Feng Dong and others quickly said: "It should be so."
Ji Heng glanced down calmly and said directly: "The government must get all the salt and iron in your hands."
As soon as he said this, the whole hall was shocked.
The salt and iron in their hands is indeed not all the salt and iron, but it is not a small amount either.
Handing over all the salt and iron, even they would have to break their muscles and bones, not to mention that they had just experienced a shipwreck not long ago. It would cost a lot of money and food to rebuild the ship. During this time, a large number of members of the clan fled. They also secretly took away a lot of money, and they didn't have much money left.
The government suddenly opened its mouth and took away all the salt and iron. They really couldn't accept it.
They did make up their mind to join the government, but they were merchants.
Businessmen just want to make money.
Not only can't you make money now, but you also have to pay back an unknown amount of money.
Their dissatisfaction was evident on their faces.
Ji Heng could naturally see the dissatisfaction and anger of several people.
However, he didn't take it to heart and said calmly: "I know you are reluctant to part with it. The five families in your hands hold tens of thousands of pounds of salt and iron. Such a huge amount is enough to supply millions of people for several months. If it were me, , I’m afraid I won’t be willing to hand it over in vain.”
"But you can only pay."
"Don't forget that the salt and iron in your hands fell into the water ten days ago."
Hear the words.
Several people in the audience thought it was all an excuse.
The government already knows that the salt and iron are still there, and they have not really fallen into the water. They are still wondering whether they have fallen into the water. What's the point?
Don’t you just want to swallow their salt and iron?
Feng Dong did not respond.
He pondered for a moment, then suddenly realized what he was doing, and said, "Thank you, Mr. Zhong, for reminding me. I almost made a big mistake."
"Since the salt and iron have fallen into the water, how can we take it out openly? Doesn't this mean we are openly telling the world that the salt and iron have not fallen into the water? In fact, we have hidden it secretly. If anyone notices this, it will probably bring trouble to us and the government. Punish with words and words."
"This is absolutely unacceptable."
After hearing Feng Dong's words, Cheng Zheng and others also reacted.
The government and them did know that the salt and iron had not fallen into the water, but the outside world did not know. Now the outside world is buzzing about that the salt and iron has fallen into the water. If they take the salt and iron out, wouldn't they be slapping themselves in the face? The world is not a fool, very soon It's easy to spot something fishy.
How will they defend themselves then?
What's more serious is that if they sell salt and iron openly and the government does nothing, wouldn't it clearly tell the world that the government and merchants are secretly colluding.
At that time, in order to calm down the situation, the government may take action on them.
Doesn't this cause trouble for yourself?
But they were really unwilling to give up tens of thousands of pounds of salt and iron.
Ji Heng said: "I know you are worried about losses, but it is impossible for the government to buy it back with money, but it can be compensated in other ways. I have discussed with the eldest son earlier that you and your family will pay taxes on salt and iron business in the future. The tax has been reduced from the previous 35% to 50%.”
Hear the words.
Cheng Zheng and others looked happy.
They are naturally very happy to get tax cuts.
Just a 16% reduction is too little, that is tens of thousands of jun salt and iron.
However, seeing that Mr. Zhong obviously gave no room for bargaining, although they were still a little unhappy, they reluctantly accepted it. After all, their arms could not twist their thighs. It was enough that the government was willing to reduce taxes. If the government really did it, they would take it by force. They can't actually do anything about it.
Cheng Zheng and others also gave up as soon as they saw fit.
Cheng Zheng cupped his hands and said, "Thank you very much, Mr. Zhong, for asking for your life for us."
Ji Heng continued: "The government will requisition all the salt workers, iron workers, and craftsmen who make agricultural tools in your hands."
Cheng Zheng said: "Okay."
Feng Dong on the side said solemnly: "Mr. Zhong, is it too obvious that the government directly requisitions it? Although we are leaning towards the government, the outside world doesn't know that such an intimate move may attract attention. If anyone guesses, There might be some trouble."
Ji Heng smiled and said, "The government has its own considerations."
"The government will not let you give it for free, but will force you to do so. In addition, these workers and craftsmen will be paid. Under normal circumstances, except for you, other salt workers and iron workers in Guanzhong will be forcibly recruited. Therefore, It won’t attract any attention.”
Feng Dong nodded slightly.
Hearing Ji Heng's words, he felt relieved.
He was actually very worried that their relationship with the government would be exposed, at least for now. The government could escape unscathed, but they might suffer bad consequences. This was not what he wanted to see, so he paid special attention to it at this time. detail.
Ji Heng took a deep look at Feng Dong and continued: "In addition, except for Ju Ling and other new salt merchants, iron merchants, and you, the salt and iron shares of other merchants will be gradually released after the matter calms down. It will be up to you to divide it up yourself, and the government will not interfere. After all, this is the market’s choice.”
"It all depends on ability."
Hear the words.
Feng Dong and others were stunned.
What they expected happened after all.
Ji Heng's words clearly stated that the government would take action against Cao Bingsheng and others.
