In the system that divides social classes according to scholars, farmers, industry and commerce, no matter how wealthy businessmen are, they are always at the bottom of society, ranking behind farmers and handicraftsmen. Since ancient times, China has had an ideological tradition of not worrying about scarcity but about inequality.
The richer a businessman is, the more he is looked down upon by others, so there is a saying that there is no businessman without profit, and that businessmen value profits. In the laws of the Sui Dynasty, when businessmen and farmers had disputes, and the lawsuits were brought to the county government, the businessmen were justified but had to be short three years old.
point.
Behind these merchants are major aristocratic families, and their status is a little higher than that of ordinary merchants, but only to a certain extent. Business people are very sensitive, and after entering Weiding City, they quickly understood the current situation.
Although Liu Ziqiu was not the governor of Xihai appointed by the Sui Emperor, his actual power was much greater than that of the governor of Xihai. Now, Liu Ziqiu not only accepted the gifts they presented, but also received them, which made them feel flattered.
Fifteen caravan stewards came to the house on an appointment and walked into the hall cautiously. They saw more than thirty sets of tables in the hall. On the tables, there were fine wines, delicacies, fresh fruits and vegetables. Important figures in Weiding City, such as Wen Wen
Hao, Zhang Liang, Shi Danai and other eight captains, Liu Yu, Jiang Yu, chief officer Zhao Ling, and Lord Bo He Chou were all waiting in the hall. It turned out that Liu Ziqiu not only received them, but also set up a banquet in honor of them.
They, these people accompanying the guests are the new dignitaries of Xihai County, and most of them are Han Chinese. This makes the businessmen who have been away from home for many days feel extremely friendly, but also have a faint worry, not knowing what Liu Ziqiu will ask for.
"Everyone in the world is biased against businessmen, but Liu doesn't think so." Liu Ziqiu shook the silk gown on his body and said, "Take this piece of silk as an example. Farmers raise silkworms, reel the silk, and work hard to weave it.
Yes. But what do farmers need? They need farm tools. Are they allowed to exchange silk with the blacksmith for farm tools? Even if they are willing, the blacksmith will not agree, because the blacksmith wants so much silk that it is useless. At this time, we need businessmen to come out.
Buy silk from farmers. When farmers have money, they can buy farm tools from blacksmiths. When blacksmiths have money, they can buy pig iron and charcoal. All problems will be solved."
A simple sentence dispelled the doubts of the merchants. Liu Ziqiu added: "So, without merchants, there would be no circulation of goods. Without merchants, there would be no transportation between the north and the south. Without merchants, there would be no exchange of goods.
Scholars, peasants, workers, merchants, and soldiers are all indispensable. Without scholars, there will be no governance, without farmers there will be no stability, without workers there will be no progress, without businessmen there will be no wealth, and without soldiers there will be no solidity! In Liu's eyes, everyone just has a different division of labor, and there is no distinction between high and low."
Traffickers and foot soldiers are at the bottom of society. The world only mentions scholars, farmers, industry and merchants, but not soldiers, peasants, workers, merchants and soldiers. This is because the status of foot soldiers is lower than that of traders. That is why there is a saying that good men should not be soldiers, and good men should not hammer nails. But the fact is
In history, the status of soldiers is often higher than that of businessmen, especially in troubled times. Liu Ziqiu is now talking about scholars, peasants, workers, merchants, and soldiers, and has raised the status of the five classes to a level of juxtaposition. The merchants can't help but show excitement in their eyes.
Wang Xingming, the shopkeeper of the Wang Family Caravan in Taiyuan, stood up, cupped his hands and said, "If everyone in the world were like Mr. Liu, we could stand up and be human."
Liu Ziqiu laughed and said: "Shopkeeper Wang is serious. Liu can't guarantee it in other places. At least in Xihai and Weiding City, you can hold your chest high. Liu welcomes you to open shops, wine shops, and inns in Weiding City. As long as
If you all pay your taxes according to regulations, do not pass off inferior products, and do not deceive others, Liu will ensure everyone's safety, ensure that everyone is not oppressed and discriminated against, and ensure that everyone can live with dignity on this land!"
