"Wei Gongzi, after we sign, you will give us the IOU immediately, right?" A large household asked.

All the big families looked at Wei Bao together.

"Make an IOU, definitely fight, didn't I just say it?" Wei Bao patted his chest and promised: "It's done on the spot, right away!" We are all standing and peeing, not to mention that I will give you a written certificate, even if I Wei Bao verbally promised something, there is never a time when I don't count! ”

When everyone heard Wei Bao say this, they were relieved.

In fact, the ancestral family did not convince the public in the past, which was also the key factor that contributed to their final compromise with Wei Bao.

"That's okay, just believe Wei Gongzi!"

"I hope that Wei Gongzi will keep his promise!"

Wei Bao was overjoyed when he heard this, and hurriedly said: "If I don't want to pay back everyone's money, I don't want to develop well in the local area, and be good friends with everyone, why bother doing this?" Everyone should write down their names, home addresses, signatures, seals, and hand masks to be pressed clearly! Don't affect everyone's exchange of silver in the future! ”

So everyone signed and stamped on the letter of mention that Wei Bao took out.

There are already many signatures and drawings on Wei Jiazhuang's proposal letter, all of which were left by a group of poor students with Xiucai and Tongsheng fame when Wei Bao held a fellowship last time. There are also many classmates of Shanhai Academy who have no reputation.

In this era, those who read are valuable, and those who can read are valuable.

However, the value of those poor scholars is still not as good as that of these big families!

These people's signatures are really weighty, and they are what Wei Bao wants the most, and there is a lot of power! This is not one or two, it is the signature of all the big families in Liaoxi and Liaodong except for Wu Xiang and Zu Dashou!

Wei Bao is not worried that Wu Xiang will not sign the pledge, anyway, his Wu family's gold, Wei Bao has not returned it!

If Wu Xiang dares not to sign the pledge, Wei Bao will not return the gold!

While everyone signed and drew the seal, Wei Bao also wrote IOUs to them one by one.

Wang Qiuya has a document at hand, which lists in detail the amount of gambling money exported by the main families in Liaoxi and Liaodong in the Tiandi firm last time!

Wei Bao issued an IOU to these large families according to half of the amount for a period of three years, and returned it with zero interest.

Before signing, the big families were very panicked, but after signing and getting the IOU, everyone was calm and relieved.

Wei Bao was right before, these days, these days, these big families have not been able to sleep peacefully, such a large sum of money has not been settled, I don't know if I can get it back, no one will feel at ease.

Now, although it is only half of the return after three years, it has finally settled, and the big stone dust in their hearts has settled, and everyone feels much more relaxed.

"Tonight, in the Maritime Chamber of Commerce Hall, I have a treat, everyone must appreciate their faces and have a drink together." Wei Bao enthusiastically invited everyone.

Many people refused.

Wei Bao smiled: "If you don't drink, go sit down, eat some food, listen to the tune, the friends who came today are to recognize me Wei Bao and my Wei Jiazhuang!" ”

When everyone heard Wei Bao say this, they had to stop refusing and accept it one after another. Anyway, it's like Wei Bao, and I'm not afraid of drinking more, and I'm not afraid that my ancestors will be weird. Moreover, the law does not blame the public, everyone goes, and not one or two people go.

After everyone left, Wu Sanfu congratulated Wei Bao with a smile: "Xiaobao, you can send it now!" Now a group of big families in Liaoxi and Liaodong should not be looking for trouble with you anymore, you will at least earn half of the gambling money, and as for the other half, with your intelligence, it will definitely be doubled in three years. ”

Wei Bao smiled: "If it's just doubled, it's too little!" I want a power of power! ”

"What do you call power?" Wu Sanfu said strangely.

"Ten times, a hundred times." Wei Bao smiled slightly.

Wu Sanfu smacked his tongue suddenly, looked at Wei Bao noncommittally, and felt that Wei Bao had said something big.

At this time, Wu Xuexia turned around from the corner, "I believe Wei Gongzi's words." ”

Wu Sanfu smiled: "You just believe in your family Wei Gongzi so much? Even if he has a good relationship with a group of big families, our Wu family will not embarrass him, but the poor have no money in their hands, how many rich people are there? How is it possible to make tenfold or hundredfold profits by doing business? ”

Wei Bao nodded: "What Brother Sanfu said is very reasonable, just relying on doing some business in Liaoxi will definitely not work!" ”

"How? Are you still planning to do business outside the border? Still want to rob our Wu family's job? Then my dad is going to be angry. Wu Sanfu reminded.

