Ming Dynasty 1566

Chapter 62

"It's my fault that I didn't make it clear. Mr. Zhao, please sit down first." Yang Jinshui asked Zhao Zhenji to sit down, and then said, "Arresting Zheng Michang and He Maocai, including which officials are involved, and tracking down how much money they have embezzled is an act of running away." It can’t be done. But the urgently needed military salary in front of Hu Butang, and the 50 bolts of silk that the imperial court will sell to Xiyang this year are the most important things. The resale of Shen Yishi’s workshop to Huizhou merchants is for these two things It is a big event. If the negotiations can be concluded, the military supplies ahead and the 50 bolts of silk sold to Xiyang this year will be settled. Master Zhao, this is also a major event after you take over."

Zhao Zhenji has been in Fengjiang for a long time, and immediately understood that what Yang Jinshui was talking about was a big matter, but such a big matter was handled by two criminal officials before he came, which obviously violated his power, so he looked at Yang Jinshui : "If Eunuch Yang thinks that doing so can not only solve the current military needs but also complete the silk sold by the imperial court to Western countries this year, we can discuss it. But should Zheng Bichang and He Maocai handle such a major event?"

Yang Jinshui: "What else can they do? Our intention is not to scare off those Huizhou merchants."

Zhao Zhenji: "There are a lot of silk merchants in Zhejiang and Anhui in Southern Zhili. If you scare off these merchants, you can find someone else!"

Yang Jinshui smiled and said, "Of course you can find someone else, but the Huizhou merchants who came today are all from Hu Butang's hometown."

Zhao Zhenji was startled when he heard this, not to mention the personal friendship between Hu Zongxian and himself, he is still the governor of Zhejiang Province and his immediate boss, at this time these Huizhou merchants came to Hangzhou so quickly, could it be related to Hu Zongxian?This makes it impossible to thimble.There was silence for a while.

Yang Jinshui: "Also, I asked my ancestors about this beforehand."

Zhao Zhenji was startled, and stood up: "Since this is the case, this is the only way to do it. Please, Mr. Yang, send someone to call Zheng Michang and He Maocai, and we will get them here. Follow the order, and send two groups of people immediately." Go to Chun'an and Jiande overnight, and call Hai Rui and Wang Yongji to try the case together. As for those Huizhou merchants, should I wait until I sign a contract with them tomorrow?"

Yang Jinshui smiled: "Let Zheng Michang and He Maocai sign with them first, wouldn't Master Zhao have a better discussion tomorrow?"

Zhao Zhenji didn't dare to underestimate this Yang Jinshui anymore. After thinking about it, he turned to the four royal guards: "What does the four imperial envoys think of what Eunuch Yang means?"

On the other side of Jin Yiwei: "The edict is for Mr. Zhao, and you can do whatever Mr. Zhao says."

Zhao Zhenji's voice was not as high as before: "Then let's do it separately."

Zheng Michang and He Maocai called the steward Shen Yishi who was locked in the prison at this time, and stood in front of the hall to settle accounts for those Huizhou merchants.

Several businessmen pricked up their ears and listened carefully.

The steward said: "If any boss buys five workshops, although he can only weave 50 bolts of silk this year, he still has some income. Let the villain count it for the bosses. Every five workshops, one One-fifth of Boss Shen's 65 mu of mulberry fields is 5000 mu. These mulberry fields are all high-quality farmland, and each mu can be sold at the market price of 180 shi, equivalent to 36 taels of cash. The value of [-] mu is [-] taels of silver, which is equivalent to [-] bolts of high-grade silk. Adding the [-] bolts to the [-] bolts, there are [-] bolts. In addition, Boss Shen In Hangzhou, Suzhou, Nanjing, and Yangzhou, there are a total of [-] silk and satin shops, all of which are high-end shops in the bustling markets. One shop can be sold for [-] taels of silver at a discounted price, and [-] shops can be equivalent to [-] taels of fine silk. [-] horses. That’s [-] horses. Also, Boss Shen lent [-] ships of grain to Chun’an and Jiande this time, [-] shi for each ship, totaling [-] million shi. One-fifth cent, Five workshops can collect grain debts of [-] shi. It is worth [-] pieces of high-quality silk. This is a hard account. After all, any boss who buys five workshops can earn [-] pieces of silk this year."

After hearing his detailed calculations, several businessmen had a solid idea in their hearts, but their faces remained expressionless, and they just started talking in private again in low voices.

Zheng Michang and He Maocai also looked at each other.He Maocai immediately said to the steward: "It's none of your business." Then he ordered his detainees: "Take him back to the prison."

