For Gu Zuo, he felt that the most amazing thing about the emperor's reform ideas was the combined payment method. The choice between true and false payments returned to the court.
If the salt merchants are now asked to pay all the grain, the salt merchants will take advantage and the court will suffer losses due to insufficient grain prices. If all the silver is paid, the merchant villages will never prosper as before.
Nowadays, the two methods are combined. In wartime, more food is required, and in peacetime, more silver is required. The changes can be flexibly based on actual needs. From this point of view alone, it is quite good.
However, Mr. Li Ge has been in the court for many years and has rich experience. What he said is not wrong.
After returning home, Gu Zuo couldn't sleep. He kept planning all aspects of the salt method in his mind, so much so that he bumped into someone while walking on the road the next day.
In the evening, the housekeeper handed over a post saying that someone was visiting the house. When he opened it, he saw a familiar name.
The person coming was none other than Mei Kejia.
After the legalization of Kaihai, his identity was also legalized, so he has been doing a lot of activities in the capital recently. As the boss of Meiji, there is an important official he has to deal with, which is Shaofu Ling.
The Shaofu currently has jurisdiction over some silk merchants and cloth merchants in Hangzhou, and has also begun to engage in grain merchant business. It is an organization with the same purpose as Meiji.
】
Moreover, they are both in Hangzhou, and some of the workshops and shops under their respective jurisdictions have business relationships. They are also ministers of the Ministry of Household Affairs, so they cannot be ignored no matter what. It was Gu Shilang's business whether to see him or not, and whether to go or not was his own business.
It's already starting to get warmer in the capital in February. Several peach trees in the courtyard have sprouted buds. The breeze is gentle and slightly cool, which feels good.
Gu Zuo still formally received him.
A few days ago, the emperor brought this man's two daughters into the palace. To be honest, these are the father-in-law of the country.
Gu Zuo then thought of Zhang Mao, the imperial envoy to the capital, whom he had met this morning when he went to court this morning. The old man now had high prestige in the court because the emperor listened to his advice and went to the palace to pick up the girl.
In the final analysis, because the Holy Spirit is too diligent in his work, it is said that he has not summoned anyone to attend his bed, so the officials are somewhat worried about whether there will be any problems here.
Now that the matter has finally come to an end, Zhang Mao can be considered a great achievement. Faintly, some people felt that his status was approaching that of Jiu Qing.
Because Zhang Fuhua, the current censor of Zuodu, is not favored, he will definitely give up his position soon.
Anyway, these are the most gossips in Beijing, which are just about who has been promoted and who has been favored. Personnel appointments stir people's hearts.
In the house,
When Gu Zuozhen saw Mei Kejia, he was suddenly a little surprised, because Mei Kejia was still wearing linen, not silk.
In fact, regardless of whether it was a sixth-grade title or a title as the head of the state, Mei Kejia had no problem wearing silk and satin. I don’t know what will happen to the relatives during the Zhengde period... If during the Hongzhi period, let alone wearing silk and satin, they might be granted the title of marquis or duke.
Mei Kejia's answer to this was: "I'm used to it. I've been wearing coarse linen clothes for most of my life, but if I suddenly wear silk and satin, I feel awkward."
"Mei Gong has a rich family, but it is unexpected that he can be so frugal. In comparison, we are all ashamed."
Mei Kejia felt that the Mei family's role in the capital had always been very subtle. Over the years, everyone knew that his family was very wealthy. Now he is related to the emperor again.
A businessman also suddenly became an official.
Any of these are things that can easily arouse jealousy.
If the small Mei Mansion becomes a certain kind of focus, this is actually very dangerous among the capital. After all, they still have a shallow foundation. What if they are too public and cause trouble?
As for the emperor’s favor,
Mei Kejia is not a child. He has seen many ups and downs in the past and present. Today, I am a wise king again. Once I cross the line, my own people like Wei Bin will also be killed.
"Young Situ, after the imperial court opens the sea, Mei Ji plans to ship a batch of silk and porcelain to sea in the spring of this year. We are currently preparing the ships and inventorying the goods. Young Situ is in charge of the Shaofu Order. If necessary, we can take Mei Ji's ship to sea. .”
Government business is never like real business. In the final analysis, Mei Kejia is so friendly because he is the Minister of Household Affairs.
