Transmigrated into the book to become the villain prince, the son of the plane to destroy

The next day, Xiao Jie sent people to distribute invitations in Jiaozhou, saying that he would hold a banquet in the Governor's Mansion in ten days and invite businessmen from the whole Jiaozhou to participate in the banquet.

The businessmen in Jiaozhou were naturally pleasantly surprised and apprehensive about this, not knowing what Xiao Jie was up to.

The reason for the surprise is that although the Ning Dynasty did not suppress merchants as much as the previous dynasties, the status of merchants in Ning Dynasty was not high.Although many businessmen are wealthy and well-known figures in the entire Jiaozhou people, the Ning Dynasty imposed many restrictions on them. They were not allowed to buy houses exceeding ten acres, they were not allowed to ride in gorgeous cars, and they were not allowed to wear silk and satin. It is not even allowed to take concubines. It can be said that although many businessmen are rich, they can be said to have money and have nowhere to spend it.But now Xiao Jie took the initiative to host a banquet to invite these low-status businessmen, which undoubtedly made them feel proud. After all, Xiao Jie is located in Jiaozhou, if he does not reject merchants, it will be a great thing for them.

Uneasy because everyone unconsciously thought of Tang Heng, who once stomped the entire Jiaozhou grain market and would tremble three times. Because he offended Xiao Jie, he was murdered and wiped out for no reason. Hsu blamed other businessmen in Jiaozhou for their crimes, and they were also worried that this might be a banquet to liquidate them.

However, if the governor of Jiaozhou hosted a banquet and invited him, which businessman dared not to come, unless he didn't want to hang out in Jiaozhou's territory in the future.

It's just that many businessmen secretly carried tens of thousands or even tens of thousands of taels of silver bills on their bodies. They had already thought about it, and if it really wasn't a good feast, they would give up their money to save their lives.

Under the guidance of the subordinates of the Metropolitan Governor's Mansion, the merchants entered the banquet hall one after another, each found their own seats and sat down. Xiao Jie, who was the host, had not yet appeared, and the merchants also whispered to each other, asking each other for news.

At this time, the servants came in one by one with wine and food, and the wine table in front of everyone was quickly filled with a large table full of good wine and food.

Quite a few businessmen have sharp eyes and recognized at a glance that this is the best "Drunk Eight Immortals" restaurant in Panyu City. A table costs dozens of taels of silver.

Such a banquet specification also made the businessmen secretly heave a sigh of relief. It seems that His Highness still wants to invite them to dinner sincerely, otherwise he would not have prepared so many good wine and dishes.

However, no one dared to move their chopsticks. After all, Xiao Jie, who was the host, hadn't shown up yet. If he dared to be rude, this might be his last meal in this life.

"His Royal Highness King Qi is here!"

Accompanied by a high-pitched announcement, Xiao Jie's figure appeared in the banquet hall, looking at the merchants in the hall with a smile.

Naturally, the merchants did not dare to be rude, they knelt down towards Xiao Jie in unison, and said in unison respectfully: "Grassmen see His Royal Highness Qi Wang."

Xiao Jie smiled slightly and raised his hand lightly: "Gentlemen and merchants don't need to be polite, please sit down."

"Thank you, Your Highness!"

Only then did the merchants dare to get up, and each sat back in their seats.

Quite a few businessmen were slightly happy. They had just heard clearly. His Royal Highness Qi clearly called them Gentlemen, which is a kind of compliment to their status. Looking at the specifications of today's banquet, it shows that His Royal Highness is still very happy. Respect them these businessmen.

You know, generally people who walk around the streets are called merchants, and those who sit on the ground and open shops are called Jia, while gentry refers to famous and big families. In any case, the word gentry has nothing to do with low-status merchants, but now Xiao Jie actually calls them As a gentleman, this is a kind of high opinion of their businessmen.

Xiao Jie scanned the entire audience, and saw that most of the merchants were born with fat heads and big ears, full of fat in their stomachs, and looked pampered, but all of them could only wear monotonous coarse cloth clothes, which did not match their style at all. It seems a bit funny.

The merchants also noticed Xiao Jie's gaze. Although Xiao Jie's gaze was not sharp, many people still felt a little uncomfortable, and they all lowered their heads involuntarily, not daring to meet Xiao Jie's gaze.

"You must be very surprised, why did I specially invite so many businessmen from you to the Dudu Mansion for a banquet when I am so good-looking."

Xiao Jie smiled slightly, straight to the point and asked the most concerned question of every businessman present.

The merchants raised their heads one after another when they heard the words, and focused their eyes on Xiao Jie one by one. Their eyes were full of doubts, and they seemed to have a little bit of anticipation.

