The Great Industrial Ming Dynasty Started from Beiping

Chapter 601 King Qi’s Assassin

Peiping.

Zhang Family Courtyard.

The land purchased in the suburbs of Peiping, after several years of construction, looks full of solemn and elegant atmosphere from the outside.You can see the tall porch and the heavy door in the distance.

Walking into the inner room, the exquisite carvings and gorgeous decorations everywhere reveal the wealth and prestige of the Zhang family.

Land management in Peiping is very strict.

The completion of the Zhang Family Courtyard cannot only be achieved with money.

The Zhang family was decorated with white cloth and turned into a white world. People attending the funeral, after entering the Zhang family gate, most people could feel a peaceful and peaceful atmosphere, but now it was tinged with a hint of sadness.

The stewards of the Zhang family brought guests of different identities into different courtyards.

Different from other places.

The courtyard here is particularly peaceful.

The winding roads paved with bluestones are flanked by well-manicured gardens with a variety of flowers blooming all year round.

In spring, peach blossoms bloom like pink clouds; in summer, peonies bloom, gorgeous and noble; in autumn, chrysanthemums stand proudly and golden; in winter, plum blossoms bloom alone, adding a touch of warmth to the cold winter.

A middle-aged man wearing a silk gown walked through the courtyard with a cane in his hand. The housekeeper in front led him all the way to the hall.

In the center of the hall is a huge mahogany table.

It is filled with all kinds of exquisite porcelain and antiques.

Hanging on the wall are Zhang Dehui's portraits and his calligraphy works, as well as the names of many famous paintings and even calligraphy by celebrities from the Han Dynasty, showing the wealth and talent of the Zhang family.

The middle-aged man first looked at the decoration in the lobby and felt the luxury. He couldn't help but shake his head inwardly.

Zhang Dehui is not such a person.

For the Zhang family to be like this, the second-generation head of the family has a great responsibility.

"Executive member Zhou."

"Yuan Zhou is here."

The butler stepped aside. In such a scene, he did not need to introduce it to the guests.

Zhou Yourong greeted the guests who got up.

Everyone sat down one after another, and the Zhang family's servants brought tea.

"Where's the young member Zhou?"

After Zhou Yourong said hello, he realized that Zhou Wen was not there, so he asked curiously.

The first people to follow the young prince Zhu Gaochi in Peiping were not only Zhang Dehui, but also Erzhou. The elder Zhou was Zhou Yourong, and the younger Zhou was Zhou Wen. Although they both had the surname Zhou, they were not from the same clan.

Originally from Peking, the three firms with the most experience in the coal industry.

"Young member Zhou came out to burn incense and said hello. He left shortly after and did not come."

The butler quickly explained.

Zhou Yourong's face was noncommittal.

In fact, he didn't want to come, but for Zhang Dehui's sake.

People die.

Zhou Yourong was not willing to let problems arise in Zhang Dehui's posthumous affairs.

The more people come, the more perfect Zhang Dehui's posthumous affairs will be, proving Zhang Dehui's achievements during his lifetime, sealing the final conclusion, and determining his posthumous reputation. Who among them dares not to pay attention to it.

So Zhou Yourong thought over and over again and finally came.

Had a round of tea.

The big businessmen chatted about Zhang Dehui's hobbies and deeds during his lifetime, and also chatted casually.

Zhou Yourong saw that they were almost there and was about to leave when he heard someone mention that he had seen someone from Prince Qi's palace.

"Does Prince Qi's Mansion have any contact with the Zhang family?"

"I haven't heard of it."

Having contacts means there is friendship. Only with friendship can one have a reason to attend the Zhang family's funeral. Otherwise, it is not normal. As for local officials and local squires, it is another matter.

"What does the Zhang family boy mean?"

"He."

"My temperament is completely different from that of Zhang Yuanwai."

"The more conservative Zhang Yuanwai is, the more radical he will be. I think the competition between him and He Kee Trading Company over the years has been influenced to some extent by He Kee Trading Company."

"Don't."

"Heji Trading Company seems to be very radical, but in fact it has not gone a step beyond. Although it has repeatedly opposed the imperial court, it is only an economic matter. It is somewhat understandable. The young head of the Zhang family is not just an economic matter."

Everyone, you say what you say.

