Only he had the qualification to come directly to Zhong Jinwei's study door without notifying him in advance. And Zhong Jinwei not only would not be offended, but would also treat him politely.

He is Gu Baichuan, the actual leader of the Dongchang Stalls and Zhong Jin Guards.

As soon as he heard Zhong Jinwei's call, he thanked him first, then waited for Zhong Jinwei to turn into the study first, and then followed him in.

Zhong Jinwei stood by the desk and asked Gu Baichuan who followed him: "How is the situation?"

"Master Hou, please wait." Gu Baichuan replied, then took out a folded piece of paper from his arms, opened it and spread it on Zhong Jinwei's desk.

Zhong Jinwei looked through the dim candlelight and saw the words "Map of Hanzhong Prefecture" written on it, and he also used a brush to draw small circles on the map.

When Gu Baichuan saw Zhong Jinwei looking at the map carefully, he explained: "Master Marquis, you see, these enclosed areas are all used for growing tobacco, accounting for ten percent of the fertile land in Hanzhong."

Zhong Jinwei had already expected this situation. He frowned and still looked at the map. After a while, he raised his head and looked at Gu Baichuan and said, "Who owns these fertile fields for growing tobacco?"

When Gu Baichuan was waiting for an answer, there was a knock on the door, accompanied by a clear female voice: "Master, tea is here."

When Zhong Jinwei heard that it was probably the maid Li Simin who had brought tea, he said, "Come in."

Then he turned to Gu Baichuan and said, "Drink some tea and rest first."

Zhong Jinwei himself then looked at the map for a while, then walked back to his seat and sat down.

He looked up and saw Gu Baichuan picking up the teapot from the tray in Li Simin's hand. He poured it directly into his stomach regardless of whether the temperature was suitable or not. He was startled and asked Gu Baichuan, "You haven't eaten?"

When Gu Baichuan heard Zhong Jinwei's question, he put down the teapot, wiped the tea from his mouth sheepishly, and then said, "I'm in a hurry, and I really haven't eaten yet."

When Zhong Jinwei heard this, he quickly said to Li Simin who was pouting and trying to smile: "Hurry up and get something to eat for Brother Gu."

"Yes, Master." After hearing Zhong Jinwei's instructions, Li Simin put the tea on the coffee table aside, blessed Zhong Jinwei and Gu Baichuan, and went out to prepare something for Gu Baichuan.

Gu Baichuan drank some tea to soothe his stomach and felt much better than before. He began to calmly say to Zhong Jinwei: "Master Marquis, my subordinates were in a hurry and didn't understand it carefully, but they generally know that those people grow tobacco."

Needless to say, Gu Baichuan and Zhong Jinwei must know that he is a powerful person in the local area. Anyone who sees something like this that makes a lot of money will step forward and take a bite. The final result will definitely be taken by the most powerful person in the area.

It's just that he still needs to understand it in detail. This matter is very important. If he can understand more, he should understand more.

Therefore, Zhong Jinwei asked again: "What race are they from?"

"The vassal kings account for the majority, and the rest are the famous local squires." Gu Baichuan replied.

When Zhong Jinwei heard this, he realized that the feudal king was involved again. This was not a big deal. Anyway, the feudal king's matter had been solved. Then it was those squires. At present, there should not be many. After all, tobacco was only available at this time.

It started to spread, but it was not yet popular.

He thought for a while and then asked: "Is the tobacco they grow good for smoking?"

Gu Baichuan nodded and said, "My subordinates did see many people smoking in the Hanzhong area."

"Do you know who is smoking?"

Gu Baichuan felt a little regretful that he had rushed back in a hurry. He did not understand all of Zhong Jinwei's problems. He only followed Zhong Jinwei's order and mainly went to see the tobacco planting situation. He also claimed to be a shrewd person, so he should have thought of Zhongxing Hou.

Other related questions about tobacco growing will be asked.

But there is no use regretting now. Gu Baichuan replied with a guess: "From what I have seen, people who smoke tobacco include both rich and poor, noble and lowly."

Zhong Jinwei didn't ask any more questions, pointed to a chair next to him and said, "Sit down and rest first."

After he finished speaking, he leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes, recalling tobacco-related events in later generations.

As far as Zhong Jinwei himself is concerned, he does not smoke. But he has relatives who smoke and often say he should quit, but he failed to quit even after several attempts.

However, some people can quit. After all, tobacco is not a drug. As long as you have more perseverance, you can still quit.

In later generations, tobacco, like salt, was monopolized by the state, and the intensity of this monopoly was much greater than that of salt.

At least in the future, no one will control the salt that ordinary people buy for their own consumption across districts. But if it is salt for commercial use in restaurants and other places, it will still violate the law if it is bought across districts.

As for tobacco, ordinary people cannot grow tobacco themselves, and its management intensity is obviously stronger than that of table salt.

Gu Baichuan saw that Marquis Zhongxing had his eyes closed over there, and knew that he was thinking about the message he had brought to him. He did not speak, not to disturb Marquis Zhongxing's thoughts.

After a long time, before Zhong Jinwei showed any signs of speaking, Li Simin came to treat Gu Baichuan to dinner.

After Zhong Jinwei heard the commotion and opened his eyes, he said to Gu Baichuan: "You go to have a meal and then rest early. I will go to the palace early tomorrow morning to report to the emperor about this tobacco."

Gu Baichuan didn't quite understand why Marquis Zhongxing valued this tobacco so much. Judging from Marquis Zhongxing's attitude, it was definitely not just because the tobacco could not fill his stomach, but occupied fertile farmland.

However, he didn't ask. He was not qualified to discuss the matter. Marquis Zhongxing had to discuss it with the emperor.

Thinking of this, he gave Zhong Jinwei a fist salute and followed Li Simin to dinner.

Early on the next morning, Zhong Jinwei came to the Forbidden City early and met Emperor Chongzhen.

He reported to Emperor Chongzhen: "Your Majesty, I have something new to say about the feudal feudal overseas affairs of the clan and vassal kings and the solution of the famine in the Ming Dynasty."

When Emperor Chongzhen heard this, he was delighted. He could tell that Master Zhong had good suggestions.

So, he quickly said to Zhong Jinwei: "Master Zhong, do you need me to send the chief assistant?"

The reason why Emperor Chongzhen said this was because the three of them had been discussing this matter. There had been a result before, and a cabinet meeting was about to be held to discuss it. Now Zhong Jinwei has added something, and of course he wants to pass Wen Tiren over.

discuss.

When Zhong Jinwei heard this, he agreed: "What your Majesty said is absolutely true. This matter cannot be separated from Mr. Wen."

So the nephew lit a lantern and everything went as usual. The Wenhua Hall was emptied again, leaving only Emperor Chongzhen, Wen Tiren and Zhong Jinwei.

Zhong Jinwei saw that Emperor Chongzhen and Wen Tiren were waiting for him to speak, so he did not waste time and said directly: "Your Majesty, Mr. Wen, I found a large amount of fertile land used to grow tobacco in central and southern Shaanxi. This matter is of great importance, but

If it is handled well, it will help the vassal and clan feudal overseas affairs and proceed more smoothly."

When Emperor Chongzhen heard this, he didn't understand and asked in confusion: "Master Zhong, what is tobacco?"

Tobacco was not popular at this time, and of course Emperor Chongzhen didn't know about it. In history, when he learned about it and issued an order to ban smoking, it had already spread, and even army sergeants were growing and smoking it. Therefore, Hong Chengchou, who was in charge of the army at that time,

The previous memorial said that we should be cautious in banning smoking, but in the end it was nothing.
Chapter completed!