Chapter 138 The Unprecedented Merchants Meeting (1)
This middle-aged man's name is Yan Yuhui, and he is the vice president of Yuanshang.
As soon as his words came out, the merchants immediately caused a commotion.
Merchants have money, but no status. Once they are registered as merchants, not only will they not be able to take the imperial examination, but their children and grandchildren will also be unable to take the imperial examination. Therefore, most merchants will try to avoid registering as merchants in order to avoid it.
"President Yan, are you serious?" someone asked immediately below.
"Well, according to reliable sources, this is the case." Yan Yu nodded back.
"If so, that would be really great, this is the gospel we are waiting for!" Someone excitedly said.
Boss Zhong shook his head: "Those are too far away from us. Even if Mr. Zhou has this idea, it may not be easy to realize it. Let's be more realistic and think about how to do it in this investment promotion conference." Take more advantages."
"Not much, what Boss Zhong said is true." Yan Yuhui nodded again.
At the same time, a lot of people gathered in the upper room of another inn in the capital.
They speak more simply than Yuan Shang.
"Master Zhou was from the two gardens. Tell me, will he favor the people from the garden merchants this time?" I didn't know what was arguing before, and everyone was a little excited. During the intermission, one of them suddenly Said.
"It's a little bit, but Mr. Zhou probably wouldn't go too far. I inquired that Mr. Zhou Yi Zhou is only seventeen years old this year. He was born in poverty since he was a child. It has nothing to do with business, even if it is for the sake of fellow countrymen, it may be slightly biased, but it should not affect the overall situation." "Having said that,
we still need to make complete preparations. When the border trade was opened before, They are all based on our western merchants, and this time we can't let other people take the lead." "
That's a good statement, don't fight an uncertain battle, we must first find out what Mr. Zhou's preferences are this week. Strange!"
And the other Yushang didn't fall behind.
Giving gifts and building relationships seems to be an innate ability of the Han people. At this time, Zhou Yi has become a favorite in the eyes of the three major business departments, and has become their customs clearance target. They are all trying to please Zhou Yi. win his favor.
The Border Trade Merchants Fair is coming up, and Zhou Yi is also a bit busy these days. He knows that many businessmen have gathered in the capital, and he also thought that they might come to befriend him first, but he really didn't expect that the battle would be so big.
The first to come to the door was Yuan Shang represented by Yan Yuhui and Boss Zhong.
Zhou Yi received them in the front hall.
"Master Zhou, you are really the pride of our two courts. Now even the children in the two courts know your name, and your reputation spreads far and wide. I can't wait to admire you." On this occasion, Yan Yuhui's status is higher than that of Boss Zhong. , so starting the conversation with him also seemed to respect Zhou Yi. He didn't say anything else when he came up, and he directly pointed out that he was from the same hometown as Zhou Yi, in order to make both of them feel closer.
"President Yan, it's only a fluke that Zhou has been able to
achieve what he is today because of the great love of the emperor. It is not worthy of your praise." "Hey, it is well deserved. Standing on the side alone, Mr. Zhou, if you are lucky, then we should have no face to live in this world..." He and Boss Zhong looked at each other, and Boss Zhong immediately smiled cooperatively.
Zhou Yi seemed to be flattered by him, and he was all smiling.
Seeing Zhou Yi like this, both Yan Yuhui and Boss Zhong heaved a sigh of relief, as long as they like to hear good things.
"Master Zhou, this time the imperial court intends to open up border trade. The elders and elders in our hometown in the two gardens are very concerned, but the grassroots are also very panic. I don't know what the imperial court's regulations are?" It means that I hope Zhou Yi will reveal something to them and talk to them. In the meantime, he also took out a stack of bank notes from his sleeve. Zhou Yi took a rough look and found that there were about two hundred thousand taels.
Seeing Yan Yuhui taking out the banknote, Zhou Yi's expression remained unchanged, and he was still smiling.
This made Yan Yuhui and Boss Zhong happy, feeling that there was something going on.
