Jia Cong was summoned to the Forbidden City. As soon as he reached the door of Qinzheng Hall, he turned his head to the side in alarm.
Snapped!
The emperor was so strong that the tea cup flew out of the hall.
"One million eight hundred taels, why don't you go and grab it!"
Um?
Have I ever asked for so much money?
He turned his gaze to Lin Ruhai who was standing in the hall. The two looked at each other and smiled helplessly.
Old Pixiu is indeed an old Pixiu. With this method, the God of Wealth has to return to heaven shirtless even when he comes down to earth.
"Your Majesty Jia Cong pays homage to Zan..."
"Jia Cong, tell me how much it costs?"
Wen Tongxuan raised his eyebrows at Jia Cong. The emperor's dragon flames were about to spurt out. Jia Cong did not hesitate...
"Your Majesty, it's 1.8 million taels."
The old man smiled, and the emperor also laughed, but it was a cold smile: "Someone, drag Jia Cong out and hang him on the pillar outside the palace to wake him up."
With an order, four Han generals walked into the palace.
"stop!"
Wen Tongxuan became rarely solemn this time. After stopping the Han general who walked into the palace, he straightened his clothes and bowed slightly.
"Your Majesty, the son of Sishui County has made great contributions to the country, and now he has cultivated such immortal food for the country. How can he be so humiliated?"
These words made Emperor Liu Heng a little confused. He looked at Jia Cong where His Majesty Dan was standing, and suddenly smiled bitterly.
"I almost forgot that this kid has grown up. I can no longer treat him as a child."
After he waved his hand to let the Han general go out, he glanced at Jia Cong, turned around and said to Wen Tongxuan: "Eight hundred thousand, that's all. Five hundred thousand will be sent to Rongguo Mansion, and the remaining thirty All-purpose users will promote planting in Huangzhuang, Gyeonggi Province after the summer harvest."
One million eight hundred thousand taels were cut in half and cut by the emperor, but Wen Tongxuan still achieved his goal and accepted the order happily.
"God of Wealth, you must stop staring at my inner treasury, which is only a few hundred thousand taels of silver. The Ministry of Finance is not short of money now. Can you change your picky nature?"
Liu Heng was both happy and troubled by the Minister of Revenue, and motioned for several people to sit down and talk.
Wen Tongxuan sat down and cupped his hands and said: "This matter is different from the past. A few hundred thousand taels of silver is not much, but it is completely different whether the money comes from the Ministry of Household Affairs or the royal family. The common people think that the court is still grateful to His Majesty. There seems to be no What a big difference, actually the difference is huge.”
As soon as Liu Heng said this, he could taste it and stood up to express his thanks to the old man.
Wen Tongxuan was right, this money must come from the royal treasury!
"Your Majesty, actually I didn't understand why Surabaya County wanted this money until I came here. In the past, the imperial court paid too little attention to cultivating grain seeds, making agricultural tools, etc. I vaguely remember the second year of Yuanyou. , Zhang Chaoshan of Kaifeng built a new threshing machine, and the imperial court awarded him 500 taels of silver, but when he got it, he only had 50 taels..."
These words made Liu Heng blush. Zhang Chaoshan built a simple device that could thresh wheat, greatly speeding up the summer harvest.
However, a relative of the magistrate of Xiangfu took the credit, and Zhang Chaoshan only received fifty taels of hush money...
Even though the county magistrate was raped in the end and Zhang Chaoshan received compensation from the court, for several years after this incident, the local government never reported any innovations in agricultural tools or the discovery and cultivation of new species.
"Your Majesty, I believe that the court should formulate new reward rules. For example, cultivating grain seeds, manufacturing new agricultural tools, etc., the court can reward casual officials and purchase their production and cultivation methods with gold and silver."
Jia Cong used his own experience of finding and cultivating potatoes as an example, and described in detail the hardships and waste of manpower and material resources involved.
"It can be seen that the emergence of every new food is hard-won. If the court just uses a small amount of money to take away the food seeds that the people have worked hard to cultivate, it is no different from the actual situation of robbery. In the long run, who is willing to spend Use your energy to do things that are not worth the effort.”
