Chongzhen's domineering

Chapter 128 The theft of jobs sparks a popular uprising (Part 2)
Wei Zhongxian acted with impunity in Jiangnan, engaging in rampant and indiscriminate confiscation.

Zhu Jue deliberately indulged them, ignoring all the impeachments from the officials in the outer court.

The Donglin Party and the Qi-Chu-Zhe Party couldn't sit still any longer.

Jiangnan was not only the domain of Zhejiang merchants and wealthy families, but also the foundation of the Donglin Academy. The Donglin Academy was located in Changzhou Prefecture, next to Suzhou Prefecture, which could be considered the old stronghold of the Donglin Academy.

Once Wei Zhongxian started confiscating property, it was like an addiction; he would endlessly implicate others and confiscate property without end.

If this guy continues to raid like this, not only will the raw silk and tea supplies of the wealthy merchants and businessmen of Zhejiang be wiped out, but the stronghold of the Donglin faction will also be completely ransacked by him.

They have no choice but to take action.

Early that morning, around dawn, Han Kuang, Feng Quan, Wen Tiren, and Zhou Yanru arrived early and sat in a dark corner of the cabinet office to discuss countermeasures.

Han Kuang didn't seem very interested. He looked like he hadn't woken up yet, his eyes half-closed, as if he were dozing off.

Behind him were the three powerful clans and eight imperial merchants of Puzhou. The raw silk of Jiangnan had little to do with them. As for tea, they controlled the tea licenses of Sichuan and Shaanxi. Jiangnan was too far away for them to bother with.

This matter had little to do with Feng Quan. Feng Quan was from Zhuozhou in Shuntian Prefecture, and his base was in Beizhili. Most of his subordinates were also from Beizhili. No matter how much Wei Zhongxian confiscated property in Jiangnan, it had little impact on him.

However, he did not pretend to be asleep like Han Kuang.

He at least started by saying in a low voice, "What do you suggest we do?"

what can I do?
Wei Zhongxian is in Suzhou Prefecture, which is not our territory.

Upon hearing this, Wen Tiren looked directly at Zhou Yanru.

Zhou Yanru feigned ignorance and said, "Changqing, why are you looking at me like that? I'm not in business."

So you mean you've been supporting pirates and have swallowed up almost all the profits from overseas trade, while we've only sold you some raw silk and tea at the market price of the Ming Dynasty, and we haven't gained any benefits at all, yet you expect us to do anything?
It's already quite good that he can call me Changqing.

Historically, he and Wen Tiren were mortal enemies.

They're temporarily allied because of Zhu Jue's suppression, but who knows when they'll turn on each other.

Upon hearing this, Wen Tiren calmly replied, "Wei Zhongxian is implicating many people. Do you think that guy would distinguish between those who are in business and those who aren't?"

So what? I'm not a big shot in Donglin. Why should I do my work for nothing?
Are you pretending you don't know the rules?
Okay, take your time with the installation.

Zhou Yanru said more calmly, "What are you saying? My hometown is Changzhou Prefecture, not Suzhou Prefecture. What does it have to do with me that Wei Zhongxian implicated so many people in Suzhou Prefecture? He couldn't possibly implicate people in Changzhou Prefecture, could he?"

Why did Han Kuang and Feng Quan bring you here, you treacherous villain?

Upon hearing this, Wen Tiren simply looked at Han Kuang.

This guy is still dozing off!
He had no choice but to look to Feng Quan.

Feng Quan, seemingly a peacemaker, said helplessly, "Changqing, doing things requires expenses, and for such a big matter, the expenses are not ordinary."

You two scoundrels, you just want to profit from this, don't you?
He naturally knew that you had to pay people to do things, and you had to offer them substantial benefits to do important things.

The problem is, they've all suffered huge losses during this period. Not only have they not made any money, they've also lost the cost of their inventory.

Wen Tiren sighed, "As you know, business has been tough lately. We're losing money, not making money."

Who told you to eat alone!
Feng Quan said in a serious tone, "In the current situation, if you continue to fight alone, you will naturally lose money. Only by truly working together can we make money."

