strictlysupreme Chapter 918: Officials and Businessmen
Chapter 918: Officials and Businessmen
Chapter 918: Government and Business Integration
The current prefect of Yangzhou is no ordinary person. He is Wang Chaoxu, the second son of the current Minister of Personnel Wang Qiong.
Looking down from above, these identities don't have much halo.
But looking from the bottom up, compared with ordinary people, Wang Chaoxu's background can be considered impressive.
In fact, over the years, due to the prosperity of business, cities like Yangzhou, Huai'an, Nanjing, Hangzhou, Ningbo, etc. have become prosperous cities for a time. If effective management is to be achieved without promoting the ranks of these prefects, the solution is to release these people with strong backgrounds.
In this case, no matter what kind of local bullies there are, you have to behave yourself when you meet them.
As for Wang Chaoxu, in addition to his special status, he was also an official who had passed the Sansi examination.
Since this guy couldn't get through the Jinshi path, he took the Sansi examination to "save the country in a roundabout way". Later he studied water conservancy and finally got a job as an official.
In fact, this is also the credit of his father, because Wang Qiong is an expert in water control.
In a nutshell, my dad paved the way for me.
Wang Chaoxu has inherited his father's characteristic of being good at manipulating others, and is very receptive to any means as long as the matter can be done.
Right now, there was also a big thing happening before his eyes.
The Jinyiwei suddenly launched a major case of investigating and punishing illegal minting in Yangzhou.
The wealthy businessman named Zhang had some relationship with him, so when the incident happened, he immediately felt as if something had been stuck in his buttocks, and hurried out to the "crime scene".
Speaking of which, Han Ziren, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, naturally knew the details of Wang Chao's needs, but he could still tell whether the emperor was serious or not.
Of course, there are things to say on the scene.
So when Wang Chaoxu arrived, he was polite, bowed and called him, "Second Master Wang."
It does not refer to the position, but the ranking in the family.
Wang Chaoxu immediately understood the meaning: I don’t take you, a small official, seriously. I’m just giving face to your father.
This guy came in a hurry. Seeing that there was a layer of people outside the Zhang family's mansion and another layer of people inside, he felt a little anxious.
Even ordinary people couldn't get in, but fortunately Han Ziren had greeted them because of his status.
After entering, I saw dozens of men, women, young and old tied up in an open space. They were all crying and it was really annoying.
"Commander Han, why didn't you inform me in advance that you were visiting Yangzhou? I just learned about your whereabouts today." Wang Chaoxu greeted him first.
Han Ziren looked as if he didn't want strangers to come in. "I have the emperor's order and I don't have time to visit you. Please don't blame me, Mr. Wang Er."
"How dare I, how dare I." After Wang Chaoxu finished greeting, he pointed at the large group of people outside and said, "Commander Han, what happened? Why are you suddenly raiding my house?"
Han Ziren deliberately said "Huh?" "The Zhang family is not following the rules, secretly minting coins and digging into the court's roots, and the second son of the Wang family didn't know about this?"
The dynasty needs cold sweats.
"Commander Han, such a major case..."
Han Ziren interrupted him, his face cold, "Second Master Wang has a family background in learning, and the old official has been in the court for decades. He must know the rules of the Jinyiwei's handling of cases through what he has seen and heard."
He didn't explain the rules.
In fact, the rule is that you have no right to manage.
This is indeed the case, which is why Wang Chaoxu felt that things would become very difficult if the Jinyiwei intervened.
For Han Ziren, the rectification last year was actually a stern warning to him. If he still has a dirty trick this time, it will not only be a question of who will take over the position, but also a question of whether he can keep his life.
"I don't mean to interfere, but the incident happened suddenly and I was shocked. I didn't expect that Zhang was really involved in the private minting of coins." Wang Chaoxu began to roll his eyes and muttered, "Since this is the case, we must make a big deal..."
Han Ziren saw that he looked a little strange, and his heart sank a little.
The emperor had foreseen the situation and should have known that there was unclear relations between the local officials and the merchants, so he not only asked him to investigate low-key, but also to pay attention to the relationship between the merchants and the officials.
To some extent, monetary reform will also be constrained by this.
"Second Master Wang, is there anything else?"
Wang Chaoxu was a little embarrassed, "No, that's all."
