Kowloon wins

Chapter 254 The Essentials of Salt Affairs ([-])

If the strategy of grasping the small and enlarging is normal, it is a safe way to rectify it. It is not that Hong Qing has not considered this point before leaving Beijing, but it does not work, and it is not for other reasons. Naturally, it is impossible for Hong Qing to pass through the hole dug together by the elder brothers. If she really plays such a trick to hide the sky and cross the sea, she will be attacked by all the elder brothers. At that time, Hong Qing will Even if she jumped into the Yellow River, she would not be able to wash herself away. Because of this, Hong Qing had long ago rejected such a seemingly safe but fraught with hidden dangers. And she definitely won't accept it. The question is how to thoroughly rectify the salt affairs without hurting the fundamentals of taxation, but Hongqing is very worried about it. I didn't say anything, just one word - throwing rats!
"Qing Bei Le, please forgive me for your blunt words. Salt business is the most important area of ​​taxation. If you are a little careless, the consequences may be disastrous. Everything must be done carefully."

Although Hongqing murmured and did not express his opinion, Cao Yin saw that Hongqing did not take seriously the strategy of catching small things and enlarging them. He was really afraid that Hongqing would suffer big losses if he acted recklessly, so he hurriedly reminded him from the side road.

"Master Cao, don't worry, Ben Baylor has his own sense of propriety, um, let me ask Mr. Cao to explain in detail the backing of the four major general merchants."

Regarding Cao Yin's kindness, Hong Qing knew very well, but since it involved the party disputes among her elder brothers, Hong Qing couldn't share some things with outsiders, so she could only say something vaguely, and then changed the topic go.

"It's so good that Qing Bei Le learned that the number one of the four major general merchants is Liu Banu. Don't look at her female portrait, but she is actually a handsome man. In the early years, she was just an ordinary transporter. In ten years, she has not only become a The General Merchant, who owns countless fertile fields, is the richest man in Yangzhou Prefecture. Even in the entire Liangjiang area, there are not many people who can keep pace with him. It is said that his roots are in the court, but no one knows the details; he ranks second The Dong family, the head of the family, Dong Wentao, has been working in salt for generations, and his ancestors were originally from Huainan. Later, because of his contribution to donations, he was appreciated by Prince Duoduo of Heshuoyu, and he was accused of being the general merchant. He is related to Liu Ba Nv by marriage and has a close relationship. It is said that he has a close personal relationship with He Mingfu, the current envoy of the Lianghuai salt transport. However, since Mingzhu lost power, I have never heard of the Sun family's backing. Perhaps because of this, the Sun family has dropped from the number one general merchant to the third place today. He and Xiaguan are close relatives by marriage, and there are quite a few contacts on weekdays, but Xiaguan has never abolished the public because of personal interests, this one, Xiaguan can swear to Tianmeng."

Cao Yin really wanted to establish a relationship with Hongqing, and he had no reservations when analyzing the situation of the four major general merchants, and he even confessed his relationship with the Wang family frankly.

"You don't need to be like this, Mr. Cao. Your loyalty to Huang Mafa is well known in the world. How can Ben Belle not believe in Mr. Cao's integrity? Well, is the Wang family reliable?"

Although Hong Qing held such a sharp weapon as a "sharp knife", but this knife is not sharp enough. Except for the capital, the ability to divide the rudder is actually limited. The definite news is not too much, and it cannot be compared with the explanations of old salt transport envoys like Cao Yin. After Cao Yin finished explaining, Hongqing already had a rough plan in his mind, but he did not say it would come out. Instead, he asked calmly.

"If Qing Baylor wants to employ someone, the subordinates can write to him immediately, and the Wang family will definitely cooperate with them. As for how useful they can be, the subordinates dare not speak nonsense."

Cao Yin obviously had a lot of confidence in the Wang family, and he wanted to ask the Wang family to help Hong Qing with all his might.

"If so, then there will be labor."

During the previous Fancaishikou case, Hongqing had actually had contact with the children of Dong, Sun, and Wang, but at that time Hongqing's thoughts were all on the case of the Ministry of Criminal Justice, and she had no contact with the children of these three families. Too many contacts, just a few times of banquets, and then sent the gang of salt merchants to leave Beijing. At that time, I really didn't expect that this time they would be tricked by all the brothers to rectify the salt affairs. It is very inconvenient, Hongqing is happy to use it for the time being when Cao Yin recommends the Wang family so solemnly.

"Just don't worry, Qing Baylor, the officer knows how to do it."

Cao Yin spent all his time trying to cling to Hong Qing, and when he heard what Hong Qing said, there was no reason not to make a promise immediately, so he agreed wholeheartedly.

"Well, is there any misunderstanding between Mr. Cao and Ba Junmen?"

The matter of salt affairs is very cumbersome, and it cannot be done overnight. Besides, it has been many years since Cao Yin left office. Although he has an in-law like the Wang family, it is impossible to know too much about salt affairs. In the future, I don't think I'll get too much. Since that's the case, Hong Qing didn't bother to waste any more words, so she changed the topic.

