The 221st chapter of the Xinzi volume is full of people's voices (3)
Although I am a little unfamiliar with Feng Ziying's phrase "stable social environment", based on the experience of the Weng brothers, I can still understand that this phrase probably means a stable world, and both of them felt a sinking feeling in their hearts.
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It is no secret that people in the south of the Yangtze River are restless. The six tribes in Nanjing, including the six tribes in Nanjing, are very resentful towards the imperial court. Especially in Suhu, Changjia, Songhang and other areas with the heaviest taxation among the prefectures, people are even more excited. The imperial court has to increase the number of people in the prefectures in the south of the Yangtze River almost every few years.
Taxation is an important issue in these governments, so it is no wonder that the gentry complained.
But compared to merchants who do not rely mainly on land harvest, this impact is much smaller. Moreover, after the imperial court opened the sea, Ningbo quickly became a major sea trade port, with cotton cloth from Songjiang, silk brocade from Suzhou and Hangzhou, Shaoxing, Ningguo
Dyes, paper and ink, pens and beads from Huzhou, tea and inkstones from Suzhou, Hangzhou and Huizhou, and porcelain from Jiangyou have all quickly become bulk products in maritime trade. It can be said that in just a few years, Ningbo’s maritime trade has become more important than
Before the opening of the sea, the tariffs increased by more than ten times. The tariffs of the Ningbo Shipping Department also skyrocketed, becoming one of the most important tax sources for the Ministry of Commerce.
It can be said that the strategy of opening up the sea had a huge impact on the entire Jiangnan merchants. It not only greatly promoted the transformation of some merchants and gentry into industrial merchants, but also caused some former domestic trade merchants to begin to transfer to maritime trade merchants. Although domestic trade was still
It occupies a large share in the field of trade, but the vast market of sea trade has undoubtedly become a huge supplement to domestic trade, unlike before, it was purely a dispensable addition and was only used by smugglers.
The rapid development of domestic and foreign trade benefits not only from the policy of opening up the sea, but also from a stable social order. No serious businessman wants to live in an era of war.
Especially now that both domestic and foreign trade are expanding rapidly, the commodities of the Great Zhou Dynasty, which occupy the advantage of the industrial chain, are almost crushing to Japan, Korea, Ryukyu, Nanyang and even the West.
The only products North Korea can produce are local specialties such as ginseng antler and deer skin. Japan can provide silver, sulfur, etc. Spices, precious wood, copper, and tin from Nanyang have become bulk supplies, while the Westerners only provide
They can rely on items such as firecrackers and clocks as trading items, or simply use silver to trade, but no matter what, Dazhou's abundant products give them a huge advantage.
But for businessmen, they don't care about this. As long as the purchased goods can be sold at a good price and make huge profits, everything is not a problem. The overflow caused by the continuous input of silver is not theirs.
Things to care about.
For Dongting merchants who not only occupied a considerable position in industry but also began to be deeply involved in maritime trade, they were undoubtedly the least willing to see the conflict between the imperial court and Jiangnan.
Although they were not sure how far the Jiangnan gentry would go to "violent struggle", such as whether they would go on strike, refuse to pay taxes, or even cut off food transportation, if they really went to that point, it would mean that the court might have to
A round of purges of the Jiangnan gentry may even trigger a war. The bloody storm it will bring will definitely bring great harm to the entire Jiangnan commerce. After all, these gentry are not only big landowners, but also a considerable number of them also belong to factories.
Owners and traders.
Licking his astringent and bitter lips, Weng Qiming glanced at Xu Chengdong, who was silent beside him, and then at his brother who lowered his eyebrows in deep thought. Knowing that it was time for him to express his stance, he cleared his throat: "Sir, Jiangnan
Of course I hope that the world will be stable, but you also know that the current Jiangnan tax commission is too high, and the gentry is forced to have no choice..."
In this situation, we must defend the Jiangnan gentry. No matter what we think in our hearts, our outward attitude must be correct. Otherwise, once word spreads, the Weng family will become the target of the gentry in Jiangnan.
"The imperial court levied additional taxes every now and then, and the land power was at an end. How could it withstand such endless tax increases? The gentry also needed to appease and educate the people. Things that were difficult for the government to take care of, such as building bridges and paving roads, all needed to be done by the local gentry, so it was also
We also need to ask the court to understand the hardships of those of us from Jiangnan."
"Who can understand the difficulties of the imperial court?" Feng Ziying also needed to sit up straight, but her face was very calm, "You should be aware of the threat of the Jianzhou Jurchens. The Mongolian left wing invaded the capital last year, bringing millions of refugees, and the imperial court
There is no temporary increase in taxes, right? The Mongolian right wing invades the border every year, and the Mongol and Xihai Mongols are also ready to move. The four northwest towns defend the northwest frontier. The soldiers are soaking in the wind and rain, lying on the ice and drinking snow, although the princes are far away in the south of the Yangtze River.
, can we ignore it? Do we really have to wait until the story of the previous Song Dynasty repeats itself before the princes come to repent? I’m afraid it will be too late.”
Feng Ziying sighed, "Besides, there have been severe droughts in the north in recent years. Jiangnan is not unaware of it, and the court is also in difficulty now. If the court fails to provide relief, causing these refugees from the north to cross the river south, I don't know how the gentry in the south of the Yangtze River feel.
