Chapter 507 If not now, when?
Chapter 507 If not now, when?
At noon, the post station five miles outside the Jubao Gate in Yingtian City was closed.
More than a hundred people gathered in the post station.
In the spacious courtyard, bicycles and tricycles are neatly lined up at the door, and a sturdy lock is hung under the seat of each vehicle.
These vehicles have just been painted, all shiny black.
Under the sunlight, it appears more delicate in structure and beautiful in design.
Lu Yunyi nodded with satisfaction, turned around and looked at the hundreds of people standing in the courtyard.
He looked at their clothes carefully and nodded in praise.
Led by Zhang Yu, these disabled soldiers and officials of the Governor's Office,
They all wore clothes specially designed by Yingtian Trading Company.
This set of clothing is quite similar to that of yamen runners.
It is just black all over, with the "Yingtian Commercial Bank" logo embroidered with gold silk thread on the front and back, making it particularly eye-catching.
According to Zhang Yu's plan, the two people would be grouped together when going to the countryside.
One was an official of the Governor's Office, responsible for transporting goods on a tricycle.
The other was a disabled soldier in the army, riding a bicycle carrying official documents and silver.
Such a combination can win the trust of villagers as quickly as possible during the process of going to the countryside.
Even though Lu Yunyi had different ideas about this arrangement,
He did not interfere too much and chose to let Zhang Yu implement it.
With an appreciative look on his face, he glanced at everyone present, nodded frequently and said:
"The sun above our heads is extremely hot, but your spirit and energy are even stronger than the sun. I am deeply pleased."
Zhang Yu took a step forward and said in a loud voice:
"Reporting to the Lord, everything is ready and we can set off at any time!"
"Ah, very good."
Lu Yunyi nodded slightly, his eyes sharp as torches as he scanned everyone present.
Then he took out his trumpet and shouted in a loud, passionate voice, with an irresistible force:
"Brothers! Today!
It is the first step for our company to embark on a great journey, and it is also a crucial step for the court!
Perhaps you may think that if you leave the government office and the military camp, you will lose your original status and income.
But I'm here to tell you,
From today on, each of you is no longer an unknown little character.
But a warrior with a great mission!"
Lu Yunyi stared at everyone present with a firm gaze, and turned slightly to the side.
Pointing at the row of brand new bicycles and tricycles, he said loudly:
“They are not just simple tools.
It is also the chariot for you to develop your career and a powerful weapon for the court to expand its territory!
In the past, you wore official uniforms and military armor.
These make you feel proud and allow your family to stand up straight in front of others.
Now, the clothes you are wearing may not be known to others.
But I assure you that the four golden characters of "Yingtian Commercial Bank"
Will follow your steps, along with the wheels of bicycles and tricycles,
Spread all over the country!
You are not only the heroes of the business company, but also the heroes of the imperial court!
The day will come when you and your family will be proud to wear this shirt, and that day won’t be too far away!”
Lu Yunyi looked gentle and continued:
“Some of you may not know much about me.
But I can tell you that I have never lost a battle.
I have never made a mistake in what I said or in the decisions I made!
Two years ago in the north, I said that you would return with great success.
Today, you are among the most capable soldiers in Ming Dynasty.
Similarly, Yingtian Commercial Bank is still under construction.
But I will assert that it will become the largest and most famous trading company in the entire Ming Dynasty and even in the world.
The name of the company will follow your footsteps to every corner of Daming.
Every village will leave your mark!
The court will be grateful to you, and the people in those villages will also be grateful to you.
It is you who have opened up a new way of life for them.”
As soon as these words were spoken, the already heated atmosphere became even more heated, and everyone's morale soared to the sky.
Even Zhang Yu, the leader, was overwhelmed with emotion and clenched his fists tightly.
However, Lu Yunyi's words had not yet finished, and his voice became more and more excited:
"Some people say this is just a business.
It is a means for the imperial court and court officials to make money.
But I want to tell you that this statement is wrong!
This is not just about making money, it is a great change!
Looking back to the past, we and millions of people of the Ming Dynasty were trapped in the mountains.
Relying on mountains to eat mountains, relying on water to eat water,
I have never seen the prosperous world outside, nor have I ever witnessed the magnificent city of our Ming Dynasty!
In some places, people can't even eat two kinds of food a year.
Don’t they want to eat?
No! They have no solution!
They can't get out of the mountains, can't see the outside world, and don't even have a penny in their hands!
Now, it is August 8th, the 22nd year of Hongwu.
Starting from here, you will bring a new lifestyle and new hope to the people!
Every successful transaction, every trust established with the villagers,
They will make them money and bring them one step closer to a better life!
Each achievement will bring them one step closer to leaving the mountains!"
Lu Yunyi's voice suddenly became calm, and his expression became relaxed.
