Zhongshu Province.
Hu Weiyong and Li Shanchang were sitting opposite each other, discussing the matter of building an expressway.
"My mentor wants me to go to the emperor and ask for an imperial edict?"
Hu Weiyong was shocked after hearing Li Shanchang's method.
Li Shanchang's meaning is very simple. Naturally, the more people who know about the construction of highways, the better.
As long as there are more people in the know, more and more gentry will come to consult.
When the time comes, are we still afraid that we won’t have enough money to build highways?
Li Shanchang calmly stroked his beard and said:
"This matter must not be rushed. If you act very eagerly, those gentry will become more calm and ask for more benefits."
"So if you want to take the initiative in this matter, you have to create a scene of overcrowding."
“Let everyone know, and let them know that if they come late, they won’t get a share.”
"Then these gentry will not hesitate to spend all their money to build a highway for you."
"High, really high!"
Hu Weiyong high-fived and praised Li Shan endlessly:
"A great teacher is a hundred times better than mediocrity. My mentor is the guiding light of mediocrity."
"If there is no mentor, then Weiyong really doesn't know what to do."
When Li Shanchang heard Hu Weiyong's flattery, he looked proud and smiled. He couldn't help stroking his beard and continued:
"A few months ago, a glass mirror appeared in Yingtian City, which can reflect every detail of a person. Did you know?"
Hu Weiyong was stunned for a moment, then seemed to think of something, and said with a heartache:
"What kind of mirror does your teacher like? Then Weiyong will send one to his teacher later."
Li Shanchang laughed out loud when he saw Hu Weiyong like this, shook his head and said:
"Weiyong, Weiyong, who do you think I am?"
"I already have that kind of mirror in my house, I don't need you to give it to me."
"What I want to tell you is that you need to learn how others sell mirrors?"
"I find their kind of auction house very interesting, and they can bring out the value of items."
Hearing this, Hu Weiyong was completely excited and said excitedly:
"Teacher, what do you mean, our shares in the construction of highways can also be auctioned?"
"The one with the highest price will get it. In this way, not only can he get the money to build the highway, but he can even get a large amount of extra money to subsidize the national treasury."
"Okay, great, I'll write a memorial to the emperor right now."
Li Shanchang looked at Hu Weiyong with a smile and said no more.
Hu Weiyong hurried back to his place of duty, found pen, ink, paper and inkstone, and began to write the memorial in a hurry in front of Li Shanchang.
After everything was written, Hu Weiyong did not directly present the memorial to Zhu Yuanzhang. Instead, he respectfully walked to Li Shanchang, stretched out the memorial, and said:
"Please also ask my mentor to sign Weiyong's name, otherwise Weiyong will not dare to submit it."
Li Shanchang was stunned for a moment, and then burst into laughter.
Hu Weiyong said he didn't dare to submit it, but actually he wanted to give the credit to Li Shanchang. After all, it was Li Shanchang who came up with this method.
Moreover, Li Shanchang personally taught Hu Weiyong for such a long time. As Hu Weiyong's immediate boss, Hu Weiyong wanted to give the credit to Li Shanchang.
This also shows the depth of Hu Weiyong's scheming and his human sophistication to the extreme.
Li Shanchang also had no ink, so he took the memorial, picked up the brush, and wrote his name.
After everything was prepared, Hu Weiyong took the memorial and walked to the palace again.
...
Go to the study.
Zhu Biao was asking Zhu Yuanzhang questions.
"Father, I think what Liu Bowen said at today's court meeting makes sense."
"Why do you insist on building a highway, Father?"
Upon hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang put down the memorial in his hand, looked at Zhu Biao, and said:
"Biao'er, today we will teach you that in the way of being a king, you must never follow the thoughts of your ministers."
"Let me ask you, you were at the port of Shanghu County a few days ago and saw the dark highway. Do you think the highway is convenient?"
"Convenience is definitely convenient, but Yingtianfu and Shanghu County are different."
Zhu Biao still looked puzzled and said:
"Shanghu County is receiving a large number of refugees every day, and these refugees can completely serve as labor force for highway construction."
"They can get a salary from Li Jin that is enough to support them by working hard."
"But there are not that many refugees in Yingtian Mansion. The majority are ordinary people."
"But these people are the main labor force in the family. If these laborers are used, it will definitely have an impact on farming."
Zhu Yuanzhang nodded, confirming Zhu Biao's idea, but Zhu Yuanzhang still said:
"It may indeed have some impact, but this highway still needs to be repaired."
Zhu Biao was puzzled that his father continued to build the highway even though he knew it would cause harm to the people. Has his father changed?
Is he no longer the emperor who loves his people like his own son?
Looking at Zhu Biao's confused eyes, Zhu Yuanzhang explained:
"Biao'er, you only saw one layer of the problem."
"Do you think we build highways just to provide a convenient transportation environment for businessmen?"
"Just to collect tolls and fill the state coffers?"
"These are just small things. The reason why we have to build the highway is for Li Jin!"
"Li Jin?"
Zhu Biao exclaimed and frowned, wondering what this had to do with Li Jin?
"The strength Li Jin showed this time is really too huge. Ever since we came back, we have been thinking about the power of those artillery pieces."
Zhu Yuanzhang looked thoughtful, thinking of the scene that day, he still felt a little frightened.
"If the highway between Yingtian Prefecture and Songjiang Prefecture is repaired, we can quickly send troops there if any accident occurs in Shanghu County."
"We will never give Li Jin a chance to breathe. This is why we value highways."
"This highway can not only transport goods, but it is also extremely convenient for troops to depart. Especially the cavalry, which can arrive at dawn and dusk."
"As long as highways are laid throughout the Ming Dynasty in the future, our army can reach every corner of the Ming Dynasty from Yingtian in less than half a month."
"From now on, who else dares to rebel within the Ming Dynasty?"
Zhu Biao suddenly realized that the reason why Zhu Yuanzhang wanted to build the highway was just like Qin Shihuang's Chidao, so that he could dispatch troops as soon as possible.
Thinking about it in the blink of an eye, Zhu Biao couldn't help but admire Zhu Yuanzhang's talent and strategy.
As long as Zhu Yuanzhang insists on doing something, he will always have a deep meaning. The ultimate goal is to consolidate the power of the old Zhu family and strengthen the imperial power.
However, Zhu Biao was still a little worried and couldn't help but ask:
"But Father, if those people delay their farming work, their whole family may starve to death."
Zhu Yuanzhang thought for a moment and said:
"At the worst, we can do the same as Li Jin and give each of them some subsidies."
"When the farming season comes, let them go back to work, so it won't delay too much."
"We can't take care of the rest. After all, the highway is the top priority right now."
Zhu Biao asked rhetorically:
"But hiring people requires a lot of money. Does our Ming Dynasty have so much money in the treasury?"
"Silver is something Hu Weiyong should consider."
Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand and directly dumped the blame on Hu Weiyong, saying:
"If Hu Weiyong can't even solve the money issue, then why do we need him?"
"Since he has the ability to take over this job, he has the ability to make money."
"Otherwise, it's better to go home and stay."
Zhu Biao was still worried and wanted to say something else, but a young eunuch came in and said:
"Reporting to the Emperor, Hu Weiyong, who is participating in the political affairs of Zhongshu Province, is seeking an audience."
When Zhu Yuanzhang heard this, he was happy and said to Zhu Biao:
"Did you hear that Cao Cao Cao Cao has arrived?"
"It seems that Hu Weiyong has come up with some good ideas."
"Go, let him in, we want to hear what he has to say."