Zhou Yourong stood up, cupped his hands, apologized to everyone, and left.

Zhou Yourong left.

Many other businessmen also left.

Zhangjia Hutong entrance.

Zhou Yourong's coachman was bragging with his colleagues. The Zhang family's servants also brought tea, fruit and snacks, which showed the Zhang family's sophistication. When he saw the master's family, the coachman quickly stood up and waved to Zhou Yourong.

Zhou Yourong boarded the carriage, and the coachman and two guards left together.

Beiping not only has the rise of car dealerships, but also has the prosperity of escort bureaus. But with Zhou Yourong's status and financial resources, their family naturally hired their own experts. They not only hired strictly, pursued innocent origins, had people as guarantees, but also let ordinary people Envious treatment and wages.

Where there is demand, there will be a market.

The martial arts of the Ming Dynasty rose accordingly.

Each martial arts school pays more attention to its own reputation, and even the establishment of life and death certificates often occurs. The Peking government strictly orders that you must register with the government. Not only do you have to pay fees, but there are also many regulations.

As the saying goes, snakes have their own ways, rats have their own ways, and each goes its own way.

"The Zhang family has a great background."

"There are even patrol inspectors to maintain order. How can ordinary people get such treatment?"

the coachman sighed.

After hearing what the driver outside said, Zhou Yourong couldn't help but laugh.

His Royal Highness is no ordinary person.

Everything is arranged in advance.

Even a country as big as Goryeo is being manipulated by His Highness the Crown Prince without any room for resistance. Who does the Zhang family count?
Without His Royal Highness, the Zhang family would not be where it is today.

Zhang Dehui, Zhang Dehui.

Although you know how to protect yourself wisely, you let go of the Ming Dynasty Industrial Bureau very early, and you don't compete with the young prince for interests. You can be regarded as a discerning person, but your son is not.

He really thought that the Zhang family could make waves.

Zhou Yourong pondered.

If you were His Highness the Crown Prince, you would have too many choices to deal with the Zhang family using His Royal Highness' methods. However, the Crown Prince always pays attention to the rules in doing things and will not lift the table. There is no need to lift the table to deal with the Zhang family. So what will you do?

Zhou Yourong was very sure.

Since His Highness the Crown Prince has made up his mind to use the Zhang family to scare the monkeys, and the second-generation head of the Zhang family is a madman who doesn't know how to advance or retreat, the Zhang family will definitely not be able to laugh for a few days.

Unless the second-generation head of the Zhang family is sensible and takes the initiative to do things according to His Highness the Crown Prince's wishes.

Only in this way, for the sake of the late Zhang Dehui, would His Highness the Crown Prince be soft-hearted, saying that after hitting him with a stick, he would also give a few more dates. Not only would he not be affected, but he would benefit from it.

"It's actually not bad."

Zhou Yourong smiled again.

Which businessman is willing to accept the introduction of inheritance tax law?

No one dared to be the first one to jump out. If the boy from the Zhang family wanted to stand out, no one would oppose him. Instead, they welcomed him with both hands and were willing to cheer for the boy from the Zhang family.

The scene at the Zhang family's funeral was also a subconscious act of support for many people.

As for the future of the Zhang family, who cares.

If His Highness the Crown Prince can be made to change his mind and not abolish the inheritance tax law, but only change the maximum requirement of 50.00% to 20.00%, it would be better if it can be controlled within [-]%.

Inheritance tax of up to ten percent.

The imperial court has benefited, His Highness the Crown Prince's prestige has been preserved, and everyone can tolerate it. Wouldn't everyone be happy?

Qingzhou Prefecture, Shandong Province.

Qi Wang Palace.

Under the night, several people with alert looks hurriedly turned into the alley and skillfully pushed open the side door. The seemingly locked side door was actually pushed open, and several people filed in, quickly regaining their composure.

Many places in the huge Qi Prince's Mansion began to become desolate, especially the first three palaces, as well as the courtyards of the Prince's Mansion, the Sixth Bureau, and the Chengdu Division. Because they had not been repaired all year round, they were overgrown with weeds.

"Squeak."

The unoiled wooden door made a lot of noise.

The old man inside heard the noise, stood up quickly, and asked anxiously: "How is the matter?"

"Fortunately not humiliated."