Unexpectedly, Zhou Yi smiled and pushed back the silver ticket: "President Yan, I will announce all the regulations at the briefing meeting. The merchants provide a fair environment."
"This..." Boss Zhong saw that Zhou Yi didn't have the cashier's receipt, and the smile on his face suddenly became a bit forced, wondering if they gave less?
And Yan Yuhui was stunned for a moment after Zhou Yi said it, but when he came back to his senses, he immediately put away the bank note, "Master Zhou said that with Master Zhou here, the National People's Congress of our two courts Don't worry."
After a while of complimenting Zhou Yi, the two came out of the Zhou residence.
Boss Zhong asked Yan Yuhui suspiciously: "President Yan, why did you put away the bank notes? How do you know that Mr. Zhou thinks that we don't send enough? What if we don't send anything, and people from the other two business departments give it away?" Now, then don’t we suffer for nothing?”
Yan Yu shook his head back: “I don’t think Mr. Zhou is that greedy person. Lu didn't say anything, so when I heard him say that it was the first time he took on such an important role, I took the bank note back. If you just blindly give gifts, it might be counterproductive." Boss Zhong thought thoughtfully when he heard the words
; What do you mean, Mr. Zhou didn’t dare to accept things because of the heavy responsibility of his first appointment?”
Yan Yu sighed: “Who knows, maybe he really wants to accomplish something.
” Not long after Yuan Shang left, people from the other two business departments also visited Zhou Yi one after the other, but Zhou Yi sent them back with a smile on their face, and also did not take anything.
When the three major merchants left, they were all full of stomachs, wondering if they were not liked by Zhou Yi, but after inquiring, they found out, hey, it turned out that the other two competitors were also rejected!
Now everyone put their hearts into their stomachs.
Anyway, since you and I didn't send out gifts, Zhou Yi wouldn't be biased.
These businessmen were not the only ones staring at Zhou Yi. Others were also looking at Zhou Yi. Most of them thought that he would take this opportunity to make a fortune. Not even silver.
Those who had inquired about the news, some laughed at Zhou Yi as pedantic, but some thought that he was serious about managing border trade. However, those who want to take this opportunity to participate in the Yizhou Zhou Yi have not realized their wishes after all.
This matter was naturally placed on the emperor's desk.
Emperor Chongzheng took a look and saw that Zhou Yi had really resisted such a temptation, so he laughed heartily: "Zhou Qing is indeed a good minister." Yes, where can I find a horse that runs fast and doesn't yet eat grass? , When meeting such a horse, it's time for Emperor Chongzheng to have fun secretly.
Because of the gathering of businessmen from all over the capital, the capital suddenly became more lively. Although the status of the businessmen was low, they penetrated like water. Within two days, Zhou Yi's deeds and personality were clearly felt.
Looking at the reports received, people from the three major business departments gathered together for a new round of discussions.
Some people were worried: "Looking at Mr. Zhou's actions, we know that although he is young, his methods are quite sophisticated, and he does not play cards according to common sense. Is there anything we can't see through this investment promotion meeting?"
"As the Minister of Commerce, Mr. Zhou is in charge of commerce. It is a good thing for us to be sophisticated. There is nothing to worry about. As for what the China Merchants Association will be like, we will know when the time comes." Someone who was relieved said.
Under the eyes of all the people, the Border Trade Merchants Fair finally started.
However, before holding the Border Trade Merchants Conference, Zhou Yi also held an explanation meeting, which will explain in detail how the border trade is carried out, and how to regulate the commercial market in the future. No matter whether you are a businessman or not, you can listen to it, but anyone who enters the market Each person needs to pay one thousand taels of silver.
In the end, more than 1,000 people came to this Laoshizi briefing.
Everyone went in full of thoughts, and came out full of thoughts, anyway, none of them was relaxed.
After attending the briefing, businessmen from all walks of life got together in twos and threes to discuss the blockbuster that Zhou Yi dropped today.
