First Minister of Ming Dynasty

First Minister Section 426

Even Zhao Song, which is famous for its abundance of tax revenue, has very little money that can really be used for development. Military expenditures, salaries, and royal family expenses basically squeezed out tax revenue. .

Therefore, Zhao Song's treasury revenue looks very high, but in fact the state's ability is so weak that it is outrageous.

Of course, on this point, the Ming Dynasty was even worse.

In the middle and later stages, with an annual income of several million taels, let alone doing something, even basic expenses are difficult.

Why do you say that Zhu Yuanzhang can be different? The reason is very simple. He arranges millions of military households on the nine sides, and these people will be honest and guard the border for Zhu Yuanzhang.

But after Zhu Yuanzhang, who still has this prestige?

After the collapse of the military household system, what should we do?

If you want to recruit soldiers, you need food and money.

As a result, the finances were exhausted. What else could be done besides squeezing the people?

The same is true for salt. It is a good idea to let the grain chief distribute it to the people now, but the problem is that it is hard to say how long the grain chief system can last. How can the salt government be built on the grain chief?

"Your Highness, I have always advocated the development of industry and commerce. Your Majesty does not agree with my proposition. The reason is that he can go beyond these and use his supreme prestige to promote many things. He doesn't need it, but it doesn't mean His Highness doesn't need it. The price of salt is too high. Gao, it’s right to squeeze the people, but it’s not a good thing to really make the salt worthless. It’s the best thing to make the people affordable and at the same time fill the treasury.”

Zhang Ximeng said: "If His Highness is really worried about the people and afraid that some people will not be able to afford it, you can set up cheap salt shops in various places to avoid driving up prices."

Zhu Biao listened attentively, and nodded again and again, "The master is thoughtful, and the disciple has benefited a lot. Control the wealth and not be swayed by it. The disciple understands!"

Zhu Biao nodded vigorously. It was only ten days before he finished talking with Zhang Ximeng. Peng Zaozhu asked to see him again. This time he not only sent money, but also sent a letter of appointment.

Half of the shares in Changlu Salt Farm were handed over to Zhu Biao.

"Your Highness, Zhang Shicheng has estimated that the money is not much, and it will only be 1000 million yuan throughout the year!"

Zhu Biao trembled for a moment and almost dropped the contract.

Zhu Biao, you have to hold on!

Control wealth, don't be knocked down by wealth!

Chapter 595 The Warrior Who Impeached the Prince

Zhu Biao tried his best to straighten his back and stabilize his mentality. Finally, he carried it.

Isn't it 1000 million Guanbao notes?

Isn't it just money?

Things outside the body, things outside the body!

He shook his head vigorously, keeping calm.

Fortunately, my husband took me to the vault in advance for a stroll, which was equivalent to getting a vaccination and vaccination.Otherwise, Zhu Biao was really afraid that he would not be able to resist.

Anyway, now that he holds money in his hand and can do whatever he wants, Zhu Biao feels that his waist is thick, which is the feeling of being rich and powerful.

While writing a letter to his mother explaining the matter, he was thinking about what to do.

Among other things, the border guards are suffering so much. It is necessary to give them more things, improve their food, and build schools.

In addition, many frontier soldiers complained that they could not get a wife.

Zhu Biao remembered that he had made a baby marriage a long time ago. He didn't worry about marriage.

Zhu Biao had one idea after another, and his thinking was very clear.In fact, I have learned so many things over the years, which is still somewhat useful.

At least he knew how Empress Ma treated the workers below, how Emperor Father rewarded meritorious soldiers, and even the operation of the firm.

All in all, Zhu Biao's spirit is very high, and he feels that he is sure to accomplish something.

Young people are hot-blooded and most aggressive.

But when Zhu Biao was busy, the impact from Changlu Salt Field finally spread to Yingtian, and every yamen was alarmed.

The first is the household department in charge of salt administration. After the establishment of the tax department, the household department lost a lot of power, leaving only household administration and salt tax, and the tax department tried to rob the salt tax several times. It was such a joy.

