The Ming Dynasty’s Prodigal Son - Chapter 1698

[1698. Chapter 1615 The salted fish turns over]

Liu Wenzhi continued to remain silent, only listening to the businessmen talk, with a smile on his face and an indifferent look.

When everyone gradually dispersed, he stood up.

If Liu Wenzhi just now was as quiet as a virgin, now, he is as active as a rabbit.

When doing business, you must be calm.

But when doing business, you must also act resolutely. Whenever you have thoughts and ideas in your heart, you must not look forward and backward, because once you look forward and backward, you will lose the opportunity.

He immediately found his boss in front of him: “Have you heard about the pig-raising incident between the prince and the former Minister of Rites of Nanjing Zhou Tanzhi?”

“Yes, yes, no one in the capital knows about this matter. “

People don’t know.”

Liu Wenzhi paced back and forth with his hands behind his back. He is one of the thirteen largest merchants in Beijing. Although his wealth is far less than that of giants like Qi Guogong and Wang Bushi, he is still stamping his feet in this shopping mall. The earth can also tremble.

Liu Wenzhi said: “Is there any other news?”

“Other news? Master, what you are saying is…”

Liu Wenzhi said seriously: “Of course it is about their pig raising. It is said that their pigs have a high slaughter rate? The

chief thought for a while and nodded: “Yes, in fact, at first, many people just wanted to see the rare thing. This prince is admirable. As for Zhou Tanzhi, not many people know about it, but… they do It’s amazing, two people are raising more than 70 pigs.”

Liu Wenzhi took a breath.

Two people and more than seventy pigs?

And the delivery rate is still so high.

Liu Wenzhi is engaged in the catering business. Many inns and wine shops are under his name. In recent years, he has expanded greatly. Naturally, he has also dealt with many merchants of food ingredients.

In his opinion, the limit for two people to take care of thirty or forty pigs is already high, and an experienced pigherder is also needed.

Moreover… there are too many variables in the process from the pig to the slaughter, and it may eventually die due to disease or other reasons at any time.

In this day and age, even humans are not guaranteed to reach adulthood, let alone pigs.

A high slaughter rate means high output.

Less labor usage means lower costs.

The lowest cost gives birth to the highest output.

“In recent years, the demand for meat has been getting higher and higher.”

“Exactly.” The manager nodded: “In recent years, there have been more and more diners, and the expenses have been increasing year by year, sir. , Now that the common people have some scraps of money in their hands, they are willing to satisfy their appetites occasionally. “

This is true. The Liu family’s business is based on this. The business is getting bigger and bigger, and the wine shops and inns are constantly growing. expansion.

Liu Wenzhi paced back and forth with his hands behind his back. He looked up thoughtfully and said, “Send someone to inquire and see how the prince and Zhou Tanzhi raise their pigs. I think they must have something.” Secret recipe. But… we are not trying to find out their secret recipe. How long can it be used? The most useful thing in the world is…”

At this point, Liu Wenzhi pointed to his forehead: “The most useful thing is… Brain.”

“They have only been raising pigs for a long time, and they have discovered so many tricks that others don’t know. It’s really unimaginable. After observing them carefully, I confirmed that the rumors in the public were not false. I reported this immediately. No one can talk about it, do you understand?”

“I understand.”

After hearing this, the chief immediately went to make arrangements.

Liu Wenzhi, on the other hand, was pacing back and forth with his hands behind his back. This was his habit. Whenever he had to make a major decision, he would inevitably spend a day and a half hiding in his room, pacing back and forth, considering various possible situations, and Calculate the many possibilities for the future.

…

Three days later, the boss came to report in a hurry: “I have inquired carefully, sir, it is exactly the same as what was said in the rumors. The method of raising pigs between these two people is very different. They must have used some recipe.” Those pigs are all well raised, and they are about to be slaughtered. “

Are there many people amazed by this?” Liu Wenzhi’s face was red, but he was nervous, as if he was a child holding a big ingot, afraid that the treasure in his hand would be destroyed. People take it away.

The manager shook his head: “At first, everyone was curious about their pig raising, and there were a lot of people watching. But gradually, many people lost interest, and only a few people came to see them. Master…”

Liu Wenzhi started talking. Spirit: “We can’t wait any longer. Go prepare the carriage and horses. I want to visit you immediately. Oh, by the way, prepare a famous edict for me. They are not ordinary people, so don’t be too arrogant. I once had a scholar’s father-in-law. Just change into a Confucian shirt and wear a silk scarf, and the carriage and horse should be as simple as possible.”

He narrowed his eyes and continued to order: “Go and get ready…”

People

are very easy to adapt to the environment. animal.

Slowly, both Wang Ao and Zhou Tanzhi gradually adapted when they faced difficulties and gradually let go of their former glory and pride.

Every morning, Zhou Tanzhi counts the pigs first.

Watching the pigs gradually grow up.

To a certain extent, Zhou Tanzhi gradually began to experience the joy.

He hasn’t been sleeping well recently. During the day, he has to take care of these vassals. At night, he has to look for various books and constantly explore various methods of raising pigs with reference to Ming Song and the Guide to Raising Pigs to Get Rich.

At this time, he finally accepted the reality that his future was hopeless.

In my heart, there is certainly desolation, but also reluctance.

But gradually… he had no choice but to turn his unwillingness into motivation for raising pigs.

