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On this day, the good news reached Taiyuan City, Shanxi Province.
For a time, the jubilant scene in Taiyuan City was no less than that of Chang'an, Pingyang and other places.
Not to mention the joy and excitement of the people in Taiyuan, nor the rush of scholars to tell each other, but it is said that several wealthy Shanxi merchants in Taiyuan City took action quickly after receiving the news.
Now even Liu Chengxu, an old scholar who has failed many times, can see that Zhao Junchen's good news is definitely true. People with a clear eye like Zhang Wenhua of Guanzhong Academy can even see that Zhao Junchen is fighting here. After that, military morale, popular popularity, power, and achievements are all available. Not only will the rise be difficult to stop, but the status in the temple will become as stable as Mount Tai in a long time. Most Shanxi merchants have the status of "official businessmen". He has a close relationship with the temple and has always been the most sensitive to changes in the political situation. How could he not understand these things?
In fact, these shrewd and wily Shanxi merchants saw more, farther and deeper things than Liu Chengxu, Zhang Wenhua and their ilk.
Guo Linxiang, as the chief shopkeeper of the "Tongrui Bank", the largest bank in the Ming Dynasty, and with the most senior qualifications and the highest prestige, is the leader of today's Shanxi merchants. After receiving the news of the good news, many Shanxi merchants quickly gathered together spontaneously. Guo Linxiang's house was discussing matters.
In less than half an hour, all the influential Shanxi merchants in Taiyuan City had arrived.
In the main hall of the Guo Mansion, after all the Shanxi merchants gathered, Guo Linxiang said slowly: "Now that everyone has arrived, let's start discussing... You must have received the news, Imperial Envoy Zhao Junchen On the south bank of the Wei River, we have completely wiped out the Mongolian coalition forces that invaded Shaanxi and Gansu, totaling 100,000 troops. It is truly an earth-shattering feat. Not only the government is publicizing it widely, but the people are also celebrating spontaneously and in high spirits. I just sent people I went to take a look outside the house, and it was really lively."
He Zeng controlled nearly 40% of the shipping companies, carriage shops, and camel gangs in the eight northern provinces. He was the most well-informed and well-informed. He nodded and said: "That's natural. The Mongolian coalition forces that invaded Shaanxi and Gansu are the hottest thing this year." After the main force of the bandits has been annihilated by the imperial envoy Zhao, the Mongolian Tatars who are invading Shanxi, Zhili and other places will probably retreat soon. This year's war is simply over, and the people can even survive. It’s certainly a good thing to catch up with the autumn planting season.”
Chen Gongxing is the most powerful salt merchant in the north. Because Zhao Junchen has joined forces with Shanxi merchants to develop Sichuan salt in recent years, Chen Gongxing has the strongest impression of Zhao Junchen among the Shanxi merchants. He nodded and praised: "Back then, Mr. Zhao said he was going to Shaanxi and Gansu to take charge of the defense. To be honest, I was really worried that he would fall into a big trap. Unexpectedly, he not only blocked the main force of the Mongolian Tatars, but also wiped out 100,000 Mongolian coalition forces. Soldiers and horses... Thinking about all the great things he has accomplished over the years, he can really be called a legend!"
Guo Linxiang raised his hand to interrupt the discussion among the Shanxi businessmen, and said slowly: "Boss Chen is right. Mr. Zhao's deeds and achievements in recent years can indeed be regarded as a legend. A figure like this, There were only a few people in the Ming Dynasty for hundreds of years... But what I am most concerned about now is... how long can the legend of Mr. Zhao continue? Is it worth our Shanxi merchants investing more capital in him? ?”
Seeing that Guo Linxiang got to the main topic, all the Shanxi merchants present also stopped chatting, and their expressions became serious.
A younger Shanxi businessman wondered: "Senior Guo, what do you mean? Don't you think our relationship with Zhao Junchen is not close enough? Let's not talk about the fact that both parties have been cooperating in the development of Sichuan Salt in recent years. This year We also spent a lot of money to support Zhao Junchen. After Zhao Junchen privately increased the military merit rewards of two military towns in Shanxi a few days ago, we were responsible for filling the shortfall here. We have already invested a lot of money. We have paid hundreds of thousands of taels of silver, so it is not an exaggeration to say that we are giving a lot of help. Do we need to invest more?"
Guo Linxiang looked around at all the Shanxi merchants, smiled, and said: "We Shanxi merchants are different from those Hui merchants and Zhejiang merchants who relied on smuggling. In all likelihood, we started with official connections, and our relationship with the temple has always been the closest. , my Tongrui bank account will give 10% bonus to Mr. Zhou Ge every year, such as boss He’s horse racing shop and camel gang. I remember that Shen Shoufu also has a stake in it, and boss Chen’s business firm has even caught up with the inner court. These are all open secrets, there is no need to hide anything..."
After all the Shanxi merchants nodded in agreement, Guo Linxiang continued: "However, although we have a close relationship with the temple, we also maintain independence from each other. Of course, we will distribute many dividends to the Gong Gongs in the temple every year. , but the Gonggun princes in the temple cannot interfere with the operation of our business, and it is difficult for us to use the Gonggun princes in the temple to interfere with the policy changes of the court. In the final analysis, we are only responsible for paying and they are responsible for providing protection. That’s all... But you are younger and have not seen the situation in the previous dynasty like me... Hehe, our relationship with the temple was not like this in the past!"
