Chapter 173: Use power to suppress others, use profit to move others

In the garden, the sun is shining brightly, birds are singing, and the breeze blowing from the Luo River makes the whole environment seem particularly quiet.

Qian Guangyun read this page of the newspaper carefully.

Although he knew about Zhou Tieyi's memorial, which called for expanding the method of official reports and opening up channels for communication.

But I never thought that their business would be reported in the official gazette one day!
For this reason alone, those who practice business must remember Zhou Tieyi's kindness!

The value of this report cannot be measured simply by money. It can be said that as long as Zhou Tieyi can withstand the political pressure and promote this report.

As for the loss of money alone, the Chamber of Commerce present here is willing to cover it all, and even give the Zhou family a lot of benefits!
Military strategists have always lacked channels for speaking out, but do businesses have the same lack of channels?
They are even more in need, but their business skills are not even at the second level, so they dare not even think about it.

Which merchant practitioner, even if he is a third-rank 'Jianji', dares to lay hands on the authority of the Confucian and Legalist schools?
If you dare to reach out your hand, you will be pinned to death immediately. You won't even have the chance to dream.

And now, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity is before him. Even though he knows that this opportunity is dangerous, Qian Guangyun cannot take his eyes off it and wants to try his best to seize this chance.

After reading what the page said, Qian Guangyun's expression changed slightly. He pondered for a few breaths, calmed down, and then asked, "Zhou Zongqi, can I circulate it?"

The heads of the Chamber of Commerce next to him all glanced over, wanting to see what the "article" that could make Qian Guangyun lose his temper said.

Zhou Tieyi waved his hand and said, "Nothing is off the table. This newspaper is to be distributed nationwide, so naturally you need to read it first and give us your opinions."

I heard the four words "publish the world".

Qian Guangyun's hands were shaking with excitement.

On the one hand, it was because of joy, and on the other hand, he vaguely understood what Zhou Tieyi was going to do.

He passed the newspaper to the person next to him. Although there were more than ten heads of chambers of commerce present, they were all practitioners and could read ten lines at a glance. In less than half an incense stick of time, everyone had passed it around.

There was even a leader with a rough look and a figure more like a soldier who interrupted and said, "Excuse me, General Zhou, is this edition of the newspaper really for our business? It won't be changed anymore?"

After reading it, his biggest confusion was that the entire article was about business and there was nothing else.

The others were happy, but when they heard this question, they couldn't help but look at Zhou Tieyi.

If the draft of this "Dibao" was only written for a dozen of them to read, and the actual printed version would be very different, then why would they be happy?

Zhou Tieyi smiled and said, "Don't worry, writing it down will be the same as printing it. It's just that the Tianjing Newspaper is divided into eight pages, each with eight pages. This is just one of them. There is also the 'Sacred Edict', which is now written by the Queen Mother of Heaven, and the 'Military Affairs' is written by the Right General..."

He paused and did not explain what was written on the remaining pages, because someone present would definitely tell the Confucians about the news.

But just the Queen Mother and the Right General are enough to shock all the businessmen.

There are only five most powerful people in Tianjing.

His Majesty, the Queen of Heaven, and the Three Officials.

Even the prince has to rank below these five people.

Zhou Tieyi was originally an "isolated minister", but because of the emperor's favor, he dared to offend the empress, the prince, and the three officials one after another.

This is a well-known thing.

So even though they knew that Zhou Tieyi was now a "lucky minister", everyone still took it easy and kept a proper distance from him, neither offending him nor daring to get close to him easily.

And now, with the help of a newspaper, Zhou Tieyi won over the Queen Mother and Yuchi Pojun, the right general of one of the three divisions, and temporarily disintegrated the alliance of the three divisions.

And because this matter was done for the emperor, the memorial was submitted openly, the three departments commented on it, and the emperor's opinion was sought. It was not that he formed a clique for personal gain.

