c? t? VM??? ?] T1MZ? j? x??? z? D? Uz????? Y ~ Mn = `??? 0b?? o6?? A miraculous province. From the early Ming Dynasty to the middle and late Qing Dynasty, Shanxi, a northern province, had always been one of the wealthiest provinces in China and had never declined. r
Even during the period of decline from the late Qing Dynasty to the reform and opening up, it was a helpless decline due to the overall environment. r
China as a whole declined, and Shanxi could not stand alone. However, after the reform and opening up, Shanxi quickly shone its miraculous light again, creating the world-famous coal bosses. r
However, compared to the rich but uncultured influence brought by the coal bosses, the ancestors of these coal bosses in the middle and late Ming Dynasty and early Qing Dynasty were the symbols of national wealth and culture. In the past few hundred years, Shanxi merchants could be said to have enjoyed all the glory and wealth they could muster, living a luxurious life. r
The representative figure of Shanxi merchants, Mr. Kang, once said during the great drought in Shanxi, "With the old heavens above and the millions below, if there is no rain for three years, there will be ten thousand stones of grain left!" r
How arrogant and full of confidence. Under the situation where there was no rain for three years, the common people had long fled to unknown places. However, even if they just sat and ate, no one knew when they would be able to finish eating. r
The influence of the great merchants of Shanxi radiated to the entire Guanzhong region of North China. They were everywhere in Shanxi, digging caves in hidden places in the valleys, hiding grain, salt, and other things that were good for storage, sealing them well. Generally, they could be stored for decades. r
In this way, they accumulated wealth, and soon became as rich as a country. r
That was not a joke. Their wealth could rival a country. The combined assets of the wealthiest families in Shanxi were indeed more abundant than the national treasury of the imperial court and Zhu Yijun's palace treasury. Zhu Yijun was really not as rich as them. r
Unlike the coal bosses, their ancestors were well aware of the methods and tricks of the rulers. After being tricked for more than a thousand years, everyone had cultivated to a high level. r
Under the situation where the imperial examinations were prevalent, they had long found a new counter-trick to trick the imperial court. Just like that, the Ming court was successfully tricked. r
The Ming Dynasty's famous Grand Secretary Zhang Siwei and Minister Wang Chonggu were both born into wealthy merchant families. They received an elite education from a young age, and when they grew up, they participated in the imperial examinations and successfully entered the system. Step by step, they seized the highest political power in the Daming Dynasty. r
Even someone as ferocious as Zhang Juzheng did not dare to make a move against Jin Shang directly. Instead, he used Zhang Siwei as a helper. This showed how strong Jin Shang was. r
The alliance between the Ming Court and the Tumut Tribe, and the birth of the Third Lady, the Goddess of Peace, was naturally due to Wang Chonggu, who had once been the Governor of Xuan. r
There were two reasons why Wang Chonggu did this, one was for the sake of the country, he hoped to stop the wars and not fight anymore, the second was for the welfare of his Jin Shang clan. r
Once Shanxi and Datong opened trade with Mongolia, who would benefit the most? r
Of course, it was the Shanxi Jin merchants who had a favorable position. The Shanxi Jin merchants sold iron, salt, and grain, and had indeed benefited greatly from the Tumet tribe. r
However, this might be a good thing for them, but it might not be a good thing for the Ming Court. Firstly, the Mongols' fighting strength would increase after obtaining the salt and iron, and secondly, the Ming Court would not be able to collect any taxes from them. r
What a joke, the Grand Secretary was from the Jin Shang clan, you want to collect taxes from him? r
The civil officials were all speechless. At this moment, their double standards were completely exposed. r
Precisely because of this, the Ming Court was badly tricked by the Jin merchants. If the trade with the Mongols brought them peace, then the trade with the Jurchens was like a stab in the Daming Dynasty's back. It worsened the Daming Dynasty's defeat and accelerated the speed of China's fall. r
As an official who was not affiliated with the Jin merchants, Mei Guozhen naturally knew about the shady dealings between the Jin merchants and the Imperial Court. r
He also knew that from Zhang Siwei and Wang Chonggu onwards, the Jin Shang's influence was out of control. He was just an Inspector of Datong. What Zhao Zhigao could not do, he naturally could not do. r
What he hoped for was for these rich Shanxi merchants to more or less come up with some food. Even if it was a loan, it was better than letting the borders reignite the flames of war. After all, this policy was pushed by their former spokesmen, Wang Chonggu and Zhang Siwei. Now, they had to bear the consequences. r
When Tumut was rich, they went to do business with him. Now that Tumut was in trouble, they disappeared without a trace, not even leaving the border. Mei Guozhen knew the reason for this very well. r
"These rich merchants from Jinzhong are all extremely wealthy, truly wealthy enough to rival a country. Moreover, they don't pay taxes, so their income is very high. The Imperial Court can't do anything to them. r
When I was guarding the borders, I often heard people say that their food reserves were enough to feed all the soldiers at the nine borders for ten years. I was thinking, how much food is that? " r
Walking with Mei Guozhen on the streets of Datong City, Ma Gui couldn't help but sigh. Compared to these merchants, he was at most a small tycoon, and the kind that didn't make it into the mainstream. r
Even so, he often took out food to help the soldiers. But those rich merchants who had a large amount of food would rather store it than sell it. They really had bad intentions. r
"The harm of the rich merchants. During the Spring and Autumn Warring States Period, we saw it very clearly. They hoarded and their wealth was comparable to a country's. They manipulated the throne and plotted to usurp the throne. They had evil intentions, and thus, there were measures that emphasized agriculture and suppressed commerce. r
But today, it has become a business, and if you are good at it, you can become an official. The children of merchants can become officials. The former Grand Secretary Zhang Siwei, Grand Governor Xuan, and your immediate superior Wang Chonggu are all children of wealthy merchants in Shanxi! " r
Mei Guozhen couldn't help but sigh, "Merchants value profit over national righteousness. They smuggle firearms and ironware to the Mongols, increasing their military power by leaps and bounds. They use the money to accumulate wealth, but our soldiers at the border are killed and injured by firearms and ironware produced by the Great Ming Dynasty. r
Ma Gui already knew about this. Of course, he knew why the Imperial Court didn't do anything about it. r
The Grand Secretary is the son of a merchant. What else can you say? r
"Is there really no other way?" r
Ma Gui still harbored some hope in his heart. r
"The world is bustling for profit, and the world is bustling for profit. Only something beneficial can move them. If you want to scheme against them, then you have to bring out an even more tempting profit. The current profit is to avoid the flames of war at the borders, so that they can continue to earn money. They will understand that once war breaks out, without the protection of Daming, they won't be able to keep their wealth." r
Mei Guozhen could only say this. r
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