The Most Powerful Man in the World

Regarding Qi Hu and Fang Li's comments, Chu Yi looked calm, but just looked at the bustling scene lightly.

Such a prosperous business is supposed to be enough to charge a huge business tax to support a huge empire, but the business tax is only a hundred thousand taels a year, and even the wealth of any wealthy businessman in Jiangnan is not comparable.

It was these people who were lying on the body of a giant like Daming madly absorbing nutrients but unknowingly feeding back. As a result, a hundred years later, Jiangnan was stained with blood, and on the tenth day of Yangzhou, Jiading slaughtered three times.

Dongchang must establish a stronghold in Suzhou City, and it is obviously impossible for Chu Yi and his party to rest on the boat, and they will not find an inn at random, so the Dongchang stronghold is perfect.

In a courtyard that looks quite ordinary, there are more than a dozen Dongchang fans, and one Dongchang superintendent is all the people in the entire stronghold.

In Suzhou Mansion, this manpower is really useless, that is, it plays a role in conveying some news. As for the place of shock and deterrence, to be honest, the deterrent force of Dongchang is far less than that of Jinyiwei.

Mao Yu, the head of the East Factory, looked at the group in front of him, especially when Cao Shaoqin showed him the identity token inside the East Factory, Mao Yu couldn't help but look at Chu Yi and his group with a look of horror on his face.

Before Mao Yu was sent down, he had personally met Cao Shaoqin. Although he said he had never seen Chu Yi, he was not a fool. Cao Shaoqin and the others obviously had Chu Yi as the core. Under such circumstances, Mao Yu could naturally guess. Out of Chu Yi's identity.

Apart from the emperor and Chu Yi, Mao Yu couldn't think of anyone else who could make Cao Shaoqin, who is almost the future director of the East Factory, so respectful.

It was obviously impossible for the Son of Heaven to leave the capital, plus some rumors about Chu Yi, Mao Yu stepped forward to face Chu Yi for a week and said, "Mao Yu, the head of the Dongchang factory, pays respect to the Lord Governor, the Governor Chitose, Chitose, Chien age!"

Glancing at Mao Yu lightly, Chu Yi waved his hand and said, "Don't be polite, get up!"

Only a very few people know about Chu Yi's departure from the capital. Maybe some people in the capital have noticed that Chu Yi's departure from the capital, but in this place, Chu Yi did not make a statement, and no one really knew about Chu Yi. It's been a long time since I left Beijing.

Mao Yu hurriedly said: "Master, please come in!"

In the hall, Chu Yi sat in the center, and the others were lined up on both sides, and they took their seats under Chu Yi's gesture.

Mao Yu felt a little panic and nervousness in his heart. After all, he didn't get any news in advance, and Chu Yi suddenly arrived. If there is something he can't do, if Chu Yi dislikes him, then he will have no future in Dongchang. said.

Taking a deep breath, Mao Yu respectfully said to Chu Yi: "The Governor needs Mao Yu to report the situation of Dongchang in Suzhou Mansion!"

Chu Yi nodded and said, "It's fine to talk about it, let's see what information you have collected."

His eyes lit up, and Mao Yu hurriedly said: "Reporting to the Governor, although there are only a dozen people in our East Factory in Suzhou Mansion, but the outside has bought dozens of eyeliners to inquire about the big and small things happening in Suzhou Mansion at any time for us. …”

From Mao Yu's mouth, Chu Yi learned more about Suzhou Mansion. Obviously, compared to Tang Yin's brief introduction to Suzhou Mansion, Mao Yu explained all aspects of Suzhou Mansion to everyone present.

Not to mention, the East Factory has no other abilities, and it is still top-notch in collecting intelligence. Many secret things have been detected by the East Factory.Even Tang Yin was nodding his head while listening to it.

It took half an hour for Mao Yu to tell Chu Yi the information about Suzhou House. Fang Li and Cao Shaoqin couldn't help but look at Mao Yu differently. They were able to manage the Suzhou House East Factory base like this. To be honest, this Mao Yu is really a talent, Cao Shaoqin even had the idea of ​​whether to transfer Mao Yu back to the capital for reuse.

Now, Chu Yi has almost completely let go of the matter in the East Factory. It can be said that Cao Shaoqin will deal with it, and he is only one position away from the position of the Director of the East Factory.

