Zhang Weixian respectfully sat in his chair and quietly waited for his grandfather to speak.
This time, Zhang Weixian was a little regretful that he couldn't go with them to the northwest war. However, Duke Zhang Yong didn't really care.
His own family wasn't very prosperous to begin with, and this grandson didn't have to go to the battlefield to fight for fame. This was quite good.
"Have you read the newspaper?" Zhang Yong looked at Zhang Weixian and asked with a smile.
"Yes, I've read it!"
Zhang Weixian nodded in reply. Although his grandfather was somewhat reckless when he was young, Zhang Weixian knew that his grandfather was an old fox and could see things very clearly.
Nodding, Zhang Yong asked with a smile, "What do you think?"
"This time, it will probably cause quite a commotion!" Zhang Weixian said cautiously. "The capital isn't very prosperous!"
What kind of place was the capital?
It was under the Imperial City. If you threw a brick here, you wouldn't even know who it would hit.
How could a shop in the capital be a small family?
Many officials in the court couldn't.
This place had long been occupied by people. Even if a civil official was promoted, you wouldn't be able to get a foot in.
Honours and relatives were all people who ran amok. Who could afford to offend them?
"The Emperor has already cut off the Honours over the salt administration. Now, he wants to cut off the shops. I'm afraid something will happen!"
Zhang Weixian said worriedly, "They might not do anything openly, but it won't be a problem for them to make things difficult for the tax department."
Zhang Yong nodded and stroked his beard. "Not bad, I understand."
"That Li Zhonghang has returned to the capital. He has a lot of silver with him, all of it from the salt administration. Most of this money was earned by the Honours and relatives from selling the salt permits," Zhang Yong said with a sigh. "Last time, when he beat down the Marquis of Xining, no one dared to make a move!"
Speaking of the former Marquis of Xining, the current Earl of Xining, Zhang Yong suddenly said, "The date of your marriage has already been set. Don't cause any trouble for now and get married in peace."
Zhang Yong was not young anymore. He had long wanted to hold a great-grandson. This was much more important than other messy things.
"Yes, Grandpa!" Zhang Weixian quickly agreed, and his heart was full of expectations.
Nodding his head in satisfaction, Zhang Yong smiled and said, "Don't always think about messy things. Our emperor is much smarter than you.
Just watch!
There will be news soon. The privileges of the nobles and their relatives will not be reduced. "
Honours and relatives had always been beaten up by the previous emperors.
However, the previous emperors also knew that Honours and relatives were the foundation of the family. This plate could not be messed up.
Now, the Emperor had promoted the Commander-in-Chief of the Five Armies and established the Martial Lecture Hall. His intentions were clear.
The Emperor was just dissatisfied with the decadence of the Honours and relatives. He did not want to beat them to death.
Zhang Weixian nodded and said, "Yes, Grandpa. I understand."
Just as Zhang Yong was about to say something, a servant suddenly came in to report.
"Duke, there is a person outside asking to see you. He said he is Li Zhonghang of the Ministry of Internal Affairs."
Zhang Yong was stunned. Then he smiled and stroked his beard. He turned to Zhang Weixian and said, "Go, go and bring him in."
Zhang Weixian was stunned. Go and fetch him?
Of course, he knew the director of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Li Zhonghang was mentioned just now. However, there was no need for him to go and fetch him!
Their identities were not equal!
Seeing his grandson's expression, Zhang Yong said angrily, "I asked you to go, so do it. What are you looking at?"
Zhang Weixian had no choice but to turn around and walk to the door. The expression on his face was still very complicated.
When he came to the door, Zhang Weixian saw Li Zhonghang at a glance. He had already put on a smile on his face and said, "Director Li, you are here to visit. Sorry for not going out to greet you!"
Li Zhonghang looked at Zhang Weixian and was stunned for a few seconds. Then he reacted and quickly cupped his hands and said, "Young Duke, thank you for coming to greet me in person. I am so sorry!"
In front of the Duke of England, no one could feel superior. Li Zhonghang did not dare to do so. He quickly bowed to Zhang Weixian.
"Director Li, Grandpa is waiting for us inside. Let's go in!" Zhang Weixian made a gesture of invitation and said with a smile.
Li Zhonghang nodded quickly. The two of them talked and laughed as they entered the House of Lords.
When they came to the lobby, Zhang Yong was already waiting there. Seeing Zhang Yong salute, Zhang Yong smiled and waved his hand. "Director Li, don't be so polite. Sit down and talk!" After that, he said to Zhang Weixian, "Serve some tea for Director Li."
After a few polite words, Li Zhonghang directly said, "I don't come to a temple for no reason. This time, I have come to ask for your help."
Zhang Yong looked at Li Zhonghang and said with a smile, "Director Li, please speak your mind."
"Well, the northwest has been pacified. His Majesty wants to stabilize the northwest, so he ordered the Ministry of Internal Affairs to think of a way. The Ministry of Internal Affairs came up with a woolen material and yarn. I think you know about this matter, High Duke."
"Therefore, the Ministry of Internal Affairs asked His Majesty to build a woolen mill in the northwest to purchase wool and make woolen material and yarn."
