"What do you mean, your Excellency, to gradually replace the water transportation needs in the Gyeonggi area with sea transportation?" Wang Wenyan hesitated, "Sir, I'm afraid this is not just a simple transportation issue, but also the existence and value of the entire water transportation system. …”
The implication of Wang Wenyan's words is also very clear. Water transportation supports too many people, both for the court and the people. Once this foundation is touched, I am afraid that there will be shocks along the canal and even unpredictable risks.
"So this can only be achieved under certain circumstances. Under normal circumstances, no one dares to use water transportation." Feng Ziying said calmly: "For example, if water transportation is interrupted, then sea transportation should follow as a matter of course, otherwise the people of Gyeonggi How to live and how to maintain the court?"
Wang Wenyan understood that your Excellency has determined that some unpredictable things will happen, including interruption of water transportation.
This can turn a crisis into an opportunity. No wonder Xue Jiazi of the second family went to Denglai and Yuguan to run shipping. He had long been optimistic about this and made preparations for a rainy day.
"If this is the case, Beitang and Dagu should indeed start construction as soon as possible." Wang Wenyan thought for a moment, "Dago and Tianjin Sanwei are actually one, and Beitang can also be regarded as the continuation of Liangcheng Suo. If you value this There are two places, the Ji Town side is easy to talk to, but the Ministry of War side is still hard to talk to."
"Well, I have also considered that the purpose of Jizhen for these two places is to defend against enemy attacks at sea, while the Ministry of War focuses on military support. From the perspective of our Shuntian Mansion, it is to be used for civilian purposes or as a strategic support point. Use it to the extreme and each gets what you need. Of course, we have more in common with the Ministry of War."
Feng Ziying's eyes became darker and darker, "Once water transportation is interrupted, the status of Yuguan, Dagu, and Beitang will suddenly rise. I'm afraid that if everyone is unprepared and in a hurry, it will be a disaster, especially during this year's severe drought in the North." occasion."
"I'm afraid it's not just that. We can work overtime at the three terminals, but the most important thing is the source of supplies. Don't you think Jiangnan is unstable? Once Jiangnan is interrupted by water transportation, can it be shipped by sea?" Wang Wenyan asked again : "Even if it can be shipped out, if Jiangnan does not recognize the imperial court, merchants will have to discuss business. With the imperial court's current financial resources, how can these merchants be willing to take the initiative to transport various materials to the north? I'm afraid it won't work just by making empty promises."
This is of course a problem. As Wang Wenyan said, even if Jiangnan cannot control the coastal areas of Fujian and Zhejiang, as well as Guangdong and Dongfan, if the imperial court loses the protection of Jiangnan’s tax rights, who will be willing to listen to your empty talk? Teeth shouting?
Of course, if you can demonstrate an absolutely overwhelming military position, then there will be businessmen willing to bet on it, but when the situation is unclear at the beginning, who will make a bet with money in vain?
Can the military power of the imperial court be sustained to the point where it can demonstrate absolute superiority?
Mobilizing all the border troops to launch an overwhelming offensive against the south requires a process, time, and money, food, and various logistical supplies. This is not a simple matter. In the past, wars were guaranteed by the Zhou Dynasty's system. , but once the entire south is broken and no longer provides logistical support, how can we fight a war?
Feng Ziying also considered this point raised by Wang Wenyan, but apart from what she was already prepared to deal with, she didn't have any good countermeasures.
Guangdong is a place that requires good management. Once the North and the South confront each other, Guangdong's production will provide huge support to the North, not only in terms of material itself, but also in the psychological support of the people.
Dongfan is equally important. First, it can form a transit point for north-south transportation together with Penghu. Second, Dongfan itself has product production, but this can only be achieved when the Fujian navy is controlled.
When Shen Yourong was asked to go north for interviews, Feng Ziying had to remind the other party that he might have to make plans in the Fujian Navy in advance. After all, Shen Yourong had served in the Fujian Navy for many years. Many generals in the Fujian Navy were once his subordinates. He had a very high prestige in the Fujian Navy. This is an extremely favorable condition.
Feng Ziying discovered that although Prince Yi Zhong was making various preparations, including military preparations, especially those on the Xuanda front line, he only paid little attention to the Navy. Whether it was Shen Yourong's Denglai Navy or the current Fujian Navy, As well as the Guangdong Navy, they didn't pay much attention.
From the day Denglai Town was established, Wang Ziteng regarded the Denglai Navy as a liability and believed that it would compete for his funds for the construction of Denglai Town's cavalry and infantry troops. Therefore, his relationship with Shen Yourong, who was the admiral of Denglai Navy, was extremely bad, and it was even more so now. Like water and fire.
The Fujian Navy is basically independent of the Jiangnan system, and most generals and middle- and low-level officers are loyal to the court. Shen Yourong has mentioned this. The Guangdong Navy is mainly composed of locals, but Guangdong has never been regarded as one by Jiangnan. It is also beneficial to the court.
"This is all we can do. Maybe what I have done will be regarded as unfounded worries and unnecessary. I also hope that my ideas are unnecessary." Feng Ziying spread her hands, " hope so."
