Red Mansion: Bastards rule the roost

Chapter 121 Bald Immortal
  "May I ask the third master, how many additional nests will be issued this time?" An old man stood up and asked.

Jia Cong smiled slightly and said: "The exact amount is still being calculated. Anyway, everyone can just prepare the money when the time comes."

"I dare to ask Third Master, how to sell this nest? What is the price?" Another salt merchant asked.

Jia Cong smiled and said: "I don't have to say the price, you all can decide. It's whatever you think it's worth."

Everyone was a smart person, and they looked at each other, knowing in their hearts that everyone was going to bid, and the one with the highest price would get it, which was reasonable.

"May I ask Mr. San, is there anything new in the salt law implemented this time?" another middle-aged salt merchant said.

Jia Cong nodded: "The salt law of the country has always been based on the Compendium Salt Law. This time the quantity of salt has been re-evaluated, so the compendium must be revised. It is not a new law, it is just to check for omissions and fill in the gaps. Do you want to say something new, right? For the eight major salt merchants, it is not very new, but for you, it is somewhat interesting."

After hearing the words, everyone hurriedly sat up straight and pricked up their ears, for fear of missing a word. In the corner, a few salt merchants hired Mr. Wen, who was concentrating on taking shorthand with a book and a brush, wanted to write down Jia Cong's words and then slowly Research.

Jia Cong smiled and said: "First of all, naturally there is someone here who will own a salt for the first time and have a taste of the big salt merchants. In the future, Yangzhou City will not only be the eight major salt merchants."

Everyone swallowed, their eyes heated, this was obvious.

"Secondly, in the rectification of salt affairs, a salt industry access system will be established, and many small salt merchants with insufficient capital and insufficient strength will be eliminated. There is only so much salt in the Huaihe River and Huaihe River, and there is no need for so many salt merchants to operate."

This sentence immediately knocked everyone from heaven to hell. There was silence in the cabin, especially the small salt merchants. They were all as scared as if they were mourning for their heirs, wondering if they were the ones to be eliminated.

"Thirdly, the principles of the law are nothing more than human feelings. I don't want to destroy everyone's jobs. Naturally, I want to give a way to many salt merchants with good conduct and small profits."

Jia Cong smiled and said, "It is difficult for one person to achieve big things with a small amount of people. But if we work together, it will be different. We can certainly do something. What do you think?"

"What the third master said is absolutely true."

"The third master's words awakened the dreamer."

"The third master is so righteous, I will never forget him."

Everyone took a breath and hurriedly echoed loudly, trying to show that their conduct was quite upright. There are also those who have quick thoughts and have begun to figure out the deeper meaning of the word "character" and consider whether to express "character" first.

Jia Cong raised his hand to stop and said: "That's it for what I want to say. All in all, increasing the issuance of salt quota is a major matter that concerns everyone's vital interests. The last time salt quota was approved was at the founding of the People's Republic of China, nearly a hundred years ago. If you miss this opportunity, But there will be no more, so you can just do your own thing.

If you still have questions, you might as well ask Mr. Zhang. In addition, I would like to convey my thoughts today to my colleagues. "

After Jia Cong finished speaking, he called Xu Qing's boat over and jumped on it. Zhang Ning was left surrounded by a group of salt merchants who kept asking questions.

"It's useless to talk nonsense. The salt is not mine, it is issued by the Yanyuan Yamen. Who doesn't want the nest? All in all, it is talking about money. There is still half a month, you go and raise the money yourself. As one family is unable to do anything, it is best for you to join forces." Zhang Ning said loudly.

Seeing that they couldn't find anything new, the salt merchants hurriedly withdrew, and a few people who were close friends gathered together to discuss.

"Old Li, if you miss this opportunity, you will regret it for the rest of your life."

"Isn't that nonsense? I have decided to smash the pot and sell the iron, sell the house and land, and collect enough money to build a nest."

"Old Sun, you've spent all your money, how can you sell salt after you get the nest?"

"Haha, I have a nest in my hand, what are you afraid of? People who don't have a nest are asking me for help?" Everyone laughed, this is the role of a nest.

