On this day, there was an endless stream of government officials who came to the Imperial Envoy's Yamen to "voluntarily" donate money. The carriages and sedan chairs coming in and out blocked the broad avenue in front of the Imperial Envoy's Yamen, and hundreds of people were blocked at one go. meters away.
It was rare to see such a traffic jam in ancient times, and Zhu Ping'an felt like he was dreaming back to modern times.
Yes.
Zhu Ping'an also came. He came with deputy envoy Bai. Deputy envoy Bai came to recognize and donate the silver on behalf of the Zhejiang Trial and Prosecution Envoy Si Yamen, and Zhu Ping'an came to recognize and donate the silver on behalf of the Zhejiang Army.
When he came to the door, Zhu Pingan found that not only the yamen, but also the gentry and wealthy businessmen from Yingtian and surrounding areas were here.
Zhu Ping'an found a wealthy businessman with a big belly to understand the situation, and learned that they had received a verbal notification from officials from Yingtian's Ministry of Household Affairs, Ministry of Works and other departments, which conveyed Zhao Wenhua's intention on their behalf, asking them to voluntarily raise taels of silver. Support the sea sacrifice.
In front of the Imperial Envoy's Yamen, there is a constant stream of traffic; inside the Imperial Envoy's Yamen, there is a bustling crowd and a bustling crowd.
This scene was just like an imperial envoy's yamen holding a happy event. Five large tables were set up in the yamen's courtyard, and behind the tables there were five scribes keeping accounts. There were a row of large boxes under their feet. The boxes were full of gold and silver and there were stacks of silver notes. They were piled up like mountains of gold and silver, and the glittering gold almost blinded people.
Officials, squires, and wealthy businessmen lined up to come forward, reported the name of the yamen or root clerk they were responsible for, and handed over the silver they pledged. After the scribe carefully counted and confirmed that the amount was correct, he recorded them one by one in the account book.
Zhu Ping'an and Vice Envoy Bai lined up to come forward. After handing over the silver, they didn't even ask Zhao Wenhua to pay their respects.
There are many people who want to meet Zhao Wenhua, but only those officials, squires, and wealthy businessmen who have exceeded their quota, or significantly exceeded their quota, are qualified to meet Zhao Wenhua in person.
Zhu Pingan asked at the scene and said that only those with more than three thousand taels would have the opportunity to meet Zhao Wenhua.
More than three thousand taels?
Of course it's more. These days, most officials' annual salary is only a few dozen taels. However, there are still many people who are willing to pledge more than 3,000 taels, mostly country squires and wealthy businessmen, especially wealthy businessmen.
Zhu Ping'an heard at the scene that a wealthy local businessman in Yingtian pledged and handed over ten thousand taels of silver. He was cordially received by Zhao Wenhua and was also qualified to have dinner with Zhao Wenhua.
As for how much money can be spent on dinner together, there is no clear standard. Zhao Wenhua personally determined it after being interviewed by Zhao Wenhua. It is said that six people have been qualified to have dinner together, and they all pledged at least 6,000 taels of silver. It feels a bit like Buffett's charity dinner, doesn't it?
Zhu Pingan estimated that Zhao Wenhua could receive more than one hundred thousand taels of silver today...
Making money every day is not enough to describe it. No wonder Zhao Wenhua will stay in Jiangnan for so long in the future.
The richness of the southeastern coast can be seen from this scene.
Zhu Ping'an walked around the crowd and silently memorized the names of those who were met by Zhao Wenhua, especially the squires and wealthy businessmen who were qualified to have dinner with him.
There are some problems with these people who transfer large amounts of benefits to Zhao Wenhua.
At present, merchants who are doing business in the southeast are generally not willing to give away so much money, and there is no need to spend such a large sum of money. Of course, some businessmen who want to cling to the powerful are not excluded, but they are a minority after all.
At present, the most profitable industry in Jiangnan is sea trade smuggling. Especially after the maritime ban, the huge profits of sea trade smuggling are beyond imagination. Many businessmen and local gentry took risks to participate in smuggling, and many officials were also secretly involved in smuggling.