With a smile on his face, he gestured with his hands while speaking:
"Think about it, when your efforts enable those rural people to use better things,
When their lives are changed drastically because of you,
What a great achievement that would be!
The imperial court, Yingtian Commercial Bank, and you,
They will become heroes in their eyes and legends of this land!
Your names will be engraved in the long river of history and passed down from generation to generation!
On the road ahead, we will encounter various difficulties and challenges.
There will be scorching hot summers, there will be bad weather with wind and rain,
There may be misunderstanding from villagers, and even malicious obstruction.
But, brothers, what does this matter!
We are warriors who have walked down from the battlefield, and we are iron-blooded men who have experienced the test of life and death!
We are not afraid of swords and guns, so why would we be afraid of these small difficulties?
We must be like fearless warriors, moving forward bravely and fearlessly!
Every time you overcome difficulties, every time you break through obstacles!
These are all big steps towards our success!
We want everyone to know that we, the people of Yingtian Trading Company, are invincible!
Our goal is to plant the flag of Yingtian Commercial Bank in every corner.
Let our influence be everywhere!
Today, starting from here, you are embarking on a road full of glory!
You are not fighting alone.
You have me, the entire Governor's Office, and the imperial court behind you as your strongest backing!
As long as we work together and unite as one, nothing can stop us from moving forward!
Let’s set out to create our own glory!
Let your names appear at the ends of the earth in Ming Dynasty!"
At some point, Lu Yunyi's words became loud and passionate again.
Like a blazing fire, it ignited the blood of everyone present.
There was a determined light in everyone's eyes. They clenched their fists and shouted in unison:
"Go! Go! Go!"
Lu Yunyi was very satisfied with their reaction. He raised his hand and said:
"Brothers, don't be anxious, there is still one important thing I haven't said."
After everyone quieted down, Lu Yunyi said with a smile:
“We just talked about the bright future, now let’s talk about the present.
Everyone is busy making a living and wants to give themselves and their families a better life.
I will certainly not let you down, and the court will certainly not let you down for your efforts."
He paused for a moment and looked around.
Making sure everyone's eyes were on him, he continued:
“From today on, you will work at Yingtian Commercial Bank and receive a generous salary every month.
This salary is definitely more than what you earn when you work in the government office or in the army."
Hearing this, there was a small commotion among the crowd.
Everyone was whispering to each other, their eyes full of anticipation.
Some people couldn't help but talk in a low voice, their faces filled with excitement.
Lu Yunyi pressed his hand again and said:
“Everyone present here is a key member of the business and a pioneer.
How about ten taels of silver a month?"
The post station suddenly became silent!
Everyone's eyes widened, their faces filled with disbelief!
Even though these officials in the capital were well paid, they only earned one or two taels of silver a month.
Even if the soldiers on the frontiers made some gains, their salaries were only one tael of silver. Now, after leaving the government office and the army, they could actually get ten taels of silver?
An indescribable feeling of excitement spread among everyone.
Lu Yunyi smiled, raised his hand high and said:
“Not only that, as long as you work hard and achieve outstanding results, you will receive additional rewards every month.
This reward could be one tael, ten taels, or even a hundred taels!
There is no fixed amount, it will be calculated based on the amount of your successful transaction.
For every completed transaction, 10% of the money will go into your pocket.
If you sell ten taels of silver in a month, you can make a net profit of one tael!
The deal is one hundred taels, which means ten taels!
If the deal is worth 1,000 taels, you will have to treat me to a drink."
As soon as these words were spoken, the crowd became agitated again and everyone started whispering to each other.
“In addition to salary and bonuses, our Yingtian Commercial Bank also has a comprehensive welfare system.
If you get sick or injured while traveling to the countryside, don't worry.
The company will bear all medical expenses.
We will definitely let you get the best treatment and recover your health as soon as possible! "
"Not only that," Lu Yunyi emphasized.
“The company will also take care of your family.
If your parents are old and frail and need care,
The business association will pay an additional maintenance subsidy every month so that they can enjoy their old age.
If your children reach the age of learning to read, the company will pay for their tuition.
Let all children receive a good education and have a bright future. "
“Your work is very hard, rain or shine.
Therefore, as long as you have worked in the company for one year, you can enjoy a paid vacation.
Then you can relax, spend time with your family, and go out for a walk."
"Brothers,"
Lu Yunyi raised his voice, his voice full of sincerity and honesty.
“I promise you that as long as you work wholeheartedly for Yingtian Company, the company will never let you down!
All your efforts will be rewarded accordingly.
Here, you will definitely be able to make yourself and your family live a prosperous life! ”
As soon as he finished speaking, thunderous applause broke out at the scene.
There was a fiery light flashing in everyone's eyes, as if burning with a raging fire.
Zhang Yu's eyes were red. He took a step forward and said loudly:
"My Lord, I will go through fire and water without hesitation!"
