Chapter 69 Section 5 Bashu Widow Qing Xianyang Huaiqing Terrace

Lu Buwei's strategy is certain, and he first worries about the elderly and gray-haired boss Ximen. To build two large museums, goods and money are naturally the top priority, and with the addition of thousands of scholars and guests, one can imagine the huge cost.At this time, Lu Buwei's fief was 100,000 households in Luoyang, which was unprecedented in the history of Qin.However, the Qin law stipulated that no more than half of the fief's taxes should go to the fief, and the rest should go to the state treasury.In addition, Lu Buwei's hoarding in the past has long been exhausted, and he never collected money after entering the Qin Dynasty. He never asked about fief taxes and taxes, and only asked Mr. Ximen to consider it carefully.In terms of financial resources, today's Lu Mansion is not the same as the old Lu's Trading Company, how can it afford such huge financial resources?Besides, even if all the taxation of 100,000 households is owned by oneself, only one school can be built, so what about the follow-up events?After thinking for a few days, the old man who was seriously ill walked into the big study.

"How much money do you need for the two museums?" Lu Buwei was not polite. "One million gold." After a long silence, the old man finally spoke. "After opening, how much is the annuity?" "Based on 3,000 guests, each person averages 30 gold per year, and the total annual head gold is 90,000; plus school affairs, vehicles, clothing, food, horses, handymen and other expenses, the annual total should be around one million gold. If the government can build a hall, our government can afford to support scholars. According to the common practice of the world, the Menke Court can be built by the national government, and it will not be our private property in the future."

"Qin was the first to open a private school, and the government didn't pay for it." "..." "Father Ximen, what is the yearly endowment of one hundred thousand households in Luoyang?" "One hundred thousand gold... Marquis Wen Xin wants to increase taxes?" "I would rather destroy myself if I implement a new policy!" Lu Buwei sighed heavily, "The people of Zhou have returned, and the common people of Luoyang are the foundation of the Qin army. If the river is exhausted, how can Lu Buwei face the world?" "There are two schemes for an old man, Wen Xinhou has to decide." The old boss of Ximen was panting like a windbag, "One is to charge the entry fee for the door. The old master Confucius is the originator of private education, and each person still has to pay five pieces of dried meat in half a year... If Wen Xinhou can accept it Some silk jewels and money will be given to the defectors, so that the diners can take care of themselves, or..."

"Father is joking!" Lu Buwei couldn't help laughing, "If you have jewels to take care of yourself, who will be a guest?" After laughing for a while, he sighed, "Don't worry about this, let me think about it. If there is no turning point, it is God's will. Lu Buwei should stop here and stop talking about the New Deal!" "Marquis Wen Xin, the old man had two schemes." "Oh——" Lu Buwei was stunned, "Father, come up with another strategy!" "Is Marquis Wen Xin willing to ask someone for help?" "Father, there is nothing you can ask for, so why don't you want it?"

Old Ximen smiled slyly and lowered his voice: "Shangshangfang. Broad and simple." After being silent for a long time, Lu Buwei finally didn't speak, until Mr. Ximen came out of the study, still thinking foolishly.Thinking of the charitable deeds of the business war back then, Lu Buwei believed that Shangshangfang's Six Kingdoms Business Tour would not deny him such an eminent reward.But if this is the case, the word will spread all over the world, and the word of mouth must be "Lu Buwei has the power of the six countries to attract disciples!" Gu Xin of the six countries of Shandong is very happy, but will the government of Qin accept it?Not to mention that according to the Qin law, there is a suspicion of being connected with foreign countries, even if no one is held accountable in the temple, your reputation among the old Qin people will definitely plummet, Lu Buwei.Isn't it extremely absurd to be so diametrically opposed?

That Kuan Jian Qing was actually Qin Shang. Judging from the generous aid of 600,000 gold in one fell swoop to Shangshangfang during the war, this person's financial resources can be described as rich and unfathomable.However, this character who always has the word "Qing" in the ancient script on the wide bamboo slips has always been a dragon. In the only meeting between Lu Buwei and him, he didn't even lift his veil, let alone leave behind his face. Any residence and method that can be contacted, and even the handover of money is completed at the agreed place at once. The wind of mystery is more than that of a knight, but where to find it in a hurry?But no matter what, Lu Buwei knew the basics of this person after all, the difficulty now is how to meet this person, otherwise it would be futile to ask for a price.

Speaking of which, ever since he met Fang Kuanjian for the first time in the Green Building in Handan, and deciphered the "Qing" brand for the first time, Lu Buwei began to secretly investigate this person intentionally or unintentionally.Of course, at that time, Chen Xuan, who was preparing to give Ying Yiren as a concubine, would not be involved in the future.Afterwards, all things became entangled, but in the end, I never found out clearly.In the year of the first prime minister, Mo Hu left his residence to go on a trip to the six countries in Shandong to look for the little Jing Ke who was suddenly lost that year, and only returned to Xianyang two years later.Although he did not find his son, Mohu brought a surprising news to Lu Buwei—she went to Zhuo’s Manor in Handan. The old man Zhuo Yuan asked about Lu Buwei’s situation. Old man Yuan laughed and said: "The widow Qing, a great businessman in Bashu, has taken aim at Lu Buwei!"

