Since Jian Nu completely defeated Lin Dan Khan and completely occupied and controlled the Hetao area, the mutual trade and border trade in Zhangjiakou Fort has not declined but increased, becoming more prosperous than before.
The "small market" that was originally a secretive place now dares to open it openly. Every day, groups of Mongolians come to Shangbao to trade, and large vehicles keep coming and going.
At this time, bursts of noise could be heard from time to time in a house on Zhangjiakou Fort East Street.
This large mansion looks ordinary from the outside, but there is something special inside. The three exits and three entrances are all gorgeously decorated, with Jingdezhen’s red offerings, Beijing’s sprinkling show, and Suzhou’s goldware, it seems like everything is free of charge. visible.
There are also fire-walled walls that make the entire mansion feel as warm as spring. It is comparable to air conditioners and heaters in later generations, and is even more environmentally friendly.
In a side hall of this mansion, a banquet was being held, with many maids and women waiting on the side.
All the guests sitting here are also sitting on Huanghuali official hat chairs, and the eight-legged round stools are also made of Huanghuali, with Bozhou Yi brocade silk on them.
With this magnificence, not to mention the local garrison generals, but also the court officials in the capital, and even the current court elders, would probably be willing to submit to him.
In the front seat of the side hall, there was a slightly old businessman sitting. His face, which was full of ravines, was full of the vicissitudes of life.
His shaky demeanor and wrinkled face can still be seen from the old square face with sharp edges, which is a typical Shanxi appearance.
Although he already looks old and dull, his cloudy eyeballs will occasionally flash a glimmer of light, letting people know that he is not simple.
Just like an old fox, even if he looks so unattractive on the surface, if someone wants to plot against him, he doesn't know when he will fall into trouble.
This large side hall was full of people of all kinds, but almost everyone looked respectful to him.
Of course, there were several old men in gorgeous clothes beside him, but their expressions were quite strange. They seemed to have great respect for the old man, but also seemed to have a hint of unconvincation.
I only heard a vulgar voice say: "Brother Fan, I have always been the leader of Zhangjiakou businessmen. I have gone to Shengjing, Liaodong many times to meet the Emperor of the Qing Dynasty in person. He is deeply appreciated. Naturally, we only follow my brother's lead."
"Cough cough cough..."
The old man surnamed Fan coughed a few times, and then said with some difficulty: "I'm old, I'm old. This man, it's really hard not to accept old age."
He looked at the person who had just spoken and continued: "Brother Yunfa is in his prime. Last year he went to Shengjing with Shopkeeper Wang, and he also paid a visit to His Majesty the Qing Emperor. From now on, Zhangjiakou will still depend on you."
The man called Brother Yunfa just laughed a few times, "Hey hey hey..." but didn't answer.
On the other hand, a slightly stout man with a yellow beard next to him said, "It's not because of Brother Fan that Deng Ku is able to see His Majesty the Emperor of the Qing Dynasty for the second time."
"well!"
He sighed when he said this, and then continued: "It is a pity that the good situation in Jinzhou City has been messed up by Zhang Cheng, a bastard."
The person who spoke was none other than a Shanxi businessman engaged in border trade in Zhangjiakou, his name was Wang Dengku, and the person whom the old man had just called Yunfa's brother was another Shanxi businessman Huang Yunfa.
In early September of the 14th year of Chongzhen, it was the two of them who led a caravan to Shenyang, Liaodong, and sent a large amount of grain, refined iron, gunpowder and other military supplies to the slave chief Huang Taiji, in exchange for a large amount of bloody gold and silver treasures. .
The unattractive old man sitting at the top, who was called Brother Fan, was none other than Fan Yongdou, the leader of Shanxi merchants in Zhangjiakou.
There was also a person sitting next to him. He was in his prime and looked shrewd, but it was Fan Sanba, the eldest son of the Fan family.
A few years ago, Fan Yongdou personally escorted caravans to Guangning or Shenyang City in Liaodong to trade with slave chiefs in person.
But after he caught a cold last year, not only was Wang Dengku taken away from the important task of escorting the caravan, but his body was also not as strong as before, and Fan Sanba also handled most of the family business.
After talking for a while, he felt a little tired and short of breath. It may also be that he has not recovered from the cold. Even if the surrounding hall walls are thick fire walls, there are still burning fires on several exquisite copper plates in the corners. Burning red charcoal wood.
But Fan Yongdou still subconsciously tightened the fur scarf on his body, and when he looked carefully, he saw that it was a black fox fur, with the unique logo of the North Road Merchant Gang vaguely visible on it.
After being integrated by Zhang Cheng, the merchants on North Road have now all joined the North Road Business Gang. They use unique signs outside North Road and can also form a rope to unite and compete with foreign merchants.
