"Nowadays, the weavers in Songjiang Prefecture are having a very hard time. The cotton cloth they weave cannot be compared with other textile factories in terms of cost and quality. When it is put on the market, it cannot be sold at all. Nowadays, many weavers are unable to sell it. I couldn't live any longer, and I was full of resentment against the Chamber of Commerce and the textile factory. My father said that I'm afraid something big will happen soon."
Xu Erjue introduced the situation of Songjiang Mansion and was very worried.
Compared with him, Zuo Mengeng was relatively calm.
This is the inevitable result of the impact on traditional handicraft industry after the emergence of advanced productive forces.
When it comes to history books, it might just be a few paragraphs, which is very common. But in fact, in the real world, behind this is all bloody cruelty.
Zuo Mengeng knew very well that if the situation continued to develop, the fate of the scattered weavers in Songjiang Prefecture was inevitable.
Bankruptcy and bankruptcy are inevitable, and in more serious cases, families may even be destroyed.
Xu Erjue also thought of this possibility.
"My father said that when we do business to make money, we should not do unjust things. Otherwise, we will definitely be extinct. He plans to discuss with the leaders of the chamber of commerce to see if some measures can be taken to help merchants who are in trouble. .”
Zuo Mengeng ignored it at all and asked abruptly: "What is the Songjiang Mansion Yamen doing?"
Xu Erjue almost failed to keep up with his jumping thoughts.
"The magistrate has always loved the people like a son and upheld justice. In view of the plight of the weavers, he has approached the Chamber of Commerce many times..."
As he spoke, his expression became increasingly gloomy.
Zuo Mengeng noticed it and hurriedly asked.
"What's his attitude?"
Xu Erjue trembled unconsciously.
"He becomes more and more fierce with his words every time, and I'm afraid that if this continues, he will hit him hard."
As a businessman and a businessman from the Ming Dynasty, he obviously has a PSTD-like fear of the official.
Because in the environment of the Ming Dynasty, businessmen had almost no resistance to officials and scholar-bureaucrats, and life and death were really in the hands of others.
Although the Xu family does not have to worry about being uprooted by the government because of Xu Guangqi's presence, it is obvious that Songjiang Prefecture's burgeoning textile industry will definitely suffer a devastating blow.
"No, I have to rush back and persuade all the merchants. Even if I offer a lot of profits, I must not let the government give up."
Zuo Mengeng stopped him.
He sees this matter more clearly than Xu Erjue.
"Second brother, do you think the government will let you go if you give up the benefits?"
Xu Erjue didn't know why.
"The government must also be reasonable. We wholeheartedly do good to others, but we are not arrogant. If Fang Yuegong really dares to do what he wants, he will go to the capital to file a lawsuit."
Hey, he is really a naive person.
Zuo Mengeng only asked one question.
"Have you ever noticed that since the rise of major factories, the number of homesteaders and tenant farmers in Songjiang Prefecture has decreased?"
Speaking of this, Xu Erjue became proud again.
"There is no need to pay attention at all. Nowadays, the fields in many places in Songjiang Prefecture are abandoned, and there is no one to cultivate them. Those farmers and tenants have worked hard for a year, and their income cannot be compared with the salary of our textile factory. Now Many people who were originally poor are able to live with food and clothing just because they work in our factories."
Facing his smiling face, Zuo Mengeng's words were as cold as a knife.
"Then have you ever thought about how the government, which is composed of the landlord class, and the landlords who have lost their tenants, feel?"
With just one word, Xu Erjue felt as if a basin of ice water had been poured on him.
Although the writings and ideas from Shandong have not yet spread widely in Jiangnan. But within the Chamber of Commerce, everyone must read it thoroughly.
He has just begun to understand the distinction between the bourgeoisie and the landlord class.
As soon as Zuo Menggen mentioned the matter of land, farmers and tenants, he knew that something serious was going on.
"You mean, the government side..."
What is the official government of Ming Dynasty?
Naturally, he is the spokesperson of the landlord class.
When these capitalists in the emerging textile industry infringe upon the interests of the landlord class, they will inevitably be counterattacked by the government represented by the landlord class.
Even if they go to court, they have no chance of winning.
Because the emperor and officials in the court were the spokespersons of the larger landlord class.
"Could it be...could it be..."
A picture flashed before Xu Erjue's eyes.
Countless vicious officials broke open the door of Xu Mansion. All the men, women, and children in Xu Mansion were shackled and imprisoned. The door of Xu Mansion was sealed, and generations of savings were wiped out.
"It is true that ordinary Orihu households are pitiful, but at the historical moment when new and old productive forces alternate, personal experiences cannot reverse the general trend. All these Orihu households can do is to adapt to history and find their own position in the new historical environment. . If they cannot accept this reality, then the most miserable situation awaits them."
"After the second brother returns, he can discuss it carefully with his father-in-law and the merchants in Songjiang Prefecture to see if more loose weavers can be brought into the factory. If there are really stubborn people, there is nothing we can do."
Zuo Mengeng attaches great importance to people's livelihood, but in such matters, he has to be more cold-blooded.
After all, it is a trend related to the development of the Chinese nation, and it must not be stopped because of the stubbornness of a few people and the old forces.
Even if a tragedy occurs because of this, it can only be attributed to the price of historical inertia.
Xu Erjue couldn't help but nodded after hearing this.
He also understood that this was the only way.
Nowadays, the industrialization of Songjiang's textile industry has been fully launched, massive wealth is being created, and the number of beneficiaries has reached a very considerable level.
At this time, even if they want to brake, the participants will not agree.
But he had more worries.
"If the government makes a big fuss out of this and even resorts to cruelty, my colleagues will probably be doomed."
Zuo Mengeng was really angry about his panic.
"You dare to compete for interests, but why don't you dare to protect them? Faced with the oppression and invasion of the old forces, you just surrender?"
Xu Erjue was so frightened that he jumped up.
"You mean... you mean..."
Zuo Mengeng rolled his eyes.
"What else do you think we are doing?"
Xu Erjue was dumbfounded.
Yes, what Zuo Mengeng did was not just rebellion.
He obviously knew about this a long time ago, and he was already on the chariot, so why were he still so panicked?
Immediately, he understood the reason for his gaffe.
"Songjiang Mansion is isolated and there is no danger to defend. Once the imperial court and the government come together, even if we try to cheer up, we are afraid..."
Zuo Mengeng understood what he meant. Also know that this is indeed a problem.
Not to mention whether the emerging groups in Songjiang Prefecture have the courage to resist armed resistance, they are still seedlings that have just broken ground and are not strong enough yet.
Once faced with the oppression and massacre of feudalism, there was not much room for resistance.
At this time, we must protect this cluster of young seedlings that are destined to start a prairie fire.
The next day, Zuo Menggeng summoned the generals in Jiaozhou Bay to report the matter.
"I decided to dispatch the 7th and 8th militia brigades to come over and transform them into regular troops on the spot. Once there are changes in Songjiang Prefecture, we can also invest military forces to support them."
After everyone heard this, they couldn't help but think.
The two brigades together constitute one division.
In terms of the weapons and equipment of the new army, this is definitely an extremely powerful force.
Judging from the Ming Dynasty's military strength in Jiangnan, even if it concentrates all its strength, it may not be able to defeat it.
E Honglue is worried about another problem.
"Form a new army, but we don't have enough generals. I'm afraid such an army cannot support independent overseas operations."
Seeing everyone thinking so, Zuo Mengeng couldn't help but laugh.
"This new force is not affiliated with the army, but with your navy. I call it the Marine Corps. It is the combat power your navy projects on land."