After hearing this, the old man still asked uneasily: "Are you sure he is dead?"

"Our brothers only left after seeing him die."

"Didn't you alarm others?"

"Have you been discovered?"

"No."

"Don't worry, Chang Shi. Our brothers will never be negligent when doing things. This is not the first time we have done things. When have we ever caused trouble for the prince?" the leader said in a deep voice.

"That's good."

The old man nodded.

This time the target was different. The person who was being killed was an official. The old man did not dare to be careless. If the news leaked out and the Qi Prince's house was tainted with the cause and effect, it would cause big trouble. I am afraid that disaster would come to his door.

After dismissing the other party, the old man walked towards the inner hall.

Nowadays, the prestige of Prince Qi's Mansion is not as good as before. The size of the Mansion has been reduced and reduced again. Many slaves have been cleared out, and only those in the inner palace have been retained.

the first two years.

In the capital, the prince, in the name of Emperor Taizu, expanded the original law prohibiting the use of slaves by the people to all objects, including vassal kings and nobles, completely blocking the door.

No one dared to violate it, not even King Qi, at least on the surface.

There is a huge difference between hiring servants and using your own slaves.

The former is an employment relationship, and the latter is a master-slave relationship.

"Dong dong dong."

"Who?"

"It's me, has the prince fallen asleep?"

"My lord."

Just as the maid outside was about to answer, a voice came from inside, "Ahem, is it Chang Shi? Please change my clothes."

soon.

King Qi and Chang Shi went to the study alone.

"Confirmed dead?"

"The Ruan brothers never miss anything when they do something, and I don't think they will do it this time either."

King Qi was relieved.

In a few days.

He couldn't eat or sleep because of that censor.

The censor didn't know who he heard from, that Prince Qi's palace was raising assassins to prepare dead men, and secretly partnered with merchants to make profits. However, that person was not cautious enough and underestimated himself, and the news was exposed in Yanzhou Palace.

Before the incident broke out, King Qi sent someone to kill him.

So no one can think of his head.

Although there is a risk, it is better than if this person actually comes to Qingzhou Mansion. Regardless of whether he finds evidence or not, he will bring big trouble to Prince Qi's Mansion. There are already many Jinyiwei spies in Qingzhou.

If you know this person and come into contact with him, you may have new clues.

"It can be trusted for a while, but it won't last forever."

"This person was murdered, and the local government will definitely conduct an investigation. If we investigate carefully, we will always be able to discover the cause and effect of our palace. Even if there is no evidence, as long as there is suspicion, our palace will be passive."

Chang Shi said worriedly.

King Qi's eyes showed a fierce light.

"The fourth brother is thousands of miles away. If only I could give him the child." King Qi made a gesture, his face full of expectation. This was the most likely method of success that he had come up with over the past few days.

"At this time, there is no master in the world. Can't I take his place?"

The second brother and the third brother are dead.

Fifth Brother, don’t worry about it.

He and Sixth Brother divided the north and south. I believed that Sixth Brother would not refuse. One south and one north corresponded to each other. Who said that the emperor's position must be occupied by Empress Ma's sons.

The most powerful one in the south is Sixth Brother, and the one in the north is himself.

As long as the sixth brother is willing to support him, he will have the reputation to ascend to the throne and keep the fourth brother out of the country.

Changshi thought about the manpower in the mansion.

"I'm just afraid that the assassination will fail."

"This is the end of the matter. Failure is God's will."

"It's just that the child is too cautious. I heard that he has never left the palace in these years. It really gives people no chance to make a move. It would be great if the people in the palace can be bribed. With internal support, many things will be easier to handle. "

"Look at it."

King Qi pointed to the south bank.

"Is our palace still called the palace?"

"That kid can't tolerate anyone. If we don't do it now, he will become even harder to deal with in the future. We are just waiting to die. Even if we are alive and lose the throne, what's the use."

"Why should he only enjoy my father's family property? There is no such thing in the world."

The old man calculated the gains and losses.The victory of the emperor's western expedition stimulated King Qi. Over the years, the emperor personally took charge of the northwest. As time passed, the place became more and more peaceful. I believe that it will not be long before the emperor returns to the east.

When the emperor returns eastward, there will be no chance.

Now is indeed the only chance.

