First Minister of Ming Dynasty

Among them, there are more than 3 weavers alone.In addition, embroidery, printing and dyeing, sales, ships, ticket numbers... the entire industrial chain involves more than [-] people!

It is no exaggeration to say that Suzhou can be regarded as the city with the closest connection with the outside world.

This situation is also related to Daming.

From a very early age, Zhu Yuanzhang rejected overseas trade. He wished that every field could be planted with grain. What kind of merchants would he want? Are they all farmers?

Fortunately, Zhang Ximeng was there to stop Lao Zhu's crazy plan.

However, Zhang Ximeng also admitted that Lao Zhu's idea had merits.

Therefore, although the Ming Dynasty had a special shipping department, it limited the amount of foreign trade.Moreover, Daming strictly controlled prices externally, so if Hu merchants wanted to find a way to buy some cheap goods, they didn't even think about it.

What Daming did not do, Suzhou has followed. The workshop has expanded wildly and replanted mulberry trees. Even Zhang Shicheng knows that food is important, but he can't stop the process of changing rice into mulberry.

Suzhou, dominated by wealthy families, has become more and more profit-seeking, calculating the benefits in everything.

Some people think that it is difficult to defeat Daming, so they should accept the land and surrender, and become a citizen of Daming, so as to avoid wars and disasters.But there are also some people who firmly believe that once it falls into Daming's hands, the good times will be gone, so no matter what, they must fight for this life and keep the existing achievements.

With Zhang Ximeng's sharp eyes and ears, he naturally understood a lot.

If he doesn't intervene, according to Lao Zhu's personality, he will probably try his best to equalize the land, relocate to large households, restrain the powerful...kill the city to pieces, completely block the development of Suzhou, and forcibly correct the tradition that Lao Zhu likes. model.

It is also difficult for Zhang Ximeng to say who is right and who is wrong... He really wants to improve Suzhou, after all, it is very close to Yingtian and flows downstream, so it can be called the gateway of Yingtian.

Make Suzhou a good place, set up a shipping department, develop overseas trade, and turn it into a production and trade center.

As long as it succeeds, Zhang Ximeng doesn't think anyone else would suggest a sea ban with Yingtian so close.

Although Zhang Ximeng also knows that there are complicated reasons for the sea ban, he does not want to lose the opportunity to develop overseas.

Suzhou, the best model, really cannot be missed.

Along the way, Zhang Ximeng thought too much about how to control Suzhou, about the future development direction, how to formulate corresponding economic and foreign policies, and how to encourage technological development and progress...

He thought about it a lot, but when he really got close to Suzhou, he had to tidy it up for the time being, let's smooth out the forces of all parties first!

Not surprisingly, Zhang Ximeng met Zhang Shicheng first. As a member of the Zhang family with the same surname, Zhang Shicheng was nearly half a century old, his hair and beard were slightly gray, but he was full of energy and spirit, and he did not look defeated or surrendered at all.

"I have met Zhang Xiang... Zhang Xiang came here in person. It is really a blessing for the people of Suzhou. I will thank Zhang Xiang on behalf of the people of Suzhou."

Zhang Shicheng appeared polite and polite.

Zhang Ximeng smiled slightly, "King Huai...I still call you King Huai. After all, my lord hasn't come down yet, so you are the King Huai of Daming. Moreover, King Huai also contributed to the big event of supporting Guan Duo and jointly resisting the Yuan Dynasty. Based on this alone, we are friends rather than enemies, and we can openly discuss how to accept it and how to restore people's livelihood."

Zhang Ximeng looked at Zhang Shicheng and said with a smile: "How about it, what is King Huai's wish?"

Zhang Shicheng hurriedly said: "Of course it's good. I've heard about Zhang Xiang's name a long time ago. He is a sage in the world. It's easy to govern Suzhou when the master is alive."

Zhang Ximeng said with a smile: "King Huai's absurd praise... I would like to ask King Huai, is the silk workshop in Suzhou still in operation?"

