Sijing is a litmus test. It examines Xu Yuanzuo's intangible assets.

When Xu Yuanzuo saw Liu Feng unscrupulously and domineering in the gambling house and courtyard, he knew that the banner of the word "Xu" had been planted in people's hearts. With the strange change of the atmosphere, all kinds of rumors of amazement, fear, and jealousy spread in the streets and alleys, and Renshoutang sounded the clarion call for a new round of march, setting up outer cabinets in many small towns, and contacting grain households from all over the country with a tougher attitude to carry out tax collection.

"Don't touch the big local households for the time being, start with small grain households." Xu Yuanzuo took care of Cheng Zai.

Big grain households often have the ability to listen directly to the sky, or various relatives of the Jinshi family, or the Jinshi family at all. The war against Japanese wars that had just ended more than ten years had just ended, and they still retained the habit of training village warriors and family members, and it was not wise to really break out armed confrontation.

Cheng Zai has compiled these families into a book, including social relations, and presented them to Xu Yuanzuo. He said: "They are also quite jealous of us, and they don't dare to go too far when they talk about catties." ”

Hierarchical societies are so cruel.

The small people can only obediently pay the government's urging, and the sale of children and girls also has to pay reasonable and unreasonable taxes; Ordinary small landlords can finally have some power to speak, but in the mainstream caliber, they are "peasants" and will not be forced to die. However, many small landlords with 100 acres of family have to work in the field together with long-term laborers; The big landlords who went up further only had to pay grain according to the decrees of the imperial court - the grain tax in the Ming Dynasty was not high, and there was not so much apportionment at this time. These large landowners are the people who enjoy enlightened politics, and they are already standing in the middle and upper echelons of the pyramid.

The Jin gentry family further up can talk to the court. Not only can the preferential exemption be expanded, but also many miscellaneous labor can be eliminated. The benefits they occupy will naturally be borne by the small people at the bottom. These people are either lifting people or jinshi. While mastering the economic base, he also mastered political resources, and the two complemented each other, and finally became the real master of the Ming Dynasty.

As for the top royal clans and nobles, they had enough economic base to devour the foundations of the country, but politically they were squeezed out by the gentry who came from the imperial examination. There is no way out.

Xu Yuanzuo knew very well the class he was in, and knew how to appease the small people below, ensure the stability of the bottom of the pyramid, and at the same time divide the benefits from the same kind and strengthen himself.

"Don't be too calculating when talking about catties." Xu Yuanzuo said: "Although the agricultural tax is much higher than the commercial tax, after two hundred years, all kinds of rules have long been set to die, and we will not last long after eating too ugly." The key is business tax. The imperial court never paid attention to commercial taxes. Even if there are rules, they are almost abolished, and it is up to us to make the rules. ”

Cheng Jae also believed Seo Won-zuo's assertion. There is less and less grain on the land of Songjiang, and there are more and more cotton, linen, mulberry and bamboo, which is visible to everyone. If you are an ordinary person, you will only see that this is because "cash crops" can bring more income than growing grain, especially now that taxes are paid in silver, and the imperial court does not force the proportion of grain cultivation as in the past. Only a genius like Xu Yuanzuo can see the essence of this phenomenon - the era of businessmen is quietly coming.

Cheng Zai thought that he was at the forefront of this era. I can't help but be a little excited.

Xu Yuanzuo cleaned up the report on the table and said, "Is there anything else?" ”

Cheng Zai knew that Zuo Ge'er rarely "served tea to guests". This means that the meeting should be over. He saluted and said, "I'll take my leave." ”

Xu Yuanzuo got up and owed: "I won't send it far." ”

"Jing Lian stays." Cheng Jae retreated. As soon as he went out, he saw Xiao An holding a thick stack of reports, waiting at the door. This young man is Xu Yuanzuo's big tent, he cherishes words like gold, but he is very meticulous in his work, and he is a little reasonable.

Because Xiao An is in charge of the accounts of various industries such as the Xu family, Renshoutang, and the Guangji Association. The status is extremely high, so Cheng Zai also wants to befriend him. After a few contacts, Cheng Zai found that Xiao An was a little weird: he spoke like an "endorsement", once the topic was a little deflected, it went to a place where he had not memorized. It is almost impossible to communicate.

Cheng Zai nodded at Xiao An, saw Xiao An tugging at the corners of his mouth stiffly, and then quickly stepped into Xu Yuanzuo's study.

