After Zhu Jingyuan's train passed Pingding Mountain, it was completely dark.
Early the next morning, the train arrived at Xi'an Fucheng, an ancient Chinese civilization city that has existed for two thousand years.
Many modern people feel that if Chang'an is changed to Xi'an, the name will lose its antique flavor.
In fact, Xi'an is the name of a prefecture, which is equivalent to the name of a prefecture-level city later. Their corresponding ancient names in the Han and Tang Dynasties were Jingzhao County and Jingzhao Prefecture.
Chang'an is the name of the county. The name of Chang'an County has never disappeared after more than two thousand years since it appeared in the early days of Xi'an.
Even from the Tang Dynasty to the present, the location of the city has basically remained unchanged.
Later generations only abolished Chang'an County and changed it into Xi'an Chang'an District, which was no different from Chang'an County in Jingzhao County in the past.
Urban construction projects often turn into archaeological projects. The excavator shovels down and then lifts it up again, not knowing what will be brought out.
Many ancient cities have a similar situation. Counties in ancient times were more famous, while prefectures and cities in later generations were more famous.
This is actually the result of the continuous expansion of the city after industrialization and the repeated attempts to annex administrative districts.
Locals actually know that the relevant names are always there.
Zhu Jingyuan got up immediately early in the morning and admired the new look of the ancient capital in the morning light.
A familiar yet unfamiliar feeling appeared again.
The Guanzhong area where Xi'an Prefecture is located is a key node in connecting and controlling the northwest, and is the western gate to the core area of China.
Xi'an is also one of the few large-scale industrial cities in the inland areas of the Ming Dynasty.
Not a mining city, but a real industrial city, developed based on the surrounding minerals and unique geographical advantages.
In the big cities of the Ming Dynasty, not all the scenes in the city are traditional Chinese-style buildings.
At the very least, they won’t all be painted in the style of cornices and brackets, or carved railings and painted buildings.
Because industrialization pursues efficiency and speed, industrial buildings will naturally be simplified.
Just like the slab buildings and large workshops of later generations, they are not in the style of traditional Thai and Western architecture.
Of course, traditional cultural imprints will always exist and will not disappear on their own without strong external interference.
Just like in later modern Western architecture and decoration, decorations and facilities such as tables, chairs, floors, windows, and doors still carry the traditional characteristics of the local classical era.
Therefore, most of the ordinary urban buildings in Ming Dynasty are mainly simple buildings with traditional decorative features.
Only buildings with special political significance, as well as traditional manors of royal families, nobles, and wealthy businessmen, will have "authentic" traditional ancient buildings regardless of cost.
Of course, this originality is only in form and aesthetics, and its dozens of construction methods and building materials have changed.
Starting from the late Renwu Dynasty, under the direct leadership of the Ming Dynasty royal family, and driven by realistic costs and practicality, reinforced concrete became the mainstream building material.
So much so that the wealthy class of the Ming Dynasty basically no longer pursue large wooden buildings.
Otherwise, the virgin forests of Nanyang and Yinzhou will definitely suffer heavy losses...
From the Han and Tang Dynasties to the Ming and Qing Dynasties, the scale of traditional palace buildings became smaller and smaller, mainly due to the exhaustion of local large-scale timber.
After being supplemented by the wood from the virgin forests of Nanyang and Yinzhou, if there were traditional feudal monarchs who pursued it, it is very likely that they would build super-standard wooden buildings in this era.
However, due to the existence of Emperor Shizu, these situations were nipped in the bud.
In the background of these buildings, there are towering chimneys that can be seen everywhere, as well as gray smoke, dust and water mist that permeate the streets of the entire city.
The roar of car engines, the ringing of bicycle bells, the clatter of horse hooves hitting the ground, mixed with the noisy voices of people.
In such an environment, in an era when the first industrial revolution was basically completed and the second industrial revolution was unfolding, the sight of such a city always gave Zhu Jingyuan a sense of confusion.
Because in the history of Zhu Jingyuan's previous life, there had never been an Eastern city in the early industrial era that was not influenced by foreign cultures.
Every time he comes to this kind of city, Zhu Jingyuan will take a special look to familiarize himself with and adapt to this world.
After Zhu Jingyuan entered the city, he did not appear in public and went directly to Prince Qin's Mansion in the northeast of the city.
Zhu Jingyuan also specifically notified the local officials in advance and did not ask them to go to the station to meet him. He would meet directly at the Prince of Qin's Mansion tomorrow.
The Prince of Qin's Palace is nominally the first vassal palace of the Ming Dynasty, because the first Prince of Qin was the second son of Zhu Yuanzhang.
It's just that the largest palace is actually Lao Wu's Zhou Palace.
After the Renwu Dynasty, these foreign palaces, whether damaged in the war or not, were returned to the hands of the emperor.
