Good son-in-law of the Ming Dynasty

After working outside for a whole day, Su Mu's body was covered with sweat and mud. Naturally, this appearance was not good to meet the salt merchants, so he went back to the house to take a shower, changed into clean clothes, tidied up, and then went out. See Mr. Wu.

The old man looked very energetic today, he was wearing a red official robe, and his beard was specially combed, so it was black and shiny.

Su Mu applauded in his heart: what a handsome middle-aged man, his appearance is really a bit like a court official, and only such a person can give birth to a beauty like Miss Wu.

Su Mu: "Mister, are all the salt merchants here?"

When he asked this sentence, Su Mu thought of Yang Jianzhong who he met on the river before, and he didn't know how to meet him again. What is this guy's expression?

Wu Shiqi: "Just now people came to report, saying that the 22 salt merchants on the post have all arrived."

"That's good."

Old Mr. Wu smiled wryly and shook his head: "People are here, as to whether they will give me face or not, it's hard to say."

Su Mu: "Face will definitely not be given. People in Cangzhou can only work as a transfer envoy for the old man for a few months, and it is impossible for me to bleed. However, it doesn't matter if they give face or not, since they are here It's not that easy to get away."

After finishing speaking, he turned his head and asked the person next to Wu Shiqi: "Are you ready?"

The man nodded: "It's ready to go back to Mr. Mei."

"Okay, that's good." Su Mu said, "Mr. Wu, let's go there!"

When they arrived at the Great Liang Hall of the Houya, there were already four large round tables inside. Sitting beside the tables was a group of merchants full of fat. They were the big salt merchants in Cangzhou City.

This group of people was covered in silk and satin, and many of them wore gold and silver rings on their fingers. Under the light, they shone brightly and dazzled people.

"A group of upstarts without quality!" Su Mu cursed.

"The Grand Master has arrived!" A yamen servant sang loudly.

All the merchants stood up at the same time, turned their heads and saluted: "Caomin has seen the transfer envoy Grand Master!"

This "generation" bites extremely hard, and it serves as a reminder to Wu Shiqi that your official position is only a temporary appointment, and it is nothing at all.

Hearing this, not only did all the yamen servants change their faces, even Wu Shiqi's face turned black.

Beating people doesn't slap him in the face, these salt merchants are trying not to give him face.

Su Mu looked over intently, and saw a proud face, but it was Yang Jianzhong, the leader of the salt merchant who was so scared that he peed his pants on the river earlier.

The eyes of the two met in the air, and in an instant, Yang Jianzhong's smile disappeared, revealing deep-seated hatred.

It can be seen that this Yang Jianzhong must have connected with 21 other salt merchants in advance.

This guy also traveled fast, and arrived in Cangzhou so quickly.

Walk to the upper seat with Mr. Wu and sit down.

Only then did Wu Shiqi cough lightly, and nodded to Su Mu when everyone calmed down: "Let's get started!"

As soon as Su Mu waved his hand, a yamen servant sang, "The feast is on."

People kept coming in with trays, placing a cup of tea and a plate of pine nuts in front of the salt merchants.

It was dinner time now, and the salt merchant who came quickly had been waiting here for half an hour, and he was already hungry.Seeing that this banquet actually ate this food, they were all taken aback.

Some people thought: Could it be that there are dishes in the back?

However, Master Wu's words shattered their illusions: "Our Yan Division had such a big case a while ago, and Ku Yin was actually stolen by three thieves, Liu Konghe, Jing Ting and Yang Zilie. These three people also came from the top two rankings. The imperial court appoints an official to occupy a high position, not only does he not want to serve the imperial court, but he does such a thing that harms the country and the people, and the crime cannot be forgiven."

As he spoke, he cursed loudly, and the scolding was like a pot of tea, which made the salt merchants feel agitated.

Seeing that the elder was getting more and more impassioned, Su Mu quietly tugged on his sleeve beside him.

Only then did Mr. Wu stop, panting: "Nowadays, I don't have a tael of silver in the Yan Division's treasury. If you invite everyone to come to the banquet today, you have to be frugal, and the greetings are not good. Please bear with me. .”

When they heard that this was their dinner, the salt merchants were stunned, and they didn't expect that the dignified salt transporter would be so stingy.

Yang Jianzhong stood up abruptly, and said loudly, "You can eat the meal anytime, and it doesn't matter if it's later. May I ask the transshipment envoy to invite me to wait for the salt merchant today, what is your order?"

With him taking the lead, all the salt merchants shouted at the same time: "My lord, please talk about the matter first. The matter of eating is not important."

The meaning in the words is: You guys have something to say as soon as possible, and we will rush home for dinner after we finish talking!

At this time, Su Mu stood up, pointed at Yang Jianzhong and asked, "Who are you?"

"You...you don't know me?" Yang Jianzhong turned blue with anger.

A salt merchant came in without knowing it, and interjected: "This is a senior official from Yangjian Zhongyang."

"It turned out to be Yang Jianzhong. You are a merchant with a humble status. Why do you call yourself a high official? Yansi Yamen, how can you speak? Sit down!" Su Mu sternly yelled.

Yang Jianzhong didn't expect that Su Mu would use the authority of the government to overwhelm others as soon as he came, but he still couldn't get angry.

