"Brother Zhang, the number of horses purchased by Ganzhou and Suzhou this year has dropped sharply. It is only 20% of previous years. I wonder how your business is going?" Zhang Pu, the owner of Zhangji Trading Company in Gansu, asked Sun Cheng, the owner of Sunji Trading Company in Gansu, with a frown.
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The horse trade in Gansu was originally mostly controlled by Shanxi merchants. After Emperor Guangwu eliminated the eight major Shanxi merchants who had close ties with the Manchu Qing Dynasty, Shaanxi merchants came from behind. Shaanxi merchant leaders Zhang Xun and Sun Baoren almost divided up most of the Gansu horse market.
The family agreed: the market north of Shandanwei and the market of Shandanwei shall belong to Zhang Xun, and the south shall belong to Sunbao people.
"Hey, the same is true in Lintao, only 20% of previous years." Sun Cheng sighed heavily. "Since the Gansu government established the Horse Trading Co., Ltd., it signed long-term contracts with horse breeders and raised the price of purchasing horses. Their prices
The purchase price is eleven taels for the top foal, nine taels for the middle foal, and seven taels for the bottom foal, which is much higher than ours. Many horse breeders have signed contracts with them."
"Brother Sun, what should we do?" Zhang Pu asked: "How about we also increase the purchase price?"
The Shaanxi Chamber of Commerce has always been united, and the purchase prices are all negotiated and iron-clad. If a business from other provinces wants to buy horses in Gansu, they will be collectively run by Shaanxi businessmen. They will first raise the purchase price and wait to crowd out their competitors.
Lower it again.
"No, as a result, the horse prices in Gansu Province will rise. Firstly, it will reduce the profits of the company. Secondly, we have close relations with aristocratic families in Shandanwei, Yongchang, Liangzhou, Xining, Zhuanglang and other places.
There is no need to raise the purchase price," Sun Cheng disagreed.
Zhang Pu was very unconvinced, "Then let them do whatever they want?"
Sun Cheng sighed, "This company is a joint venture between the government and businessmen, with a very deep background. I heard that the current emperor attaches great importance to Ma Zhengzheng and is very tough. They raised the purchase price, which not only harmed our interests, but also harmed the interests of Shanxi merchants."
.I went to contact the Shanxi merchants and asked the Shanxi-Shaanxi Horse Market in Shanxi, Inner Mongolia, Shaanxi and other places not to trade with the Gansu Horse Trading Company to see who the horses they purchased were sold to."
"Brother Sun, I think this is a very clever plan."
Three months later, Zhang Pu came to Sun Cheng and said, "Brother Sun, it's terrible. The Gansu Horse Trading Company did not trade in the horse market. Instead, it went directly to the inns in various provinces and signed a large order."
"Oh, this is so difficult!" Sun Cheng sat down on the ground.
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Gansu's horse administration and people and animal husbandry have made great progress. Gu Yanwu is in a happy mood. Although great progress has only been made in Ganzhou, Suzhou and Lintao prefectures so far, and the other prefectures have made slow progress, he believes that given time,
A good atmosphere will be created throughout the province where everyone is willing to raise horses.
"Sir, shopkeeper Chen from the horse trading company wants to see you," the attendant reported.
Gu Yanwu smiled. He probably added some more horse breeders or signed a few more big orders to tell him the good news! He had told him that he could come to see him at any time as long as he had company-related matters. This
Shopkeeper Chen is a wonderful person. He comes to report from time to time, mostly to report good news. Occasionally he raises difficulties, and he tries his best to help solve them.
"Senior Gu, something happened." As soon as they met, Shopkeeper Chen's voice was filled with tears.
"Don't worry, please speak slowly." Gu Yanwu poured a cup of tea for him himself, without any airs of a court official.
Shopkeeper Chen calmed down and said: "The sales personnel sent by the company to Shandanwei, Yongchang, Liangzhou, Zhuanglang and other places were all driven back by the local wealthy families. There has been no news about the sales personnel sent to Xining. I guess
It’s more bad than good.”
"What! How bold are these wealthy families? Dare to kill people?" Gu Yanwu couldn't believe it.
