Chapter 163
There was no further news from Zhou Yi, so these people had no choice but to go back home.
In the past few days, the capital has really gathered high-profile customers from all over the world.
In an inn, almost all the Yu merchants lived, and they were gathering together at this time. Originally, the opening of the sea trade by the imperial court should be a joyful thing for the Yu merchants, but at this time their faces were full of joy. Deep melancholy.
"Hey, it's not just us who specialize in business this time. Many aristocratic families are ready to take a share. How can our little energy compare to them!" Someone sighed, yes, this is what they are worried about. s reason.
Because the money from the border trade has already made everyone salivate, if it weren't for the fact that Zhou Yi's methods were too tough and there were no loopholes in the management of the Commerce Department, those powerful families would have been ready to intervene in the border trade.
Before, it was because they were not optimistic about the border trade, and they always felt that Zhou Yi was going to finish playing, and they guarded the land they had accumulated without paying taxes to the court, so how leisurely they lived.
However, this situation has quietly changed since the Ministry of Commerce opened the border trade, and with the booming development momentum of the border trade.
Although aristocratic families or wealthy country gentry have enclosed a lot of land, there must be someone to plant these lands. In the past, farmers had no second way out. No matter how much these landlords exploited them, they had to accept it.
However, with the development of border trade, many new small workshops came into being, and those big businessmen also needed many workers. Zhou Yi also provided preferential conditions for these workshops to hire refugees, and many places even found people to work everywhere. Farmers who did not own land found that they had another way to go, and the money they got from working was much more cost-effective than working hard on the land and possibly not being able to fill their stomachs.
For the first time, those landlords who hoarded a large amount of land discovered that even if Zhou Yi did not reform the tax system on the surface, it seemed that they did not violate their interests, but judging from the current results, they really suffered a big loss .
In order to find farmers, they had to lower the rent again and again, from 60% before to 40% now.
This is such a bloody result. They took all precautions at the beginning, just to prevent Zhou Yi from taking the land tax, but they didn't expect to be in such a situation now.
This made the wealthy families who encircled a large amount of land feel chills! This is the result that Zhou Yi himself did not expect when the matter developed in such a way? Or did Zhou Yi know from the beginning that such consequences would happen, but he dug a hole early for them to jump into it foolishly? In vain, they still thought it didn't matter to open border trade at that time, and they wanted to see Zhou Yi's jokes, who the hell read whose jokes!
In Zhou Yi's eyes, they are a bunch of fools! ! !
And now that the vigorous sea trade is about to start again, they have already missed the opportunity to start border trade. With a big pie like sea trade in front of them, they can't bear it anymore.
From the imperial court's point of view, the benefits brought by the opening of border trade are obvious, but among the private sector, new small businesses have sprung up like mushrooms after rain. This is the general trend, and no one can change it. Even if you don't consider the general situation, if you say Zhou Yi alone, you can beat a group of them. The fighting power is so strong that people are afraid, and Emperor Chongzheng is protecting Zhou Yi openly and secretly. Impossible.
And they are also reluctant to let the business stay silent like this. Compared with the huge profits of the business, the rigid income from farming is nothing!
As soon as this person finished speaking, someone immediately interjected: "That's right, don't say anything else, just talk about our mansion, those scholarly families who have always flaunted their nobleness, this time they also secretly sent people. It seems that they I have made up my mind to play a role in the maritime trade!"
Merchants have money, but they have no power after all. Those big families that have grown up with the country, and even have gone through several dynasties, their relationships are intricate, and they are more complex than theirs. I don't know where the energy of these simple businessmen is.
Of course, money can turn ghosts around, and when a businessman grows bigger, he can maintain some relationships if he is willing to give up money, but that is attachment, and there are no such powerful and powerful families who can stand up.
"Now it depends on how big the appetites of these aristocratic families are. I just hope that they don't want to monopolize it!" Yushang's chamber of commerce president sighed.
"President, that's not the case, Mr. Zhou will definitely not sit back and watch this happen!" Someone immediately said.
The Yu Chamber of Commerce sighed: "Master Zhou's intentions are good, but he only has one person after all. Yu Liang, this time it's not just one or two, but all the big families are eyeing Shanghai Trade. Arm, if you block these people, you will be outraged!" When
he said this, the solemnity on the faces of all the people below increased a bit at the same time.
