Zepu was once a hub for maritime transportation and has been a port-type town for overseas trade since the Tang Dynasty.

The Port of Zepu is one of the four major ports in ancient China and is the main gateway for exchanges and trade with Japan, Southeast Asia and the Persian Gulf region.

Since the end of the Tang Dynasty, the Yang family has been an old sailing family. In its prime, they have been in the vast world and have gone out to make a living after being poor.

It is this process that has had a huge impact on the economy and society of Yanpu Town.

The Yang family is the operator and witness of the prosperity of Zepu Port, and is also the four major sailing families during the Five Dynasties.

Yang Qing’s originated from the Yang family at the exit of the Qiantang River from the eastern edge of the Hangzhou-Jia-Hubei Plain in northern Zhejiang.

During the Yang family's peak period, it had hundreds of ships of all sizes and sizes, making it the largest maritime merchant in Xipu Port and even China.

Unfortunately, during the generation of Grandpa Yang Qing, about 40 years ago, before Yang Qing was born, Yang Qing's uncle Yang Zhi led his team to sea and encountered a great storm. More than 100 Yang's ships and the elites of the Yang family sank into the sea.

At this point, the Yang family was greatly damaged. Under the suppression of the other three majors, the Yang family gradually declined. After Yang Qing grew up, the Yang family was just a small sea merchant, and they could only go out to sea with other people's ships.

Yang Qing was unwilling to be so angry that he spent money to join the Maritime Service, which gave his family a chance to breathe. Some people in the Maritime Service, and the Yang family's business was a little smoother, but it was probably extremely rare to restore their past glory.

Yang Qing had no idea of ​​the glory of the past. After all, when he was a child, he was already in a hurry at home. Unlike his cousins, who had a deep impression of that glory, so he was not entangled in the so-called glory of revitalizing his ancestors.

His cousins ​​were quite disappointed with this and believed that his ability should be a big maritime businessman instead of just eating and waiting to die in the Maritime Warehouse.

Yes, that's what his cousin said. Although his cousin needs to rely on his power, he will still point fingers at him.

Yang Qing was both angry and funny about this situation. What annoyed was that these cousins ​​looked like they were looking higher than their top.

What’s funny is that they had to bow down to some small boat owners, and then during their family banquets, they tried their best to criticize those small boat owners for not knowing how to sail.

Yang Qing was in charge of the Maritime Service and was from the Navigation Family. He was very familiar with maritime trade. He knew very well that under the current situation, it was extremely difficult to restore the so-called glory of the Yang family.

Nowadays, the competition at sea is fierce. There are similar large families in the three major families of Qianpu Port, the four major ships in Quanzhou, as well as ports such as Fuzhou, Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Mingzhou, Wenzhou, Xiuzhou, Jiangyin, and Mizhou. The ocean seems vast, but it is difficult to accommodate another large sailing family.

Therefore, Yang Qing cherishes his job as a manager of the Maritime Mansion Department, which is a safe haven for drought and flood. After all, sailing is hard and dangerous, and he has to face great competition. Isn’t it good to be a civil servant who is busy and waiting to die?

Therefore, Yang Qing was not very interested in Jiang Rucheng's arrival. Of course, as a friend of many years, he was quite happy about Jiang Rucheng's arrival, and was entertaining with good wine and dishes.

Jiang Rucheng persuaded Jiang Rucheng in every way, and Yang Qing advised Jiang Rucheng to eat and drink.

It was Jiang Rucheng who was very sorry for this: "You, you, it would be a pity if you didn't seize such a good opportunity."

Yang Qing said lazily: "Forget it, I'm pretty good now. My wife and children are warm on the bed. You know my son should take the imperial examination in two years. If he can pass the exam, I will enjoy the rest of my life!"

Jiang Rucheng's eyes lit up: "Old Yang, do you know the origin of my boss?"

Yang Qing shook his head: "Aren't you just a monetary? Otherwise, you wouldn't be able to focus on Shanghai trade."

Jiang Rucheng smiled and said, "My boss, Jiayou's second-year top scholar!"

Yang Qingyi was shocked: "The top scorer?"

Jiang Rucheng nodded with a smile.

Yang Qing praised: "That's really amazing...but what does this have to do with me?"

Jiang Rucheng smiled mysteriously: "Then do you know who his father is?"

Yang Qing smiled: "Can it be my husband?"

Jiang Rucheng was so sorry for his bad luck: "You, you have all the skills. Now you know that your wife and children are warm on the bed. Even Ouyang Bian is Ouyang Xiu's son?"

Yang Qingyi was shocked: "Assistant to the political affairs of Ouyang Xiu?"

Jiang Rucheng nodded.

"Hiss!" Yang Qing took a breath, "...but what's the matter with me?"

Jiang Rucheng: “…”

Jiang Rucheng almost turned around and left. For such a guy who couldn't get in... Oh, a guy who couldn't help the mud, he really didn't want to persuade him, but when he remembered his promise to Ouyang Bian, he still felt patient.

"Your son's grades are good, right?"

"Of course it's good."

"Can you pass the provincial examination?"

"It's necessary for the provincial examination, so save the examination... work hard."

Jiang Rucheng smiled: "If there was a top scholar who gave me some advice, or if I asked Jushi Ouyang, a former genius who won three consecutive years, would you think it would be better?"

Yang Qing's eyes gradually shine: "Can you do it?"

Jiang Rucheng refused to say anything: "I can give it a try."

