Chapter 168 All the money in the world is within my grasp
"maybe."
Su Che always felt that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince seemed to favor Wang Shao more.
Otherwise, Wang Shao would not have been left alone.
Su Shi did not think about this and said, "We two brothers are now county magistrates. Such a happy event should be made public. Why don't we go to Guangyun Terrace to have a drink and celebrate."
Su Che frowned and said, "Brother, now all the counties in Kaifeng Prefecture are measuring the land. The position we have taken over may have been dismissed because of a poor performance in measuring the land. Instead of spending this time, why not go back and think carefully about what we should do after taking office?"
Su Shi was lectured by his brother, but he was not angry. He smiled and said, "Okay, okay, I'll listen to you. If I don't want to go, then I won't go."
…………
In the Chaoyang Palace, after Su Shi and his brother left, Zhao Xing looked at Wang Shao and said with a smile, "I heard that you are well versed in the Art of War?"
Wang Shao was stunned. He liked to read some military books in his spare time, which led to his success in the imperial examination when he was twenty-six or twenty-seven years old.
However, this matter was known only to classmates and close friends, and no one else knew about it.
Wang Shao didn't know how Zhao Xing knew this, so he came to his senses and said, "I only read it occasionally, and I only talk about military affairs on paper. I can't say I'm familiar with military books."
"Then what do you think about the relationship between Song, Liao and Xia?" Zhao Xing asked.
Wang Shao pondered for a while and said, "Now Song, Liao and Xia have been at peace for a long time, but I think that sooner or later, a war will break out among the three countries."
Zhao Xing nodded slightly and said, "I think so too. I think it's better to be proactive than passive. Zichun, tell me, if the Song Dynasty takes the initiative to mobilize troops, will it mobilize troops against the Liao Kingdom or the Western Xia?"
"This..." Wang Shao hesitated and said, "I dare not speak nonsense."
"It's just a casual chat, not a competition, so what can't be said? Just say whatever you want, it will come out of your mouth and enter my ears, no one else will know it." Zhao Xing said.
Wang Shao was silent for a while, then said, "I think if we want to send troops, Xixia is the first choice. If we want to take Liao, we must first take Xixia."
People who like to read military books naturally also like to study the situation in the world.
Wang Shao passed the imperial examination and was appointed as a ninth-rank county clerk. He did not have much to do in his daily life. In his spare time, he would read military books and study the border defenses of the three kingdoms of Song, Liao and Xia.
They even made a sand table based on the borders of the three kingdoms for simulation purposes.
Unfortunately, he had mostly heard about the situation on the borders of the three kingdoms, and as a ninth-rank official, he was not qualified to know the actual defense situation.
However, he was very sure of one thing: if the Song Dynasty took the initiative to raise troops, Western Xia would be the first target.
Wang Shao was somewhat disheartened after failing the imperial examination. He had already begun to consider quitting his official position and traveling to the northwest border.
He wanted to know the situation on the Northwest Frontier in detail.
"That's what I thought." Zhao Xing nodded.
He did not remember the content of "Plan for Pacifying the Rong", but he remembered one point in it, which seemed to say that if one wanted to conquer Western Xia, one must first conquer Hehuang.
In Zhao Xing's view, if he wanted to conquer Liao, he must first conquer Western Xia.
"Zichun, I plan to let you take up a position in Qinfeng Road. What do you think?" Zhao Xing asked.
Historically, Wang Shao was able to expand the territory of the Song Dynasty by more than 2,000 miles because he spent several years traveling in the northwest border and understanding the customs and situation of the Hehuang area.
Given Wang Shao's personality, he would still go and learn about the situation if he were asked to serve in the northwest border.
As an official, he can use the court's channels to learn more information, which is more effective than traveling and visiting on his own.
"Of course I am willing!" Wang Shao said excitedly.
He failed the imperial examination, and what made him disheartened was not that he failed to pass the exam and get a promotion, but that he could not serve in the border area.
As a military fan, he really hopes to be able to serve at the border so that he can understand the border situation in detail and collect data for his own simulations.
"I need to arrange this matter. You stay in Bian Jing and wait for news." Zhao Xing said.
According to regulations, the prefect did not have the power to directly appoint officials even to the Kaifeng government office.
However, his identity was there, so as long as he told the Ministry of Personnel, the Ministry of Personnel would not block his appointment as an official in Kaifeng Prefecture.
However, the official position in Qinfeng Road was not something he could arrange at will.
I have to tell my father about this. It will only be possible if he agrees.
"Yes!" Wang Shao replied.
Zhao Xing chatted with Wang Shao for a while before letting him go back and wait for news.
I have to say that Wang Shao’s military theory is very solid.
He also studied military tactics with Gu Yan for a few years. Although he only talked about it on paper, he still had some experience after living two lives.
After listening to some of the views put forward by Wang Shao, he felt that he benefited a lot.
…………
In the afternoon, Zhao Xing was reviewing documents when a eunuch came to report that Sheng Wei wanted to see him.
"Let him in."
Zhao Xing stretched and rubbed his eyes.
"Your Highness, I pay my respects to you!"
After a while, Sheng Wei walked in, followed by two eunuchs holding wooden boxes.
