……

……

Hui and Zhejiang businessmen are full of wealthy people, and now they have to ask Zhao Junchen, so they will naturally not be stingy with gold and silver.

In order to entertain Zhao Junchen, the Hui merchants chartered the most luxurious restaurant "Fuhui Pavilion" in Taierzhuang, and set up the most luxurious banquet in the "Fuhui Pavilion", such as pigeon tongue porridge, steamed bear paws, anchovy shark fin, pipa prawns, venison and dragon breast, etc., which can be said to have everything, and also attracted all the most beautiful singers and maiko near Taierzhuang, and did their best to be luxurious.

In addition, the Hui businessmen also prepared a number of "small gifts", and only hoped that Zhao Junchen could accept them happily.

In fact, as long as Zhao Junchen is willing to speak, then whatever can be bought with gold and silver in the world, the Hui merchants will definitely prepare for Zhao Junchen in the shortest possible time.

Now, Zhao Junchen is about to be responsible for the rectification of commercial taxes, from a certain point of view, the rise and fall of these Hui businessmen depends to a large extent on Zhao Junchen's eyes, for the Hui businessmen, as long as they can please Zhao Junchen, no matter how big the price is worth it!

This night, when Zhao Junchen came to the "Fuhui Pavilion", the Hui businessmen also went out to greet each other, although there were no gongs and drums, firecrackers rang out, but it was also a grand scene, the momentum was huge, and the attitude was respectful, which can be said to have given Zhao Junchen enough face.

However, after Zhao Junchen saw such a scene, he subconsciously frowned slightly, and seemed to be a little unhappy.

At the same time, Lin Yunpu, president of the Salt Merchants Association, Dai Fengfu, the big boss of Maosheng Commercial Bank, and Bai Mingyu, the big boss of Darong Shipping Company, had already come to Zhao Junchen quickly, leading all the Hui merchants to salute Zhao Junchen with a humble attitude.

Now, under the changing situation, the attitude of these three people towards Zhao Junchen has been fundamentally reversed - the last time they met, the three seemed respectful. But in fact, they put themselves in an equal position with Zhao Junchen, hiding their wit and not letting it go at all, but at this time, their posture was lowered a lot, even the young and vigorous Bai Mingyu also showed a submissive appearance.

*

"Lord Zhao, I haven't seen you for many days. How is it all good? I heard that you have been busy with the rectification of business taxes in recent days, and you have been closing the door to thank you, and tonight I took the liberty to invite you, and I didn't dare to have too much hope, but I didn't expect that Lord Zhao would be able to enjoy the light and go to the banquet in his busy schedule, which is really a great honor for us to help the merchants of Huizhou and Zhejiang. ”

After saluting, Lin Yunpu looked deeply honored and said in a loud voice.

On the other side, Bai Mingyu also added: "Yes." Lord Zhao, you can take the time to enjoy your face to the banquet, that is, you will regard our Hui and Zhejiang Merchants as friends, and please believe that although our Hui and Zhejiang Merchants are all copper-smelling businessmen, they will never treat their friends badly! ”

Dai Fengfu took the opportunity to curry favor and said: "I heard that Lord Zhao, you have been thinking hard behind closed doors these days for the rectification of commercial taxes, and I am very fortunate to be a heart for the country and the people." It can be said that heaven and earth can be learned, and it is really an unprecedented capable minister. It is also a blessing for the imperial court to have your assistance from Lord Zhao! ”

As the words of the three fell, all the Hui businessmen also spoke out one after another, as if Zhao Junchen's banquet gave them a lot of face.

For the flattery and compliment of the Hui merchants, Zhao Junchen was neither salty nor light, that is, he did not show too much joy. He didn't show much disgust either, just said slowly, "Oh? It turns out that you think so highly of the Officer, but since the Governor proposed your cooperation, I have been waiting for your news, but I have not received a reply for a long time. I think you don't think you've got anything to offer. ”

Hearing Zhao Junchen's sarcasm, led by Lin Yunpu, all the Hui merchants were embarrassed.

Then, without waiting for them to explain, Zhao Junchen said again: "Also, you are all rich and rival countries, and it is also the honor of this official to be willing to feast on this official, but now that the Southern Patrol Fleet has come to Taierzhuang, Your Majesty and nearly half of the members of the center are gathered in the left and right, it is the time for the wind and clouds to meet, it is best to keep a low profile, but you are entertaining this official with such fanfare, if this matter spreads, won't it make trouble for this official?" ”

Lin Yunpu hurriedly explained: "I also hope that Lord Zhao will be clear, for your cooperation proposal, we and other Huizhou and Zhejiang businessmen are extremely important, and we will never dare to slack off, but your proposal is really important and far-reaching, and there are many members in the Huizhou and Zhejiang Business Gang, with different ideas, and it will take a long time to discuss a result. ”

Then, Dai Fengfu also explained: "We also know that Your Majesty and many important ministers of the court are now close to Taierzhuang, and they will never dare to cause trouble to you, Lord Zhao, so we invited Lord Zhao to the banquet in Fuhui Pavilion at the same time, and also paid money to cover the entire street where Fuhui Pavilion is located. ”

After hearing Lin Yunpu's explanation, Zhao Junchen just didn't say anything.

