In late autumn, the sky has never been brighter, and even at noon, it is lazy.

As usual, Hao Fenglou had to reply some letters at this time, and his relationship with Lang Son has become increasingly close recently. It is reported that Lang Son's small list of imperial examinations has begun. Since Grand Secretary Yang Shiqi was in charge, he took the exam for Chen Xue's eight-legged essays. As for how many "talents" can be won in the end, it is hard to say.

However, for Hao Fenglou, the so-called talented people who were selected from the small list are actually of little use. The real meaning is to consolidate Chen Xue's status. Scholars are utilitarian after all. If they read books but cannot become officials, what is the meaning of reading this book?

Therefore, in Yunnan, Guizhou, Guizhou, Guangdong and other places, everyone is studying Chen Xue. Even if the most radical Neo-Confucian scholars are, they are afraid they will not be interested in the classics of Neo-Confucian scholars.

Of course, if a person who takes the small list becomes an official in the future, he can also become Chen Xue's agent, which is naturally a later story.

However, this small list hosted by Yang Shiqi has been criticized by both inside and outside the Jinling court and the country. There are many people who are cursing and ridiculed and sarcastic. Yang Shiqi has dug up the corner of Neo-Confucianism, so how can he not hate it?

In fact, this involves another issue, namely the so-called political interests and positions. Yang Shiqi lost the support of Neo-Confucianism and was suppressed by a group of people led by Xie Jin within Neo-Confucianism. If he wanted to escape, the only way was to introduce foreign aid. If Yang Shiqi wanted to continue his political life, it was not enough to rely solely on His Majesty's trust and he must be strong. Otherwise, he would be called the Minister of the Shang Dynasty, but you could not implement what His Majesty gave you. What use is it for you?

This time, Yang Shiqi was a desperate situation. Although he was still full of curses, the worst time had passed.

Hao Fenglou has always been concerned about the letters from other places in Lang Son. Over the past year, the construction of railways, the mergers of Dingnan, and the ups and downs of Western countries have caused the Lang Son chaebols to expand rapidly. All walks of life have entered a certain fanatical leapfrog development. The huge market has been easily obtained and the power of comprador capitalists from various countries has caused the entire Lang Son and even Jiaozhi workshop to have an illusion that it seems that no amount of goods produced is enough to fill this bottomless pit. Therefore, not only Lang Son, but also other prefectures and counties have expanded production, introduced new equipment in their hearts, recruited people in a crazy way, and produced in a crazy way.

Due to this unlimited demand that has been added out of thin air, Lang Son's crazy expansion and a large amount of silver inflows, this has triggered a new problem, namely inflation, and the necessities of daily necessities on the market have increased several times. Naturally, the salary of craftsmen has increased a little more than prices. In Lang Son, a craftsman's salary is almost five times that of inland and western regions. This has led to a larger influx of population, especially in inland areas. In the nearby provinces, the imperial court's yellow book system has suffered a devastating blow. Not only the imperial court moved, but private population smuggling is difficult to prevent, and it is becoming increasingly rampant, and the government cannot stop it.

This kind of population outflow has put unprecedented pressure on the gentry in several provinces. Without a population, it means that there are no tenant farmers. Without tenant farmers, the land will be deserted, and there will be no harvest. Without harvest, land prices plummeted, and all the inputs will disappear. Dozens of people can only eat the northwest wind.

Disposal has become a fashion, and some large gentry have even sold thousands of acres of land, but no one cares about it. Even if the price is 30% of a few years ago, no one still takes over.

Since this is the case, the only way is to continue to lower the price. When the price of land plummets, who dares to buy land easily? I bought five taels of silver today, but maybe it will plummet to three taels of silver tomorrow. It can be seen that everyone is not stupid.

The gentry suffered heavy losses. The family business that he had finally bought was gone unknowingly. This is the wealth accumulated by generations and the foundation of his ancestors. Now, it has become a luxury to throw away this hot potato.

The gentry was in a turbulent relationship and was very chaotic, but the aftermath of the shock had not yet spread to Jinling. Jinling was still singing and dancing, but many problems had already emerged.

Hao Fenglou had a premonition that a feudal crisis seemed to have begun to brew in the southwestern provinces. This unprecedented crisis had signs, but this crisis was unprecedented. The crisis has always been large inhabitants and small inland, but now it has been reversed, making everyone unaware of it.

But after the day of the outbreak, he didn't know what the situation was. Hao Fenglou thought, and couldn't help but say in his heart: "I'm afraid that it was the time when the old forces were crazy to counterattack."