"Hey—why didn't I think of her!" Lu Buwei suddenly realized. When the young Lu Buwei was ambitiously running about business affairs, he knew the five great merchants in the world—the Yidun family of Chu State, the Bai family of Wei State, the Guo and Zhuo family of Zhao State, and the Tian family of Qi State; because the Guo family and the Zhuo family belonged to Zhao Shang, So there is also the theory of the four giants.However, in addition to the five big and four big, there is another saying among the merchants: Bashu has a great merchant named Fang, with immeasurable wealth and money, the real number one merchant in the world!Although the merchants talked about the Fang family in Bashu in a mysterious manner, none of them could explain the ins and outs, or even few people could clearly tell the industry that the Fang family was in charge of.This is the peculiarity of the Fang family—everyone knows its name but not everyone knows its details.Later, there was a saying among the business travelers: the husband of a woman from the land of Bashu is called a widow, and her wealth and money are even more immeasurable, surpassing Fang's!Lu Buwei laughed when he heard this: "I am in the business of salt, iron and weapons, but I am not yet a giant merchant. Bashu is poor and rough, how can I make a living to have two giant merchants in succession? People say it is so absurd, how can you believe it!" It is because of the heart I think that Widow Qing is nothing at all. Later, when I saw the word "Qing" in the wide bamboo slips in Handan, Lu Buwei didn't connect the word "Qing" with the Widow Qing in the rumors of business travel.Later, the mystery in my heart gradually faded away.

Therefore, to this Bashu Fang family, to this widow Qing, Lu Buwei, who has an insight into the foundation of business travel in the world, has always been shrouded in clouds and mist, and can't say a word.If he is still in business, Lu Buwei may be forever shrouded in clouds and mist. It is important to control his own family affairs, but who is tirelessly inquiring about other people's private affairs?However, since Mohu brought the old man Zhuo Yuan's statement, Lu Buwei could not continue to be confused.The fact that the widow is indeed a real person means that there are two wealthy merchants hiding in the land of Bashu in Qin State!As the prime minister in charge of the state of Qin, he doesn't know anything about such two great merchants in the country. Isn't it a big joke in the world?More importantly, this widow Qing seems to always be watching her ups and downs in secret. What is her intention? Can Lu Buwei be forever shrouded in mist?

In the spring of that year, Lu Buwei sent several old deacons of the trading company who were still in the government to secretly enter Bashu.A year later, several old deacons returned one after another, and finally lifted the veil of mist between Bashu Fang and Bashu widow Qing.Lu Buwei was deeply moved by the fact that the old deacons confirmed the most detailed fantasy story of the merchant family.However, what surprised Lu Buwei even more was the matter between the Fang family and the widow Qingyuan. The widow Qing is the ninth generation female head of the Fang family business family! "The world is so big, there are no surprises, believe me!"

Those who belong to the Fang family are also alchemists.In the Spring and Autumn Period, the state of Qi was the most extravagant and extravagant in the world, and the rich and noble families of the monarchs and ministers wanted to live forever, so the alchemists took advantage of the time to prosper.At that time, Fang's family lived on the coast of the East China Sea. They lived by fishing and hunting, and they had no surname. Because they often collected rare mountains and seas and sold them to wandering alchemists to refine elixirs, everyone called them Haiyao's family.One year, when the autumn tide rose sharply, an old white-haired alchemist ran aground on a lonely boat, and was trapped on Fu Island for half a month and could not get out.At that time, the members of the Haiyao Clan met a wandering alchemist who paid a lot of money to buy giant sea turtle eggs, but no one dared to sail out to sea despite the raging tide.The patriarch was in a hurry, so he called the clan to make an emergency plan, and agreed: whoever can get the turtle eggs will be born as the patriarch and die as the god of the clan.A young man with excellent water skills in the clan stood up in a loud voice: "Bird! No patriarch and gods, just the food and clothing of the clansmen! I will go to sea!" The whole family greeted each other, and the young man went out to sea in a boat, and was drowned in the white waves in an instant.Three days later, the boy returned, not only picked up a rare turtle egg, but also brought back the dying old alchemist.Ten days later, the old alchemist recovered, and when he worshiped the sea god, he suddenly appointed a young boy and shouted: "You are the sea god, a water boy! You have fallen into the mundane world, and you are not afraid to raise your family to the sea!" The people were shocked and begged for relief. method.The old alchemist had only one sentence: "This son will follow the old man to serve the sea god, and your family will have a shadow!" Fifty years later, the great alchemist who was regarded as the national teacher by Qi Jinggong came to Zhifu Island to seek immortality.The sea medicine family applied for the recruitment, and the family was a sailor in a boat.After getting out of Fu Island, the white-haired great alchemist summoned the sailors of the sea medicine tribe to sacrifice to the sea on the bow of the boat.Screening away the young boy servant, the