After hearing what Guo Linxiang said, many Shanxi merchants present seemed to have thought of something, and their eyes lit up.
He Zeng's breathing became a little faster and he said: "I have also heard my father say this. Since Emperor Zhengde, we Shanxi merchants have begun to try to bribe powerful officials in the temple and let them become our spokespersons in the temple. And we gradually interfered with the policy direction of the temple. By the Wanli period, our Shanxi merchants' interference in the temple policy could no longer be ignored. During the period when our influence was at its peak, even the appointment and removal of the chief minister of the cabinet could not bypass us. At that time, we Shanxi merchants no longer served the imperial court, but we Shanxi merchants relied on the imperial court to do things..."
Then, Chen Gongxing also said: "Yes, that period can be said to be the most prosperous time for our Shanxi merchants. Although the Hui and Zhejiang merchants saw the benefits, they soon followed suit in supporting temple ministers and interfering in the political situation. The direction of the war has become a major concern for us. The changes in the cabinet personnel are largely the result of our wrestling with the Huizhou and Zhejiang merchants... But until Emperor Chongzhen, our interference in the political situation of the temple was still not to be underestimated, and the court policy was also Overall, it is extremely beneficial to us, but unlike now, we have no power to interfere with the imperial court’s policies and can only bow our heads and accept our fate!”
Guo Linxiang sighed, but his expression became a little uninterested, and said: "Unfortunately, after Emperor Chongzhen ascends the throne, our good days will come to an end... This Emperor Chongzhen is indeed extraordinary. First, he used various means to continuously We deepened the conflict and hostility between us and the Huizhou and Zhejiang merchants, and then took advantage of the opportunity for both sides to fight to the death and lose both sides, to use thunderous means to wipe out the influence of our Shanxi merchants and Huizhou and Zhejiang merchants on the center of the temple... Since then From now on, our Shanxi merchants will never be as prosperous as before!"
He Zeng showed his unwillingness and said again: "Yes, the current Emperor Deqing, although not as bold and visionary as Emperor Chongzhen, is no less scheming. Over the years, he has been guarding against our merchants from Shanxi and Huizhou and Zhejiang." The power of businessmen has once again infiltrated the temple, which is why we are in the current situation. Every year, we give large bonuses to several powerful officials in the temple, but these powerful officials in the temple only provide us with some protection and convenience, but they do not We have never dared to speak up for us in the temple. Even if the various policies of the imperial court are not good for us, we can only endure it! After these powerful officials retire and become officials, our many years of investment will be wasted. drift!"
As Guo Linxiang, He Zeng, and Chen Gongxing, the three most powerful Shanxi merchants, spoke one after another, the emotions of the other Shanxi merchants also changed accordingly, sometimes showing longing and sometimes regret.
Obviously, all Shanxi merchants yearned for the glorious days when they could control the government.
But at this moment, Guo Linxiang's expression flashed with ambition, and he said: "However, now with Zhao Junchen's gradual rise, and through this year's battle, he has completely established a foothold in the temple. , our Shanxi merchants have been accumulating strength over the years...I think we may try to penetrate the influence into the center of the temple again, and Zhao Junchen is our best spokesperson! That's why I would suggest, should we Deepen the cooperation with Zhao Junchen, invest more capital in Zhao Junchen, and make the two parties become true allies!"
Hearing what Guo Linxiang said, all Shanxi merchants' expressions perked up!
"Zhao Junchen... is indeed the best candidate!" He Zeng said: "We have been in contact with Zhao Junchen many times, and we know him somewhat. This person has very similar thoughts and ideas to us Shanxi merchants, whether it is Sichuan salt development, commercial tax reform, and agricultural rectification are all similar to the style of our Shanxi merchants. The most important thing is that this person does not have any prejudice against our merchants, and even has some mercantile intentions. He always prompts us to do things. It’s not to use force to suppress others, but to take advantage of the situation. Even if we work for him, we will still get a lot of benefits!”
Chen Gongxing also echoed: "Yes, whether it is the soap business of Yuerongfang or the development of Sichuan salt, we have received a lot of benefits. During this time, we have been jealous of the daily income of the United Shipping Company. But I see what Mr. Zhao means. In the future, the Northern Trade Route will also choose to cooperate with us in the commercial tax rectification. By then, our income will not be less than that of the United Shipping Company!... After so many things, we and this The relationship between Mr. Zhao and Master Zhao is already extremely close, and even if the relationship becomes even closer and becomes a true ally, it will only be a matter of time!"
Many Shanxi businessmen have noticed that things have developed to this point. Ever since the meeting began, Guo Linxiang, He Zeng, and Chen Gongxing, the three most powerful Shanxi businessmen, have been acting together and constantly emphasizing the benefits of forming an alliance with Zhao Junchen. Obviously there was a tacit understanding in their hearts.
However, although the prospects proposed by Guo Linxiang and others are attractive, they still make many people hesitate.
After Emperor Chongzhen drove the influence of Shanxi merchants out of the temple center, Shanxi merchants suffered heavy losses, and many century-old Shanxi merchants collapsed.
Now, if the Shanxi merchants' plan to infiltrate the temple fails again, I am afraid that everyone present will end up in a very miserable situation.
In any case, making a desperate bet on Zhao Junchen seems a bit risky. Not only does it require Shanxi merchants to invest more resources, but Zhao Junchen is not the kind of person who is easily controlled. If the relationship between the two parties becomes closer, it will be Shanxi merchants. It is more likely to be controlled by Zhao Junchen.
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