Chapter 20

"Everyone has misunderstood. This time, I have come to propose a business deal with all of you."

Upon hearing the words "business deal," many of the Shanxi merchants, driven by their instinct as businessmen, could not help but become more alert.

However, more of the Shanxi merchants showed a hint of caution in their expressions.

The foundation of business lies in fairness. How could there be any real business between officials and merchants? It was either a transaction of power and money or a euphemism for extortion.

Thinking of the latter possibility, many of the Shanxi merchants were already secretly pondering their response. The influence of the Shanxi merchants was deeply rooted not only in Shanxi but also had many representatives in the central government. Although Zhao Junchen was favored by the emperor, if his demands were too excessive, the Shanxi merchants would not necessarily fear him.

Therefore, after exchanging glances, Guo Linxiang, representing the group of Shanxi merchants, stood up and asked, "I wonder what kind of business the大人 is referring to? If there is anything we can assist with, as long as it is within our capabilities, we will not refuse."

Guo Linxiang's words were filled with both caution and anticipation, which Zhao Junchen naturally understood. Without further explanation, he pulled out a memorial from his sleeve and handed it to Xu Qingyan, who then passed it to Guo Linxiang. "I believe you are all aware of the current financial situation of our Great Ming. It is a time of many troubles, and silver is needed everywhere. In recent years, the financial situation has become increasingly difficult, with expenditures exceeding income. I have been entrusted by His Majesty to serve as the Deputy Minister of Revenue and also oversee the Inner Transport Treasury. I have been deeply concerned about this situation. After much thought, I have finally come up with a solution. I have written this memorial over the past few days and am preparing to present it to His Majesty. However, I am still young and lack experience, so there may be some aspects I have not considered thoroughly. Since you are all experts in financial matters, I have taken the liberty to invite you here to seek your advice."

As Zhao Junchen spoke, Xu Qingyan, at his gesture, handed the memorial to Guo Linxiang.

Holding the memorial, Guo Linxiang knew this was the business deal Zhao Junchen had mentioned. After some polite exchanges, he opened the memorial and began to read it carefully.

However, in just a moment, Guo Linxiang's hands began to tremble slightly, his face flushed, clearly extremely excited.

Seeing Guo Linxiang's expression, the other Shanxi merchants were both curious and eager, wondering what was written in Zhao Junchen's memorial that could make the usually composed Guo Linxiang lose his composure.

Seeing the eager and impatient looks on the faces of the Shanxi merchants, all staring at the memorial in Guo Linxiang's hands, Zhao Junchen smiled and waved his hand, saying, "Please, don't be so formal. Feel free to come and read it together, and offer your opinions."

Hearing Zhao Junchen's words, the Shanxi merchants apologized to Zhao Junchen and then quickly walked over to Guo Linxiang to read the memorial together.

Just like Guo Linxiang, after reading the content of the memorial, all the Shanxi merchants could not help but become excited. Zhao Junchen could even hear their rapid breathing.

...

Zhao Junchen's memorial was about the reform of the salt industry in Sichuan.

Salt is both a necessity for people's lives and the most profitable commodity of this era.

Whether it was the Shanxi merchants, the Huizhou merchants, or the Zhejiang merchants, they all started their businesses by trading salt. In the early Ming Dynasty, Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang established the "Kai Zhong System," where merchants were responsible for transporting grain to the northwest, north, and northeast border regions, and in return, the government gave them salt permits. Only with these permits could merchants go to the salt-producing areas to collect salt and sell it in designated regions.

Under the "Kai Zhong System," the Shanxi merchants, who were closest to the border regions, and the Huizhou and Zhejiang merchants, who were located in salt-producing areas, quickly rose to prominence.

In other words, at the beginning, whether it was the Shanxi, Huizhou, or Zhejiang merchants, they were all salt merchants.

However, as the control of the Ming government weakened and the merchant groups rose, the "Kai Zhong System" gradually changed, and the salt merchants also split into different models: border merchants and inland merchants. The border merchants, mainly the Shanxi merchants, could obtain salt permits by paying money, while the inland merchants, mainly the Huizhou and Zhejiang merchants, were responsible for guarding the salt fields and collecting salt.

As a result, the Shanxi merchants, in order to obtain salt permits, provided a large amount of silver to the government each year, and their relationship with the government became increasingly close, gradually developing into a bureaucratic merchant group with various trading privileges. The Huizhou and Zhejiang merchants, on the other hand, because they had the rights to guard the salt fields and collect salt, gradually began to make a profit mainly through smuggling, becoming a smuggling group.