alchemist bowed deeply to the clansman: "I am the son of the sea! My clan is very lucky!" While the clansmen cheered, they gladly accepted the oracle of the alchemist's fortune for the clan: the young people should do their best. Alchemists, the rest are practicing alchemists, and the Fang family will flourish! Since then, the Haiyao family has become a family of alchemists and a family of elixir.At that time, it was customary to use Ye as the surname, so Qi State had the Fang family name.In the Fang family, there were alchemists with great supernatural powers, and there were also big merchants who took care of the ingredients of elixir.By the time of the Warring States period, Fang's alchemists had spread all over the world and became mysterious guests of courts in various countries.When the Tian family took over Qi, Fang's tenth generation of alchemists had firmly become the god of the alliance of alchemists in Qi.The so-called God is the number one god worshiped by the people of Qi, and there is no other country in the Central Plains.At that time, the world's three major seaside countries—Qi, Wu, and Yue—had a strong tendency of worshiping gods and witchcraft, and their unique customs were also very different from those in the Central Plains.People at the time said: "(Qi) Ming has different politics and family customs. Qi is independent and inferior to the world." That is to say, Qi's political customs are independent and do not prevail in the world.For example, there are 24 solar terms in the Central Plains, but 30 solar terms in Qi State.For example, worshiping gods, the Central Plains only worships heaven and earth, but Qi State worships eight gods-Tianzhu (Heaven), Landlord (Earth), Binglord (Chiyou), Yinlord (Three Mountains), Yanglord (Zhifushan), Moonlord ( Penglai), Sun Lord (Chengshan), Time Lord (Langye).Fang's alchemists can be gods, which shows that their gods are extremely revered. However, at this time, Fang's vulgar clan suddenly disappeared in Qi. More than ten years later, large ships sailed out of the high mountains of Ba, loaded with cinnabar from the east of the river to Yunmengze, and then went north to Zhifu by sea. A huge shape-shifting turtle! It turns out that the fourth-generation alchemists of the Fang family who have become "Gods" traveled around the world and discovered a huge secret-there is a cinnabar of heaven in the mountains and rivers of Bashan and Shushui.Since this business is huge, it must belong to the Fang family.However, it would be even more risky if the Fang family, who had already prospered in the Qi State and gradually became a prominent family, trekked thousands of miles and migrated.After all, the Hai Clan has the nature of adventure and wandering. After more than half a year of discussions and preparations, the Fang Clan, who has no alchemist status, decided to move south.In order to step out of the Dan cave as soon as possible, the Fang people abandoned their boats and landed at the end of Yunmeng Jersey, and trekked up the mountains on the north bank of Yiling.In half a year, more than 300 clansmen were killed or injured, and finally found the alchemy cave in the mountains on the north bank of the river, and thus began the business of digging alchemy. Pills, cinnabar also, commonly known as cinnabar, is an indispensable material for alchemists to refine elixir.And the so-called dan point is the cinnabar mine.The Fang family knew the needs of alchemists and the demand for pills tomorrow, so he was able to handle this unimaginable business for ordinary businessmen.After exploring the alchemy caves, the Fang family settled in Bashan, digging alchemy as hard as they could, and building a boat with all their strength.The unearthed pills will be sent to the east by boat and enter the state of Qi. The alchemists of the Fang family will ask the quasi-kings or nobles to buy them with a lot of money, and then divide the proceeds into three parts: one part will be kept in the Central Plains to build the foundation of the business company, and it will be used by the alchemists of the family. One is for the livelihood of the tribe, and the other is for hiring various mountain sailors to expand mining and build large ships.After such two generations, the Fang family is already rich in Bashu.When Sima Cuo marched into Bashu during the reign of King Huiwen of Qin Dynasty, and Li Bing entered Shu to control the floods during the reign of King Qin Zhao, the Fang family had been operating in the Badong Mountains for more than 100 years for six generations. With such a powerful businessman, the world is in a haze.It is also the family style of the Fang family who have always acted in secrecy, never revealing the secrets of their practice unless absolutely necessary.The mountain people and sailors employed by the Fang family were only told that the excavated objects were the red stones used to build palaces in the Central Plains, and they were strictly forbidden to inquire about the rest; Others; what's more strange, the Fang family never did business in Qin, but only traveled in the six countries of Shandong and Hu.As a result, very few people in the ruling and opposition parties of the Qin State knew about this wealthy family hiding in the mountains and rivers!The only people known by the Central Plains business traveler are the ordinary trading companies opened by the Fang family in various countries in Shandong.But because of this, the wealth of the Fang family has always been a shadowy mystery to the world's business travelers, and those who are well-read and seen like Lu Buwei only know the name but don't know the truth. Later, a sudden change happened to the mysteriously erect Fang family. In the