As long as he can successfully assassinate the prince, and with the status and strength of King Qi, as well as the support of King Chu, the clan has been suffering from the prince for a long time, and given the current situation, it is very likely to succeed.

put all one's eggs in one basket.

The old man nodded.

King Qi was overjoyed.

The censor died in the public house.

Yanzhou Prefecture.

After the news spread, the whole city was in an uproar. This had not happened for many years. The local prefect personally intervened and asked the inspection department to solve the case within a time limit, otherwise the responsibility would fall on the inspection department.

No one dares to take this responsibility.

No one wants to push out the responsibility as soon as possible.

The inspection hall is the most uncomfortable.

The officials on duty at the public house that day, including the common people who delivered supplies, were all reviewed and verified by the inspection department. The result was naturally useless, either because there was evidence that they were not present, or there was no opportunity.

The newspaper in Shandong, despite the request of the prefect of Yanzhou Prefecture, insisted on publishing this incredible news.

Jin Yiwei was alarmed.

Shortly after.

Beijing.

On Zhu Gaochi's desk, there is a dense array of Jin Yiwei.

"Is there any relationship between King Qi and the Zhang family?"

Zhu Gaochi asked curiously.

It can be said that the Zhang family was supported by himself. In the early days of establishing his career, the Zhang family gave him tremendous help. Both parties achieved mutual success. Zhu Gaochi did not deny the Zhang family's help to him.

Therefore, Zhu Gaochi couldn't understand what the Zhang family wanted to do.

"According to the Tiqi's inquiries and gathering information, Zhang Xiancai is very dissatisfied with His Highness the Crown Prince. He often complains about His Highness the Crown Prince in private and often makes rude remarks."

"Because of what?"

"The Daming Industrial Bureau has reduced its order allocation to Zhangjia Commercial Bank."

Ji Gang said.

Zhu Gaochi understood.

I don't like to flip the table, because flipping the table is the most detrimental to the person who makes the rules. The rules are originally made by the person who makes the rules. If everyone does things according to the rules, the person who makes the rules will naturally benefit the most.

Isn’t this the case in a certain country in later generations?

They use various confusing slogans, such as free trade, and use force to force those who do not submit. Finally, they say that they are civilized, and to oppose his coercion is to resist civilization.

The results of it.

There really is a country that relies on its own heritage and civilization and still follows the rules of a certain country and still becomes strong.

In later generations, a certain country stopped doing business.

He immediately stopped mentioning free trade and unilaterally changed the rules.

"There's always someone trying to flip the table over."

Zhu Gaochi had to sigh.

The Zhang family is definitely not on a national level. Under its own rules, as long as the Ming Dynasty Industry Bureau reduces the Zhang family's share, the Zhang family's business will suffer a decline, and there will be no room for defense.

The coke factories don’t have to work hard to postpone orders from Zhangjia Coal Mine. Every time they come down, it’s enough for the Zhangjia family to drink a pot, not to mention other measures, such as the railway operating group reducing its orders to Zhangjia Trading Coal Mine. procurement.

As powerful as the Zhang family, under the system of the Ming Dynasty Industrial Bureau, all it takes is a raise of the hand to bankrupt the Zhang family's business.

These are the rules I set from the beginning.

So Zhu Gaochi didn't really take the capitalists seriously.

The most powerful capital of Ming Dynasty is the coal industry, otherwise why would it be called the Coal Age? As for the coal industry, its lifeline has been controlled by the Ming Dynasty Industrial Bureau since its birth.

On the contrary, it is emerging business models, such as Heji, that make Zhu Gaochi seriously vigilant.

Regardless of He Kee’s business model, He Kee did not go all out to get into the coal industry. Instead, he dared to give up this biggest piece of meat and expand in other directions. This can be regarded as avoiding the layers of the Ming Dynasty Industrial Bureau system to a certain extent. constraint.

After all, they are outstanding management talents from the Ming Dynasty Industrial Bureau. They not only understand the structure of the Ming Dynasty Industrial Bureau, but also know its internal secrets and know how to avoid invisible "restraints."

Zhu Gaochi killed the chicken to scare the monkeys, and there was a reason why the chicken chose the Zhang family.

