Li Longji hurried back to the palace to prepare for the trip under the pretext of going on an inspection trip.
Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan also returned home and began to work on the trip, such as safety, intelligence, supplies, the route, where to stop, whether to speak in the local area, and so on.
"Li Longji is lucky to have met us. He decided to stay today and leave tomorrow. He wants to test our efficiency. He just came back from Jili Province and has to leave again before he even warms his seat."
Zhang Xiaobao pulled over the map and looked at it while complaining to Wang Juan. He seemed very dissatisfied.
Wang Juan sat beside him and looked at the intelligence sent today. She skimmed through it one by one. Occasionally, she would stop and carefully think about the things mentioned in the intelligence reports to decide if she should respond.
Hearing Zhang Xiaobao's muttering, she tilted her head and looked at him.
"Xiao Bao, why do I feel like you're praising yourself? You're so capable that you can prepare for the emperor's trip in less than a day. You even let the emperor travel. You should leave a deep mark in history, right? "
"It doesn't need to be deep. It just needs to be carved on a stone. Then, it will be passed down from generation to generation. It will be passed down from generation to generation. It will leave my mark in the blue sky, my voice in the tide, my whisper in the valley, my legend in the wind, the mountains, the trees, the rolling yellow sand, the snowfield, and …"
"And in the textbooks of the medical school, if anyone has a similar illness in the future, they will all be classified as Zhang Xiaobao's symptoms. It will be passed down to every family. What's there to say?
Later, I'll get someone to spread the news. Xiao Bei and the others can stay in Hangzhou for a few more days. When we arrive, we'll go to Jiangzhou together. Do you think we should let your father go? "
Wang Juan listened to Zhang Xiaobao daydream. When it was about time, she took over and talked about serious matters.
"Logically speaking, my father should go and visit his father-in-law. However, he didn't invite him. If he goes there alone, it will seem like he's lowering his status. It's better to wait a little longer. I think the other party is also worried that my father won't go.
It was said that one shouldn't bully a young man for being poor. Everyone knew this principle. The problem was that there were many young men, but there weren't many who were successful. If one didn't bully them, one should just let the young men bully them? Only successful people were qualified to turn around and say this.
As a young person, you shouldn't always mention it. For example, I've never mentioned it since I was young. Your family didn't bully me either. It must be my handsome appearance, pure eyes, and kind heart that moved your family. "
Zhang Xiaobao was happy again. Anyway, there was no one else in the house.
Wang Juan gently bit her lips as she listened to Zhang Xiaobao. She couldn't help but laugh out loud.
He reached out and pushed Zhang Xiaobao away. "Get away from me. Disgusting. If your family didn't have the same Zhuangzi as mine, if your mother didn't have a different background, and if your father didn't study hard for the imperial examinations, why would my family like you?
I'm the only one who can treat you better. Seeing that you're pitiful, I'll give you a bowl of porridge and a piece of candy. I'll also give you a set of clothes that my family has worn before. You can go back and change them. It'll be enough for you to be happy for a year. "
"I don't need a set of clothes. If that's the case, even if you give me a few bundles of straw, I'll be grateful to your family for the rest of my life. If there's a chance to make a fortune in the future, I'll take the initiative to bring you to your family. I'm a person who knows how to repay kindness. Unfortunately, I thought you would run away with Liang Shanbo like the Zhu Yingtai in the story."
While Zhang Xiaobao was talking, he picked up the pen and drew the route on the map. It was done.
Wang Juan closed the letter, blinked her eyes, and smiled. She said, "I believe you. Oh right, you're different from others. You're not afraid of being an orphan. It seems that my choice was right. I didn't agree to be with you at that time. If I didn't watch you, who knows what would happen to the Tang Empire when you went crazy.
Well, I'll allow you to shout 'don't bully a poor young man'. Even if you're Liang Shanbo, you're much better than the one in the story. Well, look at this Yiluo. Rest early today. "
After giving the information on Yiluo to Zhang Xiaobao, Wang Juan took a spool beside her and began to embroider.
Zhang Xiaobao saw that Wang Juan began to embroider. He opened the letter helplessly. "What do you think is there to see? Our intelligence personnel have already dealt with it. Just turn a page and we don't need to do anything. For example, on this page, it says … Allah? … What a familiar name. Who is he? Do you have any impression of him? "
"Allah, the Allah of the Sect of Islam." Wang Juan said without raising her head.