The monarchs and ministers in the palace nodded in agreement, and Lin Ruhai also clasped his fists and said, "Your Majesty,
, I have a plan..."
"My dear, please speak."
"Take Jia Cong's cultivation of potatoes as an example. It can be seen that the consumption is very affordable. Therefore, I believe that special farms, pastures and workshops should be set up, funded by the imperial court, to carefully develop and cultivate various agricultural tools and grain seeds. Now that the imperial court is not short of money, it can send out fleets to search for new seeds from overseas and strengthen our imperial court's food, fruit and vegetable varieties to prepare for emergencies."
Lin Ruhai talked eloquently, starting from "Lu Shi Chun Qiu", "Shu Sheng's Book", "Qi Min Yao Shu" to the "Wang Zhen Nong Shu" of the previous dynasty.
"Your Majesty, Shennong and Cangjie are saints, but they are incapable of doing things. Therefore, Zhao Guo began to plow with oxen, which was actually more beneficial than working with grass. Cai Lun set out to make paper, so why bother to make paper? Moreover, Geng Shouchang always The method of closing positions and losing evenly to mulberry and Hong sheep will benefit the country and the people, and it is an immortal technique. The proverb goes: 'It is better to taste the more wisdom than to taste the soup of Yu. So Fan Chi asked him to learn farming, and Confucius replied: 'I am not as good as an old farmer. . But the wisdom of sages and sages is still far from being achieved, and how much worse is it than the mediocrity?"
"I believe that those who enrich the people should focus on farming and mulberry farming, and travel as the last resort. Those who work with hundreds of workers should focus on practicality, and use skillful decoration as the last. Those who are merchants should focus on currency, and trade on oddities as the last. Three If you stick to the basics and leave the bottom, the people will be rich; if you stick to the basics and keep the bottom, the people will be poor. The discipline of the country lies in the system. Merchants, farmers, and workers all have their own specialties."
"Farmers, farmers, industrialists, and merchants make their wealth come naturally. If farmers work hard, the fields will be harvested well and there will be more than enough grain; if workers are skillful, the utensils will be strong and useful, and there will be more than enough; when merchants circulate, there will be no delivery, but there will be more than enough. All farmers, industry, and merchants are happy with it. If you are content with your career and are rich, why should the public ask for it but not get it?"
"Therefore, I will set up pillars at the city gate and establish new regulations. Those who have made contributions to agriculture, industry, and business, regardless of high or low, will be given official status to help them."
Lin Ruhai not only mentioned agriculture and industry, but also made it clear that businessmen, whom today's scholar-officials despise most, showed the great role of businessmen in connecting the north and the south and communicating what was needed.
Liu Heng did not expect this, and frowned for a moment.
"Old minister seconded the proposal!"
Wen Tongxuan stood up and said: "Your Majesty, last year the commercial tax and shipping tax exceeded the total agricultural tax. In the past, the Song Dynasty resisted the Yuan Dynasty for decades with a small force. The power of commercial tax cannot be ignored. "
Although foreigners ruled China in the previous dynasty, the benefits of maritime trade far exceeded this dynasty.
Liu Heng had to think carefully about Lin Ruhai's advice, especially on the issue of suppressing business.
Lin Ruhai admonished again: "Your Majesty, I believe that the benefits of commercial taxation must be taken seriously by the court. Our commercial tax is divided into ten tax and one thirty tax. It seems that heavy taxation suppresses business, but in fact there are many officials, nobles and gentry avoiding tax... "
"Lin Aiqing..."
Liu Heng suddenly interrupted Lin Ruhai's next words, because Lin Ruhai had said similar words in secret performances in recent years.
Unfortunately, now is not the time.
He waved his hand and said, "This matter will be put aside for further discussion. Today we will only talk about agriculture and industry. According to the decree, the Ministry of Household Affairs and the Ministry of Industry will select personnel and set up the Royal Agricultural and Industrial Department in Xishan Palace to specialize in cultivating and developing agricultural and industrial skills. All places will be ordered to select and appoint talents. , sent to the capital for later use."