But before the conversation, everyone said something first; "Master Zhou is really good at making money." No, a bullshit explanation will net more than one million taels of silver. No wonder they were unwilling to accept gifts before. It's here waiting!
Wouldn't it be nice to earn money without having a reputation of corruption?
"Oh, these are trivial matters, a total of one thousand taels of silver per person, which is not a lot..."
But before the man finished speaking, someone immediately retorted: "It's not too much for each person, but you also Don't look, how many people went to the briefing today, more than a thousand people, is the total number small? Tsk tsk, our Master Zhou is worthy of being the Minister of Commerce, and he can make more money than you and me." "
Okay Let’s put this aside for now, people say whether we will go voluntarily or not, we will go on our own, so we can’t blame them, let’s first talk about the few important things Mr. Zhou said today.” Zhou Yi said at the briefing The upper core focuses on three things: First, a thorough investigation of businessmen across the country, no matter whether they are business or non-business, as long as they are engaged in business, the Ministry of Commerce will be responsible for uniform taxation in the future, and explain how to collect taxes in the future method. Thoroughly regulate the commercial market. Second: Due to the limited energy of the imperial court in the early stage, it is necessary to limit the number of merchants who conduct border trade. Tomorrow's Merchants Fair, the imperial court will auction the quota for border trade. Silver. Third: Maritime trade will be opened after border trade. Three things, each of which is a blockbuster, enough to make a person dizzy. However, those who are interested have noticed that although these three things are very important, in today's briefing, Zhou Yi's explanation on how to regulate the commercial market took up nearly 60% of the entire meeting. Everyone who attended the briefing session was given a pamphlet when they entered the venue. The three major business departments have different focuses. Like Western businessmen, because they are bound to win the border trade, they pay special attention to the border trade.
When I got out of the venue and got this booklet, people from Xishang had already gathered together and studied it for half a day, only to break it down and confirm it word by word.
"The auction of the border trade quota here is not good for us. In terms of financial resources, we will never be able to catch up with the garden merchants. Apart from occupying a little bit of land, we have no people or time." Someone said worriedly.
"That's not counting. I'm afraid that everyone will ignore it if they become popular tomorrow, especially the Yushang gang. When they followed the sea in the early years, they were really crazy. Without them, they couldn't do it." It came out."
"Yeah, who would have thought that Mr. Zhou could come up with such a method this week, we call it a businessman, but compared with this one, the means of making money are nothing compared to this one..." Xishang gathered at the
meeting Discuss together, and Yushang also mutters together.
The news of the opening of the sea trade has completely inspired them. In the early years, they were the Yushang who really followed the court to go to sea. Only they knew how profitable the sea trade was. They had heard rumors that the sea trade might be opened before, but After all, it was not confirmed. Now that Zhou Yi said so, how could they not be excited?
"The opening of the sea trade is the big one, but I don't know when the sea trade will be opened. Tomorrow's bidding meeting, if the border trade quota is too expensive, we will concentrate on the sea trade." "It is said to open the sea trade, but in
case If we don’t open it, we still need to make full preparations, and win the border trade quota if we can.”
After discussing, discussing, everyone found that it’s useless to think too much, so it’s better to focus on how to get the border trade quota tomorrow. serious.
At the end, they muttered in unison: Zhou Yi is so good at collecting money, he can't wait to sift rice out of the chaff.
Zhou Yi, who was being discussed by everyone, was in the imperial study at this time.
He reported the situation of today's explanation meeting to Emperor Chongzheng in detail, and finally said: "Before, I thought that the establishment of a border trade market would require a large sum of money. The meeting has already received one million taels, and tomorrow’s bidding meeting will definitely get more money than today, so it may solve the border trade market and add a lot of money to the treasury!” Zhou Yi smiled, revealing two pointed fingers. Little Huya.
Emperor Chongzheng received the detailed information early this morning, but now hearing Zhou Yi personally confirming it, he still finds it inconceivable.
Although the border trade makes money, it also costs money to maintain it. This is the reason why border trade is banned. The money is earned by the merchants. For those fat officials, the national treasury has not been filled, and such things will naturally not last long.