While they were talking, three or five captains had already tied up the head of the Zhang family and brought him here.
"Master Ti, this is Zhang Lun."
Han Ziren looked at this guy, then at Wang Chaoxu, and found that this guy's expression was also complicated.
"Let him talk."
"Yes."
As soon as the rag was torn off, the head of the Zhang family screamed, "Sir! Sir! I am innocent!"
Han Ziren asked knowingly, "What injustice have you committed? You had people privately mint coins on a large scale. You were caught red-handed. We even found the factory where you minted coins. Why are you still trying to make excuses?"
"I didn't know the imperial court had such a ban before. If I had known, I would never have dared to cast an extra penny!"
"No, that's not an excuse. When exchanging old money for new money, it's definitely one ounce for one ounce. When you exchange money with someone, would you accept one ounce for ten ounces? Do I need to say that?"
Han Ziren was guiding him to see if he would reveal his relationship with Wang Chaoxu.
In fact, Wang Chaoxu was also staring at him.
At this time, Zhang Lun was tormented. He really wanted to see Wang Chaoxu, but he didn't dare.
If he denies it, he still has a chance, but if he drags Wang Chaoxu into this, then everything will be over.
Han Ziren waited for a while and then realized that he had met a smart person.
He didn't waste any more words. "Come here, have this person sign on the case file! According to the imperial court's order, during this currency reform, anyone who privately mints coins and takes more than ten thousand taels of government money will be put to death!"
A hammer is fixed.
Outside the house,
Wang Chaoxu frowned under the scorching sun. He made a decision at that moment. After returning home, he changed his clothes immediately and went to Beijing overnight.
He has to ask his father about this matter.
Han Ziren had no time to take care of such secret operations, nor did he care what Wang Chaoxu would do at this time. If he could convince the emperor, then it was not impossible for him to release the people.
However, Ma Du asked him a key question. After catching the big fish, he asked for instructions, "Master Ti, how should we interrogate Zhang Lun?"
This is also a question asked by smart people.
Han Ziren thought about it for a moment and asked a very challenging question, "What are the rumors about this person? Is there any problem with him?"
This,
Ma Du was suddenly in a dilemma. Wang Chaoxu was the son of the Minister of Personnel. He was not sure whether Han Ziren should offend this person, and this determined how he should answer this question.
No, he suddenly changed his mind.
Why did Han Ziren test him at this time?
Are you suspicious of him too?
Ma Du gritted his teeth and said, "General Ti, according to my understanding, there should be some problems with Zhang Lun."
Han Ziren said calmly: "Since there is a problem, then go for the trial. What does it mean to have a trial?"
"My subordinates are too talkative!"
"Go."
"Yes."
Ma Du's answer saved half his life and was equivalent to pulling himself out of this mess. At least he was a relatively loyal Jinyiwei. For the commander, it was very important to continue to feel this.
The problem now is Zhang Lun.
Normally, according to the interrogation methods of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, these untrained and well-fed businessmen would definitely not be able to withstand it.
So it's not hard to knock something out.
The difficult part is what comes next.
In fact, the difficulty of reform has never lay with these businessmen. What power do they have to confront the state apparatus?
What is really driving the effort behind the scenes are some symbiotic interests formed with businessmen.
They are officials, or even eunuchs guarding the local area. If they secretly sabotage, the implementation of many things will be hindered. After all, they themselves are part of the administrative system being implemented.
After careful consideration, Han Ziren summoned his four subordinates to a secret room and said, "You guys will take charge of the overall situation in Yangzhou. I have to go to the palace."
"Enter the palace?"
"Well, the decree is clear. It is not difficult for us to follow the decree and arrest people. No one will dare to prevent the Jinyiwei from arresting people, not even Wang Chaoxu, so I am not needed here. However, this case is not just about a few businessmen. I have to go to the palace to report to the emperor."
"I obey my orders!"
Before he left, Song Jiuniang reported another matter, "General Ti, I have received another clue. It's not a big businessman, but some people from all walks of life who colluded with each other to privately forge coins. Can I hand over this case to you?"
Han Ziren nodded, "Okay. Before you leave, let me say one more thing. The emperor is going to use severe punishment this time to deter the scoundrels. Therefore, anyone who touches private forging must not be let off!"
(End of this chapter)