I was living at the end of the Ming Dynasty, and I dealt a brutal blow to the Eight Banners!

Zhang Jingchuan's meaning was very straightforward.

To open a branch in Jinzhouwei and do business, one must join the Jinzhou Chamber of Commerce. Joining the Jinzhou Chamber of Commerce means agreeing to Zhang Jingchuan collecting "tariffs" from them.

If you don't want to pay customs duties, then get out of Golden State.

Those present believed that Zhang Jingchuan had the ability to drive them out of Jinzhouwei. Although they were unwilling to admit it, the fact before them was that Zhang Jingchuan, the General of Liaodong, was the local tyrant of Jinzhouwei.

However, they also didn't believe that Zhang Jingchuan was truly unafraid of being investigated by the imperial court.

In terms of strategic maneuvering, businessmen are no less adept than those who play politics, and may even be more so, because they are better at calculating gains and losses and pay more attention to interests.

"General," a short merchant sneered, "this is Ming Dynasty territory. Aren't you afraid the court will charge you with abusing your power for personal gain?"

“That’s right,” the other man said. “We can give up the business with Jinzhou Guard, but once we return, we will definitely report this matter to the court!”

As these two men took the initiative to stand up and object, the other business representatives nodded in agreement, threatening to ask their boss to use his connections in the imperial court to impeach Zhang Jingchuan.

Zhang Jingchuan ignored the wailing Chihuahuas and instead looked at Zhou Wencai and Su Mingyu, asking with a smile:

What are your two sides' opinions?

Zhou Wencai and Su Mingyu are both smart people. They have already tasted the benefits of cooperating with Zhang Jingchuan and will never cut off their business in Liaodong because of a tariff issue.

Given the choice between earning less and not earning anything, everyone knows which option to choose.

“My Zhou family, representing the Longyou business community, is willing to join the Jinzhou Chamber of Commerce,” Zhou Wencai said with a smile.

“My Su family, representing Fujianese merchants, is willing to join the Jinzhou Chamber of Commerce,” Su Mingyu nodded.

The attitudes of Zhou Wencai and Su Mingyu did not surprise the other business representatives, after all, the two of them had made a fortune from Zhang Jingchuan.

Even if you said these two were Zhang Jingchuan's shills, they would believe it.

"Very well!" The short merchant sneered twice, "Since that's how it is, my Xiangtai Trading Company will not get involved!"

"My Li family of Suzhou will not get involved!"

"My Furui Trading Company is not getting involved!"

Following statements from representatives of Xiangtai, the Suzhou Li family, and Furui, representatives from the other businesses also indicated they would not get involved.

After all, they had no real connection with Zhang Jingchuan, and they hadn't benefited from his presence.

You, Zhang Jingchuan, have been exploiting us since you arrived. If we accept it, you'll think we're easy to bully, and you'll continue to exploit us in the future.

The game between the two sides is a tug-of-war; you advance, I retreat; you retreat, I advance.

Although I refused, the fact that I didn't slam the door and leave means I'm waiting for your bargaining.

If you've already made a counter-offer, it means there's room for negotiation. How much you negotiate in the end depends on each party's skill.

however,

Zhang Jingchuan didn't try to bargain; instead, he coldly said, "Show him out!"

With this remark,

Not only were Zhou Wencai and Su Mingyu stunned, but even the representatives of the business companies that had led the opposition were frozen in place.

Zhang Jingchuan's unconventional approach directly undermined the face-saving measures these business representatives had prepared for them.

Zhang Jingchuan's meaning was clear: since you haven't figured out your place, then stay up there. There's no way down the stairs. Either stay up there and get some fresh air, or jump down and get hurt.

As for threatening with weapons, he's not that naive.

He needed these merchants to sell the goods he had looted in Jinzhouwei, and he also needed them to bring the grain, supplies, and daily necessities that Jinzhouwei needed from Jiangnan.

