Although Zhao Junchen was hosting a banquet for many businessmen from the Huizhou-Zhejiang Merchant Gang tonight, Zhao Junchen was late. When Zhao Junchen came outside Tianhai Tower, many wealthy businessmen from the Hui-Zhejiang Merchant Gang were
I have been waiting for Zhao Junchen there for a long time.
As the host of the banquet, Zhao Junchen was the last to show up. Not only did he not entertain the guests, he instead let the guests welcome him, which was a bit rude.
However, the Huizhou and Zhejiang merchants did not care about Zhao Junchen's performance. After seeing Zhao Junchen appear, they all put on the most eager and humble expressions, and rushed to Zhao Junchen one after another, scrambling to express their gratitude to Zhao Junchen.
Junchen said hello and expressed his goodwill, hoping that he could leave an impression in Zhao Junchen's heart, so that they could get more benefits when the United Shipping Company was established in the future.
For a time, Zhao Junchen was flooded with compliments!
Zhao Junchen was already used to this kind of situation and was already able to deal with it with ease. He just nodded to all the Huizhou and Zhejiang businessmen with a smile on his face.
Finally, after a period of confusion, Lin Yunpu, Bai Mingyu, and Dai Fengfu, as representatives of the Huizhou-Zhejiang merchant gang, finally squeezed in front of Zhao Junchen. They had met Zhao Junchen many times, and they were already familiar with each other, but they were not like each other.
Others generally lost their composure and eagerness, and just saluted Zhao Junchen one after another to say hello.
After meeting Lin Yunpu, Bai Mingyu, and Dai Fengfu, Zhao Junchen finally said with a smile: "As the host of the banquet, I came late. It is really rude to keep everyone waiting here. I'm just a yamen official."
There are too many things to do, and I am so busy with government affairs that I have no time until now. I hope you can forgive me!"
Lin Yunpu said quickly: "My lord, if you are willing to deign to take the initiative to entertain me and others in your capacity, we Hui and Zhejiang merchants are already flattered, how can we dare to complain! What's more, my lord, you are not late, it's just me.
It’s too late to be impatient!”
On the other side, Dai Fengfu also said quickly: "I heard that your Excellency was assassinated by a gangster yesterday. We were all very anxious and worried. Now that we see that Your Excellency is safe and sound, we are relieved! I hope you know that I am waiting for you.
I have always admired you, sir. After learning about your assassination, I also prepared some small gifts to calm your shock and express my feelings. Now these small gifts have been sent to your house, and I hope you will accept them!"
At the same time, Bai Mingyu also changed his past arrogance and complimented: "My lord, your assassination has shocked the government and the public. After hearing that Xichang had caught the assassin, he was about to be escorted for trial, but he was actually arrested.
He was intercepted and silenced on the way, which shows that the person behind the scenes is powerful and ruthless. Thinking about this person's covetous gaze on you, I can't sleep at night and feel worried! However, you are in danger, sir.
But he still did not forget me, and even took the initiative to entertain us, which made us both touched and admired!"
However, Zhao Junchen looked indifferent, as if he was not worried about his own safety at all. He just shook his head and said: "Rectifying commercial taxes and establishing a joint shipping company are the established national policies of the imperial court, and they are also the things that I attach the most importance to now! And you all are more important.
It is the key to the success or failure of this matter. Naturally, I cannot neglect you! Today, although there are still certain dangers, compared with the establishment of a joint shipping company, my safety is just a trivial matter. Naturally, I am
We put you all first!”
After hearing Zhao Junchen's confession, the Huizhou and Zhejiang businessmen present naturally took the opportunity to compliment him endlessly.
But at the same time, through Zhao Junchen's confession, everyone also understood Zhao Junchen's firm determination to establish a joint shipping company. They were all refreshed and looked forward to the establishment of the joint shipping company in the future!
Then, in front of Zhao Junchen, it was getting late, and there was no place to talk outside the Tianhai Tower, so he stopped being polite to everyone, and just took the initiative to move forward and led the Hui and Zhejiang merchants into the Tianhai Tower.
Speaking of which, Tianhai Tower is not the most luxurious or top-notch restaurant in the capital. Now, the Huizhou and Zhejiang businessmen that Zhao Junchen is hosting are all wealthy and wealthy people who spend a lot of money. It would be a bit awkward to entertain them in such a restaurant.
Stingy and not classy enough.
However, Zhao Junchen has frequently entertained guests in Tianhai Tower in recent years, but he also has a deeper meaning. He wants to hint to the world that he is nostalgic through his actions!
People who miss the past often do not abandon their allies and partners easily.
Today, Zhao Junchen still entertains many wealthy businessmen from the Huizhou and Zhejiang merchant gangs at Tianhai Tower.
Regarding Zhao Junchen's hint, Zhao Junchen believed that the Hui and Zhejiang businessmen would definitely understand!
Even if they had not thought of this, before Zhao Junchen showed up, the shopkeepers of Tianhai Tower would definitely take the initiative to remind them.
This is also one of the reasons why Zhao Junchen came a step late!
