The collective strike of the merchants of Jinling City immediately caused a shock in the Manchu Dynasty.

Like snowflakes, the music flew into Ouchi.

Jiangnan has been prosperous since ancient times.

Although the Ming Dynasty has only been established for more than 20 years, because Jinling City is located on the most important waterway of the Yangtze River, there are a large number of people coming and going from the south to the north, the water transportation is developed, and the commerce is prosperous.

At this time, Jinling City, with a population of more than 700,000 people, was an out-and-out big city.

The effects of the strike quickly escalated.

"This group of businessmen is simply bold, and the imperial court should severely punish them."

A group of scholars who came to take the exam were discussing the matter.

"It's no wonder that the group of businessmen, this dynasty is light on commercial taxes, it is a moral government, and it is beneficial to the country and the people, but now that the commercial tax is to be levied, how can the businessmen be convinced?"

Another scholar retorted.

"Not bad. It is not advisable to increase commercial taxes and compete with the people for profit. ”

"Paying taxes is a matter of course? Shouldn't a businessman pay a little more in taxes when he makes such a profit? ”

"Business is the end, agriculture is the foundation. The increase in commercial taxes is just an excuse for officials to impose more arbitrary taxes. ”

……

There was a lot of discussion among the scholars, but in general, there was a lot of criticism of the increase in commercial tax.

The vast majority of the scholars in this era are still from relatively wealthy families, and the real poor cannot read at all.

This also determined that they were born to have more common ground with the merchant class, although everyone looked down on them on the surface.

Moreover, they all felt that in the current situation, the imperial court had to retreat.

……

Ying Tianfu Yamen, Zhu Yunxi was still in a hurry to flip through the roster and account books to understand the affairs of Ying Tianfu.

One of the subordinate officials below couldn't sit still.

"His Royal Highness King Nan, now that all the merchants in Jinling City are on strike, what should I do? We have to come up with a charter as soon as possible. ”

In response to Tianfu's general sentence, Liu Zhixiang was as anxious as an ant on a hot pot.

Zhu Yunxi glanced up at him and said, "Since they want to boycott the market, let them go." ”

Liu Zhixiang was stunned for a moment and said, "The city's merchants are on strike, this is not a trivial matter. As soon as commerce and trade stopped, the entire Ying Tianfu would be paralyzed. His Royal Highness the King of the South is in charge of Ying Tianfu, is he just left to it? ”

Zhu Yunxi spread his hands and said, "Otherwise?" In Liu's opinion, what should I do? ”

Liu Zhixiang arched his hand and said: "The merchant's strike is nothing more than a matter of increasing commercial taxes for the imperial court. According to the humble opinion, as long as the Tianfu Yamen posted a notice stating that there was no intention of imposing additional commercial taxes, the market boycott should be calmed down. ”

Zhu Yunxi grinned and said, "In that case, why don't Lord Liu do it yourself?" ”

Liu Zhixiang was stunned again, and said in a low voice: "This matter still needs to be approved by adults, and it should be stamped with the seal of Yin Dayin of Tianfu." ”

Zhu Yunxi snorted coldly and said: "It is a national policy to increase the commercial tax, what right does the Tianfu Ya have to make its own opinions?" Lord Liu didn't do it himself, but pushed this king to the front, what is the reason? ”

Although his voice was immature, his tone had become sharp.

His eyes were like electricity, staring at Liu Zhixiang.

Liu Zhixiang's body trembled, and he hurriedly bent down and arched his hand: "Don't dare to make your own opinions." But what should I do if the merchants strike the market and the court investigates it? ”

As soon as his voice fell, someone walked in outside.

"See His Royal Highness the King of the South."

But it was Jiang Xuan, the commander of the Jinyi Guard.

"On the orders of His Majesty, I have come to assist Your Highness."

Zhu Yunxi laughed and said, "Commander Jiang came just in time, does the imperial grandfather have a will?" ”

Jiang Zhen bowed and said, "Your Majesty has already learned about the strike of merchants in Jinling City, and Your Majesty has asked His Royal Highness King Nan to let it go." ”

Zhu Yunxi stood up and said, "Okay, with the will of the emperor's grandfather, it will be easy to do." ”

Jiang Zhen said: "The lowly post has gathered the Jinyi Guard, as long as His Royal Highness gives an order, the family should be raided, and the head should be killed." I want to see if those profiteers dare to strike the market. ”

As soon as these words fell, Liu Zhixiang hurriedly dissuaded him and said, "Your Highness, this matter must not be allowed. ”

"The top priority is to appease those merchants and persuade them to resume the market, and not to add fuel to the fire, otherwise, the situation will be out of control."