Xu Yuanzuo took a sip of water during this gap, put down the purple sand tea jar customized by Yixing, and said: "The autumn tax is imminent, have the manpower of the account room been deployed?" ”

Xiao An said: "Brother Zuo, if you only accept Huating's side, there will be enough manpower." However, the governor's ministry sent someone to deliver the letter, and wanted to borrow another fifty people. ”

Xu Yuanzuo's hand trembled, and a wave of unhappiness surged in his heart. At first, he lent people to Hai Rui to lead the water "north", and on the other hand, it was also to train the team. However, he overestimated the discipline of his fellow villagers in Songjiang and underestimated Hai Jui's methods. Half of the bookkeepers who were loaned out earlier were hooked up by Hai Rui, and although half were willing to come back, the salary requirements had increased significantly.

Because they returned to Xu Yuanzuo, the temptation to overcome was too great - power.

In an official-based society, real money and silver are weak and become scum in the face of official power. Many people would rather live a "miserable" life of 42 years a year than let go of the power in their hands. Obviously, Hai Rui, the governor of Yingtian Shifu, has an innate advantage in giving his subordinates power. The public power backed by the emperor and the imperial court is far more tempting than the private power given by Xu Yuanzuo. Moreover, Xu Yuanzuo was also backed by the gentry's usurpation of the imperial court.

"I don't want to make a wedding dress for someone else." The corners of Xu Yuanzuo's mouth twitched: "It's okay to borrow, pay the deposit first." ”

Xiao An felt that if people wanted to leave, even the deposit would not be able to stop them. At that time, the people will be the governor's people, and their status will be different.

Xu Yuanzuo saw Xiao An's concerns, and said clearly: "Let the ministry give a deposit." ”

"Ministry?" Xiao An was taken aback: "How to say it?" ”

"Don't these people spend money on my study and food? He will work for me in the future, and I don't need the money. He went to work after eating and reading, is it true that I am his father? Even the father still expects his children to supplement the family. Xu Yuanzuo stood up and moved his muscles.

"What if the ministry refuses?"

"Let's sign the employment contract first." Xu Yuanzuo said: "Then, the account office can have another round of salary increase." As he spoke, he pulled over a piece of paper, wrote the words "salary adjustment", and then continued: "When you pick people, try to pick some people with poor qualifications. If you are not careful, just clean it up. ”

"We don't have that kind of person here." Xiao An was a little uneasy.

"Below." Xu Yuanzuo said: "The old account rooms that have been merged in the cloth shop, silk shop, and tooth shop have all been cleared. We've been so slow to make changes. Lu Dayou has already told me a few times that he doesn't understand the business of the account office, and you don't give the list. ”

Xiao An let out a timid "oh", still a little uneasy about smashing people's jobs.

Xu Yuanzuo quickly flipped through the various reports. The mood is still very good. All industries have seen significant increases, especially cloth shops, because of the improvement of looms, the output has increased by one percent, and profits have naturally gone up. Although it failed to bring about a technological revolution, it was also a good start, at least the early R & D costs of the machinery factory came back.

"Starting next year, 'Youjia Inn' will recruit allies, and each store is not equipped with a professional accounting office, only a cashier. Graduates of the Finance and Accounting Department of the School of Economics should arrange internships as soon as possible. Don't be able to keep a journal when the time comes. Xu Yuanzuo said: "You arrange the internship well, and you have the talent to assign positions according to your scores, and you can communicate more in terms of work." ”

Xiao An promised.

Xu Yuanzuo used the seal on the report he had read, returned it to Xiao An for filing, and then said: "In a few days, a Xiucai named Lu Ruohua will come to you, and you can show him the reports of an inn and Renshoutang." ”

Xiao An didn't know what the identity of this Lu Ruohua was, but since Zuo Ge'er had spoken, he must be trustworthy. He said, "Yes." ”

Xu Yuanzuo picked up the tea jar: "Is there anything else?" ”

"I'll quit first." Xiao An said.

"I'm not far away."

Xiao An knew that there were still people waiting outside. He left without delay.

Followed by Yan Chief Engineer of the Construction Society, who came to report the list of the second batch of construction engineers who went to Liao to supervise construction; He was followed by Yan Yu, the son of Chief Engineer Yan. However, he came to report on the number of new craftsmen recruited by the machinery factory and the progress of research and development; Li Teng sent an apprentice to deliver the work report and the purchase list; The kiln factory hopes to be able to sell toilets, tiles, floor tiles and other products directly; The marketing department's report on the inn franchise work and the construction of Jinshan Island; Routine reporting of current public relations by customer service; The General Affairs Department reports on the training and distribution of human resources in each enterprise......

After Xu Yuanzuo finished dealing with all the reports, it was already dark.

Cha Cha came after dark, in addition to reporting on the work status of the girls' school book, and also to deliver food to Xu Yuanzuo.

