Chapter 80: People, land, mines and money!
Zhu Biao stared straight at Xia Zhibai and asked, "What do you want to do?"
He was very curious now.
After what Xia Zhibai said, it was obvious that he had a plot, and the plot was not trivial, otherwise he wouldn't have spent so much time and money on it.
Is it really feasible for the government to do business?
He had doubts.
Xia Zhibai turned around, showed a faint smile, and said: "I want to try the path that others dare not take, and do business in the name of the government."
"I won't make it too difficult for you."
"Only for Yingtian Mansion."
"It's right under your nose. If there is really a problem, you can stop it at any time. I Although Xia Zhibai is confident, he is not so arrogant. He has to eat one bite at a time and walk step by step. ”
"If I can achieve my goal, the price of salt for the people will be lowered, and the money collected by the court will be increased, so that the kitchen households will not be so complaining, and they will not be able to feed their families after a year of hard work."
"That would be considered a success."
"This is impossible." Zhu Biao shook his head.
Xia Zhibai’s idea is too bizarre.
I want to take into account every aspect, but in the end it is likely that I will not be able to take care of it.
"How will you know if you don't try?" Xia Zhibai asked.
Zhu Biao lowered his head and slowly traced his fingertips on the tea cup, constantly thinking about the pros and cons.
Do you really want to let Xia Zhibai give it a try?
He couldn't decide.
A long time.
Zhu Biao raised his head and frowned: "Why are you looking for me today?"
Xia Zhibai said: "I'm here to ask for money, land, mines, and people."
Hearing Xia Zhibai's request, Zhu Biao's expression suddenly changed and he was also startled.
This is too much to ask for.
He refused without hesitation: "Impossible. The Ming Dynasty has its own set of laws and regulations. How can we change them day by day and let you do whatever you want? There is no way I can agree."
Zhu Biao refused firmly.
Xia Zhibai was not surprised, but said lightly: "Your Highness disagrees. I actually expected it when I came, but does Your Highness know why I still came to you?"
"Why? Zhu Biao asked.
Xia Zhibai said: "Where the imperial court can control, the Ming laws and regulations are called laws. Where the imperial court cannot control, the Ming laws and regulations are just a piece of waste paper. The county magistrates are not as good as the current ones."
< br>“This is the truth since ancient times.”
"What do you mean?!" Zhu Biao stood up suddenly and stared at Xia Zhibai angrily.
Xia Zhibai smiled, gave Zhu Biao a reassuring look, and said: "The territory of the Ming Dynasty is very large. In many places, the court cannot supervise it at all. Local illegal salt is rampant, except for the needs of the people. , it’s more about the lack of order. If I really don’t take the Ming Law seriously.”
“I won’t come to Yingtianfu at all”
“With my talents. , after passing the provincial examination, I will be able to hold a position in the local area. "
"I am a local 'parent official'. I am looking for a more remote place to mine and smelt for my own personal gain. What can the court do to me? ”
“But I’m still here.”
“Because I don’t want to give up the world to those I despise.”
“I have higher ideals and pursuits in my heart.”< br>
A killing intent flashed in Zhu Biao's eyes.
Xia Zhibai's words have touched Zhu Biao's back.
As the crown prince of the Ming Dynasty, he couldn't accept it, someone said such treasonous words in front of him.
But he also knew deeply that what Xia Zhibai said was true. With the talents Xia Zhibai showed, if he was really colluding with the local government, it would be difficult for the court to find out.
Other local officials are willing to cooperate with him.
Because it is profitable.
After a few years of working in the local area, he got all these things.
Zhu Biao's face was livid, but he said nothing.
Xia Zhibai continued: "Nowadays, the world seems to be blooming with flowers, but in fact, evil is rampant behind the scenes. There are so many smuggling and rebellions in the local area, and many of them are caused by the government forcing the people to rebel."
"The imperial court failed to care about people's livelihood."
"Many public powers related to people's livelihood were delegated to local officials and merchants, and the imperial court did not provide enough supervision and supervision, which ultimately led to increasing poverty and corruption at the bottom. .”
“I don’t really want much.”
"Because this is opening up a new path for the world!"
"If you pay, you will be rewarded."
"I think it's worth it!"
Zhu Biao's face changed. He changed his mind again and said in a deep voice: "You want too much. I can agree to it, but the court will not agree to it, and these few words are not convincing."
Xia Zhibai nodded. .
He took the initiative to explain: "It's easy to understand asking for money."
"It's hard for a clever woman to make a meal without rice."
"Without money, it's hard to move forward and can't do anything."
"I know that the imperial court is in trouble, and the finances are very tight. It is impossible to come up with too much money. I don't really want to ask the imperial government to allocate it to me directly. I just borrow it."
"Ten out and twelve return ! ”
"Ten departures and twelve returns?" Zhu Biao's eyes moved slightly.
If the court gives money directly, he can't make the decision, but if it's a loan, it has to be discussed.
He sat down again, took a sip of tea, suppressed Cai Cai's anger, and said indifferently: "Since you know something about the situation in Ming Dynasty, you should also know that the imperial court's finances have always been very tight."< br>
“Borrow? The imperial court can’t lend much.”
