The prince is more stable

Chapter 20 Shareholders Meeting
Zhao Xiaoqian was sitting in the yard eating snacks.

The training of the chefs in the palace was not yet adequate. Zhao Xiaoqian had personally taught them how to cook several times, but the food they cooked still tasted a bit forced.

Don’t be in a hurry, take your time. The good news is that the chefs finally didn’t dare to add coriander, which is a good sign.

He lost his appetite after eating only a few mouthfuls of food at noon. He was hungry at this time in the afternoon and asked the maid to bring him various snacks to fill his stomach.

There are many kinds of food in the Song Dynasty. No matter how disappointing the emperor and his ministers were, it has to be admitted that the Song Dynasty's business was indeed developed enough, and many industries also flourished, including the catering industry.

Most of the snacks in the palace were bought from Zhouqiao Market, which was the place with the most concentrated food in Bianjing City.

Some well-known dim sum foods, such as chrysanthemum cakes, fried cakes, and steamed cakes, are famous all over the world.

Among them, "steamed cake" was renamed "cooked cake" after Renzong because of the taboo of Renzong Zhao Zhen's name. Yes, it is the kind of cooked cake sold by Wu Dalang. It is actually not a baked cake, but a steamed cake.

Zhao Xiaoqian hid in the backyard, eating fried cakes with big mouthfuls. The taste was average, but it was enough to satisfy his hunger. He planned to cook a few dishes for himself in the evening and teach those unsatisfactory chefs a lesson.

While he was eating heartily, a round ball of meat rushed in, followed by several old men in fancy clothes.

The sound is heard before the person arrives.

"My son is sick? Why did he suddenly become ill? Please call the imperial physician!"

Zhao Xiaoqian was stunned. He looked up and saw several people in the yard staring at him, including Zhao Hao who looked anxious.

At this moment, Zhao Xiaoqian's mouth was full of food, and he looked radiant and lively, not like he was sick at all.

Zhao Xiaoqian didn't recognize the people behind Zhao Hao, except Prince Pu Zhao Zongsheng. Judging from their clothes, they should all be relatives.

Zhao Xiaoqian was very embarrassed now, so embarrassed that he didn't even want to sing with them.

"Grilled chicken wings, my favorite."

"But your mother said you were going to ascend to heaven..."

Zhao Xiaoqian came to his senses and swallowed the snack in his mouth. He pulled Zhao Hao over and said angrily, "Why did you bring them to the backyard?"

Zhao Hao also noticed that his son was feigning illness and sighed, "The servants said you were ill, and I was worried. After all, you've only been ill for a few days. Who knows..."

Zhao Xiaoqian also sighed, "Father, remember this from now on. When I said I was sick, I meant I didn't want to see any outsiders, unless they were bringing money to our house."

Zhao Zongsheng and his clan members behind him were speechless.

When you two, father and son, were discussing your plot, didn't you avoid outsiders? How did you manage to be so open and honest?
"Okay, let's talk about business." Zhao Zongsheng sighed helplessly.

Zhao Xiaoqian gave him an apologetic smile and said, "I have neglected Grandpa Pu Wang and all the uncles. Please don't take me seriously. I'm sorry."

Zhao Zongsheng chuckled, stroked his beard and said, "No problem, I'll remember that next time I come I'll definitely bring money."

Everyone simply sat down in Zhao Xiaoqian's yard.

Zhao Zongsheng stroked his beard and looked at him, his cloudy eyes full of admiration. He chuckled and said, "I didn't expect that the son of the King of Chu would be so low-key. He clearly has abilities, but he kept them hidden until now."

Zhao Xiaoqian hurriedly said modestly, "Where did I get my ability from? I've been in a daze until now. Everything I have done is just luck and accidental."

Zhao Zongsheng shook his head, his smile full of meaning. "Let's not talk about the salt-making matter. Just the fact that you forced your father to write the memorial is not something that can be done by luck."

Zhao Xiaoqian was startled and subconsciously looked at Zhao Hao.

Zhao Hao looked confused. Obviously, he had not told anyone about this. So, how did Zhao Zongsheng know about it?
As if he could see Zhao Xiaoqian's doubts, Zhao Zongsheng smiled and said, "Don't panic. Everyone present here today is a member of the Zhao clan, not an outsider. There is no such thing as a wall that can't be penetrated. How could such a small matter in the Chu Palace be hidden from me?"

"Besides, I can't hide it anymore. Do you think the government really doesn't know anything?"

Zhao Zongsheng deliberately lowered his voice and said, "Ever since your memorial was made public, rumors have been circulating throughout the court and the public. I'm afraid that things are about to change. From now on, the court will no longer be dominated by the old party alone."

"The emperor's grace in granting you and your son official titles today indicates that he's about to take action. The old party in the court may be suppressed, and those who once supported the new law and were exiled will gradually return to the court in Bianjing. The situation is indeed changing!"

