Chapter 521 The more scolding you receive, the greater your credit will be
"How is the construction of Chidao?" Zhu Yijun asked Wang Chonggu some questions about Suiyuan Chidao and mining.
Wang Chonggu answered fluently. He was the Minister of the Ministry of Justice, but he was also the second assistant. He had the power to inquire about these matters. Wang Chonggu reported on the construction of Chidao. Pan Jixun, the governor of Suiyuan, was very suitable because he was the governor of Suiyuan. When regulating the Yellow River, it involves coordinating large-scale projects. Anyone who can do a good job in coordinating such projects must be an official, otherwise the Yellow River cannot be regulated.
Hu Yuan directly turned the whole world against him because of his control of the Yellow River.
Wang Chonggu is actually very good at taking care of these things. For example, he built the Xuanda Great Wall and the Imperial Palace quickly and well. Wang Chonggu guaranteed that the Ten Kings City can be delivered before the end of the year.
"You can take your time with the Ten Kings City. It doesn't matter if you can't finish it. If it snows several times in a row and the construction period is delayed, just delay it. Don't be too anxious," Zhu Yijun replied. The vassal's expectation was that by the end of the eleventh year of Wanli's reign, he would be able to figure it out, which would be a good meal on the table.
Wang Chonggu said very solemnly: "Thank you, Your Majesty for your kindness."
This is a verbal promise. It doesn't matter if the construction period is delayed. Even if it is a verbal promise, it is still His Majesty's promise. The captives will be wiped out in ten years. , which is also a verbal commitment.
If I can get His Majesty's holy family, Wang Chonggu will be able to live with his ancestors forever under the ground.
Zhu Yijun shook his hands from his sleeves, took out the last memorial and said, "Isn't it the end of the year? The Ministry of Accounts is in charge of auditing the world's accounts. The Great Situ and the Young Situ sent a copy The memorial talks about the Money Law and the Banknote Law, but the Ministry of Revenue still wants to implement the Banknote Law.”
Wang Chonggu frowned. After reading the memorial, he was a little dumbfounded. He said dullly: "What do you mean by the big Situ and the young Situ? The implementation of the banknote law is the matter of their household department. Why should I delegate it to the minister? How virtuous is the minister? Yes! ”
The Ministry of Revenue’s memorial said one thing from beginning to end, the anchoring of the Ming Dynasty’s implementation of banknotes.
The Ming Dynasty always had to use banknotes. Ten years after the opening of the sea, a large amount of silver flowed into the country. They even tried their best to plunder the Japanese country, but the silver was still not enough. A large amount of silver flowed into the country. Prices were basically stable, so it was still money. shortage.
The banknote method is imperative, but the banknote method still has the most critical problem that needs to be solved, and that is the anchor.
"He who is capable should work harder. The big Situ and the young Situ are doing it for the sake of the Ming Dynasty, not for themselves." Zhu Yijun comforted Wang Chonggu. This matter really depends on the engineering regiment and the official group organized by Wang Chonggu. can be achieved.
Need material abundance.
Wang Chonggu just read the memorial briefly and roughly. He was not working in Wenyuan Pavilion. He shook his head and said: "Isn't it enough to just anchor the silver? Anyone who causes trouble will be killed. Those who print privately will be killed. Those who violate the law will be killed!”
Isn’t it easy to issue money? Just prepare enough silver and let the Bureau of Banknotes activate the money printing machine and start printing money. Anyone who doesn't use it or behaves recklessly will just receive a ground-shattering punch from the emperor.
"Am I so powerful in Wang Cifu's heart?" Zhu Yijun asked with a smile.
Wang Chonggu was always like this, feeling that authority was omnipotent, and imperial power was never omnipotent. Even most of the time, it would be good if the imperial power was performed normally without causing trouble.
The Emperor Taizu Gao was very good at this type of boxing, although Huang En's earth-shattering fist was powerful, but in the end the banknote technique was ruined. However, after this punch, the banknote technique was no longer possible. No matter how sophisticated the production was, or how advanced the anti-counterfeiting was, People no longer recognize it.
"I will look at the memorial from the Ministry of Household Affairs again." Wang Chonggu felt that he had taken it for granted. The imperial power was naturally powerful, but it was limited to the capital. After leaving the capital, His Majesty also had to discuss it with the local government. It was not a big deal. An imperial edict can solve it. If the imperial edict is really that magical, the Jin Party can just violate an imperial edict and order its disbandment.
