In the historical time and space that Zhao Junchen was familiar with, later generations had a view that "the Ming Dynasty died at the hands of the Donglin Party."
This view is obviously too extreme, but it is undeniable that the Donglin Party did play a certain role in fueling the demise of the Ming Dynasty.
The Donglin Party is essentially the spokesperson of the Anhui merchants.
But despite the Donglin Party's unparalleled popularity in the late Ming Dynasty, it had no ability to compete with the imperial power. It was once punished by Wei Zhongxian until it was unable to fight back, just because Emperor Chongzhen has been on the road to death since he ascended the throne.
After running wildly, the Donglin Party gradually grew in power under the manipulation of various gods.
However, in the historical time and space where Zhao Junchen is now, Emperor Chongzhen's political methods were qualified. Therefore, not only was the Donglin Party not powerful, Hui merchants were also severely suppressed and no longer dared to use their own financial resources to control the court.
Until Zhao Junchen appeared, Hui merchants had never dared to find new spokespersons in the temple center, and for a time they had lost all political desires - of course, the same situation was true for Shanxi merchants.
In Zhao Junchen's view, although the situation in the court cannot be left to a group of businessmen to hide behind the scenes and secretly manipulate it, it would also be too much and not enough if the political desires of Huizhou merchants and Shanxi merchants were suppressed too harshly.
If the Ming Dynasty wanted to become strong again, it had to gather all available forces. As the saying goes, "There is no stability without farmers, no wealth without industry, and no life without business." The power of businessmen is also indispensable.
Now, seeing that Huizhou merchants have resumed their political ambitions again, Zhao Junchen is naturally a little relieved.
What's more, Zhao Junchen is currently the only interest spokesperson of the Huizhou merchants in the temple center. When they rekindle their political ambitions, their support for Zhao Junchen will increase again.
However, if the political ambitions of Huizhou merchants are uncontrolled and expand too fast, then it is something that requires vigilance.
For example, now, Huizhou merchants want to annex some of the powers and responsibilities of the Water Transport Yamen. This is obviously a sign that their political ambitions are gradually getting out of control. They have never thought about the difficulty and consequences of this matter!
After Shen Changmao's water ship smuggling case broke out, Emperor Deqing only dismissed Shen Changmao from his official position, but did not hold the water transportation yamen accountable at all. This was not only because the backstage of the water transportation yamen was Zhou Shangjing, who helped to remove the connection, but also because
The position of the Caoyun Yamen is too sensitive, and it can be said that a single move can affect the whole body. Even Emperor Deqing did not dare to easily let the Caoyun Yamen fall into turmoil.
The sensitivity of the Water Transport Yamen is mainly due to two parts. First, as Bai Mingyu said, the food and silver matters that the Water Transport Yamen is responsible for are related to the country and must not be touched lightly; secondly, because of the Water Transport Yamen
The yamen also controls more than 150,000 water transport workers, who are responsible for their food and clothing. Once the water transport yamen is in chaos, the more than 100,000 water transport workers will also fall into chaos, and the situation will escalate.
out of hand!
Zhou Shangjing's sphere of influence in the center of the temple was mainly concentrated in three parts - the Ministry of Personnel, the Hanlin Academy, and the Caoyun Yamen!
Among them, the civil service yamen is the core of the "Zhou Party", the Hanlin Academy provides a steady stream of reserve talents for the "Zhou Party", and the water transportation yamen is the financial source of the "Zhou Party". One of the three is missing.
No, together they constitute the strong foundation of the "Zhou Party".
Emperor Deqing and Zhou Shangjing have been fighting openly and secretly over the years, and they have repeatedly attacked the Civil Service Yamen and the Hanlin Academy, but he has never touched the Caoyun Yamen. This is because Emperor Deqing understands the thorny aspects of the Caoyun Yamen.
Everyone knows that the Caoyun Yamen has many long-standing shortcomings, but even Emperor Deqing did not dare to touch it easily. At this time, the Huizhou merchants wanted to annex some of the power and authority of the Caoyun Yamen. This is simply whimsical and driven by greed and madness!
Even if we don’t talk about the various sensitive aspects of the Caoyun Yamen, there is still Zhou Shangjing standing behind it!
If the Water Transport Yamen is touched, it will be equivalent to touching the financial resources of the "Zhou Party", and it will inevitably face Zhou Shangjing's full revenge. Even Zhao Junchen may not be able to bear such consequences, and must think twice before acting!
Zhao Junchen also has ambitions, but when realizing his ambitions, he must act within his capabilities.
