Chapter 69: Making a living in the A-character roll
“Ziying, I think it’s possible to sponsor a private school for the clan, but it needs to be done within one’s ability.” Feng Tang couldn’t bear to dampen his son’s enthusiasm. Feng Tang was very pleased to have thought so far.
"You may not know the situation of our family. Whether we can support such a large expenditure needs to be carefully considered. Besides, you said that it is okay to support poor students in studying, but our family makes a living and supports them to work as doctors. Is this appropriate?”
Feng Ziying’s last suggestion is somewhat rare, and Feng Tang also feels that it does not seem to be in line with the current popular practice.
Nowadays, if the gentry and noble families want to expand their influence and improve their reputation, they all support scholars. How can they support other businesses?
Well, it is barely reasonable to recruit people to make a living for one's own family. They must be limited to the Feng family, but it is unheard of to work as a doctor for officials.
Although practicing medicine for officials cannot be said to be a humble profession, it is certainly not something worth boasting about. It is far inferior to being a scholar, and it is difficult to be praised by outsiders.
"Father, that's not the case. You have also noticed that the situation is a little different now than before. Many places, especially at the state and county level, are actually controlled by officials. The imperial court originally had a system of observing political affairs, but in the end due to various reasons The shortcomings stopped and started, which led to the later Jinshi candidates and supervisors not being familiar with government affairs after they were appointed officials. They either relied on the officials or were controlled by the officials. Many Jinshi candidates and supervisors were unwilling to be familiar with government affairs because of their face. They would rather If you leave it to others, you won’t know the outcome.”
Feng Ziying paused, "Official officials are familiar with the local situation, and if they are familiar with government affairs, then if they are loyal to the country, they can be a great help to the superiors. If they are limited by selfish interests and have bad moral conduct, they will become cunning officials and harm one party. But in any case, the role of this official is becoming more and more important. If it is difficult to achieve success in reading, it is a great merit to cultivate them well, and doctors also fall into this category, so the son thought that he could classify and deal with them according to the matter. "
Feng Ziying’s words are so well-founded that Feng Tang can’t find anything to argue with. This is indeed a good way to increase the Feng family’s influence and voice in Linqing and even Dongchang Mansion, but...
After a while, Feng Tang sighed with satisfaction and some annoyance: "Brother Keng, have you calculated how much it will cost our Feng family every year?"
"Father, the son knows, so the son told his mother that we need to open up money. This time when the son returned to Linqing, he noticed that Linqing's business was booming. Although it was affected by the tax supervision, the son thought that after the civil unrest, the imperial court was in the tax supervision I'm afraid we need to be more cautious. In addition to Linqing, the nearby Dongchangfu, Dezhou and Jining are all prosperous business places along the canal, and the urban population is increasing, which also brings various needs, so my son thinks that we can Use the influence of the Feng family to make a living in Linqing, Liaocheng, and even Jining and Dezhou..."
Feng Ziying introduced some of her ideas and the situation of Xue Jun of the Xue family in Jinling, and Feng Tang was also somewhat moved.
The Xue family is an imperial merchant, but Xue Jun is the second brother of the Xue family.
Although it is not considered a side branch, since his eldest brother has a son and his sister-in-law is the direct daughter of the Wang family, the second room where Xue Jun lives is not that special. This can be seen from the separation of the two rooms of the Xue family. Come out, maybe the eldest brother is worried that he will be swallowed up by the second wife without a backbone, so he split up the family.
In this case, it is a very feasible idea for the Feng family and Xue Jun to cooperate.
"We have to wait for the Xue family to agree on the specific strategy before we discuss it carefully." Feng Ziying came to a conclusion, "But I think this is very suitable. If it is managed properly, Fengrunxiang can develop along the canal in the future. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to come to the capital and take root in the future.”
I have to say that this last sentence is the most touching. If the cooperation between the Xue family Fengrunxiang and the Feng family can finally go deep into the capital and prove it, it will undoubtedly be a great boost to the Feng family's influence. There will be many things to do in the future. It will be much more convenient.
“If the Xue family agrees to cooperate, Brother Kang, how much money do you think we need to spend to start the business?” This is the key.
"I'm afraid it will take 30,000 to 50,000 silver to open in the initial stage. It's easy to open it in Linqing alone, but if you want to gradually open it in Jinan, Dezhou, Jinan, Jining and even Dongchang Prefecture, it will not be easy." Feng Ziying said while observing the expressions of her parents.
Looking at the parents frowning slightly, but not denying it outright, this shows that the family may be able to come up with the money, but it will definitely be more difficult.
"Father, this matter is still in the planning and discussion stage. Even if our family is interested, we have to wait until the Xue family takes action." Feng Ziying further said.
"Well, let's stop talking about this matter for the time being. We will wait until the Xue family comes to visit." Feng Tang made the final decision, "But the Linqing side of things can indeed be done first. Ziying is right about this matter. I have some I don’t think about it anymore, we’ll discuss how to do it specifically.”
"By the way, Jia Lian of the Rongguo Mansion came here to send a message in person, probably to express his gratitude to you on behalf of his father. Please take the time to pay your respects in return, and don't make it seem like our Feng family is lacking in etiquette." Feng Tang He said as if he was remembering something.
“Oh? Brother Lian is gone?” Feng Ziying was slightly surprised.
"Well, let's go. As soon as I came here, I met Feng Qian who came to report, so I went to see you. I thought you hadn't gotten up yet. I talked to him for a while and said that his father and uncle were very grateful to you for your actions in Linqing. Shi The old lady also sent a special message to praise you very much and said that I would like to thank you very much. I said that we are all good friends, so we must do our best to help you in such circumstances, and don't worry about it." Feng Tang He wiped his chin and looked very happy.
The Jia family and the Feng family have a fairly close relationship, but I was in Datong a few years ago. In the past two years, I have been busy planning a comeback since I came back, so I move around a little less, and my status makes it difficult to go to the Jia family too much.
It is appropriate for my son's status and age to move around more, especially now that the Jia family's in-law princes are at their peak, sometimes this relationship can really work.
“Then my son will take some time to go there.” Feng Ziying is also slowly adapting to the circle of the capital.
At the same time, I didn’t care if I was too young, but when I returned to the capital, I would be thirteen years old and basically should move around.
Xungui is the basic background of the Feng family. It is impossible to break away from this circle. For now, unless you can pass the Jinshi examination and quickly become something famous, you can go to heaven to listen, or you have someone. Other special opportunities, otherwise they will only be regarded as members of the noble lineage and will be difficult to be accepted by the civil servants.
Brothers, give me some encouragement!
(End of this chapter)