In Emperor Chongzheng's perception, border trade was such a stupid thing that was not beneficial to the court and could only enrich a few people, but now it seems that it is not that border trade does not make money, but that there is a lack of someone like Zhou Yi who can make money. Courtier.
This is not over yet, Zhou Yi is still continuing to draw cakes for Emperor Chongzheng: "In the future, the Ministry of Commerce will collect taxes uniformly and set tax rates, so as to prevent local governments from doing nonsense and enriching their own pockets. In this way, the more merchants earn, the more tax revenue the court will receive." The higher it is, the higher it will be than the agricultural tax. Within two years, the national treasury will be full, and by then, we will have the money to build weapons, train troops, and open sea trade..." Before Zhou Yi finished speaking, he
said As soon as Emperor Chongzheng grasped his hands, he said eagerly: "Zhou Qing, you can do it freely. If other people have any objections, I will make the decision for you!"
Zhou Yi burst into tears: "Your Majesty, you He is both the monarch of the humble minister and the Bole of the humble minister, even if the humble minister dies, he cannot repay the emperor's eventuality."
"Zhou Qing..."
"The emperor..."
Zhou Yi came out of the imperial study, wiped the corners of his eyes, Damn it, every time he comes to Yushufang, he has to test his acting skills. Thinking of the scene of shouting at Emperor Chongzheng just now in Yushufang, Zhou Yi shivered and felt a chill.
Hey, it's really not easy to do something in this dynasty. It's good for Emperor Chongzheng. Although he is lazy, very happy, cold-hearted, and suspicious, at least he is not an emperor who follows the rules. Zhou Yi did these things that subverted the tradition. If he was a conservative emperor, he would have already slapped him down.
Zhou Yi thought about it, there must be gains and losses. But it's just acting, wouldn't it be good if you practice it.
Zhou Yi used an inexplicable explanation session to make a million taels of silver. Not only the merchants were dumbfounded, but other officials of the court were also shocked. They were all waiting to see Zhou Yi's jokes. It's not good if you don't have money to invest in the early stage. Who would have thought that people would earn so much in a blink of an eye.
talent! Who would have thought there was such an operation? The means to make money are too high bar.
The thoughtful businessmen stayed up almost all night, and got up before dawn the next day. Zhou Yi's so-called Border Trade Merchants Conference was finally held.
This business promotion meeting has simply subverted the imagination of businessmen.
Zhou Yi divided the more than forty countries that intend to open up into several classes according to the size of the market, determined which products each country can enter, and how many merchants can be in the first batch of each type of product. Hammer, indicating that the bidding for places has started.
But before the bidding started, someone asked: "Master Zhou, I don't know if there is a time limit for the places we bid for. If someone wants a place later, do they need to buy it?
" Explanation session.
Zhou Yi was not annoyed when he heard the words, and smiled gently: "The official explained it very clearly at the briefing yesterday, but since there are still people who don't understand, I will explain it again. This round will open a total of 1,000 A border trade quota is valid for five years. As for whether to hold a business promotion meeting, it depends on the situation. Maybe it will be opened in the future, and the price will definitely be reduced. But for everyone sitting here, the five-year quota Time is enough for you to expand your influence in the border trade." As soon
as Zhou Yi said that, most of the people present nodded. .
So there is no objection to Zhou Yi's statement that the price of investment quotas will drop in the future.
Everything is ready, and the border trade quota auction officially begins.
At the beginning, the merchants wanted to be calm and restrained, and not be led by the nose by Zhou Yi, but later, they saw that one by one the quotas fell into the hands of others, and if they didn’t add money, they might not even be able to drink soup. After taking a sip, my mind became hot, and I immediately put aside the words that I warned myself in my heart in the future. Even if it is the same business department, everyone is competing to the death.
"One hundred thousand..."
"Two hundred thousand..."
"four hundred thousand..."
