Chapter 1554
Little People Big Business
Chapter 1554 Little People Big Business
It was the first time for Zhang Qu to hear that the Haihan people built a salt field in Ningbo.He couldn't have imagined that Haihan's influence in Daming was already so great that he even dared to directly intervene in resources controlled by the state like the salt farm.Moreover, listening to the tone of others, it seems that members of the royal family participated in the construction of the salt field, so the nature of this is simply collusion with foreign countries and betraying the interests of the country.As a well-known scholar, Zhang Qu naturally understood the principles of righteousness and integrity, but he found that in the face of truly huge interests, it would be difficult for anyone to stick to loyalty to Daming.
Why would the prince be involved in this matter, no need to ask, it must be for money, it is a naked power-for-money transaction.But Zhang Qu has no position to accuse others now, because the reason he came here is also to get rich with the backer of Shanghai Han, and even forged his identity for this.It's just that compared to the background of the imperial merchant, his status as a fake official merchant is really humble.If he really wants to discuss a big deal with senior officials of Haihan, Zhang Qu is actually a little worried about whether he can hold on to the scene.
When Zhang Qu came to Ningbo, he planned to rely on his own knowledge to obtain an official position in Haihan, but after he came, he found that there were too many people here who wanted to take the route of master or counselor, and he didn't have much practical experience. Talents with experience in government affairs are simply inferior to those old fritters who have worked with officials and lords in terms of governance methods. In frontal competition, they have no other advantages except age, and even the chance to meet senior officials of Haihan It's hard to show up.
It is precisely because of this that Zhang Qu resolutely gave up this path that seemed to have no chance, and chose another risky but promising way to approach the Haihan people.Yaxing's tailor-made false identity is almost perfect, and he has already had the opportunity to meet high-ranking officials in Haihan, but Zhang Qu always feels that his identity is compared with those around him who really have official backgrounds, or even royal backgrounds. It's a little too flimsy.Zhang Qu even wondered whether it would be possible for him to leave this place safely if the high-ranking officials of Haihan saw through his tricks in the later conversation.
Zhang Qu waited anxiously in the flower hall for about a cup of tea, when he heard a noise coming from outside the house, mixed with someone's cry of pain, it seemed that something happened.Naturally, everyone was also very curious about the place where the high-ranking Haihan official was staying, and who was so bold as to make trouble, so they all flocked to the door, wanting to see what happened outside.
But when there were Haihan soldiers with live ammunition blocking the door, they were not allowed to go out.Everyone was about to make a fuss, but an officer stood outside the door and said, "Thieves are being caught outside. For safety reasons, everyone should wait inside! Anyone who does not obey the arrangement will be treated as an accomplice of the thief!"
As soon as these words came out, everyone immediately became quiet. Regardless of whether it was a real thief or a fake thief outside, the most important thing is not to involve yourself in it. Otherwise, with the means of the Haihan people, even if they were killed on the spot, there would be no place for them. Go to justice.
Zhang Qu was thinking in his heart that the senior official of Haihan should be having a meeting with the eunuch Cao Lu who went in earlier, and he wondered if the thief had disturbed them.But this courtyard is guarded by Haihan soldiers inside and outside, and even the servants are brought by Haihan himself. Could it be that this thief has wings, otherwise how could he avoid so many eyes and ears and sneak into the inner courtyard go.
Although I can't go out to see what happened, but I can still see some of the situation outside from the interval of the Haihan soldiers blocking the door.Zhang Qu was so curious that he stood at the door without moving. After a while, he saw a few Haihan soldiers dragging a man out from the inner courtyard.There was some blood on this person's face and body, and his face was not very clear, but judging from his clothes, he turned out to be the eunuch Cao Lu who had entered the inner courtyard well.
Zhang Qu thought he was dazzled, so he rubbed his eyes and looked again, but someone beside him murmured, "This...isn't Master Cao?"
Those soldiers dragged the man to the courtyard outside the flower hall, and then put him on the ground. The people in the flower hall stood on tiptoes and looked through the gaps between the people, and they quickly confirmed that the man was Cao Lu.But he obviously went in to have an interview with senior officials of Haihan, how could he be dragged out in such a mess?Moreover, it is said that Cao Lu is under the command of a certain prince. Are the people of Haihan really not afraid that they will offend the dignitaries of Ming Dynasty by doing so?
