The army moves and the world is shocked!
Zhu Yunwen stood on the city wall, watching the retreating figures of the army, and fell into deep thought.
Zhang Fu, Tie Xuan, Yang Rong, Yang Pu, Han Guan, Mu Sheng... these people are not ordinary people, they are even more unparalleled geniuses. They will definitely not let me down, right?
This team is far more elite than the team led by Zhang Fu in history. The new army strategy has given the sergeants a new look and spirit. They are no longer big soldiers for getting food and pay, but to protect the Ming Dynasty and protect the family. The country’s sergeant!
It is now early July, and counting the time, the army will arrive in Pingxiang, Guangxi in early September, rest until October, and then launch a counterattack against Annan. The war must end by the end of March next year.
Five months to destroy Annan!
Zhu Yunwen clenched his fists and asked Liu Changge on the side: "Isn't that person back yet?"
Liu Changge shook his head slightly and said: "I heard that he went to Suzhou again to look for the descendants of another person. According to the news seven days ago, he has found sixty-five people."
Zhu Yunwen looked into the distance and said seriously: "This person must be protected. It is related to whether the Ming Dynasty can completely control Annan. Let the Bingzhan Bureau build a carriage. Once they arrive in the capital, I will set off immediately after discussing with him to catch up with Zhang Fu. army!"
Liu Changge responded and accompanied Zhu Yunzhen.
Pang Huan and Cong Pei'er climbed onto the city wall and walked slowly to salute.
Zhu Yunwen looked at the worried Cong Pei'er and said, "Tang Buping's duty is to protect Zhang Fu. Zhang Fu's greatest ability is to coordinate operations, not to charge into battle. You don't need to worry about him."
Cong Pei'er shook his head slightly and whispered softly: "I'm not worried about him, I'm worried about the emperor. I heard from the queen that the emperor had trouble sleeping all night because of the disaster and the conquest of Annan. He often stayed up until dawn, even the little boy The prince didn’t even bother to meet him a few times.”
Zhu Yunwen looked at Pang Huan and blamed: "Are you teaching her how to do things?"
Pang Huan trembled and quickly defended: "This is what she said from the bottom of her heart and has nothing to do with her subordinates."
Zhu Yunwen didn't believe it. Cong Pei'er was used to being unruly. With the support of the Queen Mother and the Empress, how could she change her temper, become more like a girl, and talk well and care about others...
"You'd better be yourself. There's nothing wrong with being a little unruly. By the way, be careful when bullying Pang Huan. Just don't beat him to death. I still have to use it..."
Zhu Yunwen thought that whether it was in the harem or around him, there was always a lack of entertainment and it would be too boring. It would not be a bad thing to have an unruly person to liven up the atmosphere from time to time.
Pang Huan was panic-stricken. Looking at Cong Pei'er who was giggling and raising her fist at him, he felt that the future was dark.
"Your Majesty, there is news from the Second Security Bureau."
Pang Huan quickly changed the topic.
Zhu Yunwen looked at Cong Pei'er, and then Cong Pei'er remembered that there was something more important and said quickly: "The people from the second bureau found out that Chang Baiye of Shanxi merchants is quite active and is contacting major merchants and even meeting with Zhou Dajiang of Hui merchants. After meeting, many businessmen entered the capital and seemed to have some agenda."
"oh?"
Zhu Yunwen was a little surprised.
Chang Baiye has been in the capital for a while, and he has always performed his duty. He even provided money and strength when relieving disasters in Suzhou and other places. Imperial officials had a good impression of him, and some censors also regarded him as a "righteous man." ".
Zhu Yunwen is very clear about Chang Baiye's business layout and tactics. This person is not Chang Qianli. He has a clear business map and a strong sense of expansion. He is a leader among Shanxi merchants and can compete with him in the business field. Yes, I am afraid that only Shen Yiyuan among Huizhou merchants is there.
However, when Shen Yiyuan went to sea, Shanxi merchants headed by Chang Baiye took advantage of the situation and established a reputation and a foothold in western Zhejiang.
