My aunt is Queen Ma

Chapter 40: Middle School Boy
Turn your face?

Ma Yu glanced at him and said, "Turn one over for me to see."

Zhu Chong laughed awkwardly and said, "Just kidding, we were once in jail together, and now we are brothers."

"You know me. I hate being forced to study the most."

"As a good brother, you can't be so considerate of me, right?"

"We agreed in prison that we live for pleasure."

Ma Yu explained, "I don't want to force you to study, but your parents are watching."

"If you don't make any progress, I'm afraid you'll be taken back to the main hall in a few days."

"You don't want to be caught, do you?"

"So you'd better finish reading the books I assigned to you."

"Don't worry, the courses I arranged for you are not heavy, and only take two or three hours a day."

"If you study hard, you can finish it in less than two hours. You can do whatever you want with the rest of the time."

When Zhu Chong heard that it would only take two or three hours, he quickly said:

"Don't lie to me."

Ma Yu said, "Why would I lie to you? The study plan I set for myself only allows me to study for this long every day."

"You just need to keep pace with me then."

Zhu Chong said happily, "That's great, you're indeed good brothers. When did we learn today's lesson first?"

Ma Yu laughed and said, "Okay, you're more active than me..."

"Don't worry today. Come with me to see the shop that my aunt gave me."

"Let's figure out what kind of business we can do."

Such a large family cannot rely solely on the output of the manor.

If you really want financial freedom, you have to do business.

Doing business? Zhu Chong immediately became interested.

He is not interested in making money, but is simply interested in doing business itself.

He ate the cantaloupe in his hand in a few bites and urged:

"Eat quickly, eat quickly. I can't wait to become the richest businessman in Ming Dynasty."

Ma Yu jokingly said, "I think it's more like the negative of debt."

After finishing the cantaloupe, they went to the study to get the key, and then the two of them went to the shop under the escort of the guards.

This was the first time that Ma Yu went shopping seriously after traveling through time.

I can only say that I am a little disappointed.

Da Gongfang can be said to be the most prosperous and lively place in Yingtian Prefecture at present.

As for the Qinhuai River, its prosperity is directly related to the imperial examinations.

At present, the Ming Dynasty has not restored the imperial examination system, and it is still an ordinary dock.

However, even in such a prosperous Dagongfang, there are not many people on the streets, and even fewer people doing business.

Although it cannot be said that all industries are in decline, it is obvious that the business economy is in a downturn.

The clothes of the people on the street are mostly worn and patched, the only difference is the size of the patches.

This is Yingtian Prefecture, the situation in other places will only be worse.

Just think about it, we will know that the turmoil has lasted for decades, or to be more precise, the current turmoil is still not over.

It’s a bit too early to talk about business when we can’t even feed the people.

Of course, there are also human factors. As a ruler, Zhu Yuanzhang did not attach importance to business.

His attitude can directly affect the overall business environment.

But again, it's normal for him to ignore business and even suppress it.

After all, the most important thing in troubled times is to produce food, everything else is secondary or even unimportant.

However, the people on the street were not walking in a hurry, and there was no worry or panic on their faces.

This kind of mentality can only be cultivated through years of peace.

This indirectly proves that Zhu Yuanzhang governed this place quite well.

But only for now.

The group walked and stopped on the street, and Ma Yu observed everything around him, trying to understand as much as possible about the times.

Zhu Chong also looked around and sighed after a while:
"Hey, where have all the dandies in Yingtian Prefecture gone? They're really embarrassing the rich and powerful by not coming out to bully men and women in broad daylight."

Ma Yu: ???
Forget it, this kid is mentally ill, I have to stay away from him from now on.

Just as I was daydreaming, Liu Xiaodao came back to report that the shop had been found.

Ma Yu did not delay any longer and immediately took his men to follow. After a while, they saw the shop.

The shop has three floors and a yard at the back.

Look at this area again, it is one of the most prosperous and busiest areas in Da Gong Fang.

Tsk, Queen Ma is so generous.

After walking around the store, the two of them sat down by the window on the second floor and discussed what business to do.

Unfortunately, one of them is a time traveler and is not familiar with this era, and the other knows too little about the folk customs.

After thinking for a long time, I couldn't find a business that I could do.

Zhu Chong scratched his head and said, "How about we open a restaurant?"

Ma Yu didn't say anything, but just pointed at the street.

There are several restaurants at a glance.

That would be fine, but the key point is that none of these restaurants are doing good business.

On the contrary, the food stalls on the street are doing better business.

Zhu Chong suddenly stopped talking and fell into deep thought again.

Ma Yu was also helpless. There was fierce competition for ordinary goods, and people could buy them on the roadside. Who would go to such a big store?

In today's economic situation, few people can afford valuable things.

He had thought about making some small inventions to sell.

But leaving aside the cost, given this economic situation, it’s not easy to sell the products made.

perfume?

Stop joking, learn about incense.

Perfume is truly something that the poor cannot afford and the rich look down upon.

Only when the private economy is revived and a large number of wealthy people emerge, will there be a chance for popularization.

It’s not that soap is not okay.

But apart from the rich and powerful, how many people would buy this thing?