On the contrary, it makes Zhou Tieyi appear selfless and that he can unite with his political enemies for the sake of the emperor's affairs without losing points in the emperor's heart.

Compared with the above relationship, it is more powerful.

Using newspapers to win the support of their merchants is just a minor issue.

This method is really clever.

After understanding part of the content of the Tianjing News, Qian Guangyun no longer dared to underestimate Zhou Tieyi, and his evaluation of the general's second son in his heart raised to a higher level.

It is true that seeing is believing; this is a peerless jester who can stir up the world situation with just a few tricks.

With the blessing of His Majesty, the Queen of Heaven, and the Right General, one of the Three Officials.

Even if the other two big bosses of the Three Departments, Si Lu Qingkong Gui of the Legalists and Si Min Dong Xingshu of the Confucianists, joined forces, they would definitely not be able to suppress the publication of this newspaper!

This is the art of forming alliances and making alliances.

"this is necessary."

Qian Guangyun interrupted Zhou Tieyi. He didn't want to hear Zhou Tieyi's specific arrangements.

Because the more secrets you hear, the more likely something will happen to you.

Even though he controls the Southeast Chamber of Commerce and is a fourth-rank cultivator himself, if those people above really start fighting, even if he has complex interests behind him and even has the support of third-rank cultivators in his family, he is ultimately a chess piece that can be discarded. Even if he is wiped out, it won't cause much trouble.

He now just wants to make sure that one of the eight versions does what is written here.

What remains is how much price the merchants will have to pay in order for Zhou Tieyi to not change his mind.

Zhou Tieyi smiled and did not continue with the rest of the layout. "I came here today for two things that I need your help with."

This time, not only Qian Guangyun, but all the leaders present breathed a sigh of relief and said respectfully, "General Zhou, please give your orders."

"One is naturally the content of this page. According to my idea, you should compile several manuscripts every three days and send them to Hu Wenlang, the editor-in-chief of Tianjing Newspaper in my house. He will select and compile them and hand them over to the Ministry of Internal Affairs for printing..."

At this point, Zhou Tieyi looked at Feng Zikuan. Feng Zikuan understood that this was Zhou Tieyi giving him face again, so he naturally would not refuse. He smiled and said, "Zhou Zongqi is the organizer, and we are just the supervisor. We will do as Zhou Zongqi says."

Everyone is carrying the flowery sedan chair, and now is the stage where everyone is happy.

Before seeing concrete benefits but before receiving the specific gains, everyone was in harmony. Because they had a goal to strive for, even the water they drank tasted sweet.

It’s just that once the benefits are obtained and people see that others get more, they will feel dissatisfied and start to make trouble, because the gap between people is hard to fill, and what is worrying is not the lack of wealth but the inequality of wealth.

This is also the reason why many people can share hardships but not happiness.

Zhou Tieyi continued, "But this Tianjing Newspaper cannot be distributed only in Tianjing. I am planning to publish it all over the world, so I need to use the channels of the Chamber of Commerce. At least, it can be distributed to the main capitals of the forty-nine states like the novelist's Tianxia Shi."

"What I'm thinking is, let's test the waters in the first month. Every three days, 30,000 copies will be issued in Tianjin, and 100,000 copies will be issued throughout the country. What do you think?"

Zhou Tieyi did not make any boastful promises.

Take it one step at a time.

By then, even if the 30,000 copies in Tianjing are not successfully distributed, they can be handed over to merchants and distributed among the 100,000 copies in the whole world, which can definitely be consumed.

Although this is almost like covering one's ears and stealing the bell.

But there is one huge, obvious benefit.

That means I can make a good account for His Majesty!
The Tianjing Newspaper was published for His Majesty. His Majesty did not care about how much money was lost. What he cared about was whether it could open up channels for public opinion and curb the voice of Confucianism and Legalism among the people of the world.

That's why he gave him the brocade robe with the image of a white tiger fighting a unicorn, and asked him to suppress Confucianism.