The two soldiers immediately escorted the steward and went out.

He Maocai then turned to those Huizhou merchants who were still talking: "Everyone has a bottom line now!"

Several Huizhou merchants stopped talking and looked at the old Huizhou merchant.

The old Huizhou merchant said: "But there is another item, which is the raw silk needed to weave 20 bolts of silk. According to the market price, it costs 18 taels of silver. Counting the accounts just now, we still have to lose [-] taels of silver. .”

Zheng Michang stretched out his hand to stop He Maocai, and slowly looked at several businessmen: "This is exactly what I want to make clear to you. According to the calculation just now, you will lose some money. But this time, whoever takes over Shen Yishi's Workshop, whoever will be the official servant of the Weaving Bureau from now on, that is, the official servant of our Zhejiang government. Anyone who is willing to take over five workshops this time, you can also join five of your original workshops, and all ten workshops will be exempt from paying taxes. The raw silk needed for 9 pieces of silk will be purchased by the government at the official price, which is half of the market price, and your loss will only be [-] taels. The raw silk needed for the next ten workshops will also be paid to Sang at the official price. Agricultural purchases. Tax exemption, plus the purchase of raw silk at half price, after this calculation, you should understand how much more profit each year the ten workshops will make in the future. "

The Huizhou merchants still showed no expression, and only asked the middle-aged Huizhou merchant, "How much silk do we have to pay to the palace for ten workshops every year?"

Zheng Michang: "There is a fixed number. Each workshop has [-] pieces of silk, and ten workshops only need to pay [-] pieces of silk to the palace every year."

Several Anhui merchants immediately thought about it in their hearts, and then they chatted again.

The elderly Huizhou merchant expressed his opinion on behalf of everyone: "My lords, please forgive me. We dare not take over Shen Yishi's workshop."

He Maocai immediately became anxious: "After talking for a long time, the account is so clear, you don't want to take over?"

The old Huizhou merchant: "Master He also said just now that there are many merchants who are willing to take over, so we will withdraw."

One sentence overwhelmed He Maocai.

Zheng Michang: "But we can't take back Hu Butang's face. How about this, every five workshops will hand over [-] bolts of silk this year." Glancing at them, he turned to Zheng Michang: "Master Zheng, you have lost us one hundred thousand horses in just one sentence. I'm afraid Mr. Zheng can't bear this number if asked in the palace."

"This is not what you should ask!" Zheng Michang, who has always been soft-spoken, was also a little angry, "I am the governor of Zhejiang, and I will naturally bear the burden of what I say."

"Then from next year, can the annual silk tribute be reduced?" The middle-aged Huizhou merchant immediately put forward another condition.

He Maocai became angry again, and Zheng Michang stopped him: "Yes. Every five workshops will reduce [-] horses per year."

"Then we will admit it! Each of us will take over five workshops!" The middle-aged Huizhou merchant immediately replied loudly.

"Okay!" He Maocai patted his leg and stood up, "Now Mr. Zheng and I can sign with you, and then we can take it to the Weaving Bureau for Eunuch Yang to sign!"

"Let's take it slow, slow down." The old Huizhou merchant seemed to be even more worried. He looked at the other four Huizhou merchants, and then turned to Zheng Michang and He Maocai. Let’s discuss it, and it’s not too late to sign a contract tomorrow.”

"You're treating us like monkeys!" He Maocai slapped the coffee table, "We gave in to all the benefits, but now we say we need to discuss it. In such a big Zhejiang, the two of us are still with you every day!"

Zheng Michang also stiffened: "Take the pen, ink, paper and inkstone, and sign the contract now."

Immediately, a clerk responded loudly, holding a pen, ink, paper and inkstone and placing them on the table.

He Maocai's eyes were wide open, looking at those Huizhou merchants: "Please!"

The Huizhou merchants who were originally willing to do so were at a loss in their hearts. To put it bluntly, they were a little scared by the impatience of these two people.But speaking of this, there was no way out, so they walked to the table one by one and sat down.

"According to what I just said, draw up the contract!"

Zheng Michang ordered the scribes.After finishing speaking, he and He Maocai looked at each other, and both of them breathed a sigh of relief.

Just when Zhao Zhenji, Yang Jinshui and the four Jinyiwei were waiting impatiently, the accompanying eunuch finally appeared at the door and said in a low voice, "Please come."

Several people immediately glanced at each other, and all looked outside the door.