After arriving on the second floor of Tianhai Building, after some polite exchanges, Zhao Junchen and the Huizhou and Zhejiang merchants sat down respectively according to their respective status and strength. Because there were many Huizhou and Zhejiang merchants who came to the banquet, five people were seated.
A table.
After the banquet officially started, Zhao Junchen stood up, raised his glass and said loudly: "You are all well-known big businessmen and rich men in Huizhou, Zhejiang and other places. If you are willing to travel all the way to the capital to meet with me, it is enough.
This proves your sincerity and also proves your trust in me. I am also very honored. I would like to toast you all and hope that we can have a happy cooperation in the future!"
After saying that, Zhao Junchen raised his head and drank the glass of wine, quite happily and simply.
On the other side, after hearing Zhao Junchen's words and seeing Zhao Junchen's performance, a group of Huizhou and Zhejiang businessmen also stood up and raised their glasses. After each said some compliments and polite words, they also drank it down in one gulp.
Then, everyone became quiet and focused on Zhao Junchen, waiting for Zhao Junchen's next words.
Zhao Junchen was still standing, scanning everyone with his eyes, and then said slowly: "Speaking of which, I am not familiar with you, even with Boss Lin Yunpu, Boss Bai, Boss Bai, and Boss Dai Fengfu.
"We only met each other three or four times. As for most of the friends, I only met them once when I was in Taierzhuang, Yanzhou. There are also some friends that I have met for the first time."
Under the attention of everyone, Zhao Junchen smiled softly, and then said: "So, taking this opportunity, I would like to introduce myself first!"
After hearing Zhao Junchen's words, all the Huizhou and Zhejiang businessmen present were stunned.
Zhao Junchen is an important minister of the imperial court, a second-rank official, the Minister of Household Affairs, a corrupt official who is famous all over the world and has mixed reputations. Everyone has been famous for Zhao Junchen for a long time. It is impossible not to know Zhao Junchen, and Zhao Junchen has no need for self-esteem at all.
Introduction, why does Zhao Junchen bother with this?
Zhao Junchen ignored everyone's doubts and just said to himself: "My official name is Zhao Junchen. Thanks to your majesty's trust, I am now the Minister of Household Affairs of the imperial court. I am in charge of the world's taxes, money and food. Regarding these matters, everyone knows
You should already know it very well, so I won’t say more. What I want to say is that since I became the Minister of Household Affairs, I have been criticized by my colleagues. They think that I am greedy and a philistine.
He is too profit-seeking and unjust, and his whole body is full of the stench of copper. He does not look like a court official, but looks like a businessman. Everyone thinks that the evaluation of me by my colleagues in the DPRK is correct?"
As Zhao Junchen spoke, all the Huizhou and Zhejiang businessmen became more and more confused, and they didn't understand why Zhao Junchen said these things.
However, on the surface, all the Huizhou and Zhejiang businessmen all had serious faces and angry expressions, as if they felt deeply unfair to Zhao Junchen.
After hearing Zhao Junchen's inquiry, many businessmen from Huizhou and Zhejiang rushed to speak first and helped Zhao Junchen call Qu Zhengming.
"Master Zhao, who doesn't know your character and conduct? These comments are of course extremely ridiculous!"
"Yes, Mr. Zhao, you are a top scholar and your talents and knowledge are second to none. How can you be compared with merchants like us?"
"Mr. Zhao, these comments are all nonsense. We, the Huizhou and Zhejiang businessmen, have always admired you the most for your character!"
"Everyone knows that Mr. Zhao is an indispensable virtuous and capable minister in the imperial court, and is also the right-hand man whom His Majesty deeply relies on. Your achievements, Mr. Zhao, are even more admirable. Some ministers will slander you, but that's just
I'm just jealous of you, sir. You don't have to take those rumors to heart!"
"Master Zhao"
Hearing the insincere indignation and grievances of the Huizhou and Zhejiang businessmen, the calm smile on Zhao Junchen's face did not change at all.
Only after all the performances by the Huizhou and Zhejiang merchants were over, Zhao Junchen said slowly: "Thank you all for your respect and praise for me. However, I believe that my colleagues' evaluation of me is not wrong! I
Although we are court officials and you are private businessmen, there is essentially no difference between us. It is not wrong to even say that we are colleagues. Since I joined the Ministry of Household Affairs, I have changed the past rules of the Ministry of Household Affairs and used them as
The way of business is to manage the money and grain of the household department, buy and sell, and use money to make money. It is no different from everyone else! The only difference is that you use your own wealth to do business, while I use the money and grain of the court to do business.
Doing business, nothing more! You all are people with great powers and quick information, and you should also know that there is nothing false about what I said!"
Hearing Zhao Junchen's words, all the Huizhou and Zhejiang merchants present had strange expressions and remained silent, not knowing how to reply to Zhao Junchen.
Of course they knew that Zhao Junchen's words were absolutely not false. In fact, they were too modest!
