Great Wei Scholar Chapter 145 Three major benefits, the Chamber of Commerce was shocked, the court battles were intense, and the Chamber of Commerce was shocked.
Chapter 145 Three major benefits, the Chamber of Commerce was shocked, the court battles were intense, and the Chamber of Commerce was shocked.
Extremely fierce
As Xu Qingxiao's voice sounded.
Zhang Ruhui's first reaction was that he was a little confused.
Big business? How big a business?
"My dear brother, sit down first and speak slowly."
However, Zhang Ruhui immediately asked Xu Qingxiao to sit down, his eyes full of curiosity.
Xu Qingxiao sat down.
Then he spoke.
"Brother Zhang, have you received the notice from the Ministry of Household Affairs?"
Xu Qingxiao asked directly.
When he left the palace, the Ministry of Revenue had already issued an announcement, and it was impossible for a big businessman like Zhang Ruhui not to know about the announcement.
"I got it. The waterwheel project is in urgent need of silver taels. We need Kyoto businessmen to donate silver taels to contribute to the country."
"Brother Xian, although Brother Yu is a businessman, he also understands the fundamentals. If the Wei Dynasty gets better and better, naturally we and other businessmen will make more and more money."
"So I have asked someone to prepare two hundred thousand taels of silver and give it to the Ministry of Accounts as a donation."
"At the same time, I also asked people to prepare five hundred thousand taels of silver and make additional donations. This is for the sake of my dear brother."
Zhang Ruhui will speak out.
It is true that his family is extremely wealthy, and he will also help with things like donations. Two hundred thousand taels of silver is very good, and it matches his status.
The additional donation of five hundred thousand taels of silver was actually for Xu Qingxiao's sake, because he knew that Xu Qingxiao was dealing with the waterwheel project.
If you contribute by yourself, it can be regarded as helping Xu Qingxiao, and it is a favor.
Hearing this, Xu Qingxiao couldn't help but laugh.
"Brother really understands justice."
"However, Brother Fool is here today because he wants to make a big deal with Brother Xian, but it depends on whether Brother Xian is willing to part with the money."
Xu Qingxiao said this.
"Oh? How much do you need?"
Zhang Ruhui made tea for Xu Qingxiao while looking at Xu Qingxiao curiously.
"Ten million taels."
Xu Qingxiao spoke calmly.
Zhang Ruhui paused slightly, but soon continued playing with the tea sets on the table.
"Ten million taels is a lot, at least for Brother Yu, it is a huge amount, but since Brother Xu has spoken, Brother Yu will do his best to agree."
"Whether it's good or not, it doesn't matter. If it can help Brother Xu solve his dilemma, ten million taels won't hurt."
Zhang Ruhui looked at Xu Qingxiao and said seriously.
Xu Qingxiao was a little surprised when he said this. He really didn't expect that Zhang Ruhui would believe in him so much.
Ten million taels, I gave it as I said, without any hesitation.
For a moment, Xu Qingxiao couldn't help but sigh in her heart, but there was a wry smile on her face.
"Brother has misunderstood. It is not that he is helping me, but that Da Wei has made a deal with his brother. Foolish brother is just a middleman."
Xu Qingxiao explained.
"Transaction? Middleman? Dear brother, you might as well explain it in detail."
Zhang Ruhui was now a little curious. To be honest, when he heard about ten million taels of silver, he was stunned for a moment. What is the concept of ten million taels? What is the annual income of Zhang's Chamber of Commerce?
If Xu Qingxiao is really given, it will be an extremely troublesome matter for the Zhang Chamber of Commerce. Of course, it won't be a big deal, but it is definitely not a trivial matter.
But if you take these ten million taels to help Xu Qingxiao and make Xu Qingxiao more stable in the court, then there will be no problem with these ten million taels of silver.
It is equivalent to an investment. If one day, Xu Qingxiao really becomes the Minister of Household Affairs, this favor will be returned at a price of 30 million taels or 50 million taels.
He fully believed this.
So ten million taels is ten million taels, but now listening to what Xu Qingxiao said, it seems that she didn't mean what she thought.
"Brother, I would like to ask you, if I exchange these ten million taels of silver for a first-class position, would you like it?"
Xu Qingxiao spoke.
As soon as he said this, Zhang Ruhui was stunned.
What? Yipin?
What is the concept of Yipin? What is the level of the Six Ministers? This is a very human minister, who can be regarded as a being who can call the wind and rain in the Wei Dynasty.
