Jia Heng glanced at the Jinyi Mansion officials present, nodded, and said: "Everyone, come to the official hall to talk."
He deliberately avoided polite greetings and acted as if he had arrived at his own Yamen. This was obviously to create a habit of "I am the talker".
Obedience test…
As he spoke, a crowd of people crowded around Jia Heng and headed towards the official office. After more than a month of working together, just as Jia Heng thought, a kind of "superior and subordinate" tacit understanding was gradually formed.
Walking to the official hall, Jia Heng sat behind the eucalyptus, with a serious face and a serious expression, and said: "Ji Tongzhi, count all the gold, silver and property. In the afternoon, I will go to the palace to meet the emperor."
Ji Yingtian smiled and said: "I have already put my clothes on and the secretary has sorted them out. Your Excellency, please take a look."
With that said, he handed it over.
Jia Heng took the book, flipped through it, raised his eyes, looked at Ji Yingtian, and said: "Master Ji, thank you for your hard work, and several other adults have also worked hard. However, the businesses left by the Sanhe Gang, including gambling houses and brothels, are all closed."
Stop, make rectifications. As for other farms and shops, I still need to find suitable people to take over. These are the property of the country and must not be sold at a low price."
Gamblers are not productive and can easily breed illegal activities. He must crack down severely, including underground gambling houses. This move may be contrary to the gambling trend of this era, but it is his personal insistence.
In fact, even the wife of Daguanyuan drank too much and tried to make money, and even the young maids such as Qingwen showed how poor the spiritual entertainment activities of people in this era were.
It seems impossible to completely eliminate the nature of leisure and indolence, and to get something for nothing. However, private gambling houses must be severely cracked down. This type of gambling is often accompanied by the joys and sorrows of families being broken up and families being sold off.
"How about taking out the lottery tickets? Dongcheng Free Trade Zone?" Jia Heng felt a little solemn in his heart.
No one can surpass the times. If he closes all the gambling houses and cannot find alternative entertainment methods, there is no doubt that the people in Dongcheng will go to other places to gamble. As for closing all the gambling houses in Shenjing City...
Not to mention him, even the cabinet ministers do not have such great energy.
As for brothels, it is even more unrealistic to completely eradicate them. The imperial court has a Jiaofang Division of the Ministry of Etiquette, and the income generated by women's houses has continued since Guan Zhong proposed it, and it has continued to this day. Even in later generations... there are rumors that prostitution is prosperous.
However, we can impose heavy taxes on brothels, suppress their living space, and crack down on the forced prostitution of girls and the trafficking of women and children.
"This is a feudal society. The idea of carrying out the three major transformations by one person, divorced from the economic foundation and social consensus, is just a dream. All I can do is to save the Chinese clothes from sinking under the iron hooves of foreign races.
Next, strive for more living space for this ancient nation. As for other things... I can only say that each generation has its own mission, well, we must believe in the wisdom of future generations."
Jia Heng suppressed some thoughts in his heart.
As for Zhuangzi, Tianpu, bidding, etc., he never thought about it at all, because people can't... be too honest.
For the business shop, he found someone to take over, one was the eldest princess of Jinyang, and the other was...his Jia family.
But for the latter, we have to ask the emperor’s intention after all.
According to his idea, it would be best to set up a royal business house and use the royal family to operate the ship and car dealers. However, this should not be done with great fanfare, otherwise, the court officials and civil servants would compete with the people for profit.
"It's quite simple. Just ask the emperor to find a white glove. Well, I think Princess Jinyang is good."
Jia Heng's eyes were deep and his mind was spinning.
It can be said that Princess Jinyang's status is extremely special. This single mother has a pretty good reputation. If she can manage her own business, it will be hard to say anything to her superiors.
Seeing that Jia Heng was silent and had a thoughtful expression on his face, Ji Yingtian was surprised and said loudly: "Checking the property of the Sanhe Gang, the officials from various government offices in Beijing are also paying attention.
In Xiang Yingsheng, there are also merchants who have asked people to inquire about purchases. Can your Excellency please meet them?"
Jia Heng glanced at Ji Yingtian and said: "The shop is a business. I have found a good buyer. The price is absolutely fair. Master Ji will just send them away."
When Ji Yingtian heard this, his lips moved and he didn't know what to say.
He looked at those businesses and shops with envy, and wanted to raise money to buy a hen that laid golden eggs.
Forget it, after this matter is over, he will be an official in the Jinyi Mansion. There are many opportunities like this, so just be patient for now.
Just when Jia Heng was discussing in Jinyi Mansion how to deal with the business, farm, shop, and mansion left by the Sanhe Gang.
Prince Qi's palace is also discussing how to deal with its own business, farms, and shops to make up for the shortfall.
In the study
The mid-noon sun shines through the stained glass windows into the elegantly decorated study.
