Qiao Xin learned about the situation in Anhua County from President Meng.
As soon as the new county seat of Anhua County was completed, County Magistrate Wu moved in immediately, along with their relatives, as well as refugees and merchants who were resettled later.
A new county town will soon be filled up, and the more people move in, the greater the blow to the aristocratic family merchants who have stuck together in the old county town.
When they can no longer control themselves and want to put aside their pride and integrate into the new group, they find that there is no place for them.
The cake is so small that all that can be divided has been divided.
What's more, the leaders are Xiaoyaohou Mansion and Qiao Family, neither of which is inferior to them in strength and background. They can't afford to offend them easily.
There had been some commercial wars and open and covert struggles during this period, but with the decline of the Yizhou family, the Xia family's influence in Anhua County was gradually uprooted.
The entire Xia family was in a desperate struggle to survive. Lady Anhua and her family were forced to move back to the capital to seek the protection of King Runan. How could they have the energy to care about others?
Those forces in Anhua County that had survived for many years by relying on the Xia family were soon divided up by the up-and-coming forces!
Chairman Meng said in a gentle voice: "After County Magistrate Wu was promoted, the new county magistrate appointed by the court was relatively upright, and most policies were still implemented as formulated.
They are not very enthusiastic about spending a lot of money on road construction!"
"I am old and cannot take care of these things. The county magistrate must have his concerns. Your Anhua County has made great efforts in the battle with the South, and the pressure is not small.
We only consider whether the tea can be sold well, but as a frontline official, he has a lot more things to consider!"
Chairman Meng was stunned: "The old lady is right, I am too narrow-minded!"
"It's not your fault. You have different standpoints, different perspectives, and naturally different considerations of consequences. He must first ensure that the people under his rule have enough to eat before he dares to use the extra money to build roads!
As long as the county magistrate does not arbitrarily increase taxes and does not seize land, he will be a rare corrupt official!"
After hearing this, President Meng smiled. This was indeed irrefutable!
Actually, it was all because Magistrate Wu did such a good job that he subconsciously raised their standards for what a good official should be.
Little did people know that there are only a few officials in the world who are as dedicated and conscientious as County Magistrate Wu!
Magistrate Wu: It’s my fault!
"Besides seeing me, do you have anything else to do when you come here this time?"
Chairman Meng said hurriedly, "Yes, isn't this the case? Lord Wu has become the governor of Yanmen County? The court has opened a new tea-horse trade point there, and Governor Wu has written to me, asking me to arrange a caravan to go there!"
In the newly conquered territory, Emperor Wu officially changed the prefect to a governor, and five counties including Yanmen, Yunzhong, Jiangcheng, etc. were placed under the jurisdiction of Hedong Road, whose highest official was the Hedong Road Jiedushi Qiao Yunting.
The reason why President Meng mentioned all this to Qiao Xin was that, whether in their Yuncheng or in the entire Hedong Road, no one else's words could carry as much weight as the old lady in front of him.
If Qiao Xin could shake him up with a word or two, it would be enough for their Anhua County Tea Merchants Association to walk sideways in Dajing!
"Well, that's a good idea!" Qiao Xin's voice was calm and her eyes were far-reaching: "Some of your ideas coincide with mine."
Chairman Meng was delighted when he heard this: "Please give me some advice, old lady!"
"Anhua County is exactly the place you must pass through to go to Yanmen. From Anhua County to Laohu Town, and then to Yanmen, the two places are about the same distance. Do you plan to establish a transit base in Anhua County to reduce transportation costs and losses?"
"Transit base?"
"Yes, a transit base. I plan to build a large-scale material transit base in Xihua County.
In the future, many goods from the south can be shipped here first and then shipped to the north.
It not only includes tea, but also a variety of bulk goods such as porcelain, cloth, grain, etc.
Merchants coming from the north can also directly trade and purchase goods from the south here, so merchants from the north and south don’t have to bother looking for a connecting person!
By then, the county will set aside a certain amount of time every year to bring everyone together and provide opportunities for communication!
Are President Meng and President Cheng interested in participating on behalf of your Chamber of Commerce?"
The two looked at each other after hearing this, their expressions indeed showing some hesitation.
"If you have any concerns, please speak up. This is not the first time we have worked together."
Chairman Meng shook his head and said, "It's not that I don't trust you. If you want to build it in your personal name, I will say nothing.
If we participate in the Chamber of Commerce, we must discuss this with them. I am afraid that the investment will be too much and we cannot afford it!"
Qiao Xin said: "A capital of 100,000 taels of silver will be enough.
I can mention this to you because everything has been arranged. I will give you three days to discuss it with them.
If there is no news from you after three days, I will assume that you have voluntarily given up!"
President Meng was immediately filled with gratitude. He knew that this was Qiao Xin's special care for old acquaintances like them.
If it were some unfamiliar merchants, not to mention being able to meet Qiao Xin directly, they would have to be humble even when meeting the Qiao family's doorman. How could they have the right to negotiate?
President Meng became even more respectful.
“The old lady has this kindness, and I will remember it in my heart.
They will remember the principle of repaying a drop of kindness with a spring of gratitude.
Although they are businessmen, they are by no means people who forget their principles when they see profit.
Qiao Xin smiled and said, "Let's make money together. We can win together. You guys do a good job."
When I make more money, I can do more charity. It won't be a waste of my kindness.
President Meng's heart was moved and his brows were clear.
Do more good deeds. Does this mean that we hope these merchants can do good deeds and give back to the society? This is not an excessive request. It is their duty to give back to their fellow villagers after making money!
"Madam's teachings, I will remember them!"
The few of them chatted for a while while President Meng was about to say goodbye.
Qiao Xin did not try to persuade them to stay, and let Shunzi send them out.
President Mo Meng followed Shunzi out. Before saying goodbye, President Meng did not leave directly, but greeted Shunzi.
"Manager Shunzi, I wonder when you'll be free. I'd like to treat you to a couple of drinks!"
"There's no need to drink. We are old acquaintances. Don't be so pretentious. How can we not know what you, Old Meng, are thinking?"
Chairman Meng rushed in and asked in a low voice: "Hey, no matter what you say, you can't hide it from Master Shunzi. I just want to ask, which other families are planning to build a transit base?"
Shunzi's smile turned meaningful after hearing this.
President Meng thought about it, took out a silver note from his sleeve and stuffed it into the hand he was given.
"My humble kindness is not a token of respect."
Shunzi looked down at the amount on the banknote, his eyes widened, and then he looked up again: "Brother, please take it back quickly, don't cheat me!
For the sake of our past acquaintance, I will tell you that besides your Chamber of Commerce, there is also Xiaoyaohou Mansion in Beijing, Wang Yuanwai's family, Xu family in Dongyi, Wu family in Changnan Town, Huo family of Mingzhou Merchants, and Chen family in Jiangcheng.
These have all been decided, and there may be more in the future. But the old lady said that Xihua County is a small place, and the capacity is limited. There are only ten places at most, and no one will be accepted after the deadline.
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