Chongzhen Wiretapping System

Chapter 314 Fighting "Shanxi Merchants" Again

Wu Zhong just heard such a short sentence, and his eyes became even redder immediately.If it wasn't too ugly for the elders to cry, they would really cry.

A person is in an enemy situation, surrounded by enemies, even when sleeping, he is afraid of talking in his sleep.But Jianlu was cruel, beating and scolding at every turn, and even a careless move could lead to death.

In the past, it was the majestic Jinyiwei General Banner. No matter what, when it went out, it was majestic and majestic, everyone was afraid of it, and everyone was in awe. However, in the enemy's environment, it was like nodding and bowing when it saw people, saying If you say something against your will, your face will be thicker than the city walls of the capital. Self-esteem and dignity are long gone!

However, these are not the reasons why Wu Zhong is so emotional.

He was at Jianlu in Liaodong, but he didn't expect to become the son-in-law of the slave chieftain Huang Taiji.He was always worried that if he said it after he came back, Daming would doubt him and stop believing him.Unexpectedly, the first sentence of the meeting, the Commander-in-Chief just said "I'm sorry for you!"

This sentence contains trust and understanding, which makes Wu Zhong moved inexplicably!
But after he came back to his senses, he became worried again.Because he absolutely didn't think that the commander already knew everything, so he was ready to confess. If the commander knew that he was the son-in-law of the slave chief and blamed himself, he would admit it.

Thinking of this, after he stood up, he immediately looked into Li Ruolian's eyes and said: "My lord, I had no choice but to take revenge on the Tartars in Liaodong, so I married the third daughter of the slave chief Huang Taiji. At that time, my subordinates felt that this woman did not treat us Han people as human beings..."

"Hehe, you are really lucky! Come, come, sit down first!" Li Ruolian smiled and took his hand to let him sit in the seat closest to the main seat, and at the same time said, " Your Majesty has already told me about your stay in Liaodong, hehe, I really didn't expect it to be yours..."

When Wu Zhonggang heard Li Ruolian's words, his heart sank. He subconsciously thought that Li Ruolian's words about good fortune were satirizing him.But then he heard Li Ruolian talk about him, the emperor had already told him, and he was stunned.

When I came back by boat, I landed on Liugong Island.But when he was in Liugong Island, he just gave his name without saying anything, and then he came directly to Haizhou.But, just like this, the emperor knew about his affairs in Liaodong?

At this moment, he suddenly became a little suspicious. Could it be that there are other Jinyiwei spies among his subordinates?
But thinking about it, he felt that it was impossible, because based on the calculation of time, even if he had Jinyiwei spies under him, it seemed that the news would not be spread so fast in Liugong Island, right?
Thinking of this, he became even more confused, so he stuttered and asked Li Ruolian in surprise, "Your Majesty...does your Majesty know all about it? This subordinate is talking about... all the things about this subordinate in Liaodong?"

Hearing his words and looking at his expression, Li Ruolian nodded with a smile and said: "Of course, the emperor said that you proposed to the slave chief, but I didn't expect it to happen. In fact, you are only chasing after you because that woman is not a human being to us Han people." Hit you, so I just said it in passing. Therefore, after you got married, you did not teach that woman a lesson, right? Haha..."

Hearing this, Wu Zhong was dumbfounded, does the emperor really know everything?
But when Li Ruolian said this, he suddenly remembered something, so he glanced left and right.Those of his subordinates basically knew Wu Zhong, and they all wanted to talk, but when they saw the commander's appearance, they immediately understood and retreated consciously.

As soon as they left, Li Ruolian patted Wu Zhong on the shoulder, and said to him seriously: "The emperor also asked me to tell you that in Fan Wencheng's mansion, you fell into his tricks, the responsibility is not yours, no need any worries."

Wu Zhong has always buried this matter in his heart, and it is the one thing he fears the most.Originally, I thought, let's kill him, don't deny it, but I didn't expect that the commander said it at this time. The most important thing is that this is to paraphrase the emperor's words, so that he can rest assured that it is not his fault.

Immediately, Wu Zhong felt as if a large rock had been lifted from his body, and he felt relieved. At the same time, he was also very surprised.Logically speaking, only he, Fan Wencheng and the steward of the Fan Mansion knew about this matter.Of course, the princess herself must know.But such a secret thing is still far away in Liaodong, but the emperor knows it clearly.

