Eighth year of Chongzhen

Chapter 112
In the main hall of Qianqing Palace, Chongzhen sat on the dragon chair and looked at the copywriting. The silver taels received from the salt merchants meeting this time had already been moved into the internal storage.

Under the leadership of Zhao Sihai and Li Youjin, most of the salt merchants chose to stand in line with cash, while a small number chose Shemai.A total of more than 20 stones of salt were sold this time, more than two million catties, and about [-] taels of silver were obtained, which is already a very good achievement.

Of course, compared to the millions of people in Gyeonggi, this sales volume is nothing.But as long as the people accept it, sun-dried salt will dominate the market in the near future until it completely occupies the entire Jiangbei area.

Everything has a process and requires a lot of financial, material and manpower.Gong Fanwu used ships to transport the salt to the wharf in Tianjin, and then hired carriage porters to transport it to the warehouse built in the north of the capital, which cost a lot of money.

Salt merchants also have to hire carriage porters to transport the salt back to their own sites for distribution, which is also time-consuming and laborious.Of course, compared to transporting salt from the south of the Yangtze River, it saves a lot of expenses, and there are no checks at various checkpoints and exploitation by subordinate officials.

Luo Yangxing sent people to follow each salt merchant separately, and did not return until the goods arrived at their place of residence.

Each of these captains escorted along the way has a considerable travel allowance, and some salt merchants will also send extra ceremonies to show their favor.

When the first batch of business travelers returned and showed off in public, the job of escorting and transporting salt became a sought-after job, and all the Jinyiwei officials in the Jingwei Station competed for this good job.In the end, Luo Yangxing had no choice but to announce that the guards would send escorts in turn.But the school lieutenants with tens of thousands of people, even if they take turns, only arrange a few guards each time, and I don't know when it's my turn.While everyone was frustrated, expectations for expanding the sun-dried salt market suddenly rose.Because the larger the market, the shorter the time interval between business trips, whether it is subsidies or foreign money, there will be more.

Chongzhen put down the copy, and said to Luo Yangxing who was standing under the steps: "Let Beizhen Fusi strengthen the investigation of salt merchants in Shandong and Henan, and open the markets of the two provinces as soon as possible according to the practice of the Gyeonggi area. The real Zhao Sihai Li Youjin from Hebaoding can be rewarded as a peripheral member of Jinyiwei."

Zhao Sihai and Li Youjin made the right bet this time.Jin Yiwei not only has a large number of school lieutenants, but also many peripheral personnel exist in the market, and they are engaged in various industries.Tea houses, restaurants, car and boat wharves, servants and maids of powerful families all have the eyeliner placed by Jin Yiwei.

Although he is a peripheral member, with this layer of identity protection, if something happens, Jin Yiwei will come forward to support him, which is considered half an official status.There are more amulets than those of a simple salt merchant, and he has more confidence and courage in his actions.

Luo Yangxing bowed in response.

Chongzhen continued: "Gong Fanwu is doing very well! But it is not appropriate to arrange an official with him now. Once he has an official, he will be restricted in doing things. I will let my son-in-law inform him and let him understand my difficulties. The Shouguang Salt Farm is on the right track, you select reliable personnel from Weizhong to take over. Ask them to follow the regulations, expand the number of acres of salt fields, increase production, and I am going to let Gong Fanwu go to the Changlu Salt Farm."

Luo Yangxing was surprised and said: "Your Majesty, the Changlu Salt Farm is under the Ministry of Household Affairs, and there are still many officials such as promotions and ambassadors. Gong Fanwu is white, what capacity will he take over the salt farm?"

Chongzhen said: "Of course I know. The Changlu Salt Field has convenient transportation. If it is well utilized, the salt in Gyeonggi, Shanxi and Shanxi provinces will come from here. At present, the Changlu Salt Field is almost deserted, and the officials only care about private interests, not the interests of the court. You Send people to investigate the corruption of officials in the salt field, and then take it down. I will decree to abolish Changlu on the grounds that I can’t make ends meet, and then Gong Fanwu can take over. This matter must be done quickly, and you will handle it as soon as you go back!"

Duke Cheng's Mansion is located in the west area of ​​the capital, close to the imperial city, covering an area of ​​hundreds of acres.Inside, there are pavilions, terraces and pavilions with carved beams and painted buildings, and precious flowers and plants are all over them.

In a study in the inner house of the fifth entrance, Cheng Guogong Zhu Chunchen and Xiangcheng Bo Li Guozhen were discussing secretly.Because of the master's order, there was no one around the study, only a few guards guarding the gate of the courtyard.

Zhu Chunchen is tall and burly, and his square face gives people a sense of calm and prestige.After all, he is an admiral with more than [-] soldiers and horses, and the second most important minister among the nobles. He naturally develops a superior temperament on weekdays.

He frowned and said to Li Guozhen who was next to him: "You mean that the emperor wants to take the capital from you and me? Is this reliable? Could it be that someone has slandered the emperor?"

Li Guozhen is thin and thin, with a pair of triangular eyes shining on his long face.He put down the teacup in his hand and replied: "Your lord, do you still remember the matter that the former emperor summoned Xue Lian and Wei Shichun?"