Mao Yu can get into Cao Shaoqin's eyes, so in the future, he will definitely be able to rise to the sky in the East Factory.

Chu Yi nodded slightly, glanced at Mao Yu with satisfaction, and said, "Yes, it seems that you are also attentive in this Suzhou Mansion."

Hearing Chu Yi's praise, Mao Yu said excitedly: "The slaves are just doing their jobs faithfully, and they shouldn't be praised like this by the overseer!"

Chu Yi motioned Mao Yu to sit down, took a cup of tea, and after taking a sip, looked at Mao Yu and said, "Mao Yu, you often live in Suzhou Mansion, and you know more about Suzhou Mansion than everyone else. I would like to ask you, if Ben Du wants to add Is it possible to collect business tax in this Suzhou House?”

Mao Yu's expression changed when he heard the words, and he shook his head almost instinctively and said, "It is absolutely impossible for the governor!"

Although they had long known that it would be very difficult to increase the business tax in Suzhou Prefecture, they never thought that Mao Yu's reaction would be so great.

Mao Yu felt everyone's eyes on him and couldn't help but smiled bitterly and said respectfully to Chu Yi: "So that the Governor knows that there are five major families in Suzhou Mansion, Zhang, Wang, Chen, Li, Liu, among them Zhang Family, Wang Family and Chen Family. The family is a well-known maritime merchant in the entire Jiangnan region. Each family has dozens of ships traveling overseas all year round. The Li family and the Liu family control the textile, tea, and porcelain industries in Suzhou Prefecture. Either one is worth at least one million.”

It's not surprising to everyone, whether it is sea trade or the textile, tea, porcelain and other industries that control the land of one government, they are all extremely profitable, and those who are worth millions are less.

Mao Yu continued: "In addition to these five major families, there is also a Wu family. The second master of the Wu family is the guard of Suzhou House. The in-laws control the large and small mines in Suzhou Prefecture. Before the tax collectors in Suzhou Prefecture were besieged and killed, the promoter behind the scenes was just one of the six families. It can be said that as long as the six major families are willing, they can make the huge Suzhou city at any time. The government went on strike overnight and then caused unrest in Suzhou.”

Tang Yin was born in Suzhou and grew up in Suzhou Mansion. He naturally knew that what Mao Yu said was true, not even an exaggeration. The shortest Suzhou mansion has been around for decades. It can be said that several companies have joined forces to manage the Suzhou mansion like an iron barrel. Even if it is from the Suzhou mansion to the prefect, down to an official, it all depends on the six masters. look on his face."

Cao Shaoqin frowned and said, "Even Nanjing City doesn't have a piece of iron. I didn't expect this Suzhou Mansion to be run like this."

In fact, all those present knew in their hearts that Nanjing City has a different status in this southern part of the Yangtze River. It is the political and cultural core of the South, and there are many powerful and powerful people living in Nanjing.In this case, no matter how strong it is, it is impossible for anyone to monolithically manage Nanjing City.

If someone can really make Nanjing City become a monolith, I am afraid that it is not far from looting the family and exterminating the family.

Looking at Chu Yi, Mao Yu said respectfully: "Once the governor increases the tax, it will inevitably provoke a strong backlash from the six families. Let's not talk about other places. At least in this Suzhou house, the governor is afraid that it will be difficult for the governor to receive any tax."

Several people looked at Chu Yi, but Chu Yi's expression remained the same, even with a smile on his face, he nodded slightly and said, "I never thought that the situation in Suzhou Mansion would be so complicated. Controlled by several families, it really deserves to be the emperor of Tiangao!"

I don't know why Chu Yi didn't show a trace of anger, but after listening to Chu Yi's words, several people present felt a little chill in their hearts.

Just when Chu Yi and others were learning about the situation in Suzhou Mansion at the East Factory base, they were among the magnificent mansions of the Wu family, one of the six families that Mao Yu said.

A wharf steward is bowing respectfully in front of a wealthy member at the moment. If anyone sees this member, he will be able to recognize that this person is the head of the Wu family, Wu Yi.

Wu Yi is very rich, wearing a staff hat and a fancy dress, sitting there with a kind smile on his face, whoever sees it will praise him for his appearance.

But what does it mean to be a person without appearance, Wu Yi's murderous name in Suzhou Mansion is really enough to stop the baby crying at night, and more than [-] people died directly or indirectly in Wu Yi's hands.

