The heart is in the tide, the will is in the tide, the body is filled with lofty sentiments, the sea is in the tide. The waves are not stopped. The wind is lonely, the rain is lonely, a hand parting the clouds to reveal the sun. The snow vanishes from the world.
After hearing Xu Si's suggestion, Wang Wei was prepared to give it a try. No one liked to eat dried grains, and they were about to rot. Why not brew wine? The kind with high alcohol content could be sold to the Deyi Hospital to be used as alcohol. It could also be used to soak medicine and drink slowly.
If he did not have enough money, even if he had a warehouse, he would not be able to replenish it. It was dangerous to sell it secretly. His family might not have enough money. Besides, transporting it here took a lot of time. He could not wait.
After thinking for a while, Wang Wei thought of Xu Si. "Brother Xu, do you have extra money? Lend me 500 strings of coins and I will give you 5% interest. "
Xu Si nodded and then shook his head. "500 strings of coins is not a lot. I can take it out, but I can't lend it to you, and I can't ask for interest. I will lend it to you on behalf of my family's young master. According to the family rules, the inner courtyard cannot lend money to outsiders. Write a receipt and send it to you tomorrow."
Wang Wei did not care who borrowed it, as long as it was useful. He agreed and put it on Xu Si's guqin. "Brother Xu, do you have extra guqin? Give me one. "
Xu Si thought that a guitar was not expensive, so he took it off and handed it to Wang Wei. He also drank the wine in the bowl with Wang Wei. The main reason was that Wang Wei wanted to eat canned fish and spicy cabbage. He was not afraid of the saltiness. Even the fermented bean sauce was in his mouth, leaving nothing behind. He also wanted to eat the canned food.
Xu Si was much more relaxed now that he did not have anything on him. He also lightened the weight of the boat. He continued to walk to the destination with the little bird and wrote a letter to the young master and his wife. He told them about what happened today.
*****
The days were getting warmer and warmer. It was the best time to raise poultry and livestock. The areas south of the Yellow River were the first to take action. Under the orders of the imperial court, the local government started to help the local people learn how to raise livestock. They could save on food and increase the amount of meat, leather, and feathers from poultry.
In Zhuangzi, the owner's family bought a thermometer and registered it with the government. This thing was very strict. If it was damaged, it had to be handed over, and if it was lost, it had to be recorded. Ordinary people without money would apply to buy it in villages, and the price was not low.
A lot of Cherries and Xiao Hong's books were sold. The money earned by the Zhang Family and the Wang Family from the sale of the thermometers was sent to Lu Zhou so that he could continue to build ships. The bigger the better. If they could not build a ship for the time being, they could research it with all their might.
Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan also received Xu Si's letter today.
Even if Zhang Xiaobao didn't care about literature, he knew who Wang Wei was. After reading the letter, he said to Wang Juan, "Red beans are born in the Southern Kingdom, and only a few branches will grow in the spring. May you pluck more of it, for it is the most lovesick thing. Are you very touched? "
"I've heard it too many times, so I don't feel anything. His paintings are not bad. Think of a way to get dozens of them and wait for them to appreciate in the future." Wang Juan seemed to be very calm. She didn't get excited just because the other party was Wang Wei.
Zhang Xiaobao suddenly thought of an important problem and said, "Do you think Wang Wei won't be able to write so many good poems in the future with Xu Si's interference?"
"Why are you worried about this? A real poet can write poems under any circumstances. Poems are also a reflection of life philosophy. Maybe his poems will be better. If that's the case, I really hope he won't write about red beans. His wife died very early, and she hasn't died yet. After his wife died, he didn't marry again. I don't know what kind of illness she died of, so we have to pay attention to it. "
Wang Juan sighed. Now that the medical school was developing bit by bit, many diseases that should have killed people could be saved. She hoped that more lives could be saved in Tang Dynasty.
"So that's how he wrote about red beans? Then was he and his wife as loving as mandarin ducks? "Zhang Xiaobao really didn't know about this kind of history.
