From a son-in-law to a favorite of the empress

Chapter 549

When Zhou Yuan and others arrived at Jinan Prefecture, the Internal Court had already sent out 400,000 taels of silver notes. They obviously had their own foundation and could directly contact the Governor of Shandong through special channels.

But to meet the governor of the province, they still had to wait until three days later.

Zhuang Xuansu was very dissatisfied with this, and his face was very ugly: "Because the other party's status is too high, this time we took the route of honesty, and the officers of the Inner Court Department came to our door directly."

"I didn't expect that the other party would be so arrogant after receiving the money, and let us wait for three days."

Zhou Yuan smiled and said, "Do you feel his disrespect for the Inner Court Department?"

Zhuang Xuansu shook his head and said, "I just think these people are lawless and daring. You must know that the Inner Court Department is the personal guard of His Majesty and has natural priority."

Zhou Yuan said, "But it is obvious that this time the Inner Court Department does not represent His Majesty, but merchants."

Zhuang Xuansu sighed, then raised his head, with worry in his eyes: "Zhou Yuan, are we too risky to do this? People who are well-informed know that you have the assistance of the Inner Court Department when you go south this time."

"Sending the Inner Court Department to contact the other party now will undoubtedly expose your identity."

Zhou Yuan shook his head and said, "Not entirely. The current situation is that all kinds of intelligence show that we are still on the boat and heading to Huai'an along the river. "" And the inner court's card will reduce the other party's concerns. After all, they think that the "Wei Guogong" can not do such a low wisdom. "" On the contrary, this will prove the energy and means of my "Master Shen's Master". : "He wants to investigate, investigate the amount of food in Jining County, investigate the information of Lu Shanru in Luzhou, and verify our identity." At the same time, don't forget that the governor of Shandong is very busy, and there are many government affairs that need to be dealt with. "Zhuang Xuansu thought about it:" So this time, you want to confess? Laughing: "The officials of the Inner Ting Division are also people, and they also like money. They are also said to be bought." Zhuang Xuansu no longer speaks, because at the beginning of the establishment of the Inner Ting Division, many traitors have indeed appeared. In the past three or four years, the review of identity has become more harsh and the situation has improved. There was no other way, so everyone had to wait patiently.

This time Zhou Yuan did not do anything like investigating the Black Salt City. Instead, he suggested strolling around Jinan Prefecture and enjoying the beautiful scenery.

This was obviously in line with Guan Caixi's wishes, but she was in the most critical period of her life and did not seem to have the interest to travel.

Even if she saw the beautiful scenery, she only sighed faintly.

It seemed that these beautiful scenery had nothing to do with her, and nothing seemed to interest her. She was always thinking and always silent.

So much so that Zhuang Xuansu couldn't help but whispered: "Zhou Yuan, what happened to Caixi? Did you bully her?"

Zhou Yuan asked in confusion: "You should ask her what happened to her, not ask me how I bullied her."

Zhuang Xuansu looked at Guan Caixi again and said: "Caixi, what's wrong with you? I finally got a chance to go shopping, why do you look unhappy?"

"Really?"

Guan Caixi shook her head and said: "I'm not unhappy."

Zhuang Xuansu was helpless, spread his hands, and decided not to think about it anymore.

Three days passed quickly, and Zhou Yuan finally got an audience with the governor of Shandong. In the government office, only he was allowed to enter.

Li Yu'an was a little worried, and followed to the gate of the government office. If there was any abnormal situation, she could rush in directly.

Zhuang Xuansu also made arrangements. At present, Zhou Yuan's identity was too sensitive, and he really had to consider the other party's desperate situation.

The governor of Shandong was named Lu Zhili. As a top scholar, he was handsome. Even though he was over fifty, he still had a sense of righteousness and dignity in his every move.

"Mr. Shen, I have read Li Zhaolu's letter. He must have a reason to praise you."

Here, he paused slightly, stared at Zhou Yuan with a sharp gaze, and said, "But you still need to tell me why you want to sell salt?"

The other party had a strong aura, but Zhou Yuan was no longer the Zhou Yuan he was two years ago.

He smiled slowly and said softly, "Why do you want to sell salt? Lord Lu's words are very interesting. Of course, selling salt is to make money. Could it be for anything else?"

Lu Zhili said in a deep voice, "If this is the only answer, I dare not let you sell salt, and I dare not accept your money."

That's what he said, but he didn't take out the money Zhou Yuan gave him.

Zhou Yuan said seriously, "Please Lord Lu,Please help me. I am all ears. "

Lu Zhili said: "Salt business is the foundation of the country and the pillar of the country. There can be no mistakes."

"Salt business has rules. You only know the rules on the surface, such as delivering grain, issuing tickets, taking salt, transporting, selling..."

"But you don't know the most subtle rules yet."

Zhou Yuan nodded and said: "Junior is not very knowledgeable and has insufficient experience. Please teach me."

Lu Zhili was very satisfied with the other party's attitude, so he continued: "First of all, you have to understand why commercial salt exists, because the court does not have so many people to transport and sell salt. The cost is too high, which will cause the people to not be able to afford salt."

"At the same time, the transportation of grain also costs a lot of money from the treasury every year. Therefore, the price of grain can never be suppressed, and the people can't afford to eat."

"Whether it is not being able to afford salt or food, it is a fundamental damage to the country. ”

“So we need merchants to carry out such activities, transporting grain, selling salt, and selling salt.”

“This not only realizes the allocation of grain, but also realizes the allocation of salt, which is the best of both worlds.”

“This is the necessity of commercial salt, and it is also its irreplaceable place.”

Speaking of this, Lu Zhili smiled slowly and said, “Why does private salt exist? Do you think it is just to make money for you salt merchants?”

“Of course not, private salt is to keep salt merchants alive.”

“Because transporting grain requires costs, transporting salt requires costs, and the salt price on the market is actually not enough for salt merchants to make money. Even if they make money, they make very little money. .”

“But once there is a mistake in transporting grain or salt, it will be a light case of confiscation of property, and a heavy case of beheading.”

“The meager benefits and great risks determine that almost no one is willing to sell salt.”

“If no one sells salt, what will the people of the world do? What will they eat?”

Zhou Yuan thought for a while before saying, “So, private salt exists. ”

Lu Zhili said: "Private salt is the same as commercial salt. It is inevitable and cannot be erased. This is the truth I have realized in my years as an official."

"It is also because of this that many officials are greedy because of salt. It is not that they are disloyal to the court, but that the inspection is too strict, which is not conducive to the lives of the people."

"So we just go with the flow and do something good for the people while collecting some money."

Zhou Yuan had to sigh that the level of the person in front of him was much higher than that of Bao Shanru and his ilk.

Bao Shanru was simply greedy for money, but the governor in front of him had realized his own way and found a solid reason in his conscience.

"Junior has learned from this."

Zhou Yuan was very humble and said solemnly: "So please teach me, sir, what rules should be followed when selling private salt? "

Lu Zhili said: "The price cannot be too low. At present, it is not less than 40 wen. If it is lower than this price, it will be difficult for salt merchants to do business, private salt will be hit, and people will have a hard time. The rules followed for many years will be broken."

"The price cannot be too high. At present, it cannot be higher than 55 wen per catty in most areas. If it is higher than this price, people can't afford it. If they can't afford it, the market will be gone and the country will not be stable."

"At this price of 40 to 55 wen, salt merchants can make money, and people can afford it with gritted teeth. It's just right."

At this point, he laughed and whispered: "So you said that selling salt is to make money, I don't quite agree."

"Making money is just to continue selling salt, and the essence of selling salt is to protect the country and guarantee the lives of the people."