Wang Yuanbao was stunned when he heard this. He did not expect that Changqing would actually focus on the grain he had hoarded in his hands. His industry spread across both sides of the Yongji Canal and brought together a large number of products in Hebei, of which grain, cloth, and silk were naturally the bulk.
Although Guanzhong is the capital of the capital, after a hundred years of management by this dynasty, it can be said that it is a small and densely populated area. In addition, due to the invasion of fishing by the wealthy, the merger of wealthy families, and the royal family's expenses, most of the needs of the court need to be transported through Guandong, especially from Hebei.
Although the imperial court was constantly levying money from Hebei, most of it belonged to the state's treasury, which was used to pay officials' salaries, pay for border towns, and various land and water constructions. Even under the careful calculation of a group of worldly officials headed by the Prime Minister of the Land,
Try your best to maintain it, so as not to have an unbalanced expenditure and an empty treasury.
Wang Yuanbao and the other four wealthy people were able to grow their business on such a large scale precisely because they obtained it through various legal or illegal business methods outside of the country's official tax collection.
However, the income from the business operations of the four wealthy people does not belong entirely to themselves. The Weinan Treasure Fighting Club is a good example. In the end, it will be used to support the saints and the royal relatives.
"Excuse me for being so bold." Wang Yuanbao did not dare to get angry and cautiously asked: "Mr. Changqing's words, could it be the instructions of Prime Minister Lu?"
"Yes." Changqing looked calm, picked up a delicate jade cup, looked at the amber wine inside, but did not drink it.
The faces of the four wealthy people were gloomy. Although they were competitors in the business field, they all felt a strong sense of crisis at this moment.
It can be said that their business can reach such a large scale, covering fifteen north and south roads, completely relying on the tacit approval of the saints, and wandering outside the laws of the court.
But now Prime Minister Lu clearly wants to reach out and bring this huge benefit under the jurisdiction of the imperial court.
On the surface, allowing states to raise their own warehouse capital is a way to bring convenience to the public and private sectors, but when it comes to court, businessmen will never be able to compete with officials. No matter how many benefits they usually get, if they really care about the money and property of businessmen, states will
The county magistrate can confiscate and search with just one sentence, without even having to give an order from Prime Minister Lu himself.
Moreover, if each state raises its own funds, it is very likely that local officials will carve up and plunder local businessmen's properties, which may bring misfortune and good fortune.
"Mr. Changqing doesn't know something. What I run is just a warehouse and barn, and not all the grain stored in it belongs to me." Wang Yuanbao explained: "Hebei merchants entrusted part of the goods and grain in order to facilitate turnover.
The warehouses and barns under my name can be converted into money, or a written deed can be signed, and then in Chang'an, Luoyang and other places, the money can be exchanged for the purchase of property.
"The reason why I can succeed in this business is not because of my intelligence, but because I am honest and reliable, and I have never defaulted or been greedy. Now that Prime Minister Lu wants me to give out grain, it is tantamount to grabbing the industry. It is not only laughed at by the world, but also harmful to Hebei."
It’s easy to turn over money, food and goods.”
Wang Yuanbao's tone was tactful, but in fact he had hidden threatening intentions.
If Wang Yuanbao really wants to use his power to rob and plunder, Wang Yuanbao will definitely not be able to compete with Prime Minister Lu. But once his face is broken, Prime Minister Lu will encounter great resistance if he wants to implement the new policies in the states of Hebei.
If the New Deal is not implemented, the country's finances are insufficient, and Prime Minister Lu's power is difficult to protect, this is where Wang Yuanbao's confidence lies.
Why doesn't Chang Qing understand that what Prime Minister Lu is doing is to compete for profits from these big businessmen, and no matter how high-sounding he talks, it doesn't work.
Even if the reason for drought and famine in Hebei is given, there is no way to persuade these big businessmen. Maybe they will take advantage of natural disasters to make profits and merge, and they will only do it more smoothly.
"There is one more thing I can reveal to you." Changqing said helplessly: "The saint intends to go to Mount Tai to enshrine Zen at the end of the year, and is currently preparing to build a palace."
As soon as these words came out, the four noble people changed their expressions again. The Taishan Zen ceremony was unusual, and had always been regarded as an act by the ancient saints to declare the emperor's merits to heaven, but that was not what they cared about.
The emperor's eastward tour of Mount Tai was bound to be accompanied by hundreds of officials and nobles, riding thousands and thousands of horses along the way. During this period, many people and horses were fed and clothed as much as mountains, which was another huge expense.
"There has been a severe drought in Hebei recently. If it is not handled properly, it may lead to turmoil." Chang Qing shook the cup: "No one wants the saint to be disturbed by refugees on his eastward tour to Fengchan."
To the ears of the four wealthy people, these words were actually equivalent to a threat. If they resisted to the end, what they would face in the future would not be people drinking wine, singing and dancing in the beard tower.
On the other hand, Chang Qing wanted to express his position on behalf of Prime Minister Lu. Although he was not happy in his heart, he also vaguely understood that person's methods.
