"My lord, Sun Dakun is here."

While he was thinking about it, Chi Hu came in to report.

"Yes, please."

Xu Xingxia nodded and said.

"Xu Baihu, we meet again!"

Soon, Sun Dakun, who looked hurried, appeared in front of Xu Xingxia. This Jin Shang's eldest young master does seem to be dusty and tired. There was still a thin layer of dust on his face. In the closed carriage, such dust can fall, and it is estimated that for Xu Xingxia's leopard skin, he drove a lot of roads overnight.

It can be seen that Sun Dakun's recent words have been quite difficult. If you think about it, he has reached the point where he wants to pin all his hopes on a leopard skin, will it be better? If simple gold and silver can solve the problem, I am afraid that they would have solved it with gold and silver a long time ago, and they don't need this leopard skin at all. I don't know what business difficulties they encountered, let alone what kind of bigwig in the court he needs to bribe?

In the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, the Jin merchants in Shanxi were still very strong. These landlords formed large and small chambers of commerce, opened money banks, deposited and exchanged, and established the most primitive support mechanism. If a firm encounters difficulties, other firms will take the initiative to help. However, the Sun family's business house has encountered difficulties, but there is no other way to save them, which is more or less strange.

"Boss Sun, your leopard skin has been done, please rest assured." As soon as they met, Xu Xingxia smiled and gave the other party a reassurance. A powerful Jin merchant like Sun Dakun, but who did not completely extinguish his conscience, was something Xu Xingxia needed to actively woo. Even if you don't actively woo them, don't push them to your own opposite. It is completely unnecessary to blindly set up too many enemies. Li Zicheng made this fatal mistake. Originally, some people could have become allies, but as a result, he turned all of them into enemies.

The development of any force is inseparable from the support of commerce and trade. It is impossible for Ningxia Town to produce all the materials, and it must purchase a large amount of materials from outside to meet the needs of the military and civilians. Similarly, the materials produced in Ningxia Town also need to be shipped out for sale in order to earn more profits. All of these require a well-established business network. Obviously, building a business network from scratch is a lot of work.

"That's good, that's good!" Sun Dakun breathed a sigh of relief.

Xu Xingxia took out the leopard skin and sent it directly to Sun Dakun's hands. This leopard skin has undergone preliminary treatment, and the two small holes on it are almost invisible. After Sun Dakun checked the leopard skin, his original hanging heart finally let go. With such a perfect leopard skin in hand, the crisis encountered by the Sun family firm should be resolved.

"It's troublesome Xu Baihu." Sun Dakun accepted the leopard skin and said sincerely. Immediately, he took out a stack of silver tickets, ordered 47,000 taels, and handed them to Xu Xingxia. Seeing the leopard skin, his mood improved a lot, and when he gave money, it was also very crisp. In fact, like a strong figure like Xu Xingxia, he also has a heart to make friends.

Xu Xingxia put away all the silver tickets, put them away carefully, and said casually curiously: "Boss Sun, can you tell me, which master makes you so restless?" Can't handle 50,000 taels of silver? Must have a leopard skin? ”

Sun Dakun said with a wry smile: "Xu Baihu, there are some things you can say, just know them yourself, don't tell outsiders." To tell the truth, what our Sun family offended this time was the Ye family in Fuzhou Mansion, Fujian. In Yuegang, our Sun family had a batch of high-quality porcelain, worth 300,000 taels of silver, which was about to be shipped to Manila Port in Nanyang, but was spoiled by the Ye family, saying that our porcelain was suspected of selling stolen goods, so the government detained it. ”

Xu Xingxia said a little strangely: "Fujian Ye family? Are they very capable? ”

Sun Dakun nodded with a wry smile, dipped his fingers in some tea, and wrote a person's name on the table. Obviously, this person's name is very taboo for him, and he doesn't even dare to say it. However, Xu Xingxia has no such scruples. When Sun Dakun finished writing, Xu Xingxia frowned and said, "It turned out that Ye Xianggao made things difficult for you, no wonder." ”

