In Emperor Chongzhen's view, nine out of ten refugees from the capital have now left the capital, and the people have returned to their hometowns to farm and become self-sufficient, and they can grow potatoes and sweet potatoes in large areas without paying taxes. Although there is not much left over, food and clothing can be solved, and more importantly What's more, a lot of grain has been shipped from Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Fujian for more than half a year. The capital has a certain amount of grain reserves to ensure that there will be no big famine like last year.
"Nip it in the bud. If it really breaks out, it will be too late to find a solution. And it is not certain that famine will not happen at the moment." Chang Yu sighed: "The people's one-year recuperation is only enough in Hukou, and now the winter is too long for food." If production is reduced, the grain reserves in the capital still need to be supplied to border officers, which will not be enough if famine does break out."
Emperor Chongzhen nodded and sighed: "No one in the civil and military dynasties is as considerate as you." Then he smiled bitterly and said: "You borrow money everywhere, making me feel like a beggar."
Having said that, he was happy in his heart and had no intention of complaining about Chang Yu. After all, borrowing in the name of the court or in his name might not necessarily get it, and even if he borrowed it, he would have to pay it back, but Chang Yu couldn't borrow it. It’s the same, the only reason is that you should not repay the excess, and you may even not repay it, but pay it with something else. Even if you don’t repay it, it will not be blamed on him, and it will not affect the reputation of the court. After all, it is his personal behavior.
Oh, now I know how shameless I am. Have I forgotten how I behaved the year before when I begged my grandpa and cried for my grandma? Chang Yu felt sad in his heart and said with no expression on his face: "Your Majesty, I have something to report to you."
"Hey, I don't see you asking for anything. Let me tell you." Emperor Chongzhen said with a smile.
"Streamline and rebuild the stations from the capital to Jiubian." Chang Yu looked solemn, and Emperor Chongzhen frowned.
In ancient times, the post station had two purposes. One was a place where military intelligence personnel could board and change horses during the journey. The other was a place where government documents were delivered and officials rested.
In addition, there are large and small post stations. The inland ones are as big as an inn with rooms and yards, while the border areas are as big as a city, also called a post city.
At the end of the Ming Dynasty, all industries were decadent, and border disrepair was the norm, not to mention these inns. Some were directly abandoned, some had no people and horses, or there were not enough people and horses, or most were useless and idle people. After Chang Yu came to power, he allocated funds to use part of the inns as Basically, a dedicated line for the public use of Dongchang and Jinyiwei was set up to deal with emergency military situations, but it was still insufficient for daily use. However, the huge cost of rebuilding these stations was far beyond the capabilities of Dongchang. This must be allocated by the imperial court.
Seeing that Emperor Chongzhen was silent, Chang Yu asked, "Is it possible that the treasury is out of money?"
Emperor Chongzhen shook his head: "Although he is not rich, he still has more than enough."
Chang Yu then breathed a sigh of relief. He had been busy for almost two years and had done so many tricks and deceptions for the court. Although the cost was huge, it was impossible not to have any savings.
Chongzhen knew what he was thinking: "Money must be used wisely, and you know it yourself. Military pay is the cutting edge. A war may start at any time. If there is a shortage of military pay, how can the war be fought? Don't dare to use the money elsewhere."
"But rebuilding the post station is also to prepare for the war. This is also the edge of the sword." Chang Yu said anxiously: "As far as I know, the trade income from Zhangjiakou in the first half of the year alone amounted to millions of dollars..."
After the Taiyuan War, Chang Yu copied several big imperial merchants from the Manchu Dynasty in Shanxi, and put into the treasury nearly ten million in silver. However, the hole in the court's deficit was also huge at that time, almost the same, but then Octopus took over that business. Sixty-seven percent of the income from border trade went into the national treasury, and he made millions in more than half a year.
"You don't know how big the hole is in the imperial court. People are asking for money everywhere, and I am not the one who has the final say on this matter." Emperor Chongzhen frowned and sighed: "At this time, the cabinet must first discuss and then make a decision..."
