Cheng Zheng looked at Feng Dong, shook his head, and said in a deep voice: "Brother Feng, you're boring, we've known each other for so long, and we've all experienced the last wind and rain together, why do you use these words to test us?" ”

"If you have any ideas, just ask."

Wan Kong also nodded: "If we don't trust, how can we come here?" The losses we suffered back then, a few of us, but we have not eased up until now, this time the court has conceded such a big benefit, if we are not moved, it is absolutely impossible, but there is the last time in front, I don't think clearly, I always have palpitations. ”

Other businessmen also spoke.

"Old Feng, if you have any ideas, just say it directly."

"We know the roots."

“.”

Looked at.

Feng Dong grinned, revealing the gums that had fallen out a lot, and he said with a smile: "It's that I, Feng Dong, are a little too careful, since you don't mind, then I, Feng Dong, will throw bricks and lead the way." ”

"This time, I, Feng Shi, will be involved."

"You also know that last time we salt merchants and iron merchants suffered a big loss, although the follow-up court made some supplements, but it was still a heavy loss, and now the court has released the right to mint coins, and even announced the standards for coinage, to a certain extent, it is supportive and willing to see local coinage."

"As for the reason, maybe it was announced by the imperial court, seeing that Kanto used a large number of currencies of the six countries, he was dissatisfied and wanted to speed up the construction of the unification of the currency, or it was rumored by the outside world, His Royal Highness Fusu was forced to make a concession, or others, these are not things we can consider, nor can we get involved."

"The only thing we care about."

"Just one thing."

"Can you do it? How far can it go?! ”

"When to stop, or to what extent, can not be targeted by the imperial court."

"That's what we need to think about."

"It has to be thought through, too."

"We can't afford any more wind and rain."

"The outside world may have a misunderstanding of His Highness, but I won't, His Highness is not as weak as the outside world says, and most of these suggestions are behind the masters, but the court's plan is not something that we businessmen can see through, but with His Highness's attention to money and vigilance against merchants, this coinage right will definitely be withdrawn in the future."

"We're going to do it."

"Before this highness takes it back, try to make as much profit as possible."

"But the question of how much to get is a tricky one."

Cheng Zheng and others were silent.

And they think so, too.

If it was in the past, they were only afraid that they would not think about it, they only thought that the great wealth was coming, and they would not think at all that the imperial court would take back the copper mine, and they only wanted to maximize the benefits in their hearts, but after experiencing the last iron and salt incident, they had a strong fear of the imperial court, and they did not dare to have the slightest contempt.

I don't dare to give birth to any contempt.

They are well aware that these copper mines cannot be defended.

They can't hold it either.

Cheng Zhengdao: "If the imperial court really recovers the copper mine in the future, it will inevitably cause a period of turmoil, but in the land of Guanzhong, these turmoil has no influence and will be easily suppressed, because our purpose is not to keep the copper mine from beginning to end, but to mint as much money as possible within a few years allowed by the imperial court." ”

"But"

Cheng Zheng hesitated for a moment, and said with a wry smile: "If we accumulate too much money in our hands, I am afraid that it will also cause His Highness to be dissatisfied, and this is the trouble, if there is no previous matter, I will definitely go to mint coins without any worries, but with the previous things, we have to think about everything over and over again." ”

The others sighed in unison.

They are equally distressed, but they can't do without thinking about it.

If they were targeted by the imperial court again, they really didn't want to experience that kind of terrifying situation again.

It's scary.

Wan Kong looked at Feng Dong and asked, "Old Master Feng, since you invited us and others over, you must have your own thoughts in your heart, let's talk about it." ”

Feng Dong said noncommittally: "Idea, there is indeed a point. ”

"But it doesn't have to be."

"It depends on your wishes."

"In your hearts, what kind of existence do we and other merchants have?"

Hear the words.

Cheng Zheng and the others frowned, puzzled: "Old Parent Feng, what do you mean by this?" I'm waiting for businessmen, what difference can I make? ”

"Yes." Feng Dong's tone was firm.

Everyone looked at each other, their eyes full of surprise.

