There was dead silence.
They are all people who have been ups and downs in troubled times, and they have been struggling in society for many years. They were just too nervous and were flustered for a while. When they really calmed down, and Feng Dong's clear explanation before, they woke up.
All their stability actually depends on Qin Ting.
There is no more protection from Qin Ting.
What will happen to them? Especially after the commercial law is promulgated?
It takes almost no thought.
They all clearly realized that without the protection of Qin Ting and the protection of Qin Law, merchants like them would die miserably, and their entire clan might even be destroyed.
This is not alarmist talk.
But it is a fact that is extremely likely to happen.
They are merchants, and they know better the consequences of pushing merchants into a hurry.
When they were doing business in the past, they often told people that anyone who would cut off my financial path would be like killing my parents. Now because of their existence, Da Qin has introduced commercial laws. Doesn't this mean that it has cut off the financial path for most merchants in the world? Just thinking about the resentment that had been aroused made several people's scalps feel numb.
They are indeed victims.
But who cares?
Who cares about this?
Other merchants would only think that their operations were improper and Qin Ting noticed it. In order to take precautions against the merchants, Qin Ting decided to strengthen its control over the merchants. No matter what the final result was, the consequences would definitely fall on them.
Looking at the ugly expressions of everyone around him, Feng Dong sighed softly and continued: "Don't you guys feel anything else strange?"
"Is there anything else strange?" Everyone's expressions darkened and they asked quickly.
Feng Dong smiled bitterly and said: "Does the government need to inform us when it issues laws? Do we need to explain things clearly?"
Hear the words.
Everyone was stunned.
They already understood what Feng Dong meant.
Why did the government ever care about merchants' suggestions? And have you ever listened to the advice of a merchant?
there has never been!
So why is it unusual this time?
The results are clear.
on purpose.
Not for pressure.
It's not to force them to submit.
Instead, he deliberately blamed the implementation of the "Shang Code" on merchants and asked them to attract the hatred of the world.
This will weaken the hatred towards Qin Ting.
This is inhuman!
See this.
Feng Dong also knew that others had understood, and he said: "This is probably Mr. Zhong's real purpose. Everything in front of him is all mysteries and deliberate intimidation, just to make us fall into this trap." There was boundless panic, and then the matter was settled quietly."
"Qin Ting is powerful now. Even if other merchants know that we are the targets of Qin Ting, they will not rashly fight against Qin Ting."
"They can only come against us."
"well."
Feng Dong let out a long sigh and said with a cold expression: "This Mr. Zhong has such a profound plan. He pushed us down into the abyss, then dropped a rope from a high altitude, and looked down at us from above, and then Tell us that we can survive by holding on to Qin Ting’s rope.”
"It's a complete travesty."
There was silence.
How can others not feel it?
But what else can they do except express some anger in their hearts and words?
What can be done?
Originally, they, salt merchants and iron merchants, had tens of thousands of people gathered together, but in the past ten days, a large number of tribesmen and ministers from each family had fled, and now they could only gather less than one person. With more than a thousand people, what kind of trouble can this small amount of manpower cause in Guanzhong?
What's more, he was closely guarded by Qin Ting.
Think of this.
There was even more fear in everyone's eyes.
They suddenly thought, could this be part of Mr. Zhong’s plan?
Is it because they are afraid that the merchants will be destroyed?
Don't give any chance!
Cheng Zheng laughed evilly and sighed: "This person really thinks highly of us. He is very careful about plotting against us. He will not give us any chance to cause trouble, and will never allow us to create more turmoil externally. It affects the progress of things.”
"It's really ruthless to be so defensive."
The others' eyes dimmed.
They are being targeted so hard that they have absolutely no room to resist, so what should they do now?
Someone in the lobby asked softly: "What should we do now?"
"What to do? Who knows?"
"Now that Qin Ting has figured us out, what can we do? Don't we all depend on what Qin Ting thinks? If Qin Ting wants us to live, we may still have a glimmer of hope. If Qin Ting wants us to die, I'm afraid we will leave. Death is not far away.”
"Didn't Brother Feng say that you have a chance of survival if you take refuge with Qin Ting? If you don't, you will die."
"It's up to you to choose."
"To seek refuge with the Qin people? It's simply ridiculous."
"It was clearly Qin Ting who harmed us like this, but when he turned around, Qin Ting wanted to be our 'savior' instead. It's really a big joke in the world. If this spreads out, we will probably be poked at by the world for the rest of our lives. Backbone, I can’t afford to lose that person.”
"It's really unreasonable. How can it be tolerated?"
"."
Five people were cursing in the lobby.
But no one dared to raise their voice, they all dared to whisper.
Indignant.
After a while of scolding and shouting, Cheng Zheng reminded in a loud voice: "Don't forget that there is still salt and iron."
After saying this, the surroundings became quiet again.