"He does his, I do mine, and I don't sell the same thing with him, besides, I don't have any goods in my hand, right?" Wei Bao said with a smile: "As long as I don't sell wine, grain, and cloth, I won't rob your Wu family's business, right?" ”

When Wu Sanfu and Wu Xuexia heard this, their eyes were shocked, they didn't expect Wei Bao to know everything, and his Wu family made a lot of money by pouring out daily necessities! The Jin merchants in the north and the Wu family in the northeast all relied on this hand to make money, and they could deal with the Mongols and Jiannu to have silver!

In fact, every time Jiannu entered the customs to plunder the Han people, or plundered the Han people in Liaodong, the main harm to the Ming Dynasty was to take away the population, kill the population, and make the population of the north drop repeatedly.

As for the economic damage, it is not big, in ancient times, there was not just a little grain, cattle and sheep, and a lot of slaves were robbed, and before they went home, they scored a small half of it, and when they went back, they shared another point, in fact, there was nothing. There is still a large gap and needs to be purchased from the Han Chinese.

The price outside the gate was several times that of the gate, and in the end, the money from Jiannu still flowed back to the Jin merchants and the Wu family, which were powerful Han merchants.

Mao Wenlong would also do a little private trading of Jiannu and Mongols, but not as fierce as the Jin merchants and the Wu family, Mao Wenlong mainly relied on controlling the sea route between Korea and Denglai, collecting taxes, and relying on the big merchants from Jiangnan to the Northeast to make money.

Therefore, the Jin merchants are big pests, and the Wu family is small pests. Mao Wenlong is fine. This is the intelligence information that Wei Bao has collected so far.

"The key is that you can't have the opportunity to go out to do business, and the internal and external cards are very strict." Wu Sanfu smiled: "You are also longing and dreaming." Even if he becomes the son-in-law of the Wu family, my father will not give you the silver for nothing. ”

Wei Bao smiled, noncommittal.

Wei Bao, Wu Sanfu, and Wu Xuexia chatted in Jiang Yingzhao's signing room, because Wei Bao still had to wait for Sun Chengzong's summons, so he couldn't leave yet. Wei Bao is dead, and Sun Chengzong will definitely ask him about donating 240,000 taels of silver.

Wu Xiang and Zu Dashou were already on their way out of the Governor's Mansion, and when they left the gate of the Governor's Mansion, Zu Dashou asked Zu Kefa to inquire about how Wei Bao entered the Governor's Mansion, and he already knew that Wei Bao was looking for a reason to donate 240,000 taels of silver to Inspector Sun.

"Now Wei Bao's matter, let it go for a while! The most important thing is to fight Jiannu once, save the reputation of Liaodong, and don't let the court feel that we are incompetent and useless. As long as the reputation of Liaodong and Liaoxi is stabilized, it is effortless to deal with a young man in the township, even if Wei Bao finds the emperor Laozi as a backer, it is useless, and it still depends on us to fight! Zu Dashou said to Wu Xiang.

Wu Xiang nodded and said, "Brother is right!" You have to rely on your brother to fight. A few people from the Guannai are not as good as our border army. ”

"Now the fighting is mainly concentrated in Jinzhou to the west of Shenyang and Lianshan Pass to the east of Shenyang. Jiannu is mobilizing a large army to attack Mao Wenlong's territory, and this is the best opportunity for us! Is there any news from your people? Do you know the deployment of Jiannu's troops? Zu Dashou asked.

Although the Wu Xiang people have been in the customs for a long time, in western Liaoning, and hardly go out of the customs, the intelligence network is woven by Wu Xiang, mainly relying on the activities in Mongolia and Jiannu, the Wu family merchants in eastern Liaodong, and some Jiannu businesses that have dealings with the Wu family merchants, as well as the Mongol merchants to obtain information.

"It's not clear." Wu Xiang said.