twenty-eighth year of King Qin Zhao, that is, in 279 BC, Bai Qi's army entered the upper reaches of the river that was already Ba County of Qin State.At that time, almost all the strong sailors from the two counties of Bashu were conscripted by the Qin navy.Fang's fleet is very prestigious in Berkshire, and more than 600 sailors with over 100 pensions are all capable, so they are naturally among the conscripts of the navy.However, although members of the Fang clan have lived in Bajun for a long time, they have never regarded themselves as common people of the Qin State, and have always believed that the Fang clan is only a Qi people who are merchants in Qin, and has nothing to do with Qin; In the name of the shop not being in the local area, they only paid a small amount of land premium; as for the customs duties, because they were unable to set up defenses and check merchants in the remote rivers at that time, they could only set up customs on land, and the Fang family, who only took dangerous waterways, did not have to pay.That is to say, the Fang family has been in Qin Dynasty for more than a hundred years, and the taxes and taxes have actually been paid to Qi State and the country where the store was set up in the Central Plains. Qin State, the place where the Danxue is based, is just two skins that have no adhesion.In addition, the Fang family is obsessed with digging alchemy, and has little contact with the outside world, so they don't know much about the changes in the world.For all these reasons, when the old patriarch of the Fang clan received the call-up order from the Qin State Navy in Danxue Castle, he smiled arrogantly in Qi language: "I am not from Qin, so why should I be recruited? The Qin State relies on merchants from Shandong to fight Is it? Don't go!" Sima of the water army urgently reported to Commander Bai Qi.The cold Bai Qi was greatly surprised. The people of Qin congratulated each other when they heard the battle.After inquiring about Fang's general situation, Bai Qi went to the county sheriff's office in person, and said coldly and loudly: "Qin has no people outside of it. Fang has lived in Qin for a hundred years, harvesting my cinnabar, using my people's power, and evading taxes more. It is really an illegal profiteer. Does the governor of Bajun ignore it?" At that time, the two counties of Ba and Shu were under the command of Yinghui, Marquis of Shu, and the governor of Bajun was Yinghui's confidant.Ying Hui was originally the third prince of King Qin Zhao. He was appointed as Marquis of Shu because he lost the fight with King An Guo Ying Zhu for the crown prince.The sheriff of Berkshire obeyed his orders, but Fang's family only tried to win over them, and never tried to restrict business according to the law.However, Bai Qi was furious today, but the governor of Berkshire panicked and secretly reported Shuhou Yinghui overnight.Ying Hui knows that Bai Qi is tough and good at fighting, and has the full support of Queen Mother Xuan, Ranghou and King Qin Zhao. Although he is a prince of Marquis, if he resists with light law, according to Qin law, he does not need to report to Xianyang. The authority can detain him for questioning!On balance, Ying Hui had only one reply to the Sheriff of Berkshire: "But act in accordance with the laws of the country, and don't report me again." Three days later, the old patriarch of the Fang clan was beheaded according to law.The prefect Ming ordered Fang's family: "All sailors in Pakistan will join the army, and sailors outside will be recalled to join the army within one month; a fine of 100,000 yuan will be used to offset the amount of tax evasion in the past years; if it is overdue, the whole family will not be a prisoner!" Affected by this great change, the entire Fang family was shocked, and there was chaos for a while.At that time, the old patriarch's son was running around in the Central Plains, and the other concubine sons in Danxue Castle were all young and old, and there was only one young woman who could be regarded as an authentic descendant.This person is the son's official wife, Yu Tianqing who is only twenty years old.The Fang family has family rules: Bashu girls can be concubines but not wives, and the first wife must marry Fuhai girl.This Yu Tianqing is a woman from a fisherman's family in Fudao District of Qi State. Her family is a seafarer, she takes "Hai" as her surname, and people call her Hai Qingnv.Haiqing girl is beautiful, intelligent, courageous and knowledgeable, and she was called Sea Goddess by the seaside fishermen and hunters when she was a girl.One year, the divine alchemist of the Fang family suddenly issued an oracle: The ninth generation son of the Fang family should take the Sea Goddess as his wife.The old patriarch of the Fang family immediately rushed to the seaside of Zhifu in panic, and finally found a seventeen-year-old Haiqing girl, and married the second son who he had appointed as the person in charge behind him.Fang's family is a family of alchemists, and the method of marriage is very unique: all daughters of God's will must be virgins for three years after the wedding before they can get married.With this family law, the seventeen-year-old girl Haiqing is still a slim young virgin, although she has grown up and opened her face.The husband traveled all over the world, and Hai Qing's daughter guarded the quiet mountains and rivers alone, so she named herself Yu Tianqing.Fishermen are more unrestrained, but Yu Tianqing is unusually quiet, every day she only assists in dealing with business affairs in the patriarch's study, she doesn't say a word all day long, but the director never makes mistakes.The old patriarch sighed to the deacons: "If