"The deal is done! Finally, we have an explanation to the court!" He Maocai's loud voice came in from a long way outside the door.

Yang Jinshui immediately looked at Zhao Zhenji, who looked stern.

Several Jin Yiwei also looked at each other, and two of them sneered.

"Please." The accompanying eunuch stretched out his hand at the door.

Zheng Michang was in front, and He Maocai strode in behind.

"Eunuch Yang..." He Maocai, who was behind, didn't see those people, and shouted when he entered the door, but soon choked there.

Zhao Zhenji looked at Zheng Michang with stern eyes.

The four Jinyiwei also looked at Zheng Michang coldly.

Zheng Michang's expression changed immediately.

Standing behind Zheng Michang, He Maocai's expression also changed.

Zhao Zhenji stood up slowly: "There is a decree, Zheng Michang and He Maocai accept the decree!"

He Maocai knelt down first, but Zheng Michang stood there in a daze for a long time before knelt down.

Zhao Zhenji unfolded the imperial decree: "Fengtian Chengyun Emperor's edict said: I have read the history books, and it is not uncommon to see corrupt officials in the past dynasties. At the beginning of the founding of our Ming Dynasty, there were people who corrupted 60 taels of silver. It is not strict. Now Zheng Michang, the governor of Zhejiang Province, and He Maocai, the governor of Zhejiang Province and the inspector of Zhejiang Province, invaded the country and swallowed millions of people's wealth! If you look at everything, you will be scared! If you use the method of the Taizu, even though you two have hundreds of bodies, you will be able to peel the grass and leave no one to blame!" After reading this, Zhao Zhenji stopped on purpose and looked at the two.

Yang Jinshui and the four Jinyiwei also stood there solemnly looking at the two of them.

Although He Maocai was strong, it seemed that he had to put in a lot of effort to prop up his body and kneel there at this moment, and the sweat dripped down to the ground like rain.

Zheng Michang was tougher than He Maocai at this time, he raised his head suddenly, and looked closely at Yang Jinshui.

Yang Jinshui turned his gaze up.

Zhao Zhenji went on to read: "I have inherited the virtues of my ancestors, and I always have the idea of ​​governing by doing nothing. I can't bear to hurt a life. What is the crime of Nair? Immediately dismiss all positions of Zheng Michang and He Maocai, and make Zhao Zhenji the governor of Zhejiang. He is also the deputy capital censor of the Nanjing Metropolitan Procuratorate, Hai Rui, the magistrate of Chun'an County, and Wang Yongji, the magistrate of Jiande County, will jointly examine the corruption of Zheng Michang and He Maocai. If you and other criminals still have a trace of conscience, they should be thoroughly Make a confession, and hand over all the money you got from corruption. Maybe the heavens will give you a chance of life! Thank you."

It was all "closed", and the two people were still lying on the ground.The room was silent.

"Zheng Michang, He Maocai!" Zhao Zhenji shouted.

The two of them shook violently.

Zhao Zhenji: "Lead the decree!"

He Maocai really couldn't speak anymore, but Zheng Michang didn't want to speak, and there was silence again.

Zhao Zhenji sneered: "Come on!"

The chains had been prepared a long time ago, and the four soldiers came in carrying them.

Zhao Zhenji: "Locked! Take it to the prison of the Niesi Yamen!"

Immediately, two confronted one, first put the ring of the chain over the head, tightened a copper lock, then handcuffed the two hands with the iron at the end of the chain, and locked another brass lock.

"Go!" The four soldiers shouted at the same time.

He Maocai stood up immediately, but Zheng Michang was still kneeling there and did not get up.

Yang Jinshui spoke: "Help him."

"Don't worry, I'll go by myself." Zheng Michang stood up with the chains on and looked at Yang Jinshui, "Eunuch Yang, don't forget that Shen Yishi has handed over 20 million bolts of silk in 400 years. The two of us will be passed on together." Ten thousand generations of children and grandchildren will not be able to wear so many clothes!"

"Take me away!" Yang Jinshui yelled angrily this time.

The four guards immediately dealt with each other two by one, tightened the arms of Zheng Michang and He Maocai and dragged them halfway to the door.

When he got to the door, He Maocai suddenly regained his composure and struggled to stay there, turned around and shouted: "I'm wronged!"

"Let's go!" The four soldiers overthrew them and dragged them out.

Zhao Zhenji said to Yang Jinshui and the four Jinyi guards: "Hai Rui and Wang Yongji will arrive tomorrow night at the earliest. There are still a few criminals who must be arrested immediately tonight!"

(End of this chapter)