British Mansion,

The story of Zhang Hui stealing the horse spread like a tornado, and soon reached Li Zhilu's ears, knowing the location of the hunting ground, but he didn't know whose it was.

Wearing a plain snow-white Luo skirt, Li Zhilu's beautiful eyes under her smooth jade forehead trembled: "What else did he take?" ”

"Miss, he also took some silver taels, and the villain sent someone to check, and he hired hunters to catch flower deer and roe deer." The butler stood to the side and muttered quietly.

Zhang Fu said with emotion: "I'm afraid it was ordered by Zhu Zhanyong again." ”

Li Zhilu lowered his head slightly, and looked up at Zhang Fu, who was thinking deeply: "Eldest brother, he will always be favored by his father-in-law in the future, Zhang Hui is smooth and clever, but you are the eldest brother, although he did not explicitly support the prince, but this time he ordered General Zhu to go north, and the King of Han could not help but face the eldest brother." ”

"Among the sergeants who repaired the palace in Beiping Mansion, there are many of my father's old subordinates, who are riddled with injuries and diseases, and I can't sit idly by and watch their wives and children go hungry." Zhang Fu treats his subordinates very well, just like Zhang Yu, so when he charges into battle, the soldiers will risk their lives to follow him.

He paused and continued: "The King of Han can't take care of me now, the Southern Pass Guard came to report, at this time, many foreign envoys paid tribute with the imperial history, and Zheng He was going back to Beijing. ”

Zheng He, he would lead the fleet to replenish supplies in Canton Mansion, first send an envoy to Yingtian by post road, and inform the emperor first, and the emperor would consider whether he could send an envoy to meet him, which would take time to prepare.

In the next few days, Zheng He will arrive in Beijing.

Zhu Zhanyong came back from the hunting ground and found that many merchants were pouring into the capital, and guessed that Zheng He was coming back, and the price of silk was going to rise sharply?

Lao Qi's face was sallow, and he guessed Zhu Zhanyong's intention: "Your Highness, the price of silk has not risen......"

Zhu Zhanyong found himself in a misunderstanding.

The silk trade is divided into two stages, the first stage is to purchase in Daming, and the second stage is to transport to England and other foreign countries for sale, and the first stage of transportation costs have not occurred, so there will be no price increase.

The price increase is the second step!

The merchants also continue to suppress the price of silk, and the merchants are not stupid, the lower the price, the higher the profit, and there are always some businessmen who have no bones to sell, and the price of silk is beaten down.

Finished.

50,000 taels to lose?

Zhu Zhanyong originally thought.

Zheng He's return to Beijing would cause the price of silk to rise sharply, and he signed a three-year contract with the silk farmers, but it did not come to fruition...... Fanshang is shrewd, at this moment Zhu Yuanzhang witnessed this scene and knew the cause and effect.

The voice was concerned.

One: "There are more than 7,000 silk farmers in the capital, if they can't allocate silver taels, there will definitely be a bullet seal in the imperial history of this matter, and it will go to the fourth child." ”

The three of them are all online in their respective dynasties.

They have their own abilities.

But it is true that I have also learned a lot from Zhu Zhanyong.

Lu still didn't understand.

Lu: "Why did you hoard raw silk in the first place?" ”

Zhu Zhanyong: "Eh, I was misled, thinking that when the merchants came to the Celestial Empire to procure, the price of silk would rise, but they took away the silk at a low price, and the merchants returned to the country and sold it at six or seven times, or even more than ten times the price." ”

This time, Lu also understood.

Not to mention the three armies.

Silk, since Zhang Qian's mission to the Western Regions in the Han Dynasty, the price of this thing is comparable to gold.

But now, the merchants also know how to lower the price, because of the existence of businessmen without bones, it is really pressed down, Zhu Zhanyong sold it at a price of one percent, not to mention the silk silver of the next year and the year after, and will lose a large amount of silver.

Sansan asked with concern, "How do you want to plan?" ”

This time, Zhu Zhanyong really stopped.