this woman is a man, our Fang family will definitely rule the world!" Suddenly, the deacons of the tribe gathered in panic and asked Yu Tianqing to decide whether to flee or stay.Without any hesitation, Yu Tianqing made five decisions: first, the sailors in Pakistan will be given a hundred gold each, and they will join the army immediately, and return to the trading company after the war; Going out of the river and entering Chu, he recruited an equal number of sailors with a lot of money to serve as Fang's sailors and join the army.Second, the fine was more than 100,000, and 200,000 was paid to the government office immediately.Thirdly, three harriers were released one after another, urgently asking the young master to return to Pakistan as a director.Fourth, the old patriarch was buried briefly on the spot, and he was not allowed to be transported back to the state of Qi for extensive decoration as usual.Fourth, the whole family will keep their business as usual, and anyone who escapes will be executed immediately by sinking into the river!In the end, Yu Tianqing paused and said: "Qin is at its peak, and fleeing to the sky will be a disaster for the family! The Fang family's sparseness of Qin is definitely not a long-term strategy. If we don't change our ways, our family will have no place to stand!" With just a few words, all members of the Fang clan, who are proficient in business, became alarmed and supported Yu Tianqing in unison.After an orderly arrangement, the Fang clan finally did not disperse like birds and beasts.At this moment, an astonishing news came: The eldest son who was in a hurry to return suddenly encountered a huge wave and swallowed the boat in Yunmengze. The son and sixteen guards did not survive! Yu Tianqing didn't cry a single sound. He was dressed in plain clothes and summoned the clansmen. He seemed indifferent and solemn, but he had the appearance of a divine alchemist. He said calmly, "Fang's vulgar clan has today, and it is God's will. If the clansmen believe in Haiqing's daughter, they can live in peace." The Exing family will stay with me to guard the ancestral business. Otherwise, the wealth and treasury will be divided to make a living. The Haiqing woman will share the wealth equally with the clan, and will never take more money from the direct descendants." As soon as this remark came out, the clansmen sighed and sighed, and they were silent for a while.More than a dozen clan elders discussed, and publicly recommended a clan elder with the deepest qualifications to consult the clan's intentions on the spot.After a while, the elder of the clan made an eloquent speech: "Gathering the clan is a big matter, and there is no head of the town. If our clan gathers and keeps the business, there will be endless disasters. If the Sea Goddess is the head of my clan, my clan will gather! If the Sea Goddess is only in control If this matter, our clan will disperse!" The clansmen also clamored one after another, asking Hai Qingnv to be the head of the clan, otherwise they would disperse like birds and beasts.Yu Tianqing remained silent for a long time, stood up and bowed solemnly to the clansmen: "This is a big matter, let me answer tomorrow." Then he went on his own. Yu Tianqing's difficulties, but there are some differences.The Fang clan has been in charge of the gods since its inception, and has gradually become a prominent business family. After several generations, it has established a set of strict family rules, especially for the handover of the patriarch: in an emergency, the eldest son and wife can be in charge of the patriarch; But as the patriarch, he is not allowed to remarry for life.Although daughter Hai Qing has married into the Fang family, she has not married yet, and she is still a virgin; when she is in danger, she is only out of a sense of urgency. Taking her as the Goddess of Zhen'e, the whole family insisted on supporting her, so she posed a problem for Nv Haiqing: If she didn't become the patriarch, Fang's family would be disbanded, and the great merchant of Dansha for more than a hundred years would be reduced to smoke; if she became the patriarch, she would have to die Widowhood, full of love will be a lifetime of suffering... That night, the bright moon hung high, and on the bamboo tower deep in the castle, the virgin young woman Yu Tianqing stood there until she turned white in the east. In the early morning, the old deacons of the clan gathered in the decision hall.Yu Tianqing only smiled indifferently at the elders of the clan, bowed solemnly to the head of the clan, and then walked up the six stone steps that had been stepped on deeply by the clan heads of all generations.The general manager and deacons of the trading company asked for instructions on how to deal with Qin in the future. Yu Tianqing said: "Enroll in Qin, keep the ancestral business, distribute wealth, consolidate the foundation, and secretly expand the business in the Central Plains. This is the future strategy of our family." The clan elder The deacons were astonished and shouted angrily at the same time, everything is easy to talk about, except that they cannot be admitted to Qin nationality!Yutian said coldly: "The Fang family has been engaged in spiritual work for a long time, and has closed their eyes and listened to it for eight generations. The people of the clan have no idea what the general trend of the world is! If the Fang family has a long-term plan, they will follow my strategy. The place where the whole family is buried. You can do it for yourself." After saying that, he got up and left.The old deacons of the clan hurriedly bowed down together, asking for a day to make a decision. In the secret plan, Yu Tianqing