Yongning Bo ruled the northern and eastern roads, and was like a closed independent kingdom. It was basically able to maintain self-sufficiency. Although goods such as salt, tea, cloth, tobacco leaves, pigments, medicinal materials, silk and satin, etc., still had to be imported from other places. purchase.
However, thanks to the return of the fields under the rule to the public, grain, coal, iron and other goods can be guaranteed, coupled with the huge workshop system, many commercial goods are hot sellers, not only earning a large amount of money for Yongning Bo, but also It became an important guarantee for the circulation of military notes and silver coins on the North Road.
When major Shanxi merchants united to boycott the export of goods from the North Road, they also maliciously cut off the trade routes in the direction of Shanxi and Datong, making it impossible for all kinds of goods to be imported from Shanxi to the North Road.
They even sent people to the capital in an attempt to cut off the commercial roads in the capital, making the merchants on the North Road inaccessible to the left and right, completely stranding all the merchants on the North Road, including Yong Ningbo.
Of course, these Shanxi merchants were too confident. While they overestimated their own strength, they also seriously underestimated the strength of Uncle Yongning. After all, they were just a group of businessmen. How could they compare with Uncle Yongning, who was the commander of an army?
In fact, even as businessmen, Fan Yongdou, Wang Dengku and others are not considered first-class figures. The reason why they became powerful for a while was entirely due to the collusion between officials and businessmen, smuggling and slave building, and other unsavory methods to amass their current wealth.
Now, they had a premonition that their financial resources were under threat, so they wanted to get rid of Zhang Cheng quickly, but in fact, they did take it for granted.
Offending people who shouldn't be offended only accelerates one's own destruction!
…………
The Dark Hall organization is no longer what it used to be, and its tentacles cover all walks of life in the three towns of Xuanda. Their focus in the past two years has been those Shanxi merchants involved in the smuggling trade in Zhangjiakou.
According to different divisions of labor, there are currently three special forces under Yong Ningbo's command, and Dark Hall is just one of them.
In addition, there are Niu Sheng's carriage and horse shops and escort agencies. They are mainly active in Beizhili and Shandong. By setting up carriage shops and grain stores and other shops, they store grain in major cities and key places for preparation. When needed.
The escort agency established later not only provided security for its own cargo transportation, but also escorted bulk cargo for other companies. In this way, it explored the roads and terrain of Beizhi and Shandong.
Yuanlong Escort Agency currently has more than a thousand escorts, all of whom are very skilled, and nearly half of them are warriors who can ride and fight. However, they are scattered in various large cities in Beizhi and Shandong. Small dots connected to trade routes, with only twenty or thirty people in each place.
But even so, it is a force that cannot be ignored.
Then there is Liu Jinhai, who has been active in Henan. He is slightly similar to Su Yiyang's secret hall. Liu Jinhai also belongs to a hidden line. On the surface, he is a caravan force active in Henan.
Liu Jinhai has a cavalry team of hundreds of people under his command. They escort and sell various goods, and even some contraband in the arsenal, to deal with various local forces in Henan.
Such as Liu Hongqi of Runing, Han Jiadi of Xuzhou, Li Hao of Yuzhou, Liu Xuan of Xiangcheng and other relatively large local forces, as well as Huanglaoshan of Shangqiu, Guo Huanglian and Xiayi during the Liang and Song Dynasties. Li Zhenhai and other small and medium-sized local forces all have various dealings with Liu Jinhai.
They generally know that Liu Jinhai has an official background, but they are not very clear about which faction he belongs to. Only Liu Hongqi, Han Jiadi, Li Hao, Liu Xuan and others know that behind him is Uncle Yong Ning.
However, this does not affect their friendship with Liu Jinhai, especially for various trades. They not only need to sell goods to Liu Jinhai in exchange for money, but also need to purchase military supplies from the imperial arsenal from Liu Jinhai. To strengthen your own strength.
Rather than saying they are local forces in Henan, they are actually no different from local bandits. They each guard a large area of land and people, and they appear to be independent kingdoms. Unlike the rogue bandits, they have not publicly broken with the imperial court for the time being. , He never openly attacked the state and occupied the government.
In fact, even Li Zicheng, the king of intruders, secretly has some connection with Liu Jinhai.
Since he had the dream of "conquering the world and taking over the country", Li Zicheng no longer has the same attitude towards court officials as before. He has continued to establish contacts with local officials through various channels and means.
Even when attacking state capitals and counties, they no longer attacked fiercely all the way. They basically adhered to the principle of "courtesy first, then attack". They always attacked with force after failing to persuade them to surrender.