At the same time, in order to highlight the quality of Beilu merchants' goods, all products processed by Beilu merchants are also marked with the unified Beilu Merchant Gang logo.
The products produced by Beilu may not be the most gorgeous and exquisite, but they are of excellent quality, which makes them more majestic and durable in comparison.
The furs produced in Beilu have long been famous, and are even heard of in Datong and Shanxi.
These Shanxi businessmen are also two-faced.
They are usually not very extravagant outside, and sometimes even look a little shabby. Most of them wear thick ordinary leather jackets. Even when they go to restaurants, they are not too lavish, and they don't even order an extra dish.
But once you enter the inner house, it's different. Not only are there fire walls everywhere, but they are also magnificent. Even the cars and sedans are very luxurious.
Looking at everyone here today, most of them are wearing mink coats. Even the eldest son Fan Sanba wears a purple and gold mink coat with the North Road Merchant Gang logo printed on it.
Pursuing the goods produced on North Road has become a fashion and trend in Xuanfu, Datong, and even many places in Shanxi.
It ranges from sugar, fine salt, glass, furs, etc. from rich families to pots, pans, bricks, tiles, cotton cloth and other items from small families.
If someone's home didn't have a few commercial goods produced on Beilu, they would be embarrassed to tell anyone about it, so as not to make others laugh.
In particular, the armor and weapons found only in the North Route Army, especially their firearms, are hot commodities on the local black markets in Xuanfu, Datong, and Shanxi.
Even Fan Yongdou, Wang Dengku and others spared no effort to buy the firearms from the soldiers of the North Road at high prices. However, the military regulations of the North Road were very strict, and even at high prices they could not get a few truly usable North Road fire guns.
But a month ago, His Majesty the Emperor of the Qing Dynasty sent them a message asking them to purchase the guns and cannons used by the North Road Yongyi Army.
In addition, they must try to frame Zhang Cheng and make him lose the trust of Emperor Chongzhen of the Ming Dynasty. It is best to alienate the relationship between Zhang Cheng and Chongzhen so that Chongzhen no longer trusts Zhang Cheng.
"If you can't defeat him on the battlefield, just find another way to get rid of him!" Isn't this the consistent style of slave thieves?
…………
"Come on, come on, shopkeepers, eat some dumplings first."
Fan Yongdou greeted everyone tremblingly, changed the slightly unpleasant topic just now, and lost no time in adding: "These vegetarian ingredients were prepared by the masters of the Jade Emperor Temple in advance to eliminate disasters and bring blessings."
When all the shopkeepers heard what he said, they couldn't help but flatter themselves: "Mr. Fan really has a lot of connections. It's hard to recruit the masters in the Jade Emperor Temple!"
After everyone ate a few rice dumplings, the atmosphere in the hall became quieter. Everyone knew in their hearts that Fan Yongdou had made great efforts to invite all the eight major merchants in Zhangjiakou, and even several people rushed from Shanxi. The boss is not just here to eat a few glutinous rice balls.
Fan Yongdou's old eyes were narrowed into slits, and he scanned the crowd first. His turbid blistered eyes emitted an icy cold light like poisonous snakes, and he said sadly: "Every shopkeeper should have heard that this Liaodong war will be a big one. Master Ming Wang won the battle."
"Yes. How did you win?"
"The most irritating thing is that Zhang Cheng was the first to achieve success, and he was even awarded the title of Count for his achievement!"
"Not only that, this devil incarnate has been promoted to the rank of commander-in-chief of Xuanzang Town."
"I heard that he will go to Zhencheng to take up his post in the near future. We have to think of a way. If we can't make him a stable commander, I'm afraid we won't have a good life!"
Everyone in the hall immediately started making noises and discussions, and they were even more disappointed at the Ming Dynasty King's victory. There was no trace of excitement or joy at all, and some people even gritted their teeth, with resentment evident in their expressions.
"It's a good thing that Master Wang won."
Fan Yongdou stopped everyone's discussion and continued: "We are all citizens of the Tomorrow Dynasty. Now that Wang Shi has defeated the Qing Dynasty in Liaodong, we should be happy.
However, the killing god on the North Road actually became the commander-in-chief of our Xuan Mansion, and was awarded the title of Yongning Bo. This General Zhenshuo is naturally even more majestic.
However, everyone here today is afraid that a disaster is coming! "
Although Fan Yongdou was smiling when he said these words, his blistered eyes were filled with murderous intent.
A shopkeeper who looked about forty years old grabbed his mink hat and kneaded it in his hand. He said with a ferocious expression: "His surname is Zhang, he won't give us a way to survive. In my opinion, it's better than 'One If you don’t do it, you won’t stop’…”
When he said this, he actually raised his right hand and made a slashing motion on the mink hat, and then said: "If you do it to him, it will be over. What do you think?"
