Chen Xi was open-minded and not only wanted to buy things that were not available from the Ming Dynasty from the Hu merchants, but also wanted to take away the local specialties of the Ming Dynasty and transport them to Central Asia, Eastern Europe and other places for sale.

International trade is not a bad thing, it greatly promotes the economy and people's livelihood, but Yunliu, Peng Yu and others do not have the idea of ​​Chen Xi.

Chen Xi not only gave Peng Yu a detailed explanation, but Yun Liu also greeted him. After hearing this, Yun Liu asked with some concern: "Sir, the Hu people are cunning and are very dishonest in business. They always like to hide things. Now they don't come to the city and just trade in designated places. We may be deceived."

Chen Xidao: "If you are worried about business problems, then you can check their foundation. Since you can transport goods from the Western Regions to the capital, it means that there are many ways. Those pass guards and local officials are likely to be bribed by them. You can find out their whereabouts through these clues."

Yunliu asked for instructions: "After finding the place, would you want to seal all their goods?"

Chen Xi shook his head: "You can't do things too rigidly. These people traveled thousands of miles to the Ming Dynasty to do business. Whether they were unscrupulous merchants was not that important. The key is that they sent goods from the Western Regions and even Western countries to the Ming Dynasty. Many things are worth buying even if they spend a lot of money. We really need such a trade line."

Yunliu did not support it: "But these barbarians are not honest in their business. They would sell 100 taels of things that were originally worth a penny from them to the capital, and they got our things at a fair price. This is too unfair."

Chen Xi shook his head: "The measurement of value is not so simple. Things produced in the Western Regions can be sold at 100 taels in the capital, which means that there is demand in the market. Scarcity is precious. If we produce this in the Ming Dynasty, even if the Hu merchants want to sell them at a high price, they will not be able to do so. And our Ming Dynasty silk and tea are not produced in the Western Regions. Hu merchants buy the silver earned from selling Western Regions goods and transport them out of the Ming Dynasty. In this process, the Ming Dynasty obtained specialties in the Western Regions. The people also gained profits by selling silk and tea. The court collected commercial taxes in the transaction, which was very happy."

Yunliu was a little confused when she heard this. Although she kept her opinion, she still bowed down to obey her orders.

Chen Xi said again: "I will find a way to raise the goods sold to Hu merchants. These Western Region merchants will not return empty-handed. They will definitely find ways to go into the city to find the goods they need. I will bring out some interesting things and make them willing to pay a high price."

Yun Liu's eyes were full of doubts. Obviously, she thought what Chen Xi said was related to weapons, such as muskets, cannons, etc. She didn't think it was good to sell these things to the Hu people, but she did not dare to express her opinions casually, and bowed and left with depression.

After Yunliu left, Chen Xi sighed. He found that Yunliu's opinion was becoming more and more powerful, which was obviously the result of his usual influence.

Chen Xi said in his heart: "Do I have to take a high attitude so that she can recognize her identity? Did I enlighten her thoughts or mislead her life?"

...

...

It was nothing for the Hu merchants from the Western Regions to come to the capital. The transactions made by these people would not have much impact on the merchants of the Ming Dynasty.

But because these Hu merchants from the Western Regions came with beauties in the Western Regions, and this period happened to be the most stable prosperous era in the Ming Dynasty. The dignitaries and nobles in the capital wanted to buy beauties in the Western Regions to enjoy it. In addition, Zhu Houzhao was debauchery and liked to try new things. Suddenly, these Hu merchants became popular.

Even some merchants plan to buy these beauties back and send them to the leopard house to seek credit, or enjoy them first before selling them, and they can make a big profit.

Qian Ning didn't dare to tell Zhu Houzhao about the matter because he was afraid that the matter would not be completed, so he was blamed by Zhu Houzhao.

However, because the woman Qian Ning found recently was not favored by Zhu Houzhao, he had to find an opportunity to show himself to prove that he was worthy of the commander of the Jinyiwei. After he investigated the location where Hu Shang was hiding, he thought he was foolproof. While secretly drawing people to rob the woman back, he was preparing to seek credit from Zhu Houzhao.

