Chapter 746 Chamber of Commerce Election

All the great ideals have been realized, and the rest can be handed over to those who want to do these things better. Chen Yuan is not a person who takes it as his responsibility to save the people of the world. He believes that he also has the right to choose the life he wants to live for a few years.

Qiongzhou is good, with developed shipping and pleasant scenery there. Chen Yuan has already decided to go there and do transit trade in the future, which is to sell the goods from the Song Dynasty to other countries, and then import goods from other countries to the mainland. This is a good deal and easy. It is best to find a smart second shopkeeper to help him take care of it, so he can spend more time with his wife and children.

So this time when Chen Yuan went back, he had to prepare for his departure and let Bao Zheng's spirit in heaven rest in peace.

Chen Yuan rushed back from Zhongjing at the fastest speed. He was only two days slower than the fast horse. When he returned to Zhongjing, Bao Zheng's great funeral had passed and the people were also freed from their grief. Bao Zheng was their hope, but without Bao Zheng, they would still live.

The earth was not driven by one person. Bao Zheng could make the people across the country cry for him for a few days, which made Chen Yuan envious.

The news of victory he brought back from the north once again made the whole city excited. Although he had long been accustomed to victory, the people of the Song Dynasty were still very excited when they heard that the Liao Dynasty, the old enemy, had completely surrendered.

Of course, those merchants would not let go of the news of this sensation. They inquired about the date and route of Chen Yuan's return to the city and were waiting at the city gate early. When Chen Shimei's figure appeared, they began to set off various fireworks and firecrackers. At the same time, the invited drum bands also began to play hard. From the city gate to the palace, the sound of firecrackers and drum music did not stop along the way.

The students of the Spring and Autumn Society also came to join in the fun and displayed their talents. Each of them wrote a poem for Chen Yuan and stood a distance. When Chen Yuan's horse team walked past them, they read it loudly, which was nothing more than affirmation of the prince-in-law Chen Shimei's pacification of the Liao Kingdom.

These people didn't think much about it. They just felt that the people might have had a bad impression of the prince-consort some time ago, and wanted to take this opportunity to repair Chen Shimei's reputation. At the same time, those students also act as a poetry competition to show their talents.

But their approach really made some people very angry.

"Hmph, did Mr. Chunyou see it? Chen Shimei's attitude is really good. Even if the army triumphantly turns, it may not have the momentum of his."

They sat on the second floor of the teahouse to drink tea, eating exquisite snacks, and watched Chen Yuan riding on a tall horse and being surrounded by crowds toward the palace. It felt very pleasant. It was not jealous, but the scholars and officials of the Song Dynasty all paid attention to their cultivation. They were so arrogant like Chen Yuan, which really made them very angry.

Fan Chunyou kept seeing Chen Yuan disappear, so he stood up: "Brother Sima, my father asked me to tell Chen Shimei immediately after she came back, and I will say goodbye first."

Sima Guang stood up and said, "Young Master, I think it's better not to tell Ling Zun first. Lord Fan's current body is really worried. Chen Shimei has always been domineering. If she confronts Lord Fan, what should she do?"

Fan Chunyou was also worried about this. Fan Zhongyan is not the same as before. It is very troublesome to walk. If Chen Shimei gets angry, Fan Chunyou will never end with Chen Yuan in this life!

But he knew Fan Zhongyan's temper very well. Fan Zhongyan asked Chen Shimei to come back and told him immediately that if he was one hour late, he might be scolded: "I also know, Brother Sima, don't worry, I will accompany my father to the palace. If Chen Shimei is rarely disrespectful, he will definitely let him taste my fists."

Fan Chunyou said like a warrior. In fact, as the warriors entered the court, some of the spoken words of the military generals were also accepted by the literati and officials without realizing it. Just as Fan Zhongyan thought, if the Song Dynasty could continue to maintain general peace, then the warriors, literati and businessmen would slowly find a way to get along and integrate into one.

The literati in the court was better. The literati in those places often regarded going to the army as a way out for themselves to enter the court. More of them were doing business in private, and there was no explicit regulation in the Song Dynasty that literati were not allowed to do business. However, most of the literati and officials with status in the court were unwilling to do the kind of "competing for profit with the people", so the people below were different.

For example, after a group of members that Chen Yuan Chamber of Commerce had just absorbed, there was a magistrate from Hejian Mansion. Most of those people had some extra money, but a few children in the family had to support them. The system of enthroning wives and children in the Song Dynasty was changed, and the children's future was not as secure as before.

This is how the Han people are. They always want to use their efforts to leave a better future for their children. They are in their forties and fifties, but they don’t think they can enter the court again. Doing business seems to be the same.

Of course, sometimes many changes are carried out quietly and the parties involved cannot recognize them at all.

When Fan Chunyou hurried back home, Fan Zhongyan had already received the news from the doorman. This time, Chen Shimei's return to the capital was very disturbed, and the news spread quickly. The father and the father and the father put on their court uniforms and headed straight for the palace in a carriage.

At this time, Chen Yuan was reporting on his details about this time to Renzong. He just talked about Yelu Niegulu's death in battle. When Renzong heard it a little regretful, the palace servant took Fan Zhongyan and his son to ask for a meeting at the door.

Renzong smiled bitterly on his face: "Chen Shimei, be prepared, Lord Fan may be here to find your trouble."

Chen Yuan was stunned for a moment. He couldn't figure out what he had offended this old man who was worried about the world. He had been doing his best during this period of time just to allow the old ministers who worked hard all their lives to enjoy some blessings. Will he offend others as well?