"Yes, he's the leader of the Sect of Islam. But why is he in Jiangzhou? Cuckoo, stop embroidering. They are preaching there. We haven't fought yet. They came here first. I was wondering why there was something strange there. "
Zhang Xiaobao shook the information in his hand. His eyes were wide open, and he couldn't believe it.
Wang Juan was also stunned. She stopped what she was doing and thought carefully. Then she said, "In fact, it has been there for a long time. I've read the introduction before. Didn't they start preaching in Guangzhou? Did they enter the Yangtze River along the sea? You mean, they want to do something bad? Take the initiative to attack? "
Zhang Xiaobao held his chin in his hand and frowned. He thought hard and muttered, "Is there a direct connection? I hate religion the most. Many wars have the shadow of religion behind them. Did the officials of the Jiangnan West Road believe in religion? And then they want the Tang Empire to play around?
In theory, it's impossible. What can the Sect of Islam provide to the local officials? Faith? The Tang Empire has its own faith. We don't believe in Taoism, we don't believe in the suppressed Buddhism. Why do we have to believe in the Sect of Islam? I'm not used to the sudden change. "
Zhang Xiaobao fell into deep thought and didn't say anything. He was thinking about how to connect the Sect of Islam with the unusual things that happened in the Jiangnan West Road, but he couldn't find the link.
Wang Juan stopped embroidering. She took the information and read it carefully. The information was very simple. "Recently, there has been a word of Allah quietly spreading in the market. It hasn't become a big harm. Many people don't believe it. Occasionally, there will be officials. Ask them to do idle things. Give them as gifts. Increase money. Don't wait."
It didn't seem to be a big deal. The propagation of the doctrine was not so smooth. It was too high to attribute the abnormal development of the Jiangnan West Road to the Sect of Islam.
Turning another page, Wang Juan continued to read. This page wrote the situation of the goods. "Along the south bank of the river, after the spring, there are more cheap seafood, or dried sea shrimps, or salted fish, which has a slight impact on the local river's aquatic products.
Zhang Wang's trading group has already taken action to balance the situation. They are buying at a fair price down to the Wanshui River and stored in Shuzhou. They are collecting the aquatic products of Lake Tai in Shuzhou and sending them to the Dabie Mountains in the northwest of Shuzhou.
In addition, the cheap seafood sold by the Jiangnan West Road has been investigated. They are from Japanese cargo ships. My Japanese branch has sent the news that there are many fish in the Japanese archipelago and the price is cheap. They also learn the method of drying salt.
Therefore, they made dry products and didn't hesitate to waste people's strength on long-distance transportation. They sold them to the Jiangnan West Road to obtain the Tang Empire's money. They bought the Tang Empire's local goods and returned to Japan. Each trip, the profit is ten times. "
Seeing this, Wang Juan laughed. "Haha, the Japanese are really smart. They know the trade gap. The Tang Empire doesn't impose tariffs on seafood and knows how to make long-distance transportation. Xiao Bao, it seems that your strategy needs to be improved. There are loopholes in your trade offensive."
"What loopholes?" Zhang Xiaobao put down his arms and asked.
"It can actually let the Japanese come over to make a lot of money. If it's not a loophole, what is it? It has a big impact on the Jiangzhong fishery industry. The information is simple, but if the impact is not big, why did my trading group take action to balance the situation? "
Wang Juan handed the information over.
Zhang Xiaobao picked it up and looked at it. He smacked his lips and said, "It's very normal. Why should I limit the price of seafood? Seafood is rich in nutrients. The people in the interior of the Tang Empire can't eat it. Since the Tang Empire needs it, we don't impose additional tariffs.
Yes, the real mistake is the people in the Jiangzhong fishery industry. They are waiting for my family to take action to balance the situation. Can't they think of a way to further improve the situation? Don't they know how to build a brand? Don't they organize the sales department to open new markets? "
"Oh, according to you, pitiful people must have something hateful? Do you think it's all because of you? They have just been hit and haven't had time to react. What I'm asking is why you don't collect export taxes from the Japanese. "
Wang Juan was not in the mood to embroider anymore. She put the brackets back.
Zhang Xiaobao understood what Wang Juan meant. If the Tang Empire's merchants did not collect export taxes from the Japanese, they would have to sell their products at a lower price than the Japanese. Otherwise, it would encourage more Japanese to buy their products and sell them back.