Zu Dashou frowned: "It's not clear, or don't you want to say it?" I know you've always been disapproving of the use of troops against Jiannu. ”

"No, whatever my brother wants, I will support it." Wu Xiang hurriedly explained: "But Jiannu has always wanted to seize the entire Guanwai, even if he storms Mao Wenlong's territory this time, he will still not relax the war in the Jinzhou area. ”

"What I want to know is, do we have a chance to retake Quang Ninh?" Zu Dashou looked at Wu Xiang's eyes: "This problem, not only I am concerned, but also the Inspector is equally concerned!" ”

"It's hard to say, but there's half a chance." Wu Xiang analyzed: "Quang Ninh will leave at least 10,000 enemy troops, depending on how many men and horses we produce, how many siege artillery and bombardments we promote. Brother, if you lose, isn't it more criticized than standing still? Moreover, when we attacked Jiannu at this time, didn't we help Mao Wenlong break the siege? ”

"You don't understand! We must fight once, fight, it is beneficial to us, hold on to the troops, let Mao Wenlong steal the limelight! I can tell you that although Inspector Sun applied for silver from the imperial court, in fact, he didn't want to fight, just made a show! The Overseer has always advocated defending as an offense, and is not willing to take risks easily! And now there are rumors that the factory is already dissatisfied with Inspector Sun and is planning to replace him! Zu Dashou said softly: "Replacing Sun Chengzong is beneficial to us!" Even if you lose, it's a benefit! In that case, Sun Chengzong will leave, if Sun Chengzong does not leave, the imperial court's plan to defend the border will still focus on Mao Wenlong's side! Whoever comes is better than Sun Chengzong staying in office! ”

Wu Xiang nodded suddenly in realization: "But, what if you defeat Guangning and win?" Now Wei Bao didn't say that he wanted to donate 240,000 taels of silver? With silver, eighty percent of it is to be beaten. ”

"If he wins, Sun Chengzong will go faster!" Zu Dashou smiled: "Can Guangning hold it?" If it weren't for our repeated requests to go to war, would Sun Chengzong urge the imperial court to pay the military salary? He always showed us a pretence. ”

Wu Xiang sighed, and now he understood everything, "As long as the fight starts, Sun Chengzong will not be good whether he wins or loses." If he doesn't fight, Sun Chengzong doesn't have to bear any responsibility, and with his status as an emperor, even if he is Gonggong Wei, he can't easily move him, right? ”

"Not bad." Zu Dashou nodded.

"But, why did Sun Chengzong still leave Wei Bao in the Governor's Mansion, he could drive Wei Bao away just now?" Wu Xiang wondered.

"You, you're still a shrewd and sophisticated businessman! If Zu Dashou drove people away after knowing that someone was going to donate money to help build slaves, do you think this matter would not be revealed? In that case, what would everyone say about him? Didn't everyone know that the Inspector said that he wanted to organize a counterattack against Jiannu, but in fact he didn't have the intention to do so at all? Zu Dashou said: "Therefore, Sun Chengzong will definitely accept Wei Bao's donation!" But after receiving the money, as for when and how to fight, isn't it still up to him to have the final say? ”

Wu Xiang suddenly realized his expression: "Now I understand everything, what my brother said is right, I can't make sure that the Inspector is the same as before, let us build the castle all the way to the past, and we will not engage with Jiannu in short arms, nor will we let people attack Guangning." In that case, the fight is equivalent to not fighting, and he also got a large sum of money in vain. ”

"You're right, Master Inspector will never easily change his tactics against Jiannu! If you want silver, it is to cover people's eyes and ears, because you are afraid that people will say that he only defends and does not attack! Zu Dashou said: "So we must find a way to let him attack!" Especially if we attack on our side of Liaodong, otherwise the silver will be taken and pasted to Mao Wenlong. ”

"But why should we influence the Inspector's thoughts?" Wu Xiang shook his head and said, "If he just wants to pretend to fight a dozen, or use the silver on Mao Wenlong's side, we can't talk, right?" ”

"At this point, we really have to learn from Wei Bao! Wei Bao can make a joint promotion for his Wei Jiazhuang, why can't we? If the entire big families in Liaoxi and Liaodong said that they wanted to recapture Guangning, could he not listen? Zu Dashou said.