Who is Ye Xianggao? It's Shousuke-sama! Today, the emperor is the biggest, and he is the second! In the history of the late Ming Dynasty, Ye Xianggao's name was definitely loud. Well, to be precise, he was the former Lord Shoufu, because the year before last, that is, in the forty-second year of Wanli, Ye Xianggao, who was overwhelmed by the burden of the party's struggle, decided to pay tribute. Emperor Wanli couldn't keep it, so he had to go. Although Ye Xianggao left the imperial court, his influence is still there. He once served as the first assistant alone for seven years, and he had countless protégés! He is also the patriarch of the Donglin Party, and all the members of the Donglin Party must give him some face. It's today's Shousuke, and it's also his relationship.

has a relationship with Ye Xianggao, and the Ye family wants to embarrass the Sun family, which is obviously a very easy thing. Ye Xianggao himself is the veteran of the Donglin Party, and the strength of the Donglin Party is the largest in the southeast coast. There is no need for Ye Xianggao to come forward, just a random civil official of four or five grades can make the goods of the Sun family be detained in Yuegang for a long time and cannot move. If you go too far, you can even swallow the goods outright.

Why did the Ye family embarrass the Sun family? I can think of it with my heels, and it must be a relationship between business competition. This Ye Xianggao's family is famous for its business. Later generations verified that his family property had millions of taels of silver, which can be described as a huge wealth. On the southeast coast, as long as it is a valuable business, they will intervene. The maritime trade between Moon Harbor and Manila was extremely profitable, and the Ye family certainly didn't want others to interfere. To be precise, all the members of the entire Donglin Party do not want others to interfere.

In the late Wanli period, the various factions fought fiercely. In addition to the Donglin Party, there are also different parties such as the Zhejiang Party, the Chu Party, the Xuan Party, the Kun Party, and the Qi Party. In addition to the active struggle for power, these different parties are also quite fierce in the struggle for commercial trade. The Sun family firm from Shanxi went to Yuegang, Fujian Province to develop business, which itself was stepping on the line. It is strange that the temper of those people in the Donglin Party can turn a blind eye.

Sun Dakun said a little aggrievedly: "My fucking Donglin Party is simply a gang of bandits, insatiable. They seized my grandson's belongings, and I spent thirty or forty thousand taels of silver on the top and bottom before, but there was no intention of relenting at all. We, the businessmen, have worked hard to earn money, and others only need to move their mouths to get it. Damn, in the eyes of their readers, we businessmen deserve to be tortured! ”

Xu Xingxia said quietly: "Then who are you going to ask for help now?" ”

Sun Dakun looked around, smiled slightly bitterly, and said in a low voice: "Find Fang Shoufu." ”

Xu Xingxia was slightly surprised. Fang Congzhe? It turned out to be him? Sun Dakun's heaven and earth line has already been connected to Lord Shoufu? If there is anyone who can let Ye Xianggao give a little face at this time, it is estimated that it is Fang Congzhe. In terms of the big idea, the Sun family's idea is not wrong. If Fang Congzheken helped, the Ye family would indeed let go. Ye Xianggao is the former first assistant, but Fang Congzhe is the current first assistant, the county official is not as good as the current management! However, the question is, will Fang Congzhe help?

It must be known that Fang Congzhe was able to serve as the first assistant, and a great help came from Ye Xianggao. Two years ago, Ye Xianggao, who was physically and mentally exhausted, could no longer bear the mutual attacks of various parties, and decided to pay tribute. However, Emperor Wanli said, if you want to leave, you can, but you have to help me find someone to do the work first, otherwise you are not allowed to go anywhere. Ye Xianggao swept the civil and military affairs of the Manchu Dynasty, and finally his eyes fell on Fang Congzhe's head. Yes, it's you! Fang Congzhe, you come to be the first assistant! You said, there is such a relationship, it is really hard to say whether Fang Congzhe will stand out for the Sun family. If you don't get it right, the Sun family will have to put in a large amount of silver.

