More than ten people covered in robes and robes blocked the door of the hall, venting their emotions to the housekeeper of the Lin Mansion.

Salt merchants and salt administration yamen are actually interdependent and cooperative.

Although the Yanzheng Yamen controls the wealth, life and death of the salt merchants, on the other hand, why are the salt merchants not indispensable partners of the Yanzheng Yamen?

After all, the Salt Administration is related to the livelihood of millions of people. How can the Salt Administration Yamen alone take care of it?

So much so that a concept has formed among some salt merchants, that whether they can hold the position of salt official in the imperial court and whether they can do it well depends entirely on whether they give them face or not. ...

After all, millions or even tens of millions of salt tax dollars are wasted every year. If they don’t cooperate, it will be difficult for the Yanzheng Yamen to collect it! Even if you collect it, you may not be able to collect it in full... If you drag in tens of millions of tax dollars, let alone the future of the salt official, you may not even be able to save your life!

Therefore, most of the salt merchants were dissatisfied when faced with the imperial court's plan to donate and lose their wool.

Since they are dissatisfied, they want to ask for help. As a salt official who has been "raised" by them, at this time when the life and death of the entire industry is at stake, it is natural for them to stand up and speak for them. Luo!

So, when Jia Lian appeared here along the corridor, what he saw were businessmen with big bellies, blocking the way and muttering "We want to see Mr. Lin" and "Please do it for me." We call the shots."

Xu saw Jia Lian coming out, wearing a full-body white shirt, and thought he was a descendant of the Lin family, so they all became quieter.

Jia Lian didn't say anything. He walked slowly to the middle, stood on the steps, and scanned everyone.

Jia Lian's arrogant attitude immediately aroused dissatisfaction among some people.

A person stepped forward and shouted: "Who are you? Where is Mr. Lin? Why doesn't Mr. Lin come out to see us?"

Jia Lian looked down at the person in front of him with a high expression. The same rude voice said: "My uncle is unwell and is resting in the back hall. Why are you making so much noise here and disturbing my uncle's peace?"

When I heard that he was not a descendant of the Lin family, he was just a relative. How can everyone be so polite?

"Where did the child with a yellow mouth come from? We want to see Mr. Lin. We have important matters to discuss. Is it your right to ask?"

"Exactly, not yet. If you step back, you have delayed the big thing we are waiting for, and I'm afraid your adults can't bear it!"

First, they were perfunctory by Lin Ruhai, and after waiting here for half a day, everyone was already angry. Now Jia Lian's attitude is even more shockingEveryone was angry, and they vented their dissatisfaction unceremoniously on Jia Lian.

Faced with the salt merchants’ denunciations, Jia Lian’s face darkened and he shouted: “How outrageous!”

The scene suddenly became quiet.

Everyone stared at Jia Lian in astonishment. First, they didn’t expect that Jia Lian would dare to yell at them. Second, they didn’t expect that Jia Lian’s voice was so loud at such a young age that it made their ears hurt!

Jia Lian did not give them time to react and continued to suppress them with words: "This is the Salt Administration Office, which represents the majesty of the imperial court. If you dare to shout again, you will be treated as a crime of breaking into the official office and will be severely punished. !”

Jia Lian was born in the Duke’s palace and had the psychological advantage of being superior to others when acting outside, so he naturally developed some extraordinary magnanimity.

The scolding now really suppressed these people.

Everyone looked at each other and when no one spoke, they all realized that their previous behavior was indeed excessive.

But there are always some bad-tempered ones. The fat man who had previously scolded Jia Lian as a "yellow-mouthed kid" stood up again: "Of course we know this is the Yanzheng Yamen. We came here to find Master Lin. Discussing important salt policy matters!

As Yangzhou salt merchants, we have always been law-abiding and our annual tax donation to the court is close to tens of millions! Those of us here are all people who have made great contributions to the court. , Even if Mr. Lin is kind and courteous to us, who are you and dare to boss us around?

How can we behave and sit upright? Threatened by you!"

Zhao'er, who had followed Jia Lian, saw that Jia Lian was being provoked, so he took a step forward and announced his family status as a deterrent.

Jia Lian stopped him in advance, then looked at the people below the steps, and sneered: "Do you act upright and sit upright? Have you made great contributions to the court?

It's ridiculous, you are the only one now. With this appearance, do you dare to say that he has contributed to the imperial court?"

At this time, many people have actually guessed that Jia Lian's status may not be low, and he may even be a descendant of an official, otherwise he would not be able to use this method. Speak to them in a condescending tone.

However, this did not scare them, but instead stung their hearts even more!

As the last class of scholars, farmers, industry and merchants, merchants were originally looked down upon by the scholars, and it was not easy for them to gain status.