Lao Zhu didn't say a word at the moment, if it didn't go well to become the emperor in the future, it would be more than one, his expression at the moment, with an unmoved look, wanted to see how the grandson would deal with it?

If the gentry don't sell it, the merchants can't do anything.

So, the top priority...... Look for those few boneless silk merchants.

Zhu Zhanyong's mind changed sharply, and he ordered Lao Qi to find a well-informed businessman, an old acquaintance, who was the golden basin last time, and it was the rich Confucian businessman who was a little like the God of Wealth.

After listening to Zhu Zhanyong's plan, Tao Fugui laughed: "Little owner, do you want to unite those silk merchants to stabilize the price?" If you can't do it, even if the prince comes, you can't do it, because the king of Han ...... Also sold. ”

At the end, he leaned in a few times.

"The big golden basin?!"

Zhang Hui's surprised voice came from behind him, and his tone seemed to be an acquaintance with Tao Fugui, who froze when he saw him like a rabbit seeing an eagle.

"Your Highness, what are you looking for him, this guy is a liar."

"What about the Guogong Mansion, at the feet of the Son of Heaven, the Guogong must also be reasonable!" Tao Fugui stiffened his neck, as if he had been greatly insulted.

Zhang Hui shouted: "Believe it or not, beat you!" ”

"Fight, fight, it's a big deal that Lao Tzu will study hard for ten years, and then impeach the British Duke when I am the first!" Tao Fugui held his head and lay on the ground, looking like you were fighting.

This guy even has the idea of abandoning business and following Confucianism.

Iron bones and pottery gold basin?

At this moment, Zhu Zhanyong put aside the matter of silk price for the time being, and said to Zhang Hui: "Do you recognize him?" ”

"This guy, this guy is a liar, don't look at him dressed brightly, in fact, he doesn't do business, once he deceived me, and my sister saw through it."

It turned out that after Tao Jinpen fell off the list, he set up a stall, sold pens, and found more than a dozen people to line up, saying that he could write strong words, which naturally attracted Zhang Hui's attention, Tao Jinpen asked him to take it home for a few days, no money, but Zhang Hui did not write two words, the pen was broken, and he was reluctant to go, and he paid Tao Jinpen more than ten taels of silver.

Zhu Zhanyong listened.

**, this is a talent.

"Humph! I only said that I would lend it to you for a try, and I didn't say that I would sell it to you, that is my love pen, and I was admitted to Xiucai! It's worth the money, and besides...... I will definitely redeem it at a high price. "The sound was inaudible, as if at the end of the street.

Tao Jinpen wanted to gain a foothold in the capital, but he didn't have the opportunity, and the dozen taels were used to buy the gorgeous clothes, and he was penniless, but he was still helpful, and he believed that in the capital, one day he would meet nobles.

Zhang Hui turned his head and looked at Zhu Zhanyong: "Your Highness, he is really a liar." ”

"Hmm..."

Zhu Zhanyong didn't say much, turned around and went back to the palace.

…………

Fengtian Temple,

The envoys and merchants of the vassal kingdom paid tribute to the Ming Dynasty for the first time, and there was no way to guide them, so they could only follow the imperial history of Zheng He's fleet, all the way north from Guangzhou Mansion, and at this moment they had reported to the Ministry of Rites.

At this moment, in the main hall, in addition to Zhu Di, there are also six departments and scholars from the East Pavilion University, and other officials.

"Your Majesty, the envoys of Ryukyu Zhongshan, Mangara, Little Gelan, Sumatra, Shannan, Borneo, and Aru pay tribute, and the Ministry of Rites is placed in Honglu Temple, and Zheng He should be about to arrive in the capital according to the time."

Zheng Ci, the secretary of the Ministry of Rites, said loudly that since it was the first time to pay tribute, he read out all the names one by one, so that His Majesty could know which vassal states were paying tribute.

