I'm a big dick

Chapter 217 Eight Locust Merchants

Today's update, I'm really tired, take a good rest for a day, thank you for your understanding.

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Governor Xuanda took office, the commanders of Zhangjiakou and Datong were replaced, and a group of middle and lower-level officers from each town were also transferred away, replaced by those with martial arts background.

There was also the arrival of Yang Lian, the governor of Shanxi earlier, who vigorously implemented Qingtun payment, and some local officials were subsequently dismissed and replaced, and the officialdom in Shanxi was not insignificant.

However, these changes are not obvious to ordinary people.In addition to the imperial court's decree of immunity, which made them happy.

But for Shanxi businessmen, especially those with foreign trade privileges, they felt more and more pressure and reduced income.

You must know that having border trade privileges can definitely make money, but smuggling prohibited goods is even more profitable.

"Ming Hui Dian" records: "There are people who fake this (horse market trade) to spy on the false and the real, the Chinese profiteers, make friends with Zhizhi, and even steal military weapons and leak military information. Although there are officials such as supervisors and market guards, they cannot be banned".

In other words, the Ming Dynasty opened the horse market to the various tribes of Mongolia, and it did not sell everything, at least not an unlimited supply of some materials.

For example, ironware, there was a clear prohibition order in the Ming Dynasty.In addition, many strategic materials such as grain and salt are also sold in limited quantities.

As for weapons and intelligence, it is strictly prohibited.Moreover, this is no longer a matter of smuggling, but of treason.

However, the betrayal of the eight families of Shanxi merchants did not start with the fornication of the later gold.In the trade with the Mongols, they made a fortune, which is what the "Ming Hui Dian" called "China's profitless people".

To successfully smuggle, it is natural to make friends with the government, buy frontier soldiers and generals, and provide convenience when checking out.Over time, smuggling has a tendency to change to the public.

But now, with the vigorous rectification of the imperial court, not only is smuggling more and more difficult, it may even be completely cut off.

Shanxi Jiexiu, Fan Mansion.

The mansion covers an area of ​​several acres and is magnificently built. Although he is a businessman, he has the air of no less than a high-ranking official.

Quite normal, Shanxi merchants are mostly official merchants, who started their careers by taking advantage of their official positions and enjoy privileges and conveniences.

If you get to the bottom of it, you can find that Shanxi merchants were once the force behind Zhang Juzheng's reform.

Shanxi bureaucrats such as Wang Chonggu, Zhang Siwei, Yang Bo, and Wang Guoguang were inextricably linked with Shanxi merchants through in-laws.

For example, Wang Chonggu's second sister married Zhang Yunling, a Shanxi businessman, and her son was Zhang Siwei, and Wang Chonggu's daughter married Yang Junqing, the son of Yang Bo;
Yang Bo's two granddaughters were married to Zhang Siwei's two sons, Zhang Jiahui and Zhang Dinghui, and one of Zhang Siwei's daughters was married to the son of Ma Ziqiang (a Shaanxi businessman)...

Because of this, many people believe that although the "Longqing Peace Agreement" was a wise move in terms of relations with Mongolia, it guaranteed the stability of northern Xinjiang for hundreds of years.

However, the high-ranking officials Wang Chonggu and Zhang Siwei worked so hard at that time because of their selfish desire to realize the mutual market between Ming and Mongolia and obtain opportunities for their rich merchant families to make a lot of money.

In fact, Shanxi merchants did make a fortune through border trade, which further strengthened the family's financial resources and influence in Shanxi.

It's just that changes in Shanxi's officialdom and imperial policies seem to be gradually blocking the way of making money for Shanxi merchants.They couldn't help but discuss ways to find a solution.

In the hall, Fan Yongdou's face was warm, listening to Wang Dengku's complaints, he smiled and nodded slightly.

"If we weren't afraid of danger and went out to trade with the Mongolians, where would the border town be peaceful?"

Wang Dengku still looked aggrieved and indignant, and said loudly: "Now we have to kill the donkey and cut off our source of income. How can there be such a reason?"

Jin Liangyu chuckled, and said slowly: "One day the emperor and one courtier, whoever the emperor likes, that is that person. Old Wang, don't do this, you must know that it hurts the liver!"

Huang Yunfa stroked his beard, and said slowly: "Lao Jin is right, but this matter, we can't let it go like this. What should be fought, we still have to fight."

"How to fight?" Wang Dengku stared at him, "If you buy it with money, then you have a chance. But now, there is nowhere to send money!"

Jin Liangyu said: "Look, old Wang, you are still so impatient. You haven't figured out what the specific policy is, so you say you have no chance."

After a pause, he continued: "Governor Yang, someone asked someone to inquire about it. This matter is under the supervision of Governor Xuanda. What kind of regulations have to be announced by the Governor. So, we'd better wait patiently. "

Fan Yongdou nodded in agreement, and said, "Old Jin is right! What kind of permits will the imperial court issue? This is similar to the previous 'open middle system', right? Can't you still get rich?"