Ten million taels?
Not to mention ten million taels, there are people willing to buy ten million taels, right?
"Brother Xian, do you mean that if I spend ten million taels, I can help you become the Minister of the Sixth Division?"
"If this is the case, I will try my best to help you raise another 30 million taels to help you go up."
Zhang Ruhui subconsciously thought that these ten million taels could help Xu Qingxiao become the Minister of the Ministry of Household Affairs, so he was a little excited.
What is the concept of a twenty-year-old Minister of the Ministry of Revenue? If Xu Qingxiao becomes the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, and I help Xu Qingxiao like this, it will be easy to make money in the future.
You know, there were many things in the Wei Dynasty that required the use of merchants. Xu Qingxiao was the Minister of the Ministry of Household Affairs, and he was given a fixed number of things to do every year, and he could make back his money in a few years.
So if this is the case, let alone 10 million taels of silver, he will give you even 30 million taels of silver.
Seeing that Zhang Ruhui had some misunderstandings, Xu Qingxiao spoke.
"It's not me, it's you."
Xu Qingxiao said in one sentence.
The somewhat serious Zhang Ruhui was stunned again.
I?
Zhang Ruhui was really confused this time.
What he didn't expect was that Xu Qingxiao would actually talk about himself?
Ten million to buy yourself a first-grade official position?
It must be a bloody profit, but is this possible?
"My dear brother, please don't make fun of me. I am a first-class official. I have not endured this for decades. All of them are talented and capable."
"Besides, from ancient times to the present, buying and selling an official position has been a serious crime of beheading, you..."
Zhang Ruhui smiled bitterly and said, "I don't mean anything else. Buying and selling an official position is in itself a crime of beheading, even if Xu Qingxiao is extremely capable."
Let yourself be a tenth-grade official or a ninth-grade official. He believes that he has this ability.
Can you say that you are given a first rank? The six ministers are not allowed to hack yourself to death?
"No!"
"Brother Xian, listen to me."
"Now His Majesty intends to open up a brand new official path. This official path is either aimed at civil and military officials or the world chamber of commerce."
"In other words, the road of officialdom and businessmanship. In other words, businessmen can also become officials in the future, but they will not have any real power, only identity and status."
"Of course there are three benefits."
Xu Qingxiao dropped the bombshell news, which made Zhang Ruhui stand up involuntarily.
"The road to government and business? Your Majesty actually has this idea?"
Zhang Ruhui really didn't expect that the status of merchants is generally very low in today's Wei Dynasty or other countries, especially big merchants.
Although it is said that when you spend money, others admire you and worship you, but in reality? After you turn your back, people will scold you one by one.
And businessman is never a good word. As long as officials are involved, it means collusion between government and business. The official was investigated, the people applauded, and the businessman's house was ransacked.
The common people are extremely happy and have a general hatred of the rich. If businessmen want to improve their status, they can only use some other methods, the most direct one is to spend money.
Purchase various lands and then build some wonders to show off your financial strength.
But in the final analysis, it is still not convincing and cannot really gain the recognition of others.
It would be different if His Majesty really opened up a road for government and business.
After all, with the imperial court backing him, who dares to say anything? Who can say anything?
Seeing that Zhang Ruhui was so excited, Xu Qingxiao did not delay, but continued to throw out news one after another.
"Not only that, these three benefits are also very good."
"First, businessmen who join the government and merchants. From now on, all government business in townships, towns, counties, prefectures, and even Kyoto in the Wei Dynasty will be given priority to the government and merchants. It is nothing more than bidding, but other merchants will never be allowed to do it.
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Xu Qingxiao mentioned the first benefit.
If you want to really make businessmen all over the world jump into this pit, you must put bait in this pit, and this bait must not be fake and empty.
What is the essence of a businessman? It is profit-seeking, so you just use something in name only to fool them? Will they believe it? Sorry, some people may join, but it is almost impossible to get more than 50% of the businessmen to join.
If only 20% to 30% of businessmen join, then this project will be meaningless. At least 50% will have to join, and by then it will be impossible for some big businessmen to survive alone.
You just keep to yourself, right? OK, anyway, half of the businessmen in the world listen to me. I will directly squeeze you out and make it impossible for you to do business. Are you happy?
If you don't join, you will die slowly.
Joining is nothing more than being controlled by others.
I believe these businessmen know better in their hearts, so Xu Qingxiao throws out the bait. The first one is the official bidding. How much business can the Wei Dynasty do? Official business is definitely the number one.
