Ming Dynasty: My Father Zhang Juzheng

Chapter 40 A profitable business
As autumn deepens, the day of the provincial examination results is approaching.

Zhang Yunxiu got up early that day and sat at the table with a nervous look on his face, like a criminal awaiting sentencing.

Although he was the son of the Prime Minister, his answer was just so-so.

I'm always afraid of the worst. What if that young man fails to enlighten himself? That would be so embarrassing.

Just as he was thinking about it, he heard a sound of footsteps outside the door, and Zhang Yunxiu jumped up straight.

Zhang Fu pushed the door open and walked in. He looked at Zhang Yunxiu with a beaming face and said, "You got it, young master."

"Ranked 57th in Shuntian Prefecture's provincial examination."

call.
Zhang Yunxiu calmed down and thought, as long as he won, it would be good. As long as he won, it would be good.

More than one hundred people were admitted to the provincial examination, and 57 was right in the middle, neither too high nor too low.

After the dust settled, Zhang Yunxiu's mind suddenly became active. He smiled and asked Zhang Fu, "By the way, have you prepared all the things and money I asked you to prepare?"

"It's all ready, but sir, can this thing really make money?" Zhang Fu said hesitantly.

"Just wait and see, it will definitely be a big money-making business."

"Then I will follow you and make a lot of money."

"No, no, no, this money is earned for the emperor. We just earn it through hard work." Zhang Yunxiu smiled and waved his hand, then walked to the window and looked into the distance.

He had previously advised the young emperor that opening more mines and collecting more taxes would be a waste of money and labor.

The common people did not make any money from many minerals, but they were forced to mine them just to collect taxes for the emperor.

The emperor also heard the impeachments of eunuchs from all over the country, but he had to get money, so he had no choice but to carry out the execution.

To this end, Zhang Yunxiu made a boast that as long as the emperor closed down some of the unprofitable mines, he would find a way to make up for it from other sources.

The emperor thought for a moment and reluctantly agreed to Zhang Yunxiu's request.

While he was thinking about this, the eunuch who came to deliver the imperial decree walked into the Zhang family.

After receiving the imperial edict, Zhang Yunxiu went straight to the Forbidden City without stopping.

Entering the east warm room, Zhang Yunxiu saw Wanli sitting on a pearwood chair with a sullen face, with Wei Qing standing behind him.

"minister"

Zhang Yunzheng was about to pay his respects when Emperor Wanli's eyes widened and he asked coldly, "Don't say anything yet. I want to ask you, where is the money you promised to give me?"

"Soon, the emperor will have a good deal that will make a lot of money." Zhang Yunxiu explained with a smile without panic.

"Why don't you tell me? My inner treasury is almost empty."

Didn't I just get 300,000 taels from Zhang Jing a few days ago? How come I'm empty-handed again?

Zhang Yunxiu muttered something, took out a copper coin from his sleeve and shook it in front of the emperor.

"What is this?" Emperor Wanli asked in confusion.

"Copper coins." Wei Qing interrupted.

"I know it's copper coins. I'm asking him what he does with these things." Wanli glared at Wei Qing and pointed at Zhang Yunxiu.

"This is how to make money." Zhang Yunxiu took two steps forward and pointed at the copper coin and said, "Your Majesty, one copper coin is not much, but if you can make fifty copper coins from one copper coin, then it is a very profitable business."

"Tell me."

"A small bet for a big one, one copper coin for fifty coins. As long as everyone pays one coin, they can participate in this 'competition'. One hundred people will compete once, and the person who wins the first prize will naturally take away fifty coins."

"I thought it was nothing." Emperor Wanli shook his head and muttered, "I only earn fifty coins at a time. How long will it take to earn enough for my two hundred thousand taels of silver?"

Wei Qing, who was standing by, slapped his thigh and exclaimed, "This is a brilliant idea!"

"You bastard, what are you yelling about?!" Emperor Wanli was startled. Wei Qing saluted the emperor and then explained awkwardly, "Your Majesty, this duel is just as Zhang Sicheng said.

It's a huge profit. There are thousands of counties in the Ming Dynasty. Even if one county only makes 500 coins a day, it's still a lot of money."

And this is purely a matter of one willing to fight and the other willing to be beaten.

Zhang Yunxiu smiled and nodded, and continued: "This one-cent payment is only the lowest level. I also have one tael of silver per time, which can win fifty taels, and ten taels of silver per time, which can win five hundred taels."

Now, Emperor Wanli understood.

He could earn half of the money every time, and he didn't even have to spend any money. There really was such a good thing in the world, why hadn't he discovered it before?

He moved his body and said seriously, "Well, you will take care of this matter for me in the capital tomorrow. I want to see if you can do it."

"Your Majesty, rest assured, it will work."

Zhang Yunxiu said, "Stand with your hands hanging down."

Emperor Wanli sat in a reclining chair, looking listless and tired.

However, in June, Concubine Shu became pregnant, and in August she was promoted to Concubine De. After Concubine De became pregnant, he felt that half of his life was missing.

The concubines and maids in the palace are like wooden figures. How can they be as lovely as Concubine De?

Just half a month ago, Concubine Wang Gong gave birth to a son.

He didn't like this palace maid and just thought of it as an indulgence after drinking.

Now that the Queen Mother has her eldest grandson, she is extremely happy for Concubine Gong, but he still has to pretend to be affectionate with that woman.

I am really exhausted.

Zhang Yunxiu had already intended to leave, but since the emperor had not given the order, he could not leave or not leave, so he could only stand there in a daze.

"Your Majesty, do you have anything else to say to Zhang Sicheng?"

Wei Qing's mind moved, and he smiled and reminded the emperor. Emperor Wanli woke up as if from a dream, glanced at Zhang Yunxiu, and asked: "Zhang Yunxiu, do you have a woman you like?"

"No, my lord."

Zhang Yunxiu didn't know why the emperor asked this, so he answered reluctantly.

"Hahaha," Emperor Wanli laughed loudly in his reclining chair, mockingly saying, "I thought you must be a talented and romantic scholar since you have read so many books and understand so many crooked theories. I didn't expect that you are only good at talking."

Without waiting for Zhang Yunxiu to refute, Emperor Wanli ordered Wei Qing: "Wei Qing, select a pretty maid from the Qianqing Palace and have Zhang Yunxiu take her out of the palace."

"Yes."

"I hope Your Majesty will reconsider. I have done nothing great and cannot accept such a great gift." Zhang Yunxiu refused firmly.

"It's not up to you." Emperor Wanli smiled, then suddenly thought of something and asked, "You are not good at something, so you are resisting and refusing to accept my reward, right?"

Fuck you, you can't do that.

Zhang Yunxiu was caught by this, but he had no choice but to take over the maid.

Emperor Wanli and Wei Qing smiled and asked Zhang Yunxiu to select palace maids.

Finally, Zhang Yunxiu picked a palace maid who was about the same age as him, tall, with a melon-shaped face and phoenix eyes.

Somehow, he felt that this palace maid was different at first sight.

She was not as timid as the other palace maids, but rather had a bit of aggressiveness.

After the selection was completed, Emperor Wanli gave Zhang Yunxiu a few fake warnings and then let the two leave the palace.

(End of this chapter)