No matter what methods Chang Baiye uses, so far, he has used normal business methods. In other words, he is just a businessman without threats. However, as soon as the army set off for the expedition, he summoned businessmen for a meeting, which was somewhat unusual. It seemed unreasonable to explain it by coincidence.
"Let's inquire and see what their intentions are."
Zhu Yunwen ordered.
Cong Pei'er left, and Zhu Yunwen deliberately stayed with Pang Huan, saying: "Tang Buping will not come back until next year, so your marriage should be postponed for a while."
Pang Huan looked at Zhu Yunwen in surprise, speechless.
Liu Changge laughed loudly, patted Pang Huan on the shoulder, and followed Zhu Yunwen's footsteps.
Pang Huan was confused. Marriage, what marriage, marriage to whom, Cong Pei'er? Then is there still time for him to get ahead in his life? However, it seems that I am not even qualified to resist...
Back at Wuying Palace, the results of the Security Bureau's investigation had not yet been sent, so Yao Guangxiao entered the palace to ask for an audience.
Zhu Yunwen originally wanted Yao Guangxiao to go to Annan with Zhang Fu, but considering his age and recent poor health, he had to choose Yang Rong, Yang Pu and Tie Xuan as counselors.
"You always come to see me no matter what. Why are you in such a hurry today?"
Zhu Yunwen asked with a smile.
Yao Guangxiao saluted, exchanged greetings, and took out a letter from his sleeve: "Your Majesty, I am registered in the Heroes Chamber of Commerce. It is also to coordinate the corresponding materials and mobilize the strength of merchants. Today, Chang Baiye of Shanxi merchants, Hui merchants The great craftsman of Zhou asked someone to pass on a letter to me. I think this is a serious matter and should be retaliated to and decided by the emperor."
Zhu Yunwen took the letter, looked down, and his expression suddenly became serious.
The letter was written by Zhou Dajiang and Chang Baiye. The content is a bit complicated, but in the final analysis there is only one point:
Businessmen want to participate in the Annan war.
If the Ming Dynasty wants to conquer Annan, it will definitely win.
However, no matter where you hit Annan, you will definitely find loot.
Although most of these trophies belong to the army as a whole, in order to boost morale, the general will inevitably divide a certain amount of trophies.
Chang Baiye's plan is that it is inconvenient for soldiers to march with their trophies. It is better to let businessmen follow the army. The sergeant has the trophies, and the businessman collects them and cashes them directly, or converts them into notes from the Huang Family Central Bank. The sergeant carries them It is naturally easier to continue marching with a note than to salute with a large bag on your back.
Of course, Shanxi merchants can also negotiate with the court and Zhang Fu's army to buy out all the loot in a city for how much money. For example, in Thang Long City, the merchants gave out five million taels. On the day the city was destroyed, all the property belonged to the merchants, and the Ming Dynasty sergeants divided up the five million taels.
Zhu Yunwen looked at this document and expressed his admiration for Chang Baiye's genius business idea. This person is really shrewd in business. Not only can he take advantage of the disaster to expand the influence of Shanxi merchants, he also takes the idea to Annan. On the battlefield.
"What do you think?"
Zhu Yunwen looked at Yao Guangxiao.
Yao Guangxiao chuckled and moved his beads slightly: "The sergeants don't care about the trophies. What they really care about is whether these things can be converted into money. If the merchant can really come up with so much money, I will I think it’s a good thing not to lose.”
"Let Chang Baiye and Zhou Dajiang enter the palace and wait at the Qumei Pavilion outside the Wu Tower."
Zhu Yunwen pondered for a moment and prepared to meet these two characters.
Yao Guangxiao left the palace and passed the news to Chang Baiye and Zhou Dajiang who were waiting anxiously outside. When they heard that the emperor had summoned them, they both felt a little nervous.
Zhu Yunwen summoned Xia Yuanji to accompany him to Qumei Pavilion.
Chang Baiye and Zhou Dajiang saluted.
Zhu Yunwen looked at the two people kneeling on the ground, sat down, and said: "You have worked hard to convey your words to me. I have heard it. Tell me your plans."
If you don't speak, you have to continue kneeling.