Zhu Di was in a complicated mood, both happy and surprised, he didn't expect Zheng He to really come back, the first time in history! The Celestial Empire sent a large ship to visit various countries and declare the prestige of the Celestial Empire!

I did it!

This feat alone is enough to go down in history!

Zhu Di laughed, he had never been smiling, he was silent for a moment, and said continuously: "Okay, good!" When Zheng He's ship arrived at Songjiang Mansion, the Ministry of Rites went to meet him on my behalf. ”

Zheng Ci seemed hesitant, but His Majesty spoke, and he could only agree: "The ministers obey the order, but Your Majesty, the envoys brought many merchants to the capital, and they suppressed the price of silk." ”

"The court does not compete with the people for profit." Huang Fu, the head of the household, retorted.

"Lord Huang, this matter is also related to the imperial court, the silk is cheap and hurts the peasants, and the merchants buy at a low price, generally from six taels to three taels, and the merchants collect the people's raw silk at a lower price, so the silk tax of the imperial court?" Zheng Ci asked rhetorically.

"Isn't it that the silk merchant has contracted the people's silk money for three years? Pay the silver first, and then collect the raw silk, what is Lord Zheng worried about? Huang Fu said in an indifferent voice.

Zhu Di had a calm face, he had been on the border for a long time, and he knew that the price of silk sold to barbarians could rise by four or five times, how could he tolerate the blood and sweat of the common people to earn so much silver.

Xie Jin raised his head, as if he saw Zhu Di's thoughts, and said worriedly: "Your Majesty, this move is indeed hateful, but the law says, you can't live in futures and raise prices, but you don't say that you can't lower prices, and now that the envoys have entered Beijing, if the suppression is too harsh, I'm afraid that I won't dare to come next year." ”

Zhu Di snorted lightly, temporarily giving up the idea of formulating a new law.

Zhu Gaochi's face was gloomy, with his political literacy, he could guess who this matter would fall on in the end, and who else could it be? Of course, it was his son Zhu Zhanyong.

Don't lose money!

This is what Zhu Zhanyong thinks at the moment, he came to the Shangyi Supervisor in the palace, and then went to various places to pay tribute to the silk Jiazi library, and finally confirmed the matter.

Zhu Yuanzhang was curious.

One: "Looking for what?" ”

Zhu Zhanyong: "During the Hongwu period, Taizu restored the clothing system, and merchants could only wear brown and gray coarse linen clothes, and women could only use green and peach...... The common people's understanding of color is thin, limited to cyan, brown, dark gray, red, purple, black, green, orange, etc., and there are not too many noble colors. ”

The land is located in the Warring States period, and there is not much color.

Lu: "Is there a difference between high and low colors?" ”

Zhu Zhanyong: "This is natural, the gentry, aristocrats and merchants like to wear colorful silk, which is to distinguish the poor people in terms of identity and status, and clothing is the most straightforward embodiment of identity." ”

One: "Zhan Yong is right. ”

Zhu Zhanyong continued: "The delicate luster of silk material is matched with noble color ......"

Can it be sold at a high price?

Zhu Zhanyong didn't know, he only knew that he was made with heavenly creations, but he found that he was not online, and after two days, he finally went online.

The voice of the unrestrained voice reveals tiredness.

Something seemed to be stuck in his throat, but he didn't speak.

Zhu Zhanyong asked: "I've been waiting for you for two days, where are you going?" ”

He smiled apologetically, didn't explain much, knew what to look for, and hurriedly said, "In... This will lend you in the next. ”

Zhu Zhanyong returned to the cloth workshop.

"Your Highness, do you want Su Mu?" Zhang Hui looked at Zhu Zhanyong suspiciously, and always felt that the latter's eyes had become very focused.

"Go get it."

The corners of Zhu Zhanyong's mouth were thoughtful, he needed to concoct a new color, the material was not in the Lao Qi cloth workshop, and it was faster to find things Zhang Hui than Lao Qi, and he left the indigo jar in front of him.

"Slave and maid, are you coming?" The old prayed.