Xu Qingxiao really didn't believe that no one wanted to eat such a big piece of fat meat.
No, Zhang Ruhui was already shocked when he heard the first benefit.
"Priority bidding?"
Zhang Ruhui swallowed. Dawei has many businesses, such as land sales. To be honest, it depends on the relationship. If you want to expand your business territory to the entire Dawei, you can't do it. It's not that you don't have financial resources.
You don’t have courage, but you don’t have local connections.
Maybe Qingxiao's bidding is different. Even if you spend a little more money, at least the business will be done by yourself. For example, if you want to open the Taohua'an industry in other places, it doesn't matter even if you lose money.
Why? Because it has become famous, others know about Peach Blossom Temple, and they want to come to Kyoto to see how good the real Peach Blossom Temple is. In this way, the business here will be better, and the price can be raised again. The final result
He gained fame and made money at the same time.
But if you don't have local connections, it's useless even if you want to open a store, so Xu Qingxiao's bidding is both trouble-free and beneficial to their merchants. It's really smart, smart.
Seeing Zhang Ruhui like this, Xu Qingxiao did not stop, but continued to talk about the second benefit.
"Second, all direct descendants of the official and merchant lineage will be given priority in admission to major academies in the Wei Dynasty."
Xu Qingxiao threw out the second benefit.
To put it simply, this benefit is: extra points for the college entrance examination.
Everyone in the world, whether they are dignitaries or ordinary people, all know the fact that if you want to truly get ahead, you must study.
People would rather eat chaff than save money to send their children to school. Why? Isn't it because their children will become scholars?
Once you become a scholar, you are transformed.
And the powerful people let their descendants study, isn't it to stabilize the family? The status of scholars in the Wei Dynasty was completely superior.
Everything is inferior, only reading is superior.
Not to mention the Wei Dynasty, the whole world is like this.
As for this second benefit, it can be said that any businessman with a sane mind will choose to join.
What are you working hard for for most of your life? Isn't it just to let your descendants enjoy happiness? Priority is given to being admitted to major academies. This alone is enough to make them crazy.
"Brother Xian, do you really mean what you say?"
Zhang Ruhui swallowed, he felt a little unreal for some reason.
Xu Qingxiao did not answer this question, but continued to talk about the third benefit.
"Third, if all officials and businessmen serve the country diligently, they can be knighted!"
Xu Qingxiao mentioned the third benefit.
But after talking about the third benefit, Zhang Ruhui was stunned on the spot.
Xu Qingxiao said that the first two benefits are that it allows merchants to make small profits but quick turnover. The cost is high, but at least there is more business, which is a kind of profit concession. The second one is to benefit future generations, which is what every chamber of commerce should do.
But this third benefit is completely different.
There is no place in the world that would give businessmen official positions, let alone titles?
How did you get the title? You have to make a huge contribution to the Wei Dynasty, no, not a huge contribution, but a huge contribution.
Those soldiers who guard the border and sacrifice their lives to kill the enemy and defend the country may not necessarily be awarded titles.
Civil servants who handle national affairs and resolve crisis after crisis may not necessarily be awarded titles.
What shame do these businessmen have to think about becoming a knight?
Be a knight!
If being an official means honoring one’s ancestors, then becoming a knight is one that will make ancestors laugh out loud for eighteen generations.
A title is a supreme honor and a symbol of power.
No matter how big a businessman is, they are just chess pieces, just like the Shanxi merchants. They seem to be showing off their power in front of Xu Qingxiao, but that's because there are bigger figures behind them.
But once Xu Qingxiao becomes the Minister of Household Affairs, or Xu Qingxiao becomes a Marquis, which businessman in the world dares to act recklessly against Xu Qingxiao?
In the final analysis, you are an inferior person after all. I just want to give you some face when I need you. When I don't need you, you are worse than a dog.
Now Xu Qingxiao said that joining the government and merchants can also lead to a knighthood.
This is simply incredible.
It subverted his outlook on life.
Zhang Ruhui froze on the spot and could not regain his senses for a long time.
Xu Qingxiao, on the other hand, was minding his own business making tea. He knew that the three benefits he promised would be difficult for normal people to accept, especially a businessman like Zhang Ruhui.
He knows better than anyone else the status of a businessman, what is the appearance on the surface, but what is behind the scenes? I won’t go into details about this.
Anyway, after seeing Zhang Ruhui's reaction, Xu Qingxiao believed that once the news was released, businessmen throughout the Wei Dynasty would scream and wish to donate all their belongings.