When Qian Ning was facing the Holy Sage, Zhu Houzhao was watching the beast fighting performance. The scene was extremely bloody. A tiger was fighting with a group of wolves in an iron cage. It was bloody and extremely exciting. However, Zhu Houzhao was yawning repeatedly.

Even if Qian Ning told the story of the beautiful women in the Western Regions, Zhu Houzhao seemed careless: "What are the rare things about women in the Western Regions? They should be quite different from those of the Ming Dynasty, right? Don't they are all big and thick, big and round waist, rough and dry skin, and full of tendons and flesh, right?"

Qian Ning said: "Your Majesty, how is this possible? As far as villains know, the beauties in the Western Regions have many blond hair and blue eyes, plump breasts and fat buttocks, and their waists are slender and flexible. The belly dance is a masterpiece of dance, which is unforgettable at first sight!"

Zhu Houzhao then became a little interested: "Where are the women in the Western Regions you mentioned now? Have you been sent to the leopard room? Or are they in the Western Regions and are waiting to send them to the capital. It may take a year or two to see the real person?"

Qian Ning smiled and said, "That's right, Your Majesty, the beauties of the Western Regions have been taken to the surroundings of the capital by Hu merchants, but those Hu merchants are treacherous and hide outside the city. They just send people to the city to contact the powerful and discuss trade matters. Fortunately, the villain has found out the whereabouts of these people, and then decisively attack and send the beauties of the Western Regions to the leopard room."

"You won't robbery openly, do you?"

Zhu Houzhao frowned and asked, "Didn't it mean that the Ming Dynasty and the Hu people did not engage in trade? How did these people go to Central Plains to do business? Is it useless to pass along the way, and let them go straight to the capital?"

Qian Ning realized that he had made mistakes and quickly cleared his relationship: "This villain doesn't quite understand. Maybe these people were sent to Zhongyuan through secret channels? Why don't the villain go check it?"

"If you have that free time, it's better to find more beauties for me..."

Zhu Houzhao said dissatisfiedly, "Since you know where the beauty of the Western Regions is hiding, I will give you a chance to find the person back and let me see what it looks like. If I am not satisfied, I will send it back to them. I don't want to take advantage of others at will!"

Qian Ning smiled flatteringly and said, "The villain will come to bring the person to His Majesty now. Tomorrow is the Lantern Festival, and the villain will definitely make arrangements for His Majesty as filial piety to His Majesty."

...

...

Qian Ning was very happy.

Because Zhu Houzhao kept him in the leopard room that night, and there was no disturbance from others. After drinking, she watched singing and dancing together, and even arranged a woman for him.

This can be regarded as the emperor's highest courtesy. Qian Ning believes that this is because Zhu Houzhao heard that he was looking for a beautiful woman in the Western Regions and Long Yan was happy, and he became more determined to do things well.

Qian Ning came out of the leopard room early in the morning and arrived at his private residence. A group of subordinates were bragging and spanking. These people relied on the identity of the Jinyiwei to bully the market in the capital, and even extorted middle and lower-level officials... For those officials with bad records, the Jinyiwei was like a plague god, and no one was willing to provoke him, so they would rather spend money to eliminate disasters.

After Qian Ning became the commander of the Jinyiwei, his speed of making money was much faster than before.

"...Master Qian, didn't you say you wanted to change the mansion? This small family is really not worthy of your identity!" someone shouted.

Qian Ning looked straight: "What are you worried about like this? A good house is not a big deal. This time the things are done, what are you going to do? Oh, by the way, those Hu merchants didn't lose them, right?"

The group of people were proud and the leader said, "There is a special person outside the city to watch. As long as Mr. Qian gives the order, we can catch the person back... Should we take action now?"

Qian Ning thought about it, "To avoid the long nights and dreams, the sooner you take action, the better!"

His subordinate asked, "What if you are alerting the snake, what if you are not going to get anything?"

"Now, those Hu merchants are caught off guard, how could they get nothing? I have already bragged in front of His Majesty. If you can't catch people, how can you stay in the leopard room in the future? This time, the most important side is the beauties of the Western Regions. Let's see how they look... Anyway, the capital of the capital is our territory, how difficult can it be to catch some Hu people with strange appearances?" Qian Ning shouted.

"I understand, I'll go here!"

