After staying in Taiwan for three days and inspecting the entire Da Yuan County, Jin Bao became more and more serious.
The sugarcane field alone in Dayuan County exceeds 1.5 million acres, and there are no fewer than 100 sugar factories employing more than 100 people. White sugar, in particular, is highly favored by Western barbarians.
"This candy in Fuzhou costs about two cents per catty (one silver dollar and ten cents). How much does it cost in your house?"
Jin Bao looked at the snow-white sucrose and couldn't help but ask.
"This kind of white sugar costs about ten pieces per stone, which is ten times as much as brown sugar."
The Taiwanese magistrate explained with a smile, then put his hand on the other side and pointed at the ice crystal-like things:
"This is rock sugar. It was newly made last year. It is in lump shape and crystal clear. Each stone is the same as white sugar."
"In addition, we also have soft white sugar, which has a soft and delicate texture with fine crystal particles. It is also a favorite among Westerners."
"The export of sugar alone is worth two million silver dollars."
Jin Bao couldn't help but lick a piece of rock candy, and a different kind of licking pleasure swept over him. His mouth was filled with sweetness, not to mention how comfortable it was.
"good--"
With an admiration, Jin Bao chewed the rock candy and then asked about the mothballs.
The prefect explained that moth balls were discovered by the Westerners. They not only repel insects, but were also used as a spice to treat diseases.
Of course, the most important thing is that mothballs can be added to gunpowder to enhance the power of gunpowder.
This shocked Jin Bao: "Why don't you report such a big matter to the court?"
"The Imperial Court's firearms are the best in the world, why do they need to be enhanced? Besides, even if they are enhanced, they may not be more powerful than the Imperial Court."
This sounded reasonable, and Jin Bao fell silent.
If he is not in his position, he will not seek his government.
The prefect is the people, not the gunpowder maker. This is his duty.
But Jinbao was different. He was an envoy and held a high position in the imperial court, so he could naturally see far from where he stood.
The emperor was keen on expansion and had a huge need for force. Catering in this regard may offend the civil servants, but for the sake of the future, what does this mean?
"In my opinion, the Taiwan government is a bit top-heavy!"
Jin Bao changed the topic and expressed his thoughts:
"In the two counties of Taipei, there are only 100,000 people in Tamsui and Chicken Coop, but there are 400,000 in Dayuan County. It's too much."
"What Nie Tai said is true."
The magistrate on the side immediately came up and said: "There are a hundred and fifty people in the county government, but there are ten townships in the county, each with nearly 20,000 people. The three old men have caught them. If the patrol camp hadn't been patrolling frequently, something would have happened long ago. "
"I wonder if you can give me some advice?" The magistrate flattered him with a smile, "We are trapped in Lushan and don't know its true face."
Jinbao thought for a while and said directly: "The Jiade Plain is vast and Dayuan County is really out of reach. How about setting up Tainan County?"
"What Taiwan doesn't know is that the Penghu Navy and the patrol battalion sent troops two years ago to break up the so-called Dadu Kingdom. There is a smooth road three hundred miles north of Dayuan."
Hearing this, Jin Bao immediately remembered this and nodded: "In this case, we will set up another county, which is located in Taiwan, and it will be called Taichung County!"
"Very good!!"
The group couldn't help but praise him.
After taking two county names in a row, Jinbao immediately came to his senses: "How can I overstep my authority? This matter cannot be left to others, it must be reported to the court."
This statement is reasonable, but the Taiwan magistrate and the magistrate of Da Yuan County are thinking about flattery. When submitting the proposal, they put forward suggestions for the court to consider whether to adopt. All they have to do is let this person know.
In the past two days, the Taiwan government also knew that what the inspector was doing was actually about money. The prefect patted his chest and said: "The Taiwan government's two taxes will definitely reach one million, and Fuzhou will not be disappointed."
"Just try your best." Jin Bao waved his hand: "If the Taiwan government establishes a new county, the corresponding expenditure will inevitably increase, so we must proceed slowly."
Although he said this, he was quite happy about the increase in the reserves in the vassal treasury. The existence of this money was very important to the three people.
For the company, it is conducive to the expansion of power.
Money is not only the courage of the court, but also the courage of local officials.
If something big happens in the future, with the savings, they won't have to ask for charity from the gentry.
"Since business taxes have increased, there will also be more tax collectors—"
When it comes to the end, he still reveals his thoughts.
"That's what you said."
Tax collectors were the characteristic officials of the Shaowu Dynasty. When the Commercial and Taxation Department was established, there were thousands of tax collectors under their command, spread across all provinces.
Later, it was merged into the Ministry of Household Affairs and became a member of the Commercial Taxation Department. However, the Commercial Taxation Department existed independently locally and was responsible for tax collection. It was under the triple leadership of the county magistrate, the chief envoy, and the Ministry of Household Affairs.
