Henan Mansion, post station.

It was August 15, and Cao Hao was still stranded in Luoyang. I heard that the secretary of the Criminal Department has arrived at the governor's yamen and has begun to review the case of civil unrest in Henan.

Cao Hao's side finally waited for Kangxi's will and ordered him to hand over the case file in his hand to the governor's yamen and return to Beijing.

Jiang Jian finally breathed a sigh of relief, it seemed that the emperor still treated Cao Hao differently and wanted to get him out before the case was decided.

Since the officers and soldiers broke the Shenyan Village for half a month, Cao Hao looked very leisurely, and often went to the market in the city to hang out, or he would go to the restaurant, and occasionally go out of the city.

Cao Song's colleagues, seeing that Cao Hao was so comfortable, inevitably chattered in private. It's just that he is sour, and he doesn't dare to suppress the bandits, and he doesn't say anything.

Only Jiang Jian, who followed Cao Hao, knew that what he did and did was profound.

"Adults are concerned about farmland, but do you have any plans?" Jiang Jian couldn't help but ask.

"In this farmland, the main crops are grain and sorghum, and the rest is wheat, beans and cotton. Huguang has already started to grow double-cropping rice, which is not only self-sufficient, but also supplies Gangnam and Gyeonggi. I heard that the intensive cultivation in the south of the Yangtze River has reached five or six stones per mu of rice. Here in Henan, there are many hills, few fertile fields, crops are not drought tolerant, and in some places, one stone per mu is good. In addition to the land rent, the tenants had difficulty in having enough food to eat. In the event of drought and flood, they will pawn their children and sell their daughters, and their families will be ruined. Cao Hao said.

When Jiang Jian heard this, he felt a cold sweat break out on his head.

Although he is not as good as Cao Hao, he is from a family of eunuchs, but he is also a squire and has not suffered from famine. He only thought that Cao Hao was unwilling to come to Henan Mansion in vain, and wanted to make some political achievements to show the king above, but he didn't expect that he still had some insights on farming.

"The war in the northwest is not interrupted every year or two, and the drought and floods are not man-made. The people take food as the sky, and if they want Henan to be stable, they have to let the people fill their stomachs. Cao Hao said.

Corrupt officials and corrupt officials, now he can't control it, and in a few years, there will be a "copying emperor" who will come to power, and free people will care. Cao Hao just wanted to do what he could to do something for the people in this poor place.

In addition, it is selfishness, since he hit the holy car to rehe to escape the summer, the sixteenth elder brother has told him several times, which is the way to make money.

What kind of place is this Henan? It is the hinterland of the Central Plains, even if in a few hundred years, the population is approaching the 100 million mark, this Henan is also a famous granary, which can not help but be self-sufficient and can supply other provinces.

Cao Hao remembers clearly that half of the flour eaten at the small family is produced in Henan.

In addition to wheat, Henan also has two specialties, namely cotton and tobacco.

Although these corn and potatoes have been introduced for hundreds of years, they have not been popularized and are only in the Gyeonggi Zhili area. Both of these things are drought-tolerant and can grow on hills.

Cao Hao told Jiang Jian about his intentions. That is to promote the two new crops of corn and potatoes in the hilly areas of Henan, to promote the winter wheat and cotton on the fertile land, and to grow tobacco on the inferior land. In this way, the peasants' incomes will increase, and the localities will be stable.

Not only Henan, if this method is appropriate, Shanxi, Zhili and other provinces can also appropriately promote agriculture according to the actual situation of each province.

Jiang Jian listened to Cao Hao's eloquent talk, and was extremely shocked in his heart, but he really didn't expect that Cao Hao was not just a new insight, but also a hill and a valley in his chest.

He added solemnity to his face, bowed and said: "Thanks to the plan, the people of Henan are very lucky!" ”

Seeing him like this, Cao Hao was a little embarrassed, and hurriedly helped him up and said, "Don't shame me if it's not phosphorus, it's just a piece of paper." Whether it can be made depends on the future. ”

Hearing this, Jiang Jian remembered that the harvest in this official warehouse was wheat and millet, and if he wanted to change the crops, he had to ask for a decree.

"Please also ask Fei Fei to help me draw up an excerpt and explain this farming matter. This promotion of new crops is not something that can be done overnight, and it is related to local people's livelihood. With the emperor's surname, the whole province will not be allowed to implement it. If I expected it to be true, it should be piloted in Henan Province first. In this way, there are more hills and mountains, and the more effective it is, so that the doubters are silenced. Cao Hao said loudly.

Nothing else is fine, but Jiang Jian was puzzled about the tobacco, hesitated for a moment, and asked: "Isn't your lord in Beijing advocating a ban on smoking?" ”

"It's better to be blocked. Since tobacco was introduced to our country in the previous dynasty, the northern provinces have gradually become popular, can it be banned? However, these tobaccos are not to be circulated among the people, but to be returned to the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Cao Hao said with a smile.

This is a way to make money that Cao Hao came up with, and this is naturally for the bureaucratic landlord class with silver in their hands.

