Be quiet for a while.
Fu Sucai said: "Feng Zhen, since you understand the general situation, how can the government refuse to allow it?"
Feng Zhen knelt down and said, "Thank you, eldest son, for your understanding."
Ji Heng looked at Feng Zhen, who looked downcast, and said calmly: "It seems that I am worrying too much. Since Feng is willing to continue selling salt, Juling will not be resettled for the time being."
Hear the words.
Feng Zhen's pupils shrank and he didn't dare to say anything.
Ji Heng stared at Feng Zhen coldly, as if with a bit of dissatisfaction, and finally sighed softly and threw the last bamboo slip on the case over.
Feng Zhen was shocked.
How could he not know that the bamboo slips in Mr. Zhong's hands were all related to the Feng family's vitals, and this one was probably no exception.
He walked a few steps quickly and took the bamboo slip in his hand.
After just a few glances, his expression suddenly changed, and he felt a sense of fear.
What was written on this bamboo slip was the confession of the official who was arrested some time ago. It clearly confessed to the father and son.
Ji Heng said indifferently: "Since you are so aware of current affairs, and the eldest son is willing to give you a chance, you can take this letter back. As for how to deal with it, it is up to you to decide."
Feng Zhen said gratefully: "Thank you, eldest son."
"Feng is determined to go through fire and water for the Qin Dynasty, no matter what."
"Thank you for your forgiveness, eldest son."
Ji Heng sneered and said calmly: "You don't have to be happy so early. You and your son can indeed escape responsibility, but the government also needs an explanation."
"This is an internal matter within the Feng family. You can decide it yourself after you go back."
"I hope you won't disappoint the eldest son."
Feng Zhen's expression froze.
How could he not understand the meaning?
Feng Dong, Feng Zhen and his father can live, but the corruption and bribery involved by Feng will require some people to resist. As for the specific people to resist, the government does not care, but Feng must hand over some people.
Think of this.
Feng Zhen's face turned pale.
Ever since he was a child, had he ever been so humiliated?
Not only was the family's property taken away, but Feng's people were also asked to die in vain. In the past, Feng really thought that the eldest son believed in people and would not be too difficult, but now it seems that the eldest son is extremely cunning.
Although Feng Zhen's heart was bleeding, but the situation was stronger than others, he could only lower his head at the moment, squeezed out a smile and said: "Mr. Zhong, don't worry, I, the Feng family, will never tolerate these black sheep in the clan, and will definitely give the government satisfaction." Please give me your explanation, eldest son, please rest assured."
At this time.
The imperial doctor who treated Feng Dong also said: "Back to the eldest son, the master of the Feng family is not seriously ill. He just had chest tightness and shortness of breath. He couldn't breathe. He fainted and passed away. He only needs a few days of rest to recover." .”
Hear the words.
Feng Zhen said gratefully: "Thank you to the imperial doctor for the diagnosis. Feng Zhen is grateful."
After that, Feng Zhen knelt down and bowed to Fu Su Xing and said: "My eldest son, although my father is in good health, it is getting colder today. If he is exposed to the outside for a long time, he may catch the wind and cold. Now the matter discussed by the eldest son has been decided. I would like to ask you to help me." Take my father and leave."
"I hope my eldest son will make it happen."
"Yes." Fusu did not stop him.
Feng Zhen bowed deeply in gratitude, and then without any hesitation, he held the fainted Feng Dong in his arms and strode outside.
But before leaving the room, Ji Heng's voice came again.
"The bamboo slips you just looked at can also be taken away with you. In addition, officials will send documents related to the matter to Feng's house later. Mrs. Feng will check them carefully at that time to avoid any trouble in the future."
Feng Zhen's eyelids twitched.
He turned his head, glanced at the bamboo slips on the ground, hesitated for a moment, turned around, picked up the bamboo slips, bowed and left quickly.
The surrounding area gradually became quiet.
Creak.
Hearing the door creaking, Fu Suxin stepped into the room, looking a little happy and a little confused.
Ji Heng has stood up from the table.
Fusu looked at the empty door and asked curiously: "Mr. Ji, why are you so serious about Feng? Not only did you bring out 'Lü Buwei' to threaten you, but you also made threats one after another. Is Feng worthy of this?"
"It's not worth it." Ji Heng said.
"Why do you still insist on doing this, sir?" Fusu was puzzled.
Ji Heng glanced at Fusu indifferently, and said solemnly and calmly: "The status of merchants is low, and the court has obtained evidence that Feng colluded with officials, and even secretly framed other merchants. It is indeed easy to make Feng bow his head, or even make Feng destruction."
“But one thing comes to another.”
"A government order, or even just a nod or a look, can easily determine the life and death of the entire Feng family. But what can the court gain after Feng's entire family is executed?"
"Thousands of gold?"
"A chaotic and turbulent market?"
Hear the words.
Fusu was stunned.
Ji Heng stood with his hands behind his hands and said slowly: "Feng's salt business covers three or four counties in Guanzhong. Once the imperial court destroys Feng, the business network that Feng has created in the past ten years will be cut off."
“It is often easier to destroy than to create.”
