In the early morning, the sun rises.
Anyi City resumed normal operations, no longer blocking the city, people began to come out to buy normally, and merchants opened their doors to do business.
Many people in the Xia State were actually quite worried about the Qin State. People who break the country are easily massacred and robbed. However, as soon as the Qin army entered the city yesterday and took over the four gates of Anyi, there was no more action. Apart from encircling and suppressing those who resisted, they arranged for people to post notices to inform the people not to worry. .
For the time being, it’s business as usual.
But, the emperor is gone.
The Xia Kingdom was destroyed.
This is the only difference.
In fact, there was not much resistance to the Qin State in the hearts of the people, and many people even cheered. Because the officers and soldiers of the Qin State posted notices and arranged for soldiers to beat gongs and drums to publicize it, the Qin Dynasty entered the Xia State and exempted the people from corvee this year and exempted them from taxes this year and next year.
For the people, this is extremely important.
People must obey the corvee unconditionally, and even for some corvées, you have to provide your own food, etc.
As for taxes, they are also very heavy.
Without the pressure of these two mountains, the lives of the people can be directly improved and they will not be forced to death.
The people's reaction was not big, but the big families in Anyi City were going crazy. Starting from the morning, the heads of the nine major families headed by Gu Yuan visited each family one by one.
Every time we visit a family, we talk about the crimes committed by each family in the past. They talk about old things.
Gu Yuan's publicity to the outside world stated that he came to investigate on the orders of Qin.
However, almost all the big families in Anyi have problems. If someone from the Qin State were in Anyi City, they might not know about the big family's problems, and they might not be able to investigate them clearly. Gu Yuan, Xiong Wencan, Zhong Lizhao and others are all local gangsters in Anyi City. It is easy for them to investigate who they want to investigate.
They have all the information about the major families. If you don't cooperate and pay, you will be charged. Once the charges are presented, can you afford it?
So in a short period of time, Gu Yuan visited more than ten big families, and each family received one hundred thousand taels of silver.
The news spread completely.
The big families in the city were in an uproar.
All of them cursed Gu Yuan from the bottom of their hearts, because Gu Yuan acted with no bottom line.
In the west of Anyi City, there is a residence called Su Zhai.
This is the Su family in Anyi City. The family mainly operates a cloth dyeing workshop. This business alone made the Su family extremely wealthy. Because the Su family was an imperial merchant, all the silk and satin fabrics needed by the royal family were purchased through the Su family.
The Su family has many connections in the officialdom and is very popular in the Xia Kingdom.
However, Xia Kingdom suddenly collapsed.
Without the actions of Gu Yuan and others, everything would be nothing. Anyway, without the status of royal merchant, the Su family's business is not bad, and the Su family has bought land and houses everywhere for so many years, which also gives the Su family enough foundation to deal with all crises.
In the Su family lobby.
The patriarch of the clan, Su Binglin, was sitting on the main seat. Below him, on the left and right sides, were Su Bingzhong, the person in charge of the second room, and Su Bingyi, the person in charge of the third room.
The three of them are half-brothers, and their relationship with each other is relatively harmonious.
Their respective abilities are outstanding.
Su Binglin is responsible for all family affairs and controls the family's financial and personnel rights. Su Bingzhong is responsible for the purchase of raw materials and the printing and dyeing of cloth. Su Bingyi is responsible for the sales of silk and satin cloth and the development of business channels.
Su Binglin is a good person, good at dancing, and has a harmonious relationship with external parties. Moreover, Su Binglin is a righteous person and does business with integrity. He does not go into official circles, nor does he bully others, and he is well-known in Anyi.
But at this moment, the faces of the three Su Binglin brothers all had solemn expressions.
The three of them also got news from Gu Yuan and others in the morning.
Su Bingzhong was more impatient. He clenched his fists and said forcefully: "Brother, Gu Yuan, an old man and a traitor, was a greedy person in his early years. When we were dealing in cloth, prices soared and we couldn't buy the raw materials for cloth. Not even."
"But Gu Yuan deliberately made people hoard cloth and raise prices. In order to supply goods in time, we have to buy them at high prices."
"This man is extremely greedy and extremely shameless."