?”
The words were spoken calmly, but they contained a hidden threat.
The issue of refugees from the North has always been the court's biggest concern, numbering tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands at times. Once the court allowed or even supported these refugees from the North to cross the Yangtze River, it would be an unbearable burden for the south of the Yangtze River.
It makes people shudder to think about the devastating blow that Huang Chao's army brought to Jiangnan at the end of the Tang Dynasty. If the court really allowed hundreds of thousands of refugees to go south, some refugees would have nothing to eat, and it would inevitably turn into violent looting and eventually riots.
The people in the south of the Yangtze River have been at ease for a long time. In addition, the elite officers and soldiers of the imperial court are all on the border of the north. The south of the Yangtze River is empty. How can it withstand the impact of these northern mobs?
Weng Qiyang was speechless.
From Feng Ziying's point of view, what he said is correct. There have been severe droughts in the North for many years, and taxes cannot be collected at all. They rely entirely on taxes from Jiangnan to feed the frontier army and suppress the North. If Jiangnan defaults on taxes, this will not affect the frontier army.
No matter what, just being unable to provide relief to the refugees in the North is a huge problem.
"Okay, gentlemen, everyone, everyone has difficulties. The key is that everyone only sees their own difficulties, but ignores others', and unilaterally thinks who should be considerate of whom. If you all hold this mentality,
Then there’s nothing to say.”
Feng Ziying also knew that this was not the place for in-depth discussions. It was enough to make them understand the court's intentions. Moreover, these Dongting businessmen were not the die-hards among the Jiangnan gentry. To be precise, they were allies who could unite and even form alliances.
Those gentry who occupied the main land in Jiangnan, monopolized the imperial examinations in Jiangnan, and attempted to control the entire official power in Jiangnan were the biggest enemies.
All the Dongting merchants breathed a sigh of relief. They were originally invited to join in the fun. If they bought some suitable items, it would be considered as a favor to Xiao Feng Xiuzhan.
The topic really makes people a little breathless.
"You two gentlemen, gentlemen, please. I have arranged a private room for you. It is next to the rooms of several princes. On the other side of you are several members of the Longyou Chamber of Commerce..."
Feng Ziying waved her hand, and the Dongting merchants all bowed and thanked her.
Just as the Dongting merchants left, the Huizhou merchants arrived again, and then the Yangzhou salt merchants also arrived one after another. The entire private room was centered on King Zhongshun's room and extended in an arc to both sides. Yangzhou salt merchants, Dongting merchants, Shan
Businessmen from Shaanxi, Huizhou Business Gang, Longyou Chamber of Commerce, Anfu Chamber of Commerce, and merchants from Fujian and Zhejiang all arrived. Businessmen from Folangji, Hongmaofan, Japan and Korea, and Mongolian noble chiefs from outside the customs also took their seats.
The main items on sale today are antique calligraphy and paintings. Of course, there will also be some other items scattered here and there to prevent customers who are not interested in antique calligraphy and paintings from sitting around all day.
As the number of guests increased, Feng Ziying glanced down at the private room. The lobby downstairs was also full of guests. There was still a cup of tea time before the official sales time at two quarters of the day, so the lobby was already full, even at three o'clock.
There were also a lot of scattered seats outside the entrance. Even so, there were still many people outside who had difficulty entering the venue and could only listen to the sound of water outside.
Feng Ziying sat in the private room of King Zhongshun. In addition to the four princes, Feng Ziying's good friend Wei Ruolan's father, Wei Ziheng, who was also the husband-in-law of Princess Yong'an, and Jia Baoyu's future father-in-law, Princess Yongning
Her husband Niu Jixun also sat in this room, and Wei Ruolan was not qualified to attend such an occasion.
Seeing that the seats were gradually filling up with guests, but there was still time, Jia Qiang took a deep breath while feeling reassured. There was still some time, and he needed to go on stage to hold up the scene. He couldn't be silent, but he couldn't start early. After all, there was still some time left.
Before the guests arrive, some guests have to step a little bit to get there. If it really starts, it means not giving the guests face.
After adjusting her clothes and taking a deep breath, Jia Qiang straightened her chest and abdomen, and stepped onto the stage.
After Jia Qiang came on the stage, she bowed around first, and then the voices in the audience gradually became quieter. People who are familiar with Daguan Tower know that this person is the third shopkeeper of Daguan Tower. The first shopkeeper was Xiao Feng Xiuzhuan.
My close friend Liu Erye, the second shopkeeper is the current big shopkeeper of Haitong Yinzhuang Jingshi, Jia Yunyun Erye, who is also Xiao Feng Xiuzuan's confidant, and the third shopkeeper is this Qiang Erye.
"For all my friends from all over the world, Jia Qiang would like to express my courtesy to you."
Jia Qiang suppressed the excitement and nervousness in her heart, looked around, and tried her best to make her facial expression appear calmer and more calm, so as to avoid showing it in color.
Such an occasion can be said to be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and it is also an excellent opportunity to build the reputation of Qiang Er Ye and Daguan Tower in the capital city. Uncle Feng gave this opportunity to himself, and he must seize it.
He has been practicing for half a month in order to go on stage this time, and he even invited some people to sit down below to practice on stage, which will come in handy today.