Although Emperor Chongzhen had no great talents or great plans, he still wanted to be the leader of the ZTE. However, due to the influence of the general environment, he seemed to have great ambitions and lack of talent. He also became suspicious by nature because there were no trustworthy people in the court in the later period. He had a bad reputation among the court and the public, and his ministers He is also happy to let him take the blame for everything, and in the end... the country is destroyed.
But since Chang Yu traveled through time and had the prince's fairy dream, Emperor Chongzhen made a desperate bet on a young eunuch who suddenly emerged, and it unexpectedly worked!
From then on, he gradually trusted Chang Yu more and more. He would discuss almost every detail with Chang Yu before going to quarrel with the cabinet. Chang Yu lived up to his expectations and was invincible in battles. In terms of financial management, he always asked him when he was in a tight situation. He has received several unexpected fortunes and secretly contributed to the government affairs. He can be said to be an all-round talent.
For more than half a year, Chang Yu's contribution to the court and Lao Zhu's family with his own efforts was obvious to all. The Tatars in the north who were dealt with by him were too busy to take care of themselves. The family thief Xiao Lizi had been in power for more than ten years in the Ming Dynasty. When he arrived in the capital, he was beaten violently and fled with his tail between his legs.
We must know how much manpower, financial and material resources the imperial court has wasted in the past ten years, and how many big bosses have tried to succeed but in the end all failed. However, the little eunuch has brought the situation under control in just half a year, at least for the time being, it will not continue to worsen. Based on this, the government and the opposition No one was dissatisfied.
The war has subsided for the time being, but the court is still in great difficulty. It is a long and tedious process to clean up the mess left by natural disasters and military disasters. Famine and plague are the most important and difficult problems at hand.
At present, the potatoes and sweet potatoes used to cope with the famine have been sown in the fields, and Zheng Zhilong in Fujian is still purchasing grains and transporting them by sea to provide relief. In Jiangsu and Zhejiang, Octopus and the Yangzhou Hui merchant Wang brothers are also purchasing grain to provide relief to Gyeonggi. Chang Yu is confident To control the famine within a month, of course he was prepared that many people would starve to death within a month.
And the cold winter is coming, and many people will freeze to death.
Therefore, he suggested that the court must take immediate action. There was nothing that could be done about the famine for the time being, but it could prepare in advance for the winter.
How to prepare?
Purchase coal!
Purchasing from whom?
King Jin and King Dai.
Chang Yu then revealed all his plans. King Jin and King Dai mined the mines and transported them to the capital for sale, and part of them was purchased by the court for disaster relief.
Emperor Chongzhen felt that this was a great good and feasible move, but where was the money? There is very little left in the national treasury, so we still need to buy coal for disaster relief?
As smart as Chang Yu, he naturally knew that the old emperor also wanted to take advantage of the autumn wind. Simply put, he agreed with King Jin and King Dai to mine and do business, and the court could also purchase it, but what are the benefits?
Tax!
There will be a coal resource tax in later generations, why can't it be done now?
The King of Jin and the King of Dai can mine, but they have to pay taxes, and the court can use the tax collected to purchase their coal for disaster relief. For the King of Jin and the King of Dai, although the court charges me taxes, it purchases my things. Already...
"You are such a clever ghost!" Emperor Chongzhen really wanted to split open Chang Yu's head to see what was inside, but he was worried that he would be killed and no one would help him take care of the Ming Dynasty.
"Your Majesty, there is nothing going on in the capital recently. I plan to go to the west." Chang Yu changed the subject after talking, and Emperor Chongzhen was startled: "Go and mess around with the coal mine? Haven't we already explained it to you? It's up to you. Go in person, stay in the capital to help me with disaster relief, and also make good plans for the Western Expedition."
Chang Yu shook his head: "The affairs of the coal mine will be handed over to the King of Jin and the King of Dai by the Ministry of Household Affairs and Octopus. I want to go to Xuanda for inspection." Chongzhen stood up and rubbed his hands: "You want to rectify it What about the military affairs of the Nine Borders? Okay, okay, it’s time to rectify the situation. In recent years, military equipment has been slackened and corruption has become shocking. Previously, you were too scrupulous to be ruthless. Now you are taking advantage of this opportunity to clean it up. And Let’s see who dares to rebel.”
"Besides that, I also want to do some business to make some extra money." Chang Yu smiled slightly, and Emperor Chongzhen's eyes lit up: "The tribute market in Xuanfu Town has been closed for a long time and it's time to open it. How many businesses are you planning to support?" A businessman or..."
"Monopoly is not suitable for people's livelihood and economic development. Just open up the market and increase taxes. Based on the transaction volume in previous years, I estimate that the taxes will be considerable. If it is 91 cents, the emperor will be able to collect at least more than 100,000 yuan every year."