stated something that the elder deacons of the clan never thought of: Qin is getting stronger and stronger, and the six countries are getting weaker and weaker. It is time to take advantage of this joint to become a Qin person; only by becoming a Qin person can the Fang family borrow The power of a strong country sweeps Shandong merchants; if you are not a Qin person, you can only use the alchemy point as your business, and if you are rich, you will be rich, but the king of the world is a dream of Spring and Autumn!The old deacons of the clan suddenly realized that they were very moved and supported Yu Tianqing's plan at the same time.At dusk, all arrangements had been made, and the deacons immediately began to get busy. The governor of Bajun reported Fang's situation to Bai Qi and the Marquis of Shu. Bai Qi thought that all the sailors of Fang's family had joined the army and was willing to pay a fine. .On the day when the imperial edict of bestowing nobles arrived, Yu Tianqing led the old deacons of the clan to greet him with a big gift. After receiving the edict, he solemnly declared to the special envoy: The Fang family lived in Qin Dynasty for several generations, and they are really people of the old Qin. Qin nationality, for the Qin people, all kinds of taxes and duties are the same as the people of the country.The special envoy returned to Xianyang, and the Empress Dowager Xuan made an exception and issued an edict: "The Fang family is from the Qin Dynasty, and Qin began to have a great business! The Fang family was exempted from corvee service, and two ranks of nobles were awarded as a compliment." Therefore, the Fang family was transformed into the Qin State and became a wealthy family. The fourth level is Qin Shang, who is not more noble. Fang's transformation was a great success, and Yu Tianqing embarked on a long business career since then... For the first time, the open-minded Lu Buwei couldn't sleep. Such a widow Qing, is she in the Central Plains or in Bashu now?Is she still paying attention to Qin Guo and Lu Buwei secretly?Even though she was registered in Qin Dynasty, the widow is from Qi in the end, does she have Qin Zhixin?All kinds of thoughts came and went, Lu Buwei tossed and turned all night, just fell asleep in the morning, but heard the hurried footsteps and soft words in the outer hall, and suddenly sat up from the couch: "Mohu, what's the matter?" Mohu floated into the bedroom lightly After saying something in a low voice, Lu Buwei immediately got out of the dormitory, and strode to the study in a hurry. A familiar wide and simple tool is firmly inserted in the center of the desk pen holder! Without any hesitation, Lu Buwei decided to meet this mysterious figure.According to the road map depicted on the wide bamboo slips, Lu Buwei's curtained chariot finally arrived at Fengjing Valley in the southwest of Xianyang when dusk fell.This landscape is not unfamiliar, and the past events of Mrs. Huayue still vaguely resurface in Lu Buwei's mind.Arriving at the huge stone pier, Lu Buwei ordered the driver and two accompanying swordsmen to stay on the shore, and he took Mohu who was pretending to be a boy servant to the mountain road.At the entrance of a pine forest, two men in black were waiting, and after checking the ease, they led Lu Buwei into the ruins of Fengjing, which was desolately forested. Bright lights flickered across a thatched courtyard.Lu Buwei remembered that it was Mrs. Huayue's happy residence.Entering the courtyard, two men in black stood outside the door of the hut, and a girl in the shadow of the lamp in the corridor respectfully introduced Lu Buwei into the hut.Lu Buwei used to be a master at building secret rooms. As soon as he entered the door, he could see that this hut was by no means as simple as its simple appearance—it was spacious and bright, with double curtains and folded curtains. It can be seen that the ground is covered with thick colored woven carpets, and even if you are like a mountain, there will be no sound at all.Following the girl's gestures, Lu Buwei calmly sat down in front of Dongshou's case, while Mo Hu stood behind him.Another girl brought freshly brewed tea.Lu Buwei took two sips, but when he heard Mohu panting suddenly behind him, he suddenly raised his head, his heart jumped!Behind the big purple screen, a black column leisurely turned out—wearing a black robe with a black veil hanging down his face, he was standing motionless in front of the opposite table. "Wen Xinhou is old!" A slightly aged female voice sighed. "Mrs. Qing, are you all right?" Lu Buwei unexpectedly revealed the happy face of that year. "Today's unhurried request, Wen Xinhou spared no time to attend the appointment, and Yu Tianqing thanked you in advance." The man in black sat back in front of the opposite desk after a slight bow, "Wen Xinhou has a good way of governing Qin, and I often sigh in my heart, what a pity There is no reason to sue. Today's appointment is just a little bit of heart. I have no empty words in my life, and I hope that Wen Xinhou will be honest with each other, and there will be no emptiness and ambiguity." "Buwei would like to be taught." Lu Buwei bowed his hands with emotion, "Mrs. Qing has been in business for more than 50 years, and has also saved the country in times of crisis. Buwei has always admired her, but she has no reason to repay her. I have been ashamed for a long time!" "It's a mere move, Wen Xinhou is lucky not to take it seriously." "Personal kindness is repaid by the body, and national kindness is repaid by meritorious deeds. If you receive a kindness without repaying it, this is not Wei's uneasiness." "Wen Xinhou has doubts in his heart, but it is