The problem is that even if the rich and powerful have soap beans, they won't necessarily be suckered into buying soap.

This thing is similar to perfume. There will be a market for it only when there are more wealthy people among the people.

Glass?

He knew the general production process, but making this thing required alkali.

If he had the ability to make alkali, he wouldn't have to make glass.

You can make a fortune just by selling alkali.

What else can I do?
Unexpected.

It's a shame for the time travelers.

After a long while, Zhu Chong slammed the table and said, "Why don't we open a brothel?"

Ma Yu: ...

"If you want to die, stay away from me and don't spill your blood on me."

Zhu Chong said disdainfully, "Aren't you very tough and not afraid of my father? Why are you so cowardly?"

Ma Yu said angrily, "Your mother will beat us both to death, don't you believe it?"

Zhu Chong fell silent for a moment, and after a moment he suddenly became like a deflated ball:
"Alas, it's a shame that you and I, heroes all our lives, are stumped by such a small matter."

Ma Yu could only respond with a long sigh.

Just as the two brothers were sighing, they suddenly heard a noise coming from the street.

I looked up curiously and saw a group of people running rampant on the street, causing pedestrians to dodge everywhere.

Before Ma Yu could say anything, Zhu Chong became excited:
"Damn, I finally see the tyrants. I thought they were all dead."

"Watch me deliver justice."

After saying that, he ran downstairs.

Ma Yu quickly asked Meng Sanqing to take people with him to avoid any accidents.

He himself continued to look down from the window.

After a while, Zhu Chong led his men to rush over.

When the people on the opposite side saw that they were coming with such a strong momentum, they also gathered together and prepared to fight back.

Just when Ma Yu thought a fight was about to break out, he discovered that the opponent had surrendered directly.

The two groups joined together and walked towards the restaurant.

Yes, I still know him.

Ma Yu couldn't help but wonder, who dared to be so arrogant? Wasn't he afraid of Zhu Yuanzhang's anger? Soon Zhu Chong came back dejected, followed by a boy of about eleven or twelve years old.

Ma Yu asked curiously, "Who is this?"

Zhu Chong returned to his original seat and sat down, saying unhappily:

"Chang Mao's younger brother Chang Sheng."

Chang Sheng?

Ma Yu thought to himself, it must be a flood that has washed away the Dragon King Temple.

No wonder Zhu Chong didn't teach him a lesson. Even if he didn't give face to Chang Yuchun, he had to give face to Concubine Chang.

However, the family tradition of Chang Yuchun's family is really not that good. Chang Mao is a bastard, and Chang Sheng is so domineering at such a young age.

In fact, he really misunderstood.

Historical records show that Chang Mao was indeed not a good person, but there is no record of any stain on Chang Sheng.

You know, in order to pave the way for Zhu Yunwen, Zhu Yuanzhang eliminated Lan Yu's party, and Chang Sheng was also implicated.

If he really did have any bad deeds, they would definitely be recorded as evidence of his crime.

If there is no record, it is likely that there is really no black material.

Ma Yu was also influenced by Chang Mao and subconsciously thought that Chang Sheng was not that good either.

It's purely preconceived notions.

But even if you don't like each other, since you have met, you should at least say hello.

Just when Ma Yu was thinking about how to start.

Chang Sheng spoke first, "Who are you? Why don't you show respect to me?"

Ma Yu: ???
Zhu Chong sat on the stool and kicked him, sending him back two steps. He scolded him:

"You're blind, this is my mother's nephew, so be polite when you meet him next time."

Chang Sheng was surprised and asked, "Are you Ma Yu?"

Ma Yu nodded and said, "It is me..."

Before he finished speaking, Chang Sheng knelt down on one knee and clasped his fists, saying:
"Brother, please accept my humble respect."

Ma Yu couldn't handle this, so he quickly stood up and tried to pull him up:
"Mr. Chang, there is no need to do this. I cannot accept your generous gift."

But he couldn't pull it at all, as if Chang Sheng's feet had taken root.

He couldn't help but be amazed. He was indeed Chang Shiwan's offspring. He was so strong at such a young age.

Chang Sheng acted as if he hadn't heard his words and said excitedly:

"My brother said you dared to scold His Majesty. Is that true?"

Ma Yu: ???
No, is Zhu Yuanzhang really so unpopular?
Zhu Chong's face darkened and he said, "Don't listen to your brother's nonsense, be careful not to talk nonsense and get people killed."

Chang Sheng then realized that there was someone around him. He stood up, dusted off his legs, and said,

"My brother was just joking with me, hehe."

Everyone:...

Chang Sheng immediately added, "Brother, from now on I, Chang Sheng, will follow your lead."

"If you need anything from me, just tell me. I will go through fire and water without even a frown."

Looking at this middle school boy, Ma Yu was really upset and couldn't help asking:

"Do you like listening to legendary stories?"

Chang Sheng's eyes suddenly widened, and he said with admiration:
"Brother, you can even calculate this. It's really amazing."

"I like to listen to the Romance of Sui and Tang Dynasties the most, and my favorite character in it is Luo Cheng, the Jade-faced Cold Spear."

