Baidu otaku as Chongzhen

Chapter 483
Jiangnan.

Yangzhou.

The New Year in the second year of Chongzhen was not easy for some people.

The emperor suddenly involved the salt merchants in the captive case at the court meeting, and the investigation of the salt merchants became a foregone conclusion. When the news spread to Huaiyang, some salt merchants were invited to drink tea by Jin Yiwei, and then they were seized family property.

This made Huaiyang salt merchants, who had been prosperous for 200 years, turn pale with fright, and contacted to discuss countermeasures one after another.

Before these salt merchants could come up with an effective countermeasure, even worse news came. The "relationships" of the salt merchants had completely failed in the battle with the emperor, which made the restless Huaiyang salt merchants even more uneasy. , followed by more salt merchants being involved one by one, and more salt merchants being inspected.The news from the court was correct, the emperor wanted to use the captive case to clean up the salt merchants.

Yangzhou has been a prosperous city since ancient times, and it is also one of the centers where salt merchants gather.

On the fourth day of the first lunar month, the big salt merchants in Huaiyang did not enjoy themselves at home, but gathered anxiously in Yangzhou to discuss countermeasures.

On a tea house.

The salt merchants are not as cheerful and unrestrained as they used to be, nor are they as calm and calm as they used to be.The salt merchants present were all hesitant, restless, panicked, and more desperate.

Representatives from the Zhu family, the Guo family, the Wang family, the Liang family, and the Liu family gathered in this teahouse to discuss countermeasures.

The opening scene is not the song and dance of the old days, not the meat forest and wine pool in the past, but the dead silence, but the silence. The reason why they, the big salt merchants, have been able to span the Ming Dynasty for 200 years is related to the network of relationships they wove. Scholars who have the right to be officials also support the children of poor families. After these people study and pass the Jinshi exam, these people in turn become the umbrella of these people, or simply the children of their own families go to the Jinshi exam. There are also high school students, so the salt merchants and the officialdom of the Ming Dynasty are inextricably linked.

I thought that with this inextricable "relationship", they could sit back and relax, enjoy peace, and enjoy endless prosperity, but they didn't expect that a thunderbolt fell from the sky, making them dizzy and dizzy, with stars in their eyes. If the emperor did not move, he would have done it, and if he moved, the net they had woven for 200 years would be completely shattered, and they would become worthless duckweed.

Endless silence shrouded these people all the time, making this usually bustling teahouse become quiet and terrifying.

After a long time, someone finally broke the silence and spoke.

"It goes without saying about the situation in Beijing, everyone should know about it." The representative of the Wang family spoke first.Since he hadn't spoken for a long time, he suddenly spoke, his voice hoarse and vague.

Everyone knows the news in the capital. Of course, there is no need to say it again. None of the overwhelming news is beneficial to the salt merchants. Didn’t the mansion newspaper scold the salt merchants that day?Not to mention the news from their "relationship".

After a long silence, someone interjected: "I knew that the current emperor is not easy to mess with. At the beginning, I said, don't default on the current emperor's salt lesson. Even if you don't pay it, you can pay 300 million to make it easy. But you just don't listen, saying that you have never been afraid of the emperor, and the emperor can't do anything to us, now it's okay, look now, what have we become? Rats that everyone shouts and beat? Moths that everyone curses , the national thief, maybe he was called by Jin Yiwei that day..." This person is a representative of the Guo family, complaining, Jin Yiwei kept calling the salt merchants to question, and then ransacked the house, one today, two tomorrow, this The salt merchants in the Lianghuai River and Huaihe River were already at the extreme of fear. Maybe they would come to their heads that day and ask their "relationships" for help.

"...It is still light to be called by the Jinyiwei. I heard that the Jinyiwei stopped beating people now. I am afraid that someone will compare us with Qin Hui, and put our kneeling statues with Qin Hui. It will be infamous forever. It's already..." The representative of the Wang family said helplessly with a dark face.

"Can this be our fault? The emperor wants 500 million taels a year? If we pay so much, what do we have left? Nothing left?" The representative of the Liang family was a young man, and he said angrily. Twisted, the master of his family was just called in by Jin Yiwei for questioning, and he is about to raid his home.

"There's not much left, so it's better than now. Look at the present, one by one ransacked their homes, waiting to die, hahaha, we salt merchants have been prosperous for hundreds of years, and that's enough, according to me Look, come here before you can make it to your own house, enjoy it to your heart's content..." The representative of another family said very "optimistically", wanting to show a free and easy look of "I have wine today, I am drunk today", but he has a painful and peaceful face. Unwilling to be entangled together, it is extraordinarily twisted.

"boom!"

There was a loud noise, and all the representatives of the salt merchants looked over.