When the two major merchant groups adopted different business strategies, their conflicts also began to appear. The salt trade of the Shanxi merchants was suppressed by the Huizhou and Zhejiang merchants, and even with the salt permits issued by the government, they could not take much salt from the salt fields. Although the Shanxi merchants found alternative ways to develop the northwest trade, Sino-Russian border trade, and banknote and money exchange businesses, earning money at a rate not much slower than the Huizhou and Zhejiang merchants, it was impossible for them to be content with losing such a major source of wealth.

However, the coastal salt fields were controlled by the Zhejiang and Huizhou merchants, and their strength and influence were not weaker than those of the Shanxi merchants, so the Shanxi merchants had no way to deal with it.

Now, Zhao Junchen's memorial pointed out another path for them: Sichuan salt!

According to Zhao Junchen's memorial, private salt was rampant, and the price of official salt was high. People were buying private salt instead of official salt, and the government's efforts to ban it were ineffective. Instead of banning it, it would be better to increase the production of official salt, lower its price, and compete with private salt to increase the government's revenue.

Since the salt fields in Huizhou and Zhejiang were already well-developed, to increase the production of official salt, it could only be done through the salt fields in Sichuan.

Sichuan salt wells have always been a major salt-producing area. However, the current Sichuan does not yet have the appearance of a land of plenty. The technology for extracting salt is backward, and the investment is small. Moreover, the Huizhou and Zhejiang merchants have jointly suppressed the development of Sichuan salt, so Sichuan salt can only be sold to the provinces of Yunnan and Guizhou and the western part of Hunan. Due to the limitations of transportation, Sichuan salt is not valued in this era.

According to Zhao Junchen's suggestion in the memorial, to develop Sichuan salt, it is necessary to introduce technology and capital from other places. In the current financial situation of the government, the only ones who can provide such technology and capital are the Huizhou, Zhejiang, and Shanxi merchants. Considering that the Huizhou and Zhejiang merchants already control the coastal salt fields, the Shanxi merchants are the best choice to develop the Sichuan salt wells.

...

How profitable is salt in this era? Even with the lower price of private salt, the profit margin is more than double. Moreover, salt is a necessity, and the sales volume is huge, making it the most profitable business of this era.

The world is bustling with people seeking profit. Seeing the content of Zhao Junchen's memorial and thinking that once the Shanxi merchant group controls the Sichuan salt, they can break free from the suppression of the Huizhou and Zhejiang merchants, and large amounts of silver will flow in, how could the Shanxi merchants not be excited?

On the other side, seeing that the Shanxi merchants had finished reading the memorial and were so excited that they forgot to speak, Zhao Junchen lightly coughed and slowly asked, "What do you think of my plan? Is there anything you find lacking?"

Zhao Junchen's words were like a drop of cold water falling into hot oil, startling the Shanxi merchants and causing a great commotion.

"Your Excellency, your idea is excellent and well-thought-out. Our knowledge and abilities are far inferior to yours, how could we find any flaws?"

"Your Excellency's plan is truly beneficial to the country and the people, a great achievement for the ages. I have often heard that you are a national treasure of our time, and now I finally believe it."

"Please rest assured, Your Excellency. We Shanxi merchants will fully support this plan. Whoever opposes it will be our collective enemy!"

The Shanxi merchants, no longer restrained, were all extremely excited, and their responses were chaotic. Zhao Junchen, however, did not comment, only smiling and listening to their flattery.

Seeing this, as the leaders of the Shanxi merchants, Guo Linxiang, Chen Xinggong, and He Zeng exchanged glances and coughed together, interrupting the Shanxi merchants and calming them down.

Although Guo Linxiang, Chen Xinggong, and He Zeng were also excited about Zhao Junchen's memorial, they did not lose their rationality. They remembered that Zhao Junchen had invited them here to do business, not to be a living Buddha.

Although many Shanxi merchants were now looking at Zhao Junchen as if he were a living Buddha.

After the Shanxi merchants finally calmed down, He Zeng glared at them and sternly said, "What kind of behavior is this! How can you be so noisy in front of Your Excellency? If you lose your composure, it's not just your own embarrassment, but the embarrassment of all Shanxi merchants."

