Looking at the British public Zhang Weixian, who was talking about the way of drinking tea, the expression on Xu Xi's face was wonderful.

Of course, it is impossible for him not to know what the British Duke means, whether to be able to see him today, or the reason why he is here and does not leave.

Now the British Duke doesn't want to say anything to himself, but says that these clouds and mountains are covered in fog, which is normal.

But Xu Xi is not in a hurry, anyway, he has made up his mind, if the British Duke does not give him an explanation today, then he will definitely not leave here.

So he sat there with the British duke, chatting and drinking tea, looking like an old god was there.

Picking up the tea and taking a sip, Zhang Weixian looked at Xu Xi, really helpless.

The expression on Zhang Weixian's face was wonderful.

The dignified prince of the Ming Dynasty is so scoundrel, and it is really impossible to say. However, the lineage of Dingguo Gong is really special in the Ming Dynasty.

The relatives of the Ming Dynasty, that is the maiden family of the queens of the past dynasties, their existence is different from the nobles. In many cases, although their people are not useful, they will also enjoy some glory and wealth. This is the treatment given to them by the imperial court, and it is not an uncommon thing.

However, among the nobles, Dingguo Gong is different. All the honors and nobles were obtained through military exploits, and it can be said that they were won with real swords and guns, but the title of Duke Dingguo is different, and it originally belonged to Xu Zengshou.

At that time, Xu Da, the king of Zhongshan Jing, was a prince of two countries, a prince of Dingguo and a prince of Wei. The Duke of Wei inherited the title of King Jing of Zhongshan, and as for the title of Duke Dingguo, it actually belonged to Xu Zengshou.

Someone once said that the reason why Xu Zengshou was able to get this title was because of Emperor Chengzu's empress, because Emperor Chengzu's empress was from the Xu family.

Xu Zengshou was killed by Emperor Jianwen, and it was also because Empress Chengzu was implicated in the matter, so in order to compensate Xu Zengshou, he would give his descendants the title of Duke of Guo.

But all the nobles know that this is not the case at all. The veteran nobles all know that even if it is compensation, it is impossible to really give a duke the title, which will also make the Xu family a prince of two countries, which is really a bit of an overabundance.

The reason why Dingguo Gong was able to get this title and the reason why Emperor Jianwen killed Xu Zengshou was because Xu Zengshou was a spy of Emperor Chengzu.

When Xu Zengshou was in Nanjing, he didn't pass on news to Emperor Chengzu, so Emperor Jianwen killed him in a rage.

This title of Duke Dingguo also came from this. In such a situation, in order to compensate Xu Zengshou's descendants, such a title was given.

Of course, there must also be a relationship with Empress Chengzu. However, Zhang Weixian also knew that after so many years, the Dingguo Mansion has not been very important to His Majesty. After all, there is also a Wei Guogong in Nanjing, and if both of them are reused, it will not be easy to do.

It's just that not long ago, there was an incident that Xu Hongji, the Duke of Wei in Nanjing, put up a question book, saying that he was in poor health and wanted to resign.

There was some movement in this matter, although it was not big, but everyone knew about it. At that time, not long after His Majesty ascended the throne, His Majesty agreed.

Therefore, now the Duke of Wei is no longer favored, especially with His Majesty.

This time, something like this happened in the Dingguo Mansion, and it is difficult not to suspect that there is any collusion in it.

A large part of the reason why Dingguo Gong Xu Xi found this place was to find out what was going on.

But Zhang Weixian didn't want to get involved in this incident at all, but looking at Xu Xi's appearance, if he didn't say something today, Xu Xi would definitely not leave.

In desperation, Zhang Weixian could only sigh and say, "Why are you suffering? ”

"Grandpa Guo also asks for advice, how can we be said to be nobles with the same spirit, when it is time to help, you also have to help, don't you?"

"It's not for the sake of our relationship, but also for the sake of the older generation." Xu Xi looked at Zhang Weixian and said with a smile: "I don't ask you for help, I just ask you to show me the way." ”

"Your family has always been unmixed with this officialdom, so why bother getting involved? Without you this time, I think it's better to hide and be idle. Zhang Weixian looked at Xu Xi and said.

"As long as you don't jump out and make trouble, Your Majesty won't trouble you."

Xu Xi sighed helplessly and said, "Who wants to get involved in this matter, isn't it good to be able to live in peace?" ”

"But you know how many people are eyeing me right now. Although there are only five dukes left in the Ming Dynasty now, before that, there were not five. ”

After Zhang Weixian heard this, his heart suddenly fell silent.