At that time, they would still have to collect export taxes. Although it would affect a large number of Japanese merchants, it would also form the psychological habit of the Japanese of fixing the price of certain products. It would be difficult for the Tang Empire's merchants to sell their products at a higher price. The main reason was that they could not afford to wait so long to slowly wear down the Japanese.
But Zhang Xiaobao felt wronged. "How can I not collect them? I have collected all the key products. In order to show fairness, I even collected export taxes from the Tang Empire's merchants. But I have an export tax rebate for the Tang Empire's merchants.
Of course, the Japanese need our products urgently. If they can buy it with their money, they will be very happy. It's impossible for them to collect tariffs from us. Otherwise, I would have to consider whether to give them subsidies.
So, I feel that … the products that the Japanese bought are not within the scope of the products that I set. Eh? In that case, the Japanese are very smart. They can find new things and make money. "
As he spoke, Zhang Xiaobao patted his forehead. It was really impossible to guard against.
Wang Juan laughed again. "The Japanese are smart to begin with, and they're extraordinarily smart. It's impossible for the intelligence agency at home to report in too much detail. Why didn't they say what the Japanese bought and let someone investigate it alone? After the investigation, you can think of a way to deal with it. "
"Investigate!" Zhang Xiaobao spat out a word.
The information was quickly reported back. There was no need to report to the Jiangnan West Road. The information that was handed to Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan had been screened by the intelligence personnel in Beijing and could be sent back immediately.
"Wow, this works?" Zhang Xiaobao saw the information about the products that the Japanese bought and gave a thumbs up. "Awesome. We have to deal with the Japanese as soon as possible. If we let them slow down, they might not be easy to deal with."
"Let me see. What did they buy?" Wang Juan snatched the information. When she saw it, she was stunned at first, and then nodded in admiration. "They are so smart. They bought chicken chicks and cheap feed. They are one-month-old chicks.
Then they put them in bamboo cages and take the boat back. They are raised on the way back. When they arrive in Japan, they are more than two months old, three months old. If the weather is bad, they will be four months old.
They are sold as soon as they get off the boat. This is a new breed of chicken promoted in the Tang Empire. The meat is tender and the price in the Tang Empire is average. Some businessmen send them to other countries to sell them at a very high price. Why didn't they think of raising them on the way back? "
"Yes, yes. I hope that all the chickens on their boat will die of the chicken plague in the future. Otherwise, they will fall into the sea. It is not good to be too smart. Oh, no. We have to tell the customs not to let the Japanese ship carrying chickens into the Yangtze River.
What if they come back with some sick chickens? What if they pass the disease to our chickens? We have to strictly control the hygiene of livestock, poultry, and fresh goods. "
Zhang Xiaobao suddenly thought of this very important matter. Which family raised these things? If they all died one day, the whole family would feel like hanging themselves.
Wang Juan also reacted. "Just like the locust trap you used on Tubo. Xiao Bao, you said that even if the Japanese did not deliberately spread the disease, our Tang Empire would not have diseases of its own? The medical school can't keep up with the speed. You have to think of a solution. "
"Me? What solution do I have? I don't know how to treat diseases. I can only advocate the general idea of raising animals. For example, disinfection. If they really fall ill, they can only bear with it. If they can't even treat humans, how can they spare the effort to treat animals?
It can't be that the Tang Empire's imperial court or Li Longji's money is used to see whose livestock and poultry die and then compensate them, right? If it is a natural disaster, it can be done. If the disease is found in a certain area, it can be compensated by killing all the livestock and poultry in the area. "
Zhang Xiaobao started to have a headache. This development was too fast, and the various industries couldn't keep up. If a single industry stood out, it would be like the Wooden Bucket Principle, leaking everywhere.
But if he waited for the other industries to develop together, how long would he have to wait? Ten thousand years was too long, and he could only seize every moment.
Wang Juan also temporarily put aside the various problems of the Jiangnan West Circuit. She picked up a piece of beef jerky and put it in her mouth. She also worried about it.
After a while, Wang Juan swallowed the last bit of beef jerky and nudged Zhang Xiaobao. "Xiao Bao, let's set up an insurance company. You're in charge of the Great Tang Bank, so it's more convenient for you to compensate. We can't always rely on the imperial court's finances, your family's money, and Li Longji's money."
