met free Chapter 923: Unfaithful Advice
Chapter 923: Unfaithful Advice
Chapter 923: Unfaithful Advice
The war in Japan is going on.
But if you are in the south of the Yangtze River, you will not feel that the country is in war at all.
From Jiangning to Songjiang, from Jiaxing to Ningbo, this land is in full swing.
Especially as September and October are approaching, it is the annual cotton harvest season.
Although picking cotton is not a job that earns a lot of money, it is at least not a job that involves lifting heavy objects, which allows many women to join the labor. Therefore, before this season,
The major growers began to organize their manpower in advance, waiting for the time to come and immediately join the "battle".
Cotton cultivation in the Jiangnan region arose with the prosperity of the cotton textile industry. After the Ming Dynasty opened up overseas markets, all kinds of cotton textiles such as cotton-padded clothes and cotton trousers have been in high demand.
Because it concerns the livelihoods of countless people, the Yingtian Governor and Xinjian Earl Wang Shouren would take time out every year to visit fields, docks, shipyards and other places.
Looking at the scene of thousands of ships at the Nanjing Yangtze River wharf, he knew that cotton textiles would still be popular this year, which meant that the cotton in the hands of farmers could be sold at a high price.
So it was another peaceful and prosperous year.
The largest cotton buyer and storer among them was naturally the Nanyang Company, and local wealthy merchants vied to become the "downstream suppliers" of the Nanyang Company. Anyone who won this position would surely be wealthy now, even if he was unknown more than a decade ago.
This is how it was supposed to be.
But when Wang Shouren returned home from the dock today, he suddenly heard an urgent report from the government official. This man was also a middle-aged man, usually quite steady, but today he was a little flustered.
It was a hot day, and before Wang Shouren could sit down to drink a sip of water, he chased him into the house and said anxiously: "Zhongcheng, now the Jinyiwei has arrived in Jiangnan. They have accused more than ten wealthy merchants in Changzhou, Suzhou, Songjiang and other places of "privately minting coins" and have sent out lieutenants to arrest all of them, causing great fear among the people! ”
Wang Shouren was already 55 years old. Historically, he died three years later, but in fact he had been in poor health before his death. He looked a little weak at this moment, especially in hot weather. An ordinary person's face would turn red after being burned by the sun, but his face was pale.
It was not easy to move around, he always had to hold on to something, then he walked to the recliner and sat down, coughed twice, and then slowly evened out his breathing.
Then, with a slightly worried hand, he said, "Tell me in detail what you saw."
This person argued: "I understand that the court wants to implement currency reform, but how can such a big thing be carried out so rashly? As the saying goes, slow things down and they will be smoothed over. Killing these people and causing chaos in Jiangnan, can we get things done?
Zhong Cheng, it is the cotton harvest season now. These wealthy businessmen are important cotton storage merchants. If we clear them all out at once, who will buy the cotton from farmers this year? Many people signed contracts several years in advance to supply only one family. Now that they are gone, I don’t know if they can break the contract and supply others. Even if they can, I don’t know who they will supply to! After a few months of delay, everything will be in chaos!
My subordinates went all the way west from Songjiang. The Jinyiwei arrested people like this, and the people along the way were just worried about it. What's worse, the business tentacles of these merchants are spread all over the place, and even include many foreign businessmen. It would be okay to punish only one or two people, but now more than a dozen people have been arrested at once. It can be said that the impact is huge. Now everyone is in panic!
I dare say that within half a month, government offices in various places will have to submit documents to the capital, and by then, who knows what new troubles will arise!"
Wang Shouren remained silent.
Throughout his life, he performed his duties loyally, served the country and the people, and was deeply trusted by the emperor. Sometimes, it was more like a personal friendship than a relationship between the emperor and his subject.
"Your Majesty, what are you thinking?" Wang Shouren also frowned and murmured, then asked: "Wende, have you carefully investigated whether these dozen wealthy businessmen are indeed guilty of privately minting coins?"
"I have asked, but now Jinyiwei is not open to strangers. If you want to ask, they will say 'Jinyiwei is investigating the case by order'. And I wonder if Zhongcheng has thought about the matter of Yangzhou?"