“Didn’t the imperial court just ransack a house not long ago? The money from the house raid should have been put into the account, and it can’t be planned so quickly.” Xia Zhibai's eyes showed a hint of cunning.
Zhu Biao was stunned.
The corner of his mouth twitched slightly.
No wonder Xia Zhibai knew that the court's finances were tight, yet he dared to say this. It turned out that he was thinking about the money from confiscating the house. Not long ago, Zhu Yuanzhang punished Li Cunyi and confiscated his family property, which amounted to about 400,000 silver.
It has indeed greatly enriched the national treasury.
But as soon as the money entered the national treasury, it was targeted by various government agencies.
It is not easy for Xia Zhibai to seize food from the tiger's mouth.
Seeing Zhu Biao's silence, Xia Zhibai also knew that he had guessed correctly. The court had not yet arranged where the money from the house raid would go.
He was determined.
Xia Zhibai continued: "The subsequent requirements for mines, land and people are easier to understand. The steam engine I want to build requires a lot of fuel to play its role, so I need a coal mine. .”
"There is also a salt mine that can extract brine."
"As for people."
"The first thing we need are craftsmen."
"I need them to extract the brine. It is built using a steam engine.”
“Because this is the first time it is officially manufactured, there will inevitably be some problems, so these craftsmen will stay in the mine temporarily to solve the problems at any time.”
"As for the kitchen households that make salt."
"I know that the Ming Dynasty has strict restrictions on them."
"So I will not requisition these people, but will choose refugees."< br>
“Refugees in Chuzhou and Shouzhou.”
“I may be able to help the imperial court support hundreds or even thousands of people.”
"But I also have a request, that is, the household registration of these people cannot be changed to Zaohu, but at most to 'worker'. And I will decide how many to recruit and how to use them."
" The court cannot interfere.”
“The salt companies and coal companies I run are not subject to restrictions on salt production and coal production.”
“There are no regulations on how much coal must be mined or produced every year. Salt will be completely self-produced, self-operated and sold in the future.”
“In the first few years, the business I founded would pay the taxes and purchase salt required by the court in accordance with the regulations of the court. ', 'Coal Yin' money."
"In a few years, if this method is feasible, the profits will be gradually handed over to the national treasury."
Zhu Biao's eyes moved slightly.
According to Xia Zhibai, what the imperial court really paid was the mines, land, and some craftsmen. However, at the same time, some refugees and disaster victims were resettled. More importantly, the imperial court was able to collect A lot of money.
It’s just that this will disrupt the court’s plan for the salt market.
More salt will flow into the market.
More importantly, if Xia Zhibai cannot make ends meet, can the money lent by the court be recovered?
Will it cause greater turmoil?
But Xia Zhibai made it clear that the company he founded was only active in Yingtian Mansion.
Right under my nose, I can check the account books at any time, find anything wrong, and stop the interruption in time.
He was a little moved.
But he was not in a hurry to express his position.
Zhu Biao picked up the tea, looked at Xia Zhibai calmly, and said lightly: "I know what you think, but this matter is important and we cannot make such a hasty decision."
"I I need to think about it again."
"Okay." Xia Zhibai nodded and said, "But I hope that His Highness will make a decision as soon as possible and arrange some craftsmen as soon as possible. I need to make some preparations in advance for the future. It can be started as soon as possible."
Zhu Biao nodded: "I will arrange for people from the Ministry of Industry to work tomorrow. If you have any needs, you can ask them."
"Thank you, Your Highness." Xia Zhibai cupped his hands.
The purpose of his trip has been achieved.
I didn’t stay in the East Palace any longer, I just said goodbye and left.
The side hall.
Zhu Biao sat alone.
My heart has been unable to calm down for a long time.
He has actually been persuaded by Xia Zhibai.
He also wanted to see if these Ming officials were really trying to deceive people.
If the 'official business' model pioneered by Xia Zhibai can work, it will really make the people afford salt, make the government more profitable, improve the lives of kitchen households, and improve their production enthusiasm.
Those officials of the Ming Dynasty
There was a murderous look in Zhu Biao's eyes.
Zhu Biao turned the jade ring in his hand and said softly: "Xia Zhibai, I will trust you again. I hope you will not let me down this time."
"Can government business really work?"
Zhu Biao stood up.
Get ready to tell your father about this.
Xia Zhibai was right about one thing, that is, local governments may not dare to do things that are not allowed by the court.
Rather than letting people like 'Xia Zhibai' do it secretly, it is better for the court to give it a try. Even if it fails, at least the court can know some of the truth.
We can also do some effective targeting.
It is beneficial to the country.
Wuying Palace.
Zhu Yuanzhang was taking a nap inside.
Seeing Zhu Biao's arrival, Zhu Yuanzhang was not surprised at all, as if he had known Zhu Biao would come for a long time. He raised his eyes and said coldly: "Xia Zhibai said something to you again."
Zhu Biao cupped his hands and said, "I would like to inform my father."
"Xia Zhibai asked his ministers to discuss business matters."
"He suggested that the government should engage in business. '."
"He is also prepared to ask for money, land, mines, and people from Erchen."
"He seems to have made a lot of preparations for business." Zhu Biao stood aside respectfully and connected himself with Xia Zhibai's conversation was recounted in greater detail.
(End of this chapter)