Currently, there are only two permanent merchants in Shirozu, one is Zeniya who has deep roots in the Northland, and the other is Kinokuniya who came with Naohide. Among them, Zeniya collects fish, trades with the Ainu, and pays tribute to the

The transferred merchant ships helped purchase various supplies, and they were able to do anything and dare to do anything. In comparison, Kinokuniya was much inferior.

At the beginning of November in the Western calendar, Hanbei, the person in charge of the money house in the north, suddenly urgently asked to see Naohide, saying that he had something important to discuss.

As a big businessman, Hanbei is usually very stable, and the money house is very important to Lord Shiro. The leader insisted that they had important matters to discuss, and Okubo could not stop him, so he accompanied Naohide to meet with Hanbei.

The boss of the Zen House was Gobei, who was known as the richest man in Fuso at this time. Although the shogunate explicitly stipulated that the status of merchants was lower than that of samurai, because merchants controlled commerce and circulation, the specific actual status depended on personal strength. There were many wealthy merchants.

Even the upper echelons of the shogunate had to pay attention to it, such as the ten-man group of merchants who controlled finance, especially the Mitsui group, the Ono group, the Shimada group, etc. "When the Osaka merchants were angry, the princes of the world were shocked." This is the strength of these merchants.

expansion situation.

Zeniya Gobei is the "royal gold lord Tatsukata" and the "royal lord of the royal ships" of the Kaga Domain Maeda family. He controls the Maeda family's economic and maritime lifeline. In addition to his own strength, there are millions of people standing behind him.

The behemoth Ishimaeda family - the shogunate treated the Maeda family very favorably. They had been intermarrying for generations, and the Maeda family enjoyed the treatment of a quasi-familiar vassal by the shogunate.

Is there something important to discuss with the northern ruler of Zeniya? Although Hanbei is usually respectful, he refuses to give up any ground in business. In fact, the Shirozu practice office is still at a slight disadvantage. Even the town leader Okubo can't talk about anything important.

, don’t ask to see Naoxiu?

After meeting, Hanbei paid homage but said nothing.

"It's been a long journey, thank you for your hard work." Now Naohsiu is also very skilled at playing the trick of Corporal Rehyeon.

"Please be kind to the emperor and help me out of the fact that I have always been respectful. Your kindness will never be forgotten." Hanbei saw Naohide's gentle words of comfort and gritted his teeth before confessing the truth.

It turned out that Hanbei came to Shirazhu from Hirosaki Town of the Tsugaru clan. He was taking care of Zeniya's business in Hirosaki when he suddenly received a letter from the main store in Kanazawa Town, informing him to immediately shrink the business in the north and prepare for it.

strain.

As for the reason? Someone reported to the feudal government that there was a poisoning incident in Qianwu during the "Hebei Xinkai Project".

During the Edo period, the shogunate and the princes encouraged the private sector to reclaim land from seas and lakes, and generally recognized the land builder's right to cultivate and manage the land, and there were certain tax exemptions - this project also fell into this category.

Qianwu must have done something extraordinary. This project was very large, and many disputes occurred with the fishermen who originally lived here.

Generally, the businessman who presides over the land construction promises to provide some financial subsidies and job opportunities to the fishermen and other people who originally lived on the land, because the land construction requires the approval of the domain office in advance, and the money house usually attaches great importance to the work of the domain.

Because of the reputation within the family, the compensation given is generally not bad, so Qianwu didn't expect any commotion.

Someone first reported that Qianwu sent people to poison the lake. Although the original intention was to poison the fish to kill the fish and drive away the fishermen, unexpectedly a fisherman died of poisoning after taking the dead fish, and the public opinion was boiling.

Originally, when this kind of thing happened, you would be fined. Of course, the person in charge would also be punished by the feudal hall. With the background of Qianya in the feudal clan, it should not be a big deal. But this time it is completely different. There is a "people holding group".

"Many important ministers of Jiage jumped out and demanded severe punishment of Qianwu.

The retainers of the Maeda family are roughly divided into four categories: jinji-gutou, jinji-gumi, ordinary people, and ashigaru.

Among them, there are only eight jinchi-gumi families, known as the Kaga Hakka, who are similar to the family elders of other domains and are responsible for managing the government affairs of the Kaga domain. The more than 70 jinchi-gumi families are also important ministers in the family, and they are basically more than 1,000 koku.

The samurai are similar to the sergeants of other domains. The large number of flat warriors and ashigaru are the middle and lower-level samurai.

The biggest backer of Zeniya was Okumura Eomi, the leader of the group. At that time, Okumura and Nagaren Hiroshi were the leaders of two factions in the domain. Okumura was a Confucianist, and Nagaren Hiroshi was a member of the Kuroha Ori Party. One faction advocated agrarianism, and the other

Advocate for commerce.

Gohei, the boss of Zeniya, originally had a deep connection with the Kurohaori Party. His teacher and think tank was Ohno Benkichi, and Ohno was a student of the famous scholar Honda Toshiaki.

