After years of development, the capital has become quite prosperous. Li Qing had a meal in a restaurant and then wandered around on the street on a donkey.
This is the first time he has gone back to celebrate the New Year since Xuande left Jinling in the seventh year.
Li Qing carefully selected gifts for his master, Li Jinglong, and Zhu Yunwen.
This year is a year of reunion, and he takes it very seriously.
On the bustling streets, shops are lined up one after another. The once small city of Beiping is now showing signs of becoming the largest metropolis in the future.
This feeling of witnessing history is very fulfilling, but also sad.
It was a sunny day today, and the warm sunshine warmed his body, dispelling his negative emotions.
It’s time to go back to celebrate the New Year soon... Li Qing tried his best to think of something happy, leading the donkey to activate various shops, and went shopping like crazy.
~
After wandering for a long time, until the sun turned orange, Li Qing led the donkey back.
The donkey was full of things, and Li Qing couldn't bear to add any more burdens to it. One person and one donkey were bathing in the afterglow of the sunset, leisurely and comfortable, and the picture was beautiful.
night.
Yu Qian came as promised and brought his own wine and meat.
The two are both teachers and friends, and Yu Qian is currently Li Qing's only acquaintance in the temple.
There was no politeness, the two of them had a great time eating meat and drinking wine.
"Sir, according to the current development trend, in a few years the Ming Dynasty will return to its peak state during the Xuande period." Yu Qian said with great enthusiasm, "Ten years later, the Ming Dynasty will surpass the past and become the best in history." gòйЪ. ōΓg
Li Qing put down his wine glass with a smile and sighed: "Modest will benefit, but full will suffer; don't be too blindly optimistic."
Yu Qian has great confidence in Li Qing, "With my husband here, I believe the future will be like this."
"Haha... you think too highly of me." Li Qing shook his head and smiled bitterly, "I am not a saint, let alone a god. I cannot eliminate the bad roots of greed in human nature."
Yu Qian smiled in surprise, "Why are you always so pessimistic, sir?"
"Because it's always easier to destroy than to build!" Li Qing reached for the jug. Yu Qian picked it up in one step and poured a glass for Li Qing, and then poured another glass for himself.
Said: "That's what I said, but my husband has a long life, so I can keep watching!"
Li Qing smiled bitterly, with a tired smile, "The rise and fall of dynasties is a historical necessity and cannot be controlled by human power. Throughout the dynasties, their rise and fall were sudden;
What I can do is only prolong its prosperity, but I cannot reverse it. "
He took a sip of wine and sighed: "They say long live the emperor and the country will last forever, but is this possible?
Let’s not talk about those that are too far away. Since Emperor Qin, it is only two thousand years old, but how many dynasties have appeared? "
Yu Qian was silent for a moment and said hopefully, "Sir, there is always a way."
Li Qing shook his head in amusement: "Even if I kill all the evil officials and even all the officials in the world, what will happen?
Taizu had already done similar things, but it proved to be of little use. "
"Alas..." Yu Qian sighed and comforted: "At least it's good now, isn't it?"
He added another glass of wine to Li Qing and said with a smile: "I can't see what will happen in the future, but as Mr. said, we can work hard to change the status quo and make the prosperity of Ming Dynasty last longer. As for the future... do your best and obey fate. .”
After a pause, he said distressedly: "It's just a pain, sir."
"Haha... let's not talk about this anymore." Li Qing ended this heavy topic and smiled easily, "How many years has it been since you went back to your hometown to celebrate the New Year?"
Yu Qian frowned and felt heavy.
"Since the death of the late emperor, I haven't gone back even once." Yu Qian smiled bitterly, "Every time during the New Year to worship ancestors, I always let Quanzi go back. Loyalty and filial piety are difficult to balance, so I can only try to balance it. In a few years, when the situation in the court is completely stable, I’ll take a look back when I have time.”
Seeing him like this, Li Qing felt inexplicably better.
He smiled and said, "Come on, come on, let's drink."
…
The next day.
Li Qing took the two eunuchs Xiaoliuzi and Si Lijian, as well as Jinyiwei, to the south of the Yangtze River by boat.
Those who were determined to fight against him couldn't help but be dumbfounded, but they all left, and the emperor ignored the memorial to impeach Li Qing, so they had no choice but to withdraw their troops.
There was nothing I could do except scold him: "Coward." He vented his depression.
: Li Qing, if you have the guts, don’t come back!
~
At Li Qing's request, the ship sailed very fast. When passing Suhang and Hangzhou, they only disembarked a few royal guards and two eunuchs from the ceremonial department, and then rushed to Jinling without stopping.
