Chapter 126

Spring is the best time to plant trees. In the past few years, Zhang Fangyuan has been taking care of the hills he bought. Although the mountains and forests have never been as direct as earning money like the land, they have also saved a lot of living expenses.

The firewood, fuel charcoal, wood, and fodder for daily use can all be obtained from the top of the mountain, which saves the money to buy these things in the shop, and the money saved is not less than the money earned by growing crops.

The farm laborers in the village would go to the hills to help weed weeds and plant some saplings when they were not farming. Zhang Fangyuan also asked the farm laborers who went to help to collect some firewood for themselves. A few years ago, the imperial court sold the mountain land to private individuals. There are fewer and fewer mountains where ordinary people can go to collect firewood. Zhang Fangyuan allows people who help manage the mountain to collect firewood, and the farm laborers are even more keen to help.

In the early spring, Zhang Fangyuan bought fruit tree seedlings and said he wanted to plant them. He never hired anyone. It was enough for the family to hire farm laborers to go to work.

Zhang Fangyuan and Xu He went to the foot of the mountain, but the carriage couldn’t get on, so the two had to ride up the mountain instead. The foot of the mountain, which was barren and luxuriant, has now been reclaimed one by one to make land, Zhang Fangyuan waved his hand, and also Allot it to farm laborers.

It’s spring now, and people are busy plowing the fields and farming everywhere. Seeing that it’s not easy for the hired farmer, Xu He has to catch up with the time to farm, and he has to send people to go up the mountain to **** the fields and plant fruit trees. : “The farm laborers who went up the mountain to help plant fruit trees should be paid appropriately.”

Zhang Fangyuan responded: “Listen to you.”

The weather on the mountain is colder, and it’s not a mountain to walk up. Suddenly, it’s a bit freezing when the temperature drops. Zhang Fangyuan gathered up a big cloak for Xu He. Although the weather is not very warm, the farm laborers on the mountain do their jobs. Work hard, but it’s quite lively.

Seeing Zhang Fangyuan and Xu He coming, the servant who was in charge of hoeing the mountain and planting trees came up to invite Ann and reported the progress of the planting.

The farm laborers also put down their work and came up to pay their respects.

Zhang Fangyuan said: “Fu Lang thought about everyone’s busy spring and came to plant trees. After the fruit trees are planted, everyone who comes to do the work will receive one hundred and twenty cash from the master’s hand. Those who receive the money can exchange it for firewood and take it back home.”

Although the salary is not much, it is better than doing nothing at all. Everyone was very happy to hear that they were paid, and they all thanked Zhang Fangyuan and Xu He.

“Go to work.”

Zhang Fangyuan waved his hand, and took Xu He to see the newly planted fruit tree saplings. In addition, he dug some bamboo with bamboo whips and moved them to the mountain. After a few years, when they grow, they can go to their own mountains. I went to dig bamboo shoots to make delicacies.

“Sir, Fulang, some stones like this were dug under the wild walnut tree ahead.”

“This is?” Xu He used to collect firewood on the top of the mountain, and he saw a lot of rocks, but most of them were clean or red stones, and black stones were rarely seen, and the stones he brought did not seem to be exposed in the forest. The black stone washed by the rain for a long time is much clearer and harder.

Zhang Fangyuan took a slight breath, and only asked the farmhand: “Where did you come from?”

Hearing that the master was going to pay wages, the farmhand was a bit brute, knowing the good news, he swung his **** to the point of anger, but he didn’t expect that there was a stone buried in the ground, and when he went down with the hoe, he picked up the **** that the master gave him. It was smashed.

The price of iron farm tools is not cheap. I’m afraid they will lose money if the tools are broken, or the wages they receive are not enough to fill them up, and they will have to pay them back. While the owner was still on the mountain, he simply took a hard stone and came to plead guilty.

“Just ahead.”

The farm laborer honestly led people to the past.

I saw that the bushes and grass on the big side were hoeed, and half a hole was dug to make a nest for the fruit trees. The **** fell on the ground and limped.

Zhang Fangyuan ignored the farm tools and went straight to dig up the soil, and a large similar stone was buried underneath.

He raised his head and looked, the land was thin, and there were not many vegetation growing there. Originally, there was a large area of ​​ferns and green grass covering it, but he hadn’t hoeed it all the time. He didn’t know that the soil here was thin. Many experts who buy mountains do not like to buy mountains with thin soil, because there are many rocks in the mountains, it is not easy to plant trees.

When they bought the mountain earlier, the couple came a bit late, and the good ones had already been picked away. They only decided to buy the mountain because it was close to their village.

The farmhand was worried. It was the first time we hoeed the weeds on the west mountain side, but the thin land was hoeed and the farm tools were broken. Today is bad luck.

