Nanyang Storm 1864

Chapter 42 Irreversible
After a cold glance, Zheng Guohui withdrew his gaze and looked at the two salt merchant representatives, Wang and Zheng, before asking, "Who are you?"

"Reporting to the general, I am Zheng Shaotang, the governor of Weiyang. Nice to meet you, sir." The white-bearded salt merchant Zheng did not expect that the local tycoon he invited would be so generous. He knew something was wrong.

But now that things have come to this, I can only bite the bullet and go forward to report.

"Reporting to the general, I am Wang Xueyin, the Tongzhi of Weiyang, and I would like to pay my respects to you." Wang Xueyin said in a deep voice with the same unchanged expression.

"Donating to the position of Taotai and Tongzhi, haha, it must have cost a lot of money." Zheng Guohui did not give the two of them a good look, and said in a cold expression.

During the Qing Dynasty, the system of donating money to become an official was an important means for the court to make up for deficits. Li Wei in the Yongzheng period entered the official career by donating money to become an official, but was limited to the fifth rank.

At the moment
There is nothing to worry about. Not to mention the fourth-rank Taotai and the fifth-rank Tongzhi, even the second-rank admiral and the first-rank general can be donated as long as enough money is spent.

To donate to become a prefect, one would need at least eight thousand to ten thousand taels of silver.

To donate for a Tongzhi would cost almost five thousand taels of silver.

Yangzhou salt merchants generally donated money to become officials. They were seeking an official identity to facilitate their dealings with the government, rather than waiting for a vacancy to be filled. How long would that take?
Zheng Shaotang knows

The general with a stern look was not mocking the donation of official positions, but was venting his dissatisfaction with the Zheng and Wang families. This local rich man surnamed Qian really did a lot of harm to people.

Then he stepped forward, clasped his fists, and said:

"We are ignorant of etiquette and we beg for forgiveness, sir.

To make amends for our mistake, the Zheng and Wang families are willing to donate 3 taels of silver. We only ask the general to consider our sincerity and forgive us for this unintentional mistake."

After saying that, he took out a thick stack of banknotes from his sleeve and presented it with both hands.

Zheng Shaotang's heart was bleeding, but there was nothing he could do. Who made them find such a tycoon like the Qian family who didn't know how to act?

Not only did he not get the job done, he also offended his superiors.

If I don't use the money to clear the way, and the general takes the opportunity to lose his temper, I really can't bear it.

This is a knowledgeable and interesting person.

The expression on Zheng Guohui's face eased a little. Hu Zuqing, the captain of the personal guards beside him, glanced at the adult and saw that his expression had eased a little.

He stepped forward to take the thick stack of banknotes, then took a few steps back and remained standing by.

Now that he had received the silver, Zheng Guohui's expression and attitude improved. He walked a few steps in the yard with his hands behind his back, then stopped and said in a light tone;
“I know what you are asking for.

Unfortunately, the matter went wrong right from the start. The young master of your family called in the Jiangning Governor, Lord Elong, and sent an official letter to investigate the case of "smuggling salt".

This matter has become known to everyone and cannot be concealed, so there is no room for maneuver.

To be honest with you two
The imperial court was already aware of this matter and had sent the new Neitai, Wu Weicheng, to personally take over the case and handle it together with the provincial governor's office and the governor's office.

Just a few days ago

Neitai Wu Weicheng has already inspected the confiscated private salt in stock with the three parties, totaling 25,000 shi, and confirmed that 10,000 shi of private salt were smuggled in.

The evidence is conclusive and cannot be denied.

Several provincial and ministerial officials submitted memorials to the court. The amount involved in this case was extremely huge, and the court was furious.

Now, the Governor-General Elong has been suspended from his post pending investigation, and the two princes, Wang Xuemao and Zheng Yulan, will soon be taken to Nanjing and thrown into death row, awaiting execution in the autumn.

If things are like this, I can do nothing about it."

Finished
Zheng Guohui shook his head with regret and stopped talking.

The "Jiangnan smuggling salt case" had dragged on for such a long time, not because they were waiting for the two major salt merchants Zheng and Wang to offer benefits, but because they were targeting the Governor Elong and preparing to bring him down in one fell swoop.

This matter was planned by the old sinister Fuzhu Shoushan, the Minister of Rites, and the newly appointed Minister of Justice Wu Weicheng from the capital was a key chess piece.

This man was a student of Fuzhu Shoushan, and was parachuted into Jiangnan Province. On the one hand, he occupied the lucrative position of Jiangnan Censor, and on the other hand, he coordinated with Fuzhu Hong'a to keep his money from the illegal salt business.

