Tang Dynasty Xie Lu Lang

Chapter 132 Doing good deeds and accumulating merit will bring help to those who are willing.

Zhang Dai did not take the two women home directly. Instead, he had them taken to Huixunfang Villa to settle down. He himself did not go home either, but instead went to Nanshi for a stroll.

Located in the center of the South City, Wang's Pawnshop was very popular, with many carriages coming and going. The customers coming and going all looked impressive and wealthy.

Feiqian's development momentum is excellent, which has also boosted the original deposit and withdrawal business of this money exchange.

Ultimately, the most important thing in ancient finance was reputation and credit. Now, many people in Luoyang know that Wang's money exchange has a flow and reserves of millions of strings of cash. In addition, the exchange itself charges relatively reasonable fees, so people are naturally willing and at ease to deposit their money here.

Therefore, although Wang Yuanbao himself did not hold shares in the money-making business, he still benefited greatly from it. After all, being able to run such a large business is a symbol of strength in itself.

In the past, Wang Yuanbao was merely a wealthy merchant in Chang'an, but now he is a renowned figure in both capitals, his fame and influence having risen to a new level. Even Zheng Yan, a fifth-rank official in the court, has to pull strings to get an audience with Wang Yuanbao.

Wang Yuanbao took Zhang Dai's request very seriously. The matter was only given to him yesterday, and today he came to see that the shop had been tidied up. The three shops facing the street had a lot of foot traffic, and the shop area was not small. Zheng Yan's clansmen had already started doing business.

Zhang Dai walked in and strolled around, and found that what was being sold were all high-end silk products from various places, such as Qi silk, Lu silk, and Dingzhou colored silk. The variety was dazzling. It was clear that Zheng Yan had spent a lot of money to prepare this batch of goods, and might even have had to put his entire savings into it. Otherwise, he would not have been in such a hurry to sell and get the money back.

"Is Liu Lang here to inspect the shop?"

The servants of the Zheng family recognized Zhang Dai and immediately invited him into the shop with great respect.

"You guys go about your business, I'm just taking a stroll."

Zhang Dai didn't disturb their business; he waved his hand and turned to leave. Just as he reached the street, Wang Yuanbao rushed out of the shop with a group of men, bowing respectfully as he approached, saying, "If I hadn't come to inform you, I wouldn't have known you had arrived, sir!"

Wang Yuanbao is now a big shot in Nanshi, and his every move attracts attention. Since this is a bustling area, people can't help but speculate about the identity of this handsome young man when they see him being so respectful to Zhang Dai.

Although Zhang Dai was not afraid of big scenes, he was still a little uneasy being surrounded by onlookers in the bustling city. The city was a mixed bag of people, and it was not impossible for him to be stabbed or kidnapped. He had to keep a low profile!

He didn't linger on the street. He immediately went into the pawn shop with Wang Yuanbao and the others. Once inside the living room, Wang Yuanbao impatiently ordered his subordinates to bring over the recent account books.

With the establishment of Feiqian's operations and shareholding model, Zhang Dai essentially ceased providing guidance and management. Wang Yuanbao's purpose in showing Zhang Dai the ledgers was primarily to demonstrate the practical application of the double-entry bookkeeping method he had recently instructed on.

"This accounting method has been piloted at the counter for several days and has indeed proven to be very beneficial, facilitating inspection and supervision. I also plan to use this accounting method not only for cash transactions at the counter, but also for transactions in other places."

Wang Yuanbao praised the accounting method highly, as it allowed him, the top manager, to have a direct and comprehensive understanding of the business operations under his command, even without personally participating in management. However, he also said with some concern, "While the accounting method is excellent, the bookkeeping is still somewhat cumbersome. Because it's a new method, we can't recruit skilled bookkeepers elsewhere..."

