Four hundred and thirteen chapters, the rule of the first king
(please remember
(please remember
Chapter 413: The Rule of the Former King
It is said that Li You threw out the concept of general merchants. There was silence for a moment in the courtyard. Every salt merchant was digesting this shocking proposal. Then people began to whisper to each other, and then the sound became louder and louder, and the whole courtyard was filled with buzzing discussions.
.
I don’t know what other people think, but six of the seven giant businessmen, except for Jin Wanwan who temporarily transformed into a sober and calm observer of the party, all showed a hint of yearning.
Those who are as wealthy as they are are more eager for pursuits other than money. Such as power, status, and honor.
Li Youti's general merchant is clearly a kind of official merchant, and he is the official certified salt merchant leader, not to mention that he also has the authority granted by the government to manage small merchants. This kind of name and status is much higher than that of the seven giant merchants.
This kind of folk name is very attractive.
Apart from the reputation factor, and serving as the general merchant proposed by Li You, there are two practical benefits. One is to amplify one's own power. If you manage twenty small merchants, you will have the power of twenty;
As a representative of small businessmen dealing with the government, you can get some opportunities to enrich your own pockets and manipulate others.
However, there are also disadvantages to being the general merchant. You have to take on some responsibilities. In a sense, it is equivalent to acting as a guarantee for the small businessman to the government. If there is a problem with the small business's operation, the general businessman will have to pay the full amount to the government for him.
Apportioned tax.
However, a comprehensive analysis shows that powerful outliners are still eager to give it a try, even if they suffer a small loss. Those who are worried about losses are short-sighted and cannot make plans.
Of course, there is something called reason that restrains the unrestrained imagination of the giant businessmen. As the general manager of the guild, He Yunzi is closest to Li You. He stepped forward and asked: "There is no precedent for the general businessman's theory. Why does Li Taishou think it can be a precedent?"
?”
"At least this time to rectify the salt matter, I have limited energy. I will not deal with small merchants and only deal with the general merchants. Therefore, you, the general merchants, must introduce some general merchants to avoid delaying the important affairs of the court. And I will make a briefing at the meeting.
Please ask the imperial court to issue an edict and provide certificates to recognize your status as general merchants, and make this a legal rule by virtue of the inheritance from generation to generation."
Although the salt merchants may not have much favorable impressions of Mr. Li, after all, Li You has tormented the salt industry merchants a lot, but they all have a feeling of disbelief in what he said.
Since Mr. Li took office in Yangzhou, the laws and regulations have been strict, the disciplines have been awe-inspiring, and his majesty has been inviolable. Those who do not believe this have paid a heavy price. Even Ding Yunshi, who is like a figure in the sky in the eyes of the salt merchants, has to shut up and reflect on himself for three months.
go.
In the past, all the salt merchants would have mumbled a few words at first, and then looked at the tone of the Salt Transportation Department. Now it seems that all they need to do is listen to what Mr. Li said.
Smart people have already thought that if the "General Merchant" is appointed and endorsed by the imperial court, then the General Merchant will have much more confidence in dealing with the Transportation Secretary. Although he still has to rely on the Salt Transportation Division to make money, he does not need to be as thorough as he is currently.
Being groveling and showing no resistance is not necessarily a bad thing.
The small and medium-sized salt merchants were still talking like crazy, but the big salt merchants could only look at each other and signal that this matter should be good...
However, what worries the outline businessmen is that most of their peers are from Huizhou, and it is difficult to force them to show off their dignity. If 300 small businessmen fight fiercely and refuse to rely on each other, they will not be able to bear it. Can they?
What is the feasibility of convincing small businessmen?
He Yunzi, the general manager of the guild, thought about this and asked insinuatingly: "How many general merchants does the prefect intend to have? Who is the general merchant?"
Li You lowered his head and took a few sips of tea, and replied casually: "This is your salt merchant's own business. How do I know?"
"The governor's intention is unclear, so what should we do?" He Yunzi was surprised. Was it just to announce that this matter was going to happen? He Yunzi was very surprised. Was it just to announce that this matter was going to happen? A paper notice was enough to do it.
Li You slammed the tea cup on the table and scolded softly: "You salt merchants can't do anything without me? Everyone is here, how can I teach you how to launch a general merchant?"
"Please give me some instructions from the prefect."
Mr. Li looked up into the distance and said leisurely: "I understand your concerns, but all problems can be solved through democratic methods."
People who were closer to Li You were all stunned when they heard this sentence. Jin Wanwan wondered: "What is democracy? I have never heard of it."
Li You's voice was confusing, "Democracy is omnipotent and can cure all diseases. Democracy is the best way. You have all heard of Yao, Shun, and Yu in the ancient world of great harmony. They were elected democratically. I am now
This time I have given you democracy, so you must also believe in democracy."
Mr. Li's few words were like a tongue twister, and the major salt merchants continued to be confused. They seemed to understand, but they didn't understand. Is it necessary to appoint a designated general merchant?
"To put it bluntly, problems are solved through one person, one vote." Li Youpu finished the democratic mantra that was hundreds of years ahead of his time. Thinking that of course he was also creating problems through one person, one vote, he stood up and left the public case, stood on the steps, and immediately moved down the steps.