Wang Chonggu carefully studied Hu Bu's "Chao Fa Anchor Shu" and found that what Hu Bu said made sense, and it was very reasonable. This matter really happened to Wang Chonggu.
"I am ashamed. I am afraid that I will not be able to do it even if I die." Wang Chonggu was convinced that he had not misunderstood the meaning of the Ministry of Revenue. After all, he shook his head and issued the banknote method. A measuring standard, a sign to measure whether the Ming Dynasty will be great again, or a standard for the Wanli Restoration of the Ming Dynasty. Only by achieving this step can it be considered part of the success.
Since the Northern Song Dynasty, the land of the Central Plains has been renamed in countless ways, trying to solve one problem, which is the shortage of money. However, history is always repeated, and the banknote method collapses again and again, and the cycle Going back and forth, there is no doubt that the Central Plains needs more currency, otherwise there will be no money shortage.
Banknotes are loans from the court to the private sector. This has been discussed repeatedly by Xu Heng in "Chu Coin Notes".
Banknotes mean borrowing, which means that the anchor of banknotes is debt, and the essence of debt is the credit of the country. Use credit to issue bonds, use debt to issue banknotes, and more currency and trade will prosper. Flowers bloomed, and there was more confidence both internally and externally. We continued to issue bonds, and it was such a vicious cycle, with one foot stepping on the other, until it completely shattered with a bang.
No matter how self-disciplined, diligent, and persistent you are, can you really withstand the temptation of printing money and reaping the rewards of others? Absolutely not.
Fan Yingqi is a good example. He is one of the best among people. He got the first prize in the exam, he is unparalleled in the world, and he is famous all over the world. When he had toothache, he tried to find ways to relieve the pain. As time went by, the poisoning became worse. Going deeper and deeper, the original Fan Yingqi is dead, and the current Fan Yingqi is just a poisonous insect in human skin.
The historical corruption of banknotes is due to the lack of anchoring. This anchoring can be food, gold, silver, copper, productivity, or credit, but it cannot just be credit. If Da Ming Bao Chao can buy rice, flour, grains, oil, meat, and it will not collapse.
When the Ming Dynasty opens its eyes every day, there are 120 million people, which is 150,000 catties of grain, 7.54 million catties of oil, 130,000 catties of vegetables, and 16 million catties of meat. consumption, the Ming court had to mediate all kinds of contradictions and produce these needed daily necessities. Not only did it need to be produced, but it also needed to circulate these goods through currency, instead of rotting in warehouses, they needed to be sent to On the shelves, only by doing this, will the treasure banknotes be currency, not toilet paper.
In fact, the Northern Song, Southern Song, Hu, Yuan and Ming Dynasties could not do it, so the collapse of Baochao and the banknote method became a matter of course.
Situ, the chief minister of the Ministry of Revenue, and the younger Mr. Situ have actually read "Chu Coin Notes" and have their own ideas about the anchoring of banknotes. The Ming Dynasty wanted to promote the Ming Dynasty treasure banknotes. The main anchors of the treasure banknotes are: The tyranny of military power, land, food, silver, brass, coal, cotton cloth, Chidao, and sea power. Only in this way can the currency of the Ming Dynasty maintain basic health and stability.
The salt yin of the Ming Dynasty can be spent as money, because the salt yin anchors the salt. In Songjiang Prefecture and Suzhou Prefecture, the salt yin Yin can also be replaced with cotton cloth.
Yan Yin is used by only a small number of people, while the circulation of Ming Dynasty banknotes must be huge, and it is used by everyone in the world, so more things need to be anchored in order to be strong. Only when more aspects are involved, Only in this way can we supervise each other and prevent one person's greed from becoming a tool to exploit the world.
"So according to the Ministry of Household Affairs, it is true that the engineering corps battalion and the government factory corps can continue to exert their strength." Zhu Yijun said solemnly to Wang Chonggu: "It is not that we are anxious for a while, ten years If you don’t achieve success in thirty or fifty years, you will eventually reach that day.”
This is not what Wang Chonggu wants to accomplish before he dies, but what Zhu Yijun, the emperor, wants to accomplish before he dies. , this is difficult, but it is necessary and must be done.
