229 [Zhao Han wants to join forces with the emperor]
Raozhou City.
Fei Chun came here to inspect the situation and called the grain merchants from Jiujiang, Nanchang and Nankang to give him a lecture.
These grain merchants are now all headed by Li Fenglai. Although they do not have the largest business, everyone knows that Li Fenglai is Zhao Han's person.
Moreover, Nanchang Prefecture has been dividing the land one after another. Li Fenglai, who was born in a concubine, successfully became independent and attracted many sons, family branches and professional shopkeepers to follow suit. They were all the beneficiaries of the land and family division, so they could only choose to support Zhao Han and even help Zhao Han. He ordered Zhao Han to suppress his family.
"Greetings to Mr. Si Cai!" All the grain merchants bowed their hands.
"Sit down." Fei Chun's face looked very ugly, or he had never looked good this year.
The grain merchants sat down in panic, inevitably feeling guilty, fearing that Zhao Han and Fei Chun would fall out.
Fei Chun was exhausted both physically and mentally from the whole day, and he was not in the mood to beat around the bush, so he said directly: "Everyone knows very well what you are doing in private and what your intentions are, so there is no need for me to talk nonsense."
Grain merchants were frightened.
Li Fenglai argued: "Master Si Cai, we have not hoarded food in Jiangxi. We even took the initiative to raise the purchase price of grain this year."
Fei Chun sneered: "The town borrows grain with an annual interest of two cents. If you don't double the price of grain, how can you buy grain from farmers?"
The annual interest rate of two cents is very high. It is equivalent to Zhao Han borrowing 100 shi of grain from the people, and he will have to return more than 240 shi in five years. But this is a year of great disaster, and the price of grain is rising rapidly. After five years, he will have to pay back 240 shi. It's more than twice as much, but actually it's not a loss in terms of money.
Grain merchants in Jiangxi buy grain at double the price and can still make a lot of money by transporting it to various prefectures in the south of the Yangtze River.
Because in the Jiangnan prefectures, the price of one stone of rice has risen to two taels of silver, which is more than four times higher than last year. When there is a recession next year, the price of rice will continue to rise!
Another grain merchant named Tu said: "Master Si Cai, we still have to do business."
Fei Chun said: "I directly convey the opinion of the general town. You can make money, but don't go too far. Although the people in the Jiangnan prefectures are under the rule of the imperial court, General Zhao still can't bear to see them starve to death. At this time, he The grain shipped here will be enough for you to make money. If we sell grain next spring, how many people will starve to death?"
All the grain merchants looked at each other, Zhao Han must have been too lenient.
They are afraid of Zhao Han's force, and they operate with absolute integrity in Jiangxi. They are just making some money in other places. Does Zhao Han even take care of the affairs of the governments in the south of the Yangtze River?
Everyone did this. The prefectures in the south of the Yangtze River, including Anhui in later generations, did not produce much grain from the middle of the Ming Dynasty, and relied entirely on grain shipments from Jiangxi and Huguang. After the disaster this year, Huguang grain merchants were also hoarding, little by little. We are releasing goods, and we all plan to sell grain again next spring.
Li Fenglai said: "Si Cai, even if we sell grain honestly, Jiangnan grain merchants will raise prices, and the people in Jiangnan will not be able to afford grain."
"Food prices will always be lower." Fei Chun sneered.
Grain merchants in Huguang and Jiangxi mainly wholesale grain to Jiangnan, and at most do a small amount of retail. Grain merchants in Jiangnan are the main force in retail. They buy grain from merchants in Huguang and Jiangxi, and also deliver goods little by little, etc. I hope to make a big profit next spring.
Zhao Han could block the grain transportation channel and impose heavy taxes. But these heavy taxes will be passed on to the people in Jiangnan, causing the price of grain in Jiangnan to become higher.
The land of wealth in the south of the Yangtze River has the most developed industry and commerce in the country. Zhao Han will use this to develop industry in the future. If all the houses are empty, what is the point? Therefore, Zhao Han cannot impose heavy taxes on the grain that goes out of the country.
Zhao Han cannot occupy Jiangnan in advance, otherwise it will bring two results:
First, the Ming Dynasty's finances completely collapsed, resulting in Beijing being captured in advance and the Tatars certainly entering the border in advance;
Second, before the Ming Dynasty's finances completely collapsed, the imperial court would attack Zhao Han frantically, and even leave the bandits alone to attack Zhao Han!