The group of people scattered, and Qian Ning first returned to the yamen of the vassal department, preparing to blackmail the officials who were guilty of being punished in the prison.

Not all of these people left the city. One of them was sneaky and didn't say much when he was in the yard. After leaving the yard, he found an opportunity to avoid his accomplices and carefully arrived at a place.

One person was waiting inside for a long time, and it was Zang Xian who was bought by Zhang Yuan.

"Master Zang, I'll pay you a favor. This is the thing..."

As soon as this man came, he told the news that he had found in Qian Ning as soon as he came. Zang Xian was a little surprised when he heard it: "I'm going to do it now? Then I have to do it quickly and see who the beauties in the Western Regions ended up falling!"

"Mr. Zang is going to steal people?" the man asked curiously.

Zang Xian looked straight: "Don't ask nonsense, you just need to remember that we are working for Eunuch Zhang now. If Qian Ning has the ability, can he compare with Eunuch Zhang?"

The man smiled flatteringly and said, "Eunuch Zhang is an inner minister. Who can compare with him? No wonder you always disdain to do things for Mr. Qian. With a high-end branch like Mr. Zhang, you have a bright future! If you are valued by Eunuch Zhang, don't forget to promote villains. The villain also wants to... have hundreds of households in the factory and guards."

Zang Xian smiled and patted the man on the shoulder, "If you do things well, will your father-in-law not promote you? But now you can only give you some money. You have to continue spying on information and serve Eunuch Zhang."

...

...

The Shangyuan Festival in the third year of Zhengde has arrived.

The capital city was very lively this day. After the heavy snowstorm ended the New Year, the weather in the capital was clear, the streets and alleys were bright and the lights and wine were bright, and people came and went, making a prosperous scene.

The lives of the people are quite acceptable. Since Liu Jin came to power, the people have been cursing and living a relatively stable life. Because of Liu Jin's careful management, the Ming Dynasty's finances have definitely improved, and are even stronger than those in the late Hongzhi period.

As people's lives improve, lantern festivals are held in many streets and alleys of the capital, which are very lively.

Chen Xi did not need to serve in the Ministry of War, so Zhu Houzhao gave all the yamen a holiday until the end of the first lunar month, but Chen Xi had to go to the cabinet on that day because the cabinet convened Hanlin officials in Beijing to Wenyuan Pavilion for a meeting to discuss matters related to the examination that would start in February.

Chen Xi did not intend to be the chief examiner and was unwilling to go, but Xie Qianming ordered officials from Hanlin in the court to attend. Although Xie Qian did not have the final decision on this matter, when Zhu Houzhao was not in charge of the matter, people would inevitably need to be taken care of by the imperial examination and the palace examination, so Xie Qian could not worry.

In Wenyuan Pavilion, Chen Xi found a random seat to sit down.

As cabinet ministers, one of Xie Qian, Liang Chu and Yang Tinghe must have come out to serve as the nominal chief examiner of the examination this time, but the other one is basically selected from the Hanlin officials in the court, which may be the Ministry of Rites, or the Zhanshi Mansion or the Hanlin Academy.

Because of the complicated affairs of the Ministry of War, Chen Xi, as the Secretary of the State Council, was the most likely to be a reviewer during the palace examination. As for whom Xie Qian would choose to be the chief examiner of the examination, he was indifferent.

Chen Xi thought to himself: "Even if you are arrogant, you will never transfer me out as the chief examiner of the Ministry of War. Do you want no one to take care of the affairs of the Ministry of War? A chief examiner of the Ministry of War will delay more than ten days of work."

After confirming that Xie Qian would not let him serve as the chief examiner, Chen Xi didn't care so much about the results.

There were many people coming to this meeting. All the Hanlin officials were not good at sluts and were very eloquent. They liked to argue with others and talk about candidates, for fear that their voice would be lower than others. Chen Xi felt bored after listening for a while, and couldn't help but look at Xie Qian who was sitting upright. Xie Qian was also dozing off there at this moment.

Chen Xi frowned: "Xie Laoer doesn't seem to care about the result of the discussion at all, so why did he ask someone to discuss? He didn't come out to express his opinion. These people are all nonsense here. Isn't the matter of the chief examiner determined after discussing with the emperor? When will it be the turn of the people below to talk about who is qualified?"