true, there is no need to express doubts with guilt." Lu Buwei originally wanted to attract the mysterious widow to tell her why she paid attention to him, but unexpectedly, the old lady was so insightful, she wanted him to speak clearly, and she couldn't hide her thoughts, so she cupped her hands and said calmly: "There is only one thing that Buwei doesn't know: Madam Why don't you always pay attention to Wei Xingzhi, always show up to help at the critical joints, even if you have no plans, there is a reason, I hope Madam will tell you clearly." "That's fine, let me tell you." Yu Tianqing smiled leisurely, "When Wen Xinhou was a merchant, he also ruled the world. You should know that what the merchants look forward to is the government's law of emphasizing commerce. When a country emphasizes commerce, merchants will prosper. If the state is cheap and the merchants are low, the merchants will perish. The Qin State is solid and strong, but the laws and regulations are cheap and the merchants are the best in the world. Wen Xinhou Bingzheng gradually opened up the style of lenient government, and gradually practiced the way of paying equal attention to agriculture and business. It is a great fortune for the world! Qin Shang, shouldn't you help me?" After being silent for a long time, Lu Buwei said with emotion: "My lady has far-sightedness, which is beyond my expectations!" "Wait a minute." Yu Tianqing tapped lightly on the case, "I also have my own wishes." "Ma'am, but say." "I have a family nephew who wants to enter an official career, how about entrusting him to your family?" "It's so difficult for the country to seek talents!" "Okay. In the future, whoever votes for you with the letter 'Qing' will be my nephew." Lu Buwei nodded, thought for a while and said, "Ma'am, Buwei also has a request." "Two museums, one million gold, you don't need to ask for it." Lu Buwei shook his head: "If you don't ask Wei Wei, it won't work, I'd rather not be helped." Yu Tianqing was obviously taken aback: "Marquis Wen Xin... But you want to show your true face?" "Please forgive me, madam." "It's God's will!" Yu Tianqing sighed heavily, "You are in charge of state affairs, and you are not supported by suspects, but you deserve it." With a wave of his hand, the two maids retreated behind the big screen.Lu Buwei glanced back, and Mo Hu also stepped out of the door to guard the marquis.Yu Tianqing shook his black silk sleeves, put a pair of slender and plump white hands on the hair crown, and as his black hair fell down like a dark cloud, the hanging black brocade suddenly fell to the ground, an ugly face with blood-red scars Under the lamp, it is truly hideous and terrifying! "Madam, can you tell me..." Lu Buwei's voice trembled. The pair of beautiful hands slowly raised again, and somehow they circled around the head, and the black crown and black silk remained the same, as if nothing had happened. "If you want to know, I don't need to hide it." Yu Tianqing sighed softly, "To save our family, Haiqing girl must live forever as a virgin and a widow Qing. It is very inconvenient for me to keep my virgin face ..." There was a slight rustle in the calm and indifferent words, vaguely like the desolate drizzle of the autumn night. After another long silence, Lu Buwei got up and bowed deeply, and went out without saying a word.At the gate of the courtyard, a middle-aged woman in black came out from the shadow of the lamp: "Wen Xinhou, Madam has a treasury in Xianyang Ba. This is the route map. This is the treasury slip." Lu Buwei took the two Wu Shi said: "If there is something important, how can I see my wife?" The middle-aged woman pondered for a moment and said: "Madam never likes to make appointments, but she never misses important things. Don't worry about Wen Xinhou." Lu Buwei said that he knew, and then I bowed my hand and went. Back in Xianyang, Lu Buwei couldn't sleep at night again. He wandered around the forest by the pool until the middle of the moon before returning to the study room. He spread out a piece of parchment and began to write earnestly—— In the early morning of this day, Lu Buwei wrote a letter and sent it to Wang Chengchang's History Office immediately as usual.Wang Wan, who was on duty as Zuo Changshi, followed the law of Zhongfu's administration, immediately rewritten Lu Buwei's letter as an edict of the King of Qin, and urgently submitted it to the Empress Dowager's Palace for reading, and then stamped the bronze seal of the King of Qin on his return, and immediately issued it as an edict of the King of Qin to the Prime Minister's Office for implementation ; and Lu Buwei's letter and imperial edict were submitted together with the official document of the day to Qin Wang Yingzheng for a familiar reading of state affairs. In the afternoon, Lu Buwei received the imperial edict, and immediately approved it in the blank space: "The Office of the Government and the Municipality will plan and implement it in conjunction with the Sikong Mansion. On the day of completion, select auspicious grand forms."Sikong Mansion became an independent mansion, in charge of national projects.The two governments were ordered, and the next day they surveyed a hill in the willow forest of Bashui, south of the Weishui River, and started the platform building project.As the news spread, the Qin people in Guanzhong asked the widow one after another to find out about her. The mysterious story of this Bashu businesswoman spread rapidly among the court and the public, and there was a nursery rhyme sung in alleys: "Wu Shiluo, the widow In the Qing Dynasty, feuding the emperor to build a platform, and resisting thousands of times with courtesy. The shepherd grows poor in the