The King of Qi slumped down on a Taishi chair with his fat body. The fat-headed and big-eared King of Qi County had a pale and fat face at the moment, with a haggard complexion and a dull complexion. Under Broad Bean's short eyebrows, his eyes were densely bloodshot, because
I haven't slept well for half a month, and my lips have blisters.
"My lord, please take care of yourself." The princess on the side, Xiang Shi, was holding a jade bowl and spreading the heat with a spoon. A look of worry appeared on her gentle and soft crystal jade face as she advised.
King Qi sighed, his eyes were blank, and said: "I haven't slept for two days and two nights... It's a total of five million taels of silver. I plundered the cash from all the shops and sold many farms at a discount, so I couldn't afford it.
I can scrape together three million taels, but I really can’t scrape together the rest.”
Not far away, Shi Dou Rong, the head of the palace, was sitting on a golden nanmu chair. His old face was full of melancholy and he said: "My lord, this money is not enough."
"How come I don't know! My father, Long Yan, was so angry this time. Last month, I went to see Grandpa Huang. In front of Grandpa Huang, my father still scolded me with his head covered and his face covered!" King Qi said angrily.
Zhang's chubby face was twitching, his face was livid, and he said angrily: "After all, it's all Jia Heng's fault! I must kill him! Kill him!"
With a roar, he stretched out his hand and swept away the things on the desk, his eyes were blood red, and he roared: "Ten years of business, ruined in one day!"
Princess Xiang's pretty face was a little pale. Seeing how angry King Qi was, Princess Xiang sighed softly and ordered her maids to have her servants clean up the mess.
It was obvious that he was not surprised by King Qi who seemed to be the "Master of Desktop Cleaning".
Dou Rong stood up and bowed: "Your Majesty, please calm down!"
Xu Shaozhen and Monk Huitong, who were sitting not far away, also stood up and offered words of persuasion.
King Qi said: "Calm down, calm down, what should I do now? If I don't have enough, I will sell it as pants! Selling gold and silver jewelry and furniture is an insult to the dignity of the royal family and will definitely anger my father. It is definitely not advisable!"
When several people heard this, they all felt sad.
Princess Qi's eyebrows were raised and her pink lips twitched, and she said: "Your Majesty, why don't I go back to my natal family? Thanks to Your Majesty, my family has improved a lot of business in recent years. If I sell some at a discount..."
King Qi frowned and interrupted: "How much money can your family provide? Even if you sell your property, it will only be less than 100,000 taels, which is a drop in the bucket!"
The profits and dividends he received from the Sanhe Gang over the years have been invested in cultivating his wings and winning over his subordinates. If he is not allowed to sell off his personal belongings for a while, he really can't get out five million taels.
Xu Shaozhen hesitated for a moment and said, "Your Majesty, Xu has a plan here. I don't know whether to say it or not."
King Qi was depressed and was not so polite, so he said: "Say."
Xu Shaozhen was silent for a moment and said: "Your Majesty, since Lin Ruhai, the doctor of Lantai Temple, came to Yangzhou to patrol salt, he has severely cracked down on illegal salt sales. Yangzhou salt merchants are panicked and at a loss what to do. They want to find someone to protect them. Recently, many of them have
They are stranded in Shenjing, will the prince meet them?"
"Salt merchants? These people are extremely rich. Mr. Xu, how can they ask for help from you?" The anger on King Qi's face gradually dissipated, and he asked with expectant eyes.
Dou Rong also said: "The benefits of salt and iron are known to everyone in ancient and modern times."
Seeing the reaction of King Qi and Dou Rong, Xu Shaozhen felt a little proud and said with a smile: "Your Majesty, before I entered the royal palace a few years ago, I traveled all over the country and interacted with all kinds of religions. I also interacted with the Huang family of the Yangzhou salt merchants.
We have met the head of the family several times, and the head of the Huang family is the most philanthropic."
Xu Shaozhen was once a fortune teller and traveled all over the country. He was a eloquent person and naturally had a wide range of contacts.
King Qi's eyes lit up and he said: "Mr. Xu, can these salt merchants solve the gap of several million taels?"
Xu Shaozhen smiled and said: "Their family is rich, two million taels, but it is only a drop in the bucket. It is just a prince. If you give a lot of money to others, you must ask for something. Do you want to see them?"
When King Qi heard this, he was very happy and couldn't wait to ask: "Where are they?"
"It's in the Huizhou Merchants Guild Hall. I didn't dare to disturb the prince, so I asked the young master to deliver the message on my behalf. If the prince wants to see them, I can tell them that I will visit him at his house in the evening." Xu Shaozhen chuckled.
Next, he said.
Upon hearing this, King Qi nodded, his face became more and more pleased, he thought for a while, and said with a smile: "Mr. Xu, tell them to come through the west corner gate."
