Ming politicians

Compared with the two mutual markets of Anning Fort and Jingbian, Su Tiancheng paid more attention to Anning Fort. The geographical location here is better, and there are many farmers nearby. Anning Fort exists as a place where troops are stationed at the border. Of course, you have to choose a favorable location. In terms of facilities, Anning Fort is also better than Jingbian.

A more important influence is that Anning Fort was changed to the place where the Ming Dynasty and the Mongolian tribes traded each other, which showed a kind of thinking, that is, the guard army in Shaanxi, including the frontier army, may have to be changed. According to the imperial court According to the rules, matters involving the frontier army and border customs are not allowed to take any other actions.

Su Tiancheng's choice of Fort Anning meant to test the waters.

Although it is only the reform of the trailing army and frontier army in Shaanxi, it may involve all parts of the Ming Dynasty. Huang Taiji and Fan Wencheng are smart people. They know how to encourage the officers of the guards in other places in the Ming Dynasty to unite and resist. Su Tiancheng was disgraced, and was even investigated by the court. Su Tiancheng himself had noticed this, and he still had to be more than [-]% sure when making a move.

The commanders of Ningxia Wei, Ningxia Zuozhongyouwei, and Zuozhongtunwei have been secretly imprisoned. The officers of these guards have been severely warned that if they leave the barracks or leave their posts at will, they will be dealt with by military law. Even the family members will suffer. Under such a high-pressure situation, who would dare to act rashly.

Song Sijun is a merchant, and even Su Tiancheng's confidant. For such a big event as the opening of the mutual market, he would definitely invite Su Tiancheng to participate. Not only Su Tiancheng, but Xu Eryi and Sun Tai also wanted to participate.

Su Tiancheng and Xu Eryi went to Anningbao to attend the opening ceremony of the mutual market, and Sun Tai and Pu Kaiqiang went to Jingbian to attend the opening ceremony of the mutual market.

On February 24th, Su Tiancheng and Xu Eryi arrived at Fort Anning.

Not long ago, Su Tiancheng came here.Starting from here, he entered the Hetao area, and the time between before and after was not long. When he came here again, he couldn't believe his eyes.

Anningen Castle has completely changed its appearance, the original castle is not very big.The focus is on the garrison, including the families of the officers. Now Song Sijun built temporary city walls on the outskirts of the castle on the basis of the previous ones. The reason why they are called temporary city walls is that these walls are still in the process of construction and have not been completed. The shops inside.All stood up.

There are too many people in Anningborough.

In the market, there are merchants from the Ming Dynasty, and there are also a few shops from the Mongolian tribes. A large number of goods have been brought in, and batches of war horses, sheep, etc. can be seen everywhere.

There are many tents outside the castle, as well as inns, restaurants, etc. under construction, and men in Mongolian tribal costumes.In and out, it looks very busy.They need to negotiate and trade with the merchants of the Ming Dynasty. Of course, according to the rules, they must wait until the mutual market officially starts before they can conduct transactions, but they have negotiated in advance.Trading immediately after the market opens can save a lot of time.

A large number of transport teams are also waiting here, living in temporary tents, from now on.They have a lot of business, transporting materials from the mainland to here, and transporting materials from here to the Hetao area.

Everything in front of him made Su Tiancheng feel gratified. The situation here is very similar to that of the special zone hundreds of years later. He believes that as long as there is the incentive of profits, the scale of the mutual market will become larger and larger in a short period of time. , The scope covered is getting wider and wider. Anning Fort and Jingbian will definitely develop into large towns.

In fact, after Song Sijun asked Su Tiancheng for instructions, he had secretly told the leaders of the Xibe tribe and the Daur tribe that since the mutual market was spent, they had to consider the interests of the tribe, and it would be unwise to forcibly prevent other tribes from entering the market. , is also unlikely. The best way is to allow them to enter the market, but they need to pay a certain amount of money to the tribe. In this regard, the court can accommodate them. As long as there are letters of introduction from two tribe leaders, they can enter the market for transactions. .

The leaders of the two tribes pondered for a while, and after understanding the mystery, they wished to kneel down to Song Sijun. This way of making money is of course a good chance. The tribes have nothing to lose, and they can still receive money. Compared with relying on conquest and looting , too strong.

It is impossible for the leaders of the tribe to understand the deep meaning of this, let alone what long-term comfort and enjoyment means to their tribe.

There were a lot of people, but everyone looked very peaceful and not nervous, thanks to the Jiangning battalion soldiers who were patrolling all the time.

In order to ensure the safety of the mutual market and prevent malicious incidents, Su Tiancheng's request to Jiang Ningying was very clear. He must use the greatest force to ensure the safety of the mutual market, but not to interfere with the operation of the mutual market.

Xiong Zijian was stationed in Fort Anning in charge.

Xiong Zijian also took great pains. With [-] soldiers, the camp was divided into two parts, east and west. There were twenty patrol teams every day, patrolling continuously, including at night. Goods from Mongolia or the mainland will be traded when they arrive in the middle of the night.

