Chapter 618: There are concessions, there are persistences, and there is intimate contact with Hejian Mansion

Zhang Zhun smiled slightly and said slowly: "To be precise, each of you has accumulated a lot of funds in your hands, and these funds should not be wasted. It seems that Shen Yuanwai is like this, and the tens of thousands of taels of silver in his hand are still easy to take out. Tens of thousands of taels of silver can be used for many things, so why do you have to bury the silver in the cellar? ”

Shen Kunshan frowned and said, "The silver is buried in the cellar, I feel steady." ”

Zhang Zhun still smiled slightly, and said in a deep voice: "Down-to-earth is down-to-earth, but there is no way to roll money." The country's money should be circulated. Money that is not in circulation, that is not called money. Shen Yuanwai should take out the silver, make money, and obtain more profits. Farming every year only has an income of a few thousand taels at most, but it is possible to earn tens of thousands of taels or even hundreds of thousands of taels of profits when used for business, doesn't Shen Yuanwai want to try it? ”

Shen Kunshan said worriedly: "Doing business will lose money. ”

Zhang Zhun nodded, and said affirmatively: "That's right, doing business is a loss." But that's what I'm all about. I don't want everyone to be like Shen Yuanwai, who just wants to live with the pots and jars at home, just want to maintain the status quo, and don't want to forge ahead. Life is like sailing against the current, if you don't advance, you will retreat. The same is true of the state. Sailing against the current, if you don't advance, you will retreat. ”

"Nations are made up of many, many people. If everyone is like Shen Yuanwai, standing still and not thinking of making progress, our country will have no motivation to move forward. Only by constantly forging ahead can the country be strong. Therefore, I can tell you with certainty that in my control area, everyone must have a sense of crisis and strive to move forward. If you don't move forward, you'll be eliminated without a penny! ”

The gentry present were slightly shocked by Zhang Zhun's words and did not speak for a while. Zhang Zhun said that there were so many meanings in his words that they needed a little time to ponder carefully. In fact, it was Zhang Zhun himself who was careless, he came from later generations, and his vision and knowledge were of course incomparable to these gentry. He said it all at once, completely ignoring that others were antiques from hundreds of years ago, where could he accept it all at once?

Fortunately, Zhang Zhun looked at the faces of those gentry and knew that he was talking too much, so he changed the subject and said: "I know, everyone is very rich. Others say that in our Ming Dynasty, at least hundreds of millions of taels of silver, were buried in the cellar, or hidden in the vault, and they were not used when they died. I think it's better to put your money away and do something. If you don't want to do it, it's okay to leave it to someone else. ”

Shen Kunshan said bluntly: "Lord Dudu, are you suggesting that we put all our money and wealth with others?" How can we possibly be reassured? ”

Zhang Zhun nodded lightly and said slowly: "If you put it in someone else's place, you really don't feel at ease." But what if it's in a bank? ”

Shen Kunshan frowned and said, "We don't want to put it in Qianzhuang, we don't feel safe." ”

Zhang Zhun smiled disapprovingly, his eyes lit up slightly, as if he had thought of something, and then nodded lightly, and said lightly: "What if I open a bank?" ”

The eyes of all the gentry fell on Zhang Zhun's body.

Are you going to open a bank?

Zhang Zhun actually had a temporary idea, thinking that he should set up a money bank, concentrate all the assets of the people, and provide financial guarantees for the development of the Tiger Army. In fact, the Ming Dynasty really did not lack silver taels. According to the research of later historians, since the Wanli period, a large amount of silver has flowed into China from overseas, and silver has gradually become the main currency in circulation. The silver accumulated before and after the Ming Dynasty may be more than 300 million taels.

Although the Ming Dynasty did not participate in the world-wide maritime trade, a large number of profits from the world-wide maritime trade flowed into the Ming Dynasty. Why, because the raw silk, tea, porcelain, medicinal materials and other goods produced in the Ming Dynasty are all prosperous. And the economic strength of the Ming Kingdom also determines that it will concentrate most of its money in its own hands like the United States in later generations.

It seems that the famous Manila galleon, the starting point of its trade route is the Ming Kingdom, and the end point is also the Ming Kingdom. Chinese sailing ships laden with raw silk departed from the port of Yuegang (near Zhangzhou, Fujian) and arrived in Manila in the South Seas, where they sold the raw silk to the Portuguese. The Portuguese then transferred the raw silk to professional Manila galleons and then followed the Kuroshio route in the Pacific Ocean all the way to Acapulco, Mexico, where it was sold to the local Spanish rulers for a high profit.