"That's fine. It's just that I don't know how much silk can be produced in workshops across Zhejiang this year. I've ordered them to make statistics in the past few days and inform Mr. Mei as soon as possible after getting the results. By the way, Your Majesty also ordered me to set up a shipbuilding company. As for the factory, Mr. Mei seems to be following orders, but I wonder how the factory is doing? Are there enough shipbuilders?"
Mei Kejia had been working in shopping malls in his early years and had a lot of dealings with officials. He didn't understand when he heard this, "The lower official side is fine. If Young Situ needs it, Mei Ji can hire two hundred craftsmen." "
Gu Zuo was overjoyed, "Seriously? That's great! In the past few months, there have been too many people buying boats, but not enough people building boats!"
Mei Kejia smiled slightly and said, "Your Majesty must have some talents. Mei Ji started to write about the shipyard early. He must have expected this day to happen."
"What does Mr. Mei think of His Majesty's talent in managing affairs?" Gu Zuo was currently deeply involved in economics.
Because Zhu Houzhao actually revealed some economic ideas of later generations in his daily life.
For example, the Shaofu ordered the people to take it from the people, use it for the people, and let him supervise the construction of the city that never sleeps.
The emperor was not a miser, but he found ways to spend money, but it was obvious that the emperor hated spending money without any benefit.
Even like Futao, Futao focuses on the fertile land and pasture south of Yinshan Mountain.
Mei Kejia was a businessman. Compared with those officials in the court who considered personnel and politics, Gu Zuo might still be more willing to communicate with him.
On the one hand, this is interest, on the other hand, he also has selfish motives in it.
Because he discovered that few officials were aware of the things hidden here, and the more proficient he was, the more he would be relied upon by the emperor as a loyal minister.
He himself is not a good official, but now he has found another way, and of course he has plunged into it.
Mei Kejia didn't think much about it and just used his instinct as a businessman to do things for the emperor. "It seems to me that His Majesty often has shocking words about gold and silver. Now after several years, if you want to understand... ...The lower official will feel that the word 'making a living' is the most critical."
Gu Zuo's heart welled up with joy, which coincided with his feelings, but he did not say anything immediately, but continued to ask: "How can you see it?"
Mei Kejia did not think anything else and said: "Wang Butang, the governor of Zhejiang and Fujian, sent a memorial to the court, saying that after the opening of the sea, there will be an accumulation of personnel in the shipping departments in the three coastal areas, so he applied for allocating money to build the city. His Majesty agreed. , His Majesty said that in this way, people with poor livelihoods can be employed; in fact, the same is true for opening up the sea. His Majesty believes that there are many mountains in Zhejiang and Fujian, so it is necessary to open up the sea to provide other livelihoods for the people, so that as many people as possible can find a way to survive, farming. , work, no matter how you earn enough food, that’s fine.”
These words touched Gu Zuo's heart, and he couldn't help but bow his hands, "People in the court say that I am good at predicting the fortunes and can best understand the holy will. I didn't expect that meeting Mei Gong today would feel like meeting a close friend. In the past, I felt this way, but as Mr. Mei said so clearly, I didn’t."
"Young Situ is so humble. Who in the world doesn't know that His Majesty advocates practicality. Young Situ is your Majesty's most admired minister."
"I won't mention that. By the way, Mr. Mei, do you know any salt merchants?"
"Salt merchant?" Mei Kejia was surprised, but nodded, "I'm not familiar with him, but there are some I can talk to."
"This is also what I have been thinking about recently... the salt merchants are trapped in the Shouzhi, and the salt law of the court is in bad condition. So if the salt field can be auctioned to the salt merchants, wouldn't the problem of Shouzhi disappear?"
Of course Gu Zuo would not say that it was the result of discussions between him and the emperor.
The matter has not yet been decided. How can the words between the emperor and the emperor be revealed so easily?
But he also wanted to discuss it with Mei Kejia, so he said it was just his imagination. There was no problem in that. Because a person who can wear silk and continue to wear cloth would not be careless enough to say anything about the salt law of the Minister of Tobe.
One detail is enough to understand a person.
After hearing this, Mei Kejia's brows began to tighten, and his eyes were full of contemplation. He first asked tentatively: "The salt industry has been a government monopoly since ancient times. Although the lower official does not understand what auction is, is there something wrong with selling it?" adventure?"
