"Save two to three hundred..."
Liu Bian narrowed his eyes slightly, suddenly picked up the pen, and started checking the calculations on the paper.
While writing, he murmured to himself: "If we assume that a family of 1,200 has a population of 302,000 people, and each person uses 200 sheets of paper per year, regardless of the cost, it will be at least three times a year. Hundreds of millions, the family's population is too conservative, the price is slightly low, and the cost can be reduced..."
Cai Zheng looked a little frightened as he watched Liu Bian lower his head and write furiously.
He said he could save one or two hundred, not two or three hundred. In fact, he could not save at all!
He was worried that it would be too extravagant and would cause dissatisfaction to His Majesty the Emperor, so he deliberately lowered the cost.
Cai Yong stood not far away, vaguely seeing Liu Bian's strange characters, and felt a little dazed.
"Nine billion!"
Suddenly, Liu Bian slapped his pen, sat up straight, and shouted excitedly.
Cai Yong and Cai Zheng were both surprised. They didn't know what Liu Bian meant by "nine hundred million".
Liu Bian was so excited that he couldn't help but stand up and pace back and forth on the table.
The Han Dynasty's annual tax revenue was only 500 million to 600 million, but this piece of paper was as high as 900 million!
"What other monopoly business can be done?" Liu Bian's eyes were burning, and his thoughts were running wildly in his mind.
Dong Dong Dong Dong
When Liu Bian was excited, there was a burst of urgent footsteps outside.
Liu Bian turned around and saw Huangfu Song taking the lead, Yang Biao, Wang Yun, Xun You and others coming in one after another. They all looked solemn and raised their hands and said: "I will see your Majesty."
Liu Bian looked at them, slowly sat back, and said with a smile: "You are so rude, it seems something big has happened."
Just as Huangfusong was about to speak, he glanced at the unfamiliar Cai Zheng.
It was the first time for Cai Zheng to see such a big shot. He raised his hand in panic and said, "I'll leave you, little man."
"Wait outside." Liu argued.
Cai Zheng's hands trembled and he said, "Yes."
He stepped out with one foot, quickly retracted, raised his hands and bowed.
Tang Ji and Cai Wenji came in one after the other. Seeing the stunned ministers in the room, they were startled and said anxiously: "I, my concubine, please leave."
Liu Bian saw the silk and paper on the plate in her hand and said, "It's nothing important. Come in."
Tang Ji was always well-behaved and sensible. After hearing this, she came in quietly and placed the plate next to Liu Bian.
Cai Wenji was relatively calm. She bowed quietly and stood beside her father.
Huangfu Song couldn't care less, handed over a memorial, and said with a cold expression: "Your Majesty, the Black Mountain Army colluded with the traitors in Jizhou and destroyed Ye City."
Liu Bian's expression changed slightly, he opened the memorial and read ten lines at a glance.
Immediately, he looked at the court officials in front of him expressionlessly.
A group of people bowed together, not daring to say a word.
Yanzhou has not yet been settled, and the Jizhou administrative center has been occupied by rebels. This is undoubtedly a huge bad news for the imperial court.
Xun You lowered his head, his eyebrows twisted into the character "Chuan".
If Jizhou loses control, it will not only aggravate the chaos in Yanzhou, but most importantly, it will also directly affect the court's salt policy!
There are two most important salt-producing areas, one is Jizhou and the other is Yizhou. Yizhou was beyond the reach of the imperial court, so it focused on Jizhou.
Now, the destruction of Yecheng in Jizhou is equivalent to the direct abortion of the court's salt policy!
Liu Bian's eyes swept across the group of people calmly. He leaned back, closed his eyes, and pinched his eyebrows with his right hand.
After a while, Wang Yun looked solemn, raised his hand and said: "Your Majesty, I invite the Grand Sima to go out and pacify the two states of Ji and Yan!"
Zhong Yao looked solemn and said: "Your Majesty, I believe that the defeat of Jizhou was due to the king's unsteady footing and lack of understanding of the local evil spirits. It was due to his ability. Please send troops to support Yanzhou. Cao Cao reported three days ago that he has surrounded Yanzhou. If we live in Puyang, we will be defeated within five days. As soon as Puyang is defeated, Cao Cao can lead his army north, join forces with Yingshijun, conquer Yecheng, and wipe out the rebels!"