During the Hongwu period of the Ming Dynasty, in order to defend against the invasion of the Central Plains by Oirats and Tatars, nine sides were set up for defense.

Since Nine Borders is far away from the center of the empire’s rule, logistical supplies are very difficult. In order to reduce the burden, the imperial court reached an agreement with Shanxi merchants, which is the so-called "opening the middle system", or "opening grain to the middle".

The specific method is: Shanxi merchants transport grain to several major border fortresses such as Datong and Juyongguan, and the imperial court will give these merchants salt, so that these merchants can legally sell "official salt".

The advantage of the open-center system is that it mobilizes the enthusiasm of merchants and common people to deliver military rations, but the disadvantage is that the profit is given to the salt merchants, which reduces the government's income.But in the early Ming Dynasty, generally speaking, the advantages outweighed the disadvantages.

For example, Ming Taizu made eight northern expeditions, and Chengzu made five northern expeditions, which consumed countless military rations, horses and grass, and there was no situation of boiling public grievances. The "open middle system" contributed a lot.

Moreover, in order to save the cost of food transportation, merchants recruited a large number of farmers to open up wasteland and cultivate land near the border towns, which also enriched the borders of the empire and promoted the development of the border areas.

But any good policy, if implemented for a long time, will inevitably have problems, and the same is true for "paying for food".

Due to the huge profits from selling salt, a large number of royal relatives and noble officials participated in it and used their power to occupy Yanyin.The imperial family also played a bad role in taking the salt as a means of reward.

As a result, the salt imports exceeded the budget, and the salt farms did not have so much salt to draw, and there were fewer and fewer merchants doing Chinese salt business, thus destroying the Chinese salt system.

However, the rise of Shanxi merchants has made the first pot of gold from the "National Grain Development".

In addition to normal operations, they also use bribery and other means to spend a small amount of money, instead of transporting grain, but they can get salt, which is similar in nature to the rich and powerful's encroachment.

Therefore, rumors of the border trade license spread, Wang Dengku, Jin Liangyu and others couldn't sit still, but the leader Fan Yongdou was still relatively calm.

In his view, policy is not how to formulate, but how to implement.Whether the original intention of the imperial court will be carried out when it arrives at the locality, or whether it will go astray, is a matter of deep discussion.

"But the current frontier generals and local officials have changed a lot. I'm afraid it will not be easy to get in touch again." Wang Dengku shook his head lightly, not very optimistic about this.

Jin Liangyu smiled and said: "If you can be strict for a while, you can also keep it for a long time, but a certain person doesn't believe it."

Fan Yongdou nodded in agreement, and said: "Long live is young, it is understandable to be impatient. Our current shortcoming is that there is no one in the court, or there are not enough important officials to speak for us."

In the early days of Wanli, those who supported Zhang Juzheng's reform, such as Wang Chonggu, Zhang Siwei, Yang Bo, Wang Guoguang, Ma Ziqiang, etc., were all officials from Shanxi.

These people hold important power in the court, and Shanxi merchants have a protective umbrella, so that they can grasp the court's movements in the first time and make the best choices and countermeasures.

When Zhang Juzheng died of illness and Zhang Juzheng was liquidated from top to bottom, Zhang Siwei quickly changed from a reformist to an anti-Zhangist, and the face of a businessman was undoubtedly revealed.

It can be seen that there is no such thing as support for reform.These bastards who are both officials and businessmen are all for the power of the official position and the accumulation of the family to make a fortune.

In the current court, Shanxi merchants really lack a spokesperson.

Originally, the merchants and gentry in Jiangnan would prosper because of the strength of the Donglin Party, but the emperor did not give them this opportunity.With one operation as fierce as a tiger, Donglin and Sandang were beaten into two hundred and five in the Mongolian circle.

On the contrary, after being heavily punished, the Tongzhou Merchant Gang sprang up again. Not only did they get the convenience of Caolu, but they also held the exclusive sales of domestic silver mirrors. Now they are involved in logistics and border trade.

Of course, the current Tongzhou Chamber of Commerce has been renamed "Daming Chamber of Commerce".Judging from the new name, it is clear that it has ambitions that are not concealed. This is the rhythm of trying to dominate the rivers and lakes!
Fan Yongdou looked around at the people in the hall, stretched out a finger and emphasized in a deep voice: "Minjue, the most urgent thing is to get a Minjue, so that we can fight against the Tongzhou merchant gang. Otherwise, we will bow our heads face to face. How can we compete?"

That's right, Wu Dazhang finally got his wish. Before rushing to Zhangjiakou to do the "Emperor's Envoy", he won the title of Ming Dynasty's third "Minister", a few days earlier than Huang Cheng.

This has widened the gap in identity. No matter how much background Shanxi merchants once had, it is already a thing of the past.Now, no high-ranking official dares to stand up for them.