The coal industry, which seems to be the most powerful at the moment, is actually the easiest to control, to deter emerging industries and overseas trading firms, put a halter on them, and obey the constraints of the Ming Dynasty system.

With the rise of maritime trade and the development of trade in Southeast Asia, East Asia, Central Asia, and even West Asia, both the business population and the market have begun to catch up with the mainland.

As for these overseas commercial banks, the court's control was very weak, which was created by the environment.

If the control is not good, it will bring about a double-edged sword.

It caused a huge impact on the Ming Dynasty Industrial Bureau system and ultimately destroyed the foundation of the social resource allocation model.

The Ming Dynasty Industrial Bureau was the core method used by the Ming court to allocate social resources.

"Zhang Xiancai is different from his father. He does not know how to advance or retreat when doing things, and strives for the best interests. He has repeatedly ignored the regulations of the court and was punished. Not only did he not correct himself, but he felt resentful in his heart."

Ji Gang explained: "If things go on like this, they will become more and more discordant."

He added, "The Prince of Qi's Mansion did not accept the status quo. Although it looks like the other vassal princes, in fact, with the help of past influence, it formed a joint force with the Zhang family and gained a lot of benefits."

"I speculate that the case of Yanzhou Yushi was probably the hands of the King of Qi."

"Is there any evidence?"

Zhu Gaochi asked.

"No, I follow my heart." Ji Gang replied.

Nonetheless.

But in Zhu Gaochi's heart, he was already [-]% certain that King Qi did it.

This is not a master who is willing to admit defeat.

Historically, in the early years of Jianwen, he was ready to make a move, which was completely different from Zhu Di who was forced to rebel. This person was very proactive, but Emperor Jianwen took action in advance, demoted him to a commoner, and imprisoned him in the capital.

Jianwen dealt with other vassal kings with certainty.

Only Zhu Di killed him.

It can be seen that Jianwen is not stupid, but who would have thought that Zhu Di can fight so well.

After Zhu Di rebelled and ascended the throne, he restored his status and treatment as King of Qi.

The King of Qi was not convinced by Jianwen, let alone Zhu Di.

Not only did they strengthen the city walls of Qingzhou City, prohibiting people from entering and exiting at will, and strictly guarding against the detection of local officials, they also raised private soldiers and assassins, as well as people from all over the world, and also killed many officials who wanted to accuse them.

Historically, Li Gong, Zeng Mingshen and others wanted to report to the King of Qi, but were silenced by the King of Qi on the grounds that they were out of the ban.

Not just that.

King Qi also built many weapons in his palace, which shows his thoughts.

Historically, the Yongle Dynasty maintained domestic peace. It was not that everyone lost their ambitions. The King of Qi, the second generation of King Qin, etc. were very patient. There were also many domestic forces that were ready to move, but they were suppressed by Zhu Di.

Today is not what it used to be.

My father and son were Zhu Yuanzhang's designated heirs, and they had great righteousness. However, interests were everything. My reforms based on the interests of the people had touched the interests of too many people.

Regardless of whether it is ancient or modern, Chinese or foreign, it is nothing more than man-made wealth and birds dying for food.

The Prince of Qi's Mansion needed money, and the Zhang family needed political support. By some unknown coincidence, the two came together.

Zhu Gaochi thought.

There are two sides to things, good things can turn into bad things and bad things can turn into good things.

Some of the problems left over from the past may be able to take advantage of this opportunity to solve them all in one go, so as not to repeat them again in the future and cause greater trouble.

"You keep an eye on the Zhang family and Prince Qi's Mansion, don't let them stir up new troubles during this period, and collect as much evidence as possible on Prince Qi's Mansion, with or without evidence. Although you can handle Prince Qi's Mansion, there is no evidence. It’s better than no evidence.”

"Also, let's ask what the Qin Prince's Palace and the Chu Prince's Palace are doing recently, and whether they are involved with the Qi Prince's Palace. These families need to be vigilant and don't be careless."

Zhu Gaochi explained.

"The minister leads the order."

Ji Gang took the order and left.

Seeing Ji Gang leaving, Zhu Gaochi gave up his plan to take his family out of the palace.

When I was in Peiping, I took my family out for fun. Since entering Beijing, except for memorial activities, I have basically never left the palace. It is really the history of the Ming Dynasty.

