Qi Yongtai has been pondering Feng Ziying's point of view for a long time, but has never understood it.
According to Feng Ziying's point of view, it is to encourage the court to borrow money. As long as the money is spent and spent in the territory of the Zhou Dynasty, whether it is obtained by merchants or common people, it is a good thing. However, it is a bad thing if it is kept in a bank or bank treasury. , this makes Qi Yongtai very incomprehensible.
It's okay if the common people get it, but why is it a good thing if the businessmen get it?
Feng Ziying explained that it would be a bad thing if merchants used their money to purchase mature land in the Zhou Dynasty, especially in Jiangnan, Huguang and Beidi. But if they went overseas, such as Dongfan, Nanyang, and Liaodong, to purchase land for development, , that’s a good thing.
There are pros and cons to storing the money earned by merchants in a bank, but if it is used to expand workshops, purchase vehicles, ships and various equipment, and recruit more workers, that is the greatest good thing, even if it is used to buy a house. In terms of enjoyment, it’s not a bad thing.
The same is true for the imperial court. It is certainly not a good thing if the silver treasury is empty, but it is also not a good thing if there is too much silver. The best result is a slight surplus. The imperial court should formulate a budget and final accounts, and the fiscal revenue should be used as much as possible. Use it wherever possible instead of storing it in a bank or hiding it in the treasury.
It should be said that Feng Ziying's simplest "fiscal expansion" policy is unacceptable to the current heads of the imperial court. In their minds, the more money in the Chinese treasury, the better, and the more grain stored in the granary, the better. , if all the money is spent, what will you do when you need it?
Feng Ziying's response was that borrowing money and issuing national debts were possible. As long as the imperial court could firmly maintain its own credibility, as long as the financial system of the Great Zhou Dynasty did not collapse, and as long as the military strength of the Great Zhou Dynasty could still defend its own security, then borrowing and issuing national debts would not be a problem. , the key is that the proceeds from borrowing should be used wisely.
This view had a great impact on the cabinet ministers. Qi Yongtai was better off. After all, he often discussed and communicated with Feng Ziying, but people like Ye Fangli and others could not accept it.
For this reason, we have discussed this issue many times, and sometimes I feel that it makes some sense, but the original ideas are deeply ingrained and are always difficult to accept.
As soon as Qi Yongtai mentioned this point of view, Ye Fang, Li and the others frowned again. After a long time, Ye Xianggao Cai slowly said: "The Ministry of Household Affairs has borrowed more than ten million taels, what can we use to repay it? Will we really have to default on our debts in the future?" The ministry’s annual tax revenue is basically fixed.”
"No, Lord, the financial income should increase. Of course, it is unrealistic and inappropriate to pin all your hopes on Jiangnan land tax. However, the industrial and commercial tax has been increasing steadily and significantly, but now It seems that the proportion of industrial and commercial taxation in our wealth is too low, but we can compare it with the situation in the North, especially in the provinces of Beizhili. The industrial and commercial taxation and tariffs of Yongping Prefecture have increased 32 times in three years. , the overall taxation has increased by 5.6 times, Shuntianfu industrial and commercial taxes and tariffs have also increased by 6.8 times, and the overall taxation has increased by 3.4 times. What is the reason for such an unimaginable growth rate? Is it not just iron smelting, The rapid development of coal, ordnance, shipbuilding, cement and other industries as well as the surge in port trade?”
Qi Yongtai's words shocked both Ye Xianggao and Fang Congzhe, and they quickly asked: "Is the growth so big?"
"Well, the industrial and commercial taxes and tariffs have increased greatly, but the land tax has not changed. The newly cultivated land is almost non-existent, so naturally there will be no growth." Qi Yongtai nodded: "If Dongpan is brought under the jurisdiction, the land tax can increase, but originally promised The merchants of Anfu were exempted from land tax for twenty years..."
"Where can there be new fields in the North? Unless it's in Liaodong, or in the Gansu and Ningxia towns." Fang Congzhe sneered, "But I'm afraid there is a limit to the growth of industrial and commercial taxes and tariffs. The growth in the past two years has been rapid, but if it continues, How much more can Shuntian Mansion and Yongping Mansion grow?”
"It will continue to grow. The sea trade between Yuguan and Dagu is still growing at a high speed, and the demand for cement, coal, and steel continues to expand. Now cement from Yuguan and Tianjinwei is sold in large quantities to the south. This is also a good phenomenon, at least in the North. There are also things that can be sold in the south, instead of just shipping food, silk, porcelain and other goods from the south..."
Qi Yongtai was particularly satisfied with this point. The North had always been suppressed by the South, especially Jiangnan, which relied on water transportation of materials to the north to supply the capital, which made the Jiangnan scholars in the court
The status of the Central Government is rising day by day, overwhelming the status of the northern scholars who have always been dominant. This has been the case for so many years and the gap is getting wider and wider. Now there is finally a turn for the better.
Qi Yongtai may not understand the saying that the economic base determines the superstructure, but it is an indisputable fact that the huge gap in economic strength between the North and Jiangnan makes the scholars in Jiangnan more confident, and the land tax is even more inferior to that of the North.
Jiangnan, which was generally more affluent, could support a larger population and allow more people to study, so they would naturally perform better in the imperial examinations.