After Emperor Shizu got rich, he successively restored the palaces in some key cities and used them as residences for important members of the emperor's royal family when they went on business trips and inspections.
Zhu Jingyuan rested for a day at the Prince of Qin's Palace, and the next morning he received an audience with the main officials of the Third Division of Shaanxi Province in the main hall of the Prince's Palace.
Sitting on the main seat above, Zhu Jingyuan looked at the officials on both sides of the hall and felt that they were all a little too nervous.
It seems that they have high expectations, but they are also very nervous. It is obvious that many people come with their thoughts and thoughts.
However, at the relevant formal official meeting, the two parties will not discuss specific matters.
After greeting each other and chatting for a few words, the meeting was over.
Then the heads of the Shaanxi Sansi and Yushi stayed, obviously wanting to continue discussing some practical matters with Zhu Jingyuan.
Zhu Jingyuan was a little surprised and asked directly:
"Is there anything particularly urgent in Shaanxi that requires my immediate involvement?"
The four officials hesitated for a moment, and finally Chief Minister Liu Haidong spoke on behalf of them.
He asked very carefully:
"Please forgive me, Your Highness. Shaanxi is located in a remote inland area. It is drier than Jiangnan, and the wind and sand are also quite serious.
"If there is anything that Your Highness feels uncomfortable with, please feel free to bring it up, and if you need anything, please feel free to give me your instructions.
"My subordinates and local officials in Shaanxi will do their best to cooperate with His Highness's errands..."
After hearing these words, Zhu Jingyuan couldn't help but frown and asked:
"Is there something in Chen Fangbo's words? If you have something to say, just say it directly, don't be so secretive.
"This is our first time dealing with each other. You may not be familiar with my style.
“I’ve always been a straightforward person, and what I hate the most is being mysterious.
“If you have something, an idea, or a problem, just say it. Even if I can’t solve it, I will work with you to find a solution.
"You are so nagging now, do you still want me to speculate on your thoughts?"
Liu Haidong and four other local officials suddenly became even more nervous:
"Your Highness, forgive me, forgive me. We...we were first worried that His Highness would not allow us to greet us at the station. We might be dissatisfied with Shaanxi, so we want to know what your Highness is dissatisfied with..."
Zhu Jingyuan was a little surprised:
"No? What are you thinking about? I didn't let you go to the station to greet me because I thought you should be quite busy now.
"And we arrived at the station early in the morning today, and it's not even bright yet. If you want to greet me, you'll have to wait in the middle of the night.
"Then after daybreak, we have to break up after meeting. It's completely unnecessary and it will interfere too much with your official duties.
“Finally, now that the court is deepening reforms and the situation is not absolutely stable, I want to reduce the number of public appearances.
"I have no dissatisfaction with Shaanxi. This is the hometown of the Han and Tang Dynasties and the heart of the Ming Dynasty.
“If you’re just worried about this, there’s really no need for it.
"But I hear what you mean. It seems that there are other things? Let's talk about other business directly. Don't worry about this."
Liu Haidong and other officials actually knew Zhu Jingyuan's character, so they were worried because Zhu Jingyuan would not let them go to the station to greet him.
Now that Zhu Jingyuan said this, they were all obviously relieved, but they were still not completely relaxed.
After all, this was their first direct contact, and they did not dare to completely trust what Zhu Jingyuan said.
So we still continue to maintain a cautious attitude.
Liu Haidong continued to explain the situation:
"Thank you for your understanding, Your Highness. I have long heard that His Highness is the most considerate of subordinates. Only when I met you today did I realize that it is better to meet in person than to be famous.
“We still want to know whether His Highness will simultaneously implement the general education examination certificate system and the ticket system for government-owned manufacturers in Shaanxi and other regions in the northwest.
"The key is whether the private housing and vehicle purchase restrictions that have been implemented in the Edo area will be implemented simultaneously."
Zhu Jingyuan nodded directly after hearing this:
"Yes, the general education examination certificate system will definitely be implemented, and will be gradually implemented throughout the entire Ming Dynasty.
“Regardless of ethnic group and origin, including all Ming people, they must finally take the exam and obtain this certificate through a ceremony.
“The ticket and purchase restriction system has also been verified and can reduce resource waste and ensure social fairness to a certain extent.
“Of course, all systems cannot be copied and must be adjusted according to local conditions.
“Right now, I don’t know enough about the local situation in Shaanxi, so the implementation plan of the corresponding system has not yet been determined.
"You know the local situation and you should also know about these systems. If you have any ideas or suggestions, please be sure to tell me directly.
"If there is indeed a problem, I will definitely make targeted adjustments to the system based on local conditions."
Zhu Jingyuan's words expressed his attitude and at the same time left room for discussion.
