Merchants always only care about their own interests, and as for other people... they don't care at all, and even the country, they can ignore them. What they care about is always money, that's all.

Just like for Zhang Siwei, he made a decision in just a moment that the fellow Taoist cannot die, and other people can sacrifice, and the Zhang family and the Wang family must be kept. Of course, this may also be the condition given to him by Zhang Juzheng.

"What the Prime Minister wants is just salt tax?"

After pondering for a moment, Zhang Siwei asked back. Although he knew that he did not have the capital to bargain, he still wanted to know what Zhang Juzheng wanted.

Seeing that Zhang Siwei didn't say anything, Zhang Juzheng continued.

"You people always only see silver in their eyes. There is nothing else except silver. Why do you do this? In the final analysis, it is because the money caused trouble, which harms the public and private sectors for so many years, and the annual salt tax of tens of millions of taels of taels of salt has been put into the hands of Shanxi salt merchants. This is a matter..."

Shaking his head, Zhang Juzheng said directly.

"Even if you say it, you don't care. How much money did Shanxi salt merchants earn over the years? These silvers are from the court, so you have to help me get the money back..."

Before Zhang Siwei could speak, Zhang Juzheng interrupted him and said.

"Don't rush to interrupt me. I know what you want to say. Not everyone is involved in it, but since you have to start, Zhang will naturally not miss this opportunity. Zhang never asks about other things when doing things and employed people. As long as it is beneficial to the country, you can do it and use it. This time, I will give you a chance to commit crimes and make meritorious service! It is because you know them, not only know how to rectify the salt tax, but also know how to take out the silver in their hands!"

"The Chief Supervisor Gao Ming..."

Zhang Siwei opened his mouth, but in the end he didn't say anything. As a loser, he had no other choice at all. In fact, it was beyond his expectations that he could save his life.

"You should have other questions to ask!"

Turning his eyes on Zhang Siwei, Zhang Juzheng knew that if he wanted to tame this person, he had to relieve some of his doubts.

"I want to know how the prime minister learned that we will start today!"

This is exactly what Zhang Siwei was puzzled. If it weren't for Zhang Juzheng's request to "receive the merits", he would have thought that someone inside had revealed the news, but it seems that this is definitely not the case now. How did the news be revealed?

"silver!"

Zhang Juzheng replied directly.

"They have paid a total of 3 million taels of silver these days, which is such a big deal!"

He snorted like a mocking voice, and Zhang Juzheng said again.

"Where are they going to use such a large amount of silver? They will never take it out as a decoration, so just focus on the silver."

In fact, at the beginning, Zhang Juzhengjiang did not focus on silver. It was the information sent by Tang Ziqi. At this time, the transfer of large amounts of silver was very strange. As long as you focus on silver, you will naturally have a clue.

"When you transported 800,000 taels of silver to the Beijing camp yesterday, Mr. Zhang knew that you were going to do it. These silvers are their opening money, which is a reward. As for the remaining 2.2 million taels..."

"Hey, it's all rewards. At that time, there will be additional rewards to the nine sides in the name of the court..."

With a long sigh, Zhang Siwei finally understood where the mistake was, and it was just a little money.

"What a big deal!"

After glanced at Zhang Siwei, Zhang Juzheng sneered.

"It just so happens that the 2.2 million taels can be used to reward meritorious officers and soldiers, and also save a sum of money for the court. Well, Ziwei, since this is the case, then you can tell me what you plan to do?"

In fact, Zhang Siwei has been thinking about this question. After hearing the prime minister’s question, he knew that there was no way out and he answered immediately.

"Fifty million taels!"

Hearing this number, Zhang Juzheng raised his eyebrows slightly, staring at Zhang Siwei and waiting for him to continue talking.

"I can get back 50 million taels of silver from the Shanxi salt merchants!"

In order to protect Zhang Siwei from the Zhang family, he made a choice that was most beneficial to him.

"Well, since salt merchants are involved in this matter, then let's investigate thoroughly. Based on my understanding, big merchants are basically involved in it, and small merchants are all dependent on big merchants. So my suggestion is to thoroughly investigate big merchants and severely punish small merchants. How much cash does those big merchants have, how much money they have, how much land they have, how many shops they have... These are not clear yet, but it is certain that if the house is confiscated, at least 30 million taels of cash can be collected, and small merchants sell private salt will also have to be severely punished. There should be no problem squeezing out 20 million! There may even be more."

Fifty million taels!

Not to mention Zhang Juzheng, even Zhang Siwei was shocked by this number. He was originally just estimating it in his heart, but the more he said it, the more he felt that he had said less. After all, the less salt tax the salt merchants pay every year is far more than 10 million taels!

"Oh, is that? But how much money can be collected from the house scout? Mr. Zhang doesn't care. 50 million taels are a lot, but for the court, it can only solve the urgent problem, salt tax!"

Although he was surprised by the astronomical figure, Zhang Juzheng still smiled and said what he really cares about.

"How much salt tax can the Ming Dynasty take in the future? This is what Mr. Zhang cares about!"

"Ten million...well."

After thinking about it, Zhang Siwei shook his head and said.

"If there is money-related cooperation, there is no problem with the tax of 15 million taels of salt."

"Hey, actually, now I think about it, if Mr. Zhang had used the salt method first, maybe..."

Shaking his head and sighing at the astronomical figures of salt tax, Zhang Juzheng looked at Zhang Siwei again, and then said.

"Forget it, just make up for the dead..."

"So this company must copy. If you don't copy it, you can't intimidate everyone, you can't take it as a warning, and you can't obediently hand over the salt tax! The same as the salt law is useless!"

At this time, Zhang Siwei even became a loyal minister of the Ming Dynasty. All his thoughts were for the Ming Dynasty, but only he could feel the bitterness. Not only did he have to confiscate the homes of the people he had been handed over for generations, but he even had to cut off the wealth of fellow villagers. But... if he was not willing to do so, heaven and earth would be destroyed!

Taking a deep breath, Zhang Siwei said in an extremely firm tone.

"So, to rectify the salt method, we must first attack the big salt merchants. Only by abolishing them will the rest be easier."

"Okay, very good..."

Nodding vigorously, Zhang Juzheng said seriously.

"This matter will be left to you."

Just when Zhang Juzheng asked someone to "send guests", Zhang Siwei asked softly.
Chapter completed!