Annan may buy time by ceding some territory, but asking them to pay would be a bit "whimsical."
Zhu Yunwen did not expect to sign an unequal treaty with Hu Jiya. According to historical records, Hu Jiya was ruthless, resourceful and arrogant. It seemed that in his eyes, Annan was the best in the world, and everyone else was trash.
But it’s normal to have this kind of thinking. After all, a frog at the bottom of a well doesn’t know how big the world is. In later generations, they were also arrogant, but in the end, they were treated submissively.
This group of people just needs to be dealt with. Talking to them is of no use to them. They only believe in fists.
The restraints of the state of etiquette can kill people, and magnanimity can also kill people, so Zhu Yunwen decided not to be a good guy and threw out a condition that Annan could not complete and achieve. This was not to make excuses for future wars, but to force Annan to fight!
While Zhu Yunwen was dealing with the issues of Annan and Cao Guogong's government, the people of Shanxi had gradually stabilized from their initial uneasiness.
Notices were posted all over the place. This time, the Shanxi immigration court did not impose any mandatory requirements, that is, it would not forcefully apportion the number of people and move the people out of Shanxi.
Although countless people were confused and even a little suspicious about this, after watching the news of the imperial court's immigration spread for more than a month, neither the prefecture nor the county had heard of forced immigration.
The sergeants were not mobilized and the government officials did not take action, which made the people relax.
Huang Ju, a landowner in Xinzhou, arranged for people to inquire around and found out that the imperial court would not forcibly relocate the people, so he was completely relieved. In order to comfort his panic, he spent 1,800 taels of silver and bought a building outside Xinzhou City. In the barren mountain, he planned to build a manor and take in two concubines.
Huang Ju hired more than 500 migrant workers for construction, but unexpectedly discovered that there was a large amount of coal buried under the barren mountains, and it was also very easy to mine.
Huang Ju certainly knows the value of coal.
Considering that the imperial court is dredging the Huitong River, and there is the Tuo River in Xinzhou, it can directly lead to Qingxian, and Qingxian is the hub of the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal. Going south from Qingxian, you will enter the Huitong River.
Once the coal is excavated and transported to the capital or Peiping, it will be a huge fortune.
Huang Ju quickly summoned the clan members and explained the coal mine issue clearly, and then discussed with the old man, his second uncle, and his fourth uncle: "Among Shanxi merchants, the Chang family, the Hou family, and the Qiao family... are all well-known. He is the leader of Shanxi merchants. Our Huang family is just a small wealthy family and has never been able to compete with them. Now we have a God-given opportunity. If we open a coal mine, we will definitely make the Huang family rich and become a big business family!"
Old Mrs. Huang Huang Dian was nearly eighty years old. Although he had gray hair, he was still sharp and clear. Hearing Huang Ju's words, he asked: "How much coal can there be under this coal mine? If we spread it out, it would only be a small amount of coal. Wouldn't it be like a bamboo basket?" All in vain?"
Huang Ju looked at the worried old man and quickly assured him: "I have checked with the master to confirm that this coal mine is very large, with tens of thousands of kilograms being mined every day, and it will not be exhausted in ten years."
"really?"
Second uncle Huang Liang asked in surprise.
Fourth uncle Huang Xiang also stood up, looking expectant.
Huang Ju nodded heavily and said: "You can't be wrong. According to the information I found, the average price of coal is one to two or three yuan per hundred kilograms. The coal quality of our coal mine is excellent, with less black smoke and high burning heat. It can cost at least one to two to four yuan." Money or even one, two or five cents."
Huang Dian's face was full of smiles. He looked at Huang Ju with relief and said, "Your uncle and father left early. Fortunately, your second uncle and fourth uncle took care of you. You are also a person who values friendship. You did the right thing." , it is a good thing to start a business and give a legacy to our children and grandchildren.”
Huang Ju said with a smile: "The key to this matter is not coal mining, but whether the trade routes can be opened up. Now that the imperial court has issued a document, it hopes to immigrate 500,000 people from Shanxi to Beizhili and other places. Sun'er thinks this is a good chance."
"Oh, what's the explanation?"
Huang Dian asked doubtfully.
"Old Master, it is clearly written in the imperial documents that all immigrants will be allocated land, and their taxes will be reduced or exempted. The most important thing is that their children and grandchildren will go to school for free, and they will take more care of the imperial examinations in the future. Such conditions are enough to make people excited. . Our Huang family has been either a farmer or a businessman for generations, and it is rare for anyone to become an official in the court. The third son of the eldest uncle's family is a good candidate for education. If we respond to the court's policy and take the initiative to move to Beizhili, it will be a great thing."
Huang Ju said confidently.
Huang Liang frowned. This matter had not been discussed. The whole family would not be separated or relocated.
Without waiting for Huang Liang to ask, Huang Ju waved his hand and said: "Second uncle, please listen to my nephew's detailed explanation first. Responding to the imperial policy will be an opportunity for the third son. If the third son enters the court and becomes an official in the future, our Huang family will also It can be regarded as a scholar, and the lintel is shining. Secondly, if Sanyazi goes to Beizhili, we can take the initiative to propose the place where we are going. At this time, no one has responded to the court. If we take the initiative to invite us, the court will definitely consider it. "
"If it can be arranged to be near the Grand Canal, wouldn't it be able to become a stronghold on our Huang family's business route in the future, making it convenient to travel back and forth. If Sanyazi does not enter officialdom, he can also serve as our Huang family's base in Beizhili. Isn’t it also the best strategy to be a talker and handle business?”
Huang Liang fell into thinking.
