Great Song Super Scholar

Chapter 249
Zhu Yuanfeng had a purpose in calling Zhao Zongshi to have dinner together. Although Zhao Zongshi was more attentive, he still had some concerns about investing in Zhao Zongshi. After all, political investment and commercial investment are not the same thing, and to some extent means political investment. If you stand in line, you will become a victim of the power struggle if you are not careful. Zhu Yuanfeng dare not be careless.

The carriage drove slowly on the East Street, the light in the carriage flickered, and Zhu Yuanfeng pondered for a long time, and asked slowly: "Ah Ning, you should have noticed that Zhao Zongshi obviously has the intention of wooing me, his I am also very clear about the purpose, he wants to get my financial support, do you think I should accept his kindness?"

Fan Ning didn't expect the old man to ask himself such a question. He couldn't answer for a while, but after a while, Fan Ning asked with a smile, "It depends on whether the old man has such a willingness!"

"I do have the will, but I'm afraid that if I vote for the wrong person, it will lead to disaster!"

Fan Ning has also considered this question many times. Although he knows that Zhao Zongshi is Song Yingzong in history, many histories are undergoing subtle changes now. Fan Zhongyan's return to Beijing has brought about a huge impact. Above Wen Yanbo and Pang Ji, the reformists have quietly gained the upper hand again. Will this affect Zhao Zhen's choice of heir to the throne?

Fan Ning is not sure whether Zhao Zongshi will have a chance to ascend the throne again.

However, in terms of probability, Zhao Zongshi is more likely to ascend the throne, and his worries are just a shadow on the iron plate.

Fan Ning thought for a while and said, "I can give the old man a suggestion."

Zhu Yuanfeng was refreshed, and immediately asked: "What suggestion?"

Fan Ning said with a smile: "The old man can give it a try and invest some capital in Zhao Zongshi to see if it works. If his status has changed this year, it means that he still has investment value. If there is still no improvement after investing , then the old man can be a little more cautious, but I remind the old man to pay attention to the source and direction of this kind of political investment."

Zhu Yuanfeng nodded secretly. No wonder the eldest brother valued Fan Ning so much. This kid is indeed a genius, young and mature, who can actually help him plan investment strategies.

"Then what is the source and direction?" Zhu Yuanfeng asked further.

"The source is the old man's investment method. You can't just give him money directly. There must be a roundabout way. For example, you can let him build a staff team by himself, including inviting some top strategists to join in and advise him. And all the personnel, property and property expenses of this team are supported by the old man."

"What about the direction?"

"The direction is to cultivate his own power, seek supporters, and form alliances with some powerful people. These are all things he has to do, but I think the first direction to seek support should be the Cao family."

"Empress Cao's family?"

Fan Ning nodded, "He is the adopted son of Empress Cao, and he did not hesitate to beat Concubine Zhang Gui to protect the interests of his adoptive mother, so he was deposed by the emperor, but for the Cao family, Zhao Zongshi's actions are the defenders of the interests of the Cao family, old man It takes a little effort to get Zhao Zongshi to board the big ship of the Cao family first. I believe the Cao family will use their power to fight for Zhao Zongshi's due rights. As long as someone works for him and the old man has financial support, I believe he will gain something this year. .”

"But what about the big boat of the Cao family?"

Fan Ning smiled slightly, "Doesn't the Cao family have any business to cooperate with?"

Zhu Yuanfeng suddenly realized that he had a piece of land on Panlou Street. Cao Lou wanted to gain a foothold on Panlou Street. He came to him several times to buy that land. Isn’t Cao Lou the most important asset of the Cao family? ?

"I see, I can conduct business cooperation with the Cao family."

Fan Ning said with a smile: "This matter has to go hand in hand. I can play the side drum for the old man from the other side."

Zhu Yuanfeng was overjoyed, "Do you still have a way?"

Fan Ning nodded, "No. 7 Cao Shi in Tongzi Section is Cao Cong's grandson, and he lives with my friend Su Liang now."

Fan Ning's meaning is also very clear, he wants to bet on Zhao Zongshi's political investment together with Zhu Yuanfeng.

While Fan Ning was talking with Zhu Yuanfeng, Zhu Pei was unexpectedly quiet and remained silent.

． ． ． ． ． ． ．

At dawn the next day, Fan Ning was awakened by a knock on the door, "Little official, wake up!"

This is the servant girl Xiaodong starting to perform her alarm clock service. It sounds like she is in a good mood, which should be related to Zhu Pei's words of encouragement yesterday.

"Understood, I'll get up right away!"

Fan Ning sat up lazily, then yawned again, and stretched.