*
"If you take too big a step, you'll tear your balls."
After hearing the hints from several Huizhou merchant leaders, Zhao Junchen wanted to use these words to hit them on the spot.
However, Zhao Junchen is already a distinguished minister of the cabinet, so naturally he cannot say such vulgar words at will. He must also save some face for the Huizhou merchants and not dampen their enthusiasm too much.
Therefore, after Zhao Junchen organized his language a little, he slowly said: "Zhou Shangjing's age... probably won't last a few more years, and he will retire and return to his hometown soon! According to my opinion, 'United Shipping' is still
There is room for further expansion of strength, but for now we should focus on accumulating strength.”
Zhao Junchen's hint was obvious. He did not disagree with the ambitions of the Huizhou merchants, but all this would have to wait until Zhou Shangjing left the temple.
In short, Zhao Junchen was more afraid of Zhou Shangjing's reaction than other factors.
Hearing what Zhao Junchen said, Lin Yunpu, Bai Mingyu, and Dai Fengfu were all a little disappointed.
But this time they came to the capital to see Zhao Junchen. In addition to trying to win Zhao Junchen's support to realize their ambitions, they also had the intention of "competing for favor". Seeing that the relationship between Zhao Junchen and Shanxi merchants was getting closer, the Huizhou merchants couldn't help but
He was worried that Zhao Junchen's future stance would favor Shanxi merchants, so he came to the capital to consolidate relations with Zhao Junchen.
Therefore, although Lin Yunpu and others were disappointed, they did not dare to force Zhao Junchen. What's more, Zhao Junchen's statement left some room for it and did not cut off their thoughts, so they could not say anything else.
Therefore, Lin Yunpu quickly bowed his head and said: "Chen Zhao is still thoughtful, but we are too eager to get things done."
While speaking, Lin Yunpu's attitude was a little frustrated, and Dai Fengfu and Bai Mingyu were also a little silent.
Thinking that he had rejected two requests from Huizhou merchants in succession, which inevitably dampened their enthusiasm and that he needed to make up for it, Zhao Junchen thought about it for a moment and then said: "However, if you are expanding the United Shipping Company
'If you still have some spare energy, I have something I want to leave to you to handle. If it's done well, the benefits will be quite high."
Lin Yunpu's eyes lit up. He knew Zhao Junchen's business methods very well. If Zhao Junchen said it was a business with high profits, it must be a big business that makes people jealous. He quickly asked: "Oh? But I don't know what it is? Still.
Please give me some advice, Minister Zhao, and we will try our best to do it."
Zhao Junchen first explained to them the agreement reached between the imperial court and the Jianzhou Jurchens, and then said: "The land in the south of the Yangtze River where the Huizhou merchants are located is the most prosperous place in the territory of our dynasty, and it is also the place where culture gathers. All
When people go there, they always linger and never miss Shu, so... I want to hand over to you part of the business between the imperial court and the Jurchen trade in Jianzhou."
After hearing what Zhao Junchen said, several Huizhou business leaders all looked happy and thought that this was indeed a very good business.
Bai Mingyu quickly promised: "Please rest assured, Zhao Gechen, we will definitely handle this matter! After the imperial court and Jianzhou Jurchens opened a mutual trade, whether it is grain, livestock, or cloth, as long as Jianzhou Jurchens can provide enough
We Huizhou merchants can satisfy them with the benefits."
Lin Yunpu and Dai Fengfu also nodded repeatedly, feeling very confident about this matter.
However, these three people obviously did not understand Zhao Junchen's profound meaning.
Therefore, Zhao Junchen had no choice but to shake his head slightly and explained again: "You don't need to pay too much attention to food, livestock, cloth, etc... I mainly want you to collect some extravagant and fun things unique to Jiangnan, and wait until I come to court
After the caravans could enter the sphere of influence of the Jianzhou Jurchens, they would spread these things to the Jianzhou Jurchens and let them feel the charm of the Central Plains culture.
If possible, I would dedicate a piece of land not far from Jianzhou Jurchen's sphere of influence to run businesses such as gambling houses, brothels, taverns, and theaters, focusing on receiving guests of Jianzhou Jurchen, so that Jianzhou Jurchen
Both the army and the people are addicted to it. Not only can they take the opportunity to bribe some important people, but they can also more quickly harvest the private financial resources of Jianzhou Jurchen. This kind of thing is what you are good at, and it is easy to find many relevant talents, which is just right.
I can leave it to you."