Although there is a small amount of cultivated land in the West Sea, the main source of livelihood is herding horses and sheep. If you want the people of the West Sea to live a good life, it is difficult to achieve it by relying on these alone. Taking advantage of the unique geographical location of the West Sea to develop commerce is the best choice. If Yang Guang
He is not dead, the situation in the Central Plains is stable, and he can organize his own caravan. The current situation is chaotic and complicated, and the 400-man caravan he sent out is like a mud cow sinking into the sea, with no promises, this road is obviously not feasible. Of course, everything
There are advantages and disadvantages. If Yang Guang had not died, he would still be just a small brigade commander, and it would not be his turn to make the decision in the West Sea.
These caravans are different. Behind them are the shadows of aristocratic families. Whether it is Yu Wenji, Yang Xuangan or Li Yuan, they cannot do without the overt and covert support of these aristocratic families. Therefore, these caravans must have free access to the Central Plains.
As long as we can keep these caravans behind, we can not only obtain a lot of materials produced in the Central Plains, but also get news from the Central Plains. It can be said that it kills two birds with one stone.
While all the shopkeepers were still hesitating, Xie Laosi, the shopkeeper of the Xie Family Caravan, had already stood up and said loudly: "Since Lord Liu is so kind to me, Xie will have people rent houses and open shops in the city tomorrow!"
The Xie family has retreated to the south of the Yangtze River for a long time, and has gradually drifted away from other aristocratic families. However, a large family that can stand for hundreds of years has its own merits, and this Xie Laosi is a character. With his identity and
Of course, he did not know about the transaction between the Xie family and Liu Ziqiu, but he keenly felt that this was a rare opportunity. As long as it was used properly, the Xie family would occupy an important position in this trade route connecting the East and the West.
, laying the foundation for the Xie family to return to the Central Plains in the future.
With Xie Laosi at the beginning, several shopkeepers agreed and expressed their willingness to open stores in Weiding City.
Liu Ziqiu was overjoyed and raised his glass and said: "Thank you very much for your trust in Liu, please have a drink and get drunk before you stop!"
Since ancient times, banquets have been the best tool to bring people closer together. After three glasses of wine and two glasses of wine, the shopkeepers began to talk more, no longer as reserved as before. They told jokes with a bit of a meaty flavor and talked about all kinds of anecdotes.
As these shopkeepers have been away from home for a long time and do not know the situation in various places, there is not much valuable content. But Liu Ziqiu is not thinking about the present, but the future. If these caravans go down
When we came here for the first time, some different information was obviously revealed in the conversation. Liu Ziqiu did not show any airs and toasted each one in person, which greatly satisfied the self-esteem of these shopkeepers.
After a while, Liu Ziqiu turned to Xie Laosi.
Xie Laosi stood up in a hurry and said: "Please rest assured, Mr. Liu, Xie will wait until the shops in Weiding City open before leaving."
"That's not necessary." Liu Ziqiu waved his hand and said, "Liu also hopes that shopkeeper Xie will go back early and say hello to Mr. Xie Wengshan on Liu's behalf."
Xie Laosi was stunned and asked: "Master Liu, do you know the head of my family?"
Liu Ziqiu said with a smile: "Liu has met Mr. Xie once, and he is also quite friendly with the two Mr. Xie. Liu still has a few gifts, and he will have to trouble shopkeeper Xie to bring them to Mr. Xie's family.
"
Xie Laosi did not expect Liu Ziqiu to be so familiar with the Xie family. He was even more confident about opening a store in Weiding City and said repeatedly: "Xie should do his best for this matter."
At this time, Da Leng walked in and whispered in Liu Ziqiu's ear: "Master, something happened."
