Chapter 417 I heard that you are going to rebel?

Distant Ningxia.

Wang Chonggu, who was personally leading people to repair the border wall garrison, sneezed loudly for no reason.

The Ningxia governor, who had been through many battles and came from a Confucian family but was familiar with military affairs, could not help but frown and look around.

"Did you catch a cold last night?"

With doubts in his heart, Wang Chonggu straightened the belt around his waist and continued to direct the military and civilians to repair the border walls and garrisons.

And in the water post station of Matou Town, Huai'an Prefecture, thousands of miles away from Ningxia.

Wang Qian, who was ridiculed in person, blushed instantly.

Just don't wait for him to refute.

Zhang Xialing could no longer bear it and stood up, glaring at Wang Qian: "Shut up and apologize to the guests!"

I’m afraid that Wang Qian is too young and arrogant to admit defeat.

Zhang Xialing added, "If you dare to talk nonsense again, I will send a letter to Puzhou and Ningxia today to send you back to Puzhou!"

No matter how arrogant a person is, there are always people he fears.

What Wang Qian was afraid of was his father Wang Chonggu.

Seeing that Zhang Xialing was using his father to threaten him and wanted to send him back to Shanxi.

Wang Qian could only hold his breath, clasp his hands together, and bow his head to Yan Shaoting above him and said in a muffled voice: "I was rude just now, please forgive me, I already know my mistake."

Yan Shaoting just squinted his eyes and nodded.

Although Wang Chonggu was considered a rare talent in the affairs of the Nine Frontiers in the future, he also made many contributions to the court in the military affairs of the Nine Frontiers.

But that doesn't stop him from having a stupid son.

I think given Wang Chonggu's character, even if he knew what happened today, he would not blame himself for it.

So, Yan Shaoting just looked at Zhang Xialing indifferently.

Zhang Xialing naturally understood immediately and turned to look at Wang Qian whose face was flushed.

He sighed and shook his head: "My dear guest, you are very generous. I won't argue with you. Why don't you leave and wait?"

Wang Qian, who had long been unwilling to stay here, immediately clasped his hands in greeting after hearing this, then turned around and left without a moment's delay.

See Wang Qian leave.

Zhang Xialing sighed again.

He laughed dryly, turned around and looked at Yan Shaoting, and sighed, "Brother Xuefu is the only son of his family, so he is inevitably spoiled. In addition, Brother Xuefu has been an official for many years and has neglected to discipline him. His temper was a little erratic just now. Please don't mind it, my guest."

Wang Chonggu is the person that the Jin Party is trying to push to power.

If it weren't for this, why would he bring Wang Qian south?

Yan Shaoting just waved his hand and said, "It's inevitable that young people are impatient. The reason I said that just now is because I know that Brother Zhang is the one who has the final say on this trip. It's better not to let others hear what you and I want to discuss."

Zhang Xialing nodded repeatedly after hearing this.

He said, "At the beginning of the year, we received a letter from Minister Yang, in which we learned that the guest hoped to meet with us. As the New Year was approaching, we were unable to go to the capital to meet the guest, the cabinet elders, and the left assistant minister. When we learned that the guest had received the imperial edict and would go south to serve as the prime minister of the six provinces, we discussed and decided that I would lead people all the way south. I just happened to learn about the guest's itinerary recently, so I hurried here to meet the guest."

After explaining.

Zhang Xialing continued, "This time, not only Minister Yang, but also the families in Shanxi have given their word. As long as it is the guest Yan's order, as long as we can do it, I can make the decision with the guest."

His attitude was extremely humble.

And what he said was absolutely true, without any falsehood.

Yan Shaoting just smiled faintly at this.

Although the Jin Party had a very low attitude, they almost allowed themselves to take whatever they wanted.

But if I'm aiming for cooperation, how can I really ask for such a high price?

I think the members of the Jin Party also expected this, so they dared to say so.

None of them are stupid.

They are all smart people!
Yan Shaoting narrowed his eyes and changed the subject: "The annual output of the Hedong Salt Pond... seems to be much greater now than at the beginning of the country?"

Hedong Salt Lake.

It is located in Pingyang Prefecture, Shanxi.

When Zhang Xialing heard this, he raised his eyebrows and started to speculate.

Could it be that the Yan family has set their eyes on the Hedong Salt Lake?

You should know that the entire north of the Yellow River basically uses salt produced in the Hedong Salt Lake, and the profits are so great that ordinary people can't even imagine it.

Zhang Xialing couldn't help but ponder.

If the Yan family really has their eyes on the Hedong Salt Lake, it would not be impossible for the Jin Party to share some of the profits.

It just depends on how big the Yan family’s appetite is.

If you want to share, of course you can.

But if you want to keep it all for yourself.

This is undoubtedly digging out the roots of the Jin Party.