The crowd's attention was attracted.
Li You spoke loudly: "In fact, it is a good thing to have a general merchant. To be honest, when those of you with meager wealth deal with the government, don't you find it difficult, burdened, and angry? In the future, you will have a general merchant to stand up for you. How can you
How much effort will be saved? And I know that you will inevitably have doubts, so I will give you the opportunity to choose freely. You can choose a general manager who is good in character, willing to help others, and trustworthy!"
After a pause, Li You added: "Besides, I didn't say that you have to be a big businessman! People who are eager for justice can also serve as general merchants. Everyone has a chance! Every one of you has the qualifications to become a general merchant.
Possibly, at this point, I am kind-hearted and will treat you all equally! The selection process will begin below, and everyone can step forward to choose the general merchant they identify with!"
People who were accustomed to having everything assigned by the government began to get excited after they had the right to make their own choices...
Free choice! Some people start to think about which big businessman has a good relationship with them. In the future, if they can legally entrust powerful businessmen to deal with the ghost-like government, they can save a lot of trouble, which is indeed not bad...
Everyone has a chance! Some people begin to consider the possibility of becoming a general manager, and it is always okay to recruit a few people to support them...
After Li You finished speaking, several officials opened their books on the public case next to them, and each held a writing brush in preparation.
The crowd took turns to come forward and report their choices, and the officials wrote them down carefully. In less than an hour, the officials counted the results and presented them to Li You.
After Mr. Li finished reading, he angrily filmed the public case loudly, and turned to Mr. He: "I have good intentions to give you freedom and democracy, but you have elected two hundred chief businessmen! How is this different from before?
The difference? It’s such a disappointment to my good intentions. It’s just a mess of random choices! Isn’t it possible to choose a few candidates who are highly respected and well-respected by the public?”
Li You's rebuke was so loud that it spread throughout the courtyard. He Yunzi, who regarded himself as an industry representative, was ashamed and felt ashamed of the low quality of his colleagues.
Jin Wanwan came forward to smooth things over and said, "Then let's cancel it."
"How can democratic choice be invalidated? We can only continue to deepen it!" Li You flatly rejected his father-in-law's proposal.
He stood up again and issued an order to the crowd: "I will continue to grant you freedom and democracy unswervingly! From these two hundred people, we must choose wise men who are satisfactory and popular! I have heard that.
During the reign of the late king, the world was a public institution and the virtuous were elected. Today is a good story about the election. Don’t you want to emulate the rule of the late king and be famous for generations to come?”
Under the bright spring sun, Mr. Li's image is extremely radiant. On the left, the rule of the previous kings, and on the right, the world of great harmony, like an ancient sage who was compassionate and compassionate.
The salt merchants are all from wealthy families, and most of them have studied since childhood. Although they cannot make progress in terms of fame, most of them pride themselves on being half-Confucian and half-businessman. They are three generations of ancestors and know everything about the era of Datong.
Hearing Mr. Li mention the height of "the rule of the former king" seemed to have touched a certain chord in my heart. When they stepped forward to vote, everyone looked solemn, bowing and giving way as they stepped forward and back, as if they were participating in a major ceremony, and the whole courtyard fell into
In a strange religious atmosphere.
Jin Wanwan, who did not study as a child and was not deeply immersed in Confucianism, was dumbfounded by this.
More than half an hour later, the new round of results came out. In the first round, more than 200 people were eliminated, and more than 160 people were eliminated. There were exactly 50 people left, almost all of whom were well-known outline dealers.
"It's still a bit too much. Cut it off in half and it'll be about the same." Li You sighed.
However, after looking at the remaining list, some outliners who were determined to win felt a great sense of crisis. In this round, one person who had a promising lead of 20,000 failed to win, which sounded the alarm for them.
If we continue the new round of elections in such a hasty and unprepared manner, without even giving a chance to win over people, every one of them, including the seven giant businessmen, may be defeated.
At this time, Mr. Li suddenly suspended today's process. "The sun is high today and you are exhausted, so we will stop here. The final election will be held in three days!"
Like the sound of nature, the outline dealers who were determined to win were relieved after hearing this. They could make a lot of preparations in three days. For the first time, they discovered that Mr. Li turned out to be a very good person and was no longer so hateful as a jade-faced Shura.
The crowd gradually dispersed, but Jin Wanwan did not go home. He followed his son-in-law and chatted, "You clearly meant to let us outline dealers become the general dealers, but you made so many twists and turns. It was just a recommendation shell."
, and all the small merchants were trapped in it. Today I finally understand how Yao, Shun, and Yu became Shang, Tang, and Zhou Wu."
Li Youxiao said with great righteousness: "This is following the example of the previous king, recommending talents and promoting talents. The candidates are all recommended by you Gangshang. Anyone who opposes it will oppose the common choice of the three hundred families!"
Jin Wanwan snorted: "What's the point of free choice? You only let us choose who will be the general merchant, but can you let us choose whether to set up a general merchant?"
Li You smiled and said, "Then do you agree with the establishment of a general merchant?"
"Agree!" Jin Wanwan replied simply.
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