Shopkeeper Chen smiled bitterly, "What Councilor Gu doesn't know is that in Gansu, aristocratic families are extremely powerful. Unlike other places, many of Gansu's chiefs and chiefs are controlled by aristocratic families, and they tax the people arbitrarily. The Ming Dynasty conquered one
If taxes are divided, these wealthy families dare to levy two or three cents. "There are no rules for taxation and no inventory of land." These local tyrants are very cruel. They use land rent, corvee, loan sharking and other means to exploit the people, and set up private courts to "expose their backs."
"Nail nails," "clamping wedges," "pulling out tendons," "breaking bones and crutches," and other torture methods used to force rent and debts are countless. The beams in the homes of some rich people have deep grooves worn out because they often beat people." "Lawless, really lawless!" Gu Yanwu was furious. He could not tolerate that in this bright world, there were places that Wang Fa could not control.
"You go back first, I have my own thoughts on this matter."
After sending shopkeeper Chen away, Gu Yanwu went to Ye Chengzui and told the matter.
Ye Chengzu looked embarrassed, "Zhongqing doesn't know that these aristocratic families are extremely powerful. Except for the three prefectures of Ganzhou, Suzhou, and Lintao, most of the chiefs and district chiefs in other areas are held by these aristocratic families. They actually control the local grassroots level.
Civil affairs, and every family has private soldiers, which is not easy to deal with."
"Mr. Ye, is there nothing the court can do against these wealthy people?"
"That's not the case. The imperial court adopted a step-by-step approach to seizing power from these local tycoons. First, they changed the local officials to exiled officials, and then vigorously promoted the lijia system, with li chiefs and the head of the class changing every year. However, these local tycoons were powerful and changed their positions.
Come and go, they are all their people. If you want to move them, you have to use soldiers. Come, follow me to see Tian Fuyuan, it is time to let those local tycoons know that Gansu is the Gansu of the imperial court," Ye Chengzui said angrily. p>
The two came to see Tian Juemao, the governor of Gansu Province. Tian Juemao stroked his beard and said nothing. Over the years, the local tycoons in Gansu Province have treated him with great respect, especially Ma Qi, the patriarch of the Ma family in Xining, who has a good relationship with him.
"You are saying that the Ma family in Xining killed the salesperson sent to Xining by the Gansu Horse Trading Company? Damn it! If this is true, I will definitely punish you severely. But everything must be based on evidence. Without evidence, we cannot send troops at will. You two
Please go back and wait until I have a clear investigation.”
"Please ask the Fuyuan to allocate five hundred elite soldiers to me. I will definitely be able to get to the bottom of this case," Gu Yanwu asked loudly.
"Well, this matter is too dangerous. It's better not to go, Counselor Gu." Tian Juemao didn't want him to go.
"If you want to benefit the country, why fear life and death!" Gu Yanwu insisted on going.
Oops, I've heard for a long time that Gu Yanwu has a Geng Jie temperament. This matter is troublesome! Tian Juemao hesitated for a while.
"Fuyuan, the horse administration matter, the Holy Emperor attaches great importance to it, and has issued orders to inquire about it many times. However, these local tycoons ignored the imperial decree and sent horse trading companies to sales staff in Shandanwei, Yongchang, Liangzhou, Zhuanglang and other places.
, was driven out, and the sales staff sent to Xining even lost news. It is unbearable, and once it is tolerated, the prestige of the imperial court will be lost. I will definitely go to Shusheng to report this matter." Ye Chengzu spoke. Tian Juemao was shocked. The fact that these local tycoons dared to be so presumptuous had a lot to do with his own inaction. If it reached the ears of the emperor, his acceptance of bribes from local tycoons might be exposed. Rather than letting the emperor send someone to investigate, he might as well do it himself
Check, if something happens, you can make a decision immediately.
"Sir Ye Fan, don't be anxious. It seems that we are incompetent when you go to Shusheng. Let's do this. I will send Fubiao guerrilla Tian Zhimu and five hundred elite soldiers to accompany you. We must investigate the case thoroughly and restore a bright future to Gansu!