Zhang Xialing pondered for a while before forcing out a smile. "The people of Shanxi are poor, and the Hedong Salt Lake is one of the few places where one can support a family. With more salt workers, more salt will be produced in a year. It is difficult to manage them now, and troubles arise from time to time."

At that moment, Yan Shaoting had not explicitly stated that he wanted to intervene in the Hedong Salt Lake, so Zhang Xialing naturally would not take the initiative to say anything, but he still left a hint with his last sentence.

If the Yan family really had their eyes on the Hedong Salt Lake, then he could use the excuse that the Jin Party was having difficulty managing it to invite the Yan family to send someone over.

but.

Yan Shaoting just hummed, and changed the subject again: "If you count carefully, it has been nearly two hundred years since the third year of Hongwu, when Shanxi and other border areas were in urgent need of food and grass, the imperial court began to recruit private merchants to exchange salt vouchers for food and grass to the border areas, and implemented the policy of opening up the middle. "

His voice seemed to have become somewhat sad because of the nearly two hundred years that had passed.

Zhang Xialing was completely confused.

From the Hedong Salt Lake to the Kaizhong Method implemented in the third year of Hongwu, the leap in between was quite huge.

For a while.

Zhang Xialing had no idea what Yan Shaoting was trying to do.

He could only smile and say: "Emperor Taizu was wise and powerful, and he practiced the method of opening up the center. That is why we now have nine important border towns to protect the borders."

Yan Shaoting chuckled and glanced sideways at Zhang Xialing who was smiling along.

He smiled and said, "Yes, the purpose of opening the center is to stabilize the border."

The more he is.

Zhang Xialing became more and more confused.

It felt like there was a cat scratching his heart, making him curious about what Yan Shaoting wanted to do.

Zhang Xialing seemed to be scratching his head.

Yan Shaoting smiled and said, "Over the years, Shanxi has followed the imperial court's orders to implement the Kaizhong system because of its geographical location, and has made many contributions to the country. The food rations of the soldiers at the border are all due to families like you who have never had to fight the enemy on an empty stomach."

Zhang Xialing shook his head modestly: "Serving the country loyally is our duty."

Duty?

Yan Shaoting snorted in his heart.

Although it cannot be said that the Ming Dynasty was destroyed by the Shanxi merchants, the fundamental reason was the collapse of the entire national system of the Ming Dynasty.

But the Shanxi merchants actually played a boosting role in this.

The Shanxi merchants also played a role in the collapse of the Ming Dynasty, a towering building, at the last moment!

Yan Shaoting sneered.

Just when Zhang Xialing was puzzled.

Yan Shaoting said in a sinister tone: "But I often hear in Beijing that you are going to rebel?"

As soon as these words came out.

It was like a thunderclap exploding in Zhang Xialing's ears.

moment.

Zhang Xialing trembled all over, stood up quickly, and bowed nervously.

"My dear guests, please understand! How dare we do such a treasonous thing!"

"This……"

"This, this, this... this must be someone with evil intentions, attacking us maliciously, trying to harm us!"

"Guests need to make the decision for us. Don't take this seriously."

Zhang Xialing was really scared.

Originally, it was a conspiracy between the Jin Party and the Yan family. How come now it suddenly became that they were going to rebel?

Zhang Xialing couldn't help but sweat on his forehead. His mind was constantly turning, thinking that he must hurry up today to send someone to send a letter back to find out who was behind spreading the rumor that they were going to rebel.

Once this matter spread.

Even if they had no intention of rebelling, the court and the emperor would certainly become suspicious.

Wait until then.

But this is the time when these people are doomed.

But Zhang Xialing could never have imagined it.

Yan Shaoting said that the words he often heard in Beijing about the Jin Party's rebellion were completely fabricated by him.

A small information gap.

Seeing Zhang Xialing so uneasy.

Yan Shaoting continued to pretend and said in a deep voice: "I didn't believe it at first. Shanxi and the imperial court have always been one. How could they have the intention of rebellion?"

Zhang Xialing nodded repeatedly: "My dear guests, you are wise and understand the righteousness. We have always worked hard for the court. We do not seek wealth and glory, but only hope that the country will be peaceful and that we can support our families."

Yan Shaoting sneered, "But... I have also inquired a little, and it seems that many of you in Shanxi have accumulated wealth that can rival a country by relying on the Kaizhong method over the years. But even so, you are still dissatisfied. It seems that many people secretly trade with the outside world behind the back of the court, and even sell salt and iron that the court has expressly banned to the outside world in order to make huge profits!"

I heard Yan Shaoting mention that Shanxi merchants were selling salt and iron outside the Great Wall.

Zhang Xialing's heart was trembling.

Because there are indeed quite a few of them who are doing this and have been doing it for a long time.

