[Ming History + Legend of Lu Xiaofeng] Ninety-five Supreme

After Princess Shouyang married Liang Bangrui, a princess mansion was built in Xiguan. Liang Bangrui lived in the princess mansion on weekdays. It was spring, the willows in the garden were colorful, the lotus flowers in the pond were beautiful, and the south wind blowing from the Paozi River sifted through the shade of the willows. Cool and refreshing.

After Liang Bangrui separated from Zhu Yijun, he hurried back to the customs office, sat there all afternoon in a daze, and was planning to go back to the mansion.There was a scholar with a gentle appearance who looked like a gentleman in white. A young man who claimed to be from Songjiang Trading Company came to his door. Liang Bangrui had been in Guangdong Mansion for three years and dealt with merchants all the year round. However, he was invited to a banquet within a few days. Although most of them refused, the person who came was surnamed Chen and claimed to be Songjiang Trading Company.This can be regarded as the leader of the cloth and silk business, he has heard of it for a long time, and now all the major business houses in Guangzhou Prefecture are flocking.

If it is a single cloth, Songjiang Prefecture, which is adjacent to Suzhou Prefecture, has been known as the world's clothing since ancient times. The standard cloth, medium machine cloth, small cloth, and slashed gauze cloth produced in Shanghai County of Songjiang Prefecture, and the twill cloth and medicine spot produced in Jiading County Cloth, chess pattern cloth, purple flower cloth, fine cloth, Ge cloth produced in Shaoxing, etc., are all large varieties. If you talk about it in detail, there are probably hundreds of them.Liang Bangrui was the shipping envoy of the Guangdong Customs. Although he dealt with merchants more, most of them were foreign merchants, and he had heard the title of Songjiang Cloth Company.

Even though Liang Bangrui is a shipping envoy, he is only doing his best at Guangdong Customs. This is Xiguan, but he is still at the Guangzhou Mansion. Normally, he can only do his best to do his job well, and he will not be greedy or bribed. All the gifts sent by others will be refunded. When I went back, I didn't care too much, and I didn't get into any trouble.

He was quite handy in dealing with these merchants, Liang Bangrui had just the right airs, he was neither daring nor polite to him, the visitor asked him why he was so late after seeing him.

Chen Song narrowed his eyes with a smile, but he didn't feel flattery. He first flattered Liang Bangrui, and seeing that he didn't think so, he directly said the reason for the visit: "Master Liang, Xiao Min just came here to visit you, and he was not far from the customs office a few days ago. A shop has been set up here, Songjiang Commercial Firm, and a dinner is held today, and the host has invited Mr. Shiboshi, Mr. Master, Mr. Zhang, Mr. Li, and I hope you will not dislike the abruptness of a certain company, so you will be honored."

Liang Bangrui said casually: "No need, you can play by yourself, I won't go."

Chen Song bowed his head in response, his attitude was respectful but not humble, he just asked casually, none of the officials mentioned tonight came, and now that the emperor came to Xiguan, who would dare to have a banquet outside? Talk about saving face.

With a smile on the corner of Chen Song's mouth, he said: "Songjiang Commercial Bank is considered a neighbor in this street. Xiaomin visited today and brought a small gift for the adults."

Liang Bangrui frowned, Chen Song smiled and offered it with both hands, he looked carefully but didn't reach out to take it, it was a land deed.

"This is a meeting gift from the Songjiang Commercial Bank to the adults. Although the gift is small, it is the heart of the small merchants. Don't worry, the adults. The house is placed in the capital. The adults are very favored and generous. Don't worry about not being able to use it. Every official is like this. It's the rule of our guild, you don't have to worry about losing your tongue."

"What nonsense rules!" Liang Bangrui's eyes flashed, he glared at him, and said righteously: "I work for the emperor, and I still covet your things, you take them back."

Seeing Liang Bangrui's insistence on not accepting him, Chen Song secretly annoyed him for his stubbornness, but he still smiled shyly and said, "Your Excellency is truly worthy of being an official of the imperial court, and his character is truly admirable."

Liang Bangrui snorted coldly: "I have always done things impartially. I don't lack these things. Don't try to get close to me. I'm lacking. You can step down."

Chen Song apologized and said with a smile: "Xiaomin has no other intentions, just a small expression of heart, I hope the adults will consider it carefully, and Xiaomin will come to visit again in two days."