Unexpectedly, Zhang Fangyuan held the rock and frowned and smiled: “There is no need to **** this end, thin land is not suitable for planting.”

Seeing that the owner was not unhappy, the farmhand heaved a sigh of relief, and asked cautiously, “The hoe…”

“Go and let the person in charge replace it with a new one.”

After dismissing the farm laborer, Zhang Fangyuan immediately summoned the servant in charge and whispered some instructions. Xu He looked at the farm laborer who had been taken to another place, and turned around to see Zhang Fangyuan holding a stone in his hands. He didn’t know why, “What’s so special about this stone?”

Zhang Fangyuan pulled Xu He aside: “You have never been a corvee, maybe you don’t know this thing. This is not an ordinary stone, but iron ore.”

Xu He’s eyebrows twitched: “Is it a stone made of iron?”

“good.”

If someone hadn’t said it, he really wouldn’t have recognized it. But it’s no wonder that he can’t recognize iron ore. The imperial government operates salt and iron, and there are only ironware in the blacksmith’s shop on the market, and these shaped hoes, sickles and farm tools are all bought by the blacksmith’s people from the government-run iron shop. If it wasn’t for the corvee who participated in the mining, it would be almost impossible to see how to smelt iron, and naturally it would not know how to extract iron ore.

Iron is expensive, many ordinary people can’t even afford farming tools, and there are not many opportunities to go to the blacksmith’s shop, where there is a chance to see iron ore; on the other hand, the people who go to do corvee labor may not all be sent to Mining, under various circumstances, many ordinary people do not recognize iron ore.

Others may not know it, but Zhang Fangyuan has been fond of hunting and slaughtering pigs since he was a child, and he has a house full of tools and ironware. In the past, he spent as much time touching ironware as he did chopsticks.

If you like something, you naturally understand it much deeper than ordinary people.

He couldn’t hide the smile on his face, and shook the heavy stone in his hand: “We made a lot of money buying this mountain!”

Xu He doesn’t know much about how iron ore is handled, but he knows that salt and iron are managed and controlled by the imperial court. What should they do if iron ore is found in their mountains? Seeing that Zhang Fangyuan dismissed the farm laborers just now, he said in the morning After learning about the private salt, he asked Zhang Fangyuan in a low voice: “If someone finds out that there is iron ore on our mountain, won’t it be confiscated?”

“Nowadays, although the family is not comparable to the big merchants in Jiangnan of Suhui, it is also a big and prestigious family in Siyang. Ruijin has a good chance of imperial examinations. If the family’s money is not extravagant, it is enough, but there is no need to smuggle official iron. .”

Zhang Fangyuan couldn’t help laughing when he saw Xu He’s serious and admonishing face, he squeezed the back of Xu He’s hand: “Even if I dare to risk myself, I don’t dare to risk you and the two children. ”

Knowing that Xu He didn’t understand the iron industry, he patiently explained: “Anyone who digs out official mines on private land, 20% will be confiscated, 40% will be sold to the imperial court at the official price, and 40% can be sold by himself.”

Xu He was shocked when he heard the words. He didn’t know about this, and when he learned about the orifice, he quickly said, “Then let’s quickly see how many mines there are!”

“Since I have discovered it, I won’t just have this at hand, probably not less, I’m afraid it’s hard to estimate, and then I will send two trustworthy people to have a look first, and find a suitable one after I have an idea.” Reported the opportunity to the imperial court and sent people to mine.”

Xu He suppressed the smile in his eyebrows, and asked Zhang Fangyuan tentatively and curiously: “How much money can I expect to receive?”

“It’s hard to say. If 20% is confiscated, there is nothing to talk about. If 40% is sold at the official price, you can’t get much good price. The remaining 40% is profitable.” Zhang Fangyuan leaned into Xu He’s ear and said : “It will never be less than ten thousand taels of silver.”

“As for the specific number, it depends on how to deal with the time and how many there are.”

Xu He took a slight breath, this was a happy event from heaven, and in this way, the money for buying the mountain was doubled.

He couldn’t hide the joy in his heart, but he had to keep it low-key in his heart, lest others would find out that jealousy would cause trouble. Everything has to be settled by the imperial court sending people to mine.

The couple agreed tacitly and didn’t talk about it, they just thought it was bad luck, the soil in the Western Mountains was thin, and it was not easy to plant. The master servant led the farmer away from this side, and planted the fruit trees and bamboo elsewhere, but no one asked much. .

After returning back, Zhang Fangyuan took someone he trusted to investigate whether it was true, and the matter was safe, but he was happy but also a little worried.

The iron ore matter needs to be reported, of course it is reported to the local officials, and then the county magistrate reports to the top, layer by layer, that is, layer by layer to be rewarded by the top until the central government, everyone wants to get something out of it, the state government Even Zhang Fangyuan, an official at the top, can’t control it, but he just doesn’t want Siyang magistrate to get the light of their mountain iron mine.