Cao Hao himself is also a big landowner, so he naturally knows how carefree the landlord is and how much he earns every year. After arriving in Henan Mansion, this cognition became clearer and clearer.

Because after Li Tingchen slaughtered three Zhuangzi, he came back to honor Cao Hao's silver, which was eight thousand taels.

Coupled with the previous more than 10,000 taels, Cao Hao received nearly 20,000 taels of "bribes" in less than two months after he arrived in Henan Mansion. Cao Hao did not leave any of these silvers, and they were all transported to the northwest in the name of donation after the Ming Dynasty Kangxi.

This time, the Kang brothers were able to occupy the cottage as they wanted and confronted the officers and soldiers for half a month, and the most fundamental reason was also because they had silver in their hands. In addition to theirs, there were also donations from the White Lotus Sect. This silver, the purchase of private guns, private guns, armor and swords, made them look like a "peasant army".

If it is a hundred years later, Cao Hao may still be able to move a little Jiujiu in his heart and think about some selfishness. At present, it is the most severe time for feudal centralization, and there is no opportunity to take advantage of it.

The people experienced the war of the previous dynasty, as well as the trampling of the Eight Banners Iron Cavalry, and cultivated their lives and recuperated, which was the time when the people's minds were calm.

To put it bluntly, the time for rebellion is not enough.

On Cao Hao's side, he can only think about being a "famous minister" and seeking more practical things for the people.

* Cao Xiang's house, looking at the two bags of clothes that Lu Ju had packed, Cao Xiang nodded and said, "It looks strange and warm, and it's enough to come to spend the winter." ”

This is a woman's clothes, thinking of the one in the prison of the governor's yamen, Lu Ju doesn't know what it feels like. should have been grateful, but seeing Cao Xiang so attentive, it was still a little sour. It's just that his face is not obvious, and he said, "Master, in addition to these two sets of winter clothes, can you prepare some more silver?" I heard that in the yamen, it costs money. ”

Cao Xiang hesitated, nodded, and said, "It's okay." ”

It turned out that Cao Hao had already set off for Beijing on the 16th, and he was going to the governor's yamen on the way. Jiaojiao is now in the Governor's Yamen Prison, Cao Hao has already gotten the news, and Kangxi has no intention of connecting them. This Jiaojiao may end up being an official slave.

Cao Hao knew that his cousin was still thinking about the promise he had made, and he wanted to try his best to protect Jiaojiao. Although he will not destroy flowers with his hot hands, he will not let Cao Xiang be wanton, otherwise he will lose his "awe" in the future, and he doesn't know what trouble he will cause.

Therefore, Jiaojiao was still imprisoned in the name of Kang's bandits. However, Cao Hao was still soft-hearted, so that people said hello and wanted to protect her.

"Master, the eldest lady and grandmother gave a gift last month, although we returned the gift at that time, these uncles and second masters returned to Beijing, and it was not good for them to go back empty-handed. Among the things rewarded by the emperor, there are some good materials, and a few pieces of jewelry that can be taken out, plus the inkstone on the master's side, is it good to honor the elders and sisters-in-law? Midori said with a smile.

When he sent the people from the capital back last month, Cao Xiang hadn't come back yet, and the return gift was also in a hurry, so Lu Ju said so.

Cao Xiang saw that Lu Ju was thinking so thoroughly, took her hand, and said, "Thank you for your hard work, and you will worry about me all day." The eldest brother and the second brother have already trained me well. Those things, since they have become a reward from the emperor, you also make two sets of new clothes, don't be so plain. I knew that I would let you suffer with you, so I shouldn't have been so rash. ”

Lu Ju pursed his sideburns, shook his head and said, "Master, I don't feel bitter." I just feel wronged, if I am in the capital, I will not be tired of suffering these crimes. ”

"Grievance?" When Cao Xiang heard this, he couldn't tell whether he was sad or happy, and said, "What are you wronged?" It's just relying on the blessing of the family, otherwise how could he be a seven-rank official in less than twenty! ”

Looking at his dark and thin face, as well as the gloomy color in his eyes, Lu Ju felt a pain in his heart, grabbed Cao Xiang's arm, and said in a low voice: "Master, talk to the uncle, will you go back to Beijing?" ”

"Back to Beijing?" Cao Xiang was puzzled when he heard this.

"In the past year since I left Beijing, I have never put down my homework, has he? In the spring of next year, I will go back to Beijing to take the exam. Lu Ju felt a little distressed and persuaded: "Zhongjinshi, entering Hanlin is the wish of the master to fight the small, isn't it?" ”

Cao Xiang listened, only feeling that the young man's wish was so far away.

He smiled bitterly: "In order to find this shortage, I spent a lot of money on the second brother, and I also used the favor of the eldest brother, and now I have only been in office for a year......"

"Master, think about it. The eldest and second masters both love you, and they don't expect you to make many political achievements outside. If the master goes back to the imperial examination, they will not object. Green Ju said.

Cao Xiang heard this, but was silent.

