Within the Gongyuan.

Zhang Zhuo and Chen Liqin, wearing dark blue official robes and holding leather belts around their waists, walked side by side on the path among the rows of examination rooms.

In the examination room, the scholars were busy writing and writing, while behind them were a group of officials who followed silently.

When he walked out of the examination room, Zhang Zhuo glanced at Chen Liqin beside him. After retreating, the official chuckled and said, "Master Chen is a good father. He came to Gongyuan specifically to support your two young masters on the autumn day. Is it possible that he is still afraid of them?"

Did you fail the exam? If the imperial censor knows about it, I will definitely refer to your copy and accuse you of not avoiding suspicion."

Chen Liqin looked a little unnatural: "My lord, I misunderstood. I'm just worried about trouble in Qiu Wei."

Zhang Zhuo laughed, patted Chen Liqin on the shoulder, lowered his voice and said, "Don't worry, this time the curtain officers are all personally selected by Mr. Xu, and they are all his disciples. They are a sure bet."

Chen Liqin slowly showed his face. As a fellow magistrate of Luocheng, he had no control over the affairs of the inner curtain official and could only care about the outer curtain.

The power of selecting the inner curtain officials has always been in the hands of Xu Gong, the chief minister of the cabinet. Zhang Zhuo is Xu Gong's niece and son-in-law. Now he takes care of all foreign affairs.

After Zhang Zhuo made his promise, Chen Liqin could rest assured.

After thinking for a moment, Chen Liqin hesitated and said, "I have a dog at home."

Zhang Zhuo smiled and said, "Is it the one who defeated Prince Jing in chess?"

"Exactly," Chen Liqin said calmly: "He made some mistakes before, and I saw that he would not correct them despite repeated admonitions, so I sent him to the Taiping Medical Center as an apprentice."

Zhang Zhuo was surprised: "Oh? I think that kid has good conduct and a calm and reserved personality. What mistakes can he make?"

Chen Liqin hesitated for a moment: "A few years ago, he was led by his gangster friends to the gambling shop in Hongyi Lane. In one year, he actually owed hundreds of taels of silver."

Zhang Zhuo was overjoyed: "What do I think? Who didn't make mistakes when he was young? Why would I send him to be an apprentice? Look at my more than ten sons, how many of them are worry-free?

"

Chen Liqin sighed: "I never thought that he could change his ways in the past two years. I sent people to interview his neighbors, and everyone praised him for being knowledgeable, sensible, and hardworking."

He looked at Zhang Zhuo and said: "Sir, I plan to take him back to the mansion and send him to Donglin Academy in the spring of next year. I will need your help to clear it up by then."

It was said to be a way of communication, but in reality it was to ask Zhang Zhuo for another promise.

It is extremely difficult for ordinary people to pass the imperial examination, but for Zhang Zhuo and Xu Gong, it couldn't be easier.

Zhang Zhuo stroked his sparse beard: "A few days ago, Mr. Xu had a cabinet vote that was refuted by the Ministry of Revenue. It was not a big deal. It was just that Mr. Xu wanted to build some roads for his hometown. This matter

I wonder if your father can be accommodating?"

Chen Liqin frowned for a long time: "I will write to my father and mention this to him."

Zhang Zhuo smiled brightly and patted Chen Liqin on the shoulder: "Master Chen is a good father. He really worries about his children."

Chen Liqin sighed with emotion: "It's a pity that children cannot understand their parents' hard work. They are not afraid of adults' jokes. My dog ​​still refuses to follow me back home, and it doesn't even want to call father."

"It doesn't matter," Zhang Zhuo consoled him: "Now he is just trying to get angry with you, how can he really give up the family name of the Chen family? How much money can he make by being an imperial doctor in a year? Wait until he has eaten enough in the market.

Bitter, knowing that a penny can stump a heroic man's loneliness, he will go home dejected."

Zhang Zhuole chuckled and said: "A while ago, my youngest son said he wanted to be a knight-errant in the world of martial arts and learn from others to do chivalry and justice. As soon as he went out, I sent someone to steal his wallet on the street. This kid came out at midnight in the morning.

He opened the door and returned home at noon, just in time for lunch. If you ask me, just cut off your son's education and he will go home."

"This is a way..."

At this time, Zhang Zhuo's eyes flashed: "By the way, I wonder if your master, Chen Wenzong, has a matchmaker? I have a daughter who is as beautiful as a flower and is waiting to be married..."

"Sir!" An official came forward to report.

Zhang Zhuo said displeased: "What's the matter? Didn't you see that I was discussing important matters with Mr. Chen?"

The official said: "Sir, the prince has sent someone to summon you to Liujiatun. He said that he has thought of a solution for you to solve the problem of refugees, and your political achievements can be saved."

