Da Ming: Father, step aside, I'll be the prime minister!

Chapter 295 The Collapse Begins from Within? Master Wang, We're Here to Make Money!
Early winter of the ninth year of the Wanli reign.

Historical records indicate that in Xuande Prefecture, Hebei Province, "heavy snow fell in the ninth month of the ninth year of the Wanli reign, accumulating to two feet in the mountains, and only began to melt in the spring." Under the influence of the Little Ice Age, many northern regions had experienced heavy snowfall since late autumn.

However, due to some unforeseen circumstances, the plague that had ravaged the north and south for two whole years has now completely disappeared.

But it only slightly reduced the burden on the people in the north and south.

Since the beginning of winter, commodity prices, which were already rising steadily, have become even more unstoppable in their upward trend.

The people of the capital were already worried about the prices of goods such as grain and cloth, let alone ordinary people in other regions.

In contrast, during the cold winter, smoke constantly rises from the chimneys of wealthy and powerful families. Some of these families even keep cooking day and night, and at midnight, one can hear rather charming and decadent music coming from inside the high walls of their courtyards.

Furthermore, due to the emergence of the futures market, many gentry and merchants squandered their profits recklessly, spending money like water.

After all, if silver is lying in the futures market, one can earn thousands or tens of thousands of taels every day without doing anything. So who would still treat silver as silver?
The brothels, taverns, and music and dance halls were thriving. In some cities in Jiangnan, while it was freezing cold, there was singing and dancing, and all kinds of extravagant wines and delicacies were constantly being served. Some of the bolder ones even rivaled the imperial palace in scale.

Just like a historical cycle, the story of the rich feasting while the poor feasted was repeated, and the wealthy gentry, merchants, and aristocrats once again emerged victorious.

The struggles of the upper class ultimately cost ordinary people dearly, causing countless families to be torn apart and lives lost during the harsh winter of the ninth year of the Wanli Emperor's reign.

Is everything about to settle down like this?
However, just half a month later, something seemed amiss in this once-in-a-century carnival.

Taicang Prefecture.

A glass house was surprisingly built among the pavilions and waterside terraces of the Wang family mansion.

The room is not large, about the size of a pavilion. The most eye-catching feature is that its four walls are made of glass panels. The transparent and clear glass not only insulates against the cold, but also allows the tea drinkers inside to appreciate the beautiful winter scenery.

Such elegance is naturally not something ordinary people can enjoy. Just transporting this glass from the capital to Taicang Prefecture, while ensuring that the glass does not break, took a great deal of effort.

At this moment, there is a delicate little stove in the room, with wine being warmed and tea being brewed on it, along with a variety of fruits and snacks.

Looking at this scene, Wang Shizhen couldn't help but sigh with emotion.

"Brother Yuanyu, what a grand gesture! Such a glazed tile house—in the entire Jiangnan region, your place must be the only one of its kind. It's truly enviable!"

Wang Xijue picked up a cup of warm rice wine, took a small sip, and said without a smile.

"It's nothing more than arrangements made by servants in the capital. Your son isn't in the capital, so if Brother Yuanmei needs it, it's a piece of cake to have the child fulfill his filial duties."

Wang Shizhen smiled and shook his head, saying, "I don't count on that bastard anymore. That kid Wang Shiqi spends all his time in the futures market now; he's completely obsessed."

He looked annoyed.

"I sent my younger brother Jingmei to discipline him, but he's gotten better and hangs out with this kid. I wonder what kind of bewitching magic the futures market has to offer!"

To be honest, he had previously asked his younger brother Wang Shimao to go to the capital, specifically to discipline Wang Shiqi and Wang Heng. However, he never expected that Wang Shimao, who was almost fifty years old, would also become deeply involved.

"A riot of colors dazzles the eye," Wang Xijue said leisurely. "The two of them have inflated the prices of goods in the capital, which can be considered a help to us."

At this point, his expression turned rather somber.

"It's just a pity about my unfilial son."

Wang Xijue now understands that his precious son did not go there to seek enlightenment, but rather went to teach at Xishan Academy.

Nominally, it was teaching, but in Wang Xijue's eyes, how was it any different from betraying himself?
For Wang Xijue, it was a great humiliation that his outstanding eldest son, whom he had nurtured for many years, had actually joined the enemy's ranks and even addressed a fourteen-year-old boy as "Master."

Wang Shizhen knew that the other party was still bothered by this matter, so she quickly comforted him.

"Your son is only temporarily blinded by greed. Once the Western Hills fall apart, he will surely understand the truth."

I hope so~

Wang Xijue, with a gloomy expression, downed another cup of yellow wine.

At this point, he couldn't help but recall something else.

"Speaking of which, the situation in Jiangnan has been rather strange these past two weeks."

"weird?"

Wang Xijue frowned and said, "A few months ago, we joined forces with the local gentry of Jiangnan to undertake a major project. With the help of merchants from all over the country, the textile bureau and Xishan Bank were unable to gain any advantage over the goods from Jiangnan. All kinds of rice, flour and oil have also risen in price."

