My eunuch godfather

Chapter 49 Perilous Undercurrents Amidst the Wind

"Alas, my sworn brother is now like that saying, 'A child carrying gold walks through a bustling marketplace,' how dangerous!"

As Li Cheng poured wine into Zhang Zhiyuan's cup, he pretended to sigh and remark:

"By helping to take the Jin Yun away, we are helping him and saving him from dire straits!"

He's too young, and he probably won't be able to figure it out in a short time, or he might even think we're trying to harm him.

Brother Zhiyuan, I beg you to persuade the Duke to save my sworn brother!

"Don't worry, Lao Li, since you've said that, I'll definitely do my best to help you!"

Zhang Zhiyuan raised his wine glass, lightly clinked it with Li Cheng's, drank it all in one gulp, and then asked the price with a smile:

"But Old Li, even though my father is a Duke, he still needs to smooth things over before he can get anything done."

"The Jin Yun ship's business is so big, clearing it up won't be easy!"

"Brother Zhiyuan, if you can save my sworn brother..."

Li Cheng patted his chest and assured Zhang Zhiyuan:

"I will certainly persuade my sworn brother to repay his kindness handsomely!"

He held up five fingers for Zhang Zhiyuan, "I think it has to be at least this many for him to have learned his lesson!"

Then, the position of supervisor of the river works camp was offered at an even higher price:

"And the river engineering camp in Nanxiawa, I think he's not focused these days, I'm afraid he won't be able to do this job well."

"Let him hand it over first, so as not to delay the progress of the river construction team."

After the auctions at Liulichang, many people realized the profitability of Hegongying.

However, the river engineering camp was far less profitable than the Jin Yun ship, and with Zhang Ye and Xu Bengao in charge, not many people were tempted to join in.

"Ha ha ha ha!"

Zhang Zhiyuan burst into laughter, and Li Cheng joined in, feeling extremely smug.

Old Sixty-Six, you're about to be reduced to your original form!

Then, your brother can do whatever he wants to you!

Since you're not bad looking, why not send you to a brothel and sell your ass?

......

Qixiang Palace.

In the 25th year of the Wanli reign, after the Qianqing Palace and Kunning Palace caught fire, the Wanli Emperor and Empress Wang moved here together.

It wasn't until four years later, after Empress Wang passed away, that Emperor Wanli moved back to the Qianqing Palace, where he soon died of illness.

When Emperor Wanli was young, he did indeed favor Consort Zheng more, but his relationship with Empress Wang was also quite good.

The so-called struggle over the foundation of the state was more of a pretext for the Wanli Emperor and his officials to engage in a power struggle.

Otherwise, Emperor Wanli could have followed the example of Emperors Xuande, Jingtai, Chenghua, and Jiajing and deposed Empress Wang.

Now, so many years have passed, Consort Zheng has aged, and Emperor Wanli is too old to cause any more trouble; he just wants to lie down and give up.

In comparison, his familial bond with Empress Wang was even stronger.

"Your Majesty, it's time you set. Please rest your eyes."

Lu Shou, the Grand Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial and concurrently the Director of the Eastern Depot, personally carried over the self-ringing clock.

He reminded the Wanli Emperor, who was reviewing account books and calculating the finances of the imperial treasury.

"Um,"

The Wanli Emperor put down his crystal reading glasses, took a cotton towel, dipped it in water, wiped his eyes clean, and said:

"Bring me the tampoo."

This is a custom-made model that Jin Yunhao started sending to the palace long before other products were even launched.

The difference between this and the finest gold thread tobacco is that Zhang Kun added a lot of hemp to it.

Emperor Wanli suffered from severe diabetes, which had led to complications such as diabetic foot, retinopathy, and hypertension.

In addition, Emperor Wanli also suffered from severe periodontitis, and his toothaches were terrible.

Not to mention hemp seeds, even the Wanli Emperor started taking black sesame seeds for pain relief; that stuff is even stronger.

After taking a few puffs of smoke, the Wanli Emperor looked at the hemp seed in his hand and asked Lu Shou:

What do you think of the report Zhang Ye submitted?

"This servant thinks that Zhang Ye is a bit greedy and is unwilling to hand over the entire Jin Yun ship."