Zhu Yijun and Wang Chonggu talked about the details carefully, and Wang Chonggu stood up and resigned. He actually wanted to meet the standards of the Ministry of Household Affairs before his death. The Ming Dynasty could implement the Banknote Law. In the future, the Spring and Autumn Period concluded that he How could Wang Chonggu comment on the third hero of the Wanli Reform!
The first two are Zhang Juzheng and Qi Jiguang, one is the new law and the other is the protector of the new law.
The truly valuable currency is physical objects, never gold, silver, copper, iron or waste paper that is too hard to wipe your butt.
This is also the confidence and fundamental reason why Wang Qian can carry out fixed-point blasting against the dealers in the trading house.
Bankers need money to manipulate ticket prices, and money with low interest rates and high discounts will come to their door; Wang Qian found domestic funds to lend money, and came up with goods or tickets that speculators could not afford; Wang Qian first Deliberately pulling up together with the bankers, paralyzing the opponent, while allowing the currency (silver) to withdraw, stimulating the bankers to borrow more money; when the total circulation of the trading bank is equal to the ammunition in hand, they sell together;
The bankers It was found that the funds in hand could not bear these goods or tickets at all. In order to prevent them from being smashed in their hands and under the pressure of having to repay when due otherwise they could not redeem the ancestral property, one of the bankers was the first to be unable to withstand it and began to sell, triggering a stampede. , the bankers who borrowed a lot of money were targeted for blasting; then Wang Qian released good news to complete the closing and maintain the stability of the tickets.
Similar operations include not only tickets from trading houses, but also rice, flour, grain, oil, coal and cotton. These are the necessities of life. Only when the court has enough materials in hand can it restrict the bookmakers who hoard goods. Only by driving up prices can the basic stability of people's lives be maintained.
Wang Guoguang and Zhang Xueyan made an in-depth summary of the rules after the chaos in the trading industry, and finally summarized them in "Cao Fa Anchor Shu".
Zhu Yijun put this Anchoring Book of Banknote Laws in the window of the side hall of Wenhua Hall, and copied the full text into the Di's newspaper, which was published in all yamen and government offices at all levels. By copying this memorial, anyone who could read or write in the Ming Dynasty would have the possibility and channels to see this memorial.
"Perhaps this will become the source of future banknote techniques." Zhu Yijun carefully put the memorial away. This was something that would be put into the coffin with him after his death.
If someone opens his coffin in the future, they will be able to find something useful. What if the Central Plains needs archaeological research in the future? Who can say clearly about these things in the world?
The audit in November of the 10th year of Wanli was thrilling, because after the case of Fan Yingqi, it immediately attracted the attention of the Ministry of Household Affairs. The Ministry of Household Affairs equated this behavior with concealing acres of land. Although these acres were in However, he always used various excuses for disasters and famines to get rid of the tax. In the end, the court still lost taxes.
If the court lost taxes, it would be fine if these acres fell into the hands of poor coolies. However, these acres were subleased through large households, which instead led to the transfer of land and further annexation. This was something the court would not tolerate. .
The audit of the Ministry of Household Affairs has never been so bloody. This comprehensive survey of official land across the country has made countless people tremble.
The Ming court was extremely serious about bonded trade, the people as the foundation of the country, and the foundation of the country.
Six books and one account can reflect the problem objectively, because all income and expenditure are linked to the acres. The completion of the clearing makes the audit very meaningful. As long as one of the six books and one account is correct, This will cause the Account Department to take stock of the detailed accounts.
The results are shocking.
In the sixteen provinces of the two capitals of the Ming Dynasty, official land in almost all places was occupied to varying degrees, which is to say that the acres of land were essentially hidden. The official land was in the accounts, but the income was not. .
The most serious one is Henan, followed by Shandong and then Sichuan.
These are also the three major difficulties for the Qing Dynasty. Even the Nanya Jin gentry, who the Ming court had always been wary of, focused their attention on the sea trade. The life-and-death struggle around sea trade, the fourteen Nanya mansions including Songjiang Including the government, such invasion of official land is the least, and it is within the tolerance range. Zhejiang, Fujian, Guangdong, and even Jiangxi are not particularly serious.