The representative of the Liu family shattered the teacup angrily, and said: "Is it useful to say this now? Is there nothing else to do but wait for death? I, Liu, don't believe it. With the strength of all our salt merchants, we can't beat the emperor. If it pushes us into a hurry, we will die, and if he uses us for surgery, we will stop the market, so that the common people in the world will not be able to eat salt. Seeing whether the emperor is in a hurry, we will make it difficult for the emperor..."

Facing the vicious words of the representative of the Liu family, many people remained silent, some showed suspicion, some showed hope, and some showed support.

"Yes, let's go on strike. The emperor wants us to die, and we don't want to make the emperor feel better. Let's make people in the world eat nothing. Let's see how he can be the emperor... Let's show the emperor what it means to be corrupt everywhere, and make war everywhere..." Representatives of some salt merchant families clamored.

"Yes, our salt merchants have so many relationships in the imperial court. Let's mobilize these relationships and let them write memorials to force the emperor to make concessions. As long as everyone works together, we can definitely force the emperor to make concessions. Otherwise, we will wait for the salt There is no place to bury the general Shang! Ladies and gentlemen, it is time to make a decision..." Another representative of a smaller salt merchant family said.

"Yes, that's the way it should be done. My Liang family has already contacted several adults who have a good relationship with my Liang family. They all agreed to speak for our salt merchants. As long as we work together, we can always overcome this difficulty. "The representative of the Liang family said anxiously, his family is a famous big salt merchant, and Jin Yiwei has already invited his master in, and if he doesn't think about it, everything will be over.

Even the large salt merchants have to be divided into grades, strengths and weaknesses. Some salt merchants have friendship with high-ranking officials in the capital. Although they have a clear understanding of the situation in Li, they are silent in the face of these clamors; some salt merchants, although they have relations with the court, are not at the core level, and they have a vague understanding of the inside story and dynamics of this matter. They all followed suit.

"Huh..., the fish died and the net was broken? My Wang, it seems that the fish died, even the big fish and the small fish were all dead, but the net may not be broken. Can anyone tell me what is the emperor's net? And those methods did not work. Come out? If anyone can say something about [-], I, Wang, will follow him too... Now the emperor has broken our relationship with the court officials so that they don't dare to intervene in this matter. The emperor just needs to concentrate on dealing with us. , don't forget, we are just a few salt merchants, scholars, farmers, businessmen, and we are at the bottom. The emperor wants to deal with us merchants, is it difficult?... If in the past, we threatened the emperor with a strike, it would be okay, to put it bluntly Competing for profit with the people, with our relationships speaking for us, we can still force the emperor to retreat, but can we do it now? You want our relationships to force the emperor to abdicate for us? Are they willing to bear this charge? Can they bear it? ..." The merchants of the Wang family immediately came out to break it. At this time, there are still people who expect their network to play a role in forcing the emperor to retreat. This is simply a dream. The reputation of the current emperor is extremely good. It is unimaginable to force the emperor to abdicate for the sake of several salt merchants.

"Hey... let's not mention the matter of the strike. Those of us who are not willing to bear the crime of forcing the emperor to abdicate is a serious crime of disloyalty and filial piety. They don't want to bear it, and they can't afford it. On that day, the capital did not mobilize a single soldier, did not change any generals, and did not even have a curfew. This is already very self-explanatory. Do you think that our emperor will move us without any preparation? This is clearly a victory. The book is in hand, not afraid of problems..." The representative of the Guo family smiled wryly, and they have already made it clear through the "relationships" in the capital. Although their relationship will not give them shelter, they can also I will give them all the news, give them a clear analysis of the news in the capital, for their reference and decision.Show them the way out.

The salt merchants once again recalled what the current emperor has done since he ascended the throne. He has done several major events, all of which were sensational events, and even more important events that have made history.They would not believe it if they said that the emperor had no back-up and would take them under the knife without preparation.

"...Forget it, forget it...Don't forget the crimes that the current emperor has given us. They are cooperating with the captives, but they are secretly cooperating with the captives of the East and dragging the court back. If we make a little rash move, strike the market or something, it will happen to upset Daming. , the accusation of cooperating with the Eastern captives and dragging down the imperial court, by that time, this accusation will be indisputable, I am afraid that it is not the case that Jin Yiwei will come to invite people to drink tea one after another, at that time, I am afraid that everyone in the world will eat ours Meat, alas,..., the fourth-class untouchables, seven can be killed, can be an enemy of the emperor, can it be an enemy of the world? Could it be that you really have an affair with Donglu, and you are going to be a prince for Donglu? This is the end of the story , What should I do, I, Wang, will not say more, my Wang family will not participate in the strike, and I advise you not to do anything..." The representative of the Wang family took over the conversation and said with a sigh, expressing his attitude.His family got the inside information of the powerful people in the court, and they already knew the emperor's backhand. They had no hope of forcing the emperor to make concessions. Looking at those people who were clamoring for a strike, they immediately stated their position and followed them. Walking is a dead end, maybe the whole family will suffer, but according to the instructions given to his family by the person in the court, perhaps, there is still a way to survive.

