Saying that, Li You threw out the concept of the general merchant, and the courtyard was silent for a moment, and every salt merchant was digesting this shocking proposal. Immediately people began to talk to each other, and then the voices became louder and louder, and the whole courtyard was filled with the sound of buzzing and talking.

I don't know what others think, but six of the seven giant businessmen, except for the temporary incarnation of Jin Million, who are sober and calm bystanders to the party, all show a few expressions of yearning.

Those who have reached the point of affluence are more eager for some pursuits other than silver. Such as power, such as status, such as honor.

Li Youti's general merchant is clearly a kind of official businessman, and he is the leader of the official salt merchant who has been officially certified, not to mention that he also has the power granted by the government to manage the small businessman. This kind of name and status is much more attractive than the folk names of the Seven Giant Merchants.

In addition to the reputation factor, and serving as the general merchant proposed by Li You, there are two advantages from the perspective of actual benefits. One is to amplify their own power, if they manage 20 small businesses, they will have the power of 20; The second is to deal with the government as a representative of a small businessman, from which he can have some opportunities to enrich his own pockets and get his hands on it.

However, there are also disadvantages to being the general merchant, and there are some responsibilities to be shouldered. In a sense, it is equivalent to acting as a guarantee to the government for a small businessman, and if there is a problem in the operation of a small businessman, the general merchant has to pay the full tax assessed by the government for him.

But on the whole, the powerful outliners are still eager to try, even if they lose some. Those who are worried about losses are short-sighted and not enough to make a profit.

Of course, there is also something called sanity that restricts the imagination of the giant businessmen. He Yunzi, as the head of the guild, was closest to Li You, and stepped forward to ask: "There is no precedent for the general businessman's theory, why does Li Taishou think it can be an example?" ”

"At least this time to rectify the salt matter, the official has limited energy, does not accept the affairs of small business, and only deals with the general businessman. Therefore, you must launch a number of general merchants so as not to delay the major affairs of the imperial court. In addition, at the official meeting, the court was asked to issue an edict and give a certificate, so as to recognize the status of the general merchant and make it a law by virtue of the hereditary lineage of the Woben generation. ”

Although the salt merchants may not have much affection for Lord Li, after all, Li You has tossed the salt industry businessmen, but if he released it. There is a feeling of not daring to believe it.

Since Lord Li took office in Yangzhou, the laws and regulations have been strict, the discipline is solemn, and the divine power is awe-inspiring. Those who didn't believe in this had already paid a heavy price, and even Ding Yun, who looked like a heavenly figure in the eyes of the salt merchants, had to go behind closed doors and introspect for three months.

In the past, the salt merchants must have been vague first. After that, looking at the tone of the Yanyun Division, it seems that now it seems that all you need to do is listen to what Master Li has to say.

Smart people have already thought that if this "general merchant" is appointed and endorsed by the imperial court, then the general merchant will have a lot more confidence in dealing with the transportation department. Although you still have to rely on the salt transportation department to make money, you don't have to be completely groveling and have no power to resist like you are now, which is indeed not necessarily a bad thing.

Small and medium-sized salt merchants are still talking like flies. And the big salt merchants can only look at each other, which should be very good...

However, what worries the outliner is that most of the peers are fellow villagers in Huizhou, and it is difficult to force them to be forced to be a little embarrassed. If the 300 small businessmen are fighting each other and refuse to be attached, they will not be able to bear it. What is the feasibility of convincing small businessmen?

He Yunzi, the head of the guild, thought about this, and asked again: "How many general merchants does Taishou intend to set up?" Who is the sole merchant? ”

Li You lowered his head and took a few sips of tea, and replied casually: "This is your salt merchant's own business, how does this official know." ”

"Tai Shou's intentions are unknown. So how do we act? He Yunzi was surprised. Was it just to announce that there was going to be such a thing? A piece of paper is enough. ..., Li You slammed the teacup on the case, and reprimanded softly: "Won't you salt merchants do things without this official?" People are here. Launching the general business is still taught to you by the official? ”

"Please keep it under your watch."

Master Li looked up into the distance and said leisurely: "This official knows your concerns, but all problems can be solved by democratic methods. ”

When the people closer to Li You heard this, they were all stunned, and Jin Million wondered: "What is democracy?" Unheard. ”

Li You's voice was demagogic, "Democracy is omnipotent and cures all diseases, democracy is the best way, you have all heard of Yao Shunyu in the ancient Datong world, that is, democratically elected." This time, I have given you democracy in the program, so you should also believe in democracy. ”

Lord Li's few words were like tongue twisters, and the big salt merchants continued to cover the clouds and mountains, as if they understood or not, did they rely on the recommendation of the designated general merchant?

"To put it bluntly, it is to solve the problem through one person, one vote." Li Youpu finished the democratic mantra hundreds of years ahead, and while thinking that of course it was also through one person, one vote, he got up and left the public case, stood on the steps, and attracted the attention of the crowd below the steps.