"This……"

Zhang Xialing looked hesitant and his tone became hesitant.

snort!
Yan Shaoting snorted coldly: "The court has banned the sale of salt and iron outside the Great Wall. It is a serious crime and it is aiding the enemy! Although it is not as serious as rebellion and treason, if you can sell salt and iron today, can you transport swords and guns outside the Great Wall tomorrow? As long as the thieves outside the Great Wall offer enough, can you sell our firearms and craftsmen!"

There was a bang.

Zhang Xialing's legs went weak and he fell to his knees with a thud.

Although at that time no one in Shanxi brought the firearms and craftsmen banned by the court out of the Great Wall.

Can……

Someone outside the Great Wall has indeed made such a request!

Zhang Xialing just felt his eyes go dark.

Now I am really covered in mud, and I can’t wash it off even if I jump into the Yellow River.

He raised his head tremblingly: "Please ask the guests to make the decision for us. We dare not go against the court, let alone have any rebellious thoughts in secret."

Looking at Zhang Xialing kneeling in front of him.

Yan Shaoting thought of a sentence.

As long as the benefits are high enough, these people can sell the rope to hang themselves.

Now they may not actually be doing those things.

But one day in the future, they will eventually do those things.

And because once they take that step, they will never be able to stop, and eventually they will sell out everything of the Ming Dynasty to the enemy.

Because once they take the first step, they cannot and dare not stop.

Can't help it.

Yan Shaoting sighed softly.

He stood up and walked forward, bent down and reached out to help Zhang Xialing, who was trembling all over, up.

Under Zhang Xialing's uneasy gaze.

Yan Shaoting shook his head and sighed: "I also believe that you will not do anything to betray the Ming Dynasty, otherwise I would not meet you today."

Zhang Xialing's face was tense.

In life, especially for families like theirs, it is inevitable that they will do things that violate the laws of the Ming Dynasty over the years.

Since Yan Shaoting could say these words to me today, I think he must have solid evidence in his hands.

Perhaps these evidences are not enough to bring them down, but they will certainly seriously injure them and force them to pay a huge price to quell the accountability in the court.

Zhang Xialing said worriedly, "The guests warned me today, and I just realized that there are people in Shanxi who do such evil things. When I go back this time, I will definitely tell the heads of each family about this matter, investigate it thoroughly, and send all those who did it to the government!"

There's an emergency.

After much thought, Zhang Xialing could only make this kind of guarantee.

Abandon some people in exchange for overall stability.

However, Yan Shaoting, who created the cards out of thin air, remained silent.

Although I am now making cards out of thin air, I know the direction of history. As long as I let my brother-in-law spend some time and effort to investigate, I will eventually be able to get these cards made out of thin air.

Looking at Zhang Xialing who was about to push some people to take the blame.

A smile gradually appeared on Yan Shaoting's face, and he pushed the uneasy Zhang Xialing back into the chair.

He himself stood in the room with a thoughtful look in his eyes.

"Brother Zhang, you should know that once you do something, you can never stop."

"Because they are both extremely treasonous. If you really do them, you will be afraid that they will be exposed and it will become a handle for the other party to threaten you."

"When that day comes, even if you don't want to do it anymore, the other party will force you to continue doing it, and you can only bow your head and admit defeat in order to protect yourself, and in the end you will get deeper and deeper into trouble."

"Brother Zhang, do you understand this?"

Yan Shaoting spoke in a deep tone.

He knew very well that Shanxi was not yet beyond redemption.

But if this continues, one day these Shanxi merchants will really become what he said.

Zhang Xialing frowned.

He was thinking about what Yan Shaoting said.

As he continued to think, a layer of cold sweat gradually appeared on his back.

Because what Yan Shaoting said, in his deduction, everything turned out to be true.

As long as the merchants from Shanxi take that step, it will really be like what Yan Shaoting said, and they will be forced step by step into the abyss.

After thinking about it.

Zhang Xialing immediately stood up again.

This time his attitude changed slightly.

He also became more serious about Yan Shaoting.

Zhang Xialing raised his arms, clasped his fists, bowed deeply to Yan Shaoting.

"The guest's good words today are like our parents again. We have no way to repay the guest's kindness. I will report every word of the guest's words back home truthfully."

"Please give me some pointers so that I can stop and turn back from the wrong path."

Zhang Xialing's reaction was decisive.

Knowing that if they let the situation develop, they will inevitably embark on an irreversible path, they will make a decision immediately.

And facing Zhang Xialing who has already made her choice.

Yan Shaoting, however, fell into silence.

After all, Zhang Xialing's eldest nephew Zhang Siwei also betrayed Zhang Juzheng in the future.

Zhang Juzheng was stabbed in the back after his death.

So their character...

Yan Shaoting was constantly considering it.

Subsequently.

He spoke slowly.

"Send the letter back."

"If you really want to understand it."

"perhaps……"

"I can show you a way to become truly wealthy."

…………

Monthly PassMonthly Pass
　Shurima! Your Emperor has returned!
　　I am still in good health now. If there is no problem recently, I will update twice a day~
　　
　
(End of this chapter)