The major passes on the Longyou Road received the imperial decree, and no one dared to block Qin Huai's return journey. The major post stations provided convenience. The group took the official road faster than taking the uninhabited trail when rushing to the Turks. They traveled day and night, and stopped by on the way.
Find Zhang Heiwa in Zhangjiacun, Suzhou, and return with the picked hops.
In less than twenty days, the group returned to Qinjiazhuang.
The entire Qin Village was boiling with laughter and laughter everywhere. During this period, all kinds of news were flying all over the sky. If Li Xueyan hadn't been in charge to comfort people, and several princes would come over from time to time, it would have been chaotic. As soon as Qin Huaidao's sea-fixing needle arrived,
All worries disappeared.
Several princes also came after hearing the news. When they saw that Qin Huaidao did not restrain his troops and allowed more than a thousand people to be exposed to the public view, he was deliberately trying to establish his power. They shook their heads and smiled bitterly, but they could not persuade him much.
Qin Huaidao sent He'er into the backyard, exchanged a few words with Li Xueyan and hurried to the study, without even bothering to wash up. Everyone was very pleased to see that Qin Huaidao valued him so much. Qin Huaidao was still the familiar junior, which was good.
After some greetings, the hot water was boiled, and Qin Huaidao poured tea for everyone, saying at the same time: "Uncles, I am not here, so the Qin family village depends on everyone's help. I cannot thank you enough for your kindness. Please have tea!"
Everyone picked up their teacups with smiles on their faces.
Cheng Yaojin couldn't help but ask: "Are my three bastards okay?"
Others also looked over, full of concern.
Qin Huaidao said quickly: "Everyone is fine. Cheng Chumo and Fang Yiai went directly to Chang'an City to return home after they came back. They must have missed everyone. Cheng Chuliang, Cheng Chubi, and Li Yixie stayed behind because they have something to do and they won't be able to get through for the time being."
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief, it was just fine.
As for what they had to do with his stay, everyone saw that Qin Huaidao was unwilling to say anything because they were all human beings, so naturally they didn't ask any more questions. They exchanged glances and finally looked at Fang Xuanling.
Fang Xuanling didn't give in much and said with a smile: "You just came back and you have so many things to worry about. It's not appropriate to disturb you, but the situation is urgent and I have to come over. Let's make a long story short. There are two important things that I need to hear from you.
Opinions, first thing, Your Majesty’s health is getting worse. I hope to see you in the near future. Of course, it may not be a good thing, but I’m afraid it will be worse if we don’t see you. Do you think?”
Qin Huaidao picked up the tea and sipped it while thinking attentively.
A critically ill person is most concerned about his posthumous affairs. To put it bluntly, he is still afraid of rebelling. There are two possibilities. One is to play the emotional card and hope that he can help the new emperor. The other is the Hongmen Banquet, but if he does not go, he will appear guilty.
, I really want to rebel, things will indeed be worse.
With Li Er's temper, once he was determined to rebel, even his brothers would dare to kill him. Not to mention himself, it was not because of fear, but mainly because of trouble, not to mention that there were family members around, so the risk was too great.
It doesn't matter if you go and take a look. If you can agree on the agreement, let's talk. If we can't agree, let's talk. It's more beneficial to retreat instead of advance.
After some weighing, Qin Huaidao agreed: "Okay, it's better to arrive sooner rather than later. We'll arrive around six o'clock tomorrow."
"I will wait for you at the gate of the palace and go there. No matter what, we will support you behind the scenes." Fang Xuanling said solemnly.
Others also expressed their opinions.
Qin Huaidao could see Fang Xuanling's concern. With Fang Xuanling around, even the Hongmen Banquet would be a little more lively. He nodded gratefully and asked in acquiescence, "What's the second thing?"
"Have you ever heard of the Guanlong nobles, the Shandong nobles and the Jiangnan nobles?"
Fang Xuanling asked back, and when Qin Huaidao nodded, he continued: "In the past, the five surnames and Qiwang, the seven major clans joined forces to suppress the Guanlong nobles, the Shandong aristocratic clans and the Jiangnan gentry. Since you defeated the five surnames and Qiwang,
The Shandong noble families and Jiangnan noble families began to jump out. The Shandong noble families were monopolizing the salt industry, and the Jiangnan noble families began to monopolize grain, tea, silk, ceramics, etc., and secretly supported Tubo, trying to cause Tubo to be in chaos and attract the energy of the court so that the Jiangnan noble families could become bigger.
.”
The Shandong family does not specifically refer to Shandong Province in later generations, but refers to the vast area east of Mount Laoshan, including Henan, Hebei, Shandong and other areas, among which the five families of Li, Cui, Lu, Zheng and Wang are the strongest.
Qin Huaidao knew that everyone sitting here was from the Guanlong noble lineage. Although Qin Qiong was born in Licheng, Qizhou, which was later known as Licheng District, Jinan, Shandong Province, but settled in Chang'an, he was considered to be from the Guanlong noble lineage. As for the Shandong aristocratic family, he only
We know about the Kong family, but not much about other people, and even less about the Jiangnan gentry.
Without the pressure of the five surnames and the seven hopes, it is not surprising that the Shandong aristocratic clan and the Jiangnan gentry are jumping up and down. In the final analysis, it is all for profit, but I did not expect that the Jiangnan gentry would actually ally with Tubo in order to become bigger. Their intentions are to be punished.
After pondering for a moment, Qin Huaidao asked: "What does this matter have to do with me?"
