Chapter 218 Imperial Merchant
"Oh? What is it?" Murong Yu glanced at Eunuch Wang.
Eunuch Wang came down, took the box from Hao Ren, and handed it to Murong Yu to open.
When the box was opened, a set of colored inks was revealed, including vermilion, white, yellow, green, purple and other colors. Each piece of ink was engraved with a different mountain scene. The whole set of ink looked like a colorful scroll.
"Okay!" Murong Yu was pleased.
He really likes this set of ink. Even the Song family before had never made such exquisite ink.
Hao Ren continued, "Although I live in Lingnan, I often hear my neighbors praise the Emperor's grace. Heishan Township is able to produce ink and resist foreign enemies, all thanks to the Emperor's favoritism and benevolent governance. It is a blessing for me to serve the Emperor and even to earn his smile."
Hao Ren looked honest and spoke in an honest tone.
It is precisely because he is honest that what he said is more pleasing to hear.
Murong Yu was delighted, and looked at Hao Ren with a little more appreciation in his eyes:
"You sound quite knowledgeable, have you ever been to school?"
Hao Ren lowered his eyes and said, "Your Majesty, I studied a little when I was young, but since studying and taking the imperial examinations was not an option, I went into business."
Murong Yu: "I summoned you here today to reward you. Besides gold and silver, do you have anything else to ask for?"
Hao Ren: "Your Majesty, I do have a request. We, the people of Black Mountain Township, are all devoted to serving Your Majesty. If we are fortunate enough to be a merchant to the Emperor, we will devote all our energy and be willing to sacrifice our lives for His Majesty."
When these words were spoken, the ministers around who were a little drunk were all surprised.
This Lingnan merchant is so arrogant that he wants to be the royal merchant right away.
Since the founding of the country, Dayu has had only two imperial merchants, one is the Feng family, a wealthy business family, and the other is the Song family, which has already gone bankrupt.
This country boy from Lingnan actually wanted to take over the Song family's position.
Amidst the sighs, He Tingfang's heart skipped a beat.
After hearing what Hao Ren said, he was also shocked at first.
This person's ability to flatter was no less than his own. He flattered the emperor flawlessly the first time he met him.
After the shock, his eyes became complicated.
Others may not be able to figure out what the emperor is thinking at the moment, but he knows that the emperor is likely to agree.
The emperor is suspicious by nature and does not trust the powerful families. He likes to cultivate the insignificant people as his confidants.
He himself was the best example. Back then, he knelt before Murong Yu and surrendered: "The noble families may not take the Third Prince seriously, but a person like me, who comes from a poor and humble background, is willing to go through fire and water for His Highness."
He made a knife, an arrow, and a dirty hand for Murong Yu.
Murong Yu gave him wealth, high position, prestige and power.
And the Hao Ren in front of him looked a bit like him back then.
After experiencing the events of the Song family, the emperor would inevitably want to support his own to become the imperial merchant, and it just so happened that Black Mountain Ink had already replaced the position of Song Family Ink...
While He Tingfang was sorting out his thoughts, Hao Ren spoke again:
"The Black Mountain voluntary workers are responsible for providing winter clothing to the soldiers every year, and they must deliver it to the northwestern border. As for the Black Mountain cloth shops, ink shops, restaurants, and other businesses, 20% of their profits will be submitted to the court annually."
As soon as Hao Ren said this, He Tingfang knew that Murong Yu would definitely agree.
If the Montenegrin industry continues to grow, 20% of the profit will definitely be a lot.
Murong Yu showed satisfaction between his eyebrows:
"Heishan Township has made several contributions and is willing to help the court. I will grant them an opportunity. I have sent someone to draft an imperial decree to appoint Hao Ren as an imperial merchant, specializing in the production of ink and cotton cloth. I hope you will make good use of this position and live up to my expectations."
Hao Ren bowed down in gratitude: "I kneel to thank the emperor for his grace. I will spare no effort to serve the emperor!"
