Chapter 439: Strike Li Jierong stood up and shouted loudly: "Everyone, everyone, listen to me, if we continue to swallow our anger like this, I'm afraid we won't even have a way to survive in the future, so we all have to do something.
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"Doing something?" Everyone looked at Li Jierong with some confusion, and someone said: "President Li, haven't we sent petitions to the prefect's Yamen these days? The only thing we can do now is to wait for news."
"Waiting for news?" Li Jierong sneered: "Do you think that by waiting, the government will automatically lower the tax rate? Don't you all know who our King of Zhou is?"
When he said the word "King of Zhou", Li Jierong specially emphasized his tone, and his disdainful expression was faintly revealed.
Many people are not optimistic about Pang Gang becoming king, including Li Jierong, the vice president of the Qingzhou Chamber of Commerce. In Li Jierong's view, he should have been the president of the Qingzhou Chamber of Commerce. Kong Wen,
The outsider got this position purely because of his son-in-law.
Now that Pang Gang has gone crazy and proclaimed himself king, how could the court agree to it? I'm afraid it won't be long before the counter-rebellion armies will come in a steady stream, and Pang Gang, the "King of Zhou", will only appear briefly.
However, I was originally a businessman, and I didn't care much about who was in charge of the country. However, this Pang Gang did something bad from time to time, and even raised the tax rate to 20%. This was cutting their flesh. Since the founding of the Ming Dynasty,
How can there be such a high tax rate?
In addition, these days, some businessmen have approached Li Jierong and asked him, the vice president of the chamber of commerce, to make the decision for everyone, so tonight's banquet was held.
"President Li, please say something and we will listen to you on what to do." Someone shouted from below.
Li Jierong's eyes turned around in their faces a few times, and he said with a smile: "Is this what everyone means?"
"Yes! This is what we mean. If this continues, we will have no way to survive."
People are gregarious and blindly obedient animals. In a specific environment, people's thinking will often be provoked by some people with ulterior motives. Just like today, all the businessmen were excited. They all spoke out to support Li Jierong.
Li Jierong shouted: "Okay, since you all think highly of me, I will be brave enough to make a decision. If the government does not agree to our conditions tomorrow, we will stop the market immediately!"
"Yes, strike!"
"My enemy, we want to show it to the government. We are not soft persimmons that can be poked at will. We want to go on strike..."
The so-called "strike" refers to industrial and commercial enterprises taking collective action to abnormally terminate commercial transactions. In addition to damage to economic interests, strikes are often caused by political or social factors, but they also express people's will or intention through economic means.
Willingness.
In the history of China, the act of going on strike appeared very early. In the Western Jin Dynasty, Yang Hu was upright, loyal, upright and incorruptible. On the day of his death, people "were all mourning, going on strike, and weeping people in the streets" expressed their grief and condolences for his death.
Love. In the Huizong Dynasty of the Northern Song Dynasty, Tong Guan promoted Shaanxi. At that time, prices in Chang'an were very expensive. Tong Guan wanted to suppress prices, but the officials in charge of finance and economics were flattered and stipulated that market prices should be reduced by 40%. Violators were severely punished, and merchants were forced to boycott the market.
Although there is a difference between active and passive strikes, they express the efforts of industrial and commercial people in uniting ordinary citizens to fight for the right to speak. Of course, the way ordinary citizens express their wishes is not limited to the strike itself. History books record that they also used blockades and invitations.
Complaints, gatherings, scolding in the streets, throwing rubble and other derivative behaviors.
By the end of the Ming Dynasty, the proportion of industrial and commercial workers and ordinary citizens in the urban population structure continued to increase. Their economic strength continued to increase, and their influence and role in social life continued to increase. Many laws and measures implemented by the government were directly related to
Their common economic interests may affect their lives or even survival, and market strikes are a tangible way to appeal for interests. The intensity and awareness of fighting for the right to speak and the right to participate have increased, and they have become more actively involved in urban social construction, influencing government policies and decision-making.