Does this mean you still want to profit from overseas trade?
Wen Tiren glanced at Han Kuang, seemingly understanding.

The three powerful clans and eight imperial merchants of Puzhou practically monopolized the interests of the entire north, and they were too lazy to get involved in the affairs of the south.

Feng Quan and Zhou Yanru, those two villains, were different.

These two wicked men held great power but gained nothing from it.

Zhou Yanru's statement that he wasn't in business actually meant this.

Given the current situation, doing business overseas is really becoming unsustainable; at the very least, they can't continue on their own.

Perhaps we can let those two villains try their hand at it.

Wen Tiren frowned and pondered for a while before simply asking, "How many do you want?" That was a very direct question.

You didn't even try to cover it up.

Fine, if you're not going to hide it, then I won't hide it either.

Feng Quan readily agreed, saying, "If we're cooperating, then naturally we'll split the profits 50/50."

Hmph, you're asking for trouble, aren't you?

Okay, how it's divided now doesn't mean how it will be divided in the future.

Moreover, if this business fails, we won't get any benefit from it.

If you can keep this overseas business going, we won't lose out.

I'd like to see what you're capable of.

Wen Tiren nodded slowly and said, "Alright, it's a deal."

You want to turn your back on us later, right?
Do you think we're afraid of you?!

The situation is very different now than in history. The strongest force in the outer court is not Han Kuang, nor Wen Tiren, but the treacherous duo of Feng Quan and Zhou Yanru.

Feng Quan nodded slightly, feigning gentleness as he advised, "Yu Sheng, given the current situation, we really need to stick together. Please help us out."

So, this means the discussion is settled, right?

Zhou Yanru feigned difficulty, saying, "Zhenlu, I'm not lying. I really am from Changzhou Prefecture, not Suzhou Prefecture. What can I do?"

Feng Quan feigned a reminder: "Zhang Pu seems to be your disciple, right? He seems to have some influence in Suzhou Prefecture, doesn't he?"

Zhang Pu was more than just influential in Suzhou Prefecture; scholars throughout Suzhou Prefecture and even the Southern Zhili region held him in high esteem.

This guy was also very good at stirring things up. In the sixth year of the Tianqi reign, Wei Zhongxian sent his secret police to Suzhou Prefecture to arrest Zhou Shunchang, which sparked a popular uprising and was largely due to this guy.

This is all because he later wrote "The Tombstone Inscription for the Five Martyrs" for the five people who were executed during the peasant uprising. Those who know, know why he was the one to write this inscription.

Zhou Yanru feigned sudden realization and said, "That's right, Tianru is from Suzhou Prefecture. I have to write to him. He can't just stand by and watch his fellow villagers be harmed by treacherous officials and pirates."

You two villains, are you putting on a show together?

Who are you performing for?
How disgusting!

Wen Tiren suppressed his nausea and said in a serious tone, "Then I'll have to trouble Yusheng with this matter. I still have a lot of drafts to write, so I won't keep you company any longer. Let's talk again when we have time."

After saying that, he straightened up and left.

As Feng Quan and Zhou Yanru watched his retreating figure, a hint of smugness crept onto their faces.

At this moment, Han Kuang also opened his eyes.

He even said in a serious tone, "Changqing is right, we should go and write the draft; this important matter cannot be delayed."

After saying that, he got up and left.

Does this mean we're behaving too badly?
Feng Quan and Zhou Yanru exchanged an awkward glance.

However, they were only embarrassed for a moment.

What is the purpose of holding power these days? Is it really for the country and the people?
To put it bluntly, it's all about profit!
The three powerful clans and eight imperial merchants of Puzhou have made so much money, can't they make a little bit too?
Feng Quan thought for a moment, then asked, "Yu Sheng, do you think Zhang Pu will listen to you?"

Zhou Yanru said sinisterly, "This kid is very ambitious. If he wants to realize his ambitions, he has to rely on us. He's a smart man, and I believe he knows that."

Feng Quan then warned, "Don't actually write a letter about this, or people will have something on you."

Zhou Yanru nodded slightly and said, "Don't worry, I know what I'm doing. I'll send someone back later."

(End of this chapter)