"Now—" Jin Liangyu shook his head and sighed, "Isn't it too late?"

Huang Yunfa also frowned, and said: "The nobles are all given by Long Live, even if we have such a heart, we can't get along with each other!"

Fan Yongdou smiled wryly, and said, "I know it's difficult, but I have to fight for it. Even if I can't get the license this year, what about next year, shall we just give up foreign trade?"

After looking around at the contemplative crowd again, Fan Yongdou continued: "Study carefully about these few people who were bestowed by Long Live, and there are still traces to be found. One is rich, the other is willing to help the court, and the third is that they are able to handle errands. .”

Huang Yunfa nodded lightly and said, "Is this what the newspapers call 'moral quotient'?"

Fan Yongdou nodded vigorously, and said, "That's right, it's the righteous merchants. As far as I know, some wealthy merchants in Jiangnan are also planning for the Minjue, but I don't know how they plan to do it?"

"No matter what they do, let's finalize the regulations first." Jin Liangyu seemed to see hope and cheered up.

Wang Dengku scratched his head and said, "That's fine. Somebody thinks this is a solution, and it's better than doing nothing."

Outside Fan's mansion, several pairs of vigilant eyes were staring at the gate and the back door, paying attention to the people coming out and going in.

"Fan Dafu, the old man of the Fan family, is now the housekeeper." A Jinyi guard pointed his finger, and the leader led the report: "The guy who was just introduced is a Mongolian. He has entered and exited the border several times. He should be the enemy's spy."

Luo Yangxing nodded, and said in a deep voice: "There are instructions from above to place undercover agents in Fan's residence to obtain evidence of his crimes of collaborating with the enemy and traitorous country, and wait for the opportunity to carry out countermeasures. This Fan Dafu, first investigate clearly to see if he can be used by me. "

"I understand." Jin Yiwei agreed, with a sneer on his face, "Fan Dafu's concubine just gave birth to a son for him, love is like a treasure..."

Luo Yangxing laughed twice, and patted the Jin Yiwei on the shoulder to show his encouragement and appreciation.

Inside the owner of the East Factory, outside the owner of the Zhenfu Department, Long Live's arrangements have been very clear.Although there are times when there are intersections, the general direction will not change.

And the victory of foreign wars will be favored by Long Live, after all, it is a major matter related to the safety of the country.

Since the factory guards are all Long Live's cronies, it is inevitable that they will strive for merit.

Luo Yangxing was ordered by the Holy Spirit, so he naturally knew how much Wansui valued this task, so he dared not to put in all his efforts and strive to complete the task perfectly.

Moreover, his father has not retired for a few years, and the next commander will be between him and Liu Qiao if nothing happens.

This business trip is a good opportunity for him to perform well and overwhelm Liu Qiao.

..............................

The wealthy merchants in the south of the Yangtze River and the eight major locust merchants are two big targets, and they are the targets that Zhu Youxiao has been aiming at for a long time.

Jin Yiwei kept a close eye on the Eight Great Locust Merchants, because it involved major military affairs and foreign wars.

The Jiangnan wealthy merchants are in charge of Dongchang, and Wang Guozhong was sent to Jiangning for weaving, which is the eyes and ears of the Jiangnan wealthy merchants.

The wealthy merchants in the south of the Yangtze River are not traitors, but they are blood-sucking insects attached to Daming's body.

Their lawlessness and infiltration made Daming financially distressed and the government corrupt.They were also the chief culprits in bringing down Daming from within.

Supporting the Maritime Merchants Group headed by Li Dan and Yan Siqi, and Wu Dazhang's Tongzhou Merchant Gang was not only to increase the court's income.It can also block the financial resources of locust merchants and wealthy merchants in the south of the Yangtze River, and weaken their economic strength.

One goes up and down, the cake is only that big, and the commercial competition is much more intense than it appears on the surface.The support of the upper echelon determines the rise and fall of any business group.

When Zhang Juzheng, Wang Chonggu, and Zhang Siwei were in power, Shanxi merchants developed rapidly through border trade;
When Donglin officials occupied the court, the Jiangnan business group became powerful and intervened in maritime trade, and successfully blocked the Shanxi merchants' attempt to intervene in maritime trade.

Zhu Youxiao brought in the maritime business group and became relatively independent, which was equivalent to reducing the financial resources of the wealthy merchants in the south of the Yangtze River.Although they can still sell their goods to sea merchants, how can the profits be so large as direct control?

Even so, Zhu Youxiao will not stop.Because of the business tax, he was full of malice towards the wealthy merchants in Jiangnan, and he even hated officials who colluded with or joined business groups.

However, after careful investigation and analysis, Zhu Youxiao also had to express his admiration for the shrewdness of the wealthy merchants in the south of the Yangtze River, and realized that the deepening of reforms should not be rushed.

(End of this chapter)