Chapter 2573

Tao Hongfang and Ning Zijing benefited a lot from this conversation with Li Fa. They had more or less thought that the Yangzhou salt merchants were trying every means to exploit their business, but now it seems that the government is deliberately supporting it, and both parties have

The cooperation is mutually beneficial, and the relationship is more complex than they previously expected, and involves far more than just the field of business and trade.

After the two returned to the inn, Bai Letong also came back not long after. Tao Hongfang asked about the progress of his trial work in the countryside. Bai Letong was probably in trouble and was too angry to talk more. In turn, he asked

They inquired about the meeting with Li Fa.

After listening to the two people's stories, Bai Letong said: "After all, the Yangzhou salt merchants are just another interest group that is on the rise! They are not the first, and they will not be the last. I don't think so.

It is necessary to be too nervous about their existence. Will our fathers turn a blind eye to these problems that we can see? Only when everything is under control can we behave calmly. If our fathers are willing to give them a chance, it means they can control them."

Tao Hongfang responded: "That's the truth, but I think it's better for us to sort out some things ourselves. There are a lot of things here that we haven't come into contact with before, and they are quite interesting to study."

Interest groups like the Yangzhou Salt Merchants are indeed not uncommon in the Haihan Kingdom. However, compared with the first-mover advantage of other groups that started from the dragon earlier, the Yangzhou Salt Merchants, a latecomer, can only use more means.

In exchange for official trust. Whether it is spending a lot of money to support Haihan's various engineering projects and military operations, sending children to study abroad in Hainan Island, or joining the military and politics in Haihan, they are actually serving this purpose.

Of course, for young second-generation people such as Tao Hongfang, this situation is still somewhat fresh, giving them the opportunity to observe from a close distance how businessmen strive for their own interests during the period of changing dynasties.

You can learn how the government uses various means to control these private interest groups.

Tao Hongfang himself works in the Ministry of Commerce, which is considered one of his duties. However, he did not have such an opportunity to contact the outside world in Sanya before. This time, his father Tao Donglai specially sent him to Hangzhou to broaden his horizons.

You won't miss this opportunity easily.

However, several friends who came to Hangzhou with Tao Hongfang were not so interested in this matter. Ha Jianyi went to Zhoushan to inspect the East China Sea Fleet, and he did not know when he would return to Hangzhou. Bai Letong was preparing for the upcoming provincial examination.

I had such a headache that I had no time to distract myself from other things.

Although Ning Zijing is half the same as Tao Hongfang, he does not hold a position in the government, and he does not like to be bound by responsibilities. His trip to Hangzhou is just to gain experience while sightseeing. He is asked to follow him.

Tao Hongfang went to slowly investigate the details of the Yangzhou salt merchants, which was not his interest.

Tao Hongfang saw that the two of them were not active in this regard and did not continue to persuade them to join. Anyway, according to what Li Fa said, Yangzhou salt merchants would come to Hangzhou in a few days, and there would be opportunities for face-to-face communication.

Find out the other person’s ins and outs.

A few days later, Tao Hongfang returned to the inn in the evening and was told that a guest was waiting for him. He turned out to be the shopkeeper of Shunfengxing, Xu Wenlin, whom he had met a few days ago.

Before the time limit for their seven-day appointment, Xu Wenlin came to his door. Tao Hongfang couldn't help but worry that the other party had encountered some unsolvable troubles during the investigation, so he came to him for help.

When Xu Wenlin saw Tao Hongfang, he quickly stood up and saluted. Tao Hongfang nodded and told him not to speak yet, but to come into the room with him before talking, in case there were ears through the wall.

Tao Hongfang asked Apeng to guard the door, and then asked Xu Wenlin: "Have you encountered any trouble when you came to me so quickly?"

Xu Wenlin shook his head and said, "There is no trouble. I have roughly found out what Mr. Tao told me, and I am here to ask for instructions."

"Oh? So fast?" This was somewhat beyond Tao Hongfang's expectation. He originally thought that even if Xu Wenlin had a way to find out what he had assigned, he would fully use up the seven-day time limit, but he did not expect that the other party could actually complete it ahead of schedule.

Task.

Xu Wenlin responded: "Since it is a matter assigned by Mr. Tao, I dare not neglect it at all. I should complete it as soon as possible."

Tao Hongfang was very satisfied with his attitude, nodded and said: "Okay! Then tell me first, how is the investigation going?"

After Xu Wenlin received Tao Hongfang's commission that day, he immediately started the investigation work non-stop. He did not tell Tao Hongfang what channels he would use to investigate, but he had to investigate multiple targets in just a few days, so he was obviously not alone.

A task that can be accomplished by oneself must be accomplished with a group of people working for it.

According to Xu Wenlin's investigation, there are currently twenty-seven people in the township trial office. Excluding the handymen who do errands, there are only seven truly powerful people. Of course, these seven people do not include those who have just arrived.

Bai Letong from Hangzhou.

The focus of Xu Wenlin's investigation is these seven officials who can influence this year's provincial examination.

Among these seven people, only one was originally from Haihan, and he held a part-time job. He was only in name and did not have much time to work at the township trial office. This person was affiliated with the military and was arranged by Shi Diwen to work at the township trial office.

The job content is to serve as a channel for communication, but does not participate in the task of setting the questions for the provincial examination. Moreover, this person lives in the south and currently has no relatives in Hangzhou, so it is basically certain that there is no suspicion.

Shi Diwen may have arranged for this person to monitor the trial run in the township, but after Bai Letong arrived in Hangzhou, this person went to the trial run in the township less often. It seemed that he planned to leave this job to Bai Letong.

The remaining six people are all former literati and officials appointed by Shi Diwen, and they are all natives of Zhejiang. It is not easy to investigate the social relationships of these people in such a short period of time.

thing, but Xu Wenlin still managed it.

Then Xu Wenlin said: "After investigating these six people, I found that what Mr. Tao was worried about is indeed true. They may have descendants or disciples around them, who are preparing to participate in this year's provincial examination."

Tao Hongfang said: "You mean these six people all have this situation? Are you sure?"

Xu Wenlin nodded solemnly and said: "OK."

Tao Hongfang was silent. If the situation is really as Xu Wenlin said, then these people have actually violated the taboo. If they have acquaintances who want to take the provincial examination, they should avoid the taboo and not participate in the process of setting the questions, invigilating and marking the papers.

, but the reality is obviously not like this. If someone among them may leak the test questions to the outside world, the motivation is already very sufficient.
Chapter completed!