Chapter 972 Mingjing

It was snowing in the capital, and it was heavy.

Zhu Gaoxu was about to leave the palace today, so he made an appointment with someone to meet him in advance.Of course the emperor could change the time and even break the appointment, but he felt it was unnecessary, so he went to the meeting as time as possible in the afternoon.

The person he wanted to meet was a businessman from the Xue family in Huzhou.

The Northern Punishment envoy Du Erlang tried to contact the famous merchants who were mirrors. The matter had been done and would discuss and cooperate with the Xue family in the name of the Nan Office of the Guardian.

This matter is not a big deal, so Zhu Gaoxu could be handed over to officials; however, he lived in the palace for a long time, and sometimes he just wanted to go out and see some people other than palace servants and ministers.

In the Liaodong Battle, which will be launched next spring, he gave up his personal expedition. It is still okay to go out and walk around the capital city now.

What's more, when it comes to the latest news about glass making, he felt that talking to the businessman in person might be more clear.

The place where we met was in Shenjia Liyuan.When talking about business, Zhu Gaoxu didn't use his real identity, it was the best place in that kind of place.

Chen Xu, who owns multiple businesses and business gangs, came to the Liyuan in person and waited outside the door. When Zhu Gaoxu's carriage arrived, she stepped forward to greet him and welcomed Mr. Hong.

Zhu Gaoxu walked off the carriage and said in a low voice: My surname is Hou today.

Chen Xu covered his mouth and smiled sweetly, and bowed and said: Please come upstairs, Mr. Hou.

A few people walked into the hall first and went straight up the wooden stairs.

There were many people in the hall, which was a bit noisy, and there was an actor singing on the table; when Zhu Gaoxu left the palace, of course, he did not wear a dragon robe, but only a green silk robe and a square scarf on his head.

So almost no one noticed him.

They arrived at a door beside the corridor upstairs, and Chen Xu said: The person Mr. Hou is going to meet has arrived. She then chuckled meaningfully, "I won't disturb you today, so you can talk slowly."

Her smile was a little strange.

Zhu Gaoxu said casually: Let’s meet again after I finish the main business.

Chen Xu smiled and said: Let’s go next time.

Zhu Gaoxu couldn't help but look at her again, and when she gently lifted the door, he stepped in.Zhang Sheng, the commander of the Jinyiwei who was accompanying him, also stayed outside.

As soon as he walked into the door, Zhu Gaoxu immediately understood the meaning of Chen Xu's expression just now.

I saw a man standing up from the chair, the man was wearing a net scarf with his hair and a light gray round-necked cloth robe.

But she is a woman, a young and beautiful woman, and even a blind man can see it.

The woman bowed and said: My wife Xue Pingniang, I have met Lord Hou.

Zhu Gaoxu said: I've made Mrs. Xue wait for a long time, sorry.Let's sit down and say it.

Xue Pingniang raised her head and said softly: Are the adults as kind as you?

Zhu Gaoxu smiled and said: It’s hard to say.

He sat in the chair opposite, looked at Mrs. Xue for a moment, and saw that she was dressed in a simple manner.

Without any makeup, she has a white face without makeup, and her hair is black, which looks very good.

The round necklace on her body was a whole piece of cloth, which made her chest more obvious than the woman's clothes, and the arc was very smooth and beautiful.

When Mrs. Xue noticed his gaze, she frowned and looked at him.

Zhu Gaoxu hurriedly looked around and said: I didn’t expect that the Xue family came to be a woman.

Mrs. Xue's voice was soothing and even, which was very nice. She explained: The shopkeeper is a little old and is afraid that he can't stand the troubles of cars and horses. When I heard about this, I invited me to Beijing and came with my husband.My father and the shopkeeper are of the same clan, but they only gave birth to a woman like me and hired a husband to come to our house. On weekdays, the business that the clan manages for our family is managed by me.Lord Hou, don’t worry, although I am a woman, I know how to make a mirror.

I see.Zhu Gaoxu nodded.Mrs. Xue spoke clearly and spoke so detailedly, and seemed to be a relatively honest person.

Mrs. Xue said: Unexpectedly, Lord Hou was so young that he passed the Jinshi and became an official.

Zhu Gaoxu quickly realized that her words were a bit similar to what she said just now, and the two of them immediately looked at each other.

What about your husband?Zhu Gaoxu asked casually.

A hint of unhappiness flashed across Mrs. Xue's face, but she didn't know if it was because Zhu Gaoxu shouldn't have asked this.

She curled her lips gently, waited in the shop, and called him to come together, but he was afraid of seeing the official. Don't know what to be afraid of? He only knows how to polish the mirror and doesn't care about anything. That being said, she could tell she was a little nervous.

Zhu Gaoxu thought that life for a son-in-law did not seem to be easy. In this world where men are superior to women, Madam Xue seems to have completely disrespect her husband. But she is a straightforward person and has no intention of hiding it.

She held a fair cup, poured tea into a small white porcelain cup on several tables, and looked at the cup and said: The people in this teahouse told me that Lord Hou was about to arrive, so I made a pot of tea.

Mrs. Xue handed the small cup over with both hands: Look at this cup, isn’t this place cheap?

Zhu Gaoxu smiled and said: The boss is my friend, so you don’t have to pay.However, Xue’s mirror is so famous that you should have made a lot of money, are you still afraid of being expensive?