Because the Ming State at that time, the overall economic strength was very strong, and any country's trade, was a surplus, silk, porcelain, tea three major pieces, completely dominated the mainstream of the world economy and trade, therefore, the silver earned by the Portuguese eventually fell into the pocket of the Ming people. However, it is a pity that most of the silver taels were buried in the cellar, locked in the vault, and never to be used again.

As a result, the Ming Dynasty obviously did not lack silver taels, but the circulation of silver taels in the market was insufficient. The finances of the imperial court were also very scarce. The most fundamental reason is that businessmen like Shen Kunshan, after getting the silver taels, they can only enter but not leave. In this way, no amount of silver can meet the needs of the market!

When thinking of this, Zhang Zhun naturally thought of the bank. Speaking of which, Zhang Zhun is really not very proficient in the economic field. However, he knows the role of the bank. Well, these days it is not called a bank, it is called a bank. In the Ming Dynasty, money banks had appeared, but they were small in scale and limited to general deposit and exchange, just to facilitate the actions of merchants. The so-called lending, has not yet appeared.

What Zhang Zhun needs is precisely the bank's lending function. If he could concentrate all the silver taels that had been deposited by the people of the Ming Dynasty into the hands of the money bank, and then lend them to those who needed them, and vigorously encourage commercial trade and overseas trade, the productivity would be greatly improved. What is most lacking in the development of Laizhou and Dengzhou? Funds, of course! The private funds in these two places are still too weak compared to places like Hejian Province.

Even Zhang Zhun himself is also extremely beneficial. Why? He can also take out a loan to build ships, expand armaments and wars, and wait for the future to conquer the east and west, and after there are enough captures, he will slowly return the principal and interest. If the money village really develops, the current financial bottleneck of the Tiger Benjun can be effectively solved.

Probably since the beginning of the first month, the finances of the Tiger Ben Army have been a little difficult. The income from refined salt and glass is only enough for daily military expenditures and a large amount of shipbuilding expenses. Due to financial problems, even the production of tiger guns was reduced by Zhang Zhun. The pace of the expansion of the Tiger Ben Army has also slowed down a lot. If he had enough money, Zhang Zhun could have expanded all the battalions to full capacity. But isn't there no money?

Of course, these gentry in front of you are very conservative, and it is very difficult for you to want them to voluntarily take out their money and save it in the money bank opened by Zhang Zhun. In these days, no one wants to easily put the money in their pockets with others. However, everything is difficult at the beginning, and since this idea is good, we must stick to it. Qian Zhuang's path, the Tiger Ben Army must start to prepare.

After pondering for a moment, Zhang Zhun said slowly: "The money bank of the Tiger Ben Army is not privately run, it is a public institution under the jurisdiction of the Metropolitan Governor's Mansion of the Tiger Ben Army, and it is guaranteed by reputation. As long as it is the day that the Tiger Ben Army exists, the money village will exist for a day. The silver you have deposited in the bank can be withdrawn at any time, and you will not be less than half a tael. The cellars and vaults at home are not safe, and only the money bank opened by the Tiger Benjun is the safest. ”

In addition, depending on the length of the deposit, the bank will also pay a certain amount of interest. For example, if you deposit 10,000 taels of silver for a year, I will give you a total of 10,000 taels of silver when it expires. the five hundred taels of silver is interest. The longer you keep it, the higher the interest rate. What can you do with your silver in the cellar and in the vault, but with long hair? It is also necessary to guard against robbers and thieves at all times, and they are nervous all day long. ”

These most basic banking theories can actually be understood by the gentry. The word usury is not new, it existed in the Tang Dynasty. It's just that the lenders are all private individuals, and they are all black-hearted big businessmen. There is no institution specializing in lending money for the time being. By the Ming Dynasty, the development of usury was even more perverted.

In the Jingshi, there are people who specialize in lending money, and they specialize in lending to officials who need it. The officials of the Ming Dynasty were prone to bribery, and without money, they couldn't do anything. In order to bribe their superiors, many lower-level officials do not hesitate to borrow money and bribe them in order to obtain a better position. The first thing many local officials do after entering Beijing is to borrow money and enrich their purses in case of unexpected needs.

