"Get up."
However, the two of them refused to get up and just knelt down and prostrated.
Feng Ziying also had some feelings. Of course he could understand what this change of fate would bring to these two people and even their family.
"Sir, let them kneel, otherwise they will feel uneasy." Duan Xigui was also deeply touched.
"Then raise your heads." Feng Ziying had no intention of showing any equality or that the man had gold under his knees, so she nodded, "This time you two can be favored by Master Lin. If you are both transferring salt to the Si Yamen, it will be the same." You are blessed with good opportunities. After arriving at the Yamen, you must work diligently and diligently so as not to disgrace your reputation."
"I will definitely keep your words in mind and never dare to insult the Feng (Duan) family's reputation." The two kowtowed again.
"Well, you know what kind of yamen the Salt Transport Bureau is. There are many interests involved, and there are also many secrets that are not humane. You two must be careful in your words and deeds in the yamen. Don't do anything. Listen to other people's lies to avoid being deceived. You must remember not to harm others, be on guard against others, and never get involved..."
This can be regarded as a derivative of the "new learning" I accidentally taught.
Originally, I just thought that Arabic numerals were more convenient and simpler, and then I thought about the promotion of double-entry accounting for business activities, so I just did it casually.
Unexpectedly, Duan Xigui actually had some talent in this area, and he would make such a big splash over and over again.
Not only is it very popular in Shandong, it has even reached the point where "supply exceeds demand". Now it is even attracted by the salt transfer envoys and yamen. Of course, Feng Ziying will fully support such a promotion opportunity.
In the future, he will fully recommend not only the salt transfer department, but also the municipal shipping department, even the Ministry of Household and Ministry of Industry, as well as households and workshops in local prefectures and counties that can use these.
Only when this subtle change gradually forms a trend in the entire society can it truly promote social and economic development.
After sending away the two grateful boys, Feng Ziying was in a good mood.
Although this is just a little effort, these little changes can still bring some kind of pleasant mood.
"How are things going these days?"
"There are still many people for interviews, but they still have doubts, but brother Keng, let alone them, even we are also worried." In front of his cousin, Duan Xigui didn't have too many taboos, "Kaihai Bond It's better to say that if we explain it, Mr. Wang, Mr. Lian and I all think that two million taels should be negotiable, but this should be the limit..."
"Then what do you think the main problem is?" Feng Ziying also wanted to test his cousin's ability to analyze and judge. He wanted to make a positioning choice for his cousin's position in the future career map.
As if he had considered this issue, Duan Xigui pondered for a moment and said: "I have contacted several salt merchants and I feel that they lack trust in the court. Regarding the maritime tax issue of the Municipal Shipping Department mentioned, whether it is supervision or the amount of tax, I feel that This is not the key. They feel that the current financial situation of the imperial court is very bad, and it is very likely to get worse. Then in a few years, the sea tax revenue may be diverted by the imperial court for other emergency purposes instead of using it to redeem the bond. In their view, this is actually a disguised form of donation.”
This is a matter of confidence in the imperial court and the imperial court's own credibility, rather than a matter of guarantee and supervision methods. Feng Ziying nodded. Duan Xigui had a good eye for this, and he still saw this point.
In the past, the imperial court mostly used donations to solve temporary emergencies. This itself was an unethical method, and even the donors themselves understood it.
Occasionally, there are loans, but firstly, the amount is small, and secondly, the time is short, and basically they are not in the name of the court, but more often in the capacity of a certain department or an official, so there has never been a routine.
"Then how does cousin think we can solve this problem? Or dispel the other party's doubts?" Feng Ziying asked with a smile.
"I have discussed this matter with Mr. Wang and Brother Lian, and I think it is really difficult, because the form of donation has been used many times, and everyone thinks that it is just spending money to buy an identity, and the impression is deeply ingrained, but this time you are asking for such a High, the amount is so large, it will inevitably make them feel that the court is intentionally using this method to extort money."
In fact, Feng Ziying herself didn't come up with any good ideas.
The reputation of the imperial court needs to be based on strength first and needs to be accumulated and cultivated over a long period of time. In a sense, sometimes a certain reputable official or minister may have a higher reputation than the imperial court, as long as it is within a certain range. .
What kind of extravagant talk do you have to do now to get people to be convinced and bow to you? How can that be such a good thing?
No matter how famous you are, in the face of millions of dollars, even if you are determined to maintain the credibility of the court, you may be easily overthrown in the face of severe reality. This is something that these businessmen would not have thought of.