Even the ministers can't keep calm if they have to pay 2 taels of silver as tribute every month.

The two sides exchanged letters frequently, and since they were both officials, they naturally knew a lot about the inside story.

Zheng Shaotang was struck by these words like a bolt from the blue. He had never imagined the situation would be so serious that it would even cost him the life of Zheng Yulan, the man he was training to be the future head of the family. His vision went dark, and he fell backwards.

Amidst a burst of exclamations
Everyone rushed to support Zheng Shaotang, pinching his Ren Zhong point and the area between his eyebrows to try to save him. Some people even ran out in a panic, ready to call a doctor.

Fortunately, Zheng Shaotang was just angry and soon woke up from his fainting. He immediately burst into tears and sobbed like an idiot.

Wang Xueyin hadn't completely lost his composure, but his face had turned pale. He knelt down in front of Zheng Guohui with a plop and said miserably;

"General, my Zheng and Wang families have been wronged. I beg you to uphold justice and save me from this dire situation."

General Zheng Guohui actually said this, so it must be true.

It is impossible for such a major event to be full of nonsense. A little verification will show whether it is true or not.

"Alas, your two families went astray from the beginning. Now things have gotten out of hand, but no one can save you." Zheng Guohui winked at Hu Zuqing, the captain of the personal guards beside him.

Hu Zuqing understood immediately and stepped forward and said loudly;

"Alright, alright, both of you stop crying, what's the big deal?

It's just the death of two unfilial people. Go back and continue your life. Never violate the laws of the court again.

Uh, and this.

People from wealthy families really can eat a lot. Here are the IOUs from your two young masters. Can you pay them as soon as possible? "

Hu Zuqing took out a thick stack of IOUs. Wang Xueyin took them with trembling hands and counted them. There was a total of 168,000 taels of silver.

Judging from the handwriting, it is definitely from my second brother and Zheng Jiadalang. No one else can imitate it.

Even with the wealth of the Zheng and Wang families, they were frightened by such a huge number and their faces suddenly changed.

Think about it
Previously, 40 taels of silver were spent to buy salt permits. During this period, tens of thousands of taels were spent here and there, and money was leaked everywhere. Even if one had a huge fortune, it would be difficult to afford it.

Wang Xueyin hesitated. He couldn't make the decision on such a big matter alone, so he could only whisper in the ear of Zheng Shaotang who had just woken up and explain it in detail.

Zheng Shaotang's originally dull eyes suddenly brightened up after hearing this. He stared at Zheng Guohui for a moment and said in a hoarse voice, "General, I beg you to excuse me for a moment."

This general actually dared to ask for so much money. Then the two young masters in custody would not suffer serious punishment. They should be provided with good food and drink. Zheng Shaotang felt relieved immediately.

This old fox is really smart.

Zheng Guohui sighed inwardly and nodded calmly. He glanced at Qian Tongqing, who was sitting in the lobby with an uneasy look on his face, as if he were looking at a fool.

Retracting his gaze, Zheng Guohui said, "Then come with me."

After saying this, he turned and walked towards the small courtyard where he lived.

Wang Xueyin supported the shaky Zheng Shaotang, and the two followed closely behind him and walked towards the small courtyard.

Hu Zuqing, the captain of the personal guards, followed the two men and stopped at the gate of the yard, blocking the entrance and exit.

The meaning is very clear
No one is allowed to enter without the general's summons.

As for Qian Tongqing, who was pretending to sit at the head of the lobby, Zheng Guohui ignored him from beginning to end and did not even step into the lobby. He did not even pay attention to this person at all.

This guy sat high up in the hall, meaning that Zheng Guohui should pay him respects as a junior.

How is that possible?

Today, Zheng Guohui is the white jade pillar that supports the sky and the purple gold beam that spans the sea for the entire Tongzhou Zheng family. His status is extremely noble, second only to the clan leader Zheng Shouren.

That's his father, no matter how old he is, he is not older than his parents.

Qian Tongqing was just a local rich man in Rugao City. He was a commoner and had no achievements. Whenever he saw the Rugao county officials, he had to pay him great respects, otherwise he would be charged with "great disrespect".

A mere local tycoon wants face, but doesn't the dignified third-rank Jinling City Guard, who was awarded a yellow jacket by the emperor, want face?
For the sake of his mother, Zheng Guohui did not make things too difficult for his cheap uncle and let him show off on his own.

It’s not a loss to take hundreds of acres of good paddy fields from others.

(End of this chapter)