"I'm just thinking about it. If the method is feasible, I'll go find your Majesty again. If it's not possible, I won't tell you what I'm saying, so just listen to it."
After hearing this, Mei Kejia still didn't let down his guard at all, and continued to talk to Xini: "Please make it clear, Young Master."
So Gu Zuo told him all about the meaning of auction and the relationship between property rights and management rights.
After listening to this, Mei Kejia was deeply shocked. He thought to himself, everyone said that Gu Liqing was the emperor's next appointment as the Minister of Household Affairs and a candidate for future cabinet ministers. However, at first he seemed younger than himself. How much? Still a little unconvinced.
Now that he heard that this person could creatively come up with the concept of separating property rights and management rights, he suddenly felt that he had been wrong in the past. This person's talent for teaching can definitely be the best in the court.
"Mr. Mei, I wonder if you think this change to the Salt Law is better or worse?"
What the Minister of Household Affairs said was very profound. Mei Kejia could naturally tell whether it was sincere or not, so he thought about it carefully and thought for a while before replying: "Young Master, could you please first ask me why? Change it like this?"
"The Salt Law is broken, so we need to change it."
Mei Kejia pursed her lips tightly, "Not to mention how loud the opposition voices from the DPRK and China are. Just by making this change, the salt merchants will turn into a salt gang."
Gu Zuo was stunned, "Can you see me?"
"The salt industry has been hugely profitable since ancient times, and those who benefit from it can easily amass huge fortunes. And the setting of the management rights period requires salt merchants to give up their cash cows. Who would be willing to do this?"
"Mei Gong means that they will interfere with it."
"It's not just about obstructing others. It's about using all methods to prevent others from robbing its own salt fields. It will even resort to force when necessary. In this way, one businessman and one gang will fight each other for a long time."
Gu Zuo nodded seriously.
The key point here is simple. To put it bluntly, businessmen will become gangs.
To put it to the extreme, even if someone else auctions it to the salt farm, some evil people will find a way to prevent you from making any money. As time goes by, the salt merchants will gradually be reduced to a few companies through fighting and elimination, and these companies must be powerful and wealthy enough to rival the country.
It's a bit like the underworld, and salt is like poison. It's because the benefits here are so great that it's not just a piece of paper that says you all should follow the rules, then others will follow the rules.
Gu Zuo silently wrote it down.
Then he asked: "Is there anything else?"
"Also, after the imperial court was no longer responsible for the production of the salt field, but only received a fixed income from the auction of the salt field, many salt administration officials were no longer needed. The Ming Dynasty had six salt transportation departments, seven salt class promotion departments, and There are nearly 200 salt administration departments set up in various salt fields. In addition, there are varying numbers of salt inspection offices and inspection departments. Of course, we cannot forget the salt inspection censors in the court. A rough calculation may not be enough. There are more than a thousand officials, where are these people going?”
In Mei Kejia's view, this is the biggest obstacle to so-called reform.
These thousand people are not just ordinary people. They are all officials of the imperial court. The salt transport envoys of the Salt Transport Department are senior officials of the third rank.
Zhu Yuanzhang was harsh on civil servants. The second-grade official was almost the limit of civil servants, and the third-grade official was not small.
The key point is that these more than a thousand people also have relatives and friends, so a few thousand people may oppose such reforms.
Of course Gu Zuo understood, "But if we don't change it like this, and the imperial court investigates the reasons for guarding the branch, and the nobles and vassals from all over the world ask for the actual use of the salt, things will become more complicated."
"What the official means is that if the whereabouts of these people can be arranged, it is not impossible to change them in this way."
Gu Zuo thought to himself that they were all a bunch of corrupt officials and the emperor probably wouldn't arrange it.
In fact, the emperor was eager to get rid of these people.
Otherwise, this would not be regarded as an important advantage of such a reform.
Thinking about it further, if these people really wanted to investigate carefully, they might even commit a few more big corruption cases based on the emperor's character.
"There is no place to go. Mr. Mei, the imperial court has accomplished such a difficult thing as opening the sea. It's just a few officials. They can't threaten the current emperor."
Mei Kejia thought about it, this is true, but I'm afraid it won't go so smoothly.
He is a businessman, and he knows how these people who talk about benevolence, justice, and morality will react once they don't get any money.