Liang Chu presided over the meeting. After about an hour, the noise became louder and louder. Liang Chu found that he could not control the scene and quickly asked Xie Qian for instructions: "Gei Master Xie, how do you decide?"

Xie Qian opened his eyes, looked up and asked, "Has the person been chosen? Who are they?"

The people present looked at each other, and the discussion just now had no result. How do they ask them to answer? Liang Chu cleared the situation and said, "The two ministers of the Ministry of Rites, as well as the Zhanshi Mansion, and the Hanlin Academy are all competent."

Xie Qian nodded, suddenly turned his gaze to Chen Xi, who was sitting behind and not talking, and asked, "Zhihou, who do you think is more appropriate to be the chief examiner?"

Chen Xi was not surprised at Xie Qian's sudden question, because He Jian was not from a Hanlin family and did not attend the discussion. Among the officials present, Chen Xi was second only to Xie Qian's status in the court. If Xie Qian did not ask about his opinion, it would be abnormal.

But Chen Xi was not interested in answering Xie Qian's question, and this kind of discussion seemed meaningless to him.

If you thank me, I would like to promote whoever I want to promote, I will always need to experience it. Being the chief examiner of the society exam is also a rare qualification. It is respected by scholars and more convincing when you push it to the position.

Chen Xi was not very familiar with the situation of the Hanlin officials in the court, and he didn't know who Xie Qian looked forward to. He immediately smiled and said, "I am busy with business and less involved in academic matters. It is better for you to discuss who will be the chief examiner. Today I am here to listen."

If Chen Xi said that he was extremely polite, everyone present felt that Chen Xi knew something. If the prejudice against Chen Xi in the court had been gradually eliminated, the Hanlin Academy would treat Chen Xi as a younger generation. These officials belong to the senior school, and there were many who stayed in the Hanlin Academy for more than ten or twenty years.

These people are used to being arrogant and arrogant, and do not believe in Chen Xi's decision.

Xie Qian smiled and said, "Then you and Grand Secretary Liang are the chief examiner. What do you think?"

Chen Xi looked at Xie Qian, and Xie Qian looked back at him with a bright look. The two looked at each other, as if they were playing a game. In the end, Chen Xi avoided his eyes first, and his tone seemed very calm, and said:

"I am busy with military affairs and have no time to take the exam. Besides, I am young and energetic, and I am not qualified to preside over such a large exam."

The people next to him didn't speak. Although most people were not convinced by Chen Xi, Chen Xi's status was obvious after all, and they could only listen honestly when they talked.

Xie Qian said: "You have presided over the Shuntian Prefecture Provincial Examination, and that session was well hosted, and many talents have emerged. This examination is basically the same as the provincial examination... But since you are busy with official duties, then this examination will be hosted by Shuhou and Chongsui!"

Xie Qian finally asked a tentative question, and the person he finally decided was Liang Chu and Jin Gui.

Although Jin Gui was once the imperial teacher, after Zhu Houzhao ascended the throne, Jin Gui's career was not very smooth. The problem was that Jin Gui was not old, Liang Chu and Yang Tinghe were both older than him, and at the same time they were related to Jin Gui's disagreement. Until now, Jin Gui is still just a young minister of the Zhanshi Mansion and a bachelor's degree in Hanlin.

However, Jin Gui's position has reached a bottleneck, and it is not easy to be promoted to the Hanlin system, unless he is transferred to the Ministry of Rites or directly entered the cabinet.

In history, Jin Gui obeyed filial piety in the second year of Zhengde, but in this time and space, there was no incident in which his mother died. However, as Chen Xi knew, Jin Gui's mother had always been in poor health. Jin Gui was a filial son, so he didn't want to leave Beijing and go to the local area to get a degree. He simply stayed in the Zhan Shi Mansion. Now Xie Qian asked him to preside over the examination, which was considered to be his appreciation and promotion.

Chen Xi had no objection to Xie Qian's decision.

After a long discussion, the meeting eventually became Xie Qian's one-man show. He appointed Liang Chu and Jin Gui, but no one dared to object.
Chapter completed!