Honda Toriaki (1743-1820) once lectured and taught apprentices extensively in Kaga. He emphasized the theory of "natural governance" and believed that "the current monarch can no longer rely on tribute and rent to make a living.

Domestic and foreign trade should become the real dependence of the shogunate." He was a mercantilist like Mr. Yokoi Kokusu. He once wrote to the shogunate, suggesting measures to support commerce and develop the Ezo land.

But by mistake, Gobei Kaniya chose not to join the mercantile Kurohaori Party but to Okumura's Kokugakushu sect. In fact, Gobei took the initiative to join Okumura because he saw that Sakae Okumura was powerful.

But people are subject to birth, old age, illness and death. Okumura died in the 14th year of Tenpo (1843). After that, the power of the Kuroha Ori Party became stronger, but Qian Ya took advantage of the situation. The Kuro Ha Zhi Party saw Qian Wu's strength and let him go.

, the business has not been affected much in recent years.

Why are the important ministers belonging to the Kurohaori Party insisting on the poisoning incident this time?

Hanbei is a branch of the Qian house owner's family, and he is usually highly valued by the family leader - otherwise he would not be sent to the north to be the ruler and control the secret trade.

The messenger was also a confidant of the family head. He secretly told Hanbei that Zeniya spent a lot of money and learned that the pressure behind the incident was Edo, who believed that Zeniya was a partner of the Satsuma clan in secret trade and wanted to use this to purge Zeniya.

Hanbei frowned after hearing this. Two years ago, the Satsuma Shimazu family's old man, Hiroyuki, committed suicide because of the secret trade leak. The fire finally burned to the money house.

The Shimazu family couldn't even save their elders, and the Maeda family had no reason to save a businessman - even though this businessman was very important to the domain's economy.

"Tenpo Gobei played a big role in the old story of Tenpo. There should still be memories of old times in the family, right?" Hanbei still has a certain sense of luck. The old story he is talking about is the basis for cooperation between Gobei Gobe and family elder Okumura Eimi.

The reason why Qianya gets preferential treatment from the Maeda family.

The old story in Hanbei's mouth is that during the Tenpo Massacre (1833 to 1839), Zeniya made a lot of contributions to the Matsumae family. At that time, the Tempo Massacre swept across Fuso, and the Matsumae family was not immune. It was Zeniya Gohei who persuaded the government at that time

The elder Okumura expanded his trade and used the profits to purchase a large amount of grain from other places. This prevented major turmoil in the Maeda family - this is why Okumura, who emphasized agriculture, supported Zeniya.

"Money is the source of trouble," the sender smiled bitterly. It turned out that according to feedback from important family members who were friends with Sumiya, the shogunate hinted to the Maeda family: After the evidence of Sumiya's crime was verified, the branches in various places were inspected by the shogunate, and Sumiya's store in Kaga

The assets will be taken over by the Maeda family. When the time comes, the Maeda family will make another donation, and the shogunate will no longer pursue the matter of secret trade.

Compared to the Shimazu family in Kagoshima, where the head of the family lived in seclusion and had sex with his family, this condition was quite lenient. It is said that the head of the family, Qi Tai, had already moved his mind, and the Kurohaori Party, which originally wanted to protect the money house, also changed its stance.

He jumped out and attacked Qianwu.

Gobei Zeniya is known as the richest man in Fuso. His family property is said to be three million taels of gold, and his land holdings alone are as much as eighty-five thousand dan. This does not include those held privately through others.

Yin Tian! There are at most thirty-four branches in various places. The branches here are not on the scale of fishing and trading like Yun Shangwu. Fuso has only sixty-six orders in total, and Qianwu's branches cover most of them.

And in addition to business and fields, Zeniya also has his own shipbuilding workshop, with more than 200 large and small ships, among which there are more than 20 "Benzai ships", the largest sea-going ship at present - Hanbei knows that there are more than this

Numbers, for example, the Benzai ship engaged in secret trade has never been officially registered. It is all disguised by changing its name, that is, several ships share the same name.

Who wouldn't be jealous of such a wealth? Those who gained it through filial piety are definitely not as much as those who stole it from Ming Dynasty! Everyone in the Maeda family was gearing up, preparing to share the money house with the shogunate.

"He is unkind and I am unjust -" Hanbei's eyes flashed with fierceness. He was a private soldier who controlled secret trade, and the money house was doing business with swords in Ezo and North Ezo.

Gather together several hundred men and ronin.

"It's too late." The messenger knew what Hanbei was thinking at a glance. He told Hanbei that the Maeda family had sent troops to monitor the people related to the money house, especially the family members of the clerk. Samurai came to warn the townspeople.

The five-person group also began to monitor the family's comings and goings, which was obviously premeditated - they only started taking action two years after the Satsuma family incident occurred, so they must have made a lot of preparations in advance.

Hanbei sneered at this. He had been doing secret trade with the family owner for many years and traveled across the Whale Sea, but he didn't see anything special about the shogunate and the Maeten family.