You say, after taking office, do officials who have taken office through such a way have the heart to do other things besides making money and recovering their capital? This is also one of the important phenomena of the Ming Dynasty's official rule. The interest rate of loan sharks is very scary, and in a short period of time, if you can't pay it back as soon as possible, you will have to work for loan sharks for the rest of your life. If you don't do it, your life will be in danger at any time.

Borrowing money requires interest, and all the gentry knew it. However, there is also interest on saving money, which is much fresher. This is what the gentry are interested in. On the premise of ensuring the safety of funds, if they just deposit money in the bank, they can get a certain amount of additional income without doing anything, they can consider it. Who wants to have a lot of money? The question is, can the Tiger Army guarantee the safety of their funds?

Zhang Zhun said slowly: "Of course, I know that everyone is still a little worried about the safety of funds. However, it doesn't matter, I can let everyone here become a member of the bank, and I can supervise the flow of money and money at any time, and never engage in black-box operations. ”

Again, this is a huge decoy.

As long as the silver circulates under their noses, they can know the flow of funds at any time, and their sense of insecurity can naturally be reduced a lot. If there is any accident, you can leave at any time!

Shen Kunshan was indeed a little moved, but he didn't dare to show it too much, so as not to appear ignorant and greedy. Ignorance is enough, but greed is taboo. He didn't know that what Zhang Zhun liked was their greed. If they are not greedy, how can the Tiger Benjun Money Village attract their money? Shen Kunshan said slowly: "What does Lord Governor mean, do you want us to set up our own money bank?" ”

Zhang Zhun shook his head lightly and said eloquently: "No, I am in charge of the construction, and you will participate and supervise." Of course, if you are willing to contribute together, I will not refuse. The profits of the bank are distributed according to the amount of capital contribution. ”

Shen Kunshan looked at the other companions and did not speak. The other gentry did not speak, either. Zhang Zhun's suggestion is very important, and they need to weigh it carefully in private, and they will definitely not be able to answer it now. Of course, Zhang Zhun also knew this, so after he finished speaking, he didn't urge it, and they could weigh it themselves. He believed that someone would take the bait after all. Greed is the original sin!

After a while, someone said slowly: "Lord Dudu, as long as you defeat the Tartars and you become the master of the Jingshi, everything else remains the same, isn't it great?" Why do we need to make so many changes to the country's policies and decrees? ”

Zhang Zhun squinted and found that it was a thin old man who looked a bit like a fortune teller on the street. When he speaks, he also obviously has a bit of a slippery taste. He estimated that this person was specially invited by the gentry of Hejian Mansion. If he is a big local family, if he dares to say such a thing, it is purely looking for death. Entering the capital is to change the emperor. If this kind of thing is heard by Jinyiwei, it will immediately be the end of breaking down the house.

However, this guy's words represented some of the wishes of the gentry present. For them, who is the emperor is really not very important. As long as the people who are emperors continue to continue the existing policy, continue to not need them to pay taxes, do not need them to serve as conscripts, and continue to give them special status, they will not resolutely resist changing the emperor.

In short, all their interests, all their privileges, can be protected. Well, even if a Tartar comes to be the emperor, it doesn't matter. As it turned out, they did. After the Manchu Qing Dynasty entered the customs, the policies of the Ming Dynasty were basically maintained, and as a result, most of the gentry accepted it, and only a small number of Jiangnan gentry rose up to resist.

Zhang Zhun said with an awe-inspiring expression: "To say that I didn't enter the ** of the Beijing Division, that's a lie to you." I, Zhang, have never been shy about my ambitions. However, I will not become a Kyoshi for the sake of becoming a Kyoshi, I have my own ideas. Until these ideas of mine are realized, I have no timetable for entering the Kyoshi. ”

"The policies and decrees of any country should be based on the actual situation, adapt measures to local conditions, and keep pace with the times. Of course, those policies and decrees that do not suit the actual needs and the development of the times must be changed. Some should not only be changed, but also abolished. Only in this way can the country be rejuvenated and run forward. ”

"When the Ming Dynasty was established, didn't it also abolish many Mongol decrees? For example, four-colored people, etc., such as the right of the first night or something. Do you think that those policies and laws should not be changed? Now too, the Ming Dynasty also has many laws that do not meet the requirements of the times and must be reformed. ”

For a while, it was a little cold, and there was silence in the teahouse.

Zhang Zhun's words were too direct, so direct that they were completely rebellious. The gentry present did not dare to talk easily. Now they are indeed very contradictory. In terms of military capabilities, the Tiger Army is indeed the strongest, and close to the Tiger Army is naturally the safest. However, the problem is that the supreme commander of the Tiger Ben Army is a real anti-thief.

