I studied in modern times

Chapter 1011 Capitalism Sprouts (3)

Han Wei didn't have to wait long; in just a quarter of an hour, someone brought a slightly overweight middle-aged merchant to him.

When the merchant saw Han Wei, who was sitting upright with Li Zhu, a clerk in the neighborhood, serving him carefully, he immediately straightened up, bowed, and said, "Li Erhu, a commoner, greets you, sir!"

In the Song Dynasty, it was always correct to address a civil official of unknown origin as "Lord Xiang" and a military official as "Grand Commandant."

When Han Wei saw Li Erhu, he didn't say much, but simply said, "Please sit down, sir!"

They were much more polite, though.

This is because Han Wei knew that in the Song Dynasty, any business that could grow big must have a powerful backer.

Without the protection of a powerful backer, no matter how much money you have, it's just prey for others.

In fact, the more money you have, the faster you die!
This is also why wealthy merchants in the southeastern regions go to great lengths to educate their children and even fellow villagers.

Money is useless!
A minor official is enough to ruin a family and destroy an entire clan.

Only those with connections in the imperial court can preserve their wealth and status!

If this is the case in local prefectures and counties, then it is even more so in Bianjing (Kaifeng).

The Song Dynasty has been established for over 150 years, and the 36 official shops in Bianjing have changed hands dozens of times.

However, the people behind these legitimate stores have always been members of the imperial family and nobility!

Only members of the imperial family could protect the legitimate businesses that made a fortune every day in Bianjing, a city surrounded by wolves and jackals.

Naturally, Han Wei knew that behind the person in front of him must stand a powerful and influential figure.

Han Wei naturally showed some courtesy to the Celestial Dragons' white gloves.

Of course, it's just a little bit.

During the Song Dynasty, few families were more prominent than the Han family of Yingchang.

After hearing Han Wei's words, Li Erhu sat down casually.

Since gaining Lu Huiqing's favor, his business has grown bigger and bigger in the past few months.

Relying on the power and influence of the Lü family in Quanzhou, his cloth was sold not only to the north, but also to Fujian.

They were even shipped from Quanzhou Port to overseas countries.

With Lü Huiqing by his side, no one dared to cause him any trouble.

As a benevolent protector during the Xining Reforms, Lü Huiqing's interests were so secure that outsiders dared not even touch them, let alone dabble in them.

Moreover, although Lü Huiqing had many enemies, he also had many friends.

Chen Mu of Liangzhe Road and Lü Jiawen of Guangnan West Road were both on good terms with Lü Huiqing.

Naturally, they would also take care of Lu Huiqing's henchmen.

As a result, ramie from Guangxi and cheap raw silk from the Liangzhe region flowed in continuously.

At the same time, he knew about Xihe's cotton as soon as it arrived in Beijing, and he was always able to buy it at a relatively low price.

With ample raw material supply, a huge sales market, and the imperial court guaranteeing 70% of the market price for purchase.

Li Erhu's business was booming, growing stronger day by day.

So every day when he woke up, the first thing he thought of was—to expand!
Buy more ramie carts, acquire more ramie, raw silk, and cotton, and hire more people!
So this small merchant, who a year ago was forced by his father-in-law to risk his life and grit his teeth to open a textile workshop in Anjiefang, was forced to do so.

Now, he has donned a brocade robe, a turban, and rode a tall horse, living in a large courtyard with a monthly rent of over a hundred strings of cash.

He returned it to his mother and wife, and hired maids and strong women.

As the saying goes, wealth nourishes the spirit, and nobility nourishes the body.

Nowadays, Li Erhu has shed his former streetwise ways and has started to speak in a more refined and scholarly manner.

They also began to learn various etiquettes and ceremonies.

He even went to see the houses near the Bianjing Academy—and then slunk away in embarrassment.

I can't afford it, I simply can't afford it!
Even the smallest apartment costs 100,000 yuan.

That's equivalent to all of his current wealth!
But is that money his?

The protection of a powerful person is never free.

Of the 100,000 strings of cash, he was able to keep 20,000 strings, which was considered a sign of respect from a noble person.

