter of buying and selling, because he had already done this kind of thing.
As long as you don't line your own pockets, there is nothing wrong with bringing back some Jiangnan specialties.
Besides, it would be too ugly to go back with an empty car without buying anything...
"Your Majesty, before I left, Your Highness once told me that if duck down can be harvested in Nandu, the greater the quantity, the better!"
"Oh? Is there anything else?"
Chongzhen couldn't help but be very surprised after hearing this. What use does the traitor need for duck down?
"His Highness said that duck down has a heating effect. It would be a pity if the ducks were slaughtered and the duck down was discarded."
"Is this true?"
Chongzhen seems to have found another shortcut to make a fortune. If he collects all the duck down in the south of the Yangtze River and sells it to the traitor, how much profit will he make...
"I dare not lie. This time I brought a hundred down jackets, filled with duck down. The thermal insulation effect is no less than that of cotton jackets!"
"Oh? Let me take a look!"
Chongzhen had only glanced at the list briefly before and didn't pay much attention to the many costumes listed on the list. He didn't expect that there were such wonderful things, so he wanted to find out.
After changing out of his fur coat and putting on this piece of clothing called a down jacket, Chongzhen felt a lot lighter, and the thermal insulation effect seemed to be not much worse than that of fur.
In addition to being interested, Chongzhen also asked the Han general to open the door and walk around outside the palace to experience it in person, so that his evaluation would be very convincing.
"Okay, okay! I feel that this suit is very warm, and it is far lighter than fur. All of you, dear friends, should give it a try!"
Chongzhen also wanted his courtiers to wear it, so that everyone would buy duck down and no one would be able to object.
When the civil servants and generals saw the emperor walking around in and out of the palace wearing a down jacket, they couldn't hold it any longer. They tried it on immediately after receiving the order, and would not refuse at all.
If there are good things, of course you have to try them, just like these new boots on the soles of your feet. After putting them on, no one wants to take them off.
The down jacket was no exception. The ministers were full of praise when they put it on. Words such as the clothes are very good, the prince is a talented man, and your majesty is wise... came up in endlessly...
"Since all of you have worn this suit, I will discuss with you the purchase of duck down. Great, if this suit is made in the southern capital and shipped to the northern capital, has the prince ever thought about it?"
Chongzhen also felt that the profits from just harvesting duck down were a bit too low, so he should make it into ready-made clothes and sell them to the north. In this way, wouldn't the profits be even higher?
"Back to Your Majesty, His Highness told the slave. Your Majesty can purchase duck down or make down jackets, but you must ensure the quality of the down jackets! His Highness said that for each down jacket, the short version requires thirty ducks' down, and the long version requires fifty Just duck down."
"...Yeah! I will send people to make it to ensure the quality. If someone cuts corners, I will directly distribute it to Ma'anshan for mining!"
If a servant dares to steal duck down, what else will he not dare to steal?
Therefore, they must be severely punished and must not be tolerated or condoned.
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty has written down the instructions for making down jackets, and I sincerely invite you to accept them!"
"good!"
Presumably making this down jacket is not as simple as it looks, but it shouldn't be that difficult.
Since the traitor had already calculated that he could make down jackets, he didn't need to look forward or backward.
"The twenty-four yamen can be allowed to trial-produce. After a small amount of success, they can be mass-produced. The required duck down can be purchased in Nandu and nearby areas. There is an endless supply of ducks, and the same is true for duck down."
Chongzhen is not ready to hand over this project to merchants. The merchants' momentum has just been suppressed, and they cannot fully trust these profiteers yet.
If there is a quality problem, it will definitely be your own face that will be damaged, and you will not be able to give an explanation to the traitor.
However, the purchase of duck down involves a wide range of matters, and the twenty-four yamen have no time to take care of it, so they can be assigned to obedient merchants.
"Prince, can you confirm the purchase price of the down jacket?"
"Back to His Majesty, His Highness said that the purchase price of long down jackets, including shipping costs, should not be higher than one tael, and that of short ones should not be higher than 700 yuan!"
