"Dutai! Dutai! The matter of reopening the shipping department has finally been agreed upon!"
Outside Yan Song's official office in the Yamen of the Zhejiang Governor's Office, the clerk came in overjoyed with an official document.
Yan Song, who had not been going well during the entire Jiajing five years, couldn't help but stand up when he heard the words: "Seriously?"
"It's absolutely true! The State Council has come over to draft the document. Please take a look at it!"
Yan Song immediately went over and took it in his hand to look at it.
After a while, he even said yes.
Not only did the Ningbo Shipping Department reopen, the Fuzhou Shipping Department was also abolished. At that time, Fujian's Shipping Department was originally located in Quanzhou, but it was moved to Fuzhou after the maritime ban was implemented in order to suppress Quanzhou's maritime merchant power. Not long ago, among the "remnants" of that year in Quanzhou, there was actually a rebel named Pu Zitong. This time, the Fuzhou Shipping Department was abolished due to various reasons.
"Guangdong only gives Huang Mingji a franchise, and Ningbo is the only gateway for private maritime trade! Okay, okay!"
There is no doubt that this will be Yan Song's most important achievement in Zhejiang.
"Go ahead and write the document immediately. During the Chinese New Year, the governor will not rest." Yan Song knew the situation the court was facing now. After winning the battle against the Northern Captives, the financial pressure would be even greater. "Inform the Xiangxianyuan. , according to commercial law, if you want to go overseas openly, you must be a registered company! The principal verification and legal deposit must be totaled during the Chinese New Year. The national policy finally proposed by the Governor will be tried out next year. Zhejiang will only Ten licenses will be issued first!”
The last stone of Jiajing's five years was thrown to the southeast, and the news spread like wildfire.
Although civilian ships could enter and exit Ningbo, the sixth year of Jiajing was the year of the "switch" of the Ming Dynasty.
When the news reached Fuzhou, the local gentry and wealthy businessmen in Fujian were filled with indignation.
"Why does the imperial court prefer one to another? The Fuzhou Shipping Department was doing well, but now it has withdrawn. Since private ships are allowed to go to sea, do we all have to go north to Ningbo first and then come back?"
"After going to Ningbo, where is the way for our Fujian maritime merchants to survive? From now on, won't we have to rely on Guangdong and Zhejiang?"
"Why are you treating Fujian so poorly?"
After hearing the feedback from the people below, the Governor of Fujian just said lightly: "Shandong, South Zhili, Zhejiang, Fujian, and Guangdong are all treated equally, and ten license plates are allowed for trial use in each. If you have time to make a noise, please hurry up. Make preparations. The imperial court has its own reasons for such arrangements. What? The imperial court established a shipping department specifically for Fujian?"
Today, Japanese plagues still exist, and Fujian has so many mountains that it really has to rely on the sea to eat its food.
But in some areas on the west coast of the newly acquired Taiyuan Island in Fujian, where can we find the spare energy to take care of this important matter of switching?
What is weighing on Fujian's head is another important task: using the strait between Taiwan Island and Fujian as the main channel, it was agreed at the Military Affairs Conference that the Daming Navy, which was planned to take several years to build, would be based on Quanzhou and Fujian. The Penghu Inspection Department is the base, which not only takes on the important task of inspecting civilian ships after they go to sea, but also continuously develops and manages Taiyuan Island.
The strategic task assigned by the imperial court to Fujian was actually very simple: didn't it have to go to sea because of the mountains and the lack of land? Then it is better for some people to gradually go to the opposite Taiyuan Island.
Ming Dynasty needs the solid land on the sea like Taiyuan Island.
Therefore, Fuzhou Shipping Division withdrew first.
At the beginning of the new year, the waves caused by the switch only fermented on the southeast coast.
Ningbo's prosperity has reappeared, and it is suddenly better than before.
