My surname is Wang, my neighbor Wu Dalang

Chapter 302 Eight Great Salt Merchants
With a waist of [-], he rode down to Yangzhou on a crane.

Yangzhou is the richest city in the world, and it is not inferior to Hangzhou, which is better in the southeast.

The prosperity of Yangzhou is inseparable from the salt merchants.

Yangzhou prospered because of the salt industry.

In the current Song Dynasty, the eight major salt merchants in Yangzhou monopolized the huge markets in the Jiangnan, Zhejiang and Huaihe regions, and [-]% of the national treasury's salt tax came from Yangzhou.

About how rich the salt merchants are, Wang Lin read such a short passage in "Jin Ping Mei Ci Hua" in his previous life:

Ximenqing went through Cai Jing's network and got a business of [-] Huai salt. His follower Ying Earl was overjoyed and said, "Brother, congratulations! There will be great interest when you come back!"

How much is this so-called "big interest"?
The cost of this transaction was only about 3 taels, and the profit was about [-] taels, which can definitely be called huge profits.

Therefore, Yangzhou is a city built on salt.

And behind the huge profits, there are often endless blood and crimes.

Mr. Ma has said that when capital comes into the world, blood and dirty things flow from head to toe.

Yan Qing only half understood Wang Lin's logic, but Gu Qingchuan felt the same way.

Wang Lin led 2000 Tiger Guards to attack Yangzhou by land, while Shi Jin and Yang Yuhe led [-] Ning Navy troops down the canal and came to Yangzhou by water.

The first person to get the news was not the Yangzhou government office, but the salt merchants headed by the Xu family.

All the salt merchants in Yangzhou were Huizhou merchants.

The Xu family is one of the leaders.

This Yangzhou is not so much the Yangzhou Prefecture under the jurisdiction of the East Huainan Road Transfer Envoy, but rather the headquarters of the eight major salt merchants in the south of the Yangtze River.

Today is New Year's Eve.

Compared with the festive celebrations in the streets and alleys of Yangzhou City to welcome the New Year and bid farewell to the old year, the Xu Family Manor located outside Yangzhou City is a different scene.

At least hundreds of saltmen gathered and armed with heavy guards, guarding this vast manor with high walls and guarding it airtight.

Most of the salt merchants in Yangzhou lived outside the city. One side of the separatist regime built a castle, known as a manor, and kept countless salt servants.

at dusk.

The remaining seven major salt merchants, the heads or main speakers of the Jiang family, Huang family, Cheng family, Ouyang family, Jiang family, Song family, and Bai family, gathered in the "Shoukang Hall" in Xu's manor.

The head of the Jiang family, Jiang Chun, frowned and said, "Brother Zihou, why did you suddenly call me to wait in this new year?"

The rest of the Patriarchs also looked at Xu Lan and Xu Zihou, the contemporary Patriarchs of the Xu Family, who were about forty years old, dressed in brocade clothes, and had a white face and no beard.

Xu Lan smiled indifferently: "Everyone, do you know that the Xuanfu envoy of the Liangzhe Road and Wang Lin, the king of Bohai County, has led the troops to Yangzhou by land and water?"

Jiang Chun chuckled: "I've heard of it, but no matter why he came, it has nothing to do with us, right? In the case of Hangzhou, Qian Zhongshu and a group of corrupt officials committed crimes, whether it was treason or corruption, no matter how he investigated , can’t even find Yangzhou?”

Huang Wan'an, the son of the head of the Huang family, cupped his hands and said, "Xu Gong, Jiang Gong, gentlemen, people from my Huang family in Hangzhou have also heard news that although Wang Lin killed Qian Zhongshu and others with lightning speed. , also captured hundreds of Zhejiang and Zhejiang officials, but it also stopped in the officialdom, and did not implicate all ethnic groups in the south of the Yangtze River, including our salt merchants!"

"If Hangzhou is like this, there is absolutely no possibility that the fire will spread to Yangzhou."

The head of the Cheng family, Cheng Yizhou, was the oldest among the people present, and his beard and hair were already grey.