Chang Baiye knew that this incident might make Zhu Yunwen a little unhappy, so he punished him slightly. However, he summoned him personally to explain that the matter was serious, and then said: "Your Majesty, although Annan is a small country in the south, its country is rich. Now that the army is dispatched, it will definitely Traveling to Ping'an South, businessmen seek profit and want a share of the pie."
"You are honest and want to make a profit." Zhu Yunwen looked deeply at Chang Baiye and said, "Okay, everyone, let's get up and talk."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Chang Baiye stood up, calm and composed. Master Zhou was a little embarrassed and sweating on his forehead.
Zhu Yunwen tapped the tea cup with his fingers and asked: "I want to ask you, can you really get five million taels of banknotes? This is a huge fortune. Is it possible that your family wealth is already as rich as the country?"
Chang Baiye shivered, and Master Zhou's legs became a little weak.
In the eyes of colleagues, these four words are flattering, in the eyes of common people, it is envy and admiration, in the eyes of officials, it is a fat pig, in the eyes of the emperor, it is likely to be the day when some people die. Coming soon...
No country can sit back and watch a family become so rich that it rivals the country. Once it reaches that point, the family will be in danger, unless it becomes a super family and secretly directly controls the country. However, such cases are rare. Looking through the history books, Looking ahead, there is really no one...
Chang Baiye's Adam's apple twitched slightly and said: "Your Majesty, five million taels is a lot of money. With the Chang family's financial resources, it is impossible to get it, and the Zhou family can't get it either."
"Oh, what you wrote in your letter..."
"Your Majesty, two families cannot afford five million taels of banknotes, but what if there are 500 or even 800 merchants? If one family can share a few thousand taels equally, I'm afraid it won't be much difficult."
Chang Baiye explained.
Zhu Yunwen frowned and finally understood that Chang Baiye wanted to rely on the Shanxi Merchants Chamber of Commerce, including the powerful Yinglie Chamber of Commerce in the capital, and unite Hui merchants to form a huge business community with interests, and then everyone would go out together. Money, come and buy Annan’s wealth!
In this way, businessmen are flexing their muscles.
"What benefit does this matter have to the court?"
Zhu Yunwen asked.
Chang Baiye knew that Zhu Yunwen was moved, and quickly explained: "This matter has three benefits for the court. First, most sergeants don't know how much Annan's loot is worth. Sometimes a piece of wood is far more valuable than a piece of silverware, but the sergeant doesn't know , merchants' participation can help the sergeants better understand which trophies are of higher value, and thoroughly search for Annan's wealth."
Xia Yuanji on the side took a deep breath. These businessmen were really trying to steal the marrow. They didn't intend to leave any treasure for Annan...
"Secondly, the merchants collect the spoils of war, and the army advances lightly. In this way, the sergeants gain wealth, the generals gain merit, and the merchants gain goods, and everyone is happy."
"Thirdly, neither Shanxi merchants nor Huizhou merchants can come up with such a huge amount of silver in a short time, but they can use their shops as collateral to borrow silver from the central bank, agreeing that after one year, they will pay the principal and the principal Return the profits together..."
The corners of Zhu Yunwen's mouth were a little unnatural. These guys still want to use the money in their own banks to arbitrage money. They are nothing but wolves, these bastards...
"What you are talking about does not bring much benefit to the court."
Xia Yuanji was dissatisfied.
The current Huang Family Central Bank is not owned by the Ministry of Accounts, but belongs to Zhu Yunwen himself. No matter how much money he makes, he cannot enter the Ministry of Accounts or enter his account.
Chang Baiye knew that Xia Yuanji was the Minister of the Ministry of Household Affairs, and his opinions and attitudes were very important, so he added weight: "As long as the imperial court nods and gives us merchants a chance to make a fortune, in the future the imperial court will expand the circulation of treasure banknotes, and Shanxi merchants will go up and down." We will do our best to cooperate with the imperial court."
Xia Yuanji's eyes lit up.
Chang Baiye's words seemed to be an insignificant question. After all, the merchants should implement the imperial decrees issued. However, this is not the case. This matter is extremely important and involves human lives.
To be precise, it is related to Ming's life.
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