Chapter 128

Zhang Fangyuan received news the next day that merchants with assets of more than 50,000 yuan and no bad lawsuits could go to the county government to be inspected by the salt administration.

These are the basic conditions for selecting salt merchants. Merchants interested in the salt industry all know that only a strong family business can maintain the operation of the salt industry, and a clean family background is necessary for cooperation with the court. Therefore, families with insufficient family business or not clean background will use this as a self-reflection.

Siyang is a place where hidden talents are everywhere, and there are still many merchants who meet the requirements. Although the news has been announced, the higher-ups have not said what to prepare. Previously, they were like headless flies, but now there is finally some clues. Some people are eager to go there, but they have not even seen the Salt Administration and have been detained by the county magistrate.

Zhang Fangyuan took the trouble to inquire and received the news that those who wanted to see the salt administrator had to pay an entrance fee of 10,000 taels, and those who wanted preferential treatment had to pay another 5,000 taels...

He knew that things were not that simple, but he did not expect that the magistrate would curry favor with the salt administration and pretend to be fair, while privately blocking those who came to apply for the job at the door to make personal profits. The merchants were simply fat meat on the chopping board, and they could be slaughtered for much more money than ordinary people.

"Should we take this money or not? If we don't take it, we won't even be able to see the salt administration."

Xu Heben was still immersed in the joy of Ruijin High School, but the sudden bad news ruined his good mood.

Zhang Fangyuan had a headache and was troubled. After thinking about it, he decided: "Take it first. The first thing is to see the salt administration."

Xu He sighed slightly. It would be fine if he could get the salt permit in one fell swoop. If not, all the money would be wasted.

But no matter what, he supported Zhang Fangyuan's decision.

After paying the silver, Zhang Fangyuan was invited to the county government to meet the salt administrator. In addition to the Zhang family, there were also several large local merchants, including the Qin family.

"Boss Zhang has always been aloof and self-restrained. I didn't expect him to come here today. This is really rare."

Zhang Fangyuan knew Qin Zhong's ridicule, but he didn't take it to heart. However, he didn't let Qin Zhong get away with it either: "The Qin family and the county magistrate are relatives by marriage. I believe the county magistrate has spoken well of the Qin family. Young Master Qin is determined to get the salt permit this time."

His voice was not small, and the merchants around him couldn't help but look at Qin Zhong when they heard it. It was originally a proud thing, but this time in the matter of salt permits, the Qin family did not take any advantage of the county magistrate's son-in-law.

The Qin family had never paid 50,000 taels of silver to honor the county magistrate, so naturally they did not receive any special treatment.

This time, it cost 10,000 taels of silver to get here like ordinary merchants. However, the Huangguan Society was trying to make money and spent 50,000 taels to come up with this idea. More than ten merchants came here and all of them made money. No wonder they ignored the Qin family.

Qin was already unhappy in his heart, and now everyone in the court thought he was taking advantage of them. He was like a dumb person eating bitter herbs, unable to express his pain.

He snorted coldly and glared at everyone arrogantly.

"Zhen Youxin, meet the Salt Administration."

The yamen runners announced something, and the merchants who were whispering suddenly quieted down. Then the merchant whose name was called straightened his clothes and entered the house holding the brocade box.

After the people left, the merchants discussed: "Will the salt administration meet with each other to inspect each other in turn?"

Everyone was feeling uneasy, as they probably knew what the so-called preferential treatment from the magistrate was. If they met one by one like this, the one in front would inevitably take advantage. If the salt administrator took a fancy to them, the money given to the people behind would be wasted, and they might not even get to see the salt administrator.

Zhang Fangyuan thought that instead of wandering around here anxiously, it would be better to wait patiently. No matter how long he waited, the result would not change. He simply found a stool nearby to sit down and rest, and sorted out and checked whether the things he brought were complete.

The salt administration inspection requires sufficient proof of financial resources, and one must show assets worthy of being a salt merchant to prevent false reporting.

If it weren't for the iron mine at home, he would still be a long way from qualifying as a salt merchant. But now that he only has the farmland and forests, that's enough.

The Salt Administrator was quick in meeting people. He met three merchants within the time of an incense stick. Zhang Fangyuan couldn't tell from the looks of the merchants who came out whether the Salt Administrator was satisfied with them or not, but this made the merchants behind him feel more at ease. Zhang Fangyuan also became more curious about the Salt Administrator.

"Could it be that the merchants in front of us have given too much money? Why hasn't the master come yet?"

Watching people coming in and out, Qin Zhong looked very pleased with himself when he saw the Salt Administrator coming out. He glanced at Zhang Fangyuan from afar. The servants felt aggrieved for Zhang Fangyuan as they saw that they were not able to see him for a long time.

Zhang Fangyuan frowned. The weather was hot, and waiting made people even more anxious.