"Don't worry, Your Majesty." Xu Shaozhen agreed upon hearing this, and got up and rushed to inform the salt merchant.
After Xu Shaozhen left, the sadness in King Qi's heart dissipated a lot. He turned to look at Princess Xiang and said warmly: "Princess, I, Mr. Dou, and Master Huitong are going in to discuss important matters."
Seeing that King Qi's face looked much better, Princess Xiang's worry faded slightly, she nodded her head, smiled gently, and said softly: "Your Majesty, don't forget to have lunch later."
King Qi smiled and said: "I will never forget it."
Princess Xiang smiled and then led the maid out of the study.
After Xiang left, King Qi also led Dou Rong and Master Huitong into the secret room. As soon as they entered the secret room, King Qi asked: "Mr. Dou, what do you mean by this salt merchant?"
When you treat someone with courtesy, you must ask for something. He just eagerly agreed, so the money he sent to your door was in vain... Don't want it in vain!
Dou Rong looked thoughtful and said: "Your Majesty, Tianying reported this matter the day before yesterday. Lin Ruhai, the salt inspector, seems to have the disadvantages of reforming the salt law. He is determined to rectify the salt affairs. These salt merchants may not be able to sit still.
"
King Qi frowned, vaguely feeling that the name Lin Ruhai was very familiar, and asked doubtfully: "Who is Lin Ruhai?"
Dou Rong explained: "Lin Ruhai was a prostitute during the Longzhi period. He was originally from a noble family, but in the fifth generation, he married a daughter of the Rongguo Mansion. He has been patrolling salt in Yangzhou for several years. This person wants to
The disadvantages of the Salt Reform Law are just that..."
"Jia family?!" When King Qi heard this, his eyes widened with anger, veins on his forehead jumped, and he said bitterly: "It turns out that he is from the Jia family! I owe my current situation to Jia Heng's son.
This king and the Jia family are at odds with each other!"
There is also an unspeakable secret hatred in his heart. In front of the palace gate, Jia Heng's son threatened him with the Emperor's Sword.
Rebellious ministers and traitors, a great shame and humiliation!
Seeing that King Qi was furious, Dou Rong smiled bitterly and said: "Your Majesty, the four great families of Jinling, Jia Shi and Wang Xue are all in the same spirit and cannot be shaken. I'm afraid that Your Majesty will seek revenge on the Jia family, so we need to make long-term plans."
"What four major families are just a bunch of drunkards! Apart from a prince Teng and Jia Heng, who else is in power in the court now?" King Qi sneered, with a sharp look in his eyes, and said: "What about the four families?
There are many enemies, especially in the Ningguo Mansion. Everyone has heard about it. Jia Heng's son and Liang Shilang of the Ministry of Household Affairs are in conflict with each other. Yang Ge, the elder of the cabinet, can't stand this guy. Even their relatives and friends of the Jia family don't like him.
If you look at such a lucky little person, you can’t pee in a pot, so there is definitely an opportunity here!”
The King of Qi had worked in the Ministry of Revenue before, so he had many informants in the Ministry of Revenue.
I have a clear understanding of the recent changes in the situation in the DPRK.
Dou Rong frowned, sighed, and said: "Your Majesty, the Ministry of Household Affairs can't find fault with others now. It's hard to ask Jia Yunhui for it. After all, he just made a fortune. As for the Jia family's
Relatives and old friends, as long as Jia Heng remains the head of the Jia clan for a long time, no matter how much they look down on him, they will still treat him with some contempt. My lord, if you don't move now, you'd rather be silent. Everyone in the palace is watching."
When King Qi heard this, he knew that what Dou Rong said was reasonable, and he was inevitably a little irritated. The reason was simple, and this was not a word of comfort.
King Qi said coldly: "This kid, I don't believe he can continue to be so rampant. If he does any unjust things, he will be killed!"
Dou Rong endured a strange feeling in his heart and saw the annoyance in King Qi's heart. Although he felt that King Qi's resentment towards Jia Heng overwhelmed his reason, he couldn't keep nagging him and said: "What the prince said is true. Jia Heng is here."
People who don’t know how to advance or retreat will offend everyone, and one day they will be lost to everyone!”
When King Qi heard this, his face brightened a little, and he said: "Yes, he is the one who has been lost to everyone! I have long heard that the old prince Zhongshun also had a quarrel with the Jia family, and he has been unable to find a chance to deal with them. When the king is lifted from the ban, he will go to visit
Visiting uncle."
Dou Rong's face changed slightly when he heard this, and he said: "Your Majesty, you must not visit Prince Zhongshun. If you want to find Prince Zhongshun, you can wait until you have enough money. Prince Zhongshun is in charge of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. When you contact him, he will wait for an opportunity to spy on you."
The prince’s tone.”
At the mention of silver, King Qi felt a little sad, and said helplessly: "That's the truth."