"This business isn't something that can be done in one place or at one time. Why not train your own accountants?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Dai smiled and said, but Wang Yuanbao shook his head and smiled bitterly, "What family's sons and daughters, if they have even a little bit of intelligence and talent, would learn these business skills? Even if other families have a tradition of skills, they would mostly become clerks or accountants for the government, so why would they dedicate themselves to this? Nowadays, the accountants used everywhere are still the ones who were forced to learn skills by their relatives and friends in the past."

"It all depends on human effort. If one can't even make a living, one is willing to break the law and commit crimes, let alone be a merchant!"

Upon hearing Wang Yuanbao's words of lament, Zhang Dai said, "Didn't you say you were going to donate a fortune to help with disaster relief? You don't need to use the money elsewhere. Just build a few arithmetic schools in the weaving workshop. Take in the young men from the weavers' families who are not yet grown up and are not fit to work, and teach them arithmetic techniques in these schools."

There are no fees to be charged. After they have completed their studies, they can work in your shop for three years before being released. They can then return home to cultivate the land or become officials.

"This, this... But I am merely a merchant, how dare I harbor such lofty thoughts as educating and nurturing people! Young master's plan is good, but how could those families entrust their sons to a merchant? To go against their wishes might even incur resentment and punishment..."

Wang Yuanbao was initially somewhat tempted, but after a moment he sighed with a troubled expression.

“Do good deeds and accumulate virtue, and those who are willing will receive help. If people are unwilling, let them suffer from hunger and cold, let them sit and wait for death. If your own heart is not evil, spend your own money and silk, and you don’t need to care about other people’s opinions.”

After a moment's thought, Zhang Dai said, "If you really feel that gossip is a fearsome thing, and are afraid of being questioned by the government, then I will put my name on the list. If anyone asks, answer in my name."

"Since you, young master, are willing to take the lead, that would be wonderful. I, Wang Er, am merely a merchant, and I am already satisfied with the reputation of honest business practices. I dare not hope for any other good name or honor!"

Wang Yuanbao quickly cupped his hands and said that he was quite content and knew his limits, knowing that even if a reputation was very good, it was not something he could possess.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Dai sighed again. The charitable act of disaster relief he had planned, in which Consort Wu Hui and Wang Yuanbao, who had contributed money, could not publicly proclaim their presence for various reasons, which ironically made him stand out in this matter.

“I will have someone compile a new mathematical classic and accounting method, which can be used to teach mathematics to students in various places, and you can also use it to teach your servants.” However, Zhang Dai was not one to just take the money and do nothing. After a moment’s thought, he said to Wang Yuanbao.

The Tang Dynasty's civil service examinations included a "Ming Suan Ke" (明算科), which covered a wealth of basic mathematical knowledge, such as the multiplication table and addition and subtraction. More advanced subjects included ten mathematical classics, such as "Zhang Qiujian's Mathematical Classic" and "Haidao Mathematical Classic." This mathematical knowledge was widely used in various fields, including astronomy, water conservancy, military affairs, and architecture.

However, these mathematical concepts usually lack a highly specialized framework, making them difficult for ordinary people to learn. Without a clear, progressive mathematical logic, they require a great deal of talent to learn, and most people only scratch the surface. Few have the ability and financial resources to continue learning and delving deeper.

Zhang Dai had the support of his family. Recently, his grandfather directly assigned several of his clansmen and disciples who were skilled in arithmetic to him, which enabled him to handle the rather complicated accounting of money and goods. This gave him the leisure to travel around, otherwise he would have to spend all day writing and calculating.

Yesterday, he saw that the quality of Yuwen Rong's team members was uneven, with some being mediocre or just filling in the numbers.

He currently has ample time and Wang Yuanbao is providing financial assistance, so starting with training talent in a highly applied discipline like mathematics is undoubtedly a very feasible approach.

This year, more than a dozen prefectures in Henan and Hebei provinces were affected by disasters, leaving at least hundreds of thousands of people struggling to make ends meet. The number of boys and girls affected must be at least tens of thousands. Even if only a few thousand of them are willing to receive mathematical education, and only a few hundred manage to become proficient, the number is still considerable.