He looked up and saw that although the merchants who had gone in and out had not obtained any results, most of them had already sat comfortably under the eaves, drinking tea and enjoying the cool air. There were only a few merchants left, who were now walking back and forth on the corridor restlessly, folding their hands and looking at the inner room.

After a long while, all the merchants who were standing there came to see the Salt Administration one after another. It was not until the end that Zhang Fangyuan heard the bailiff call out his name.

He put down the teacup, stood up, and asked the servant to carry the brocade box respectfully to the hall.

It took nearly two hours in total. Fortunately, the Salt Administration did not find it troublesome, otherwise he might not see the Salt Administration again.

He felt that the magistrate's arrangement was very interesting and impartial, placing him as the last one. The two sides had already been at odds with each other, and the magistrate was deliberately trying to trick him.

As he was sorting out his thoughts, the door opened. Zhang Fangyuan was about to bow, but when he looked up, he was startled to see the person sitting in the main seat, talking a lot and drinking tea.

He never imagined that the salt administrator who was so popular among Siyang merchants was actually Yu Mingda, who had feasted with him at Luo's house a few days ago.

That day he was happy about Ruijin High School, and he also found the old man kind, so he chatted a lot during the meal.

He knew that Yu Mingda was an old friend of Luo Yan. He thought that Luo Yan had a wide network of contacts and guessed that they were either scholars or officials. Over the years, many people came to visit Luo Yan, but he had never seen any of them. He did not ask about it this time. If he asked without others telling him, he would have seemed a bit of a curry favor. He really did not think of the salt administration.

"What a coincidence. I didn't expect that young friend Zhang would also come to bid for the salt merchant this time." Yu Mingda was a little surprised to see Zhang Fangyuan. Meeting more than a dozen merchants at a time, asking questions and checking their properties was tiring. However, when he saw Zhang Fangyuan, he smiled slightly and put down his teacup: "Sit down."

Zhang Fangyuan did not relax because he had met Yu Mingda. He just took the opportunity to drink and eat without following the rules so that everyone could feel comfortable. However, he did not know the importance of serious matters, which made people think he was immature.

He bowed obediently, and handed over his property to Yu Mingda for inspection according to the procedure. On the one hand, he recommended himself, talked about the good things he had done for the people in recent years, picking out the bigger events, and said some nice words to express his loyalty to the court.

Although he had never heard how other merchants talked with the salt administration, this was all he wanted to say: the imperial court had to save face.

Officials are role models for the court. Whether they are good officials with clean hands or corrupt officials, they all care about their reputation. To do this, of course, we have to see whether a merchant can help disaster victims, and whether he has good conduct and moral character. These are all good things, but the most important thing is that he must make the salt administration consider him a good choice.

Whatever option is available, the best one should be the one that is most relevant to your own interests.

Before Zhang Fangyuan could say anything about benefiting the salt administration, Yu Mingda carefully read the property deed submitted by Zhang Fangyuan and said, "Young friend Zhang has accepted disaster victims as hired farmers, reclaimed wasteland for cultivation, increased local tax revenue, and opened warehouses to help the people after the autumn harvest every year. He should be a role model for merchants."

After Yu Mingda praised him for a few times, he said, "But the property handed over is not enough for the court to recruit salt merchants. Was it because they came in a hurry and missed something, or is there another hidden reason?"

Zhang Fangyuan replied carefully: "Your Excellency, the land and forests I handed over are not enough for the court to meet its requirements, but the forests are not worth more than the market price."

"Although your hill is not small, with an area of ​​120 mu, even if it is fertile and higher than the market price, it is only 30,000 or 20,000 yuan, and the land is not enough."

"To be honest, sir, there is an iron ore source in this forest. It was discovered not long ago, and I haven't had time to report it to the county government or the court yet."

Yu Mingda sat up slightly after hearing this: "Are you serious?"

"How dare a villain deceive you?"

"That's not a bad idea. Salt and iron are important matters for the country, so it's good that you're cautious."

Zhang Fangyuan bowed his hands and said humbly: "I am willing to offer 60% of the iron ore to the court."

Yu Mingda gave Zhang Fangyuan a long look without making any comment.

After a while, he said, "I understand your intention. Go back and wait for news."

Zhang Fangyuan did not chase after him to add chips, but just responded respectfully and then walked out.

The last merchant also met with the salt administration, and whether the deal was successful or not depended on the one merchant present.

When Zhang Fangyuan came out, several merchants surrounded him and asked about the results. He just responded with a few simple words like the other merchants, wondering what the salt administration's intentions were.

Others couldn't get to the bottom of the matter, and he couldn't get any reliable information either.

However, what Zhang Fangyuan said was not false. The Salt Administrator was a shrewd man and had been in the officialdom for many years. His thoughts were not something that could be guessed by those of them who met him for the first time, and they really could not see what was in his mind.