Chang Yu sighed. At the moment, he alone had the military power, but the finances were indeed not between him and the emperor. After all, it was not the emperor's internal funds nor the Dongchang's small treasury.
"The arrears of General Zheng, the grain merchants in Jiangsu and Zhejiang, and Octopus must also be settled." Chang Yu took a long breath, and Emperor Chongzhen said: "Did Zheng Zhilong ask for it?"
Chang Yu almost lost his temper. During the famine at the beginning of the fucking year, you almost starved to death. Zheng Zhilong and the grain merchants in Jiangsu and Zhejiang, under Chang Yu's mediation, first advanced funds to purchase grain to relieve the disaster. This time More than half a year has passed in the blink of an eye. It’s okay if you don’t have any money. If you have money, why don’t you settle it with others? Even if you settle part of it first, you still have to wait for others to ask for it?
Don’t you know that doing business must be based on trust? If you cheated this time, who will be with you next time?
What's more, Zheng Zhilong and those grain merchants are very interesting. Zheng Zhilong even donates and purchases on their behalf, while the Jiangsu and Zhejiang grain merchants don't make any money, just cost.
As for Octopus, he was an imperial merchant and received large orders from the imperial court. From procurement to delivery, he used his own people and advanced the funds himself, and then settled with the imperial court afterwards. This left a lot of energy and cost for the imperial court, but Octopus was You want to make money, after all, you have thousands of brothers who feed you.
In fact, the imperial court was quite trustworthy to Octopus. Every time it sent out troops, it was settled immediately afterwards. However, after Baiwang sent troops to the Yellow River, the expenses for the period were still in arrears, saying that they would have to wait until Qiu Fu.
Chang Yu was not worried that the court would default on his debts, but since the end of last year, Zheng Zhilong and Jiangsu and Zhejiang grain merchants have not mentioned a word about the money. Although they did not press him, they trusted Chang Yu, but if the court did not mention it, it would be a slap in the face of Chang Yu. face.
As for the reason, Chang Yu also knew that some people in the court were used to freeloading. Some people here, including the person in front of him, would think that Chang Yu had relied on so many people and had to pay so many debts. It's not borrowed by the court anyway, it's all borrowed by your eunuch.
But they don't know that some people can rely on it, some people can't, and some things can be relied on once, but not all the time. They don't know that consuming Chang Yu in this way is equivalent to killing the goose that lays the egg. Once Chang Yu's credit is used up, the consequences will be serious.
Seeing Chang Yu's expression, Emperor Chongzhen realized that he had made a mistake and said quickly: "If you borrow money, you will pay it back. After the cabinet is settled, the Ministry of Revenue can allocate funds... In your opinion, can Zheng Zhilong go there... Didn't you still let him go to the south?" …”
"No!" Chang Yu flatly refused: "One code is the same. I can break my promise, but the court can't, and you, the emperor, can't, otherwise..."
Emperor Chongzhen had never seen such an attitude from Chang Yu. He was startled and nodded slightly: "You said so." Then he patted Chang Yu on the shoulder: "I can't break my trust without trust, and I won't let you." Break one's trust."
"Thank you, sir." Chang Yu bowed and handed over expressionlessly. The atmosphere was a little strange. Zhu Cixiang beside him was a little at a loss. Emperor Chongzhen smiled and walked in the garden, looked up at the sky, and suddenly said: "The prince's choice of marriage. Can you please tell me, do you have anyone to recommend?"
Chang Yu had heard Chunxiang say it, but he shook his head and said, "I don't know yet, but it is indeed time for your highness to get married."
After Zhu Cihong heard this, he wanted to stamp his feet anxiously and wink at Chang Yu, but Chang Yu just pretended not to see it and continued: "Your Highness's marriage selection is related to the foundation of the country, and I dare not speak out."
Emperor Chongzhen was very satisfied, but he continued to ask: "You are the head of Dongchang and you know all the officials. How can you not know whose family has a daughter to be married?".
Chang Yu quickly said: "Although I know which family has a daughter to be married, I don't know whose daughter is the princess."
Emperor Chongzhen smiled and said nothing.