Wang Yun said with a sullen face: "Your Majesty, it is the cold winter, and there will be heavy snow at any time. Cao Cao was just surprised in Yanzhou, not because the rebels are not strong enough. I also ask Da Sima to go out and pacify the two states as soon as possible. We can't miss the spring plowing!"
As soon as Wang Yun finished speaking, Yang Biao, Huangfu Song, Xun You, Zhong Yao and others immediately changed their expressions. They glanced at him, and their expressions became more solemn.
Spring plowing represents summer taxes. Missing spring plowing means cutting off the imperial court's financial path. This must not be tolerated!
Especially at times like this!
Tang Ji and Cai Wenji didn't know much about government affairs. They seemed to understand, but they all looked at Liu Bian with his eyes closed.
Liu Bian was still rubbing his eyebrows, but his expression was calm.
Huangfu Song's Grand Sima Mansion has a complete set of plans to reform the military system, and they are busy without touching the ground. If they leave now, they will undoubtedly delay the reform indefinitely.
Huangfu Song thought again and again, raised his hand and said: "Your Majesty, please go to..."
"alright,"
Liu Bian opened his eyes and said, "The noise makes me have a headache."
When Yang Biao and others heard this, they all raised their hands and said, "I know you are guilty."
Liu Bian waved his hand and said, "Okay, it's just such a small thing, is there any need to make such a fuss?"
Yang Biao, Huangfu Song, Wang Yun and others were stunned and stared at Liu Bian, suspecting that their ears had heard wrongly.
The Black Mountain Army defeated the head of Jizhou County. Is this a small matter?
Liu Bian looked at them, smiled and said: "It seems that you really don't understand, so let me explain it to you."
The ministers were puzzled and bowed down to listen to the holy teachings.
Liu Bian pondered for a moment and said: "The Black Mountain Army is fundamentally different from the Yellow Turbans, Qiaomao and other rebels. The Yellow Turbans, Qiaomao and others threaten the safety of the country and shake the foundation of our country. . But the so-called Black Mountain Army is just a group of bandits. They don’t have too strong demands. This invasion of Jizhou seems to be an alliance with Qiao Mao and others, but their purpose is not to Qingjun, but to take advantage of the situation and plunder. Money and food. Therefore, unless the world changes drastically and the imperial court completely loses control in Jizhou, otherwise, the Black Mountain Army will withdraw to the deep mountains and old forests in ten and a half days at most, and will not stay in Jizhou for a long time."
When Yang Biao, Wang Yun, Huangfu Song and others listened, they were startled at first, and then became enlightened.
Wang Yun immediately raised his hand and said: "Your Majesty, even so, we should send troops to support and expel the Black Mountain Army from Jizhou as soon as possible!"
Liu Bian nodded and said: "The rebellion by Qiao Mao and others is a desperate move and is unpopular. The situation is so powerful that once the Yan and Jizhou clans react, they will definitely attack in groups. They cannot hold on for long. Cao Cao said that they will be defeated within five days. I can trust Puyang. As soon as Puyang is defeated, the Black Mountain Army will retreat. Therefore, you gentlemen do not need to worry too much."
Yang Biao's tense fat face relaxed slightly, he raised his hand and said: "Your Majesty, you are wise!"
Huangfu Song, Wang Yun, Xun You and others followed closely and said: "Your Majesty is wise!"
Cai Wenji looked at Liu Bian quietly, blinking slightly, with curiosity in her eyes.
Your Majesty could resolve such a serious matter with just a few words?
Xun You's expression remained focused and his eyebrows were furrowed.
The Black Mountain Army may not be a big threat, but once Yecheng is destroyed, Ying Shao will spend more time repairing Jizhou and will not be able to devote all his efforts to the salt policy.
The salt policy will still be postponed indefinitely!
The predicament of empty national treasury, instead of getting better, will become even more severe!
Zhong Yao also thought about it, with a serious look on his face, thinking hard.
Liu Bian took the tea cup from Pan Yin and said, "The imperial edict to change the Yuan Dynasty has been issued. Isn't there still no result from the Office of the Chancellor on tax reduction?"
Yang Biao's fat face trembled, he kept blinking, and said: "Your Majesty, the four prefectures of Bing, Qing, Yan, and Henan, Shangshutai believes that the tax reduction is too much, please think again."