But after hearing Dai Fengfu's explanation, Zhao Junchen was slightly stunned.

Subconsciously looked around and found that the whole street was really deserted, except for the many entourages of Hui merchants, there was no one else.

So, Zhao Junchen couldn't help but secretly sigh in his heart - these Huizhou and Zhejiang businessmen are really rich and spend a lot of money, and the most others have to entertain is to charter a restaurant, but these Huizhou and Zhejiang businessmen are good, not only chartered the restaurant, but even the entire street was chartered by them!

You must know that since the opening of the canal, the prosperity of Taierzhuang has been directly chasing Suzhou and Hangzhou, and the consumption is by no means low, and "Fuhui Pavilion" is the most luxurious restaurant in Taierzhuang, which is naturally located in the most prosperous street, and the silver taels spent by the Huizhejiang Merchants Gang for this will probably be an astronomical amount.

Secretly sighed, Zhao Junchen no longer pursued these trivial matters, just nodded and said: "I see, but the official is too worried, since this is the case, let's have a banquet, you don't have to be restrained, let's just talk while eating." ”

For Zhao Junchen's request, Lin Yunpu and others naturally agreed, and hurriedly welcomed Zhao Junchen into the "Fuhui Pavilion", during which Lin Yunpu and others also took the opportunity to introduce the identity and origin of the rest of the Hui merchants to Zhao Junchen.

These Hui merchants. They are all the bosses of well-known shipping houses and well-known commercial houses, and they are rich and wealthy on weekdays, and their hands and eyes are all over the sky, I am afraid that even Su Changyi, the governor of Nanzhili, may not be able to let them put it in their eyes, but at this time, they have a request for Zhao Junchen, but they are all humble in attitude, and when they salute Zhao Junchen, they almost grab the ground with their heads.

*****

After entering the "Fuhui Pavilion". Everyone was densely seated at the three wine tables, among which Zhao Junchen sat in the main seat, while Lin Yunpu, Bai Mingyu, and Dai Fengfu sat aside.

After the banquet, Lin Yunpu and others originally wanted to invite the dancers and singers to cheer up, but Zhao Junchen took the initiative to refuse.

Then, Zhao Junchen raised his hand and pressed it lightly, stopping the compliment and curry favor of the Hui merchants, and then stood up again and said slowly: "Friends present. They are all famous businessmen and giants in Huizhou and Zhejiang, and it is not an exaggeration to say that they are rich and rival the country, even if they are local prefects and counties, I am afraid they will not dare to snub you! We are very grateful and honored to be so gracious to our officials today. ”

After speaking, Zhao Junchen raised his wine glass and drank lightly.

The other side. As Zhao Junchen's words fell, all the Hui businessmen also got up in unison. After raising their glasses, they said some flattering and polite words.

Zhao Junchen raised his hand again and said, "However, although I am very grateful for your hospitality, I really don't have much free time because I am entangled in government affairs. I'm afraid I won't be able to have fun with you tonight, so let's cut a long story short and get straight to the point. ”

Hearing Zhao Junchen say this, after all the Hui merchants were slightly stunned, their expressions also became serious.

They knew what Zhao Junchen was going to say next. It was closely related to the rise and fall of the Huishang Group, so they also quieted down and listened carefully to Zhao Junchen's speech.

Zhao Junchen still looked indifferent, and said slowly: "Everyone hurried to Taierzhuang and entertained the officials, presumably because you heard about those things in the capital...... That's right, during His Majesty's southern tour, the crown prince passed a resolution in the capital to rectify commercial taxes and smuggling! Moreover, unlike those petty fights in previous years, the crown prince announced many figures, claiming that the imperial court would lose at least 20 million taels of silver every year due to commercial tax loopholes and smuggling, which attracted the attention of everyone in the government and the opposition, so this rectification must be drastic and will not stop until the goal is achieved. ”

As Zhao Junchen's words fell, many Hui businessmen looked panicked.