Han Wei glanced at Li Erhu and saw that although he looked humble, he was actually not flustered at all, which made his judgment even clearer.

He then said, “I was passing through Anjie Ward when I saw thousands of women there. I was quite curious, so I came to inquire… I learned from Mr. Li that you are a wealthy and powerful man in Anjie Ward. Therefore, I have taken the liberty of inviting you here so that I may ask you a few questions. Please do not take offense!”

Li Erhu cupped his hands and said, "Of course! Of course!"

"Sir, please ask whatever you may ask, and I, a humble servant, will answer to the best of my knowledge!"

"In that case..." Han Wei nodded and said, "I thank you in advance, sir!"

So we started by asking some basic questions.

For example, with so many women in the market, what if they encounter a bad person?
What if someone commits an immoral act?

After addressing these questions, Han Wei began to delve deeper, inquiring with the women in the workshop about their wages, the source of the raw materials for weaving, and the management of the workshop.
Li Erhu told him everything truthfully.

He dared not hide it—because, as he questioned him, Li Erhu realized that this old man was probably not one of the most important people in Bianjing!

No less powerful than his backer!
For someone like him, let alone asking him a few questions.

Even if he were to reach out to him and ask him to hand over his assets, Li Erhu would have no choice but to hand them over with both hands.

At most, send someone to inform Prime Minister Lü of Xihe immediately!

We urge you, sir, to uphold justice!
Aside from this, any additional complaint he utters would be offensive!
Offending such a powerful person could easily lead to being imprisoned on Shamen Island on any fabricated charge.

Therefore, after Han Wei finished asking his question, Li Erhu took the initiative to invite him to "please move to my humble abode, sir."

Seeing how obedient and honest he was, Han Wei was immediately drawn to his talent, but he kept quiet out of consideration for the person behind him.

However, he nodded in acceptance of the invitation and followed Li Erhu. Surrounded by Li Zhu and his entourage, he arrived at Li Erhu's Li family spinning mill and took a look around.

……

In the Funing Palace, Zhao Xu listened to Shi Deyi's report, gently rubbing his hands together.

After Shi Deyi finished his report, Zhao Xu laughed: "Interesting! Interesting!"

"Lord Han actually went to Lord Lü's market?"

The Han brothers and Lü Huiqing were enemies.

Even though Han Jiang and Lü Huiqing had reconciled on the surface.

Can……

That was just an act for others to see!

Did the Han family ever come to congratulate Lü Huiqing on her birthday in private?

Did the Lü family send anyone to congratulate the Han brothers on their birthdays?

No!

It wasn't just the Han and Lü families that had no contact. Even their close relatives didn't interact with each other.

no way!
Back then, Lü Huiqing offended Han Jiang terribly.

In particular, Lü Huiqing did not come from a distinguished family.

His father, Lü Shou, was promoted to Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices only because of Lü Huiqing.

To the Han family, this was tantamount to a blond-haired man riding a ghost fire riding right in front of them, seducing their beloved woman, and then driving off with her.

This is intolerable!
Even if Han Jiang can get over that mental hurdle, Han Wei can't.

Naturally, Zhao Xu was overjoyed when he learned of this.

His favorite thing was watching his ministers tearing each other's hair apart.

This is probably one of the few forms of entertainment he has these days.

no way!
He is still developing well.

In the Middle Ages, a child of this age in a rural area was already old enough to get married and even have children.

However, he did not want to die young, so he always stayed away from women.

But his adolescence had already quietly arrived.

In addition, he had already tasted the flavors of women and knew what it was like.

Therefore, this morning burst of energy is truly torturous.

But for the sake of his life, he had no choice but to endure it.

Helpless, he could only find amusement in the company of his ministers to comfort himself.

Shi Deyi remained silent as he listened to Zhao Xu's teasing.

Until Zhao Xu said to him, "I know you've worked hard!"

He then bowed and said, "Serving Your Majesty is my duty!"

"Yes!" Zhao Xu nodded: "I know in my heart that you are loyal to me!"

