The next morning, Pei Wenjing took fifteen big merchants from Hedong County to the government office quickly. Although these fifteen big merchants all have billions of dollars and have famous names in Hedong people, they are among the soldiers, farmers and workers.

In the Sui Dynasty, merchants had no status, were not allowed to ride horses, take concubines, and only were allowed to wear black cloth clothes. In most government trials involving merchants, most of the losers were merchants.

But with the chaos in the world, these cumbersome provisions also lost their binding force on merchants. Many merchants also secretly rode horses and wore robes. Many merchants even had gorgeous carriages and married concubines, but with the New Sui Dynasty

When it was established, many businessmen were afraid of being liquidated, so they secretly changed their horses to donkeys, put their brocade robes in the box, changed to black cloth clothes, and called their concubines maids.

Although the New Sui Dynasty did not settle some of the more regular behaviors of the merchants, they were still anxious and some even arranged a way out for themselves. Unexpectedly, yesterday, Pei Changshi suddenly found them and said that the King of Chu would meet them. This order was 15th.

Famous merchants had surprises, which was something that had never happened before, what did it mean? Although in the official office, Yang Yuanqing was just the Shangshu Ling and the Regent, among the people, almost all the people regarded him as the emperor.

They did not expect Yang Yuanqing to change the status of a businessman with one meeting, but this was a signal, a gesture, and a good start.

Fifteen big businessmen were all wearing black cloth clothes, surrounded by Pei Wenjing, and followed him into the government office hall. Seeing that the King of Chu was not as troubles as they imagined, he did not need to learn etiquette in advance, nor did he have to be unified, nor did he need to take a bath.

Changing clothes, just the soldiers' body searches again and again made them feel that the security was tight.

In the meeting hall, Du Yan, the prefect of Hedong County, was accompanying Yang Yuanqing to speak. Du Yan was Du Ruhui's uncle and served as the Minister of Works in Luoyang. More than a month ago, due to the tense situation in Luoyang, Du Yan and his close friend Dai Zhou and Du Ruhui's younger brother.

Du Chuke fled from Luoyang to Taiyuan, and Yang Yuanqing then appointed Du Yan as the prefect of Hedong County, Du Chuke served as the doctor of the Ministry of Personnel, and Dai Zhou was the minister of Dali Temple.

When Du Yan heard footsteps coming from the yard, he saw a large group of black-clad businessmen following Pei Wenjing, he smiled at Yang Yuanqing and said, "They are here."

Yang Yuanqing came to these businessmen, on the one hand, although it was related to yesterday's idea, on the other hand, he also wanted to use this opportunity to slightly improve the status of businessmen and give full play to their abilities so that they can accelerate the circulation of materials in Hedong and Hebei. What's the matter

They all rely on the government, and they are really a little helpless.

At this time, fifteen big merchants walked into the meeting hall. These merchants had seen the prefect Du Yan. They saw Du Yan accompanying a young senior military official. Everyone realized that this was the king who controlled the Sui Dynasty, the King of Chu.

Yang Yuanqing.

Pei Wenjing stepped forward and bowed, "Report to the general manager, they all brought it."

Fifteen merchants knelt down together, "I'll meet His Highness the King of Chu!"

"Dear gentlemen and gentlemen are exempted from courtesy, please sit down!"

There were more than a dozen single-person couches on both sides of the lobby, just to prepare for them. The fifteen big businessmen sat down one by one, but each was recalling the name Yang Yuanqing had just called them, and they actually called them singjia, singjia.

Famous wealthy families are usually not their turn. They are called merchants when they walk and resell goods, and they are called merchants when they open shops and sell goods. People usually call them merchants, merchants or big merchants, and there is absolutely no word "Sheng". Yang Yuanqing actually called them

Skinny, does this mean that their status will change? Everyone’s hearts begin to illuminate.

Then more than a dozen guards served them tea, which made the merchants a little flattered and thanked them repeatedly.

Yang Yuanqing glanced at everyone. Most of them were in their forties or fifties. Many of them were fat and big-eared, and big belly. Although they were wearing black clothes with low status, this kind of pampering style was not comparable to that of ordinary people. He smiled slightly and asked:

"Have anyone here ever been to Fengzhou?"

The merchants looked at each other, and finally one of the merchants sitting in the second place said: "Report to His Highness, the caravan has been to Fengzhou several times, but Xiaomin has never been there, but he just heard from his subordinates' description."

Du Yan whispered to Yang Yuanqing: "This person's surname is Li, and he is a famous grain merchant in Hedong County."

Yang Yuanqing nodded and smiled, "It turns out it's Li Shenjia. You might as well tell everyone what your subordinates saw and heard in Fengzhou. You can tell the truth."

"yes!"

Li Shenjia thought about it and raised his voice and said, "About the previous year, a caravan of mine went to Fengzhou to sell pomelo wine. He stayed in Fengzhou for less than a month. He said that the biggest impression of Fengzhou is that the rules are very good.

Strict, but very free. For example, when entering the city, all weapons are not allowed to be carried. You must file with the government for more than three days in a city and write down the reasons for staying. At most, you cannot exceed one month. If it exceeds one month,

To apply for settlement, you have to pay a deposit, of course, it will be refunded in full afterwards. This is the strict side, and the free side is that merchants can wear clothes at will and ride horses. They have no business, craftsmanship, only civil and military ranks.