Zhang Shicheng was taken aback. He didn't understand why Zhang Ximeng was the first to care about the workshop. He wanted to come to Daming and knew that silk made money, so he wanted to take it for himself immediately!

This is also human nature. It would be strange if they don't love money!

"Zhang Xiang, people's hearts are fluctuating, and the people are uneasy. There are too many people who can't afford food, and the price of food is one day. I am really devastated, and I have no time to take care of the silk workshop. Let's start with the most important things!"

"The most important thing?" Zhang Ximeng chuckled, "Prince Huai, I think the most important thing is these workshops. This is what makes Suzhou unique and the lifeblood of Suzhou. I'm going to have a look now!"

Zhang Ximeng's tone was firm. Behind him were the elite soldiers of Ming Dynasty. The people who crawled out of the flames of war were all elite and full of murderous intent. How could Zhang Shicheng dare to refute.

But as soon as he came up, he couldn't wait to snatch the silk workshop. This Zhang Ximeng didn't have much promise!

With this kind of thinking, Zhang Shicheng didn't care anymore. On the contrary, he was happy to push the boat along, so that you, Zhang Ximeng, would be ashamed.

With very different thoughts, Zhang Shicheng accompanied Zhang Ximeng to the front of the largest silk workshop in Suzhou.

There are more than 2000 looms in this workshop, which is huge and dominates.

When Zhang Ximeng came to the front of the workshop, he saw that the door was closed and locked, and there was no one there.

"Open the door and let me see."

Someone stepped forward, went to the lock, and finally entered the silk workshop representing the most advanced industrial level in the world, which is somewhat worth looking forward to.

Just after stepping in, Zhang Ximeng was a little disappointed.

What caught my eye was a row of wooden sheds, with air leaks on all sides, and there was nothing bare.

He looked around, and many people on the side of the Ming army didn't know what they were doing.

On the other hand, Zhou Huiniang had traveled far and wide and was well-informed. She had a deep expression and walked over.

"Zhang Xiang, if I'm not mistaken, this is the copy room."

"The body copy room? What are you doing?"

"Naturally, they search the weavers' belongings. When they go in, they have to check, lest they bring something bad and damage the weaving silk. When they come out, they also check, lest they steal the raw silk and fill their pockets."

Zhang Ximeng frowned, and said in a deep voice, "Isn't this treating the weaver as a thief?"

Zhou Huiniang said bluntly: "It's not just thieves! Most of the weavers are women, and the body searches are all minions and thugs. They take advantage of the opportunity, bully the female workers, beat and extort, and kill people. This is not new."

Zhang Ximeng's brows were deep and knotted.

"It's so excessive, I'm afraid there are more sinister intentions?"

Zhou Huiniang said: "Master Zhang, please think about it. Anyone who can endure the daily body search and humiliation and still come to work is all from poor families and difficult livelihoods. If he doesn't work for a day, he will starve. If this is the case, it can be squeezed in every possible way. No matter how excessive the means are, there is no fear of consequences.”

Zhang Ximeng closed his eyes slightly, it was true, it was really a good way to find the most helpless weaver in a body copy room.

"Come on, tear this place down!"

As soon as Zhang Ximeng gave an order, the soldiers under his command moved upon hearing the news, made three strikes, five cuts and two, and the body copying room was abolished.

Going further inside, there is another row of rooms, still not a weaver's workshop, but it looks like a torture hall, which is full of torture instruments, leather whips, clamps, irons, everything that one expects to find, which is not bad at all compared to the yamen court.

Many instruments of torture are all shiny black and covered with a thick layer of patina. They must have done bad things, even stained with human life!

"Take it out and burn it!"

The soldiers hurried over, took these instruments of torture to the street, and burned them.

The diffuse fireworks startled some people, they were eager to look this way, and those who were more courageous actually came directly.

When they found that the Ming army had burned down the victim's instruments of torture, they all clapped their hands and cheered.

