Zhejiang, Zhejiang Governor's Mansion.
At this moment, Zheng Michang was sitting at the top, looking at the lobbyist in front of him with a troubled expression.
Since the imperial court issued a notice officially abolishing Yanyin, the local salt merchants in Zhejiang were quite frightened. For this reason, they couldn't help but use their own connections, look for lobbyists everywhere, and come to the Governor's Mansion to inquire about the news.
"Master Wang, please come back. I know that you are entrusted by those salt merchants."
"But this is an order issued by the imperial court, and the abolition of Yanyin is a certainty!"
"Let them prepare in advance."
After Zheng Michang finished speaking, he picked up the teacup on the side and took a sip.
"Oh, well, in that case, I'll take my leave first."
The official who came to lobby saw that there was nothing he could do about the matter, so he had no choice but to leave angrily.
Watching the visitor leave, Zheng Michang spat on the ground and cursed secretly.
"Bah, no matter what, you dare to come here to lobby me!"
"If it weren't for the fact that my daily filial piety is adequate, I wouldn't be bothered to condescend to see you."
After Zheng Michang finished speaking, he turned and left the meeting hall of the Governor's Mansion to handle the remaining official duties.
…
On the other hand, the official who came to the Governor's Mansion to inquire about the news also informed the group of salt merchants behind him about the cause of the matter.
"The chief envoy said that the abolition of Yanyin was an order from the imperial court!"
"There's nothing he can do about it."
Hearing this, the salt merchants immediately panicked. Since the Wen family in Hangzhou was raided, these salt merchants have joined forces to divide up all the Wen family's previous shares and related channels.
Just when they were dreaming of making a fortune, the imperial court suddenly issued a corresponding decree, saying that the salt introduction system was to be officially abolished!
The court's local actions naturally aroused dissatisfaction among these salt merchants.
No matter how much salt was obtained through the trafficking of materials in the past, it was a real benefit and could be circulated at will.
At present, the imperial court needs to convert the salt into a sea voyage certificate issued by the Maritime Trade Department, and it has to complete fifty missions to obtain it.
This can't help but make these salt merchants feel a very strong feeling of being deceived.
"Everyone, we still have a lot of salt in our hands!"
"If the imperial court abolishes the salt seal, then we will suffer a big loss! You know, these salt seals were collected from other salt merchants at a high price."
"Yes, I have exchanged most of my wealth for salt. Now I just want to discard it. Is there any royal method left?"
"No, we have to unite and put pressure on the government! No matter what, we have to take advantage of the time when the relevant policies have not yet been officially implemented, and sell all the salt in our hands."
"Let's go to the Governor's Mansion now and ask for an explanation!"
At this time, as long as one person stands up, a group of people will join in!
Soon, many salt merchants present reached a resolution that they would unite and go to the Governor's Mansion to protest this policy.
If it doesn't work, you have to let the government see your attitude!
…
At this moment, Zheng Michang was in the Governor's Mansion, handling related matters.
At this moment, a rush of footsteps was heard outside. A guard opened the door of the room in a panic and reported in a deep voice.
"Report...report to the Chief Envoy, there are many salt merchants gathered outside the Governor's Palace!"
"It seems to be a protest against the imperial court's official abolition of Yanyin's policy."
After Zheng Michang heard the news, his face suddenly turned pale, he stood up from his seat suddenly and asked.
"What did you say? Say it again!"
"Report... report, Chief Envoy, there are many salt merchants gathering together to cause trouble outside the Governor's Palace!"
"Not only that, they also called their own servants and others to protest at the gate of the Governor's Mansion. The momentum was quite huge!"
Seeing this, the guard had no choice but to bite the bullet and repeat it again.
"These salt merchants are really shameless!"
"You go outside to stabilize them first, and then make a decision after I go to ask the Imperial Envoy for instructions."
Zheng Michang suppressed the anger in his heart and immediately gave the order to the guard.
"Yes, Lord Chief Envoy!"
After the guard finished speaking, he left in a hurry.
After Zheng Michang took a deep breath, he came to the room where Zhao Zhenji was and knocked on the door.
"Your Majesty the Imperial Envoy, your subordinate Zheng Mi Chang has something important to report!"
"Well, come in."
In the room, Zhao Zhenji's ancient and unwavering voice came.
Although previously, in the decree issued by the emperor, Hu Zongxian and Zhao Zhenji were jointly responsible for the affairs of Jiangxi.
However, for security reasons, Hu Zongxian did not let Zhao Zhenji, the imperial minister, follow him to Jiangxi to quell the rebellion, but asked him to stay in the Governor's Mansion.
"Tell me, what happened?"
Zhao Zhenji withdrew his gaze from Zheng Michang's face and asked immediately.
"Report to the Imperial Envoy, a large group of salt merchants have gathered outside the Governor's Palace!"
"It seems like they are protesting against the recent notice issued by the imperial court regarding the official abolition of the salt introduction system."
Facing Zhao Zhenji's inquiry, Zheng Michang did not dare to hide anything, and immediately told everything he knew. He even told Zhao Zhenji about the lobbyists sent by the salt merchants to inquire about the news!
"What, these mere merchants are really lawless!"
"How dare you gather together and openly oppose the imperial court's policies."
After hearing Zheng Michang's description, Zhao Zhenji was furious, slammed the table and said in a deep voice.
"Then... Imperial Envoy, what should we do?"
After Zheng Michang pondered for a moment, he immediately asked Zhao Zhenji.
"Hmph, lead the guards of the Governor's Mansion to disperse all the salt merchants gathered at the door!"
"If they don't know how to appreciate it, they can just take action, regardless of life or death."
After Zhao Zhenji finished speaking, he moved his eyes away from Zheng Michang and gave instructions in a deep voice.
"Yes, your Majesty the Imperial Envoy! I will go immediately."
After Zheng Michang received the order from Zhao Zhenji, the imperial envoy, he left with great ambition.
"We must handle this matter well, and we must not let down the expectations of the Imperial Envoy."
"After this matter is settled, I may be able to win the favor of the Imperial Envoy. Like Na Hai Rui, I will be highly recommended by the Imperial Envoy and be transferred to the capital!"
Zheng Michang warned himself in his heart, and soon he became extremely energetic.
At this moment, at the door of the Governor's Mansion.
"Everyone, you'd better go back quickly!"
"Formally abolishing the salt introduction system is a policy promulgated by the imperial court! Therefore, this is already a done deal, and there is no possibility of changing it. You should go back."
The guard from before turned his attention to the excited salt merchants in front of him and tried to comfort them.
"Hmph, we want to see the Chief Envoy and ask him to give us an explanation in person!"
"On weekdays, all kinds of filial piety are constant, but when something happens, no one can be relied on."
Among the group of salt merchants, a lean and gray-haired old man wearing a brocade robe said angrily.
"You are so bold. You dare to slander a court official. Come on, get him!"
"Yes, sir!"
The guards on the side quickly responded, and the old man from before was quickly controlled by the guards of the Governor's Mansion.
(End of chapter)