At this moment, Emperor Chongzhen immediately became mysterious and unpredictable in Wu Zhong's heart, and he felt that the emperor was really a purple star in the sky descending to earth?Is he the True Dragon Emperor?

Thinking of this, Wu Zhong couldn't help being even more in awe of the emperor at this time.This kind of awe is no longer just the awe of status, but the kind of awe that mortals have for the gods in the sky.Otherwise, he really couldn't understand many things.

If the emperor is regarded as a god, then naturally he can pinch and count, and it is not surprising that he has a good ear, clairvoyance and so on!
He was thinking about it, but Li Ruolian smiled and said: "Your trip to Liaodong this time has made the emperor very satisfied. He said that Jin Yiwei has a loyal general like you, and he is also very pleased with Jin Yiwei. By the way, even I was also commended by the emperor."

"By the way, the emperor also told me that the imperial court will create medals, which are divided into several categories. The highest-level medal is called the Great Ming Hero Medal. It can be worn on the chest at ordinary times. Only those who have made great contributions to the Ming Dynasty can wear it. This Great Ming Hero Medal. You boy, will become the No.1 of my Ming Dynasty to get this Great Ming Hero Medal! Not only I don’t have it, but no one in the court has it yet. If you wear it later, tsk tsk, you’ll be envious of others! "

Hearing this, he knew that he would be the first in Daming to have this medal, and only those who had made great contributions to Daming could have it. Immediately, Wu Zhong felt that the things he had experienced before were nothing at all. At this moment, his whole body is full of strength!

He naturally didn't know that Emperor Chongzhen had always disagreed with a point of view, saying that the undercover agent would not end well! In this regard, he just wanted to give the undercover agent a happy ending!Not to mention anything else, such a thing as an undercover agent, dealing with all kinds of ferocious enemies in Longtan and Tiger's Lair, may be discovered and killed at any time.It can be said that undercover work is really not done by humans.Or in other words, if he can complete the undercover mission, then such a person is really a real hero!
Even from another perspective, the information obtained from undercover agents is often very useful.Even if it is measured by the value of intelligence, it is very worthy of a heavy reward.Therefore, Wu Zhong is definitely qualified for Daming to get the highest honor medal.

"You are now a thousand households of Jinyiwei." When he was in a daze, Li Ruolian continued, "The emperor knew the purpose of you being sent to Daming by the slave chieftain, so he sent me to Haizhou to wait for you, just because there is no reason for you." It is up to you to do something. After this task is completed, you will be the commander of Jin Yiwei."

Wu Zhong was willing to sneak into Liaodong and do things with a narrow escape. Of course, he was not the kind of saint who said that he could do things without any rewards for the sake of Ming Dynasty.

At this time, knowing that the emperor will give him the highest honor, and then promote him to be the commander of Jinyiwei who is second only to the commander, he is of course very happy, and immediately said to Li Ruolian: "My lord, please make it clear that this subordinate will go through fire and water. Don’t give up even if you die!”

Li Ruolian nodded upon hearing this, motioned him to sit down, and then said to him: "You came back this time to find Jiangnan merchants to replace Shanxi merchants for Jianlu. The emperor has already arranged this for you!"

"..." Wu Zhong was so speechless, could it be possible that the emperor really wants to let himself do this?

Fortunately, it was the emperor who said so, otherwise, even if Li Ruolian said this himself, he would have reason to doubt whether the Commander is suspected of treason for the sake of huge profits!
Seeing the trace of doubt on his face, Li Ruolian knew what he was thinking in his heart, and immediately said seriously: "In my Ming Dynasty, besides the malignant tumor of Shanxi merchants, there is another malignant tumor, and the emperor also wants to get rid of it." But because there is something on your side, the emperor let you do it by the way, which can be regarded as one stroke. Time is a little tight, so please listen carefully."

After hearing this, Wu Zhong confirmed that it was the emperor's request, so he immediately nodded to show that he was listening seriously.

He heard Li Ruolian say to him: "The south is the place where Ming taxes are heavily taxed, and the salt tax is the most important tax among the taxes. However, in the salt industry, it is not the imperial court that is rich, but the salt merchants. Salt The price is high, but the people can’t live without it, and they have to buy it with enough money, which makes their life more embarrassing. However, the imperial court can’t collect much salt tax, and all the money in the middle is earned by the salt merchants. I believe you also Know."

