If he stayed in the capital, he might still have a little hope, but what good would the borderlands do? "
"King Duan was really stupid in the past. This is a well-known thing. It's only after his stupidity recovered that he became the King Duan he is today. It is impossible to have any chance. It is better to jump out of the circle, the outside world is bigger, and he can play it more."
These words seemed to make sense, and Ma Jinyu couldn't help nodding, but he didn't agree with his father's words of following Duan Wang. "However, our Ma family has to wait for an opportunity. No matter which prince in the capital is stronger than King Duan, right? With King Duan, how can our Ma family stand out?"
Ma Siyong stood up and took a few steps, looked back at his son, and said earnestly: "You can't just look at the surface of the problem. The capital is a blessed place and a dangerous place, yes! Now that the princes are showing their sharpness, it is indeed the best time to attach themselves. But you have It never occurred to me that the current situation is not clear, and it is still unknown who will be in charge, if he makes a wrong move, the Ma family will be doomed."
Ma Jinyu broke out in a cold sweat, although she understood the meaning of her father's words, she was still a little unwilling. He muttered in his mouth: "But, but, such an opportunity is rare in decades, if you don't take a gamble, how will you know the final outcome?"
Although the Ma family has a big business, it is only a wealthy family, and there has never been a real opportunity to step into the powerful. You know, in today's world, the powerful are the real superiors, so what if you have money? If they really provoke such a person, their Ma family can be wiped out with one hand.
It's not that the Ma family didn't want to squeeze into that circle, it's just that the imperial court decreed that the family of merchants, three generations in the direct line were not allowed to take the imperial examination. The only way to become an official is the imperial examination, and they have been committed to training collateral children to study for the imperial examination. But how can real talents be cultivated overnight
Their Ma family is now in a dilemma, and the Ma family plans to take this opportunity to choose a prince with a bright future to attach to. Once the prince ascends to the throne, their Ma family will naturally have the merit of being a dragon. At that time, they will be able to squeeze into the circle of the rich and powerful. The glory of the Ma family is the real beginning, and it will last at least a hundred years if it runs well.
Before, he was also optimistic about the third prince's long-sleeved, good at dancing, capable and powerful. Because of his ability to handle errands, the emperor praised him several times, and many ministers also praised him. The limelight was the same for a while, and his prestige was even higher than that of the prince.
He thought that if he could make some friends, it would be a good choice to board this big ship. It's just that he hasn't been able to find an opportunity yet, after all, the Third Prince is no better than others, and not anyone can attach himself to him.
Ma Siyong saw through his son's mind, sighed and said, "Eggs can't be put in one basket, so you don't want me to teach you the truth?"
Ma Jinyu is not an idiot, he speaks clearly, he raised his eyes to look at Ma Siyong, "Father, what do you mean?"
"In today's world, who do you think is most likely to be in power?" There were no outsiders in the study, and it was impossible for the father and son's conversation to be spread.
Ma Jinyu knew that it was his father who was taking the exam. Although he already had the answer in his heart, he still thought about it carefully before replying: "From my son's point of view, it is nothing more than that the crown prince is as good as the third prince. As the crown prince The eldest son of the empress of the Yuan Dynasty, Dayan ruled that the establishment of the first son and the elder is the ancestral system, and it is the same. The prince was established as the prince since he was a child. However, although the prince occupies the position, he is too forgiving, cowardly, and indecisive. This point ten In the early years, it was even rumored that the emperor whispered that the prince was not worthy of the position. After that, the attitude of the courtiers became a little subtle, and the prince seemed to be quieter."
He took a careful look at his father's expression, and saw that his expression was normal, so he breathed a sigh of relief and continued: "The third prince's courage and bravery is quite similar to that of the emperor, which the emperor has praised in front of all the ministers. In addition The third prince's mother's relatives are all big aristocratic families, and there are not a few voices supporting the third prince, whether in the court or in the opposition."
"So, if it were you, who would you support?" Ma Siyong asked directly.
Ma Jinyu paused, not expecting his father to ask such a question. He swallowed a mouthful of saliva, but still spoke out what was in his heart, "My son thinks that the third prince is well-mannered and has outstanding abilities. If you support him, I think you will have the greatest hope."
So what if the crown prince is a legitimate son? How can it be long if the emperor doesn't like him? Since ancient times, it is not uncommon for princes to be abolished. For the sake of their own interests, and for the sake of the master they rely on, the following ministers can't use any means. The prince is weak, and he is faintly overwhelmed by the third prince. A discerning person knows how to choose at a glance.
Ma Siyong smiled slightly, shook his head and said, "It's still the same sentence, you can't look at the surface when looking at a problem."
Ma Jinyu was a little unconvinced, "I also ask my father for advice."
