"Since I am here to explain to you, I will naturally take responsibility." Qining said: "Notices have been posted everywhere in the city. I know that when the Chu army first entered the city, a ban was issued, and the people in the city could not Walking around at will is actually to protect everyone's safety. If soldiers and horses enter the city, if there is chaos in the city, riots will inevitably occur. Some people with ulterior motives will definitely take advantage of the chaos to plunder and impose a ban. This can first stabilize the order in Xianyang. If there are no problems, the ban will be lifted in two days, and everyone will continue to do whatever they need to do, no different from before."
Ma Wencheng said: "When the Chu army entered the city, Qiu did not commit any crimes. This really makes us admire him. His merits are immeasurable."
"Since I have invited you all to come, I will be honest and honest with you." Qining said: "I know you have been worried in your hearts, thinking about whether our Chu army will plunder the city after entering the city, or whether it will force people like you to Come out with the money, and now I can tell you frankly that your property will not be infringed upon by anyone, and we not only guarantee the safety of your property, but I also guarantee your personal safety."
When everyone heard Qining's promise, half of the stones in their hearts suddenly fell, but some people still had doubts in their hearts.
"I have heard of Mr. Ma's reputation before." Qining looked at Ma Wencheng and said, "I just said that I invite you all to come over today because we have something to discuss."
Ma Wencheng cupped his hands and said, "I wonder what Sir Alex's orders are? If you really need some silver, you guys here can still scrape some together."
People die for money and birds die for food. Ma Wencheng knows people's hearts well, thinking that this young prince summoned a group of patriarchs of aristocratic families. In the end, it is just for money.
Qi Ning smiled and said: "I don't want you to have a tael of silver, but the matter I am discussing with you is indeed related to silver."
Everyone couldn't help but sneer, thinking to themselves that before finishing three sentences, the young lord finally showed his true face.
"Everyone knows that after the split between the north and the south, the Chu and the Northern Han were always hostile." Qining sighed: "The two countries have been fighting each other for many years, and the contact between the people has been interrupted." Looking at Ma Wencheng, he asked Said: "Mr. Ma, as far as I know, the trade between Northwest and Xichuan was quite prosperous back then. Businessmen from both sides came and went, and there were always caravans on the narrow road in the Qinling Mountains. But I don't know whether it is true or not?"
Ma Wencheng immediately said: "Reporting to your lord, it is indeed true. When the grassroots were young, they often went to Xichuan. Xichuan was rich in products, and there were also many goods in the northwest. There was constant trade and business travel between the two sides. At that time, the trade was indeed prosperous. No. Sir, everyone here today has some assets, and many of them were able to get rich back then because of the trade between the two parties."
Qi Ning smiled and said: "So I said that the matter I discussed with you today has something to do with silver, that's right. Tongguan is already under the control of our Da Chu, and the Qinling Mountains are no longer the barrier between the two countries as they used to be. Land, what I mean is that if you are willing, I will immediately report to the court and ask for mercy from the emperor to reopen the trade between the northwest and Xichuan. Of course, not only with Xichuan, if you are willing to go around Xichuan to the capital or even the East China Sea, We can issue customs clearance documents to you, and as long as it is within the territory of Chu State, you can trade freely in the future."
As soon as Qi Ning said this, everyone present was shocked. Ma Wencheng's hands shook slightly and he couldn't hide his excitement: "Sir... Is the Lord telling the truth?"
Qi Ning smiled and said: "Everyone has heard what I said, so I can't joke with you here. My great ambition as the Emperor of Chu is to unify the world, let all the people live and work in peace and contentment, and those who farm the fields can farm with peace of mind. The business people will also provide convenience for them to do business well, and the prosperity of agriculture and business will not only benefit the people, but also benefit the court." He picked up the teacup, took a sip, and then said: "I won't hide it from you, before coming to the northwest, I just wiped out all the rebels in Xichuan, and Xichuan is still peaceful now. If you go to Xichuan for trade, I can guarantee that everything will be peaceful."
One person stood up and cupped his hands and said, "Sir, if the imperial court really allows us to trade south, we would really be grateful."
"These two countries have been fighting each other for many years, and both Xichuan and Northwest have borne a lot of taxes." Qining said: "I know that everyone is in a difficult situation, so when I give the book, I will also ask the emperor to reduce everyone's taxes as much as possible. , I can’t guarantee whether it will succeed or not, but I will try my best.”
Everyone immediately showed joy.
Ma Wencheng didn't look at Qining as if he was joking, and said sternly: "Sir, if we can really open up the north-south trade, business will indeed prosper. Your Majesty, you don't know. We have been working with the Western Regions. If trade can go south, a large amount of goods can be brought from the Western Regions for southward trade. In this way, a trade route can be opened from the Western Regions to Xichuan, no, even to Jianye Capital. In this way, not only we can Earning money through business and trade will also increase the court's tax revenue, which is of great benefit to the country and the people."