This also left the northern scholars with nothing to say. They could only explain it by saying that the north was shouldering more heavy pressure to resist foreign invasion, but this seemed a bit lacking in confidence anyway.
The cabinet's topics shifted from military affairs to finance, and discussions were also in full swing.
"Okay, let's not go too far. The days are long and there is plenty of time to discuss and research. Let's get down to business now." Ye Xianggao breathed a sigh of relief. "The crisis in Liaodong has been temporarily resolved. How to maintain the status quo, I think we should wait until Ziying Let’s talk after we come back and listen to his opinion. In a short period of time, I guess we and the Jurchens need to take a breather.”
Everyone agreed with this view, but Li Sancai was still a little worried: "Jin Qing, the Chahar people are still harassing them. Although Ma Chengxun barely blocked the Chahar people's attack, he still relied on the support from Jizhen. As a result, Ji Town is a bit empty. Should we consider withdrawing one of the Northern Front Legions first?"
Ye Xianggao shook his head decisively: "It's no good. The losses in Liaodong are too great. Wouldn't withdrawing troops at this time shake the morale of the army? It will have to be delayed for at least a few months."
"But the Jizhen side is very weak. From Taolingou to Jiangjunshi, the military strength has been weakened to the lowest point. Once the Chahar people suddenly turn eastward, there will be another trouble in Gyeonggi!"
Li Sancai had to issue a warning.
This was his opinion after unanimous discussion with Zhang Huaichang and Sun Chengzong.
The Chahar people seemed to be very aggressive in Xuanfu Town, but they always felt like they were bluffing.
Moreover, they had previously estimated that Xuanfu Town would not be able to withstand the Chahar offensive. They might even need to trade space for time, prolong the Chahar offensive line, adopt a strategy of strengthening the walls and clearing the country, and then harass the back roads to force them not to fight. Self-destruction.
But this trick didn't seem to work.
The Chahar people did not go as deep as they hoped, but adopted a strategy of breaking through at many points, but only trying to stop it. Although this reduced the pressure on the Gyeonggi region, it caused the entire border to be on fire, and many passes were blocked. Defeated, leaving Ma Chengxun exhausted.
This also led to a strange phenomenon. The Chahar people did not go deep into the country to plunder people and materials as before, but instead harassed people along the long border. This was obviously a move that outweighed the gains and losses, and there must be a conspiracy inside.
Previously, everyone suspected that Lindan Batur was cooperating with Nurhachi, hoping that the Jianzhou Jurchens would defeat Liaodong, force the court's defense focus to shift to Liaodong, contain the court's heavy troops, and then win opportunities for the Chahar people, but now the Jianzhou Jurchens have been defeated. , Shanxi's Fengzhou Bailian and Tumut people's offensives are also declining. What are the Chahar people waiting for?
"Or maybe transfer Cao Wenzhao and He Renlong back first?" Qi Yongtai suggested with a frown.
"Qi Yongtai and He Renlong's troops have suffered heavy losses. I'm afraid it doesn't make much sense to bring them back, right? Without half a year of reinforcements, I'm afraid they won't be able to go to the battlefield." Li Sancai shook his head.
"But now a large-scale deployment of troops will cause the Liaodong army to be unstable and unable to move. If it moves, the ground will shake." Qi Yongtai explained: "Don't you understand this truth, Daofu?"
Li Sancai had to settle for the next best thing and accepted this compromise.
But he had a hunch that the Chahar people would do this, causing more flowers to bloom in the entire border area from Xuanfu to Ji Town, and the pressure would be huge. Once he looks for an opportunity to break through, it will be dangerous. Now the only person he can pray for is Yuan Keli It can quickly resolve the Shanxi war and free up our hands to prevent emergencies.
The next step is to reward based on merit.
Liaodong fought such a beautiful "victory", which completely covered up all the previous failures, not to mention that Cao Wenzhao should have been responsible for the previous blame.
Fortunately, Cao Wenzhao made amends for his sins in the second half and was beaten very badly.
Wrong, it can be regarded as making up for the previous sins. Feng Ziying rolled over from the beauty's body, panting like an ox.
The warmth of the spring-like fire made the two of them sweat profusely, especially Busia Mara, whose body was as plump as mutton-fat jade. After giving birth to the child, her breasts and buttocks became even more amazing. Feng Ziying also couldn't put it down.
"Take it easy, don't you Han people say that there are only exhausted cows and no damaged fields? The future is long, how can we be like you?" Busia Mara also gasped and hugged Feng Ziying, letting love Lang Mo's palm lingered on his body, "I am afraid that this battle in Jianzhou will be painful to the bone. Our Yehe tribe also celebrated all night long. It is said that Horqin's side was in panic all day long. They originally expected the Jianzhou Jurchen to support them and fight well." After a dozen Nei Khalkhas, they are doing well now, but all of them died out..."
"Don't be so optimistic. If Nurhaci is defeated so easily, he won't have the ability for the wild Jurchens to recover and beat you Haixi women to pieces..." Feng Ziying shook her head, but provoked Bushiya Mara. De was unhappy, "You're just violating our Haixi Jurchen like this? What do you mean by falling flowers and flowing water?"
