When Zhang Juzheng heard what Zhu Yijun said, a smile appeared on his face. He echoed: "When the platform called for the right people, the emperor mentioned the construction of schools and hospitals. I was always thinking about it, but I was worried about having no money." After saying this, the two looked at each other and smiled.
On the same day, after the platform was summoned to the Wenyuan Pavilion, Zhu Yijun and Zhang Juzheng looked forward to the future Ming Dynasty in his mind: it was a Ming Dynasty with prosperous culture and rule, and children were educated; it was also a Ming Dynasty with natural treasures, literary talent and grace; That was a Ming Dynasty in which the people were strong and no longer hungry...
At that time, Zhang Juzheng laughed and said: "I think what the Holy One has said is the rule of the Three Dynasties. From ancient times to the present, even though it was prosperous, it was out of reach." Zhu Yijun talked a few words about the idea of setting up a kindergarten and a hospital, but did not go into it in depth. . Unexpectedly, Zhang Juzheng took it to heart.
At this time, the two recalled their feelings when they met, and the tense atmosphere in Wuying Palace eased. Zhu Yijun rationalized his thoughts, and then continued Zhang Juzheng's words: "Old sir, what is money?"
Zhang Juzheng was stunned. He opened his mouth to say who the gold, silver and copper coins belonged to. He immediately knew that the emperor could not ask such a simple question. He thought very quickly and immediately answered Zhu Yijun's question humorously: "Qian, it tastes sweet, is hot, It's poisonous." Zhu Yijun clapped his hands and laughed.
Zhang Juzheng's words come from "Qian Materia Medica" written by Zhang Shuo, a famous official in the Xuanzong era of the Tang Dynasty. It talks about the positive and negative meanings of money to individuals.
After Zhu Yijun stopped laughing, Zhang Juzheng rationalized his thoughts and replied: "I think money is wealth. Guan Zi said, 'The world is not in trouble without wealth, and there is no one to distinguish between troubles.' This means that in managing money, all the rich and poor in the world will be equal. It’s the prime minister’s responsibility.”
Zhu Yijun shook his head slightly and said: "Sir, you think money and wealth are connected, but I don't think so. I think money is a "weighing instrument" and a ruler for measuring wealth. If businessmen and people believe it, there is nothing that cannot be used as money, such as shells, silk, silk, and gold. Silver, copper, iron, etc.”
Then he chuckled and said, "Maybe it's paper, like a treasure banknote."
This was not difficult to understand for Zhang Juzheng, and he agreed: "Your Majesty's words are to the point! If you have this thought, you know that it is too much to take useless things and rob the people of their wealth!" Still want to dissuade Zhu Yijun from becoming emperor? store idea.
Zhu Yijun finally smiled confidently and asked again: "Is there a certain amount of wealth in the world?" Zhang Juzheng said: "The wealth in the world is a certain amount. The more people get the less, the better."
Zhu Yijun said: "I don't think so. What was the population of the world at the beginning of the country? What is the population of the world at this time? If the wealth of the world is a fixed number, and the wealth of the world is used to support the population at the beginning of the country, it will be many times richer than today! As a result! Is that so?"
Zhang Juzheng was speechless.
Zhu Yijun took advantage of the victory and pursued the attack: "In the early days of the country, Taizu's palace had only three thousand people, and its soldiers, officials, clans, scholars, etc. were many fewer than now. Logically speaking, all the wealth belongs to the people. How was the people's livelihood at that time?"
Zhang Juzheng remained silent. Zhu Yijun added: "In fact, the national wealth is constantly growing. If the country is well governed, the wealth growth is faster than the population reproduction, which is a prosperous age; if the country is not governed well, the wealth growth is slower than the population reproduction, but almost the same, it is a prosperous age. Ordinary times. Things are much worse at this time. People will inevitably suffer from hunger, which means the end of the world is approaching. Sir, do you think this theory is correct?"
Zhang Juzheng said harshly: "What the emperor said is that the difficulty of running a government lies in dividing the money. If you can make up for the shortcomings by making up for the losses -"
Zhu Yijun interrupted: "Sir, have you ever thought about where the wealth in the world is increasing day by day?"
Zhang Juzheng had already followed Zhu Yijun's train of thought: "In terms of food, supplies, etc."
Zhu Yijun said: "Well, sir, do you know how the pancreas mentioned just now is produced?"
Zhang Juzheng said: "I don't know."
Zhu Yijun said: "It is made from animal fat, added with alkaline water, essence and other substances. A pancreatic workshop with a daily output of hundreds of kilograms needs to employ more than 20 people, and more than 40 people work in shifts to extract the lye from plant ash; The essence needs to be purchased from Yunnan, and just by picking the flowers to get the essence, the number of people who process the soap locust is unknown."