"Jia Cong!"
"I'm here."
"You have nothing to do. Go back and think about it carefully. Come up with an incentive measure for agricultural and industrial skills and send it to me within seven days."
Jia Cong was confused. You want me to set a reward for myself?
Liu Heng knew what this kid was thinking after just one glance. He coughed twice and said, "You have cultivated two new crops for the imperial court. Naturally, I will not treat you badly."
Wen Tongxuan immediately pinched his thigh and asked in surprise: "Two kinds? Are there other new crops besides potatoes? What is the yield? Is it easy to grow?"
Jia Cong replied: "Back to my lord, there is a new grain, but the yield is not as high as that of potatoes, but it is also cold and drought-resistant. It is still in the cultivation stage, and there are not enough seeds, so it is not suitable for promotion for the time being."
"This is a great achievement, Your Majesty. I think I should be rewarded heavily!"
"This is natural..."
Long Jinwei had already reported to the palace in detail the cultivation of new grains in Jia's village. Liu Heng and the Supreme Emperor had already made plans.
"Jia Cong, on the day of potato harvest, I will meet you
The saint and all the officials will come to your village. Then, in front of all the ministers, they will take a look at your new grain yield of forty stones per acre, and then give you a reward! "
When the five hundred thousand taels of silver were delivered to Rongguo Mansion, only 370,000 taels were left.
Wen Lao Pixiu felt that all the white money should be surnamed Hu. He suddenly remembered that Ning and Rong still owed money in the household department. He immediately ordered someone to fetch the account book excitedly, so he filled the shortfall with 130,000 taels of silver.
Mr. Jing received the receipt from the Ministry of Finance on the same day. He smiled helplessly and sighed that this old man was really good at playing. He wrote an IOU in his own hand and sent it to Rongxi Hall.
"This is true for Jing'er. Even though my brother is clearly settling accounts, he didn't slap me in the face by sending me this IOU."
The old lady said so, but she still kept the IOU and sent it to the warehouse for storage.
With no debts, the old lady felt a lot more relieved after her household deficit was paid off.
Speaking of what happened in Qinzheng Palace today, Lin Ruhai thought about it for a while and then said to the old lady, Jia Zheng, and Jia Cong: "Brother Cong is very likely to be promoted to a noble rank, so it's better to make preparations at home."
Jia Cong smiled bitterly and gave himself a title: Jia Cong, Uncle Tutu of Jin...
"Promoted to a noble rank?"
The old lady exclaimed, Jia Zheng looked similar.
Jia Cong is now the first-class son of Sishui County and the son of a prince. If he is promoted to a higher rank, wouldn't he be a superior uncle?
In that case, Jia Cong can be separated from Rongguo Mansion.
Lin Ruhai nodded: "Yes, if you are promoted to uncle, Brother Cong should leave the house."
"But Brother Cong is only eleven years old..."
The old lady is now reluctant to let Jia Cong leave the house so early. Rongguo Mansion has added a lot of properties in recent years, such as the pearl field in the south, the pasture in the north and even various industries in the city, all created by Jia Cong.
Not only did he repay the debt owed to the Ministry of Revenue, but he also earned a huge fortune for the Rongguo Mansion. If the house is divided so quickly, wouldn't it mean that the property will also be divided?
Seeing that the atmosphere in the room was a little solemn, Jia Cong smiled and said, "Even if we break up, I won't live in separate houses in three or two years. At most, we can open an Earl's Mansion in advance, and it will be okay on the surface."
Lin Ruhai nodded when he heard this: "That's what I mean. At least I should show it on the surface, so that some people won't use this to impeach me and say that our family is too big to lose."
The strength of Ning Rongjia's family has completely returned to its former glory, and is three points more prosperous than it was then.
There are princesses and princes in the palace, princes and soldiers outside, and young talents rising inside.
