Merchants in Jinling City went on strike collectively, which immediately caused shock throughout the court.
The memorial flew into the palace like snowflakes.
Jiangnan has been prosperous since ancient times.
Although the Ming Dynasty was only founded more than 20 years ago, because Jinling City is located on the most important waterway of the Yangtze River, there is a large population traveling from south to north, water transportation is developed, and commerce is prosperous.
At this time, Jinling City had a population of more than 700,000 and was truly a big city.
The impact of the strike spread quickly.
"These businessmen are so audacious, and the court should severely punish them."
A group of scholars who came to Yingtian to take the exam were discussing this matter.
"It's no wonder that those businessmen are levying a light business tax. This is a virtuous policy that benefits the country and the people. But now that business taxes are being levied, how can the businessmen be convinced?"
Another scholar retorted.
"That's right. It's wrong to raise business taxes and compete with the people for profits."
"Is it a natural thing to pay taxes? Businessmen make such huge profits, shouldn't they pay more taxes?"
"Business is at the bottom and agriculture is the foundation. Increasing business taxes only gives officials more excuses to impose excessive taxes."
…
The scholars discussed it a lot, but generally they were more critical of the increase in commercial taxes.
The vast majority of scholars in this era are from relatively wealthy families, and the real poor cannot study at all.
This also determines that they naturally have more common ground with the business class, although on the surface everyone looks down on businessmen.
Moreover, they all felt that under the current situation, the court had to retreat.
…
In the Yingtian Mansion Yamen, Zhu Yunzhen was still flipping through the rosters and account books in a calm and unhurried manner, trying to understand all the affairs of the Yingtian Mansion.
The subordinate officer below could not sit still.
"His Royal Highness Nanwang, now that all merchants in Jinling City are on strike, what should we do? We must come up with a charter as soon as possible."
Liu Zhixiang, the general judge of Yingtian Mansion, was as anxious as an ant on a hot pot.
Zhu Yunxuan looked up at him and said, "Since they want to go on strike, let them go on strike."
Liu Zhixiang was stunned for a moment and said: "The merchants in the city are on strike. This is not a trivial matter. Once the trade stops, the entire Yingtian Mansion will be paralyzed. His Highness Nan Wang is in charge of Yingtian Mansion, can he just let it go?"
Zhu Yunzhen spread his hands and said, "What else? In Mr. Liu's opinion, what should I do?"
Liu Zhixiang cupped his hands and said: "The merchants' strike is nothing more than a matter of raising commercial taxes for the imperial court. In my humble opinion, as long as Ying Tianfu Yamen puts up a notice stating that there is no intention to impose additional commercial taxes, the storm of the market strike can be calmed down."
Zhu Yunzhen chuckled and said, "In that case, why don't Mr. Liu do it himself?"
Liu Zhixiang was stunned again and said in a low voice: "This matter still requires your approval and the Yin seal of Yingtian Mansion before it can be done."
Zhu Yunxuan snorted coldly and said: "Improving commercial taxes is a national policy. What right does Ying Tianfu have to make its own decisions? Mr. Liu doesn't do it himself, but he pushes me to the front. What's the point?"
Although his voice was childish, his tone had become sharp.
His eyes were like lightning, staring at Liu Zhixiang.
Liu Zhixiang's body trembled, and he quickly bent down and cupped his hands and said: "I don't dare to make my own decisions in my humble position. But if the merchants go on strike and the court pursues the case, what should I do?"
As soon as his voice fell, someone came in from outside.
"See His Royal Highness King Nan."
But it was Jiang Wei, the commander of Jin Yiwei.
"I humbly accept your Majesty's orders and come to assist His Highness."
Zhu Yunxuan laughed and said, "Commander Chiang has arrived just in time. Does the Emperor have any wishes?"
Jiang Wei cupped his hands and saluted and said: "Your Majesty has learned about the strike of merchants in Jinling City, and your Majesty has asked His Highness Nan Wang to go ahead with it."
Zhu Yunxuan stood up and said, "Okay, with Grandpa Huang's will, it will be easy to handle."
Jiang Wei said: "The Imperial Guards have been gathered in the humble position. As long as His Highness gives the order, the houses of those who should be ransacked will be ransacked, and the heads of those who should be beheaded will be beheaded. I want to see if those profiteers still dare to go on strike."