"Yes, we can put pressure on him. I'm afraid that Jiang is still old and spicy, so I can't say that I can't move the superintendent. Wu Xiang said: "In my opinion, my brother's thoughts are all within the expectations of the Supervisor." ”

Of course he thinks of everything! Inspector Sun, Lord Yuan Keli of Denglai, are all connected! When you didn't see the discussion just now, every word of the Inspector was towards the side of the Dongjiang Army! Zu Dashou's eyes were fierce, "So we must fight for it ourselves, and we must not be too soft and be at the mercy of these Beijing officials!" The fate of the people of Liaoxi and Liaodong must be in our own hands! Here, we're in charge! ”

"Understood, brother." Wu Xiang was convinced by Zu Dashou's words.

Not long after Wu Xiang and Zu Dashou left the Governor's Mansion, Sun Chengzong summoned Wei Bao.

"Meet the Overseer!" Wei Bao performed the etiquette of a talented student.

"You're Wei Bao? I've heard your name a few times during this time. Sun Chengzong's face was kind and kind: "Sit down." ”

"Don't dare, in front of the Inspector, the student can stand." Wei Bao was not at a loss because of meeting the super members of the imperial court, and stood generously.

Sun Chengzong nodded to Wei Bao's appreciation, and then said to Jiang Yingzhao beside him: "Who said that there are no talents in Liaoxi?" This Wei Gongzi is young, and he can see that he will be a very good talent in the future. ”

"Yes." Jiang Yingzhao echoed the words of the Inspector.

"The Overseer has won the prize." Wei Bao said modestly.

Sun Chengzong said with a smile: "Confucianism is mainly based on the cultivation of the heart, and all its great use is based on the heart. The hand is here, and the hand is here. Buddhism takes "clear mind and insight" as the work and mind, Taoism takes "refining the heart and refining nature" as the work and the mind, and Confucianism takes "keeping the mind and cultivating nature" as the work and the mind. "University" mentions "righteousness and sincerity", "The Mean" mentions "spontaneous and exhaustive", and Mencius mentions "dedication" in addition to "cultivating one's heart". However, for this number, it is easier to get into the words "keep your mind and cultivate your nature" in a single way. Those who "keep their hearts" also have their own hearts; Those who "cultivate nature" cultivate their nature, that is, they cultivate their natural nature. The innate nature of human beings is pure and good. Therefore, as long as you keep it and don't lose it, don't be turned by the acquired state and materialistic desires, and then you can enter the holy land and be in harmony with the heavens. Therefore, Mencius said, "Those who do their best know their nature; If you know its nature, you will know the sky. Keep its heart and nurture its nature, so everything is also good. "Mind is the foundation of dedication, and nurturing is the foundation of nature. In addition to the opening statement of "the meaning of the mandate of heaven, the nature of the word", the words of sincerity and sincerity say: "Only the world is sincere, in order to be able to do its best." If you can do your best, you can do your best; If you can fulfill the nature of people, you can fulfill the nature of things; If you can exhaust the nature of things, you can praise the transformation and education of heaven and earth; You can praise the transformation and education of heaven and earth, and you can participate in heaven and earth. This clearly indicates that if people can cultivate their whimsical efforts and expand them, they will be able to participate in heaven and earth. This is all the most concise and clear set of "the unity of heaven and man". ”

Wei Bao was sweating when he heard this, and secretly thought that you have said a lot, what are you talking about? I'm here to send you silver to help you attack Jiannu, what are you telling me about Confucian cultivation?

However, Wei Bao still nodded obediently frequently, to show that he was listening very seriously.

"Cultivating one's mind is not only the foundation of one's dedication to one's nature, but also an indispensable part of refining one's mind and seeing one's mind. The refining of the heart and nature of Taoism must start from storage; That is, the same is true of the clear mind of Buddhism, so how can it be clear if it does not exist? How can you see it if you don't raise it? And also, after the Ming, it must still be saved; After seeing it, it must be raised, and it will be light for a long time. Otherwise, after cultivating the evidence, after attaining enlightenment, one can become a Buddha on the ground, but after the enlightenment, one can also lose oneself on the ground. The preservation of the husband's mind, that is, after becoming a saint and becoming a Buddha, there must be no momentary mistakes, and there must not be a single thought! A little slack, as soon as this heart is released, it will be defeated. Therefore, it is necessary to keep it and not lose it, and only after death. Sun Chengzong continued.

Wei Bao was completely speechless, what are you talking about? He didn't know how to answer except nodding.