He just wanted to prove to others that he would not accept this defeat. He had once had the honor of being named on the gold list, and in the future… he could do well.

When doing something becomes pure, when all the baggage is let go, a new problem comes one after another.

You can raise pigs for the rest of your life.

Where are my wives and children?

I am ashamed of my ancestors.

He thought about how he once came from a scholarly family, and how he was born into a prominent family.

Thinking of the dazzling array of seats in the ancestral hall, I suddenly… often have tears in my eyes. No harm can be done to my wife, children, or descendants. But people, their wives, children, and descendants are one body. If this disaster happens, who can be spared? ?

Wang Ao could understand Zhou Tanzhi’s feelings, so he would pat him on the shoulder from time to time to express comfort, as if to say that he had been around for most of his life and had people look up to him, but so what, he couldn’t even save a disciple. .

“Frankly speaking, now that the imperial examination has been abolished, you are already seventeen years old. It seems that the eight-legged essay that you read in the past has no effect. Why don’t I lower my face and go to Xishan Academy to beg the Duke of Qi again? , Qi Guogong… Oh… let’s not talk about him, no matter what kind of person Qi Guogong is, Xishan Academy is now the general trend, and your future is very important.”

Zhou Tanzhi heard this and clicked .

He knelt down on the ground and cried bitterly: “Teacher, the student has been punished, and he deserves it. The teacher has suffered along with the student. The student is already ashamed and can’t wait to be killed in front of the teacher. What kind of person is the teacher? When has he ever endured humiliation? ? My mentor must not bow to the Duke of Qi. My mentor has lived his whole life with a straight breast. How can he lose his integrity when he is old? My mentor…if this is the case, the disciple would rather die than obey.”

Wang Ao sighed.

He knew what Zhou Tanzhi meant.

I am different from others.

Others can be subdued.

But Wang Ao couldn’t give in.

If you give in, nothing will be left.

Wang Ao trembled slightly and wanted to help him up.

A pig grunted outside.

Zhou Tanzhi wiped away his tears and stood up: “Fang Sanjiufan must be hungry again, student…”

Just as he was talking, someone came in from outside and said loudly: “I, Liu Wenzhi, want to see the prince. I want to see the Duke of Zhou.”

Wang Ao He and Zhou Tanzhi looked at each other.

In the past few days, there have been many people coming to visit, but Wang Ao and Zhou Tanzhi were too shy to see people and refused to see them all. Some people came and couldn’t bear the smell of the pigsty, so they pinched their noses and left. .

It’s just that…Liu Wenzhi…has never heard of it.

Wang Ao gave Zhou Tanzhi a look.

Zhou Tanzhi knew that Wang Ao didn’t want to see anyone, so he said, “Send him away, student.”

Then, when he went out, he saw Liu Wenzhi looking up and down curiously. Instead of finding the smell of the pigsty strange, he was very interested. When he saw Zhou Tanzhi coming out, he immediately bowed and saluted.

Zhou Tanzhi was about to speak.

Liu Wenzhi immediately said: “The name of Duke Zhou is like thunder. When I see it today, it turns out that there is no real person under the great reputation. Duke Zhou, I want to talk to you.”

“What can I talk about with you? I am already a man of wandering clouds and wild cranes. Just hanging on for breath…”

Zhou Tanzhi waved his hand, but he vaguely felt that this Liu Wenzhi was a little different.

When Liu Wenzhi saw this, he immediately resumed his businessman’s inherent straight-to-the-point approach. He immediately said: “What I want to discuss is business, and I want to ask Duke Zhou to raise pigs on my behalf.”

Zhou Tan was stunned. The first thing he felt… was Liu Wenzhi. humiliation.

He hasn’t had a seizure yet.

Liu Wenzhi directly stretched out his finger: “Three hundred thousand taels, three hundred thousand taels of silver, to establish a new pig-raising workshop. Among them, I will give you 20% of the shares. In other words, 60,000 taels of silver will be given to Duke Zhou for nothing.” Yes, Duke Zhou has the final say on all matters in this pig-raising workshop. If Duke Zhou says east, then it will be east; if Duke Zhou says west, then it will be west.”

Zhou Tan was stunned.

There are still people in this world who come to give money.

The businessman in front of me is simply unreasonable.

Liu Wenzhi said: “I have checked and found out that the divine order is for Duke Zhou to raise pigs. So how to raise pigs can actually be changed. I will leave other matters to you. I am familiar with the great shopkeeper Wang Jinyuan of Xishan. Regarding this matter, You can wrap it up on your body, and Duke Zhou only needs to worry about raising pigs. To be honest, the 20% of dry stock given to Duke Zhou is really nothing. It is only 60,000 taels now, but it may not be more than that in the future. , all of Duke Zhou’s expenses can skyrocket, and I will not interfere with the cost of about one thousand taels of silver per month. I wonder what Duke Zhou thinks?”

As if he was afraid that Zhou Tanzhi would not agree, Liu Wenzhi bowed again: “Gong Zhou, at the moment, Exhibiting grand plans today only. I, Mr. Liu, never do small business. I will definitely look down on this business of 300,000 taels of silver. There is really no need to pay a special visit for this purpose. All I need is Duke Zhou’s nod. , this is definitely not a three hundred thousand taels of silver business, or in the eyes of Zhou Gong, business is really a vulgar thing, but Zhou Gong is definitely not a person who is inferior to others, why not take this opportunity to give it a try?

” End of this chapter)