"I am very disgusted with him. Now he is speculating to let Qin's army enter the city and investigate under the banner of Qin. It is obvious that he is making money. Giving one hundred thousand taels of silver to a family is extortion. It's so abominable. ”
"I don't agree to give money. My Su family is innocent. I want to see how he will deal with our Su family?"
Su Bingzhong was very tough.
Anyway, the Su family is not afraid of shadows or investigations.
Su Bingyi frowned and sighed: "If we don't agree to pay, we will definitely not let it go with Gu Yuan's temperament of confusing right and wrong. This is extremely detrimental to our Su family."
"Even if our Su family has a big business, once we get entangled with Gu Yuan, the loss will not be as simple as one hundred thousand taels of silver. In my opinion, the best thing for him is to spend money and eliminate disasters, and get this matter over with. We will consider dealing with it later.”
"The most important thing is that our Su family is no longer an imperial merchant and cannot supply cloth."
"I lost a lot of money in income, and I started to argue with Gu Yuan, who was now popular. It happened that Gu Yuan was connected to the Qin State, but we didn't have any connections in the Qin State. Once there was a quarrel, Qin State would Who is the country helping?”
"It will definitely help Gu Yuan."
"The most important thing is, did Gu Yuan earn all the money that Gu Yuan extorted? No, I don't think Gu Yuan and the others can swallow it. Their nine major families will pocket part of it. More money will definitely It will go into the pockets of the people of Qin."
"What I mean is that one more thing is worse than one less thing. We can't go against Gu Yuan, we just need to cooperate first."
"You see, from the beginning to now, Gu Yuan has led people to investigate almost ten families, and no one dares to object. Everyone knows that behind Gu Yuan is a Qin State person and an official of the Qin State. It is useless for us to make trouble now."
Su Bingyi said: "The best way at the moment is to compromise and pay the money."
Su Bingzhong snorted and retorted: "Lao San, your temper is just too weak. You have to be clear, good people can be bullied by others, and good horses can be ridden by others. Once we give in, do you believe that old man Gu Yuan will follow closely?" Then people will be arranged to target our Su family. The foundation of our Su family is not earned through humiliation. The foundation of our Su family is earned through the hard work of everyone."
Su Bingyi's face suddenly fell.
He was not convinced either.
Su Bingyi said: "The second brother is tough but easy to break. No one denies the dedication of our Su family. But here in Guyuan, he has obviously taken advantage of Qin's line, and we are already in trouble. You still have to fight with your head. Collision, isn’t it just asking for trouble?”
The two began to argue.
"enough!"
Su Binglin scolded.
Su Bingzhong and Su Bingyi stopped talking.
Although family matters are discussed, they involve major matters, especially when there are disputes between each other and when they can't make up their minds, it is Su Binglin who makes the decision.
This is the prestige that Su Binglin has established through the handling of one incident.
Su Bingzhong and Su Bingyi both believed in Su Binglin.
Su Bingzhong said: "Brother, what do you think we should do?"
Su Bingyi said: "Brother, please think again."
Su Binglin tapped the table beside him with his right hand, closed his eyes and thought deeply. After a long while, he opened his eyes and said in a deep voice: "We, the Su family, have always adhered to the concept that I will not offend others unless they offend me. What's more, Bingzhong's words have There is a certain truth. If you give in now, Gu Yuan will take advantage of it and further extort money."
"So now, we can't give in."
"What's more, the Su family must also consider the future."
"So, take a chance and give it a try."
"In addition, as for offending Gu Yuan, what will be the consequences? How he wants to target my Su family cannot be completed in a short while. At least he has to inform the officials of Qin State and arrange operations. We, We are not going to let bullying happen, we have to fight back.”
There was a hint of strength in Su Binglin's eyes.
He always values peace when he acts, but that doesn't mean that Su Binglin is easy to bully.
Su Bingzhong said: "How to fight back?"
Su Binglin said: "The simplest arrangement is to bring the matter to the Qin Army's camp. A group of people go to the Qin Army's camp to petition. For such a major matter, the Qin State will definitely handle it."
Su Bingyi was still a little uneasy and said: "I'm still worried, but the eldest brother said, let's do it this way. In short, we will risk everything, I believe in the eldest brother."
"Tap! Tread!"
The sound of rapid footsteps was heard, and the housekeeper entered the house.
The housekeeper bowed and said, "Master, Gu Yuan and his people are coming towards our home."
Su Binglin said: "I understand."