Renzong looked at Chen Yuan's unclear expression and shook his head slightly: "He is here to ask me to restrict your power, and this is also for my country's sake. If you speak too much, just listen to it. Don't contradict him. If you make him angry, I will only ask!"

Chen Yuan understood a little bit. He would not contradict Fan Zhongyan if Renzong didn't say this. First of all, he really admired this person. Respecting the elderly is a virtue of the Chinese nation. Chen Yuan still has to uphold this point.

Renzong handled Chen Yuan and asked the palace servant to bring Fan Zhongyan and his son in. He also asked Chen Yuan to bring a chair underneath, fearing that Fan Zhongyan would not be able to hold on if he had been standing for too long.

"Old minister, join the emperor!"

After Fan Zhongyan entered the door, he was about to bow. Renzong quickly waved his hand: "Your dear, don't be too polite, sit down."

Fan Chunyou helped his father to the side of the chair. Chen Yuan hurried forward and supported Fan Zhongyan with another arm. He only left a little after he sat down.

"My dear, why are you doing well when you are not at home and you are busy doing so? Haven't I said to you? I can say anything that Chunyou can't say, it's really not possible. I'll just go see you."

Renzong was a good person, and he was very honest in terms of being a simple person. Fan Zhongyan was very moved: "Old minister, Xie Wansui is considerate. It's just that some things are better for old ministers."

He looked at Chen Yuan for a moment. When Fan Zhongyan saw Chen Yuan smile at him again, his smile seemed so calm, and he couldn't help but put a stone in his heart. If Chen Shimei could be more honest, he believed that he could at least talk about a clue this time.

Renzong sighed: "Hey, there are some things you don't have to worry too much. I have already told Shimei about your meaning. Now let Chen Shimei tell you about his plans."

Fan Zhongyan said, "Oh? Chen Shimei, do you know what I mean?"

Chen Yuanluoyi made a ceremony: "I know a little bit about it, and the lower officials know that what the adults are worried about is that they are too powerful and cause disaster for the relatives of the outside world."

Fan Zhongyan nodded. Chen Yuan was so happy that he admitted very simply: "Yes, I mean this. The situation in the Song Dynasty today is due to your hard work. When you walk outside, you hear others say you, Chen Shimei, this reputation is hard-won, you should cherish it."

As if he thought he might not have much effect on this, Fan Zhongyan also quoted the scriptures and said: "Before Wang Mang usurped the throne, everyone praised his talents, which was quite a situation of the revival of the Han Dynasty. Just a matter of thought, the great man was almost destroyed by his hands, and Wang Mang was even more disgraced. He was so beautiful that he would take this as a warning."

Chen Yuan said: "Thank you, Lord Fan, for the church. Please rest assured Lord Fan, I will hand over the work of the Chamber of Commerce tomorrow."

When Fan Zhongyan heard Chen Yuan say this, he was immediately happy. What is the Chamber of Commerce? That is the foundation of Chen Shimei. He handed it over to the Chamber of Commerce means that he handed over the foundation. This at least shows that Chen Yuan's attitude is very upright.

However, he was still a little unbelievable. When Renzong nodded slightly at him, Fan Zhongyan felt very calm. It seemed that he was really worried.

"Who is Shimei going to hand over the Chamber of Commerce to?"

Chen Shimei's attitude is correct, but it still depends on actions. If he handed over the Chamber of Commerce to Chen Shizhong, it would be like changing the soup or not. Everyone knows his relationship with Chen Shizhong.

Fan Chunyou, who had been an audience next to him, finally spoke at this time: "Long live, I think you can select officials from the Ministry of Rites."

Chen Yuan didn't think about this proposal and immediately rejected it: "Young Master Chunyou's idea is absolutely impossible. The Chamber of Commerce is a civil organization. All they get is the title of the emperor, and it must not be related to the officialdom."

Chen Yuan has experience in this regard. What is the most common chamber of commerce? The most common disputes. Those who do business have disputes, and they also have internal and businessmen from other countries. This is an inevitable phenomenon. Merchants have their own ways to deal with these disputes.

But if the Chamber of Commerce is nationalized, the meaning will be different. When a merchant goes out, he can carry the official brand of the Song Dynasty. Chen Yuan cannot guarantee that every merchant will take care of the face of the Song Dynasty. At that time, they will run away with a fraud or use the official name to suppress the other party, and the court will come forward to clean up, and then they will be too busy.

Fan Chunyou didn't know the clues. He had never done business or contacted the Chamber of Commerce. Hearing Chen Yuan refuted his opinion so quickly, he looked at Chen Yuan and said nothing.

Chen Yuan didn't care about Fan Chunyou's attitude at all, and said to Fan Zhongyan: "Sir, I'm here to do this this time. When I founded the Chamber of Commerce, I had already said that it would be the election every four years. This is the eighth year. I am still the one who takes this position. This year I will make another rule that no president of any chamber of commerce is allowed to go three times. As for who they choose to do it, it is their own business."

Fan Zhongyan was not saying anything, but became silent there, but Renzong smiled: "Sir, if you are in good health, I will go with you to see how the election of the Chamber of Commerce is? I will see if it is fair."

After Renzong said this, Fan Zhongyan naturally did not want to say anything else. Even if he had doubts, he would have to let Chen Shimei do it and dispel it. It would be a bit unreasonable that he could not even give such an opportunity to others.
Chapter completed!