With the authority of the Prime Minister, he could force the local prefectures and counties to seize the grain hoarded by Wang Yuanbao with a decree. However, doing so would completely destroy the original situation in Hebei. Before the new policy was implemented, it first caused shock in the states of Hebei.
, The big family and the small people have not benefited, so I am resentful. This is very inappropriate.
"Principal Wang is devout in worshiping the Buddha and has compassion in his heart. He doesn't want to see the people in Hebei suffering from hunger without doing anything." Changqing looked at Wang Yuanbao and said in a slightly broader tone: "I will leave for Hebei in the near future to join other Taoist sects.
, go and pray for rain to calm the people's hearts. If a lay king gives rice to help the people, if the saint knows about it, he will probably reward him greatly."
In fact, these words were against his will. Changqing was not sure that Wang Yuanbao would be rewarded by the emperor for his move. However, in order to alleviate the drought and famine, he did not care too much and could only force himself to learn to be flexible.
"I understand." Wang Yuanbao gritted his teeth, made up his mind, and crossed his hands and said, "I will immediately send someone on Pegasus to deliver the message and arrange for all warehouses, boats and trucks to be ready and ready for dispatch."
Changqing didn't want to worry about whether he really learned Buddhism and developed compassion, or whether he was afraid of the authority of Prime Minister Lu, so he bowed his hands and saluted: "Then I would like to thank layman Wang first for the people of Hebei."
After singing and dancing for a while, the delicacies gradually cooled down, the four wealthy people chatted with Changqing about some details of the New Deal. They had no intention of having a banquet, and then left one after another. They understood the New Deal trends earlier than others, and many business arrangements were about to change.
No leisure.
After the four wealthy people left, Changqing sat there and sighed slightly. Su Wangting on the side said: "The dishes are already cold. I will ask someone to bring new ones."
"No need."
Changqing looked at the delicacies on the table in front of him, and he couldn't get excited when he thought of the people in Hebei who were worried about their crops dying.
"Where is Cheng Sanwu?" Changqing raised his head and asked.
"I asked them to come over." Su Wangting saw that Changqing was in a bad mood.
Within a moment, Cheng Sanwu arrived, followed by Afu and others.
"Okay, those four rich people are like chickens in front of you." As soon as Cheng Sanwu sat down, he reached out and grabbed a marrow honey cake on the table and stuffed it into his mouth.
Changqing said helplessly: "The fox is just pretending to be the tiger."
"I just heard that you are going to Hebei to pray for rain?" Afu asked.
Chang Qing frowned slightly, the sound of singing and dancing downstairs was loud just now, but the dominatrix could still hear the conversation between them, her ears are really sharp.
But then I thought about it, she was from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, so she might have known about the court's arrangements.
Changqing nodded and said: "Yes, and I heard that there are monks in Hebei now showing their magical powers, praying for rain and relieving drought, attracting many people to join them."
"Isn't that just right?" Cheng Sanwu said casually, as if he didn't know how to keep a secret: "We just happen to be heading to Hebei, just to deal with those monks."
"Do you...the Ministry of Internal Affairs want to deal with that group of monks?" Changqing asked: "Could it be that they incited the people to rebel?"
"Perhaps they are rebels in some way!" Cheng Sanwu moved a bowl of soup in front of him.
"Rebel?" Changqing didn't believe it.
"You don't need to worry about this matter." Afu interrupted: "If you pray for rain well, as long as there is no chaos in Hebei, the future will be bright."
"By the way, can you really pray for rain?" Cheng Sanwu asked curiously.
"Of course I can't do it alone. It requires everyone to build an altar. The Taoist sect has complete rituals and I am good at it." Changqing explained: "And I have already thought about it. When I arrive in Hebei, I will search for the miraculous traces in Tandong.
In such a land, it is naturally much more convenient to send a decree to the river and cast a bamboo slip."
Afu nodded secretly. She is young but her knowledge of Taoism is not inferior to those of the elders. It might be better if her cultivation of humaneness and Taoism could be higher.
"Changqing, you must be careful when you go to Hebei." Su Wangting said suddenly.
"Why did Brother Fu say this?" Changqing was puzzled.
"Although I don't know the current situation in Hebei, I can think of something after listening to your conversation." Su Wangting said: "If Changqingqin prays for rain successfully, it will be a good thing for the people of Hebei, but it can also be a good thing for the monks who act with supernatural powers.
, isn’t there a group of bad people?"
"Destroying someone's wealth is like killing one's parents." Cheng Sanwu also chimed in: "Monks also need to eat. You are openly trying to steal business. How can they make it easier for you?"
Changqing's face darkened slightly and he said: "I am going to Hebei to relieve the people's worries, not for personal fame and fortune. I have a clear conscience!"
Afu sneered in her heart, this fake Taoist priest was ridiculously naive, and she didn’t know who fed him this kind of ecstasy soup.
"You have a clear conscience!" Cheng Sanwu slapped the table and said loudly: "Don't worry, if anyone dares to cause trouble for you, I will chop him into seventeen or eighteen pieces!"