When Liu Bang stormed into Xianyang Palace, he didn't bring this many professional accountants with him!
Official disaster relief efforts typically focused on able-bodied adults and landowners, with limited free disaster relief rations, sometimes insufficient to meet basic survival needs. Therefore, supplementary measures such as forced labor and loans were necessary.

Zhang Dai's disaster relief plan was based on official disaster relief, which involved organizing women to engage in weaving production. Now, by incorporating children's education, it has undoubtedly become more comprehensive.

If this disaster relief plan is implemented properly, its most direct benefit will be that many disaster victims will be spared from the suffering of cold and hunger and will be able to survive.

From Zhang Dai's personal perspective, the return period may be somewhat long, and some returns may not be realized until he reaches a certain level of power and influence, but the overall benefits will certainly be very considerable.

As the two were chatting, a servant from the shop rushed into the hall and said to Wang Yuanbao, "Reporting to Master, Abbot Huian of Changshou Temple in the South Ward has sent his disciple to invite Master to Changshou Temple to discuss matters."

"understood."

Upon hearing this, Wang Yuanbao readily agreed, while Zhang Dai stood up to take his leave.

He didn't come to Nanshi today for anything special. It's just that he spent the whole night in the outer city and brought back two maids with him. It would be a bit awkward to go straight home like that, so he took a stroll outside to mentally prepare himself.

"Wang Er, go ahead, it won't delay your worship of Buddha and the Dharma."

As he spoke, he walked out. Wang Yuanbao stood up to see him off, then gave a bitter smile and said, "I am but a vulgar merchant, reeking of money. Even if I am respectful and courteous, I am afraid I will not be favored by the Buddha. The abbot of Changshou Temple has urgently sought me out because he has a business deal to discuss. I am in a dilemma, not knowing whether I should do it or not!"

"Oh? What's going on?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Dai stopped in his tracks, looked at Wang Yuanbao with some confusion, and said, "Tell me in detail!"

Wang Yuanbao was also looking for someone to advise him, and seeing that Zhang Dai was quite interested in this, he gave him a brief explanation.

Previously, Henan Prefecture had been cracking down on illegal occupation of land and water in the area surrounding the capital. Buddhist temples in the capital were also a major disaster area. Changshou Temple, as one of the top temples in the capital, was greatly disturbed as a result, and its senior monks, abbots, chant leaders, and other high-ranking monks were all arrested.

The imperial court appointed another abbot to manage the temple affairs, but this mess was a real headache. The previous business had been disrupted, and the monks' lives had become a huge problem.

Therefore, the new abbot wanted to sell the pawnshop, the original pillar industry of his temple. Wang Yuanbao, who had a huge cash flow, was one of his target customers, so he repeatedly sent people to invite Wang Yuanbao to discuss the matter.

After hearing Wang Yuanbao's explanation, Zhang Dai couldn't help but laugh again.

He never imagined he was so "sinful." By exposing Zhou Liang's affair, he had caused so many groups to suffer, including his Zhang family and himself. Now, even the monks were being forced to sell their properties.

"How much do you want to sell this Changshou Temple pawnshop for?"

Changshou Temple's pawnshop was renowned, and even when Wei Lin was a broker explaining these industries to Zhang Dai, he used it as an example. Now that it was being forced to sell, Zhang Dai wanted to know the price.

“Initially, it was priced at over a million strings of cash, but because the price was too high, no one was interested. Now the price has been reduced to several hundred thousand strings of cash, but there are still few inquiries.”

Upon hearing this, Wang Yuanbao sighed and said, "Changshou Temple has a good reputation, and this pawnshop has been operating for many years. It is said that there are many treasures in the pawnshop, and their value is not low. If you add the reputation and goodwill accumulated over the years, the price is indeed tempting. Now that you have entrusted me with the matter of flying money, even if I wanted to take it over, I would be powerless to do so!"

(End of this chapter)