Nu Yalang of Tang Dynasty

After finally sending Wu Qi and Wang Jin away, Zhou Ze wiped the sweat from his forehead, took a long breath, and continued: "This job is really difficult to do."

Zhou Shang: "Father, although the Fifth Minister and Wang Shilang have left today, their idea of ​​operating government property in Anbei has not changed. We must be more careful in the future."

Zhou Ze smiled bitterly and said: "To put it simply, one is the Minister of Household Affairs and the Prime Minister, and the other is the Minister of Huangmen and a famous figure in the literary world. Neither of these two can afford to offend."

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Zhou Ze pondered for a while and asked: "Who taught you what you just said about government and private companies?"

Zhou Shang: "When I was young and weak, I used to study with the prince in the palace. Once, the palace teacher said that everything in the world is for the benefit. His Majesty happened to be outside the door, so he walked in and talked about the difference between the government and the private sector.

, I still keep this theory in mind until now.”

Hearing this, Zhou Ze nodded slightly and said after a moment of silence: "Anyway, let's take it one step at a time."

At the same time, Wu Qi and Wang Jin rode in a carriage from the Anbei Protectorate to the official residence in Baiting County.

On the way, Wang Jin said to Wu Qi: "Zhou Ze and his son run Anbei and deal with those merchants. They may have received a lot of benefits, so they protect the merchants in everything."

Wu Qi glanced at Wang Jin and said in a deep voice: "When you decide a matter for an official, you should reason clearly. Without real evidence, how can you speculate on unfounded charges?"

Wang Jin was choked by these words and couldn't speak. He could only smile and bowed his hands to Wu Qi.

Fifth Qi: "What Zhou Shang said just now is not unreasonable. Although the private sector has many disadvantages, it is not without merit. While the government sector is stable for the country, it is also prone to corruption."

Wang Jin heard Wu Qi's thoughts and seemed to be loosened, and quickly advised: "Anbei is rich in resources, but businessmen are greedy for profit and like to take advantage of opportunities. How can we let these people monopolize the land, pastures, livestock, ores, etc. here?"

Wait, it should be run by the government."

Wu Qi showed hesitation, and finally said to Wang Jin: "Since we have come to Anbei, why not walk around first to learn more about the surrounding situation, and then make a decision before it is too late."

Wang Jin: "What about Shangshu?"

Fifth Qi: "As for the dispute between the government and the private sector, do not rush to draw conclusions for the time being, and the memorial will be postponed for the time being."

Wang Jin looked anxious when he heard this, but seeing that Wu Qi had already made up his mind, he had no choice but to give up.

When the carriage arrived at the official residence, Wang Jin immediately ordered his men to pay close attention to the movements of the prince's residence and report immediately as soon as his highness returned to the city.

Three days later, Prince Zhou Xiao returned from hunting in Mount Xuma.

When entering the city, several carts were filled with prey, presumably returning in good spirits.

When Wang Jin heard that the prince had returned to the city, he quietly left the official residence through the back door and came to the prince's house again, handing him a letter asking for an audience.

When Zhou Xiao was in Liangcheng, he participated in many cultural gatherings and banquets.

Wang Jin, Wang Wei's younger brother, had outstanding literary talents and a lively personality. With his reputation as a literary scholar, there were rumors that he had been selected as a guest of the prince.

Later, although this appointment did not come true, the personal relationship between Wang Jin and the prince was quite good, which was true at all.

When he heard that Wang Jin was coming, Zhou Xiao dropped what he was doing and went to the hall to greet the former in person.

When Wang Jin saw the prince, he first bowed and saluted, and then sighed.

When Zhou Xiao saw this, he was a little confused: "Why are you sighing, sir?"

Wang Jin didn't say anything. He took out a letter from his arms and handed it to Zhou Xiao.

Zhou Xiao took it and opened it. After just one glance, his scalp went numb.

The letter was written by the Empress, and was only a few hundred words long, but it scolded the prince in a solid manner.

Yin Yu said in the letter that as an envoy to Anbei, my son is not diligent in government affairs. He only knows about traveling around the mountains and rivers all day long. He thought that his work was secretive and the palace did not know. In fact, every move you make in Anbei is closely related to me and

Your father and the emperor know it all. The reason why he agreed to let you go to Anbei in the first place was because he wanted you to have some experience so that you could join the court and help the emperor in the future. Who would have expected that you would be such a bastard and give up all the previous instructions?

Turn a deaf ear! Next, if you don’t change your mind and make some achievements, I will ride to Anbei and personally escort you back to Liangcheng, and you will never leave the palace!

After reading this letter, Zhou Xiao's back was covered in cold sweat.

Wang Jin looked at him and said, "The Queen has tried so hard to get His Highness out of the palace and to deal with His Majesty. How could you do so wantonly?"