Why is there no perfect backer in the world? The policies of the imperial court are the most suitable for their needs, but the imperial court is the least competitive, and it seems that time is running out. Many gentry secretly speculated that it was very likely that there would be a change of dynasty. Tartars are the most ferocious, falling into their hands, immortal is also crippled. Tartar is not to be considered. Only the Tiger Ben Army is the most mediocre. Although it comes at a cost, it's still reluctantly acceptable compared to ruining one's family.

Feng Gaoke hurriedly played the round and said, "Lord Dudu, the food is cold, please!" Please! Please! ”

Zhang Zhun picked up the chopsticks and ate a few bites casually. Today's meals prepared by the gentry of Hejian Mansion are of course very rich, and all kinds of famous dishes in Beizhili are among them, such as golden lionfish, iron lion head, white jade chicken breast, honey fairy peach, grilled mushroom, knife meat, chrysanthemum squid, dragon and phoenix prawns, Luoguan sausage, etc. The chef of Honghua Mansion obviously came up with twelve points of skill.

However, everyone knows that there is no good banquet, and the gentry of Hejian Mansion invited Zhang Zhun to come, but they came to the bottom, and their minds were not on the food at all. As for Zhang Zhun himself, he doesn't pay much attention to food, as long as he eats enough. However, Dong Shuyan has no distractions and can taste it carefully.

Sure enough, I didn't eat a few dishes, and someone immediately spoke again: "Lord Dudu, in Xia Lu Xinbo, there is no land at home, only some small business. I have some questions, I wonder if the Governor can give me some advice? ”

Zhang Zhun chewed a piece of hooves in his mouth, and said casually: "What kind of business does Boss Lu do?" ”

Lu Xinbo said briefly: "Leather." ”

Zhang Zhun said casually: "Hejian Mansion leather? ”

Lu Xinbo said with some shame: "It's a bundle of deer leather." ”

Brigadier Zhang swallowed the hoof, nodded, and said thoughtfully: "Oh, it turned out to be a bundle of deer leather, interesting." ”

For the bundle of deer leather, Zhang Zhun is really a little impressed. He used to have a rookie egg, and his family was in the leather business. It may be that the family has a little money, and he has not studied well since he was a child, and he follows others to be a gangster. The family felt that they couldn't manage it, so they opened up the relationship and sent him to the army. I don't know what it was about, but I just came to Zhang Zhun's men. As a result, he was severely trained by Zhang Zhun for two years, and he also knew some things about the leather industry.

Shulu leather, also known as Xinji leather, is a very famous specialty of Hebei Province. It began to appear during the Ming Dynasty and flourished during the Qing Dynasty. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, Xinji leather continued to expand and develop, while meeting domestic needs, it also vigorously exported, with an export volume of more than 100 million US dollars. In a province like Hebei, it is a good industry.

Lu Xinbo said curiously: "Lord Governor also knows about Shulu leather? ”

Zhang Zhun nodded and said affirmatively: "Boss Lu, you are very interesting in this item. ”

Lu Xinbo thought that Zhang Zhun was saying kind words, and he didn't care about it, but just said politely: "Please also ask Lord Governor for some advice." ”

Zhang Zhun nodded, and said slowly: "Shulu leather must be branded." Boss Lu, if I guessed correctly, in Zhending Mansion and Hejian Mansion, I'm afraid there are a lot of people who make leather, right? The battle between each other must be very fierce, right? If you're all a mess of loose sand, resisting each other and destroying each other, then there's definitely nothing going on. Besides, now that the war is in chaos, the circulation of goods is not smooth, and I am afraid that Boss Lu's leather is not easy to sell at a good price. ”

Lu Xinbo said with emotion: "What Lord Governor said is that it is indeed not easy. Last year's turmoil in Henan, I lost more than 2,400 taels of silver. I didn't make much money this year. If there is no change next year, my little family wealth will be tossed away. I also ask the Governor to show me a way out. ”

Zhang Zhun nodded and said slowly: "Boss Lu's vision, don't be limited to China, you can take a long-term view." The focus of leather profits is still on overseas markets. The leather industry in the overseas market has not yet started, as long as Boss Lu grasps the opportunity, he will definitely be one step ahead. The domestic market must wait for the war to subside before it can be expanded. ”

Overseas market? Lu Xinbo was a little indifferent. The overseas market is indeed a bit far away for him. The information of this era is very unsmooth, where there is a shortage of leather, where the leather has been saturated, all rely on experience to judge. Sometimes, such judgments are very blind. In the era when there were no telephones and no Internet, who knows where there was a shortage of goods? Even in the later generations, there are all communication tools, and the cabbage still rots in the ground!