Zhu Zhanyong shook his head and said seriously: "It seems easy, but in fact, it is a millimeter, and the color paste prepared by a little accident is very different." ”

When the indigo jar was dyed light blue, Zhang Hui had retrieved the sumu, and Zhu Zhanyong ordered Lao Qi to boil water, add it to the indigo jar, and then pour in the mordant that makes the color even, as well as the alum that fixes the color.

"Silk cloth can't use yellow cocoon silk, you must use the top Beijing white silk." Zhu Zhanyong said dissatisfied.

Repeatedly dipped and dyed three times, dried in a cool and open warehouse, Zhu Zhanyong concocted the same method, and began to mix another new color, but this time the material used, reed! Even Zhang Hui couldn't be found.

"I'll go back to the palace and have a look."

When he returned to the palace, he met Zhu Gaochi, who was looking for him everywhere, and dragged him to the corner of the palace corridor: "Tell my father, are you kid making raw silk?" ”

"The silk merchants who want to stabilize the price, but suffer from the cold and run, the silk in their hands can not be sold, the new silk in the hands of the silk farmers will be backlogged into old silk, the price will be lower, the people to the mulberry tree soil, fertilizer, wash the silkworm silkworm frame, if even the book can not be recovered, who will raise silkworms, does not the father understand this truth?" Zhu Zhanyong asked.

Zhu Gaochi sighed heavily: "Zhan Yong, my father knows that he is wrong, but he ......"

"What did the Emperor Ancestor say?" Zhu Zhanyong directly singled out.

Zhu Gaochi sighed lightly: "Alas, these merchants are procured for the royal family, and they can't be forced......

"What if I could raise the price of silk?"

Zhu Gaochi's eyes lit up, yes, he still has this smart son, and unconsciously he no longer treats Zhu Zhanyong as a junior, afraid of patting his shoulder, and his hearty and firm voice:

"How can we watch the blood and sweat of the people fall into the money bags of those merchants! Zhan Yong, if you can raise the price of silk, of course my father is happy, what are you looking for in the palace? ”

"Sumu."

Zhu Gaochi called the old eunuch, and the old eunuch took them to the remote T-shaped library, where the wood was neat and tidy and filled half of the hall......

The bookkeeping eunuch of the T-shaped library thought that he had come to check the accounts, and complained in a low voice: "I don't know which vassal country it is, and it is not easy to burn this kind of wood when it is paid tribute every year......

Do you know that Su Mu can no longer be found in Daming......

Zhu Zhan scolded and ordered: "In the future, it will be a treasure, don't burn it, father, you can send some people to the British Mansion." ”

He couldn't get it out himself.

Tossing back and forth, it will always alarm the emperor, and move to Zhang Hui's house to take it and use it at any time.

Zhu Gaochi showed hesitation on his face: "Zhan Yong, what do you want Su Mu to do?" ”

A completely new color, of course.

Zhu Gaochi ordered several eunuchs in the East Palace to quietly arrange, and after sending it to Zhang Hui, Zhu Zhanyong boiled water with Sumu and concocted it in the same way, and finally sent the second batch of wet silk to the warehouse, dried it in the shade, and locked the door.

What does His Highness do?

Zhang Hui and Qi Zhong, who were busy with work, didn't know what Zhu Zhanyong wanted to do, so they pushed open the door early the next morning.

The delicate luster of silk, coupled with the color that has never been seen before, can't help but give birth to a solemn, elegant, but extremely luxurious and high-end feeling from the bottom of my heart.

A faint cyan, but shiny, a faint white, but not white.

Azure blue!

The other is ivory.

"I'm Diniang! What a beautiful satin! Qi Zhong touched and touched, the feel was delicate and smooth, and the silk was divided into qualities according to silk quality and color, not to mention that he had never seen this color, judging by his eyes, he would definitely not lose money.

Zhu Zhanyong was not in a hurry, he wanted to earn the silver taels brought by those merchants.