Li You said loudly: "Actually, it is a good thing to have a general businessman, to tell you from the heart, don't you feel that when you have little money and deal with the government, don't you feel that it is difficult and tired? In the future, with the general merchant to stand up for you, how much effort can you save? And I know that you will inevitably have doubts, so I give you the opportunity to choose a good character, a helpful and trustworthy general merchant! ”

After a pause, Li You said again: "What's more, this official didn't say that it must be a giant businessman!" People who are anxious for justice and righteousness can also act as a general merchant, and everyone has a chance! Each and every one of you has the possibility of becoming a general merchant, and in this regard, this official is merciful and treats you equally! Let's start the selection, everyone can come forward to choose their own general businessman! ”

People who are accustomed to being appointed by the government have the right to make their own choices, and they begin to get excited...

Freedom of choice! Some people began to think about which big businessman had a good relationship with them. In the future, if you can legally entrust a powerful general merchant to deal with the ghostly government, it can save a lot of trouble, and it is indeed not bad...

There's a chance for everyone! Some people began to think about the possibility of becoming a general merchant, and it was always possible to pull a few people to support them...

After Li You finished speaking, several officials unfolded the book on the public case next to him, each holding a brush and waiting.

The crowd took turns to report their choices, and the officials carefully wrote them down. In less than an hour, the officials counted the results and presented them to Li You.

After reading it, Master Li angrily slapped the public case loudly, and turned his head to Mr. He: "This official is kind enough to give you freedom and democracy, and your program businessmen have elected two hundred general businessmen!" What's the difference between this and what it used to be? It's too disappointing to the good intentions of the official, it's just a mess of scattered sand! Can't we choose a few people who are highly respected and highly anticipated? ”

Li You's reprimand was very loud, spreading throughout the courtyard, and He Yunzi, who claimed to be the representative of the industry, was ashamed and ashamed of the low quality of his peers.

Jin Million came forward to play a round and said: "Then it will be invalid." ”

"How can the choice of democracy be nullified! Only continue to deepen! Li You categorically rejected his father-in-law's proposal.

He stood up again and commanded the crowd: "This official is determined to continue to give you freedom and democracy!" From these 200 people, we must choose a virtuous person who is satisfactory and desirable! I have heard that when the first king ruled the world, the world was for the public, and the selection of talents and abilities was carried out, and today is a good election story. ”

Under the high spring sun, the image of Master Li is incomparably bright, the rule of the first king on the left and the world of Datong on the right, just like the ancient sages who are compassionate and compassionate. ..., the salt merchants were all wealthy families, and most of them studied since childhood. Although they can't make progress in fame, most of them boast of being Confucian businessmen who are half-Confucian and half-businessmen, and they all know about the three generations of kings and the world of Datong.

Listening to Master Li mention the height of "the rule of the first king", it seems to touch a certain string in my heart. When they stepped forward to vote, they all looked solemn, and they gave in and out, as if they were participating in major ceremonies, and the whole courtyard fell into a strange religious atmosphere.

Jin Million, who didn't study when he was a child and was not deeply immersed in Confucianism, was dumbfounded.

More than half an hour later, a new round of results came out. In the first round, more than 200 people eliminated more than 160 people, and there were exactly 50 people left, almost all of whom were well-known outliners.

"It's still a lot, and it's about the same as cutting half of it." Li You sighed.

However, after looking at the remaining list, it made some outliners who were determined to have a great sense of crisis. In this round, there was a person with a whopping 20,000 people who were defeated, which sounded the alarm bell for them.

If you continue to carry out a new round of election in such a hurry and without preparation, you will not even be given a chance to win over people, and each of them, including the seven giant businessmen, may be defeated.

At this time, Master Li suddenly suspended the process of the day. "Today the sun is high, and you are tired, so let's stop here, and the last election will be held in three days!"

It was like a sound of heaven, and the outline businessman who was determined to win breathed a sigh of relief when he heard this, and he could make a lot of preparations in three days. For the first time, they found out that Master Li was also a very good person, and he was no longer so hateful as a jade-faced Shura.

The crowd gradually dispersed, but Jin Million did not go home, and followed his son-in-law to gossip, "You obviously mean to make us outline merchants become general merchants, but you have made so many twists and turns, it is nothing more than adding a shell of promotion and putting all the small businessmen into it." Today, I can understand how this Yao Shunyu became Shang Tang Zhou Wu. ”

Li Youxiao said with great righteousness: "This is to imitate the previous kings and promote the virtuous." The candidates are all nominated by your own businessmen, and whoever opposes it is against the common choice of the 300 schools! ”

Jin Million sneered: "What to choose, you only let us elect who to be the general merchant, but can you let us choose whether to set up the general merchant?" ”

Li You smiled: "Then do you agree with the establishment of the general merchant?" ”

"Agreed!" Jin Million replied crisply.