This time, the scholar-officials from the south mocked the bureaucratic malpractice and corruption in the north. The scholar-officials from the north quickly found a reason to fight back. The northern provinces, prefectures and counties , and Guantian, what about the south? All have been annexed, and are all under the control of aristocratic families! I still have the nerve to ridicule the long-standing malpractice and corruption in the north. There is not much official land in the south, so of course there is no such problem!
The two sides had friendly exchanges in the newspapers. When the northern scholar-officials took out the big killer Xu Jie, the southern scholar-officials could only stop and remain silent. They could no longer Gabby.
Who made Xu Jie’s Happy Forest Corruption Monument the only one with a cliff-like height?
Four hundred thousand acres of land for one family is still too much. That's Songjiang Prefecture's land, and one acre costs nearly five taels of silver.
Although the southern scholar-officials wanted to give Wang Chonggu an example, they found that after Wang Chonggu blocked the holes in the Great Wall and spit out all the money, all the income of the old Wang family could withstand scrutiny. Yes, the number of corruption is very small, and most of the money was obtained together with the emperor.
Anyway, the Jin Party represented by Wang Chonggu also ended the war between Ming Dynasty and Ada Khan, giving Ming Dynasty a chance to breathe.
The atmosphere in the Wenhua Palace was quite solemn. Lin Fucheng’s Anecdotes was sold out in the capital hall, and it also posed a problem for the Ming Dynasty. The Ming Dynasty had implemented the New Deal for so many years, and it seemed that it was going round and round. Back to the past. "This is essentially a matter of officialdom." Zhang Juzheng frowned and said with a serious face: "There are still problems with promotion in the Ming Dynasty. The first-class students and the second-class students who were admitted to the Hanlin Academy started as officials in the capital, resulting in a lack of grassroots Experience, even if it is necessary to conduct official examination selection and serve as officials, the key to the problem is that Jingtang officials do not know much about local issues."
"So, in the management of officials, To break the monopoly of the first-level and second-level officials on the capital, this is the way to solve the problem, instead of waiting for the local government to bring the problem to the court."
Zhang Juzheng believes. The core issue in this matter is the administration of officials, which is also the core of his new policy. The law is the criterion to punish all officials in the world.
“Not only the administration of officials, the Metropolitan Procuratorate supervises all officials in the world. However, the Metropolitan Procuratorate has become the mouthpiece of the party struggle for trivial matters all day long. Anti-corruption itself is the responsibility of the Metropolitan Procuratorate. The failure of the Procuratorate's supervision finally led to such a situation. "Hai Rui looked a little painful. As the magic sword that the people of the world have high hopes for, he has been killing corrupt officials and doing his duty in these years, and even colluded with Wang Qian to use it. Wang Qian provided clues to fight against corruption.
But after so many years of anti-corruption and so many years of catching corruption, this corruption is as strong as weeds, growing again with the spring breeze.
The Metropolitan Procuratorate’s impeachment of Tan Lun for coughing was a typical example of the failure of the Metropolitan Procuratorate’s supervision.
Hai Rui sighed and said: "There is a widely circulated jingle in the capital: prescriptions from the imperial hospital, articles from the Hanlin Academy, memorials from the Imperial Academy, tea soup from Guanglu Temple, swords and guns from Luan Yiwei, goldfish ponds "My mother-in-law, the mockery is not worthy of the name."
The memorials of the Metropolitan Procuratorate are all nonsense. It is no longer enough for a censor who does not do serious work to carry water and coal. The party must practice and accumulate practical experience, otherwise the failure of this supervision will be a disaster for the country and the dynasty.
"Is it possible that these things would not have been a big deal ten years ago?" Wang Chonggu looked around and said tentatively: "Don't be so overwhelmed by the enemy, even dejected. Years ago, some people said that if there was such a case in the Ming Dynasty officialdom, everyone would think it was normal, and it was impossible to deal with it. In the end, they could only resort to procrastination, delaying it again and again, and finally letting it go."
Wang Chonggu said with emotion: "It is a blessing to worry about corrupt officials."
The Longqing period was better than the last years of Jiajing, but the benefits were limited. Being able to worry about corrupt officials, It is a kind of happiness, which proves that the Ming Dynasty court has finally returned to normal, those bigger crises have been resolved, and these detailed problems, although trivial, can indeed be considered and solved.