Not only that,

With these businesses under his control, he could use them to trade with Goryeo and Japan to achieve his own goals.

Zhang Jingchuan was determined to obtain the tariffs.

After capturing Jinzhouwei, he adopted a low tax policy to appease the people and to support the army. He also needed to pay the soldiers' wages and provide compensation to the fallen soldiers.

Reconstructing and improving the city defenses of Jinzhou, building a foundry, a firearms bureau, and various workshops serving the military and civilians, as well as constructing academies and clinics—all of these have operating costs.

The market is only so big; relying solely on the domestic economic cycle is simply not enough to keep it running smoothly. We have to find ways to increase revenue from outside.

"Tariffs" were the most stable source of income that Zhang Jingchuan could think of, so tariffs had to be implemented.

and,

From Zhang Jingchuan's perspective, he didn't think these business representatives would give up such a lucrative opportunity in Liaodong.

Although the markets of Qing China, Goryeo, and Japan were probably only a fraction of the total market size of the Ming Dynasty, the former had no competitors.

If 100 cows are eaten by 5,000 wolves, everyone will have some meat to eat, but they won't be full. However, if only three wolves share one cow, everyone can not only eat their fill, but also take some home.

That's why Zhang Jingchuan's attitude was unusually tough; businessmen value profit, and he wasn't afraid of them leaving.

"General, aren't you afraid the imperial court will find out and hold you accountable?" The short merchant made his last attempt.

at this time,

Li Ruolian pushed open the door and entered, glancing at everyone in the council hall before finally fixing her gaze on Zhang Jingchuan at the head of the table, and announced loudly:

"Zhang Jingchuan, General of Liaodong, receive the imperial decree!"

Zhang Jingchuan quickly got up and knelt down in front of Li Ruolian to receive the imperial decree. Everyone in the hall also knelt down.

Li Ruolian unfolded the imperial edict and read it aloud:

"...Zhang Jingchuan, the General Commander of Liaodong, recovered the lost territory of Jinzhouwei for our Great Ming...and annihilated several thousand elite enemy troops at Donghai Fort, displaying the might of our dynasty...and was therefore appointed General Commander-in-Chief with the seal of the Vanguard General of the Pacification of Liaodong, and was also granted the title of Grand Tutor of the Crown Prince and the title of Earl of Pinglu..."

"Thank you for your great favor, Your Majesty!" Zhang Jingchuan said loudly.

After Li Ruolian helped Zhang Jingchuan up, she whispered in his ear, "You've got some nerve, trying to drag His Majesty into this."

Zhang Jingchuan chuckled and replied in a low voice, "We serve His Majesty, so what we're wearing is nothing more than tiger skins!"

Li Ruolian glared at Zhang Jingchuan with annoyance, placed the imperial edict in his hand, and then turned and left.

The hall was completely silent.

Zhang Jingchuan turned around and looked at the representatives of various businesses who were still kneeling on the ground, and asked, "The imperial edict has been read. You may stand up now."

The group looked at each other, then shakily got up from the ground.

Zhang Jingchuan stepped aside to clear the doorway and addressed the crowd:

"Aren't you leaving? Please."

"Leave?" The short merchant was taken aback and asked in confusion, "The chairman hasn't finalized the tariff amount yet, how can we leave?"

“Yes,” the representative of Furui Trading Company nodded, “Since we are joining the Golden State Chamber of Commerce, there should be a joint signing ceremony, right? How much is the membership fee for joining the Golden State Chamber of Commerce? Silver notes or cash?”

Not to be outdone, the representative from the Li family of Suzhou said, "Today is a great day for us to join the Jinzhou Chamber of Commerce. I have specially brought ten jars of Daughter's Red wine from Suzhou. Tonight, let's drink to our hearts' content with the Earl!"

finished,

Representatives from each merchant household bowed deeply to Zhang Jingchuan and said:

"Please do me the honor, Your Excellency!"

……