The successful distribution of 30,000 copies of newspapers is a good start!
At that time, I will let the merchants present digest 100,000 copies of the newspaper and distribute them all over the world. No matter whether ordinary people buy them or not, the 130,000 copies of the newspaper have been printed and sold anyway.

This is a happy event for His Majesty, and I can also take credit for it. No matter how powerful His Majesty is, will he really check whether every newspaper is sold to ordinary people? If I don't say anything, and the merchants don't say anything, they will all sing praises and expand it to the whole world. His Majesty will only listen to good words and only hear good words.

Even if he knew the number of newspapers was a little off, as long as it was not a big failure, he would reward himself as a big success.

Why did major companies in the past like to keep their accounts openly?

Because some accounts look good to everyone on the surface, and everyone knows what the inside story is, but as long as there is no big problem, no one from top to bottom is willing to investigate, because whoever investigates it must solve it, even the emperor.

That’s why small problems grow bigger and bigger until they can’t be solved.

I am very familiar with this routine.

One hundred and thirty thousand copies!

These are just preliminary plans!
The joy on the faces of the businessmen present could hardly be contained.

Even though it only occupies one eighth of the page space, the benefits it brings to business are beyond words!
“The first step now is the price.”

Zhou Tieyi stated the second purpose of his visit today.

The first purpose is to use the channels of businessmen to increase the distribution channels of newspapers.

Merchants are good at selling things. Even the novelist who is in charge of "The World Affairs" is far inferior to them in this respect.

The second purpose is naturally to make merchants bear the issuance costs.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs supported the newspaper with 10,000 copies per day in the early days. The loss of 30,000 copies every three days already made Feng Zikuan frown. Of course, it was impossible to fill the hole of 100,000 copies. "What does the general flag mean?"

Qian Guangyun knew that it was time for them, the merchants, to pay the price, but it was precisely because he and others had to pay the price that this matter seemed normal.

Otherwise, even if Zhou Tieyi gave them benefits, they wouldn’t dare to accept them!
"My idea is to cost thirty cents per newspaper and sell it to ordinary people for five cents."

The expressions of the Chamber of Commerce leaders present changed slightly.

This is a huge loss.

However, they are not like small businessmen who only focus on immediate profits.

Compared with the changes that the right to speak has brought to the business world, they even dare to directly accept this level of loss, as long as Zhou Tieyi does not change his mind, will not delete the content, and will not increase the quantity.

What we are most afraid of now is that Zhou Tieyi wants to increase the quantity in the future, and then the losses will be so great that the Chamber of Commerce will not dare to admit it.

Zhou Tieyi did not explain the subsequent plans, but smiled and said, "Of course this is the first step. Once the sales of these 130,000 copies are stabilized, we can slowly talk about other things later."

Qian Guangyun and everyone present heard the voice-over.

However, the success brought by this first step alone is enough to make the merchants pay millions of taels to give it a try. Every year, the tributes that the salt merchants pay to various departments are more than this number. If you divide it up among the people present, plus the Ministry of Internal Affairs shares the loss of 30,000 shares every three days, everyone even feels that they are making a lot of money!
Qian Guangyun looked around and everyone nodded slightly.

Qian Guangyun then stood up and bowed to Zhou Tieyi earnestly, "We obey your orders and naturally dare not let the Ministry of Internal Affairs suffer losses. Our Chamber of Commerce is willing to purchase these 100,000 newspapers at 32 cents per copy, and then sell them to the people at 5 cents per copy, which can be regarded as sharing the country's worries and seeking benefits for the people."

Zhou Tieyi didn't take it too seriously. He stood up and helped Qian Guangyun up. "You are one of the leaders in business. I just happen to have a personal matter that I want to ask you."

The main event is coming.

The heads of the surrounding chambers of commerce immediately understood.

First of all, it was all business, but Zhou Tieyi didn't take any benefits at all.

Zhou Tieyi may suffer losses when doing things for the emperor, but he will never suffer losses when doing things for himself, and the people present must also suffer losses.