The patrol team is 100 people, majestic and majestic, everyone knows the bravery of the Jiangning battalion, if you want to make trouble here, you are looking for death, and you think your life is too long.

The Jiangning camp also has another duty, which is to temporarily collect taxes. This is also because the governor's office has no time to form a team. Yue Gaofeng is busy with this matter. It is estimated that it will take a month before the officials who specialize in collecting taxes will take up their duties.

With the guards of the Jiangning Camp, the surrounding area of ​​Anning Fort is very peaceful, which really fits the name of the place.

Chongzhen ten years on February 25th, Chenshi.

The mutual market between the Ming Dynasty and the Mongolian Xibe and Daur tribes officially opened.

Su Tiancheng announced the opening of the market. In an instant, the market started to run at high speed like an engine running at full capacity. There were trotting people everywhere, there were shop assistants and people from Mongolian tribes. For this piece of paper, register at the temporary place set up by Jiangning Camp, and after paying the tax for each transaction, you can get the passing sign, and then you will set off with the goods.

Half an hour later, the long-awaited transport team began to get busy. Of course, most of these transport teams were brought by merchants themselves, and they were going to the Hetao area. They basically transported daily necessities such as grain and salt to the inland area. Yes, basically horses and sheep.

Su Tiancheng walked around the market with Xu Eryi.

Seeing all this, Xu Eryi was filled with emotion.

"Kun Yuan, I really didn't expect that there would be such a lively scene. If I hadn't been there, I wouldn't have believed it anyway. Once upon a time, this place was heavily guarded, and I had to worry about the Mongolian Tartars all the time. Invasion, look now, the business is so booming, I can't imagine what big things you will do."

"Students didn't expect that it is the season of shortage of crops. Mongolian tribes are short of food and salt. The trade must be hot. Last year's winter wheat harvest was finally a bumper harvest. It temporarily solved the problem of food shortage in Shaanxi. If there is no such The premise is that the matter of the mutual market is also a big trouble."

"I don't think so. The mutual market between Anningbao and Jingbian has increased the money for the imperial court, and it can also solve the livelihood of many people. The mutual market is booming and requires a lot of manpower. The common people can come here to do things. , I also thought about the abolition of the guard army, and the two places can also digest it, especially those who are old and weak, come here to find a job, at least they can support themselves."

Su Tiancheng didn't say a word, it was a good idea to recruit some dismissed sergeants, but for those old, weak, sick and disabled, in the early stage of the exchange market, it is unlikely that they will find work here, as young and strong are needed here.

What Xu Er thought of was still the matter of the mutual market, which moved Su Tiancheng very much.

It was late at night, and in the market, torches were lit everywhere, and transactions were still going on.

Xu Eryi stayed in the barracks of Jiangning Camp.

After Xu Er rested, Su Tiancheng walked out of the barracks.

Soon, Yue Gaofeng appeared beside him.

Yue Gaofeng's face was a little pale, his eye circles were blue, and he looked exhausted.

"My lord, I didn't expect the exchange market to be so hot. I thought that at most 50 people would be able to handle it. Now it seems that [-] people can come and see if they can come."

"Don't worry, take your time. There is always a familiar process. Everything is difficult at the beginning. If you grit your teeth and get over it, it will be easier later. But you have to remember that Jiangningying can only help you for a month, and in this During the process, the personnel you recruit must follow and do things and get familiar with them constantly. The responsibilities of the Jiangning Camp are different. If they collect taxes for a long time, it will have a great impact on them. The mutual market is not a matter of a day or two."

"Your subordinate understands that today everyone is doing their own thing, and there is no time to eat."

A man with a black cloth covering his face appeared beside Su Tiancheng.

"Report to my lord, my subordinates have found many suspicious people, suspected to be Houjin's spies. These people have appeared in Fort Anning for four or five days. They have not carried out any transactions or brought goods. Wandering around in the market, observing the surrounding situation, and talking with some merchants, please show me how to deal with it."

"Understood, as long as they don't disturb the market, ignore them and let them go. You are the person in charge of the dark line in Fort Anning. Remember your duty. The focus is to inquire about information, whether it involves Mongolian tribes, Don’t miss the golden ones, or even those from other places in my Ming Dynasty, and besides, you must not expose them, if it arouses suspicion, leave Anning Fort quickly, understand.”

Hou Jin really sent people here, this is what Su Tiancheng would like to see, the Liaodong area has completely banned trading, several fortresses are heavily guarded, Hou Jin wants to obtain supplies, only through looting, although they The food is barely self-sufficient, but there is still a shortage of tea, salt, silk, ironware and other materials. The bravery of the Jiangning camp is photographed. In a short time, the Houjin Tatars will not enter the customs. If you want to obtain these materials, Only go to Fort Anning or Jingbian to participate in the mutual market.

Fighting back to fighting, Su Tiancheng will not refuse the money that should be earned. (To be continued..)