I had no choice but to sit down on my buttocks, trembling with anger.

After killing Yang Jianzhong's majesty, he felt that he had controlled the situation.

Only then did Su Mu slowly say: "This time, Mr. Wu invites everyone to come here. In fact, there is an important thing to ask for your help."

A salt merchant said: "I would also like to ask Mr. Mei to tell me that if I can help you, I will be obliged to wait."

The other salt merchants gave each other winks and said at the same time, "Please also ask Mr. Mei to speak."

Su Mu: "The thing is like this. You also know that Liu Konghe and others have corrupted Yansi's money. Now, even if Mr. Wu wants to treat everyone to a meal, he can't even pay for it. It's a big deal." Water, the imperial court asked me, the Changlu Salt Division, to release silver relief, and set a figure of 30 taels of silver per month. I called everyone here today, just to discuss with you. Your family is rich and rich, and they are all eager to do good. Yes, it’s better for every family to pay out tens of thousands of taels of silver and deal with this month first.”

"Ah, donation!" Everyone exclaimed in a low voice, and then they all started talking in low voices.

The salt merchants were already wealthy, and none of the 22 people here were worth millions, so taking out tens of thousands of taels of silver was nothing to them.

Moreover, in ancient China, the government was small.For example, in a large county, the real officials are only the county magistrate and the county magistrate, a standard big society and small government.

Unlike modern society, there are four major teams in a county seat, three or four deputy secretaries under the secretary, six or seven deputy county heads under the county magistrate, and bureau chiefs and deputy directors.An agricultural county with a population of 40 to [-] people can eat as much as [-] to [-] people.

The Ming Dynasty has always had a tradition that government orders do not go down to the county seat, that is to say, when there is a local problem, the clan and Li Bao first handle it by themselves, and only hand it over to the county when it is not handled well.

All, whether it is building bridges, paving roads, or helping the people, the construction of Yizhuang is a public welfare project, and it is generally the responsibility of the local rich.

Tens of thousands of taels of silver are nothing to the salt merchants who are as rich as the enemy. I heard that the salt company wants to ask everyone to donate. Normally, the government still has to give it to save face.

But at this moment, Yang Jianzhong stood up and asked loudly: "Dare to ask Mr. Wu, have we collected enough money for the relief this month? Then next month, next month, it will never be possible." Tell us to fill in the shortfall of 200 million taels?"

All the merchants were apprehensive. Donating 2 or 200 taels would be fine, but if the deficit of 10,000 million taels were to be put on their heads, a family with [-]+ taels would be too much.

Su Mu frowned, it was this guy again, it seemed that he was hooked on me.

Just as he was about to speak, Yang Jianzhong said again: "Furthermore, this relief fund is a bottomless pit, 200 million or even 1000 million is possible. If it is true that the disaster is reported every year, or that the refugees have not been resettled properly, Wouldn't it make our money go on like this and become a rule? How much money do I have to withstand such a toss?"

Yang Jianzhong gave Wu Shiqi a disdainful look: "Master Wu, Caomin heard that the transfer envoy of the Salt Division is just a temporary replacement, and after a few months, he will step down when the new transfer envoy arrives. Caomin has a meager fortune, nothing The family background, the little money I earned, was sent to the capital. Now I can’t get the money out, if adults want to ask, ask Zhang Hou yourself. Farewell!”

As he spoke, he walked towards the gate.

His words reminded all the salt merchants that Master Wu will leave within a few months as an official. Even if we pay the money, we won't lose any favors, wouldn't we all throw them into the water.

Moreover, Yang Jianzhong carried Zhang Hou out, and with him resisting in front, let's leave it alone.

10,000+ taels of silver have to be sold for how much salt to earn back, so naturally you can’t sell it if you can’t.

As a result, everyone held a non-violent non-cooperative attitude and watched the fun from the sidelines.

"Stop, want to leave, it's not that easy!" Su Mu slapped the table.

At the door of the Great Liang Hall, a group of yamen servants with bright weapons flashed out, and the leader shouted: "Mr. Yang, sir, please have dinner. You should wait until later!"

If it was the old Yang Jianzhong, I'm afraid it would have happened long ago.

But he was a timid person, and today he was scared by Su Mu so much that he lost control of his bladder and bowels. Knowing that this Mei could do anything, he was timid in his heart, but he refused to admit defeat: "Master Wu still Is it impossible to force customers to stay?"

Su Mu quietly tugged Wu Shiqi's sleeve again.

Old Mr. Wu remembered what Su Mu had discussed with him earlier. Today, Su Mu is playing the bad face, and he is the red face.

He just coughed and said, "How can you force people to stay? Yang Jianzhong, just listen to what I say. After listening, if you still want to leave, I won't stop you. This donation is a great thing." , what matters is your love and my willingness, if you use force, it will not be beautiful. How about it?"

Hearing what he said, Yang Jianzhong thought about how much time it would take to say a word.No matter how Mr. Wu argues about Lotus, I just turn a deaf ear to him and treat him as a fart. When the time comes, when he finishes speaking, I lift my ass and leave.

After all, Wu Shiqi is also a member of the imperial court. He has already said so much, so it is impossible for him to stop me and keep his word and get fat?