Wang Zhengzhong posted notices all over the streets and alleys asking for donations of grain and money for disaster relief. Two days have passed and no one has come to the governor's Yamen to donate a grain of grain. Zhu Ci waited for another day, but still no one came to donate. He couldn't sit still and came to discuss with Wang Zhengzhong. Wang Zhengzhong was busy repairing the port and was not at the port office.
Zhu Ci looked at Wang Yuanwu in front of him, who was in charge of public security in Fujian Province. If Zhu Ci remembered correctly, Wang Yuanwu's father was Wang Jun, the minister of punishment, and he could be regarded as a veteran who followed his father. Wang Zhengzhong sent Wang Jun's son to assist him. , which can be regarded as giving him enough face as a prince.
Wang Yuanwu looked at the worried-looking Chu King Zhu Ci?, and was amused in his heart. He had heard that the King of Chu was a very upright person and had no evil intentions. However, such a person wanted to seize the throne. It would be better if the current emperor directly passed the throne to the King of Chu. It's nothing. If several princes were allowed to compete, I'm afraid the King of Chu would be at a disadvantage. He found a backer without telling his father, and was promoted twice in a year. With his master's skill, the King of Chu was still too young.
Wang Yuanwu thought of the instructions above and had already made up his mind. What's so great about you being the prince? I'll give you something to light the fire. Not only will you not get money and food, but you will also have to be in trouble, so that you and the four Let's go to the prince melee! "Your Majesty, I have been working beside Mr. Wang these days, but after reading Mr. Wang's notice, I have a way to raise food. In that case, Your Majesty will definitely raise a lot of food."
"Master Wang, do you have any good ideas?" Zhu Ci was really anxious. The news of his arrival in Fujian has somehow spread out. If he can't come up with a good disaster relief method for so many days, even though he is assisting in disaster relief, when he returns to Nanjing, everyone in the court will definitely look down on him. The fourth child will definitely be Smooth sailing, this comparison. It must have been a difficult time.
Wang Yuanwu coughed twice and said, "Your Majesty. Since the emperor opened the port office to carry out foreign trade, the wealth along the coast of Fujian is no less than that of Suzhou and Hangzhou. There are many wealthy merchants and nouveau riche in Fuzhou. If you look at these people If I collect a little bit of it, I can raise at least 200,000 catties of grain. I wonder what the prince thinks?"
Zhu Ci also discussed this with Wu Dayou and Wang Zhengzhong. This is indeed a good idea. There are so many wealthy families in Fuzhou. If every family bleeds a little, they will definitely be able to survive until the imperial grain arrives. But the key point is that these people don't bleed! It seems that he is an iron rooster - he never plucks out a hair.
"My lord, they say there is no business without treachery. It is not an easy task to ask for money from these businessmen who are as cunning as foxes. They must be deterred." Wang Yuanwu continued to fan the flames. "It's a pity that the prince is too kind and kind, so I'm afraid he won't be able to do this job!"
Zhu Ci? How did he know that Wang Yuanwu was trying to provoke the generals? He thought of getting these wealthy households to provide food as soon as possible. If it was delayed for another half month, even if the food was provided, it would be too late.
Wang Yuanwu continued: "Your Majesty, there are many wealthy merchants in Fuzhou City, but they can't give out even a grain of food. The court can't do anything about it. Long Live the Lord just promulgated a law to protect the property of merchants last year. There is no major problem." The court is not allowed to confiscate the property of misappropriated merchants due to their guilt and fault, which means that these people can donate or not!"
"Stop talking, Mr. Wang. I know that the emperor promulgated such a law in order to develop business. But now it is related to the life and death of the people in Fujian Province. If these wealthy businessmen do not have benevolence and righteousness in mind, how can they expect the emperor to love them so much." Zhu Ci? The more he thought about it, the more angry he became.
While Wang Yuanwu ordered people to offer fragrant tea, he said slowly: "My lord, you used to be in the capital, living at the foot of the emperor. You must not know the power of the wealthy businessmen in these places. They all communicate with each other and do things that are beneficial to them. , they sharpen their heads to get a taste of it, and what is not good for them is that they hide as far away as possible. I would like to say something disrespectful. The natal families of the ninth and tenth princes are in southern Zhili and Jiangsu and Zhejiang areas. , what you say is easier than the local officials! Take the prince as an example, a strong dragon will not suppress the local snake, even if the prince comes forward, it will be the same!"
A few days ago, Zhu Ci had consulted with You Na on some matters at Wuhan University. Due to various reasons, it was very difficult for Wuhan University to have such local officials to get things done. Although these people did not dare to disobey the imperial government's policies and policies, they had something to do. If you have nothing to do, give them some shoes to wear, which is enough for these officials. Lao Jiuxuan and Lao Shici are still young, but the Shi family can be said to be the best in Jiangnan, and they are as rich as the country. There are various signs that Lao Si and the Shi family The relationship is not shallow, and even with external forces, he can't keep up with the fourth child!
Wang Yuanwu observed the situation and felt proud, "Your Majesty, if they are willing to give out food, there is nothing anyone can do, but I have an idea, so that they must give out food."
"I don't know what Mr. Wang can do, but I hope you can give me some advice." Zhu Ci's eyes lit up when he heard Wang Yuanwu's words.