If you report directly to the county government, the county magistrate will definitely get some benefits. First, you can make a lot of money from the iron ore, and second, report the iron ore, and the imperial treasury will be filled again. Those who record meritorious service, officials can not only get praise from the court, but also add a touch of glory to their political achievements, so they are very concerned about the mining industry.

In view of the past festivals, how Zhang Fangyuan wanted him to lie on his body to **** blood again. For this reason, even though Zhang Fangyuan was happy to get the iron ore, he did not rush to report it, and then the imperial court sent people to mine the mountain.

The left and right families were not in a hurry to spend money, and the mine was on the top of his own mountain, so he couldn’t escape, so he kept his affairs secret and went to report to the county in a hurry.

Just as Zhang Fangyuan was thinking about how to get around the county magistrate with the help of other officials, a letter from a salt merchant in the south of the Yangtze River came, saying that the price of salt in Siyang was priceless. Yanyin manages the Siyang Salt Company, and the Yanzheng will come to Siyang to inspect suitable candidates in the near future.

Zhang Fangyuan and the merchants who had a banquet at a table when Jiangnan salt merchants came to Siyang were the first to receive the news. The news was so hot that it immediately exploded the hearts of the merchants.

“Is this news reliable? Is it true or false?”

Xu He felt that although there were traces to follow, it was so exciting that people doubted his authenticity.

“The salt merchants in the south of the Yangtze River have been in the salt business for many years, they must have a wide network of contacts, and they often deal with the imperial court, so they must be right.”

Zhang Fangyuan thought: “Probably he also wanted to win Siyang’s Yanyin, but the imperial court favored the local merchants in Siyang, and Jiangnan salt merchants thought that since they had property in Siyang, they sold their favors to the old escorts. As for the banquet merchants, no matter which one is lucky enough to be selected by the imperial court in the end, it must be to thank him for his favor in the end.”

Xu He thought, carefully unfolding it, he felt that the Salt Chamber of Commerce kindly sent news.

He couldn’t help looking at Zhang Fangyuan: “Then our family is going to fight for this opportunity?”

“If you don’t fight, I’m afraid you won’t have a good sleep every day before the Yanzheng decides who to choose!”

At the end of April, Zhang Fangyuan and Xu He finally received Ruijin’s letter.

The general examination is scheduled to start in March this year. This letter was written by Ruijin when he arrived in the capital and found a place to stay. On the way back, the courier made a mistake and delayed a lot of time. Ruijin counted the time when he received the letter Already out of the examination room.

I’m afraid that if this letter doesn’t come again, the second letter will arrive soon.

Brother Xiaoli read the letter sent back by his elder brother to the two elders. Ruijin didn’t say much, perhaps to comfort the elders, but he added a few words in the letter, briefly explaining the customs and customs along the way, and also said that Beijing In the prosperity of the city, where does he end up, he misses Xu He’s dishes a lot when he drinks and eats.

After Lin Lin always wrote, there were still two pages left. Brother Xiao Li looked back and forth after reading it: “It’s rare that my brother wrote so much, but he didn’t write a single sentence for me. He really has no conscience.”

Finally, after waiting for the son’s letter, Zhang Fangyuan and his wife felt more at ease, Xu He said with a smile: “Your elder brother had a long talk with you before leaving, didn’t you talk much?”

Brother Xiao Li pursed his lips, and folded the letter paper: “Since my brother is thinking about the food at home, I will go and order my servants to find the caravan in the capital to bring some easy-to-store items for my brother. The left and right letters said where to stay. , if my elder brother passed the exam, he would have to stay for the imperial examination, maybe my elder brother would still be lucky enough to eat the food delivered from home.”

“You are thoughtful. It’s just that there is no one who is so easy to pass the test. You are the best in the world, and many of them are the children of officials in the capital.” Although Xu He said so, but He never stopped Brother Xiaoli from sending things to the capital: “Your brother likes preserved eggs, remember to bring more.”

“Okay, listen to daddy.”

Xu He smiled and urged: “Okay, don’t be poor, go get ready.”

After Ruili went out, Zhang Fangyuan joked with Xu He: “Actually, it’s okay if you don’t pass the Ruijin exam. Right now, you’re already a candidate. It’s a good source to open an academy when you come back.”

“He likes to study, so how can he let go of it so easily and stop taking the test.” Xu He counted the days: “The test results will be released in about half a month after the test, and now the test results must have come out, just wait for the letter from Ruijin If there is no delay on the way, I am afraid it will take May to get it.”

He said that he didn’t care about the results of the exam, but he still wanted to know the results eagerly, but he couldn’t be in a hurry, because he was born on the root of the imperial city, and he would know as soon as the results came out.