After thinking about it, Zhang Weixian said: "We people do things, which is nothing more than to fix our favor in front of His Majesty. This time, it can't be abrupt; Second, it can't be rendered useless. ”

"You should be able to handle the proportions in this, so I won't talk nonsense with you. The current situation is that you have to make meritorious contributions, and as for how to make meritorious contributions, you have to think carefully about yourself. ”

After hearing this, Xu Xi said with a sad face: "If I knew how to make meritorious contributions, I wouldn't come here from you." Look at Cheng Guogong, his hand is beautiful, and now he is red in front of His Majesty. But if I want to come to him, I have to find the right direction. "Free Chinese

Glancing at Xu Xi deeply, Zhang Weixian said in a deep voice: "I really gave you that opportunity, do you dare?" ”

These words really stopped Xu Xi.

To be honest, he really didn't dare.

The thing that Zhu Chunchen, the Duke of Chengguo, did, although he got great benefits on the surface, at the same time, it did make His Majesty look at him with admiration, and this time he was indeed promoted.

But the people in this court have also been offended by Cheng Guogong, and they may not be stumbled by people later.

When the time comes, if you are a little careless, that is, the wall will fall down and everyone will push it, and you will have to die if you don't die.

"Alright, don't talk about this, I know you don't have the guts." Zhang Weixian said slowly.

Xu Xi didn't refute, he also knew that he didn't have the courage to do it, because he really didn't dare to do it.

So he stood up, arched his hand at Zhang Weixian, and said, "Please also ask Grandpa Guo to teach you." ”

"I still want to make meritorious contributions, and I still want not to hurt people, if there is such a good way, then I will go myself." Looking at Xu Xi, Zhang Weixian said angrily.

"Alright, I have an idea, but it's up to you to do it. If you dare to do it, I'll help you out in the back; If you don't dare to do it, then I haven't said it. ”

"You say, you say." Xu Xi hurriedly said.

"Those of us in the capital don't have many opportunities to make meritorious contributions, but it's not impossible. Although we can't do what Zhu Chunchen did, we can also think of a way. ”

"Now that the court has no money, whoever can get money for His Majesty will have the credit. Look at what Zhu Chunchen did, isn't he helping His Majesty get money? ”

"We nobles and relatives, I don't know anything else, you should know where the money is, right?"

Xu Xi thought for a long time with a calm face, and said slowly: "If you want to say that you have money, then it can only be those salt sellers." ”

Speaking of this, Xu Xi's gaze flickered.

British Duke Zhang Weixian looked at Xu Xi, nodded slowly and said: "Our earliest salt policy in the Ming Dynasty was the opening of grain, you should know about this matter, right?" ”

Xu Xi nodded and said, "Of course I know this." That was to solve the grain and grass of the border army and let the merchants transport grain to the frontier. As long as they transport the grain, they can use the grain to exchange it for salt from the border army, and then they can use the salt to buy salt. ”

"yes!" Hearing what Xu Xi had finished, Zhang Weixian sighed softly and continued: "At that time, no one dared to make ghosts, and merchants bought grain from all over the country and obediently transported it to the border gates. The soldiers at the border pass were able to eat good food and have a full stomach. ”

Later, in order to save costs, those merchants reclaimed wasteland at the border pass, hired people to cultivate the land at the border pass, and sent the grain produced there directly to the soldiers at the border pass, so that they did not need to buy it from other places or transport it on the road, saving a lot of money. This is called Shangtun. ”

"At that time, the frontier was flourishing, so it also gathered a lot of merchants and a lot of people, so at that time, the border was stable, the soldiers used their lives, and the frontier of the Ming Dynasty also had many victories."

After saying this, Zhang Weixian turned his head to look at Xu Xi and asked, "But do you know when all of this didn't exist?" ”

After hearing this, Xu Xi didn't speak for a long time, he now understood what Zhang Weixian wanted him to do.

This is indeed a lot of money, and it can indeed make His Majesty look up to him, and even make a great contribution to His Majesty.

But this credit is not easy to establish, this matter is not easy to do, and the money is even more difficult to get.

You know, what kind of money is all this money?

That's all salt money! Although the money for salt comes in a lot and widely, it is not easy to deal with the word salt whenever it comes across it.

The money from the salt, it is really hot, the slightest carelessness, then you can burn your hands, and even easy to burn yourself. When that time comes, I'm afraid the gains outweigh the losses.

Zhang Weixian looked at Xu Xi, and the expression on his face did not change.

This time it was Zhang Weixian's turn not to be in a hurry, he reached out and picked up the tea and took a sip, looking at Xu Xi quietly, waiting for him to give him an answer.

Originally, Zhang Weixian didn't want to talk to Xu Xi about this, but seeing that Xu Xi was so insistent, he simply told him about it.

If Xu Xi really dares to do it, then this is a credit; If he didn't dare to do it, Zhang Weixian wouldn't count on him.

But this matter must be done, but how to do it, I have to ask His Majesty what he means when I go back.

But this thing is not easy to do, it is hot, this is a certainty. If Xu Xi dares to do it, Zhang Weixian dares to believe that His Majesty will not only support Xu Xi, but also take a fancy to him.