"Why worry? The main purpose of the current density is to solve the problem of redundant personnel. After a period of time, we can deepen the elimination and elimination." Wang Chonggu is very confident about the future of Ming Dynasty!
It can be seen from the case in Baoding Prefecture that the local government is actually helpless against this kind of nest case. The Wang family in Yaoshan is holding on to the contract that was originally signed. If the court reneges on its words, it is a loss of national trust. But now this problem If it is discussed openly, the non-compliant contracts signed in the past can be annulled, and the parties involved can then be held accountable.
Under the multi-layered responsibility and accountability system of the Kao Cheng Law, even if a person dies, let alone promotion, the responsibility must be carried to the grave. This is the severity of the Kao Cheng Law.
"Wang Cifu said this, it seems that it is indeed not a big deal." Wang Guoguang spread his hands, and it seemed that it was indeed the case. At that time, how could the court care about the invasion of Shangguan Tian? The imperial court's annual income was only enough to cover three months' expenses, so it could do nothing.
Zhang Juzheng dislikes Wang Chonggu very much. This is the reason. Wang Cifu is indeed economical now, but he can always tolerate sand in his eyes. He advocates flooding with floods and then attacking the difficulties. Zhang Juzheng even made mistakes with his subordinates. Can't stand it.
"It still needs to be solved." Zhang Juzheng said: "In the future, Jingtang officials will not be able to be promoted without having a place to perform their duties. It will take at least three years. Even if they hold the title of Jingtang official, they have to go to a place to practice. Otherwise, how will they know? The local government is so bold."
Hai Rui then said: "The same is true for the ministers of the Metropolitan Procuratorate. They always ignore the facts when speaking. How can they be honest ministers?"
Ming Dynasty's important error correction power cannot continue to be so bad.
“The cases of land occupation by local officials must be investigated to the end without any tolerance, and all officials involved must be fully held accountable, even if it requires the use of judicial officials. " Wang Guoguang's voice was very cold and stern. This case has implicated many people. It can range from dismissal or deprivation of official status to imprisonment.
Fortunately, the reservoir of the Ming Dynasty's supervisory officials has prepared a reserve of talents with practical experience for the Ming Dynasty, so that the court has the ability and confidence to deal with this matter. In the past, it could only let it be so bad. , at that time, the administrative power of Ming Dynasty was close to the brink of collapse.
"Okay." Wang Chonggu didn't have any objections. This was considered a further reform of the government's official administration, and Zhang Juzheng was the only one who offended people.
Zhang Juzheng’s success in the exam is completely different from that of others. Zhang Juzheng’s success in the exam is scolded. The more scolding he receives, the more outrageous the jokes are, the greater his credit, credit. The thicker the book is, it's completely different from others.
Zhang Juzheng wrote the floating notes, and Zhu Yijun printed the memorial to the Ministry of Household Affairs.
"What Wang Cifu said makes sense. This is indeed a meticulous work. It is a problem that can only be solved after the Ming Dynasty revolution and reform, but it is not a reason to slack off. When problems arise, we must solve them instead of turning a blind eye. The Ministry of Household Affairs and the Municipal Government The methods given by the Procuratorate and the Ministry of Civil Affairs are effective. If there is still no improvement, the Tax Inspection Institute will conduct a tax audit." Zhu Yijun concluded.
When the Tax Inspection Institute conducts tax audits, it is not as mild as the decree. It is a small-scale, low-intensity bonded war. The Tax Inspection Institute’s methods are extremely violent. Because 30% of the local area is retained, the tax is collected. Those wanderers raised by the hospital and the tax collection office will have a place to play.
The Tax Inspection Yuan was the imperial power's confidence to lift the table on taxes. Of course, under normal circumstances, Zhu Yijun would not lift the table. This world belongs to the people of the world, and it is also the world of Lao Zhu's family. If he lifts the table, it will not be good for the country. stable.
"Six docks for fast sailing ships have been built. Ming Dynasty can build at least twelve fast sailing ships every year." Wang Daokun, Minister of the Ministry of Industry, reported the good news quite excitedly. The atmosphere was too dull and needed some light. The good news stimulated the courtiers of the Ming Dynasty to realize that the Ming Dynasty was not only about bad things.
It is absolutely good news that these fast sailing ships have helped the transformation of the small farmer economy in Ming Dynasty.
