Just like all monarchs, Zhu Yixi's suspicion of his subordinates was always present.
Although the Shaanxi merchants were originally scattered and fighting on their own, Zhu Yixi still couldn't let go, fearing that a second Shanxi merchant would appear.
So Zhang Qi, the father-in-law, became his eyes.
Likewise, he is also his mouthpiece among Shaanxi businessmen.
Merchants run their business in a complex manner. As long as they do something, the news will spread. Zhang Qi could almost receive the news just sitting down.
However, this incident was so big that Zhang Qi could only ask for a meeting secretly in private, but did not dare to visit him at home.
If this is exposed, it will really be criticized by the public.
"Pig iron?" Zhu Yixi frowned.
Compared with salt, tea, etc., ironware is indeed the lifeblood of a country. Even in the 21st century, steel output still reflects a country's strength.
Not to mention Shunjun, who is eager to regain his strength.
The Manchu and Qing dynasties were already under attack, and production could not be done as quickly as it could be purchased.
"Your Highness does not know that the two largest iron smelting sites in Huguang, Huangmeizhi and Xingguozhi, account for 70% of the pig iron. However, these two places are almost non-governmental and are privately owned."
Zhang Qi couldn't help but explain: "Nowadays, guilds have been established, pig iron prices have been locked, and there are many voices of dissatisfaction from top to bottom. Taxes have to be paid, and there are many complaints."
"So, they smuggled pig iron, which allowed them to make money without having to pay taxes."
Zhu Yixi followed his words and continued.
"Except for the intruders, Zuo Liangyu and others, they all sold a lot."
Zhang Qi hesitated for a while and confided again: "The pig iron guild can only see their superficial output. They also have many private furnaces that are unknown to anyone."
"There is no business without treachery!"
Zhu Yixi sighed, and then said slowly: "It's something that was expected."
"Aside from pig iron, salt, tea, and grain, how can we be as clean as water? There may be so much filth in every corner!"
Having said that, Zhu Yixi did not let go of the pig iron smuggling issue.
Ultimately, pig iron is a strategic resource and must be tightly controlled.
"The news about my father-in-law is very timely."
Zhu Yixi turned her head and praised: "Although the news is important, you must also take care of yourself."
Zhang Qi looked relieved. This son-in-law was not so ruthless.
Zhu Yixi thought about the countermeasures and said: "Leaving Sichuan and Yandong, there can be no more chaos and disorder. Each prefecture and county will have monopoly restrictions. My father-in-law can go to Wuchang Prefecture."
"Me? Thank you, Your Highness!" Zhang Qi was stunned, then overjoyed.
The population of Wuchang Prefecture in the entire Huguang is also among the top five. Before the war, it would have been the first.
Nowadays, due to the influence of water conservancy and transportation, the population has gathered again and it will not take long to return to its heyday. This is a lot of fat!
A son-in-law is indeed a son-in-law, and he is generous in his actions.
Returned with a full load.
The next day, at the head of the pig iron guild, he was summoned by King Yu and scolded him to death.
"You, the Xu family, are also involved in this matter, right?"
King Yu's eyes were like lightning, making people tremble with fear. Xu Jingyang couldn't help but tremble: "How dare a common man do this?"
"They must be those who are greedy for petty gains and are unscrupulous. They only think about the silver and forget the kindness of His Highness Prince Yu."
Xu Jingyang, who was fat and big-eared, hurriedly patted his chest and assured: "The Xu family is absolutely not involved. Your Highness, please rest assured."
"It's better if you don't have it!"
Zhu Yixi's attitude softened a little: "I won't do this next time."
"I reiterate once again that pig iron from Huguang cannot leave the province without permission. If there is a next time, don't blame me for being ruthless."
"Don't worry, Your Highness, if there is a next time, you can go and catch me, no one dares to have any objections."
Xu Jingyang stood up hurriedly and said with a serious look on his face.
King Yu seemed to agree. Xu Jingyang breathed a sigh of relief and then stepped back.
After they left, Yan Chongxin came out of the side room, cupped his hands and said: "Your Highness just let them go like this? This is arrogant to the enemy!"
"At present, we need them to be enemies!"
Zhu Yixi sneered and said: "Li Zicheng is at a disadvantage, so let these profiteers sell him more pig iron. We will get rid of it ourselves and dirty our hands."
"As expected, when they see that my thunder is loud and my rain is small, they will definitely take action again. Your transshipment department will keep an eye on them and control the smuggling route in detail."
"What do you mean, settling the scores later?"
Yan Chongxin rubbed his hands and said excitedly.
"otherwise?"
Zhu Yixi's smile was mixed with a hint of pride: "Li Zicheng's gold and silver will be kept by them for the time being. When the matter is over, I will take back not only the gold and silver, but also the family property including the iron field."
When Yan Chongxin heard this, his spine went cold. These people were really unlucky. Not only did they make wedding clothes for King Yu, they also had to pay for it.
However, this also has advantages for the transshipment department, such as going deep into the pig iron guilds and completely controlling their output, so as to collect taxes.
"Your Highness, these pig iron sellers should be no worse than salt sellers!"
Yan Chongxin explores the road.
"It can't be compared to the salt merchants."
Zhu Yixi thought about it: "The cost is there. Although there is no need to worry about sales volume when producing iron, there is also a lot of competition and the price cannot go up."
A pound of pig iron is basically about ten cents, and salt is more than ten times that.
When Xu Jingyang returned to the house, his old father looked worried.
In response, he took a sip of tea, took a breath and said, "Don't worry, father, I'm just asking about pig iron smuggling."
The old father was in his sixties, with a gray beard and a bent back. He was sitting on the Taishi chair and was being served:
"Accompanying a king is like accompanying a tiger, and the same is true for King Yu."
"I just said, don't move to Xiangyang. Now you know you regret it!"
"Father!" Xu Jingyang said helplessly: "Sit at the head of the line, who wouldn't dare to come to Xiangyang?"
"Pig iron smuggling?" The old father was startled and trembled: "Which company does not smuggle? If we were to arrest them, there would be many people!"
"I fooled myself."
Xu Jingyang sighed and said: "The majesty of the King of Yu is growing day by day. Although the craftsman camp relies on our pig iron supply to make guns, he is not easy to deal with."
"It's just that there can't be a next time."
"We, the Xu family, should just keep to ourselves!"
The old father breathed a sigh of relief and sighed: "In this troubled world, it is better to be more stable, and I would rather earn less money."
Thinking of King Yu's power just now, Xu Jingyang had to nod his head and said: "People have to bow their heads when they are under the eaves."
"Should we remind my uncle and his family?"
"Just do your duty!"
The old father said in a deep voice: "Tell them that King Yu is dissatisfied with smuggling and let them do what they want."
"If your uncle is stubborn, then slowly cut off contact with him, and don't get involved with them."
"Yes!" Xu Jingyang nodded.
King Yu's warning was a very frightening time for the iron merchants.
But Chuang Jun from Henan gave too much. Everyone knew it was quick money and resold it faster.
They were even surprised to find that the transportation department's monitoring seemed to have become much looser.
Greed has swallowed up their sanity, and freight has become even more powerful.