Just a rumor made all the merchants in the capital nervous.
Suddenly, the restaurant's business surged again, and there were merchants everywhere who wanted to know the inside information of the imperial court.
There is no way for merchants not to be anxious. This is a matter of life and death!
In just a few days, before the merchants could find out the news, the General Affairs Department issued an official document officially announcing that the imperial court would borrow money from the merchants to build the railway track to Xuzhou.
As soon as this news came out, the merchants in the capital were immediately frightened to the extreme. Many of them abandoned their family business and fled with their families that day.
They don't know where they can escape, but now they only have one idea in their minds.
Go quickly! Leave the capital, as long as you leave the capital, no matter where you go!
Wang Yuanji was waiting for news in the political room. Although he had heard in the past few days that merchants seemed to be a little reluctant to lend money to the court, he felt that the court did not lend their money in vain and had to pay interest. Those merchants should will come.
But he waited and waited. The longer he waited, the less smile appeared on his face, and the longer he waited, the more he began to murmur in his heart.
"What's going on? Why aren't there any merchants willing to lend money? Could it be that even interest can't impress them?"
Although the annual profit of 15% is indeed not high, it is not like there are not even one merchant, right? .
Wang Yuanji's face turned completely serious at some point. He couldn't wait any longer and shouted loudly toward the door: "Here comes someone!"
"Sir!" An official walked in quickly and saluted with his hands in hand.
Wang Yuanji asked in a serious tone: "Is there no news yet?"
"Back to..." The official looked a little embarrassed, lowered his head and gritted his teeth and replied: "Back to my lord, it's... not yet..."
As if afraid of Wang Yuanji's censure, the official quickly added, "As soon as there is news, I will come immediately to report to you."
Wang Yuanji sighed slightly in his heart, waved his hands and said, "Go down."
"yes."
If the official was granted amnesty, he turned around and walked out of the room.
But before he could finally take a step out, an official suddenly ran in and said angrily: "Sir!"
Wang Yuanji's face darkened, and he could guess that there would be unexpected bad results without asking.
He said in a deep voice: "What's wrong?"
The official did not speak, but glanced at the person who was about to go out just now.
The man came back to his senses immediately and quickly bowed to Wang Yuanji, "I'll excuse you."
Wang Yuanji nodded slightly.
After this person left, the official who came in later said anxiously: "Sir, I just received news that all the merchants in the capital, big and small, are leaving with their families. My lord, if we don't find a way to keep them, I'm afraid they will all run away."
Wang Yuanji's expression paused, and he tightened his fingers tightly in his sleeves. He raised his eyes to look at the official and said, "Keep it? Why?"
"Sir, I thought I could ask the Five Cities Military and Horse Division to intercept them immediately. It's not too late to give the order now!" The official suggested directly without thinking. In his opinion, as long as the city gate is sealed in time, those merchants will not be able to escape!
But Wang Yuanji knows better that city gates can lock people in, but they cannot lock people's hearts!
Why are these merchants fleeing the capital desperately now? Isn't it just because of fear of the court? If we send people to lock them in the city again, it will make the merchants even more panic-stricken.
Wang Yuanji glanced at the official coldly and said angrily: "Don't you still think the capital is not lively enough?"
"Sir! I'm a lower official... I'm a lower official..." Under Wang Yuanji's gaze, the official's voice became smaller and smaller, and his head lowered lower and lower.
After a few breaths, I don't know where the official got the courage. He raised his head suddenly and said: "Sir, there are not many merchants fleeing the capital now. We can still borrow enough money from the merchants after closing the city gate. If we continue to hesitate and wait for those How can we raise the money to build the railway tracks when all the officials are on the run?”
As soon as Wang Yuanji was deep in thought, the official said such nonsense. back
After God came, he immediately stopped him and said, "That's enough!"
The official was stopped and felt relieved. Anyway, he has put forward his opinions and shown his talents. As for the chief assistant, if he does not adopt them, that is his business.
Officials at the highest level crush people to death, so in this matter, there is no official fault.
This is called, the following overcomes the superior!
Sure enough, Wang Yuanji did not punish the official. After all, such a small mistake was not enough to punish him.
"I know, please go down. Remember, you can't talk about closing the city gate again."
"Yes, I understand." After the official bowed, he said goodbye and left. Looking at his back, he seemed to be slapping his butt and leaving.
A large number of merchants left the capital. Others could ignore it, but Wang Yuanji had to take care of it.
After pondering, Wang Yuanji was still prepared to use gentle means.
"Here comes someone."
"My lord, please give me your instructions."