Ma Siyong had intended to point out his son, "Don't underestimate the prince. The prince is cautious. He has never made a mistake in these years. How many people can do this? Over the years, although the emperor has been strict with him, he often There is dissatisfaction, but why is it not because of the deep love and responsibility? As the prince, he is carrying the fate of the country in the future. Just imagine, why the emperor did not have too high expectations for the prince. Who knows if it’s true or not? There are so many rumors in the palace, so many rumors can only be laughed off, such as the rumor about King Duan, do you think it’s true?”
Ma Jinyu fell into deep thought. He was someone who had been in contact with Ming Yu twice, so he knew Ming Yu a little bit. He can only feel that it is better to be famous than to meet each other. Compared with those gossips, the real King Duan is really a different person.
Ma Siyong continued: "Although the third prince's mother's relatives are powerful, foreign relatives are forbidden to interfere in politics. Why is the power of the mother's relatives a stumbling block? Do you think the emperor will let a prince with a powerful foreign relative ascend to the top? Ruo Ruo The new emperor is enthroned, and the tail is too big to lose. Is the surname of this Great Yan Dynasty Ming or Yang?".
"This..." Ma Jinyu frowned, but he really hadn't thought about this question, "How can the prince's mother clan be chosen by an individual? Is it somewhat inconceivable that he missed the throne just because of the mother clan's relationship?".
"The Empress Yuan has passed away for many years, but who can be promoted to the concubine position? The third prince's mother concubine, Concubine Hui, was promoted to Concubine Hui a few years ago. It was only one step away from that. Everyone thought that Concubine Hui would become a queen. But Over the years, has the emperor let go?" Ma Siyong reminded: "The prince was indeed overwhelmed by the third prince at the beginning, but now? King Duan firmly stands by the prince's side, and the goods from the Western Regions he brought back are handed over without reservation. Let the prince deal with it. Because of the goods from the Western Regions, many people who didn't want to stand in line so quickly turned to the prince. The prince has made money from his connections and has earned a good reputation among the powerful. Do you think that the current prince is still in the same position? Are you weak?"
Ma Jinyu didn't dare to speak anymore, his father's analysis was very reasonable, and he didn't see it through himself. It wasn't until his father woke up that he realized that Prince Duan was actually the prince's bargaining chip, but no one had noticed it.
"But my lord, when you say you follow King Duan, you don't really have this plan, do you? King Duan Dingtian is just a prince, what value can he use?"
Ma Siyong shook his head, "You're wrong, King Duan is no better than anyone else, just because he has the foresight to enter the frontier. Convincing the emperor to pass through the Western Regions and build the Xiqi Corridor is enough to prove his extraordinary. Besides, King Duan stands behind the prince, Our Majia Baba is just like an ant in front of the prince. Who can look at you more? Even if you are attached to it, you are not as good as other people. You are inferior. It is better to retreat to the next best. At least Duan Wang’s pattern There, and now that he is short of people and money, it is more meaningful for us to give charcoal in the snow, why not follow King Duan?"
The truth is here, and Ma Jinyu suddenly realized it when he explained it clearly. My lord father is worthy of being my lord father, his insight is beyond the reach of ordinary people.
"However, a large part of the elders in the family want to cling to the dignitaries in Beijing, but my father only likes King Duan. Will the rest of the family have any objections?"
"That's why I said that eggs can't be put in one basket. The dignitaries in Beijing naturally want to make friends, and King Duan can't leave behind either." Ma Siyong narrowed his eyes, and a gleam flashed in his eyes.
"Yes! My son understands!"
Seeing that his son didn't have any objections, he finally understood. Ma Siyong was very satisfied, "King Duan has already said, what kind of bidding will be held after today's son Qianqiu Wansheng. Since you have made good friends with King Duan, then you have to inquire about it. What kind of regulation is it? We have to prepare in advance, otherwise we are afraid that we will be in a hurry and be in trouble if we are one step behind."
Ma Jinyu nodded yes, thought for a while and hesitated and said: "Listen to what King Duan said, although the benefits in the later stage will be considerable, but the bidding will require a lot of silver taels. It will definitely not only our Ma family, but also other merchants. Everyone will move upon hearing the wind, but I don’t know what the upper limit of silver taels invested by other families will be? Will it suppress our Ma family.”
Duan Wang has already said that the amount of investment determines the amount of future benefits and discounts, which is understandable. Since their Ma family wants to take the road of King Duan, they have to show sincerity. If they can't squeeze into the first echelon, their Ma family's refuge can only be empty talk.
Ma Siyong stood with his hands behind his back, and he also had such concerns, "So you can ask Duan Wang as much as possible to find out the rules. Knowing yourself and the enemy can win every battle, and shopping malls are like battlefields. As for the others, I will send them myself." People inquire about the news and be prepared with both hands. Now