Yan Song has been sitting here since the sixth day of the first lunar month. Whether he can straighten out this matter and bring continuous benefits from sea trade to the court will determine whether he can return to Beijing.
The contact persons sent by private maritime merchants to Ningbo were all told one thing in confusion: after returning from the sea, a stone called struvite can be used to deduct part of the shipping company's customs duties.
What the hell?
…
It was the struvite that had indeed produced a very good effect in the experiments conducted by Jin Kaila and the old farmers in Huangzhuang, so the State Council finally took the risk and decided to switch it on.
All along, whether the emperor or the central court, they all aimed at "easy management" of their subordinates.
The sea ban makes it easier to manage the people.
The switch is not only a substantial measure to encourage business, but also can easily lead to "people's support for profit". Also, because the shipping department is too far away from the center of the imperial court and the interests are too great, it can easily lead to subsequent corruption and other situations.
However, the war with the Northern Lu reappeared, and the emperor still had great ambitions. The demand for money and food in the future was really too great.
Due to various factors, this switch issue has finally been recognized by most people, so let’s try it first.
On the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, after the court meeting, there was a "corporate summary planning meeting" held in the palace.
In addition to the summary report on the operating conditions of each company after last year's restructuring, it is the arrangements for this year.
In the early stages, Zhu Houcong did not criticize them for the rapid results they achieved, but he still wanted to emphasize some directional issues.
"Guo Xun has been punished by me, and Li Fuda's case is also being thoroughly investigated." Zhu Houcong reassured them, "But you don't have to be uneasy. In the past, between your honorable ministers and the five palaces, when selecting military generals, Some of the things I have done are in the past. From now on, now that you have made up your mind to help me run these enterprises, you should look forward. I am talking about the future, not money."
He lowered his head and looked at the report form in front of him: "I thought that most of you would suffer losses in this first year. But at the end of the year, I found that the assets of most companies had increased, and many businesses even had good profits."
After raising his head and looking at them again: "I am not asking you to rely on your status as a company and the current purchasing trend of various departments to turn the money in the household department into my money, and turn the property of many small private businessmen into my own." Property. This is not a good sign. I will take this opportunity today to tell you in detail."
The eighteen companies basically all have certain monopolized businesses and resources. Even if they are not a monopoly, the assets and manpower they have been allocated, as well as the conditions and attractiveness they can offer when recruiting talents, are not comparable to private commercial banks.
They want to make money, it's easy.
But Zhu Houcong's expectation for them is to truly drive the development of some industries and technological innovation.
However, as small shareholders, since this generation of ministers in the eighteen companies have given up the idea of becoming officials, they still need material incentives such as profit distribution in life.
"I have been thinking about it for a year and have set some goals for you all. Take a look."
Huang Jin stood up after hearing this and handed out the pamphlet to each household.
Liu Yu, the sincere uncle, took a look at it: Tongyi Bureau's five-year plan.
After he opened it, he found out how many more "networks" the Tongyi Bureau should add to the existing post system in the next five years, and what kind of post network it would form by partition. In the technical category, there are requirements to spend five years surveying existing roads and cooperating with the special teams of the provincial public security departments to draw new maps based on new technical requirements.
Liu Yu read it hastily, then glanced at the brochure of the Construction Bureau next door, and saw that there were projects such as the gradual renovation of old and new tracks, the trial research of rail carriages, and the joint research and development of cement burning and slag utilization with Baojin Bureau and others.
The war situation on the other side is basically technical. Liu Yu was confused: What kind of flint sparked the fire? What spiral rifling? What smokeless gunpowder?
Zhu Houcong no longer hid at all, but directly pointed the direction for them.
But he also knows one thing very well: "I am afraid that most of you will not be able to achieve the many goals I have listed in five years. Even if some technologies are promising, I am afraid that they will be expensive to build and the gains will outweigh the losses. But this is the direction, and it is also What you can do for me. As long as you achieve something, you have merit. Whether you are hereditary, not downgraded, or even a higher rank is determined by these. Today, all the families are here to confirm each other. What I want to see is You probably have a better idea of what kind of Ming Dynasty it is."