A full quarter of an hour.
Zhang Ruhui was shocked for a quarter of an hour.
Only then did he come back to his senses.
"Brother Xian, are you kidding Brother Yu here?"
Zhang Ruhui said with a mournful face. He hoped that this was true, but also felt that it could not be true.
"Brother Xian, brother Fool, even though he may be carefree at times, he dare not say anything nonsense about important matters in the court."
"Moreover, Brother Xian is dissatisfied and said that His Majesty has given full authority over this matter to Brother Yu. Whether it is yes or no is entirely up to Brother Yu to decide."
"Brother Xian, let's have a sip of tea first."
Xu Qingxiao poured a cup of tea for Zhang Ruhui, poured another cup of tea for herself, blew on the hot air, took a sip and said.
Seeing Xu Qingxiao being so indifferent, Zhang Ruhui had no choice but to believe it even if he didn't believe it.
"Brother, you tell me to do it, and I will do it."
Zhang Ruhui is also a ruthless person. Since he believes in Xu Qingxiao, he has no doubts at all.
"Okay, since Brother Xian trusts you so much, Brother Yu, please make it clear."
"Let me prepare 10 million taels of silver. No matter what, send it to the Ministry of Revenue before tonight and explain clearly that the waterwheel project will benefit the country and the people."
"As a businessman in the Wei Dynasty, if you take the power of the Wei Dynasty and use the power of the Wei Dynasty, the people will be rich, and only the merchants will be rich. The Wei Dynasty will be even richer, and the country will be rich and the people strong."
"Brother Xian should have some secret agents. Let them write an article based on this, bring it to the Ministry of Finance, and then let others spread it."
"Brother Xian, don't worry about the rest of the matter. Let brother Yu handle everything."
"You must not involve Yudi, just do your best for the country, you know?"
Xu Qingxiao opened her mouth and told Zhang Ruhui what to do.
"good!"
"Xian brother, don't worry, I will have people handle these matters immediately."
Zhang Ruhui nodded, looking very serious.
"Okay, brother Xian, let's wait for the good news at home. Brother Yu has something to do, so he should leave first."
Xu Qingxiao finished her cup of tea and stood up to leave.
However, Zhang Ruhui immediately stood up and said.
"My dear brother, let me ask you something. If you promise so many benefits, will the Wei court agree to it? I feel that the civil and military officials will not agree to it."
Zhang Ruhui is a little worried. Although His Majesty has confessed this matter, the question is, will the big guys agree? I don't think the civil servants and generals will agree.
"Brother, don't worry, Yudi has a lot of face and will handle it well."
"Let's go, there's no need to send it off."
Xu Qingxiao didn't feel anything.
Liubu doesn’t agree?
The general doesn't agree?
He has his own way to get these people to agree.
After saying this, Xu Qingxiao left directly.
After Xu Qingxiao left.
Zhang Ruhui also quickly dealt with the matter. At the same time, he was extremely excited and nervous.
If what Xu Qingxiao said is true, then he is really about to turn over, a true turn over.
About a quarter of an hour later.
Xu Qingxiao left Taohua Temple and returned to Shouren Academy.
At this time, it was already dark because of the rain.
There was no one in Shouren Academy. Li Shouming didn't know where he had gone, and neither did the other scholars.
Xu Qingxiao returned to the room and started to do something.
The number of officials and merchants is limited.
Tenth grade official, donate 10,000 taels, personal permanent
Ninth-grade official, donate 50,000 taels, personal and permanent.
An eighth-grade official can donate 100,000 taels for personal permanence.
A seventh-grade official can donate 200,000 taels for personal permanence.
A sixth-grade official, donates 500,000 taels, personal and permanent.
A fifth-grade official can donate one million taels for personal permanence.
A fourth-grade official, donate five million taels, personal and permanent.
A third-grade official can donate 10 million taels for ten years.
Second-grade officials, donated 50 million taels, ten years.
A first-grade official can donate 10,000,000 taels for ten years.
Then, if the rank of official or businessman above the fourth rank rises three times or remains unchanged and cannot fall anyway, you can obtain a title. The specific title will be selected based on what you have done for the country and what you have done for the people.
It was verified by the Confucian officials, assisted by six ministries, and finally submitted to the leader of the merchant officials, that is, myself, and then handed over to His Majesty himself, who finally approved it.
The entire process is open and fair, and no bending of the law for personal gain is allowed.