In the difference, businessmen do not discriminate at all, just like normal civilians…”

...

It can be seen that this businessman named Li is very talkative, a veteran in business, and is very good at understanding Yang Yuanqing's thoughts. When it comes to the strict side, he tries to underestimate it. When it comes to the free side, he describes it with great color. Yang Yuanqing does not interrupt.

He talked, he slowly drank tea and paid attention to the expressions of the merchants. When it came to the merchants not discrimination, just like normal civilians, everyone changed abnormally. Some people twisted their bodies restlessly, while others

I was so focused that I heard it, and my eyes were filled with the light of expectation.

It can be seen that the status of merchants is their most concerned issue. In fact, Yang Yuanqing is very clear that the struggle for hegemony in the world is not only a military strength, but also an all-round competition between economic, political and even people. It is said that those who win the people win the world.

, but the people's hearts are closely linked to the economy, stability, etc.

The reason why the Northern Sui Dynasty did a good job is largely because it accumulated a lot of money, grain and materials in Fengzhou, so it can be supported. In addition, Hedong suffered much less traitors than Hebei and Henan, and its own population and economy

The situation is good, but with the advancement of the Hebei Battle, Fengzhou's accumulation gradually decreases, so he can no longer consume his former savings. He must rely on his own economic development to achieve revival, which requires the creativity of the merchants and

vitality.

After Li Shenjia finished speaking, Yang Yuanqing said to everyone: "The reason why Fengzhou is strict is to prevent meddling in. In fact, if it is a unified country, there will not be so many strict restrictions, but freedom is me.

I advocate the cancellation of business and craftsmanship and restoration of their normal civil rights. I do not agree with the discrimination of the late emperor against merchants. I plan to completely cancel various restrictions on merchants…”

When Yang Yuanqing said this, the businessmen below suddenly became turbulent. Everyone was extremely excited. The stolen sounded. Yang Yuanqing waved his hand and calmed everyone down again.

"But there is no free lunch in the world. The reason why I give Fengzhou businessmen so much freedom is because they are successful. When new immigrants come, businessmen always take the initiative to help the government. They build porridge sheds and help temporary resettlement of immigrants.

The Turks came, and they tried their best to help the elderly and weak retreat, donate clothes and food to the soldiers in front, set up schools, and take care of the elderly and some of them. In this way, when I proposed to revoke the business registration in Fengzhou, I got it

With the unanimous support of Fengzhou officials, it is natural. I will not hide it from you. I just called everyone Shen Jia. This is my usual title in Fengzhou. It has nothing to do with you."

The lobby was silent, and the King of Chu was already very clear. If you want to get yourself and get equality, you have to rely on them to show your actual attitude. The merchants were silent for a long time. The oldest businessman said: "Report to Your Highness,

We are also willing to do this, because we are afraid that the government will not appreciate it and the discrimination formed by the people over the past few hundred years will be difficult to change, so we have concerns and dare not do it."

Yang Yuanqing smiled and said: "The discrimination and ideas formed over the past few hundred years are indeed difficult to change, but it is not that there are no opportunities. There are not many opportunities in prosperous times, but it is a good opportunity in troubled times. If you make a difference in troubled times, I believe it will be extremely

This kind of discrimination is greatly reversed, and I will not benefit all businessmen because of your efforts. It would be unfair. I will conduct a pilot in Hedong County. If you succeed, I will take the lead in canceling business registration in Hedong County and give you

If you are equal, your children can even take the exam to enter the government.”

There was a sudden discussion in the meeting hall. The prefect Du Yan and Pei Wenjing looked at each other, and both of them showed joy in their eyes. They all knew that these big merchants were rich enough to rival the country, but they all didn't even give up.

Being able to mobilize their financial and material resources will greatly reduce the pressure on the government.

At this time, the oldest businessman asked again: "Your Highness, what should we do?"

Yang Yuanqing shook his head, "What should you do is up to you. I suggest you set up a chamber of commerce, and everyone will sit together to discuss what to do, instead of the government asking you to do it if you don't want you to do it if you don't want you to do it. That won't work. With the chamber of commerce,

You can coordinate actions, and not make this company pay for it or that company pays too much, and someone will think it is unfair. I suggest you think about it."

This is a good idea to establish a chamber of commerce, but will the government agree? All the merchants looked at Du Yan and Pei Wenjing.

Du Yan smiled bitterly and said to Yang Yuanqing: "As long as the court issues an order and agrees to the establishment of chambers of commerce in each county, there is no objection to the humble position."

"This is no problem. After I go back, I will ask the court to issue an order to allow Hedong County to be tried first. If the trial situation of Hedong County is good, Ziwei Pavilion will formally discuss and revise the part of the Sui Dynasty law involving Shang laws. You Hedong County

You can try the Chamber of Commerce first.”

Du Yan nodded, "I understand."

Speaking of this, Yang Yuanqing smiled at the merchants and said, "There are two things to come to you today. The first thing I have said just now. I hope that the merchants can play a role and help the government resettle the victims and help the elderly and the weak. Now I
Chapter completed!