Zhou Tieyi glanced at Hao Ren, and Hao Ren immediately took out the draft of the Railway Chamber of Commerce's shareholding, a total of twelve copies, and handed them to the twelve people present.

This draft not only defines the equity, establishes the names of the board of directors and directors, clarifies the responsibilities and obligations, stipulates the equity holders' right to dividends and right of suggestion, but also gives Zhou Tieyi absolute decision-making power and self-inspection and supervision rights. It also comes with a list of the remaining equity holders.

Yuchi Jing from the Right General's Office, Qingkong Ming from the Silu Office, Shentu Yuan from the Second-Class Feixiong General's Office...

Almost all the famous military families in Baihu City, big and small, have joined in.

Not only that, what matters to everyone more are the two people who took the lead in investing, Yuchi Jing and Qingkong Ming!

The "Tianjing News" just now has already shown that Zhou Tieyi has the ability to disintegrate the Three Divisions and bring the Right General, whom he has already offended, back to his own camp.

And this "Railway Chamber of Commerce Share Book" is even worse!
Although there was no emperor or empress dowager's order, Zhou Tieyi was able to win over the Silu Mansion!

The businessmen don’t care how Zhou Tieyi did it, they only see one fact.

Zhou Tieyi brought two pieces of paper today.

One copy was supported by three of the five most powerful people in the world, and the other copy was supported by two of the five.

And the order is "Tianjing News" first, and "Railway Chamber of Commerce Share Book" later.

Can we assume that the Tianjing News is endorsing the Railway Chamber of Commerce Share Certificate?
He, Zhou Tieyi, is going to use his power to overwhelm others today!

The heads of the chambers of commerce present certainly saw that these were two different things, but even if they were two different things, they could not be viewed simply as two different things.

Otherwise, why would Zhou Tieyi dare to talk about the two things together in front of Feng Zikuan?

You must know that Feng Zikuan represents the emperor, and what happened today will also reach the emperor's ears.

Qian Guangyun couldn't help but look at Feng Zikuan again, trying to get some hints from the expression of this chief steward of the Imperial Household Department.

Although Feng Zikuan was surprised that Zhou Tieyi suddenly took out something called "Railway Chamber of Commerce Share Certificate", he would not refute Zhou Tieyi at this time.

First of all, they are political allies, and they have gotten along quite well before, and Zhou Tieyi is not a fool.

There is no benefit in sabotaging others at this time, it will only offend others.

Second, this matter is none of your business, so you don’t need to answer.

No matter how the people below guess, whether they are right or wrong, it is not my fault, Feng Zikuan.

It's none of my business, so just ignore it. Why should I, Feng Zikuan, help you with this matter?

So he picked up the tea and drank it, using the tea bowl to hide his expression, without saying a word.

"Although my Railway Chamber of Commerce may seem small, it is also for the sake of the country and will benefit the country and the people. If it is really established, I will also write to His Majesty and ask Him to promote it widely!"

No matter whether the people present believe it or not, I, Zhou Tieyi, have said this: this thing also needs the approval of His Majesty!

If other people said this, the heads of the chamber of commerce would sneer and say, "Who do you think you are? You can set up a chamber of commerce and get the emperor's endorsement. How is that possible?"

But Zhou Tieyi is different. He has already produced successful cases and practical action plans, and may even have determined the time.

Using power to suppress others is a strategy that leaves nothing to be desired.

Now, among the five most powerful people in the whole of Tianjing, only the Confucian Dong Xingshu opposed it.

But no matter how powerful the Confucian Dong Xingshu is, he can't stand alone and stop this overwhelming trend.
Qian Guangyun sighed silently in his heart.

Once again, Zhou Tieyi was raised to a higher level.

If before, he just thought that Zhou Tieyi had the ability to use the emperor's favor to compete with Confucianism.