After hearing what Zhao Junchen said, several Huizhou merchant leaders understood somewhat - taking advantage of the luxury of Jiangnan and corrupting the officials of the imperial court was indeed one of their special skills, and now Zhao Junchen actually wanted to take advantage of them
To corrupt all the soldiers and civilians of Jianzhou Jurchen in such a way... Such a plan can be described as extremely astonishing.
Of course, using the means of drinking, sex and wealth can indeed harvest the savings of the people more quickly. Although the initial investment is a lot, the return of funds is also fast. That is, if there are policy changes on the Jianzhou Jurchen side, there will be initial investment.
Take all the risk of losing money.
Therefore, they did not immediately agree to Zhao Junchen, but quietly discussed the pros and cons of the deal with each other.
In fact, with Xuan Ye's brilliant vision, Zhao Junchen believed that he must have seen through his counter-infiltration plan, but he would only prevent Zhao Junchen from buying off Jianzhou Jurchen civil and military officials and placing them within the Jianzhou Jurchen's sphere of influence.
Internally, Xuan Ye may not be able to understand Zhao Junchen's plan to take the opportunity to degrade the national character of the Jianzhou Jurchens and eliminate the martial spirit and aggressiveness of the Jianzhou Jurchens... And this plan is Zhao Junchen's real plan.
Take the fire out of the cauldron.
Of course, if Xuan Ye really has a vision beyond the times, is alert to Zhao Junchen's real plan in time, and strictly prohibits the soldiers and civilians of Jianzhou Jurchen from contacting the depraved trap Zhao Junchen has laid for them, Zhao Junchen's plan may indeed be successful.
There was a lot of loss, so Zhao Junchen understood the concerns of several Huizhou merchant leaders and did not urge them immediately, but quietly waited for their responses.
In the end, several Huizhou merchants finally completed their discussions, and Bai Mingyu took the lead to express his position: "Although this plan has a lot of benefits and risks, we have always trusted Zhao Gechen. Since it is Zhao Gechen's proposal, we will
Naturally, we want to work together."
Hearing the responses from the Huizhou merchants, Zhao Junchen looked very satisfied, thinking that the participation of the Huizhou merchants would speed up the progress of his plan.
However, Zhao Junchen was not satisfied and thought that there was still room for improvement in his plan.
After thanking several Huizhou business leaders for their support, Zhao Junchen asked again: "In recent years, food has been rarely cultivated in various places in the south of the Yangtze River. Instead, more valuable cotton, vegetables, herbs, and flowers have been planted...
…I would like to ask you, do you know about a flower called heartbreak? Oh, by the way, it also has another name, called poppy flower.”
The poppy flower has been introduced into China's sphere of influence since the Six Dynasties, and even flowed in as tribute from abroad during the Tang Dynasty. However, the Han people have never found out about the special effects of this plant, and just regard it as a medicinal material.
Use it with precious flowers.
Zhao Junchen now happens to have two national medical masters, Zhang Decheng and Wen Caining, by his side. Maybe they can use poppy flowers to make medicines and try to discover some uses of heartbroken grass.
Several Huizhou merchants didn't understand why Zhao Junchen would ask about such a trivial matter, and they all looked at each other for a moment.
In the end, Dai Fengfu, who runs a herbal medicine and flower business, knew something about the situation and replied: "I have heard of the name of this kind of flower and plant. It is not only a medicinal material, but also a rare and precious flower and famous tree. It is as red as fire and extremely beautiful."
It is beautiful. Wang Shimao of the previous dynasty praised it greatly in "Flowers", saying that "after peonies, poppies are the most prosperous, and they are planted with care, and they are beautiful in various forms"; during the Chongzhen period, Xu Xiake saw the poppies after seeing them.
, I was also very surprised and amazed. I once wrote in "Xu Xiake's Travels" that "the orioles and millet flowers are bright red, clustered with thousands of leaves, the flowers are very huge and dense, and the beauty is not less than the elixir." However, this kind of flowers and plants are relatively rare, I remember
It is only grown in Yunnan, Guizhou and Guangxi."
Zhao Junchen nodded and said: "After you go back, ask people to collect more of these flowers, plants and seeds. All varieties must be involved, at least enough to plant a thousand acres of land. Once collected, send them to me as soon as possible... I have a large
usefulness."
When expressing his stance, Zhao Junchen felt a sense of absurdity and did not know whether he had accelerated the historical process or recreated history.
…
I have something to do and I got home very late, so I only have a short chapter today, sorry for that.