I served as an admonisher in the Song Dynasty

Chapter 521: Thrilling! Wang Anshi: I am only three inches away from an untimely death
Merchants in the south of the Yangtze River mostly believe in Feng Shui.

Especially the feng shui of houses and shops requires careful consideration.

As the saying goes: flowing water brings wealth.

Most of the mansions and shops of Hangzhou's wealthy are located near Qufu Bridge at the east water gate of West Lake.

among them.

The headquarters of the Jiangnan Trading Company is located in the best feng shui location in front of Qufu Bridge.

It is a four-story building with a huge stone-carved copper coin on the roof.

Its name is: Kong Fang Lou.

Kong Fang means money.

This building is open every day, with dedicated personnel taking turns on duty. It is also the engraving and printing office for the Jiangnan Business Daily.

It is rumored.

Any member of Jiangnan Trading Company, no matter what problems they encounter, can report them here and they will be solved quickly.

Also.

At the beginning of every month, members of Jiangnan Trading Company hold a monthly meeting here.

There are guards patrolling in front of the building day and night.

It was just like a provincial government office, and non-members were not allowed to enter.

……

August 24th, near noon.

The area around Qufu Bridge is very lively.

There are shops everywhere, the shouts of street vendors are very loud and clear, and there is an endless stream of pedestrians.

Boats pass under the bridge from time to time.

From time to time, young girls would play the piano or sing on the boat to attract customers.

Its prosperity is no less than that of the area around Zhouqiao in Bianjing City.

at this time.

A long-bearded man wearing a purple silk shirt and looking like a businessman came to the Qufu Bridge.

He was followed by more than ten guards.

The guards strode forward, carrying five exquisite mahogany boxes.

Just by looking at the gorgeousness of the box, you can tell that the things inside are of great value.

The long-bearded merchant walked onto Qufu Bridge and stopped.

He first glanced at the Kongfang Building not far away, then looked at the shops on both sides, and shouted: "Spread the money!"

Immediately, several guards behind him took out the large money bags from their waists and started scattering copper coins around.

Wow!

Wow!

Wow!

Spending money in handfuls.

According to the customs of the Song Dynasty, people would only scatter copper coins when they got married or held sacrifices, and they would also mix them with a large amount of soybeans, candies, walnuts, etc., otherwise it would be too expensive.

But this time, the money thrown was all copper coins.

Some of the copper coins are in strings, with more than twenty coins in a string.

Although most of the people in Hangzhou are not poor, they still want to pick up this kind of money that is not wasted.

Not long after.

A large group of people gathered around Qufu Bridge, and they all bent down to pick up money.

Some people were also attracted by the behavior of the long-bearded merchant.

Seeing that there were people gathered around, the bearded merchant shouted again, "Open the box!"

Click!Click!Click!
Five mahogany boxes were opened.

Some people at the front looked out and couldn't help but exclaimed: It's all...all money!
The mahogany box was filled with silver ingots and banknotes.

At this time.

A bystander murmured, "Will he...will he also scatter all the money in the mahogany box?"

"You're dreaming! If such a large silver ingot were scattered, it could kill someone."

"He must be trying to spread the news by throwing money around." The man who was speaking stuffed the copper coins into his arms and said to his companions, "Some people have used this method before, but he is the first person in Hangzhou to be so generous and make so much money public. This is going to be exciting!"

"Cough cough..."

The long-bearded merchant saw that the people around him had almost picked up all the copper coins.

He immediately straightened his chest and spoke slowly in a southern accent.

"My fellow countrymen, my name is An Youwei. My ancestral home is Qiantang, Hangzhou. I followed my father out to do business when I was young. Over the years, thanks to the Reform Movement of the Song Dynasty, I have made some money by selling medicinal herbs."

"Recently, I heard that the court had issued a national debt contract, so I also wanted to buy a national debt and contribute to the court. This move can not only benefit me but also gain fame, so why not do it? So I thought about returning home to do this and improve the reputation of our Jiangnan merchants."