"Mandarin ducks are not as loving as you think. It's just that sometimes they swim together in the water during mating season. I'd rather be a wild goose."
"When I see them hugging each other, I feel very good and warm. I'll meet Wang Wei one day. After all, he's also a famous person."
Zhang Xiaobao was excited for a while before he put his energy on other things.
He didn't know how many ships came from Japan this time. Yesterday, it was sent to the county. It was estimated that the ore could be refined for 3,000 taels of silver. Zhang Xiaobao still bought it back at the price of 2,400 strings of coins.
It seemed that the Japanese were also very happy. Maybe they felt that it was better to exchange silver for so many copper coins than to leave it worthless in Japan. They were also asking around about how to buy good technology, such as how to make thermometers and how to get the thing that could be used to fill a person's body with salt water.
They invited officials to dinner, gave gifts, and went to find women together. The result was needless to say. The technology was in the hands of the Zhang Family and Wang Family. How could they give it to them?
"In a few days, Japan will send some silver ore. In fact, it's not easy for them now. In order to learn better technology, they have to submit to the Tang Empire. It's quite pitiful."
Zhang Xiaobao said to Wang Juan when he thought of the Japanese's respectful and cautious appearance when they met the Tang people.
"You mean that we should help them and teach them the technology?" Wang Juan asked.
Zhang Xiaobao waved his hand. "There's no need to teach them the technology. It's too difficult to learn. We should help them and let their people become rich. Therefore, we can increase the flow of goods between the Tang Empire and Japan. We can ship silk to them and let them wear better clothes. We can give them advanced tools to cut trees so that they can grow more food and solve the food problem.
They just need to give up the useless minerals. We should help them if we can. The world should be peaceful and friendly. "
"Why do these words sound so comfortable when they come out of your mouth? Why don't you say that we should include them in the Tang Empire's territory? "Wang Juan asked with a smile.
"The transportation is inconvenient. It's impossible to rule them. Besides, they won't do it. That's a problem of political power. Whether it's a big or small country, they all have their own political power. If you want to talk about Xinluo, it's fine. It's just a river away.
Let's talk about it later. "Zhang Xiaobao really did have such a plan. Although it was a little difficult to make it a reality, it was a little difficult.
Wang Juan didn't want to continue talking about the impossible with Zhang Xiaobao. She pulled Zhang Xiaobao out and said, "The craftsmen are all here. Thank you to Yamamoto and the others for helping us to raise the craftsmen for a long time. We have to hurry up with the repairs. After the pilgrimage, it won't be long before your father comes to the capital.
In the past, when I read the reports, it was said that Zhang Shuo went overboard this time. He arranged for his own people to be promoted, and other people couldn't squeeze in. Those who participated in the pilgrimage were directly given a rank-5 official position, regardless of their original rank.
I wanted to write a letter to him and tell him not to do that. Perhaps he could stay in the position of Prime Minister for a while longer. But I was afraid that he wouldn't listen to me and insist on doing it. When the time comes and something really happens, he'll think that I'm behind it. What should I do? "
"There's such a thing? Li Longji wants to deal with the Prime Minister? I feel that Zhang Shuo's position is very stable. Who can topple him? " Zhang Xiaobao had never heard of this matter, but he knew that the Prime Minister would change in two or three years. Zhang Shuo was the current Prime Minister.
"Everything happened at the same time. Who asked him to think that his position was stable? He was careless. People always look for their own positions. Sometimes, they can't blame others. You should know one of the people who dealt with him. Li Linfu, he's still a minor official. I don't want him to be promoted."
Wang Juan began to explain the 'official case' to Zhang Xiaobao. She meant that she did not want to give Li Linfu any chance.
Zhang Xiaobao understood. A key historical figure was about to appear, and Wang Juan was prepared to suppress it. Hence, he said, "Why don't we invite Li Linfu to go on a trip to the sea? Lu Zhou's place is not bad. The wind is strong and the waves are strong. There's also our Commandery Prince Li's mountain resort, which has very few tourists.