…………
However, the secret hall led by Su Yiyang is the most well-organized, deepest, and most secretive hidden force under Yongning Bo.
They are cooperating with the Yongyi Army in continuous operations in various places in Xuanda. Judging from the current results, they are obviously more powerful in the dark.
Whether it is violent means such as rescue, arrest, assassination, or kidnapping, or dark means such as spreading rumors, incitement, blackmail, and negotiation, they all use them very skillfully.
Facts have fully proved one thing - business alliances formed based on interests have never been close!
In view of Zhang Cheng's illustrious reputation, although many merchants promised to "unify the outside world" and fight for the interests of Shanxi merchants, they turned around and felt all kinds of fear due to the persuasion of family members and relatives.
Fear power but not virtue!
They thought about the possible consequences of going against Uncle Yongning, and some businesses became hesitant, especially those businesses in Xuanfu Town except the Eight Families of Shanyou.
Most of them are serious businessmen who operate their own business, and they have no major conflicts of interest with Yongning Bo. As for commercial taxes, although they have never paid them before, the merchants on North Road can pay them according to the amount, so naturally they are not cannot.
And now I am following those Shanyou companies to confront Uncle Yongning. It is said that he is ruthless. Is it really wise to fight against him?
However, the Eight Great Families of Shanyou have been deeply rooted in the border trade between Zhangjiakou and Xuanzhen over the years, and they have already established deep-rooted connections with the Xuanfu, and even the imperial court and various forces in the inner court.
There are not a few officials and generals who are willing to provide shelter, and there are even many people lining up to get into this money-making circle.
The slogan they shouted was "Don't let a grain of rice, a pinch of salt, or a spoonful of water enter the north and east boundaries."
Not only that, they did not allow the in-demand supplies such as meat porcelain jars, fine salt, cigarettes, glass, etc. produced on the North Road to enter Shanxi and Datong, and even blocked the North Zhili trade route.
To achieve this goal, they even colluded with bandits from various places and brutally robbed and killed caravans entering and exiting the North Road and East Road.
Fortunately, the United Trading Co., Ltd. was established on the North Road and used the Weisi warehouse to stock up on some supplies beforehand. Otherwise, it would have been difficult to deal with it. After all, supplies such as salt and tea were not produced on the North Road, and the people's lives were inseparable from them. open.
Yanba was a little better, after all, there was official salt passing by, and the Yongyi Army specially sent troops to escort the transportation. It was not a big problem, but the tea was all transported by private caravans, and the North Road Trading Company only bought it from the ground.
During this period of time, even many bulk goods sent by the Yongyi Army to escort, if the number of people was slightly smaller, were robbed by bandits several times. As a result, two soldiers were killed and more than ten people were injured.
The reason why we are facing all the current difficulties is already known to everyone through the propaganda of the people left behind in the Yongning Bo Shogunate - the eight profiteers in Shanxi want to harm our soldiers and civilians on the North Road!
For a time, the entire North Road army and civilians were united in their hatred of the enemy. Many parents even asked people to write letters to their sons in the army, asking them to protect Uncle Yong Ning from being framed by traitors.
At the same time, they all asked their sons in the army to abide by Yong Ningbo's orders and resolutely eradicate those Shanxi profiteers who want to harm the soldiers and civilians on the North Road.
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However, the abilities of the eight Shanyou families should not be underestimated. Under their instigation and bewitchment, many merchants who frequently traded with the North Road were retaliated against, and some even had their entire families in trouble. The situation was very miserable.
Even though Antan's network has spread all over Xuanda, it still cannot grasp the information of all the large and small businesses that have dealings with Beilu. Only four out of ten people can be rescued in the end.
At the same time, as the situation continues to worsen and there is a risk of getting out of control, many merchants who have no business dealings with Beilu have also been affected to varying degrees.
Some of their shops were smashed or burned, or their homes were robbed. What's more, the female relatives at home were violated to some extent. For a time, people all over Xuanda were panicked and curses continued.
Some scolded Uncle Yong Ning for being greedy, and some scolded Shanyou and the other eight people for being beasts, not even sparing their own people. They were really the culprits of this big commotion.
In many counties and prefectures, green-skinned gangsters were seen wandering the streets and alleys. Thick black smoke was rising, and shops were smashed and burned almost every day.
The majority of people, as well as the small and medium-sized traders, can only stay at home and dare not go out. In reality, they can only stay at home and pray for safety, and they are all suffering from hunger and emaciation.