It’s not that Zhu Houcong didn’t know that various technologies took decades or even hundreds of years to slowly evolve, but he was an accelerator - human wisdom does not fundamentally differ with the times, and the accumulation of knowledge is of great significance. But sometimes what is missing more is a clear direction.
Now, Zhu Houcong has spent a year arranging the "major scientific and technological projects" he was thinking about in this way.
With his technical literacy, he can't make any particularly reasonable development plan for scientific and technological progress, so he might as well be more practical and base it on his own needs.
Some of the infrastructure needed to efficiently manage a huge empire, some of the military technology needed to eliminate hidden dangers from foreign enemies, and some of the industrial technology needed to improve people's livelihood.
British public minister Zhang Lun said he was very worried - wouldn't everyone start losing money at next year's summary planning meeting? They no longer expect military achievements and help the emperor manage businesses. Many honorable ministers seek wealth.
The many directions pointed out by His Majesty are bottomless pits of financial and material resources.
"It's very simple to make money." Zhu Houcong finally pointed out this point. "The first batch of private enterprises to go overseas, in the name of trial and easy management, must have at least one of you investing and holding shares, and the total proportion is not allowed. It’s more than 30%. Invest this money and let them help you earn it.”
This is the background of the times. For those gentry and wealthy households, why should they share their profits?
However, this time they will not just rely on their "background" to occupy shares, they will spend real money. To obtain that license, capital verification is required, and a deposit prepared to prevent evasion of the shipping company's duties is required.
The CEO of Qun Mu Supervisor looked at the emperor cautiously.
In the five-year plan given to me, why is there the task of breeding excellent Mongolian horses, Hequ horses, and Dawan horses? Where do stallions come from? Where to go to pastor?
He didn't dare to ask now, nor did he dare to think deeply. He just kept his booklet tightly closed for now.
It seems like there is some big plan?
…
This winter is very cold, and Daming Border Town still dare not slack off after the great victory in Shuozhou.
The Beilu who suffered a loss are the dangerous Beilu.
In the northwest direction of Beijing, after passing Juyongguan, you will come to Tumu Inn.
To the north of here is Mayukou Fort. At that time, Wala rushed over from Mayukou Fort, defeated the Ming army, and captured the emperor who was studying abroad.
To the west of Tumu Inn, Yanghe River and Sanggan River merge into Yongding River. Going upstream along the Yanghe River further north, you will come to Jiming Mountain.
There is a large army stationed at this place all year round. It is located almost in the center of Xuanfu Town, making it easy to go to all directions for help.
But Xuanfu Town has to go further northwest. When you arrive at Xuanfu Town, the Great Wall is to the north.
Directly north of Xuanfu Town, from west to east, Zhangjiakou Fort, Yangfang Fort, Qingbiankou Fort, Changyukou Fort, Geyu Fort, Dabaiyang Fort, and Xiaobaiyang Fort are lined up along the Great Wall. There was a fortress for almost several miles, and the defense line seemed airtight.
On this section of the Great Wall, the one to the west of the two highest peaks was formerly known as Aotou Village, and is also commonly known locally as Rentou Mountain. The one to the east is called Phoenix Mountain.
The relatively low terrain between the two peaks is crowded with the three forts of Qingbiankou, Changyukou and Geyu.
By looking at the mouth and valley, we can already roughly know the terrain here: where the pass is.
This is the forefront of the defense line of Xuanfu Town in the Ming Dynasty. And Xuanfu Town, because it is the last line of defense outside Juyongguan, becomes the first of the nine sides.
Most of the general titles of the chief military officers of various towns in Jiubian are "Zheng" a certain general. Only Yansui and Xuanfu were "townships" of a certain general.
Fu Duo is now in charge of Xuanfu.
