A red sun bursts out, and the salt fields sparkle under the sunlight. Due to the different concentrations of brine, the salt fields show different luster, some are light blue, some are dark blue, some are green, or some are deep.
The entire salt field was surrounded by navy soldiers for dozens of miles, with three floors inside and three floors outside. Checkpoints were set up on every road, and entry and exit were prohibited.
The Hedong Saltworks seems to be isolated from the world, and no news can escape.
In the official residence, Fang Jun was drinking tea aside. Su Dingfang had completely taken over the command and ordered: "Scouts go forward and pay close attention to the situation in Fenyin, Anyi, Wenxi and other counties. If there is any movement, report it immediately. No delay!”
"Here!"
"All prisoners are held separately according to their status, and they are not treated harshly. However, if anyone does not listen to the warning and acts arbitrarily, he will be killed without mercy!"
"Here!"
"Contact Luoyang to ensure the delivery of materials to the salt farm. Grain, rice, meat, eggs, and medicines must be fully guaranteed."
"Here!"
Orders were issued one after another, and the entire salt field suddenly seemed like a fortress. The general's calm and leisurely demeanor was particularly eye-catching.
After the urgent matters were dealt with, Fang Jun asked someone to deliver lunch, asked Zheng Xuanguo to accompany him, and then asked someone to bring Wang Fijiao up.
Wang Fukiao failed to successfully attack the official house last night. He knew something was going to happen and wanted to escape from the salt pond and return to Fenyin to report the news. In the end, he fell into the salt pond in panic and was picked up by his escort. He fled in panic and was blocked by the arriving navy troops. Standing upright, he became a prisoner under the orders.
Although he had changed his clothes at this moment, his spirit was listless and he stood in the hall without saying a word.
Fang Jun looked as usual and said with a smile: "Today's affairs are very busy. I'm afraid I won't have time to have a banquet. Supervisor Wang is sitting down to have a lunch first."
Zheng Xuanguo stood up quickly and moved a stool for Wang Fijiao.
Wang Fukiao glared at Zheng Xuanguo, then stepped forward and sat down.
Lunch was very simple, including porridge, steamed buns, braised pork, grilled lamb chops, and tofu soup. Although Wang Fukiao served a bowl to eat, he was a child of an aristocratic family and had an embarrassing status, so he was a little reserved and moved slower. Fang Jun and Su Dingfang were Without raising their heads at all, they ate up the food while snoring. Wang Fukiao and Zheng Xuanguo looked at each other, not even half full...
The dishes were removed and the soldiers served tea.
Fang Jun looked at Zheng Xuanguo and got straight to the point: "Now that the imperial court has taken back the Hedong salt field, all the officials, saltmen, and civilians belonging to the Hedong family have been cleared and expelled. The salt field is empty. I would like to write to His Majesty to appoint the Zheng family in Xingyang to act as the salt field. How do you manage affairs, recruit salt workers, and manage production? ”
Zheng Xuanguo was startled and waved his hands repeatedly: "The Zheng family in Xingyang has never directly managed the salt farm. She lacks experience and manpower, so it is difficult for her to take on major responsibilities. She does not dare to delay your grand plan, Duke Yue."
Being forced by Fang Jun to come to the Hedong Saltworks had already made the Zheng family in Xingyang feel on edge. At first, they thought that they could use the relationship between the Zheng family in Xingyang and the Hedong family to act as a lobbyist to ease the conflict between the two parties. But now Fang Jun mobilized the army to The salt farm is completely taken over, but the Zheng family in Xingyang should replace the Hedong family. What should we do?
If this is the case, the Zheng family in Xingyang will be regarded as a thorn in the side and a thorn in the flesh of all the Hedong families, and become a traitor like a rat crossing the street...
Fang Jun frowned: "Do you think I have no way to resume production in the salt farm except for the Zheng family in Xingyang?"
Zheng Xuanguo said respectfully: "The Duke of Yue has great achievements and always makes plans before moving on. Since he took over the salt field with thunderous means, how can he not take all the considerations into account? Although I am too stupid to guess the plan of the Duke of Yue, but Never dare to question it.”
Wang Fukiao on the side couldn't help but said: "So what if production is resumed? Production has been suspended for half a month now. Even if everyone returns to work now, it will take ten or eight days to arrange everything properly. After nearly a month of suspension, salt storage in various places It has been seriously insufficient, and turmoil has arisen. Can the Duke of Yue be responsible for causing chaos in Hedong, Henan, and Guanzhong? ”
"Why are you alarmist? It's not that serious." Fang Jun waved his hands disapprovingly and said: "You Hedong family controls the salt field and monopolizes the salt industry. You only know how to make profits but don't know how to improve the technology. You are still using such primitive salt production methods for hundreds of years. technology The technology has resulted in low output and poor quality. If the salt pond is flooded at the slightest risk, production will be stopped, which has reduced the salt storage in Hedong and other places and made people panic. Now that the dynasty has changed, you should throw all your stuff into the salt pond. "
Zheng Xuanguo was shocked: "Can the Duke of Yue improve the salt production technology?"
Wang Fijiao also looked at a loss: "But the salt production technology of the Huating Town Salt Farm is still the same, and there has been no improvement."
If Fang Jun had improved salt-making technology, why didn't he use it in the Huating Town Salt Farm?
Just waiting to plan the Hedong Salt Farm?
