He has a hundred thousand strings of money and rides a crane to Yangzhou.
Yangzhou is richest in the world and is not inferior to Hangzhou, which is invincible in the southeast.
The prosperity of Yangzhou is closely related to salt merchants.
Yangzhou prospered because of the salt industry.
In today's Song Dynasty, the eight major salt merchants in Yangzhou monopolized the huge markets in Jiangnan, Liangzhe and Lianghuai regions, and 80% of the national treasury salt tax came from Yangzhou.
Regarding how salt merchants are rich enough to rival a country, Wang Lin read this short joke in "Jin Ping Mei Ci" in his previous life:
Ximen Qing walked through Cai Jing's way and got 30,000 yuan of business to attract Huaiyan salt. His follower Ying Earl was overjoyed and said, "Brother, congratulations! There will be a lot of interest when you go back here!"
What is this so-called "big interest"?
The cost of this transaction is only about 10,000 taels, and the profit is about 30,000 taels of silver, which is definitely a huge profit.
Therefore, Yangzhou is a city built on salt.
Behind the huge profits, there are often endless blood and sin.
Mr. Ma said that when capital comes to the world, it is bleeding and dirty from head to toe.
Yan Qing only had a slight understanding of Wang Lin's logic, but Gu Qingchuan empathized with it.
Wang Lin led two thousand men of the Tiger God Guard to rush to Yangzhou by land, while Shi Jin and Yang Yuhe led 5,000 Navy down the canal and came to Yangzhou by water.
The first thing that got the news was not Yangzhou Prefecture, but the salt merchant led by the Xu family.
All salt merchants in Yangzhou are Hui merchants.
The Xu family is the leader.
Yangzhou is not so much Yangzhou Prefecture under the jurisdiction of Huainan East Road Transfer Envoy, but rather the base camp of the eight major salt merchants in Jiangnan.
It's New Year's Eve today.
Compared with the joyful celebration of welcoming the New Year and bidding farewell to the old year in the streets and alleys in Yangzhou City, the Xu Manor located outside Yangzhou City is a different scene.
At least hundreds of salt dippers gathered to hold weapons and were on high alert, keeping the manor that covers an active and wide area and stands on high walls and barriers to airtight.
Yangzhou salt merchants basically lived outside the city, separating the country and building castles, known as manors, and raising countless salt servants.
In the evening.
The other seven major salt merchants, the Jiang family, the Huang family, the Cheng family, the Ouyang family, the Jiang family, the Song family and the Bai family, gathered at the "Shoukang Hall" in the Xu family manor.
Jiang Chun, the head of the Jiang family, frowned and said, "Brother Zihou, why did you suddenly call us to wait during this New Year?"
The other heads of the family also looked at Xu Lan and Xu Zihou, who were about 40 years old, wearing brocade clothes and white faces, who were sitting on the main seat.
Xu Lan smiled indifferently: "Everyone, do you know that the two Zhejiang road Xuanfu envoys, Wang Lin, the king of Bohai County, have led his troops to Yangzhou in different directions?"
Jiang Chun chuckled: "I heard that, but no matter why he came, it has nothing to do with us, right? In the matter in Hangzhou, Qian Zhongshu and a group of corrupt officials committed the case, whether it was treason or corruption or abuse of the law, no matter how he investigated it.
, can't even find out from Yangzhou?
Huang Wan'an, the leader of the Huang family, bowed and said, "Duke Xu, Duke Jiang, Duke, my Huang family's people in Hangzhou have also heard news that Wang Lin killed Qian Zhongshu and others with lightning speed.
He also won hundreds of officials from both Zhejiang, but he stopped in the officialdom and did not involve all ethnic groups in Jiangnan, including us salt merchants!"
"If Hangzhou is like this, it is impossible to burn the fire to Yangzhou."
Cheng Yizhou, the head of the Cheng family, was the oldest among the people present, and had gray hair.