Everyone scrambled to shout the price, lest they be a step too late, as if what they were shouting was not money, but a string of numbers.
In the end, the business promotion meeting lasted from morning to evening, and everyone was so excited that they became dizzy.
Fortunately, Zhou Yi didn't intend to kill chickens to keep warm, and the final price fell on a reasonable figure. Otherwise, these businessmen might be squeezed by Zhou Yi until they lost their underwear. Zhou Yi is sure that there must be spokespersons of those wealthy families, they don't show up themselves, and let others directly bid for the places for them.
Zhou Yi let them go, anyway, there are ways to deal with them later.
A business promotion meeting drained the energy of these businessmen, and they didn't feel emotionally excited at the meeting place. When they left the meeting place, the cold wind blew, and they realized that they hadn't eaten anything all day.
Although the Ministry of Commerce provided working meals, at that time these people were all beaten up, so they didn't have the desire to eat. Now that they have calmed down, they feel that their hungry chests are sticking to their backs.
"Hey, good plan, give me a hand, I'm so hungry that I can't walk." An elderly businessman said to his companion.
It sounds pretty sad.
"Mr. Ma, please wait a little longer. Hey, I just realized today what it means to truly make money. Compared with this Master Zhou, we are simply too ignorant."
The old man called Ma waved his hand, he really didn't have the strength to speak now, so the younger man helped him, went out of the meeting place, and found a restaurant under the service of the servants.
The two of them sat down without saying anything, and started to eat like crazy. Only when their stomachs were full, did Mr. Ma lean back on his chair and let out a sigh of relief.
The man called Liangmou also put down his chopsticks. They are all garden merchants, and they are still fellow villagers with Zhou Yi.
Liangmou took a sip of tea and sighed: "Mr. Ma, why do you think there is such a great person as Mr. Zhou in our two courts?" Speaking of
this, Mr. Ma narrowed his eyes, waved his hands and said: "Our two courts There have been outstanding people since ancient times, you count, how many people are officials in the capital or in the local area, how many people are there in our two courts? But those who are as outstanding as Mr. Zhou are indeed very rare!" "Ah, Mr. Zhou and we came
from fellow countryman, but I don't think he has the slightest thought of fellow countryman." Liang Mou said somewhat dispiritedly.
Mr. Ma shook his head: "You're wrong, Mr. Zhou is already taking care of us." "
Oh, why do you know that?" Liang Mou asked hastily.
"Think about it for yourself. Compared with all the merchants in the world, who has the financial resources of our court merchants? Mr. Zhou used the amount of money to buy and sell border trade quotas, which in itself is taking care of us. Good plan, you have no Did you find out that today there are more than 1,000 border trade quotas in 40 countries, and our garden merchants have almost bought nearly 40% of them."
Liang Moulue thought for a while, his eyes lit up: "It seems to be really..."
"Liang Mou, Which countries' border trade quotas did you buy?" Ma Lao suddenly asked with a smile. They are both tea merchants, and there are quite a few tea merchants that Zhou Yi has opened up.
Upon hearing this, Liang Mou quickly poured a cup of tea for Ma Lao with a smile, and said vaguely: "Hey, how can my nephew compare to you, Ma Lao?
" , showing a tacit smile to each other.
At the end, Liangmou said: "If you say that you can make money, you have to count our Lord Zhou. It really amazes me."
Hearing the words, Mr. Ma also sighed: "Who says it's not? It's hard for Mr. Zhou to think of such a way. I don't know how much money the Ministry of Commerce won in today's investment promotion meeting." A few people pay attention to other things. Thinking about it now, although there is no exact figure for the money they got that day, a rough estimate can make these people dumbfounded.
Since Zhou Yi held the briefing and made a large sum of money with unconstrained style, more people waited and watched today's investment promotion meeting.
Everyone is watching eagerly, how will the commercial department, which Zhou Yi tampered with, will develop.
Many people sent people into the venue, and they did not participate in the auction, they only recorded everything that happened at the venue.
As soon as the investment promotion meeting was over, the exact information was on their desks.