"I received news that the Shandong aristocrats and the Jiangnan gentry are planning to join forces and not sell a grain of grain to the Qinjiazhuang. With so many people working in the Qinjiazhuang, what will they eat without food? Qinjiazhuang's industry includes bedding, and the raw materials come from the grassland.
But there are also brewing, papermaking, soap, printing, fried tea, and raw materials are basically monopolized by them. By the way, there are also various goods in your department store. Most of the suppliers are also from Shandong aristocrats and Jiangnan gentry. Once the supply of goods is cut off,
what would you do?"
This move is tantamount to draining the firepower.
Qin Huaidao really didn't know about this problem. If the raw materials were cut off or the supply was stopped, Qinjiazhuang would collapse. He asked: "Uncle Fang, is this serious? Why is there no news from the house?"
"How can I lie to you about such a big matter? The two parties are still negotiating. It is estimated that the benefits have not been distributed yet, but it should be soon. How can such a confidential matter be easily leaked? I have heard about it occasionally, and you are not here. What is left in Qinjiazhuang
Who among us has the ability to hear such secret news?"
"They are trying to drain money from the bottom of the cauldron and seize food from the tiger's mouth. They have evil intentions, but they use legitimate means. There is nothing we can do. Besides, this kind of business competition is not what we, the director, are good at. We can only wait for you to come back and deal with it." Li Jing
He explained, his tone showing a bit of helplessness.
If the two armies fight, Li Jing will not be afraid of anyone. This business road is very unfamiliar, and there is nothing he can do.
Cheng Yaojin said impatiently: "My dear nephew, just tell me what to do. We old guys will just listen to you and do what you say. We can still tolerate their arrogance."
"Don't worry, the matter is too big, I have to think about it." Qin Huaidao interrupted. Once the Shandong aristocrats and the Jiangnan aristocrats join forces to resist, they will be really passive. After all, these two groups control too many resources. If nothing else, inside the department store
Most of the items are supplied by these two local shops. Once the supply is cut off, there will be nothing left.
After pondering for a moment, Qin Huaidao asked: "What's the current situation with the salt matter?"
"After the imperial court implemented the salt review law, the price of salt increased by 30% as you said, and the people complained, but the imperial court has intervened. At this time, the dignity of withdrawal is no longer there, and it is difficult to get off the tiger. Do you have any good ideas?" Fang Xuanling asked solemnly.
"The best way is to restore the original state. The intervention of the imperial court means more intermediaries. Human nature is greedy. People are trying to get involved. The cost has increased greatly. It would be strange not to increase the price. This is the beginning. I am afraid it won't be long before there are not complaints, but revolts and chaos in the world.
." Qin Huaidao reminded solemnly.
His words shocked everyone.
They have all come from chaotic times and have seen too many lives and deaths, and no one wants to do it again.
"Are you sure this is an exaggeration?" Even the daring Cheng Yaojin couldn't help but ask.
"Have you forgotten how Qiang Han collapsed?" Qin Huaidao asked.
Cheng Yaojin really didn't know much about this, so he couldn't help but look at Fang Xuanling, who had read the most.
Fang Xuanling smiled bitterly and said: "I am also worried about this. The common people can dig wild vegetables without food, but salt is different. Without it, they cannot survive. If the lack of salt is caused by the monopoly of merchants, the common people will hate the merchants, but now it is caused by the intervention of the imperial court, and the common people
You must hate the imperial court and cannot live any longer, is there any reason not to do the opposite?"
Everyone was silent, and the atmosphere was a little more depressing.
After a while, Li Jing spoke up and said: "One more thing. Tubo is in chaos again, and Duan Zan led his army to cover the retreat of the main force. His life and death are still unknown. Duan Xuanzhi hopes you can help, do you think?"
"Duan Zan is my life-and-death friend and he naturally helps me. What's the situation in Tibet now?" Qin Huaidao asked rhetorically.
"Lu Dongzan was privately returned to Tubo by the Li family of Zhao County. A month ago, he was declared the king of Tubo. He sent people to submit credentials to the court. He wanted to form a kingdom of brothers. He called the emperor his elder brother, paid tribute every year, and established his eldest son, Zan.
Xiruo is the crown prince, and the second son Lun Qinling is the general, commanding the Tibetan troops."
"It's such a big deal that so many soldiers and horses from Tubo are willing to surrender?" Qin Huaidao asked curiously.
Li Jing nodded and said with a wry smile: "I have to admit that the Tang Dynasty underestimated Lu Dongzan, and I don't know what methods the other party used. Soldiers and horses from all walks of life have joined in. Only the soldiers and horses who went all the way west to Tianzhu have not returned. The specific situation is unknown.
"
Qin Huaidao thought for a moment and said: "Lu Dongzan has a huge intelligence network in Chang'an. He must soon know that I have returned to Chang'an. If Duan Zan is captured, Lu Dongzan will be afraid of me and will not kill me. Soldiers of life have no choice but to kill me."
Yu, if you have died for your country, Lu Dongzan will also send someone to return the body. This revenge is not urgent, let’s stabilize Chang’an first.”
"That makes sense. I'll go see Duan Xuanzhi later and explain it clearly."
"That's fine, we will evacuate first. My nephew has returned from a thousand miles away. He is exhausted physically and mentally and needs to rest. See you at the gate of the palace tomorrow." Fang Xuanling stood up and said.
Qin Huaidao nodded and sent everyone away. He felt inexplicably irritable. He thought he could live in peace for a while when he came back, but he didn't expect to be stared at. He was treating himself like a big fat guy.
I wonder if you have good teeth?
Do you really think that legitimate business methods can defeat Qinjiazhuang?
Prepare to be whipped by business practices from a thousand years later.