He looked at Su Bingzhong and Su Bingyi and said, "You two, go contact the Zhao family, Chen family, Qian family, Gong family, Ling family and other big families that are good friends with us. They will definitely face the threat from Gu Yuan. Son."
"Follow up Gu Yuan's threat, let them agree temporarily and not fight to the end."
"In addition, contact the other big families that have been extorted and understand their situation. Let's collect evidence, and everyone will work together to petition the Qin military camp and deal with Gu Yuan directly."
Su Binglin said: "I don't believe it. With the world clear, can they cover up the sky with one hand?"
"Here!"
Su Bingzhong and Su Bingyi responded hand in hand and hurriedly left through the back door.
Su Binglin waited quietly. It didn't take long before a burst of footsteps and talking came from outside the hall.
Gu Yuan came with Xiong Wencan, Zhong Lizhao and others.
Gu Yuan's old face was full of pride. He and his people had visited more than ten houses, but no one dared to compete with them. They all gave in and agreed to give him one hundred thousand taels of silver. Some of them have already given part of the deposit.
Continuous victories made Gu Yuan very proud.
He is even more confident.
Gu Yuan was more certain that the big families and businessmen in Anyi City would not dare to go against him.
To go against him is to go against Qin.
This is courting death!
The relationship between Gu Yuan and Su Binglin was not very friendly. He looked at Su Binglin who was sitting in the main seat, especially Su Binglin who was still sitting upright with a tough attitude.
Gu Yuan suddenly laughed, with a bit of ridicule in his laughter. In the past, Su Binglin was an imperial merchant of the Xia Kingdom. He also had contacts with some officials in the court and had many personal connections. Now all this is gone.
Why is Su Binglin so arrogant?
Su Binglin is yesterday's flower, wilted!
Gu Yuan shook his robe and said calmly: "Su Binglin, I have been ordered by Lin Feng, the Marquis of Da Qin, to conduct a thorough investigation of all the major families in Anyi. As the former imperial merchants of the Xia Kingdom, the Su family had a deep collusion with the Xia Kingdom, and there were many Crime. What do you say about this matter?"
Su Binglin sneered and said mockingly: "Gu Yuan, you are talking so grandly, aren't you just trying to make money by taking advantage of the opportunity? I have heard about the situation of the major families before. Speaking of which, you are really ruthless."
"As soon as I open my mouth, it's one hundred thousand taels of silver."
"I really think this silver was brought by the strong wind or picked up for nothing."
Su Binglin's words were sarcastic and he said: "One mouthful is one hundred thousand taels of silver. This is not a small amount."
Gu Yuan's face fell, and he said coldly: "Su Binglin, I don't want the one hundred thousand taels of silver. This money is just for you to prove that you are loyal to the Qin State and are willing to change your past and clean up your past. This money will cost you Dedicate it to the State of Qin. If you don't give money to atone for your sins, there will be no problem. As long as your Su family has no problems, don't be afraid."
After a pause, Gu Yuan narrowed his eyes and said leisurely: "As the royal merchant of the Xia Kingdom, your Su family is not very clean. If you want to thoroughly investigate your Su family, you can't handle it. Su Binglin, in a word, I still can't cooperate." Cooperate? If you don’t cooperate, the final result will be that the Su family will be ruined. "
He had little patience for persuasion.
If you don't cooperate, you will be held accountable.
Although the Su family was once glorious, it has long since become a grasshopper after the fall, unable to stand up.
Su Binglin clicked his tongue and said: "The head of the Gu family is really domineering, as domineering and arrogant as ever. When our Su family does business, we are worthy of the court and our conscience. We have never done anything to oppress good people, let alone anything that violates laws and disciplines. As soon as you open your mouth, you will convict my Su family."
Xiong Wencan frowned slightly. Su Binglin was a good person. He had also dealt with Su Binglin before, and they were relatively harmonious.
He also admired Su Binglin's character.
Xiong Wencan said directly: "Master Su, there is no need to fight against the Qin State for a little money. If this matter gets too big, the Su family will suffer in the end. From then on, the Su family will find it difficult to live in the Qin State, and will be attacked everywhere. Targeted. Losing money to eliminate disaster is the best result. Good to you and me, and good to everyone, life will go on like this."
Zhong Lizhao advised: "Master Su, why bother?"
