Emperor Ming Dynasty

Chapter 199
Just like all monarchs, Zhu Yixi's suspicion of his subjects runs through from beginning to end.

Although the Shanxi merchants were originally scattered and fought on their own, Zhu Yixi still couldn't let go, lest there would be a second Shanxi merchant.

So Zhang Qi, the father-in-law, became his eyes.

Similarly, it is also his mouthpiece in Shaanxi merchants.

Merchants run their businesses with intricate roots. As long as they do it, there will be rumors. Zhang Qi can receive the news almost sitting down.

However, this incident was too big, and Zhang Qi could only secretly ask for a meeting in private, but did not dare to visit.

If this is exposed, it will really be a target of public criticism.

"Pig iron?" Zhu Yixi frowned.

Compared with salt, tea, etc., ironware is indeed the lifeblood of a country. Even in the 21st century, steel production still reflects the strength of a country.

Not to mention, the Shun Army who desperately wanted to regain their strength.

The Manchu and Qing Dynasties are already in sight, and the production is not as fast as the purchase.

"Your Highness does not know that the two largest iron smelting sites in Huguang, Huangmeizhi and Xingguozhi, account for [-]% of the pig iron, but there are almost no official operations in these two places, and they are all private."

Zhang Qi couldn't help explaining: "Now that the guild is established, the price of pig iron is locked, and there are a lot of dissatisfaction from the top and bottom, and there are many complaints about paying taxes."

"So, they smuggle pig iron, which can make money without paying taxes."

Zhu Yixi followed his words and continued.

"Except for the intruders, people like Zuo Liangyu and others have sold a lot."

Zhang Qi hesitated for a while, and confided again: "The pig iron guild can only see their superficial output, and they still have many private furnaces, which are unknown."

"No profiteering, no business!"

Zhu Yixi sighed, and then said slowly: "It's expected."

"Except for pig iron, salt, tea, and grain, how can it be as clean as water? There may be so much filth in every corner!"

Having said that, Zhu Yixi did not let go of the issue of pig iron smuggling.

In the final analysis, pig iron is a strategic resource that must be tightly controlled.

"My father-in-law's news is very timely."

Zhu Yixi turned her head and praised: "Although the news is important, you have to take care of your health."

Zhang Qi looked relieved, this son-in-law is not so heartless.

Zhu Yixi was thinking about the countermeasures, and said, "Sichuan salt is going out to the east. There should be no more chaos and disorder. All prefectures and counties will have monopoly restrictions. My father-in-law can go to Wuchang Mansion."

"Me? Thank you, Your Highness!" Zhang Qi was taken aback, then overjoyed.

The population of the entire Huguang and Wuchang Mansions is also among the top five existences, if it was before the war, it would be number one.

Now, due to the impact of water conservancy and transportation, the population will gather again, and it will not be long before it returns to its heyday.This is a piece of fat!
The son-in-law is indeed a son-in-law, and he is generous in his actions.

Come back fully loaded.

The next day, the head of the pig iron guild was summoned by King Yu and scolded bloody.

"Your Xu family also participated in this matter, right?"

King Yu's gaze was like lightning, which made people tremble all over, Xu Jingyang couldn't help but trembled: "How dare the grass people?"

"It must be those who are greedy for petty gains and are unscrupulous. They only think about money and forget the kindness of His Royal Highness Yu Wang."

Xu Jingyang patted his chest hastily with his fat head and big ears, and assured him: "The Xu family is absolutely not involved. Please rest assured, Your Highness."

"It's fine if you don't!"

Zhu Yixi's attitude softened a bit: "This is not an example."

"I repeat again, without permission, Huguang's pig iron must never leave the province. If there is a next time, don't blame me for being ruthless."

"Don't worry, Your Highness, if there is a next time, you can go and arrest it, no one dares to have any objections."

Xu Jingyang hurriedly got up and said, with a serious face.

King Yu seemed to agree, Xu Jingyang heaved a sigh of relief, and then withdrew.

After he left, Yan Chongxin came out from the side room, cupped his hands and said, "Your Highness just let them go like this? This is an enemy!"

"At the moment, they are needed as enemies!"

Zhu Yixi sneered and said: "Li Zicheng is at a disadvantage, let these profiteers sell him more pig iron, and we will get rid of our hands by ourselves."

"Unsurprisingly, they saw that my thunder was loud and rainy, and they must attack again. Your transshipment department will keep an eye on them and control the smuggling routes in detail."

"What do you mean, settle accounts after autumn?"

Yan Chongxin rubbed his hands together and said excitedly.

"otherwise?"

Zhu Yixi's smile was mixed with a hint of pride: "They will keep Li Zicheng's gold and silver for the time being. After the matter is over, I will take back not only the gold and silver, but also the property including the iron yard."

Yan Chongxin felt chills down his spine when he heard this, this group of people are really unlucky, not to mention making a wedding dress for King Yu, they have to pay for it.

However, this also has advantages for the transshipment company, such as going deep into the pig iron guild, completely controlling their output, and thus collecting taxes.

"Your Highness, these pig iron sellers should be no worse than salt sellers!"

Yan Chongxin explored.

"Shouldn't be better than a salt merchant."

Zhu Yixi thought about it: "The cost is there. Although the production of iron does not worry about sales, there is also a lot of competition, and the price cannot go up."

A catty of pig iron is basically about ten Wen, and salt is more than ten times that.

When Xu Jingyang returned to the house, his old father was full of worry.

Regarding this, he took a sip of tea and said with a sigh of relief: "Father, don't worry, it's just about pig iron smuggling."

The old father was in his sixties, with a gray beard and a bent back. He was sitting on the grand master's chair and was being served:

"A companion is like a tiger, and so is this King Yu."

"I just said, don't move to Xiangyang, you know your regrets now!"

"Father!" Xu Jingyang said helplessly, "Sit at the head of the line, who wouldn't dare to come to Xiangyang?"

"Pig iron smuggling?" The old father was startled and tremblingly said, "Which one doesn't smuggle? If they are caught, there will be many people!"

"I fooled it."

Xu Jingyang sighed and said, "King Yu's majesty is growing stronger and stronger. Although the craftsman camp relies on our pig iron supply to make guns, it is not a good friend."

"It's just that there can't be a next time."

"Let's Xu family, let's keep to ourselves!"

The old father breathed a sigh of relief, and sighed: "In this troubled world, it is better to be more stable, and I would rather earn less money."

Thinking of King Yu's power just now, Xu Jingyang had no choice but to nod and said: "People have to bow their heads under the eaves."

"Shall we remind my uncle's family?"

"Just do your best!"

The old father said solemnly: "Tell them that King Yu is dissatisfied with smuggling, let them take care of themselves."

"If your uncle is stubborn, then cut off contact slowly, and don't be dragged by them."

"Yes!" Xu Jingyang nodded.

For the iron merchants, King Yu's warning was really scary for three to five days.

But Chuangjun from Henan gave too much, and everyone knew that it was quick money, and the resale speed was faster.

They were even pleasantly surprised to find that the monitoring of the transshipment department seemed to be much looser.

Greed devoured their sanity, and freight got worse.

(End of this chapter)