"Jin Liangyu, if you want to die alone, don't get us involved."
A middle-aged man who looked gentle and elegant, did not even look at Jin Liangyu, but continued to say to everyone: "That Zhang Cheng has climbed from a small thousand general to the general soldier of a town in just three years. , by no means a mediocre person.
Judging from what he has done in recent years, he has been decisive in killing, and there are many warriors under his command. If you fail in the assassination, you will be burned.
Not only did he get no benefits, but he gave Zhang Cheng an excuse to attack us! "
"snort."
Although Jin Liangyu felt that what he said was quite reasonable, he couldn't live with it in terms of face. He said angrily: "Excuse? I don't know how to be afraid until now. Isn't it too late?"
He then said to everyone in a sinister voice: "Don't forget, ever since we decided to make fake military tickets, we have been at odds with Zhang Cheng, a killer!"
After Jin Liangyu said this, he stared fiercely at the elegant middle-aged man who had just spoken, and said: "Shopkeeper Tian is talking like this now, but you want to be alone?"
Shopkeeper Tian was waiting to reply when he heard Fan Yongdou say: "I know Sheng Lan. He is the model for us to make military tickets. He has contributed to us. How can he abandon me and other brothers at this moment?" You have to be alone."
After he finished speaking, he looked at the people below with a smile, and the hall fell silent again for a while.
After a while, another businessman on the lower right side said: "If I follow Mr. Fan's opinion, what should we do now? We can't do nothing and just sit here and wait for death!"
At this time, another businessman sitting on the left suddenly said: "Brother Jianjia's concerns are not unreasonable. However, under Zhang Cheng's rule in Beilu in recent years, although the merchants have paid some commercial taxes, their business has become more and more prosperous. , I think they live a very nourishing life.
I said, we may not be able to cooperate with them. Wouldn’t it be better if we all make a fortune together? "
As soon as his words came out, there was a small commotion in the hall, and everyone was talking and arguing.
Since Fan Yongdou contracted the cold syndrome last year, he has gradually begun to retire. Most of the family business has been managed by his son Fan Sanba, who mostly lives behind the scenes and controls the overall situation.
It goes without saying that Fan Yongdou is older than others, and his Fan family is the first old merchant to enter Zhangjiakou. In terms of wealth alone, he is also one of the best among this group of merchants.
What's more, he also has a wide network of friends. In the Ming Dynasty, he went up to the court officials such as the Pavilion Elder and the Six Ministers and Ministers, and down to the local governors, military officers, Xianliang Road Inspectorate, as well as the generals such as the generals and deputy counselors. It has many supporters and followers.
In the Qing Dynasty, Fan Yongdou was also very popular, ranging from Emperor Huang Taiji, to Prince Li Daishan, Prince Rui Dorgon, Prince Zheng Jierhalang and other princely banner holders, to Manchu and Mongolian banners Gushan Ezhen. They all appreciated it.
Such a person had good fortunes on both sides of the Ming and Qing Dynasties, and because the border trade business in Zhangjiakou was booming, he also served as the head of the local merchant house in Zhangjiakou for many years, so he was naturally prestigious.
Not to mention Zhangjiakou is a frontier fortress, even big merchants in Zhencheng, Datong, Shanxi and other places dare not ignore Fan Yongdou. After all, many of their goods need to rely on the Fan family's channels outside the country.
This is also the reason why he lives in seclusion at the head of Shanxi merchants. Even though he has lived in Zhangjiakou Fort for a long time and rarely returns to his old house in Jiexiu, Shanxi, this does not affect his reputation among Shanxi merchants at all.
The previous time, Fan Yongdou personally took action and summoned Shanxi businessmen in Zhangjiakou to create fake military coupons. The purpose was to destroy the economy of the North Road and make Zhang Cheng unable to support his elite troops.
Among the merchants who have been engaged in mutual trade in Zhangjiakou all year round, they are led by eight people, including Fan Yongdou, Wang Dengku, Jin Liangyu, Wang Dayu, Liang Jiabin, Tian Shenglan, Zhai Tang, and Huang Yunfa. They are all from Shanyou Fenzhou Prefecture.
Although they usually have some disputes over business matters, externally they are tightly bound together by their hometown friendship. Fan Yongdou ranks first among them because of his sophisticated and ruthless attitude.
Under his call, eight merchants from Shanyou used their own skills to flood the entire Xuanfu area with fake military invoices, even in Datong and Shanxi.
Today, Fan Yongdou once again called everyone together, and it was inseparable from Yongning Bo Zhang Cheng's appointment as the general of the Xuanfu! (End of chapter)