In fact, anyone who has been out and has some experience knows how rich the salt merchants are.The reason for this is that at this time in the late Ming Dynasty, the big salt merchants were generally Huizhou merchants.They have the so-called local arrogance of later generations, like to show off, like to fight for wealth, which makes them famous.

At this time, there are more than four Yangzhou Prefectures.That is the so-called "many officials, many merchants, many literati, and many idlers".It is easy to understand that there are many officials and merchants, and there are many literati because Yangzhou Prefecture has many patrons, who can afford to support literati, and at the same time, they can also support idlers.Most of the wealthy patrons are salt merchants.

How much money do these salt merchants have?

Let’s just say that the painting boat is good. It originally refers to a boat with ornate decoration, which is used for traveling in mountains and rivers.But in the hands of salt merchants in Yangzhou, these painting boats have been refurbished: some are as high as several floors, and some are decorated with extremely rare and expensive glass at that time. All these are extremely luxurious.Afterwards, these salt merchants usually enjoy themselves in the boats, accompanied by famous prostitutes and beauties, reciting poems, tasting fine wine and delicacies.

Also, there was a salt merchant who liked to be "big". No matter the house, furniture or other items, the bigger the better, he even specially built a copper chamber pot with a height of five or six feet. Climbing down is extremely hard, but it is still enjoyable.

If this is not a big deal, there is also a salt merchant who invented the way of eating "youcai". Every meal must prepare dozens or hundreds of dishes. Once the dishes served are not satisfactory, they will be removed and replaced immediately. new dishes.This shows how much a meal is wasted!
As for the others, they are all pediatrics.

For example, the tumblers made in Suzhou at that time were very exquisite and valuable, and a salt merchant in Yangzhou once bought all the tumblers in Suzhou for more than 3000 taels of silver, and poured them all into the river for fun, which once caused the river to be blocked.

There are also salt merchants, who want to experience the feeling of "throwing ten thousand gold", so they send people to buy gold leaf with ten thousand taels of silver, then go up to the tall building, throw the gold leaf in the wind, and watch the people downstairs looting the gold leaf, This person laughed upstairs.Is it ridiculous?People are rich and willful!

Some things have even spread to the north, even people who have never been to the south can know.

Therefore, Wu Zhong naturally understood the wealth of the salt merchants.All the stories about showing off his wealth flashed through his mind. At the same time, he naturally thought of the drought in the north, the refugees after the military disaster, and the suffering people who were looted to Liaodong, which made him suddenly feel angry. .

At this time, Li Ruolian was still talking, so he stopped talking and continued to listen.

"These salt merchants have made a fortune. In addition to being the only ones who can sell the salt industry, they also mixed a large amount of private salt into the official salt. Almost every big salt merchant will have a team of private salt. Therefore, don't look at these The big salt merchants seem to only eat, drink and have fun, but secretly, they are all outlaws who are not afraid of the king's law for money."

"These people have sucked blood from the court and the people, and have gathered countless wealth of the Ming Dynasty, but they only waste money on their own, ruining the morale of the Ming Dynasty. Once the emperor announces the reform of the salt industry, these people will definitely oppose it and sabotage it secretly. Therefore, what the emperor means is to take advantage of you to expose the true colors of these salt merchants in broad daylight, so that everyone can recognize them clearly."

"As long as we can cut off some big salt merchants and frighten them with thunderous means, then we can wait for the emperor to implement a new policy on the salt industry, increase the court's tax revenue, and at the same time allow the people to eat cheaper salt, it will be much smoother..."

Hearing this, Wu Zhong faintly grasped the meaning of the emperor. After thinking about it, it seems that it is indeed possible. As long as these salt merchants are given a chance, they may become the second Shanxi merchants!
Just as he was thinking this way, he heard Li Ruolian say to him: "You go to contact those big salt merchants this time, and promise to make a lot of money. I don't believe that these salt merchants will resist the temptation of interests. As long as you get them to collude with Jianlu With all the evidence, the emperor can deal with salt merchants in the same way he used to deal with Shanxi merchants, and at the same time, he can take advantage of the situation and easily rectify the Jiangnan officialdom again."

Speaking of this, Li Ruolian's face became very serious, and he told Wu Zhong: "This matter is of great importance, and it is also related to the officialdom in the south of the Yangtze River. If the emperor has explained it, it must be done. Don't worry, I will cooperate with you in secret. "

(End of this chapter)