"What?" Zhang Zhuo's eyes were piercing: "Is this true?"

"Seriously," the official turned to look at Chen Liqin: "It just so happens that Mr. Chen is here too. Prince Jing has summoned you to go to the Liujiatun Kiln Factory together."

"What are you calling me for?"

"The prince said that your river embankment can also be saved."

Chen Liqin was startled, Liujiatun Kiln Factory, wasn't that the place where he went to look for traces before? How could there be a way to save the river embankment there?

…

…

In the kiln factory, everyone is still rejoicing.

"Chen Ji, we are done!"

"I didn't believe it when it was said earlier that we could leave a name in history! But in the future, our cement will be used to build river embankments, and our cement will be used to build city walls in all states and governments. History books will not remember us even if they don't want to!"

The prince excitedly asked: "Will the history books really say this: In the autumn of the 31st year of Jianing, Chen Ji, She Dengke, Liu Quxing, Liang Maoer, Luo Zhui Sakya, Zhu Baili, and Zhu Yunxi made cement, leaving a lasting legacy!"

Bai Li smiled and said: "When the work in the kiln factory is finished, I will invite everyone to go to the Yingxian Tower to set up a banquet. You can eat whatever you want and get drunk before resting!"

The prince looked at Bai Li and said puzzledly: "Didn't dad confiscate all your moon silver?"

Bai Li said confidently: "I hid some more!"

In laughter.

Liang Gou'er, lying lazily on the straw mat nearby, secretly looked at the group of cheering young men through the gap between his nose and straw hat.

One of the happiest things when I was young was doing something with my friends.

If there is anything happier than this, it is to get it done.

He saw the smile on Liang Maoer's face, and unconsciously, the corners of his mouth turned up slightly, as if his youth had passed through him all over again.

But just as he looked at it, the light in Liang Gouer's eyes dimmed again. He pulled up the brim of his hat and completely covered his face under the straw hat.

"Old traces."

At this time, Prince Jing spoke, causing everyone's laughter to stop abruptly like an order.

The prince and Liang Mao slowly placed Chen Ji on the ground. Chen Ji stretched out his messed up clothes and said calmly: "Your Majesty, please speak."

But he saw Prince Jing holding a knocked-out brick in his hand, stroking the cement stuck to the brick with his fingers: "Let's talk about this business. You and Yun Xi and Bai Li are close friends, and I won't take advantage of you.

.For a fixed price of five thousand taels of silver, you will sell me the cement formula."

Chen Ji fell into deep thought.

When Prince Jing saw that he did not answer, he said seriously: "The annual fiscal and tax revenue of the Lianghuai Salt Administration is only 950,000 taels of silver, and the annual fiscal and tax revenue of the imperial court is only 550,000 taels of silver. Five thousand taels of silver is enough to make an ordinary person live a prosperous life."

Wealth, don’t miss this heaven-shaking wealth.”

She Dengke slowly looked at Chen Ji and said in a trembling tone: "Chen Ji, five thousand taels of silver!"

Liu Quxing was also ready to make a move: What is the concept of five thousand taels? Ordinary officials, including welcoming people and sending them off, managing human relations and sophistication, only spend one hundred taels of silver a year!

Not to mention the excitement of these two apprentices, even Bai Li felt that his father's move this time was quite generous.

However, Chen Ji laughed: "Your Majesty is digging a hole for me."

Prince Jing raised his eyebrows: "How?"

Starting from the detailed calculation: "The prince said that the imperial court's annual income is 550,000 taels of silver, but he did not say that the court's fiscal revenue is mainly in kind food, which may be converted into tens of millions of taels of silver; the prince said that the Lianghuai Salt Administration

The annual fiscal revenue is only 950,000 taels, but we don’t mention the embarrassment of not being able to collect taxes due to years of abuses in the Lianghuai Salt Administration.”

Prince Jing gradually suppressed his smile.

Chen Ji continued: "Your Majesty did not mention that in the Ning Dynasty, there was a civil servant family like the Liu family that controlled a state. 70% of the state's finances went to the Liu family, and the remaining 30% went to the court. The prince used the court's finances and taxes to steal

To change the concept, I can hear the sound of calculations in my mind from five thousand miles away."

He looked at Prince Jing and said sincerely: "Your Majesty and I know the value of this cement, so why don't we open the skylight and speak frankly."

Prince Jing stared straight at Chen Ji, as if he wanted to see through the soul of the young man in front of him, but Chen Ji did not hide away, only waiting for his answer.

Prince Jing suddenly smiled and turned to look at Wang Kezhi: "Have you remembered the recipe?"

