The matter of Dongdao seemed to be more difficult, and Guo Shao was very short of money. At this time, he thought of a person: Chen Jiali. Although she was a woman, she was said to be rich enough to rival a country. Opening shops everywhere was not her main way to make money. The most profitable way was to obtain the right to transport salt in Shu.
But this is the reward she deserves. When Guo Shao was in danger before he came to power, her help was undoubtedly a timely help. Guo Shao is kind to those who have done him a favor. In his heart, repaying a favor is not only a moral principle, but also a rule of fairness and integrity. This time, Guo Shao did not want her to suffer a loss, but just wanted to make another deal.
However, Chen Jiali was not a member of the royal family or the court, so it would be too conspicuous to summon her directly in the front hall. So Guo Shao stayed in Zhouxian Palace that night and instructed her to arrange a meeting with her cousin Chen Jiali.
Zhou Xian sent an eunuch to deliver the message, and the eunuch came back and said that Madam Shen's pomp was even greater than that of the imperial concubine. Although he was a eunuch, he was still a member of the palace. He had not even seen her in the past, but only received a reply from the servants, saying that he would visit the palace tomorrow.
Zhou Xian said that his cousin was just like that, and that as long as she was willing to come, it would be fine. But in his heart, he was just worried.
The next day, Chen Jiali arrived at Xihua Gate in a gorgeous carriage, carrying a letter from the Ministry of Internal Affairs. She wore a light-colored skirt, a green and red scarf, and a veil on her head, but when she turned around, the gemstone earrings on her ears were particularly bright and dazzling.
Led by the eunuch, Chen Jiali came to Zhou Xian Palace and took off her veil. She didn't have many ornaments on her head, but she looked noble in her simplicity. Her hair was tied on top of her head, and she was dressed like a married lady. Although she had no title, she looked better than a noblewoman. It was true that having money made a big difference.
I haven't seen my cousin for a long time, and you didn't even say you were coming to see me, and you asked me to send a palace maid to invite you. Zhou Xian said in a somewhat complaining but affectionate tone.
Chen Jiali took out a small box and said with a smile, "I am just a commoner in the palace. How can I come here whenever I want? Haven't I written a letter to my sister?"
She gently placed the box on the coffee table. Unexpectedly, Zhou Xian didn't even glance at it, and ignored it, as if he had no interest in vulgar things, even though they might be very valuable.
Chen Jiali smiled and said: It’s just a little thing, I hope you don’t dislike it, my sister.
Zhou Xian said softly: Cousin, why are you so polite and even bring a gift? I don’t know what to give you in return.
Chen Jiali thought that it was fine to pretend to be noble in front of men, but what was the point of doing this in front of me? But she had to admit that Zhou Ehuang was beautiful. Chen Jiali felt that she was also a beauty, but she had no choice but to look at Zhou Xian. This man was also strange. They had the same eyes and nose, but the feeling on Zhou Xian's face was completely different.
She has a fair and beautiful face, a slender figure, and an indescribable roundness, like a fairy. Not to mention the men, even Chen Jiali thinks she is very beautiful when she looks at her.
Chen Jiali could no longer be pretentious in front of Zhou Xian. Chen Jiali felt that women's beauty was determined by comparison. If there were several women together, the most beautiful one would definitely be treated differently, just like the sun's light would definitely overwhelm the stars' light.
Zhou Xian's nobleness made Chen Jiali blurt out with mixed emotions: My sister is so lovely, but she is favored by the emperor, so I didn't give you the title of wife.
Zhou Xian's eyes suddenly changed slightly, but his voice was still soft and gentle: Your Majesty was in my palace after he got off duty last night.
Oh Chen Jiali nodded.
Zhou Xian said softly again: Cousin, it is easy for trouble to arise in front of your door, so you have to be careful about what others say.
Chen Jiali's face suddenly felt hot, as if she had been slapped. Zhou Xian was going too far. However, Zhou Xian might still feel that Chen Jiali had let her down because of the fact that she and the Sixth Young Master had taken refuge in Tokyo before, so he was not very polite.
Chen Jiali was so angry that she wanted to ridicule her by saying she had cheated on her. But she suddenly lost confidence when she remembered that the method she had used on her before was really not very honorable. She didn't want to make the relationship too awkward, so she had to swallow her anger.
She replied with a smile: Although I am a widow, I can support my son. Then she said softly, "Don't be angry, cousin. I didn't mean anything else. We are relatives and that won't change. I sincerely hope that you can have a high status. I'm afraid you misunderstood my meaning."
This soft remark seemed to confuse Zhou Xian a little. Her beautiful eyes swept across Chen Jiali's face lightly, and her eyes were very different. Chen Jiali's anger suddenly subsided a lot. She felt that her cousin was not a bad person. She was a little easy to fool. She just had the same aloofness as the scholars.
Chen Jiali immediately struck while the iron was hot and said softly: I miss the days when we collected and compiled the Colorful Feather Dance together, like sisters and good friends.
Zhou Xian was indeed moved and said softly: I don’t have many relatives anymore, but I actually miss my cousin very much.
At this moment, an eunuch came in and said: Madam, the emperor is here.
Chen Jiali and Zhou Xian looked at each other, and Zhou Xian said: Let's go out together to welcome His Majesty.