"If the imperial court wants to re-establish it, it will consume a lot of time and manpower."
"There is actually a prerequisite for the imperial court to take back the salt and iron."
"That's stability!"
"Once there is a large-scale problem with the supply of salt and iron, it will have a great impact on Guanzhong. Compared with the long-term stability of Guanzhong, it is obviously more appropriate to force Feng to submit with an oppressive posture."
"And Feng is also aware of this."
"Trying to bargain."
"Thus, the bamboo slips I gave later were actually the straw that broke Feng's mind. They were added up one after another, forcing Feng to bow his head in frustration."
"That's not enough."
"If you want Feng to 'willingly' implement it, you must make Feng feel 'fatal' pressure, and this pressure cannot be given by the government."
"Juling?" Fusu asked.
Ji Heng nodded.
"How can he, a prisoner, pose such a big threat to the Feng family?" Fusu was a little in disbelief.
Ji Heng glanced at Fusu indifferently, shook his head and said: "Ju Ling is a businessman. I don't know what happened to him specifically, but one thing is for sure. The Feng family must be responsible for Ju Ling's decline. Open relationship."
"Perhaps Feng colluded with the officials to frame him."
"Or they were caught."
"But no matter what, Ju Ling was treated miserably. Not only was his face carved, but several of his toes were broken, and he was tortured. The playwright was also completely destitute, his family was ruined, and if he could come back, he would definitely not Let Feng go easily."
"Compared to the eldest son like you."
"Feng is more afraid of Ju Ling."
"What's the truth?" Fusu was very curious.
Could it be that he, the dignified eldest son of the Qin Dynasty, was no more intimidating to merchants than a down-and-out merchant?
He really couldn't believe it.
Ji Heng looked outside and said calmly: "The eldest son is indeed very famous and very intimidating to the world, but your reputation for benevolence and righteousness has long been known to the world. Madam Feng knows this and concludes that you will not Even if you are dissatisfied, you will at most do evil things behind your back, and you will not easily ruin your reputation."
"Ji Ling is different."
"This man has nothing left."
"He has nothing to care about."
"There is a saying among the people that those who are barefoot are not afraid of those who wear shoes; those who are too rough are afraid of those who are stunned; those who are stunned are afraid of losing their lives."
"Ju Ling is desperate for his life right now."
"Given Ju Ling a chance, he would really dare to defeat the entire Feng family."
"And you overlooked one thing."
"Feng is not afraid of the government, because the government needs to rely on Feng's business network, and Feng is not afraid of Ju Ling. Ju Ling is just one person, so how can Feng be afraid?"
"But it's different for Juling with the support of the government."
"after all."
"They know better than anyone how they calculated and how they managed Juling. They also know very well what they will face once the government and Juling come together."
"They're scared."
"This is why Feng completely bowed his head."
"Whether it is the eldest son or the government, it can only make merchants afraid, but if you want merchants to be truly afraid, you must make them feel the pain and feel that they are really going to die!"
"They can do whatever they want, but 'someone' will be watching them."
"Once you are discovered, you will pay the price!"
Hear the words.
Fusu was thoughtful.
He also roughly understood the reason.
The government took over Yantie to 'grab money', and the purpose of grabbing money was to consolidate the foundation. Guanzhong was the foundation of the Qin Dynasty. If the merchants were directly liquidated, it would probably plunge Guanzhong into turmoil, and then the gains would outweigh the losses.
Counterproductive.
Letting merchants use it for their own use is the right way.
However, how could a merchant be willing to accept being robbed of the salt pond and well? He must be full of resentment towards the imperial court, and he is very likely to go against his will and do things half-heartedly. To a certain extent, this will also affect the stability of Guanzhong.
After all, salt and iron are related to the lives and production of all people.
Therefore, merchants must be allowed to work honestly.
The government's deterrence was not enough, so Ji Heng thought of other 'merchants'. Although these people were losers, as long as the government used them a little, they could have a great deterrent effect.
For a while.
He even thought of giving both kindness and power.
But he felt a little strange about Ji Heng's "both kindness and power".
Needless to say, Wei Zi.
Those five bamboo slips were basically threats.
And grace
Raise a certain status and be allowed to wear fancy clothes.
These can only be regarded as "virtual" favors.
Fusu thought for a moment, and if he really insisted on discussing it, not letting Ju Ling do business would be considered a 'real' favor. However, the 'favour' given by Ji Heng was too careless and perfunctory.
But Fusu had to admit it.
The effect is surprisingly good.
Ji Heng plotted against the merchants and did not give the merchants the right to bargain. Whenever the merchants tried to bargain, Ji Heng would use an extremely forceful attitude to suppress the merchants' thoughts.
Ji Heng touched the mask on his face, then looked at the side room where Fu Su was staying, and said, "I have demonstrated it before. Other merchants can just follow the example and let the officials handle it."
"For merchants."
"Don't give them any illusions."
"Don't give them any bargaining power."
Finished.
Ji Heng walked towards the outside of Di's shop.
When he walked out of the di shop, he saw a lame beggar. He paused and looked at it for a few times, then sighed and turned away resolutely.
(End of chapter)