He was so excited that his body was shaking. The veins on his hands holding the jade brick were bulging, as if he wanted to dig ten holes in the ground.
The ministers around him all laughed.
Yes, when such a great thing happens, who wouldn’t smile?
Once you become an imperial merchant, according to the rules of this dynasty, you can enter and leave the palace, meet the emperor, and submit secret memorials. This status is completely different from that of ordinary merchants.
The battle fought by Heishan Township against Mi Po was really worth it. It brought such a good opportunity to meet the emperor and ask for rewards. Isn't this a direct rise to the top?
After the emperor bestowed the title, he asked Hao Ren to leave.
The singing and dancing began again, and the wax tears rolled down.
Hao Ren's face was full of smiles, he was very happy.
He laughed so hard that his cheeks were stiff when he returned to his seat.
When he expressed his gratitude just now, his body was indeed shaking.
He was glad that he had no martial arts skills and no hidden weapons, otherwise, at that moment, he would have been unable to resist and assassinated Murong Yu in public.
He also saw his elder sister.
My sister is still very beautiful, just like she was back then.
My sister used to be a tearful person, but when she saw him today, she didn't cry, but just smiled calmly.
Hao Ren held the wine glass tightly in his hand until the palace banquet ended.
The banquet was over, and the ministers left the palace, each stepping on the snow and starlight.
Hao Ren walked against the wind. The cold wind blew away the smell of alcohol and made him feel cold.
He walked out of the palace gate, holding the wall with one hand to catch his breath, his legs so sore that he had lost all strength.
I was exhausted just now and now I feel tired and weak.
The winter wind whistled past my ears, and Zhizhi's voice drifted past:
"Dad~ Mom and I are here to take you home!"
Hao Ren looked in the direction of the voice.
The night was dark and the snow was deep.
The halo of a small lantern flickered on the snow.
Su Zhizhi walked towards Hao Ren with a lantern in her hand and a smile in her eyes.
Wu Yingniang held Su Zhizhi's hand and walked steadily across the slippery snow.
Su Zhizhi rushed over and pulled Hao Ren's sleeve:
"Dad, you smell so good, did the palace have roast chicken tonight?"
Wu Yingniang took Hao Ren's hand and said, "Ren, let's go home first and talk slowly."
Hao Ren held Yingniang with one hand and Zhizhi with the other.
Yingniang’s hands are very warm, and Zhizhi’s hands are also very warm.
Hao Ren's body, which had been cooled by the wind, warmed up, and his legs suddenly felt strong again.
The family of three walked hand in hand towards their carriage, leaving several rows of footprints on the snow.
Two rows are large and one row is small.
The figures of the three people disappeared in the night, and only a small lantern was seen swaying in the wind.
Murong Xun stood at the palace gate and looked at the figures of Hao Ren and his family of three, with an indescribable feeling in his heart.
Earlier in the palace, the emperor's brother said that they were "a happy family", and Murong Xun only felt bitter in his heart at that time.
Now seeing Hao Ren and his family of three, I feel even more touched.
He couldn't see the child's appearance clearly, he only vaguely saw the child calling dad and throwing himself into Hao Ren's arms.
The voice was so cheerful that Murong Xun couldn't help but smile.
"What is your Highness looking at?" He Ting was talking to his son-in-law, but found that his son-in-law was looking elsewhere.
Murong Xun retracted his gaze: "I'm looking at Hao Ren, who was just conferred a title by my brother in the palace. He is a blessed man."
Have a good daughter and a good wife.
He Tingfang snorted, "Of course he's a blessed one. Many people in the capital can't get it, but he's lucky enough to get it as soon as he prays."
He Tingfang narrowed his eyes and looked at the carriage that had disappeared.
Although it was the first time he met him, he could sense that Hao Ren would be a powerful character.
If this person is not a friend, he will become an enemy.
In the future, I will definitely have to test it out.
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