Chapter 767 You want to beat the dog, but I will beat the chicken
Yan Tong is a very capable and cold beauty. She is in charge of the economic lifeline of Jiangnan. In terms of power and status, she is indeed the best choice after Prince Fu - although she is not involved in government affairs and cannot directly pressure He Dan and other officials.
, but...as long as you have money in your hands, what else can't be done?
When facing He Danzhi, Yan Tong wanted to understand many things.i^
In terms of influence, she is enough to drive He Dan away and support Shi Yue happily and neatly. However, this will definitely embarrass King Fu.
Although she is not afraid of King Fu, she has a deep love for brother and sister and does not want to ruin his prestige.
Therefore, the only way to save the country is to operate on Meng Jiao.
Yan Tong is in charge of the inner treasury. The so-called inner treasury is equivalent to the royal private treasury, which is regarded as the royal private property.
She took advantage of her intricate connections to secure a series of businesses, then changed hands and distributed them to major businesses to compete for them.
The four major families in Hangzhou, Meng, Kong, Xun, and Han, all followed Yan Tong's path and gradually advanced from ordinary merchants to the four major financial merchants in Jiangnan.
Therefore, Yan Tong's influence on them is evident.
Although their wings are full and they almost control the source of the corresponding industry, they are not so easy to decline. But since ancient times, businessmen can only collude with officials, but they dare not offend them, especially offending nobles like Yantong who hold the world in their hands.
benefit.
As long as Yan Tong tightens his grip on the Meng family, although it will not cause the Meng family to decline, it will definitely severely damage the morale of the Meng family if this continues for a long time.
You must know that the competitors of the Meng family are the three super merchants of Kong, Xun and Han. Doing business is like sailing against the current. If you don't advance, you will retreat. As long as you are hit for a few rounds, you will inevitably distance yourself from the other three.i^
Among the four major merchants, the competition between the Meng family and the Kong family is the most fierce, and the Xun and Han families have fallen into the second echelon.
There is a very clear reason for this.
Both the Meng family and the Kong family had high-ranking officials and dignitaries in the court. Whether it was the small court of Prince Fu in the south of the Yangtze River or the large court in the capital, they had extensive connections.
The relationship between the Meng family, the Kong family and Yan Tong is maintained well, at least on the surface, they listen to Yan Tong's words.
So far, the Meng family is still superior to the Confucian family. The fundamental reason is that the Meng family has received special support from He Dan.
This point made Yan Tong feel particularly unhappy, as it interfered with her rights in disguise and broke the rules of the game.
Therefore, Yan Tong had long had the intention of suppressing the Meng family, and at this time, it happened to be a rare opportunity...
When Meng Jiao heard Yan Tong's question, he felt uneasy and hurriedly responded: "Princess, it was Shi Yue who lied. Don't believe Shi Yue's words. Moreover, Prime Minister Xiao and Zeng Shangshu were both present that day, and they had never heard of this."
I can even ask them to testify to prove the innocence and integrity of my Meng family."
"oh?"
Yan Tong smiled and said, "Meng Jiao, you really didn't lie to me?"
Meng Jiao said hurriedly, "I absolutely don't dare, I still ask the eldest princess to make the decision."
Yantong said to He Dan again: "Master He, what does the emperor mean?"
He Dan resumed his gentle and affectionate manner and said seriously: "The Meng family is a wealthy businessman in Hangzhou. They pay taxes for the Jiangnan Yamen every year and raise donations for the people. They do countless good deeds and are very good businessmen. But if the Meng family is cheating, it will not be possible."
If you keep your word but don't understand the rules, King Fu will definitely strictly enforce it as a warning to others."
"However, if the Meng family is bullied, of course we cannot just sit idly by and look for justice for the Meng family."
Having said this, he looked at Shi Yue with angry eyes and hummed: "Shi Qianhu, King Fu is very grateful to you in his heart. We must not make trouble because of such a trivial matter. Everyone will lose face."
Even if it looks good, it won’t be easy for you either.”
Shi Yue ignored He Dan's soft knife and said directly to Yan Tong: "Eldest Princess, I am a rough person and not good at words. Please ask the eldest princess to uphold justice for me. Right and wrong, I believe you have your own mind."
Yan Tong gave Shi Yue a stern look, thinking in her mind: Are you not good at words? You are so eloquent and can use threats and inducements to me. Hum, I have never seen a bastard who is so good at words like you.
She coughed lightly and then said to He Dan: "Brother Huang is right. The Meng family is a big family in Hangzhou and is one of the best in raising donations and paying taxes. Therefore, if the Meng family bullies others and loses credibility, Brother Huang will naturally restrain them.
We must not damage the credibility of our Jiangnan merchants."
"If the Meng family is bullied, the emperor's brother is upright. No matter how difficult it is, he will uphold justice for the Meng family. From this, it can be seen that the emperor's brother is upright, responds to business wishes, and conforms to the people's wishes. He is truly worthy of the praise.
The above is a wise king of a generation, respected by the world."
In her words, she was still concerned about the word "fairness" at first, but by the end, she actually started to praise the King of Fortune.
Between words, he has been building momentum for King Fu's 'fairness and justice'.
Meng Jiao and He Dan both smiled after hearing this, thinking in their hearts that no matter how powerful the eldest princess was, she would eventually have to keep pace with King Fu - a woman is a woman, and she cannot get out of the palm of a man's hand.
Meng Jiao didn't answer any more, just waiting for Yan Tong to strike Shi Yue, but he saw Yan Tong sipping the fragrant tea and said to Hong Xing: "Why don't you show Mr. Meng, Mr. Kong, and Prime Minister He a seat?"
He looked back at the people and smiled, and said with a smile: "We will discuss the matter of Mingyue Tower later. It happens that Mr. Meng and Mr. Kong are both here. I have a few things in the palace that I would like to discuss with you."
Hongxing ordered the maid to bring a chair over, and ordered Xiangming to serve her.
Kong Liren was very surprised and said, "What do you want to discuss, the eldest princess?"
Meng Jiao curled his lips and flattered Yan Tong and said, "Your Highness, do you need to discuss anything with us? I, Meng Jiao, support the eldest princess unconditionally. I will go through fire and water without frowning."
Kong Liren curled his lips and couldn't help but mocked: "Mr. Meng is so loyal to the eldest princess. It's just that the eldest princess died on a cliff, but she doesn't know where Mr. Meng is?"
"You..." Meng Jiao stood up suddenly and was about to speak harshly to Kong Liren.
Shi Yue stood behind the eldest princess and said with a smile: "Brother Kong, you don't know something. Although Mr. Meng is impervious to water and fire, he is afraid of being shattered into pieces. Although people don't dare to jump off the cliff, they pray for the eldest princess in their hearts, but it is enough. We
You have to understand!”
Kong Liren laughed loudly, "I understand, of course I understand! Hey! I am far behind Mr. Meng. As long as I can't do something, I have to keep my mouth shut and endure it. Otherwise, I will brag to the sky, isn't it?
Is it too generous to make people laugh?"
The two of them ridiculed Meng Jiao in unison, leaving Meng Jiao speechless and his face flushed as if on fire - after all, what he said just now to please Yan Tong was too illusive, and someone caught him at once.
Who is to blame?
Meng Jiao touched his nose and said to Yan Tong: "Elder Princess, what do you want to mention to me and Mr. Kong?"
Yan Tong looked at Meng Jiao with a smile and said calmly: "Besides tea, what else can you do?"
"tea?"
After hearing this, Kong Liren and Meng Jiao both stood up, their eyes a little nervous, and they glared at each other...