The rest of the people persuaded him one after another. Except for Gu Yuan, there was no one who mocked Su Binglin. After all, they had done business in the past and had some contacts.
Therefore, they all hope that Su Binglin will give money.
Seeing this, Su Binglin borrowed the donkey from the slope and said proactively: "Gu Yuan, you want me to pay one hundred thousand taels of silver, that's fine. However, you must leave a receipt. This receipt is very simple, it's for you, Gu Yuan, to investigate me. The Su family, accept one hundred thousand taels of silver from me on behalf of Da Qin."
"Don't think that I don't know your thoughts. One hundred thousand taels of silver. It is true that Qin State has a share, and you all have a share. This time I admit it, so I want this receipt. Next time, if you dare to do this If you want to do it and still want to extort money, I will go all out and go to the Qin army camp with the receipt."
"Anyway, this is my condition."
Su Binglin said: "If you write it, I will accept it. If you don't write it, I will carry it to the end."
"impossible!"
Gu Yuan refused directly.
Leaving a receipt was different.
Su Binglin said directly: "I won't pay the money without leaving a receipt. Today, you represent the Qin State and come to blackmail me for a sum of money. Tomorrow, you represent the Qin State and come to blackmail me for a sum of money. How can I support it year after year? You can live with it. As long as you place a receipt, I will pay the money directly. Otherwise, it is absolutely impossible. At worst, I will go to the Qin military camp to cause trouble."
Gu Yuan frowned.
In my mind, I was still thinking carefully.
He hesitated.
Xiong Wencan said directly: "Brother Gu, it doesn't matter. Does Su Binglin still dare to make trouble? He just took the receipt to protect himself."
The rest of the people began to persuade him, and with everyone's constant persuasion, Gu Yuan's worries were put aside.
He also believed that Su Binglin was trying to protect himself and could not possibly cause trouble.
He now represents the State of Qin. From beginning to end, he has been using the banner of the State of Qin. Who dares to cause trouble?
Gu Yuan ordered: "Prepare pen and ink."
Su Binglin smiled in his heart, but his face was still stern, and he ordered: "I will serve you with pen and ink!"
Immediately, a servant of the Su family brought pen, ink, paper and inkstones and placed them on the desk. Gu Yuan wrote a written document, and the content was very simple, which was that the Qin State in ancient Yuan Dynasty received one hundred thousand taels of silver from the Su family as a gift from the Su family to the Qin State.
There are no problems within the document.
After Gu Yuan finished writing, he put down his brush and said, "Su Binglin, when will you pay the one hundred thousand taels of silver?"
"in three days."
Su Binglin said: "My Su family has some money, but it is still difficult to mobilize one hundred thousand taels of silver in a hurry. If you agree to mortgage the money with pieces of cloth and satin, I have no objection. You can pay the full amount today."
Gu Yuan flicked his sleeves and said, "No, it's not too late to pay after three days."
Su Binglin nodded, carefully put away the note, and said: "Gu Yuan, you win today's matter. I have a word of advice for you, pull the skin of a tiger and pull the banner, be careful to backfire on yourself. This time, you guys It's your turn to be arrogant when we welcome Qin into the city. But we can't always let you be like this."
Gu Yuan mocked: "You are jealous because you didn't get any benefits, right? It's a pity that you didn't participate and couldn't enjoy this benefit."
Su Binglin snorted: "Let's go slowly without seeing you off."
"Farewell!"
Gu Yuan flicked his sleeves, turned around and walked out, laughing loudly: "Hahaha... so happy, so happy."
Laughter echoed in the hall.
Xiong Wencan, Zhong Lizhao and the rest of the group also left one after another.
Su Binglin watched Gu Yuan and the others leave, his expression turned cold, and he smiled coldly. You, Gu Yuan, want to be arrogant. Do you have a chance to be arrogant? I want to see how arrogant you can be.
Su Binglin was waiting at home.
Time passed, and in the evening, Su Bingyi, Su Bingzhong and fifteen others entered the hall together.
Everyone saluted Su Binglin.
Su Binglin stood up and returned the greeting.
The guests and hosts took their seats.
Su Binglin looked around at everyone and said directly: "Everyone, my second and third brothers must have already stated my intention. All of you have been threatened and have been coerced into handing over one hundred thousand taels of silver, right? ?”
"yes!"