Cheng Zheng said: "Old Parent Feng, can you elaborate on one or two?" ”

Feng Dong sat down and said in a deep voice: "There are actually a lot of huge rich people in Guanzhong, and there are even more people who have dealings with the government in private, but these big rich people are actually not as strong as us, although the wealth that these people have is far above us now, but we are the ones who can really talk to the government." ”

"In a sense."

"We can actually be called 'Imperial Merchant'!"

"Now the business of our family has long fallen in the eyes of the imperial court, and we are always paying attention to it for the government, and there are only two things we can do, one is to break free from the shackles of the imperial court, go back to the past, and try to expand our business and earn more benefits by ourselves."

"The second option is to completely attach yourself to the imperial court."

"We do business for the government, only take our share, as for the rest, all handed over to the imperial court, although this move will lose a lot of benefits, but it is a trickle, and we will not take too many risks, and we will get a certain amount of protection from the government."

"It's a gloomy situation."

"No one can say for sure, what the policy will be tomorrow, I have always been so frightened, and I am really tormented, I see such a big fat meat, but I don't dare to eat it, and I am really unwilling, but I am also worried that the court will settle accounts after the autumn, so in my Feng Dong's opinion, it may be the best choice to completely fall to the court."

"At least."

"In this great coinage situation, we will be able to get out of the way."

"We won't repeat the mistakes of the past."

"It's just that in this way, the interests I have in hand will undoubtedly shrink significantly, and the trade-offs will be decided by yourself, my Feng family has not been based for a short time, and I really can't see the treacherous situation in the world, and I don't dare to gamble with the net worth and life of the whole clan, I am afraid that I will completely depend on the imperial court."

"In exchange for a long stream."

Hear the words.

Everyone's faces were slightly condensed.

Feng Dong's move was undoubtedly to sell himself to the government completely in exchange for mercy from the government's subordinates.

But is it really feasible to do business in shackles? Can it really be done?

They have doubts in their hearts.

However, Feng Dong's worries are necessary.

The imperial court will not really decentralize the coinage power all the time, and it will definitely be taken back in the future, and they are sure of this.

But completely falling to the imperial court is not what they want.

They don't want to be so constrained.

Wan Kong said, "Brother Feng, I want to know the reason. ”

Feng Dong nodded and said: "I have been restless recently, I have a bold prediction, now the people who get the copper mine and use the copper mine to make a lot of money will definitely be bloodbathed by the imperial court in the future, just like the salt and iron incident in the past, the Cao Bing family and other families were uprooted, and now the entire county of Dangjun has also been cleansed." ”

"Your Highness's methods are too harsh and ruthless."

"I have palpitations."

"You've already seen it."

"Your Highness is very concerned about money, if I don't repay the favor, even if it is just a few years of coinage with copper mines, the wealth accumulated will be massive, such a huge amount of wealth, do you think, Your Highness will really pretend to turn a blind eye? I'm afraid that the situation against salt and iron will be repeated again. ”

"I, Feng, have no confidence that I will survive again."

"And even if you survive death, you will definitely be stripped of your skin."

"Unless."

"The world will be in chaos in the future."

"However, we are in Guanzhong, even if the world is really chaotic, it will be easy for His Highness to clean up us and others."

"Completely poured to the imperial court, and distributed a large part of the minted coins to the imperial court, and we only took a small part of them, but it allowed me to get out of this whirlpool, and the most important thing is that the money is held safely, and there will be no risk."

"It can also win the appreciation of His Highness."

"Instead of worrying about the money being plundered, it is better to take the initiative to offer it to protect the family business as a long-term stream for the family in the future."

"Laughing first doesn't mean laughing."

"The one who has the last laugh is the real winner."

Hear the words.

The crowd was thoughtful.

Feng Dong's move is also gambling.

He is betting that the Qin court will eventually recover the right to mint coins, and he is also betting that the court will liquidate these coin-minting people in the future, and he is also betting that the Qin court will be able to calm down the possible turmoil.

Eventually, complete centralization will be achieved.

If the bet wins.

Feng will be able to soar.

Firmly sit on the name of 'Great Qin Emperor Shang', and make profits in the world.

If you lose the bet, you will lose the whole game, not only lose your money, but also lose your life.

It was a big gamble.

Bet on whether the fortunes of the Great Qin State will be abruptly interrupted, or break through the danger and soar.

Feng Dong didn't speak again.

