As early as when Jiajing mentioned the topic of salt merchants, Yan Song on the side was keenly aware of the information contained in it.
"Your Majesty wants to deal with these salt merchants!"
His Majesty was angered before, but now Yan Song is even more eager to express himself to the emperor.
"Well, what Mr. Yan Ge said is right. The root of the rise of this group of salt merchants is the opening-up method that the imperial court has always implemented."
Jiajing nodded and affirmed what Yan Song just said.
"The Open China Law did play a certain role when it was first implemented. While it helped the court save money, it also ensured the supply of materials in remote areas."
"Especially for the soldiers guarding the border, the supplies they need are also guaranteed!"
After Jiajing paused for a moment, he continued to add.
“But now, the long-implemented Open China Law has become a bad policy and must be changed!”
"Before this, I have sent people to investigate. Prices in the border areas remain high! The reason is that these caravans responsible for transporting supplies sent a large amount of silver."
"But in the border areas, there is no shortage of silver. What they are short of is physical goods! Therefore, many soldiers guarding the border complained about this."
"In addition, the current salt administration is in disrepair, and many officials have colluded with this group of salt merchants to traffic in illegal salt!"
"The imperial court has not profited even a single cent from the profits gained from it. If this goes on for a long time, it will definitely cause turmoil!"
"I have finished what I have said. Do you have any thoughts on this?"
After Jiajing finished speaking, he glanced at the ministers present and then asked.
"Your Majesty is actually so clear about the situation in front of you. Not only that, he also pointed out the shortcomings in it clearly and clearly. Your Majesty is so wise and unfathomable!"
At this moment, this is what everyone present is thinking.
After a while, Yan Song stood up and asked Jiajing.
"Your Majesty, since the Kaizhong Law is no longer suitable for continued implementation, Wei Chen proposes that it be officially abolished!"
"At the same time, implement the salt and iron monopoly system, abolish the salt industry, and bring such lucrative industries as salt sales under the control of the state!"
"In addition, we will reorganize the salt administration and implement an assessment system for these officials. Anyone who fails to achieve the set goals will be punished with penalties ranging from fines to dismissal!"
Before Yan Song finished speaking, Xu Jie stood up and retorted.
"Your Majesty, what Mr. Yan Ge said is wrong!"
“Leaving the state to manage salt is clearly competing with the people for profit!”
"At that time, His Majesty Taizu..."
Before Xu Jie finished speaking, he was coldly interrupted by Yan Song.
"What does it mean to compete with the people for profit? These salt merchants made a lot of money, but in the end, not much benefit fell on the people!"
"Mr. Xu Ge, don't forget that your Majesty just stole 50 million taels of silver from a salt merchant!"
"This is 50 million taels of silver, which is more than the taxes I paid in the Ming Dynasty in a year!"
"Mr. Xu Ge, I have just started, and you are so eager to oppose this matter. Are you taking advantage of this group of salt merchants?"
After Yan Song finished speaking, he turned his gaze to Xu Jie and asked in a deep voice.
Jiajing, who was sitting on the dragon chair, was quite surprised to see Yan Song standing so clearly on his side, and thought to himself.
"I just stood up, and you said everything I wanted to say next. Well done, Yan Song!"
"I'm cheering for you from behind."
After Xu Jie heard Yan Song's accusations, his face was livid and angry, but Xu Jie couldn't find any suitable words to refute Yan Song.
Because I did benefit from that group of salt merchants!
For a long time, Xu Jie could only hold back four words: "Unreasonable!"
After Xu Jie, Gao Gong stood up and raised his question.
"Your Majesty, if the salt sales industry is brought under the control of the state, it will mean that the salt introduction system will be abolished!"
"So, how can we ensure the supply of materials in remote areas?"
After listening to Gao Gong's words, everyone fell into deep thought.
"Yes, if all transportation of materials is carried out by the government, then the supply of materials in remote areas will not be well guaranteed."
"After all, the cost of sending a team of people to ensure the transportation of materials in remote areas is too high!"