Now, he had to admit that Zhou Tieyi had gained the upper hand. If the Confucians did not take concrete measures, the day would be filled with terrible changes!
He even had the same doubt as Zhu Qingyi: had the fortune of Taoism begun to shift?

Thinking of this, he felt awe in his heart again. Yes, up to now, Zhou Tieyi has not used their family's voice in Taoism at all!
Qian Guangyun put down the documents in his hand and said affirmatively, "My Southeast Chamber of Commerce is willing to subscribe to shares worth 100,000 taels of silver..."

He did not mention how much shares he had. Anyway, it was all up to Zhou Tieyi to decide. As long as it was "benefiting the country and the people", they had to pay the money. Even if it was just for the names of the people written on it, they had to acknowledge that this Chamber of Commerce was just an empty shell!

One hundred thousand taels to buy peace is a great deal.

Zhou Tieyi picked up the tea, drank it with a smile, and did not answer.

I've made this round, and all the military merits added up have subscribed for 100,000 taels, but your Southeast Chamber of Commerce has only subscribed for 100,000 taels. What makes you think you can be on par with the military merits of White Tiger City?

Do you think I, Zhou Tieyi, am young and easy to fool?

Seeing that Zhou Tieyi didn't say anything and didn't put down the tea bowl.

Qian Guangyun's heart skipped a beat.

Zhou Tieyi's appetite is as big as his ability!
So he said tentatively, "I just thought about it again. Since this is a major event that benefits the country and the people, our Southeast Chamber of Commerce naturally cannot lag behind. I will go to the Chamber of Commerce to ask other colleagues. They will definitely participate enthusiastically and I estimate that they can subscribe to 100,000 taels of shares."

Taking out two hundred thousand taels to buy a piece of paper is already a lot.

Besides, you have to take your time to wool the sheep. Don’t be impatient. If you scare the sheep away, where will you go to wool them?

Zhou Tieyi put down the tea bowl with a smile, making a crisp sound.

The sound made everyone present breathe a sigh of relief.

Since the Southeast Chamber of Commerce provided a ready-made example, everyone enthusiastically subscribed for shares, and soon, two million taels were raised.

Even Feng Zikuan, the chief steward of the Imperial Household Department who had seen the real world, looked at Zhou Tieyi once more.

By now, people in the palace have long known Zhou Tieyi's ability as a jester. He can easily make the emperor laugh. It is said that Su Xibi often feels inferior to his godsons.

And now this ability to make money has even left him, the chief steward of the Imperial Household Department, dumbfounded.

Not only will I, Zhou Tieyi, take these two million taels, but I will also take them in front of the Emperor's will. I will take them openly and honestly for the country and the people!
After everyone had subscribed, Zhou Tieyi said with a smile, "Since you are all shareholders of the Railway Chamber of Commerce, each of you should send a financial officer to the Chamber of Commerce to oversee the accounts..."

Although Zhou Tieyi said so, Qian Guangyun didn't dare to do so. He was afraid that this was a test by Zhou Tieyi, so he quickly wanted to stand up and refuse.

However, Zhou Tieyi raised his hand to stop him, "Director Qian, let me finish what I am saying."

Since they have already subscribed for shares, they are our own people and the name they are addressed should be changed.

When Qian Guangyun heard the title of "director", he felt a little uncomfortable at first, but when he thought about the meaning of this title, he felt both happy and worried.

The good news is that Zhou Tieyi has accepted businessmen like him. If there is no major change in the political situation, he will not cause trouble for the Chamber of Commerce again.

But the worry is that this will send a bad signal to Confucianism.

But now that things have come to this, how can he go back on his word? How dare he go back on his word? Would he also go back on his promise to the Tianjing News?
Zhou Tieyi continued, "Uncle Qingkong also said that he would check the accounts of this money. I am not using this money to spend on myself, but to do something that benefits the country and the people. So there is nothing that cannot be discussed. You all come to look at the accounts. They are for the people of the world to see, not for me, Zhou Tieyi!"

(End of this chapter)