They walked forward with the eunuchs and palace maids outside. After passing a corridor, they saw a tall and strong man coming towards them. The eunuchs and palace maids behind him seemed to be from Zhou Xian Palace. They were all bent over and lowered their heads.
Guo Shao has been emperor for so many years, but it seems that nothing has changed.
Chen Jiali and the others knelt down and bowed from a distance. Chen Jiali only took a glance from a distance and whispered: He is already the emperor, who made that purple robe on him? It is so poorly cut.
Zhou Xian also whispered: I don't know, anyway, I always see him wearing this outfit, sometimes several times in a row, and the one who makes people think he doesn't change clothes may be Fu Ermei. What kind of tricks can the daughter of a military general have
At this time, Guo Shao approached. They lowered their eyes and squatted, but their waists and backs remained straight to maintain their temperament, respectfully welcoming His Majesty.
"Hurry up and invite Guo Shao up," he said in a loud voice with a warm smile, "She is Ehuang's cousin and also my relative. Please don't be polite when she comes to the palace."
Chen Jiali almost laughed out loud when she heard this.
Although she lowered her head, when Guo Shao bent down and stretched out his hand to help her, Chen Jiali saw his strong big hand. Somehow, Chen Jiali felt that his rough hands were particularly beautiful, and the veins on the back of his hands also had an indescribable sense of strength.
Thank you, Your Majesty. They said and stood up.
Chen Jiali took the opportunity to take a closer look at Guo Shao. She thought to herself: Sometimes the throbbing in a woman's heart comes from hallucinations. She first imagines herself as a peerless beauty, and then there is a very, very powerful man who cherishes her.
At this time, Chen Jiali saw Guo Shao's eyes on Zhou Xian. When she turned around, she saw Zhou Xian's face flushed, with a shy and gentle look. Indeed, none of the noble ladies and palace maids present could compare to her gorgeousness.
As he walked, Guo Shao said: It seems that I have come at an inopportune time. I came to see Ehuang, but ended up disturbing your meeting.
Chen Jiali smiled and said: Didn't His Majesty instruct my cousin to invite me into the palace
Guo Shao stared at Zhou Xian in a daze.
Chen Jiali added: I just guessed it.
Guo Shao:
Zhou Xian whispered: My cousin is so bold that she even dares to tease the emperor.
Chen Jiali smiled and said: I am just a woman, the emperor will not bother with me.
The expression on Guo Shao's face made Chen Jiali laugh. He hesitated for a moment, then stopped smiling and said, "Mrs. Shen, are you interested in the salt market in Pingxia?"
Chen Jiali whispered: Let’s go inside and talk.
Entering a living room, Zhou Xian waved his hand to dismiss the attendants and went to make tea himself. There were only three people left in the room, and it became much quieter for a while. Zhou Xian turned around and said: Cousin Yaren, I like quiet and elegant places.
Chen Jiali said: It is also a blessing from Your Majesty that I can drink the tea brewed by my cousin herself.
Zhou Xian said: My cousin thinks I am not hospitable enough.
How dare Chen Jiali take the opportunity to look at Guo Shao again. He was sitting there, looking anxious. At first glance, Guo Shao didn't change much, but if you look closely, he seems to be more haggard than before. It seems that being in the holy position is also a very stressful thing.
Chen Jiali felt a sense of pity for some reason, so she said calmly: "I heard from the servants that the imperial army has received their salaries at the Caoyun Wharf. The treasury is short of money."
Guo Shao immediately said: To be honest, we are short of cash. The two taxes and commercial taxes are no problem, but the central military expenses require a large amount of cash.
Chen Jiali said: "I am not shirking my responsibility. Having too much money is of no use to a woman like me. It is just a possession. But the money required by the national treasury is often billions of coins. No matter how rich a merchant is, how can he afford such money?"
Besides, I don't have as much money as rumored. Shu is rich and the salt industry is very profitable, but the majority of the money is not from me. As a woman, it is inconvenient for me to go out and run such a big business. The majority of the money comes from the three families of Shen, Chen, and Li, as well as merchants from Yangzhou, Jiangning, and other places. My role is just to contact the royal family and the business to obtain the management rights for everyone.
Guo Shao nodded.
Chen Jiali said: I can try to get all the merchants to jointly fund it. But we still have to renegotiate the rules of the imperial court's commission and tax on the salt industry in Shu. Pingxia is not a good place, the population is too small, and the people don't have much money, which can't be compared with the wealth of Shu. It's not easy for merchants to trade horses and cattle and sheep, unless the imperial court pays for the war horses, there will be a market.
It is natural for businessmen to value profit. If there is no profit, how can they be willing to pay
Guo Shao said calmly: I can understand that businessmen value profit, but only with a long-term vision can they truly benefit.
Oh, Chen Jiali took the opportunity to keep her gaze on Guo Shao's face, looking at him unscrupulously.
Guo Shaodao: I think the most profitable industry is not the salt industry, but the money shops, followed by maritime trade.
Chen Jiali is very knowledgeable about business and immediately asked: "The court allows merchants to lend money privately."
Guo Shao's eyes turned into those of a wild beast, and he said coldly: I am the emperor, if I say yes, then it must be yes.
Chen Jiali was not frightened by Guo Shao's momentum. She just looked at him with a smile and did not speak for a long time. The two of them just looked at each other silently.