Chapter Ninety-One: Meeting the King of Jin

This is the second time that King Jin has notified Zhang Zhimu to meet him. Zhang Zhimu knew that it would be bad if he didn't go.

After arranging the affairs of the family, Zhang Zhimu and Chen Yufeng took Li Jing and Liu Jun to Jinyang together. Regarding this Jin King Zhu Xianxuan, Zhang Zhimu did not have a good impression of him according to his understanding in his previous life.

Zhu Xianxuan was named the son of Jin in August of the third year of Chongzhen, and Chongzhen was crowned in the eighth year and inherited the throne. When Li Zicheng hit the city of Beijing, he tied two princes under the city, one was the king of Qin in Shaanxi, and the other was Zhu Xianxuan, the king of Jin. In the 17th year of Chongzhen, he surrendered to Li Zicheng, and Li Zicheng took him to Beijing. Later, Li Zicheng was beaten away by the Qing soldiers, and he took refuge in the Qing Dynasty. At the beginning, the Qing Dynasty had a high courtesy to him out of political needs. Since the third year of Shunzhi in the Qing Dynasty (1646), the Qing court no longer has been courteous to the vassal kings of the previous Ming Dynasty, and Zhu Xianxuan was killed in the fifth year of Shunzhi in the Qing Dynasty (1648). Also, the Qing Dynasty has sat firmly in the world, and it has nothing to do but spend so much money to support them, the old and the young, and to guard against them, it is better to die.

Zhang Zhimu thought, now that I'm here, can I change his fate. It's hard to say right now.

Several people came to Jinyang and found an inn close to the palace to stay. Then he came to the palace early the next morning. Unexpectedly, Zhang Zhimu didn't come, and the prince sent someone to invite him, but it was really not easy to come to see the prince.

When he went to the gate of the palace, he said that he had come to see the prince at the invitation of the prince. When he heard the door, he said, "The prince is so easy to see, you can see it when you say it." Go back and wait. The prince will naturally summon you when he has time. Zhang Zhimu said;" It's the prince who has sent someone to summon me twice, can you report it now. But the impatience at the door drove Zhang Zhimu and them out. There was no way, and several people had to go back to the inn. Zhang Zhimu thought to himself, when will this be, how can I have time to delay here.

Seeing that it was still early, Chen Yufeng said: "Zhimu, do you remember that I told you that I still have one more thing on my mind?" Zhang Zhimu said: "Remember, you see that you have been busy for a while, and you have long forgotten about it." Chen Yufeng said, "Let's go, come with me to settle this matter." ”

Zhang Zhimu asked Li Jing and Liu Jun to stay in the inn and wait for news from the palace. went out on horseback with Chen Yufeng and the others. Chen Yufeng took the lead and stopped in front of a Taoist temple at the foot of Longshan. The door of the Taoist temple is closed. Chen Yufeng stepped forward and tapped the knocker. After a while, a little Daogu came out of the door, and Shi Li asked, "Is there something wrong with the two donors?" ”

Chen Yufeng also returned the salute and said, "Little master, please inform the Miaozhen Daoist that Chen Yufeng, who is beautiful, wants to see him." Xiao Daogu closed the door and went back to report. After a while, Xiao Daogu opened the door again and said, "Donor, please." He let the two of them into the room.

Chen Yufeng and Zhang Zhimu had just sat for a while, and a Dao aunt came in. Chen Yufeng hurriedly stood up and said, "Senior sister has always been good. Only then did Zhang Zhimu know that Chen Yufeng was originally a senior sister. The visitor said, "Yes, thank you for your concern." The good ones couldn't be better. If you don't bother, even better. Dao Gu's words were full of resentment. Chen Yufeng was not angry, and introduced Zhang Zhimu to Daogu and said: "This is one of my nephews, and now he is the head of the kiln gang. Zhang Zhimu saw clearly that the Dao Gu who came in had clear eyebrows and beautiful eyes, and her eyes were extremely clear, and that kind of demeanor made people feel awe-inspiring. Zhang Zhimu admired from the bottom of his heart, he is really not a person in the mortal world. hurriedly saluted and said, "Uncle Shi is good." Dao Gu said lightly: "Sit down." Zhang Zhimu sat down. Dao Gu glanced at him and said, "I think you don't look good, donor." Everything must be done in moderation, otherwise there will be endless troubles. "Zhang Zhimu has just gotten married, and he doesn't know moderation in bed. In addition, the kiln gang is now full of problems, and it is also a little overworked. Zhang Zhimu hurriedly said, "Thank you Uncle for reminding me." "It is said that this Dao Gu should be about the same age as Chen Yufeng, but this Dao Gu looks to be about thirty years old, which may be related to the many years of cultivation here.