Yang Qing thought carefully: "Your boss asked me to go to Bianjing to see him?"

Jiang Rucheng nodded: "Yes, it's not necessarily you."

Yang Qing smiled proudly: "If it is true as you said, it's me!"

Jiang Rucheng smiled and said, "Then when will you be able to make a journey?"

Yang Qing said: "No hurry, I have to go home and discuss with my wife."

Jiang Rucheng: “…”

...

It was a month after Ouyang Bian returned to Bianjing.

This month, he supervised the customs of goods strictly in accordance with the imperial edict. Those who were unwilling to be a garden household would be directly released as tea farmers;

He did not stop those tea farmers who did not have their own mountain areas and were willing to be a gardener, but he did not strictly order the losses to be grafted on the tea farmers;

As for purchasing tea, it is necessary to refer to the market price and cannot be priced arbitrarily by the goods service.

Later, Ouyang Bian visited the fields purchased by the Agricultural Bank, inspected the newly built official roads, and visited the enterprises supported by the Agricultural Bank, especially industries such as cement and iron smelting.

A month passed in the blink of an eye, and when I returned to Bianjing, the weather had already warmed up.

Ouyang Bian returned home in a dusty manner and saw a happy family.

The palace examination has ended and the results have been announced. All three brothers of the Ouyang family passed the imperial examination. Although they did not pass the imperial examination, they were all from Jinshi, especially Ouyang Li, who even entered the second grade.

The Ouyang family has produced five Jinshi!

This is even more awesome than the Su and Zeng families!

Recently, Ouyang Xiu’s look at people not with his eyes, but with his nose.

At this time, Ouyang Bian came back and everyone was even happier.

Ouyang Bian quickly arranged a banquet, so naturally the whole family had to have a celebratory banquet in a neat way.

Ouyang Fa's family of three, Ouyang Yi and his newlywed wife, Ouyang Fen, Ouyang Bian and Ouyang Xiu, the whole family had a lively meal, and they were all happy and energetic.

That is, the Ouyang family. If they change to another family, they have no intention of having a meal, and they will have to be crazy about being happy.

The Ouyang family is calm after all.

Ouyang Xiu, who won three Yuan in a row, Ouyang Bian and the top scholar in Jiayou for the second year, had these two people in front of him. Although three of them won the Jinshi this time, they were also very happy, but they were not that shocking.

Of course, this is just what the Ouyang family thinks.

Ouyang Bian couldn't help but sigh that even if he didn't fight at this time, he could still be prosperous and prosperous for the rest of his life, right?

But the next moment, Ouyang Bian burst into laughter.

Now he is no longer the newcomer, and his mind is no longer the mind of an ordinary person.

Whether it is the ideas of later generations or the ideals of contemporary scholars and officials, it determines that he is still willing to do something.

This idea was fleeting. He quickly devoted himself to the joy of the family. Everyone was chatting happily, and the atmosphere was very harmonious. He knew that Mrs. Xue went into the kitchen and brought out a large pot of darkness, emitting an unknown smell... brushing the pot of water?

Then the joyful atmosphere disappeared.

Ouyang Bian clearly saw that everyone's smiles became stiff, and the little nephew's face could no longer see happiness. The eldest sister-in-law and the second sister-in-law forced a smile, but Mrs. Xue was full of enthusiasm and expectation.

Just when Ouyang Bian didn't understand what was going on, Ouyang Xiu was already laughing: "Okay, okay, madam is worrying again, what is the effect of this pot of medicinal soup?"

Mrs. Xue said happily: "This pot of medicine soup is quite good. It contains a lot of precious medicinal materials. After drinking it, it strengthens the body and replenishes one's vitality. The key is that it is suitable for all ages and young people. No one will make mistakes when drinking it. Who can try it first."

Ouyang Xiu waved his sleeves and said, "Come on, boss, try it first. I see that you have worked very hard recently and your face is pale. Hurry up and drink two big bowls!"

Ouyang Fa's face was originally rosy after drinking, but when Ouyang Xiu said it, it turned pale. He trembled with his lips, a smile on his face, and a filial look: "I am so grateful to my parents for their care, but as the boss, I can't stand in front of such a good thing..."

Ouyang Fa turned his head and smiled with his second son Ouyang Yi, with his big brother's kindness: "...Second, you come first."

Ouyang Yi smiled honestly: "Brother is right. Brother is indeed a brother who loves his younger brother. Third, come first."

Ouyang Wu looked righteous: "That's right, how can an older brother not take care of his younger brother..."

He glanced at Ouyang Bian, weighed it, and turned his head resolutely and smiled at Ouyang Xiu: "But in my heart, my father is the first, after all, let's do it first."

Ouyang Xiu gritted his teeth and smiled, "It's natural for my father to be kind. Come on, you drink two big bowls first!"

The Ouyang brothers and the other two waved their hands repeatedly: "No, how can they be in front of their father!"

What a situation where a father is kind and son is filial. Ouyang Bian was very moved and moved slowly backwards. Then he felt someone behind him pressing against him. Ouyang Bian turned around in anger and saw that it was his eldest brother Ouyang Fa.

Ouyang Fa grinned and showed his buck teeth: "Young brother, you just came home. My mother has always liked you the most. My mother's feelings should make you feel the first. Come on, drink it first!"

When Ouyang Fa spoke, Ouyang Yi and Ouyang Fen immediately agreed: "Yes, the youngest has not tried his mother's skills yet. The youngest is the youngest first."
To be continued...