Feng Dong hesitated for a moment, shook his head and said: "Yantie should be fine. Judging from the tone of Mr. Zhong's words, he might have already concluded that we transferred Yantie. This is not a matter of whether we admit it or not, but Qin Ting's. May believe our excuses.”
"and"
Feng Dong paused and continued: "It doesn't matter whether we talk or not."
"As long as one person in the room says so."
"That's right."
"There are even those who don't have it!"
Everyone's eyes were rolling, and they obviously had their own thoughts.
But all of them did not speak.
Feng Dong was aware of this situation.
When disaster strikes, we all fly away.
They are businessmen and they are very familiar with this.
No one wants to die.
And it might even lead to the annihilation of the whole family.
He even carries with him eternal infamy. No one can bear the consequences.
So he didn't think anyone would seek death.
Cheng Zheng looked around and sneered: "Now that things have happened, there is no need to deceive ourselves or others anymore. The government will not believe us. Maybe the government has found something, or they just don't believe it, but right now there is no need." It doesn’t make any sense anymore.”
"Salt and iron are our public deed to the government."
"If you want to survive, you have to hand it over."
"No."
"Then we can only wait to die."
"So there is no need to worry about salt and iron."
"The government probably won't make things difficult for us, and may even put the blame on a few other people, but..." Cheng Zheng sneered and reminded: "There are only five people on our side now, while there are six on Cao Bingsheng's side. , they have much more salt and iron than we do, and if they turn to the government, we may not be able to save it."
"after all."
"This matter has caused such a big fuss, and it is destined to need someone to put an end to it."
"It's either them or us!"
"So open the sky and speak openly, settle things in advance, don't pretend to be sophisticated and make yourself mysterious. If you are overtaken by Cao Bingsheng and others, you will regret your pretense even before you die. "
The others smiled awkwardly.
They still agreed with what Cheng Zheng said.
Although Mr. Zhong said verbally that he did not invite the other six people, who knows if the eldest son will invite the other six people if he did not? Once one party compromises, the other party is destined to suffer. Who wants to be the tragic person in this incident?
Someone in the lobby said: "It seems that everyone has the same opinion."
"Then let's settle it like this."
"It's better to die than live anyway."
"During this period, due to the pressure from the government, the number of people in our respective clans has decreased a lot, which can be regarded as a different kind of cost-cutting. Even if the share is still the same in the future, the profits of the clan will be much greater, which should be higher than in the previous months. Much better."
"hehe."
After hearing this man's words, everyone's expressions darkened.
I just sighed helplessly in the end.
It seems that the results are better, but the price is too heavy.
It was too tragic to face.
But right now they have no other option.
They can only survive by cutting off their tails.
Everyone picked up their tea bowls and sipped the tea.
After a few mouthfuls of tea, the tea in the bowl was almost bottomed out.
Feng Dong and Cheng Zheng said nothing more, and no one else had any thoughts of speaking. Everyone lowered their heads tacitly, thinking about what to do later.
But Salt and Iron can admit it.
But after all, you still need to be tactful and completely shirk responsibility.
After all, what the government needs is 'clean' merchants.
A little bit.
There is no more tea in the teacup.
After a few dozen breaths, there was a sound of footsteps outside the door.
Feng Dong and others were stunned, and quickly returned to their respective positions, sitting upright and waiting for Mr. Zhong to arrive.
Creak.
The closed door opened again.
Ji Heng stepped into the field wearing a mask of indifference.
He stood at the door, letting the sun shine down on his body, like a shining god, making people afraid to look directly at him.
He scanned the audience calmly and said calmly, "Have you guys thought about it clearly now?"
Cheng Zheng looked around and took the initiative to say: "We have considered it carefully. We were incoherent and even rude to Mr. Zhong. After Mr. Zhong's reward, we have calmed down and understood Mr. Zhong's great kindness. , I am willing to be sent by the government."
"That salt and iron."
Cheng Zheng took a deep breath and said in a deep voice: "Perhaps it is indeed still there. When I asked each other earlier, I was shocked by this, but please make it clear to Mr. Zhong that when the salt and iron were transported away privately, it had nothing to do with me. , we have no idea about this, and if Mr. Zhong hadn’t kept reminding us, we probably wouldn’t have even thought about it.”
"I'm terrified."
"Please forgive me, Mr. Zhong."
Other merchants also quickly bowed and said, "Please forgive me, Mr. Zhong."
Ji Heng looked at the cautious people below, with a smile in his eyes. He slowly raised his hand and said calmly: "I don't blame those who don't know. What is there to blame?"
"I believe you are telling the truth."
"Thank you, Mr. Zhong, for your trust. We are extremely grateful." Cheng Zheng and others quickly added.
Ji Heng stepped to the main seat, sat down Shi Shiran, and said: "Since you have discovered the clues about Salt and Iron, it is just right for me to invite you to come and discuss it."
"Can we discuss salt and iron again now?"
(End of chapter)