Liu Bian took a sip of tea, without looking at them, and casually turned over the notebook and said, "Tell me the reason."
Yang Biao lowered his head, raised his eyelids, observed Liu Bian's emotions, and said cautiously: "Your Majesty, these four states account for more than 30% of the imperial tax. If it is further reduced, I am afraid that the national treasury will be even more empty." Tired."
Liu Bian flipped through the memorial casually and did not speak.
The current situation is that more than 70% of the population of the Han Dynasty is concentrated in the north, and the taxation is highest in Guanzhong and Guandong. The taxes of the four prefectures of Qing, Hebei, Yan, and Henan accounted for more than 30% of the Han Dynasty. As various places became alienated from the imperial court, the taxes of these three prefectures actually accounted for half of the national treasury!
Wang Yun, Xun You and others saw this and remained silent.
On this matter, Shangshutai had a rare unity of opinion and was implicitly antagonizing Liu Bian.
Liu Bian picked up his pen and began to review the memorial, saying, "If it is not reduced, can you collect it?"
Yang Biao's fat face tightened slightly, and he said with a smile: "After all, he can come up a little bit."
Liu Bian looked up at him and said, "These are not as good as the harvests from Yang Qing's several manors, right?"
Yang Biao's expression suddenly changed, and he quickly said: "My lord, I don't have a manor under my name. Your Majesty, please tell me clearly."
Liu Bian snorted lightly and said: "It will be announced tomorrow that Cai Qing's family will stay and everyone else can go."
Yang Biao's neck felt cold, he raised his hand and said, "I'm leaving."
Wang Yun was silent for a moment, as if he had nothing to do, and then raised his hand.
Xun You and Zhong Yao hesitated to speak, but left the study one after another.
Cai Yong was a little confused and didn't know why he stayed. He bowed and couldn't help but feel nervous.
As soon as Yang Biao and others left, Liu Bian's expression suddenly changed, he stood up with a smile on his face, walked towards the door and said: "Cai Qing's family, and Cai Zheng, I heard that he is a member of your tribe?"
Cai Yong was a little afraid of Liu Bian, so he smiled and said: "From the genealogy, it is like this."
Liu Bian nodded and left the study. Seeing Cai Zheng waiting not far away, he waved: "Come here!"
Cai Zheng trotted over, with fear written all over his face. He bowed and looked at Liu Bian with his face raised.
Liu Bian put his hands behind his back and said, "I want to ask you, how much of this kind of paper can you make in a month?"
Cai Zheng looked at Liu Bian, fearful in his heart, and subconsciously looked at Cai Yong.
Cai Yong's face was stern and he said: "How presumptuous! Your Majesty asks you questions, answer them honestly!"
"Your Majesty, eight hundred." Cai Zheng blurted out in excitement.
Liu Bian frowned and said, "Can there be more?"
Cai Zheng looked at Liu Bian eagerly and said cautiously: "Your Majesty, how much more is it?"
Liu Bian touched his chin, calculated, and said, "Let's start with one million."
Cai Zheng's legs were so frightened that he stammered, "Your Majesty, this little man can't do this..."
Liu Bian glanced at him and said: "Change the materials and the craftsmanship can be a little worse. It is not for my use."
The corners of Cai Zheng's mouth moved. He was so scared that he still didn't dare to speak.
He had heard that His Majesty was very fond of paper, so he tried his best to imitate Cai Lun in currying favor with Empress Dowager Deng to please Liu Bian, in order to achieve great success.
Unexpectedly, the majesty in front of me actually wants one million tickets a month!
You can't even peel off his skin and bones!
Seeing that he was silent, Liu Bian turned to look at Cai Yong and said: "Cai Qing's family, I see that the Imperial College, the Hongdu School, and officials at all levels cannot afford silk, and their studies and official duties are hindered. Thinking that paper is cheap , it can not only encourage people in the world to learn, but also save a lot of burdens, what do the Qing family think?"
"Your Majesty, Holy Might!"
Cai Yong answered without hesitation and said: "Your Majesty is kind-hearted, and all the Han subjects feel the same way."