Soon another young man dressed in Haihan costume came out of the inner courtyard and came to the flower hall and announced to everyone: "Everyone, please be safe and don't be impatient. This matter was ordered by Chief Shi Diwen himself. As for the reason, it is Because this person pretended to be an imperial merchant and cheated, and was seen through by the chief's insightful eyes, so he was only slightly punished."
Everyone was shocked when they heard these words, especially the few people who were close to Cao Lutao earlier, they couldn't believe that the news announced by the Haihan people was true. Turned into a charlatan.
Compared with others, Zhang Qu was even more panicked when he heard the news.He didn't expect that he was not the only one who dared to play a fake identity in front of the Haihan people, and even played a bigger game than himself, directly pretending to be an imperial merchant.I don't know how this person surnamed Cao talked about it, but he was discovered by a high-ranking official in Haihan, so life would be difficult.Looking at the blood stains on this guy's head and face, he must have been punched before he was dragged out, and with the temper of the Haihan people, I'm afraid this matter is not over yet. Pretending to be an imperial merchant is probably enough for him to spend several years in prison.
The person Zhang Qu was worried about was of course not Cao, but himself.He pretended to be an official businessman of Jinhua Mansion, and this matter was also a matter of great importance and minor importance. If he followed the current way of handling it, it would probably be difficult for him to get away with it.If he was caught by Hai Han and reported to the officials, then his life would be over.
Thinking of such a possibility, Zhang Qu couldn't help regretting his previous impulsiveness. Now that his identity has been reported, he might be summoned later, and it would be too late to take any measures at this time.Zhang Qu's consideration has changed from "whether he can leave safely" to "whether he can get the forgiveness of the Haihan people by voluntarily confessing".Before meeting the rightful lord, Zhang Qu's heart started to retreat.
After Cao Lu lay on the ground for a while, probably the Haihan people also felt that the effect was almost there, so the officer ordered him to be taken away.Then the officer came to the flower hall and asked everyone one by one, whether they had heard Cao Lu mention any special names or place names before, and it seemed that his accomplices were still outside.Zhang Qu answered the officer's question without hesitation, and he was already worried that if he was exposed, he might not even be able to find the person who reported to his family.
Although such a incident happened, the meeting did not stop, and soon began to continue.Zhang Qu has been fighting between heaven and man in his heart, thinking whether he should decisively give up this opportunity to meet, and quickly find a reason to run away, so that maybe the Haihan people will not pursue it.But he still had some flukes in his heart. Perhaps the Haihan people would not have expected that there would be a second businessman who came to the meeting with a false identity so soon. If he could get away with it, he might receive many benefits in the future. .
Before Zhang Qu could make a final decision, someone came to take him to see Shi Diwen.Zhang Qu took a few deep breaths, trying to maintain emotional stability as much as possible, then followed Haihan's staff out of the flower hall, through the patio and into the inner courtyard.
In the study in the inner courtyard, the anxious Zhang Qu finally met the legendary general Hai Han.A dark complexion means spending a long time outdoors and at sea, and a strong body with almost no fat also shows that this person lives an extremely healthy life, and has not lost his figure due to the sensual life because of the greater power in his hands .What disturbed Zhang Qu the most was the aggressive and decisive aura emanating from the opponent, which reminded him all the time that the person in front of him had become a high-ranking official by virtue of his accumulated military achievements. quite difficult.
Zhang Qu's personal information was placed on the table in front of Shi Diwen. Of course, this information is based on the registration information of each family. For example, Zhang Qu's information contains his origin and background.Since this kind of interview was almost continuous, in fact Shi Diwen didn't have time to digest Zhang Qu's information in advance. Basically, after seeing off the previous guest, he could take the time to look at the next one's information.
