Hidden Dragon in Qing Dynasty

The Jiangning Grand Commander's Estate had already become a food market. When Ceng Guofan declared that all the large businesses in the Jiangnan region were to be banned from transferring people, everyone in the hall was stunned, followed by voices of opposition.

"Marshal, what are you doing?" In the two hundred years of the imperial court, there had never been such a ban. The people were free to buy and sell land and properties, so long as we paid taxes according to regulations, how could the government control this? "

"The taboo, this is the taboo of the heavens!" Marshal, do you know that once such a ban is issued, the entire economy of Jiangnan will be frozen? After two months of huge tax cuts, how are we going to pay the military? How do you pay the flag? How do I earn a salary? "

"The loss of the money is still a small matter. The key is that the imperial government will be deeply wary of us. Originally, there were many people in the Beijing who suspected that we did not have the heart to follow them."

The officials talked back to each other, but no one supported Ceng Guofan's order. This made the old farmer beside the marshal's side pale in comparison.

"Silence …" A loud shout shocked the noisy market. The old farmer turned his head to look at the marshal.

Ceng Guofan had already guessed the reaction of the crowd. He was not angered and only laughed lightly: "Do you guys still have more? Who has new grand principles? "Say it before I head north, don't keep it in your heart …"

Everyone glanced at each other, and finally cupped their hands and said to Bao Chao, "Marshal, your subordinate doesn't need to say the truth. Let me be honest with you!"

"This time around, not only those merchants have suffered heavy losses, even our old brothers in Xiang Army have lost a lot of blood. How thick can we be? But what about the middle-ranking officers of the small families under us? What about the ordinary soldier with a large head? They don't have our financial resources! "

"Ai …" In the end, the Xiang Army was still a family that started from the war. Hundreds of thousands of people did not have much to do to save up their belongings because of course, they relied on the gains from the war and the rewards from the imperial government. When the war ends, we will naturally have no way to earn money … "

"The war cannot go on forever, and now it is time for the civil servants to get rich. Marshal, you have to think for your brothers! The Notes has already become scrap paper, then wouldn't we brothers need to use silver to buy some properties? Are we really going to starve to death? "

These words were too true, and the hall immediately echoed his words: "That's right, there will be no more battles in the future. We don't have any skills, nor do we know how to operate. Are we really going to eat nothing?" "If I don't save up for my own business now, I really won't have another chance in the future …"

Ceng Guofan nodded his head, "That's right, after talking for so long, you finally hit the nail on the head. This is much better than speaking empty words. But I ask you to think about what would happen if I let go of the ban. "

"I have a telegram from Zuo Jigao in Xi'an... Do you all think that this ban was requested by Xiao Letian? Actually, before Xiao Letian sent the telegram, Zuo Jigao had already made the same request! "

Hong! Everyone was stunned: Why does Zuo Zongtang care about this? Would he stop us from making a fortune if he didn't make a good fortune in Xi'an? "To think that there was such a message even before Xiao Letian …"

Ceng Guofan let out a long sigh. Zuo Jigao could still see through it! In the message, he said that if the South Ticket completely collapsed, then the foreigners in Shanghai would definitely take action. With their huge financial resources, perhaps all of Jiangnan's valuable assets would be plundered … "

"Do you really think you can take the chestnuts out of the fire? Don't even think about it, how can the pitiful amount of silver in your hands be compared to a foreign bank? The shops that you've taken a fancy to can easily be sold for twice the price. Do you really think that you can buy so many good businesses? "

"Tongzhi has been in the middle of the market for five years now. Jiang Nan had finally managed to save up this much money, could it be that all of it has been for the benefit of the foreign devils? "Do you really want the foreigners to monopolize every single industry in the country?"

"Don't tell me that in the future, Jiangnan's tea leaves, silk, porcelain, medicinal herbs, and dyestuff … Even the wine making, catering, brothel entertainment and other industries have been monopolized by the foreigners. Are you satisfied with giving up the food industry to the foreigners as well? "

Ceng Guofan frowned his eyebrows and said with sorrow, "What's even more terrifying than a poor country is that the entire lifeline of a country is used as a tool to amass wealth in the hands of others. I'm afraid that in the future, we Chinese will have to pay even if we want to drink a mouthful of water or take a deep breath."

The crowd couldn't help but swallow a mouthful of saliva as they heard the marshal's words. Some of them whispered, "Is it that serious?"

With a loud smack, Ceng Guofan slammed the table and stood up, "If you have something to say, say it loudly, stop pretending to be my grandson!" A loud shout scared the audience into silence.

At this time, Jiu Shuai could no longer remain silent, he quickly tried to smooth things over for the generals. "Big brother, don't be angry, please calm down …"

"Shut up! This is the White Tiger Festival, what do you call him big brother? Where is your big brother? "Don't you know the rules …"

Jiu Shuai was so shocked that he quickly stood up and cupped his hands in salute, "Marshal, please calm your anger, your subordinate was lacking in manners! But there are some words that your subordinate doesn't want to spit out! "

"Speak, I'll give you a chance …"

"Marshal, let's not talk about the business first. I just want to ask you, what's the use of the ban for the past two months?" Didn't you just dream of Xiao Letian defeating the Russian and regaining your credit to the south? But is that possible!? "

"Everyone knows the strength of the Russian Expeditionary Force very well. The British have long known the truth. There are thirty thousand elites, forty-five different types of battleships, as well as a few dozen ships accompanying them. How can Xiao Letian defend against such a large army? "

"Of course I know that Xiao Letian has a strange warship called Zhiyuan Warship. It's powerful to the point that even Westerners is afraid of it, but no matter how powerful it is, there's only one warship! What can a battleship do? "

"Marshal!" "Right now, it's not that we don't care about Jiangnan's businesses, but that it doesn't matter if we ban it or not. Jiangnan's businesses are still cheaper than ours, so we might as well take action in advance. Relying on our geographical advantage, we can still eat a little more.

This logic was welcomed by everyone and they all whispered to each other, "Jiu Shuai is right! "In any case, this is a battle that we will definitely lose. Regardless of whether or not there is a ban of these two months, Jiang Nan's industry will have to end up in a mess. Why take off his pants and fart …"

Ceng Guofan's face alternated between red and white due to anger. He suddenly smashed the table with his fist and angrily shouted, "What do you guys know?! How did he end up losing? How can you all understand the big picture in this world! "