This kind of credibility of the court, that is, the credibility of the modern government, cannot be established overnight. Whether the modern contract system can achieve equal rights for the government and the court basically depends on the person, not the system.
From another perspective, which of these salt merchants can say that they are innocent?
Mixing salt with soil is basically the most common profit-making method of every salt merchant, which is harmful to the people; colluding with private salt dealers to sell salt across regions is a violation of court regulations; colluding with officials from the Yamen to transport salt The method of stealing the money owed by the salt class is to pay less, or colluding with internal and external parties to make false accounts, or colluding with the salt farm to falsely report losses and sell private salt. These are common tricks.
Almost every salt merchant's fortune is based on such bad deeds, without exception.
Because of this, they could only bow their heads obediently and obey orders when faced with the imperial court's demands.
"Cousin, in this case, it seems that your interview was not effective."
"That's not the case." Duan Xigui shook his head, "Brother Keng, do you know what we rely on most when talking to these businessmen?"
"What is it?" Feng Ziying was surprised.
"It's you, your identity, your reputation, your future prospects." Duan Xigui said with certainty: "If it weren't for you, it would be difficult for others to get interested."
"Oh? My reputation, well, it should be my image, right?" Feng Ziying was surprised but also a little proud. This is probably her most valuable asset.
Duan Xigui was not comfortable with Feng Ziying's choice of words, but he could still understand what the other party meant.
"Well, this is what we gradually realized after talking to them a lot. It's not just me, Mr. Wang, and Second Master Lian who all feel this way." Duan Xigui's words were full of some insights, "You Many of them know about your family background, your origin, your master, and even your classmates and your performance in the Qiuwei and Chunwei palace examinations. They even took the trouble to inquire from us about the relationship between Brother Lian and I and you. They also They all know it like the back of their hand..."
Feng Ziying laughed, "It's interesting. Is there anything else besides these?"
"Also." Duan Xigui's tone became more and more serious, even a little bit exploratory.
"Oh?" Seeing her cousin's attitude, Feng Ziying was surprised, "Cousin, what else is there?"
"They are actually very interested in your strategy of opening up the sea. Some people agree very much with your view on opening up the sea and banning and promoting sea trade. They also agree with the purpose and significance of your proposal to establish a bank. But they are also very They are worried that all the money from Yinzhuang will be invested in Denglai and Liaodong, and they think that the money invested in Denglai and Liaodong will only be wasted. If it is invested in silk factories, shipyards, etc. in Jiangnan as you mentioned, Tea farms, ceramic workshops, and even investment in land reclamation can all be expected to generate profits...
Feng Ziying was greatly surprised. He did not expect that there were such people among the salt merchants. He could see that it would be difficult to see benefits if the money was invested in Denglai and Liaodong. However, if the money was invested in the three industries of silk, tea and porcelain, it would obviously be profitable. , even the shipbuilding industry in Jiangnan can have a good profit.
This is probably the nature of merchants. They can quickly judge where capital flows to obtain profits, but they automatically ignore the court background and responsibilities of the bank. Of course, this has nothing to do with them. It is the court's business.
"After all, I still don't quite believe in Yinzhuang's operating model." Feng Ziying shook her head. "My vision is still a bit short-sighted. I only see immediate benefits and ignore long-term strategic benefits."
Duan Xigui didn't understand much, but he still knew that the nature of this silver village was relatively complicated.
"Brother Keng, I feel that these businessmen are not what we originally imagined. I feel that some people do not just want to be limited to this corner of the salt, or they also have some other wishes..." Duan Xigui tried hard to put himself out there. What he gained from this period of contact was that in his opinion, the group of salt merchants was a promising gold mine that was worth exploring.
Feng Ziying agrees with this, and Wang Wenyan also mentioned it.
A considerable number of these salt merchants are not the kind of misers who cling to their money and never let go. They also know where their wealth comes from, but they are more worried about the wealth they have accumulated being targeted.
Even they have felt that with the end of the Supreme Emperor and the increasing power of the new emperor, their group may also usher in a period of violent shock, so they are also looking for a way out.
Some hope to continue changing their families on the salt road, but feel that the time has not come yet, while others have longer-term considerations.
It should be said that this is exactly an opportunity, but how to win the trust of the latter group is a difficult problem for Feng Ziying.
But this problem has to be solved.