"Is there no way? We don't want to prevent these aristocratic families from intervening in the sea trade, but we just hope that they will not eat alone, and that the quota will not be controlled by them." The president of Yushang smiled wryly and shook his head. He really didn't know this
. How to solve the chess game, Mr. Zhou...should have a solution, right?
Not only Henan merchants, Yuan merchants, Western merchants, but also some small merchants taking advantage of the emerging border trade are also analyzing the current situation. Of course, they are involved in a deeper level, know some twists and turns, and understand this seemingly prosperous and peaceful capital. What kind of undercurrent is surging underneath.
And there are some like Da Zhuang who don't know anything, just because the prospect of business is so good, in order to change their fate, they don't care about anything and jump in.
Later generations will call this period the beginning of the age of great voyages, a sea gold panning road created by Zhou Yi himself, which also laid a solid foundation for the later Huaguo to hollow out the other side of the ocean and stand at the top of the world.
But people who live in this period of history, they will not understand what kind of historical corner they are in. Even if the waves are surging, a small wave can only drift with the current!
Of course, the aristocrats of the aristocratic families that the merchants are worried about are not idle. They don’t need to form a group like the merchants, because in the opinion of these aristocratic families, they have a long history, and now the main competitors are other aristocratic families. As for those merchants in their eyes , but nothing worth mentioning rabble.
People from the former dynasty, from the south, from the west, hou, gong...all flocked to the capital from all over Da Viet.
In a house in the capital, this house is located on South Street, it looks inconspicuous from the outside, but when you enter the inside, you find that there are all kinds of pavilions, terraces and buildings. But at this time, everyone sitting in the hall obviously has no intention to see House.
Sitting at the top are two men who are close to destiny, and a dozen men below sit at both ends, "Patriarch, this time the court opened sea trade, and those semi-hidden families are about to move, let alone those in the capital. I'm afraid it's not easy to get a piece of the pie!"
Among the two old people sitting at the top, the younger one is the patriarch, with a beautiful beard, he only slightly raised his eyebrows when he heard the words, but he One person at the head snorted: "What are these so-called aristocratic families in the capital in front of our Zhongli family? What! If our Zhongli family hadn’t been dormant, who among these so-called aristocratic families could stand shoulder to shoulder with our Zhongli family!” The
speaker was about 30 years old, and when he said this, he had an obvious expression on his face. pride. Zhongli's family, before the founding of the country, the famous family of Dali, with the annihilation of the Dali, the whole family also hibernated, Dai Viet has gone through three dynasties, and when it is about to enter the fourth generation of emperors, it has already passed the danger During this period, Zhongli's family also felt that it was time to be born. This time, the imperial court opened up maritime trade, and they planned to use this to start the first shot of their family's birth.
As soon as the man finished speaking, the patriarch sitting at the top shouted: "The clan has given you thousands of warnings, even if our clan has gone through a long time, don't get arrogant. No matter how long we have established a clan, the clan No matter how good the disciples are, they have not been born after all, if you provoke them like this outside, wouldn’t you be causing trouble for the family?” “
Yes, patriarch, I was wrong.”
This man recognized his mistakes very quickly, and there was no resentment on his face , it can be seen that Zhongli's family is indeed strict in family rules.
"There are so many people gathered in the capital this time, and the gods from all walks of life want to show off their skills. Although Zhongli's family has been dormant for a long time, we may not be afraid of them. Just follow the plan." "Yes, patriarch.
"
Patriarch As soon as he said it, all the members of Zhongli's family below immediately agreed.
"However, Mr. Zhou who presided over the bidding meeting this time is really a talent. When we act, we should try our best not to offend him.
" The rent has been greatly reduced, if he hadn't caused so many things, why would we bother so much to get a share of the business, could it be that this tone is so bearable, and we can't cause him any trouble?" It was still the one who said before Someone said, among the dozen or so people, it seems that he is the most impulsive. The patriarch closed his eyes, then opened them, and glanced at all the clansmen in the hall: "Lao Qi, you are too impulsive. Think about it, how did
Zhou Yixing implement his business step by step?"
The court meeting will begin!" Lao Qi said angrily.
"What about you, second child, talk about your thoughts." The patriarch looked at another man sitting on the left.
"If I remember correctly, at that time Zhou Yi used to reform the land tax to make the officials in the court obey if there was
no business." "That's right." It would be fine if we didn’t reform the land tax, but what we thought was insignificant at the beginning has now grown into something huge, and even Zhou Yi has achieved his goal from the side!”