Cao Bingsheng and other merchants have been completely abandoned by the government.
Think of this.
There was also a sense of fear in their hearts.
If they had not reached an agreement at that time, or had other ideas, and then made the government dissatisfied, I am afraid that they would also follow in the footsteps of Cao Bingsheng and others. The government's methods are fierce, but they never take anything into account.
Cheng Zheng took a deep breath and felt his chest was tight.
He had always been very close to Cao Bingsheng, and when he suddenly heard the news, he couldn't help but feel a little dazed.
He pondered for a moment, gritted his teeth and asked, "May I ask Mr. Zhong, why did you choose us?"
A cold look flashed in Ji Heng's eyes, and he said indifferently: "The reason is actually very simple. The government cannot trust them. Tiger poison does not eat its seeds. These people are too decisive in abandoning their own people. How can such people be trusted by the government?"
Hear the words.
Cheng Zheng was not convinced by this explanation.
When will the government need to consider these situations?
This is clearly sophistry.
See this.
Ji Heng frowned and said with a half-smile, "You really want to know the reason?"
Cheng Zheng's face stiffened, and he cupped his hands and said, "I just have some doubts in my heart. Cao Bingsheng is a good friend of mine. I heard that he was abandoned by the government, and I was in a daze for a moment, so I became curious."
"Please forgive me, sir."
Ji Heng chuckled and said, "If you really want to know, I can tell you."
"Because they are too young."
"There are too many capable people in their clan."
"What the government needs are obedient merchants, not merchants with their own ideas."
"At least not yet!"
Hearing Ji Heng's words, Cheng Zheng was stunned for a moment.
Then he showed a wry smile.
He got it.
What Mr. Zhong and even the court are afraid of is not an individual, but the strength and potential of each merchant. From beginning to end, he and Feng Dong were the most involved in this matter. Logically speaking, they are the people the government is most afraid of, and they should be. It is a typical example of the government killing people quickly, but this is just their wishful thinking.
This is not what the government is considering.
And in the big picture.
lies in the long-term harm.
They did participate a lot this time, but the reason why they planned so much was mainly to seek more space for their clansmen and avoid being cannibalized by other merchants in the future. They knew that the children of their clan were already in decline, so they could only take a chance. .
However, Cao Bingsheng and other families are different.
There are many talented children in their clan right now.
Young and energetic.
It's easy to do impulsive things.
In addition, it was not easy for the government to completely control them, so the government decided to abandon them.
in short.
The government wants people who are obedient, not people who have their own ideas.
To this.
Cheng Zheng and others could only smile bitterly.
They don't even know whether to cry or laugh. In the eyes of the government, they are just like "weak people" because the family is in a state of decline. If they want to make a living in the future, they will have to completely turn to the government, and they can only follow the government closely. I will definitely not easily develop dissent.
At least in the short term it is absolutely impossible.
immediately.
Everyone's hearts gradually became peaceful.
At least for now, the government still trusts them.
That also means there is no short-term risk to life.
This is barely good news.
What makes them feel even more reassured is the government's 'inaction'.
It seemed like they were doing nothing, but in fact they were allowed to fight openly and covertly to eat up Cao Bingsheng and others' share, which invisibly pitted them against each other. This time, the people who were originally somewhat united began to have some resentment.
The means are not bad.
Just like the drizzle of spring breeze, silent.
They couldn't think about this now. If the government really had no target, they would probably continue to worry. Now that the government was secretly causing trouble, it showed that it was not just a feint, which made them feel completely at ease.
At this time.
Ji Heng's voice came again.
"Write down the officials involved one by one."
Hear the words.
Cheng Zheng and others' expressions changed greatly.
Ji Heng's methods are too cruel. If this is known, they may never have peace.
This is a disguised form of forcing them to recruit all relevant officials.
Ji Heng, however, looked indifferent and said coldly: "You have to pay a price for doing something wrong, and someone is destined to bear the price."
"It's either you or them."
"Since this matter has become a big deal, we can only end it in a beautiful way."
“It’s an anticlimax.”
Cheng Zheng and others looked at each other with hesitation in their eyes.
They knew they had to hand in a surrender deed.
It's just that this contract is too cruel.
If they really do this, they will undoubtedly cut off any escape route and have no room for maneuver. They will have no choice but to completely turn to the government, or to be precise, the eldest son.
But do they have a choice?
No!
Cheng Zheng and others had bitter expressions on their faces, and in the end they could only nod.
Ji Heng nodded with satisfaction and said: "You can rest assured that this list will not be known to the outside world. You will be grateful for this decision in the future. Although you have lost a lot, you will slowly make up for it in the future. If the government does not I will treat you badly."
Hearing Ji Heng's words, Cheng Zheng and others smiled bitterly.
I would be very grateful if the government could save them from trouble in the future.
other? I don't dare to have any extravagant thoughts at all.
They were really scared.
Half an hour later.
Ji Heng left with satisfaction.
(End of chapter)