As soon as Huang Wan'an's words fell, he supported his beard and smiled lightly: "Nephew Wan'an's words are reasonable. After all, the king of Bohai County was ordered to inspect the military affairs of the two Zhejiang provinces. Yangzhou is under the jurisdiction of Huainan Road. Wang Lin has no excuse to cross the border." You don’t have to worry about handling the case.”

Ouyang Xiaodong, the eldest son of the Ouyang family, suddenly murmured: "Uncles, if the King of Bohai County has no intention of interfering in Yangzhou affairs, why did he cross the border and lead his troops to Yangzhou? I have heard that in the next two days, his tiger cavalry will be killed. Entered Yangzhou."

The head of the Jiang family, Jiang Yuchun, the head of the Song family, Song Qinan, and the head of the Bai family, Bai Yulin, all remained silent.

Everyone looked at Xu Lan.

"Everyone, don't be careless. My Xu family knows Wang Lin quite well.

This person is authoritative and arrogant, with vicious methods, and a lucky minister. He never acts according to common sense, and often finds other ways. "

Xu Lan said gloomyly again: "Xu learned from the secret report in Beijing that this time Wang Lin came to the south of the Yangtze River, and he was even sent to collect money for the government.

In the name of suppressing corruption and rectifying the administration of officials, he slaughtered wantonly in Hangzhou and confiscated a large amount of property. It is said that he will transfer it back to Beijing soon and fill it into the official treasury. "

"In that case, the purpose of his coming to Yangzhou is self-evident." Xu Lan sneered.

Everyone gasped suddenly.

If what Xu Lan said is true, it is not surprising that Wang Lin ransacked his home in Hangzhou and took aim at the richer salt merchants in Yangzhou.

Everyone knows that Wang Lin is a knife owned by the official Zhao Ji.

Going to the south of the Yangtze River to collect money for the government, is there anyone richer than Yangzhou salt merchants?

Jiang Chun said angrily: "Brother Zihou, my generation of salt merchants has worked hard for the court for a hundred years, and half of the income has to be paid in salt tax. Are you still playing with us?"

Huang Wan'an frowned and said: "Mr. Xu, although the salt merchants are profitable, the government and the public know it, but the salt class is related to the stability of the southeast's wealth. The court has no reason, so how could it easily attack us? The boy thinks, this is absolutely impossible!"

Jiang Chun sneered and retorted: "If you don't attack us, why did you lead an army to Yangzhou? Besides, what is he doing on Huainan East Road when he patrols the two Zhejiang provinces?"

Huang Wanan was speechless.

Jiang Chun said again: "Brother Zihou, the most urgent thing is, please come up with an idea, how should the eight great salt merchants of my generation deal with it now?"

Xu Lan got up slowly, and said in a deep voice: "Without my eight salt merchants, how could Yangzhou be prosperous. This Yangzhou city is the foundation of our generation, so we must not lose it.

At this moment of crisis, please unite and unite to the outside world, and each family should do its best to serve as servants and prepare for defense.At the same time, order the magistrate of Yangzhou to mobilize the Yangzhou Xiang army to fight against Wang Lin! "

"In addition, I wrote a short letter to notify Beijing to let those Beijing officials who have had enough of our money come forward to impeach Wang Lin... We must not let this person form a climate in the south of the Yangtze River and stay entrenched, otherwise the century-old salt merchants of our generation will never leave. The foundation is ruined."

Cheng Yizhou raised his eyebrows: "Zi Hou, confronting the imperial envoys and the army is no small matter, it is no different from treason. If the matter fails, you and I will lose our lives!"

Ouyang Xiaodong also hesitated and said, "Wang Lin came to Yangzhou for unknown purpose. If we act rashly, we may have endless troubles."

Xu Lan's eyes were indifferent: "This is all I have to say, whether you listen or not is up to you.

However, if Wang Lin's army enters Yangzhou, you are unprepared. Once you are charged with unwarranted charges, your family will be ransacked and your family will be wiped out. Don't blame me for not predicting it! "

……

Thousands of houses in Yangzhou City are lit up, fireworks are flying into the sky, and the sound of joyful firecrackers is endless.

The soft sedan chairs taken by the owners of the eight major salt merchants hurriedly left Xu's Manor and returned to their respective houses.

On the way, Jiang Wanchun, the head of the Jiang family, Bai Yulin, the head of the Bai family, and Song Qinan, the head of the Song family who had been silent all the time, suddenly turned back and went to a villa of the Bai family outside the city.