Zhang Zhun continued to say methodically: "If Boss Lu is really interested in getting a piece of the leather industry, he must work hard from now on. Korea, Japan, and the South Seas all need a lot of leather. If you sell leather for five taels of silver in China, you can sell it for at least ten taels of silver in North Korea. When you go to Japan, you can sell it for at least fifteen taels of silver. When you reach Nanyang, you can sell it for at least twenty taels of silver. ”

Lu Xinbo said expectantly and helplessly: "What Lord Du Dou pointed out is that maybe the overseas market is indeed a way to live, but I can't go to these places!" There is no way! I don't have my own trading fleet at sea. ”

Zhang Zhun waved his hand lightly and said calmly: "Boss Lu, don't be impatient, wait for me to finish." ”

Lu Xinbo hurriedly looked at him expectantly, his face full of hope. He was indeed a little worried. The merchants of Hejian Mansion are not strong, and the ordinary merchants are tens of thousands of taels of silver. Compared with those big businesses in Jiangnan, it is not a grade at all. Lu Xinbo lost more than 2,000 taels of silver in Henan, which was indeed a bit of a loss of vitality.

The other gentry were very curious when they heard that Zhang Zhun still had a considerable understanding of the deer leather. If he can really show Lu Xinbo a way out, they will definitely admire him very much. In these years, officials only love money, and there are very few who can really give advice and help them solve difficulties. This Zhang Zhun may really be an alternative.

Zhang Zhun looked at everyone, smiled slightly, and then said confidently: "Everyone thinks that I can defeat the Tartars, it's amazing." Actually, I can tell you that there is nothing remarkable about Tartars. The Tartars want weapons without weapons, technology without technology, strategy without strategy, they only have natural bravery, and there is also the ** for looting. I'm not afraid to pat my chest and promise that defeating the Tartars is a sure thing. In fact, the Tiger Ben Army is more powerful because of its sea power. As long as you meet the conditions of the Tiger Army, the Tiger Army can help you develop the market. ”

Glancing at Lu Xinbo, Zhang Zhun said gently: "Now, the trade route between the Tiger Army and North Korea has been opened, Boss Lu might as well contact the relevant parties to see if his leather can be sold to North Korea." If my estimate is correct, a trip to North Korea will be very profitable. ”

Lu Xinbo suddenly felt a glimmer of life, and the gloomy look on his face gradually receded, but he said a little worriedly: "North Korea is a foreign country after all, we Ming people, doing business there, what if we encounter unfair treatment from others?" The mountains and rivers are far away, even if you want to find a rescuer, it's impossible! Last time in Henan, my leather was snatched away by the rebels, and I wanted to cry without tears! ”

Zhang Zhun said awe-inspiringly: "As long as you are registered as a tiger army's enterprise, operate honestly, and pay taxes in accordance with the law." Then, if you encounter all abnormal blows, the Tiger Ben Army will give you a head. If the North Koreans embarrass you, someone will naturally clean them up. I'm sure that something like this won't happen easily. If you show up, I'll help you get justice! ”

Lu Xinbo was shocked, and said in disbelief: "Lord Governor......"

Zhang Zhun stretched out his hand to stop his question, and continued to say awe-inspiringly: "Generally speaking, if your product quality is good, the price is low, and it is popular, you should gain market share." If someone else uses abnormal means to prevent you from selling goods, or even uses force, threats, intimidation, plotting and other shady means, you can come to me, and I will help you solve the trouble. However, if the other party is using normal business methods, then I can only say that your skills are not as good as others, and you can't help. ”

Lu Xinbo said confidently: "My leather manufacturing technology is unique, and no one can do it better than me." If it hadn't been for some trouble, my leather would have been sold in more places. ”

Zhang Zhun said lightly: "What trouble is Boss Lu currently encountering? ”

Lu Xinbo gritted his teeth and said frankly: "My leather wants to be sold to Zhending Mansion, but I encountered the resistance of Wei Heliang, a big leather merchant in Zhending Mansion, and he sent someone to tell me that if my leather dares to appear in Zhending Mansion, he will send someone to break my legs." I have a batch of leathers worth four thousand taels of silver, which he and others withheld, and I want to come back, but he refuses to give it, saying that I have broken the rules of the trade, and this batch of goods is equivalent to the tuition fee I paid. ”

"Smack!"