But in the past two weeks, there has been absolutely no sign of growth, which is truly bizarre.

"But it seems that prices can't always rise."

Wang Shizhen offered a guess, but then realized something was amiss and frowned as he spoke.

"It's strange, really. According to our estimates, the Jiangnan Textile Bureau and Xishan Money Shop don't have much silver left. Where is Zhang Shiyuan going to find so much silver to give to those farmers and common people?"

But after so much time, the weaving bureau remained completely silent.

According to their estimates, the collapse of the Jiangnan Textile Bureau would only take one or two months.

The massive quantities of cotton and silk produced by the Tiangong looms were not accepted by the gentry and merchants of Jiangnan, and the transport capacity to Beizhili was also limited. Without the support of merchants from various regions, Zhang Shiyuan would naturally be unable to sustain himself once his money ran out.

This was the open scheme of the Jiangnan gentry: on the one hand, they cut off the income and expenditure of the Jiangnan Textile Bureau; on the other hand, they hoarded goods and speculated on prices, making the already tense situation even worse.

The Jiangnan gentry could rely on their rich family background and centuries of operation in Jiangnan to survive, but could the Xishan gentry really survive?

Could the Wanli Emperor really dare to use the imperial power to interfere in the affairs of the textile bureau? If so, the nature of this matter would change, returning to the old battlefield, nothing more than another discussion of the imperial decree on "opening up the sea".

“Winter is here,” Wang Xijue emphasized. “The weather is getting colder and colder, so prices should rise!”

These wealthy merchants from Jiangnan, without exception, had stockpiled massive amounts of goods, waiting to carry out a thorough purge of Xishan after winter set in.

After all that work, the price of goods didn't rise, so all the storage and transportation losses they incurred were completely wasted.

"There does seem to be something fishy going on," Wang Shizhen said thoughtfully. "I've heard that a lot of briquettes have appeared in Jiangnan recently. Perhaps it's a large quantity of briquettes sent from Xishan, which has affected the prices of various goods in Jiangnan?"

After the Shanxi merchants suffered a crushing defeat in the capital, Xishan seized the opportunity to take over all the coal mines in Beizhili, including many that belonged to the royal family and the imperial court.

Therefore, the production of briquettes has changed dramatically, and Xishan is even able to sell briquettes as far away as Hainan.

"Wasn't it all agreed upon?" Wang Xijue slammed his hand on the table. "Tell those merchants to be patient for now, and we will compensate them in full later. Why is so much oyster shell still being shipped to Jiangnan?"

Wang Shizhen looked distressed: "Brother Yuanyu, this matter cannot be forced. Jiangnan is so vast, and we are not the government, so it is really difficult to suppress it."

"no!"

Wang Xijue has become extremely irritable lately.

"We absolutely cannot open this door. We're just relying on sheer willpower to wear down Zhang Shiyuan. If that will dissipate, we'll all perish!"

Wang Shizhen trembled, realizing the consequences of failure.

However, he remained relatively optimistic. Since the founding of the dynasty, the court had tried to govern Jiangnan time and again, but had it ever succeeded?

Even if Zhang Yunxiu gains the upper hand this time, they have land and a million people from Jiangnan here. Can the imperial court really go too far? The next day.

Shanxi merchant Chang Tingyu and Zhejiang merchant Fan Ruzi stepped into the Wang family's backyard together.

Wang Xijue sat upright in the tea room in the backyard, brewing a pot of fine tea for these two top merchants from Jiangnan.

"This pot of Luojie tea has been said to have the fragrance of orchids since ancient times. Brother Tingyu, you were born into a prominent family in Shanxi and have tasted famous teas all over the world. But have you ever properly appreciated our local famous teas from Jiangnan?"

Chang Tingyu took the cup of tea, but immediately felt it was too hot to handle, so he quickly put it down and said...

"I am truly ashamed, but I cannot drink anything too hot. Please allow it to cool down for a moment."

Wang Xijue's face stiffened, then he turned his gaze to Fan Ruzi beside him and said with a smile.

“Nephew Ruzi, your father Fan Lai and I have a long-standing friendship. Now he is serving in Nanchang Prefecture, and all the business affairs of the Fan family, big and small, are decided by you. It seems you have to drink this cup of tea.”

He then placed a cup of tea in front of Fan Ruzi, who was dressed as a scholar and appeared somewhat timid, but he still waved his hand and said...

"Uncle, I am truly humbled by your offer of tea and dare not accept it."

"Humph!"

Wang Xijue couldn't help but get angry, and slammed his hand on the table.

"You two are making all sorts of excuses, have you completely forgotten your previous agreement?"

Fan Ruzi came from the Fan family, whose family had been engaged in the firewood trade in Siming Mountain and other places for generations. They were not only involved in firewood, but also in various types of coal mines.

The recent drop in fuel prices is likely related to the Fan family as well.