Dao Gu asked Chen Yufeng: "After so many years, what are you doing in my small view?" Chen Yufeng said: "We are now in good condition, and we want to take my sister back to enjoy Qingfu." Dao Gu snorted: "Hmph! The donor is kidding. If you had picked me up, what did you do twenty years ago? I'm fine now, and I don't worry about the Lord. I am here to atone for my sins, more than anything else. Only then did Zhang Zhimu understand that this was Chen Yufeng's confidante back then. It was for her sake that she killed her brother. Zhang Zhimu interjected and said, "Uncle Shi, my Uncle Chen is the most affectionate man I have ever seen." For so many years, he has been alone, and I know that he has always had someone in his heart who can't let go. But you're all young now. If you don't have the love of this life anymore, you won't have a chance. Why should everyone be so bitter? ”

Dao Gu smiled slightly: "I am far away from the world, I didn't expect to talk about love today." This 'Mountain Harrier' hero has never said anything about his relationship with me. Zhang Zhimu took over and said: "There are some things that are said to be there, and there are those who are not said." Miao Zhen said, "Come on, as soon as you come in, I will see it." The 'Mountain Harrier' came today to make a break with the past. Actually, with me, it's been a long time coming. 'Mountain Harrier' don't delay yourself any longer. I'm fine here, I don't have to worry about it anymore. ”

When Zhang Zhimu and Chen Yufeng left, they took out a large ingot of gold and put it on the table, saying that it was a little incense money. Miao Zhen smiled and said, "'Mountain Harrier' is to make a fortune, and when you make a move, it is a gold ingot." Back then, if you had such a lot of money, everything would have been different. Ha ha! ”

Chen Yufeng shook his head and sighed and said, "Alas! May we see each other again in the next life. Miaozhen said to Zhang Zhimu: "I see that you are not shallow, and you will do something." But remember everything, fame and fortune are fleeting. Don't be too obsessed. Everything goes with the flow. ”

Leaving Miaozhen, Chen Yufeng was in a complicated mood. It's a little melancholy, but it's also a little lighthearted. Zhang Zhimu said: "Uncle Chen, you have already mistaken someone. The same mistake cannot be made again. Chen Yufeng nodded and said, "Okay, you can arrange it when you go back." Listen to what people have to say, and don't let us be wishful thinking. ”

This Miao Zhen's original name was Dong Lian, who practiced martial arts with his father since he was a child, and once they were surrounded by a group of strong men and could not get out, but they were met by Chen Yufeng and a friend of his dart game, and the two helped. met Dong Lian in this way. These two were also fascinated by Dong Lian at the same time. At first, the two went to play with Dong Lian. But later, I slowly found out that this is not a matter of the two playing together. Slowly, a pair of good brothers began to drift apart, but neither of them would say that this was the reason, but they both secretly made excuses to play with Dong Lian. At this time, Dong Lian also felt the meaning of the two of them, but that era was not an era when you could fall in love freely. Dong Lian felt that the two of them were very good and were willing to come and go. Because it is useless to think elsewhere, the two of them can't even afford the bride price, and his parents can't let themselves talk about marriage with them. However, Dong Lian does like to associate with the two. Unexpectedly, the two of them did it after drinking once, and Chen Yufeng killed that good brother. When he was dying, the brother didn't blame Chen Yufeng at all, held Chen Yufeng's hand and said, "I went alone, and all three of them were relieved." But when Dong Lian heard that the two of them did it for themselves, and Chen Yufeng killed his good brother, Dong Lian couldn't bear it, and as a result, she couldn't afford it. Since then, Dong Lian has never seen Chen Yufeng again. In the end, Dong Lian became a monk.

After so many years, this is the first time Chen Yufeng has come to see Dong Lian. It's also here to end this fate.

When the two returned to the inn, Li Jing said that there had been no letter. Later, the shopkeeper said that if you want to see the prince, you must send silver, otherwise they will not inform you. Zhang Zhimu suddenly had an idea, so he came to the prince's mansion again, handed over a piece of silver without speaking, and said, "I have something urgent to see the prince." "The one on this door really knows the silver. He said, "You wait for me to report right away." After speaking, he went to report to Zhang Zhimu. After a while, he came back from this door, and said, "The prince is waiting for you, come in quickly." ”

When I entered the gate of the palace, and went inside, someone led me. Zhang Zhimu inevitably had to kowtow when he saw the prince, Zhang Zhimu couldn't help it, he couldn't do it if he didn't kowtow.

