Zhao Jun smiled and said, "The most important thing about this business is to build a fleet, funded by the court and you, to sail overseas. Rather than relying on the little money you make each year, it would be better to make a large profit. What do you think, uncle?"

"Is there really such huge profits?"

Cao Cong was surprised.

"Of course. Given the relationship between the Cao family, Your Majesty, and me, how could I possibly deceive my uncle?"

Zhao Jun answered confidently.

Cao Cong thought about it, nodded slightly and said, "If that's the case, I agree with this."

"That's great! The emperor and I both hope everyone will know this. The redundant troops are placing too heavy a burden on the imperial treasury. The imperial court has no other options, but we will not treat you unfairly."

Zhao Jun said, "It may be difficult at first, but once we get on the right track, things will get much better. I hope my uncle and the other nobles will be more patient."

"Um."

Cao Cong agreed.

Then Zhao Jun talked to him about some other things.

For example, he suggested that Cao remodel the existing weapons manufacturing workshop, connect it with the Wuan Iron and Steel Plant, and change the production method from military to civilian.

Agricultural tools are now in short supply across the Song Dynasty. After steel production increases, expanding agricultural tool production can also improve productivity.

Secondly, you can contract projects from local governments, such as building bridges and roads, digging canals and building dams.

Although this may lead to collusion between officials and businessmen.

The problem is that there are currently no contractors in Song Dynasty. If we open a trading company first, it can be considered a semi-state-owned enterprise. If we strictly control the quality, there should be no problem.

There were also some other ways to make money, which were all explained one by one. After chatting for more than an hour, Zhao Jun finally said goodbye and left.

On the way back, Zhao Tan wanted to play with his cousin, but Cao Miaoxin slapped him in the face before he became obedient. Turning around, she saw her husband's face was not very happy, and wondered, "Husband, what's wrong?"

"You come from a military family, so you know the problem of redundant troops."

Zhao Jun said calmly, "My uncle and I were discussing this matter. We hope that the general can escape from the army and move on to other industries."

"Uncle didn't agree?"

"I agree."

"Then why?"

"But I don't think he's very happy."

"I wouldn't be happy either if it were me."

"The imperial court didn't block their path, and they also gave them opportunities to engage in other industries, where they could earn more than in the army."

"Ha, husband, this is what you don't understand."

Cao Miaoxin smiled and said.

"oh?"

Zhao Jun was puzzled and said, "What do you not understand?"

"They earn a lot every year. Who would agree to take on other career options now?"

Cao Miaoxin shook her head and said, "People are greedy. For most people, who would abandon the old way before they are sure they can make money from the new one? Besides, even if the new way does make money, why can't we make money from both ways?"

In an instant, Zhao Jun was awakened.

He immediately realized that it would not be easy to fool the generals and nobles.

"So what do you mean?"

Zhao Jun's mind raced as he said, "Can we create a model?"

"I didn't really think about it. I just thought if I could show them that this new way of doing things is really profitable, maybe they would agree."

Cao Miaoxin replied.

"Um."

Zhao Jun nodded slightly and said, "The Cao family is a typical example of this."

There is no one more suitable than the Cao family.

The carriage slowly left. Zhao Jun thought that as long as he made the Cao family an example and let the generals and nobles see the profits, everything would be fine and the three redundancies problem would be solved peacefully.

However, inside Cao's mansion, Cao Cong's expression had not been very good since Zhao Jun left.

His second wife, Madam Li, who had accompanied him to see Zhao Jun and Cao Miaoxin off, turned her head and saw that he was not in a good state of mind. She asked in confusion, "Husband, what's wrong?"

"Alas, these are troubled times."

Cao Cong shook his head.

"What on earth has made my husband so worried?"

Mrs. Li was puzzled.

"The imperial court wants to eliminate the three problems of redundancy, and the issue of redundant troops is related to my family."

Cao Cong replied.

Mrs. Li was naturally not from a humble family, but the great-granddaughter of Li Fang, the prime minister in the early Northern Song Dynasty.

In the Song Dynasty, the civil servants, nobles, generals, and royal family members had deep entanglements with each other and intermarried with each other, which had long formed a huge network in the court.

Moreover, they had many quotas for family connections. Fan Zhongyan came from an ordinary family and was not a powerful official in the early Song Dynasty. Naturally, he was constrained in every way when implementing the New Policies of the Qingli Period in history.

At this moment, when Madam Li heard that the imperial court was going to take action against the redundant army, she also frowned and asked, "Is this the reason why my son-in-law came here today?"

"Um."

Cao Cong walked slowly towards the backyard with his hands behind his back.

The courtyard was large, and servants were cleaning or trimming the plants. He lowered his voice and said, "The Constitutional Council intends to review the military rolls and reduce redundant troops."

"Isn't this leaving us no way to survive?"

Madam Li was immediately displeased and complained, "The emperor and the prefect are Cao's son-in-law, how could they treat us like this?"

"It gave us a chance to survive. You know the fleet that went out to sea yesterday has returned."

"Of course I know."

"They went with more than 50 ships and over 6,000 people, spent about one million strings of cash, and brought back gold, silver, and copper worth about seven million strings of cash."

"so much?"

"Well, the court wants us to form a fleet and go overseas."

Cao Cong walked with his head down, making it difficult to see his expression.

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