Chen Song turned around to leave, but felt in his heart that Liang Bangrui didn't know how to flatter and put on airs. People like them flattered the government inexhaustibly, and there were no bones left that had been eaten by others. Searching for food everywhere, if you meet merchants, you can grab them if you can, and you can cheat them if you can. Whoever encounters them will shed their skin if they don't die.

The small family of the Ding family suffered from this kind of blackmail, so they wanted to find a government backer so that those impermanent ghosts and bastards would not dare to come to the door.

People like them look down on officials who are too young, and I don't know if a big official like Liang Bangrui can stand the temptation. I'm afraid it's not easy to give this gift.

As soon as the man left, Liang Bangrui paced back and forth with his hands behind his back, his deep frown showed the anxiety in his heart at the moment, he also left the yamen soon, got into the sedan chair and returned to the Princess Mansion, he hadn't eaten since noon, he was hungry One afternoon, as soon as he wanted to have something to eat in the dining room, the housekeeper reported to him: the master has a visitor.

Liang Bangrui knew who it was without even thinking about it, and rushed to the living room without even eating.In the hall, Hua Yulou was sitting on the grand teacher's chair, drinking tea. Liang Bangrui walked over quickly, sat on the side, drank a cup of tea hurriedly, and then said: "Ben Shi, why didn't you send someone to tell you when you came, I wish I could hurry up." Hurry back from the Yamen."

Hua Yulou leaned lazily on the chair, and said: "It's okay, anyway, it's fine to stay in the hotel, your house is beautiful, and drinking tea here is quite a pleasure."

Liang Bangrui sighed, and said: "I still haven't changed, I'm still so happy."

Hua Yulou took a sip, and said casually: "The son-in-law has changed a lot. It seems that the official position in the past few years is not for nothing. One party's ambassador looks very proud."

Liang Bangrui laughed loudly when he heard the words: "Don't say that, you don't know that I was hurt by this title when I first arrived in Guangdong."

"When I first arrived in Guangdong, the local officials were very kind. I had no foundation in Xiguan, and I had the title of a shipping envoy. Some interests could not be shaken by a few words. Everyone wanted me to make things easier. The people below are obedient, and they don’t want to be said to be taking the opportunity to cause trouble before there is no real evidence. If they don’t think carefully, they will know that it’s difficult to move forward. Until the subordinates are ignorant and conflict with others, the matter was still big at that time. Fortunately, it was settled Otherwise, I will be humiliated and asked to return to Beijing."

Recalling this, Liang Bangrui shook his head with a smile: "I'm really not expected to be an official. Those days were really depressing. I was thinking about how to make money, but I got along with some merchants. Fortunately, I have their help." , this Guangdong Customs calculation is very impressive."

"Are they reliable?"

"Although it is said that businessmen seek profit, there are also a few interesting people. Although I am an official, my biggest hobby is making money."

Hua Yulou turned his head, looked at Liang Bangrui, and teased: "You have been in Xiguan for so many years, these businessmen have given you gifts."

"My lord, don't make fun of me." Liang Bangrui shook his head and said emphatically, "I have a great family and business in Jiangnan, and my ancestors have a great fortune. In the official circles of Guangdong and Guangxi, there are already entangled and complicated relationships. How can I care about it?" Let’s go to the muddy water with this little money. Besides,” Liang Bangrui said, turning aside and lowering his voice, “As far as I know, these merchants bribe officials from various places every year, no less than a few hundred thousand taels.”

Hua Yulou put down the teacup and said with a smile, "You know all about this?"

Liang Bangrui frowned, and said distressedly: "All the money has been stuffed into Xiguan. I sent one just now. It's a pity that there is no real evidence, otherwise I must pay them a hard copy."

Hua Yulou couldn't help but laugh: "You even told me this?"

"Brother Benshi has a great favor with me, there is nothing we can't say."

Hua Yulou shook the teacup leisurely, and after a long time, said slowly: "You just said that officials from various places..."

"Yes, other things are fine, that is, the Lianghuai salt transport envoy, this guy is really hateful, his heart is too dark, he doesn't even spit out the bones when he eats meat, he sold a lot of salt in private, he invited him yesterday I'll go, I declined a few times, but I was entangled by him unexpectedly."

Hu Zigao, the envoy of the Lianghuai Salt Transport, has three copies of his books in a year. The Minister of the Household Department, Wang Guoguang, hates him so much. Zhu Yijun has long wanted to remove Hu Zigao from his post for review. No handle left.

Yu Shenxing persuaded Zhu Yijun not to say anything for the time being, but secretly sent people to investigate. Once Hu Zigao was caught with evidence of embezzling ink, he would be severely punished.

