Rest day.
In the Shangshu Mansion, Xu Wenshu was sitting at his desk at home, reading a newspaper attentively.
There were also several newspapers on the table, from different newspaper companies.
Although the imperial court had its own newspaper, Xu Wenshu personally cared more about the Mid-Levels Daily News.
The content of the Mid-Levels Daily is complex, but the only thing that remains unchanged is the daily price list of various districts in Beijing.
The price changes were extremely accurate and comprehensive, far exceeding the Ministry of Households' surveys. Ordinary people even used them to plan their shopping, so Xu Wenshu paid special attention to it.
Another point is that the news headlines of the Mid-Levels Daily News are always very popular.
[Shocking! This man's story made everyone in Beijing cry! ]
[Shocked! A woman actually did this in broad daylight! ]
[Shocking scam! These things are not edible, are you still eating them? ]
[Too scary! Dongjiao University scientists made the latest discovery....]
News headlines like these appear over and over again every day, and every time I finish reading Xu Wenshu's book, I feel like I've been fed a lot of shit.
The whole city was crying, and it turned out that a man was crying while cutting onions and garlic and was teaching everyone some life hacks.
Women read in broad daylight and are encouraged to learn to read and write.
Bird’s nest is not as nutritious as eggs, and it is stained with feces, which will make you sick if you eat it.
Dongjiao University found that excessive drinking can lead to impotence...
Although he was disgusted, he couldn't help but want to pick it up and take another look.
However, there was some news in the newspapers these past two days that made him feel refreshed.
The section that was originally filled with all kinds of shocking news was replaced by part of the knowledge about food, goods and business.
Things like division of labor and cooperation, increase in the stock of private wealth, supply and demand relationships, etc.
Although it is written in a simple and easy-to-understand manner, the content has a completely different perspective and also includes several simple examples.
Xu Wenshu read with great interest, but every time he read to the end, he couldn't help but become curious.
The authors of these articles are all unsigned. I don't know if it's an oversight by the newspaper or some other reason. It's strange...
Just as he was enjoying the show, Xu Hongcai suddenly came to report in a hurry, with an anxious look on his face: "Dad, Fang Zhengyi is here, and he brought a gift."
Xu Wenshu stood up suddenly, with a bad feeling in his heart.
Sure enough... there is indeed a problem. This guy actually came to visit today.
"Hongcai, go and invite him in... just come with me."
After saying that, Xu Wenshu hurried out, and as he walked, he said, "When your father talks to him, you should listen carefully and remember it well. Don't interrupt him."
"I understand, Dad."
Outside the door, Fang Zhengyi was waiting with a gift in his hand and a cloth bag tucked between his armpits.
Seeing Xu Wenshu coming out, he smiled and bowed, saying, "Sir Xu, I am here to bother you again."
"A rare guest! A rare guest! I've been looking forward to seeing you. Sir Fang, please come in."
Xu Wenshu was extremely enthusiastic and pulled Fang Zhengyi inside.
He also introduced: "This is my youngest son, named Xu Hongcai. Hongcai, why don't you say hello to Lord Fang?"
Xu Hongcai quietly looked at Fang Zheng once or twice and said, "Hello, Lord Fang."
When Fang Zheng saw that he was just a teenager of about sixteen or seventeen years old, he didn't take it too seriously and nodded in response.
After the two of them sat down, Xu Hong went to prepare tea. Xu Wenshu asked, "What brought you here today, Lord Fang?"
"Oh...it's nothing, I just passed by Lord Xu's house. I remembered our previous conversation..."
Before Fang Zheng finished speaking, Xu Wenshu raised his palm and said, "Master Fang, forget the polite words. This old man is not new to the court. If you come to visit me so many times, there must be something important."
"You might as well make your words clearer."
Fang Zheng was speechless. He smiled and took out a memorial from his sleeve and handed it over. "Since you are so straightforward, I won't hide anything. This is the memorial I am going to hand in. Lord Xu, please take a look."
Xu Wenshu took the memorial, read it carefully, and his expression changed as he read.
All the points here point to one thing: leniency.
Abolish inter-city tariffs, allow merchants to wear silk and ride on carriages, relax restrictions on commercial imports...there are a total of ten items.
Xu Wenshu was silent. He glanced at Fang Zheng suspiciously and asked, "I don't understand. What does this have to do with you, Lord Fang? Why are you speaking for the merchants?"
Could it be that this guy is addicted to snatching jobs? He just had a falling out with the Ministry of Industry, and now he's reaching out to the Ministry of Households?
"Hey, what Lord Xu said. You and I are both officials of the court. What's wrong with asking for the people? I heard you say before that the revenue from commercial taxes has increased. Isn't it for the national treasury to have more income? Lord Xu, what do you think of what I wrote?"
"Dad, Lord Fang, please have some tea." Xu Hongcai had already prepared the tea and brought it over.
Xu Wenshu gave him a look, and Xu Hongcai put down his tea and stood aside obediently to listen.
Then Xu Wenshu silently pushed the memorial back and said, "What Lord Fang wrote is naturally excellent, but it is not realistic."
"Tolerating merchants will cause many problems. Moreover, merchants do not produce anything and can only act as intermediaries to earn huge profits between the people. This is tantamount to competing with the people for profits. This is absolutely not feasible."
The current situation was within expectations, so Fang Zhengyi was in no hurry to take the memorial back.
Then he said, "I don't agree with this. If there were no middlemen, the world would have been in chaos. The merchant is like the gear in a waterwheel connecting the producer and the buyer. Without him mediating the resources, it would be extremely difficult for both parties to come together, and the profit is just the reward he deserves."
"The more business merchants facilitate, the more wealth the world will have. If merchants seek profit at the expense of others, how can our Dajing be better and better every year, and how can the national treasury have higher income every year? Lord Xu, do you agree or not?"
As soon as Fang Zheng finished speaking, the contents of the newspaper he had read a few days ago suddenly popped up in Xu Wenshu's mind.
I couldn't help but nodded: "It makes sense, but why did Lord Fang tell me this? If you just want to ask for my opinion, I'll tell you the truth, it's better not to submit it. If you submit it, the most you can do is keep it in the library."
"Besides, to put it bluntly, this should be the responsibility of my Ministry of Revenue, not for you, Lord Fang, to bring it up."
Fang Zheng nodded in agreement.
"Yes, this is indeed the Ministry of Revenue's business. But if I don't mention it, I'm afraid no one will mention it."
After saying that, Fang Zhengyi lowered his head and searched for the cloth bag he was carrying.
A stack of letter paper was taken out of the bag and handed to Xu Wenshu.
Xu Wenshu took the letter, glanced at it, and his expression changed immediately!
There was a hint of fear in his eyes that could not be concealed.
"Master Fang...you are..."
......
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