Yang Zhiwen only took a rough look, and his breathing suddenly became thicker. He who had never lost his composure, now opened his mouth and couldn't close it for a long time.
"It's a pity that the old man has lived his life in vain..." Yang Zhiwen muttered softly while sitting on the chair. When it comes to making money, he thinks he has two skills, but after seeing Zhou Yi's methods, he realizes what he is compared to Zhou Yi. He earns money openly, and others rush to give it away.
Hey, the waves behind push the waves ahead.
Zhou Yi immediately entered the palace after finishing the business promotion meeting, knowing that Emperor Chongzheng was still waiting.
Eunuch Zhang who was waiting outside didn't know what happened, but after Zhou Yi entered the imperial study, the emperor's laughter almost pierced through the roof.
I don't know what Zhou Yi and Emperor Chongzheng said in it, but Emperor Chongzheng uttered a few good words again and again, and when he left the imperial study, Emperor Chongzheng personally sent Zhou Yi out.
Eunuch Zhang almost stared so hard that his eyeballs would fall out.
Even if the emperor loves Mr. Zhou, he has never seen him like this before.
Mr. Zhou is really full of favor.
However, Zhou Yi, who was treated so favorably by Emperor Chongzheng, didn't feel so good. He twitched in his heart, made an expression of gratitude, and resigned in panic over and over again, and finally ended Emperor Chongzheng's plan to send him out of the imperial study.
On the spur of the moment, the old man was dazzled by the money he received, and played with the corporal, but after calming down, he felt that what should he do if he hurt Long Wei?
Zhou Yi didn't dare to trust him, even though Emperor Chongzheng treated him favorably, he was still very cautious.
Emperor Chongzheng looked at Zhou Yi's back, and couldn't help sighing: "If you get this minister, most of my worries will be gone!" Even if Emperor Chongzheng had imagined it, he didn't expect that a business promotion fair could make so much money. The treasury of the imperial court can be filled up, and the silver for making firecrackers is also available...
Eunuch Zhang was startled when he heard it. He had never seen Emperor Chongzheng praise a person so much. Your lord this week is really a good trick.
Zhou Yi got out of the palace, heaving a sigh of relief, everything is going according to his plan, I hope it will go well in the future.
The official opening of border trade is after the year.
Years ago, Zhou Yi had to find out all merchants across the country, including those fake merchants with the names of landlords.
The next day, the news was published in the Dai Viet Times. The article stated that no matter whether you are a merchant or not, as long as you are engaged in business, you must pay taxes to the Ministry of Commerce. Even more, 10% more, but at the same time, it is also declared in the article that all commercial activities will be taken over by the Ministry of Commerce. If the local government sets up a pretentious name and entrenched deductions, as long as it is verified to be true, the Ministry of Commerce will definitely follow up to protect the interests of the merchants. At the same time, it also published a number of regulations for regulating the market.
The signature is still Zhou Yi.
As soon as this article was published, it caused an uproar in the whole country.
Everyone was talking about it, and the Ministry of Commerce blatantly stood up and shouted for the merchants.
However, the merchants who were supported were not so happy. It is of course good to have a specialized agency that speaks for them, but at the same time, it also imposes heavy taxes on merchants, and this market regulation...
At Yuanshang's inn, they did not know how many times they got together again. Ever since they came to the capital, there was not a single day when they were not discussing.
Yan Yuhui still sat in the middle, Boss Zhong sat at the bottom of his head, and the others opposed each other.
"President Yan, what do you mean by Mr. Zhou this week? Does he really want to improve the status of the businessman?" Someone asked.
"I don't think it's fake. Over the years, we have been deducted enough by those local officials. Now there is a special court agency to make decisions for us. What's wrong?" Someone immediately replied.
"But Mr. Zhou's taxes are unprecedentedly heavy. We have worked hard to earn some money, and we have to manage various officials, and then pay such a heavy tax. This... this is really unaffordable." Someone said bitterly. Said in a voice.
