The merchants present were mainly divided into two categories.
One is the Yangzhou salt merchants who came at the invitation of Chongzhen. This group of salt merchants had experienced Chongzhen's "South Gate Building" in Yangzhou and had recognized Chongzhen's creditworthiness from the bottom of their hearts, so they all enthusiastically subscribed.
Then there are the Huizhou merchants, Fujian merchants, Zhejiang merchants and Guangdong merchants who live in Nanjing. Most of these merchants are forcibly invited from various guild halls by Jinyiwei, so they are not very enthusiastic.
In addition, local merchants in Nanjing did not participate.
More importantly, Jiangnan Jinshen did not participate.
What Chongzhen really wanted to empty was the pockets of the Jiangnan Jin gentry.
Especially those nobles in Nanjing who have been favored by the country!
So what we need to do now is to ferment and release the news.
At that moment, Zhu Cixi pressed his hands repeatedly and said, "Everyone, please be quiet..."
Zhu Cixiang shouted several times, but he could not suppress the enthusiasm of the merchants. In the end, more than a dozen "big Han generals" under the stage roared in unison, and finally calmed the merchants present.
Zhu Cixi then said: "Everyone, your patriotic enthusiasm has been seen by both the emperor and the emperor. Facts have proved that in our Ming Dynasty, it is not only the scholars who are worried about the country and the people, but also the merchants! Who will say that merchants value profits over others in the future?
If you despise justice and do not care about your family and country, you will be the first to refuse."
Upon hearing this, the merchants present felt extremely at ease.
Chongzhen also nodded happily, thinking that the prince of Ming Dynasty was showing off his political skills. At least this flattery made the businessmen present feel very comfortable.
But then again, there are indeed righteous merchants among merchants.
Zhu Cixiang continued: "However, today I summoned everyone to Meixiang Tower just to give a warning and prepare everyone. At the same time, it is also to give everyone a cooling-off period and not to make decisions because of the heat of the moment.
It would be bad if you buy bonds and then regret it."
Hearing this, many merchants present couldn't help but chuckle.
At the same time, they all thought to themselves that the prince is benevolent and righteous, but it is not necessary.
Businessmen like us must think twice before we act, and we will never be hot-headed.
After a pause, Zhu Cihong continued: "So, after you go back, you can discuss it carefully with your family. If you are really interested in helping the country to save the country and share the worries of the Holy One, you can go to the Internal Affairs Office of Nangong in seven days to subscribe."
In seven days, it was enough for the news to spread to eight prefectures and one prefecture in the south of the Yangtze River, and enough for the gentry in eight prefectures and one prefecture to respond.
More importantly, after seven days, the "South Gate erection" in Nanjing can be almost completed.
From the beginning to the end, Zhu Cixiang's definition of raising funds this time was to relieve the country's difficulties and share the worries for the emperor. He never mentioned the fact that merchants could make huge profits from it! This is amazing!
This is to allow the merchants to gain not only profits but also fame!
Moreover, the name of rescuing the country and sharing the worries of the saints is much more powerful than building a bridge and an ancestral hall for the village. This is a good name that can go down in history!
Some businessmen increasingly feel that the opportunity cannot be missed.
These people have already thought about raising money quickly after returning.
Zhu Cixiang raised his hands again and said, "Okay, that's the end of today's discussion, you can all take care of yourself."
After getting off the stage, Zhu Cixiang excitedly climbed up to the corridor on the second floor and came to Chongzhen.
However, after arriving in front of Chongzhen, Zhu Cixiang just bowed his hands and shouted: Father!
Chongzhen laughed dumbly, thinking that although Zhu Cihong had acted calmly in front of all the businessmen just now, he was still just a fifteen-year-old child after all.
But Chongzhen was not one of those feudal lords.
As a time traveler with modern ideas, Chongzhen will never be stingy with praise.
"Hong'er, you did a good job." Chongzhen said happily, "You have become a real prince."
Zhu Cijiong also said sincerely: "Brother Emperor, when you were speaking on the stage just now, I really felt that you were possessed by your father. The merchants in the audience were all subdued by you."
"No way." Zhu Cixiang felt a little embarrassed.
Chongzhen touched Zhu Cixiang's little head, took Zhu Cijiong's little hand, and said, "Let's go back to the Imperial College."
It doesn’t matter how others educate the crown prince Chongzhen, but Zhu Cixiang and Zhu Cijiong Chongzhen will never take advantage of others. He will not only teach the two younger brothers how to control people, but also teach them the principle of brothers working together to cut off gold. When Zhu Cixiang gives birth to a child in the future
After the emperor's grandson, Chongzhen would also take him with him and teach him personally.
Make sure you don’t stretch your hips for at least three generations.
After a while, Chongzhen and his son left Meixiang Tower.
Watching the father and son go away, not only the Madam Li Zhenli of Meixiang Tower and famous Qinhuai prostitutes such as Li Xiangjun, Zheng Tuoniang, Li Shiniang, but also the four young masters Gu Gao, Chen Zhenhui, Wu Yingji and Mao Xiang were also at a loss.
Did he really just use the venue of Meixiang Building to conduct an official business?
After the official business was done, His Majesty didn't even stay overnight?
The Holy One actually took the Crown Prince and Prince Ding away with him. He left?
Maoxiang looked at Wu Yingji, Wu Yingji looked at Chen Zhenhui, and Chen Zhenhui finally looked at Gu Gao.
Gu Gao stamped his feet and said, "It's definitely not possible to stay overnight. Let's go back to the Imperial College!"