Throughout the county, no one except the tax collectors was allowed to collect taxes, which barely put an end to excessive local taxes.
But there are still loopholes, such as apportionment, confiscation, house confiscation, etc., but for ordinary people, this is already the biggest benefit.
During the Ming Dynasty for more than two hundred years, the official tax was thirty to one, and the local governments increased their taxation at all levels. As a result, the benefits were taken away, and the blame was taken by the court.
Because of the privilege of collecting taxes at will, the county magistrate is also called Bailihou, which is now greatly restricted.
The cooperation between tax collectors and the three elders can truly improve tax collection efficiency.
While he was enjoying himself, a government servant suddenly ran up from a distance.
I heard that it was someone from the Yamen who was in charge of inspection, so I immediately let him go.
"Come to Taiwan, an edict has come from the capital to announce your entry into the capital!"
The Yamen servant was out of breath, but he recounted in an orderly manner: "On the second day of June, I arrived in Fuzhou from Angel. I learned that after you came to Taiwan, you were a guest at the Yamen, accompanied by the governor..."
"Angel?" Seeing the lack of worry on the yamen servant's face, Jin Bao was convinced, and there was a faint hope in his heart.
The magistrates and county magistrates on the side didn't understand, so they quickly handed over their hands and congratulated him.
At this time, the good news, one step ahead of Jinbao, arrived in Beijing.
The Spanish Viceroyalty of the Philippines was all captured.
There are 48 large and small towns including Manila, the capital.
The total population is about 100,000, including more than 10,000 Spanish, nearly 10,000 other Westerners, 50,000 indigenous people, and nearly 20,000 Han people.
Sun Lin's words revealed joy: "Luzon Island is extremely vast, twice the size of Taiwan, with fertile land and rich products. According to the account books kept by the Governor's Mansion, the tax paid to Spain by the Philippines every year reaches 500,000 yuan..."
This news is more exciting than the previous naval battle victory.
The cabinet has estimated that if immigrants can immigrate as much as possible, it is not a dream to earn one million yuan a year.
A rough calculation shows that maintaining the Luzon Governor's Mansion for a year would definitely cost less than 100,000 yuan. The income definitely exceeds the expenditure.
Make a fortune——
"Add two more counties?"
Looking at the secret letter handed over by Jin Yiwei, Zhu Yixi couldn't help but smile.
Although Jin Yiwei requested that the news should not be mixed with emotion, Ren Qi still emphatically recounted Jin Bao's overstepping of naming, and every word was a plea for action to apprehend this person...
There is quite a kind of anxiety that Tiqi cannot get out and the world is uneasy.
"The writing is good, but it's just not appropriate for the time..."
Zhu Yixi shook her head. It seemed that Jin Yiwei was really depressed and couldn't wait to make a contribution.
The imperial power is not that fragile, and he has no intention of establishing his authority.
What's more, Jin Bao is the person he wants to use.
Soon, Jinbao arrived in Tianjin by boat, then took the famous rail carriage and arrived in Beijing in a few hours.
Then we took the train to Yuquan Mountain.
As usual, let him talk about some important events in Fujian and explain his experience in governance.
Two or three quarters of an hour later, Zhu Yixi said: "I want you to be the governor of Luzon. Do you have confidence?"
Luzon? That damn place we just conquered? It’s further south than Hainan and even more deserted…
Jinbao immediately bowed down and said, "Your Majesty believes in me, and I will definitely govern Luzon for the emperor."
"That's good." Zhu Yixi nodded.
, looking at his tired look, warned: "I heard that you went to Taiwan before. Governing Luzon is just like governing Taiwan, adapting measures to local conditions, and don't force yourself to act like the inland."
"Commercial tax is the key to the existence of the Luzon Governor's Palace, and it is also the reason why the imperial court sends troops——"
"It's okay if there are riots, it's okay if people die, but you can't have less money, understand?"
"I understand—" Jinbao felt a chill in his heart and hurriedly cupped his hands.
"Go down!" The emperor waved his hand: "I will leave all the money in the Luzon warehouse to you, but you must pay the autumn tax this autumn..."
Jinbao surrendered again and left with a lot of worries.
Not long after he left, news suddenly came from the Ministry of Rites that the Spanish ambassador wanted to request an audience with the emperor, and Portugal, England, and the Netherlands all expressed concern.
"Throw the peace proposal in his face and let him take a closer look, and I won't bother to see it."
Zhu Yixi sneered and decided to ignore it.
After occupying Manila, the huge bathtub of the South China Sea ushered in a new player-the Ming Dynasty.
In particular, the brutal move to directly expel Spain shocked the entire European countries.
In Southeast Asia, who has not massacred a few Chinese?
If these are the reasons, none of their colonies will be preserved.
It's more of a panic than a concern.