At present, although capitalism in European countries is developing, the Ming Dynasty is definitely the world's economic center and trade center. Overseas markets, including Japan, France and other European countries, are also demanding Ming Dynasty's silk, porcelain, cotton and other commodities. Blowout rapid growth.
However, Ming Dynasty now implemented a maritime ban. Official channels for maritime trade with the Ming Dynasty were completely interrupted.
However, the huge overseas demand for Ming products is still there. As long as silk, porcelain and other goods are transported to the sea and traded with Japanese and European countries, one can get tenfold or hundredfold profit returns, which is completely like robbing money.
The huge profits prompted gentry and businessmen in many places along the coast of the Ming Dynasty to take desperate risks and start smuggling at the risk of genocide in violation of the imperial ban. Some officials also secretly took shares and participated in smuggling.
In addition to the risk of investigation and prosecution by the court, there are also risks in smuggling overseas. There are no rules at sea, the law of the jungle is strong, and there is a risk of being robbed.
Therefore, group smuggling and armed smuggling are prevalent. Sometimes smuggling is also part-time robbery, and some directly become big pirates. This is how Wang Zhen evolved into a big Japanese pirate. Even if they did not become pirates, they had an inexplicable relationship with the Japanese pirates. relationship, and secretly colluding with Japanese pirates is not uncommon.
Many times, when the imperial court was suppressing Japanese pirates, they were the ones who colluded with Japanese pirates and reported the movements of generals and troops to the Japanese pirates.
Based on Zhao Wenhua's background of coming to worship the sea and suppress Japanese pirates, Zhu Ping'an can almost conclude that most of the businessmen, squires and officials who sent Zhao Wenhua large profits were smuggling participants.
Smuggling is hugely profitable. When domestic goods are shipped overseas, the profit is more than ten times higher. Making money is like blowing in the strong wind, so they do not hesitate to bribe. At present, the main source of bribes for the strict party is people like Jiangnan.
With the protection of Zhao Wenhua and others, they can get special care, protect their smuggling business, and avoid trouble in the suppression of Japanese pirates.
They spend money to buy peace and protection. They are willing to pay for it, and they rush to pay it.
Zhu Ping'an kept these people in mind and followed the clues, which might be a breakthrough for them in the future.
I guess I spent two hundred taels of silver to buy this information today, Zhu Pingan comforted himself.
The constant stream of traffic in front of the Imperial Envoy's Yamen gradually thinned out until dusk.
It was only in the evening that it finally became quiet.
In the Imperial Envoy's Yamen, Zhao Wenhua looked at Wu Tai's box of gold and silver and a box of silver fruits. His whole face was red, his eyes were full of sparkling light, and the corners of his raised mouth could not fall down.
A total of 120,000 taels of silver. Jiangnan, Jiangnan, is indeed a land of riches and oils. I really came to the right place this time.
hehe
I really enjoy myself and miss Shu.
However, Zhang Jing is really hateful, stubborn, and hell-bent on going against me! He even scolded the people I sent and kicked him out. He even beats the dog to look at the owner, without giving him any face!
"Have all parties sent the money?" Zhao Wenhua looked away from the money and asked the confidant accountant brought from the capital.
"Basically, they have all been sent," the confidant accountant replied, "Except for Governor Zhang's Yamen, Zhejiang Governor Li Tianchong, and Chun'an County Magistrate Hai Rui and a few other Yamen who did not send the money, all the other Yamen did."
Zhang Jing still didn't send the money in the end. He was determined to go against me! And that old bastard Li Tianchong!
Who is Hai Rui? Where is this person who is seeking fame and reputation? I have taken note of it. Just wait, you will be rewarded!
Zhao Wenhua looked a little unhappy and confirmed again, "Has the money allocated to the Zhejiang Army been delivered?"
"Master Zhu sent it early." The confidant accountant replied.
"It's quite interesting." Zhao Wenhua was slightly satisfied.
(End of chapter)