Zhao Han needs time to develop. South Zhili and Zhejiang must be defended, but at the same time he cannot occupy them.
Damn, a rebel, he worried so much about the imperial court, for fear that Chongzhen's side wouldn't be able to survive.
Li Fenglai asked again: "Even if we sell the grain to Jiangnan, what will happen if the Jiangnan grain merchants hoard and cannot ship the goods?"
"Just wait a minute, the main town has sent people to meet with the emperor and join forces with the imperial court to suppress grain prices in Nanzhi and Zhejiang!" Fei Chun said, "I remind you to take action as soon as possible, otherwise you may be forced to sell grain at a low price next spring.
It was not forced by Mr. Zhao, but forced by the imperial court!"
The grain merchants were all shocked. The rebels sent people to meet the emperor and work with the court to stabilize grain prices?
Weird things happen every year, especially this year. I have never seen such rebels.
…
Wang Tiaoding, who had been engaged in Datong theory research, volunteered this time. After the flood subsided, he set off for Beijing.
After arriving in Beijing, we went straight to the official residence of the chief minister.
Since I didn't give any money to bribe the concierge, he didn't even accept the invitation.
"Qiang!"
Wang Diaoding drew out his scribe's sword, pointed it at his disciple's throat and said: "I am under the command of King Zhao Tian of Jiangxi, a giant bandit. If the chief assistant is missing and spreads the rumor that the chief assistant is colluding with the rebels, Zhang's first assistant will surely have his house confiscated and his family destroyed. You are such a fool.
Don’t even think about running away, the gatekeeper!”
Someone who rebels against thieves?
Menzi was so frightened that his mind went blank. He wanted to kneel down, but he was afraid that his throat would be hurt by the blade of the sword, so he trembled all over and said, "Okay... my dear man, spare your life!"
"Go and report!" Wang Diaoding sheathed his sword.
Menzi instantly collapsed to the ground, struggled twice, and finally had no strength to stand up.
"Go quickly!" Wang Diaoding scolded.
The doorman took the greeting card and crawled in in a panic. The other doorkeepers had already hid far away.
After entering, the door was immediately closed, and Menzi stood up with difficulty and ran to report. One by one, the greetings were finally handed to the chief assistant, Zhang Zhifa.
Hearing that the Jiangxi giant bandits who had been recruited had sent people to come, Zhang Zhifa didn't dare to see him, and he didn't dare not to see him either. He hurriedly came to the gate and asked through the door: "What are you doing here in Beijing?"
Wang Diaoding replied: "Tongzhi, the former military commander of the Ming Dynasty, General Zhaoyong, and Zhao Yan, the commander-in-chief of Ji'an, have written a handwritten letter and sent me to deliver it to your Majesty personally. Go to the palace to report it quickly. Go now to avoid delaying the matter.
, your brain is not safe!"
Zhang Zhifa thought that something big had happened. With Chongzhen's character, if he was delayed because of him, there was a high chance that his head would be in danger.
"Prepare the sedan!"
The chief minister was so frightened that he immediately went out and ran to the Forbidden City before dark.
Arriving in front of Dong'an Gate, Zhang Zhifa said to the guard guarding the gate: "Please inform your Majesty that the cabinet has something urgent to report. It is an urgent matter!"
Seeing that the chief minister was in such a hurry, the guard thought that the Tatars were attacking again, so he was so frightened that he immediately ran to report the situation without even bothering to collect money.
After being passed on from level to level, Chongzhen summoned him immediately. When Zhang Zhifa saw the emperor, the sky was completely dark.
"What big thing happened again?" Chongzhen asked hurriedly.
Zhang Zhifa said: "Your Majesty, General Zhao Yan of Jiangxi Ji'an sent a messenger to the minister's residence. He said that the letter was written by General Zhao himself and asked him to present it to Your Majesty in person. I dare not let him in. This person is still in my house.
Waiting at the door."
Chongzhen frowned and felt curious at the same time. He immediately issued an order: "Bring this person into the palace!"
Wang Tiaoding was searched for weapons and went straight to Qianqing Palace.
When he saw the emperor, Wang Tiaoding immediately knelt down and said, "Wang Tiaoding, the magistrate of Luling, comes to kowtow to Your Majesty!"
Chongzhen asked in confusion: "Are you the magistrate of the Ming Dynasty or the magistrate of Zhao Yan?"
Wang Diaoding replied: "I am the magistrate of the Ming Dynasty. Not long after I took office, the rebels came to attack the city, and there were no soldiers under my command. I failed the emperor's favor, causing the Ming Dynasty to lose the city and land. In recent years, I have not really followed Thief, he has been giving lectures at Bailuzhou Academy."