Wan Shihe said with a smile: "Speaking of this fast sailing ship, I have to mention Shah Maimaiti. He really wanted it. He asked through Honglu Temple again and again. The price is not a problem. Increase the price. It’s not a problem. It hasn’t been put into production yet, but the demand for the new dock at Songjiang Shipyard is already in short supply.” Things should be controlled by Ming Dynasty. Even if they sink, they will not be given to them."
All models of fast sailing ships, even the monkey version, will not be sold to the outside world during this Tianjin ship review. , originally the Ministry of Rites arranged for the envoys from the foreign countries to board the ship, which was regarded as a show of authority, but after Zhu Yijun read it, he temporarily decided not to show it to them.
Don’t even think about it!
There are some designs on the fast sailing ships that are completely ahead of this era. If you show them a little bit, it will be a loss for the Ming Dynasty.
Zhu Yijun is very stingy.
The fast sailing ship will only make more money in the hands of Ming Dynasty.
"Da Situ, I remember Kaihai Investment did not continue to invest in Songjiang Shipyard." Zhu Yijun thought about it for a while and asked.
After Wang Guoguang communicated with Zhang Xueyan, he said with confidence: "In the early ten years of Wanli, the five major shipyards did not invest more in sea investment because 20% of their own shipbuilding profits were reserved for the shipyards' own use. , fully sufficient for the expansion of production.”
“Your Majesty, shipbuilding is very profitable...”
The most technologically intensive and labor-intensive industry in the world, its profits are even greater than those of maritime trade. It's even higher, more stable, and less risky.
The new phase of open-sea investment is a large-scale investment in the industrial chain of the shipbuilding industry, not the shipyard itself.
Zhu Yijun frowned and asked: "So, Da Sikong, these six shipyards were self-funded and established by Songjiang Shipyard? Will it affect the operation of Songjiang Mansion?"
" Your Majesty, His Majesty gave you two million silver for the Youlong. In addition to the launch of the Youlong, there is also the Feiyun. These six docks are from the two million special silver. The launch of course includes mass production. "Wang Daokun said with a guilty conscience: "As for the launch of the Youlong, there was a corruption case, and 70,000 taels of silver were embezzled, but it has been recovered."
Not everyone. Corruption cases will be discussed by the court, and 70,000 taels of silver will not be brought to the table. For a two-million-silver project, the 'loss' of 70,000 taels is actually within the acceptable range of the court. It is just the shipyard's own metabolism.
The main reason is fear. The shipyard is afraid that civil servants will seize the opportunity to talk about corruption, and then extend it to the ban on sea, so the requirements are extremely strict. Internal elimination and anti-corruption are very strict. Last time the shipyard Overstaffing is a manifestation of self-correction.
"Your Majesty gave you too much." Wang Daokun asked for one million silver in the first place because he was trying to counter-offer. The original goal was not one million silver, but in the end, he got a lot of money from Your Majesty. The explosion of two million silver coins made the shipyard feel a little guilty.
"In this case, let's reward the 70,000 taels of silver to the craftsmen." Zhu Yijun made a reward in Tianjin Wei. The 70,000 taels of silver should not be returned to the internal accounts, but divided on the spot.
Wang Daokun said in a low voice: "I want to use these 70,000 taels of silver to set up a special ship design institute to develop new types of ships."
"Is 70,000 taels enough?" Zhu Yijun I immediately felt that Wang Daokun was good at spending money and asked if he needed more financial support.
"Enough! That's enough! Design is not about production!" Wang Daokun waved his hands repeatedly.
"Is this really enough?" Zhu Yijun said with pity.
Wang Daokun was a little confused. Just as he was about to continue to refuse, Wang Chonggu immediately said loudly: "Your Majesty, it is not enough. Your Majesty has said so eloquently that if you want to reward the craftsmen with 70,000 taels, then you must reward the craftsmen! The matter of the design institute, We still have to rely on the Holy Family!"
"Yes." Zhu Yijun said with a smile: "I will invest 100,000 silver to build the Royal Ship Design Institute. That's it."
< br>Spending some money in the name of the royal family is not a very profitable business! This is the emperor's credibility!
Wang Chonggu knew what His Majesty wanted as soon as he heard it, but Wang Daokun did not react.
“Your Majesty is wise!” Wang Chonggu took the lead in singing praises!
(End of this chapter)