"It's hard to describe in one sentence. This trip to Jiangnan lasted for several months. If Su Qin only wanted to understand the thoughts of the common people in Jiangnan represented by Liao Qichang, it would not have spent so much time. Of course, Jiangnan is also my main destination. I can fight for your Excellency. The support of Jiangnan's industrial and commercial forces is naturally a good thing, but Jiangnan is far away from our northwest. Even if Mr. Li's ideas and policies are in their interests, they will have to wait until Mr. Li has the power to reach the stage of influencing Jiangnan before they can really sit down. After thinking about these issues, they feel that it is still too early to talk about this step." Su Qin shook his head, with a rather regretful look on his face.
The trip to the south of the Yangtze River was just as he had imagined before setting off. The merchants' vision was still a little too short-sighted and they were still unable to see through the current superficial situation. The empire was no longer the empire it used to be. Facing the aggressive posture of the Taiping Religion, San Francisco took the opportunity to expand, almost The battle for the succession of the prince has begun, and the empire has clearly shown a tendency to be unable to control the changes in the overall situation. The Machihans and the northern countries will definitely not stand idly by in this struggle that affects the situation of the entire eastern continent. Even Milan Forces that usually seem irrelevant, such as the Japanese and the Japanese, will be involved. At this time, it would be too naive to remain neutral and sit back and watch the situation change. Jiangnan has been prosperous for hundreds of years, and many people are full of desire for the wealth of this land. Can you stay out of this coming storm? Su Qin didn't believe this would happen.
"Short-sighted! It's not wrong for businessmen to pursue profit, but if the leader of the business force does not have a far-sighted vision, he is likely to pay a heavy price. Jiangnan's economic power is strong enough, but politically it has always been affected by the empire. The suppression of the upper-class nobles, and the Milan people have always been resentful of the Jiangnan merchants' domination of the industry, commerce, and shipping industry in the Eastern Continent. Needless to say, the Machihan people, with the hundreds of years of accumulation of the Jiangnan merchants, they are afraid that they have long been against the Jiangnan merchants. The wealth is so coveted. I heard that the Great Khan of the Machihans himself had long admired the customs of Jiangnan. He even traveled to Jiangnan several times in disguise. However, the empire still maintained a huge military structure. If the empire is in chaos, do you think they will let this rare opportunity pass?" Xiao Tang shook his head and sighed. As a politician, he should not only pay attention to the development of his own power, but also the surrounding areas. The rise and fall of power is also the focus of attention. Since the power in the northwest has extended to Kansai, Xiao Tang has focused his attention on the southern region of the empire.
"Brother Xiao, this is just our perspective. Looking at it from another perspective, there is nothing wrong with Liao Qichang's approach. The Seventh Prince is originally from the royal family and can represent the orthodox dynasty of the empire. At this time, he personally visited Jiangnan and made various promises to win over him. , and the Milan people in the south are inextricably related to His Majesty the Seventh Prince. Under this situation, it would be good if we can win some of their support." Su Qin smiled bitterly, "After all, these Liao Qichang are only representatives, and the final decision is It still depends on the mainstream thinking of businessmen, they cannot think as far as we do.”
"Hmph, now Situ Yuan needs them to contribute money for his plan to seize the heir, so he naturally needs to win over them in every possible way, but behind Situ Yuan are the upper-class nobles of the empire. Could he betray his own foundation for the benefit of Jiangnan merchants? "Xiao Tang sneered and said: "Once the use value is lost, the remaining economic benefits should be squeezed out of their existence. At that time, it will become a relationship between fish and knife, and the outcome is hard to say."
Su Qin was speechless for a moment. He didn't know the profoundness of Xiao Tang's words. He conveyed these words tactfully to those merchant families, but it was not up to him to decide whether they could accept it. Unfortunately, most of them Some merchant families are not very optimistic about their masters, at least they believe that Wufeng's power will not be able to help the merchants in Jiangnan in a short period of time.
There was silence in the big study, only the chiming clock kept ticking. Xiao Tang and Su Qin were thinking about something until Wu Feng arrived.
After listening to Su Qin's report silently, Wu Feng also fell into deep thought. Unexpectedly, the situation in Jiangnan was going through twists and turns. Even Liao Qichang could not control the group of wealthy and powerful businessmen. Judging from the current situation, the businessmen in Jiangnan seemed to be more inclined. Yu Yu formed an alliance with Situ Yuan, and he didn't seem to be too cold about the olive branch he extended. This was also expected by Wu Feng. It was necessary to let those businessmen who only focus on immediate interests to take action when the situation at hand was not clear. No matter how much change they make, it will be too difficult for them.
"Sir, Su Qin failed to fully fulfill this trip to the south of the Yangtze River. He really failed to fulfill your great trust." Su Qin also felt Wu Feng's disappointment and said with some uneasiness.