Zhang Zhun slapped the table hard.

The cups, chopsticks and dishes on the table were smashed and jumped.

Except for Dong Shuyan, everyone else was taken aback.

Zhang Zhun said in a deep voice: "How can this be reasonable! Boss Lu, I can help you out of this matter! The premise is that you are registered in the Tiger Army, pay taxes in accordance with the law, and operate honestly! Blocking normal commercial trade, and seizing the goods of other merchants, is there any royal law? ”

Lu Xinbo said expectantly: "I don't know when the adults will be stationed in Beizhili?" ”

Zhang Zhun said unabashedly: "Do you think that since I have come to Hejian Mansion, I will leave easily?" Even if I'm not here, the Tiger Army will be here forever! ”

Arrogant!

It's so arrogant!

I've never seen such an arrogant person!

The gentry present, you look at me, I look at you, and they all secretly said in their hearts, this Zhang Zhun is really too arrogant. He just came to Beizhili, and he didn't even have a decent foothold, so he dared to take Beizhili in his arms. However, there is no way, he has the capital to be arrogant. The Tiger Ben Army beat the Tartars to the ground, and the Tartars beat the Ming Army to the ground, and so on, it is not difficult for the Tiger Ben Army to beat the Ming Army to the ground. In Shandong, it seems that the Ming army was beaten by the Tiger Ben army and didn't even dare to let go of a fart.

Lu Xinbo gritted his teeth, made up his mind, and said in a deep voice: "Lord Dudu's words, can I relay them to Wei Heliang?" ”

Zhang Zhun said affirmatively: "Of course you can!" If he continues to use unfair means to obstruct your business, I want his head! However, I must also state that if his methods are justified and are normal means of commercial competition, I will not protect you. You can relay these words to him. ”

Lu Xinbo hurriedly said: "I remember it all below." ”

Zhang Zhun nodded and said confidently: "That's very good." ”

The other people all looked at each other quietly, and the look in their eyes was a little more awe, and a little more admiration. Regardless of whether Zhang Zhun is winning people's hearts or not, this kind of daring behavior is still what they prefer. No one doubted that Zhang Zhun was capable of taking off Wei and Liang's heads, unless he ran to Jingshi. As long as he was still in Zhending Mansion, he didn't dare to disobey Zhang Zhun's words. In this way, Lu Xinbo's problem will be completely solved.

Among the gentry present, of course, there were many large landowners, and there were also many merchants. The Ming Dynasty was originally a dynasty with very developed commercial trade, and Hejian Fu was an important town in Beizhili, so the number of merchants was certainly quite large. Lu Xinbo received Zhang Zhun's support, and other businessmen were of course a little excited, especially those who were at a disadvantage.

What is needed to do business is a stable and safe environment, where everyone uses normal means to compete, and does not engage in illegal means. The means of free competition advocated by Zhang Zhun are exactly what they need most. Lu Xinbo believes that if Wei and Liang do not threaten themselves and do not restrict their leather from entering the Zhendingfu market, he will definitely be able to do better, open up a broader market, and earn more profits. The same goes for other businessmen, of course.

After Lu Xinbo, he was temporarily cold.

All the gentry are carefully weighing what they can get from Zhang Zhun and what they need to pay. There is no doubt that Zhang Zhun's tiger skin is a very strong killer feature. The problem is, it's not easy to put on this tiger skin! A five-in-one business tax! Merchants who are accustomed to tax-free days have to pay taxes all of a sudden, which is really a bit difficult to choose.

Zhang Zhun glanced at everyone casually, and said indifferently: "Everyone, do you have anything else to ask?" Time is precious, so please don't be cold! Zhang is busy with affairs, and he has to leave after eating. Next time, I don't know when it will be. ”

Feng Gaoke pretended to be very casual and said: "Dare to ask Lord Governor, the gentry are the pillars of the country, has Lord Governor any special care measures?" ”

Zhang Zhun smiled slightly, and the play meat came.

In fact, the gentry mentioned earlier are all about specific details. The question of the positioning of the gentry is what everyone present is most concerned about, and this is the most fundamental issue. In fact, everyone present had a gentry's hat on their heads, and the worst one was an outsider. What are the benefits of such a hat? That is, there is no need to pay food, and there is no need to serve in forced labor.