Zhao Junchen sighed and said: "Speaking of which, you are all rich and rival the country, but how you got your family wealth is also well known!" Therefore, for hundreds of years, every time we rectify commercial taxes and smuggle in our dynasty, many merchants from Huizhou and Zhejiang will be affected, and not only will the tens of thousands of family wealth that they have accumulated so hard be confiscated, but even their lives will not be saved...... It is no exaggeration to say that if no one helps, within the next year, at least half of you will be beheaded by raiders, and even if the rest can save their lives, I am afraid they will have to take most of their family fortunes! ”

These words can be described as very cruel, but Zhao Junchen's expression is still flat, as if he is just saying something insignificant.

After hearing Zhao Junchen's description, the Hui merchants became more and more panicked, and some even couldn't help but tremble.

However, the Hui merchants also knew that Zhao Junchen was not threatening to intimidate them, according to the news from the capital, the current situation would only be much more serious than Zhao Junchen's description!

It's just that Zhao Junchen's words also ruined the last luck in their hearts.

For a while, under the leadership of Lin Yunpu, Dai Fengfu, and Bai Mingyu, the Hui businessmen begged Zhao Junchen one after another: "Lord Zhao, you must think of a way to do this!" ”

"Lord Zhao, now only you can save us!"

"Lord Zhao, as long as you can help us, we will have a good reward in the future!"

"Lord Zhao......"

When the Hui businessmen pleaded one after another, Zhao Junchen raised his hand for the third time to stop the chaos on the field.

After the Hui merchants quieted down, Zhao Junchen sighed and said: "To tell you the truth, the imperial court is very determined this time, so this time the commercial tax rectification, there will inevitably be some smuggling merchants who will be severely punished, and the commercial tax situation of the imperial court must also be improved, otherwise the imperial court will never give up easily...... If you want to resist the stubborn defense, even I can't save you, and now the only way for you to save yourself is to cooperate with the imperial court! ”

After a pause, Zhao Junchen said: "As for the method of cooperation, I have talked to President Lin and them before, and I think President Lin and they have also mentioned it to you, that is, the imperial court provides preferential policies, and you provide ships, manpower and financial resources, and we join hands to monopolize the business of the Beijing-Hangzhou Canal and the Yangtze River waterway, so that you have become a partner of the imperial court. The most important thing is that you no longer have to be frightened and frightened by the policy changes of the imperial court from now on, but it is also a long-term foothold for you...... Perhaps, in a few decades, your trading houses will become century-old stores like the Jin merchants. ”

After hearing Zhao Junchen's description, although it was difficult for the Hui businessmen to have other choices, they were still in a dilemma.

After all, it is too risky to cooperate with the imperial court, and they will also be subject to others.

In addition, after getting used to the windfall, it is difficult for Huizhou businessmen to get used to this kind of long-term business model.

After seeing the change in the expressions of the Hui merchants, a sneer appeared on the corner of Zhao Junchen's mouth, and he said: "This official also knows that smuggling is difficult to eradicate, even if one group of smugglers is killed, another group of smugglers will soon appear...... However, when the official receives the favor of the king, he naturally wants to be loyal to the king, and now the official has great ambitions, but he wants to complete the battle and completely reverse the situation of the rampant smuggling in our country. ”

Then, Zhao Junchen continued with an attitude of not being shocked: "However, this official also knows the truth of 'blocking is better than slackening', and the methods conceived are also a little different...... That is, the court cooperates with you smugglers! Now, I might as well open the skylight and say something, the essence of this cooperation is to legalize your smuggling activities! Then turn the silver you spend on buying officials and opening joints into the commercial tax revenue of the imperial court...... Of course, in this way, although the commercial tax revenue of the imperial court will increase, it is still far from enough, so the official will only cooperate with those merchants who have the strength and are willing to cooperate, as for those smugglers who are not strong enough, and those who are not willing to cooperate...... After annexing their smuggling share, the commercial tax revenue brought in was probably enough to satisfy the imperial court! In addition, after these people are confiscated and beheaded, the official can also give a satisfactory explanation to the imperial court, after all, the imperial court is so fanfare to rectify commercial taxes and suppress smuggling, if there are not a few smuggling merchants' family property and heads as a foil, I am afraid it is not enough to show the majesty of the imperial court! Do you think that's the truth? ”

After speaking, Zhao Junchen smiled again and concluded: "Therefore, if everyone here is unwilling to cooperate with the imperial court, this official will never be reluctant!" However, in the end, don't blame the official for being ruthless. ”

……

PS: Riddled with family affairs.,Recently, I always get up early and go to bed late.,Lack of rest.,Make the insect feel very tired.,Yesterday it's reached the limit.,The head has been throbbing.,Can't concentrate.,The code word is asleep unconsciously halfway through.,Failed to update.,I'm really sorry.。

So, today, as compensation, the 2-in-1 big chapter is presented!

In addition, as the entry point of this chapter, although the first 1,000 words of this chapter are repeatedly revised, they are still not satisfied, and they are not well written, so forgive me!

…… (To be continued.) )