I have to say that the bold local tooth shop prepared Zhang Qu’s identity really well. Shi Diwen took a rough look at Zhang Qu’s background and the content of the interview. He didn’t think there was any problem, so he silently gave this interview a try. Foreshadowing was left.Jinhua Prefecture is an inland state capital in Zhejiang, and it cannot even directly participate in the dialogue on the theme of business and trade. It can only engage in the lowest-level processing industry.But things are often what they are afraid of. The first question Shi Diwen asked made Zhang Qu almost kneel down.
"I only met the prefect of Jinhua last month, why didn't he mention your matter to me?"
Of course Zhang Qu knew why, because his identity was fabricated at all, and he was not the nephew of the prefect of Jinhua.Even if the real prefect of Jinhua could recognize Zhang Qu's new face at the scene, it would be hard to imagine that this person was actually a magpie's nest and Jiu Zhan, who accidentally left himself with nowhere to sit.
Zhang Qu had no choice but to bite the bullet and explained: "I have been running back and forth between various state capitals for a long time, eating and sleeping in the open air. The magistrate is not aware of my itinerary. What's more, when you met with the prefect of Jinhua last month, there was no traffic at all. The news about Shang! I came to Ningbo to meet you after I heard about it.”
Zhang Qu's mind was spinning so fast at this time, he didn't dare to admit the truth, so he could only write the script now.After hearing this answer, Shi Diwen was noncommittal, nodded and continued to ask: "Then what kind of business does Boss Zhang want to cooperate with our country?"
Zhang Qu had already thought about what to say earlier, but just now because of Cao Lu's incident, he blurted out: "Salt..."
"Oh? It seems that you have heard the news that we are building a salt field in Xiangshan, but if you plan to act as an agent for salt sales in Jinhua Prefecture, you have to follow our rules." Shi Diwen did not doubt that he was there. , because during these days of talks, more than one or two businessmen have already proposed to him to act as an agent for salt sales in the region.
The production of Xiangshan Salt Field will change from private salt to official salt, and the official permission has been obtained, but as for how to sell it locally, we still have to wait for the relevant Ming government to give a guiding opinion.Now that diplomatic relations with Daming have been formally established, Shi Diwen does not plan to copy over the previous operation method of private salt trading, but adopts a semi-open operation method to manage agents in various regions more standardizedly .
Zhang Qu is not the first businessman who came from Jinhua, but he is the one with the best background conditions that Shi Diwen has seen so far. He is related to the current prefect as uncle and nephew. This status has many conveniences in the local area. Especially in a special business like salt monopoly, if you don't have a certain background, it is difficult to forcibly get rid of an official position.
Zhang Qu regretted his words as soon as he uttered them, but after listening to what Shi Diwen said, he didn't seem suspicious, and he didn't dare to withdraw his statement easily, so he could only bite the bullet and ask Haihan how to obtain the salt sales agent qualification.
Shi Diwen was quite patient, and told him the steps to go through the relevant procedures. The most important thing is to open an account at Haihan Bank. In the future, there is no need to use cash for cash settlement, just write a check and transfer from the bank.
Regarding how to become a regional agent, the Haihan Commercial Department has long established a complete set of standardized operating procedures, which can be applied, but the business of salt is rather special.After listening to Zhang Qu, I basically remembered it. I thought that the people of Haihan really have rules and are very particular about the details. It is no wonder that they can do business well.However, Haihan requires a certain amount of security deposit in the bank, which makes Zhang Qu somewhat uncomfortable.
"The so-called imperial businessman who was dragged out from here earlier, you should have seen it outside?" Shi Diwen suddenly changed the subject, seeing Zhang Qu nodding repeatedly, he continued: "He also wants to win the salt business , and intends to contract the output of the entire saltworks. I asked him to deposit a deposit of 5 taels of silver in the bank first, and this man actually started crying to me that he was poor, saying that the palace is not rich. Hehe, Did he really think that I had never been in contact with the palace? I asked a few more questions, and he couldn't answer, and later admitted that he wanted to take the opportunity to cheat."
Zhang Qu couldn't help asking: "Even if he cheats, he has to buy the production of the salt field first?"
"You think too simply." Shi Diwen shook his head and said: "As long as he wins the agent of Xiangshan Salt Field, he can use this qualification to negotiate terms with other people, such as car and horse dealers, such as distributors, there are many ways This agency right can be realized.”
