When Qian Qianyi stayed in Nanjing, it was also the time when the gentry forces in Jiangnan were reorganized. In the Yangzhou Salt Citation Case and the Nanjing Scientific Research Case, Canan Zhili was divided into three and became two provinces and one city in Jiangsu, Anhui and Nanjing, all of which caused a lot of suppression to the gentry in Jiangnan.

The Yangzhou salt case broke the money bags of the Jiangnan gentry, and the Nanjing scientific research case made the rising star of the Jiangnan gentry who had been hard to support it all to pieces, and the division of Nanzhili into three re-divided the original distribution pattern of the Jiangnan gentry, which also made the original alliance between the Jiangnan gentry and the wealthy businessmen cracked.

The reason why the wealthy merchants in Jiangnan attached themselves to the gentry in Jiangnan was to obtain the protection of the powerful in these places in their business; Second, I hope that through these gentry, I can slowly bring my own family into the gentry class.

But now it seems that the Jiangnan gentry may not be able to continue to shelter them in business, and the Nanjing scientific expedition shows that the emperor seems to be very dissatisfied with the Jiangnan people's community. This made some wealthy businessmen begin to change their doors and no longer continue to follow behind those Jiangnan celebrities.

The Jiangnan referred to by the Ming Dynasty actually mainly refers to the Yangtze River Delta and the Taihu Lake area south of the Huai River, east of Anhui and Jiangxi. Yangzhou, Nanjing, Suzhou, and Songjiang, the plains to the north and east of Taihu Lake, are the traditional essence areas of Jiangnan, and the Hangjiahu Plain to the southwest of Taihu Lake is a rising star.

Although the Huizhou merchants and Shanxi merchants were very famous, in the Jiangnan region, the Taihu merchant gang, which was more closely united with the local gentry, was more powerful. In particular, Suzhou, which has mastered the heart of silk weaving, and Songjiang, which has the heart of cotton weaving, have basically controlled the commerce of these two places in the hands of the local gentry.

Therefore, when the Huizhou merchants and Zhejiang merchants began to change their courts, or moved closer to the central bank presided over by the Huizhou merchants, or turned their attention to the two new ports in Ningbo and Haihai, only these gentry families around the Taihu Lake were still in a state of confusion.

The gentry in the Songjiang area have the most choices, whether it is Xu Guangqi or Xia Yunyi, they are the objects that the Songjiang gentry can climb, even if it is the Chongming Shen family who is in charge of the Jiangnan Manufacturing Bureau, it can be said.

But the Jiangnan gentry in other places have a somewhat narrow choice. Although Zhen Meng has a great reputation, everyone knows that he is not treated well by the emperor, and he is too stubborn to communicate. Originally, Lou Dong Erzhang and Fushe, who were most optimistic about everyone, are now also famous because of a Nanjing scientific expedition case.

Zhang Cai is now in a foreign place, and it is difficult to exert influence on North Korean politics, but Zhang Pu was ordered by the imperial court to return to his hometown to study because of the imperial examination case. This person's reputation is not obvious, and it is difficult for the sons of the Restoration Society to convince the public, so many Jiangnan scholars have faded out of the Restoration Society and no longer regard themselves as Restoration Members.

Now that Qian Qianyi is staying in Nanjing, Su Chang's gentry and students have come to visit him, like a carp crossing the river. Everyone wondered if they could make this altar leader, the leader of the New Donglin Party, become a big tree that sheltered them from the wind and rain.

At the beginning, Qian Qianyi was still very enthusiastic about receiving these village parties, but as the desire of these gentry to meet became higher and higher, he also felt bored, so he simply closed the door and thanked the guests and stopped seeing people.

For example, Wang Ranming, a friend who came from Hangzhou, this Huizhou tycoon was the leader of Qian Qianyi's Jiangnan altar, but he contributed a lot. Therefore, when he heard that he had come to visit him, Qian Qianyi finally invited him into the apartment.

Qian Qianyi borrowed the hidden garden of Wuding Bridge Youfang Lane built by the late Yao Qian, which is known as the fourteenth among the famous gardens in Jinling, and is famous for its ancient trees and Taihu stones. Outside the door is the Xinfu River connected to the Qinhuai River, if you want to go out to enjoy the wind and moon, you don't have to go through the gate, you can go directly to the backyard dock boat.

The city hidden garden covers a vast area, so the scenery is more outstanding, Zheng Ming has praised, "the bright moon will be the sea color, into the Junjia building." Leaning on the railing, the ground is full of golden waves. Wang Ranming, who was accustomed to seeing the wind and moon of the West Lake, also had a dizzying feeling all the way, and it was not until he saw Qian Qianyi standing in the pavilion outside the Autumn Shadow Pavilion that he stopped and waved his hands.

Qian Qianyi in the pavilion hurriedly greeted after replying: "Why should Songxi be polite, hurry up and come in and drink a cup of tea and go to the dust." ”

Wang Ranming straightened up, laughed and said: "This is not the past, Mr. Yu Shan's good name for disaster relief in Hunan has spread all over the south of the Yangtze River, even if it is for this matter, I should pay tribute to Brother Mu Zhai for the people." ”

Qian Qianyi hurriedly arched his hand and said: "I don't dare to do this, this time I am just doing things for the imperial court, even if there is any credit, it is the credit of His Majesty and the cabinet, which round will get me." Let's sit down and talk. ”

The two exchanged a few words in the pavilion, and after drinking two teas, Qian Qianyi finally mentioned the matter, "Songxi, you have always been busy in Hangzhou, how can you have time to come to Nanjing, don't you have something to do?" ”