Chongzhen actually didn't feel angry, or he was numb. At least this magistrate did not choose to be a thief official, but just taught under the anti-thief rule.
Moreover, Luling County is affiliated with Guofu City, so the real responsibility lies with the prefect of Ji'an.
If Chongzhen knew that two of the articles in "Datong Collection" were written by Wang Diaoding, he would probably drag him to Lingchi on the spot.
The eunuch handed over a letter, which was found on Wang Diaoding's body.
"Is this Zhao Han's handwriting?" Chongzhen asked.
Wang Tiaoding said: "Exactly."
Chongzhen opened the letter curiously, and his first reaction was that the handwriting was not bad, and he seemed to be a well-educated rebel.
After the content is translated into vernacular, it is roughly as follows: "I am Zhao Yan, a poor scholar in Jishui. He was exploited by corrupt officials and oppressed by the gentry. In order to survive, he imitated the mantis mantis. Now that there is a huge disaster in the country, the officials and people of Jiangxi are united, and the disaster is finally not serious. Serious. In Southern Zhili and Zhejiang, there has been a severe drought for many years. Fathers, sons, brothers, and husbands and wives eat each other, and a large number of hungry people come to Jiangxi to beg. Jiangxi, Nanzhi, and Zhejiang grain merchants collude and hoard, and the ministers in Jiangxi are unable to restrain them. It is necessary to go to Southern Zhili, Only by the cooperation of Zhejiang officials can the price of rice in the south of the Yangtze River be stabilized. Please ask your majesty to send a special grain patrol governor to order the officials in Nanzhi and Zhejiang to specifically supervise the preparation of grain for disaster relief."
"Asshole!"
Chongzhen was furious and scolded: "He is the commander-in-chief of Ji'an, but he wants to get involved in the disaster relief work of Zhejiang and Zhejiang. Should we replace him as the emperor?"
Wang Diaoding cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, Zhao Yan's original intention is really just to provide disaster relief."
Chongzhen sneered: "You say it!"
Wang Tiaoding said: "If General Zhao wants to capture Zhejiang, it is like searching for something. He can just send troops from Guangxin Prefecture. How can any officers and soldiers in Zhejiang resist? Capture Zhejiang, and then use the navy to attack Nanzhi. Under attack from two sides , everything south of the Yangtze River is in his hands. Why should he bother to ask Your Majesty to send a governor to the south of the Yangtze River to provide disaster relief?"
Although these words are unpleasant to hear, they are true, and they are also the most worrying thing for the court.
Chongzhen asked: "What exactly does Zhao Yan want?"
"Relief from disasters and save people." Wang Diaoding replied.
The more Chongzhen listened, the more confused he became. He didn't even try to hide it in his title: "He is a rebel in Jiangxi and a straight man in the south. What does the disaster in Zhejiang have to do with him?"
Wang Diaoding's forehead touched the ground and he lay down and said: "I dare not say anything."
"Say!" Chongzhen scolded.
"Zhao Yan is an outstanding person. He has the heart to conquer the universe and the ambition to help the world," Wang Diaoding said. "There was also a major disaster in Jiangxi this year. Under Zhao Han's rule, the officers and soldiers worked together. Although there was a disaster, it was not serious. And the government ruled Down under, floods and droughts were raging, and the people were miserable. There were hungry people revolting in Raozhou and Duchang. Zhao Yan not only reduced taxes under his own rule to provide disaster relief, but also went to the government to provide relief to the people, and even ran out of money and food as a result."
Chongzhen sneered: "This invitation will win people's hearts!"
Wang Tiaoding continued: "Your Majesty, several ministers have said frankly that Zhao Yan regards himself as a government official. Although the hungry people in Nanzhi and Zhejiang are not under Zhao Yan's rule, they are regarded by Zhao Yan as his own people. He treats the people extremely.
OK……"
Chongzhen was not angry this time, but felt ridiculous and endlessly sad at the same time.
What kind of emperor is he doing?
Under the rule, there was no relief for the hungry people, and they had to collect taxes frantically, leaving a rebel to worry about people's livelihood.
Chongzhen said with an expressionless face: "I have heard many people talking about Zhao Yan. They all hold different opinions, and it is difficult to distinguish between true and false. You can also comment on this person."
(Thank you, Mr. Penguin, for another Silver Alliance. Also, please vote for me.)