After this system came out, Xu Qingxiao was also curious about how much silver it could bring to Wei.
As a conservative estimate, there should be 50,000 taels.
There are six first-grade officials, but he has to count one position, and Zhang Ruhui also has to count one position, so there are only four positions, and there will definitely be people watching. Taking out ten million taels in one go is not a small sum.
We need to give the eight major chambers of commerce time to think about it.
So Xu Qingxiao temporarily got an amount of fifty million taels. Of course, this is a conservative estimate. As for the actual situation, it is different.
After making the plan.
Xu Qingxiao couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.
This second sword has been formed, now it depends on whether these businessmen will jump or not.
As long as more than 50% of the businessmen jump in, the initiative is in their own hands. If they don't jump in, it will be a bit embarrassing.
As for the civil and military officials, Xu Qingxiao did have countermeasures.
We just have to see if this matter can be passed tomorrow.
It was at this time.
A piece of news also spread throughout the entire Wei Kyoto.
The Ministry of Household Affairs issued an announcement that due to the lack of a large amount of money to promote the waterwheel project, merchants in Kyoto were required to donate silver.
Less than an hour after the announcement was made, people started to donate one after another, with the highest being two hundred taels and the lowest being one penny. However, at this moment, wealthy businessman Zhang Ruhui came.
The donation of 10 million taels of silver immediately detonated the entire Wei Kyoto.
No one would have thought that Zhang Ruhui would actually donate 10 million taels. Even everyone in the household department was dumbfounded. They were still curious when they made the announcement.
The maximum number of silver taels that someone can donate is probably 10,000 taels of silver.
Unexpectedly, Zhang Ruhui actually donated 10 million taels. Even Gu Yan, the Minister of Household Affairs, was alarmed. After confirming the matter, he praised Zhang Ruhui for his patriotism.
A memorial was to be written for Zhang Ruhui to report to the Holy Emperor, and the article written by Zhang Ruhui was also impassioned, and the people in Kyoto talked about it one after another.
People everywhere praised Zhang Ruhui for being patriotic and serving the people. As a businessman, he did not seek profit. When the country needed it, he stepped forward and donated 10 million taels of silver.
How can this prevent the common people from praising Zhang Ruhui as a good businessman? In an instant, he became famous.
As for other businessmen in the Wei Dynasty, none of them could guess what Zhang Ruhui was doing, and they only felt that there was something wrong with Zhang Ruhui's mind.
Even after the eight major merchants learned the news, they couldn't figure out what Zhang Ruhui was going to do.
Ten million taels of silver is the annual income of the Zhang Chamber of Commerce. This is not Zhang Ruhui’s personal money. Do other shopkeepers want to share the money?
What is the use of spending ten million taels in vain? Is it just to gain a good reputation?
This shouldn't be the case. You can get a good reputation just by giving food to disaster areas, so why bother?
They couldn't figure it out, and the dignitaries of the Wei Dynasty couldn't figure it out either. They finally came to the conclusion that there was something wrong with Zhang Ruhui's mind.
That's it, until Mao hour.
A new day of court meetings has begun.
The military attaches went to court in high spirits.
But the civil servants were a little tired of each other. The six ministers were okay, especially Gu Yan, who was in a happy mood. How could he not be happy after receiving a donation of ten million taels in vain?
The ministers among the six films seemed a little tired.
The Taiping Poetry Festival ends tomorrow.
So today they also went, and a lot of things happened today. First of all, the Wen Palace of Wei Dynasty stopped sending people, and Chen Zhengru was fully in charge.
Sun Jing'an didn't come.
The talented men from the Ten Kingdoms came. After all, Kyoto was blocked and could not escape. In addition, there was a man named Li Shouming, who brought many common people and literati to invite people.
If the talented people from the Ten Kingdoms didn't dare to come, Li Shouming would directly take action. As a result, Li Shouming had a bruised nose and face at the banquet, but the talented people from the Ten Kingdoms were even worse.
There is no other way. If you encounter such a ruthless person, you will beat him if you don't go. Until you go, Kyoto will be locked again. Even if the talented people from the ten countries don't want to be humiliated, they don't want to be beaten.
At the feast, the people and literati of the Wei Dynasty were eating and drinking happily, but the great officials of the Ten Kingdoms were very quiet and did not speak to each other. After hearing that the banquet was over, they ran faster than anyone else.
Now the six ministers hope that this matter will end here, and it is best to be like this tomorrow. After the banquet is over, nothing will happen at all.
