Chapter 195: Auction of Salt Vouchers.

"Does the Imperial Master really want to be so ruthless?" asked Master Cheng in a deep voice.

Even the trembling Marquis Changning had a bitter look on his face. He wanted to ask, but he didn't dare.

"What? You want to rebel?"

Li An became excited and asked impatiently.

Looking at Li An's expectant face, Master Cheng still couldn't utter the threatening words. He represented the clan, and many people present followed his lead, but that didn't mean he could risk his life to get ahead.

Anyway, I haven't done anything excessive, so even if there is a reckoning, it won't be my turn.

Seeing that Master Cheng had given in, Li An couldn't help but sneer and said sarcastically, "This is just like a person going to the execution ground. No matter if you stick your head out or hide it, you will still be stabbed. Why do you have to make it so undignified?"

"Now that the bad stuff is done, let's talk about the good stuff."

After saying this, Li An pulled out the silk cloth covering the table, revealing what was hidden underneath - pieces of bamboo slips.

Everyone was still in shock and lost their minds. They didn't hear Li An's words clearly, so Li An had to raise his voice and said, "Re-identify the land, and nationalize the non-cultivated land! And the person who executed all this is the man next to me, Mr. Chen Xiao! Mr. Chen, why don't you say hello to these adults? After all, you will meet them often in the future."

"Yes, teacher." Chen Xiao turned around and said loudly: "I am Chen Xiao, the humble official, appointed by His Majesty to be the chief of the People's Bank and the Salt and Iron Bureau. At the same time, I am also the manager of the Imperial Merchants! Hello everyone, please take care of me in the future!"

He bowed with his hands clasped together, his expression showing sincerity.

I don't believe you, you, Ang Lee's disciple, are really bad!
Everyone smiled and greeted each other reluctantly, expressing their support for Mr. Chen's work in the future. The scene looked very warm for a moment!

Chen Xiao stood up and said, "You should all know that the court is in a state of disrepair and is changing with each passing day. After the war with Nanqing, the domestic economy and military were damaged, and the court decided to get rid of the salt and iron business. But it is not realistic to rely on the court alone for everything, and it still requires everyone present to contribute to make it happen!"

He pointed to the bamboo slips on the table and said, "The court has decided to issue salt permits, which are certificates approved by the court to prove the permission for salt transportation and sales. You are authorized to legally buy, sell and transport salt. Of course, each salt permit here has certain restrictions, such as the specified transportation quantity and price, etc. Of course, these will require more communication and adjustment with you in the future."

As for iron ore, it is not open to the outside world.

At this time, Chang Ning Hou's eyes lit up, and he was no longer afraid. He asked in a trembling voice, "Is this thing permanent?"

"Change every three years." Chen Xiao also breathed a sigh of relief. He was afraid that no one would ask.

The teacher just established his authority too harshly, and the Marquis of Changning just set a good example.

It was the first time for him to be in charge of something on his own, and he was afraid that he might not be careful enough and ruin the plans of his teacher and His Majesty.

"How to get it?" Mr. Cheng asked.

Chen Xiao glanced at Li An, and seeing that he didn't say anything, he turned around and pointed at the blackboard and said, "This is what will be auctioned next."

Lord Cheng and Marquis Changning nodded, indicating that they understood.

This move seemed to make many businessmen in the audience smell business opportunities.

"Master Imperial Master!"

A young man gritted his teeth and said in a deep voice: "I have a question!"

"Oh?" Li An raised his eyebrows and said with a smile: "Tell me about it."

"Yes!"

The young man bowed and said, "I have inherited the influence of my ancestors and am a wealthy businessman in Nanling County. I would like to ask the State Master if we can also participate in the auction of the salt permits?"

This question is quite redundant but not redundant. Anyone present is naturally qualified, otherwise how can it be called an auction?

It was obvious that the young man wanted the imperial court to endorse him. Some of these wealthy businessmen had deep backgrounds, while others started from humble beginnings. This young man was obviously the latter. Without the imperial court as a backer, how could they compete with those clans? Even if they had great financial resources and won by chance, they would not be able to keep it.

"Those who win in fair competition will be protected by the court! I'm putting my words here. Even if the court is far away and cannot reach you, and your family is attacked by someone, I will let those people accompany you afterwards!"

Li An smiled slightly and instructed Chen Xiao: "Of course, we must try to improve these in the future to avoid the above incidents from happening again."

"Teacher is right, and this is what I promised you."

This explanation is indeed heavy.

"In that case, thank you very much, Master Imperial Master and Master Chen!"

The young man understood that this was an opportunity, a good chance to take off! But his family alone could not afford a salt permit. In terms of wealth, he was far inferior to the aristocratic families.

But he can unite!

Unite some people who are similar to you, create a business alliance, and jointly take one or several salt permits!

Thinking of this, he apologized to Li Ang and hurried to contact someone.

Seeing that the rules were clearly explained, Li An signaled Chen Xiao that he could start.

Chen Xiao stepped forward and said loudly: "There are thirteen salt permits. The auction will begin now!"

······
When he heard the shouts coming from the audience, Ang Lee also became happy.

This is the time to make a fortune. I think, after today, the national treasury will not only not be empty, but will be very full!
In the end, the thirteen salt permits were sold at a high price of more than seven million taels!
This is equivalent to half of Beiqi's annual tax revenue! How can this not be shocking, and how can this not be frightening?
The shopkeeper of Baisui Songju had seen a lot of big scenes, but he was so shocked that he couldn't speak. Even the Jinyiwei killing people in the restaurant just now didn't move the shopkeeper, but now he couldn't even control his expression.

He glanced at Li An secretly. For the first time, he was not moved by a person's identity or martial arts, but by his wisdom.

What kind of brain could come up with such a brilliant idea of ​​salt voucher and auction, which easily added such a large amount of revenue to the court. As for the voice and power of resistance, the state master probably didn't care.

This is exactly the fact. Ang Lee not only doesn't care, but he hopes that someone will run into his gun. As the saying goes, killing people and arson can win you a gold belt, but confiscating property is even worse.

The auction has come to an end. Although the process has been bumpy, it is still considered a success.

It is worth mentioning that there were some minor incidents during the auction.

It is obvious that there are some powerful backgrounds behind some wealthy businessmen, but in the process of bidding for salt permits, it is obvious that some people betrayed the forces behind them and acted on their own!
In their view, if they could win a salt permit, their backers would be the imperial court and Li An. Why should they pay tribute to these officials every year?
Ang Lee gave a thumbs up to this and asked for greater efforts.

He used his smile to suppress the ferocious looks on the faces of several family heads, and made the merchants who had obtained the salt permits breathe a sigh of relief. They wiped the sweat from their heads, feeling relieved.

"Okay, the auction has ended successfully. Now it's almost the end of March. Once the Salt and Iron Bureau has counted the non-cultivated land, you can send someone to the Salt and Iron Bureau to negotiate the matter. It will be limited to one month. The salt permit period will start from the end of April and last for three years!"

"Congratulations everyone!"

"Thank you, sir! The money will be delivered to the Salt and Iron Department within half a month!"

"Why are you all going through so much trouble? Here we have to talk about the function of the People's Bank!"

Chen Xiao smiled mysteriously.

(End of this chapter)