The old man Huang Dian took a deep look at Huang Liang and said: "Huang Ju is right. Although the court has not forced immigrants to immigrate, the new emperor has made a decree and will not take it back easily. If we seize the opportunity, it will be possible. A good thing."
"If that's the case, we can't just let Sanyazi go to Beizhili."
Huang Liang looked at Huang Dian sadly.
Huang Dian understood what Huang Liang said. He wanted to immigrate with his children. If he leaves, I'm afraid it will be forever. After all, I am getting old and may not live for a few more years.
When people get old, they hope their children will be around to fulfill their filial piety, and they hope someone can carry the coffin after they die.
Now it seems that we can’t have both.
Huang Xiang looked at his second brother and his old father, sighed, and said: "In the past, I always failed to live up to expectations, so I will take on more responsibility this time. Second brother, give me your three children, and I will take my family to Beijing." Zhili, you stay here with my old father."
"Fourth brother!"
Huang Liang was deeply moved.
No one wants to stay away from home these days. If it weren't for the whole family and the future of the children, no one would want to leave their hometown or say goodbye to their families.
"We still have some time, let's make arrangements early, and I'll go to the coal mine to have a look."
Huang Ju's eyes were wet and he turned to leave.
Just when the Huang family was working hard to organize people to mine coal mines, and took the initiative to report to the court and prepare to move to the North Zhili area, the news that the Huang family had discovered the coal mine spread like wildfire.
Xinzhou is a scattered state in Taiyuan Prefecture. It was first built in the 20th year of Jian'an in the Eastern Han Dynasty. It is known as the "Key to Northern Shanxi". It takes over Wutai Mountain to the east, Taiyuan Jinzhong to the south, and looks straight at Luya Mountain and Laoniu Bay to the west. , and to the north is Yanmen Pass.
The strategic location makes Xinzhou prosperous in business.
Wei Yonghui, the prefect of Xinzhou, was a little surprised when he heard that the Huang family had proposed to relocate. When he heard that the Huang family had discovered the coal mine, he was even more surprised. He quickly summoned fellow magistrate Guo Chong and general judge Li Cunjin.
"The Huang family discovered that there is a large coal mine, do you know about it?"
Wei Yonghui asked.
Guo Chong and Li Cunjin nodded repeatedly. This matter had spread in Xinzhou and attracted the envy of many people.
Wei Yonghui knocked on the table and said meaningfully: "This year is the year of the Great Hajj, and it is the first time that the top 100 counties and the top ten prefectures have been evaluated. In the past two years, although Taiyuan Prefecture has been stable, it has more people and less land. , most of the people are poor, and if they want to rely on private taxes to run for the top ten prefectures, they may not be qualified, so the only thing they can rely on is the new business strategy, which is to collect commercial taxes to increase national taxes."
Guo Chong knew this. Whether it was Taiyuan or Xinzhou, it was impossible to obtain the top ten prefectures purely by relying on land. The only possibility was to prosper business and use commercial taxes to increase national taxes.
In fact, stimulated by the new business strategy, Xinzhou's business has achieved good results. Shanxi merchants are not just the eight Chang family, there are also some wealthy businessmen in Xinzhou.
"Sir, commercial taxes are set by the imperial court and we have no right to change them."
Li Cunjin, the general magistrate, thought that the prefect wanted to increase commercial taxes to increase tax revenue, so he couldn't help but remind him.
Wei Yonghui chuckled and said: "Yes, the imperial court has set commercial and agricultural taxes, and we have no right to change them. But if the Xinzhou government office holds a coal mine, wouldn't it be possible to increase the treasury and increase the treasury? Can government taxes be increased? If the income is profitable, it will also be beneficial to the officials."
"What do you mean, sir?"
Guo Chong was startled and looked at Wei Yonghui uneasily.
Wei Yonghui showed a sly smile and said softly: "The Huang family's coal mine is very good."
Guo Chong's pupils were slightly condensed, and he did not dare to look at Wei Yonghui. Instead, he looked at General Judge Li Cunjin. Li Cunjin just lowered his head and thought for a moment, then laughed and said, "My lord, I know that my subordinates know what to do." Done."
Wei Yonghui nodded with satisfaction, waved his hand and said: "When the thing is done, the glory will be shared."
"Thank you, sir."
Li Cunjin stood up and saluted. Seeing this, Guo Chong had no choice but to salute and exit.
After walking out of the government office, Guo Chong said to Li Cunjin uneasily: "The coal mine is now owned by the Huang family, and the Xinzhou government office has signed the land sale and purchase deed. This is an indisputable fact. If we forcefully claim back the coal mine, the Huang family may not agree. .”
Li Cunjin had a cold smile on his lips, squinted his triangular eyes, and said: "Master Tongzhi, although the government has signed a land sale deed with the Huang family, it is not just a matter of words for the government to take it back? Since ancient times, people have If you don't fight with the officials, who do you think the Huang family is? How dare you resist the government's orders?"
Guo Chong's face darkened slightly and he said, "How to deal with the land deed?"
Li Cunjin said simply: "This is not simple. If the Huang family bought the barren mountain for 1,800 taels, the Xinzhou Yamen would just buy it back with 1,800 taels. Of course, in order to calm the Huang family, If you are unwilling to give up, if the government office has an extra five hundred taels, they will be satisfied, right?"
Guo Chong opened his mouth, not knowing how to answer.
Everyone knows that the value of that coal mine is no longer a thousand taels. Even if it is a hundred thousand taels, it may not be able to exchange for that mine.
Now that the government office is asking for it back, it will definitely be asked for it back.
As for the Huang family, they are just ants. They are not dead even if they are stepped on, because the government office did not crush them hard. If the ants resist, the government office may not use force.