"Uh... wouldn't it be a very high tax?" Emperor Chongzhen raised his eyebrows, and Chang Yu said solemnly: "Farming is far more difficult for ordinary people than doing business, and profits are less. Why are there such high taxes? Business taxes must be high. Taxes on foreign trade are even higher..."
Chang Yu spent half the morning popularizing economic concepts to Emperor Chongzhen. Although economics was not his major, even a little knowledge of it was more than enough for use in this day and age.
"In order to avoid being like those few merchants who cheat on others, every merchant's foreign trade must be approved by the court and issued a business license before they can trade. I am bold enough to get the first license for Octopus."
Emperor Chongzhen laughed: "Octopus is an imperial merchant, so naturally I have to take the first one, but I am confused after hearing all this mess. I will discuss it with the cabinet ministers in the afternoon and give you a plan as soon as possible. You can find a household for the rest. I would like to ask the Ministry to get some kind of license.”
"This matter is not that urgent. The emperor's merchants can negotiate the detailed rules with the cabinet first. It will not be too late for the minister to go to the Xuan Mansion to investigate and come back to collect evidence."
Chongzhen nodded: "This matter is negotiable, but don't leave in a hurry. If something important is announced tomorrow morning, you will go to court."
Chang Yu thought for a moment and asked, "Is it possible that the military merit has been agreed upon?"
Emperor Chongzhen shook his head helplessly: "Sure enough, I can't hide anything from you."
A few months ago, Chang Yu went south to quell the chaos. Several troops under his command participated in the battle. They fought in several battles along the way in Jiangxi. Each of the troops made countless achievements. After the war, he reported military merits and asked for rewards. After the cabinet's approval, it was finally announced.
"Can the emperor reveal something in advance?" Chang Yu asked.
Emperor Chongzhen smiled: "Whose do you want to know?"
"The descendants of the king's body and the ministers personally serve Luoshu of Song Dynasty". Chang Yu said quickly.
"as you wish!"
"On behalf of the two of you, I would like to thank you for your kindness." Chang Yu bowed and kowtowed. Emperor Chongzhen said, "This is what he deserved for his bravery in killing the enemy and building the army. There is no need to thank anyone. Instead, it is the court that should thank them." After that, he asked curiously Said: "Why do you only care about the two of them?"
Chang Yu went south to quell the chaos and participated in the battle with several troops under his command. In addition to the Nanjing nobles, Wu Sangui, Ma Ke, Liu Liangzuo, Gao Jie, Li Yan, Wu Weiying... none of them had great achievements in battle, but Chang Yu cared about these two people.
The title in the king's body was guaranteed by him, and he had to get it. Firstly, he would not break his trust, and secondly, he would buy the horse bones with a thousand gold.
As for Song Luoshu, he was his personal attendant. He had made great achievements in defending the city in Qingzhou Prefecture. Although he did not perform outstandingly this time when he went south, he was very brave in taking the city alone with Chang Yu.
More importantly, Chang Yu urgently needs to give him military glory.
Because I want to get married for him.
"Are you going to arrange a wedding for Song Luoshu? Hey, that's a great event. Can I be the one to marry him?" Emperor Chongzhen looked slightly excited, as if he were getting married.
Now it was Chang Yu's turn to be overjoyed. Having the emperor preside over the marriage was an honor he could never dream of in three lifetimes. He also knew that this was Emperor Chongzhen giving him money to make his subordinates grateful for having such a good boss like him.
"The princess of Qingzhou Prefecture, the general of Dongchang Guards, a wonderful match made in heaven and earth," Emperor Chongzhen praised. He seemed to be particularly interested in holding happy events, and he also seemed to like the excitement.
"My minister, I also want to arrange the marriage between Wuzhong and Song Luoyu..." As soon as Chang Yu finished speaking, Emperor Chongzhen said hello: "Wuzhong, but your warrior who is guarding the city gate, Song Luoyu... Could it have something to do with Song Luoshu?"
"It's his sister, she's a heroine in the world, and she also has military exploits." Chang Yu quickly went to Emperor Chongzhen to take advantage of this powerful female assistant.
"Oh, I remembered it. Yesterday, Kun Xing mentioned that there was a female guard who accompanied her all the way. She took good care of her and it seemed that her name was Song Luoyu."
"Yes, that's her."
"Okay, I will also officiate his marriage and reward her well."
Chang Yu was very happy. He originally wanted to hold a lively wedding for his subordinates. He felt that it would be very honorable for him to officiate the wedding, but now the emperor has to join in the fun and come out to officiate the wedding. It is really more honorable. .
Both the monarch and his ministers were inexplicably interested in organizing happy events. Luo Li talked for a long time. It was already noon, and Emperor Chongzhen ordered a banquet to be held at Qianqing Gate to inform the cabinet ministers and some officials from the Ministry of Household Affairs. We came to dinner to discuss Chang Yu's foreign trade opinions just now.