Before Fang Jun could answer, soldiers from outside came in and reported: "Doctor Liu, Dai Siqing, and Zhang Shangshu led the officials of the "Three Laws Division" to the salt field."
Fang Jun then said to Wang Fijiao: "Those account books are well preserved. The Sanfa Division is stationed in the salt field to check the account books. Anyone who commits corruption, withholding, passing off inferior goods, etc. will be convicted sternly and quickly, and then taken to Chang'an." Incarcerate. You appoint two people. , go and send a message to the Hedong family, telling them to live in peace and not make any trouble. Otherwise, although I can't do anything to the Hedong family, I am still somewhat sure that their children will be involved in the saltworks corruption case. .”
Wang Fukiao didn't know what to say.
He had already predicted that Fang Jun's takeover of the salt farm must be in the name of "thoroughly investigating corruption." After all, salt farm officials must be appointed and supervised by the Ministry of Finance, and every descendant of an aristocratic family has an official position awarded by the imperial court. As long as corruption occurs, the court can punish it according to law.
It's just that there has been a tacit agreement before that the Hedong family produces salt, the court receives it, merchants traffic it, and merchants sell it. This has been the case for hundreds of years. The court will not control the operation and production of the salt farm, and only needs to deliver the agreed output to Chang'an every year. That’s it.
As for whether the portion delivered conforms to the quantity negotiated between the two parties, the court will generally not be serious, because the production of the salt field is in the hands of the Hedong family, and the court has no way to calculate it in detail.
But now things have changed, and the salt farm has been completely taken over by Fang Jun, so if he has to act according to the rules, he will naturally comply with the law.
But the big bosses of the "Three Law Divisions" and their respective yamen elites gathered at the Hedong Salt Farm to verify the account books. The scene was a bit big...
Wang Fukiao felt that the salt field was completely far away from the Hedong family. His mouth was bitter and he shook his head and said: "Now it's not just about whether the Hedong family reacts violently. I'm afraid that if the news of Duke Yue's forced takeover of the salt field spreads, the whole of Henan and Guanzhong will explode. Yingtian. To be honest, even if you have improved salt-making technology, you still need skilled workers and enough officials to operate it..."
At this point, he already begged: "You command the army to take over the salt field. This was something no one expected in advance. The heads of the Hedong family must be caught off guard and at a loss when the news spreads back. At this time, you can raise some officials in the court." The allocated share will definitely be responded to.”
Even if the technology is amazing, doesn’t it have to be operated by humans?
Without the officials, saltmen, and common men of the Hedong family, what would you use to produce?
Now you don't follow the rules and directly send the army to take over the salt field, which really caught the Hedong family off guard. Take this opportunity to increase the share from what the Hedong family originally gave, and call it a day.
Otherwise, if the quarrel continues, both sides will suffer. The Hedong family will completely lose ownership of the Hedong salt field, and Fang Jun will bear the responsibility for causing huge social unrest. This is a consequence that neither party can bear.
He felt that Fang Jun was not a violent and reckless person. Although there were rumors that his nickname was "Bang Chui", Wang Fukiao believed that it was somewhat exaggerated through these contacts. He was an imperial nobleman with great ambitions.
Perhaps, taking over the salt farm with such drastic measures is part of the negotiation?
Fang Jun sneered and said bluntly: "Do you think this is a good opportunity for negotiation? If your Hedong family gives up part of its interests, I will be overjoyed and achieve great achievements? Let me tell you, the issue of ownership of the salt farm , no negotiation! Under the sun and moon, the mineral output of mountains, rivers and lakes in all parts of China are God-given to the people of China. How can you, the Hedong family, have the audacity to occupy them? "
He stood up and issued an ultimatum: "Two plans. First, the imperial court decrees that the Zheng family in Xingyang will be the 'Salt Envoy' of the Hedong Salt Pond for generations, responsible for the production, sales and other full affairs of the salt pond."
Zheng Xuanguo's face suddenly turned red and his blood pressure soared.
Have they been "salt envoys" for Hedong Salt Pond for generations? !
traitor? !
Abandon? !
That’s bullshit!
That means that the Zheng family in Xingyang will completely control Hedong Yanchi and become the most powerful family in Hedong and Henan.
I really want to say yes now, but what should I do if I can’t bear it anymore...
Fang Jun continued: "Second, the Hedong aristocratic families take turns serving as the 'salt envoys', responsible for the production and sales of the salt field. This 'Hedong aristocratic family' includes all the Hedong aristocratic families, whether it is Xue, Pei, Liu, Longmen Wang, Anyi Sima and everyone are qualified.”
Wang Fijiao's breathing became heavier.
Although the people responsible for managing the salt field have always been weak and unknown clans such as Longmen Wang and Anyi Sima, which are the means of wooing the three behemoths of Xue, Pei and Liu, but in any case, the rest of Hedong The aristocratic families were all dependent on the Xue, Pei, and Liu families, and all the benefits they received were leftovers.
But if we follow Fang Jun's words now, wouldn't it mean that the Longmen Wang family will one day take charge of Yanchi?
Although the ownership of the salt farm has been nationalized, the interests as a manager and the huge influence it has are enough to make a small family like the Longmen Wang family richer and even better.
Zheng Xuanguo and Wang Fijiao looked at each other, and both could see the heat in the other's eyes. Knowing that Fang Jun is trying to divide and win over each other, but with the current interests, who can remain indifferent?