If you want to catch up with the Tianfu Township test, you are in a hurry, and I am afraid that it is too late. However, he is a student of the National Prison and is qualified to participate in the examination next spring with the juren.

Thinking about his career as an official for more than a year, Cao Xiang actually felt a little nostalgic for his career of studying and rushing for the exam...... * Beijing, Caofu, Wutong Garden.

Before the Mid-Autumn Festival, Han Jiang came to meet the account. Nowadays, the income of Daoxiang Village is quite stable, and the income of the ten shops is very rich. Because it was just in time for the birthday of Hengsheng, the little son of the Cao family, Han Jiang also made a special trip to prepare gifts. It is the best four treasures of the study, and it is worth a lot of money when you look at it.

"That's so polite. He was a little child, and when he was most naughty, where could he use these good things. Chu Yu put down the gift list and said to Han Jiang with a smile.

"It is said that the second son is brave, and he should have prepared some swords to fit the second son's mind. It's just that the little woman is a women's family, and for those who are not familiar with it, and can't find a good one for a while, it's better to send this and call the second son. Although it is not as good as your house, it is somewhat of a heart. Han Jiang said.

Chu Yu knew that she was a person of great gifts, so she accepted this kindness, so that someone called Hengsheng and thanked Han Jiang.

Han Jiang didn't dare to accept Hengsheng's full courtesy, got up to avoid it, and tossed it before the guest and host spoke again.

"Grandma, Tong Ren Tang has been applying medicine in winter and spring in the past few years, and it has a very good reputation. Although Daoxiang Village is not easy to learn to invite names, in recent years, there have been more and more South Point shops, and a few of them have some scale, and the prices are still low. This year has already affected Daoxiang Village somewhat, otherwise with the income of the Dragon Boat Festival and the Mid-Autumn Festival, the income should have been more than now. By the time they get a foothold next year and promote it, it will be difficult for Daoxiang Village to buy and sell. How to make the people recognize the brand of Daoxiang Village, maybe they should think of a few good ways. Han Jiang said.

When Chu Yu heard this, he hesitated for a moment and asked, "Do the several southern shops that Shopkeeper Han said include Guixiang Village?" ”

Han Jiang nodded and said, "It seems that grandma has also heard the rumors." I didn't think anything about it, but I only knew that Jiubeizi seemed to be interested in this dumpling business, so he opened a store at the front door. Unexpectedly, in the past few months, several branches opened in Guixiang Village are near Daoxiang Village. The master in Daoxiang Village signed an extra 20-year contract, and they couldn't dig it up. However, I heard that the masters of other Nan Dian shops in Beijing have all gathered in Guixiang Village, and there are also masters invited from the south. The shop is planned and people are invited to feed the materials, just like the Daoxiang Village back then. ”

In this matter, Han Jiang was also depressed.

At first, it was only a whim for Brother Jiu, but I didn't expect that in just two or three months, five shops in Guixiang Village had already opened.

Even Chu Yu didn't expect this. After all, Brother Jiu is her own uncle. Who in this capital doesn't know that Daoxiang Village is Chu Yu's industry, and this uncle and niece are robbing business, which is also a loss.

When others talk about it, they can only say that Jiubeizi is completely in the eyes of money, and they don't want to have a face.

On Chu Yu's side, there is no shortage of silver, and the transaction in Daoxiang Village is just icing on the cake. According to her surname, the reputation of Daoxiang Village is already too big, and even the lords in the palace are talking about the dim sum outside, which is a little ostentatious.

Out of the ninth elder brother's business, although the income of Daoxiang Village has decreased, it is also a good thing that it has lost some limelight.

"Buying and selling this piece, it's better to value harmony, if you want to make any moves, let's wait for the uncle to come back. Listen to our lord said, uncle can go to Beijing before and after Chongyang. Chu Yu thought for a while and said: "But when it comes to Tongrentang's medicine, I think of one thing, I made a wish in front of the Buddha in my early years, if my family's Dagege eye disease is cured, I am willing to pave the way and build bridges, and accumulate some great merits." It's just that my uncle is an official in the court, and he does a lot of things. It's just a sincerity of my mother's heart, and I don't want to invite names. If it is convenient for the shopkeeper Han, I also implore the shopkeeper Han to help me. Let's see if I can act with the reputation of the shop, save myself from getting involved with the Cao family, and attract the tongue of the villain. ”

"Grandma, even in the name of a businessman, if you donate money directly, it will not be justified." Han Jiang thought for a while and said, "Now that the imperial court is paying donations, why don't grandma think about this?" ”

"This?" Chu Yu was puzzled: "What does Shopkeeper Han mean, do you still want to donate fame?" ”

"Grandma, if you want to spend money, there is no better way to donate it. I heard that the imperial court donated silver to raise money, if grandma donated fame here, she could not only accumulate yin virtue and pass it on to the emperor, but also good for Cao Ye's future. This is also for the good shopkeeper and the purchase of donations, and they naturally become more and more desperate for the owner. Han Jiang said.

said something that Chu Yu couldn't help but be tempted......

(To be continued)