A quarter of an hour later.
Following the eunuch's announcement, hundreds of officials entered the court.
Soon, the civil and military officials walked into the palace as usual.
After going to court.
In the first hour, it was still the same old rules, wherever there was disaster, something happened.
The Ministry of Civil Affairs reported that officials in various places were extremely poor and could not afford to fill their clothes. They hoped that Your Majesty would allocate funds and send some money.
The Ministry of Punishment reported that there were many bandits in the Wei Dynasty, and they were all extremely poor people. They wanted to send troops to suppress them and give them some money.
The Ministry of Rites reported that this time there were more envoys than before, and they brought a lot of things, including cattle, sheep, horses, pearls, agates, gems, etc. The amount of gifts that need to be returned is ten times the amount before, so how much should be given now.
The Ministry of Industry reported that there was a shortage of craftsmen and that there was an urgent need to allocate funds to train a group of craftsmen and that they were short of money.
The Ministry of War reported that there was nothing to complain about, and that the Northern Expedition would be launched immediately. Then I hope that Your Majesty will prepare provisions. Although I know that the Northern Expedition is impossible, I still need to say what needs to be said.
The Ministry of Revenue spoke up. First, he told the story about Zhang Ruhui, which was praised by His Majesty. Then he explained what kind of disasters had happened in various places and needed to allocate funds. So the idea was very simple. The Ministry of Revenue had no money, so he had to save it himself.
The military generals were collectively unhappy, and they all said that military pay must be paid. The general meaning is that whether you go to the Northern Expedition or not, the military pay is coming this year. Don’t say it will increase too much, just increase it by any amount, or pay it in advance, so that everyone can cooperate with it.
Have fun with you.
Basically, the first hour is spent discussing some of these things.
Among the six departments, five departments all need money, and the generals also need money.
It’s not possible without money anyway.
And wait for all officials to finish their exchange.
The Queen's voice sounded.
"I have two things to discuss with you dear friends today."
When the empress said this, Zhao Waner took out the imperial edict and said.
"Your Majesty has decreed that from now on, twelve eunuchs will be established, including the eunuchs of the Wei Dynasty, including the eunuchs of the Wei Dynasty, including the ceremonial supervisors, the internal officials, the royal officials, the chief ministers, and the imperial guards. Each supervisor will have a eunuch with a palm seal, with a grade up to the second grade.
Supervisor and attendant."
"Responsible for inspecting the sufferings of the people, supervising all officials, responsible for the intelligence agency, with the power to arrest and investigate, set up special prisons, and detain criminals. Officials from the six ministries are not allowed to interfere."
Zhao Waner spoke.
This first imperial edict instantly made all civil and military officials frown.
They are extremely respected ministers, how could they not understand what this Supervisor of Ceremonies does?
Isn't this a matter of checking and balancing civil and military officials and collecting intelligence?
There was a Jinyi Heavenly Guard before, but the Jinyi Heavenly Guard rose with great momentum, but died down in less than half a year. After all, the power penetrated too fast.
Without giving His Majesty any chance, among the entire Heavenly Guard, either this one's nephew or that one's relative can only catch monsters and deal with some trivial matters.
Really important things cannot be left to them.
The Chief Ceremony Supervisor is the same as the Jinyi Tianwei. The only difference is that the Chief Ceremony Supervisor is presided over by a eunuch, which is somewhat inappropriate.
"His Majesty!"
"My lord, I think this is inappropriate. Since ancient times, I have never heard of eunuchs holding power. I hope your majesty will think again."
"Your Majesty, I also think this matter is inappropriate. I have never heard of eunuchs taking power. I hope your Majesty will think again."
Many ministers spoke up and begged the empress to think twice and not let the eunuchs take power.
However, the Queen's voice sounded.
"My decision has been made."
The four words "incomparably calm" represent her attitude.
For a moment, all civil and military officials were silent.
Court is a kind of battle, and this kind of battle is basically about taking a stand, taking sides, and fighting.
The empress re-employed the eunuchs, but they were just expressing their position, not taking sides. After all, setting up this thing was a good thing for His Majesty.
To them, it was equivalent to someone taking away the power, but the power itself was given by the empress, and they were not vassal kings.
The empress said that whoever is allowed to take power will take power. This is the rule of the game. A few words of persuasion are fine, but there is no need to directly stand in line unless it affects great interests.
Otherwise, there is nothing we can do.
The officials were silent, and the empress spoke again.
"Announce the second thing."