Wang Kezhi said honestly: "Remember, Dr. Chen didn't avoid us on purpose."

Prince Jing nodded: "Very good, we can modify the kiln ourselves and make the cement ourselves, so we don't have to bother Dr. Chen anymore."

Bai Li's eyes widened: "Dad?!"

Prince Jing raised his hands and said with a cheerful smile: "Don't interfere, Bai Li. Cement involves national policy, how can it be in the hands of a few young men? Now that the imperial treasury is in dire straits, being able to come up with five thousand taels of silver is already my greatest achievement."

If you are sincere, it is best if you are willing to accept it. If you are not willing to accept it, then there is nothing you can do."

The powerful feudal lord failed to plot against a young apprentice and actually acted rogue.

Chen Ji said sincerely: "Your Majesty, this matter is too big. I have to go back to the Chen family and ask. If Master Chen Liqin can't make up his mind, then let him write to the head of the Chen family and ask how much they think I should pay."

The money is sold to you, or they are not interested in the business."

Prince Jing's smile faded again: "Don't you want to go back to the Chen family?"

Chen Ji's eyes were sincere: "I can go back."

Prince Jing was silent and carefully considered the pros and cons. After a moment, he looked at Chen Ji and asked, "What did you say last sentence?"

Chen Ji: "I have to go back to Chen's house and ask?"

"One more sentence."

Chen Ji: "Why don't we open the skylight and speak frankly?"

"good."

Chen Ji: "..."

Prince Jing walked around the kiln for a few steps with his head down. When he looked up again, he frankly stated the pros and cons: "Chen Ji, you are very smart, so you must know that this business cannot be done in your hands, and you may die for it."

Bai Li frowned: "Dad, don't scare people..."

Chen Ji raised his hand to stop Bai Li: "Your Majesty is right, money touches people's hearts, and the road to profit has always been bloody and cruel."

Prince Jing nodded: "It's good that you haven't been dazzled by the benefits. Then you should also understand that as your concubine, even if you return to the Chen family with cement, this inheritance will not fall into your hands, but will be Chen's.

If we have a big house, we will divide the second house between us. So your best choice is actually Prince Jing’s Mansion, at least Prince Jing’s Mansion does things more fairly than them.”

Chen Ji acknowledged: "I understand."

Prince Jing looked at Chen Ji and was about to say something more when he saw a carriage outside slowly stopping at the entrance of the kiln.

Everyone looked around and saw old man Yao slowly getting out of the car, supported by the driver.

Old Man Yao walked slowly in front of everyone, glanced at everyone's faces, and then asked: "What are you discussing, so solemn?"

Liu Quxing hurriedly said: "Master, the prince wants to buy the formula for making cement from Chenji!"

Old man Yao said: "How much does the prince charge?"

Liu Quxing replied: "Five thousand taels, but Chen Ji did not agree. We are currently arguing."

Old Man Yao yelled again, took out six copper coins from his sleeve and threw them on the ground, then turned to look at Prince Jing: "Five thousand taels per year."

"How many?!"

Liang Gouer suddenly sat up and his straw hat fell to the ground.

Bai Li was stunned. The price of this cement actually changed from 5,000 taels of silver to 5,000 taels per year?

Old Man Yao looked at Prince Jing and said slowly: "Your Highness will not suffer any loss if he buys this thing."

After that, he looked at Chen Ji again: "That's it. No matter how much money you have, you can't hold it."

Everyone looked at Prince Jing silently, fearing that the lion's open mouth would anger the powerful vassal king.

But Prince Jing suddenly smiled: "Deal."

Chen Ji was stunned.

Deal done?

Is this a deal?

Chen Ji suddenly looked at his master. He didn't know what kind of relationship his skinny master had with Prince Jing. He could actually convince him to change the price from five thousand taels to five thousand taels per year.

This relationship cannot be explained in just one or two sentences.

"Master," Chen Ji asked, "Did you come here specially to help me?"

Old Yao glanced at him sideways: "Why do you have such a big face? I just came to see what you are doing."

Chen Ji: "...Oh."

At this time, Liu Quxing looked at She Dengke in disbelief: "I didn't dream, did I? Five thousand taels a year?"

She Dengke punched Liu Quxing in the chest, causing Liu Quxing to cough several times: "Does it hurt?"

"Fuck you!"

Liu Quxing was about to rush towards She Dengke, but Prince Jing raised his hand to stop him: "Don't worry, wait until I finish. Five thousand taels per year is not without conditions. In addition to the cement formula, I want to carburize into steel."

.”

Chen Ji smiled and said: "Okay."

He is not greedy, he just wants to find a safe and stable property to support the tigers.
Chapter completed!