The others followed suit and shouted in unison:
"Through fire and water, no matter what!"
Lu Yunyi looked at the scene in front of him without any disturbance in his heart.
He just waved his hand gently and said:
"Now that I've said the good things, it's time to say the bad things."
The heated atmosphere began to die down, the noise gradually disappeared, and the scene became quiet.
“I want to tell you that this company is not only your company, but also the company of the imperial court!
The money and benefits I'm talking about,
These are what the court should give, and they are what you deserve!
However, if you take even one point more than you should, the imperial court will investigate to the end!
As for how to supervise, a special supervisory agency will be set up within the business bank.
We will review your accounts and also visit the countryside to conduct investigations.
In addition, the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Censorate will also be involved.
In short, any possible loophole you can think of, the court and the business companies can also think of it.
Once a violation is discovered, it will be punished according to the Great Ming Law and the Great Edict.
Don't blame me and the court for being ruthless when the time comes.
By the way, some brothers come from the military.
You may not understand the law very well, so I will explain it to you today."
"The Ming Dynasty Code contains the 'Six Grave Crimes',
There are four types that are related to you, namely, theft by a custodian, accepting bribes and breaking the law, accepting bribes without breaking the law, and taking bribes.
If a thief is detained without distinguishing between the principal and the accomplice and the accumulated stolen money is convicted, he shall be caned 80 times with the stick if the amount is less than one string of coins, and beheaded if the amount is more than 40 strings of coins.
Those who accept bribes and pervert the law will be caned with 70 strings of arms less than 1 tael, and will be strangled if they accept 80 taels of arms.
Moreover, once there is corruption such as bribery,
Even if you survive by chance, you will be expelled and will never be hired again.
As for the Great Edict, there are even more regulations.
The four volumes of "The Great Edict" contain a total of 236 articles, of which more than half are about punishing corruption.
Their property was confiscated and their families were exiled to remote areas.
These were considered light punishments; lingchi and beheading were the most common punishments.
So, don't think that you can make your family live a good life by just being greedy.
There are many provisions in the Great Edict for collective punishment, and no one can escape it."
The warm atmosphere disappeared without a trace in an instant.
The entire post station became eerie, and many people shivered uncontrollably.
They stayed in the capital for a long time.
Officials and bureaucrats were tortured almost every day at the Caishikou in Yingtian City.
Punishments such as tattooing the face, cutting off hands and feet, and castration were common.
After seeing it so many times, one will naturally feel fear.
Many officials avoided the gaze and wished they could hide themselves.
Seeing this, Lu Yunyi smiled slightly and said:
"Of course, you don't have to be too afraid. As long as you don't make any mistakes,
This general and the court will definitely keep you safe!
Don't you understand what kind of person Ben is?"
After hearing this, the originally stern expressions of many soldiers began to slowly relax.
Although they were disabled, they were all meritorious soldiers who had fought bravely on the battlefield.
There are some bonuses and pensions, and most of them have some family assets.
It would be a huge loss if years of hard work were to go to waste due to corruption.
Seeing that the atmosphere had eased a lot, Lu Yunyi waved his hand and said:
"Well, keep your mission in mind, look forward to your future, and take every step carefully. I guarantee that you will have a bright future."
"Now--"
"Everyone! Let's go!"
More than a hundred people rode on bicycles and tricycles.
With full fighting spirit and confidence, they drove out of the post station in a mighty manner and headed towards the distant countryside.
The sunlight shines on them, outlining golden outlines, as if foreshadowing their bright future.
Zhang Yu came forward and said with a worried look on his face:
"Sir, isn't it too much to offer such a high salary?"
"A big reward will always bring courage. Dealing with people is much more difficult than killing them directly.
If you don’t pay them enough, how can they work hard? "
Since Lu Yunyi said so, Zhang Yu didn't know what to say. He nodded and said:
"With the supervision of the Imperial Guards and the Metropolitan Procuratorate, it should be better."
"What Jinyiwei and Duchayuan?" Lu Yunyi curled his lips.
Zhang Yu looked stunned.
Lu Yunyi explained with a smile:
“Don’t worry, the supervisory body will be gradually improved as the business is established.
Once the business becomes bigger and stronger, the Jinyiwei and the Censorate might really get involved.
However, that is all for the future, let’s do the things in front of us first!”
There was still a trace of fear on Zhang Yu's face, and he hesitated to speak several times.
Seeing his appearance, Lu Yunyi asked with a smile:
"What's wrong? Tell me what's going on."
"Sir, there have been some rumors in the capital recently, saying that you are using the business affairs to seek personal gain.
Now you offer them ten taels of silver a month as salary,
If it gets out.
Moreover, the ten taels of silver are set now, and later..."
Lu Yunyi laughed and said:
"You want to ask, if the company is no longer under my control in the future, can these benefits still be maintained?"
(End of this chapter)