Prime Minister of Great Qin

Chapter 163 What the government wants is an obedient businessman! (seeking subscription)
Feng Dong and others hurriedly said: "It should be so."

Ji Heng glanced down calmly, and said directly: "The government will get all the salt and iron in your hands."

The words fell, and everyone in the room was shocked.

The salt and iron in their hands is indeed not all the salt and iron, but it is not a small amount.

Handing in all these salt and iron, even they would have to suffer a lot, not to mention that they had just experienced a shipwreck not long ago, and it would take a lot of money and food to rebuild the ship. During this period, a large number of clan members escaped They also stole a lot of money secretly, and they didn't have much money left.

The government opened its mouth wide and took all the salt and iron away. They really couldn't accept it.

They did make up their minds to join the government, but they were merchants.

Merchants are there to make money.

Now not only can't make money, but also pay back the amount.

Their dissatisfaction was evident on their faces.

Ji Heng could naturally see the dissatisfaction and anger of several people.

However, he didn't take it seriously, and said calmly: "I know you are reluctant to part with it. The salt and iron in the hands of your five families is worth tens of millions. Such a huge amount is enough to supply millions of people for months. If it were me , I’m afraid I won’t be willing to hand it over in vain.”

"But you can only pay."

"Don't you forget that the salt and iron in your hands fell into the water ten days ago."

heard.

Several people in the field thought it was all an excuse.

The government already knows that the salt and iron are still there, and they haven't really fallen into the water. They are still struggling with falling into the water. What's the point?
Don't you just want to swallow their salt and iron?

Feng Dong didn't respond.

He pondered for a while, then suddenly realized, cupped his hands and said, "Thank you Mr. Zhong for reminding me, I almost made a big mistake."

"Since the salt and iron have fallen into the water, how can we take it out in a grand manner? Isn't this a public announcement to the world that the salt and iron have not fallen into the water? In fact, it was hidden by us. If people notice this, it may cause us and the government to suffer. To verbal criticism."

"This is absolutely impossible."

Hearing Feng Dong's words, Cheng Zheng and others also reacted.

The government and they do know that the salt and iron did not fall into the water, but the outside world does not know. Now the outside world is spreading rumors that the salt and iron have fallen into the water. It's easy to spot the oddity.

How will they defend themselves then?

What's more serious is that if they openly sell salt and iron, but the government does nothing, wouldn't it be obvious to the world that the government and the merchants are secretly colluding.

At that time, in order to calm down, the government may take them under the knife.

Isn't this causing trouble for myself?

It's just that the tens of thousands of salt and iron are handed over like this, and they are really unwilling.

Ji Heng said: "I know you are worried about the loss, but the government can't buy it back with money, but it can be compensated in other ways. I discussed it with the eldest son before. The salt and iron business tax of your few companies in the future, From more than half of the tax in the past, it will be reduced to half of the tax."

heard.

Cheng Zheng and the others looked happy.

They are naturally very happy to be able to reduce taxes.

It's just a 16% reduction, which is too little, and that's tens of thousands of salt and iron.

However, seeing that Mr. Zhong obviously did not give him any room to bargain, although they were still a little unhappy, they reluctantly accepted it. After all, their arms could not twist their thighs, and the government was willing to reduce taxes. There is nothing they can do about it.

Cheng Zheng and the others also accept as soon as they are good.

Cheng Zheng cupped his hands and said, "Thank you, Mr. Zhong, for pleading for my life."

Ji Heng continued: "The salt workers, iron workers, and craftsmen who make farm tools in your hands will be requisitioned by the government."

Cheng Zheng said: "Yes."

Feng Dong on the side said in a concentrated voice: "Mr. Zhong, isn't it too obvious that the government directly expropriated it? Although we are leaning towards the government, the outside world does not know that such a close move may attract attention. If people guess it, There might be some trouble."

Ji Heng smiled and said, "The government has its own consideration."

"The government will not allow you to 'give free', but to force them to recruit. In addition, they will also pay these workers and craftsmen. According to normal conditions, except for you, other salt workers and iron workers in Guanzhong will be forced to recruit, so It won't draw any attention."

Feng Dong nodded slightly.

Hearing Ji Heng's words, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

He was actually very worried that their relationship with the government would be exposed, at least for now, it would not be enough. The government could get away with it, but they might suffer bad consequences. This is not what he wanted to see, so he paid special attention to it at this time detail.

Ji Heng took a deep look at Feng Dong, and continued: "Besides, the salt and iron shares of other merchants, except Juling and other new salt merchants, iron merchants, and you, will be released gradually after the matter subsides. At that time, you will carve it up on your own, and the government will not intervene, after all, this is the market's choice."

"It all depends on ability."

heard.

Feng Dong and the others froze.

What they expected finally happened.