Is Zhao Junchen just doing business? If we take it seriously, since Zhao Junchen joined the Ministry of Household Affairs, the Ministry of Household Affairs has become the most influential market controller in the Ming Dynasty! The most powerful behind-the-scenes operator of loan sharks! And one of the best
Smuggling group! The scale of Hubu’s business is so huge that it far exceeds that of all the Anhui and Zhejiang merchants present!
The Ministry of Revenue controlled the granaries in various places in the Ming Dynasty. Since Zhao Junchen entered the Ministry of Households, these granaries have become the most important factor affecting the grain market in various places. Whenever the price of grain is low, the granaries in various places will earn a lot of money.
Whenever the price of grain is high, the grain warehouses in various places will sell the grain collected at a low price at a high price. The buying and selling, the coming in and the going out represent the data.
Tens of thousands of silver income!
In other words, the state's grain stocks, which must not be touched lightly, have become money-making capital in the hands of Zhao Junchen. The Ministry of Household Affairs can earn nearly one million taels of silver every year from this business! This is still the income on the books! In reality,
The income from the government is even more, but a large part of the money is divided up by the officials of the Ministry of Household Affairs!
However, because of this business, the price of grain in the Ming Dynasty has not fluctuated much over the years. Whenever the price of grain is too high, Zhao Junchen will sell a large amount of grain stored in granaries in various places, and then the price of grain will also drop.
It quickly dropped, and because of such small actions by the Ministry of Revenue, it was rare to hear of anyone starving to death because they could not afford to buy food over the years in the Ming Dynasty. This can be regarded as an unexpected merit of Zhao Junchen!
Therefore, since Zhao Junchen took charge of the Ministry of Household Affairs, it is not an exaggeration to say that the Ministry of Household Affairs has become the most influential market controller in the Ming Dynasty!
However, the Qingliu people have never seen the benefits of this business. They just blindly impeached Zhao Junchen for reselling state treasury grain, abusing power for personal gain, and taking bribes. Similar impeachments occurred dozens of times every year. However, Emperor Deqing also suffered from this business.
The business reaped great benefits, so all these impeachments were dismissed.
In addition, the Ministry of Revenue is also the most powerful loan shark businessman in the Ming Dynasty. Officials want to find connections and find backers, but they don’t have the money to give big gifts? It doesn’t matter, just borrow money from the Ministry of Revenue! For the sake of everyone being colleagues,
I only charge you three cents of profit! It’s just that all taxes within your jurisdiction have been temporarily taken over by the Ministry of Household Affairs. Except for necessary expenses, all other taxes must be used to pay off debts! Merchants lack capital to do business? It doesn’t matter, find the same
Just borrow money from the Ministry of Household Affairs. Since you can talk and get things done, they will only charge you three cents of interest, but they need your property and land as collateral!
Moreover, the usury loans from the Ministry of Household Affairs are only given to those powerful officials above the seventh rank, as well as powerful merchants and landlords. Therefore, although the number of businesses is not large, each business is very profitable, and there is no fear of not being able to recover the cost!
Also, the Ministry of Revenue is in charge of grain transportation, but the grain transport ships that go back and forth between the north and the south every year are not just for transporting grain! The ships often also carry a large number of other commercial goods, whether it is tea and silk from the south or furs and medicinal materials from the north.
, as long as they are goods that can be sold for money, the grain ships have everything. When the grain ships go back and forth every year, it means that the Ministry of Revenue has added hundreds of thousands of silver!
As for the shortage of grain? As long as the Ministry of Revenue makes money, it can buy it directly near the capital. Naturally, there will be businessmen willing to take over the business!
All these are just part of the household business!
Since Zhao Junchen took charge of the Ministry of Household Affairs, he has used the resources and power of the Ministry of Household Affairs to create many ways to make money. While Zhao Junchen and the officials of the Ministry of Household Affairs have made a lot of money, the money and food in the treasury of the Ministry of Household Affairs has also gradually increased.
Being more affluent, in a certain respect, can be regarded as a win-win situation between corrupt officials and the country!
Therefore, judging from what Zhao Junchen has done, it is not an exaggeration to say that Zhao Junchen is a businessman! All his practices are also the practices of businessmen. Under Zhao Junchen's management, today's household department is
A large-scale trading house with influence in all corners of the Ming Dynasty, and Zhao Junchen was the shopkeeper of this business. As for the officials of the Ministry of Household Affairs, they have now become Zhao Junchen's loyal clerks and long-term workers! After all, Zhao Junchen paid them
His salary was much higher than the salary of the imperial court, so naturally the officials of the Ministry of Household Affairs only knew about Zhao Junchen but not the imperial court!
All the Huizhou and Zhejiang merchants present were well-informed and well-informed people, and they were all well aware of what the Ministry of Household Affairs was doing, but they did not know why Zhao Junchen suddenly wanted to do it at this time.
Are you talking about these things? Even comparing yourself to private businessmen?
Therefore, all the Huizhou and Zhejiang merchants were confused and did not dare to speak easily. They just looked at Zhao Junchen with doubtful eyes and waited for Zhao Junchen to continue talking.
They believed that Zhao Junchen’s words must have a deeper meaning!
:Well, two chapters in one.
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