This all shows the gradual formation and rise of a class dominated by merchants. The frequent strikes in large and medium-sized cities in the Ming Dynasty where urban residents, mainly handicraftsmen, small and medium-sized businessmen, and urban poor, openly and continuously went on strike for their own interests.
During the transition period, the conflicts between the government and citizens, and between merchants and craftsmen were intensified. The subjects of conflicts during strikes changed and took on the characteristics of the industry.
But by the end of the Ming Dynasty, market strikes also became a major means for the gentry and merchant class to threaten the court, because these gentry and merchants had civil servant groups as backends. It can be said that 80% of the officials in the world have more or less people behind them.
There are few merchants involved. Therefore, once merchants go on strike, the government's response is usually weak or even indifferent, which also increases the arrogance of merchants. In order to gain the right to speak, merchants organize strikes more frequently.
and fierce, in the process of control and counter-control, a model of transformation from unorganized resistance to organized resistance, and from unfixed interest groups to the formation of relevant interest groups was gradually formed. It can be said that the market strikes in the late Ming Dynasty were the industrial and commercial people's response to the imperial court.
A way to show its strength and highlight its existence, now the sharp blade of the market strike has been sacrificed by Li Jierong and other merchants.
After finalizing the general direction, Li Jierong and other merchants discussed the offensive and defensive alliance and agreement, determined to give this bold King Zhou a good look.
While the merchants were plotting in Zuixian Tower, Pang Gang was sitting in the signing room reading a book by the light of the lamp in the Prince Zhou's Mansion, which had only been released for more than a month. He was probably tired of reading, so Pang Gang put down the book in his hand and walked out of the signing room.
Shi Bowen, who had been standing guard at the door, quickly saluted him.
Pang Gang waved his hand and asked: "Bowen, does the cold-eyed person have any news?"
Shi Bowen shook his head and said: "Master Qi, no one has responded yet."
"Well..." Pang Gang nodded calmly and started to walk out.
Lengyan is an intelligence organization that Pang Gang personally ordered to form. The connotation of Lengyan is to watch with cold eyes. Although Pang Gang does not have much experience in politics and belongs to the type of crossing the river by feeling the stones, but he came from later generations, no matter where he came from
There is an organization that is indispensable in both film and television works and novels, and that is the spy organization. To put it bluntly, it is to inquire about information.
Whether it is the Jinyiwei and Dongchang of the Ming Dynasty or the military commanders of later generations, the Central Commanders, and the underground party of the Celestial Dynasty, they have all proved to people the fact that if you want to be the boss, you can’t do it without an organization that acts as eyes and ears. Therefore, learn from history.
When Comrade Pang Gang planned to proclaim himself queen, he ordered someone to form a cold-hearted spy organization.
Since this organization has just been established, today is the first task they have received since its establishment, which is to monitor the actions of merchants and gentry in Qingzhou City.
Pang Gang walked out of the deposit room and was about to walk towards the backyard when there was a sound of footsteps behind him. A man in black hurriedly walked towards him. The man walked up to Pang Gang and bowed: "
I want to meet you, my lord!"
Pang Gang raised his hand and said: "Get up, Guchen, have your people heard the news?"
It turned out that the person who came was Gu Chen, who was originally working in the night office. Because he was calm and careful, he was transferred by Pang Gang to take charge of the work with a cold eye. Gu Chen frowned and replied: "Sir, the situation is not good. The vice president of the Chamber of Commerce
Chang Li Jierong has summoned hundreds of merchants to gather at Zuixian Tower, and they are planning to go on strike in order to coerce you to give up the tax increase."
"Strike?"
Pang Gang sneered. It seems that the methods of these merchants have not changed much. They are still doing the same thing over and over again. Do they think that the government will compromise after the market strike?
Shi Bowen, who was behind Pang Gang, had a cold light in his eyes and said sternly: "Your Majesty, do you want to send someone from this humble position to arrest all these profiteers?"
"Catch them? Why arrest them?" Pang Gang sneered: "I want to see what these people can come up with, and don't worry about them. After all, arresting them now is unjust and unjust, so let them go first.