But what King Jin didn't expect was that the first thing Zhang Zhimu did after kowtowing was to ask the prince for silver. Zhang Zhimu said: "I came to see the prince on the order of the prince. But the door did not allow me, and I had no choice but to give him a piece of silver, and then I came in. Lord Wang, you say, is this piece of silver for you to come out? When the king of Jin heard this, he laughed and said, "Zhang Yishi, you are really a businessman, I should give this silver, and I will definitely let you take it when you leave in a while." Zhang Zhimu said: "Thank you." ”

King Jin said, "I have always wanted to see you since I heard about you. You have won a big face for us Shanxi people. You helped King Zhou relieve the siege of Kaifeng, and the emperor was shocked and praised us Shanxi people. You came back and donated food all the way, how many Shanxi people you saved. What a merit. ”

Zhang Zhimu said: "I have always wanted to see you, Lord Wang." Li Zicheng failed to succeed in Kaifeng, and now he is going all out in Shaanxi, to deal with the King of Qin If Shaanxi is not protected, we will be the next Kaifeng, and no one will come to save us by then. The prince has to make a plan in advance. King Jin said: "I also want to plan early, but Shanxi has been in drought for many years, and I have no food or silver, and I can't do anything." When Zhang Zhimu heard this, he was so angry in his heart, thinking that you have the fucking silver, and it was all his. But he couldn't say that, so he said: "The prince should tell the people of Shanxi that he keeps the money now and doesn't take it out to deal with Li Zicheng, and when Li Zicheng comes, it will be Li Zicheng's, see if you can keep it?" Some people just don't have the money to buy medicine, but they have the money to buy coffins. ”

When King Jin heard Zhang Zhimu's words, his heart was a little cold. Asked: "Zhang Yishi, can you take out some more silver, and we will prepare to deal with the thieves together." Zhang Zhimu lost his breath when he heard this. said: "Lord Wang, you know about Shanxi, I am just a small businessman, I donated food in Kaifeng, and I donated food when I returned to Shanxi, how can I still have silver to take it out." There are many big businesses in Shanxi, and we can think of ways together. After saying that, Zhang Zhimu thought to himself that it would be useless to count on this idiot to protect Shanxi. Plan ahead.

Seeing that the prince didn't speak again. Zhang Zhimu said: "There is another matter, please ask the prince, tell the imperial court, as far as I know, there are eight large merchants in Zhangjiakou, who are secretly sending grain and other materials to the Qing soldiers. Let the imperial court quickly think of an investigation and stop it. But the prince said: "You should tell the general army of Datong about these things." He is in charge of these things. ”

Zhang Zhimu thought to himself, there is no way to meet this stupid talent. By the way, isn't he short of silver? I have that ironworks. Zhang Zhimu said: "The prince is short of silver, but we Shanxi merchants are not short of silver." You can find a way to get these Shanxi businessmen to give money. King Jin said, "If there is a good way, let's talk about it." Zhang Zhimu said: "When I came, I learned that there is a government-run smelter in our Xiurong, and because the imperial court is now short of silver, it can no longer be opened. It is better to turn it into a private office, so that the imperial court can save some silver, and the smelter will not be closed. King Jin said: "This is a good idea, there are several smelting plants in Shanxi that cannot be operated." Xiurong's smelter, I know, it's a big smelting plant. It's a pity. However, it costs a lot of silver to buy such a smelter, can you afford it? Zhang Zhimu said: "I can't take out too much silver, but I can contact other big merchants to buy the silver together." How much silver does Xiurong's smelting factory cost? The prince said, "At least 50,000 taels, that's a dozen iron-making furnaces and a mine." ”

Zhang Zhimu thought to himself, you stupid prince is really not distressed about selling state-owned assets. For a little bit of silver, you'll sell the smelter. But Zhang Zhimu still pretended to be poor and said, "I can't take out so much silver at once." If I wait for me to sell some more goods, then I will find a merchant who has a stake. I will be able to scrape together all this money by the end of the year. King Jin's eyes lit up and he said, "How much silver can you take out at once now?" Zhang Zhimu said: "If I work hard, I can make up 20,000 taels." The king of Jin said, "Well, you take out the 20,000 taels first, and by the end of the year, you have to get the 30,000 taels, no matter whether you borrow or get it, just give me the silver." This way you can take over the smelter first. Zhang Zhimu asked: "What does the Ministry of Industry of the Imperial Court say?" The king of Jin said: "If the court can't allocate the money, it's all handed over to the management of various places." In this matter, just handle the paperwork with me. If you don't leave, you'll get the paperwork done tomorrow. When your money arrives, send someone to take over the smelter. "This King of Jin seems to be too short of silver, and he also wants to sell the smelter as soon as possible.

