From a son-in-law to a favorite of the empress

Chapter 566

Xu Guangchao's heart was filled with huge waves. The word "imperial merchant" meant a lot to the eight major families in Yangzhou.

Opening private mines and selling private salt relied on bribing officials and managing the relationship between superiors and subordinates. They lived on the edge of a knife and licked blood on the tip of a sword. Sooner or later, they would have bad luck. The Bai and Song families were examples.

But the imperial merchants were different. They were doing business with the Ministry of Internal Affairs in an open and aboveboard manner. They made money that was visible to the public. More importantly, they had a superior status, almost equivalent to court officials.

If there were a few more people in the family who could read, their official careers would also be smooth...

Wealth, reputation, power, all in one, how could the private salt business today compare?

Thinking of this, Xu Guangchao couldn't help but get excited. Fortunately, he didn't listen to the nonsense of that surnamed official before, otherwise how could he have such good fortune today?

Zhou Yuan was only twenty years old, but he was already a Duke. The court of the Jin Dynasty would be his for the next few decades. What good would it be to go against him?

On the contrary, as long as they hold on to this thigh, the Xu family will not have to worry about anything in the next few decades.

"Duke, I dare to ask what the so-called imperial merchant's plan is?"

Xu Guangchao really couldn't help it. Only by mastering the first-hand information can he prepare in advance, and then he can be ahead of other families.

Especially the Wu family, they must not let them get ahead again.

Zhou Yuan said calmly: "The world trend is mighty and powerful. Those who follow it will prosper, and those who go against it will perish."

"Nowadays, the development of technology has promoted the accessibility of sea transportation. The materials of our Celestial Empire are all treasures that the countries in Southeast Asia dream of. Therefore, commodity exports are the general trend. It not only helps to accumulate national wealth, but also helps to patrol the ocean and dominate the world."

"However, the export industry is so huge that the Ministry of Internal Affairs cannot complete it alone. It must combine the power of the people to develop and prosper."

"Therefore, the Ministry of Internal Affairs will set up Haitong Silver House and the Ministry of Commerce to help the export industry. It must also cooperate with private businessmen to break through trade barriers and form a virtuous circle."

"Cooperating with the Ministry of Internal Affairs, of course, is an imperial merchant."

Speaking of this, Zhou Yuan slowly smiled and said lightly: "Master Xu, if an imperial merchant makes outstanding contributions to the court and has sufficient knowledge of export trade, he does not need to take the imperial examination. He will be promoted to the Ministry of Commerce in a special way, responsible for various positions such as customs inspection and import and export tax audit, all of which are appointed by the court."

"Don't reveal this point. After all, I am still planning these things in detail with Your Majesty, and there is no detailed conclusion."

Xu Guangchao nodded quickly and said: "Yes, yes, I will keep it confidential. Thank you, Duke, for your cultivation."

As soon as the voice fell, the voice of the servant came from outside the door.

"Master, the master of the Song family is here, saying that he has something important to discuss."

Xu Guangchao's face changed, and then he lowered his voice and said: "Let him go, don't you see that I have a distinguished guest!"

Zhou Yuan said: "Master Xu, maybe the people of the Song family are here for me, so let's meet them."

Xu Guangchao was stunned, but he didn't dare to disobey Zhou Yuan's words, and just whispered: "Then the Duke... I bring him in?"

Zhou Yuan said: "Bring him in, after all, they also know that after the Bai family suffered, it's their turn."

Soon, the head of the Song family followed Xu Guangchao into the hall.

This is a tall old man with gray hair and beard, eyes like copper bells, nose like hanging gallbladder, and a rather rough face.

"Song Yingzhen pays homage to the Duke!"

He also has a loud voice and full of energy, and doesn't seem to be so afraid of things.

Zhou Yuan narrowed his eyes and said, "Stand up and talk. The attitude of the head of the Song family... is he here to show his cards?"

"Yes!"

Song Yingzhen stood up, sat aside respectfully, and said with a fist: "Duke, the Bai family is finished now, and we also know that it is our Song family's turn."

"If you don't know what is good and what is bad at this time, then it's my fault."