Ji Heng's words have already directly explained that the government is going to attack Cao Bingsheng and others.

Merchants such as Cao Bingsheng have been completely abandoned by the government.

Think of this.

There was also a fear in their hearts.

If they hadn't reached an agreement at that time, or had other ideas, and then made the government dissatisfied, I'm afraid they would follow in the footsteps of Cao Bingsheng and others. The government's methods were fierce, but they never cared about anything.

Cheng Zheng took a deep breath, only feeling that his chest was tight.

He had always been very close to Cao Bingsheng, but when he heard the news suddenly, he couldn't help feeling a little dazed.

He pondered for a moment, gritted his teeth and asked, "May I ask Mr. Zhong, why did you choose us?"

A cold look flashed in Ji Heng's eyes, and he said indifferently: "The reason is actually very simple. The government can't trust them. Tiger poison doesn't eat its offspring. These people are too decisive to abandon their own people. How can such people be trusted by the government?"

heard.

Cheng Zheng was not convinced by this explanation.

When did the government need to consider these situations?
This is clearly sophistry.

see.

Ji Heng frowned, and said with a half-smile, "You really want to know the reason?"

Cheng Zheng's face froze, and he cupped his hands and said, "It's just that I have some doubts in my heart. Cao Bingsheng is my good friend. Hearing that he was abandoned by the government, I was a little dazed for a while, so I became curious."

"Please forgive me, sir."

Ji Heng laughed lightly and said, "If you really want to know, I can tell you."

"Because they're too young."

"There are too many capable people in their clan."

"What the government needs are obedient merchants, not merchants with their own ideas."

"At least not for now!"

Hearing Ji Heng's words, Cheng Zheng froze for a moment.

Then there was a wry smile.

He got it.

What Mr. Zhong and even the court are afraid of is not individuals, but the strength and potential of various merchants. From the beginning to the end of this matter, he and Feng Dong participated the most. Logically speaking, they are the people the government fears the most, and should be It is a typical example of the government killing them quickly, but this is just their wishful thinking.

This is not what the government considers.

And in the global.

of long-term hazards.

They did participate a lot this time, but the reason why they planned so much was mainly to seek more space for the clansmen and avoid being eaten away by other merchants in the future. They knew that the children of their clan were a little out of date, so they could only fight for it. .

However, Cao Bingsheng and other families are different.

There are many talented children in their clan right now.

Youthful spirit.

It's easy to do impulsive things.

In addition, it is not easy for the government to completely control them, so the government decided to abandon them.

in short.

What the government wants is to be obedient, not to have their own ideas.

In this regard.

Cheng Zheng and the others could only smile wryly.

They don't even know whether to cry or laugh. In the eyes of the government, they seem to be "weak". Absolutely will not give birth to dissent easily.

At least not in the short term.

immediately.

Everyone's hearts are gradually at ease.

At least for now, the government still trusts them.

That also means there is no short-term danger to life.

That's barely good news.

What makes them feel more at ease is the government's 'inaction'.

Seemingly inaction, in fact, they let them fight openly and covertly to eat the share of Cao Bingsheng and others. Invisibly, they turned against each other again.

The means are not low.

Just like the drizzle and spring breeze, it is silent.

They don't care about these things now. If the government really has no target, they may continue to worry. Now that the government is doing something bad in secret, it shows that it is not just a bluff, which makes them completely at ease.

At this time.

Ji Heng's voice came again.

"Write down the officials involved in it one by one."

heard.

Cheng Zheng and the others changed their faces drastically.

Ji Heng's methods are too vicious, if this is known, they may never have peace.

This is forcing them to recruit all relevant officials in disguise.

Ji Heng was indifferent, and said coldly: "There is a price to be paid for doing something wrong, and the price is destined to be borne by someone."

"It's not you, it's them."

"Since the matter has become a big deal this time, it can only end in a good way."

"It's not enough to be anticlimactic."

Cheng Zheng and the others looked at each other with hesitation in their eyes.

They knew that they had to hand over the deed of refuge.

It's just that this contract is too harsh.

If they really followed suit, they would undoubtedly cut off any escape route, and there would be no room for maneuver. They could only completely fall to the government, to be precise, the eldest son.

But do they have a choice?

No!

Cheng Zheng and the others were full of bitterness, and finally could only nod their heads.

Ji Heng nodded in satisfaction, and said: "You can rest assured that this list will not be known to the outside world. You will be grateful for this decision in the future. Although you have lost a lot, you will slowly make up for it in the future. The government will not You will be wronged."

Hearing Ji Heng's words, Cheng Zheng and others gave a wry smile.

The government will be very grateful if they can save them trouble in the future.

other?Don't dare to have extravagant ideas at all.

They were also really scared.

After half an hour.

Ji Heng left contentedly.

(End of this chapter)