Some of the momentum that the salt merchants had raised up just now has completely vented out again. This is not the first time they have discussed countermeasures. They discussed it years ago. There has been a debate from the beginning on whether to strike the market, and they have never been able to move forward. One of the hurdles is that their "relationship" is unwilling, and they can't bear the charge of forcing the emperor to abdicate. Without the protection of "relationship", they will go on strike, fearing that a county magistrate will be able to destroy the house without waiting for Jin Yiwei to come to the door. If you take action, you will cut off the connection between them and the "relationship", making them unreliable.

"Hahaha..., this is obviously the crime that the emperor gave us, Tonglu? To be the prince of the Donglu? Who the hell was kicked by the donkey? Who would believe it? Who would? Who is a good person in the bustling world? Don’t do it, go to that icy and snowy valley to be a savage?” The representative of the Liang family smiled unwillingly, although he clamored for a strike, but he also knew that a strike would never end well, and their “relationship” had already been broken. I have started to draw a clear line with them, and if there is any trouble again, it will undoubtedly be an egg hitting a rock, and the consequences will definitely not be as "warm and affectionate" as it is now. Although the situation is tense now, and I am running a salt merchant, it is like his family. His master was called by Jin Yiwei Drinking tea, but he can still walk around, which shows that the emperor still has room for it. If he really wants to seek death by himself, the consequences will definitely not be like this.

"I, Guo, believe what Brother Wang said. If you strike the market at this time, you will undoubtedly think that you are secretly cooperating with the Eastern captives, dragging down the emperor and the court. At that time, people in the world will stand by the emperor. He will hate us even more. It is even more a joke to use this to force the emperor. At that time, without the emperor's hands, a county magistrate can destroy the family. The world is so big, but there is really no room for us. There will be a share for us. Of course, if there is someone among you who is really willing to go to the Donglu outside the Guan, it is also a way out... It is said that there are really some people who were entrusted by Donglu to sneak into our salt Shangli..." The representative of the Guo family looked around helplessly and dejectedly, and said that his family also had well-informed people in the court, so he resolutely disagreed with the strike. Needless to say, even his family's "relationship" will turn around and kill them.

The words of the two influential salt merchants made the salt merchants present all feel ashamed and depressed, and even lost the last bit of strength to clamor.

"Little brother Liang, as for the matter of inviting Austrian aid, in my opinion, let's leave it at that. The two Austrian aids you mentioned, Mr. Wang guesses that Zhang and Li are the chief ministers and inspectors. All the important governors have come to Beijing. ... Sigh... Even the court can't stop the emperor, let alone the two of them? Are they willing to bear the charge of forcing the emperor to abdicate? Can they bear it? They are lingering with your family. Grinding your family's money..." The words of the Wang family's people made the Liang family's child completely sluggish, and he no longer had the energy to shout.

"...Woooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo , in an instant.

All the salt merchants felt a boundless net enveloping them, making them unable to move, except that they could not breathe, only cold.

"...Actually, the emperor still left room..." The representatives of the Wang family were also extremely reluctant and unwilling, but it was useless to be unwilling at this stage.

Seeing the representative of the Wang family speak, all the salt merchants turned their heads to stare at him to see what he said. The salt merchants here are all big salt merchants, and the Wang family and the Guo family are the leaders among them. Family, the "relationship" in the court is definitely the highest, so many people believe what the two of them say.Not all the "relationships" of salt merchants can reach the level of their family.

"...Little brother Liang, don't you think that the emperor actually left some leeway? He didn't intend to wipe out our salt merchants. Otherwise, brother Liang would be invited to Jinyiwei, and you can still walk around and come here. Discuss countermeasures with us? Don't you think this is a strange thing?" The Wang family got the important guidance of the "relationship" in the court, and they already knew the emperor's successor. They already had a relatively comprehensive understanding of the matter and knew their own way. Therefore, today, there are more words, unlike the silence of the previous few times.

The representative of the Liang family was a young man in his twenties. He was depressed and crying in despair. Hearing the words of the representative of the Wang family, a glimmer of hope rose in his heart, yes!His father was invited to Jinyiwei, but he can still move around, he can still do business everywhere, solicit connections, find connections, this matter, I have to explain some problems, in the past, this matter is absolutely impossible, so It's a big deal, how could others tolerate him like this?
"...This, Uncle Wang, this..., this is true, then..., what does this mean?" The representative of the Liang family immediately asked the members of the Wang family respectfully. The news of the Wang family is much more reliable than theirs. Much better informed.