(End of this chapter)
It was the first time for Zhang Qu to hear that the Haihan people built a salt field in Ningbo.He couldn't have imagined that Haihan's influence in Daming was already so great that he even dared to directly intervene in resources controlled by the state like the salt farm.Moreover, listening to the tone of others, it seems that members of the royal family participated in the construction of the salt field, so the nature of this is simply collusion with foreign countries and betraying the interests of the country.As a well-known scholar, Zhang Qu naturally understood the principles of righteousness and integrity, but he found that in the face of truly huge interests, it would be difficult for anyone to stick to loyalty to Daming.
Why would the prince be involved in this matter, no need to ask, it must be for money, it is a naked power-for-money transaction.But Zhang Qu has no position to accuse others now, because the reason he came here is also to get rich with the backer of Shanghai Han, and even forged his identity for this.It's just that compared to the background of the imperial merchant, his status as a fake official merchant is really humble.If he really wants to discuss a big deal with senior officials of Haihan, Zhang Qu is actually a little worried about whether he can hold on to the scene.
When Zhang Qu came to Ningbo, he planned to rely on his own knowledge to obtain an official position in Haihan, but after he came, he found that there were too many people here who wanted to take the route of master or counselor, and he didn't have much practical experience. Talents with experience in government affairs are simply inferior to those old fritters who have worked with officials and lords in terms of governance methods. In frontal competition, they have no other advantages except age, and even the chance to meet senior officials of Haihan It's hard to show up.
It is precisely because of this that Zhang Qu resolutely gave up this path that seemed to have no chance, and chose another risky but promising way to approach the Haihan people.Yaxing's tailor-made false identity is almost perfect, and he has already had the opportunity to meet high-ranking officials in Haihan, but Zhang Qu always feels that his identity is compared with those around him who really have official backgrounds, or even royal backgrounds. It's a little too flimsy.Zhang Qu even wondered whether it would be possible for him to leave this place safely if the high-ranking officials of Haihan saw through his tricks in the later conversation.
Zhang Qu waited anxiously in the flower hall for about a cup of tea, when he heard a noise coming from outside the house, mixed with someone's cry of pain, it seemed that something happened.Naturally, everyone was also very curious about the place where the high-ranking Haihan official was staying, and who was so bold as to make trouble, so they all flocked to the door, wanting to see what happened outside.
But when there were Haihan soldiers with live ammunition blocking the door, they were not allowed to go out.Everyone was about to make a fuss, but an officer stood outside the door and said, "Thieves are being caught outside. For safety reasons, everyone should wait inside! Anyone who does not obey the arrangement will be treated as an accomplice of the thief!"
As soon as these words came out, everyone immediately became quiet. Regardless of whether it was a real thief or a fake thief outside, the most important thing is not to involve yourself in it. Otherwise, with the means of the Haihan people, even if they were killed on the spot, there would be no place for them. Go to justice.
Zhang Qu was thinking in his heart that the senior official of Haihan should be having a meeting with the eunuch Cao Lu who went in earlier, and he wondered if the thief had disturbed them.But this courtyard is guarded by Haihan soldiers inside and outside, and even the servants are brought by Haihan himself. Could it be that this thief has wings, otherwise how could he avoid so many eyes and ears and sneak into the inner courtyard go.
Although I can't go out to see what happened, but I can still see some of the situation outside from the interval of the Haihan soldiers blocking the door.Zhang Qu was so curious that he stood at the door without moving. After a while, he saw a few Haihan soldiers dragging a man out from the inner courtyard.There was some blood on this person's face and body, and his face was not very clear, but judging from his clothes, he turned out to be the eunuch Cao Lu who had entered the inner courtyard well.
Zhang Qu thought he was dazzled, so he rubbed his eyes and looked again, but someone beside him murmured, "This...isn't Master Cao?"
Those soldiers dragged the man to the courtyard outside the flower hall, and then put him on the ground. The people in the flower hall stood on tiptoes and looked through the gaps between the people, and they quickly confirmed that the man was Cao Lu.But he obviously went in to have an interview with senior officials of Haihan, how could he be dragged out in such a mess?Moreover, it is said that Cao Lu is under the command of a certain prince. Are the people of Haihan really not afraid that they will offend the dignitaries of Ming Dynasty by doing so?