Now that things had come to this, all they could do was wait for Yu Mingda to make the decision. Everyone dispersed one by one at the announcement of the yamen runners, and Zhang Fangyuan also went home to report to Xu He.

"Sir, the salt merchants are offering money, treasures, or beauties. The conditions offered by the Qin family are quite attractive. If they are willing to offer 30% of their annual profits after getting the salt permits as they said, it is not a small amount."

Yu Mingda was busy all morning and sat leisurely in the house to enjoy the cool air in the afternoon. When his personal attendant served him tea, he mentioned the merchants he had met today.

"You, you look at things too one-sidedly."

Yu Mingda shook his head. "The salt merchant is rich. If he is willing to pay 30% of the profit every year, it is certainly not a small amount. It is obviously better than others giving a lot of money at a time. But because of the continuous contribution, it is not a one-time cut-off. On the contrary, it is connected with me. If the Qin family has something to ask for, will you help or not?"

The attendant was enlightened by Yu Mingda's words: "Your Excellency is very clear-headed, and it is me who has a narrow vision. The Qin family is really thoughtful."

Yu Mingda chuckled.

"So, Sir, do you prefer the Zhang family? Do you want to do Sir Luo a favor?"

"Rather than saying it's doing a favor to Luo Yan, it's better to say it's doing a favor to the newly-minted Jinshi."

Earlier at Luo's house, Luo Yan did not mention a word about the salt business, nor did he tell him that the Zhang family also wanted a salt permit. If Luo Yan intended to make a connection, he would have hinted at the banquet. It seems that the old man has no intention of doing this, and the low-level merchants are indeed not enough for Luo Yan to take action.

However, he did learn a lot of news during his trip to the Luo family. The eldest son of the Zhang family was Luo Yan's favorite student, and now he has passed the imperial examinations twice. He was born in a merchant family and was not a match for Luo Yuxing, but now he has passed the imperial examination and has achieved fame. Presumably, he will marry into the Luo family when he returns this time, which is a good thing that can double happiness.

Luo Yan's disciples are spread throughout the court and the country. His only grandson married into the Zhang family. Even if he didn't make plans for his favorite disciple, he would certainly consider Luo Yuxing and pave the way for his grandson-in-law in the court.

Zhang Ruijin has a bright future.

Since he knew that Zhang Ruijin would enter the government sooner or later and had someone to support him, why didn't he win him over in advance?

Besides, the Zhang family was very generous. The iron mine was presented to the court through his hands, and this year's performance evaluation will also be worth looking at. There are many things that cannot be bought with money.

All these didn't matter. He still had his eyes on the Zhang family. Knowing his relationship with Luo Yan, he didn't say a word about their previous meeting today, and didn't try to establish any relationship, which made things difficult for others.

The attendant was silent for a while and said, "So the Zhang family has been decided? I will give the order now."

"Don't worry, I'm tired today, just wait."

He also wanted to delay for a few days and wait for the new scholar to return home so that they could meet each other at that time and in the future. If I finish things in a hurry, how can I continue to stay in Siyang?

Huang Guan, who had personally led the servants to deliver the ice basin, heard the servant in the room say that the Zhang family had been settled. His heart suddenly skipped a beat and he stopped the servants from speaking. After a long while, he let the servants bring the ice basin in. He did not enter the room and quickly turned back to the study.

"Go and call Qin Zhong quickly."

He paced back and forth in the study. Although he was unhappy that the Qin family did not offer the salt according to his request, he finally thought of a good way. He did not gain any advantage in this matter. Even if he was unhappy with the Qin family, they still had frequent contacts and were relatives by marriage. If the salt permit fell into the hands of the Zhang family, he would gain nothing at all.

He had a quarrel with the Zhang family in his early years. Although they had maintained superficial good relations over the years, the Zhang family had treated him worse than before since the lawsuit in Qinzhong. This time, they arranged for him to meet with the Salt Administration and they intended to suppress him. How could he get the salt permit?

Comparing the two, he would naturally choose the Qin family.

Qin Zhong had just returned home and had not even sat down when he was called over and hurried into the county government through the back door.

"Zhang family?!"

He didn't even bother to get rid of the heat in his body. The news was like a basin of cold well water poured directly on his head in the dead of winter, chilling him to the core.

"Thanks to my trust in you, and my intentional and unintentional flattery in front of the salt administration, I didn't take it to heart even though there were frictions at first. I helped you a lot for your sister's sake, and you thought you could make it, but you didn't expect it to be a failure!" Huang Guan angrily scolded Qin Shang: "What else can you achieve!"

Qin Zhong apologized repeatedly, but since he was called here, it meant that the situation could still be turned around.

Huang Guan scolded him and then said, "I have already found out what the salt administration is thinking. Before the news is announced, you should quickly think of a solution with your father. If you can't make up for it, I can only help you so far."

Qin Zhong gritted his teeth and said, "I will definitely live up to your expectations."

"Go, go, go quickly."