It’s all right now, the Changlu Salt Farm has driven the price of salt to the ground, and the salt merchants are complaining, the salt transportation has made it impossible for the government to continue, selling salt at a loss, the kitchen households in Huaidong can’t support it, and there are also kitchen households running away in Zhejiang and Zhejiang provinces. question.

All in all, the household department is in a state of desperation.

The local government also continued to report that Zaohu fled, which caused many problems, and asked the imperial court to decree to appease people's hearts.

It's just surprising that Zhu Yuanzhang, who has always been diligent in politics, didn't respond, and all the things that could be approved that day were kept unpublished.

There was no movement for ten days.

And during this period of silence, the first batch of salt from Changlu had been sent to Changping warehouse in Yangzhou via a grain ship.

The government has started selling salt, which is not expensive at ten cents a catty.

It was twice as expensive as the five cents Zhang Shicheng hoped for!

But even so, it was only one-third of the current price of salt!

As a place where salt merchants gather, the price of salt in Yangzhou is no lower than that in other places.

Only this time, the price of salt really collapsed.

The common people rushed to the Changping warehouse to buy cheap salt. The scene was very lively. All the grandpas and aunts were mobilized, and the whole shipment of salt was sold out in just half a day.

The officials in charge of selling salt had to reassure again and again, don't worry, there will be more salt delivered within three days.Rest assured, the price will only be lower!

It was very easy to appease the common people.

That night, several officials in charge of the Changping warehouse were dismissed, and they were told to leave immediately before the next day.

Then an order came down that the Changping warehouse could only be used for grain sales, and salt was not included.

"Folks, thank you guys! We followed the superior ten years ago, studied in the army, killed the enemy and made meritorious service in the army, and then went to the local government as an official, in charge of Changping warehouse. We do things, one does not violate the king's law, two No harm to the common people. The Changlu Salt Farm was planning to build a cheap salt store. Because it was too late, it was sold in the Changping Warehouse. In order to let the big guys get benefits as soon as possible, we did it. Now that we are dismissed from office, we have a clear conscience !"

"Farewell, I'm going back to my hometown to farm!"

After these officials finished speaking, they packed their bags and left Yangzhou on foot, heading towards Dingyuan.

What they said basically explained the matter clearly.

The Changlu Salt Field began to sell salt to the outside world. The low-priced and high-quality salt quickly impacted the salt market.

The people naturally felt joy and encouragement.

In fact, the biggest expense of ordinary people at present is actually salt. They can grow their own food and spin their own cloth. Men farm and women weave, so they don't have to worry about food and clothing, but they can't get salt by themselves.

This is also the reason for the monopoly of salt and iron in the past dynasties.

Now that we finally have cheap salt, the price has dropped so much, why are we not allowed to sell it?

What's the point of this?

While the people of Yangzhou were looking for the officials in Changpingcang, the big guys asked them to stay, and some people went to the government office of Yangzhou to directly ask why they were not allowed to sell it?

What's the point?

Several elderly people even stood up and asked for an explanation.

Among other things, when His Majesty hadn't crossed the river, we all called him the superior. At that time, whenever there was something to do, he could go to His Majesty. When His Majesty was not there, Prime Minister Zhang was there, and occasionally he could see Mr. Li.

You can tell them anything!

After all, the price of salt has come down, why don't we get some benefits?

Why not?

Shall we go to Yingtian, beat Dengwen Drum, ask His Majesty to talk about it?

Facing the anger of the people in Yangzhou, the government government couldn't hold it anymore, and immediately revoked the official documents, and let those officials in Changping warehouse resume their original posts.

As for the issue of selling table salt, they also agree, but since it is selling table salt, there is a problem of salt tax, and there is no sure way at present, so...but don't worry, big guys. When there is a conclusion, let the big guys buy it To affordable salt!

After a lot of appeasement, the people of Yangzhou finally calmed down temporarily.

But this movement still crossed the river and reached Yingtian.

Many newspapers followed suit and began to discuss the issue of salt prices.

Is the price of salt expensive or not?

Ten catties of salt for one person a year costs several hundred cash, and if there are more than a dozen people in the family, it costs five or seven coins, which is quite true.

After all, the annual income of the people is only so much.

Chai, rice, oil, salt, soy sauce, vinegar and tea cost money for everything. The salt alone takes up so much. What about other places?Should people's livelihood be taken into account?