Not to mention anything else, the governor Jia Lian who had returned to Jinling and the two brothers Jia Cong who were about to be crowned uncles were enough to alert the pedantic people in the court.
If someone with ulterior motives again deliberately stirs up trouble and comes to a relative's house to threaten the stability of the country, what should Ning Rongjia's family do?
Should we let Jia She, the biggest pillar of the family, be dismissed from his job?
"Uncle is right, this is indeed a problem."
Jia Cong was a little troubled. Why did he have to spend 500,000 taels to buy potatoes? First, it was to make the court pay more attention to agricultural research and development. Secondly, he wanted to use this to push for rewards from the imperial court.
The merit of relieving the hunger of all the people is so great that it is no worse than the merit of destroying a country.
The emperor has already given a hint to Jia Cong, so Jinjue probably won't be able to escape. If this is the case, then the matter of separating and living in another family must be put on the agenda.
"Mother-in-law, my son-in-law thinks it's best to go to the palace and ask the queen to see if she has any explanation."
"You are right. You should ask your mother-in-law about this matter and ask her for an idea."
When the old lady thought about what her son-in-law said, this was really a good idea.
She set her sights on Jia Cong again. This grandson's fortune was really amazing. He was only eleven years old and was about to be crowned uncle!
The potato harvest was still more than a month away. Jia Cong and Dai Yu worked hard in the study for several days and finally drafted and perfected a letter of incentives for agricultural and industrial research and development, and sent it to Qinzheng Hall to await the emperor's review.
Then he and Baoyu went to Shuntian Fuxue to report, but neither of them had studied seriously in the Fuxue for a few days. After showing their faces for a few days, they became familiar with each other and then returned home together.
Firstly, Jia Cong had to be busy handing over potatoes to the Ministry of Household Affairs, and secondly, Xu Jin gave Jia Cong a few more assignments.
As for Baoyu, he really couldn't bear the hardship of going to a private school. After gaining the reputation of being a scholar, he made many friends in the official circles. Recently, there were either poetry societies or literary societies, and he couldn't even take care of his sisters.
Jia Cong's teeth hurt as he looked at the homework in his hands.
"I even wonder if the teacher has already discussed with His Majesty to use me as a knife to kill me indiscriminately!"
Daiyu reached out and rubbed the miserable Jia Cong's head, and said with a smile: "Mr. Qingteng is teaching you. He is in charge of the affairs of the north and south Zhili to clear their father-in-law's land. What will happen after you think about it?"
A flash of inspiration immediately flashed in Jia Cong's mind, and he slapped his thigh: "Reform the tax law!"
"Yes, it must be reforming the tax law."
Daiyu continued to be tempting: "So what is the first thing to face when reforming the tax law?"
"Officers, merchants, gentry, at least in my dynasty, just those juren and jinshi masters who donated large areas of land are a big problem."
Jia Cong already knew the reason why the teacher who was out of Beijing to inspect the capital sent this homework.
If he wants to take action against tax laws, he will inevitably do so with officials, businessmen, and gentry. This is a staggeringly huge interest group, and if there is a problem with any link in the middle, the success will be undone.
so……
Jia Cong picked up the handwritten letter and said with a wry smile: "The teacher asked me to study the "Daxia Code" carefully to find the source and regulations of the tax exemption for officials and gentry. This is intended to be based on the ancestral system of the law. But I just don't read it. "Da Xia Lv" can point out that there are huge errors and omissions in the current tax exemption rules for those with fame."
Daiyu took the words and frowned: "Actually, the so-called tax exemption is a deliberately exaggerated and unspoken rule of the officialdom. No matter who brings this matter to light, they will be offended. The whole Shilin."
Jia Cong raised his handwritten note and said, "So the teacher finally told me in the letter that he had already negotiated with Prince Zhongshun and asked me to stand behind the scenes, with Prince Zhongshun taking the lead. Anyway, Prince Zhongshun doesn't have to worry about having too many debts. There are too many lice and it doesn’t itch.”
?Monthly ticket??Recommended ticket?