Wang Yuanji raised his head and said in a soft tone: "Send people to find those storytellers and reveal to them the news about how the imperial court plans to borrow money from merchants, so that they can publicize it in the shortest possible time, especially to those who are dedicated to it. Those merchants preached.”
The official did not agree immediately, but slowly straightened up, looking hesitant.
"What? Do you have something to say?" Wang Yuanji's mood gradually improved and he asked softly.
The official nodded slowly and asked in confusion: "My lord, I don't understand. Now those merchants are desperately trying to escape from the capital. I'm afraid they will all be gone within a day or two at most. Even if we let people reveal the news, , then it’s too late! The merchants have all fled, and it’s impossible for them to hear the news, so what’s the use of it?”
Wang Yuanji burst into laughter and said without any haste: "Because merchants don't understand the court's plans, they will think about the worst-case scenario. As long as the court can explain it clearly to them in time, I think some people will understand. "
"As for the merchants you mentioned, all the merchants have fled and no one will listen. You don't have to worry about that."
The official agreed with Wang Yuanji's view, but he still didn't understand why the adults weren't worried about all the merchants in the capital running away.
Seeing the doubts on his subordinates' faces, Wang Yuanji smiled and joked: "These merchants are running in such a hurry, do you think they can take away all the industry in the capital?"
"This is impossible!" The official shook his head immediately.
"Isn't this it?" Wang Yuanji spoke very quickly and laughed: "These industries account for at least half of their net worth. How can they just give up? The reason why they fled the capital in such a hurry was just an impulse. It's just a dirty move. When they calm down, as long as they see that everything in the court is normal and there is no intention to arrest them, some of them may be unable to bear it and return to the capital. Even if they still have concerns and refuse to come back, At least they will stay around the capital."
"They are staying near the capital. What they want to know most is what is going on inside the capital. They will definitely send people to inquire about the capital. Do you think it is useful for us to reveal the news at this time?"
The officials were dumbfounded. Yes, although those merchants were all worth millions, most of their wealth was in their houses and shops, and not much real gold, silver, jewelry and banknotes.
They fled in such a hurry that all they could take with them was gold and silver.
"I understand, I will do it now."
...
The situation was indeed as Wang Yuanji expected. After the merchants fled the capital, they only ran around for a few days before some began to feel overwhelmed.
These businessmen may have been able to endure the hardships before they became successful, but after they became successful and pampered, how could they still run around day after day? Almost all of these people stopped three to five days' journey from the capital.
"Master, take a rest quickly, we have to go on our way." A steward said to the merchant.
The merchant was so tired that he was out of breath. He was breathing heavily and said angrily: "That's enough. If you continue on your way, Master, I will be exhausted to death if I am not caught by the court. Let's take a rest here today." , let’s talk tomorrow.”
The housekeeper stared at his master dumbfounded. He didn't know what was going on with him. It's the master who clearly wants everyone to run away, but now it's the master who doesn't want to run away anymore. What are you doing?
Seeing the master's angrily turned back, the housekeeper shook his head helplessly and had no choice but to follow. Anyway, the master has the final say, and whatever he says will be done.
The next day, the merchant woke up after a peaceful sleep, frowning, but even more unwilling to continue running.
He reached out and called the butler over.
The housekeeper thought that the master was about to set off, so he quickly said in advance: "Sir, the carriage is ready, we can set off at any time."
"Start? What journey?" The merchant lowered his head and frowned, saying with dissatisfaction.
The housekeeper felt numb all of a sudden, and shook his hands anxiously: "Master, we...don't we still have to go on our way?"
"Why are you on your way? Master, I'm not leaving." The merchant waved his hand resolutely.
"Ah?" the housekeeper exclaimed, and for a moment he didn't understand what his master had planned.
The merchant didn't care so much and didn't bother to explain to the housekeeper. He directly ordered: "You! Send someone to the capital immediately to find out what the court's preparations are. If you find out, come and report immediately."
The merchant felt that he had been wronged, and it was very embarrassing to be frightened and run away just because of a piece of unfounded news!
"Yes." Seeing the uncle's unkind expression, the housekeeper did not dare to argue and quickly agreed.
A few days later, the housekeeper came to report the news as soon as possible.
"Sir, great news!"
"What's the news? Whether it's good or bad, tell me quickly!" The merchant had a fat face and his eyes looked small. But at this moment, he tried his best to widen his eyes.
The housekeeper quickly replied: "Sir, many people in the capital are saying that the imperial court sincerely wants to borrow money from you this time, and the interest offered is also genuine."
"Oh? Is your news accurate? Could it be that the imperial court deliberately released the news to lure us into a trap?" The merchant was very cautious.
However, after hearing the news about the housekeeper that day, I was secretly relieved for no reason.