It is also a famous garden building in Yangzhou, "Nan Garden".

Although the Xu family is the head of the eight families, in private, the three families are more closely related.

Jiang Wanchun said lightly: "What do you two think of today's matter?"

Bai Yulin said indifferently: "I don't know what Wang Lin came to Yangzhou for, but the person who came here must be unkind, there is no doubt about it.

However, as Xu Lan said, it is very stupid to use all the private soldiers and mobilize the Yangzhou Xiang army to fight against Wang Lin's army. "

"The iron cavalry of the Subduing Tiger Army under Wang Lin's command is brave and good at fighting, and this person is brave and invincible. Outside Tokyo that day, even tens of thousands of Khitan wolf cavalry were no match for him, let alone my Yanding!"

"Moreover, this person is very favored by the officials. It is said that the officials even risked the world's displeasure by marrying their own daughter, Emperor Maode, to him as a common wife. Such a holy family is hard to find in ancient times.

He also wields the Son of Heaven Sword and is bestowed with a gold medal to act. Even the transfer envoy of Huainan Road dare not contend with him. "

"However, there is one thing, I agree with Xu Lan's words. Wang Lin came to the south of the Yangtze River, and it's just a trick to fight corruption, and it's true to collect money for officials.

Since he came here for money, why should we be enemies with him? It's nothing more than taking the initiative to send some money. There are still officials who can't be bought by money these days?Spend some money, and it won't damage the foundation of the family. "

"As long as my generation is still in charge of the salt industry, what is mere property?"

Jiang Wanchun nodded slowly: "What brother Bai said is true. If the problem can be solved with money, then it is not a problem.

Unless it is absolutely necessary, the whole family must not fight against the imperial envoy, otherwise, the destruction of the family and the family will be just around the corner! "

Song Qinan suddenly smiled and said, "You two are worrying too much. Somebody knows why Wang Lin came to Yangzhou."

Jiang Wanchun and Bai Yulin suddenly opened their eyes wide.

"Do you know about Snowflake Salt?" Song Qinan said indifferently.

Jiang Wanchun took a deep breath: "Are you talking about the purified new salt that came to Jiangnan from the north and is operated by Bohai Company and Murong Company?"

"This salt is very different from the rough salt we trade in...the price is expensive. If the Bohai Company is allowed to establish a foundation in the south of the Yangtze River, most of the huge profits made by our salt merchants will be lost!"

Bai Yulin also agreed: "That's right, Bai has already sent people to Qingzhou to investigate the matter, but it is said that the salt workshop is located overseas, and the formula is even more confidential..."

Song Qinan smiled and said, "Do you two know whose property this Bohai Company belongs to?"

Jiang Wanchun and Bai Yulin looked at each other: "Wang Lin?"

"Exactly. In fact, the snowflake salt of Bohai Company is not easy to make, so the price is high. Most people can't afford this salt. Therefore, it is not incompatible with the coarse salt of our generation of salt merchants, and they can completely coexist."

"People from Murong's family have had contact with Mr. Song once or twice, and talked about this...

If this Bohai company did not have the support of the King of Bohai and Fuhu's army, their Snowflake Salt would never have entered the Jiangnan market.

Even if we use some means to replace it, it's okay, but Wang Lin, who is behind the Bohai Company, can't be easily provoked! "

Jiang Wanchun was silent for a while, and said: "I understand. The reason why Wang Lin led the army to Yangzhou is to make the Snow Flower Salt of the Bohai Company take root in the south of the Yangtze River?"

Song Qinan stood up slowly, sighed, "Yes, and no."

"I don't know you two. Recently, two cargo ships from the Bohai Merchant Company entered the south of the Yangtze River, and they were hooked up with the Ning Navy by members of the Xu family, and they were kidnapped by pretending to be river robbers... I think that's why Wang Lin came here!"

"The Xu family... I'm afraid we won't be able to keep it!"

The Xu family is so brave!Does Wang Lin's merchant ship dare to move?
Jiang Wanchun and Bai Yulin suddenly stood up, their faces shocked.

Immediately, the eyes of the two flickered again, and they didn't know what they were thinking.

(End of this chapter)