After Zhou Xiao heard this, he collected the letter, bowed to Wang Jin and said, "Thank you sir for teaching me. I know I was wrong."

Wang Jin touched his beard and smiled slightly: "However, the prince is a young man after all. He has been depressed in the palace for so many years. After coming out, it is normal for him to want to run wild."

Wang Jin's words sounded useful, and Zhou Xiao couldn't help but nodded.

Wang Jin: "However, after all the fun, business should still come first... The queen sent someone to Anbei this time to help the prince, strengthen his connections, and get involved in government affairs."

Zhou Xiao: "Then what should I do?"

Wang Jin: "The imperial court has newly established the Anbei Protectorate, with the prince as the chief envoy and Zhou as the deputy envoy. The prince can make use of the affairs in Anbei to make friends with the ministers in the court and establish his personal prestige. If he makes some achievements here, he will be able to

Earn His Majesty's appreciation."

Zhou Xiao nodded first, and then said: "My father has issued a decree to order commercial banks to operate Anbei and support the army's food and salary. I will go to the official office tomorrow to handle government affairs."

Wang Jin: "The prince plans to help the trading company run Anbei?"

Regarding this question, Zhou Xiao felt quite strange: "That's what my father said."

Wang Jin shook his head and said: "Your Majesty originally issued the decree to order merchants to operate Anbei because the national treasury was empty and he had no choice but to do so. The key to the Anbei problem is not who will run it, but how to replenish the imperial treasury as quickly as possible.

, so that His Majesty will have no worries about money and food."

Zhou Xiao was stunned.

Wang Jin continued: "The prince was not at the official residence in Anbei before, so he was not aware of the government affairs here. The trading houses, border people, and the army were all commanded by the deputy envoy Zhou Ze. The relationship between these parties was already quite close. The prince rashly wanted to take over from Zhou Ze.

Then it will be very difficult for me to take over the power."

Zhou Xiao: "What should we do?"

Wang Jin: "Businessmen are greedy for profit and act without reason. They have never been easy to deal with. If the prince wants to gain a foothold in the Tang Dynasty in the future, he will ultimately rely on the court officials and state and county officials."

Zhou Xiao: "You mean, let me get closer to the officials in Anbei?"

Wang Jin: "Not only the officials of Anbei, but also the officialdom of the Tang Dynasty."

Seeing Zhou Xiao's puzzled expression, Wang Jin continued to explain: "The imperial court originally thought that Anbei was barren, with only war horses and pastures. However, after learning about it in the past few years, Anbei has extremely rich and valuable resources, such as the Saling River.

White porcelain clay, regardless of purity and firing, is superior to Anxi porcelain clay. One pound can be exchanged for a hundred coins; another example is the long-haired sheep at the foot of Wudejian Mountain. One pound of wool produced can even be exchanged for one pound of gold...

"

Wang Jin took a breath: "This wealth should be managed by the government, not fall into the hands of businessmen... If His Highness can help the officials to successfully take over these resources, then he will definitely gain popularity and allies. If Your Highness can

If you can make good friends with your ministers through this, you will be invincible in the court in the future."

Zhou Xiao looked at Wang Jin and said, "Converting a private business to an official business is against the will of my father. I should report it to the emperor."

Wang Jin: "If the prince goes to court and says that he hopes to turn the private sector into an official business, what will your Majesty think? Your Majesty will not think that the prince is worried about the country, but that the prince is trying to make friends with the ministers and has ulterior motives."

Zhou Xiao was stunned when he heard this.

At this time, Wang Jin planned to speak more straightforwardly: "When the commercial banks are privately owned in Anbei, all the benefits go to the merchants, but the officials can only stare. If the private sector is abolished and government-run is established, then it will be easier to manage."

, Secondly, the prince can also use the land of Anbei to benefit from his ministers... However, it is not appropriate for His Highness the prince to personally come forward in this matter. He only needs to provide support from behind. As for other things, someone will naturally do it. "

Zhou Xiao thought for a while, feeling uneasy, and said: "Everything is going smoothly in Anbei today. Commercial houses, border residents, and the army are all tied together and working together to run the business. There is no reason for the government to replace the private sector."

Wang Jin said meaningfully: "It does seem to be smooth sailing at the moment, but it all depends on people. Maybe one day, trouble will arise in Anbei."

Zhou Xiao was pacing in place, thinking about it.

Wang Jin handed over to Zhou Xiao and said softly: "Using the official camp as an excuse to deepen the relationship between His Highness and the officials has been approved by the Queen."

Zhou Xiao turned around and looked at Wang Jin. After a moment of silence, he said, "Since the Queen Mother said so, let's give it a try."