"I never thought that, I heard that up to now, all Jiangnan merchants have only purchased millions of strings of national debts. This makes me very sad! In the Song Dynasty, except for Kaifeng Prefecture, our Jiangnan is the richest. Kaifeng merchants have purchased 30 million strings of national debts. We in Jiangnan must have at least 20 million strings of national debts. I never thought it was so little."

"Aren't you afraid that other merchants will call us Jiangnan merchants rich but unkind, and call us Jiangnan merchants Jiangnan rats?"

"The court said that buying government bonds is voluntary and there is nothing wrong if you don't buy them. Some businessmen are selfish and it has nothing to do with me, and I can't persuade them."

"But I also heard that some people used their power to prohibit others from buying government bonds. This is very ugly and it really brings shame to the people of Jiangnan!"

When the long-bearded merchant said this, he turned his head and looked towards the Jiangnan Trading Company not far away.

Obviously, it refers to the Jiangnan Trading Company preventing some Jiangnan businessmen from purchasing government bonds.

"As a Jiangnan businessman, I am willing to go to the state government to buy 30,000 strings of national debt to bring honor to our Jiangnan businessmen!"

……

While this bearded businessman was speaking, in a private room on the second floor of a teahouse not far away.

Su Liang and Cao Yi stood at the window, looking at the long-bearded merchant.

Cao Yi murmured, "Jiefu performed quite well. His words were very impressive. I hope he can lead the Jiangnan merchants to buy national debts."

"It's really good. Jiefu is actually a good actor." Su Liang said with a smile.

Cao Yi laughed and said, "Who among those who enter the officialdom doesn't know how to act?"

This long-bearded businessman, An Youwei, was none other than Wang Anshi in disguise.

Last night, Su Liang came up with a plan.

The Jiangnan Trading Company is a deep-rooted company, and we can only see the surface of their intelligence.

If you want to know more, all you have to do is throw a big stone into this bottomless water.

So there is——

"Wang Anshi disguised himself as a Jiangnan businessman and exposed on the street that someone was preventing merchants from buying government bonds."

There is nothing wrong with not buying government bonds yourself.

But preventing others from buying government bonds is a big mistake.

Why was it Wang Anshi in disguise?

Because the strategy was proposed by Su Liang, the money was taken by Cao Yi, and Wang Anshi could only work hard.

And he is from the South.

Wang Anshi at this time.

He looks like a middle-aged businessman in his forties. Except for his rather literary manner of speaking, he is like a southern businessman in every other respect.

Just as Wang Anshi was about to go to the Hangzhou provincial government, a middle-aged man suddenly walked onto the Qufu Bridge.

"Manager An, wait a minute! Wait a minute!"

Hearing this voice, Su Liang and Cao Yi were overjoyed.

Maybe a fish is about to be caught.

Wang Anshi looked at the person who came. He was thin, with bright eyes, and was a middle-aged man who was full of energy.

"Manager An, I am the manager of Tao's Jewelry Store on the street, Tao Yiren. Can you come to my store to chat for a while? A cup of tea will be enough. This involves your future business, you must listen."

Wang Anshi curled his lips and said, "You are not trying to steal my money, are you?"

"It's a clear day, there are police officers patrolling not far away, and I have a shop here, how could I rob your money? I am a member of the Jiangnan Trading Company. If you want to make a lot of money when you return to Jiangnan, you must join the Jiangnan Trading Company. Come to my shop and have a chat!" Tao Yiren walked up to Wang Anshi and said in a low voice.

Wang Anshi nodded, then looked at the guards and said, "Keep an eye on the money and don't let strangers get close. I'll be back soon!"

After that, Wang Anshi followed Tao Yiren and walked towards the jewelry store nearby.

……

In the front hall.

There are only Tao Yiren and Wang Anshi.