Mrs. Xue said: How can you make money when trading?Besides, Daduoli is the head of the Xue family who is the shopkeeper.

real?Zhu Gaoxu looked at her with a smile.After all, businessmen are a little wary of the government.

Mrs. Xue said: A wise man will not say secret words.If our family hadn't been running a difficult business, and I was a woman, why would she take the initiative to take on this job and come to the capital all the time?

Her bright and energetic eyes looked at Zhu Gaoxu's clothes, and then looked at the mutton fat jade hanging around his waist.

What Zhu Gaoxu usually hangs is the imperial green jade made from heaven. He just took a piece of it and replaced it with it when he went out.

She whispered softly, "It's still a wealthy official."

If it is an ordinary civil servant, he would probably have to refute and explain, for fear of ruining his reputation.Zhu Gaoxu said without any pressure, "The world is not saying that everything is inferior, but reading is superior."

The two of them drank a cup of tea, and Mrs. Xue said: What Lord Hou means is the name of "The yamen of the Guardian Sinan Office, do you want to order a batch of mirrors from the Xue family?

Zhu Gaoxu shook his head and said: It’s not a custom mirror, it’s a way to let you try to make new mirrors and open up a new business.The government can cooperate with the Xue family, and the government can invest a lot of money and control 51% of the shares in this business.You are still in charge of the affairs, but the imperial holdings have the power to supervise and make decisions.

What kind of new mirror? Mrs. Xue asked seriously.

Zhu Gaoxu said: It is very simple. Use quartz to calcinate and condense it into glass; apply a thin metal sheet on the back or coat it with a layer of things to make a mirror that is brighter and clearer than a bronze mirror.In the past, the tribes chose stones to make stone knives and arrows, and the semi-transmissible sand and gravel in the sand were all quartz.You just need to try the production, the government will contribute funds to help you, and will not let you suffer any losses.

Mrs. Xue pondered for a while and asked again: Lord Hou believes that this thing is profitable, so he takes charge of the business?

Zhu Gaoxu said quietly: The court does not rely on this little transaction income, but wants to make glass craftsmanship, which is a strategic technology.Therefore, when you try to make a mirror, we will invest money even if we lose money.

Mrs. Xue’s face was a little confused. I don’t know what it means, but why doesn’t the government make it on its own?

Zhu Gaoxu said: When the government operates a business, is it a matter of seeking fish from a tree or a businessman suitable for this.This kind of thing can only be achieved through trading and can only promote technology if it has demand.

Mrs. Xue stared at Zhu Gaoxu in a daze, unable to speak for a moment.

Zhu Gaoxu said: If the Xue family agrees to cooperate with the government, we will give the money first and you can sign for it.If you lose money in the early stage, you will be considered as a waste of investment and profit by profit. You have to pay taxes to the Maritime Procurement Department.

Mrs. Xue looked at him with a heart-warming look and asked carefully: Is there anything like this?

Zhu Gaoxu said calmly: I said that the government does not rely on transactions to maintain income, we are in charge of the national level.

Mrs. Xue pondered for a moment and said: I am willing, but we thought in advance that it was just accepting the customs from the government.I have to ask someone to go back and say a word to the shopkeeper before I can reply to Lord Hou.

Zhu Gaoxu reached out and patted the table lightly, and just did it.After Madam Xue replied, the matter immediately proceeded as we said.

Mrs. Xue said: Lord Hou is so happy.

She turned her head and looked at the sky outside the window, and then looked at the exquisitely crafted tea sets and decorations on several tables, as if she wanted to speak but stopped.

Zhu Gaoxu suddenly turned around and said, "Here is coming."

Zhang Sheng, the commander of the Jinyiwei, lifted the door and looked around the room with a sharp gaze.

Zhu Gaoxu said: Ask Manager Chen to prepare a table of wine and food.

Zhang Sheng clasped his fists and said: Yes.

Zhu Gaoxu turned his head and said: I made my own decision, Miss Xue can be admired.

Mrs. Xue pursed her soft lips and said: Why are you embarrassed?

Zhu Gaoxu smiled and said: Mrs. Xue is not as good as a man, so why should we care about those minor details?Today's banquet is a blessing for your business and my success.

Mrs. Xue bowed and said: It is better to obey my orders than to be respectful to me.

In addition to watching operas, Chen Xu's pear garden can also drink tea, drink alcohol, and find other fun.

So Zhu Gaoxu and Mrs. Xue changed into a room and prepared for dinner.

Of course, Chen Xu knew Zhu Gaoxu's identity and would not treat him badly.

The wine and food on the table are very rich, and there should be delicacies and sea flavors. The aroma of the wine jar opens, even those who are used to eating royal meals can smell it.

During the meal, Zhu Gaoxu saw that Mrs. Xue blushed after drinking, and looked more beautiful. He smiled and asked: Mrs. Xue loves to dress up as a man?

Mrs. Xue shook her head and said: I hate wearing men's clothes the most, but today I won't be so.

Zhu Gaoxu smiled.

At this time, the red clay stove warmed the wine pot, the room was decorated with elegant furnishings and gorgeous lights, and there were actors who were playing and singing to cheer them up.

Zhu Gaoxu drank and joked with a woman he had just met, and he felt that it was light and comfortable to do such a small thing.