She said calmly.
Zhao Waner continued to speak.
"His Majesty has decreed that the government and merchants of the Wei Dynasty should be established. From now on, merchants of the Wei Dynasty can join the government and merchants and become officials of the imperial court, ranging from the first to the tenth rank. They will not hold real power."
"The official rank is determined by the amount of silver donated. Ten thousand taels of silver are ten ranks, ten million taels are one rank, third rank has one hundred, second rank has twenty ranks, first rank has six ranks, and third rank and above are replaced every ten years."
"Furthermore, after joining the official business of the Wei Dynasty, all business affairs of the local government can be selected by the official merchants of the Wei Dynasty through bidding. The descendants of the official merchants of the Wei Dynasty will be given priority to be admitted to the academies of various places in the Wei Dynasty. The Wen Palace of the Great Wei Dynasty will provide full cooperation. Officials and merchants with excellent performance can be knighted.
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"Those with titles need to be reviewed in a different way. The Wen Palace of the Great Wei Dynasty and the six ministries participate in the review, which is open and fair."
"Those who want to be an official or merchant must write a personal application dossier and send it to the Shouren Academy of the Great Wei Dynasty. Xu Qingxiao, the Minister of Household Affairs, will handle it with full authority. The Sixth Ministry, the Wen Palace of the Great Wei Dynasty, and the Duke and other princes will give full cooperation and shall not violate it."
"Appreciate this."
Zhao Waner's voice sounded.
Announcement to the court.
The voice sounded.
All the civil and military officials were in a state of complete excitement.
If the eunuchs were allowed to take power, they were not very happy, but they did not have much resistance. After all, if you have power, you should take power. They still have power in their hands, but they just have a group of more eunuchs.
Is it possible that we are afraid that these eunuchs will take off?
We all know the means of checks and balances. In fact, whether there is a group of people like this, it is only right to check and balance each other. If there are no checks and balances, it will cause trouble.
If the emperor has no checks and balances, the country will collapse. Everyone feels that they are right and everyone feels that they are not wrong.
If you are unhappy, you are not happy, but it is within a reasonable range. We let you go this time, just let us next time.
But this government-business system is no longer good.
Is this good enough?
When a businessman becomes an official? How much impact will it have?
What people hate most in the world is corrupt officials, and what they hate even more is businessmen and corrupt officials.
Officials cannot get too close to businessmen. If you say you have not taken bribes, who will believe you?
Now that things are better, they actually give businessmen official positions? And pay for them directly? No matter how poor the Wei Dynasty was, how could it be so poor?
impossible!
Absolutely impossible!
"Your Majesty! The official position of a merchant is an age-old fallacy. If a merchant becomes an official, he is afraid that the people will resist him. Furthermore, merchants pursue profit and have an impure heart. If they join the imperial court, the Wei Dynasty will become a joke to the world.
"
"Your Majesty, think twice."
Chen Zhengru spoke immediately and rejected His Majesty's intention. This was not a statement, but a direct stand. He did not agree.
"Your Majesty, businessmen in the world are inherently good at business, so just give them a reward. If you talk about official positions, it will indeed cause chaos in the world. I will never agree to this. I hope your Majesty will think twice."
Zhang Jing, the Minister of Justice, also spoke, although he knew that this matter had something to do with Xu Qingxiao.
But the impact of this incident is too great. Is it outrageous for a businessman to become an official? And you can become an official by spending money. Isn’t this just buying an official by paying money? If this precedent is set, the majesty of the Ministry of Punishment will be lost, and the national laws will be lost.
It became a joke.
"Your Majesty, it is a taboo for a businessman to serve as an official. Although the Wei Dynasty is in a tight situation now, there is no need to go like this to please businessmen."
When the Minister of Rites opened his mouth, he also stood in line.
"Your Majesty, I don't agree with this either. It's a joke in the world that a businessman should be an official."
Li Yanlong, Minister of Industry and Industry, spoke out.
"Your Majesty, if a businessman is an official, it will involve the foundation of the country and shake the Wei Dynasty. Please think twice, your Majesty."
Zhou Yan, Minister of War, also spoke.
Not only him, the generals also spoke out, and the princes spoke.
"Your Majesty, officials and businessmen have not been allowed to collude with each other since ancient times. Please think twice and give me a title. This is absolutely impossible."
The princes knelt on the ground one after another, begging His Majesty to think again.
And each of the great scholars also spoke.