After listening to the question raised by Gao Gong, Jiajing fell into thinking and tapped his fingers on the table rhythmically.
After a long time, as if he had figured something out, Jiajing's eyes gradually became brighter.
"I just thought of an idea. You might as well think about it for me to see if there are any loopholes in it."
Seeing that the emperor had come up with a solution, everyone present held their breath and concentrated for fear of missing a word.
Jiajing said slowly after looking around.
"When the imperial court implemented the Kaizhong Law, it gave salt to these caravans as a reward."
"And these caravans will take the salt they obtain and sell it in designated places, thereby gaining considerable wealth!"
"In this process, the salt guide plays the role of silver. Therefore, I am thinking about changing this salt guide into something else."
After hearing what Jiajing said, everyone was a little confused and kept murmuring: "Change it to something else?"
Zhang Juzheng on the side also fell into deep thought. For a long time, I saw that he was full of energy and confident.
"Your Majesty, what you mean is to use the current sea-going certificate issued by the Maritime Trade Department as a substitute for the salt guide?"
Seeing that Zhang Juzheng understood what he meant, Jiajing nodded and said.
"Yes, that's what I mean."
"But Your Majesty, there are only thirty sea voyage certificates issued by the Maritime Trade Department at the moment, and we cannot add more!"
Gao Gong stood up and admonished Jiajing.
"Who told you that I was going to give them complete sea-going credentials?"
Jiajing glanced at Gao Gong and continued.
"I plan to use the sea voyage certificate issued by the Maritime Trade Department to replace Yanyin. When these caravans complete the tasks of transporting materials assigned by the imperial court, they will receive one-fiftieth of the sea voyage certificate."
"Only after completing fifty missions can you apply from the Maritime Trade Department and obtain a complete sea voyage certificate!"
"After all, industries related to sea trade are all about huge profits!"
Jiajing's words undoubtedly gave everyone present a huge shock.
What they didn't expect was that this could actually be done!
In the final analysis, the Sea Trade Department's sea voyage voucher is just a piece of worthless paper, but it is endorsed by the imperial court. Therefore, a sea voyage voucher can be sold for a high price of two hundred thousand taels of silver. !
Now, His Majesty divided a sea voyage voucher into fifty parts, and then drove these caravans to continue fighting for it.
After all, only by gathering together a complete certificate to go to sea can you make big money.
"What do you think of my idea?"
After Jiajing finished speaking, he turned his eyes to everyone and asked for their opinions.
"Your Majesty... Your Majesty, please forgive me for speaking frankly, this method is very wonderful!"
"Not only can the hugely profitable industry of selling salt be brought back to the state for operation, but it can also ensure the supply of materials in remote areas. It can be said that it kills two birds with one stone!"
As soon as Jiajing finished speaking, Yan Song stood up and complimented him.
"Yes, Your Majesty, this method is very wonderful!"
After Yan Song, Xu Jie also stood up, with a respectful look on his face and complimented.
"Your Majesty, Holy Might!"
The remaining people looked at each other and followed suit.
"The method is certainly very good, but it still depends on how well you implement it."
After Jiajing finished speaking, he turned his eyes to everyone, indicating something.
"Your Majesty, please rest assured. I will definitely work hard and implement this matter meticulously!"
When everyone saw this, their expressions were awe-inspiring, and they immediately said in unison.
"By the way, in the subsequent auction, the price of the sea voyage certificate must be raised as high as possible, and it cannot be lower than two hundred thousand taels per piece!"
"In this way, replacing the salt guide with a sea voyage certificate will be more convincing, isn't it?"
Jiajing seemed to suddenly remember, and then added another sentence.
"I obey your orders!"
Seeing that the emperor had spoken, everyone present quickly responded respectfully.
"Also, in view of the high prices in border areas, we should come up with a definite solution as soon as possible!"
"If that doesn't work, it wouldn't hurt if the imperial court came forward to deliver the corresponding supplies to the soldiers guarding the border."
"Yes, Your Majesty, I obey!"
(End of chapter)