Still angry, Zhang Ximeng glanced at Zhang Shicheng, "Prince Huai, this is under your rule, have you ever been here?"

Zhang Shicheng's complexion was very bad, how could he come to such a despicable place?

He is a prince!

"Zhang Xiang, I think there is nothing wrong with being strict with the craftsmen. We don't seem to care!"

Zhang Ximeng sneered, and simply ignored Zhang Shicheng, and said directly: "Post up a notice and tell all the weavers to come to work tomorrow, and the prison room, torture tools, and foreman will all be abolished. The wages for each person are calculated according to grain, one month Come down, break three stones of grain!"

The notice was posted, and in the middle of the night, weavers came and blocked the door, just to take a look, is it true?

God is merciful, someone finally cares about them!

Chapter 528 A Big Punch

"Zhang Xiang, I learned a bit of Kunshan dialect in a hurry a while ago. When I went to the silk workshop, I thought of a few words and made up a "Sigh of a Spinning Daughter". Sing in the street."

Wu Datou hugged Sanxian and said with a smile.

After so many years, this famous No. [-] Red Thief, Master of Quyi Propaganda, and the golden signboard of the Ming Army, has actually continued to improve and improve himself.

Whether it's northern zaju or southern opera, he studies hard and is inclusive. He even knows a thing or two about various musical instruments and juggling schools.

What's more, he also taught himself characters, read a lot of books, learned to write lyrics and poems, and polished scripts... If it is said that he was rushing ducks to the shelves in the first few years, by now, this person has faintly mastered, almost almost Became the head of the opera team.

What's more difficult is that although his status has risen, he still can be regarded as not changing his original intention, not specifically recruiting apprentices, and trying to pass on the mantle.

Anyway, as long as anyone comes in, he will try his best to teach him, and ask other people to help him where he doesn't know how to, and he can learn whatever he wants to learn.

Wu Datou educated the group of people under him. In the past 360 years, people looked down on opera actors and thought we were low-class... In the end, we started to see each other, cherish ourselves, and look down on ourselves, which is even more serious.

Who dares to do some messy things, don't blame us for being rude, not only will you be expelled, but also the skin on your body will be peeled off... You must know that anyone who enters the propaganda team is hanged under the Ming army. To be more clear, you are soldiers, but the weapons are different.

Sure enough, today, these special soldiers will go to the battlefield.

Zhang Ximeng said with a smile: "After so many years of work, you have more experience than me, but there is one thing, the streets are chaotic now, you must protect yourself, be careful."

Wu Datou repeatedly said yes, "Thank you Zhang for your concern, I understand."

Since it is going to the battlefield, it is impossible to be without danger. As a soldier, you can't retreat in battle!

Wu Datou went down immediately, deployed manpower, and made arrangements.

At the same time, Shi Boren also came to report the situation.

From Jiang Nan's point of view, Shi Boren is still Zhang Ximeng's elder, but he doesn't dare to be careless when it comes to official duties. Even after having more relatives, he is more respectful and honest, and he does things in a down-to-earth manner, not daring to make any mistakes.

"Zhang Xiang, I contacted the big family who wrote about Suzhou City. They have been oppressed in recent years. Their family property is in shambles and life is very difficult. It seems that they can win them over. It's just that some of their measures for us are still there. doubt."

Zhang Ximeng chuckled, "I know that, but it's still rare for them to find you so quickly. I thought I'd have to wait a few days and observe!"

Shi Boren couldn't help laughing, "Zhang Xiang, to be honest, I'm also quite surprised. Zhang Shicheng has always been close to big families, but he didn't expect that there are so many big families who can't stand it. It's ironic!"

Zhang Ximeng nodded and said: "No matter how close he is to the big family, after all, it is a big pie for the big guys. He wants to take the biggest piece, and the top big families who are close to him will also take it, and those generals in the army will not let it go... On the heads of ordinary big households, there are only crumbs of cakes, let alone a full stomach, it is hard to say whether they can survive."