Liu Haidong was also fully prepared in his mind and expressed his worries directly:
"Your Highness, to be honest, my subordinates and many colleagues have learned about the ticket system implemented in Edo, Nara, and North Korea.
“We are worried that this voucher and purchase restriction system will hinder... and seriously restrict the development of industry and commerce.
“Especially after meeting the welfare needs of officials, it is promoted to the private market.
“Because what is certain is that wealthy businessmen actually have enough money to buy multiple houses and multiple cars.
“Most ordinary workers cannot afford to buy a house or a car in a short period of time.
“If we issue room tickets and train tickets to ordinary workers, but do not allow wealthy businessmen to obtain multiple room tickets and train tickets.
“At the same time, housing construction companies build houses according to the number of house tickets issued, and parking lots produce vehicles according to the tickets, which is likely to cause a large backlog of houses and vehicles that cannot be sold.
“There may also be private arrangements in which ticket-holders purchase houses and vehicles on behalf of wealthy businessmen.
"These situations are very difficult to regulate..."
After hearing this, Zhu Jingyuan nodded gently:
“Yes, the consumption power of a small group of wealthy people is likely to be several times higher than that of ordinary people in society as a whole.
“If we require everyone to only buy the same things, then the spending power of the rich cannot be fully unleashed.
“Things that should be able to be sold may not be sold due to the restrictions of the ticket system.
"This will certainly limit the speed of development of our industry and commerce...
“If this restriction is relaxed, of course, more consumption profits and tax revenue will be obtained.
“But this restriction is only a temporary restriction, and this increase in profits and taxes is only temporary.
“If there are no restrictions on house purchases, the abundant funds of wealthy businessmen will push up house prices to a level that is unimaginable for ordinary people.
“Ordinary workers may have to work hard all their lives and spend most of their income to buy a house.
"Then the amount of consumption they spend on other aspects will of course be reduced to the lowest point accordingly.
“Think about it, the money that ordinary people should use to buy clothes and household appliances is all being saved and waiting to buy a house, so does the sales of clothes and household appliances decrease?
“When the overall consumption capacity of the entire society is certain, if more consumption flows to a few key basic industries and products, it will inevitably lead to a decrease in consumption in other areas.
“In other words, if the overall consumption power is certain, the profits and taxes we can obtain will also be certain.
“The only difference is how we get that profit and tax.
“Should it be concentrated in a few areas, or should it be evenly distributed across most industries?
“I think you can all imagine that government-run manufacturers can gain the highest possible profits by controlling a few basic industries and using these basic industries to suck up the consumption power of the private sector.
"If ordinary people spend their money dispersedly in most industries, the proportion that government-owned manufacturers can directly obtain will definitely not be particularly high, which is equivalent to lowering the income expectations of government-owned manufacturers.
“But you should also understand that money must circulate to create value.
“The more evenly the currency in society is dispersed throughout society, the higher the flow rate and frequency will be.
“Correspondingly, every time currency and commodities are circulated, yamen at all levels can receive a tax.
“So the income indirectly received by the imperial court will eventually increase.
“If the money earned by ordinary people from working is almost directly funneled into the hands of government offices at all levels through a few government-owned manufacturers in key basic industries, then it can be regarded as a waste of money.
"Over time, the entire market will become a pool of stagnant water."
Zhu Jingyuan said it clearly enough, and all the officials present also understood it.
Zhu Jingyuan is still trying his best to persuade everyone to take a longer view and be broader.
Don’t just look at the benefits in the immediate few years, don’t just look at the profits of one location and one factory.
But for most officials, it is difficult for them to be in power in the same place for more than six years as floating officials.
Zhu Jingyuan, this special prince, can focus on the development of the entire Ming Dynasty in the next few decades.
Most officials wouldn't care about something that far and wide.
So some people are a little bit tough-talking.
“His Highness does have a long-term vision, but if the ticket system and purchase restriction system are implemented in the housing industry, it will lock the upper limit of this industry.
"Since we want to make the entire market more active, we shouldn't restrict this market so strictly..."
Zhu Jingyuan became obviously serious when he heard this:
"Yes, we want to lock the upper limit of this industry!
“Everyone must know that these key basic industries are the guarantee of social stability, and you can’t make money here.
“Let the thoughtful people spend their money elsewhere.
“The same treatment is given to education and medical care. It would be best if private manufacturers completely withdraw from these industries, and the royal family consortium and the Ming Dynasty consortium are completely responsible for the operation and maintenance.
"This is the attitude that my father and I share. These policies must be maintained for the long term.
“Officials at any level and government-run manufacturers at any level should not regard related industries as their main profit-making industries.
“They are a basic security industry!
"If anyone insists on using his brain in this place, I don't mind letting him change his brain!"