As salt merchants who can contribute more than a quarter of their annual income to the imperial court every year, they all believe that they have made great contributions to the imperial court!

And Jia Lian’s words are undoubtedly denying what they are most proud of, which cannot be tolerated under any circumstances.

　So everyone was filled with indignation and showed anger.

Jia Lian did not take it seriously and continued: "I know why you are here! Now the imperial court has implemented a new salt policy and encourages merchants from all over the world to transport grain to the border in exchange for salt. This move You feel that it will be harmful to your own interests to break the original salt distribution system, so you gathered here regardless of the white funeral at my uncle's home, with the intention of forcing my uncle to speak up for you and get the court to revoke this new policy. , yes or no?”

There was one point in Jia Lian’s words that made the salt merchants unable to refute and feel very guilty, that is, they had indeed deliberately come to take advantage of the Lin Mansion’s funeral.

Otherwise, Lin Ruhai wouldn’t let them in!

There are many salt merchants in Yangzhou, and they change batches every day. In the name of condolences for Mrs. Lin’s family, how can the Lin family have the nerve to turn away people?

They just wanted to use this to force Lin Ruhai to submit. Because they all knew that Lin Ruhai could speak well in front of the emperor. If he wrote a memorial to the emperor, he might be able to make the court change or even cancel the donation policy.

Anyway, if you don’t agree, we will come every day!

Shameless is a bit shameless, but as businessmen, most of their consciences have been smoothed out, so they can easily ignore this and argue: "The policy of donating and losing is not good at all. It’s reasonable. There are so many people doing business in the world. If everyone can go to the salt store to get involved, we can guarantee that in less than two years, the world will be flooded with illegal salt, and it will be impossible to contain it.

At that time, the biggest loss will be from the imperial court!

Moreover, salt is related to the people’s livelihood. Once it is out of control, at least half of the people in the world will have no salt to eat. We are all afraid of being in danger!

That’s why we asked Mr. Lin to submit a letter based on the facts. This move is for the sake of the court and the world.

The matter involved is so important, how can it be Is it something you can understand at such a young age?"

"That's right, if you don't move away quickly, this matter can only be solved by asking Mr. Lin to come out. In today's world, only Mr. Lin has the ability. Turn the tide!"

Jia Lian was laughing in his heart. Was he deceived into thinking he was a real loser?

If private salt is really allowed to spread, the people who will benefit most will definitely be the common people all over the world...

Think about how much a pack of salt will cost in future generations. Compared with now, it will be as much as The difference between cloud and mud!

So facing the salt merchants who were once again full of momentum and almost shouting, Jia Lian burst into laughter.

"How ridiculous this is. You are obviously afraid of others taking away your vested interests, so you ignore etiquette and justice.Shameless, you came here to threaten my uncle and let him be your pawn. Now you actually have the face to speak out for the sake of the court and the world?

Do you really not know why the imperial court implemented this policy of "donating losses"?

It has been a hundred years since the founding of the Wei Dynasty. On the surface, it looks like He Qing and Hai Yan, singing and dancing to achieve peace!

However, the Saudanus far to the north have already prepared their troops and are eyeing the Wei Dynasty. Many of the tribes in the west also covet the territory of the Wei Dynasty.

In order to deal with these wolves, tigers and leopards, the imperial court has continued to send more troops to the border in recent years, so as to maintain peace in the Wei Dynasty!

However, the millions of frontier troops consume huge amounts of military food and wages every day. It would be too wasteful to wait for the court to arrange transportation, so they used the huge profits from salt to encourage merchants all over the world to take over this task of transporting food and grass. Responsibility, that is, the responsibility of protecting the home and the country!

This is a major plan related to the security of the country, but now you are obstructing it for your own selfish purposes. How dare you talk about doing meritorious service to the country and the world in this way? "

"What do you know..."

Someone tried to quibble, but Jia Lian took advantage of the momentum and immediately shouted: "I don't understand salt politics, but I do understand it. In one sentence:

If you are willing to live or die to benefit your family and country, why should you avoid it because of personal gain?

But look at you again? Bah, it just tarnishes the face of my great Wei merchant!

It is disloyal for you not to consider your Majesty’s concerns! As people of the Wei Dynasty, our ancestors received favor from the emperor in exchange for the status of this salt merchant, which allowed us to live in fine clothing and fine food. Now, without thinking about repaying it, we are doing it for petty profits and being called traitors. This tarnishes the lintel of our family. Lifting is considered unfilial.

My aunt was newly deceased, and you all came to the house in groups, but instead of paying homage to the deceased, you took the opportunity to force my uncle to do illegal things, which is unkind. It is unjust to know that the border officers are short of food and clothing, but to only care about their own selfish interests and prevent others from donating!