"Ah..., this matter..., actually, it's very simple. It's all because the emperor left a little room for it. As for why, I can't tell you why, brother Liang, you have to think about it yourself..., alas, actually , The emperor has blocked all our paths, except to follow the emperor's wishes, I think it is very difficult to get out of the second route..." The representative of the Wang family said with a helpless smile.

The other salt merchants quickly asked the emperor how to go.

"Brother Wang, in your opinion, how does the emperor plan to let us go?"

"Yes! Brother Wang, how should we go?"

Facing the inquiries from the salt merchants, the representative of the Wang family smiled wryly for a while, and said: "The news today is that Mr. Xu Ge is in charge of our case. Mr. Xu Ge is also good, and he is even known as a living Bodhisattva. Mr. Xu Ge is now In Nanjing, ..., alas, how to do it, Wang really can't say, but how to do it, you may wish to learn from it, it can be used as a guide for you, if it works, you may wish to follow, if it doesn't work, forget it... , I can only say so much, if I say more, it's over..."

What the representative of the Wang family said confuses the salt merchant. Xu Guangqi is responsible for the salt merchant's case. They know this, but what does it have to do with him being a living Bodhisattva?However, there are also some people who are more shrewd. After hearing the meaning of the Wang family's words, their eyes began to shine. It seems that Yangzhou does not need to stay, and they have to go to Nanjing immediately. There is still a glimmer of hope there.

While everyone was pondering, the representative of the Wang family stood up and left. His purpose of coming here has been achieved. Firstly, he was instructed by someone to send a letter specially, and secondly, he also left some affection among these salt merchants. , I will meet again in the future, the emperor does not intend to put all the salt merchants to death, naturally there will be later.

The Wang family left, and the Guo family also left in a hurry, and immediately followed. Once the two families go, the meeting to discuss countermeasures can be broken up.

The Guo family caught up with the Wang family and shouted: "Brother Wang, brother Wang, please stay."

Seeing that it was a member of the Guo family, the representative of the Wang family also stood still and said with a smile, "So it's Brother Guo. I don't know if Brother Guo has anything to do with you?" It's okay with them.

"Brother Wang is really a free and easy person, so indifferent, admirable, admirable..." Guo Jiadai has a sharp pen, and he can see the difference on Wang's face at once.

"There, there..." The members of the Wang family looked free and easy.

"...May I ask, is there any news from Mr. Qiao?" The Guo family immediately asked, and his family's news is also quite well-informed. This time, his family's "relationship" turned around very quickly in this salt business case, and he had already ordered, Everything is up to the emperor, and they will do whatever the emperor wants to do. The emperor will not beat them all to death with a single stick. Only then can their family feel at ease. As I said, it was just a fall, their family's "relationship" is still there, and there are still many opportunities to turn over. If they fight against the emperor, they will not be able to turn over.In this salt business case, the emperor will definitely "trample" some people to death, otherwise the salt business case cannot be concluded.Recently, news has been sent to let them look at the Wang family. Which "relationship" of the Wang family has most likely dredged the emperor's joints. What should the emperor do? It is estimated that it will start with the Wang family. It's easy to follow up, and this is the time to discuss countermeasures today. He spoke for the Wang family, and seeing that the Wang family seemed to have a way, he immediately came out to inquire, and directly listed the "relationship" of the Wang family to show his weight.

"Hehe, Brother Guo is also well-informed!..." The representative of the Wang family looked at the representative of the Guo family with a smile, and knew who the "relationship" of the Guo family was. There are some things that cannot be hidden.

"There..." The Guo family hurriedly smiled and gave way. Although the emperor's establishment of a salt merchant caused his family to stumble, the "relationship" of his family is still there, and it is not too difficult to turn around again. Therefore, It is very different from some brainless salt merchants.

"...Since Brother Guo asked, let Wang reveal a little bit. In the future, I hope Brother Guo will support you more..." The representative of the Wang family thought for a while and said that the "relationship" of their family cost a huge price. , paved a way for them, and now they are going to take this way. Although it is inconvenient to tell outsiders, the Guo family is different.

"...Wang's path is limited. The sooner the better, the later, the door of this path will be closed. What can be said, Wang can only say so much. I think Brother Guo I must be able to understand what Wang means..." The representative of the Wang family thought for a while and said.

"That's it, thank you very much!" The representative of the Guo family thought for a while, and he already had a rough picture in his heart, so he thanked him.

[A few words, I apologize to everyone. I was too tired yesterday. I wanted to take a nap. I didn’t expect that I overslept and couldn’t catch up when I woke up. I had no choice but to make up for it today. Everyone forgive me! 】

(End of this chapter)