After rushing all the way slowly, we finally arrived at Jinling on the 28th of the twelfth lunar month.
Li Qing was not idle. He ordered someone to notify Shen Xin as soon as he got off the boat, and then rushed to the Weaving Bureau.
Shen Xin was particularly active. When Li Qing arrived at the weaving bureau, he followed suit.
This time, he brought Madam Ninth with him.
Li Qing was quite speechless about this.
Although concubines were considered personal property in this era and could be given away at will, he still could not accept this trend.
"When adults work hard, there must be someone around to take care of them." Shen Xin tried his best to promote: "Jiu'er has a clever mind and a beautiful heart..."
"Stop it." Li Qing raised his hand to stop her, "Let her go back and let's talk about business."
"Where do you live, sir?" Shen Xin asked. He just thought it was because Li Qing was trying to show his face, "The common people will send someone to you later."
"No." Li Qing's face was full of black lines, "If Boss Shen comes to discuss business, let's continue the discussion. If he comes to see a woman off, you can leave now."
Xiao Liuzi snorted angrily: "Our family looks down on you for being like this. How can Mr. Li be a lustful person?"
Shen Xin touched his nose awkwardly and said humbly, "My father-in-law taught me a lesson."
As he said that, he turned around and waved, "Go back and stop being an eyesore here."
"Yes, sir." Madam Ninth was greatly disappointed. She thought she was just dreaming of being with a big shot.
After the woman left, Li Qing got straight to the point.
"The imperial court will support you to a certain extent." Li Qing racked his brains to draw a pie, "In other words, as long as you do not violate the laws of the Ming Dynasty, you can use any means."
Shen Xin listened quietly and saw that Li Qing didn't say anything for a long time, so he asked: "Is there anything else?"
This is really embarrassing for Li Qing. After all, Zhu Qizhen is too stingy and does not provide substantial help at all. How can Li Qing draw a cake that he cannot round?
When it comes to the emperor's prestige, it's hard for Li Qing to tell lies.
"Ahem..." Li Qing covered up his embarrassment, "Well, if you have any difficulties, you can also tell me."
"It's mainly money." Shen Xin took out the list from his sleeve, "This is the additional expenses required by the grassroots to cultivate new suppliers according to the requirements of your Excellency, as well as business competition, etc. Your Excellency, please take a look."
He has never been idle these days, always planning for the future.
Li Qing took the list, his brows jumped wildly, and he cursed: "Nearly ten million taels, why don't you grab it?"
"Sir, please calm down. This is the entire process, including most of the industries in Suzhou and Hangzhou, all of which require so much money." Shen Xin quickly explained, "Sir, please rest assured that the money will be returned in full and a certain amount of interest will be paid. .”
After a pause, "The grassroots are confident that they will pay off the debt within ten years, and within the next three years, they will pay an additional two million in interest to the court. Of course, this does not include taxes;
The common people will definitely pay the taxes stipulated by the imperial court in full without owing a penny. "
He meant what he said and he was confident.
With the support of the imperial court, he was confident that he could do it, and within fifteen years, he became the largest wealthy gentry in the Ming Dynasty.
The kind that is truly as wealthy as a country!
Xiao Liuzi didn't know what the emperor meant. Seeing Li Qing's behavior, he thought it was Li Qing who was in trouble. He immediately came to the rescue and said, "Boss Shen, do you think the imperial court has a silver mountain?"
"My lord, father-in-law, you have misunderstood." Shen Xin quickly explained, "The common people also know the difficulties of the court. The emperor has all the people in the world in his heart, so naturally he cannot ignore others for the common people;
What the grassroots mean is to allocate two million every year for five years.
More than ten years later, the common people returned 12 million yuan to the court. "
"This..." Xiao Liuzi felt that this deal was quite a bargain, and he wanted to nod his head, but he couldn't take the lead, so he looked at Li Qing, "Sir, do you think...?"
What do I see? The little emperor can't afford a penny... Li Qing scratched his head and laughed and said: "Boss Shen, don't be anxious. Let's talk slowly. Father-in-law, go get someone to make a pot of tea."
He was afraid that his mouth would be dry after talking for a while, so he had to prepare in advance.
The richest man in Jinling is no fool. He just paints cakes and doesn't give any benefits. He also has to make people willingly and wholeheartedly follow the imperial court.
This difficulty is not ordinary.
Even though Li Qing was very good at painting cakes, he couldn't help but find it even more difficult.
…