"Didn't Mr. Zhou publish it in the newspaper? If any local officials continue to make things difficult for us, the Ministry of Commerce will definitely chase after him to the end!" As soon as he finished
speaking, the others shook their heads and smiled wryly.
"Why, you don't think so? Mr. Zhou lied to us?" the man asked.
"Shao Zhong, you are still too young. We don't know if Master Zhou lied to us or not, but can he be a Beijing official to take care of this local matter? Besides, we are businessmen, how can we do business if we don't manage the relationship between all parties?" One person shook his head and said.
"However, I have looked at the matter of regulating the market. If it can be implemented, it is indeed feasible. Although there are more restrictions on us, a regulated and transparent commercial market is at least a guarantee for us law-abiding businessmen, but I don’t know if Mr. Zhou has the courage to implement this regulation! There is a lot of resistance!” Successful businessmen rarely have Bai Ding who can’t read big characters. On the contrary, many businessmen are familiar with classics and history, and know what Zhou Yi is doing now It is no different from those reformers in history. If they are not careful, they will lose everything. Yan Yuhui waved his hand: "We will do what the imperial court says. Looking at Master Zhou's actions in the past, we know that he is not a person who just talks about it. Since it has been published in the newspaper, it means that he has a certain degree of certainty."
Discussions have been discussed, but no conclusions have been reached.
Zhou Yi invited Emperor Chongzheng again the next day, and told him that he planned to open a business academy in the capital. The academy also taught other things, but the most important thing was to teach business affairs. After the students pass the school examination, they can work in the Ministry of Commerce.
"Your Majesty, those people in the Ministry of Commerce don't know anything about business. I have spent a lot of effort to teach them. Now that the opening of the border trade is imminent and the market is regulated, the Ministry of Commerce also needs to be stationed in the local area, otherwise it will not be possible. Achieving management requires a large number of talents who are proficient in business affairs, so the humble minister thought about it, and simply taught those who are interested in this field. If the humble minister speaks a little bit of nonsense, I ask the emperor to judge." Zhou Yi bowed to the end.
Emperor Chongzheng frowned and thought for a while. This is not a trivial matter, and it is a subversion of tradition. Since ancient times, other than being kind, one has to take the imperial examination to become an official. But now, according to Zhou Yi, it is tantamount to skipping the imperial examination. In this regard, the staff of the Ministry of Commerce are independent of other court agencies.
If other people find out, they will definitely say that this is not in accordance with the rules.
But...
Emperor Chongzheng looked at the bowed Zhou Yi, who told him that he was in a good mood now, Zhou Yi had earned a lot of money for him, and although the method he proposed was somewhat obstructive, it was not too difficult.
"Okay, just as you said, Zhou Qing, I expect a lot from you now..." Emperor Chongzheng let go of his frowning brows, looked at Zhou Yi and said.
This is also a warning to Zhou Yi, if you give him privileges, you must do things for him properly.
Zhou Yi naturally understood the meaning of Emperor Chongzheng, and lowered his body even lower: "The humble minister will definitely be heartbroken, and he will not hesitate to do so." Zhou Yi walked out of the palace, turned around to look, and
curled the corners of his mouth. The school is not all for the sake of Cultivating talents for the Ministry of Commerce is also accumulating contacts for himself, cultivating his own influence, and entrusting his destiny to the emperor, Zhou Yi feels more and more unreliable.
Even though he flattered Emperor Chongzheng so much, Emperor Chongzheng could still say that he would slap him and slap him off.
Moreover, Emperor Chongzheng was quite happy with the others. Although he had to show off his acting skills from time to time, after the new emperor ascended the throne, would he be able to accept Zhou Yi's thoughts?
In Zhou Yi's opinion, this kind of thing that depends entirely on luck is too unreliable, so he wants to leave a way out for himself, to make a noise of his own thoughts, and let a large group of people stand behind him, so that even if he is The emperor of the emperor did not dare to touch him easily.