As soon as he said this, Liu Zhixiang quickly dissuaded him and said, "Your Highness, this is absolutely unacceptable."
"The top priority is to appease those merchants and persuade them to resume trading. We must not add fuel to the fire, otherwise, the situation will be out of control."
Jiang Wei sneered and said: "Master Liu, why do you need to be alarmist? There have always been only rebellious farmers and a group of businessmen, and they still want to rebel against heaven?"
Liu Zhixiang said: "Seventy-eight out of ten merchants in Jinling City are servants and subordinates of officials in the imperial court, and there are many noble families among them."
"If there is a large-scale pursuit, I am afraid that the government and the public will be shaken."
"Besides, my official heard that merchants in Suzhou, Yangzhou, and even Jiangnan are also joining together to intend to strike."
"If it intensifies again at this time, Yingtianfu will not be the only merchants to go on strike."
Jiang Wei frowned.
The solution he thought of was very simple, whether it was to capture, kill or suppress.
But now it seems that there is a turbulent undercurrent in this market strike. I am afraid that the problem will not be solved by killing a few businessmen.
Zhu Yunzhen clapped his hands and laughed, and asked: "Wonderful, wonderful, the market must go on strike."
He seemed very happy, which puzzled both Liu Zhixiang and Jiang Qi.
"His Royal Highness Nan Wang." Liu Zhixiang coughed slightly, shouted, and asked, "Why do you say this?"
Zhu Yunxuan smiled and said: "Since Your Majesty asked me to go ahead and do it, I will write the notice."
He picked up the pen and started writing on the spot.
Seeing this, all the officials below breathed a sigh of relief.
When merchants in Jinling go on strike, the first person to be held accountable is Yingtianfu.
The burdens on the shoulders of these officials are not light.
If Zhu Yunzhen is willing to step back and post notices to appease the merchants, that would be the best.
Not to mention, most of these officials also have business servants in their homes, which are actually their own property.
The salaries of officials in the Ming Dynasty were surprisingly low, and most of them were issued "Ming Dynasty treasure notes", whose value was greatly reduced.
Just relying on this little salary from the Ming court, their whole family would have to drink from the northwest wind.
He can only let his servants do some business privately to subsidize the family.
This cannot be said explicitly, but it is tacitly understood.
Naturally, no one wanted to see the court impose additional business taxes.
Soon, Zhu Yunxuan finished writing.
"Commander Jiang, order the Jin Yiwei to post the notice immediately."
Jiang Wei quickly took it.
Liu Zhixiang and other officials gathered around and looked at the notice. Their jaws dropped to the ground in shock.
…
…
…
"Haha, I think the emperor's grandson is nothing more than this. Now the merchants in Jinling City are on strike collectively. Let's see what he can do?"
In Jinling City, somewhere in a wealthy merchant's house, a group of businessmen were discussing.
"That's right. I heard that merchants in Suzhou and Yangzhou have also taken notice and are preparing to go on strike."
"All the merchants in Jiangnan are on strike. Let's see if he still dares to propose an increase in business taxes?"
"In my opinion, the only way he can go now is to retreat obediently."
At this point, everyone laughed and drank, feeling very unhappy.
At this moment, a servant ran in from outside.
"Master, it's not good, it's not good, Yingtianfu Yamen has put up a notice. Let's resume the market quickly. If it's too late, I'm afraid it's too late."
"Why are you panicking? You are not the only one who wants to behead your head and confiscate your home." A merchant scolded.
Extremely dissatisfied with the servant's performance.
Since they have decided to strike, they have already been mentally prepared for this.
There are so many merchants in Jinling City, can the imperial court kill them all?
Although Emperor Zhu was famous for being cruel and ruthless, the Yamen could work without officials and use scribes instead, but Jinling City could not live without merchants.
The daily needs of salt, grain and cloth in the city need to be supplied by merchants.
There are no merchants, and the 700,000 people in the city are all drinking the northwest wind?
"Old... Master, you are not in a panic. Notice, notice... notice..."
He ran fast and was still out of breath.
"Look how anxious you are. What did the notice say?"
"The younger one has already made an excerpt. Sir, please take a look."
The servant took out the copy paper from his arms and handed it over.
All the merchants looked over, and then their expressions changed drastically.
"Reopen the market, reopen the market, resume the market now!"
The merchants were all anxious and left in a panic.
…