Everyone answered in unison.
Su Binglin asked again: "Have any of you paid all the money, or paid part of it?"
"I paid 30,000 taels of silver, giving a portion first. I told Gu Yuan that all subsequent payments should be paid within three days."
"I gave ten thousand taels and promised to settle one hundred thousand taels of silver within three days."
"I gave him 20,000 taels of silver and promised to pay it all in five days."
They answered one by one, and six people paid the money, while the rest just agreed and have not paid the money yet.
Su Binglin thought about it in his mind and continued: "In that case, it's easy to handle. In my hand, I have a receipt left by Gu Yuan himself. It is the receipt for Gu Yuan's receipt of 100,000 taels of silver from Da Qin. In fact, I thought about it. After some research, it is impossible for Da Qin to have such a policy."
"Gu Yuan said it was for the Qin Dynasty, but after the Qin Dynasty entered the Xia Kingdom, it has been restraining the soldiers. No Qin soldiers have ever harassed or harmed the people. The government even announced that they would be exempted from corvee taxes."
"This method is very clever and has won the hearts of many people. So much so that when the people of Xia State encountered Qin's good policies in a difficult situation, many of them turned to Qin. It can be seen that the Qin army has Those governed by superior men.”
"This time, directly arranging people to collect money, the method of this matter is too low, it is completely giving someone a hand."
"I conclude that this is a private arrangement by Gu Yuan and others."
Su Binglin said: "My plan is that early tomorrow morning, we will go to the Qin Army camp to petition, saying that we have been unfairly treated and blackmailed by Gu Yuan and others, and ask the Qin Army's Zhenguo Hou Linfeng to deal with it. I believe that the trouble will The queen will definitely take care of it."
Su Bingyi took the initiative and said: "Brother, what if it is Lin Feng's authorization and he wants to search for money?"
Many other people also looked over.
Su Bingyi's attitude actually represents the views of some people. If Lin Feng authorized it, then this matter would be difficult to handle.
Su Binglin smiled slightly, shook his head, and said solemnly: "As for the matter of collecting money, I have also thought about it carefully. It is unlikely that Lin Feng authorized it. There are three reasons."
"First, the Lin family in the Qin State is as rich as any country in the country. It is extremely rich. From what I know, the Lin family operates numerous industries in the Qin State, such as restaurants, medicinal materials, down jackets, etc., making money in all aspects. The Lin family is not short of money at all. , Even if he is as rich as the country, Lin Feng is not a greedy person, how can he grab money without being selective? "
"As I said just now, this method of grabbing money is too despicable."
"Second, the Qin State governs the place. As I said before, after the Qin State entered the Xia State, it has been restraining the soldiers and promulgating laws that are beneficial to the people."
"How is it possible to be so short-sighted?"
"Third, Gu Yuan and others have always been bold. I think it might be Lin Feng who asked Gu Yuan to investigate the situation. They took advantage of the topic and took advantage of the opportunity to make money. This thing has not never happened. Similar things happened to Gu Yuan and others."
Su Binglin said: "So here, Lin Feng, we don't have to worry too much. What's more, even if Lin Feng authorizes it. After we make a big fuss, Lin Feng can't stop us, and he can't suppress things. Once the Qin Army coach appears, Lin Feng They will definitely be dealt with. Now, we have no choice but to risk our lives."
After everyone heard this, they nodded in agreement.
One by one, they started to worry again.
Su Bingyi nodded and said: "Okay, I will listen to my elder brother, and we will risk everything."
"I also agree with the Su family leader's analysis, let's fight."
"Let Gu Yuan blackmail you now. Later, I'm afraid we will have to be blackmailed again. Let's fight now. And we have no extra choice."
One by one, they kept expressing their opinions.
Everyone looked serious and had made a decision.
Su Binglin nodded and said: "Since we all agree, let's go back and make arrangements tomorrow morning. All of us will go to the Qin Army camp to petition. All of us will petition and make the noise bigger. Bring people from each family. I Don’t you believe that a mere ancient plain can cover the sky with one hand? As far as I know, the Qin State is different from the Xia State. The Qin State attaches great importance to the law, and if you violate the law, you will definitely be punished. "
Everyone agreed.
The expressions on everyone's faces were full of expectations and more of a desperate determination.
They have no choice.
All we have to do is fight.