Zhu Chunchen nodded and said: "My lord sent someone to inquire about it later. The two of them entered the palace because of donations and financial support. It has nothing to do with us. Why is this matter related to the Beijing camp?"

Li Guozhen replied: "A steward in my younger brother's mansion is from the same town as the house steward of the Marquis of Yangwu's mansion, and they often find empty space to drink. Yesterday the steward of the house accidentally said that Uncle Xuancheng often went to the Marquis of Yangwu's mansion for banquets. Sometimes he took several generals of the Beijing camp with him. One time when everyone was drinking, he faintly heard Xuan Chengbo shouting that after he took control of the Beijing camp, he would definitely train an elite soldier and so on. The steward of a certain mansion knew that the matter was of great importance, so he hurriedly reported to me after returning to the mansion, and so-and-so came to inform the Duke today so that he could discuss with the Duke what should be done about this matter!"

Zhu Chunchen stroked his beard and pondered, and said after a long while: "Since the British Duke was old and frail and ignored things for a long time, the Jingying has held our hands for several years. The current Beijing Ying can be said to be equivalent to your private army. If others want to intervene, it will be extremely difficult! The emperor was so troubled by the robbery in Liaodong, I don't think there will be any troubles. Maybe it's because Xue and Wei made an empty promise. You worry too much!"

Li Guozhen smiled wryly and said: "I hope it's someone who thinks too much! But someone always feels something is wrong in his heart! There may be no reason for it! In short, we have to guard against it."

Zhu Chunchen nodded and said: "Since the time of Tumu Fort, Xungui has been in decline for more than a hundred years! Now the generals of the military towns in various places are not from Xungui's family, and the Beijing Camp has become the last front to support us! Jingying Power must never fall into the hands of others!"

After a moment of silence, Li Guozhen asked suddenly: "Grandpa, there is a sentence that I don't know whether to ask or not!"

Zhu Chunchen said with a smile: "You and I are family friends, and we are as close as brothers on weekdays. What can't we say?"

Li Guozhen hesitated for a while, and finally said: "My lord, the situation in Ming Dynasty is deteriorating day by day, the officers and soldiers are becoming more and more lethargic, the bandits seem to be sweeping over, and there are slaves and thieves watching from the east. There is always a feeling that the building is about to collapse. ! If it’s really hard to bear, how should we deal with ourselves?!”

Zhu Chunchen was stunned for a long time when he heard the words, his expression was both confused and sad.After a long time, he slowly opened his mouth and said: "You and I have the titles of dukes and earls, all of which were acquired by our ancestors following Emperor Taizong's bloody battle! It stands to reason that Daming raised me for more than two hundred years. If we really want to do what you said, I will I should rest with the country! It's just... oh!"

Li Guozhen sighed: "I really understand the heart of my father-in-law! To this day, we are waiting for hundreds of people from all over the family. If we want to go to the country together, it will be so difficult! If I say something rebellious, I will really have that day." , we should prepare early, and we can’t see the glory and wealth of 200 years disappear in a blink of an eye! Then how can we have the face to meet our ancestors?”

Zhu Chunchen took a deep look at Li Guozhen, and said, "My dear brother, what should we do?"

Li Guozhen got up suddenly, stared at Zhu Chunchen's eyes, and said firmly in a low voice: "The Beijing camp must be controlled in our hands, and we will act according to the circumstances!"

Zhu Chunchen let out a long sigh: "The Zhu family has always treated me well, and I really can't bear to abandon them! Let's see! The situation may not deteriorate as my brother said. No matter what, the capital camp is the foundation for you and me. No one can do it." Don’t even think about taking it away! Brother, go back now, and let the acquaintances come forward to impeach you and me! Just say that certain people’s family traditions are not strict, and they allow the people in the house to compete with the people for profit!”

Li Guozhen thought about it for a while, suddenly his eyes lit up, and he said with a smile: "My lord is using this to test the emperor's mind! It's wonderful! If the emperor really wants to shake you and me, he will take the opportunity to issue an order to lay the groundwork for the future ! On the contrary, it means that the emperor has no other intentions! I will go back now, my little brother. After dark, I will inform the acquaintance of the speaker, and leave!"

In the early morning of the next day, the censor Zhao Rui's memorabilia appeared on the imperial case of Qianqing Palace.The content is nothing more than that the servants of Cheng Guogong and Xiangcheng Bo's mansion are in charge of affairs, relying on the power of the mansion, competing with merchants for resources, bullying and dominating the market, and intending to monopolize the market, etc., without any evidence attached.

After reading it, Chongzhen laughed it off, and secretly despised Zhu Chunchen and Li Guozhen's little tricks. After reading it, he directly threw the memorial aside, and ordered Li Erxi to go to the Inspector's Office to reprimand Li Rui face to face.Denouncing him as a censor, he would only hear rumors about his inappropriateness, but he must give examples, otherwise he would be suspected of framing.

After hearing the news, Zhu and Li felt a little peace in their hearts.

(End of this chapter)