Luo Sigong was also old, and he wanted his son to take over the Jinyiwei, but he had to have enough achievements to be convincing and get the emperor to agree.
Therefore, he assigned tasks to Luo Yangxing several times, such as arresting Wang Haoxian at Shifokou and monitoring the Eight Great Families in Shanxi. The emperor also assigned this task, which allowed his son to make another contribution and gain the emperor's favor and praise.
"Your Majesty, rest assured. I understand your intention." Luo Sigong handed the tea bowl back to the palace attendant, stood up and bowed. "I will go back and make arrangements. I will definitely spread the news to the Jiannu side without leaving any trace."
Really understand? Zhu Youxiao blinked, thinking that he shouldn't doubt Luo Sigong's intelligence. He might be the longest-serving Jinyiwei commander, so how could he not have some skills?
"Okay, go down!" Zhu Youxiao waved his hand.
Luo Sigong took his leave and left. Zhu Youxiao stroked his chin and thought for a while, and decided to continue with the arrangement.
If it succeeds, it will be even better. The Jiannu civil strife will save the Ming Dynasty a lot of effort. If it fails, then we can suppress it by force. Huang Taiji was just lucky and not that scary.
………………
"I accept your order and express my gratitude. Long live the emperor, long live the emperor, long live the emperor!"
Tang Mo knelt down to receive the decree and thank the emperor, his voice trembling.
They had finally waited for it, and finally got it. The people from the Jiangnan Chamber of Commerce who were kneeling behind the incense table with Tang Mo were also excited.
Clearly, the title of Minjue was a sign of the emperor's appreciation and recognition. While it was merely a superficial honor, lacking much actual favor, its symbolic significance was extraordinary. Thus far, only four merchants had received it.
The so-called right to submit a petition to the emperor was not to pass it through layers of government in the ordinary sense, but to present it directly to the emperor, which was equivalent to making a direct memorial. How many officials could have such a right?
The eunuch who delivered the imperial edict did not linger for long. He handed the imperial edict and ceremonial robes to Tang Mo and turned to leave. Xia Zhongshi, under the pretext of seeing him off, slipped a small ingot of gold into the eunuch's hand. The eunuch smiled faintly, put it in his sleeve, and did not say anything politely.
Zhu Youxiao knew that the palace servants who delivered the imperial edicts earned some extra money, but he did not set any strict rules.
However, you can accept it, but you must report it truthfully when you return. We're not asking for your money back, but you must maintain a respectful attitude. Otherwise, you will definitely be punished, and there will be no chance of escape.
Just like the personal interactions between officials, as long as they were not bribes or for personal gain, there was no need to be too strict. Later, Zhu Youxiao would also implement a declaration system among officials and set certain regulations on the value of gifts.
By the time Xia Zhongshi returned to the lobby, the atmosphere was already filled with jubilation. Everyone, including Tang Mo, was beaming with joy, laughing and chatting non-stop.
"Li Dan and Yan Siqi from the Maritime Merchants Association, and Wu Dazhang and Shao Hanliang from the Chinese Chamber of Commerce, have all arrived in the capital. They will be present at the palace tomorrow. Our Jiangnan Chamber of Commerce will also have a seat. This is cause for celebration, cause for celebration!"
"I've been so nervous these past few days, but finally I've gotten what I wanted. I'm relieved and so happy. Let's celebrate with a feast and get drunk."
"In the future, you must perform well and help Brother Tang to be promoted to the fifth rank, and be on par with Li, Yan, and Wu. Our Jiangnan Chamber of Commerce is not inferior to others."
Tang Mo smiled and nodded repeatedly. He had just changed into the sixth-grade clothing bestowed upon him and wanted to be reserved, but his smile could not conceal the ecstasy and excitement in his heart.
Seeing Xia Zhongshi return, Tang Mo extended his hand and said with a smile, "Old Xia, shouldn't we discuss the audience tomorrow in advance to avoid embarrassing ourselves in front of the Haishang and Zhonghua Chambers of Commerce?"