"That's very good." Qi Ning said with a smile: "But I am not a businessman, and I don't know how to do business. You still need to organize the specific arrangements yourself. What I can do is tell you what problems you encounter during trade. I can Try to solve it for everyone.”
Everyone was still worried before, but now they all looked happy, and the originally depressing atmosphere in the hall suddenly relaxed.
"Sir, there is something that ordinary people don't know whether to ask or not?" One person hesitated for a moment, and finally stood up and bravely raised his hand.
Qi Ning raised his hand and said, "If you have anything to say, it doesn't hurt to say it."
"Sir, I wonder... I wonder if the Chu army will be stationed here?" The man said with some anxiety: "Or will they withdraw after a while? Qu Yuangu has tens of thousands of troops in his hands, and... And most of them are in the northwest. My sons, if they lose Xianyang, they will definitely fight back, and then...!"
As soon as these words came out, everyone else's expressions also became heavy.
There is no doubt that Qining told everyone that he would reopen the north-south trade route, which had a huge appeal to everyone present. To be fair, it was only twenty or thirty years ago that the northwest was truly conquered by the Han Kingdom, and since then the north The Han Dynasty has been at war with the Chu State. The northwest is not a rich land, but it has to bear the huge tax expenditures of the Han State. After the northwest was included in the territory of the Northern Han Dynasty, from top to west, they did not enjoy the benefits of the Northern Han Dynasty. On the contrary, The taxes that have been assessed over the years have made people in the northwest miserable.
After Qu Yuangu came to the northwest, he intensified his efforts, greedily sucking up the resources of the northwest like a vampire. People in the northwest really don't have a strong sense of belonging to the Northern Han Dynasty until now, just like the aristocratic families in the East China Sea in the Chu Kingdom. He did not surrender to the Chu State from the bottom of his heart.
When the Chu army entered the city, Qi Ning made a four-part agreement. He also wanted to open the north-south trade route, and even asked the court for tax reductions and exemptions for the northwest aristocratic families. These were of vital interest to the northwest aristocratic families. In just a few days, he It is of course a foolish dream for them to have a sense of belonging to the Chu State, but Qining's conditions obviously make everyone feel that the future is bright. If they are asked to make a choice at this time, of course they are willing to seek benefits for their family under the protection of the Chu State. greater good.
But no one can guarantee that the Chu State will really be able to stabilize in the northwest. After all, Qu Yuangu still has tens of thousands of brave and capable northwest troops. If the northwest families actively throw themselves into the arms of the Chu State at this time, one by one, And within a few days, Qu Yuangu came back, so Qu Yuangu would no longer be as polite to the aristocratic families in the northwest as before.
If this person asked, it was actually what everyone was worried about.
Why didn't Qi Ning understand everyone's thoughts? He smiled slightly and said calmly: "The disciples of Chu who were defeated with blood will not give in even an inch."
His voice was not loud and he spoke in an understatement, but he gave people a very firm feeling.
Ma Wencheng immediately said: "Sir, we will hold a welcome banquet for you tomorrow night. We also want to express our feelings to the soldiers. Is it okay?"
Although Qi Ning made the four-chapter agreement and stated that Qiu had done nothing wrong, Ma Wencheng thought that since the army had entered the city, if the wealthy families in the northwest did not show the slightest expression, he would be a little uneasy after all, so he thought of using the power of everyone to express a little to the Chu army officers. .
Everyone here is wealthy, and each of them has ten thousand taels of silver, which is enough to reward the soldiers of the Chu army.
Qi Ning waved his hand and said with a smile: "It doesn't have to be like this. You can go back in peace. There are too many official duties here and there will definitely be no time these days. Of course, if you have any questions, you can come to me at any time. Mr. Ma, the people in the city are uneasy. , this is human nature, and I ask you to help appease the people so that they don't have to worry. In two or three days, when everything goes well, the ban will be lifted."
"Don't worry, Sir, we will know what to do." Ma Wencheng said hurriedly.
Qi Ning stood up and said, "I'd like your help. I have something to do, please excuse me." They circled with fists in their hands, and everyone saluted Qi Ning, watching Qi Ning leave with a smile on his face.
After Qining left, everyone was completely relieved.
Everyone also understands that what Qi Ning said today is also to appease everyone's hearts, and then use everyone's prestige and power in Xianyang and even the northwest to stabilize the situation in the northwest.
If the wealthy families in the northwest help the Chu army stabilize the situation, then the northwest will never fall into turmoil.
For the wealthy families, it is not a bad thing to help the Chu army stabilize the situation. After all, the stability of the northwest is not harmful to the wealthy families, and Qining promised to open up the trade between the north and the south. This is what the wealthy families in the northwest dream of. Since the Chu people have come up with If you show sincerity, you will naturally have to show sincerity accordingly.