Zhang Zhimu said: "Okay, just do what Prince An said." When I go back, I will ask my family to gather 20,000 taels of silver and send them over anyway. Then I'll go back to this first. "Farewell, Lord. When Zhang Zhimu was about to go out, he was waiting here at the door. personally returned the silver to Zhang Zhimu, and nodded his head. Zhang Zhimu thought to himself, play this game with me, you are hundreds of years apart.

Leaving the palace, Zhang Zhimu returned directly to the inn and told a few people about what he had talked about with King Jin. Zhang Zhimu said: "I thought that this smelter should be between 100,000 and 200,000 taels. Unexpectedly, King Jin sold it for 50,000 taels. Chen Yufeng said: "This King of Jin is a money fan, he has not only thrown off his burden, but also earned silver. It is equivalent to picking up silver for nothing. ”

Zhang Zhimu said: "Early tomorrow morning, Li Jing and Liu Jun, you two will immediately go back to the kiln gang, tell Lu Chengxiang about this matter, and then take Li Dong as the main body, organize a team to take over the kiln gang, and let Liu Yun allocate fifty people to be the factory guard team first, and then withdraw when the real guard team is established." The personnel are on standby, and the silver will be pulled to Jinyang first. ”

The next day, Li Jing and Liu Jun went back to Yaogang early in the morning. Zhang Zhimu came to the palace on time and handled the documents for transferring the Xiurong Smelting Factory to Zhang Zhimu in the palace. The document is clearly written, including the transfer of ownership of the smelter and the mine to Zhang Zhimu. Payment method, divided into two payments. The first batch of silver arrives and the paperwork takes effect. It seems that the king of Jin was afraid that Zhang Zhimu would regret it, and for the sake of insurance, he also established a liability for breach of contract. Zhang Zhimu thought to himself, now I am afraid that it will be me, and I will not be able to get this smelter immediately.

Li Jing and the others arrived at the kiln gang and told Huang Yukun, Lu Chengxiang, and Yan Boju about the situation, and Lu Chengxiang said: "Since Mr. Zhang has decided, we will send the silver to Jinyang first." Now call Li Dong over. This matter was his suggestion to Mr. Zhang, and Mr. Zhang asked him to be in charge of the smelter, so let him organize the personnel. The rest will wait for Mr. Zhang to come back. ”

Huang Yukun said: "Let Liu Yun and Li Jing take someone to Jinyang with the silver car, it will be safer." Complete all the formalities as soon as possible, come back as soon as possible, and prepare to take over the smelter. ”

As soon as Li Dong heard that Zhang Zhimu had really bought the smelter, he was very happy, and hurriedly said to everyone: "This is a cash cow." He had to go to Jinyang with Liu Yun, he said that there were a lot of things, and he had to make it clear to Zhang Zhimu now.

Yan Boju said: "If you can arrange your own work, you will go." Li Dong said: "No problem, our little work, without me, they can already do a good job." ”

In this way, Liu Yun and the others pulled three silver cars, each of which was not heavy, and the speed was much faster. When he arrived in Jinyang, Zhang Zhimu didn't let the unloading truck, so he directly pulled the silver to the palace. The palace sent someone to count the silver and issued a formalities. Three days later, the palace sent people to Xiurong and the people from Yaogang to go to Xiurong Smelting Factory to handle the handover.

Zhang Zhimu and others returned to the kiln together. On the way, Li Dong said to Zhang Zhimu: "I heard you tell your family that you will send fifty people to be the factory protection team." I know you don't know anything about that smelter. Now there are more than 800 officers and soldiers in the smelter. Because there were more than a thousand prisoners in the mine. There are also more than 1,500 workers. Workers are also not allowed to come and go casually. If there are fewer people, you can't manage it. ”

Zhang Zhimu said: "Then send all our soldiers over to help maintain it, and when we take over, everything will be stable." Let's see how many people are enough. The key is for our managers to keep up. "Actually, Zhang Zhimu is still thinking that these prisoners are all felons, and there must be people in them who I use. Among them, there must be no shortage of warriors and people with thoughts and brains. In my previous life, there was a statistic that there were more people with blood type O who were politicians, and there were more prisoners.

Li Dong said: "There are all kinds of talents in this smelter, so take them all over first." We are treated much better than they are. In fact, as long as the smelter is operating a little less, their salary will come out. ”