Because of the tiger-character flag, these people have contributed money and efforts to the government many times.
As for where the money was spent in the end, they could guess it. After all, Ziyang was only a little old, and who didn't have three or five friends?
They didn't want to offend the government, so they naturally tolerated it as compensation.
But they used the tiger-shaped flag as an excuse to ask for money several times, and they were unwilling to endure it any longer. The government had regarded them as money banks, and they would ask for money whenever they were short of money.
The prefect of Yanzhou looked ugly, but did not speak. Instead, Kong Yinjing said: "Everyone, it is a fact that the tiger thieves have arrived in Ziyang. The army of tiger thieves has captured Jining Prefecture not long ago. The government did not lie to everyone. The government Tai did not lie to everyone, this is the time when we need to work together, so I, Kong, will lead the way and be willing to spend three thousand taels of silver to defend Ziyang City."
As his words fell, the people around him took a breath.
Many people lamented in their hearts how wealthy the Kong family in Qufu was.
Many rich people in the countryside packed up and sold all their property, but they couldn't get as much as three thousand taels of silver.
But Kong's people opened their mouths and gave three thousand taels of silver to the government in vain.
"Kong has such a profound understanding of righteousness. On behalf of the people of Ziyang City, I can't thank you enough." After saying that, the Yanzhou magistrate actually stood up and bowed to Kong Yin.
Upon seeing this, Kong Yinjing hurriedly stopped him with his hands and said at the same time: "My parents are so polite."
The prefect of Yanzhou was helped up by Kong Yinjing.
Immediately, he turned to look at the rich households in Ziyang present and said, "Everyone, on behalf of the people of the city, I am here to thank you."
With that said, he bowed again.
Different from the salute given to Kong Yin just now, this time it was given to many people present.
How could many people present dare to observe the courtesy of a prefecture magistrate like this? They stood up from their seats and saluted the Yanzhou prefect in turn.
However, there were still a few people sitting motionless in their seats.
Moreover, these people were sitting at the main table, at the same table as the prefect of Yanzhou, Kong Yinjing and others.
I saw these people with livid faces and very ugly expressions.
"What do you mean?" The prefect of Yanzhou ignored their livid faces and looked at the people at the same table with a smile.
The people sitting at the main table are naturally wealthy people.
One of them, a fair and fat middle-aged man, said with a dark face: "The arrangements have been made. Does our opinion matter? Tell me, how much do you want?"
He could see clearly that the Kong family and the people in the government office had already colluded, and it was too late to say anything at this time.
The magistrate of Yanzhou laughed when he saw that the other party had surrendered, and said: "Although for the people of Ziyang City, the more the better, but I am not an unreasonable person, so let's just have a few fewer people than Kong." That’s it.”
The corners of the mouths of several people who heard this twitched a few times.
The Kong family in Qufu offered three thousand taels of silver. Even if it was less, it would still be two thousand taels. If it was any less, I'm afraid the man in front of me would be dissatisfied.
"Guys, please stop hesitating. This is for the sake of the people in the city and yourselves." Kong Yinjing urged those at the same table who were still hesitating.
As for whether he would offend these people, he didn't care.
Unless Mr. Kong is down and out, no matter how dissatisfied these people are, they will not dare to do anything to him.
However, the Kong family in Qufu has been passed down for thousands of years, and will continue to be passed down for thousands of years or even longer in the future. Naturally, there will never be a day when it will fall into decline.
Therefore, he is not afraid of offending the big families in Ziyang City, not to mention that this is Shandong.
In Shandong, although their Qufu Kong family is only a Duke of Yansheng, it is not an exaggeration to say that they are the king of Shandong. Even the King of Lu is three points shorter than their Qufu Kong family.
"Okay, we will pay." The fat middle-aged man said, "Each family will pay 2,000 taels, and the three of us will pay a total of 6,000 taels."
The fat middle-aged man represented the other two families and promised to give the government six thousand taels.
The three companies combined have surpassed Qufu Kong's.
However, the prefect of Yanzhou was not satisfied with this figure.
He didn't speak, but glanced at Kong Yinjing in his seat.
Kong Yinjing stood up, picked up the teapot on the table, and poured tea for the three people present. At the same time, he said: "The three of them are big grain merchants in Yanzhou Prefecture. When the tiger thieves come, the grain will be more than one yuan a day." Today, the people in the city are almost out of food."
After pouring the tea, he put down the teapot and returned to his seat.
"The current situation is not good. It is already very difficult for us to get food into the city. Now that the city gate is closed, we can eat less food every time. It is impossible for food prices to drop." The fat middle-aged man shook his head and refused. Lower food prices.
"Yes, food prices cannot be lowered."
"If food prices drop further, we will lose money."
The two people on the side echoed.
For them, even if they make a small profit, they will lose money. How can they be willing to lower the price of food when they are making such a huge fortune? Let alone the government, they will not sell food cheaply even if the emperor of the Forbidden City issues an imperial edict.
"You guys misunderstood." Kong Yinjing smiled and said, "I didn't tell you to sell grain at a loss. In my opinion, not only should the price of grain not be reduced, but it should be raised."
The Kong family in Qufu also has a lot of acres of land and there is no shortage of grain shops. At this time, they will take the opportunity to increase grain prices and make a lot of money.
Therefore, not only would he not let other grain stores lower their prices, he would instead support increasing grain prices.
If the price of food does not increase, how can the Qufu Kong family make money from the people?
"Then what do you mean?" The fat middle-aged man looked at Kong Yinjing with confusion in his eyes.
Kong Yinjing said with a smile: "The business of the grain store must be very good these few months!"
The fat middle-aged man was speechless.
Since the Tiger-Character Banner was launched to attack Henan, food prices in Shandong began to rise, and they only went up. After the Tiger-Character Banner attacked Damingfu and Shandong, food prices were even higher day by day.
These grain merchants made a fortune, and every family made enough money.
"I've earned so much money, but you only paid 6,000 taels. Isn't it too little?" Kong Yinjing looked at a few people and gently turned the teacup in front of him with his fingers.
The fat middle-aged man who heard this said: "You, the Kong family, only paid three thousand taels of silver. Our family's two thousand taels of silver is already a lot."
"No, no, no." Kong Yinjing waved his hand and said, "I, the Kong family, are mainly in Qufu. If I, the Kong family, were not concerned about the safety of the people in the city, I would not have to pay this money. Do you think that the tiger thieves still dare to Are you going to run wild in Qufu?"
His words made the white, fat middle-aged people fall silent.
The Kong family is a family of saints. This is something even the children on the street know. The thieves may attack the prefectures in Shandong, but they may not do anything to the Kong family in Qufu. Maybe they will treat the Kong family with courtesy.
Emperors of all dynasties have treated the Kong family in this way. It is not impossible for the tiger thief to be as forgiving as the emperors of the past dynasties.