Don't you think Li Linfu was very bad from the beginning? He didn't have much ability. "
"Isn't that so? Li Linfu is quite capable, and he wasn't bad in the beginning. But, so what? I just dislike him. There's no reason to dislike him, alright? There are many people who can do things. It doesn't make a difference whether he's included or not. He's Napoleon, and I won't give him a chance to organize the artillery. "
Wang Juan expressed her thoughts very directly. Zhang Xiaobao pondered for a moment. She was right. Why did she have to care whether someone was famous or not? Zhang Xiaobao was just a minor official now. He agreed.
"That's a good reason. No matter how powerful he is, we won't give him a chance. The reason is that you don't like him. Very well, Li Longji can take down people he doesn't like. Are you worse than Li Longji? Your decision is my insistence. If you don't like anyone, you can deal with them. Tomorrow, we'll write a letter and ask the tour group in the capital to organize a free trip. "
"Who asked you to kill someone right away? We'll organize a tour group and then kill Li Linfu. Do you think others won't be suspicious?" Wang Juan was happy. This was the right way to go. There was no need to explain to others, and there was no need to ask for a reason. She wanted to deal with someone because she wanted to.
"Who can suspect us? We didn't have any contact with him. It's an accident. It's definitely an accident. There are too many accidents in this world. Before an accident happens, his emotions will be very stable. "Zhang Xiaobao was good at this.
"There will be better opportunities in the future. It's too early now. Who will believe that our tour group will invite a minor official? If we invite too many people, the imperial court will not agree. If we invite too few people, it will be too obvious. Also, don't always mock officials. Sometimes, officials have no choice. If they don't say things, they will lose their position."
Wang Juan rejected Zhang Xiaobao's suggestion and prepared to look for other opportunities.
"No, you're thinking too much. Let's go quickly. If you really want to protect Zhang Xiaobao, we'll help him from the side and force him to not be able to get his people in. If he tries to stop us, then he's courting death. He can't blame others."
*****
The place where the model was to be placed in Boxin County had been chosen. The people were very cooperative. After the new place was circled, they rushed over with their families and started the construction of their new homes. The wood used to build the houses was provided by Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan. They also burned a lot of bricks for them. The quality was not good, but it was better than mud.
In addition to building materials for the people who needed to move, each family also provided four piglets and twenty chicks, one male and nineteen females. They also used the shells of river snails to make simple feed, which was enough for the chicks to eat for three months at a time.
Originally, they also wanted to compensate some money, but the people didn't want it. They found the old lady, Zhang Xiaobao, and Wang Juan, who promoted them, and said that they were already very satisfied. As long as they could still find work for their family members in the future according to what they said at the beginning, they would be fine.
Seeing the empty space, Wang Juan said to Zhang Xiaobao, "Look, the people are so good now. There are no nail houses."
"With this kind of compensation, it's impossible to have a nail house in China. It's not like other countries. They don't give up their land at will. Even the railway has to go around. The people in China are the best. Now there are only 20 models. It's estimated that it will take at least a year to build all the Tang Empire."
Zhang Xiaobao looked at the scene in front of him and was very satisfied. The people who lived here not only moved away, but also helped to tear down the original houses. They piled the mud and rotten wood together, fenced the outside of the well, and dug out the original toilets. The support of action was very moving.
Knowing that they were going to start work, He Yiwei also came today. He wanted to see what could be done. He stood at the side, sometimes looking at the well, sometimes looking at the place where the mud was piled up. When he saw Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan arrive, he came closer and said,
"The people in the county are better than in other places. When the people in other places move away, sometimes they need to send soldiers to watch over them. Otherwise, the people are not willing to leave the home they have lived in for a long time, let alone help to tear down the houses."
"That's because everyone treats Baoxin County as their own, not the official's. Naturally, they have to build their own place well." Wang Juan understood the thoughts of the people very well.