"Wei Gongzi, what do you think?" Sun Chengzong asked.

Wei Bao's head swept through three black lines, not only did you say it yourself, but you also asked me what I was doing? What do I know?

Wei Bao only has a slight dabbling in Confucian culture, and most of it is due to the preparation for the scientific examination some time ago and the participation in the county examination, the hospital examination and the government examination. Otherwise, let alone express your opinions, you can't understand what the other party is saying, and you don't know what Sun Chengzong wants to express?

"The nature of the mind is only one thing, and it is divided into parts, so it is convenient to preach. Lifting the heart is the sexual view, and lifting the nature is the heart. That is, the heart is sex, that is, sex is the heart. Not only that, but heaven and destiny and heart and sex and reason and Tao must all be one. It can also be said that they are all unified in the Tao. It is divided into the Tao and has a different name, and the name is different but the body is the same. "Heaven and earth are one with me, and all things are one with me." If this is true of reason, it is especially true when it comes to work. From the quiet pole to the heart, the heart of the family can be proven. In heaven is life, righteousness is reason, in man-made nature, the Lord is in the body, in fact, it is one. The heart is the sky, and when it is exhausted, it will be intellectual, and the intellectuality will know the sky. Sex and the way of heaven are not known if you are not self-satisfied. Therefore, it is said: 'Do not get it and hear it.' "Gai can only know it tacitly, and he can meet it. Self-care is the heaven, self-receptive to the nature of the word, and self-existence of the heart of the words of others. The nature of sex is called life, the nature of sex is called heaven, the visible nature of sex is called the heart, and the active nature is called affection. All those who count it, one also. The saint is named because of the matter, so it is different. In fact, not only heaven, fate, sex, mind, and reason can be combined and all belong to one; That is, everything in the world is indispensable, and it is unified into the Tao. Therefore, Confucius said: When you hear the Tao, you can die at night. Ambition in the way, according to virtue, according to benevolence, in art. The Tao must not be departed from; can be separated, not the way. Therefore, cultivating the saint is the first to cultivate the Tao. Wei Bao hardened his head and recited what little shallow knowledge he knew.

If Sun Chengzong hadn't asked him, Wei Bao would never have taken the initiative to talk about this kind of topic.

"Wei Gongzi is really knowledgeable." Sun Chengzong said with a smile: "No wonder you can be so aware of the righteousness and donate to the imperial court and the border army." Wei Gongzi, can you tell me why you donated the 240,000 taels of silver to the imperial court? Got something to ask for? ”

Wei Bao secretly breathed a sigh of relief, finally don't talk to me about Confucian practice, we just met, you seem to be very familiar with me, is this really good?

"If I go back to the words of the Governor, I don't want anything, I just simply hope that the court is good, the Ming Dynasty is good, and the people of Liaoxi and Liaodong are safe." Wei Bao replied, "I didn't think about the rest that much. ”

When Sun Chengzong heard this, he stared at Wei Bao with deep eyes.

Sun Chengzong was speculating about Wei Bao's intentions, if he said that he loved the imperial court, Sun Chengzong would definitely not believe it.

"If everyone can have the same idea as Wei Gongzi, why worry about the immortality of Jiannu?" Sun Chengzong smiled indifferently: "However, since Wei Gongzi is willing to give such a large sum of money to help the border army, he is meritorious to the imperial court, and if he has any requirements, just mention it." ”

"Not really." Wei Bao said: "If the Inspector wants me to say the same, please sign the letter of lifting Wei Jiazhuang." ”

Wei Bao secretly thought that you asked me to say it anyway, so he simply moved out the matter of lifting Weijiazhuang.

Wei Bao actually didn't care whether Sun Chengzong agreed or not, no matter how high Sun Chengzong's position was, for the local people in western Liaoning, he was also a foreign official, and he couldn't afford to be signed by a group of big families in Liaodong in western Liaoning.

"Wei Gongzi has worked hard for the people in the township, which is a good thing." After Sun Chengzong listened, he seemed to be relieved, "The old man signed it." It is indeed not an easy task to deal with natural and man-made disasters in four miles of barren land. ”

Wei Bao was overjoyed when he heard this: "Thank you, Master Inspector." As for the rest, I hope that the Inspector can win the battle and keep the western and eastern Liaoxi safe. ”