Soon another young man dressed in Haihan costume came out of the inner courtyard and came to the flower hall and announced to everyone: "Everyone, please be safe and don't be impatient. This matter was ordered by Chief Shi Diwen himself. As for the reason, it is Because this person pretended to be an imperial merchant and cheated, and was seen through by the chief's insightful eyes, so he was only slightly punished."
Everyone was shocked when they heard these words, especially the few people who were close to Cao Lutao earlier, they couldn't believe that the news announced by the Haihan people was true. Turned into a charlatan.
Compared with others, Zhang Qu was even more panicked when he heard the news.He didn't expect that he was not the only one who dared to play a fake identity in front of the Haihan people, and even played a bigger game than himself, directly pretending to be an imperial merchant.I don't know how this person surnamed Cao talked about it, but he was discovered by a high-ranking official in Haihan, so life would be difficult.Looking at the blood stains on this guy's head and face, he must have been punched before he was dragged out, and with the temper of the Haihan people, I'm afraid this matter is not over yet. Pretending to be an imperial merchant is probably enough for him to spend several years in prison.
The person Zhang Qu was worried about was of course not Cao, but himself.He pretended to be an official businessman of Jinhua Mansion, and this matter was also a matter of great importance and minor importance. If he followed the current way of handling it, it would probably be difficult for him to get away with it.If he was caught by Hai Han and reported to the officials, then his life would be over.
Thinking of such a possibility, Zhang Qu couldn't help regretting his previous impulsiveness. Now that his identity has been reported, he might be summoned later, and it would be too late to take any measures at this time.Zhang Qu's consideration has changed from "whether he can leave safely" to "whether he can get the forgiveness of the Haihan people by voluntarily confessing".Before meeting the rightful lord, Zhang Qu's heart started to retreat.
After Cao Lu lay on the ground for a while, probably the Haihan people also felt that the effect was almost there, so the officer ordered him to be taken away.Then the officer came to the flower hall and asked everyone one by one, whether they had heard Cao Lu mention any special names or place names before, and it seemed that his accomplices were still outside.Zhang Qu answered the officer's question without hesitation, and he was already worried that if he was exposed, he might not even be able to find the person who reported to his family.
Although such a incident happened, the meeting did not stop, and soon began to continue.Zhang Qu has been fighting between heaven and man in his heart, thinking whether he should decisively give up this opportunity to meet, and quickly find a reason to run away, so that maybe the Haihan people will not pursue it.But he still had some flukes in his heart. Perhaps the Haihan people would not have expected that there would be a second businessman who came to the meeting with a false identity so soon. If he could get away with it, he might receive many benefits in the future. .
Before Zhang Qu could make a final decision, someone came to take him to see Shi Diwen.Zhang Qu took a few deep breaths, trying to maintain emotional stability as much as possible, then followed Haihan's staff out of the flower hall, through the patio and into the inner courtyard.
In the study in the inner courtyard, the anxious Zhang Qu finally met the legendary general Hai Han.A dark complexion means spending a long time outdoors and at sea, and a strong body with almost no fat also shows that this person lives an extremely healthy life, and has not lost his figure due to the sensual life because of the greater power in his hands .What disturbed Zhang Qu the most was the aggressive and decisive aura emanating from the opponent, which reminded him all the time that the person in front of him had become a high-ranking official by virtue of his accumulated military achievements. quite difficult.
Zhang Qu's personal information was placed on the table in front of Shi Diwen. Of course, this information is based on the registration information of each family. For example, Zhang Qu's information contains his origin and background.Since this kind of interview was almost continuous, in fact Shi Diwen didn't have time to digest Zhang Qu's information in advance. Basically, after seeing off the previous guest, he could take the time to look at the next one's information.
I have to say that the bold local tooth shop prepared Zhang Qu’s identity really well. Shi Diwen took a rough look at Zhang Qu’s background and the content of the interview. He didn’t think there was any problem, so he silently gave this interview a try. Foreshadowing was left.Jinhua Prefecture is an inland state capital in Zhejiang, and it cannot even directly participate in the dialogue on the theme of business and trade. It can only engage in the lowest-level processing industry.But things are often what they are afraid of. The first question Shi Diwen asked made Zhang Qu almost kneel down.
