Ming Dynasty: I risked my life to teach the prince, the emperor begged me not to die

Chapter 494: The Witty Old Father

Today's lunch should be the happiest meal Chen Ce has ever had since he traveled through time.

When he traveled through time and space, he was in dire straits and had a miserable life. He almost died in the temple on the snowy mountain.

Now the boat has passed thousands of mountains.

He has his own family and children.

The only regret is that his illness has not improved at all and is getting worse.

That night, Zhu Houzhao was the first to arrive at the Chen Mansion to congratulate Chen Ce. He also brought a lot of toys. He said that these were all left over from his own playing and were just right for Chen Ce's son to play with.

Chen Ce was speechless.

Zhu Houzhao excitedly said to Chen Ce: "Little brother, I recently learned how to swim. My uncle and his family even organized a swimming competition in their bathroom, and I'm almost getting first place."

Chen Ce: “…”

I have to say that the two brothers of the Zhang family are really good at business. They have almost made a lot of fun out of a bathroom.

However, Zhu Houzhao could swim and understood water, which naturally made Chen Ce happy. At least it would prevent him from ending up being easily soluble in water.

Not long after Zhu Houzhao left, Yang Yuzhen also arrived.

After the Lantern Festival in the spring of next year, the Ming Dynasty's fleet to the West will set out from Taicang, and Yang Yuzhen will not have much time to stay in the capital.

Chen Ce explained the mission of this voyage to the West to Yang Yuzhen, asking him to focus on inspecting agricultural crops in Western countries, including bringing back all the crops that had never been seen in the Ming Dynasty.

As for national-level matters such as establishing trade relations with Western countries, Yang Yuzhen had no way to step in. Chen Ce had to explain these matters to Hong Zhong at the end of the year.

Yang Yuzhen said to Chen Ce: "By the way, foster father, my father plans to open a bank in Shuntian Prefecture."

Previously, Yang Yuzhen's family ran a bookstore business. After Yang Yuzhen was plotted against by Fu Yuan, the bookstore business changed hands. Fortunately, Chen Ce finally returned it to him.

With the booming business in the Ming Dynasty, more and more bookstores were opened, and it was no longer possible to make money. At best, one could only maintain a basic standard of living.

He had saved some money over the years, so his father planned to start a more profitable business, a money shop.

Running a money shop requires relationships and connections, so Yang Yuzhen told Chen Ce about these things. After all, with Chen Ce's endorsement in Shuntian Prefecture, their Yang family's business would not be disturbed.

After hearing this, Chen Ce was speechless, thinking to himself, what's the difference between this and joining the National Army in 1949?
Your father is truly a genius in business.

Chen Ce shook his head and said to Yang Yuzhen, "Don't do this business anymore. The national policy may be adjusted recently."

This was all Chen Ce could suggest, and he could not tell Yang Yuzhen the specific details.

After hearing what Chen Ce said, Yang Yuzhen nodded and said, "Okay, I'll go talk to my father right away."

"Ah."

……

Yang Boyun is Yang Yuzhen's father. Today he talked with several money shop owners and bought a money shop at a relatively low price.

Previously, it took thousands of taels of silver to buy it, but recently a very large bank only required five hundred taels.

In the past, it was a business that might not be sold for even 5,000 taels, but now the price was negotiated to more than 500 taels. Yang Boyun immediately signed a contract with the other party.

When Yang Yuzhen came back, he said to him happily, "Son, Dad has some news to tell you."

Yang Yuzhen said: "I have one too."

"Let me tell you first."

Yang Yuzhen opened his mouth and said to his father, "Then you should stop doing the money bank business. Master Chen does not recommend doing this business."

Yang Boyun: “???”

"But Dad just bought the largest bank in Shuntian Prefecture!"

Yang Yuzhen: "Ah?" "Dad, go back quickly!"

Yang Boyun shook his head and said, "The contract has been signed. If you want to withdraw, you have to pay compensation."

"And do you know how cheap the price is? Only five hundred taels! In the past, the largest bank in Shuntian Prefecture might not even be able to buy it for five thousand taels!"

Yang Boyun seemed very proud.

Yang Yuzhen said: "Dad, think about it carefully, doesn't this explain the problem?"

"You couldn't get the deal for 5,000 taels before, but now you can get it for 500 taels. Do you think they are fools? How could there be no trick?!"

Yang Boyun smiled and said, "Son, you are worrying too much. Your father and I have been doing business for many years and have made many good friends in the business world."

"It was they who lobbied for the deal and were able to get it at such a low price. If the other party wasn't really short of money, how could Dad have gotten it?"

"In order to get this bank, Dad paid two hundred taels to his friends and asked them to help him negotiate. Now if we return it, we will have to pay another hundred taels. It's not worth it!"

Yang Yuzhen always felt that something was wrong. Today Chen Ce told him not to do the money lending business anymore. He knew that Chen Ce would not do it without a purpose.

"Dad, let's just lose a hundred taels."

Father Yang said, "Okay, don't worry about this. You are still young. Do you think your father will be like you and cheat us of all our property?"

Yang Yuzhen was cheated of his property by Fu Yuan and now it is a scar in Yang Yuzhen's heart.

"Dad, what are you talking about?"

Father Yang smiled and said, "Okay, anyway, don't worry about it. Your father has to do business well and leave you a fortune."

"Also, don't go to the West. Think about it carefully. Our family is not destined to be rich. You and dad should run the bank well, and we can be content with a small fortune in the future."

Yang Yuzhen said, "Dad! I've already promised Master Chen! No! Absolutely not!"

Father Yang said calmly, "It's still too dangerous to go to the West. You are my only son. I love you and I can't let you take risks."

"Anyway, your father is not dead yet. Your father has the final say on the Yang family's affairs!"

Yang Yuzhen: “…”

At night, Yang Boyun went out with his hands behind his back.

He knew that Yang Yuzhen was still young and had no face to go back on his promise, but he was different.

He only has this one precious son and he can't let him take any risks.

Besides, my business is booming now, and if the money house develops in the future, I can make a lot of money in the short term. It is better than anything else for this kid to stay in the capital to help me manage the business.

Not long after, Yang Boyun arrived at Chen Ce's mansion.

When Chen Ce heard that Yang Yuzhen's father had arrived, he personally received him in the central hall.

"Uncle Yang."

Yang Boyun smiled and said, "Nephew Chen, there are some things I still want to say."

He spoke to Chen Ce straight to the point.

"I know you helped Yu Zhen a lot, and our Yang family is grateful to you, but I only have Yu Zhen as my son."

"I have been wondering these days, will he really not encounter any risks when he goes to the West?"

Chen Ce didn't dare to guarantee it. He shook his head and said, "To be honest, Uncle Yang, I can't guarantee this."

Yang Boyun sighed and said, "Yes, you can't guarantee it. Our Yang family only has this one son. What if... please understand the painstaking efforts of a father."

"Yu Zhen, can we not go to the West?"

(End of this chapter)