Xu Yuanzuo adheres to the habits of his previous life, and he is reluctant to take home things at work. Not to mention recruiting all subordinates into their homes to report to work. Therefore, the headquarters of Renshoutang specially expanded a small courtyard for Xu Yuanzuo's office. It's a pity that the headquarters of Renjudo is too small and there is no place to cook, so dinner has to be delivered from home.

Cha Cha got her wish and got a formal job and no longer had to do housework. But he also has to serve Xu Yuanzuo "by the way" - such as delivering meals.

Xu Yuanzuo opened the box, and the four dishes were filled with vegetables and meat, and the rice was cut squarely, just like the cafeteria meals in college, and it was also unpleasant to eat - Xu's mother was still reluctant to make Suzhou-style dishes with thick oil and red sauce.

"If only there were chili peppers." Xu Yuanzuo felt that there was some dullness in his mouth.

"Chili?" Cha Cha was stunned.

Xu Yuanzuo put down the chopsticks in his hand, pushed open the box, took a small notebook, quickly rummaged through it, and patted his head heavily. Cha Cha hurriedly said, "Brother Zuo, what's wrong with you?" ”

Xu Yuanzuo said: "There are too many things, and my memory is poor." He was talking to Cha Cha about chili peppers just now, and suddenly remembered that he seemed to have had a similar conversation with Qi Miao. Since you think of chili peppers, it is natural to think of the three major agricultural products of corn, potatoes, and sweet potatoes. However, this kind of crop, which is regarded as a treasure by later generations, did not attract Xu Yuanzuo's attention, and he did not even write it in a small book - the key is that there is no demand. However, to develop the Liaodong market and save costs, corn and potatoes are definitely the best choices.

-- What a pig brain!

Xu Yuanzuo scolded secretly, and quickly wrote down the four nouns of corn, sweet potato, potato, and pepper on his work notepad. He looked at the brush in his hand and wrote the word "pencil" again.

Cha Cha saw Xu Yuanzuo put down his pen, so he persuaded: "Brother Zuo, how can you finish the matter, let's eat first." ”

Xu Yuanzuo pulled the box and thought while eating: These four crops, if you are lucky, you can find them in Luzon, and if you are unlucky, you can only go to Spain to find them. Who should I send? Well, and rubber. Even if it is transplanted from South America immediately, it will take 10 years before it can be used as a forest, and it is better to do it sooner rather than later.

So, rubber trees were added to the list.

In this era, the transportation is inconvenient, although you can take the sea route from Jiangnan to Luzon, but the sea surface of Fujian and Guangdong is not quiet at present. If the East China Sea to the Liaohai Sea is an ancient battlefield, then the Fujian-Guangdong Ocean is the place of fierce battles. The sailors of the two provinces are still chasing and suppressing pirates, and there is a possibility that they will be injured by mistake. As for the pirates who were pursued, it was said that they were trapped and struggling, but they were not something that ordinary merchant ships could fight against.

Who is the biggest force in the South China Sea now? Lin Daoqian? Or Lin Feng?

Xu Yuanzuo scratched his head, deeply ashamed of his blind spots in knowledge. He shouted, "Chess Miao, come in." ”

Qi Miao quickly pushed the door in and said respectfully: "Brother Zuo, you call me." ”

"You and Lao Mei will arrange manpower together, and I'm going to go far away."

Qi Miao was stunned: "Where is Zuo Ge'er going again?" ”

"Fujian and Guangdong, take the sea route." Xu Yuanzuo said.

Qi Miao was afraid: "But Brother Zuo, you have already traveled to Liaodong this year, and this is thousands of miles away, are you really not afraid of getting tired?" ”

Xu Yuanzuo is indeed a little unhappy about going out in this era, and he really misses the plane. He frowned: "Where did you get so much nonsense!" Hurry up and arrange it! Oh, and I'm going to see the teacher tomorrow, and you remember to prepare a gift. ”

Zheng Yue is from Fujian, Lin Dachun is from Chaozhou, they are both Xu Yuanzuo's teachers, and the relationship is extraordinary, which can be used as a foothold. Moreover, the family of the Jinshi must have walked sideways in the local area, and it is not a hassle to contact maritime merchants. It's a pity that Xu Jie's official position in Fujian was too small, which was degraded, otherwise he could hug his thighs.

Xu Yuanzuo thought that Fujian was the base camp of Cheng Zhu Lixue, and this time he was more low-key in the past.

Qi Miao never expected to change Zuo Ge'er's mind, so he had to withdraw and prepare gifts first. He heard that Tang Xing was still building a road to Huating at the moment, and it was quite dusty, so it was best to choose to take a boat. It's just that the Xu family didn't buy a boat by themselves, and it's too late now, so they have to go to the river early tomorrow to call a boat. (To be continued.) )