Whether it is a wharf or a mine, it is controlled by the Wu family. If there is not enough ruthlessness, the Wu family cannot firmly control more than [-]% of the mines in Suzhou and the wharf in Suzhou.

Wu Yi raised her head and glanced at Wu Si, the pier steward, and said, "Wu Si, you are not staring at the pier, and you ran back now. Could it be that something happened on the pier?"

Wu Si said respectfully: "Going home, the old servant is here because two unfamiliar official ships have arrived on the dock. According to the master's instructions, if there are unfamiliar ships docked in Suzhou Mansion, it must be the first time. Apologize to the Patriarch!"

Wu Yi nodded slightly and said, "Oh, there are unfamiliar official ships coming. Did the other party report their identities? Can you find out what their origins are?"

Wu Si shook his head and said: "The other party seems to be quite cautious, and did not take the initiative to contact the dock to report their identity, but after their people got off the boat, the old servant has already sent a message to our people, and it will take a long time to find out. Find out the origins of these people!"

Wu Yi glanced at Wu Si with admiration and said, "You have done a good job. Our Wu family must be careful in everything if we want to maintain our current status. To be able to travel by official ship must have an unusual status. Although the Wu family is not afraid , but I don't want to cause any more trouble..."

Just as he was talking, he saw a steward hurried over, but it was Wu Zhong, a steward of the Wu family who was in charge of intelligence inquiries.

Wu Zhong bowed down in front of Wu Yi and said, "Patriarch, there is important news!"

Wu Yi asked curiously, "Oh, what's the matter?"

Wu Zhong said solemnly: "I received a summons from Wu Si earlier, and the old slave immediately sent someone to check the identity of the group, and finally found that the group actually entered Liuye Lane!"

Wu Yi was stunned for a moment, then reacted and stared at Wu Zhong with an exclamation: "You said those people entered Liuye Lane?"

Whether it is Wu Zhong or Wu Si, they all know what Liuye Lane represents. The whole Liuye Lane is not big, just a few families. Those who can sit on official boats and enter Liuye Lane can only be Entering the East Factory, it is impossible for a few poor people in Liuye Lane.

Wu Zhong nodded and said: "Yes, the people we arranged in Liuye Lane also came out to report, and that group entered the East Factory stronghold."

Taking a deep breath, Wu Yi said, "In this way, most of the people in this group are from Dongchang."

Wu Zhong and Wu Si did not speak, they just sat on the ground quietly and waited for Wu Yi to make a decision.

After a while, Wu Yi glanced at the two of them and said, "Okay, this master already knows about this, so you can go about your own business."

Watching Wu Si and Wu Zhong leave, Wu Yi suddenly said, "Come here, invite the second master to return to the mansion, and say that there is something important to discuss."

[Code word, ask for a monthly pass. 】

-------------Chapter Dividing Line---------------

The families of Zhang, Wang, Liu, and Li can be said to have penetrated the entire Suzhou Mansion. I dare not say that any trouble in the city can’t be hidden from their eyes, but people like Chu Yi and the others are too conspicuous. , Since getting off the boat on the pier and entering the city, it has been noticed by people. When Chu Yi and the others entered the East Factory stronghold, several of them also received the news at about the same time.

Outside the city of Suzhou, there is a quiet courtyard surrounded by trees, and the scenery can be described as pleasant.

Gardens are the most common in Suzhou. Most of these Jiangnan lords are gold and silver, and they have built a series of unique gardens.

This garden is called Tingtao Courtyard, which is a courtyard of the Wang family in Suzhou. It is most loved by the owner of the Wang family, Wang Dong.

And at this moment, in the courtyard of Tingtao, in a quiet and elegant pavilion, several figures are sitting there enjoying tea leisurely.

If anyone saw the people in the pavilion, they would be shocked. The three of them are the most distinguished. They are the three heads of the Wang family, the Chen family and the Zhang family among the major families in Suzhou. As for the others, they are also second to none in Suzhou. rich.

The Wang family, the Chen family, and the Zhang family are the largest maritime merchants in Suzhou.

As for the other escorts, they are actually all maritime merchants, but compared with the three, they are obviously inferior. Usually, the three are the leaders. Among the maritime merchants, they have become the Suzhou-Hangzhou faction. .

