"What? All the iron trades have turned to Village Mo!"
Chang 'an City was once again shocked by this shocking news. No one had expected that this iron material competition would be reversed once again. Originally, the Mo Family had no iron ore, and Tie Xing controlled its lifeline, which led to this iron price crisis.
But now the situation took a turn for the worse. In a short time, the iron ore share of Village Mo rose sharply and surpassed Zhangsun Mansion's position.
"Eighty percent!"
The workers of Chang 'an were silent, and then they were excited.
Iron and steel were the food of industry. However, iron had never been controlled by the workers. Take Guanzhong for example, 70 percent of the iron in Guanzhong came from Zhangsun Family. Village Mo had many years of experience and advanced steel-making skills, but they only occupied 20 percent of the iron, which was ordered in advance. It was the same everywhere. Iron ores were scattered among aristocratic families, and the workers could only be slaughtered by them.
But now Mo Jiazi occupied 80 percent of the iron reserves of Tang dynasty. The iron trade finally returned to the hands of the workers, and Mo's family took the credit.
"But the Mo Family's share is too much!" Gongshu Family's Gongshu Lun was still in shock, but what followed was a deep worry.
Gongshu Hao said confidently, "So what? It's Mo Jiazi. How can he treat us workers unfairly? "
Gongshu Hong's face was cloudy. After a long time, he sighed and said, "Mo Jiazi is really Mo Jiazi. The way he turned the situation around is beyond the reach of the Gongshu Family. But Hao 'er is right. It's better for the iron ores to be in the hands of Mo Jiazi than in the hands of aristocratic families."
Aristocratic families were very domineering and would do anything. But Mo's family had a bottom line. Following Mo's philosophy, if the iron ores were in the hands of Mo's family, at least the workers could develop steadily.
"Even so, I don't know whether Zhangsun Family is willing to accept it. According to the style of aristocratic families, I'm afraid they are not willing to suffer such a big loss." Gongshu Lun gloated.
In Zhangsun Mansion.
Butler Zhangsun had been kneeling outside for a day. The hall was silent. Even Princess Gao Yang, who was always arrogant, restrained her temper and stood aside.
"That is to say, Zhangsun Family, in just a few months, has occupied 70 percent of the iron ores in the Guanzhong area to less than 20 percent now. And Village Mo's family had no mine, but now it occupied 80 percent." Zhangsun Wuji in the main seat said calmly, but everyone who heard him.
"Father, I didn't expect the son of the Mo family to be so cunning. He actually left two backups at once," Zhangsun Chong said with a guilty look.
"Eunuch, please don't blame the Prince Consort. The Zhangsun Residence went up against three Hundred Schools of Philosophers by themselves. It can be said that even though they lost, it was still a glorious defeat. This isn't the Prince Consort's fault." Princess Gao Yang supported Zhangsun Chong in front of Zhangsun Wuji, acting like a virtuous wife protecting her husband.
Zhangsun Wuji said angrily, "Even now, you are still protecting him. Back then, when he joined forces with other metal companies to raise the price, I advised him. Zhangsun Family and Mo Family are relatives, so it doesn't matter if they suffer a little loss. How can I be his uncle? How can I face Changle and the Empress? Now, not only did we not get any benefits, we were also beaten to a pulp by Mo Family. Even Gao Yang was rejected when she pleaded for you. "
Princess Gao Yang was embarrassed. She put down her pride and went to Zhangsun Family to plead for mercy, but she didn't expect Emperor Wei, Li Tai, to return with even more shocking news — a super large iron ore mine.
"For the Zhangsun Family, it's nothing for me to suffer a little." Princess Gao Yang swallowed her anger and said.
"Fortunately, we are all one family. Meton can turn waste into treasure, and Emperor Wei can find such a large iron ore mine for the Tang dynasty. The Zhangsun Family can finally put down the heavy burden of supplying iron to the imperial court." Zhangsun Wuji sighed.
According to seniority, Meton, Princess Changle, and Emperor Wei, Li Tai, should all call Zhangsun Wuji uncle. However, the two of them cheated the Zhangsun Family. They really cheated their uncles! And they cheated their uncles one after another.