While pouring tea for Wang Anshi, Tao Yiren said, "Boss An, if you want to do business in the Jiangnan area, I suggest you don't buy government bonds."

"Why?" Wang Anshi asked.

"There are rumors that this is the imperial court's strategy of robbing the rich to help the poor, and part of it will even be used for military expenses. After the imperial court takes it away, let alone the interest, I'm afraid even the principal will not be returned. You will end up with nothing. How can merchants fight the imperial court?"

Wang Anshi puffed out his chest.

"Compared to gossip, I trust the imperial court more, and I trust Su Jingming, the Chief Censor of the Song Dynasty!"

Tao Yiren was stunned, thought for a moment and said, "Manager An, if you insist on doing it, you may offend Jiangnan Trading Company."

"In Jiangnan, if you go against the will of the Jiangnan Trading Company, it will be difficult for you to survive in Hangzhou... no... in the entire Jiangnan, even if you have a fortune of hundreds of thousands of strings of cash!"

"I have kindly reminded you, and it depends on your performance from now on. Also, I would like to remind you that even if you buy treasury bonds today, you can still withdraw them within three days."

After saying this, Tao Yiren made a gesture of invitation to Wang Anshi.

Wang Anshi strode out of the jewelry store, and as he walked out, he shouted, "Let's go to the state government!"

In the front hall of the jewelry store, Tao Yiren's face was grim, and he murmured: "When you have suffered, you will know the consequences of not listening to my warnings!"

……

About a quarter of an hour later.

Wang Anshi came to the provincial government with silver ingots and banknotes worth 30,000 strings of cash.

After he reported a few breaths.

A middle-aged official in the uniform of a magistrate walked out quickly.

"You...you must be An...the head shopkeeper, right? I am Gu Yue, the magistrate of Hangzhou. Please come in! Please come in! Hangzhou is in need of a kind-hearted businessman like you!"

After saying this, Wang Anshi and Hangzhou Tongpan Gu Yue entered the provincial government office.

moment.

Wang Anshi signed a contract to purchase 30,000 strings of government bonds.

The Hangzhou Tongpan looked at Wang Anshi and said with a smile: "Manager An, according to the court regulations, I remind you that you have three days to consider. If you regret buying the national debt within three days, you can return it in full. After three days, it cannot be returned."

"Understood. An will never back down. In addition, I hope that Judge Gu can post a notice in the city to inform the whole city that I have purchased 30,000 strings of national debt. On the one hand, I do want to make a name for myself, and on the other hand, I hope to encourage more merchants to buy national debt and make me famous as a Jiangnan merchant!"

"Haha... Promote my personal reputation, promote the reputation of Jiangnan merchants. Manager An, Hangzhou is in great need of honest merchants like you. In one hour, I will post a notice to inform the whole city!"

"Thank you, Judge Gu!"

Then Wang Anshi took his men away.

……

An hour later.

In the house rented by Su Liang and two other people.

Wang Anshi told Su Liang and Cao Yi every word of the conversation between him and Tao Yiren, the owner of Tao's Jewelry Store, and between him and Gu Yue, the magistrate of Hangzhou.

Su Liang said: "I have sent people to monitor Tao Yiren. As for Gu Yue, although his political achievements are average, his reputation is still good. I don't see any problems with him at the moment."

Su Liang thought for a moment and looked at Wang Anshi.

"Jiefu, you went against Tao Yiren's wishes and insisted on buying government bonds. He might send someone to investigate you or even attack you. You should stay at the inn starting tonight, and go to the pharmacy more often to inquire about prices tomorrow. Confirm your identity as a herbal medicine merchant. I will send someone to protect you. Next, they will definitely reveal their true colors."

"If anyone tries to communicate with you again, you can tell them directly that you want to see the president, Zhisou, because it is useless to see these people below."

"I understand." Wang Anshi nodded.

……

late at night.

Su Liang was sleeping soundly when he was suddenly awakened by a knock on the door.

"What's the matter?" Su Liang sat up from the bed and asked.