Xiao Jie's face was calm, but what he said was like thunder to the merchant's ears: "I have always believed that scholars, farmers, industry and commerce are the foundation of the country, and merchants should not be discriminated against too much, so I plan to write to my father to revoke the merchant's registration and restore Citizenship, and also lift many restrictions on your businessmen..."

Before Xiao Jie finished speaking, many businessmen had tears in their eyes. They were so excited and excited that they couldn't care less about being rude.

Your Highness is really the confidant and savior of many merchants. After hundreds of years, there is finally one person who is willing to justify the name of their merchants.

Xiao Jie had a panoramic view of their reactions, but his expression remained calm.

In the feudal era, the concept of emphasizing agriculture and suppressing business was deeply ingrained in the ruling and opposition parties. How can it be easily reversed by one person, but as long as they are willing to cooperate with themselves and let the court see the important value of the existence of merchants, they can find a way to make the court Raise the status of the merchant little by little.

In any case, it is never wrong to draw a big pie first, hoping to promote their progress. If you want the horse to run, you must let them see the grass first.

The merchants present calmed down a little, and Xiao Jie continued to speak:

"But there is no free lunch in the world. If you businessmen want to improve their status, you can't rely on me alone. You have to work hard yourself, and you have to work hard for it."

At this time, the banquet hall was instantly silent. Many businessmen also calmed down from the initial excitement and excitement, and their moods began to become a little complicated. Yes, the concept of emphasizing agriculture and suppressing business is deeply rooted in the hearts of the people. How can King Qi be alone? Can be changed or reversed.

But everyone also seemed to vaguely understand Xiao Jie's meaning. He could write to the court to ask for the promotion of the merchant's status, but they, the merchants, had to do something to prove themselves.

"Your Highness, we also want to work hard to improve our status, but we don't know where to start. I hope His Highness can point out a way for us."

In an inconspicuous corner, a businessman who looked to be in his early thirties boldly said to Xiao Jie.

Some people recognized this person as cloth merchant Wang Zhong, and secretly admired him, this person is a man, he asked questions that they wanted to ask but were afraid to ask.

Xiao Jie smiled slightly, and looked in Wang Zhong's direction. This is a smart and courageous person, and he likes dealing with such people.

"You merchants should have heard of Zhang Ping and Tao Gong. They are also merchants, but in the end they were granted the title of Liehou and the other Guanneihou. Do you know why?"

As soon as Xiao Jie mentioned these two names, the merchants immediately felt relieved. The two of them are the idols of the business world, the idols that every merchant worships. The two of them.

Wang Zhong's face was no longer calm, he stood up and respectfully bowed to Xiao Jie: "I hope Your Highness will enlighten me and clear up my doubts."

Xiao Jie smiled slightly: "It's very simple. Although they are businessmen, they let the court see their value. After all, they have made great contributions to the court with their abilities and wealth. Therefore, if you want to make a difference and improve your status, You should follow the example of the two of them, prove your worth to the imperial court, and make your own contribution to the imperial court."

The merchants were in an uproar for a moment, exchanging opinions one by one, and they all thought that what Xiao Jie said was very reasonable.

"May I ask Your Highness, we are willing to serve the court and prove ourselves to the court, but how do we do it?" A businessman boldly asked Xiao Jie.

Xiao Jie smiled slightly, and finally said directly to the showdown: "Now there is a god-given opportunity in front of you all, it depends on whether you can grasp it yourself, as long as you help the court accomplish this, although it is not as good as Zhang Ping and Tao Gong Naban was named Marquis, but I also have enough reasons to ask the court to raise your status a little bit."

"Your Highness, what kind of opportunity is God-given, we all serve the imperial court wholeheartedly, and the sun and the moon can learn from our sincerity." The atmosphere in the hall became more and more enthusiastic, and a businessman boldly asked Xiao Jie.

Xiao Jie smiled mysteriously, and said: "You all should know that the imperial court has just established the Annan Metropolitan Protectorate, and I will act as the Annan Metropolitan Protector to control the Nanyang countries. Since we want to control the Nanyang countries, we can't treat them like before. They let it go, the imperial court needs to really control them, but using troops is the worst policy, so I hope you can help me and the imperial court to conquer the Nanyang countries without bloodshed."

The merchants were all dumbfounded. They understood what Xiao Jie meant, but did His Highness think highly of them? They were just mere merchants, how could they subdue the Nanyang countries?

(Digression: What type of counselor do you like? A poisonous warrior like Jia Xu, or a bohemian like Guo Jia, or a demigod like Zhuge Liang and Zhang Liang, or even a magician like Liu Bowen)