Seeing Xu Xingxia's suspicious look, Sun Dakun explained in a low voice: "Actually, it was not directly handed over to Fang Shoufu, but to his nephew. His nephew is called Fang Kexian, who holds an idle position in Taiyuan Mansion, and his relationship with our Sun family is not bad. He told us that as long as this leopard skin is delivered, our Sun family's goods in Yuegang can be released from detention and sent to Manila smoothly within half a year. ”

Xu Xingxia shook his head and said, "Boss Sun, perhaps, you have been deceived." ”

Sun Dakun was stunned and said, "Deceived? How so? Xu Baihu, please make it clear. ”

Xu Xingxia said slowly: "As far as I know, Fang Congzhe is quite honest and will never accept such a valuable gift as a leopard skin." The situation in the court, I guess you also know a thing or two, Fang Shoufu's position is very unstable. There were a lot of people staring at him. If the news of his bribery spreads, his first assistant will be ruined. The gift of leopard skin is too conspicuous. Are you sure that Fang Kexian is really the nephew of Lord Shousuke? ”

Sun Dakun was slightly stunned, and subconsciously asked, "Isn't it?" ”

Xu Xingxia glanced at him and said meaningfully: "What if it's really not?" ”

Sun Dakun said helplessly: "I don't dare to make such a conjecture. Whether it is or not, our Sun family only has one chance to redeem. In addition to today's first assistant, who can beat the previous first assistant? We only have dead horses as live horse doctors. ”

Xu Xingxia nodded and didn't say anything more. Yes, from the perspective of the Sun family, there is indeed only such a choice. Except for Fang Congzhe, no one else dared to speak to the Ye family easily. Even if they open their mouths, the Ye family may not buy their face. A Ye Xianggao is already terrifying, and with the Donglin Party behind him, it is even more terrifying. Officials and businessmen, officials and businessmen, officials and officials, are always in front of business. Without the support of the officials, the business is nothing.

However, Xu Xingxia, who traveled to the future generations, still has some understanding of Fang Congzhe. In general, Fang Congzhe is a good first assistant. His concept of governance is more in line with the needs of reality. He is also relatively incorruptible and does not love money very much. He himself is quite resistant to party struggle. He himself, there is no clear party affiliation. His biggest shortcoming is probably that his surname is not strong enough. He once put forward a number of reform proposals to the Wanli Emperor, hoping to deal with some malpractices, but unfortunately, he could not get the support of the Wanli Emperor.

Emperor Wanli has a characteristic, he accepts the advice of his subordinates with an open mind, and does not change his surname. No matter what you say, he says yes, yes, I will change. However, after you are gone, he will still do what he needs to do, and he has no intention of correcting it at all. His Majesty said a few more times, and he didn't bother to say it. It's useless to say it! As a courtier, you can't pull the emperor's beard and say, if you don't change, I'll beat you!

At the beginning, Fang Congzhe had not yet realized the terrible temper of Emperor Wanli, and he was still very active in admonishing. However, later, he finally found out that no matter how much he said, it was all in vain, and the one in the deep palace still went his own way and did not change his surname. After suffering a few blows, he was a little discouraged. In the late Wanli period, the government was lifeless and did not have the slightest anger, just because the emperor and the first assistant were too depressed.

To what extent was the government in the late Wanli period negative? Just give an example. The imperial examination, is it important? All dynasties and dynasties have attached great importance to it. However, in the forty-one, forty-four, and forty-seventh years of Wanli, I couldn't find the examiner! The officials of the Ministry of Rites, who were supposed to be the chief examiners, were all vacant. Countless letters of appointment were pressed on Emperor Wanli's desk, but he was too lazy to approve them.

In fact, even if Emperor Wanli approved it, the officials were still vacant. Why? Isn't that a joke? Huang Yanjing approved it? That's right, even if the emperor approved it, it won't work! Because there is also a vacancy in the ministry of the ministry! This is a terrible position! The appointment of officials will definitely not bypass this position! Without the approval of the ministry, even if the emperor approves it, the procedures for appointing officials are still incomplete, and they still cannot take office.

Actually, no one is running the exam, and it's not the worst. Worst of all, there is no one to take care of the prison. In the late Wanli period, there was an example of a convicted prisoner coming out of prison and continuing to be at large. After a check, I learned that the people in charge of the prison had not been replenished for more than ten years.

