At present, in the Sui Dynasty, although projects have been launched one after another and the people are suffering, but overall, it is still in an upward stage, especially after the opening of the Tongji Canal. The goods from the south are now reaching Luoyang along the river, and the boats and boats are connected in an endless stream. Rivers were clogged and north-south trade reached its peak.
Because Yang Guang personally visited Jiangdu along Henan, everyone now calls Tongji Canal Yuhe.
The Xiao family of Lanling, because they are relatives, is getting bigger and bigger. This is the only family in the south that has a presence in the north. The fleets of all other big families are trying to find ways to attach themselves to the Xiao family's fleet. Inside, it’s better to pay less customs duties.
Master Yang, the shepherd of Yuzhou, became the biggest beneficiary of the canal, because he was in charge of Henan and Luoyang. At present, there was no place more profitable than Luoyang in the Sui Dynasty, and it was actually the place where the richest man in the world was located.
With the money earned from the canal, Yang Jian began to actively win over the ministers of the DPRK and China, and many people were bribed by his money.
In early February, a man came from Luoyang and entered the palace of Prince Qin.
This man's name is Dugu Xin, the second son of Zhao Guogong Dugu Zuan. Dugu Zuan was recommended by Yang Ming. He is currently Tokyo Yin, Luoyang Cheng is Wuhua, and Luoyang Wei is Dugu Wudu. All three of them were recommended by Yang Ming. He undoubtedly contributed to the two. As for Dugu Zuan, he would not recommend him. This position would probably go to someone else. After all, he is Yang Guang's cousin, or his relative.
The purpose of Dugu Xin's visit was firstly to visit Dugu Feng'er, and the other reason was to find Yang Ming to invest in stocks.
The emperor issued an edict to requisition two million stones of grain from the south of the Yangtze River to fill the granaries and supply the needs of the North-South Canal.
This is two million stones. If we can take over this transportation business, we can make a lot of money.
But at the moment, Dugu Zhuan also has Yang Jian, a Yuzhou shepherd, so if he wants to take over this business, he needs a stronger shareholder. As a half-son-in-law, Yang Ming is undoubtedly the most suitable.
Before talking about money, talk about feelings first. As soon as Dugu Xin came, he moved into Dugu Feng'er's small courtyard. They were brother and sister, so there was no taboo. What's more, Dugu Xin really loved his stepsister.
Although Dugu Feng'er has a short memory, he still has a deep impression on his second brother Dugu Xin. The meeting between the two was very warm and harmonious.
Seeing that his sister was almost cured of her illness, Dugu Xin also lamented that his sister was in bad luck. Why did she go crazy at the most critical moment? The good position of the concubine was just gone, but he definitely didn't dare to say this.
One evening three days later, Dugu Xin took advantage of the opportunity to be alone with Yang Ming and revealed the true purpose of his visit to Beijing.
"The food in Jiangnan is still being allocated, and it will take at least a month and a half before it can be shipped, so my grandpa hopes to win this deal within a month," Dugu Xin was sincere to Yang Ming, and he said whatever he wanted. .
Yang Ming smiled and said: "The transaction is not big. With Zhao Guogong's financial and material resources, there is no need to worry about this, right?"
"This is just asking for directions. Although the canal has only been opened for a year, business and trade are unprecedentedly prosperous. I want to take this opportunity to completely intervene in the canal water transportation. The Water Department in Luoyang is our people, and all checkpoints are They have all been cleared, but King Qi cannot get through," Dugu Xin said.
Yang Ming smiled and said: "The Duke of Zhao is one of his own, and the King of Qi is stuck. It is really unnecessary."
"Because King Qi also wants to do this business and is actively wooing the Xiao family. Once the two of them cooperate, others will have to drink some soup," Dugu Xin said.
Lan Lingxiao is the current relative, and Luoyang Dugu is the previous relative. Yang Jian's choice is undoubtedly the right one.
But the problem is, Luoyang is the territory of the Dugu family. If you do business on their territory, you will eat meat and drink soup from others. Is that possible?
Yang Ming really needs money, because he plans to secretly open a smelting kiln himself. Yun Dingxing can open the kiln, doesn't it rely on Yang Yong? He also finds an expert like Yun Dingxing to take charge of this matter. Once exposed, You can also clear up the relationship. Otherwise, what do you want to do if the prince forges weapons privately?
Opening a kiln in Sui Dynasty is not an easy task. Iron ore alone is not easy to buy. Although all mines are basically owned by the state, there are too many private diggers and indiscriminate mining. You have to find these people to buy. The price of ore is very high.
Moreover, Yang Ming still needs a horse. Don't always expect Yang Yinjiang to always pay for it from her parents' house. She has already taken enough money from her parents' house.
So Yang Ming asked: "How can I help, Mr. Zhao Guo hopes?"
Dugu Xin said: "Today, the two largest shipping terminals in the upper reaches of the canal are Luokou Pier and Xingyang Banzhu Pier. Luokou Pier belongs to us, and now Xingyang is the fiefdom of His Highness's second son. You have the final say over this place. , His Majesty’s boats on the southern tour are currently at these two piers, with as many as 6,000 ships, and only the ships from these two piers can take advantage of this business."
Yang Ming smiled and said: "The dock is managed by the Water Resources Department of the Ministry of Industry. It doesn't seem appropriate for me to use a public boat to earn public money, right?"
Dugu Xin patiently explained: "How dare they not listen to His Highness's words when the Capital Water Department is just a yamen? Besides, we spend money to rent their boats, and they also make a profit. Otherwise, it would be a waste to have so many boats docked at the dock. "
Yang Ming nodded: "Yuan Wendu is in Xingyang now. I will write him a letter to explain. You can contact him after you return. Who is in charge of water transportation in Jiangdu?"
