C1197 Difficult to persuade (1/2)
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 … ”