"Boss, half an hour ago, some bad guys almost burned our ship carrying medicinal herbs. Fortunately, my brothers were alert. In addition, the murderer has been caught and sent to the state government!"

Hearing this, Su Liang quickly sat up from the bed and opened the door.

"Did Jiefu encounter an attack?"

"No. After learning that the ship was burned, I immediately thought of Wang Tui Guan, and added four more guards." Liu Sandao replied.

Su Liang nodded.

He was certain that the ship was burned by criminals because someone must have been targeting Wang Anshi for purchasing government bonds today.

And this is just the beginning.

……

The next day, it was nearly noon.

Su Liang got the news that the murderer who burned the ship confessed directly, saying that he burned the ship for money and no one instructed him to do so.

Gu Yue, the magistrate of Hangzhou, even specifically ordered people to remind Wang Anshi to be careful in his daily travels.

Wang Anshi said that he looked at Gu Yue's expression and the latter seemed to know that the matter was not simple, but the murderer pleaded guilty despite the death penalty, and he could not find out whether there was a mastermind behind the scenes.

In addition, Su Liang was surprised.

Yesterday, Wang Anshi publicly spent money at Qufu Bridge and purchased 30,000 strings of government bonds, but no tabloid reported this.

This shows that Hangzhou's tabloids have been completely controlled by businessmen.

To be precise, it is controlled by Jiangnan Trading Company.

……

Near dusk.

Wang Anshi wanted to go to the rented house to meet Su Liang and Cao Yi, but when his guards discovered that someone was following him, Wang Anshi immediately turned back.

A quarter of an hour later.

Wang Anshi and his guards were walking slowly along the street.

A carriage suddenly came rushing over at a very fast speed.

Wang Anshi hurriedly dodged to the side of the road, and at the moment when Wang Anshi stood by the road, a black shadow suddenly fell from the building.

Swish!
In that moment.

One of the guards pushed Wang Anshi quickly with his quick reaction.

At the same time Wang Anshi fell to the ground, there was a "bang" and a black shadow fell to the ground.

Only three inches away from him.

Wang Anshi looked closely and found that it was actually an inkstone.

This stone inkstone is very heavy.

The arrow was definitely aimed at Wang Anshi. If it had hit his head, the consequences would have been disastrous.

Wang Anshi took a long breath, looked around, and murmured, "What a nice inkstone! What a nice inkstone!"

After saying this, Wang Anshi picked up the inkstone and left without ordering anyone to investigate who threw the inkstone.

……

Half an hour later, they arrived at the house rented by Su Liang and the other two.

Cao Yi held the stone inkstone and said, "This... this... the merchants of Jiangnan Trading Company are more ruthless than... thieves. If this hits you on the head, you will be seriously injured if not killed!"

"Jiefu, why didn't you report it to the police immediately?"

Wang Anshi said: "It's useless to report to the authorities. Even if I find the murderer who threw the inkstone, he won't give out the instigator. Money really can make anything happen here!"

Su Liang nodded in approval.

"Hangzhou is very different from Bianjing. Here, merchants can almost control the income of the people in the city. To be precise, compared with the government, the people in Hangzhou may listen to the Jiangnan Trading Company more."

"At present, the Jiangnan Commercial Society is very powerful and controls public opinion in the city. They can even use money to make ordinary people act as murderers and take the death penalty. And according to my observation, the scholars in Hangzhou City dare not discuss the Jiangnan Commercial Society. Such a society is already an evil society. But their reputation among the people is still good!"

"I have always wondered why Jiangnan Trading Company banned its members from buying government bonds, but why did they do everything they could to stop other merchants from buying government bonds? What benefit can they get from going against the imperial court?"

Cao Yi and Wang Anshi also frowned slightly, they also had the same doubt.

Most businessmen would not do anything without profit, and opposing the imperial court now would be like hitting a rock with an egg.

They can't be that stupid.

(End of this chapter)