mountains, but the merchants show their glory, and I plow and fight, and the fireflies make their achievements!" The nursery rhyme spread, and Cai Ze hurried to the prime minister's mansion, urging Lu Buwei to stop building immediately Huaiqing Terrace.Lu Buwei pondered for a moment and asked with a calm face: "Does Mr. Gang Cheng think that increasing commerce will hinder agricultural warfare?" Cai Ze blushed and said: "Marquis Wen Xin is obsessed with things! It's not what I think, but what the people of Qin think! Business is not in harmony with the situation of Qin, so we should be cautious and gradually change it! If you act too hastily, it will be your fault!" Lu Buwei said solemnly: "Transforming Qin is like reforming the law. It will be effective if you follow the example of Shang Jun. Our government will not harm the people. Why are you afraid of the temporary resentment of the common people? Merchants and the people have made great contributions, so why cherish the name of the country? When it is discussed, it will be changed, and it will not be persevered. Persuade me." Cai Ze was in a moment of anxiety, and yelled, "You are not afraid of a hundred thousand households, but I am afraid of a bird with five thousand households! Bones!" "Okay! You and I will advance and retreat together!" Lu Buwei sighed with a smile and then suddenly whispered: "With the talent of the king, there are no songs?" Cai Ze suddenly nodded, laughed and went away. Three days later, there was another nursery rhyme circulating in Fang District: "The cultivator has merit, the warrior has merit, and the merchant alone has fireflies. There are national laws and king's orders. Why is there no merit in solving my famine?" This song was spread in the Qin Dynasty for a while. , The original lamenting nursery rhymes gradually disappeared, but the old Qin people rushed to pass on the kindness of merchants during the two-year famine. It turned out that since the third year of Yingzheng's ascension to the throne, Guanzhong, which has been blessed with good weather, has experienced severe drought for two consecutive years.The torrential Weishui almost dried up the river, locusts rose up, covering the sky and blocking the sun, and there was no harvest in summer and autumn.After more than half a year, the common people hoarded food and ten rooms were empty, and the government and the public suddenly panicked.Qin Fa did not provide disaster relief, and Lu Buwei's prime minister's mansion could only rely on secretly throwing out gold to lower the price of grain in the market to save the moment. However, if there is no large amount of grain and rice entering Guanzhong, a large number of people will inevitably flee for another half a year.Lu Buwei urgently summoned Shandong merchants from Shangshangfang, one encouraged the other to make a request, hoping that the merchants from the six countries would find ways to solve Qin's urgent needs.However, the merchants of the six countries have received secret orders from their own countries and are not allowed to transport grain to Qin!What the merchants of the six countries in Xianyang can do is to sell out the existing grain at a par or even a low price, which obviously cannot fundamentally alleviate the famine.Just when Lu Buwei decided to take the risk of opening the two barns in Guanzhong, an urgent report came from Tongguan Ferry: an unknown fleet was moored at the mouth of the river full of rice, and could not enter the waterway because the Wei River was dry. Please send 5,000 ox carts to carry it to Qin !Lu Buwei was overjoyed, and personally took a group of officials to the east. When they arrived at the ferry, the owner of the fleet was no longer there. The head of the sailor team only said: "My master sells grain to Qin, and he will receive the gold in three years." After handing over a wide slip, he was speechless.Lu Buwei was full of emotions, knowing that he could not find anything, so he had to unload the ship overnight to transport the grain, and immediately distribute it to the counties and counties. Autumn and winter are relatively quiet, but after the beginning of spring, the drought remains. Seeing that there are no summer seeds, a thick layer of dark clouds is cast over the government and the people of Qin State.At this time, Beidi County sent another urgent report: a continuous cavalry team went south, and the Wu family's big businessman transported grain to save Qin!Lu Buwei gave a long cry of God's will, and immediately went north again.Before arriving in the north, Lu Buwei knew about Wu Zhiluo's situation. 乌氏者，秦国北地郡之县名也。倮者，人名也。乌氏倮，便是乌氏的商人倮，人呼乌氏倮者是也。倮族世居北地，代代以畜牧为业。商鞅变法之后，整个河西高原被秦国收回，牧区再也没有了民众最怕的拉锯战，畜牧便蓬蓬勃勃生发起来。及至倮做了族长，倮族之畜牧业已经伸展到了阴山以北，与胡族常相交易了。倮豪侠仗义，善于周旋，与匈奴各部单于交好非常，便在畜牧之外做起了马商：将中原谷物盐铁卖与匈奴，再将换来的草原良马南下卖与中原各国。数十年下来，乌氏倮财货剧涨，声名遍及草原胡族。这年闻故国大旱饥荒，乌氏倮深感秦国之威秦人之身给自己的胡商生意带来的巨大好处，遂慨然买得大批燕赵粮谷并草原数万头肉牛南下救秦。吕不韦接得浩荡马牛与数十万斛燕麦稻黍，并力邀乌氏倮南下咸阳盘桓。乌氏倮入咸阳三日，“秦王”诏书封乌氏倮领上卿尊荣，爵位与封君相同，号为乌氏君。也就是说，乌氏倮虽非在朝官员，却可以名正言顺地享受如同纲成君蔡泽一般的仪仗、府邸、衣冠、车马等等诸般尊荣。在“尊荣必出于农战”的秦国，商贾纵然有得金山，也不能建造具有贵胄格局的府邸，庭院再大房屋再多，门前也不能有石坊碑刻，门额也不能有府邸标记；衣食住行可富不可贵，譬如商贾不得乘坐带有伞盖轺的车，只因为伞盖高低是爵位高低之标识。 如此法度之下，乌氏倮竟爵比封君，可谓石破天惊！ 然则，其时毕竟饥荒大作人心惶惶，谁也顾不得去计较这些名位虚事，一时竟是风平浪静。事过境迁，转过年来风雨如常饥荒渐去，老秦人眼见怀清台开工，便油然想起此事，不禁便有了满腹牢骚。及至念功童谣出，秦人一番咀嚼品味，感念之下自觉愧疚，便也不再计较商贾获显荣的事了。 八月秋风起，怀清台告成。秦王嬴政驾临灞上拜祭开台，吕不韦亲自宣读了表彰诏书。关中老秦人非但没有非议之辞，且纷纷赶来拜祭。吕不韦大为感喟，对身旁蔡泽便是一叹：“民心为天也！天许我化秦，我何惧之矣！”嬴政见吕不韦慨然动容，遂过来关切道：“敢问仲父，乌氏倮尚有封君之荣，玉天清何故只彰名不封爵？”吕不韦素来不以仲父轻慢君臣之礼，一拱手道：“回复君上：玉天清高年淡泊，曾言欲贵后人，有族侄可入仕途；容臣考校后论，若有才具，自当封其爵位。”嬴政笑着点头：“果真此人有才，便封他个等同侯爵！”君臣三人便是一阵大笑。 来年开春，学宫与贤苑两座馆所大体完工，吕不韦便颁发手书广召门客。入夏时节，便有山东士子纷纷来投。吕不韦大为振奋，立即与蔡泽开始筹划编撰治国典籍事宜。正在此时，太后宫却传来密书，要吕不韦兼程赶赴梁山宫共商国是。吕不韦捧着诏书愣怔半日，蔡泽却撇着嘴呷呷一笑：“梁山之夏，快活于咸阳多矣！公何迟疑哉！”说罢便摇着鸭步径自去了。 望着蔡泽已显苍老的背影，吕不韦不禁沉重地叹息了一声。