It's a pity that these words can't be said to Sun Dakun. He is a small hundred households, and it is quite undesirable to criticize Lord Shoufu here. If you criticize the emperor, I am afraid that Sun Dakun's face will change. Such a topic is something that Sun Dakun absolutely can't afford to provoke. If Xu Xingxia said it, Sun Dakun would most likely turn around and run.

Xu Xingxia staggered the topic and said, "Boss Sun, do you know Ma Shilong?" ”

Sun Dakun said casually: "I know! The eldest son of the Tiezhuquan Ma family, isn't it? ”

Xu Xingxia said meaningfully: "As far as I know, he also has a leopard skin on his hand. ”

Sun Dakun shook his head and said with a wry smile: "The leopard skin in his hand will definitely not be sold." ”

Xu Xingxia nodded and asked curiously, "Why?" ”

Sun Dakun smiled bitterly and said, "The Ma family must have other uses, and it will not be transferred." ”

Xu Xingxia wanted to continue to inquire about the news of the Ma family, but found that Sun Dakun was not very interested. Having gotten the leopard skin, he just wanted to leave quickly. Since the other party didn't talk about it, of course Xu Xingxia wouldn't be reluctant, so he said a few polite words, which meant to send off the guests.

Sun Dakun couldn't wait to leave as soon as possible and arrange other things, he stood up and said goodbye, and said sincerely: "Xu Baihu, I, Sun Dakun, accept your favor, if there is any need in the future, as long as Xu Baihu sends someone to only make a sound, Sun will definitely go all out." Thank you! ”

"Boss Sun......" Xu Xingxia suddenly shouted.

"Xu Baihu, if you have anything to say, please say it directly." Sun Dakun said calmly.

"I have some ......," Xu Xingxia slowly pondered the words. The goods he mentioned were mainly jewelry, curiosities, and so on, which had been seized from the enemy. These things cannot be directly exchanged for materials, and they need to be converted into gold and silver before they can be used conveniently. However, how to exchange them for silver taels is still very particular.

To a certain extent, these things are invisible, a bit similar to stolen goods. It is absolutely not possible to go through normal channels. Only by going through extraordinary channels can we sell them. And the extraordinary channel is not something that ordinary businessmen can have. Xu Xingxia didn't expect Sun Dakun to help sell the stolen goods, but just hoped that he would give him some advice.

"My lord, if you want to sell the goods in your hand, you might as well contact the Lin family." Sun Dakun said in a low voice. He is also a delicate and transparent character, where would he not understand what Xu Xingxia meant? These businessmen, they are actually relatively well-informed, what Xu Xingxia has done recently and what he has seized, they can basically guess the approximate situation. Therefore, as soon as Xu Xingxia mentioned the goods, he understood, and immediately told him bluntly.

"The Lin family?" Xu Xingxia muttered to himself softly.

"Actually, it's Qingwangfu." Sun Dakun further said.

"Oh, got it, thank you!" Xu Xingxia nodded and said. It turned out that behind the Lin family, there was the support of King Qing's Mansion, no wonder he was able to gain a firm foothold in Ningxia Town so quickly. It is estimated that it is the personal relationship between Princess Qing and Mrs. Lin. With the support of Qingwangfu, these jewelry of unknown origin can be shipped smoothly. In this way, it is estimated that many of the treasure shops run by the Lin family are stolen goods. It seems that this Lin family is not very clean!

Actually, this is nonsense at all. What merchant is clean? Sun Dakun didn't dare to take on such a business, mainly because his backstage was not hard enough, and he was worried about getting burned. If he has a tough enough backstage, like such a stolen business, it would be strange if he didn't plug in one. The profit in this is absolutely crazy!

After sending Sun Dakun away, Xu Xingxia had to seriously consider how to go to Ningxia City. Ningxia City must go, the governor of the three sides is here, and he can't help but go. However, after going to Ningxia City, how to ensure one's own safety and not be eaten by others is to be carefully studied.

(To be continued)