Seeing him like this, Su Wangting and Afu both showed helpless expressions. Only Changqing looked at Cheng Sanwu with bright eyes. His enthusiasm made his heart warm, and he smiled and said: "Okay, I believe you."
……
"Hey, have you heard? A great cloud pure light goddess appeared in Hebei!"
In a quiet wine shop with a different style diagonally across from Hu Yanlou, Kong Fangfang was playing with a Tongbao coin. After hearing Mu Yuan's words, he moved his hands and asked: "Dayun Jingguang Celestial Girl? Is she famous?"
Small."
"This title is not only not small, but also has a great origin!" Mu Yuan was a little excited: "Back then, Buddhism said that the heroine Emperor Zhao was the reincarnation of Dayun Jingguang Heavenly Girl!"
Kong Fangfang was not too surprised: "Acting in the name of gods and Buddhas has happened since ancient times. This is not surprising."
"No, this Pure Light Goddess really has magical powers." Mu Yuan's tone became steady.
Kong Yifang looked at Mu Yuan: "Did your eyes and ears in Hebei see the goddess casting spells?"
"I didn't dare to get too close, but from a distance I could see the shapes of dragons and snakes in the clouds, and then a drizzle fell." Mu Yuan said.
"Shape of dragon and snake? Are you sure?" Kong Yifang frowned.
"Do you think this Pure Light Goddess can attract the energy of dragon veins?" Mu Yuan asked.
"The energy of dragon veins is not the private property of Fu Shifeng. I heard Master say before that Anquti used a strange and magical method from the far west to capture the dragon energy of Tianshan Mountain for his own use, turning it into a huge barrier that enveloped most of the Western Region." Kong Fangfang said.
After thinking for a moment: "But I remember that Buddhism also has the theory of the Dragon King. This theory originated from India, where there were monsters called Nagas, which looked like dragons and snakes, and they were subdued by the Buddha. Later, the Buddhist scriptures were spread to the Central Plains, and these monsters were
Translated into dragon, over time, most people in the Central Plains can hardly distinguish it."
Mu Yuan asked: "You mean, the Pure Light Goddess calls the Buddhist Nagas to bring down rain?"
"I have never seen it with my own eyes, so I can only make this guess." Kong Fang said in a dialect: "But according to what you said, I'm afraid the court will think that the Pure Light Goddess is up to no good."
Mu Yuan sneered a few times: "I can guess it without asking. Now this emperor really hates the heroine Emperor Zhao. He has been sequestered in the palace since he was a child. He has not been allowed to go out to the court for more than ten years. Even his mother
The concubine was also killed by Emperor Zhao in the name of a witchcraft curse. Now there is someone claiming to be the Heavenly Lady of Dayun Jingguang. Do you think the emperor will get angry if he finds out?"
"It seems that Cheng Sanwu is about to take action." Kong Fangfang tapped the coins: "I'll be leaving for Hebei soon..."
Before he finished speaking, Mu Yuan called out the window: "Look, Cheng Sanwu and the others are coming out."
Kong Fangfang stood up and came to the window, looking at Cheng Sanwu who was saying goodbye to Su Wangting and others from a distance, and said thoughtfully: "It has been more than ten years, and his appearance has not changed at all."
"His body is not an ordinary one. It's not strange at all." Mu Yuan muttered, "It would be a pity not to cut open and examine such a good body carefully."
Kong Fangfang glanced at Mu Yuan: "I finally understand, you Jiang Yan people just don't treat people as human beings."
"Don't talk nonsense, I just want to explore the truth of all things!" Mu Yuan argued: "Buddhism says that the human body is the combination of four major falsehoods, and Taoism says that I have a big problem because I have a body. In my opinion, human beings are
Inside the body are the five internal organs, and outside are the muscles, bones, and skin, all of which are pieced together. If they can be replaced to extend life, it will be much more convenient than breathing and refining qi."
"The human body is a human body, and people are human beings. How do you place your mind and soul?" Kong Fangfang smiled and shook his head. However, when he saw Afu walking out of Hubeard Tower, his face changed slightly.
"Who is that Hu Ji who boarded the Qinggai chariot?" Kong Yifang asked.
"She is the Dakong Yaksha, the one who witnessed Cheng Sanwu devouring An Quti's soul in the Western Region." Mu Yuan said: "She was also the one who introduced Cheng Sanwu to the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The two had a close relationship, and occasionally they would have sex at night.
Together, we are having fun together in the name of dual cultivation. Who can influence Cheng Sanwu’s decision-making the most now, it’s this person.”
Kong Fangfang stared at Afu and murmured: "A dakini Yaksha actually became a member of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. I didn't expect it, I didn't expect it..."
"Isn't it?" Mu Yuan muttered: "Forget about the others in the chamberlain, this is the only dominatrix who has seen Cheng Sanwu's true ability. I suspect she may be aware of Taotie's true nature, and Bao Buqi just wants to take advantage of Cheng Sanwu.
Achieve an ulterior purpose!"
Kong Fangfang twisted his beard and smiled: "Interesting, I am very curious about what her purpose is."