"Scholars all over the world are studying, and the fittest will survive. Admission will be given priority. If you break the rules, your majesty and ministers will not agree."
All civil and military officials, as well as Confucian officials, all stood in line. Except for one person who did not speak, the others all spoke to stop the empress from such a ridiculous behavior.
Give businessmen official positions?
They disagreed on three points.
First, I have worked hard to study and work hard in the court to reach my current position, but these speculators can become officials by spending only taels of silver? Are they willing? They will only feel disgusted!
Secondly, if I want to be granted a title, I have to go through a lot of hardships, and even die without a title. Look at Xu Qingxiao, she has done so many things, none of which is shocking to the world, and she was awarded an ordinary title.
What qualifications do these businessmen have to be knighted?
Third, official positions and titles are extremely noble things. If lowly people like businessmen are involved, wouldn't it lower the situation? How will the people in the world laugh at them later?
Be direct.
He just made it clear that he looked down upon such businessmen.
What a stinky fish and rotten shrimp.
Give them official positions? Even if they don't hold power, it's too embarrassing.
The impact is very bad.
This is the reason why the civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty refused to agree.
Because in contrast, letting eunuchs take power means they have actually gained power, while letting businessmen hold official positions is a matter of influence.
The eunuch's power is essentially more influential than the merchant's official rank, but this is an internal issue and an internal matter within the court.
As for merchants having official ranks, it is not an internal issue, but the world's view and influence on the Wei Dynasty.
In the civil and military affairs of the Manchu dynasty.
Only one person remained silent.
That is Gu Yan, the Minister of the Ministry of Finance.
He knew immediately that this was Xu Qingxiao's plan.
He wanted to help Xu Qingxiao, but seeing that the officials were so resolute and he didn't approve of it, businessmen were not a good thing in his eyes.
He wouldn't be happy if these businessmen really had official positions.
Put it together.
Gu Yan also spoke up.
"I hope your Majesty will think twice."
He didn't say much, and expressed his position in one sentence.
For a moment, the court hall was extremely quiet, and you could hear a needle drop.
The empress looked expressionless at the civil and military officials kneeling in front of her.
"I have decided on this matter."
"No changes allowed."
"After the court meeting is over, the Chief of Ceremonies will issue an announcement to inform the world."
"I also heard that Zhang Ruhui, a businessman from Beijing, donated tens of millions of silver to the Wei Dynasty. He was rewarded as a second-rank official and businessman and given the title of Baron of the Wei Dynasty."
"Before September, the Ministry of Rites will formulate corresponding official uniforms, distinguish court uniforms, and then create corresponding ceremonial guards, accessories, command arrows, etc."
"No delay."
The empress spoke out like this and her attitude became even more resolute. At the same time, she rewarded Zhang Ruhui with the position of second-rank official and businessman, the Baron of Wei, and asked the Ministry of Rites to prepare these things.
It can be said that the attitude is extremely firm and cannot tolerate any opposition.
As soon as he said this, the whole court was filled with excitement.
"His Majesty!"
"This must not be the case."
"If Your Majesty insists, I will kneel down in the middle of the court and refuse to retreat until my death."
Some people spoke with sincerity, hoping that the empress would change her mind.
However, I heard this.
The empress still looked calm.
But she stood up and looked at Baiguandao.
"Then kneel here."
After saying this, the empress turned and left.
For a moment, there was complete silence in the court hall.
They could see His Majesty's intention.
This is for real.
There is no chance for negotiation at all.
But the more this happened, the more angry the officials became.
Some people sit there and refuse to leave even if they say they won't.
Some people frowned, stood up and left, after all, the meeting was over.
One-third of the people left, but two-thirds stayed in the court.
None of the six ministers left.
As powerful ministers of the Wei Dynasty, they would look a little out of place if they left.
But everyone who left knows it.
Dawei is about to make another huge wave.
Oh, no, it’s a huge wave.
And some people have noticed that this matter has a close relationship with Xu Qingxiao.
This is Xu Qingxiao.
It's really capable of causing trouble.
indeed.
Less than a quarter of an hour.
The news of the establishment of official merchants in Wei Dynasty spread instantly.
Including Zhang Ruhui, a merchant from Beijing, who was granted the title of first-grade official and the title of Great Wei.
This incident was like a meteorite falling to the ground in the business world. In less than half an hour, it spread throughout the Wei business world.
Countless information came from the capital of the Great Wei Dynasty.
It can be said that this matter of officials and merchants was so shocking that no one cared about the eunuchs taking power.