Invincible from the beginning of the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 152 The Red-Eyed Salt Merchant
The seven major salt merchants never expected such a change.

They responded in a timely manner. At night, they collected news from the surroundings, and then gathered together to discuss.

"Zhang Ming is trying to force us to give up the tax increase. If we give up, I'm afraid we won't be able to collect it in the future."

"We must persevere, this kind of rumor will dissipate in a few days."

"Just to confuse people for a while."

give up?

How could they agree? They finally came up with a way to drive Zhang Ming out of Xuzhou. If they just gave up like this, wouldn't they be going bankrupt.

After some discussion, they decided to go to Tao Qian again.

At this time, Tao Qian was listening to the report, and then thinking about countermeasures.

He was a veteran of politics and knew the matter was a dilemma.

If he gives up, the big families in Xuzhou will also be ousted from power. If he continues to implement the tax collection policy and the reputation continues to be bad, the court will also exempt him.

Dilemma.

Must find a way to break.

If the salted fish is allowed to continue to be sold, the tax revenue of the entire Xuzhou will be greatly affected. If Tao Qian can achieve any political achievements, he can pack up and leave.

As soon as he heard that the seven major salt merchants were coming to him, Tao Qian immediately invited them in.

"Mr. Tao."

"Tao Gong, this must be Zhang Ming's conspiracy."

"Tao Gong, please be the master."

The seven major salt merchants were afraid that Tao Qian would be cowardly, and once Tao Qian was cowardly, Zhang Ming would be unable to suppress him immediately.

Tao Qian knew that they were here to put pressure, so he asked everyone to sit down first.

After everyone sat down, Tao Qian said: "Don't worry, everyone, this matter will be resolved properly. I will report to the court immediately, and Zhang Ming's wolf ambition will definitely be known to the world."

Tao Qian must support them, give them confidence, and stand by them.

The seven major salt merchants were very happy, as long as Tao Qian was on their side, they would dare to do anything.

As for Xi Zhicai, he has been sitting firmly in the army, waiting for news.

For three days in a row, both sides were competing.

Xi Zhicai and the others have a complete intelligence system, and they are the first to grasp all the news.

"Master Xi, some counties have temporarily given up collecting taxes and setting up cards, but there are still two counties that insist on implementing it."

Zhuzi reported the collected information to Xi Zhicai.

Xi Zhicai took a sip of tea, tasted it slowly for a while, and said: "It's okay, there are six counties in Xuzhou, but there are more than 60 counties. For the counties with strong enforcement, there are always some county magistrates who don't want to offend us. If you don’t do enough, you will infiltrate these counties first.”

"As for those with strong execution ability, they will stop when they encounter checkpoints and sell salted fish on the spot. If someone chases them away, they will sell them next to them. When the news spread, it was said that they were fighting for the interests of the people, and they were going to rebel."

Rebellion, these two words are very important.

Xi Zhicai took another sip of tea and began to taste it.

After Zhuzi understands it, he immediately executes it.

The plan of the seven major salt merchants did not have much effect, but it was implemented around Xiapi because the seven major salt merchants jointly exerted pressure.

Other places are much weaker. When rumors spread everywhere, the prefects of several counties and county magistrates are also afraid.

Salted fish continues to be sold, but the price is still very low.

At this time, the seven major salt merchants couldn't sit still. They thought they could raise the price, and then it was time for them to ship.

However, as the days passed, the price did not rise.

The seven major salt merchants were very anxious. They still had a lot of salt in their hands, and they pressed another batch of salted fish.

Some salt merchants have already started to sell some properties to maintain.

All over the world, salted fish continues to sell like a charm.

The prefects of the counties were also in a hurry.

It has been a month since Zhang Ming started selling salted fish.

This month, the finances of the counties plummeted, and the salt tax could not be collected.

"What should I do?" Peng Yi, the prefect of Guangling County, was worried.

He came here to discuss with others.

"The county's financial deficit is serious, and it may continue. What can I do?"

Then Bie Jia sighed and said: "The gods fight, and we people suffer. Now that the salt tax has plummeted, we must not help each other."

Peng Yi quickly knocked on the table a few times and said: "Nowadays, a lot of things need money to maintain. If the two don't help each other, we can't please both sides. Who will make up for the county's finances."

Don't worry about seeing his prefect so anxious, he also said: "Lord prefect, it is fatal to offend any party. The subordinates have learned that the whole county is spreading the rumor that the governor Tao is fighting for the interests of the people, and that the governor Tao is going to rebel. , both sides are not easy to mess with."

Peng Yi walked back and forth anxiously, who knew that a small salted fish could put the whole of Xuzhou into crisis.

A little salted fish can make him, the prefect, so troubled.

Peng Yi's thinking was also what many eunuchs thought.

The two sides fought and they got hurt.

Taxes are directly collected by the counties, some of them have to be turned over, and most of them are kept by themselves to maintain all aspects.

Xuzhou is rich, and they can still maintain it, but they are uncomfortable seeing the tax revenue being reduced.

All counties have this idea. They really want to collect taxes, but they are really afraid of offending Zhang Ming.

Xiapi City.

The seven major salt merchants were already so worried that they didn't know what to do.

At this time, they got together again.

"Nowadays, rumors are spreading everywhere, and the governor is very embarrassed. It's hard to handle."

"It has to stop now, or we're going bankrupt."

"I propose that the salted fish be confiscated by force and their shop be closed."

The aristocratic families didn't want to provoke Zhang Ming, but at this moment, Zhang Ming forced them to have no choice but to confront Zhang Ming.

What happened in Xuzhou slowly spread to other places.

At this time, many places knew that Zhang Ming could sell salted fish, and that salted fish could prevent the local government from collecting salt tax.

This incident has already alarmed the capital, and the court also knew that many people petitioned the court to ask the emperor to punish Zhang Ming, but there was no result.

At this time, Zhang Ming rushed all the way and arrived in Xuzhou.

According to news from Xuzhou, he will receive reports from Xi Zhicai every few days.

"Xizhi is very talented, I won't play you to death."

Working against Tao Qian, one is to fight for breath, and the other is to make money.

A large amount of salted fish was sold, which made Zhang Ming wonder how much money he made.

It is conservatively estimated that with the money earned, Zhang Ming can raise an additional [-] troops.

A state's salt tax is enough to feed tens of thousands of troops, and what Zhang Ming earns is not the salt tax, but the salt money.

Of course, since Zhang Ming's selling price is not that high, if he is willing to sell it at a higher price, it may be even more scary.

Zhang Ming made a lot of money, but the seven major salt merchants were already red-eyed.

"It must be done immediately."

The combination of the seven major merchants is a great force.

Together, they ordered all counties to start confiscating Zhang Ming's salted fish, and strictly ordered no one to sell salted fish.

The seven major merchants started to act. At this time, Zhang Ming just entered Xuzhou and rushed to Xiapi City.

(End of this chapter)