"The master of the house also has a secret message for you." The messenger sighed again and took out another letter - the master of the house, Gobei, who is almost eighty years old, is really an outstanding person, and he had already expected Hanbei's reaction.

"outside

People cannot be trusted, water without a source, and a tree without roots cannot last long.”

Hanbei cried loudly when he saw what was written in the letter. He was skilled in tongue-picking, arithmetic, management, geography, shipbuilding, navigation, and swordsmanship. He also had hundreds of people under his command. He worked hard for the Maeda family and the Zeniya.

But just because he was not a samurai, half of his life's achievements were in vain.

He cried for a long time and asked the messenger what to do next. The messenger said that the head of the family had ordered that if the trees fell and the hozens dispersed, you would arrange everything in the Northland: everyone divided the money and goods as much as they could. It is estimated that the news will be heard in a few years.

It's over. If Zeniya is still there at that time, I welcome anyone who is willing to come back. If Zeniya is no longer there, there are reasons. I hope everyone forgets Zeniya and makes a good living. As for Hanbei, will he return to Kanazawa?

It is up to him to decide the town, but there is one thing, he must not go to Luxia, Qing Shi Biaobiao, the money house has no choice but to engage in secret trade, but he must not lead the wolf into the house!

When Hanbei heard this, he could no longer suppress the anger in his chest. The head of the family was almost eighty years old, but he was still decisive in killing. He must have confirmed the attitude of the Maeda family, and decided to cut off his tail in order to survive before the other party officially launched his attack.

But what did the head of the family do wrong? As a businessman, even if secret trade is prohibited, the Maeda family has benefited a lot. Moreover, the head of the family has also persuaded the Maeda family to write to the shogunate for overseas trade. Qianwu is willing to pioneer the way, and he will not hesitate to do anything wrong, but Maeda

The family scolded the head of the family saying, "This is a serious matter that cannot be heard by untouchables." He hated being a town dweller in this life!

The shogunate and the Matsumae family have not yet officially launched a campaign. Hanbei hastily issued orders to all branches in the north to shrink according to the instructions of the main store. Many people in the money house are not involved in the secret trade. It is estimated that they can escape afterwards, but they were taken down.

A layer of skin is inevitable, but there are also many people involved in secret trade, and the fate of these people is what Hanbei is most concerned about.

People from various branches in the Northland will return to Kanazawa Town one after another according to their own instructions. However, these people involved in the secret trade are all unruly people. If they really hide everywhere as the owner said, they will probably be discovered sooner or later.

He realized that the family would definitely be affected by that time, and the other Hanbei was reluctant to part with the foundation of the Northland. He also had some illusions, thinking that things might not be as bad as the family leader expected, and that there might be opportunities for improvement, so he thought about it and thought of a way out.

Even if the head of the family didn't say anything, Hanbei would not drag people to defect to Lucia. Although he has only been in the North for two years, Hanbei has clearly understood the attitude of the Lucia people. It is completely the law of the jungle. Several times, the Lucia people have

During the transaction, they were ready to rob, but they only relied on the fierceness of the guards in the money room and their clever words to avoid conflicts.

But including the Matsumae family and the Tsugaru family, the northern daimyo were not looked down upon by Hanbei. Not only were their armaments lax, but their governance was also very rough. There were too many feudal clans, and the people were in dire straits. Moreover, they had no ambitions, and their subordinates were not even decent businessmen.

None, they are all parasites that rely on monopoly to survive.

But one of them is different. Although Qianwu has never been able to establish a deep relationship, his momentum is very different. Qianwu can actually be regarded as a tyrant in Northland, but he has never taken any advantage when dealing with this company.

Hanbei is interested in Shirozu's training center. Although Naohide keeps secrets every day, the merchants and guards who stay in Shirozu can still see a lot of things. At least Shirozu's weapons are sharp. This can be felt.

, In addition, although the White Lord did not have any severe punishments, he was very orderly. Although he did not let the money house oppress the Ainu, there were no samurai to oppress the money house.

And the most important thing is that Lord Bai is very trustworthy. In the transactions with Qianwu, he never forced money to buy. Even if he sometimes issued some inexplicable orders, he would always be compensated afterwards - this refers to September rice.

When the ship came to visit, Naohideo drove everyone in the money house to the north to explore for minerals. The fishery was stopped, but Naohideo later gave him the franchise rights to several coal mines as compensation.

Although Shirozu's office belongs to the shogunate, it is a matter of course for officers and soldiers to catch thieves. Hanbei and Qianwu have no resentment at all - what they resent most now is the Maeda family, who believe that the Maeda family crosses the river and demolishes the bridge, showing no loyalty at all.

His way is not worthy of the title of warrior.

Hanbei feels that Hori Naohide will definitely show his power in the north. Although the money house is about to collapse, the manpower, ships, money and goods left by the money house will definitely attract his attention. With these, they may not be taken in by the white master.

, maybe you can give some relief to the shogunate, and the shogunate and the Maeda family are definitely not of the same mind. Even if you can't, if you can join the shogunate, you may not have a chance to retaliate against the Maeda family in the future!
Chapter completed!