“You don’t have to worry about his affairs. Ruijin has been steady and sensible since he was a child, and he will handle everything well. In the end, he thinks about it quickly on the road.”

As soon as the words were finished, a servant came in hastily: “Master Fulang, there is a letter from outside.”

Zhang Fangyuan took the letter and opened it, and immediately stood up after looking at ten lines.

Xu He hurriedly asked, “Ruijin’s letter?”

“It’s Yanzheng who has arrived in Siyang!”

Xu He’s eyebrows twitched: “Then do you know where the Yanzheng is located?”

“In the magistrate’s official residence.”

“In the official residence?”

This news is not a good thing for the two of them. If Yanzheng listens to the magistrate’s recommendation, they don’t think that the benefits of Yanyin will fall on themselves.

Zhang Fangyuan turned down and said: “You go down first and pay attention to the movement.”

“Yes.”

He tilted his head and said to Xu He: “Since we got the news, the people outside must have got it too. Right now, each of us must want to sharpen his head and jump in front of Yan Zheng. Let’s see the situation first.”

As expected by Zhang Fangyuan, well-informed merchants in the city are already ready to move.

The Qin family is the first among them.

“Master magistrate, please try it. This is the best venison, and it is only delivered from the village. Foreigners are considered adults, but if you say something presumptuous at this table, you are still a family.”

Qin Zhong bowed his head and stood in front of the table to serve the county magistrate’s cloth vegetables, showing no trace of bullying and domineering in his courteous manner.

“This venison is well cooked, not fishy or smelly.” The magistrate also enjoyed it very much.

“It’s a blessing that the adults like this plate of meat. There is still good venison at home. If the adults don’t dislike it, the villain will let the servants pack it up, and the adults can take it with them when they go back.”

The county magistrate said: “Xiangshui loves venison, so it’s rare for my brother-in-law to think about it. I should have brought her back to have a dinner today, but I caught a cold at dawn a while ago. It’s a pity that I couldn’t come back. It’s really unfortunate.”

“It’s her blessing, and also the Qin family’s blessing, that my little sister can be loved by adults.”

The county magistrate raised his wine glass and smiled, knowing why the Qin family invited him to a banquet at this time. There are too many entertainments and secrets.”

Qin Zhong heard the words came to this end, and said right away: “Master Zhixian has a lot of things to do every day, and he has to take time to care about Lord Yanzheng. It’s really hard work. Since the villain is a family with the adults, it would be great if he could share the worries for the adults. .”

“I don’t know what brother-in-law’s intentions are, but I still have to look at Lord Yanzheng’s wishes.”

Qin Zhong has also dealt with this eldest brother-in-law for many years, how could he not know what the county magistrate was thinking, he said very kindly: “The county magistrate understands the heart of Yanzheng, and he will handle it with ease. If the matter can be accomplished, the Qin family will definitely Thank you Master Mu for your kindness.”

The magistrate took a meaningful look at Qin Zhong and Qin Qi: “It’s just waiting for the merchants who appreciate the kindness of the official and they are still queuing up.”

The father and son paused for a moment, the magistrate stood up and patted Qin Zhong on the shoulder, then smiled again: “But since we are talking about a family, I still belong to the Qin family, otherwise, wouldn’t Xiangshui want to quarrel with me?” gone.”

After saying that, he whispered in Qin Zhong’s ear again: “It’s just that the most important thing is to see what the Qin family wants.”

“Okay, today’s dinner was very good, and I’m going back.”

The father and son hurriedly and carefully sent the man out, and when the sedan chair was far away, Qin Qicai said: “I’m afraid he won’t agree easily if he doesn’t offer a considerable condition.”

“The family has made many offerings in recent years, and now when it comes to major events, it may not be that he is thinking about the benefits of the Qin family, but he wants to get more. It seems that the little sister is not doing enough.”

Qin Qidao: “Now is the critical time, so it’s useless for you to say such angry words. What he said is true, there are many people waiting in line outside to see you.”

Qin Zhongzhong was agitated. The magistrate offered fifty thousand taels of silver. Didn’t he want to clean up the Qin family? It was really a lion’s mouth. He couldn’t believe that other merchants in the city could come up with so much money in one fell swoop.

“I gritted my teeth and took out the money, but it was only on the magistrate’s side, and the Yanzheng side has not yet been dealt with.”

Listening to his son’s judgment, Qin Qi couldn’t help sighing: “I think he is willing to ask for a price, so he should take care of the Yanzheng.”

Everyone knows that the salt industry is a fertile field, and the Qin family knew the benefits of starting a private salt business earlier. If not, there is no need to please the county magistrate so much and ignore his greedy conditions.

“I’m afraid that the silver will be spent like water, and it’s just a stepping stone.”

The people outside were anxiously looking for connections, but the Qin family was hesitant to leave or not when they got connections, and no one took advantage of it for a while.