As soon as Huang Wan'an finished speaking, he held his beard and chuckled, "Wan'an's nephew's words are right. After all, the prince of Bohai was ordered to inspect the military and political affairs of the two Zhejiang provinces. Yangzhou was under the jurisdiction of Huainan Road. Wang Lin had no excuses to cross the border.
Don’t worry when handling the case.”
Ouyang Xiaodong, the eldest son of the Ouyang family, suddenly pondered: "Uncles and uncles, if the Prince of Bohai did not intend to interfere in Yangzhou affairs, why did he cross the border and lead his army to Yangzhou? I heard that, maybe two days after tomorrow, his Iron Cavalry of the Tiger will be
Entering Yangzhou.”
The head of the Jiang family, Jiang Yuchun, Song Qinan, and Bai Yulin, the head of the Bai family, all remained silent.
Everyone looked at Xu Lan.
"Don't be careless, I, the Xu family, know this person.
This person is authoritarian and arrogant, with vicious means. He is a lucky minister. He never acts according to common principles and often finds a different approach."
Xu Lan said gloomy again: "Xu learned from the secret report from Beijing that Wang Lin came to Jiangnan this time, and he was even sent to make money for the officials.
In the name of purging corruption and rectifying the administration, he killed a lot of money and property he obtained, and it is said that he would be transferred back to Beijing soon and be filled into the treasury of the official family."
"In this way, his purpose of coming to Yangzhou is self-evident." Xu Lan sneered.
Everyone suddenly gasped.
If Xu Lan said seriously, Wang Lin had searched his home in Hangzhou and was looking at the richer salt merchants in Yangzhou.
Everyone knows that Wang Lin is a knife of the official Zhao Ji.
If you go to Jiangnan to make money for the officials, is there any partner who is richer than the salt merchants in Yangzhou?
Jiang Chun said angrily: "Brother Zihou, our salt merchants have worked hard for the court for a hundred years. Half of their income has to be paid for salt tax. In addition, they have to spend a lot of money to support officials in the court and all over the country.
Are you still trying to make our decisions?"
Huang Wan'an frowned and said, "Mr. Xu, although the salt merchants are profitable, the government and the government knows it, the salt courses are related to the stability of the Southeast's financial resources. The court has no reason, so how could it be easily attacked us? I think this is absolutely impossible!"
Jiang Chun sneered and retorted: "If we don't attack us, why should we lead a large army to Yangzhou? Besides, why did he patrol Liangzhe and run to Huainan East Road?"
Huang Wanan was speechless.
Jiang Chun said again: "Brother Zihou, it is urgent. Please give me some advice. How should we deal with the eight salt merchants now?"
Xu Lan slowly stood up and said in a deep voice: "Without my eight salt merchants, how could Yangzhou be prosperous? This Yangzhou city belongs to the foundation of our generation, and we must not lose anything.
At this moment, in danger, I would like to unite and unite to the outside world. All families should all serve as salt servants and prepare for defense. At the same time, I ordered the Yangzhou Prefect to mobilize the Yangzhou Xiang Army and fight with Wang Lin!"
"In addition, the sketch letter notified Beijing to let those Beijing officials who had eaten enough money usually report to impeach Wang Lin... This person must not be allowed to form a climate in Jiangnan and entrench it, otherwise the 100-year-old salt merchant of our generation
The foundation is destroyed.”
Cheng Yizhou raised his eyebrows: "Zihou, confronting the imperial envoy of the court and the official army, this matter is very different, and it is no different from treason. If the matter fails, your fortune will be lost!"
Ouyang Xiaodong also hesitated and said, "Wang Lin's purpose is unknown. If we act rashly, we may have endless troubles."
Xu Lan's eyes were cold: "The following words are all here, whether you listen or not, are with you.
However, if Wang Lin's army enters Yangzhou, you are unprepared. Once you are detained for false crimes, your family will be confiscated and the family will be destroyed. Don't blame me for not saying anything else!"
...
There are thousands of lights in Yangzhou City, fireworks are flying in the sky, and the sound of joyful firecrackers is endless.
The owner of the eight major salt merchants hurriedly left the Xu Manor and returned to each house.