"Yes, it's like this. In the future, I will definitely remember what happened today. The yamen doesn't belong to me. It belongs to the people of this place." He Yiwei had now given up on the idea of corruption. When the construction of the county was done, the 500 strings of coins he paid would bring endless money to his family.
It was also the first time he realized that being an official could be so comfortable. As long as he proposed something, the people would help him.
At this time, Zhang Xiaobao nodded to Erniu beside him. Erniu took out a large piece of paper and began to call out to the resting craftsmen. This batch of craftsmen was originally hired by the Four Seas Academy. After selling the silver ores, they wanted to rent the craftsmen to the people who bought the ores to build the county, refine the silver, and process the jewelry.
The people from the Four Seas Academy had a good idea. Unfortunately, they encountered Zhang Xiaobao. The silver ores were just left there, and the craftsmen couldn't afford to keep them. They couldn't afford to keep them, so they could only give some compensation and dismiss the craftsmen. As a result, they were taken over by Zhang Xiaobao.
The wages given were not as much as the people from the Four Seas Academy. Even so, the craftsmen who came over were willing to work for Zhang Xiaobao. This was because they knew that if the wages were lower, the benefits would be higher. They would have a good house to live in, and they would be provided with good food and drinks. If one of them was chosen, they could let Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan bring them back home. Then, they wouldn't have to worry in the future.
Following Erniu's call, the craftsmen gathered. Erniu unfolded the paper and said to everyone, "Take a look at the picture first. If there's anything you don't understand, ask me as soon as possible. First, I will introduce what we are going to do. Our Tang Dynasty has beautiful scenery and abundant resources. Every place has its best side.
Thus, the current Emperor wants to make small models of everything in the Tang Dynasty and place them in the palace. However, the Emperor has the heart of a saint and cares for the people of the world. The palace can't always let everyone in. Thus, he wants my family's young master and young lady to follow the palace's model and build a similar place in Boxin County, so that the people can experience the scenery of the Tang Dynasty together. "
Erniu clearly knew that things weren't like this, but he still said this. How could the people know about the original exchange of benefits? They really thought that the Emperor cared about the people. After hearing this, they were very excited, especially the craftsmen who would really participate. They knew that in the future, good places would be built by their own hands.
This was a kind of honor. It wasn't like they were building an imperial mausoleum, so they weren't afraid of being punished in the end. It was right to come, just like this. Even if they only provided food, clothing, and shelter for their family, it was fine without any wages.
"Don't think that it's easy to do things with a map. Every place has its own style, so you don't need to propose your own style. You must immerse yourself in it and imagine yourself as the people of that place. It's okay if you can't think of it. Someone will tell you the story.
This requirement is very high, and you need to adapt to every style. It's an all-rounder. Those who are capable will go up, and those who are mediocre will go down. Those who feel that they can't do it can withdraw in advance. You will be compensated. "
Erniu continued to explain. At this time, it was time to choose people. He Yiwei also chimed in. "Just like the logistics camp in Yizhou, everyone in there is capable and can fight all day. If you want to do things for the Zhang Family and Wang Family, you must have the ability."
As soon as he said this, the craftsmen were not convinced. Who was afraid of who? Wasn't it just doing things according to the specific situation of each place? Just look and listen, and they would understand. All of them rolled up their sleeves, ready to go all out.
The people in the periphery also joined in the fun and voiced their agreement. In the future, Boxin County would definitely be better than other places because there was something that only the palace had.
Another reason was that since this place was going to be built, it needed people to help transport things. It was also a job.
Seeing that things were about to be done, Zhang Xiaobao, Wang Juan, and He Yiwei each took a shovel and dug the first shovel of earth. Then the sound of firecrackers rang out, and the construction site began to work.
At this time, Cherries, who had not been seen for a few days, came back. She looked angry and walked up to Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan. She said, "Little Master, Little Miss, someone is pestering me and asking me to be his concubine. He said that his family is rich and is bullying me."
"Oh? There's such a thing? Let me see who dares to ask my Cherries to be his concubine. Rich? How much money? Cherries, I agree that you should use your private savings to crush him. "
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