Shi Boren was greatly impressed, "Zhang Xiang is really powerful, and he hit the nail on the head."

"You tell me, except for taxation, other matters can be negotiated... As long as they are willing to abide by the Ming Dynasty's laws and operate honestly, there will be opportunities for development and growth. We encourage the development of industry and commerce."

Shi Boren was overjoyed, "With Zhang Xiang's words, I feel relieved, and they probably can feel relieved too... Zhang Shicheng thought he was smart and let Zhang Xiang enter the city. I think he is killing himself!"

Zhang Ximeng coughed lightly and said, "You can't say that... After all, when attending a funeral, you still have to be polite!"

Shi Boren was stunned and said I was rude, are you polite?

Dare you come to bury Zhang Shicheng?

Then there is nothing to say, I can only work hard, dig the pit deeper, and bury the soil thicker... After all, when the family was ruined and his wife died with hatred, Zhang Shicheng had to be blamed for this!

Several groups of people split up and moved towards the entire silk textile industry... The Ming army entered the city, but did not provide relief to the victims, nor did they immediately snatch Zhang Shicheng's military power.

Instead, he attacked the workers, which made Zhang Shicheng very confused.

I can't figure out the way at all, what does this mean?

Is the Ming army greedy for money, or lustful?

Why did you target the weavers specifically?

Zhang Shixin said bitterly: "Maybe he is both greedy for money and lustful. Brother, the workshops I got through hard work are all gone. What will I do in the future?"

"What should I do? Aren't you dead yet? When you die of poverty, I'll burn paper and a cart for you, and make you a rich man down there!"

Zhang Shixin was said to be boring, Zhang Shide also scolded: "At this moment, you still care about that little money, are you promising?"

Zhang Shixin pursed his mouth and didn't say anything, but he was not convinced in his heart.Don't pretend to be righteous, if you have the ability, you can give up the industry in Yancheng!

The Zhang family brothers had been arguing for a long time, but they had no idea, so they could only wait silently.

But before dawn, someone came to deliver the letter.

Something went wrong, all the female workers ran to the workshop, and the city of Suzhou was alarmed.

The Ming army began to distribute food!

Send food!

Zhang Shicheng stood up abruptly with a serious expression on his face, Zhang Ximeng made a move as expected.It's just that I don't know how much capital he has, and how many hearts he can buy?

"If you have the ability, buy the entire city of Suzhou, and I, Zhang Shicheng, will convince you!"

On the other side, female workers came to the workshop and lined up nervously.

Each person got a bag, which contained more than [-] catties of grain, which was heavy enough to feed the whole family for a day, and finally no longer had to go hungry.

Going further into the workshop, the body copy room was demolished, and it was completely flat. Looking forward, even the creepy execution room was gone.

The person in charge of leading them in turned out to be a very good-looking female official with a pretty face, wearing a red official uniform, and exuding a heroic spirit. Is this a female Bodhisattva?

"Don't be afraid, everyone. The strategies that Ming has implemented over the years are all good for the poor. Not only the farmers, but also the weavers. We are all the same poor. Every day, we must make up our minds and endure all kinds of bullying and oppression, just to have a bite. If you are full, you will not starve to death. It is difficult to meet such a small requirement."

"You weave the most beautiful silk, but you don't cover your clothes. Those idle people beat you with whips and domineeringly. What kind of world is this? This is the same as the bastards in Yuanting. What's the difference? I can tell everyone that from the moment the Ming army entered the city, these unreasonable things must be resolved!"

"Today, let's first understand the situation and know what changes have been made. Each person will receive twelve catties of grain per day, and a salary of three shi rations a month, so that the big guys will not go hungry, and then we will talk about other things!"

What I said earlier was fine, but when they heard that they could get more than ten catties of grain every day, and three stones a month, many people cried, and within a short while, everyone's eyes turned red.

Some even squatted on the ground, wailing bitterly, and some kept mumbling, thank you, my lord, thank you Qingtian!