"May the wishes of the chief minister be fulfilled this year on the Dragon Boat Festival!"

What wish do you have?

Just like Song Yongchen last year, he adopted a young nephew or niece!
This can be considered as a reward from Zhao Xu to these eunuchs who have been loyal to him for two lifetimes.

It was also an incentive—having offspring recognized by the imperial edict meant having a lineage to continue the family line.

Their property and blessings will then have heirs.

This certainly made these courtiers even more greedy.

But it also made them work even harder!
Otherwise, Song Yongchen and Shi Deyi are both in their fifties or sixties.

How could he possibly be as willing to risk his life for this official as he was when he was young?
Isn't that giving us hope and something to look forward to?

Upon hearing this, Shi Deyi became excited: "Your Majesty's great kindness is beyond my ability to repay. I will serve Your Majesty like an ox or a horse for generations to come!"

Zhao Xu smiled and nodded: "You may all go now!"

"promise!"

Watching Shi Deyi's retreating figure, Zhao Xu leaned back on the cushion.

He knew, of course, that the eunuch was inherently greedy.

Moreover, they become more greedy as they get older.

Throughout the entire imperial palace, there was only one person who was truly incorruptible and did not take anything—Liu Weijian.

Naturally, Shi Deyi was no exception.

Otherwise, did his luxurious mansion and beautiful concubines in Bianjing fall from the sky?

But, it doesn't matter.

As long as you can get things done and accomplish them, it's fine as long as you maintain a good table manner.

After all, the emperor's family doesn't lack hungry soldiers.

"But Han Wei..."

"I wonder if he figured it out or not?"

"Our Great Song Dynasty is now truly sprouting the seeds of capitalism!"

"Even though it's just a tender leaf!"

"Although it is not capitalism in the Western sense!"

"To be precise, it should be called bureaucratic capitalism!"

Yes!

Apart from the family workshops in Bianjing (Kaifeng) that relied on one or two looms for production.

Many industries outside the city, including textile workshops, kilns, and brickyards, once they reached a certain scale, all had an official or someone surnamed Zhao as their backer.

For example, Zhao Xu's only uncle, Jinzhou Wang Shiyue, owns several businesses.

Thirty percent of the orders for the tribute clothing and boots for this provincial examination came from clothing shops under the protection of Wang Shiyue.

Like Wen Yanbo, the old Grand Tutor's patronage protected more than ten properties, including three main shops.

Now, they are even more interested in extending their reach into the textile industry, intending to open a textile workshop in Bianjing (Kaifeng).

The same was true for prime ministers such as Lü Gongzhu, the Left Prime Minister, and Pu Zongmeng, the Right Prime Minister.

As far as Zhao Xu knew, there were very few ministers and nobles in the entire court who had not actually engaged in business.

It was just a handful of people, including Su Song, Fu Yaoyu, Zhang Heng, Fan Chunren, and Lü Dafang.

no way!
This was the reality of the Song Dynasty!

This is similar to the Sima family, who could only "submit to the Holy Dynasty for governing the world with filial piety," and had no face to mention loyalty, righteousness, or trustworthiness, and didn't even dare to dream of producing a loyal and upright person like Zhuge Liang.

The Song Dynasty under the rule of the Zhao emperors, after Emperor Taizu's "releasing military power over a cup of wine" and Emperor Taizong's "drifting away on a donkey cart," could only prioritize civil administration over military affairs.

The Zhao officials and their ilk had become an inseparable community of interests with the scholar-officials, nobles, and military officers. They were intertwined, sharing both prosperity and adversity.

Unless Zhao Xu had lost his mind, he would be so naive as to demand that his ministers be honest and upright.

The emperors never talked to their ministers about integrity.

Instead, they talked about wealth, privilege, and the distribution of spoils.

This is what it means to govern the country together with scholar-officials and to share wealth and honor with military officials and nobles!

Therefore, in the Song Dynasty, the most serious consequence of corruption was demotion.

Moreover, no matter how much greedy one becomes, there is always a chance for reinstatement.

(End of this chapter)