Need for a Guard

Yan Tong is a glamorous and glamorous beauty with great means. She is in charge of the economic lifeline of the south of the Yangtze River. In terms of power and status, she is indeed the best candidate after King Fu—although she does not get involved in government affairs and cannot directly exert pressure on He Dan and other officials. , but... As long as you have money in your hands, what else can you not do?

When facing He Dan, Yantong wanted to understand many things. i^

In terms of influence, she is enough to drive He Dan away and support Shi Yue happily and neatly, but in this way, she will definitely embarrass King Fu.

Although she is not afraid of King Fu, she has a deep brother-sister relationship and does not want to sweep away his prestige.

Therefore, the only way to save the country is to cut Meng Jiao's body.

Yan Tong is in charge of the inner treasury. The so-called inner treasury is equivalent to the small private treasury of the royal family, and it is regarded as the royal private property.

She took advantage of her intricate personal connections to hold a series of businesses in her arms, then changed hands, and distributed them to major merchants to compete for.

The four big families in Hangzhou, Meng, Kong, Xun, and Han, all followed Yantong's door, and gradually advanced from ordinary merchants to the four major financial merchants in Jiangnan.

Therefore, Yantong's influence on them can be seen.

Although their wings are already full, and they almost control the source of the corresponding industry, it is not so easy to decline, but since ancient times, businessmen can only collude with officials, but they dare not offend officials, especially those who offend nobles like Yan Tong who hold the world in their hands. benefit.

As long as Yan Tong tightens his pockets on the Meng family, although it will not cause the Meng family to decline, if it does so for a long time, it will definitely hurt the morale of the Meng family.

You must know that the Meng family's competitors are the three super merchants of Confucius, Xun, and Han. Doing business is like sailing against the current. i^

Among the four major merchants, the Meng family and the Kong family are the most competitive, and the Xun and Han families have already fallen into the second echelon.

There is a very clear reason for this.

Both the Meng family and the Kong family have high-ranking officials and dignitaries in the court. Whether it is the small court of King Fu in the south of the Yangtze River or the big court in the capital, they have good connections.

The relationship between the Meng family, the Kong family and Yan Tong is well maintained, at least on the surface, they listen to Yan Tong's words very well.

The Meng family is still nobler than the Kong family so far, the fundamental reason is that the Meng family has received special support from He Dan.

This point made Yantong feel particularly uncomfortable, it interfered with her rights in a disguised form, and broke the rules of the game.

Therefore, Yan Tong had long thought of suppressing the Meng family, and at this time, it happened to be a rare opportunity...

Hearing Yan Tong's question, Meng Jiao felt uneasy, and hurriedly responded: "Princess Hui, Shi Yue lied, don't listen to Shi Yue's one-sided words, and Prime Minister Xiao and Minister Zeng Shuju were present that day, and they had never heard of this. I can even ask them to testify to prove the innocence and integrity of my Meng family."

"Oh?"

Yan Tong smiled, "Meng Jiao, you really didn't lie to me?"

Meng Jiao hurriedly said, "Don't dare, and ask the eldest princess to make the decision."

Yantong said to He Dan again: "Master He, what does the emperor mean?"

He Dan regained his tenderness and dedication, and said solemnly: "The Meng family is a wealthy businessman in Hangzhou. They pay taxes for the Jiangnan Yamen and collect donations for the people every year. They do countless good deeds. They are great good businessmen. If you keep your word and don't know the rules, King Fu will definitely handle it strictly, so as to make an example of others."

"However, if the Meng family is being bullied, naturally they can't stand by and watch. Naturally, they must seek justice for the Meng family."

Speaking of this, his eyes were angry, he looked at Shi Yue, and snorted: "Shi Qianhu, King Fu is very grateful to you in his heart, we must not make trouble because of such a trivial matter, everyone will not save face It looks good, and you won't have a good time."

Shi Yue ignored He Dan's soft knife, and directly said to Yan Tong: "Eldest princess, I am a rough person, not good at words, please ask the eldest princess to uphold justice for me, right and wrong, right and wrong, I believe you have your own mind."

Yan Tong gave Shi Yue a hard look, thinking in her heart: Are you still not good at words?Skillful tongue, intimidation and lure, all used to Ben Gong, hum, Ben Gong has never seen you such a bastard who is good at rhetoric.

She coughed lightly, and then said to He Dan: "Brother Huang is right. The Meng family is a big family in Hangzhou, and it is also a leader in raising donations and paying taxes. Therefore, if the Meng family bullies others and loses credibility, Brother Huang will naturally restrain them. We must not damage the reputation of our Jiangnan merchants."

"If the Meng family is being bullied, and the emperor's spirit is awe-inspiring, no matter how difficult it is, he must uphold justice for the Meng family. From this, it can be seen that the emperor's spirit is full of righteousness, and he meets the wishes of the business and the hearts of the people. Above is a generation of virtuous kings, admired by the world."

She still cared about the word 'fairness' at the beginning, but in the end, she actually sang praises for King Fu.

Between words, he has been building momentum for Fu Wang's "fairness and justice".

Meng Jiao and He Dan both smiled when they heard this, thinking in their hearts that no matter how powerful the eldest princess is, she must keep pace with King Fu—a woman is a woman, and she cannot turn the palm of a man.

Meng Jiao didn't answer any more, just waited for Yan Tong to attack Shi Yue, but Yan Tong sipped the tea and said to Hong Xing: "Quickly let Mr. Meng, Mr. Kong, and Prime Minister He take a seat."

Looking back at them, he smiled and said with a smile: "I'll discuss the matter of Mingyue Tower later. It just so happens that Mr. Meng and Mr. Kong are both here. I have a few things that I would like to discuss with you."

Hong Xing ordered the servant girl to bring the chair over, and ordered Xiang Tea to serve her.

Kong Liren was very surprised, cupped his hands and said, "What do you want the eldest princess to discuss?"

Meng Jiao pursed her lips, flattering Yan Tong and said, "Is there anything you need to discuss with us, Your Highness the Princess? I, Meng Jiao, unconditionally support the eldest princess. Come in the fire, go in the water, don't frown."

Kong Liren curled his lips, and couldn't help mocking: "Mr. Meng is so loyal to the eldest princess. It's just that the eldest princess died on a cliff, but I don't know where Mr. Meng is?"

"You..." Meng Jiaoteng stood up suddenly, and was about to speak ill to Kong Liren.

Shi Yue stood behind the eldest princess and said with a smile: "Brother Kong, you don't know something. Although Mr. Meng is safe from fire and water, he is afraid of being crushed to pieces. Although he dare not jump off the cliff, it is enough to pray for the eldest princess in his heart. We You have to understand!"

Kong Liren laughed loudly, "I understand, of course I understand! Hey! I am far behind Mr. Meng, but if I can't do something, I have to keep my mouth shut and endure it. Otherwise, I will blow the bull to the sky, wouldn't I?" Make fun of me?"

The two sang together and taunted Meng Jiao, leaving Meng Jiao speechless, his face flushed as if on fire—after all, what he said to please Yan Tong just now was too illusory, and he was caught right away, and indeed Who is to blame?

Meng Jiao rubbed his nose and said to Yantong, "Eldest Princess, what do you want to mention to me and Young Master Kong?"

Yan Tong looked at Meng Jiao with a smile, and said calmly, "Aside from tea, what else can I do?"

"tea?"

Hearing this, Kong Liren and Meng Jiao all stood up, their eyes a little nervous, glaring at each other...