Lu Shou held the cigarette dish and caught the ashes flicked down by the Wanli Emperor.

"It's only natural to set aside some money for retirement."

The Wanli Emperor didn't take it seriously, took another puff, and squinted at Lu Shou, saying:

"And let that... Zhang Kun, right? That Zhang Kun is capable. Let him continue to manage it, and we can get more money."

"If we were to actually take it in, I'm afraid you guys would ruin it within a few years."

Lu Shouqian chuckled a few times. The current Wanli Emperor often did this, saying how corrupt and wicked you all would be.

Anyway, this guy has already given up, it's just talk, he won't actually be punished.

"Go to Zhangjiawan and talk to Zhang Ye to finalize this deal. You'll get a share too."

Emperor Wanli moved his lame leg with his hand and sighed to Lu Shou:

"I don't have many years left to live. When Luo'er ascends the throne, he will need to use his close associates, and all of you will have to step down."

"You guys can keep this Golden Cloud ship and make some money for your retirement!"

Lu Shou knelt on the ground, holding a tobacco dish, and wept before the Wanli Emperor, saying, "Your Majesty is in the prime of life..."

"Alright, go get me a cup of Wuxiang wine."

......

Zhang Ye's private residence in Zhangjiawan, Tongzhou.

Lu Shou, seated at the head of the table, was negotiating with Zhang Ye, who was seated below, about the return of the Jin Yun ship to the imperial store.

The most crucial issue now is how many taels of silver Jin Yunhao should pay each month.

The claim of "100,000 taels" is a rumor spread by someone with ulterior motives. Zhang Kun has already handed over the account books.

However, Lu Shou wanted to set the first month's revenue for the Jin Yun ship at 50,000 taels, which Zhang Ye could not accept.

After all, such exorbitant profits were based on the severe shortage in the market after the Tambaku fire.

Once the price of tambak returns to its normal range, it will be difficult for Jin Yun to maintain such high profits.

"His Majesty's intention is to establish Jin Yun Trading Company as a legitimate and regulated business, similar to the salt administration systems of Liangzhe and Lianghuai."

Lu Shou offered his most valuable asset, smiling slightly at Zhang Ye:

"With the identity of Gangji Shang, even if you only live in Zhili, you can really earn 100,000 taels a month, right?"

Your Zhang Kun, the Emperor said he's capable, I think he can definitely do it.

With the decline of the old salt laws, the Ming Dynasty successively implemented the ticket salt law and the salt collection system in the Liangzhe and Lianghuai salt bureaus.

The government's monopoly on salt was gradually reformed into a system where salt was sold exclusively by designated salt merchants.

By the Kangxi, Yongzheng, and Qianlong reigns of the Qing Dynasty, the new laws had led to the formation of many wealthy merchants who were as rich as a country.

Although this tax contracting has many problems, it does indeed bring in a lot of salt tax revenue.

"The principles of business..."

Zhang Ye's eyes lit up upon hearing this. After a moment's thought, he agreed to Lu Shou's request:

"Then let's have 50,000 taels per month, paid quarterly, for exclusive control of Zhili, Xuanfu, Datong, and Liaodong, what do you say?"

"Add Shandong as well,"

Lu Shou pointed to himself and explained to Zhang Ye with a smile:

"I also want to get a share from Jin Yun. If the monopoly is too small, I'm afraid I won't get many taels of silver."

After agreeing on the matter of taking over the Jin Yun ship to the imperial store, Lu Shou suddenly asked Zhang Ye:

"You've worked so hard in Zhangjiawan for so many years. Why not take it a step further and become a secretary?"

My health is getting weaker and weaker, and I really need someone like you from the Wenshu Hall to help me share the burden!

"If you are willing, I will recommend you to the Emperor when I return!"

"Thank you for your high regard, Master!"

Zhang Ye stood up, knelt down, and kowtowed three times to Lu Shou, politely declining the offer:

"Such a great favor, even if I were to be shattered to pieces, I would not be able to repay it!"

However, this servant girl had been supervising taxes outside for many years, and was covered in dirt and knew nothing about the court's regulations.

If I were to be appointed as the chief scribe, I would only corrupt this important position and fail the Lord Chief Secretary!