Chongzhen Daming: Starting from Coal Mountain

Chapter 127 Coal Mountain Enlightenment
The merchants present were mainly divided into two categories.

One is the Yangzhou salt merchants who came at the invitation of Chongzhen. This part of the salt merchants had experienced Chongzhen's "South Gate Standing Tree" in Yangzhou, and they had recognized Chongzhen's credibility from the bottom of their hearts, so they all enthusiastically subscribed.

Then there are Huizhou merchants, Fujian merchants, Zhejiang merchants, Cantonese merchants and other foreign merchants living in Nanjing. Most of these merchants were forcibly invited by Jinyiwei from various guild halls, so the enthusiasm was not very high.

In addition, local merchants in Nanjing did not participate.

More importantly, the Jiangnan gentry did not participate either.

What Chongzhen really wanted to empty was the pockets of Jiangnan nobles.

Especially those nobles in Nanjing who have received national grace for generations!

So what we need to do now is to ferment and release the news.

At that moment, Zhu Cihong pressed his hands repeatedly and said, "Everyone, please be quiet..."

Zhu Cihong shouted several times, but couldn't suppress the enthusiasm of the merchants. In the end, more than a dozen "big generals" under the stage yelled in unison, and finally calmed down the merchants.

Only then did Zhu Cihong say: "Everyone, both the sage and Gu have seen your patriotic zeal. Facts have proved that in our Ming Dynasty, not only scholars but also merchants are the ones who worry about the country and the people! In the future, whoever says that merchants value profit Belittle righteousness, don't care about family and country, and I will be the first one not to agree."

Hearing this, the merchants present at the scene suddenly felt very comfortable.

Chongzhen also nodded happily, saying that the prince of Ming Dynasty was showing his political skills, at least this flattery made the merchants present feel very comfortable.

But then again, there are indeed volunteer merchants among merchants.

Zhu Cihong went on to say: "However, the purpose of summoning everyone to Meixiang Building today is just a prophetic announcement to let everyone prepare. At the same time, it is also to let everyone have a cooling-off period. Don't make decisions because of a moment of enthusiasm, so as not to It’s not beautiful to buy bonds and then regret it.”

Hearing this, many merchants present couldn't help chuckling.

At the same time, they all thought to themselves, the prince is benevolent and righteous, but there is no need for it.

Merchants of my generation must think twice before acting, and they will definitely not be overheated.

After a pause, Zhu Cihong continued: "So, after you go back, you can discuss it carefully with your family members. If you really intend to save the country and share the worries of the Holy One, you can go to Nangong's inner government to subscribe after seven days."

In seven days, enough news spread throughout the eight prefectures and one prefecture in the south of the Yangtze River, and it was enough for the gentry in the eight prefectures and one prefecture to respond.

More importantly, the "South Gate Standing Tree" in Nanjing can almost be completed after seven days.

From the beginning to the end, Zhu Cihong's definition of this fundraising is to save the country and share the worries for the Holy One, and he never mentions the fact that merchants can benefit a lot from it!This is great!

This is to let merchants not only benefit but also gain fame!

Moreover, the name of bailing out the country and sharing the worries of the saint is much more powerful than building a bridge and building an ancestral hall for the village. This is a good name that can go down in history!

Some merchants feel more and more that the opportunity cannot be missed.

These people have already thought about raising money as soon as they go back.

Zhu Cihong cupped his hands again and said: "Okay, today's meeting is over, everyone can do what they want."

After finishing speaking and leaving the stage, Zhu Cihong excitedly boarded the corridor on the second floor and came to Chongzhen.

But after arriving in front of Chongzhen, Zhu Cihong just cupped his hands, and then shouted: Father!

Chongzhen couldn't help but laugh, thinking that although Zhu Cihong had acted calmly in front of all the merchants just now, he was still just a fifteen-year-old child after all.

But Chongzhen is not those feudal patriarchs.

As a time traveler with modern thinking, Chongzhen will never be stingy with praise.

"Lang'er, you did a good job." Chongzhen said happily, "You have become a real prince."

Zhu Cijiong also said sincerely: "Brother Huang, when you were speaking on the stage just now, I really wondered if you were possessed by the emperor father, and the merchants in the audience were all suppressed by you."

"No way." Zhu Cihong was a little embarrassed.

Chongzhen touched Zhu Cihong's little head, then took Zhu Cijiong's little hand, and said, "Let's go, go back to Guozijian."

Chongzhen doesn't care how other people educate Chu Jun, but Zhu Cihong and Zhu Cijiong Chongzhen will never pretend to others. He not only wants to teach the younger brothers how to control people, but also teaches their brothers the principle of working together to cut money. When Zhu Cihong gives birth in the future After the emperor's grandson, Chongzhen will also take him with him to teach in person.

At least to ensure that the hips will not be stretched within three generations.

After a while, Chongzhen father and son left Meixianglou.

Watching the father and son go away, not only Li Zhenli, the madam of Meixianglou, and famous Qinhuai prostitutes such as Li Xiangjun, Zheng Tuoniang, and Li Shiniang, but also the four sons Gu Gao, Chen Zhenhui, Wu Yingji, and Maoxiang, were also at a loss. Actually, he really just used the venue of Meixiang Building to run an official business?
After finishing official duties, the Holy Majesty didn't stay overnight?

The Holy Majesty actually took the prince and King Ding away, gone?

Maoxiang looked at Wu Yingji, Wu Yingji looked at Chen Zhenhui, and Chen Zhenhui looked at Gu Gao last.

Gu Gao stomped his feet and said, "It's definitely not possible to stay overnight, let's go, we will also go back to the Imperial College!"