"No, this matter has nothing to do with you. You don't have to blame yourself. Besides, there are still some people who have shown interest in us. This proves that our influence is gradually expanding, although they cannot have anything too public now. However, it will not take too long for this intentional thing to be transformed into something substantial. We cannot expect them to directly express their attitude towards us in the northwest now. We do not have the strength now, and we really can’t blame them. ." Wu Feng's analysis is very objective. The northwest is thousands of miles away from the south of the Yangtze River. Even if there are interests, it is unlikely to directly interfere with the south of the Yangtze River. Being able to win some economic support from the businessmen is already a pretty good result.
"In addition, the intelligence obtained by Su Qin in Wuhu and Donghai counties is also very important, and its significance is no less than that of the trip to Jiangnan. I didn't expect that Jin Zhengyang would actually come up with such a trick, stepping on two boats, and he was not afraid of Situ Jun found out and skinned him?" Wu Feng's tone became much more relaxed when he said this, "The real person doesn't show his face. I didn't expect that this guy Situ Biao could control the Sixth Army in his hands. In this way, we The plan needs to be carefully considered. Without the support of the Sixth Army, it is doubtful how much hope Situ Jun has."
"Sir, this news may not be accurate. Kim Zhengyang was born in the Imperial Guard. As far as we know, this guy has always been cunning. In the Imperial Guard, he has always been on good terms with the legion commander Ma Yuan. He is a typical wallflower. Southern Military Region Commander Meng Hai is simple-minded. Although he is loyal to His Majesty the Emperor, he cannot control the Fifth Army and the Sixth Army at all. Now that Kim Zhengyang is on the line with Situ Jun and Situ Biao, it means that he is also waiting and watching. In the middle, maybe this guy will take the initiative to report the contact information between the other party and himself to the masters on both sides to get more support. Anyway, everyone understands this kind of thing tacitly. Which side he will end up on depends on the changes in the situation. Which side is more beneficial, which side offers a higher price, and many other factors have been taken into consideration." Su Qin hesitated for a while before telling his thoughts, "But now that the empire has reorganized the third and fourth legions, it has caused a lot of confusion. People's attention, I don't know whether this is the intention of His Majesty the Emperor, or the idea of His Highness the Ninth Prince who is currently supervising the country. If it is the idea of His Highness the Ninth Prince, the control of these two legions will definitely be firmly in his hands. , coupled with the fact that the Guards Corps also supports him, it is very clear whether the City Guards Corps in Qinghe has surrendered to His Highness the Ninth Prince. With the military strength of three to four legions, plus the support of the ministers of the DPRK, this crown Whoever the flower falls on feels a bit like the truth is coming to light.”
"Brother Su, things don't seem that simple. Don't underestimate these princes and highnesses. Maybe running the country, marching and fighting are not what they are good at, but when it comes to playing power and calculating others, I'm afraid they are not good at it. None of them will have descendants." Wu Feng pursed his lips and smiled slightly, "Take His Highness the Sixth as an example. Who would have thought that he would hook up with Jin Zhengyang before? Who knows if he has other methods? You know If you want to ascend the throne, you can't do it without blowing some pillow wind in front of His Majesty and the support of a legion. Situ Biao is not stupid, he will not think of this."
Xiao Tang and Su Qin nodded at the same time to express the same views as their masters. The battle for the throne has entered a fierce stage. Perhaps more and more things that were not known before will gradually surface. Among the contenders who have entered this stage, no one How many reservations will be made? It is indeed too early to draw a conclusion on who will be the final winner.
The weather as we approach the spring festival is really not good, especially in Mangye Town, which is directly adjacent to the Tengger Grassland. The location is actually part of the southeast corner of the East Tengger Grassland, but in addition to the nomadic Yuli people and many other small tribes from the grassland, there are also many Tang people living near the market town. As the northwest forces continue to grow in the East Tengger Grassland, the Tang people also begin to appear in every corner of the East Tengger Grassland. The cultural and historical traditions of the Tang people also begin to penetrate into the daily life of the grassland people. The splendid and glorious Tang culture has been admired for a long time. As the economic and trade ties between the Tengger Grassland and the hinterland of the Tang River Empire, especially the northwest, have become increasingly closer, the mutual integration and penetration of this culture has become more obvious.
Mangye Town is such a typical example. Although there are not many nomadic residents from the grasslands living here, these residents who have settled here have gradually adapted to the lifestyle and habits of the Tang people. When the Spring Festival is coming, Almost every household in the market town, whether from the Tang ethnic group or other ethnic groups, has begun to hang lanterns, clean the house, and post couplets about door gods in preparation for the arrival of the Spring Festival.
It gets dark early in winter, just after dinner time, and it is already dark. However, Mangye Town is no different from other remote towns. It is the most prosperous market town in Qingyang Prefecture. The special geographical location and ethnic composition have also created The abnormal prosperity here can be said to be that almost all the entertainment and pastimes available in Qingyang Mansion City are available here, but the scale is slightly smaller. However, this is enough for the residents of Mangye Town to show off to the foreign merchants.