Wang Shouren knew, "Are you talking about the case of Wang Chaoxu, the son of the Minister of Personnel?"
"Yes, it is said that the emperor went incognito to the city that never sleeps some time ago, and then there was this incident where the factory guards investigated the merchants' disorderly politics. If there is really a capable person in the court, once this rumor is spread, coupled with the Wang Chaoxu case, now the local government will not say a word for the merchants, and they are simply trying to avoid them!"
The middle-aged man called Wende exclaimed in admiration. This method was so fierce and swift that it really opened his eyes.
In this way, the merchants were "separated" from the market, and the purpose was still to implement the currency reform.
Now the new currency has begun to circulate in the market in Jiangnan, and the punishment case for refusing the new currency is still handled by Wang Shouren himself.
At this critical juncture, officials from all regions had to report their "achievements", otherwise they would face the emperor's wrath.
"The court has its own considerations, and the emperor always has to consider the overall situation." Wang Shouren still chose to believe, "As for what you said... I believe the court also has its own considerations."
"Then what's the solution to the current situation?"
Wang Shouren thought for a moment and said, "There are more than just a few wealthy merchants in Jiangnan. There are still many left. The governor's office can issue a document to require the prefects and county magistrates of various places to mobilize and encourage these people to first purchase the cotton from the farmers, and then the government can contact the Nanyang Company.
If you are concerned about the sensitivity of the situation and are unwilling to approach these merchants, then you can do it in the name of the governor's office. For the sake of the people, it is only natural for me to take on some responsibility. Otherwise, it would not be enough to repay the emperor's grace!"
His subordinate was moved by his sincere loyalty and his simple heart for the people, so he said impulsively, "Zhongcheng, you are the Earl of Xinjian appointed by the emperor, and the emperor's trust in you is no less than that of any other important official in the court.
But now Zhang Bingyong controls the government and appoints treacherous officials. In order to please the emperor, they only advocate the importance of currency reform and do not care about the countless lives that will be lost as a result of the reform!
I am not saying that reform is impossible, but the method needs to be considered. Zhongcheng is the shepherd of the people on behalf of the emperor. Fortunately, Jiangnan is a rich place in the country. The chaos in Jiangnan can still be solved. What about the people in other places?"
He was probably a little emotional when he said this. He knelt down and spoke earnestly, "Zhongcheng, you have always taught us that when we serve as officials, we should assist the emperor and benefit the people. Although the current government's policies are well-intentioned, they are harmful to the people. I don't believe it. Your Majesty is a benevolent emperor throughout history. You can't listen to even a harsh word of advice!"
Wang Shouren was lying on a bamboo chair with no expression on his face.
After a while, a blue-robed official came in, holding a document in his hand. He came forward and bowed, "Zhongcheng, this is news from the capital."
"read."
"Yes. On July 27, the 21st year of Zhengde, the emperor summoned all the ministers to the Fengtian Hall to discuss the currency reform. The cabinet members and important officials of various ministries reported in detail the progress of the reform..."
Wang Shouren listened carefully to the end.
Then he said: "Your Majesty is a man of extraordinary talent. He has ruled the country for 21 years and has made no major mistakes in government affairs, but this time the currency reform is indeed drastic."
The middle-aged man felt a little relieved when he heard this, at least his boss agreed with him.
"Zhongcheng, think carefully. There are so many people in the court, both inside and outside the capital, who want to make suggestions but dare not. Looking around the world, apart from Zhongcheng, the emperor will not hear any true advice that is unpleasant to the ear."
Wang Shouren said quietly: "But now is not the right time."
Now the voices pushing for currency reform are at their peak in the court, and all parties are reporting good news. More importantly, the emperor's heart is also here, so what others say about the establishment of Xinjianbo is meaningless... He doesn't think highly of himself. Rationally speaking, the emperor will not adopt anything he says.
"Some things need to be said once and for all, otherwise they will not only be useless, but will also ruin things. Wende, why don't you go to the capital?"
Wang Shouren started to think about it. He knew that this currency reform would be a mess. Even if it was successful, it would be a pyrrhic victory. Someone had to take responsibility for this situation.
who?
(End of this chapter)