Liu Bian hummed and said, "In that case, the Qing family, in their capacity as Taichang, ordered the students to abandon the paper and use silk instead. By the way, what is the name of this paper?"
Cai Zheng met Liu Bian's gaze, opening and closing his mouth but making no sound.
Cai Yong looked thoughtful and said: "Your Majesty, this paper reflects your Majesty's care for the scholars and his care for the people of the world. Please call it the 'Shihou Paper'."
Cai Zheng was stunned. What Shi Hou is, isn't it Cai Hou?
Liu Bian's brows jumped, and he looked at Cai Yong meaningfully and said: "The Qing family is knowledgeable and talented, and it is a role model for scholars. It is commendable that they are neither friends nor party members, and are loyal to state affairs. From now on, I will add the Qing family to serve as ministers and discuss government affairs. "
Cai Yong was shocked, surprised and happy. He raised his hand hurriedly and said: "I accept the order and thank you!"
Pan Yin was standing aside, witnessing all this, and he was really impressed by Master Cai!
The so-called "Marquis of Shi" is that after the birth of Liu Bian, the late emperor was worried that he would not be able to support him, so he specially fostered Liu Bian in the home of a Taoist named Shi outside the palace. Because it was foster care, and Liu Bian's status was too special, he was called There was some trouble, so the smart people gave him the title "Shihou".
In other words, 'Shihou' refers to Liu Bian.
This flattering Cai Yong was so well photographed!
Liu Bian glanced at Pan Yin and continued with Cai Yong: "Students of Hongdu sect are exempted from pen, ink, paper and inkstone. Imperial students, abandon silk and silk and use Shihou paper. In addition, the imperial court's correspondence, memorials, etc. Wait, we have to use paper instead.”
Cai Yong understood the idea and said, "I understand."
Liu Bian put his hands behind his back and said: "This paper mill is located in Taichang. Da Changqiu is responsible for the financing and materials, Taichang is supervising and Cai Zheng is running it. This year, the tentative number is one million. Do you think it is enough for the Qing family?" ?”
Cai Yong just made a calculation in his mind and said: "I think it is not enough, at least more than 10 million."
Cai Zheng's face looked like he was crying and smiling, his legs were shaking and he was about to urinate.
The kind of paper he made was only used for tribute and could not be mass-produced!
Ten million?
Liu Bian shook his head secretly. With the promotion of monopoly policies, the demand for 'Shi Hou Paper' will increase exponentially. He even feels that an income of four to five billion a year is small!
However, it still takes time.
"good,"
Liu Bian smiled and patted Cai Yong on the shoulder and said, "Leave this matter to the Qing family and do it quickly."
Cai Yong raised his hand seriously and said: "I accept the order."
Liu Bian nodded and settled the matter. He felt very relaxed. He turned back to the study and said, "Cao Cao and Ding Yuan have received the letter. Come and report it immediately."
"Yes." Pan Yin responded, following closely behind.
As soon as Liu Bian entered the door, he found Cai Wenji standing not far away, looking at him quietly.
When Cai Wenji saw Liu Bian coming in, she bowed lightly and said in a clear and soft voice: "I heard from Empress Tang that Your Majesty has a book about the travels of ghosts and gods, which is very interesting. I would like to borrow it to read."
Tang Ji stood aside handsomely, looking at Liu Bian expectantly.
Liu Bian's eyes subconsciously looked at the veil above Cai Wenji's lips, which had a light lip mark.
He raised his eyebrows, walked to the desk calmly, pulled out the "Traveler of Ghosts and Gods" that he had written in his spare time, handed it to Cai Wenji, and said with a smile: "The story of a madman fighting monsters."
Cai Wenji noticed Liu Bian's gaze just now, her cheeks were slightly red, and she took it and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty."
Liu Bian waved his hand and sat back in his chair.
The two women saluted and slowly left the study.
At this time, outside the Jingfu Hall, Cai Zheng said with a bitter face: "Uncle Shi, where can I make these million..."
Before he could finish speaking, Cai Yong glared and said, "Stop talking nonsense, you dare to disobey His Majesty's will!"
Cai Zheng wanted to cry but couldn't. He regretted it so much that he wouldn't have come if he had known it.
Cai Yong ignored him and kept calculating his connections and how many pieces of paper he could sell.
Asking for a monthly ticket~~
(End of chapter)