They'll be arrogant for a few days, and when they start causing trouble, it won't be too late for us to catch them all..."
Two days passed quickly. On the first day of September in the eleventh year of Chongzhen, the market in Qingzhou suddenly became turbulent. Starting from the morning, most of the shops in Qingzhou City began to close, and all sales were suspended. Affected by this, the people in Qingzhou City
The people began to panic. A wave of panic buying immediately started. By the afternoon, before all the shops were closed, the price of rice had soared to five taels of silver and one stone. The price of rice had increased five times.
Diseases are contagious, and people's panic is also contagious. Under the propaganda and instigation of countless thoughtful people, in addition to the price of salt in Qingzhou City, the prices of various goods such as cloth, tea, medicinal materials, etc. also skyrocketed, and finally reached the level of
The price is so low that it has no market value.
By the afternoon, the market strike in Qingzhou had reached its peak, and the people were already in panic. They were all asking in horror what was going on. Compared with the deserted market, there were groups of scholars and clerks on the streets.
A team of merchants, tenants and others lined up and marched toward the magistrate's office. Several scholars led by them shouted slogans against the government competing for profits with the people and demanded that the government cancel the newly formulated tax policy.
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When these scholars and merchants arrived at the Qingzhou magistrate's office, hundreds of government officials were already standing in front of the magistrate's office. These officials held iron rulers and chains to form a human wall, and looked at these people with wary faces.
However, these people rushed towards the government servants as if they had been emboldened by their ambitions, shouting: "It is wrong to compete with the people for profit. The 20% commercial tax has never been seen in ancient times. It is unjust to impose excessive taxes!"
These crowds of scholars, clerks and businessmen kept pushing against the human wall, but the government officials did not receive orders and did not dare to use force. Therefore, soon the human wall formed by the government officials was being pushed back.
He retreated, almost to the gate of the magistrate's office.
One of the police officers became anxious and stood on the steps and shouted loudly: "Listen, everyone, this is the prefect's yamen. You don't have to come any closer, otherwise you will be punished by the prefect."
The catcher's words seemed to have some effect, but someone in the crowd immediately shouted: "Don't be afraid, the law does not punish the public. They don't dare to do anything to us. If the prefect dares to do anything to us, we will do it."
Then he went to the Prince of Zhou's Mansion to complain, and I'll see how he explains to the Prince of Zhou."
"Yes, if you don't give me an answer, we will complain to the King of Zhou. If not, we will withdraw from Qingzhou and Shandong. We will not do this business anymore."
Faced with the turbulent public sentiment, the government officials had no choice. At this time, the door of the prefecture opened with a creak, and a middle-aged man with an elegant appearance and wearing a red official uniform came out. This man was the current prefect of Qingzhou.
Wen Renjun.
Wen Renjun's elegant face was full of seriousness at this moment. He also saw the situation outside. When Wen Renjun traveled around the Ming Dynasty before, he also saw merchants going on strike, so he had no good impression of these merchants.
In your opinion, these merchants can do no good except hoarding and driving up prices.
Seeing Wen Renjun come out, a man hidden in the crowd made a few hidden gestures to the people around him. Everyone understood and slowly stopped attacking the human wall formed by the government officials. At the gate of the prefect's government office
Stopped before.
Seeing that everyone had stopped moving forward, Wen Renjun came to the front, escorted by more than a dozen government officials. Wen Renjun said loudly: "Everyone, your request is clear to me, but the tax increase is the decision of the King of Zhou. Everyone."
It's not okay to do this, you..."
"no....."
As soon as Wen Renjun finished speaking, a voice rang out, "Sir Wen, we don't care what the tax rate is set by King Zhou, but charging 20% tax is too much. How can our Ming Dynasty have collected 20% tax since the founding of the country?"
What’s the point of taxation? Doesn’t this force people like us to jump into the river?”
Wen Renjun's eyes narrowed and he sneered: "Don't forget to come here, everyone. This is no longer the territory of the Ming Dynasty, but the territory of the King of Zhou. The King of Zhou has the final say on how to collect taxes here. If you are still not satisfied
, and no one is forcing you to come."
