I have a lot of money. Can you help me spend some?
Listening to Chongzhen's words, Zhou Yuji and others' mouths twitched, but they could not refute.
They participated in the handling of the Eight Locust Merchants and the Jin Palace, so they naturally knew how much property had been confiscated.
However, the eight major locust merchants all have 26 million taels of silver in cash. Adding in the money obtained by the Xuanfu, the total is more than 30 million taels.
Considering that the national treasury receives more than 4 million taels of cash from taxes every year, this is really a lot.
Wang Zheng, who was still thinking, heard Chongzhen's words, and his eyes were full of doubts. Is this the same His Majesty who just had such fantastic ideas, like an idiot talking about a dream?
How could you say such irritating words?
But to be honest, he was a little moved.
He was the top three Jinshi in the second year of Tianqi. He was fifty-two years old at the time and is now fifty-seven years old. Ding You will be almost sixty years old after his term is over.
So what if he is reinstated to his original position? He is just a sixth-grade official who wants to benefit the people, and his influence is really limited.
If he made all the instruments in the books he wrote, improved them, and then promoted them throughout the Ming Dynasty, the benefits would be to all the people of the Ming Dynasty.
"Wang Aiqing, imagine if one day you see the equipment you have developed on the streets, in the fields, and in people's homes, will you be filled with pride?"
"I don't know if you will have it, but I will!"
There was silence in the nave, and everyone's eyes were full of longing.
Wang Zheng was silent for a while and said in a deep voice: "Your Majesty, I have two concerns."
Without waiting for Chongzhen's response, Wang Zheng continued: "First, there are powerful enemies outside the country such as the Jiannu and Mongolian tribes, and there are maritime countries in the southeast who are coveting them.
Internal rot... rot, in this case, shouldn't we focus on fighting the outside and reassuring the inside? "
"Secondly, researching this thing may not produce results in a while, or even in three or five years, but it will cost countless money.
If there is no result in the end, then the money will be wasted. Can Your Majesty support it for one year, two years, or ten years? "
After listening to these two questions, Chongzhen glanced around the people in the nave: "You must all have this doubt!"
"For the first question, I can't give you an accurate answer. Even though I have made so many efforts, everything in the future is unknown, but we cannot give up on the present just because of the unknown.
If we say that in the next few years or ten years, we have eliminated foreign enemies and started research when the world has become clear, will we have wasted these years?
To put it bluntly, even if something went wrong in the Ming Dynasty, we would still have hundreds of millions of Han compatriots.
They are still the ones benefiting, so what does it matter? "
"As for the second question, if there are no results, that's for sure.
Nothing is 100% guaranteed, otherwise firearms would not have made such little progress after more than two hundred years.
But in the process of research, we will find a lot of useful things, which may be used in other devices.
And it has also cultivated countless craftsmen with research capabilities. They can make a living from this and study other things. This is enough.
Any technology can make progress if it is studied. If it is not studied, there is no possibility of progress.
As for how many years it can last, this is a question of economics. I can’t explain it to you now.
But I can guarantee that as long as I am here, I will always support you. "
"Are you satisfied with this answer?"
satisfied? No one knows.
But they were all shocked by Chongzhen's words.
Even if the Ming Dynasty is destroyed, the researched things will still benefit the Han people and the common people. What a big picture and big mind.
"Complaining too much can prevent heartbreak. People should take a broad view of the environment."
Chongzhen held the tea cup, took a sip of tea, and said slowly.
"Okay, I've said everything that needs to be said, the decision is in your hands.
If you don't want to, I won't blame you. After all, everyone has their own ambitions. If you figure it out,
If you want to do something, come to Xi'an Mansion to find me. I will stay in Xi'an Mansion for a few days! "
"Even if I don't come, I will still find someone to do this kind of great work that benefits the people!"
"gone!"
Chongzhen put down his tea cup and walked towards the door very casually.
"Your Majesty, please stay and have a meal, please..."
"No, if you go out, we have plenty of time to get together. If you don't go out, there's no point in eating this meal!"
Zhou Yuji, Cao Bianjiao and others looked at each other and immediately followed.
Du Yinxi looked at Wang Zheng and whispered: "Master Wang, your Majesty is really thirsty for talents and is concerned about the suffering of the people.
This junior has followed His Majesty all the way. His Majesty’s mind, style, and courage have deeply impressed this junior.
The younger generation firmly believes that given your majesty ten years, the Ming Dynasty will surely return to its peak, and all nations will come to court.
I know you have your difficulties, but please consider it carefully. I say goodbye, junior! "
After Du Yinxi finished speaking, he bowed to Wang Zheng and then turned and left.
Looking at the people disappearing, Wang Zheng sighed, his eyes a little wandering.
But this dissociation didn't last long, and he was awakened by several voices. When he turned around, he found that it was his eldest brother Wang Hui and his younger brother Wang Che.
"Brother, why did Your Majesty just leave?"
"Brother, why is Your Majesty here here?"
Facing the questions from the two brothers, Wang Zheng sighed, told Chongzhen's purpose of coming here, and described the entire conversation.
The two of them were also shocked by Chongzhen's words. The young new emperor would have such outstanding and far-sighted insights.
"Brother, you are confused!"
Suddenly, Wang Hui shouted, startling Wang Zheng and Wang Che.
"Brother, the "Book of Filial Piety" says: Parents who do not dare to harm the body, hair and skin are the beginning of filial piety.
Establishing oneself and practicing the Way, making one's name known to future generations, to show one's parents, is the ultimate form of filial piety.
Filial piety to a husband begins with serving relatives, ends with serving the king, and ends with establishing oneself! "
"No matter from what aspect, you should agree. Our Jingyang Wang family may no longer exist in tens or hundreds of years.
But these studies of yours will definitely be passed down to future generations and benefit the people. This is a great achievement. Alas, you are confused..."
"Eldest brother, the second brother is right. We know the difficulties you are facing now. Your stepmother Ding You has not yet finished her term, and your father has only passed away for half a year. We can understand that you want to keep your filial piety.
But since ancient times, loyalty and filial piety cannot have both ends. My second brother and I are enough to take our place in your place. If there is a way, filial piety is the first priority. When it comes to heart, regardless of deeds, it is enough if you have this heart.
Besides, if you work for the benefit of the people of the world, your father will not blame you even if he is under the influence of Jiuquan! "
"You love these instruments. If you can't take advantage of these opportunities to study and pass them on, won't you regret it when you are old and unable to move?"
"You guys, hey...let me think about it!"
Wang Zheng became even more entangled by the words of his two brothers, and turned around and entered the study.
Wang Hui and Wang Che looked at each other and saw the helplessness in their hearts.
The two of them looked at the team that was about to disappear, and wanted to rush forward, talk to Chongzhen, and ask his majesty to give their eldest brother another chance.
It's a pity that they dare not and cannot. If they boast about Haikou and the eldest brother disagrees, it will be the crime of deceiving the emperor.
They could only watch the emperor's team slowly disappear from sight.
On the other side, Cao Bianjiao finally couldn't bear it anymore and said in a low voice: "Your Majesty, are we leaving like this? No more persuasion? It would be a pity for such a talent not to serve in the official service."