"This……"

When Hong Qing mentioned this matter, Cao Yin's face turned red instantly, he faltered frantically, but he didn't say a complete sentence for a long time.

"Oh, Mr. Cao, don't mind. Ben Baylor is just asking casually. If you can say it, you can say it. If you can't, just pretend that Ben Baylor didn't mention it."

In fact, Hong Qing is not a gossip guy, the reason why she asked about this before was really out of curiosity, she didn't really care about it too much, seeing Cao Yin's face full of embarrassment, Dang even laughed , waved his hand, indicating that Cao Yin could not speak.

"It's a long story, hey, Qingbeile, you know that His Majesty sent officials to the two rivers, and he did explain it, and every once in a while, you have to get the facts on the two rivers. Report, well, let’s put it this way, after Ba Junmen returned from the capital last year, he ordered the Qinhuai River to be reorganized, and more flower boats were set up, but heavy taxes were imposed. The gangsters flocked to them, making the city of Jinling full of smog. The officials tried to persuade Ba Junmen a few times in private, but they refused to listen. In desperation, they had to report the facts. It was intentional to embarrass Ba Junmen, but never thought that His Majesty would be displeased upon hearing this, and once he admonishes Ba Junmen, this enmity will be settled."

Although Cao Yin's old face was flushed red, in the end he still briefly told the story of his feud with Mr. Ba.

"So that's the case, heh, I really can't blame the Ba Junmen for this matter. In fact, this idea came from Ben Baylor. It's really not because of the romantic beauty. I just thought it could fill the gap in the ground of Liangjiang. Balaojunmen is a real person. If it wasn't for the fact that the deficit on the ground of Liangjiang was too great, he would not bother to act like this. This matter is all a misunderstanding. I will explain it to Ben Baylor and Balaojunmen later. Not good."

As soon as Cao Yin mentioned this matter, Hong Qing couldn't help laughing, probably because Hong Qing really came up with this bad idea, of course, the effect is obviously good, no, it's been more than half a year, The deficit on the ground of Liangjiang can always be repaid according to the repayment contract. Speaking of it, it is really the credit of the land of fireworks, but the infamy has been recited by Mr. Ba. Hong Qing can naturally feel the grievance in Mr. Ba's heart , and also wanted to ease the relationship between Ba and Cao, so he smiled and shook his head, revealing the good intentions of Ba Laojun's move.

"Then there's Laoqing Baylor."

After listening to Hong Qing's explanation, Cao Yin really couldn't laugh or cry. He dared to feel that the root cause of the "declining world" in Jinling City actually came from Hong Qing. That's it.

"It's okay, it's just a small matter, it's good to talk about it, let's say that, Baylor will leave for Yangzhou tomorrow, and I will hold a banquet tomorrow, and invite the two of you to have a drink together, how about that?"

What should be chatted is almost finished, and Hong Qing, who was exhausted from the journey, was already tired, and she didn't want to talk any more, so she got up and made a promise with a smile.

"Everything is up to Qing Baylor's arrangement, and I have no objection."

Although he still doesn't quite agree with Hongqing's proposed development of the Qinhuai River, Cao Yin is reluctant to say more. After all, the income from the Qinhuai River is used to repay the huge deficit on the ground of the two rivers, and it is not Hongqing's own pretense. If you really want to blame it, you can only blame the previous Liangjiang officials for being too indiscreet and creating a deficit of millions of taels. Besides, Cao Yin was originally unwilling to have a quarrel with Mr. Ba. Since Qing is willing to be such a middleman, how could Cao Yin disagree.

"Well, that's the deal, Mr. Cao, please wait a moment, Ben Baylor will take his leave first."

Seeing that the matter had been decided, Hong Qing didn't say any more, nodded her head, and then walked out to the study. Seeing this, Cao Yin hurriedly followed out of the study, and sent Hong Qing to the At the courtyard gate of "Ning Cui Xuan", just said goodbye and left.

"My lord, there is a letter from Yangzhou, please read it."

As soon as Cao Yin left like this, Hong Qing couldn't help but yawned a big yawn, feeling drowsy, her body couldn't hold on any longer, so she dragged her feet and walked towards the bedroom, but it was only a short while ago. In a few steps, Li Minxing hurried up to meet him, and while taking out a letter from his sleeve, he reported in a low voice.

"Oh?"

Before Hongqing left Beijing, she sent a letter to the Jinling sub-helm of the "Sharp Knife", asking the sub-rudder to send more people to Yangzhou to investigate the salt affairs. Most of the masters secretly sneaked to Yangzhou, thinking that they would use it as a surprise soldier. Such arrangements are just doing their best. In fact, Hongqing did not dare to pin all her hopes on "Jian Dao", after all, "Jian Dao" Jinling sub-helm The strength of the letter is still very weak, and it is really difficult to use it much, but I didn't expect that the person I sent would respond so quickly, and my spirit was lifted immediately, and I hurriedly took the letter and quickly tore the seal , took out a secret letter from the inside, and just looking at it, Hong Qing's brows were involuntarily furrowed.

(End of this chapter)