"Song admits that I have indeed opened private mines, sold private salt, made salt permits, and bought black salt in recent years, making huge profits."

At this point, he gritted his teeth and said, "When I did those things, I thought there would be this day, but I didn't expect it to come so soon, and Mr. Song is still here. , our Song family will be in trouble. "

Zhou Yuan's pupils shrank slightly, and he said in a deep voice: "Tell me clearly, what does this matter have to do with Lord Song?"

"Nothing."

Song Yingzhen said loudly: "The Song family is not like other families, with a solid foundation and a century of heritage. The Song family has only been rising for thirty or forty years, and it is all built by me."

"It is also thanks to Lord Song. We are originally from the same family. My father is Lord Song's distant cousin. I relied on this relationship to slowly break through the barriers of private salt and step by step to where I am today."

Zhou Yuan snorted coldly and said: "You do these things, Lord Song knowsDo you know?"

Song Yingzhen said: "I have never told him clearly, but I think he knows it. He just turned a blind eye and never cared about me."

Zhou Yuan was silent for a moment, then said lightly: "I will write a letter to Mr. Song to explain the situation."

"But listen carefully, don't say that your father is Mr. Song's distant cousin, even if he is his brother, I will still not show mercy!"

Song Yingzhen clasped his fists and said: "Mr. Duke, I know, I dare not beg for mercy. I just heard that the Duke is running around for the money of the Firearms Bureau and the revitalization of the navy, and I want to do my best. "

"The Song family has more than 130 properties, spread across eight provinces. The total value of all properties is no less than 7 million taels. "

"I am willing to donate all my property to serve the court, without leaving a penny. "

"I only ask the Duke to spare my family's lives, let us go back to our hometown to farm, and never worry about worldly affairs again."

Xu Guangchao was shocked. Are you Song family so decisive? Take the initiative to confiscate the family?

Zhou Yuan was also a little surprised. The wealth accumulated over decades is not something that can be easily given up. Since they are related to the Song family, if Song Shan'ao is willing to help, maybe they can really avoid this wave.

Song Shan'ao has made great contributions and is the pillar of the country. As long as he is willing to lower his face and ask for mercy in front of His Majesty, and the Song family pays a lot of blood, this time the salt inspection may really let them go.

But this guy is really decisive. Maybe he was scared by the fate of the Bai family and dared not have any fluke thoughts, so he blew himself up and sent the tower directly, just to survive.

Zhou Yuan took a deep look at Song Yingzhen, and then said: "Since you surrender, you will naturally be treated leniently. I can still do this. "

Song Yingzhen heaved a sigh of relief, stood up, and said: "All the information about the Song family is already being sorted out. I will personally deliver it to the official residence within two days."

"My Lord, you have something important to do. I dare not disturb you. I will take my leave first."

He strode away, leaving only a chic back.

Zhou Yuan narrowed his eyes and said slowly: "Master Xu, I don't seem to need you to provide information about the Song family."

Xu Guangchao's heart was almost broken. Such a good opportunity to make merit was ruined by Song Yingzhen.

He hurriedly said: "My Lord, I also know the information of other families."

Zhou Yuan stood up, but shook his head and said: "Enough, the Bai and Song families together are estimated to have 15 million taels of silver, which is enough for me to expand the Firearms Bureau and rebuild the Navy."

"I am short of time and have a heavy task, and I am not in the mood to compete with other families. Let's stop here this time. "

He looked at Xu Guangchao and smiled, "I still have to thank your Xu family. After all, you and the Wu family gave me one million taels of silver."

Xu Guangchao said quickly, "It's my duty. It's just a small token of my gratitude. I don't deserve your thanks."

He was relieved. His words just now were somewhat tentative, but fortunately, the Duke of Weiguo was indeed full and had no mood to attack the other families.

Thinking of this, Xu Guangchao felt so relaxed.

After another round of greetings, he respectfully sent Zhou Yuan away.

Seeing Zhou Yuan get on the carriage, he couldn't help but feel lucky that he didn't listen to the bad advice of that official, otherwise he would have known what a tragic ending it would have been.