There are too many things that are beneficial to the overall situation, but from an individual perspective, it is not a good thing. Since ancient times, allusions such as people leaving their hometowns and being humble have always affected the thinking of immigrants.
When they feel wronged, they can't help but think about how prosperous it was when I was still in my hometown. As time goes by, they all forget that their life in their hometown in Shanxi was actually not good.
But with this kind of thinking, one or two generations will not have much better feelings about the imperial court. Perhaps only three or four generations have passed, and the imperial court's welfare policy for Fengyang can they completely return to their hearts. After all, people are not livestock, they are There are joys, sorrows and joys.
At this time, Zhu Yuanzhang was also thinking about his son's proposal. To be honest, when he strictly controlled tea, it was precisely to achieve the political goal of strengthening the Ming Dynasty through tea, and to consolidate the territory of the Ming Dynasty. Effect.
As for making money from tea, I have never thought about it. According to the situation in the early years of the founding of the People's Republic of China, Mongolia still has some remaining strength and is always ready to counterattack the Central Plains. The Ming Dynasty is in ruins and waiting to be reborn. Although the army has combat effectiveness, the logistics supply is very difficult.
Naturally, the food required to fight a war cannot fall from the sky, and the people can only be forced to ration them. If the war continues, the casualties and losses cannot only be seen on the battlefield, but also the people who starve to death due to the rations being taken away. …
But things are different now. The past five years of cultivation have restored a lot of vitality to the war-torn Central Plains. Although there were a few battles during this period, they were all considered quick and the losses were within the acceptable range. Inside.
What's more, the situation in northern Mongolia is getting worse and worse. As the plan to counterattack the Central Plains is shattered, conflicts within Mongolia have emerged. As long as Chang Yuchun and Li Wenzhong guard the border, the conflict between the Oara Tatars will be irreconcilable. .
Zhu Biao advised: "What's the harm in just selling them some more salt tea in the past two years? They are all daily consumables, and they can't be saved at all. Besides, they have been hungry for half a year, so we should give them some sweetness." ”
Zhu Yuanzhang glanced at his son and said: "Once the ban on salt tea is lifted, it will be difficult to block it. You are not only going to give some sweetness to Mongolia, but also some sweetness to those tea and salt dealers."
When Zhu Biao heard this, he smiled and said: "We just want to kill more greedy people. How are we blocking it now? Just do it in the future. It happens that in two years the border guards should be changed."
Zhu Yuanzhang frowned and said, "It's a bit early."
Zhu Biao narrowed his eyes slightly and said: "Father, don't worry, it's just a normal defense change. I know what's appropriate."
Although there is a ban on salt and tea, thousands of people are killed every year, but there is still a hole to be drilled, exchanging tea for gold, silver and horses. This is such a hugely profitable business, and countless people continue to do so, even though they narrowly escape death. not regret.
Even if there is a risk of beheading, it can always happen once or twice out of ten times, not to mention that there are some wealthy tea gang merchants who will spend a lot of money to get through the noble generals guarding the border. As long as the communication is good, unless you are unlucky and encounter someone from the capital. Patrol, otherwise most of them will work.
This is actually normal. The so-called people rely on mountains and rivers to eat and drink. The generals who guard the important areas along the border have no people to exploit. They can make a living by drinking the blood of soldiers. If you want to get rich, you can't point to those traders.
Otherwise, how could they afford their own luxurious compound in the capital? How can you afford a thousand acres of farmland outside the city? How can you afford to support the hordes of darling wives and concubines under your knees?
Guarding the border is never a comfortable job, but all the nobles are trying to get there. After a few years of hard work and a lifetime of expenses, who wouldn't want to?
Both the Zhu family and his son knew this. In fact, if it was just like this, tea would have nothing to do with the overall situation, not to mention how much they could transport by smuggling secretly, it would be impossible to meet the needs of various Mongolian ministries.
It’s just that this person is not willing to pay. After all, transporting tea is not as profitable as transporting grain, railways and gunpowder. Last year, Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly got news from Quan Xu in Mongolia, saying that the fire at the Shuntian Prefecture Armory that month was reported as damage. A batch of weapons and gunpowder suddenly appeared on the grassland...
This is actually nothing. There are just some idiots who are greedy for profit in Shuntian Mansion. What really surprised Zhu Yuanzhang was that the pro-military Duwei Mansion did not find out and report this matter. Weapons and gunpowder were not tea leaves. They were transported in large and small cars. No one found the grassland.
There are only two possibilities for this, either the pro-military governor's office has slacked off, the commander in the north has neglected his duties, and Mao Xiang is nepotistic and lax in his subordinates! Either they have all been bribed, and they have a share in this matter...
No matter what the possibility was, Zhu Yuanzhang had a sense of distrust in his own ears and eyes, which was fatal. If an espionage organization lost the trust of its master, then they would lose the meaning of their existence.
It was at that time that Zhu Yuanzhang transferred Quan Xu from the pro-military captain's mansion, and asked Zhu Biao to recruit orphans on a large scale in Fengyang, Shanxi to cultivate new eyes and ears.
I believe Mao Xiang also feels this, so he is more and more reluctant to restrain himself, because he knows the character of the current Holy Emperor. If you have betrayed him once, there is no need to hope to make up for it. It is better to hurry up while the Holy Emperor can still use him. The best thing to do is find a way out.
It's a pity that Mao Xiang's identity is too special and no one wants to have anything to do with him. Maybe Hu Weiyong doesn't mind now. After all, uniting all the forces that can be combined is his only way.
Speaking of which, these two people were a perfect match. Even Zhu Yuanzhang didn't know how many people Mao Xiang had mastered after being in charge of the pro-military Duwei Mansion for so many years.
Taking this as an opportunity, Hu Weiyong did have the opportunity to win over many officials, and even some noble military generals. This is also a common method of attracting people into trouble in officialdom. It cannot be said to be clever. It can only be said that the two of them complement each other.
This may also be deliberately arranged by Zhu Yuanzhang. After all, they are too weak, so Comrade Zhu's layout will be in vain. The more chess pieces there are, the more interesting it will be to lift the table.
The hall was quiet for a while, and then Zhu Yuanzhang said: "Just don't scare the snake. You can make the rest yourself. Whether it's tea or iron, think twice before you act."
Zhu Biao nodded in agreement, and Liu Jin who was waiting on the side saw that the conversation was finished, and then walked out of the Jinshen Palace and asked someone to come in to wait. As the palace maids and eunuchs were busy, the dishes and dishes on the dinner table were put away, and the father and son also washed their hands and drank. Hot tea.
After finishing the cup of hot tea, Zhu Yuanzhang continued to review the remaining memorials, while Zhu Biao went straight to the Tea Horse Division. The Tea Horse Division was an organization that specialized in tea and horse trade after the Song Dynasty, with commanders and Sicheng in charge.
The main function of the Tea and Horse Department is to reward tea and horses, recruit tea and horses for mutual trading on a regular basis, and strictly prohibit private transactions. A record of the number of tea and horses will be reported to the court every year. After the founding of the Ming Dynasty, it was placed in Qinzhou, Taozhou, Hezhou, Yazhou, etc. land.
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