"...Young Situ, in fact, Meiji and Shaofu Ling have already set the precedent. Why didn't you think of setting up a royal salt merchant by the imperial court?"
Gu Zuoxin said that I thought so too,
But the emperor was right, that would soon lead to a proliferation of illegal activities. Because of the insurmountable inefficiency of 'state-owned enterprises', it will definitely lead to official salt with high quality difference and high price.
“Only by minimizing the involvement of officials can corruption be reduced to the greatest extent.”
Mei Kejia did not expect an official to say such words himself, and he felt a sense of respect in his heart, "The country is fortunate to have a loyal minister as young as Situ."
…
…
"Salt Gang?"
In the Qianqing Palace, Gu Zuo knelt down in front of Zhu Houzhao, describing the flaw that Mei Kejia mentioned.
The emperor pondered slightly. He was not a god, and of course he would not take all aspects into consideration, so he actually thought about it seriously when he heard this word.
"In this way, the court's auction ended up being just a formality, and the ownership of the salt farm ultimately depends on the outcome of the so-called battle between the various salt gangs."
Gu Zuo nodded, "That's right. Even if the Salt Gang is combined with officials from the Central Government, once the power really grows, the Imperial Court will sell the salt field to others, and this person may not dare to take it."
"If you are afraid that salt merchants will grow bigger, you can set an upper limit. For example, the same salt merchant cannot operate more than a certain number of salt farms at the same time. The specific number will be drawn up in due course."
"I am only afraid that there will be collusion between officials and businessmen, and the terms set by the imperial court will be regarded as nothing."
"Isn't this an obvious crime?"
Gu Zuo's heart was shocked, this moment was actually called the emperor's mind.
In Zhu Houzhao's view, this is similar to cutting leeks. I mark a height, oh, you have grown over, okay, then I will cut you.
Zhu Houzhao paced back and forth in the hall with his hands behind his back, "The Salt Gang will not be a problem when I am still here. I am afraid that future generations will be weak and incompetent and it will be difficult to control it."
This is the truth.
As long as he is here, he can't wait to join his five wealthy salt gangs like Shen Wansan.
You reserve money, I reserve troops.
You can find the criminal facts at will, and if you find them, your home will be ransacked. Once you search, you will be punished for three years.
Setting an upper limit is actually for the consideration of future generations. If this doesn't work. To be honest, it means that the emperors of later generations are not good enough, and people are not good enough. What rules are set by the ancestors and how can you keep the country well?
Gu Zuo thought about it carefully and found that although the emperor's method was a bit harsh, it should still be feasible. If there were really salt merchants who were trying to become bigger, then the court could also recruit people according to this provision.
"Your Majesty, I still want to go to Yangzhou."
Today's salt production in the Ming Dynasty is about 3 million salt production every year, of which 700,000 are from Yangzhou. Gu Zuo made this request, which in Zhu Houzhao's view meant "going deep into the grassroots" for investigation.
The so-called practical officials are probably like this.
"Accurate."
At present, the price of salt during the Hongzhi and Zhengde years is about 4 to 5 taels, which is between 0.4 taels and 0.5 taels.
But this was the price that the salt merchants got from the court. After they paid for the salt, they sold it to the water merchants at what price, and at what price the water merchants sold it to thousands of people.
You have to understand this carefully to know.
Zhu Houzhao is not a scholar who specializes in Ming history.
He can remember big historical events pretty well, but how does he know how much money people spend on buying salt?
Therefore, we can also see the importance of Gu Zuo's trip.
Because only by mastering the actual price can we set an auction price for salt. Otherwise, it’s just playing the piano randomly.
However, according to Zhu Houzhao's own estimation, the price space in between is definitely not small. Because the merchants in the salt business are very rich, there is always a reason for their wealth.
There were about 200 salt fields in the Ming Dynasty, and each auction could fetch an average of 100,000 taels. So if 40 were auctioned a year, that would be 4 million taels.
Ming Dynasty's salt tax revenue is basically stable between 1 million and 3 million taels. 3 million taels is very rare, and most of them are more than 2 million taels. Therefore, while nearly doubling the growth, it also got rid of a large number of corrupt officials. This matter is The basis for continuing.
As for what Gu Zuo said about the opposition of thousands of officials, Zhu Houzhao also had such psychological preparation.
