It is equivalent to a Western politician in later generations who is in charge of the power to approve projects, and then all the projects are modeled for his own family.
These wealthy businessmen with a net worth of millions seem to be decent people in front of ordinary people, but they are nothing in front of the real people in power.
Any high-ranking official could easily make them lose everything, or even destroy their families.
Hearing everyone's flattery, Zhao Jun finally spoke slowly.
When they heard him speak, they immediately shut their mouths, not even daring to drink tea, and stared at Zhao Jun eagerly.
There was a murderous aura in his words, and everyone couldn't help but shrink their necks and stood still in fear.
You have to know that these Tianhuang City officials have beheaded countless people. Some time ago, they took turns to lead people to the outskirts of East City to behead people every day. The grass was dyed red. Although they knew that Zhao Jun was a reasonable person, they were afraid of angering him and having their property confiscated and their clan exterminated.
So everyone treats it with caution.
Zhao Jun looked around and said in a deep voice, "The government-owned monopoly system really needs to be changed. The court hasn't gained much benefit, and all of it has gone to officials. The Three Departments have many problems, and the Imperial City Department should also investigate these people. They should arrest those who should be arrested, confiscate the property of those who should be confiscated, and execute a number of them. There must be no leniency."
Li Zi, who was standing next to him, knew that the businessmen below didn't dare to respond, so he asked cooperatively.
"Because merchants are obsessed with profit!"
After Zhao Jun finished speaking, he looked at the crowd and continued, "However, completely liberalizing the monopoly on goods is not an option. The imperial court encourages market competition and encourages everyone to delve into technology, improve product quality, and provide better products for the people. However, tea, salt, oil, grain, and other items are necessities of life and the lifeblood of the nation. They cannot be completely left to the merchants."
"Why is that?"
Zhao Jun continued, "Once merchants prioritize profit, they're likely to drive up prices. For example, during the recent drought in Huainan, which began two years ago, merchants hoarded grain, driving up the price of rice to two to three thousand coins per dan. This is definitely not a good thing for the country, so regulation is necessary, and the court must be involved."
Tian Chang had actually long known from Li Zi that the court wanted to enter into a commercial partnership with them, so he wasn't surprised. He said, "What the magistrate said is correct. I also think that fully opening up the monopoly would be unsafe, so I am willing to cooperate with the court."
Zhao Jun turned around and said, "With a tenth of the profit, merchants are able to operate; with a fifth of the profit, merchants become more active; with a half of the profit, merchants take risks; for double the profit, merchants dare to trample on all human laws; with triple the profit, merchants dare to commit any crime, even risking the death penalty."
The expressions of the people in the audience varied. Although these words somewhat disparaged businessmen who only cared about profits, they were said by Zhao Jun, and they did not dare to refute them even if they wanted to. Therefore, each of them acted a little guilty and did not show any dissatisfaction.
"I firmly support the decision of the prefect."
"Please rest assured, Master. As long as you say a word, I will go through fire and water for you."
Meng Chengqi also knew about this and immediately joined in, saying, "I also think this is the best approach. With the government involved, they can naturally supervise merchants and prevent them from pursuing profit at the expense of the country and the people."
Everyone was smart, so they immediately followed suit and said, "I am the same."
Everyone here has become a wealthy person, in addition to having business acumen, either because they have relied on the government or have witnessed the power of the government. Therefore, they choose the lesser of two evils. Compared to offending the government and becoming enemies with the government, it is naturally more beneficial to be on good terms with the government.
Seeing that everyone understood the situation, Zhao Jun laughed and said, "Don't worry, everyone. There's a reason why you're sitting here today instead of being invited to have tea by the Imperial City Bureau."
Everyone expressed their loyalty in a flurry of comments.
Although the imperial court is supervising and may have a stake in it, it is much better than the situation in the past, where not only was it suppressed by officials and businessmen, but it was also difficult to obtain tea and salt permits.
"Because the businessmen I need must have excellent patriotic qualities and basic moral bottom line!"
Zhao Jun looked around and spoke with conviction, "During the Spring and Autumn Period, the merchant Xian Gao, when his country was in danger, cleverly repelled the Qin army by pretending to reward his troops. Confucius' student Zigong, upon hearing that Qi was planning to attack Lu, persuaded other states to save Qi. Merchants should also love their country, not just focus on profit. Those people are not worthy of being merchants; they are merely capitalists."
He looked at Tian Chang and said, "Tian Chang, although you are the largest tea merchant in Bianliang, you are at most a private tea merchant. Among those official merchants, there are many who are as strong as you, or even stronger than you, such as the Ma family, the Liu family, the Li family, etc. Do you know why you are sitting here and not them?"
Tian Chang was confused and said, "I don't know."
Someone asked, "Minister, what is a capitalist?"
“Capitalists are a group of people who only care about profits and forget the principles of being a human being!”
capitalist?
Everyone looked confused.
Why does this judge, who is a judge of high rank, keep talking about killing people?
And he was hanged to death as a warning to the public.
Zhao Jun explained, "They've thrown all the principles of propriety, righteousness, benevolence, wisdom, and trustworthiness out the window. They're willing to sell out even their own families for the sake of profit. This group of people is a symbol of shame, just like the grain merchants who drove up grain prices after the drought in Huainan. They're capitalists, and they should be hanged from the city gates."
Everyone shuddered.
Zhao Jun softened his tone and continued, "In times of national crisis, merchants should step forward to help the country. When the people are in distress, merchants must also shoulder their responsibilities. I hope that all of us in the Song Dynasty are merchants like Xian Gao and Zi Gong, rather than the capitalists who drove up prices after the drought in Huainan. I chose you because I value your patriotic qualities."
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