Xi Benzhen asked uncertainly, "What did the prince say...... Really? ”

Wu Zheng smiled and said: "Don't worry, this king is not drunk yet, so he naturally takes it seriously." Not only that, but this king will also legislate later, and the private legal property of all people is inviolable! In this way, your lawful private property will be passed on to future generations with peace of mind, and tragedies like Shen Wansan of the previous dynasty will not be repeated. ”

This is even more explosive, it is subverting ideas and ethics.

Xi Benzhen asked urgently: "Is private property legal, and how to define it?" And how to ensure that local governments will not frame and embezzle the property of merchants in this way? ”

Wu Zheng said calmly: "This king said before, industry and commerce are all fundamental. Now you have made a good start, Jiangnan Chamber of Commerce, although it is not affiliated with the government, but your protest this time has made this king think that in addition to the right of scholars and students to express their feelings, businessmen should also have an organization that can directly state their demands...... Ben Wang thought that the Chamber of Commerce could do it. The Chamber of Commerce will be the organization of the General's Mansion to face the demands of merchants from all over the world, and the Chamber of Commerce can form a deliberative body, which can be left to present to the government, which can not only express the demands, but also achieve the purpose of supervising the local government. Of course, the Chamber of Commerce does not have any official power as a result. It is just to play the squire's suggestion and admonition power on government affairs. ”

That's enough. That's really enough.

This has made all the merchants ecstatic, because it is an equality of status, which has never been the equality of the merchant community since ancient times.

In other words, they no longer have to rely on anyone, they have their own voice and demand, and that is the Chamber of Commerce.

Xi Benzhen suddenly retracted the smile on his face, and he asked, "Dare to ask the prince, what do you want me to do?" ”

These words caused the merchant to slowly fall silent.

Exchange. That's their first reaction.

The first thing you remember as a businessman is that there is no such thing as a free lunch. If there is, it must be a scam.

The fruit given by Wu Zheng was too big, so big that it was beyond everyone's expectations.

Then the return on the need must be greater, perhaps too great for them to pay.

Wu Zheng smiled and smiled very satisfied.

There's nothing more comfortable than talking to smart people.

Wu Zheng sorted out his thoughts and said, "This king does have two things to rely on you. ”

Xi Benzhen's voice trembled and said, "Please make it clear to the prince." ”

The merchant swallowed with difficulty, and the voice was unusually clear in the quiet room.

Wu Zheng smiled: "Don't be so nervous, everyone. What this king is going to say is indeed a bit risky for you, but it is by no means a dead end. ”

Speaking of this, Wu Zhengzheng said: "First of all, I want you to defeat the Northern Merchant Gang, in every state and every county, whether it is salt, iron, spices, medicinal herbs, clothing, silver buildings, grain and sugar, etc., completely defeat them and control every industry." This sounds difficult, and in fact it is difficult, but you can do it, because today you are no longer fighting the Northern Chamber of Commerce alone, but uniting as one Chamber of Commerce, fighting against the merchants of the North who are still working separately. ”

Xi Benzhen and all the merchants were shocked by Wu Zheng's words, this matter was so big that they could hardly imagine it.

Yes, in the past, it was common for the Southern Merchant Gang and the Northern Merchant Gang to fight openly and covertly, but it was just a fight between a family, and it never rose to the scale of a war.

Because it was at the cost of the lives of the merchants of the north and the south, and it was at the cost of the livelihood of the people in the north and the south.

The war in any industry will cause the people who need these supplies to suffer.

The vanquished may be more painful than death.

And the victor may not have gains, at least in the short term, there will definitely be no gains.

Xi Benzhen said bitterly: "Does the prince want me to wait for death and have no place to be buried?!" ”

Wu Zheng said: "Lord Xi can give up his family wealth to help the victims, which is for benevolence. Cheng Yuanwai's family study has a deep origin, which is wisdom. Chen Yuanwai gave up his son's business and treated his life to serve his mother, which was filial piety. All the virtuous people gathered in the Jiangnan Chamber of Commerce for righteousness. Benevolence, wisdom, filial piety, and righteousness are all there, so why not fight and win? ”

Xi Benzhen smiled bitterly: "The prince thinks too highly of me, the northern merchant gang has hoarded a huge amount of wealth by betraying the Ming Dynasty and trading materials with the Manchu Dynasty...... How to fight it? ”

Looking at these pale and whispering businessmen, Wu Zheng said: "What Lord Xi said is true, and this king can naturally see it." But you should also know that there are constant filthy disputes between the Shanxi merchant gang (Jin merchants) and the northern merchant gangs such as Shandong and Shaanxi, especially after the Jin merchants were crowned as the eight imperial merchants, and suppressed the rest of the northern merchant gangs. Therefore, the Northern Merchant Gang cannot form a joint force like the Jiangnan Chamber of Commerce, to unite against division, to be prepared against unprepared, and we have seized the opportunity in this battle. Moreover, this king will naturally not sit idly by, the Jin merchants have the support of the Qing court, and you have the support of this king. ”

Wu Zheng's words swept away the gloom on the faces of the merchants, and Xi Benzhen asked, "Dare to ask what kind of support the prince can provide?" ”

Wu Zheng said two words: "Business Dao." ”

Xi Benzhen repeated: "Business? ”

"Yes, there can be unimpeded trade lanes." Wu Zheng explained, "Wherever the king is under his rule, the goods of the Jiangnan Chamber of Commerce are unimpeded. ”

The merchants looked at each other.

Cheng Benyuan finally opened his mouth, "Lord Wang, forgive Xiaomin for being disrespectful...... Under the rule of the prince, there are only six mansions. ”

Wu Zheng said in a deep voice: "Are your eyes so short-sighted? ”

The businessmen whispered, but Xi Benzhen and Cheng Benyuan had already understood Wu Zheng's meaning.

Yes, Wu Zheng started from scratch, it took two years for the land of the three mansions, and it only took one year to expand to the land of the six mansions.

Xi Benzhen asked cautiously, "Does the prince mean that there will be a war next year?" ”

Wu Zheng smiled and said, "Although the war is suspended, this does not mean that there will be no more Northern Expeditions. Ladies and gentlemen, the Zhoushan Landscape Master will protect your caravan and the safety along the Yangtze River. In addition, the king will re-assemble a naval division to protect your caravans near and far seas. ”

This made everyone stunned, they really didn't understand.

But Wu Zheng did not explain.

Xi Benzhen arched his hand and said, "Please let me wait for a moment of discussion." ”

Wu Zheng nodded.

More than a dozen merchants gathered in a circle and discussed softly.

Chen Wenhuan said: "Brothers, can you understand the last sentence of the prince, what does it mean?" ”