About me?
As soon as these words came out, Zhang Weixian was stunned for a moment, and then immediately said: "Your Majesty, please tell me!"
"My purpose in sending you to Shanhaiguan is to keep an eye on the Liaoxi Army and the Jiannu. Now that the Jiannu have been destroyed, the Liaoxi Army has been split up, and Liaodong has returned to the Ming Dynasty, then there is no need to guard Shanhaiguan.
There is no point for you to stay here any longer. You have been away from Beijing for nearly three years, and it is time to return to Beijing. I still have many things that I need you to help me with! "
"Your Majesty, I have a different opinion!"
Zhang Weixian shook his head and thought for a few breaths: "Your Majesty, although Jiannu has been destroyed, Liaodong has returned to the Ming Dynasty, and North Korea has also been included in the territory of the Ming Dynasty.
But Chen believes that Shanhaiguan not only cannot relax, but must be more strictly controlled.
The first is to prepare for war. Although the world is safe, if you forget to fight, you will be in danger.
Shanhaiguan is the first pass in the world. It connects Liaodong and North Korea, and even Rakshasa, Mongolia, Fusang and other countries in the future, so it must be taken seriously.
Secondly, I rashly speculate that Your Majesty will definitely pay attention to business in the future. When Liaodong and North Korea enter the Ming Dynasty, and the Ming caravans leave from here, this is a checkpoint.
As long as the system is set up well, this place will become an endless gold mine for the Ming Dynasty.
Although I am not talented, I think I still have some abilities and can help Your Majesty keep this place in check.
As a minister, no force would dare to reach out here.
Thirdly, since the founding of the country by Taizu, the duty of the nobles has been to guard various places in the Ming Dynasty and to practice together with the country. Now there are not many nobles in the Ming Dynasty. Shanhaiguan is so important, and I should guard it here;
Fourthly, I have been here for three years and am almost used to it, but I am not used to it when I return to the capital.
The last and most important point is that I, the British public, have never participated in party struggles since the founding of the country by Taizu. I am only loyal to the emperor and stay away from the capital so that I can live alone. "
"You are honest!"
Chongzhen chuckled lightly, his eyes flashing.
It has to be said that Zhang Weixian was able to survive the most severe party struggle in the Ming Dynasty, which is enough to prove his ability and vision.
Of the five items mentioned by the British Prime Minister, only the second item, taxation, is the issue he is most concerned about.
The Northeast is a forested area, rich in furs, medicinal materials, mountain products and other local specialties. These things are hot commodities in the Ming Dynasty, and Shanhaiguan is the only way to enter the customs.
As long as this place is guarded, business taxes will continue to flow.
Secondly, if he remembers correctly, the Liaodong region’s grain production accounted for about 20% of the country’s grain production in later generations, making it a veritable granary.
It's just untapped now, but it has great potential and must be watched closely.
In fact, there is one thing Zhang Weixian did not say. The power of the Ming Dynasty has become extremely concentrated, especially in the capital. If the emperor wants to do something, there is nothing he can't do.
It is better to hold the military power here. Whether the enemy attacks or the Ming Dynasty retreats one day, here you can advance and attack, retreat and defend. The emperor must rely on it.
In this way, the British public line can continue forever.
Yuan Keli took a deep look at Zhang Weixian, and then said in a low voice: "Your Majesty, I am justified in speaking for the British public!"
"Since both of you agree, then the British Lord will continue to guard Shanhaiguan!"
After Chongzhen finished speaking, he looked at Zhang Weixian: "Start opening a large horse market near Shanhaiguan, which must be able to accommodate at least thousands of people. At the same time, restaurants, inns, warehouses and other locations are planned around the horse market.
Once you have opened up the location, let the wind out. Some businessmen will come here to build restaurants and inns.
When the time comes, Ma Shi will sell the land all at once or rent it out on an annual basis. Anyway, it will be money.
Then the horse market can also collect taxes based on the number of guests staying, or based on a fixed amount of money per month, etc.
When the time comes, the credit system of merchants in Suzhou City will be moved over, and the services, prices, etc. of these restaurants and inns can be supervised. Only then can the horse market have a virtuous cycle!
You don’t need to worry about the specific work now. I will recruit people from Suzhou to assist when the time comes! This horse market will also become a pilot place for Ming Dynasty’s commercial tax reform. "
Listening to the emperor's explanation, Zhang Weixian was filled with shock.
Although he didn't know much about business, he vaguely understood something and whispered: "Others spend money on construction and help us make money, and they have to accept our supervision.
As long as it does well, get out and find another company if it doesn't do well, but we just built a piece of land? "
"Land is the most valuable. It is a non-renewable resource, but it is a recyclable resource!"
Chongzhen chuckled and said meaningfully
"I understand, I will start sorting it out in the next few days!"
"Okay, now that everything is confirmed, go ahead and get busy!"
After listening to the emperor's words, the British Duke did not leave, but whispered: "Your Majesty, I have something to ask of you!"
Without waiting for Chongzhen's response, Zhang Weixian continued: "Your Majesty, I sincerely request your Majesty to allow Zhang Zhiji to enter Fusang with the Eastern Expedition Army!"
"It seems that Yuan Aiqing has told you that the imperial court is going to conquer Fusang!"
Chongzhen tapped the handrail lightly with his fingers and whispered: "British Lord, even though the Ming Dynasty's firearms are powerful, Fusang also has firearms, and there are a lot of Hongyi cannons.
Guns and artillery have no eyes on the battlefield, maybe a stone bullet will...
Moreover, the end of the war is still a close-quarters encounter, and a slight loss will be life-threatening.
Although Zhang Zhiji was temporarily deprived of the British Duke's title due to the Battle of Longjing Pass, he was still the British Duke's heir apparent. This status was problematic for a commander on the battlefield! "
After listening to the emperor's words, Zhang Weixian's face became solemn, he bowed slightly, and his voice was sonorous and powerful: "Your Majesty, the British lineage has been a lineage of military generals since our ancestor Zhang Fu.
As a military general of the Ming Dynasty, if he can't march and fight, has never fought with the enemy on the battlefield, and has never tasted the enemy's blood, what kind of military commander can he be?
When such a Taiping general goes to the battlefield, he will not only waste the lives of the soldiers, but also the country!
It is true that he is a British prince, but first of all he is a military commander of the Ming Dynasty. It is his duty to fight for the Ming Dynasty.
If he dares to use his status as an issue on the battlefield, without using military law, I will kill him personally.
If you are afraid of death, then give up your identity as a British prince and give him the life of a rich man!
But I believe that there is absolutely no one in my British lineage who is greedy for life and afraid of death. Please allow your majesty! "
Listening to the British Duke's words, Chongzhen's eyes narrowed slightly, and there was an inexplicable meaning on the corner of his mouth: "The British Duke, have you thought about it?"
"I have been thinking about this matter for a long time!"
"Since the British Lord has said this, how can I disagree? There is nothing going on here in Liaodong for a while. I will give you a month's holiday. After making arrangements here, go back to Beijing and have a look!"
"I thank you, Your Majesty!"
Zhang Weixian looked overjoyed, bowed and slowly exited the lobby.
Chongzhen tapped his fingers on the table, his eyes full of meaning: "The British Duke is a smart man!"
"Not only is he smart, but he also has a far-sighted vision."
Yuan Keli also responded.