"I only met the prefect of Jinhua last month, why didn't he mention your matter to me?"
Of course Zhang Qu knew why, because his identity was fabricated at all, and he was not the nephew of the prefect of Jinhua.Even if the real prefect of Jinhua could recognize Zhang Qu's new face at the scene, it would be hard to imagine that this person was actually a magpie's nest and Jiu Zhan, who accidentally left himself with nowhere to sit.
Zhang Qu had no choice but to bite the bullet and explained: "I have been running back and forth between various state capitals for a long time, eating and sleeping in the open air. The magistrate is not aware of my itinerary. What's more, when you met with the prefect of Jinhua last month, there was no traffic at all. The news about Shang! I came to Ningbo to meet you after I heard about it.”
Zhang Qu's mind was spinning so fast at this time, he didn't dare to admit the truth, so he could only write the script now.After hearing this answer, Shi Diwen was noncommittal, nodded and continued to ask: "Then what kind of business does Boss Zhang want to cooperate with our country?"
Zhang Qu had already thought about what to say earlier, but just now because of Cao Lu's incident, he blurted out: "Salt..."
"Oh? It seems that you have heard the news that we are building a salt field in Xiangshan, but if you plan to act as an agent for salt sales in Jinhua Prefecture, you have to follow our rules." Shi Diwen did not doubt that he was there. , because during these days of talks, more than one or two businessmen have already proposed to him to act as an agent for salt sales in the region.
The production of Xiangshan Salt Field will change from private salt to official salt, and the official permission has been obtained, but as for how to sell it locally, we still have to wait for the relevant Ming government to give a guiding opinion.Now that diplomatic relations with Daming have been formally established, Shi Diwen does not plan to copy over the previous operation method of private salt trading, but adopts a semi-open operation method to manage agents in various regions more standardizedly .
Zhang Qu is not the first businessman who came from Jinhua, but he is the one with the best background conditions that Shi Diwen has seen so far. He is related to the current prefect as uncle and nephew. This status has many conveniences in the local area. Especially in a special business like salt monopoly, if you don't have a certain background, it is difficult to forcibly get rid of an official position.
Zhang Qu regretted his words as soon as he uttered them, but after listening to what Shi Diwen said, he didn't seem suspicious, and he didn't dare to withdraw his statement easily, so he could only bite the bullet and ask Haihan how to obtain the salt sales agent qualification.
Shi Diwen was quite patient, and told him the steps to go through the relevant procedures. The most important thing is to open an account at Haihan Bank. In the future, there is no need to use cash for cash settlement, just write a check and transfer from the bank.
Regarding how to become a regional agent, the Haihan Commercial Department has long established a complete set of standardized operating procedures, which can be applied, but the business of salt is rather special.After listening to Zhang Qu, I basically remembered it. I thought that the people of Haihan really have rules and are very particular about the details. It is no wonder that they can do business well.However, Haihan requires a certain amount of security deposit in the bank, which makes Zhang Qu somewhat uncomfortable.
"The so-called imperial businessman who was dragged out from here earlier, you should have seen it outside?" Shi Diwen suddenly changed the subject, seeing Zhang Qu nodding repeatedly, he continued: "He also wants to win the salt business , and intends to contract the output of the entire saltworks. I asked him to deposit a deposit of 5 taels of silver in the bank first, and this man actually started crying to me that he was poor, saying that the palace is not rich. Hehe, Did he really think that I had never been in contact with the palace? I asked a few more questions, and he couldn't answer, and later admitted that he wanted to take the opportunity to cheat."
Zhang Qu couldn't help asking: "Even if he cheats, he has to buy the production of the salt field first?"
"You think too simply." Shi Diwen shook his head and said: "As long as he wins the agent of Xiangshan Salt Field, he can use this qualification to negotiate terms with other people, such as car and horse dealers, such as distributors, there are many ways This agency right can be realized.”
(End of this chapter)