The vast majority of the taxes of the Ming Dynasty were lost in this way. It seems that Feng Gaoke has tens of thousands of acres of fertile land and harvests tens of thousands of stones of grain every year, but he does not need to pay any taxes. On the contrary, if some of his juniors are admitted to the status of Xiucai and become a so-called student, they can also obtain food supplies from the government, which is the so-called "national nurse" policy.

The policy of raising scholars has been practiced since the Han Dynasty and has been practiced on Chinese soil for more than a thousand years. Everything is inferior, but reading is high, and this concept has been imprinted into the bone marrow of the people. Such a policy has indeed increased the country's talent pool. However, it has also created a huge tax black hole. It was not until later that Yongzheng forced the implementation of apportionment into the mu, and the implementation of the gentry as one errand and one payment of grain, this huge loophole in taxation was slowly filled.

It can be said that not having to pay food and not having to serve forced labor is where the most fundamental core interests of the gentry lie. They were the most privileged class in the Ming Dynasty. They occupied more than ninety percent of the land in the Ming Dynasty, but they did not need to pay one tael of grain. This made them the biggest cancer of the Ming Dynasty. They can spend their days drinking and dreaming of death, but the state finances are stretched thin, and the general public is living in dire straits. When this tumor finally bursts, the Ming Dynasty will be finished.

In the late Ming Dynasty, although later historians say that it was the Xiaoice period, there was still some plague and the like. Actually, these are all external factors. The defeat of the Ming Dynasty was fundamentally due to internal factors. And in the internal cause, the privileged class is too large, and there is no need to pay food and not accept forced labor, which is the most crucial. Without their existence, the Ming Dynasty would not have fallen so quickly.

The country's finances were occupied by them, and the imperial court naturally couldn't come up with money. Less than 10 percent of the population occupies more than 90 percent of the land, and there is no need to pay for food. The remaining ninety percent of the population, with less than one-tenth of the land, has to bear all the taxes paid by the state. Idiots know that this is unreasonable and deadly. In order to obtain sufficient tax revenue, the imperial court had to desperately collect taxes on less than one percent of the other fields, and naturally, of course, these ninety percent of the people were forced to rebel.

Li Zicheng was often beaten to the point that there were only a few hundred or even a few dozen people left, but once he came to a new place, he could immediately mobilize tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of people to continue to fight against the official army, and the reason can be imagined. The people had no way to live, so they had to rise up and fight with the court. It's like when Zhang Zhun first started his family, he had nothing but a bad life, what were he afraid of? one is one! Kill two and earn one!

Of course, Zhang Zhun would not allow such a situation to occur. Therefore, he said very clearly and with great certainty: "First, all the land must be paid. Second, all gentry were required to serve in conscription. ”

Feng Gaoke didn't expect that his words would be directly photographed back by Zhang Zhun, and his face was a little stiff for a while, quite embarrassed. The other gentry also did not expect that Zhang Zhun had no room to turn around. The atmosphere froze again.

Zhang Zhun's fluttering two sentences directly determined their fate. On Jang Joon's turf, it is impossible for them to continue their past privileges. Not only must they pay for food, but they also have to serve as conscripts. Seriously, for most of the gentry present, it was indeed not easy to accept. This is tantamount to cutting flesh on their bodies, and of course they don't want to.

In fact, the area controlled by the Tiger Ben Army has been abolished. The problem is that the gentry present did not know much about Zhang Zhun, and they did not study the policies of the Tiger Ben Army in depth. And Zhang Zhun, knowing that the Tiger Ben Army has been exempted from conscription, still emphasizes this point, that is, to tell the other party unmistakably that if you want to continue to enjoy the privileges of the past, it is absolutely impossible.

On the issue of the Juntian Order, on the issue of the gentry receiving food in one piece, Zhang Zhun will definitely not waver, this is the basis for the survival of the Tiger Ben Army. The root of the Tiger Ben Army is not the gentry present, but the thousands of people living at the bottom. To put it bluntly, Zhang Zhun was actually not afraid of the gentry present making trouble. The Tiger Army's strong force is enough to eradicate them. And they also have no ability to resist the Tiger Army.

However, with Li Zicheng's lesson in front of him, there is no need for Zhang Zhun to be so extreme. Li Zicheng's measures were so extreme that he pushed most of the gentry to his opposite. As a result, when the Tartars entered the customs, many gentry did not hesitate to be traitors, and they were unwilling to be used by Li Zicheng. This greatly enhanced the strength of the Tartars and facilitated the process of pacifying the world. Li Zicheng himself did not die at the hands of the Tartars, but at the hands of the landlords.