Therefore, the four young masters left Meixiang Tower under the resentful eyes of Qinhuai's famous prostitutes.
…
At this time, come to Yanqiao North.
A carriage was parked in an alley not far away.
Zhang Han, Fang Wenzhen and Kang Wanwan were watching from the carriage as they came to Yanqiao.
Seeing Chongzhen and his son crossing the bridge and returning to the Imperial Academy surrounded by Yiding and eunuchs, Kang Wanwan smiled and looked at Zhang Han and Fang Wenzhen: "How?"
I bet Kang Baiwan and Fang Wenzhen made a bet just now.
The bet is whether Chongzhen will stay overnight in Meixiang Tower tonight.
Kang Wanwan bet that Chongzhen would not stay overnight, but Fang Wenzhen and Zhang Han did not believe it.
"This is really..." Zhang Han put his hand on his forehead and said, "It's a bit unexpected."
Fang Wenzhen said solemnly: "I now also believe what you said before, Brother Kang. It is very likely that the current emperor will become a hero who is not inferior to the Tang Zong and Han Wu!"
"It's not possible, but it's certain."
But Kang Wanwan seemed confident: "The achievements of the Holy Emperor will definitely surpass those of Tang Zong and Han Wu."
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading! Zhang Han frowned and said: "But I can't figure it out. The Holy Emperor has such great talents and sophisticated skills, so what happened in the previous seventeen years? How did the Ming Dynasty fall to this point?
situation?"
Kang Wanwan and Fang Wenzhen were immediately asked, yes, what happened in the previous seventeen years?
After a long while, Fang Wenzhen said quietly: "Lao Zhang, when you said that, I suddenly thought of someone."
Kang Wanwan's expression changed, and he suddenly said: "Brother Fang, when you said that, I suddenly thought of a person, but I don't know if you and I were thinking of the same person? Ha."
Zhang Han rolled his eyes and said: "Speak quickly, don't be mysterious."
Fang Wenzhen said angrily: "Okay, the person I'm thinking of is Duke Yangming."
"I am also thinking of Duke Yangming." Kang Baiwan nodded and said, "Before being demoted to Longchang, Duke Yangming's life was extremely difficult and embarrassment. However, after Longchang became enlightened, he seemed to be a different person.
In the Southern Civil War, Zai pacified King Ning's rebellion, and Zai Shouzhi gave lectures and compiled university literature. In just thirty years, he achieved the three immortal achievements of virtue, meritorious service and words, and achieved the status of a saint. His status in the hearts of scholars is even as high as that of Zhu Zi.
Before."
"Well, I understand." Zhang Han suddenly realized.
"You are saying that the Holy One also attained enlightenment in Meishan?"
"Nine times out of ten!" Fang Wenzhen and Kang Wanwan nodded at the same time.
…
When Chongzhen and his son returned to the Imperial Academy, someone was already waiting for him.
Ma Mingluan bowed his head to the ground and said, "My lord, Ma Mingluan, bows to your Majesty, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, His Royal Highness King Yong."
"No need." Chongzhen sat down on the Grand Master's chair and ordered Wang Cheng'en, "Wang Daban, quickly bring a chair for Master Ma Mingluo."
Wang Chengen responded and personally brought a chair.
"I thank you, Your Majesty, and I thank you, Your Majesty." Ma Mingluan thanked him and sat down on the chair.
This time, Ma Mingluan no longer sat with half his butt hanging in the air, but sat down and relaxed.
After several rounds of correspondence, Ma Mingluan has figured out Chongzhen's current temperament, which is that he no longer likes red tape, and the more direct the emperor and ministers should be when playing the throne, the better.
To be honest, Ma Mingluan likes this style of work very much.
Compared with the way His Majesty used to behave now, it is simply unreasonable.
Thinking of this, Ma Mingluan suddenly felt a slight movement in his heart. So the disaster at Meishan was actually a good thing? The Holy Spirit had an epiphany, and the Ming Dynasty recovered from the desperate situation.
Chongzhen said: "Ma Mingluan, have all the taxes and money been returned?"
"No." Ma Mingluo shook his head and said, "There are still more than 500,000 taels of tax money that the sufferer cannot find to claim. Perhaps it is too long and even the sufferer himself has forgotten it."
Chongzhen asked: "Where are those five hundred thousand taels of silver now?"
"I have been escorted to Nanjing." Ma Mingluan replied, "I will keep him in Nangong."
After saying that, Ma Mingluan took out a stack of account books from behind: "Your Majesty, this is the account book for returning tax money."
Chongzhen took the account book and turned to the end. He saw five million, one thousand and fourteen thousand two hundred and twenty-nine taels written on it. This number made him feel a little surprised. He actually copied back five million taels?
Zhu Cijiong also said: "More than five million yuan was copied back?"
Ma Mingluan cupped his hands and said: "Although those people who participated in Tugun tried their best to hide it, I also had my own tricks. I specially locked those people who joined Tugun in the main room and the outer house in one place, and made them bite each other, so that...
A bracelet, a ring and even earrings were not found, but unfortunately, only more than five million taels were recovered."
"It would be good to recover five million taels." Chongzhen closed the account book directly.
Knocking his fingers on the coffee table, Chongzhen said again: "Ma Mingluan, are you satisfied with your appointment as the governor of Yangzhou?"
"Shunxin?" Ma Mingluan hesitated and asked boldly, "Your Majesty, can I tell the truth?"
"Of course." Chongzhen nodded without hesitation, "In front of me, you can tell the truth at any time, and you must tell the truth only. Otherwise, you will be guilty of deceiving the emperor, and I will not spare you lightly."