Hao Fenglou had no doubt about this, because he knew that this gentry class, which had been rooted for nearly a thousand years, would never sit still and wait for death, and once they were forced to a dead end, the power they burst out was absolutely amazing.

The birthday celebration is urgent, and only a few days left. The Hao family's birthday ceremony has been prepared. At that time, the banquet will be held in the palace, but I don't know what will happen.

Somehow, Hao Fenglou always felt that something would happen, but he was a little confused about what was going on.

There is also His Highness, who, with His Highness, has to spend some effort on the birthday ceremony. He has never had his own opinions and must have come to ask for his own opinions, but there has not been any movement yet.

"Ha..." I won't think about this anymore...

Hao Fenglou smiled self-deprecatingly, consciously he was really worried about the life of labor, and seemed to have to prepare for anything in advance.

"Let's ignore these things, it's the right way to do your own thing well."

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Three days later, the birthday begins.

The palace has been decorated in a new way, and the simplicity mentioned in the palace naturally represents shabbyness. A few days ago, all parts of the palace had begun to be covered with red and green. By the time of Mao, civil and military ministers who got up early entered the palace to congratulate.

Your Majesty did not show up, so everyone just celebrated their birthday in Fengtian Hall, and then they all retreated and were all busy with their own affairs.

Only some important royal relatives stayed, such as the Xu family's brothers, Hao Fenglou, and two princes.

King Zhao Zhu Gaosui still smiled heartlessly, winked at Hao Fenglou, came up and lowered his voice, "Did you bring the gift? Guess what big gift I brought?"

Hao Fenglou smiled and said, "I can't guess this, your highness might as well tell him."

Zhu Gaosui then yelled and said, "You are really boring. I want to keep you from hiding me, but you are fine, but I want me to lift the cover. You can wait and see, and I will be sure to open your eyes later."

Hao Fenglou also smiled and said, "So humble and wait and see."

Xu Zuhui was very enthusiastic when he saw Hao Fenglou. Although the two rarely dealt with each other, they had a relationship. If it weren’t for Hao Fenglou’s guidance, Xu Huizu would have been over. Xu Huizu stepped forward and asked some questions: “It’s been a good thing recently.”

Hao Fenglou dared not smile at him, so he naturally said with a stern face, "Thank you, Mr. Hongfu, Mr. Shangke, Mr. Gong is getting stronger and stronger."

Xu Zuhui smiled faintly and said, "But he is still old after all, it's not as good as you young people. I want to invite you to have a few cups of tea several times, but you always refuse to come. Why? Isn't I want to drink my tea?"

The words were a bit blame-like, but they were kind-hearted.

Hao Fenglou quickly apologized: "It's really a death."

Xu Huizu waved his hand and said, "This is okay, but next time, I can't hide anymore."

Hao Fenglou should go down.

On the other side, the prince Zhu Gaochi seemed to be alone. Hao Fenglou walked over and saluted him, saying, "Hello, Your Highness, Prince."

Zhu Gaochi nodded reservedly and said with a smile: "Duke Wei accused you, but I can't help but scold you. You promised him that you must come here in the East Palace. I know that you have always loved tea, so the tea you come to the East Palace is better than the Duke Wei's Mansion."

Of course, these are all polite words on the scene, and no one will take them seriously. Zhu Gaosui leaned aside and said with a smile: "The emperor's tea is very good. If Hao Fenglou goes, I will also be shameless to benefit from it. How about it?"

The implication is that he and Hao Fenglou are advancing and retreating together, and even if they are having tea, they will be together.

Zhu Gaochi laughed. His emperor brother has always been talking nonsense, and everyone has long been accustomed to it. He said, "If you are willing to come, can I still sweep you out? But good tea is also a waste in your mouth. You like to eat wine the most, and there are some good wine in the East Palace."

Zhu Gaosui shook his head seriously: "No, I still want to drink tea. I will drink whatever Hao Fenglou likes to drink."

Everyone was greeting, but a eunuch came in a row and said loudly: "Your Majesty has an order, please go to the warm house and wait for the priest."

After hearing this, everyone stopped talking and went to the warm room. The warm room was still the same, but His Majesty did not arrive, but Jindun was ready. Everyone sat down and looked at each other. Zhu Gaosui sat next to Hao Fenglou, lowered his voice, and said mysteriously: "Father hasn't come so soon. We are afraid that we don't know when it will be."

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Chapter 1 is here. (To be continued, please search for Astronomy, novels are better, updated and faster!
Chapter completed!