"Father, you are wholeheartedly serving the imperial court. His Majesty will definitely remember your contributions." Princess Gao Yang flattered before leaving.
Zhangsun Wuji looked at the well-educated Princess Gao Yang and then looked at the indignant Zhangsun Chong. He couldn't help but sigh.
There were many talents in Chang 'an City. Zhangsun Chong, who was once the number one prince of Chang' an City, paled in comparison. This made Zhangsun Wuji feel like a tiger father and a dog son.
"Father, is the Zhangsun Family willing to completely lose control of the Tang dynasty's iron?" Zhangsun Chong waited for Princess Gao Yang to leave before saying what was in his heart.
"So what if they are unwilling? Now that Mo Jiazi controls 80% of the Tang dynasty's iron, what can you do to him? "Zhangsun Wuji retorted.
"Son …" Zhangsun Chong was speechless and dejected.
Zhangsun Wuji looked at his dejected son and couldn't help but sigh, "Do you know why the Zhangsun Family can control 70% of the iron in Guanzhong City even though they have only been in Chang 'an City for 20 years?"
"Son doesn't know?" Zhangsun Chong shook his head.
"That's because when the Tang dynasty was just established, the Tang dynasty fought everywhere and had a serious shortage of iron. Thus, the Zhangsun Family was ordered by His Majesty to collect all the iron in the world to ensure the military needs. Only then did the Zhangsun Family truly rise with the help of iron," Zhangsun Wuji explained.
"I see!" Zhangsun Chong was enlightened.
Zhangsun Wuji looked at Zhangsun Chong solemnly and said, "Although Mo Jiazi is powerful now, it doesn't mean that there is no way to break the situation. Today, father will teach you a way to turn defeat into victory."
"Father, please guide me," Zhangsun Chong said happily.
Zhangsun Wuji said, "Do you know that the Zhangsun Family and the Mo Family's iron dispute has been watched by the imperial court since the beginning? Even the Minister of Civil Affairs, Tang Jian, took the opportunity to imitate the previous dynasty and implement the salt and iron official camp to take back the iron rights. If it wasn't for my connections in the imperial court, I'm afraid I wouldn't have gotten this news."
"Salt and iron official camp!" Zhangsun Chong couldn't help but be shocked. He looked at Zhangsun Wuji in disbelief. He didn't expect that his actions would actually alarm His Majesty.
Zhangsun Wuji nodded and said, "Since the Zhangsun Family is the number one family in the Tang dynasty, since they have already lost the iron rights, then they should completely give up and fully support the imperial court's salt and iron official camp."
"Flip the table!" Zhangsun Chong took a deep breath and couldn't help but show hesitation on his face.
Currently, the Zhangsun Family's iron share had decreased, but the actual iron production had not. In addition, the family had a large business, so they didn't actually suffer much loss. Once the salt and iron official camp was implemented, the Zhangsun Family would lose everything and completely lose their source of income. This made Zhangsun Chong somewhat reluctant.
Zhangsun Wuji looked at Zhangsun Chong's greedy look and immediately said with disappointment, "If you think that the Zhangsun Family relied on iron, then you are gravely mistaken. The Zhangsun Family relied on simplicity. Losing the control of iron isn't the most fatal thing to the Zhangsun Family. As long as we have simplicity, our Zhangsun Family can continue to prosper and implement the salt and iron official camp precisely because of simplicity. Not to mention, when the salt and iron official camp is implemented in the future, all the ironware will belong to the imperial court. The Zhangsun Family may have a chance to regain control of the Tang dynasty's iron."
Zhangsun Chong's eyes suddenly lit up. Now that the Mo Family's Village controlled 80% of the Tang dynasty's iron reserves, the Zhangsun Family had no chance to make a comeback. The salt and iron official camp was their last chance.
If the Mo Family's Village agreed, then it would be in line with the Zhangsun Family's plan. If Mo Jiazi opposed, then they would completely lose the emperor's heart and the Zhangsun Family wouldn't lose anything.
Zhangsun Wuji revealed a smug smile. Since ancient times, it was said that nephews would cheat their uncles. However, there were also many uncles who cheated their nephews.
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