"Sir, I think your worries are not unnecessary. Even if the situation in the south of the Yangtze River is not as bad as we imagined, the severe drought in the north is an indisputable fact. According to reports from various sources, Shanxi and Shaanxi will encounter unprecedented severe droughts. , it will be difficult for the court to provide relief, and if there are any further setbacks in the local government, there will be big trouble."
Wang Wenyan felt that the risk of severe drought in the north was greater.
"I have mentioned this to Master Qi. Master Qi takes it very seriously and has also told Mr. Fang. However, the decision made by the cabinet is not to figure out how to raise money and food for relief, but to consider having the Metropolitan Procuratorate send patrols. Supervise the implementation of local relief..." Feng Ziying breathed a sigh of relief, "It's true to say that there are many people in the government below, but it's hard for a clever woman to make a meal without rice. When the government's relief is far from enough, is there anyone? It doesn’t mean much to put one’s hands up or down in it.”
"The imperial court is also stepping up its replenishment, and the warehousing speed of Jingtong Second Warehouse is also accelerating. You don't have to worry too much," Wang Wenyan comforted.
"That little grain, as long as the water transportation is cut off, can be snatched up for you in a few days. It does not depend on how much grain is stored, but on the expectations of the people. If everyone thinks that grain is going to run out, every household will want to save a little. Two years of practical food storage, even if you have great abilities, you will still be in trouble..." Feng Ziying said the key point.
Both Wang Wenyan and Wu Yaoqing are not mediocre people, and they naturally understand the truth. Once the people have raised their expectations, they will buy as soon as they see the food. In the end, countless people will flock to buy it, and in the end, countless people will be without food. Eat, but some people have piles of food in their homes.
"That's why adults are starting to contact Guangdong to store grain now. Yuguan has already stored a lot of grain, but if too much is stored, the cost will also increase..."
Wang Wenyan also had a headache. Business activities required calculation of cost and output. If the solution was to be solved from the perspective of court policy, then Feng Ziying should not be the one to do it, and Feng Ziying would not be able to do it.
"Forget it, let's take it one step at a time." Feng Ziying shook her head, "I can't care about so much now. I used to think that I was far-sighted, strategizing, and omnipotent, but now I realize that there are some things that you think will be That way, people don’t think so, and you think you can do it, but in fact there are too many constraints and you can’t do it at all, what can you do?”
Wu Yaoqing murmured for a long time before saying: "Maybe the situation will not be as bad as expected."
Feng Ziying glared at the other party, and Wu Yaoqing could only lower his head. This was not a reason, and he couldn't even convince himself.
"Sir, we have done our best. Your Excellency is only the Prime Minister of Shuntian. What you have done is beyond the scope of your responsibilities. You are not the elder, so you have a clear conscience." Wang Wenyan also sensed that Feng Ziying was not in a good mood and turned away. Topic: "I haven't congratulated you yet. The second girl from Rongguo Mansion will be here in three days."
Wu Yaoqing also echoed, and Feng Ziying's face softened a little, and she said: "This is the only good thing during this period, so why should I put pressure on myself and make myself so uncomfortable?"
Indeed, Feng Ziying sometimes wondered whether she was too anxious about herself. The Feng family relied on her background as a civil servant, her backing and connections like Qi Yongtai and Qiao Yingjia, and her status as a northern scholar. Her father supported the army in the border town. , no matter who takes the position of emperor, it is impossible to touch the Feng family, unless they stand firmly on the opposite side of the other party, there is no need to think so hard, life is too hard.
Is life not good now? A beautiful wife and concubine, surrounded by beauties, makes me feel aggrieved just thinking about it. Even Qingwen and Ping'er, the leading characters in the book "Dream of Red Mansions", have been raised in the house for several years before they had time to take over the house. Two wives There are several concubines in the room, but they don’t even have a son. Like tonight, they even gave up the time to sleep with Baochai. They are worse than animals. No wonder my father and mother are not satisfied.
I am too dedicated. I really care about the emperor's heart with the salary of a foreign minister.
After sighing with emotion, Feng Ziying knew that all good things are based on hard work. If she didn't worry about it, the current situation of the Feng family in the future might really be that they were at their peak when they debuted and started to go downhill.
My father has become a very popular minister, at least he is at the pinnacle of military generals, and the decline of prosperity may not be an empty talk.
Although he still has a lot of room, but if Prince Yohitada becomes the emperor, will the Northern scholars still be as respected as they are now? I am afraid that the balance of power in the DPRK will soon fall to the south of the Yangtze River. People like Han Jing, Xu Xie, and Huang Zunsu will rise quickly and replace themselves and Lian Guoshi's current status. If people like Fang Youdu, Shen Zizheng, and Yang Sichang turn around quickly, they will There are also good fruits to be had, but northern scholars like myself and Lian Guoshi, Fan Jingwen, and Sun Chuanting may not have such good opportunities.
If the Mongols, Jurchens, and White Lotus Sect were allowed to succeed, the situation would be even worse, which Feng Ziying could not accept.
The situation of the Feng family is like sailing against the current. If you don't advance, you will retreat. You can only go on, and you can only go better and better!