Jiang Zhen sneered: "Why should Lord Liu be alarmist. There have always been only rebellious peasants, a group of businessmen, and they still want to rebel? ”

Liu Zhixiang said: "The merchants in Jinling City, seven or eight out of ten, are all servants and subordinates of the officials of the DPRK and China, and many of them are nobles. ”

"If it is a big pursuit, I am afraid that the government and the opposition will be shaken."

"Moreover, the lower officials heard that merchants in Suzhou, Yangzhou, and even all parts of the south of the Yangtze River are also in tandem and intend to strike the market."

"If it intensifies again at this time, the merchants who are only afraid of the market will not be the only ones who should be in Tianfu."

Jiang Xuan's brows furrowed.

The solution he thought of was very simple, whether it was arresting, killing, or suppressing.

But now it seems that this strike has a turbulent undercurrent, and I am afraid that it will not be possible to solve the problem by killing a few businessmen.

Zhu Yunxi clapped his hands and laughed, and asked, "Wonderful, wonderful, you have to strike the market." ”

He seemed very happy, which made Liu Zhixiang and Jiang Zhen puzzled.

"His Royal Highness the King of the South." Liu Zhixiang coughed lightly, shouted, and asked, "Why do you say this?" ”

Zhu Yunxi smiled and said, "Since Your Majesty asked me to let go of it, then I will write a notice." ”

He picked up his pen and wrote on the spot.

Seeing this, all the subordinate officials below breathed a sigh of relief.

The first person to be held accountable for the strike of Jinling merchants is Ying Tianfu.

The burden on their shoulders is not light.

If Zhu Yunxi is willing to regress and post notices to appease the merchants, it will naturally be the best.

Not to mention, most of these officials' families also have business slaves, which are actually their own property.

The salaries of Ming officials are surprisingly low, and most of them are issued with "Ming treasure money", and the value is greatly discounted.

Relying only on this little money given by the Ming court, their whole family has to drink the northwest wind.

can only privately let domestic servants do some business to subsidize the family.

This matter cannot be said explicitly, but it is tacitly understood.

Naturally, they did not want to see the imperial court increase their business taxes.

Soon, Zhu Yunxi finished writing.

"Commander Jiang ordered Jinyiwei to post the notice immediately."

Jiang Zhen hurriedly took it.

Liu Zhixiang and other officials all gathered around, looked at the notice, and suddenly their jaws fell to the ground in shock.

……

……

……

"Haha, I think the emperor and grandson are just like that, now the merchants in Jinling City are collectively on strike, see what he can do?"

In Jinling City, in a wealthy merchant's house, a group of businessmen are discussing.

"That's it. I heard that merchants in Suzhou and Yangzhou are also moving and are preparing to strike the market. ”

"Jiangnan merchants are all on strike, do you dare to propose an increase in business tax?"

"In my opinion, there is only one way for him to obediently regress at the moment."

Speaking of this, everyone laughed and drank a glass of wine, which was so unpleasant.

At that moment, someone from outside ran in.

"Master, it's not good, it's not good, the Tianfu Ya has posted a notice. Let's resume the market quickly, it's too late, I'm afraid it's too late. ”

"What's the panic? You are not alone in cutting off your head and raiding your home. One merchant reprimanded.

Extremely dissatisfied with the performance of his subordinates.

Since they have decided to strike the market, they have been mentally prepared for this.

There are so many merchants in Jinling City, can the imperial court still kill them?

Although Emperor Zhu was notoriously ruthless, the yamen could be replaced by scribes without officials, but Jinling City could not be without merchants.

The daily necessities of the city, such as salt, grain, and cloth, were supplied by merchants.

If there are no merchants, do the 700,000 people in the city drink the northwest wind?

"Old ...... Master, it's not a small panic, notice, notice...... Show ......"

He ran all the way, and he was still a little out of breath at this time.

"Look at your urgency, what's on the notice?"

"The small one has already copied a copy, sir, look at it."

The servant took out the copied paper from his bosom and handed it over.

All the merchants looked at it, and then their expressions changed greatly.

"Resumption, resumption, immediate resumption!"

The merchants left in a hurry and panicked.

……