Of course, Zhou Yi didn't want to go to that step, but he had already reached this step, and it was impossible to retreat, so he had to go forward bravely and put on thick armor for himself.
Zhou Yi said that he would thoroughly investigate the affairs of the merchants, and he took action on the second day after the newspaper was published. On the one hand, after obtaining the emperor's consent, he ordered the local authorities to report, and on the other hand, he sent out all the existing people in the Ministry of Commerce. verification.
And he himself officially started to establish a commercial academy.
As expected, as soon as this matter was brought up, it was opposed by most people in the court. Zhou Yi actually tried to bypass the imperial examination and directly select the personnel of the Ministry of Commerce. Isn't this starting anew?
First of all, the Minister of the Ministry of Officials quit. It is the business of his staff to transfer and choose personnel. Now that Zhou Yi is blatantly seizing power, he will naturally refute fiercely.
"Lord Zhou, I admit that you are very good at making money, but for thousands of years, anyone who can be an official of the imperial court has to study hard for ten years and pass the imperial examination before he can be officially qualified. If you do this, what will scholars all over the world think?" ?”
The Minister of the Ministry of Officials and Zhou Yi have fought against each other several times, and they know that this kid is not easy to pay too much, so they used righteousness to suppress him as soon as he came up.
Compared with the excited mood of the Minister of the Ministry of Officials, Zhou Yi was much calmer. He said with a smile: "What do scholars in the world think? If they think it is unfair and want to work in the Ministry of Commerce, they can also study in the Commercial Academy. There is no threshold for this commercial academy, anyone can come in, and after entering the commercial academy, he can also take the imperial examination, it's just an extra path..." Zhou Yi said with a smile.
Wan Yihu looked at Zhou Yi's smiling face, wishing he could reach out and scratch him to death.
"You...are irrational!" Wan Yihu took a step back with his eyes wide open, apparently very angry.
Zhou Yi added fuel to the flames, "Lord Wan, don't be angry, don't be angry, we are civilized people, speak well, the truth will become clearer the more you argue, if you think something wrong with the official, you can completely refute it." I'm a lowly official, getting angry will hurt your body..."
Wan Yihu clutched his chest, defeated by Zhou Yi's cheekiness.
He simply stopped talking to Zhou Yi, and directly faced Emperor Chongzheng: "Your Majesty, it is outrageous for Mr. Zhou to act like this. This is ignoring the rules of the ancestors. What a sacred thing the imperial examination is. If Mr. Zhou is allowed to act recklessly, If things go on like this, where are the guidelines and rules!" Wan Yihu knelt down on the ground with a mournful voice.
"Your Majesty, I think what Master Wan said is right. The imperial examination is the foundation of our country and cannot be shaken in the slightest. Master Zhou's move will definitely disturb the court. If the scholars in the world know it, they will not be convinced." The Minister of the Ministry of Rites stood up. Said.
"Second minister..."
"Second minister..."
Even Tao Dihua stood up this time.
Emperor Chongzheng closed his eyes. He also felt that he agreed too hastily. The imperial examination is not a child's play, and there is no room for slack.
"Zhou Qing, you can talk about it yourself." Emperor Chongzheng pointed at Zhou Yi and said.
Zhou Yi came out, knelt down on the ground, and said with a little hesitation: "Your Majesty, it's my minister who didn't think carefully, but your majesty, the people sent to me by the Ministry of Officials don't know anything about business. The Ministry of Commerce thinks It is very difficult to unfold, I think you adults have received your monthly salary on time this month, which shows the role of my commercial department, if you adults can find a way to solve it, the lower officials will naturally follow." Zhou Yi said so,
let Most of the officials in the hall frowned, especially the Minister of the Household Department. A business promotion meeting directly filled the treasury. He didn't want the Ministry of Commerce to fail due to accidents.
"My loves, since you are against Zhou
Chapter 138 The Unprecedented Merchants Meeting (2)
Qing's suggestion, so if you have any solution, you can bring it up. "Emperor Chongzheng glanced at the hall and said slowly.