Zhang Xiaobao shook his head vigorously. "Don't you know how many insurance scams there are? If the mechanism is not perfect, or the technology is not up to par. If a family raised a hundred chickens and found that they couldn't sell them, they would all die. They would say that the chickens died of illness, and they would have to compensate. Would you pay? Do you know whether the chickens died of illness or not? "
"You have to know how simple the people of Great Tang are, and there's also your economic appeal. Insurance is actually a profitable industry. Who would cause problems for no reason? Gather the wealth of the masses to save the masses from their troubles. Give it a try? Try it among the merchants first, and if it's successful, we can promote it to the common people. "
Wang Juan continued to urge Zhang Xiaobao.
She considered that there would be insurance scammers, but there wouldn't be many of them. Furthermore, one couldn't always scam others. As the people in charge of verification grew more and more experienced, this industry would become more and more perfect.
No one could say that once a system appeared, there wouldn't be any loopholes. It could be gradually improved. If one didn't do it, it would forever be a dream.
Zhang Xiaobao looked at Wang Juan, then stood up and walked to the door. He pushed open the door and looked at the sky. The sky was clear, and there weren't many clouds. Only a few cotton-like white clouds floated in the windless sky, looking very leisurely. Occasionally, a bird would fly by, and the sunlight would shine down, adding a hint of warmth to it.
"Sometimes, I don't even want to think about the purpose of life. I'm afraid that if I think about the development and ending of everything, I won't even be able to find the meaning of life. That's why I walk with my head down. With every step I take, I can feel the strength returning to me. That's why I have a sense of existence.
"Since you said that you want to set up an insurance company, then we'll set up one. It's not for the sake of the common people, nor is it for vanity. It's just because you said that we should find more things that can make us more fulfilled. Without goals and challenges, that's the tragedy of life.
I like peace and calmness, but it's not the calmness at the beginning. It's the calmness of Dugu Qiubai holding a hoe and listening to a group of people who can't even hold a sword properly discuss sword techniques. When he looks back, there's a trace of a peaceful smile on his face.
Tomorrow, we'll set off with Li Longji. When we're on the boat, we'll have a good talk with him. Ask him if he wants a share. Just one share, no more than that. Absolutely not. "
After looking at the sky for a while, Zhang Xiaobao said these words. He turned around and sat down, looking very energetic.
Wang Juan looked at Zhang Xiaobao and revealed a sweet smile. "Hurry up and finish what you're doing. Sleep early tonight. I haven't been able to sleep well recently. You have to eat a tortoise pot for dinner, the kind with ginseng."
*****
The next day, Li Longji woke up with dark circles under his eyes.
He had been dreaming the previous night and couldn't sleep well at all. He tossed and turned, and occasionally felt thirsty. When he woke up, he even wanted to drink tea. In the end, he couldn't sleep at all.
Since he was young, he had never been to the sea in the south. He had only heard about it from others, looked at the models in the palace, and ate the local specialties there. He had always yearned for the sun, the beach, and the coconut forest.
Now, he finally had the chance to experience it for himself. It wasn't easy. In his dream, he even grew wings and flew with the seagulls. With a flap of his wings, he flew a few li away. With another flap of his wings, he woke up. The thin blanket covering him had fallen to the ground. It was cold.
"Xiao Bao is such a scammer. When he went to Jilin Province, he had to choose winter. I didn't even get to bathe in the sea once. It's on purpose. I guarantee it's on purpose. I'll get to bathe in this time, right? Didn't they say that it's always warm there? Take it away, I don't eat breakfast. When we get to the boat, I'll have Xiao Bao make it. I'll eat more on an empty stomach. "
Li Longji was helped by a palace maid to put a hot towel on his eyes. While he was trying to get rid of the dark circles under his eyes, he didn't stop talking. As he spoke, he waved his hand and had someone take the porridge away.
When the sun rose high in the sky, Li Longji saw Zhang Xiaobao. When Zhang Xiaobao saw that he hadn't slept well, he said, "Your Majesty, in the future, when you have insomnia at night, when you wake up early in the morning and don't eat anything, you can drink some warm wine to help your complexion become more rosy. What did you dream about?"
"I dreamed that you made 200 different dishes for me. We'll eat at noon. Why aren't you going to prepare them?" Li Longji said angrily.
"Oh, I thought you were dreaming about the important matter I wanted to discuss with you today. The important matter of making money. Since that's the case, I'll go prepare the dishes." Zhang Xiaobao turned around and left.
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