"It's already too late to sell houses and land now. Now I don't know how many people are eyeing this batch of additional stocks. Everyone is raising money everywhere. Who should they sell to?" one person said.

"What should I do?" "I think we can only borrow money from those bastards like Shanxi merchants, Guangdong merchants, and Fujian merchants."

"That's all we can do, but don't worry. As long as you get the nest capital, it doesn't matter if you pay some interest. This is a major matter for future generations, so don't be careless. I think the eight major salt dealers definitely don't want to let it go, and we won't let it go. If you are not a vegetarian, why not join forces and fight for food from the tiger's mouth?"

"Hahaha, that's exactly what I meant!"

"My little brother's family is very poor, so I'll give him 100 million."

"I'll also pay 100 million."

"I have 200."

"..."

Zhang Ning saw the heated discussion among the people and was very happy. He was going to make a fortune this time. He quickly sent capable officials to each ship to explain what Jia Cong had just said.
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  "Third Master, you are here. I have been waiting for you for a long time." Jiang Chuan smiled and welcomed Jia Cong in.

"Third Master, this is the old master of the Jiang family, Mr. Jiang Biehe, this is the old master of the He family, Mr. He Shenghua, this is the old master of the Du family, Mr. Du Chun, you already know the other gentlemen, so I won't No need to say more." Xu Qing smiled and gave Jia Cong a secret wink.

Jia Cong nodded and looked at Jiang Biehe. This man is the salt industry giant with the title of "Head of Righteous Merchants" given by the Supreme Emperor. He is the real helmsman of the Jiang family and the head of the eight major salt merchants. People gave him the nickname "White-headed Immortal".

Jiang Biehe is a thin figure, leaning on a bamboo cane, wearing a gauze scarf on his head, his white hair is as white as silver, combed to perfection, wearing a loose cotton and linen Taoist uniform, and wearing cloth shoes. In appearance, he looks a bit ordinary. I just don’t know if it’s really as good as the legend says.

"I've met Master Cong." Jiang Biehe smiled and held his hands in greeting.

"I've met Third Master Cong." Everyone followed suit and cupped their hands.

Jia Cong hurriedly supported Jiang Biehe and said with a smile: "The old man has embarrassed me, it's my turn to greet you. I have heard about the old gentleman for a long time, but never met him. Today I finally got my long-cherished wish. The old gentleman is indeed worthy of his honor." With his name as the "White-headed Immortal" and his immortal style and Taoist bones, people can't help but have a desire to pursue the Tao and want to cultivate immortality with the old gentleman."

Everyone laughed and agreed.

Jiang Biehe shook his head and said with a smile: "Third Master has been praised too much. He is an old man in his twilight years. He only likes to read a few books of Nanhua. How can he dare to call him 'immortal'? On the contrary, Third Master is a young hero with a charming demeanor and is truly one of the best among men." Dragons are the only ones that I have seen in my life."

"What Mr. Jiang said is absolutely true. Such a handsome man as the Third Master is unheard of and unseen even in the beautiful places south of the Yangtze River." Everyone laughed.

Jia Cong chuckled and said, "Master, all the sages are so flattering to me, Cong can't be ashamed of himself."

"But to be honest, there is no need for Third Master to be humble." Everyone said.

Jia Cong smiled slightly and said, "Is there anything on the boat?"

Everyone laughed and said, "How can we not be prepared when we know that Third Master is coming?"

Jiang Chuan clapped his hands, and a group of young women dressed in sheer gauze and many young female musicians filed up from below.

"Hey, the four major courtesans in Slender West Lake are all here today." Xu Qing said with a smile.

"I have met Mr. Cong, Mr. Xu, and all the gentlemen." The four women smiled slightly, flicked their sleeves, and bowed down.

"These are the four great masters on Slender West Lake, Yin Feng, Lian Hua, Fei Xue, and Nong Yue. They are collectively known as the 'Feng Hua Xue Yue'. They are not as good as the four great leaders of the Divine Capital City. They can barely serve the third master." Jiang Chuan said with a smile.

(End of this chapter)