"Patriarch, no way, what do you mean to say, all this is within Zhou Yi's expectations now, and he develops business to attack us clans?" The patriarch still shook his head and smiled lightly: "You,
Yanque An Zhi's great ambition, you have seen the results of his business development. Since the establishment of business trade, the refugees in Dai Viet have become less and less, and the income of the people has increased. Outside the family, this is indeed a great strategy that benefits the country and the people! It is so intertwined, we were still complacent in stopping him at the beginning, but now it seems that he is taking a step and counting a hundred steps, and this person is in In the face of the general trend of the country, he can also strategize. How can such a person go to such lengths to attack our family alone! Unexpectedly, I thought that the climate of Da Viet was over, and seeing the collapse of the dynasty was just around the corner. For a person like Yi, it seems that Da Yue really shouldn't be angry!"
The patriarch's rebellious words did not elicit much reaction from the other people in the hall, as if it should have been.
In fact, this is also the case. The Zhongli family started in the Dali, and was later taken over by the old Zhu family and founded Dayue. Naturally, they, a big family in the previous dynasty, were suppressed. Fortunately, they knew the current affairs and surrendered to the founding emperor of Dayue in time. A large amount of belongings were distributed, and Zhongli's family was still afraid that the old Zhu's family would rise up, so they directly took them under the knife, simply moved the family, and all went into hibernation. In this way, after several dynasties, who will remember these Chen Guzi and rotten sesame seeds? thing. They dared to come out openly, but they were suppressed by Lao Zhu's family, so they naturally didn't like the royal family of Dayue, and they directly blamed Dayue for the reason why the whole family had to go into seclusion. It is not surprising that Dai Viet is about to be destroyed!
"But according to what he said at the court meeting before, he really doesn't like to see us clans who enclose land. What if he deliberately doesn't give our clan a quota for sea trade this time?" Lao Qi asked again.
Patriarch Zhongli suddenly laughed, "Then we don't need to worry about it. Some people are more anxious than us. He ruined so many people's jobs, how dare he stop everyone from finding another way out? If that's the case, then he can't be an old man." Such a compliment, Zhou Yi is a terrifically smart person, he will not be outraged!"
Hearing what the patriarch said, the clansmen below were slightly relieved.
Zhongli's family is not the only one discussing Zhou Yi's family. It probably means the same as the patriarch of Zhongli's family. It was Zhou Yi's business and trade that made them fall into this situation. It was Zhou Yi who ruined their jobs. To find a way out, if they are not allowed to intervene in maritime trade, then everyone will die together.
People from all walks of life are hiding in their own places and buzzing, constantly discussing countermeasures and inquiring about news. As the day of the sea trade bidding meeting is getting closer and closer, although it is almost autumn, the atmosphere in the capital seems to be stickier than hot summer. Thickened a bit.
As for Zhou Yi, who was secretly watched by everyone, his routine was no different from his usual routine. All the people who visited him were kept out of the door, and they went to the office on time, and Zhou Yi didn't like to sit in a sedan chair or a carriage. He walks to the yamen or goes home by himself. He always walks slowly, without the slightest escapism of a young man, waving his hands behind his back, making the spies behind him anxious. Yes, can you walk faster, almost wriggling behind him!
Zhou Yi has a tender smile on his handsome face at all times, no matter how he looks, he is very amiable, and he also likes to go to the South Street to buy some snacks after leaving the Yamen, so that many vendors in the South Street know this friendly Zhou. grown up.
"Master Zhou, are you here to buy chestnuts again?"
"Yes, Uncle Wang, is your business okay?"
"It's okay, it's okay, Master Zhou, it's all thanks to you!" "
Don't say that , It’s all because the emperor cares about the people, I’m just working for the emperor, is there anyone who bothers you, the government didn’t charge you any more, right?”
"Hello, Your Majesty, or you, Mr. Zhou, come here, today's small chestnuts are reserved for you, you can take them. Thanks to you and the imperial court, our lives are better now, we all hope Long live the emperor, you, continue to be a high official!"
If the governor of Jingzhao was here, he would probably cry when he heard Zhou Yi's question. Your ancestors live in the capital, and you are so close to the people, you almost became friends with these peddlers, how dare he search again.
Zhou Yi smiled slightly, and lifted the chestnut that the uncle handed him.
This is Zhou Yi's daily itinerary, going back and forth between Zhou Mansion and the Ministry of Commerce, the extra route is sometimes turning to South Street to buy some snacks, and then returning to Zhou Mansion and staying inside. I didn't see him visiting friends or receiving anyone.