Ma Yu thought to himself, I understand, another young man poisoned by novels.

Thinking of this, he rolled his eyes and said:

"Luo Cheng is a chivalrous man, humble and sincere, and loves his people like his own children."

"You were so arrogant just now. To me, you looked more like Yuwen Chengdu."

Chang Sheng's face suddenly turned red and he was speechless.

Ma Yu knew that children were very concerned about their reputation, and fearing that he would be unable to bear it and become rebellious, he immediately imitated the tone of the storybook and said:
"But, admitting one's mistakes and correcting them is the true character of a real man."

"As long as you behave yourself in the future, sooner or later you will become the Qiao Luo Cheng of the Ming Dynasty."

Chang Sheng's expression improved, and he looked both ashamed and excited.
"Chang Sheng is ashamed. I will obey my brother's orders and turn over a new leaf."

At this time, Zhu Chong also became interested and said, "Well, well, now treacherous ministers are in power and banditry is rampant."

"We are determined to punish the wicked and uphold justice."

"Why don't you join us and help us uphold justice and restore order to the world?"

Ma Yu almost laughed out loud when he heard this. You are such a filial son.

If your father heard this, he would probably be furious.

Chang Sheng was very impressed by this and said in surprise: "Ah, I... can I really do this?"

Zhu Chong was past his junior high school years after all, so he returned to normal after a few words:
"Why not? I'm short of manpower."

"But if you work with me, you have to follow my rules, otherwise you will go back to where you came from."

Chang Sheng said excitedly: "What rules are there? Just tell me, Second Prince."

Zhu Chong frowned slightly and said, "The first rule is, don't call me the Second Prince in private from now on."

Chang Sheng asked awkwardly, "Then what should I call you?"

Zhu Chong thought for a moment and said, "You can call me Zhu Lao Er or Zhu Er Ge."

He pointed at Ma Yu again and said reluctantly:

"Call him Boss Ma."

"From now on, you will call yourself Chang Lao San."

Are we going to become sworn brothers? Chang Sheng's face was distorted with excitement.
"Brother Ma, Brother Zhu, please accept my humble respect."

Looking at this scene, Ma Yu was both amused and confused.

These two people are really unique.

It's only because your fathers have a special relationship. If it were someone else, the son of a powerful official and the second prince played like this, he would be beaten half to death when he got home.

Zhu Chong had a look of teachable youth on his face and said:
"Come, sit down and talk."

Chang Sheng quickly came over and found a chair and sat down next to the two of them.

Then he asked carefully, "I wonder what the two brothers are doing here?"

When this matter was mentioned, Zhu Chong suddenly became unhappy and gave a brief account of the matter.

Chang Sheng was very excited when he heard about doing business:
"Open a restaurant, call it Jiajialou."

Zhu Chong said unhappily, "Alright, sit down."

Seeing Chang Sheng's confused and unconvinced look, he pointed outside and said:
"So many restaurants are deserted, and we're still running them, just waiting to starve to death."

Chang Sheng suddenly realized and said with a wry smile, "I didn't think it through."

Then the number of people who were worried increased from two to three.

After a while, Ma Yu suddenly laughed:
"Come on, let's stop worrying about this as three grown men. Let's just leave it alone for now."

"Anyway, I'm not short of money right now, so I can do it later if I want to."

Zhu Chong also sighed helplessly:

"That's all we can do. Let's go, let's go back."

Chang Sheng was the most unwilling to accept the fact that he had failed in the first thing he did after becoming sworn brothers with his two elder brothers. He was so unwilling to accept this.

No, I have to think about what to do. I must give my two brothers a surprise.

Just as he was secretly encouraging himself, Ma Yu suddenly turned around and said to him:

"By the way, Third Brother, please come to my house early tomorrow."

Chang Sheng's eyes lit up and he asked, "Brother, do you have any big plans?"

Ma Yu said mysteriously, "You'll know when you get there. Don't ask so many questions."

Chang Sheng said excitedly: "Okay, I will definitely go there early."

After that, the three of them went their separate ways downstairs.

After they had walked quite a distance, Zhu Chong smiled and said, "You don't want to grab him to study with you, do you?"

Ma Yu smiled and said, "We can't let him be as ignorant as his brother."

Although he didn't know what kind of person Chang Sheng was in history, he knew that Chang Mao had no children and that Chang Yuchun's title was later inherited by Chang Sheng.

If Chang Sheng is trained well, he will be a great help in the future.

What? You're saying Chang Mao can't have children in this lifetime?

Given his status, he must have many wives and concubines, but the fact that he still has no children can only mean that there is something wrong with his health.

And he can also ask the best famous doctors to treat him.

Those famous doctors couldn't cure it, and Ma Yu was not a doctor, so he was even less able to cure it.

Therefore, there is a high probability that Chang Mao will have no descendants in this life.

In the end, the title will still fall on Chang Sheng, it doesn't matter.

Of course, there is another reason why Ma Yu and Chang Sheng have a good relationship.

That is to see if Chang Yuchun can be saved.

Rumor has it that he died of dermatophyte. I'll ask someone in a few days to see if there is any way to prevent this disease.

(End of this chapter)