Who in the whole of Asia can have such a powerful navy as the Ming army?
At this time, they need Ming Dynasty to make a statement or resolution, such as non-expansion regulations, non-aggression regulations, etc., to stabilize people's hearts.
However, Zhu Yixi was not willing to make a commitment at this time, because a mere Philippines could not satisfy his appetite.
The vast Southeast Asia is rich in products, including oil, timber, iron ore, and rubber. More importantly, it is vast and sparsely populated, making it very easy to migrate and colonize.
With cinchona trees, there will be an endless supply of cinchona frost, and malaria will not be a concern. Wouldn’t colonization be beautiful?
Countries such as North Korea and Japan, although they have developed well, their biggest drawbacks are their large populations, extremely high governance costs, and rising national consciousness. They can only slowly integrate rather than forcibly annex.
Otherwise, the tens of millions of military expenditures every year will not be able to sustain it, and the expenditure will exceed the harvest, which will be detrimental to the Ming Dynasty.
Every year's fiscal surplus has to be spent on suppressing rebellions. What can the court do to maintain its rule in the Western Regions? What to use to build a ship to go to Southeast Asia?
Of course, the main reason is that Zhu Yixi dislikes the lack of resources in the two countries. He did not travel through this time to bring North Korea and Japan into a well-off society.
After sneaking out of the villa again, Zhu Yixi led the guards to wander at the foot of the mountain.
At the foot of Yuquan Mountain, a county seat has been built for better management, called Yuquan County. The county seat has a population of more than 50,000, and all the officials' families and servants live there.
He first went to Bian Yujing's place and stayed all morning.
Bian Yujing's broad white and tender mind, Li Xiangjun's smooth and slender jade neck, and Kou Baimen's long, round and elastic jade legs all make people linger.
Fortunately, he was the emperor. In order to save time, the three of them went together, allowing him to enjoy the blessings of being together.
The three girls also traveled with him, from Beijing to Yuquan Mountain, working hard and enjoying the glory and wealth.
In this regard, Zhu Yixi also loved her very much, and she was constantly blessed.
Bian Yujing gave birth to a son and a daughter, Li Xiangjun gave birth to two daughters, and Kou Baimen gave birth to two sons. They are all about seven or eight years old, lively and cute.
It is impossible for these children to be crowned kings. They can only live among the people. They can take imperial examinations, join the army, do business and farm, all with the emperor's support, and their future is limitless.
After lunch, Zhu Yixi stayed with him for half the afternoon and left at dusk.
I randomly found a wine shop on the street, sat by the window, drank crude tea, ate snacks, and poured a lot of news into my ears.
Tea, rice, oil, and salt are all available to parents of modest means.
Liu Afu and Yang Le waited on the side with interest, while Wu Bangfu, the commander of the Jin Yiwei, was like a small door, covering the back.
Suddenly, the streets became lively, and the vendors stretched their heads.
Pedestrians were in a hurry, with surprised expressions on their faces, and a space suddenly became vacant.
It turned out that a Xiyi couple and their two daughters were strolling on the street, their eyes full of novelty.
The man is in his forties, carrying a cane, wearing a long and curly wig, wearing a soft and large lace lapel shirt, a polygonal tight-fitting jacket, and baggy and pleated "bloom pants".
The woman wears a typical Baroque-style long skirt. The red color is extremely conspicuous. The overall appearance is conical, like a big red trumpet, and it tightens suddenly at the waist.
The two girls are both fifteen or sixteen years old, with blue-green eyes and light red baroque dresses.
The girl wearing a pink spotted scarf is lively and cheerful, with baby fat and a bulging chest; the girl with a blue spotted scarf is slightly thinner and has a rather cold expression, but her eyes are constantly searching.
Otherwise, he was the admiral of Dongchang. Yang Le had the unique thoughtfulness of a eunuch. He said softly: "This family is the family of the Spanish ambassador, Baron Francis de Silva. He came to Yuquan Mountain specially for this purpose." Please see you."
"The wife's name is Lillian, she is thirty-four years old this year, and her two daughters are twins, both sixteen years old. The eldest daughter with a pink headscarf is called Nicole, and the one with a blue headscarf is named Cress..."
"Okay, why are you talking so much?"
The emperor waved his hand directly to stop his verbosity.
It’s like looking up a family tree. Wouldn’t it be inappropriate to introduce too much?
Even so, Zhu Yixi still caught sight of the two girls.
She has fair skin, a sizable chest, brown eyes, a high nose, and is decorated with two kinds of headscarves. She is especially beautiful and cute now.
Of course, the most important thing is that she is soft and cute, her face is as white and tender as jelly, and there are not a few Western-style freckles. At a glance, the skin is very delicate, which is consistent with the aesthetics of Oriental people.
This kind of exotic style will be a big star even in later generations.