His body was already very weak, if it weren't for the fact that Xianyang had built a medical hall before and authorized the imperial doctor to go out to see a doctor, his body might not be able to last at all, so he was still grateful to Daqin.

And

He didn't think that Fusu was doing it without purpose.

It must have been a full plan.

That Mr. Zhong can be said to have an exhaustive solution, how could he really make such a big problem? It's just that as a businessman, he understands too little information, and he can't see Mount Tai in a blind eye.

He's willing to gamble, too.

Long.

Cheng Zheng said in a condensed voice: "According to what Old Patriarch Feng said, how much should I give to the imperial court?" ”

Feng Dong slowly opened his eyes, his eyes were a little confused, and with a little firmness, he said slowly: "Naturally, it is given according to the commercial tax, and today's commercial tax is not half of Thailand, but half." ”

"Giving half is also the most compliant."

"Half?" Cheng Zheng and the others frowned.

Half is just too much.

Because of the expenses, these are what they spend.

In this way, the profit will undoubtedly be much less, and they are actually a little reluctant.

But they are also clear.

If you don't let yourself hurt, you can't get the trust of the court.

Cheng Zheng glanced at Wan Kongshi and the others, and they couldn't help but smile wryly.

Feng Dong, this old guy, is really ruthless.

Not only to yourself, but also to others.

Once he gave half of the 'business tax', how could others not follow suit?

And this half of the income happens to be the share of commercial taxes, and this money is dedicated to the hands of the government, which is also just right, which is not abrupt, but also reasonable, knowing the law and understanding the law.

Old fox.

Several people cursed in their hearts.

Cheng Zheng and the others hesitated for a moment, but also gritted their teeth and responded.

"Half is half."

"It's worth spending half of your net worth to save your life, if it's really as we think in the end, this half of the business tax will not be lost."

"It's done!"

“.”

The others also cursed.

Although my heart was full of pain, I was also puffed up at the moment and agreed to the half of the 'business tax'.

Hear the words.

A satisfied smile appeared at the corner of Feng Dong's mouth.

He said slowly: "You don't need to be so distressed, no matter what we say, we also know the court better than others, and others may not think of these things at all. ”

"Now we're at least out of the maelstrom."

"Even if you go crazy to mint coins, there will be no risk."

"Why not?"

"I think it's worth spending money to eliminate disasters and buy peace."

"But today's events, please don't make a public announcement, otherwise there will be some incidents, if too many people know, I am afraid that my situation will become passive and embarrassing."

Cheng Zheng and the others nodded.

They won't tell me about it.

If others follow suit, won't it be bad for themselves?

They would not have such good intentions.

After a few casual chats and discussions about some details, they left.

Then.

Feng Zhen entered the house and stretched out his hand to support Feng Dong.

Feng Dong looked at his aging body, and also sighed lightly, and said: "This body is not as good as day by day, but I am afraid that I will not live long." ”

"But this time, if the plan succeeds."

"I, Feng, will be able to sit back and relax for the next few decades."

"Ugh."

"This is also the only thing I can do for the Feng family, and in the future, everything in the clan will depend on you."

Feng Zhen said with a sad face: "Father, don't say such frustrating words, now there is an imperial doctor in the city every day, and my father's body will definitely be recuperated." ”

Feng Dong shook his head.

He condensed, "I know my own body. ”

"I won't live long."

"It was a fluke that I was able to be treated by the imperial doctor last time, but how can this kind of thing happen all the time? What's more, everyone dies once, what is there to be afraid of? ”

"The only thing I can worry about is my Feng family's business."

"Now that the imperial court has delegated the right to mint coins, it can be regarded as giving me the opportunity for the Feng family to further fall to the imperial court, you must seize this opportunity, you can earn it again when the money is gone, but the family must be there, otherwise it will be just a vain if you make more money."

"You're not that shrewd."

"Under this wave of treacherous changes, you can't grasp it, so the best choice for my Feng family in the future is to firmly stand on the side of the imperial court, and don't change your position no matter what."

"Remember?"

Feng Dong couldn't help but ask.

Feng Zhen nodded hurriedly.

Seeing this, Feng Dong nodded with relief, with a relaxed smile on the corner of his mouth, and then slowly closed his eyes.

His life was over. (End of chapter)