?"Your Majesty, you're too polite. I can't talk about giving you advice. This is an idea that I can't put on the table. I'm sure your Majesty must know the principle of killing one person to make a warning to others. As long as Your Majesty thinks of the most influential big family in Fuzhou and kills them to make a warning to others, the rest of the people will not obediently give up their food." Give it to me!" Wang Yuanwu said while checking Zhu Ci's face.
Zhu Ci took a breath and said, "Master Wang, you mean to pick out the bones from the eggs, move a big business in the city, and show it to other wealthy businessmen?"
"Your Majesty is really very knowledgeable. This is what I say. To capture the thief, you must first capture the king! This is called killing the chicken to show the monkeys. It depends on whether your Majesty has the courage to bring down the richest man in Fuzhou City." Wang Yuanwu thought in his heart. They were all so happy that they said to themselves, King Chu, King Chu, you are still young!
"Zhu Ci? Who knew he had been fooled by Wang Yuanwu? He kept asking who were the most influential wealthy businessmen in Fuzhou, but he didn't know that he had fallen into Wang Yuanwu's trap.
After Wang Yuanwu named some people, he sighed, "My lord, let me tell you the truth! This is the most powerful and extremely wealthy person in Fuzhou. I'm afraid you can't afford to offend me, my lord!"
Zhu Ci raised his eyebrows, "Are there still domineering villains in Fuzhou? Others may not be able to do it. I don't want to give them the so-called face, but I want to touch them."
"Your Majesty, the richest man in Fuzhou is not someone else, but Zhuang Tingzhen, the current concubine Chen's family. In Fuzhou, who can't give Zhuang Tingzhen three cents of respect! Even the governor, as a feudal official, is a guest when meeting Zhuang Tingzhen. To be polite, there is also the factor of the Fourth Prince, and Zhuang Tingzhen will definitely not help the prince." Wang Yuanwu directly placed the powder keg in front of Zhu Ci?
Zhu Ci's head hurt when he heard this. He had to admit that although Wu Dayou was the head of a province in Fujian, it was really difficult for him to live here. Compared with relatives of the emperor like Zhuang Jia, he was one level behind. If it weren't for Prime Minister Wang Duo is related to Wu Dayou, and Wu Dayou has long been squeezed out of Fujian by people from Jiangnan. Now there is a fourth uncle from the same family. Although his mother is loved by his father, on the surface, his father is very good to these concubines. It has been more than ten years since he selected a female concubine. Concubine Chen He had already heard about the power of his mother-in-law's family from somewhere in Wuhan University, but he didn't expect to face the banker now. He was really afraid of what he wanted!
"My lord, I also know that this matter is difficult to handle, but if you want the wealthy businessmen in Fuzhou and Fujian to provide food, don't start with Zhuang Tingzhen. If Zhuang Tingzhen doesn't provide food, you won't be able to raise any of this food. On the other hand, as long as Zhuang Tingzhen Taking the lead, businessmen from this province in Fujian will definitely rush to help the prince to relieve the victims." Wang Yuanwu poured a spoonful of oil at the end.
Zhu Ci had already asked Liu Xi to book the inn and use it as his temporary residence. Anyway, the governor's Yamen was not much better than the inn after the disaster.
Back at the inn, Zhu Cixi meditated for a while in the bedroom, sorting out his thoughts. Finally, he decided to go to Zhuang Tingzhen's home first, to be polite before fighting, to be soft before being tough. Besides, Zhuang Tingzhen was also a relative of the emperor, so he paid a courtesy visit. It is also appropriate. If Zhuang Tingzhen is reasonable, gives him a face, and successfully donates food, that would be great. If Zhuang Tingzhen doesn't take him seriously, can he move Zhuang Tingzhen down, Zhu Ci? I don't have any confidence in my heart, Wang Yuanwu You are right, strong dragons cannot suppress local snakes, and foreign monks may not be easy to recite sutras. If Zhuang Tingzhen has a tough attitude, should he reveal his father's secret decree? But even with his father's secret decree, he can't just take the private property of merchants by force! What a difficult job!
Zhu Cixi brought Liu Xi, Dong Ping and Xue Ba to Zhuang Tingzhen's house, and got off his horse. There was a plaque on the tall gatehouse, which was written to Zhuang Mansion. The signature was Fu Shan, and the red door showed that Zhuang Tingzhen was a relative of the emperor. On both sides of the gate, four sturdy men were strolling back and forth, as if they were guarding against thieves.
Liu Xi stepped forward and handed over the greeting card. After reading it, the tall man quickly ran inside to report. Not long after, the red lacquered door creaked open, and a rich man wearing silk and satin walked out. This man When he came to Zhu Cixi, he bowed to the ground and said, "I didn't know that the prince has arrived, and Zhuang Tingzhen is late to greet him. I hope you can forgive me. This is not the place to talk. Your prince, please come in quickly." With that, he let Zhu Cixi and others into the mansion.
Zhuang Tingzhen also expected that Zhu Cixi would come to him. Notices were posted all over the streets and alleys, but there was no one to donate food. He, Zhu Cixi, would not be in a hurry. Zhuang Tingzhen received a letter from the south, saying that the fourth prince Cixi Ye's disaster relief work in Guangdong went very smoothly. Although he said he was assisting, he actually became the commander-in-chief. Once the disaster relief work is completed, he will definitely receive a commendation from the emperor when he returns to the capital, and he may even be crowned a king!
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