Uncle. Uncle

Fan Ruzi looked bewildered, which made Wang Xijue seem aggressive.

Wang Xijue was somewhat angry, and then turned his gaze to Chang Tingyu and said, "Brother Tingyu, we are of the same generation, so let's make things clear. You and I made an agreement in the past to maintain the prices of firewood and coal in Jiangnan."

Now is the crucial moment for us to fight Zhang Shiyuan to the death. Why are you lowering the price?

Chang Tingyu represents the Chang family of Yuci, a wealthy merchant family in Jinzhong. Although they are not as wealthy as Wang Dengku and Fan Yongdou, they control the trade route of "north coal to south". For many years, coal from Shanxi, Hebei and other places has been transported to Jiangnan and other places by the Chang family.

Chang Tingyu narrowed his eyes and looked at Wang Xijue, appearing to have a clear conscience.

“Master Wang, your words are somewhat biased. We had an agreement, but it was not like this.”

Wang Xijue had previously served as the Grand Master of the Imperial Household Department when he was in the imperial court, so those who knew him would still privately refer to him as "Grand Master".

But saying it now has a slightly ironic tone.

But Chang Tingyu continued speaking.

"We made an agreement in the past that we would cooperate with each other. We merchants would raise our prices, and Wang Zhanshi would compensate us for our losses."

My family is different from the large families in Jiangnan; we run a small business.

For months, the prices of firewood and coal in Jiangnan have remained high, and we have suffered losses of more than tens of thousands of taels of silver, yet we still see no silver in sight.

"May I ask, Master Wang, what is the reason behind this?"

Chang Tingyu stood with his hands behind his back, looking like a dead pig that wasn't afraid of boiling water.

"Now, the Xishan Coal Mine is eager to make a move, and Xishan briquettes are selling well all over the country. If my Chang family continues like this, we will be letting Xishan steal our business."

Wang Zhanshi has friends from all over the country who support him, and he is a guest of honor among princes and nobles, but my Chang family has no intention of eating coarse food!

"You!" Wang Xijue's face flushed red as he angrily said, "Didn't we agree that the money would be given in a while?"

Chang Tingyu frowned and said, "Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow, how many tomorrows are there? This is just a verbal agreement. What can my Chang family do if the Grand Tutor Wang doesn't pay the money later?"

He was ultimately unwilling to offend Wang Xijue, so he turned his head away and said.

"Wang Zhanshi need not worry too much. This is just a temporary measure. A small change in fuel prices will not affect the overall situation."

"You! You're such a profit-driven person."

Wang Xijue never imagined that he would be unable to reason with a merchant and almost cursed him out. Fortunately, considering his cooperation with the Shanxi merchants, he ultimately held back.

Fan Ruzi, standing to the side with a bitter face, said, "Uncle, please don't be too angry. This coal mine matter is really too troublesome. One thing can affect everything. You should know that Zhang Shiyuan has occupied many official kilns in Beizhili, and the massive amount of briquettes he produces is sold all over the country."

He sighed.

“If we don’t lower our prices, others will, and in the end, the business will benefit others. It’s a helpless situation.”

Coal and firewood are unlike anything else; Xishan can be said to dominate the market. The gentry and powerful families can only suppress prices temporarily. As time goes on and more and more goods appear on the market, even if the gentry of Jiangnan have a lot of money, they will not be able to afford them all.

Wang Xijue said angrily, "You are only thinking about your immediate interests, but you have forgotten how Zhang Shiyuan treated you in the past."

Have the Shanxi merchants completely forgotten all the hardships they suffered at Zhang Shiyuan's hands?

Chang Tingyu cupped his hands and said, "Lord Wang, my Chang family doesn't have such a big temper. We only want to earn some money to survive. Please forgive us for all the troubles we've caused."

After saying this, he got up and left.

"I have some matters to attend to, so I will take my leave now. If you wish to discuss matters again in the future, please send someone to inform me, and I will certainly be there at your beck and call."

"Chang Tingyu! How dare you!"

After exchanging pleasantries, Chang Tingyu turned and left. Wang Xijue shouted after him, but the former seemed not to hear and left on his own.

Upon seeing this scene, Fan Ruzi couldn't help but sigh and offered words of comfort to Wang Shizhen.

"Uncle, please don't worry. Manager Chang was just acting out of anger. We are all in the same boat, how can we not help each other?"

However, everyone here makes a living through business, and seeing others earn more while they earn less would make anyone uncomfortable.

Fan Ruzi kept addressing Wang Xijue as "Uncle" to comfort him, which annoyed Wang Xijue greatly. He let out a long sigh and waved his hand, saying...

"Alright~ You should go back first. I will write a letter to your father about this matter and ask him to come and make a decision."

Fan Ruzi nodded hurriedly, as if he had been granted a pardon.

"Then I shall take my leave."

Since he is here today, he must have already received permission from his father, Fan Lai.

Both men knew in their hearts that these words were merely a way of saving face for Wang Xijue.

(End of this chapter)