In the past, everyone felt that the price of salt was very expensive and could not be lowered.

Now the Changlu Salt Field has proved that the price of salt does not need to be so expensive, a few pennies per catty is enough.

It can't be that the Changlu Salt Farm sells salt at a loss, right?

Some people got Changlu salt bought from Yangzhou in a pretentious manner. After some inspection, they found that the salt was clean and full of flavor, even better than the Huai salt in the market!

So far, there is nothing to say, right?

Good quality and low price, everyone knows how to choose, why do people still object?

What is the intention?

In the face of all kinds of discussions, the DPRK and China are no longer silent.

Especially Li Shanchang from the Zhongshu Province, he knew something was going to happen a long time ago.

Ever since Prince Zhu Biao went to Peiping, there have been amazing moves.On the surface it is the prince, but behind it is Zhang Ximeng.

And once Zhang Ximeng does things, they are intertwined and continuous.Like the Yangtze River, it flows endlessly.Li Shanchang has a deep understanding.

Sure enough, a salt method ignited a big fire, and the fire may not be sure where it will burn!

"Since it is a matter of benefiting the country and the people, why are the people below so ignorant, insisting on embarrassing the old man, what are their intentions! It's simply hateful!"

Li Shanchang was furious in the Zhongshu Provincial Assembly Hall. He asked Yushitai to immediately investigate the Yangzhou officials to find out who they were and opposed the sale of cheap salt.

Let Yang Xian be responsible for this matter.

Furthermore, the Ministry of Household Affairs, the Taxation Department, and the Salt Transport Envoy must discuss and come up with a solution within ten days, how to deal with the salt tax, and how to implement the new salt law...

"Hu Shangshu, you have to pay more attention. His Majesty is watching, and the people of the world are also watching. No matter what, we must give you an explanation."

After finishing speaking, Li Shanchang sighed to himself again, "I can't bear it anymore at this age. Before long, the old man plans to go back to his hometown to take care of his grandson. Can't I let the old man live a peaceful life for a few days!"

Li Shanchang's almost complaining words were heard in the ears of several promising middle-aged people, but it was a different situation.

Li Shanchang finally couldn't take it anymore, the old guy was leaving.

It's just that it's hard to say whether he really wants to leave, or retreats to advance?

Does he imply that whoever can help him tide over the crisis, to whom will he pass the throne?

If you don't help him, take the opportunity to push him, can you climb up by stepping on Li Shanchang's body?

Facing the chaotic court situation, there are various speculations, and people are trying their best to weigh and make the choice that is most beneficial to themselves...

But when Zhongshu Sheng had no conclusion, there was a Wanyan book from Yushitai, which was eloquent and sent to Zhu Yuanzhang.

Chengru Taisu, the censor, wrote a letter...he is very talented in writing, he has a lot of ink, and he quotes scriptures. At first glance, Zhu Yuanzhang seems to be struggling.

After reading halfway through, Lao Zhu roughly understood what Ru Taisu meant.

He believes that the prince is young and still in his prime, so he should only observe politics and not make a difference.

The salt law has a great relationship and has been going on for thousands of years, so it is not appropriate to be unconventional and change the salt law arbitrarily.

However, since the crown prince is young, there is no need to punish him, as long as the crown prince returns to the capital, selects virtuous ministers, and teaches them properly, within a few years, he will be able to understand the government affairs well and live up to His Majesty's painstaking efforts.

Zhu Yuanzhang pinched his nose and read Ru Taisu's high-level lectures!

It's really clever to collapse the lake!

"Who asked him to write the memorial like this? Who asked him to drag the text for us?" Zhu Yuanzhang roared angrily!

"Guo Ying!"

"Chen is here!"

Zhu Yuanzhang said: "You go and send someone now to lock Ru Taisu and take him to the imperial prison."

Guo Ying nodded and was about to turn around.

Lao Zhu said again: "Take this memorandum and see how many unfamiliar characters there are in it, one counts as one, and one character counts as a board! Go ahead and beat us hard! Let this thing know how powerful it is!"

Guo Ying quickly agreed, but after he took the memorial, he glanced at it, and was immediately stunned.