Everyone couldn't help but be dumbfounded. Wen Renjun's meaning was very clear. That is, if you think it's difficult to do business in Qingzhou or even Shandong, you can go to other places. Don't you think the tax rate here is high? It's only 30 in other places in Ming Dynasty.
Take one, you can go to the territory controlled by Ming Dynasty, why do you have to stay here helplessly?
"Fuck, if I hadn't seen that business was easy to do here, I wouldn't have come even if you begged me to come."
Everyone secretly cursed that many of them were not businessmen from Qingzhou or Shandong. Instead, they were businessmen from all over the country. After several years of development, Qingzhou had contacts with businessmen from North Korea, Taiwan, and even Japan, and
As Qingzhou's navy became increasingly powerful, the safety of merchant ships traveling between them was guaranteed, and Qingzhou, Dengzhou, Laizhou and other places became increasingly prosperous, attracting more and more merchants to do business.
After all, the Ming Dynasty is now in chaos, with thieves and bandits everywhere. Looking around, only Shandong is the safest and has the strongest business atmosphere. Didn't you see that people with such fierce faces as Tatars were killed by General Dingguo... Well
No, were they all beaten to pieces by the King of Zhou?
Seeing that everyone was silent, Wen Renjun sneered and announced loudly: "For the sake of your first offense, the King of Zhou is lenient and ordered me to read an announcement to you. Your move to strike the market is real."
It's unwise. You must open the market before noon tomorrow, otherwise the government will not be lenient, and the King of Zhou will definitely not ignore such an act that harms the people. Now everyone should disperse!"
Everyone looked at each other. Although they shouted fiercely just now, but now that the prefect Wen Renjun didn't buy it, they really didn't know what to do.
Slowly, the crowd gradually dispersed and began to walk back one by one. Although a few people who had been hiding in the crowd and preparing to provoke were unwilling to do so, they did not dare to see the government officials who were always staring at the crowd.
He was afraid that if he spoke out again, he would be found out. There was nothing the government could do to arrest everyone, but if a few people like him were caught, they would have plenty of ways to deal with him. He was only doing this to collect people's money. If he risked his life
It's not worth the ride.
The strike on the first day was over, and Wen Renjun also ordered government notices to be posted everywhere on the streets, informing merchants that the market must open the next day.
Still in Zuixian Tower, Li Jierong was still cheering for the important merchants. After some impassioned speech, he sighed tremblingly, "Do you remember the disaster of business tax during the Wanli Dynasty? I still remember it fresh.
The sage once said that taking away the people's wealth is not the way to make money. The way to make money is to make it and manage it, it's just two ends. The harm of extra taxation is not that of taxation, but the harm of commercial taxation is based on daily calculation. Increase taxation
Commercial taxes are meant to rob the people of their wealth. This move will cause anger and resentment. We, the merchants in Shandong, will never have peace, and the decline of Shandong will be just around the corner."
"Exactly, if this trend rises, merchants like us will have no way to survive, right?"
Everyone spoke one after another, some even burst into tears, and asked Li Jierong to come out to support justice and speak to the King of Zhou personally. But how could Li Jierong, an old fox, put himself in front of Pang Gang as a target? He quickly waved his hands and refused, just asking everyone to continue to
The strike continues to the end.
After everyone thought about it, things were already like this. If they didn't continue to resist the pressure and strike, the 20% tax would really be with them for the rest of their lives. Thinking of this, they just had to grit their teeth and continue to persevere, but they didn't.
It occurred to me that every move they made upstairs had been written down and reported to someone.
When the cold-eyed person reported this matter to Pang Gang, Pang Gang sneered and said: "I don't know how to praise. In this case, don't blame me for being cruel."
After saying that, Pang Gang stood up and shouted: "Come here! Pass the king's order and order Wang Zhi to lead the first army into the city immediately and arrest all the unscrupulous merchants who are hoarding. If there are any resisters, they will be killed."
amnesty!"
(To be continued!~!
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