A beautiful maid next to Wang Dong rolled up her sleeves, revealing a wrist that was as white as jade, and poured tea for the patriarchs present with exquisite craftsmanship.

The head of the Zhang family, Zhang Anping glanced at Wang Dong and said, "Brother Wang invited everyone to come here today, but is there anything wrong?"

The head of the Chen family, Chen Lin stroked his beard and looked at Wang Dong and said, "If this old man remembers correctly, it will take half a month before the next sailing. Brother Wang should not be doing this for the sake of going to sea this time!"

Wang Dong smiled slightly, his eyes swept over everyone, and everyone was looking at Wang Dong at the moment.

After all, even if Wang Dong invites everyone to come together on weekdays, he mostly only invites one or three of them for a small gathering, but it is really rare to invite everyone over at once like this time. .

Usually, when everyone gathers like this, it is only when everyone gathers to distribute benefits before going to sea. Obviously, this time is not the time to go to sea.

Wang Dong nodded slightly at the beautiful maid next to him, and saw that the maid took out a letter from her cuff, and everyone was not surprised when they saw it.

Who doesn't know that Wang Dong is the most beautiful, and the maids around him are all favored by him. It seems that such private letters can be kept by the maids around him.

Wang Dong took the letter and handed it to Zhang Anping, who said, "Brother Zhang, why don't you take a look!"

Zhang Anping glanced at the letter, with some doubts in his heart, opened the letter, glanced at the contents of the letter, and his expression suddenly changed.

Zhang Anping's expression changed, but the content of the letter was too amazing. Even if Zhang Anping had experienced many storms, he was still confused.

Others don't know the content of the letter, but they can see the change in Zhang Anping's expression, one by one showing curiosity.

What is the content of this letter that can make Zhang Anping so rude.

Yes, for Zhang Anping, this is already a gaffe.

Seeing that Zhang Anping's hands were trembling, he took a deep breath, stabilized his mind, glanced at Wang Dong, and handed the letter to Chen Lin who was sitting beside him.

Chen Lin was originally curious about the contents of the letter, which made Zhang Anping so rude. Now that he took the letter in his hand, he naturally read it immediately.

Perhaps it was because of some mental preparation, so when Chen Lin saw the content of the letter, although Chen Lin said that he was still shocked, compared to Zhang Anping's gaffe, at least Chen Lin stabilized his emotions.

Slowly placing the letter on the coffee table, Chen Lin's eyes fell on Wang Dong and said, "Brother Wang, is the matter in this letter true?"

Wang Dong glanced at Chen Lin and Zhang Anping and said, "Wang just received the news one step earlier. I believe it won't take long for the two of you to receive the news from the capital."

A maritime businessman glanced at Wang Dong and the three of them and said, "Patriarch Wang, what kind of riddle are you playing? I wonder if I'll be honored to know."

With a wave of Wang Dong's hand, the letter was naturally passed on to several maritime merchants.

"What, the castrated thief Chu Yi actually wants to open the sea!"

"This is absolutely impossible!"

"Absurd things like this, do the Chinese military officials allow the eunuchs to run wild?"

When several family owners saw the contents of the letter, they almost exploded one by one, and some even groaned and cursed.

It's no wonder they are, these maritime merchants are all based on maritime trade, and the root of their foothold is maritime trade. How big is the benefit of the sea, if you don't experience it yourself, you will never understand it.

Even if it is involved in maritime trade, it is full of crises, not only to be careful of pirates, but also to be careful of natural disasters in maritime business. If you are not lucky enough, if ten ships go out to sea and can return safely, then three or five ships are not bad.

Even so, after deducting the losses, there can still be several times the benefits, and the reason is because of the sea ban.

The imperial court imposed a sea ban, which directly led to the severance of the Ming Dynasty from overseas trade. However, how much benefit overseas trade has, one can only imagine the huge amount of overseas trade.

Because of the prohibition of the sea, there are not many people who have enough strength to smuggle and carry out sea trade, which means that the threshold is raised, and the competitors are directly brushed down by the court. As a result, anyone who can go to sea to carry out sea trade , if it still can't get several times or even ten times the benefits, it can only be said that its own luck is too bad.

Relying on the imperial court's prohibition of the sea, these sea merchants who engaged in sea smuggling trade made a lot of money, and they were rich.