Just before New Year's Eve, Zhu Cihong received a report from Wen Anzhi that Han Yuanfang, a giant businessman in Chengdu, collaborated with the enemy and betrayed the country, openly selling grain to the Qing army in Hanzhong.
The emperor couldn't help but became furious.
It was his repeated orders to prohibit the sale of grain to the Manchus.
Unexpectedly, there are still people who dare to take risks and cross the thunder pool.
At first, Zhu Cixi only thought that Shanxi merchants had low personal ethics and could not resist the temptation to cooperate with the Manchus.
Now it seems that it is not just a problem of Shanxi merchants.
The concept of family and country among businessmen in this era is very weak, and everything is done for profit.
The ancients said that there is no business without treachery, and it is not unreasonable for businessmen to pursue profits.
It was just that at such a critical moment, when the entire Ming Dynasty was blocking grain from the Qing Dynasty, Han Yuanfang secretly sold grain to the Qing Dynasty, which made Zhu Cixiang feel unbearable.
There is no problem in killing one Han Yuanfang, but Zhu Cixiang is afraid of the second or third Han Yuanfang.
What if we can’t finish killing this kind of people one after another?
Zhu Cixiang believed that he was worthy of the world, so which link caused the problem?
Today, the Ming Dynasty does not impose heavy commercial taxes.
Although the tax system has increased slightly compared to the previous thirty-one tax system, it is far from unbearable.
Zhu Cixiang believes that there is no problem with the tax system.
It can only be said that the benefits and temptations provided by the Manchu Qing Dynasty were too great.
The Manchu Qing Dynasty is afraid that only money is left.
The wealth accumulated over the years of robbing the West is huge, and using this wealth to bribe evil businessmen is indeed a clever move.
Zhu Cixi also understood that it was impossible to completely prevent merchants from selling grain to the Qing Dynasty.
From a human perspective, there will always be people who take risks for the sake of profit.
What he needs to consider is how to supervise him and minimize the impact of this personal behavior on Ming Dynasty.
In this regard, Zhu Cixiang cannot be said to have rich experience.
He can only say that he is crossing the river by feeling the stones.
Zhu Cixiang summoned Lu Zhenfei to the palace for this purpose, and the monarch and his ministers discussed countermeasures together.
After all, personal power is limited, even the emperor is no exception.
After Lu Zhenfei entered the palace, he was shocked when he heard Zhu Cihong talking about Han Yuanfang's collaboration with the enemy and treason.
He frowned for a moment.
Unlike scholars and military generals, businessmen themselves did not work for the court.
Naturally, the imperial court's supervision of them cannot be as thorough as that of civil servants and generals.
This gives some people an opportunity to take advantage of it.
"Your Majesty, I have something I don't know whether to say or not."
Lu Zhenfei hesitated for a moment and then said.
"I just say it doesn't matter."
Zhu Cixiang waved his hand and said.
"Your Majesty, in my humble opinion, I am afraid that this problem cannot be solved by killing."
Lu Zhenfei paused and said: "Back then, the Ming Dynasty and Anda were at odds with each other over the issue of mutual trade.
Some people still went to the grasslands to exchange salt and tea for Tartar skins and horses.
It can be seen that the cause of this is the evil thoughts in people's hearts. ” Zhu Cixiang frowned and said: "I didn't say that we only rely on killing to solve this problem.
But according to what I said, there is no way to solve this problem?"
"Of course not."
Lu Zhenfei said quickly: "Businessmen are cooperating with the captives for profit.
But what if the court can give them greater benefits?"
Zhu Cixiang thought it was interesting, so he nodded and said, "Go on."
"Your Majesty, do you still remember Zheng Zhilong?
Just two years ago, Zheng Zhilong of Fujian Province almost monopolized all sea trade.
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All maritime merchants who want to do sea trade must pay taxes to Zheng Zhilong.
Zheng Zhilong can earn more than 100,000 yuan a year just by collecting taxes.
Ten million taels of silver.”
Lu Zhenfei paused and continued: "What did His Majesty do later?
In the name of the Huangming Trade Chamber of Commerce, His Majesty used the name of the Huangming Trade Chamber of Commerce to win over those maritime merchants who were dissatisfied with Zheng Zhilong, and gradually took over the share of maritime trade."
"Yes, but what does this have to do with merchant Tonglu?"
Zhu Cixiang asked.
"Although there is no direct relationship between the two, their essence is the same."
Lu Zhenfei said without hesitation: "Zheng Zhilong can bring profits to the maritime merchants, so the merchants are willing to pay taxes to Zheng Zhilong.
Later, His Majesty can give them even greater profits, so they are willing to get rid of Zheng Zhilong and follow His Majesty."
Lu Zhenfei said with deep emotion: "The businessman Tonglu is the same.
They believe that Donglu can bring them greater benefits, so they don't hesitate to take risks."
Seeing that the emperor was deep in thought, Lu Zhenfei continued: "Let me give you an example.
When the Ming Dynasty adopted the legal salt system in Kaizhong, merchants rushed to transport grain to the border in order to obtain salt.
Transporting grain itself is not profitable, but they So if you get a salt guide, you just need to take it to the designated salt pond to extract salt, and you can make a lot of money by selling it. " "So my intention is to use my interests to win over these businessmen."
Zhu Cixiang said suddenly.
"No, I mean to ask His Majesty to give you both grace and power."
Lu Zhenfei talked eloquently: "If you only show kindness, the merchants will feel that your majesty is good and can be deceived, and they may not sincerely work for the Ming Dynasty.
Maybe they will cooperate with the captives in private and sell grain to the Eastern captives.
If you only stand The merchants will feel that His Majesty is mean and ungrateful, and they will cooperate with him out of revenge.
Only by combining kindness and power can he be truly used by the court. " “How to do both kindness and power” Zhu Cixiang asked.
What he wants is not a general principle, but a concrete implementation method.
"Your Majesty, this is an opportunity.
Your Majesty ordered Han Yuanfang to confiscate the Yi people's homes to establish their prestige.
But this can only frighten the group for a while.
If you want to completely control them, you have to be kind.
Your Majesty might as well follow the example of that year.
Kai Zhongfa allowed merchants to transport grain to various military camps in the Ming Dynasty, and then granted them privileges.
This privilege may not necessarily be a matter of selling salt, but it can also be a qualification to join the Ming Dynasty Trade Chamber."
As soon as Lu Zhenfei finished speaking, Zhu Cixiang felt his eyes light up.
This statement is really novel.
Today's salt trading system is completely different from that of the past, and the Kaizhong Law has ceased to exist in name only.
It was not easy for the imperial court to restore the salt introduction system.
However, it is not difficult to control businessmen by referring to the Kaizhong law and salt introduction system.
Why do merchants sell salt?
Is it because they make money selling salt?
The most profitable thing to do now is of course sea trade.
After the fall of Zheng Zhilong, the imperial court took over all maritime trade matters.
In order to do business overseas, merchants must register with the Huangming Traders Association founded by Zhu Cixiang.
Only licensed merchants were eligible to go to sea for maritime trade.
When the Huangming Chamber of Commerce was first established, no threshold was set in order to attract businessmen to join in against the powerful Zheng Zhilong.
But this time and that time.
Now that the imperial court occupies the entire maritime trade share, merchants have no choice but to join the Huangming Trading Chamber of Commerce.
Nowadays, there are many people who want to join the Huangming Trading Chamber of Commerce, but the number of places is limited, and naturally it is impossible for everyone to be qualified.
It would indeed be a good idea if the imperial court used this to allow merchants to transport grain to various military camps and towns to avoid selling it to the Manchus
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