Hua Yulou is the Minister of the Household Department, so he naturally knew this person. Hearing this, he curled his lips and said, "Chonghui, I think he is not pestering you, but trying to trick you."

×

Zhu Yijun had no way of knowing what Hua Yulou and Liang Bangrui said, but Liang Bangrui went to the hotel early the next morning to say hello. When he entered the room, Zhu Yijun was sitting by the side reading a book, holding a book in one hand, looking very comfortable .

Liang Bangrui invited An and stood obediently by the side without saying a word.

After a while, Liang Yong handed over a yellow silk memorial from the side. He glanced at Zhu Yijun before taking it carefully.

Even when Hua Yulou told him last night that someone was going to trip him up, Liang Bangrui was also terrified, took a breath, knelt down, and fell to the ground: "The emperor did not, this is all nonsense. There is no basis for it, and I swear that I will never embezzle a single cent of the customs tax."

Zhu Yijun didn't look at him, and sneered coldly: "You didn't misappropriate it either?"

Liang Bangrui froze, as if he couldn't catch his breath. After a while, he said in a low voice: "Half a year ago, the governor of Minzhe Road asked me to borrow money to clear water transport. At that time, I lent him 10 taels from the tax bank. But then the Ministry of Households allocated money, and the money has been replenished."

"Is the transportation through?"

"pass!"

Zhu Yijun put down the book, took the teacup to his hand and caressed it carelessly, and snorted coldly: "It seems that there is still a criminal record, so I don't blame Zuodu Yushi for wronging you."

Liang Bangrui's heart skipped a beat, and two more memorials fell in front of him this time, he didn't pay attention to etiquette, he scooped them up and opened them, one was the governor of Guangdong and Guangxi impeaching him for embezzling money and accepting bribes from commercial firms.One is that Zuodu Yushi impeached him for accepting bribes from merchants and embezzling money privately to build wharves for merchants.

Zhu Yijun gave him a cold look, and asked, "I won't let anyone investigate, but you tell me how true or false this is."

Liang Bangrui had a dejected look on his face. Although he was stunned while kneeling on the ground, at this moment he didn't realize that he was being tricked, so it was really a waste of time.Hearing this, he knew that these papers had been suppressed, and the emperor still believed in himself. Although his face was still pale, he was extremely determined.

"Your Majesty, I have never accepted any bribes." Liang Bangrui looked at the memorial in doubt, but he was very surprised when he saw it, and said: "I have indeed embezzled tax money several times to repair the docks, and built a new marine terminal in Nanguan last year. , a total of about 20. But at that time, the minister had already reported it to the Ministry of Household Affairs, and the Zuodu Yushi took the opportunity to cause trouble, so I hope the emperor will learn from him."

After hearing this, Zhu Yijun put down the book, and his tone was even worse: "Knowing that someone is cheating secretly, and the official document of the household department has not yet been issued, you can't wait for a while. You are too eager for quick success. Maybe someone will take the opportunity to incite you. You should understand that."

He guessed that Liang Bangrui had no brains to lie to him. He probably reported the account that was withdrawn from the household department.

Zhu Yijun listened to Huayulou's report last night, and it was difficult for so many people to plot against him. Looking at Liang Bangrui, who seemed to have no strength and lay on the ground, he didn't intend to continue to criticize him. Counting last night's arrangement, the merits and demerits can be offset.

It turned out that this year, Liang Bangrui saw that the foreign trade of the Guangzhou government was too scattered, and the money that eventually fell into the treasury was not enough. There were many merchants who paid tribute to officials, so he secretly planned with some merchants a monopoly agency designated by the Ming government to specialize in foreign trade.Unexpectedly, the news has not been leaked yet, and it has touched the interests of most merchant officials and even nobles. He was impeached three times in just half a year. If it were another emperor, one can imagine his fate.

Zhu Yijun let him go, but he was very interested in the foreign trade that Hua Yulou talked about last night.Because of the open sea ban, the imperial court did not set up a foreign trade firm.This caused Liang Bangrui a headache. He suggested that the Ming commercial tax and customs trade goods tax be divided into two categories: residential tax and administrative tax.

Residential tax is levied on all landed goods traded within the Guangdong government, and is collected by the Department of Shipping.The object of tax collection is goods imported from overseas and goods traded overseas, which are collected by the Guangdong Customs.

The foreign trade firm specializing in Daming Customs is all government-run, and it is the dental firm of Daming, so it is called Guangzhou Shisanhang.