Wang Ranming put down the teacup, glanced at Qian Qianyi, and then said, "Actually, I came to Nanjing this time, and I made a special trip to see you." ”

Although Wang Ranming's expression was extremely cautious, Qian Qianyi didn't take it to heart, he asked casually: "Songxi, what is the difficulty?" If so, you might as well just say it. ”

Wang Ranming no longer said politely: "Brother Mu Zhai also knows that my family's ancestral business is to operate the salt industry. But now since the imperial court has cleaned up the salt merchants in Yangzhou, the management of the salt industry in Lianghuai has become more and more strict. It is said that soon the salt industry in Zhejiang and Zhejiang will also be rectified, I want Brother Mu Zhai to tell the truth, can this salt industry continue? ”

Qian Qianyi was silent for a moment and then said, "Brother Songxi, let's think about changing careers, you can't spread this." ”

Although Wang Ranming was a little prepared, after hearing Qian Qianyi's reply, he still said with some resentment: "Why is Your Majesty so mean, even refusing to let go of the food and clothing of our small people, is there no righteous person to dissuade you..."

Qian Qianyi hurriedly raised his hand to stop him and said, "Your Majesty is such a person, how can you open your mouth to evaluate it." Do you really want to be like those Yangzhou salt merchants, who will only repent when they are questioned by the imperial court? Your family has been in the salt industry for more than one generation, and your family assets are enough to make a living for other things, so why bother to be angry with the imperial court. ”

Seeing that Qian Qianyi had a look of displeasure between his eyebrows, Wang Ranming sighed in his heart, if even Qian Qianyi, who is now popular, can't do anything, then the salt industry really can't continue. He immediately changed the topic and said: "I have traveled all the way, and I heard that after Brother Mu Zhai returns to Beijing, he will take over the position of first assistant, is this true?" ”

Qian Qianyi suddenly said with some surprise: "Who is talking such nonsense in front of you, Huang Shoufu is old and strong, when did he say that he was going to step down." Even if he really resigns, this position of first assistant must be in accordance with the rules, first pushed by the courtiers, and then appointed by His Majesty, who dares to spread rumors like this? ”

Although Qian Qianyi spoke harshly, there was no anger in his tone, which made Wang Ranming understand. At this time, he took out an invitation card from his bosom and put it on the stone table, and then said with a smile on his face: "Brother Mu Zhai doesn't need to be so angry, it's just some rumors in the market. I came here to deliver this invitation. ”

Qian Qianyi glanced at the invitation, and didn't stretch out his hand, but asked with some confusion: "I don't know, whose invitation is this?" ”

Wang Ranming leaned forward before he spoke: "It's Ruan Yuanhai's post, Brother Yuanhai wants to invite Brother Mu Zhai to visit Qinhuai at night, and he specially invited Xu Fo, a famous prostitute in Wujiang, to help him, and also invite Brother Mu Zhai to go." ”

Qian Qianyi suddenly frowned, looked at the invitation card and then at Wang Ranming, and then said: "Why did Songxi mix with this person, he is my mortal enemy of Donglin, if I go to see him tonight, won't I be reprimanded by the comrades in the party?" ”

Wang Ranming also said helplessly: "Brother Mu Zhai also said that the salt industry could not be done, so I am discussing with many people in the industry to do some other business. At present, there is a business that wants to succeed, and I need Brother Yuanhai's help to foil one or two, but Brother Yuanhai is bent on seeing you, so I have to be this uninvited guest. ”

Qian Qianyi was silent for a long time, and finally couldn't refuse Wang Ranming with a face, and couldn't help but ask him: "What do you ask him to help with?" ”

Wang Ranming Ma replied: "Brother Mu Zhai, do you know the railway from Nanjing to the sea?" ”

Qian Qianyi nodded a little blankly and said, "I know, this is a project that His Majesty has paid attention to, why is there any problem with this railway?" ”

Wang Ranming said with his hands in his hands: "There is a problem, there is a problem." Less than a year after it opened, the railway has already recouped a third of its cost. In other words, after three years, in addition to daily maintenance and workers' wages, the rest will be net profit.

After 30 years of franchising, the remaining 27 years can earn back 9 Beijing-Shanghai railways, which is an annual income of 150,000 yuan. Those of us in the salt industry thought that if such a railway could be built between Hai and Hangzhou, it would be a good business that could mimic the salt industry.

It's just that at present, the gentry of Songjiang and Hangzhou are eyeing this railway to be built, and even some Suzhou people want to intervene. Ruan Yuanhai is now the chief writer of the Nandu Times, and he has a good relationship with the king of Chu.

As long as he helps us to rebuke the local gentry, then we have a good chance of winning the right to build this railway. And now the south can supply qualified rails, only the iron factory under the name of the king of Chu, without the nod of the king of Chu, even if the right to build the railway is won, it will be difficult to start construction..."

Qian Qianyi suddenly interrupted him with some surprise and asked, "Is this railway so profitable?" We have a waterway in the south of the Yangtze River, is it not possible to transport water and railways? ”

Wang Ranming Ma complained bitterly: "Brother Mu Zhai is not clear, although this waterway is convenient, but the boat is too slow, and now there are many bandits in Taihu Lake, how can it be convenient to take the railway by boat." Nanjing-Hai two places, the waterway has to be 10 days, but the railway is also 2 and a half days, the family has small assets, especially the female dependents, are now willing to take the car instead of the boat..."

Qian Qianyi's heart finally shook a little, looking at Wang Ranming's expectant expression, he finally nodded and said, "Okay, if there is nothing to do, I will go to see Ruan Yuanhai, but you tell him for me that other guests don't have to feast." ”

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