"His Majesty wants to build ten woolen mills in the northwest. The Ministry of Internal Affairs has limited power. It is really not enough to build ten woolen mills.
The House of Lords has been loyal for generations and has been in charge of Daming Honours. I thought of the House of Lords. "
After listening to Li Zhonghang talk about this matter in a roundabout way, the High Duke's eyes narrowed slightly. There was no irritation on his face as he quietly listened to Li Zhonghang.
Putting down the teacup in his hand, Zhang Yong said with a smile, "I see. This matter is easy to discuss. Since it is to develop the northwest, the House of Lords will naturally support it.
If you want money or people, Lord Li, just say the word. The House of Lords will not object. "
"That's good, that's good!"
Li Zhonghang quickly said with a smile, "After I find ten families, we will discuss how to do it."
Zhang Yong nodded with a smile and said, "Alright, everything will be done according to what Lord Li said!"
"I still have to go to Dingguo Public House. I will take my leave now!" With that, Li Zhonghang bowed and walked outside.
"Send Lord Li off for me!" Zhang Yong turned his head and said to Zhang Weixian.
"Yes, Grandfather!" Zhang Weixian quickly bowed and replied. Then, he sent Li Zhonghang out of the House of Lords.
After sending Li Zhonghang off, Zhang Weixian turned back and asked Zhang Yong with some doubts, "Grandfather, what does Li Zhonghang mean?"
"Him?"
Zhang Yong waved his hand and said, "This is not his intention. This is His Majesty's intention. The woolen textile industry is very profitable!
Can't the Ministry of Internal Affairs eat it?
Of course not. This is His Majesty finding money for the Honours. "
"Didn't I tell you long ago that His Majesty won't just cut off the Honours?"
Zhang Weixian frowned and asked in confusion, "But why is this necessary?
If the salt administration takes it, they can return it. This, this! "
"What this!"
Zhang Yong glared at Zhang Weixian and said angrily, "Have you become stupid from practicing martial arts in the capital? How did the salt administration get its money?
It was embezzled. That's His Majesty's money. "
"How can this woolen textile factory be the same?
That's the Honours earned their own money. "
"Go back and think about it. If you don't understand, don't eat dinner tonight!"
After saying that, Zhang Rong stood up, flung her sleeves, and stormed off, leaving Zhang Weixian alone in deep thought.
"Embezzled money, earned money!" Zhang Weixian's eyes lit up as he repeated these two sentences.
Although the news of the registration of the business license in Shun Tian Prefecture spread quickly, other than some officials clamoring, the Honours were very quiet.
Outsiders didn't know that the Honours were going to the Northwest to make a fortune.
Everyone knew that the market exchange was profitable. However, the market had always been controlled by the Jin merchants.
It was impossible for the Honours in the capital to join in. It would take a lot of effort to earn nothing, so the Honours naturally wouldn't do it.
But it was different this time. Even a fool could see the profits of the woolen textile factory.
As the saying goes, clothing, food, shelter, and transportation are the most important. There was a lot of profit to be made here.
The woolen textile factory used wool and didn't need to plant mulberry trees or raise silkworms. The cost was very low!
The price of raw silk in Jiangnan was very high. This woolen textile factory would definitely be popular and make a lot of money.
How could the Honours not be interested?
Everyone also understood that this was a benefit given by the Emperor. After all, when Li Zhonghang was passing the message, he took a lot of detours and passed the message to the Emperor.
Of the ten places, one from the House of Lords, one from the Dingguo Mansion, three from the Northwest, and one from the Count of North Placer.
The competition for the remaining four places was very fierce. When the news that Count of Gongshun Mansion also had a place, the Honours completely understood.
Count of North Placer was Qi Jiguang, and Count of Gongshun was Wu Weiying's father.
These were all meritorious deeds in the Northwest this time. The Emperor's intention was very obvious.
Those who made meritorious deeds for the country would not only get an official position, but also earn money. Those who did nothing would just wait for death!
The Honours had mixed feelings, but they couldn't make a fuss even if they wanted to. The incident with Count Xining was still vivid in their minds, and this made many people sullen.
But soon, new news came out. The Ministry of Internal Affairs was preparing to set up a woolen textile sales union.
Imitating the salt policy, the sale of woolen textiles would be divided and auctioned according to the region.
As soon as this news came out, the Honours who felt that they couldn't get a place in the textile factory immediately acted. One must know that this time, the division was divided according to the province.
How much profit would it make to hold the right to sell woolen textiles in a province?
The Honours were all busy going to the Northwest to make money. Who would care about other things?
A business license was just a business license. Their own shops weren't a big deal.
There was no such thing as an impenetrable wall in the world. The matter of the woolen textile factory in the Northwest quickly spread, and countless people began to be jealous.
The Honours went to the Northwest to make a fortune. This was competing with the people for benefits. What was this called?
For a while, the impeachment of the Ministry of Internal Affairs was sent to the Imperial Palace. Li Zhonghang was suddenly pushed to the teeth of the storm.
In reality, the civil officials weren't stupid. Li Zhonghang's Ministry of Internal Affairs was clearly making money for the emperor. If the emperor took all the money, what would they do? If the emperor took all the money, what would they do?
This wouldn't do!