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Before large-scale riots broke out in various parts of Xuanda, large amounts of military coupons appeared in many places. Those businesses that had exchange agreements with Beilu would exchange large amounts of grain, cloth, and money every day.
According to incomplete statistics, in just half a month, supplies worth nearly two hundred thousand taels of silver had been exchanged for military coupons, and this did not include the data for the North Road and the East Road.
Nowadays, urgent books from all over the country are almost full of Yong Ning Bo's major case, and they are asking for emergency shipments of grain, cloth, salt, and silver. If they cannot get replenishment as soon as possible, they will stop exchanging money.
"Uncle, it's time to take action!"
In the main hall of General Zhenshuo's mansion in Zhencheng, the atmosphere was tense and depressing. Wu Zhizhong, who had always been steady, was already losing his temper.
Yongning Bo Zhang Cheng looked at the letters on the desk next to him, then turned to look at Wei Zhice, but saw that he had no intention of speaking. He couldn't help but secretly praise: "As expected of someone who has read books, he is really calm."
"They are just some 'grasshoppers after autumn'. There is no need to pay too much attention to those people in Zhangjiakou."
Zhang Cheng casually set a tone for the fate of Fan Yongdou, Wang Dengku and others. They were destined to die soon.
"Uncle, everything is ready in Zhangjiakou. Just waiting for your order, we can go straight to Huanglong and wipe out all these young people."
After several years of experience, Wang Yuanjing has become much more mature and stable, and his vision and mind have broadened. However, he is concerned about another issue. He then continued: "It's just that the imperial court sent this edict this morning. , but there’s something strange about it.”
The old general Guo Yingxian asked with a puzzled look on his face: "Counsel Wang, what do you mean by this? I think it is the current emperor's high regard for the commander-in-chief that made him give the Prince Gu's Mansion to the commander-in-chief as the 'Yongning Bofu'."
He seemed to think that what he said was reasonable, and continued: "Besides, that place has been abandoned for many years? It's just idle. Now that the emperor has given it to us, it should be renamed the 'Yong Ning Bo Mansion', so why not!"
Guo Yingxian seemed not to be satisfied yet. He added: "Isn't there a General's Palace next to Prince Gu's Palace? That land has been idle for many years. In my opinion, it's better to put them together. The Yongning Palace can be bigger."
"Old General..."
He Biao, the commander-in-chief of the Yongyi Army, continued: "Although the Gu Prince's Mansion is idle, it was once the prince's residence and was built according to the prince's regulations. If Uncle Yongning takes over the Prince Gu's Mansion, he may be suspected of overstepping his bounds."
Liu Minshen, the military counselor, also added at this time: "Then there is the Zhenguo General's Mansion. It was the place where Emperor Wuzong was stationed. Although it has been put aside for many years, it is still not a place that we, as ministers, can talk about."
Guo Yingxian seemed a little unconvinced and said in a low voice: "This is the Yongning Mansion that was gifted by the emperor today. It is the emperor's supreme grace. Do we still have to resist the decree?"
"Resisting the decree is not a big deal."
Liu Minshen continued again: "It is indeed the emperor's grace to be rewarded with the Earl's Mansion. However, the current Yongning Count's Mansion was originally the prince's residence, but it is not appropriate to directly receive this award to avoid exposing others."
Lin Fangping, deputy general of Weiyuan Camp, also said: "What Counselor Liu said is not unreasonable."
He turned his eyes to Zhang Cheng and continued: "Uncle, there is something wrong with the situation in Beijing. The original memorials to impeach and criticize the uncle were suppressed by the emperor and remained in China, but they did not have any effect.
They have now changed their strategy. Now everyone in the capital, from court officials, censors, to ordinary people, are praising Uncle Uncle for his achievements. In the wine shops and teahouses, everyone is praising Uncle Uncle for his two famous kings. Deeds.
In our opinion, the wind direction in Beijing has changed so strangely, there must be something fishy in it, and we must be on guard against it! "
Wei Zhice, the commander of the Tengshe camp, suddenly said: "I'll kill you with my praise."
"how to respond?"
Although Lin Fangping is now the deputy general of Weiyuan Camp, he and Wang Yuanjing are still responsible for the intelligence work of the Yongyi Army, and he is the main one. Therefore, after hearing Wei Zhice's words, he can't help but eagerly ask about the way to deal with it.
Wei Zhice was not in a hurry to reply to him. Instead, he turned to look at Zhang Cheng who was standing above him. Seeing that his eyes were full of expectations, he smiled and highlighted two words: "Without him, I'll be 'self-defiled.'" Relatively speaking, that’s okay!”
(End of chapter)