How dare you speak so wildly and talk about your merits after committing such unfaithful, unfilial, and unkind behavior?

I have never seen such a shameless person! ”

Jia Lian’s machine-gun-like belittling and insults made everyone at the rank feel dizzy.

They are all people who are used to being rich, and facing such a situation , how can I bear it?

　“Ah~! The child with a yellow mouth is really hateful and can be killed! "

"I'm so angry, you... you, you, you are the one talking nonsense. Tell me your identity quickly. I will definitely come to visit you one day and ask your father how he raised his son! ”

The salt merchants are really angry.

If you can become a salt merchant, there is noFor a person without a powerful background, even the prefect would give them face in normal times.

How could you expect to be so belittled and degraded by a young man who looks like he has not yet reached his prime today?

The power of one of them may be limited, but the power behind the entire Yangzhou salt merchants is absolutely unimaginable!

So, even if Jia Lian is a relative of Lin Ruhai, they will definitely find a way to deal with him.

Even if he touches his father and family, there is no problem at all.

Humph, there are no people or problems on the ground in Yangzhou that the salt merchants cannot solve!

How could Zhaoer endure it when the salt merchants scolded Jia Lian?

He stepped forward and shouted at everyone: "My second master is the eldest grandson of Duke Rongguo, the son of a first-class Shenwei general. If you have the courage, go to the capital to find my master!" "

Uh...

The scene that was originally full of hostility suddenly became eerily quiet.

There were a few people who were still shouting with their mouths open, but because of the sudden silence of the scene, they had no time to close their mouths. With their stunned expressions, it was quite interesting.

The old housekeeper of the Lin Mansion had long been unhappy with this group of people. Seeing that they were frightened, he was afraid that some people still didn't believe Zhao'er's words, so he immediately added: "My wife is originally from Rongguo Mansion in Beijing. , is the legitimate daughter of Duke Rong Guo. This is my wife’s natal nephew, and she is also the legitimate eldest grandson of Duke Rong Guo. This time I came specially to pay homage to my wife, and I just arrived today.”

The steward's smiling look was in sharp contrast to the miserable expressions of the salt merchants.

The salt merchants looked at Jia Lian again, but Jia Lian stopped talking to them.

I saw him taking a sword inlaid with gold and jade from his attendant, holding it at his side, and said angrily: "I am not a person who relies on power and wealth, but the truth has been with you. Tell me clearly, if anyone dares to make noise here to disturb my uncle's peace and disturb my aunt's peace, you can test the sharpness of my sword!"

No one dared to answer.

Maybe some people don’t know about Rongguo Mansion, but just the word "Gonggong" is enough to shock people.

That is the pinnacle of human affairs! The Duke's Mansion is already the most noble family under the Prince's Mansion.

The young man in front of me is actually from the Duke’s mansion, or is he his eldest grandson? No one has any desire to retaliate and teach lessons.

Although, their salt merchants are a group that cannot be provoked in Yangzhou, and they are even one of the top forces in the entire Jiangnan!

They may not take it seriously to general governors and governors who do not have a big background..

However, no one wants to provoke the powerful families in Beijing!

No one or force in the world would take the initiative to provoke the top wealthy families in Beijing.

If you provoke the governor or governor, you may just lose your family and wealth, but if you provoke the wealthy families in the capital, there is always the danger of confiscating the family and exterminating the family!

Because wealthy families are related to each other, most of the nobles in the capital are related to each other. They are the most terrifying forces in the world. They can even directly influence the emperor and reduce the local forces. blow.

Of course, this does not mean that everyone must be afraid of the wealthy families in Beijing. At least the two or three most powerful people among their salt merchants have a close relationship with the wealthy families in Beijing and even relatives of the emperor. However, there is no such person among them today.

Besides, even if those two or three people were here, they probably wouldn't conflict with Jia Lian.

Not worth it!

Who knows how much effort and financial resources they spent to maintain those backgrounds, and once they offend the Rongguo Mansion, I don’t know how many favors and money it will cost to settle the matter...

Based on these considerations, when everyone faced Jia Lian's threat again, although they were unhappy, no one dared to speak.

Many people have quietly turned around, wanting to retreat.

They didn’t doubt whether Jia Lian really dared to draw his sword and hurt someone!

After knowing each other’s identity, they even began to consider issues from the other’s perspective.

It seems that it is indeed wrong to cause trouble in front of the mourning hall of someone's biological aunt.

There was a law in ancient times that exempted people from filial piety. If Jia Lian really killed them with a sword, they would be charged with making a fuss in the mourning hall. Given Jia Lian’s identity and background , they probably died in vain.

When I thought about it like this, I figured everything out.