On the way, Jiang Wanchun, the head of the Jiang family, Bai Yulin, and Song Qinan, the head of the Song family, who had been silent, suddenly turned back and turned to a villa outside the city of the Bai family.
It is also a famous garden building in Yangzhou, "Nanyuan".
Although the eight families were led by the Xu family, the three families had closer relationships in private.
Jiang Wanchun said lightly: "What do you think about today's affairs?"
Bai Yulin said calmly: "I don't know what Wang Lin is doing in Yangzhou, but I guess the person who comes is not good, there is no doubt about this.
However, as Xu Lan said, it is very stupid to launch private troops and mobilize Yangzhou Xiangjun to confront Wang Lin's army."
"The iron cavalry of the Fuhu Army under Wang Lin's command is brave and good at fighting. This man is invincible. Outside Tokyo that day, even tens of thousands of Khitan Wolf Cavalry were not his opponent, let alone our salt selves!"
"Also, this person is very favored by the government. It is said that the government wants to take advantage of the world's worst and marry his daughter, Princess Maode, to him as a fair wife. Such a holy relative is hard to find.
He also held the Emperor's Sword and gave him a gold medal. Even the Huainan Road Transporter did not dare to compete with him."
"But one thing, I agree with Xu Lan's words. Wang Lin came to Jiangnan, and corruption was just a name, and it was true that he made money for the officials.
Since he is making money, why should we be enemies with him? It’s just that we take the initiative to give some money. There are still officials who can’t buy money these days? Spend some money, it won’t hurt the family’s foundation.”
"As long as we are still in charge of the salt industry, what is the mere property?"
Jiang Wanchun nodded slowly: "Brother Bai said very much. If it is a problem that can be solved with money, it will not be a problem.
Unless it is absolutely necessary, the whole family must not confront the imperial envoy, otherwise the destruction of the family will be just around the corner!”
Song Qinan suddenly smiled and said, "You two are overly worried. I know why Wang Lin came to Yangzhou."
Jiang Wanchun and Bai Yulin suddenly opened their eyes wide.
"Do you all know the snowflake salt?" Song Qinan said lightly.
Jiang Wanchun took a deep breath: "What you said was the purified new salt that came from Jiangnan from the north, run by the Bohai Business Company and Murong Business Company?"
"This salt is very different from the coarse salt we operate...the price is expensive. If the Bohai business company sets its foundation in Jiangnan, most of the huge profits we made will be taken!"
Bai Yulin also agreed: "That's true, Bai has sent someone to Qingzhou to investigate this matter, but it is said that the salt workshop is located overseas, and the formula is even more confidential..."
Song Qinan smiled and said, "Do you two know whose industry is this Bohai Business Company?"
Jiang Wanchun and Bai Yulin looked at each other: "Wang Lin?"
"That's right. In fact, the snowflake salt in Bohai Business is expensive because it is not easy to make. Most people cannot afford this salt. Therefore, it is not in conflict with the coarse salt of our salt merchants, and it can coexist completely."
"The Murong family has contacted Song once or twice, and talked about this...
If the Bohai business name had no Bohai County King and Fuhu Army as their backers, their snowflake salt would not have been able to enter the Jiangnan market.
Even if we use some means to replace it, Wang Lin behind the Bohai Business Company is easily indisputable!"
Jiang Wanchun was silent for a while and said, "I understand. Is this Wang Lin leading his army to Yangzhou to make the snowflake salt of the Bohai merchant take root in Jiangnan?"
Song Qinan slowly stood up and sighed, "Yes, not."
"You two don't know. Recently, two cargo ships from Bohai Merchants entered Jiangnan. They were both hooked up with Ning Haijun by the Xu family and kidnapped them as river pirates... I thought that Wang Lin was here for this!"
"The Xu family... I'm afraid they can't save it!"
The Xu family is so brave! Wang Lin’s merchant ship dares to move?
Jiang Wanchun and Bai Yulin stood up suddenly, their faces shocked.
Immediately, the two of them had their eyes flashed again, and they didn't know what they were going to do.