During this period of time, Zhao Ling has shown himself to be doing his best, and Liu Ziqiu has gradually become more assured of him, so he no longer lets Daleng stay with him. Now, Daleng has returned to the government office, and together with Ji Rentai, Liu Ziqiu takes turns to serve as Liu Ziqiu's boss.
The two men were very smart. If it wasn't an extremely important matter, Daleng would not rush into the hall rashly. After entering, Daleng's voice was also very low, and only Liu Ziqiu could hear it.
The expression on Liu Ziqiu's face did not change. He bowed to the shopkeepers and said with a smile: "Everyone, please be patient. Liu has something to deal with. Come as soon as you go."
After leaving the hall, Liu Ziqiu's face darkened and asked: "What happened?"
Daleng's face showed an angry look, and he gritted his teeth and said: "My lord, the caravan we sent to the Central Plains is back!"
Liu Ziqiu has been waiting for news about this caravan. It should be a good thing now that the caravan is back, but looking at Dalai's stunned expression, it is obviously not the case. Liu Ziqiu did not continue to ask more questions, just waved his hand and said: "Take me to see
.”
…
At first, Liu Ziqiu selected a total of 400 people to form this caravan. More than three months later, only 18 of the 400 people came back. In a small courtyard next to the government office, 18 soldiers were covered with scars.
Lying on the low couch, Liu Ziqiu couldn't help clenching his fists, as if there was a ball of anger burning in his chest.
When the caravan left Weiding City, Liu Ziqiu specifically emphasized that their mission was to collect intelligence and find out the news, not to make money. If they encountered robbery by gangs or extortion by the government, they would rather spend money to eliminate the disaster than save their lives along the way.
In the past, it was the land of the Sui Dynasty. No matter which side the local government was loyal to, they would not kill the caravans. And these four hundred people had crawled out of the dead. Ordinary thieves or small gangs would not be able to do anything.
They don't put it in their eyes. If they encounter a large-scale bandit, they can also pretend to surrender and join the gang. This has been agreed in advance. In this case, who else will severely damage the caravan will be confusing.
suspect.
But Liu Ziqiu did not immediately ask about the situation at that time, but patiently inspected the soldiers' injuries. Each of these eighteen people had injuries, ranging from minor to serious. Under the medical conditions at the time, serious injury often meant death.
"Zhang Aniu, how is your arm?" Liu Ziqiu actually called out the name of a wounded soldier whose arm was wrapped with white cloth.
Before the four hundred people set off, Liu Ziqiu personally bid farewell to them. These people had participated in the defense of Weiding City with Liu Ziqiu, and some of them had fought with him on the mud ridge. Liu Ziqiu had a good memory and remembered almost everything
People's faces, and can name most of them.
Zhang Aniu was a burly Hebei man, but he never expected that Liu Ziqiu could call out his name. He was so excited that tears filled his eyes, and he grinned and said: "It's okay, just a mosquito bite!"
Liu Ziqiu nodded with satisfaction and said: "Well done, there are no cowards in our Xihai tribe! Take the time to recover from your injuries, and let's avenge our brothers together!"
The soldier next to him had no blood on his face, and there was a trace of despair in his eyes. But Liu Ziqiu also remembered him and said, "You are Wang Ergeng of Yanmen, right? Where is the injury?"
Wang Ergeng snorted feebly, not knowing what he was talking about. Zhang Aniu said for him: "Master, someone cut Ergeng's stomach and his intestines came out."
Liu Ziqiu nodded and said: "Er Geng, man, just hold on for me! I remember that you haven't gotten married yet, and I will drink your wedding wine when the time comes."
Wang Ergeng's originally desperate eyes suddenly came to life and he nodded vigorously. In this era of lack of medical treatment and medicine, sometimes willpower can determine a person's life or death.
Liu Ziqiu continued to ask questions one by one, and suddenly felt that the soldier in front of him looked familiar, but he could not name him.