After a pause, he said: "I have sent people to look for alkali mines - if we add the transportation and sales of raw materials and finished products, we can support more people! This is the obvious way that industry and commerce can help the world. I dare to assert that any new creation such as glass, If the people use things such as clocks and soaps, there will be tens of thousands of refugees in the world. If tens of millions of people are brought together, the country will be short of resources and cannot be obtained!"
Zhang Juzheng was not a pedantic person, but his financial and economic knowledge was just like that of a normal Confucian disciple. He believed that "agriculture is the foundation of the country" and commerce only has a circulation function. Today, Zhu Yijun's theory of integrating "industry, commerce, money, and people" suddenly became clear to many economic benefits that had not been explained thoroughly by previous generations, and a smile appeared on his face unconsciously.
Then he left the table and knelt down and said: "The emperor has studied heaven and man, and I have benefited a lot. Now I know the reason why the emperor rewards craftsmen so much, it is to promote invention."
After Zhu Yijun shouted, he took a sip of tea and continued: "We have neglected the importance of craftsmen in the past, but they can accomplish things efficiently! Let me give you another example: How is salt made now?"
Zhang Juzheng was well aware of salt administration. Hearing this, he replied: "Maybe boil sea brine for it, and use well salt or sun-dried lake salt in the southwest."
Zhu Yijun said: "That's true. I've studied it thoroughly before. What if the method of drying lake salt is used to make sea salt?"
Zhang Juzheng's heart changed, his face changed color and he said: "If this can be done, people in China will not have to worry about lack of salt! The price of salt may be greatly reduced!"
Zhu Yijun laughed loudly and said: "I have issued a secret order in early summer this year, and ordered the eunuchs in Haifeng, Shandong and Xiangshan, Zhejiang to try to flatten the tidal flats and divert the sea water to dry the salt. Although there are many obstacles, they have been overcome one by one - a small test, each has its own success. Two hundred thousand kilograms of salt! Basically no reeds are needed to make it, and there is less labor. The cost is one-twentieth of boiling salt!"
He sighed and said, "After receiving reports from the eunuchs guarding Shandong, I learned that the salt people of Haifeng had invented the method of drying sea salt during the Jiajing period. It's a pity that I asked these officials -" He put down the teacup heavily and said, "The corpse has a vegetarian meal and is full all day long. It's useless to just camp and camp!"
These words were so serious that Zhang Juzheng's face turned red. He knelt down and begged for punishment: "I am in charge of the great political affairs. I opened my eyes like a blind person and did not see this. Please punish me, Your Majesty! I..."
Seeing that Zhang Juzheng's arrogance had subsided, Zhu Yijun hurriedly left the table with a smile and helped him up, saying: "The old gentleman is serious, I didn't ask you to come."
After the two sat down again, Zhu Yijun continued Zhang Juzheng's words and said: "Sir, I and the Queen Mother both agree to take charge of the great government. Today, I have the honor of being a master! Why are you putting me on the stove in the Duke's Mansion today?"
Zhang Juzheng Hao Ran said: "I saw that the emperor asked questions in the provincial examination and talked about the principles of things. I thought he was misinterpreting the words of the sage. In addition, the emperor used his own funds to open a factory and set up an imperial store, which was inconsistent with my previous ideas. I secretly thought that he might have worries about great achievements. Ye. Therefore, the tower is exposed, and the government and orders are mixed, and the monarch and his ministers are inseparable——"
Zhu Yijun almost laughed angrily at Zhang Juzheng. What Zhang Juzheng said is that I let them all see that I have the final say in the court, so no one would think of alienating the emperor and his ministers, because that would be useless. As for the emperor, you have promised to govern my lord, so please keep your word - this is so confident that it is a bit arrogant.
Zhang Juzheng said that the emperor was very happy with his achievements, which was similar to Wang Chonggu. This shows that Zhu Yijun had a similar perception to the important ministers. Fortunately, Zhu Yijun opened up today, otherwise Zhang Juzheng's constraints would only become increasingly severe in the future.
With a sneer on Zhu Yijun's face, he heard Zhang Juzheng continue to say: "Today the emperor has made it clear, I already know that I was wrong!" He happily admitted his mistake.
Zhu Yijun listened and tried to figure out whether what Zhang Juzheng said was true. However, at this time, the only thing to do is to talk it out as much as possible to avoid the monarch and his ministers turning against each other in the future.
After thinking about it, he pretended to be smiling, and said in a manly voice: "I want to seize the military power in the capital, but what does it have to do with you?"
Zhang Juzheng's heart skipped a beat, his face turned pale, and he kowtowed and said, "Your Majesty has misunderstood me! I have never wanted to get involved in the military power! Besides, if Your Majesty holds the imperial camp because of his honor, I would venture to say that it would be a waste of time! At this time, How can the various camps in the capital have strong soldiers? Their combat power is not as good as that of factories, guards, and all the slaves!"
As soon as he said this, Zhu Yijun stood up in shock!
