With the passage of time, Bianjing City entered a cold winter, covered with heavy snow, the officials of Bianjing Province and the garrison of the Guards often took to the streets, sweeping the floor and removing the snow, and with the arrival of Chinese New Year's Eve, the streets of Bianjing also had a bit more lively atmosphere, but some discord was probably some merchants who were killed some time ago.

On weekdays, these businessmen wear brocade robes, hugging each other, and the servants around them don't know how many, living a life of brocade clothes and jade food, which is very enviable, but during this time, people found that these businessmen are honest, after all, they killed a lot of people some time ago, and they are all some famous and surnamed characters. Thinking that those high-ranking characters have now either become prisoners or been beheaded, and even affected many officials, a storm suddenly blew up in the streets and alleys of Bianjing, making people cold.

Pan Lou is still Pan Lou, but the number of merchants entering during this period is much less, even if they enter Pan Lou, they are all cautious, as before the loud noise, the mouth of the wanton comment on the country, or wanton romance is very rare. Even the businessmen who were rewarded by Li Jing some time ago did not have any arrogant appearance at this time, and their faces were sad, as if they were dead fathers and mothers, where did they have any happy appearances.

"A storm and snow killed the entire Bianjing City, this winter is really cold!" Pan Lou boss Pan Niandu sighed in a low voice. This era is an era of no entertainment, places like Panlou are places where businessmen and students gather, and now with a massacre by Li Jing, more than 40 big businessmen in Bianjing are dying and exiled, and even the New Year's flavor of Bianjing City is a little less.

"I'm afraid this is the last time Hongwu Tianzi spent time in Bianjing, and he will be in Yanjing in the future." A faint voice came from behind Pan Niandu, and he saw a pale-faced old man, standing behind, but what was surprising was that he was pale and beardless, as if he was an inner servant.

"Why is Dong Lao here?" A strange light flickered in Pan Niandu's eyes, and he quickly regained a trace of clarity, as if it had never happened.

"Hongwu Tianzi started with business travel, and after he had money, there were people who had ambitions, and weren't those businessmen the same? Relying on some money, I want to become a master, it's really a dream, not to mention that Li Jing is insidious and cunning, even those who read books probably won't be willing, who also wants their power to be divided by a group of businessmen, and they are also people they don't look down on in the past, so what is Cao Jing's identity, the celebrity around Li Jing, who has followed Li Jing for many years, Li Jing will promote others to the head of the household department Shangshu I don't know how many people oppose it, if it wasn't for the lack of money in the imperial court, how could Cao Jing become the minister of the political hall? Even now, he is often attacked by others. Dong Lao said disdainfully.

Pan Niandu touched his nose, and his face also showed a hint of embarrassment, in fact, he also bought 500,000 taels of bonds this time, which is considered high among many businessmen, but Li Jing did not settle accounts with him, the reason is very simple, he often treats scholars well, often builds bridges and paves roads, and has some good reputation in Bianjing City, otherwise, this Pan Lou may have been sealed long ago.

Now that Dong Lao said this, he also felt a little embarrassed in his heart, because he also wanted to go further, at least to make himself have a little status in front of those officials, instead of being cautious when he saw any official. It's a pity that Li Jing didn't reward him, and he didn't even give him a plaque, which made him curious.

"Dong Lao, you said, I often sponsor those scholars, and I often build bridges and pave roads, and in the entire Bianjing City, there is no good deed that I have not done, but why didn't Your Majesty even give me a plaque?" Pan Niandu suddenly said with some dissatisfaction. As soon as he thought of this, he felt a little aggrieved in his heart, even if he was a little afraid of the old man in front of him, he couldn't help but say it.

"Hey, the will of heaven is unpredictable, although I don't know why, but there is always something wrong with you, otherwise, Li Jing will not let go of such an opportunity to buy people's hearts." Dong Lao thought for a while, shook his head and said: "You can think about this matter again, but since Li Jing didn't punish you, it's already good, don't ask for anything else, you can do whatever you want in the future, make money in a low-key manner, isn't it good?" Pan Lou still has some reputation in Beijing, as long as he doesn't make any big mistakes, he can still pass on to Pan Lou. ”

"Yes." Pan Niandu nodded, his face was bitter, but everyone else took some benefits, but he didn't have anything, maybe he took some interest, but if he put 500,000 taels of silver here, I'm afraid he can get a lot of money! It's definitely better than buying bonds, but what else can be said now?

"Don't sponsor those students in the future." After Dong Lao walked a few steps, he suddenly thought of something, stopped and whispered.

"Why? Isn't that true of all the merchants in the world? Pan Niandu was very curious, sponsoring students can not only bring a good reputation, but also bring themselves a higher prestige, after those students get their own funding, they will help themselves to speak outside, will preach their own benevolence and kindness, isn't it a very good thing?

"The students may be the protégés of the Son of Heaven, these students are the future of the imperial court, what is your intention in helping these students?" Dong Lao said in a low voice: "Do you want these students to speak for you in the future?" Collusion between officials and business? ”​

Pan Niandu's face was pale and trembling, at this time he finally knew why he had done so many good deeds, but he didn't see Li Jing's commendation, it was actually for this reason that he funded the scholars, which was something that almost all the merchants in Bianjing were willing to do, and they didn't feel that there was anything wrong, but they didn't expect it to be so serious in the eyes of the imperial court.

"You want to help the students, remember, don't name them, you can give them to the government, the academy and even the Guozijian, but you must not name the students, it is best to communicate with the government." Dong Lao said in a low voice: "The Son of Heaven encourages business, and he also encourages businessmen to support education, but he will never let you support a certain scholar, and your money should at least be distributed by the government, and you must not come by yourself." ”

Pan Niandu's face was pale and trembling, only at this time did he know what kind of mistake he had made, I am afraid that if he hadn't done some good deeds and didn't make any mistakes, I'm afraid he would have been unlucky now.

"The white expanse outside the window is enough to obliterate many things, and you can only live longer if you grasp the truth. Businessmen, can not have power, can not look up to power. Dong Lao shook his head, and his trembling figure disappeared into the room.