"Xiaodong, is it time?"

"At Chen's hour, the time-telling drum has just sounded outside."

The gatehouses of Bianliang city have time-telling drums during the day, and at night watchmen call watchmen. Although the imperial court invented a lotus leak with more accurate timekeeping, it is still inconvenient to use and unbearable for ordinary people, so the government has punctuality. The practice of beating the drum to time the time is to beat the drum every other hour to remind the people of the time.

Chenshi is seven o'clock in the morning, and Chenshi Zheng is eight o'clock in the morning. Because the Imperial College is not in the imperial city, it is more tolerant of middle and low-level officials.

If you are not rushing to go to court, or if you have a professor who has an early class, it is not considered late for an official to arrive at the official room at the same time. They these subsections.

Fan Ning put on his clothes and came out. Xiaodong smiled and said, "The wash water is ready, let's wash it while it's hot! Then have breakfast and drink tea."

"Thank you!"

It’s good to have a maid, she even made the washing water for herself, it’s still hot water
His dining hall and living room are all placed in Su Liang's study, anyway, no one lives there now.

Just as Fan Ning was about to go there, he suddenly found a pile of briquettes piled up next to the stove, which made him startled, and asked quickly, "Where did you buy these briquettes?"

"It's just outside, and now this kind of charcoal balls are used, which is very convenient and easy to ignite."

Fan Ning sighed softly. He taught the old man in the winter. He didn't expect the briquette technology to spread so quickly, and he didn't know that the old man didn't make a fortune before it spread.

He picked up a briquette and took a closer look. It was very delicately made. It was obvious that a mold had been used, and there were a few thin holes in the middle. Fanning put it under his nose and sniffed it. There was a pungent sulfur smell. , actually adding fire brimstone, the cost is high.

"How much is this charcoal ball?"

"Three pennies a piece, buy a hundred and get ten free."

Fan Ning shook his head and put the briquettes down. He didn’t expect the old man to make a fortune by relying on this. It’s too easy to make briquettes. It just depends on whether you can think of it. He just hopes that the old man can make more money before others learn it, that’s all.

After washing up and having breakfast, he just changed his clothes and was about to leave when suddenly the door creaked open and Jupe strode in.

Fan Ning was stunned, "Why are you here now?"

Zhu Pei gave him a blank look, "Didn't you agree to go to see the house today?"

Fan Ning slapped his forehead again. He actually forgot about it. The Yang family should have an answer today, so it's time to check it out.

At this time, Xiaodong asked flatteringly, "Miss, have you had breakfast? There are buns and red bean porridge!"

Zhu Pei laughed and said, "I didn't eat in a hurry. Bring me a steamed stuffed bun and a bowl of red bean porridge."

"Sit down, girl, I'll bring it to you right away."

Xiaodong ran to serve Zhu Pei hard, and Zhu Pei is her master, so of course she has to do more to please her.

Zhu Pei took a small bite of the steamed stuffed bun and said to her, "Go outside and tell Sister Jian and the coachman to have breakfast by themselves. I'll rest for a while before going out."

"Okay!" Xiao Dongfei ran out.

Seeing that she was eating in a leisurely manner, Fan Ning said with some dissatisfaction, "If I don't leave, I will be late today!"

Zhu Pei sneered, "It's pretty good at pretending. I asked Dad specifically, and your name is not even on his list of merit-testing officials."

"How could it be? I'm an eighth-rank Beijing official. How could it be possible that I don't have my name?" Fan Ning asked in surprise.

"You really don't know?" Zhu Pei was also a little surprised when she saw that Fanning didn't seem to be pretending.

Fanning shook his head, "No one told me!"

"Daddy said it was the official's intention that you will not be assessed for the past three years, so that you can study with peace of mind, so whether you go to the Imperial College or not will have no effect on you."

Fan Ning suddenly became depressed. Although not taking the assessment made him more free, it also meant that he had no chance of promotion in the past three years.

Zhu Pei was considerate. She saw the frustration in Fan Ning's eyes, so she comforted him softly: "My father also said that not every middle-level and low-level official has to go through their assessment before being promoted. There are many special circumstances, such as Mr. Dali Recommendations, or being favored by officials, these do not need to look at the assessment, and you will be promoted if you say promotion, so I think since the officials look at you differently, it must be a special case when you are promoted, and you don’t need to pay too much attention to the assessment. .”

Zhu Pei's persuasion made Fan Ning feel better again. Thinking about it, it was the same. Since the officials specially arranged for him, his promotion should have little to do with the officials.

Having figured this out, Fan Ning happily smiled and said, "After breakfast, let's go directly to the house!"

(End of this chapter)