But since Gu Zuo is going to Yangzhou, there is no need to rush this matter.
Moreover, Yang Yiqing is also going to Beijing. The most important thing for the court at this time is how to set the goals for the first year of Zhengde.
In addition to Yang Yiqing, Zhou Shangwen also went to Beijing according to the order.
Zhu Houzhao felt that since it was a big discussion in the court, the generals should also have a voice.
In fact, there have been more and more people in Beijing recently, and officials from all over the country have the duty to go to Beijing to discuss political affairs.
Mao Yuwen, Wang Hao, Wang Shouren, etc. all returned to the capital one after another.
In the midst of this, Feng Xi, the chief envoy of Fujian Province, reported another unexpected event to Wang Shouren. It made Zhu Houzhao wonder if this person had any magical abilities.
The reason for the matter is not complicated. After the opening of the sea last year, at the beginning of the first year of Zhengde, the silent majority in various places who previously supported the opening of the sea began to exert their efforts. For example, Zhejiang Youmeiji and several big businessmen attached to Meiji prepared to jointly go to sea.
What about Fujian?
Fujian, under the leadership of Wang Shouren, carried out another wave of tricks.
The saying that there are many mountain bandits in hilly areas is indeed true, but Wang Shouren probably gained his reputation by suppressing bandits. Ever since he wiped out a group of bandits in Fobao Mountain,
His name spread among the mountain villages in Fujian, so much so that wherever he announced that he was going to suppress bandits, the people in that place automatically surrendered!
Of course, this is inseparable from the fact that he treats these bandits kindly. In his opinion, bandits come from ordinary people's homes.
On this basis, Wang Shouren united with the leaders of a group of bandits. Those who were willing to go to sea also worked step by step according to their original customary 'organizational relationships', and they started doing their old job!
It turns out that bandits are an armed force that robs property on the road. Now they are going to sea!
Wang Shouren then suggested to Fengxi that he felt that after the opening of the sea, the cargo ships of the Ming Dynasty would definitely travel everywhere on the sea. At this time, Japanese pirates would be a threat, so he made a bold suggestion, that is, to formally recruit these bandits and allow them to The purpose of maritime operations is of course not to rob goods, but to fight against Japanese pirates and protect Ming Dynasty’s merchant ships!
Of course, this requires funds. Wang Shouren did not ask the court to spend much money. First, he proposed that the court exempt these people from the huge fee for admission to the Shipping Department. Secondly, he hoped that the court would allow them. It also engages in maritime trade and provides certain tax exemptions and exemptions.
Fengxi felt that this matter was important, so he sent a memorial to the capital without hesitation.
How could Zhu Houzhao not be surprised after seeing it?
What kind of trick does Wang Shouren have? Just bring out a maritime force for him when he joins politics, right? He's not a big official yet. If he really wants to be given power, he has to dominate Nanyang.
This matter was not a small matter, Zhu Houzhao had to think about it carefully. Logically speaking, there was nothing wrong with sending a group of domestic desperadoes to the sea to torture the Japanese pirates.
Armed forces may be involved, so this matter must be done with caution.
From the perspective of a local official, Wang Shouren hoped that the court would agree to his suggestions as much as possible, so he tried his best not to let the court spend money.
But as the emperor, Zhu Houzhao knew that some money could not be saved, and he had to pay even if he had to tighten his belt. These people really go out to the sea to run wild. They won't take your money or carry your bowl. When you want to use it, will they recognize you?
Zhu Houzhao fell into deep thought according to a written imperial edict, which contained Wang Shouren's order. He had been thinking about it for many days. But after seeing Fengxi's memorial, he thought twice and called the thing to Liu Jin, "Put it away first and take it back when needed in the future."
"My slave obeys the order."
Zhu Houzhao stepped out of the Qianqing Palace, holding on to the white jade railings and blowing the spring breeze in February. He suddenly figured out a question. The northwest did not need Wang Shouren because of Yang Yiqing, and a certain province in the Ming Dynasty did not need Wang Shouren. They would have made do with it.
But Southeast needed it. If this memorial was accurate, Wang Shouren would not be able to leave, because he had conquered many people. Moreover, the sea is different from that on land, and new situations must require a flexible mind to deal with them.
"Xuan Wang Shouren enters the palace."
"yes!"