"He is also a member of the King of Qi. His name is Wang Shichong. He is currently Jiang Ducheng and is in charge of food mobilization," Dugu Xin said.
Damn, this old boy climbed so fast. Yang Ming was stunned. It can be seen that Yang Jian has not been idle in the past two years. The governor of Jiangdu County is also served by his favorite minister Pei Yun, but this boy Pei Yun is now in the capital. , that is to say, Wang Shichong alone has the final say in Jiangdu right now.
Awesome, how did you get up there? From this point of view, this money is really not easy to earn.
Even if he and Dugu Zuan join forces in Luoyang, he can't control Jiangdu.
Yang Ming asked again: "Which person from the Xiao family is Yang Jian doing business with?"
"Xiao Xuan, the governor of Danyang County, does your highness know this person?" Dugu Xin said.
Yang Ming was stunned. Of course he knew that this kid used to be a county magistrate in Jiangling County. He took a good job and took a free salary. In private, he was engaged in the water transport business. Now he has become the prefect of Danyang? This is really something that people will see with admiration after three days.
This boy's father is Xiao Cong, and he is Empress Xiao's half-brother, so Xiao Xuan calls Empress Xiao aunt.
Xiao Mian, the great rebel leader in the south at the end of the Sui Dynasty, was Xiao Cong's disciple. This boy was also considered a relative, so he should have also risen up.
Good guy, this canal seems to have been built for you during the Sui Dynasty.
Yang Ming was in trouble. It was hard to earn money and there were too many involved. If he intervened forcefully, Wang Shichong would not offend him. After all, the old boy was protected by his second son.
"You wait a moment and I'll think of a solution," Yang Ming said.
Dugu Xin also knew that this matter was difficult to handle, but the Dugu family could not just watch such a fat fish being caught by others. Others ate the fish, while they ate the air.
If you want to replace Xiao Xuan, only two families can do it, one is named Yang and the other is named Xiao.
The Yang family's heirs were withering away, and his father was more jealous. Let's forget it. So Yang Ming thought of his old uncle Xiao Yu, who also loved money. This was his mother's biological brother, and he was very close to the deceased Xiao Cong. too much.
Then, after Yang Ming had dinner, he went to his uncle's house, but he was not there, in the imperial city.
So he entered the palace.
Xiao Yu is now the Minister of Internal History, that is, the Ministry of Internal History, but after Yang Ming went to the official office of the Province of Internal History, the officials said that Minister Xiao is currently in Yong'an Palace.
So Yang Ming went to Yong'an Palace again, on the pretext of visiting his son.
"Just tell me if you have anything to say. These are not outsiders, coming to see Rui'er at night? Do you think my mother-in-law will believe it? What did you do during the day?" Queen Xiao said with a smile.
Xiao Yu, who was on the side, stood up quickly and said, "Maybe Your Highness has something to say to Sister, so I'd better avoid it."
"No, no, no, uncle, don't leave," Yang Ming said with a smile, "Actually, I'm just here to find you."
"Looking for me?" Xiao Yu was stunned. There must be no good for you kid looking for me, so he looked at Queen Xiao who was also confused.
Queen Xiao smiled and said, "Tell me about it, I want to hear it too."
So Yang Ming frankly told the whole story about Dugu Xin's meeting with him. He was making money and there was nothing to hide.
"Pick me into the gang?" Xiao Yu looked surprised: "I'm not short of money, either? I can't afford to make such a huge amount of money."
"Stop pretending," Yang Ming rolled his eyes and said, "It's not like my mother doesn't know that you are greedy for money, so you are not embarrassed to admit it."
Xiao Yu immediately shouted that he was wronged and said: "Don't talk nonsense, I have the breeze in my sleeves and I can walk and sit upright."
"Okay, okay, you don't love money, okay?" Yang Ming looked at Queen Xiao and said, "What do you think, grandma?"
Empress Xiao didn't know whether to laugh or cry: "Don't always focus on these evil ways. How much money is it worth to come to the palace at night? If you are short of money, tell me, I will give it to you."
"My son has no money to honor you, which is already unfilial. How can I use grandma's money?" Yang Ming said with a smile: "The palace's expenses are too high, and I don't have a second son who can make money. I have to find a way to make up for the shortfall and water transport business." , the Ministry of Industry also makes a profit, and the national treasury does not suffer a loss, I just earn money for running errands."
Empress Xiao smiled and nodded: "It's up to you, leave it to the people below. You are the prince, don't always worry about these things."
"Of course, the Dugu family is in charge of running the business, and my uncle and I can take a commission just by sitting there. We are guaranteed to make a profit without losing anything, so we don't have to worry about it," Yang Ming said with a smile.
Empress Xiao nodded: "Okay, let your uncle say hello to the clan and let someone else take over the water transport of the clan. If the Ministry of Industry calls you, go yourself."
"It can be done," Yang Ming smiled.
After chatting for a while, Yang Ming and his old uncle Xiao Yu left Yong'an Palace together. After walking far away, Xiao Yu suddenly pulled Yang Ming's sleeve and whispered: "How much percent can you give me?"
"Twenty percent," Yang Ming said.
Xiao Yu curled his lips: "Twenty percent is too little. Although the clan has asked for someone to take over the water transportation, I still have to spend money to manage it. I also have to give some comfort money to Xiao Xuan."
"I am also 20%," Yang Ming said.
Xiao Yu was stunned and said quickly: "If you put it that way, 20% is quite a lot."
After the two of them separated, Xiao Yu returned to Neishi Province. The moment he walked through the door, he suddenly froze:
"Isn't that right? The Dugu family dares to give you 20%? This kid is lying to me."
So Xiao Yu simply left the palace and went to Prince Qin's Mansion to find Yang Ming. Family ties are family ties, and we can't hold back on money matters.
