The road of the farmer's fortune and the imperial examination

Chapter 1055 Membership Fees
After all the merchants left, Gu Chengyu rubbed his brows, ready to take a good rest.The past few days of running around had really exhausted him.

Who would have thought that Hu Maoshen would not let him go, "Gu Shaoqing, the chamber of commerce you mentioned just now seems to have never been discussed by the imperial court. I wonder if this chamber of commerce is your personal idea, or have you really negotiated with the emperor?"

Hu Maoshen's eyes were shining brightly. If he was a little skeptical just now, he is now very sure that this matter is Gu Chengyu's own initiative.

He didn't agree with Gu Chengyu's establishment of any chamber of commerce because he wanted to control the price increase of rice and grain, and what he had just heard from Gu Chengyu, this chamber of commerce was very troublesome, and it was really difficult for the court to control so many merchants gathered together.

Scholars, farmers, businessmen, once these merchants gather together and form a rope to fight against the imperial court, wouldn't that cause big trouble?

Don't underestimate the power of merchants, money can turn ghosts around, as long as you have money, are you afraid that no one will work for them?Besides, those vassal kings who are in the fief may not be able to calm down.

The past two years have been so peaceful, it can't be said that they are holding back!If the feudal lord chooses to cooperate with a powerful merchant, how will they know?
Gu Chengyu raised his eyebrows, and then said frankly: "It is true that this matter has not been discussed with the emperor, but I think the emperor will agree."

Seeing that Gu Cheng had everything in his chest, Hu Maoshen couldn't help frowning.

"Gu Shaoqing, are you really so confident? According to your analysis just now, I believe that this chamber of commerce can indeed drive the development of this dynasty. After a long time, it may even create a prosperous world. But it has improved the status of merchants invisibly. , are you not afraid that they will unite to hold back the imperial court?"

It is undeniable that Gu Chengyu's move can promote the development of commerce and trade, but it is not conducive to the stability of the court.Hu Maoshen was really impressed by Gu Chengyu's strategy just now, but after thinking about it carefully later, he felt that this matter was not feasible.

Gu Chengyu chuckled, "How could it be? The more these people earn, the greater their contribution to the imperial court. Don't think that becoming a member is easy. If you don't have tens of thousands of taels a year, you can become a member of the chamber of commerce? Even if you become a member, it is not as free as imagined. Not only is it restricted by the chamber of commerce, but also supervised by the imperial court. The reason why I want to establish the chamber of commerce is to better control those merchants."

Gu Chengyu has no prejudice against merchants, nor does he think that merchants are inferior to ordinary people and gentry.

But in this dynasty where imperial power was supreme, the king would never allow businessmen to improve their status and threaten the stability of the court.

If you have money and status, how can the emperor be at ease?

The general environment is like this, and Gu Chengyu is powerless to change it.And he had to go with the flow and even resist with these rulers.

Because he himself is a member of the upper class, it is impossible for him to watch himself fall from the pyramid.

"Members still have to pay money? Tens of thousands?" Hu Maoshen's eyes widened. Just now, he thought that Gu Chengyu's establishment of a chamber of commerce would have disadvantages, but now he suddenly felt that Gu Chengyu was simply a blackheart.

"Are you joking? Tens of thousands of taels, how could those merchants agree to join the club?" Hu Maoshen felt that Gu Chengyu was simply whimsical, so he couldn't help but shook his head with a smile.

Gu Chengyu still took it for granted. The long-term smooth sailing made him lose his sense of normalcy.I always think that I can succeed in everything, but the reality often gives people a blow in the head.

Gu Chengyu raised the fan in his hand and shook it, and said mysteriously: "Of course they are reluctant to let them hand it over like this. But I have a way to make them hand it over willingly."

Hu Maoshen's eyes lit up, if each merchant could really receive so much dues, then the imperial treasury would be filled a lot.

Of course, the premise is that these merchants can be well controlled so that they have no chance to stir up trouble.

"He Liangce? Gu Shaoqing, don't hide it, we can help the staff if we say it."

The other officials couldn't help pricking up their ears. This Gu Chengyu had thought of a tea tax before, which benefited the court a lot.The chamber of commerce mentioned just now, they have a premonition that there will be another bloody storm in the court.

"That's right! Master Gu, three cobblers are worth one Zhuge Liang. Although we are not as talented as Master Gu, we can still speak out some humble opinions!"

"Yeah yeah"

Several people echoed one after another, expressing their willingness to hear the details.

This man is so talented, they might as well hug this man's thigh.Although the emperor has given Gu Chengyu the benefit of being promoted this time, the establishment of the chamber of commerce may give Gu Chengyu a lot of benefits.

Even if he can't be promoted temporarily, there will definitely be other rewards.

And these officials of the Ministry of Industry haven't moved their seats for a long time. If they can participate in it, they may be able to get some credit, so it is not impossible to be promoted to a higher level!

Gu Chengyu raised his brows, and seeing everyone staring at him eagerly, he smiled suddenly, and then said in a tone-deaf manner: "It's not the right time yet, when the time comes, everyone will know."

How could Gu Chengyu not know the thoughts of these people?The way he thought, why let others take advantage of it?
If he is the performer, then it's okay to pick two pleasing to the eye to participate.

But it is absolutely impossible for the emperor to entrust this matter to him, so these people can be regarded as blind people lighting lamps in vain.

Besides, these people are officials from the Ministry of Industry, and this matter is an errand for the Ministry of Households. These people are destined to just watch helplessly.

Seeing that Gu Chengyu refused to speak out, everyone couldn't help curling their lips secretly, and then they all left with a smile on their faces.

Gu Chengyu returned to his room and did not rest, but started writing non-stop.

He wanted to report this matter to the emperor as soon as possible, Jiangnan is a long way from the capital, even if he travels day and night, it will take several days to hurry.

It is natural to strike while the iron is hot, and while these merchants are still enthusiastic about the chamber of commerce, it is better to implement this matter as soon as possible.

In fact, he also knew that this matter would definitely cause huge waves in the court.The establishment of a chamber of commerce will lose the interests of some people. How could those officials who are sitting on a vegetarian diet allow such a thing to happen?

The monopoly business has been in business for a long time, and if you want to increase the price, you can increase the price. Who else dares to have an opinion?
In the past, as long as it was not excessive, the imperial court would not interfere too much.Now that a chamber of commerce is established, as long as they join the chamber of commerce, they can no longer raise prices as they please.

There will only be more and more merchants joining the Chamber of Commerce in the future. If you don't join the Chamber of Commerce, there will be many restrictions on business. This is a contradictory choice.

On this day, there was light rain in the sky, and two horses were speeding through the rain on the official road.

The galloping iron hooves crushed the dew on the blades of grass, and galloped forward.

(End of this chapter)