Hua Kefang sat in the third hall of his mansion with a livid face, saying nothing.
More and more businessmen from the Chamber of Commerce gradually came to the three halls. As soon as they entered the door, they asked the two businessmen who accompanied Hua Kefang to meet Li Zhi, wanting to know the outcome of the negotiations.
"What did King Qi say?"
"What's the final result?"
The two big businessmen who participated in the negotiations shook their heads helplessly and said: "No chance, King Qi said something ugly, saying that we want to buy officials and gain privileges."
"I'm afraid King Qi is determined not to agree to us."
When everyone heard this, they immediately became angry and started talking one after another.
"Your Majesty, this is so unkind. We are willing to pay for an official position. Why not?"
"Our business is so big and we have contributed so much to King Qi's economy. Isn't it okay if we just want a small status?"
"No one is willing to do business if this continues. No matter how much money you make, you still don't have the prestige of a small judge."
A maritime businessman in his thirties said: "Everyone, do you know? In Europe, businessmen can not only obtain official status, but also directly become representatives of the people and enter the council, and directly elect consuls!"
The other businessmen were stunned when they heard this and said, "Is there such a thing?"
"How can European businessmen be so lucky?"
An old man stroked his beard and said: "Hou Dingping, according to you, don't businessmen in Europe control the country?"
The maritime merchant named Hou Dingping said: "That's right. I have done business with Hongyi. The ruling party of Hongyi is elected by representatives of the council. Most of these representatives are businessmen."
"As long as businessmen do big business, they can often become high-ranking officials in the end."
"This is not only true for the Red Barbarians, but also for the British. The British businessmen even launched an armed reform and... hey, beheaded the king and actually took control of the country."
"The East India Company of the Dutch and British was a company controlled by merchants, but these companies had the same power as the country. They could raise troops, collect taxes, conduct diplomatic exchanges with other countries and even declare war. Those merchants seemed to be
Master of the country!"
After hearing Hou Dingping's words, everyone shook their heads and sighed, feeling a little sad.
Obviously, it is a world trend for businessmen to run the government. Why is King Qi so rigid? Can't he relax his policies and give businessmen some status?
Everyone was getting more and more angry as they talked, and finally they all looked at Hua Kefang.
"Boss Hua, now that King Qi won't let go, everyone has no idea. Can you come up with a solution?"
Hua Dingfang glanced at the big businessmen in the three halls.
"With King Qi's attitude now, it is impossible to achieve a result through a good discussion. King Qi thinks that we businessmen are committing rebellion by seeking official positions, and he is determined to be hostile to us. We just go to the Prince of Qi's Mansion and kowtow until our heads bleed.
It won’t change King Qi’s perception at all.”
Everyone took a breath and felt a little resentful.
"Without official status, we will always be ordinary people. Even a scoundrel can point his finger at us and scold us. Any policy issued by King Qi can affect the prosperity and decline of our family! Competition in the market is entirely based on skills, although we will
Doing business, but our descendants may not be good at business, and this wealth comes and goes quickly!” “But if we have an official position, or if we can further influence policies and politics, we can use political influence to support our business.”
If you protect us, our wealth will make us an ever-lasting family!"
Hua Dingfang said: "If you want to get an official position now, it is impossible to fight with the King of Qi without doing something. Do you have the courage to fight with the King of Qi?"
Everyone's eyes turned red when they heard Hua Dingfang's words.
The temptation to gain political status, influence the King of Qi's decisions, and build a long-lasting business family is too great.
Hou Dingping said loudly: "President, just tell me what a fight is. We believe in your ability, and the method you said must be useful."
Hua Dingfang nodded and said: "The King of Qi has troops, and we merchants are unarmed, so of course we cannot fight with force. We want a civil fight, which not only follows the rules of the King of Qi, but also lets the King of Qi know our strength and makes the King of Qi uncomfortable."
Looking at the businessmen who were staring at him, Hua Dingfang said: "The King of Qi attaches great importance to the rule of law and emphasizes governing the country according to the law. And according to the law, we business owners and firms are completely independent in our operations. The King of Qi will not let him
We buy official positions, we close our doors and stop production in protest!”
After listening to Hua Dingfang's words, everyone fell into deep thought for a moment.
It is very expensive for factories and businesses to close down. These businessmen hire a large number of helpers and pay a large amount of monthly money every month. If they do not work for a day, they will lose money. In addition, machines and
The cost of the store, this closure, is a real loss every day.
Hou Dingping couldn't help but asked: "President, if we close the door, will it make King Qi uncomfortable?"
Hua Kefang said loudly: "Of course it will make King Qi uncomfortable! The companies in our chamber of commerce are ordinary companies individually, but collectively, they monopolize agricultural machinery, cement, dyes and other industries in Fanjiazhuang and Tianjin.
Production. As soon as we close our doors, the inventory on the market will be sold out quickly, and by then the market price will continue to rise."
"Common people will soon be unable to buy goods, and then the people throughout Fanjiazhuang and Tianjin will complain, and the prince will naturally be on pins and needles."
After hearing Hua Kefang's analysis, everyone was a little moved.
An old businessman in his fifties suddenly slapped the coffee table and said loudly: "President Hua, there is no need to say any more! I did it for the sake of my children and grandchildren!"
A middle-aged businessman couldn't help but ask: "President Hua, if we do this, will King Qi take us to see the officials in anger?"
Hua Kefang laughed loudly and said: "Don't worry, everyone, we are arranging production independently in accordance with the law. The King of Qi has worked hard over the years to establish a legal environment and build up people's trust in the law. Could it be that he has violated the law himself?"
Did your sign get smashed?"
"If the King of Qi arrests us because we close our doors and stop production, then no one will trust King Qi's laws!"
Everyone's eyes lit up when they heard Hua Dingfang's analysis.
Hua Dingfang finally said: "Don't worry, King Qi will not destroy his own sign. When King Qi collected business taxes in Tianjin, all the shops went on strike! The common people couldn't buy rice! King Qi never arrested those businessmen in the end.
, they just brought cheap rice from Fanjiazhuang to sell."
With a smile, Hua Dingfang said: "However, this time, our companies have completely monopolized the market together, and King Qi will not be able to create products to calm the market."