"No need to be polite." Zhao Xing waved his hand and said, "It seems that you have brought me some good news."
"Your Highness is very smart. The craftsmen in the kiln spent several years and finally fired the transparent glass that Your Highness requested." Sheng Wei said.
"Oh?" Zhao Xing was delighted when he heard that and said, "Show it to me now."
Two eunuchs holding a wooden box hurried forward, placed the box on the table and opened the lid.
Carefully took out the contents.
Zhao Xing picked up a glass teacup and looked at it carefully.
It is definitely inferior to the glass of later generations. If you look closely, you can see many bubbles inside.
However, it was very rare to be able to make such a thing under the conditions of ancient times. Even after Zhao Xing gave Sheng Wei the general method of burning paper glass, the craftsmen spent several years to study and burn it.
In fact, glass is not as ornamental as colored glaze. Colored glaze has a variety of colors and rich layers, which can present a crystal clear visual effect.
Colored glaze is more ornamental than glass.
But everything is valuable because it is rare.
Colored glass has appeared a long time ago and is not a rare thing.
But this kind of transparent glass appears for the first time.
Firing some utensils and ornaments will definitely be popular.
And with glass, you can make mirrors.
In ancient times, bronze mirrors were used. Bronze mirrors made by top craftsmen were still very clear, but they were still inferior to glass mirrors.
Most importantly, the material of this thing is worthless.
Unlike wine, which consumes a lot of grain, this is why Zhao Xing only sold a small amount to the Liao Kingdom and did not sell it in large quantities.
But glass products are different. They can not only be sold in the Song Dynasty and Liaoxia, but can also be exported overseas.
Don't forget that maritime trade was very developed in the Song Dynasty.
"You did a great job." Zhao Xing put down the teacup, looked at the haggard Sheng Wei, and said, "You should also take care of your health and don't overwork yourself."
"Thank you for your concern, Your Highness."
Sheng Wei looked haggard, actually because of family matters, but he was not in a position to tell Zhao Xing about them.
"Since it has been fired, let the craftsmen start firing it in large quantities. In addition, you can also try to make the mirror I mentioned before. My mother's birthday is in a few months, and I will give her the mirror as a birthday gift then." Zhao Xing said.
"I have already arranged for the craftsmen to do it." Sheng Wei said.
"Ah."
Zhao Xing increasingly felt that it was the right decision to hand over business matters to Sheng Wei.
The most valuable thing about Sheng Wei is not his business ability, but his clarity of mind.
He would do his best to do whatever Zhao Xing assigned him to do.
But he never sought benefits for himself or his family.
"Your Highness, Li Ge sent a message saying that he will come to Bian Jing soon and wants to meet Your Highness." Sheng Wei said.
"Oh?" Zhao Xing smiled and said, "That's a good thing. As soon as the products were made, big buyers came to us. Remember to have people make more things that the Liao people like."
"Yes." Sheng Wei replied.
"By the way, how is the development of cement going?" Zhao Xing asked.
He didn't know the detailed production methods of many things, he only knew the general situation.
The rest can only be studied and improved by craftsmen.
If only the idea is given to the craftsmen to study, they may not be able to figure it out in their lifetime.
But he not only provided ideas, but also a general framework. In addition, the thing is not difficult and can be done under current conditions.
"We have made considerable progress. I think it won't be long before it can be fired," said Sheng Wei.
"Yes." Zhao Xing nodded and said, "This item is very important. You should ask the craftsmen to work hard. In addition, each craftsman who can make transparent colored glaze will be rewarded with 20 mu of land."
"I thank Your Highness for the reward on their behalf!"
"As for your contribution, I will remember it for now." Zhao Xing said.
"I didn't do anything, so I don't dare to take credit for it." Sheng Wei said quickly.
Since he started working for Zhao Xing, Zhao Xing not only gave him a civil official position, but also allowed his son Sheng Changwu to work in the Eastern Palace.
He was already satisfied.
"You deserve a reward for your merits, but it's difficult for me to reward you now. I can only remember it and reward you in the future," said Zhao Xing.
As for rewarding Sheng Wei with money, he had no shortage of it. As for his official position, Sheng Wei was already an eighth-rank civil official.
If you want to move up further, it will be difficult without a real job or achievements.
However, this did not stop Zhao Xing from making big promises for him.
Sheng Wei reported the recent business situation to Zhao Xing and then took his leave.
Zhao Xing took the glassware on the table and looked at it.
When the technology matures, we can replace all the windows in the East Palace with glass.
Not only does it make the room brighter, it also serves as an advertisement.
There are so many rich people in the world. If all their windows were replaced with glass, a lot of money would flow into their pockets.
Those rich people who have no place to spend their money like to occupy land, so they have to create some luxury goods so that they can spend money.
Not only that, they can also plunder the wealth of other countries.
Li Shimin could proudly say: All the talented people in the world are within my grasp.
From then on, Zhao Xing could proudly say: All the wealth in the world is within my grasp.
But things are not that simple. When those wealthy aristocrats find that a large amount of wealth is flowing into their pockets, they will say that they cannot compete with the people for profit.
In fact, there is no such thing as the people when it comes to making money through business.
Ordinary people can only do small business to make a living.
(End of this chapter)