Zhang Zhun's policy did not actually exterminate the gentry group, he still left a way for them to retreat. They may not be as comfortable as before in the future, but with the assets they have accumulated, they are still masters. Well, Zhang Zhun must admit that politics sometimes has to be compromised. Blindly killing everything will not achieve the most perfect results.

Lu Xinbo was grateful to Zhang Zhun, and when he saw the cold scene, he played a round and said: "Lord Governor, scholars are the foundation of the country, should adults take care of one or two?" ”

Zhang Zhun said in a deep voice: "Scholars are indeed the foundation of the country, this sentence is true. However, in the future, the reader will no longer have a special status. The Tiger Army will build more schools so that more people can study. As long as they are of school age, they should go to school. Of course, this is not possible at the moment. But as the country grows, I promise that everyone has the opportunity to read and write. ”

After a slight pause, Zhang Zhun said slowly: "Maybe in a hundred years, two hundred years from now, everyone in our country will know how to read and write, and will be able to read and read newspapers, including farmers and women working in the fields, including beggars and wanderers begging on the streets." ”

All the gentry were stunned again.

How is it possible for everyone to be able to read and write?

Zhang Zhun said affirmatively: "My policy will not change, it is everyone here who needs to change." Today, in the midst of a strong change, the so-called people who know the times are Junjie, and I hope everyone will make a rational choice. That's all there is to it. ”

After that, Zhang Zhun buried his head in eating and stopped talking.

A few of the gentry tried to speak and stopped, but in the end they did not speak.

Feng Gaoke had no choice but to change the topic and introduce some of the customs and customs of Hejian Mansion and the sources of various dishes to liven up the atmosphere. The topic just now is indeed a bit heavy, and everyone needs a certain amount of time to weigh it carefully. In a short period of time, no one can make a decision. Jang Zhun didn't force them to make a decision.

In fact, seriously speaking, it is not completely impossible to pay grain and errand in one body. Compared with being killed and robbing the house, one errand and one food, it is simply a broad road! It's just that until the last moment, no one is willing to give up their immediate interests. The so-called no coffin without tears is like this.

After being full of wine and food, Zhang Zhun stood up and said loudly: "Thank you for your hospitality, Zhang has said goodbye." It's a friend's, and the Tiger Ben Army is always welcome. It is the enemy's, and the Tiger Army is also welcome at any time. Of course, I still hope that everyone will be friends with the Tiger Army, and not be enemies with the Tiger Army. I, Zhang Zhun, have never shown mercy to Tartars, but I still have a little affection for my own people. Leave! ”

Feng Gaoke took all the gentry and sent Zhang Zhun out. He and Zhang Zhun walked in front and said in a low voice, intentionally or unintentionally: "Lord Dudu, if we ...... The little bit of wealth that we have accumulated with great difficulty will not be affected, right? ”

Zhang Zhun said affirmatively: "As long as you abide by the laws and regulations of the Tiger Ben Army, private property is sacred and inviolable. ”

Feng Gaoke was relieved.

If the relevant provisions of the Uniform Land Ordinance are followed, their land must be divided. But the wealth they have accumulated, as long as they are not harmed, they still have other ways to continue to develop. It's like what Zhang Zhun said, it's time to go to other industries. Blindly confined to the field, never looking up at the road, the vision is still a little short-sighted.

Zhang Zhun took Dong Shuyan out of the Honghua Building, and a group of squires sent him all the way to the city gate, and then waved goodbye. Today's invitation, both sides are tentative, and of course there will be no definite results. However, since the two sides have started contact, it is a good start.

"Bang Bang!"

Zhang Zhun turned over and got on his horse and was about to leave, when suddenly, there was a noise behind him.

Dugu Lie, Lu Yidian and others were slightly stunned, hurriedly turned around, and stared around vigilantly with a tiger gun, only to find that someone in Hejian Mansion was setting off firecrackers. Today is Chinese New Year's Eve, and both the poor and the rich will end the eight years of Chongzhen and usher in a new year.

After today, it's a new year. The New Year is coming, the firecrackers are ringing, and the dolls are laughing, but for the Tiger Army, the New Year is not easy. Huang Taiji is still eyeing the north, and the court is also full of bad water! The challenges ahead remain daunting! However, the Tiger Army will move forward with a load! Never back down!