Thus, the four elder brothers left Meixiang Tower under the resentful eyes of the famous prostitutes in Qinhuai.

……

At this time, come to the north of Yanqiao.

A carriage was parked in an alley not far away.

Zhang Han, Fang Wenzhen and Kang Wanwan watched Laiyanqiao in the carriage.

Seeing Chongzhen father and son cross the bridge surrounded by Yi Ding and eunuchs and return to the Imperial College, Kang Wanwan looked at Zhang Han and Fang Wenzhen with a smile: "How?"

Dare to feel that Kang Wanwan and Fang Wenzhen made a bet just now.

The bet is whether Chongzhen will stay overnight in Meixiang Building tonight.

Kang Wanwan bets that Chongzhen will not stay overnight, but Fang Wenzhen and Zhang Han don't believe it.

"This is really..." Zhang Han said with his hands on his forehead, "It's a bit unexpected."

Fang Wenzhen said solemnly: "I now also believe Brother Kang's previous assertion that the current Holy Majesty is very likely to become a hero who will not lose to Tang Zong Hanwu!"

"It's not possible, but certain."

Kang Wanwan, on the other hand, seemed full of confidence: "The achievements of the Holy Majesty will definitely surpass those of Tang Zong and Han Wu."

Zhang Han frowned and said, "But I can't figure it out. The Holy Spirit has such a great talent and sophistication, so what happened in the past seventeen years? Why did Ming Dynasty fall into such a state?"

Kang Wanwan and Fang Wenzhen were immediately asked, yes, what happened in the previous seventeen years?

After a long while, Fang Wenzhen said quietly: "Old Zhang, when you said that, I suddenly thought of someone."

Kang Wanwan's expression changed, and he suddenly said: "Brother Fang, when you said that, I suddenly thought of someone, but I don't know if you and I are thinking of the same person? Hah."

Zhang Han rolled his eyes and said, "Say it quickly, don't play tricks."

Fang Wenzhen said in a bad mood: "Okay, the person I thought of was Lord Yangming."

"I was also thinking of Lord Yangming." Kang Wanwan nodded and said, "Before Yang Minggong was demoted to Longchang, his life was extremely difficult and embarrassing, but after Longchang realized Taoism, he seemed to be a different person. The chaos of the people in the south, the chaos of the king of Ning, and the discipline and lectures were compiled and learned. In just [-] years, he achieved the three immortals of virtue, meritorious service, and words, and achieved the position of sage. His status in the hearts of scholars is even ahead of Zhu Zi. .”

"Well, I see." Zhang Han suddenly realized.

"You mean, the Holy Majesty also enlightened in Meishan?"

"Nine times out of ten!" Fang Wenzhen and Kang Wanwan nodded at the same time.

……

When Chongzhen and his son returned to Guozijian, there were already people waiting for him.

Ma Mingpao bowed to the ground with a long bow: "Your Majesty, Ma Mingpao kowtows to the Holy One, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, and His Royal Highness King Yong."

"No." Chongzhen sat down on the grand master's chair, and then ordered Wang Cheng'en, "Wang Daban, quickly bring a chair for Master Ma Mingtao."

Wang Chengen responded and moved a chair in person.

"I thank you, my lord, and my father-in-law." Ma Minglu thanked him, and sat down on the chair.

This time, Ma Mingpao no longer sat with half of his butt hanging in danger, but sat down and relaxed.

After several times of reciting, Ma Mingpao has also figured out Chongzhen's current temper, that is, he no longer likes red tape, and the more direct the emperor and his ministers are, the better.

To be honest, Ma Mingpao likes this style very much.

Compared with the current style of the Holy Majesty's previous style, it is simply incomprehensible.

Thinking of this, Ma Mingpao's heart suddenly moved slightly, so the Meishan calamity was actually a good thing?The Holy One had an epiphany, and the Ming Dynasty was saved from desperation.

Chongzhen said: "Ma Mingpao, have all the tax and silver been returned?"

"No." Ma Minghao shook his head and said, "There are still more than half a million taels of tax money that the sufferer has not been able to claim. Perhaps it has been too long, and even the sufferer himself has forgotten."

Chongzhen said: "Where is the five hundred thousand taels of silver now?"

"The minister has already escorted him to Nanjing." Ma Mingpao replied, "It will be placed in Nangong."

After finishing speaking, Ma Mingpao took out a stack of account books from behind: "My lord, this is the account book for tax refund."

Chongzhen took the account book and turned to the end, only to see five million one four thousand and twenty-nine taels written on it. This number surprised him a bit, and he copied back five million taels?
Zhu Cijiong also said: "You actually copied back more than five million yuan?"

Ma Mingpao cupped his hands and said: "Although those ginseng and soil sticks tried their best to conceal it, I also have my own way. I specially locked the main room and outer house of those ginsui and soil sticks in one place, and made them bite each other, so that all A bracelet, a ring, and even earrings have nothing to hide, but unfortunately, only more than five million taels were recovered."

"It's not bad to recover five million taels." Chongzhen directly closed the account book.

Knocking on the tea table with his fingers, Chongzhen said again: "Ma Mingpao, is it okay to be the magistrate of Yangzhou?"

"Satisfactory?" Ma Mingpao hesitated for a moment, and asked boldly, "My lord, can I tell the truth?"

"Of course." Chongzhen nodded without hesitation, "In front of me, you can tell the truth at any time, and you must only tell the truth. Otherwise, you are guilty of deceiving the emperor, and I will definitely not forgive you lightly."

(End of this chapter)