Hearing He Zeng's reprimand, the Shanxi merchants realized they had lost their composure and quickly apologized.

On the other side, Chen Xinggong bowed to Zhao Junchen and said, "Your Excellency's plan is excellent and a great opportunity for us Shanxi merchants. Although we know that your intention is solely for the country, we Shanxi merchants, having received such a great benefit, would feel guilty if we did not repay you. If you have any needs, please feel free to ask, and we will not refuse."

Hearing Chen Xinggong's words, the Shanxi merchants all nodded in agreement.

In the business world, there is always a trade-off. The Shanxi merchants deeply understand this. Once they gain control of the Sichuan salt wells with Zhao Junchen's help, any reward they give to Zhao Junchen will be worth it in their eyes.

Seeing the expectant looks of the Shanxi merchants, Zhao Junchen smiled and slowly said, "My plans are all for His Majesty and the government. How can I ask for a reward for this? You are underestimating me."

Guo Linxiang, however, looked determined and said, "Your Excellency, you are overthinking it. How could we underestimate your loyalty to the country? Your loyalty and patriotism are not only recognized by us but by all the people."

Clearly, he was lying, but it was echoed by the Shanxi merchants. Guo Linxiang continued, "However, if we accept such a great favor from you without repaying it, and if others find out, we Shanxi merchants will be seen as ungrateful. Please understand."

Zhao Junchen shook his head and smiled, "The reform of the Sichuan salt industry is just my personal opinion. It has not yet been presented to His Majesty, and even if it is presented, whether His Majesty will agree is uncertain. In that case, how can I claim to have done you a favor?"

Guo Linxiang laughed and said, "Your Excellency is being modest. Your status in His Majesty's heart is well-known. How could His Majesty not approve of your proposal? Moreover, we Shanxi merchants have some friends in the government who will certainly support you. In that case, how could your plan fail?"

Zhao Junchen sighed, "Although that is true, after I came to Luan'an Prefecture to inspect on behalf of His Majesty, I have some concerns."

Hearing this, the Shanxi merchants all felt a sense of tension. Chen Xinggong quickly asked, "What are your concerns, Your Excellency? Why not tell us, and together we can find a solution."

After Zhao Junchen proposed the reform of the Sichuan salt industry, the Shanxi merchants were very clear that they would definitely strive for the control of the Sichuan salt wells, and they would definitely face resistance from the Huizhou and Zhejiang merchants. In the confrontation between the two forces, Zhao Junchen's attitude was crucial. He did not belong to either side but was highly favored by Emperor Deqing and had significant influence. His attitude would determine the outcome of the struggle.

Although Zhao Junchen proposed the reform of the Sichuan salt industry, if he changed his mind or supported the Huizhou and Zhejiang merchants, the Shanxi merchants would have no way to stop it and could only watch as a source of wealth was lost.

This was also the reason why Zhao Junchen dared to reveal the plan for the reform of the Sichuan salt industry to the Shanxi merchants.

Therefore, for the Shanxi merchants, Zhao Junchen must not have any concerns at this time. Even if he did, they must do everything possible to eliminate his concerns.

Seeing the Shanxi merchants' attitude, Zhao Junchen nodded in satisfaction and said, "You all know that the locust plague is not only rampant in Luan'an Prefecture but is spreading throughout Shanxi. If it cannot be controlled, it will cause widespread chaos. Shanxi is your base, and if it becomes chaotic, you will not be able to focus on developing the Sichuan salt wells. It will inevitably be delayed. In that case, it would be better to entrust the Sichuan salt industry to other merchants..."

Seeing the tense expressions of the Shanxi merchants, who were about to speak, Zhao Junchen continued, "Unfortunately, my efforts to help the people of Shanxi fight the locusts have been met with many doubts from the government and the people..."

Hearing this, the Shanxi merchants understood the situation. Guo Linxiang stood up and said, "Your Excellency, your efforts to fight the locusts are for the well-being of the people of Shanxi. Unfortunately, some people are stubborn and superstitious, opposing your efforts. We are aware of this and have been worried. Please rest assured, we have influence, and we will do our best to assist you. With your foresight and our support, the fight against the locusts will not face any obstacles."

He Zeng nodded in agreement, "Even if there are obstacles, Your Excellency does not need to worry. We will handle them for you, and you will not be troubled!"

The Shanxi merchants all followed suit.

"Very well," Zhao Junchen smiled