Zhao Zongsheng looked at Zhao Hao and said slowly, "You can say you are lucky or you gave birth to a good son. Anyway, your Chu Palace has arrived at the right time."

"You submitted that memorial just when the emperor needed you. I'm afraid you will gradually gain the emperor's favor and be viewed favorably by him."

Zhao Hao glanced at Zhao Xiaoqian with a smug look on his face. "I've accomplished nothing in my life, but I gave birth to a good son. That's already quite remarkable, haha!" Zhao Zongsheng couldn't stand his boasting and glanced at him disapprovingly. Then, turning to Zhao Xiaoqian, he said with a pleasant expression, "Zi'an has been granted an official position by the government today. Congratulations."

"From now on, you will not only be the crown prince, but also an official of the imperial court. Walk with your back straighter and speak louder. I used to hate your timid and cowardly look, but I am very happy to see the change you have shown now."

"As long as you're not dealing with court officials, it's okay to act a little arrogantly. The emperor seems to admire you quite a bit, otherwise he wouldn't have given you an official position for no reason. With such royal favor protecting you, it's not unreasonable for a young man to be a little arrogant."

Zhao Xiaoqian hurriedly stood up and bowed to show that he was learning.

The person in front of him is not only the Minister of Zongzheng Temple, but strictly speaking, he is also a highly respected elder of the royal family. It will not be wrong to have a good relationship with him.

Zhao Zongsheng expressed his satisfaction with Zhao Xiaoqian's humble attitude. As he got older, he was inevitably a little talkative.

The happiest thing for a nagging old man is that the younger generations listen to him respectfully while he is nagging. The psychological satisfaction he gets is more satisfying than shivering on a widow when he was young.

Of course, the relatives who came to visit today were not just here to congratulate us.

Zhao Hao was a shrewd fat man. He knew very well that it would be difficult for the Chu Palace alone to succeed in the snow salt business, and it might even bring disaster.

But if all the Zhao clan members are tied together, the problem will be solved.

Although the royal family members do not hold real power, if this group does business, they will basically make a profit.

It's nothing else, it's just because his background is strong enough that all the business of the clan family, whether it's the officials in Beijing or the local officials, have to give some face.

Everyone discussed in the yard for a long time. All those present were shareholders, and the atmosphere of the shareholders' meeting was extremely warm.

Even Zhao Zongsheng, a highly respected elder of the royal family, had his eyes sparkling when talking about the profits of snow salt.

Even if one is nearly dead, he or she will not refuse money. After all, they are all people with families, and who doesn't want to leave a legacy for their descendants?

Although the atmosphere was warm, everyone still encountered difficulties.

The most difficult part is getting through the Salt and Iron Administration.

Without the approval of the Salt and Iron Bureau, even if a distinguished clan member sells salt, it will be considered as selling contraband salt, which is a serious crime.

For a moment, everyone's faces were filled with worry and they looked at each other.

Zhao Xiaoqian originally maintained the respectful attitude of a junior, just listening without speaking.

Seeing the worried faces of these people, Zhao Xiaoqian couldn't help but say, "If we bring the government into the business, wouldn't the problem with the Salt and Iron Bureau be solved easily?"

Everyone was stunned for a moment, then looked shocked and looked at Zhao Xiaoqian.

Being stared at by so many eyes, Zhao Xiaoqian felt his scalp tingling and his social phobia relapsed.

Zhao Xiaoqian twisted his body uncomfortably and smiled awkwardly: "Junior has spoken out of turn. Everyone, please continue. I will go out for a walk..."

Just as he stood up, Zhao Zongsheng suddenly shouted, "Stop right there!"

Zhao Xiaoqian had no choice but to stop.

"Zi'an, tell me in detail how you came up with the idea of ​​getting the government involved in the snow salt business. I'd like to hear your story," said Zhao Zongsheng.

Zhao Xiaoqian asked anxiously, "Did you just say something extremely treasonous? Asking the emperor to do business... is that a taboo?"

Zhao Zongsheng thought for a moment and said, "It's not taboo, it's just that no one dares to think so. Zi'an's words just now really made me realize that the emperor... shouldn't refuse money... right?"

A clan member nearby stroked his beard and said slowly, "During the reign of Emperor Zhenzong, a fire destroyed most of the Forbidden Palace. Even now, restoration work on many palaces and pavilions has been halted due to lack of funds. The emperor... surely wouldn't refuse money."

Zhao Hao sighed, "That's true, but who has the guts to say that to the emperor in person?"

brush!
Four or five fingers pointed at Zhao Xiaoqian at the same time.

Zhao Xiaoqian's pupils trembled.

These shameless old guys have thrown all their moral principles, righteousness, integrity and shame into the trash!
Then Zhao Xiaoqian looked at Zhao Hao with a sullen expression: "Father, I am really sick this time. No kidding, call the imperial physician!"

(End of this chapter)