As a result, the replies from these spies are always: when the time is right, go to the Yamen, when the time is not up, go to South Street to buy pancakes (...), and when the time is not, go back to the Zhou Mansion.
This kind of reply is repeatedly placed in front of the case of interested people every day, which makes these people deeply frustrated. They just want to get some news, why is it so difficult.
As for confronting Zhou Yi at this time, they are not so impulsive. After all, the sea trade quota is in Zhou Yi's hands. The gain outweighs the loss. If Zhou Yi dares to stop them, they will be killed. But who would want to go all out if they can get the benefits in peace, and fight against a guy like Zhou Yi who can never guess the depth? .
But they also have their own way, Zhou Yi doesn't deal with them, they just find some people who Zhou Yi has to deal with.
It just so happened that during this period of time, because the prince was abolished, all the princes danced happily. As long as you give these princes a little hint, these princes will also go for them in order to win over these people.
Therefore, the group of people who came to visit Zhou Yi changed again. Previously, those people could close the door and ignore it, but this time it was the emperor’s sons who came to visit. In order not to be charged with disrespecting the royal family, Zhou Yi had no choice but to The door is open for guests.
The fourth prince was the first to come to the door. He had just been invited by Zhou Yi to take the seat, and he went straight to the point: "Master Zhou is really the pillar of our country, and every time he makes a move, it is extraordinary. Mr. Zhou, I wonder if you can tell this hall, what kind of charter is your opening the sea trade?"
Zhou Yi offered a cup of tea to the fourth prince with a smile, and after he revealed it, he said, "The fourth prince is also interested in sea trade?"
The fourth prince laughed: "This hall is just curious."
Zhou Yi rubbed his nose and put on a look of embarrassment: "Your Highness, this matter involves the secrets of the Ministry of Commerce. It is important to open the sea trade. Excuse me The official can't disclose it!"
The face of the fourth prince turned cold, "This hall is the prince of Dayue, even if it involves the secrets of the Ministry of Commerce, can't even the hall not disclose it?" Zhou Yi cupped his hands and also disappeared
. With a smile on his face, he straightened his back suddenly; "Your Highness, I'm sorry that I can't follow my orders. This is an errand entrusted to me by the emperor. Without the permission of the emperor, let alone you are the prince, even the emperor, I can't let you down. The official revealed the slightest bit." What he said was impassioned and righteous! "Presumptuous!" The fourth prince slapped the table: "No matter how bad this hall is, you are still a dignified prince. Could it be that you rely on your father's favor and really think that this hall will not dare to touch you ,
do you?"
And elder brother, who would dare to speak like that in front of him, and because the crown prince was abolished, although he was the fourth in name, he actually became the third. During this period of time, he has attracted a large number of people. It's not too small, but it's even more smug. Being supported by the people around him, but now he suddenly hit a wall with Zhou Yi, one can imagine the aggrievedness in his heart.
"Don't dare. I admit that I did not offend the Fourth Highness in any way. I act in accordance with the rules. As the saying goes, there is no rule without rules. If your highness violates the laws of the country, your highness will not say anything. Do you agree!"
"You... are very good!" The fourth prince snorted and left with a flick of his sleeves.
Zhou Yi sent the fourth prince away, and shook his head while sitting on the seat speechlessly. Is the fourth prince really so emotional and angry?
Ah Si, it's really annoying!
But Zhou Yi's troubles didn't end there. The princes all seemed to have made an agreement. I'll come as soon as you leave, so that Zhou Yi toasted cup after cup of tea and said those righteous words over and over again. .
Each prince reacted differently.
The third prince: "Okay, since Lord Zhou said so, then let's pretend that the palace didn't ask, hahaha, Lord Zhou, don't mind, this palace is outspoken, and I hope to clarify things that are curious, let's drink tea!" With a big laugh, he patted Zhou Yi on the shoulder.
The Fifth Prince: "Yes, I was the one who was abrupt and made Mr. Zhou difficult..." He looked annoyed.
The sixth prince: "So let's forget it!" The tone was indifferent, as if he didn't care, it was dispensable.
At this point, Zhou Yi has gathered all the adult princes except for the second prince. The second prince probably has enough support behind him, and he doesn't bother to be used by those aristocratic families, or he feels that he can't get out of Zhou Yi at all. There is no news at all, so I simply don't come to hit the wall.
Even though it was only a short contact, the princes had an intuitive understanding of their character, and what interested Zhou Yi was the fifth prince's special expression and my modesty!