Xia Zhongshi first bowed in congratulations before speaking, "We can discuss it, or not. Since the emperor has already granted us the title of nobility, he must be satisfied with the charter we've presented. Tomorrow, the three major chambers of commerce will meet together to listen to his instructions and reach a consensus. There won't be any policies or conditions that are too unexpected."
Tang Mo felt that made sense and felt more at ease. He smiled and said, "Then let's have a drink to celebrate?"
Xia Zhongshi pondered for a moment and said, "Why not send someone to invite Li Dan, Yan Siqi, Wu Dazhang and others to coordinate over the wine table? That way, nothing will go wrong tomorrow."
Tang Mo slapped his thigh and said, "Old Xia is really thoughtful. Inviting them before seemed like flattery. Now, in the name of celebration, it's legitimate and not inferior to others, which makes people look down on us."
Xia Zhongshi nodded, but then gently reminded them, "Still have to be polite. They have a lot of experience and have already done some work for the emperor, so they are very trusted."
"I understand, I understand." Tang Mo nodded repeatedly and said, "I won't get carried away with success and make people laugh at me for being a mean person who has achieved success."
Tang Mo not only said this, but he also knew in his heart that he was a newly promoted civilian noble and had never done any work for the emperor, so his favor was naturally not as great as that of the Maritime Merchants Association and the Chinese Chamber of Commerce.
But the Jiangnan Chamber of Commerce also has its own advantages. In terms of commercial prosperity, its region surpasses the China Chamber of Commerce, which is mainly composed of Tongzhou merchants; in terms of personal connections, it is definitely stronger than the Maritime Chamber of Commerce in the country.
Therefore, Tang Mo still has the confidence to grow stronger in the future, gain the trust of the emperor, and be on equal footing with the two major chambers of commerce.
Meanwhile, the two titans of the Maritime Merchants Association were enjoying northern cuisine at the capital's most famous restaurant. Shabu-shabu mutton was a must-try, and it was quite satisfying.
As the host, Wu Dazhang and Shao Hanliang from the Chinese Chamber of Commerce were also very enthusiastic in urging people to drink and raised their glasses frequently.
"I don't eat much northern cuisine, but I like this—" Yan Siqi made a meaningless gesture, and finally came up with a more appropriate word, "this refreshing way of eating."
Li Dan chuckled, feeling that Old Yan was a bit embarrassed, and slowly said, "The north is bold and straightforward, while the south is delicate and refined. I have witnessed this today, and I would like to thank you both for your hospitality."
Wu Dazhang laughed heartily, waved his fat hands, and said, "I've long heard that Brother Li and Brother Yan are like dragons of the sea, galloping across the waves. I admire them greatly. I finally have the opportunity to meet you. I'll be honored to be your host, but it's not exactly a formality."
Shao Hanliang is similar to Xia Zhongshi. He is a well-educated scholar who inherited his family's business. He has a very flexible mind and is considered the military advisor of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce.
The Chinese Chamber of Commerce's monopoly on foreign trade was an imperial decree, similar to the maritime merchants' monopoly on maritime trade. Shao Hanliang believed that building a bridge with the maritime merchants, allowing them to exchange goods, would yield even greater profits.
"Brother Li and Brother Yan are familiar with overseas market conditions. I wonder if there is a market for northern commercial goods?" Shao Hanliang raised his glass in response and also stated the plans of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce.
The commodity economy was quite developed in the middle and late Ming Dynasty, but the commercial metropolises at that time were mostly commercial cities in the south of the Yangtze River, including Nanjing, Yizheng, Yangzhou, Guazhou, Suzhou, Songjiang, Hangzhou and Jiaxing.
In addition, other commercial cities in central China include Nanchang, Huai'an, Wuhu and Jingdezhen, Chengdu in the southwest inland, Beijing, Jining and Linqing in north China, and Fuzhou and Guangzhou in south China.
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