Too weird.

It's so weird that it feels like there's no safety anywhere.

In fact, Zhu Gaochi believes in the opinions of real experts after the economy improves.

The earliest early days.

Scholars at the end of the Qing Dynasty and the beginning of the Republic of China had just opened their eyes. From the perspective of strength and economy, all they could do was learn from the West. They could only study based on Western claims. Although they had laid a foundation, many of them were incorrect.

After achieving great results in later generations.

Not only is there great economic progress, there are also more and more scholars who have the strength and economic conditions to study the West in reverse. Instead of just listening to what the West says, they are beginning to question Western claims.

So called technology.

China has achieved this long ago.

Why did ancient China not enter the industrial revolution? In addition to the social population trap theory, there was also sufficient manpower in ancient China, which resulted in no need for machines to replace manpower.

Improved steam engines through the ages.

It took 200 years from introduction to promotion and even prosperity. The development of this most important technology in the history of modernization received almost no help from science.

It is entirely because of the needs of the handicraft industry that technological improvements have occurred, proving an example of technology preceding science.

That is to say, before the mid-[-]th century, technology came first and then science.

As Ma's friend En Moumou said, once society has a technical need, this need will push science forward more than ten universities.

So called Renaissance.

The Renaissance in the fourteenth to sixteenth centuries only ended the dark period of the Middle Ages and did not surpass Eastern civilization in terms of institutions, culture, and social customs.

While the West was still maintaining political relations and local governance based on blood ties, the East had long implemented their civil service examination selection system that later generations of the British were so fond of bragging about.

same.

In terms of spirit of resistance, Eastern civilization is no worse than Western civilization.

At least until the braid ethos takes hold.

Western capitalists dared to resist taxes and kill their king, which became the most civilized moment in Western historical materials.

This kind of thing happened countless times in ancient times.

And it was different from France in ancient times.

Just such a city.

In the Ming Dynasty, capitalists and citizens in Jiangsu and Zhejiang launched a tax resistance movement. Because the emperor was thousands of miles away, it was impossible to reach the level of France. In short, killing the king in ancient France was much easier than killing the emperor in ancient times.

Even so, there are far more historical records of rebellion against tyrants in ancient times than in the West.

in short.

Zhu Gaochi does not think that those groups whose interests have suffered losses will be willing to give in and do nothing.

Don't give them a chance.

It is Zhu Gaochi's biggest responsibility.

Instead, we should take advantage of opportunities to maintain the Ming Dynasty Industrial Bureau system, release domestic demand, and promote capital migration abroad, instead of just exploring interests domestically and competing with small households for profits.

To put it bluntly.

The country is too wealthy.

People will only move to wealthy areas. This is true for ordinary people and businessmen as well.

Why are Huizhou merchants spread all over the world?

There is no business without a emblem.

Because Huizhou is poor.

Therefore, a large number of people migrated out, and the support of such a large population changed the original life style, and naturally a large number of Huizhou merchants were born.

The same is true for capital. If capital does not turn its attention to foreign countries, how can it launch a great voyage?

Without real benefits and production, promoting the great voyage out of thin air would not be an act of great success, but a waste of people and money.

Why did Portugal, Spain, and Britain enter the Age of Discovery in ancient times?

The same is true.

Because those countries are poor.

poor.

There will be no culture if you are poor for a long time, because survival is the first priority.

So they want to do business and supplement their needs.

For example, the UK.

If the civilization is not good enough, even if it becomes rich and glorious, it will still focus on extreme exploitation of the people of its own country. The people's life is miserable, and they would have risen up in ancient times in the East.

But everything has two sides.

The extreme oppression in the UK brought a lot of resistance, coupled with economic prosperity, ultimately promoted the progress of British civilization and gradually began to enter modern society.

The principles of nature will not change due to changes in people, they are there.

The current development of Ming Dynasty is obvious.

The business environment in the Ming Dynasty is not very good in the current era. The capital is kept in the country, which has indeed made the development of the Ming Dynasty rapid. However, the hidden danger is that people are unwilling to leave the Ming Dynasty and go to places where birds do not shit.

If this continues, I'm afraid I won't be able to promote the great voyage in my lifetime.

Zhu Gaochi must use means.

Transform the “environment”.

(End of this chapter)