The Fu family has been generals for generations, but it was only after Fu Duo's grandfather Fu Gui was promoted to Suidewei to command Qianshi that he entered the rank of middle-level military generals of the fourth rank. Fu Duo's father, Fu Ying, went a step further and became the commander-in-chief of Shaanxi Dusi.
Fu Duo's eldest brother Fu Zhao became the commander-in-chief of Zuoying and was stationed at Yansui. After his death in battle in the early years of Zhengde, he was named the commander-in-chief of Ningxia.
The second brother Fu Jian is guarding the tomb in his hometown in Yulin.
The fourth brother died in battle in his early years, and the fifth brother is now in the army, commanding the Suide Guard.
Fu Duo's eldest son Fu Jin has also just won the third place in the secondary list of the martial arts examination, and is only a little bit away from entering the main list.
Nowadays, Fu Duo, who has been guarding the border for the Ming Dynasty for generations, is only the chief military officer and does not have the title of General Zhenshuo.
He was recommended by Yang Yiqing to be transferred to the post of chief soldier of Xuanfu Town from the position of Ningxia Commander-in-Chief the year before last.
Now, Gu Shilong is here, and Yang Yiqing's letter has arrived, along with the seal of General Zhenshuo that he has been thinking about for a long time.
There are many soldiers in the world, but not many of them can wear the seal, and even fewer of them begin with the word "zhen".
On the third floor of Xuanfu Town, Zhenshuo Tower is located between Gongji Tower and Qingyuan Tower. Fu Duo met with Duke Jingguo and received his seal here.
It was no small matter that Gu Shilong came to Xuanfu Town with a "sick body" just after the Spring Festival, and also brought a seal of General Zhenshuo.
Gu Shilong's health improved a little, but the matter was serious, so he still came in person.
Standing on the Zhenshuo Tower and looking out over the city, the guards were far away.
"You have finished reading Ying Ning's letter."
Fu Duo bowed: "I've finished reading."
Gu Shilong turned slightly and looked at him: "The seal given to you has been widely spread. After the great victory at Shuozhou, His Majesty will grant you the seal of General Zhenshuo. At the request of Wu Dinghou, he will be promoted to the chief military officer of Datong, and the front line of Datong will be strictly guarded. He even has aggressive intentions, and Beilu naturally understands."
"Please also make it public."
Gu Shilong said with a smile: "The Fu family has been loyal throughout the generations, and your Majesty knows it. The Xuanfu has heavy responsibilities, and General Fu just needs to keep it a secret. Not only the Upper West Road, the Middle Road, and the North Road, but also the Lower West Road and the South Road."
Fu Duo's heart moved: "West Road?"
Gu Shilong nodded affirmatively: "West Road. Of course, the middle road and the north road are the top priority."
Fu Duo looked at Gu Shilong.
Xuanfu Town and the forts in the due north are the defensive areas of the middle road. The upper west road, with Zhangjiakou as the core, is also next to the Great Wall, not to mention the north road. How does this sound? It sounds like we should focus on the West Road and the South Road.
Aren’t Xiaxi Road and South Road next to Datong Town?
"...Why can't it be made clear what the military affairs meeting's plans are?"
"At the moment, the mountains are blocked by heavy snow, and the movement outside the Great Wall is unknown. The Beilu suffered a loss in Shuozhou. Maybe this time they will find an opening between Datong and Xuanfu to regain their face? After all, they belong to two towns. , I’m afraid there may be problems with deployment and blocking.”
Fu Duo thought, are you coaxing ghosts? If you come from that direction, you will be facing the Taihang Mountains. What is the picture of Beilu? And if you are not careful, you will be made dumplings by the two towns of Xuanda and Da.
"……I see."
Fu Duo didn't understand, but he knew it was a big plan.
Let him wear the seal, I am afraid that he will soon have merit worthy of this general seal.
"Xuanfu has entrusted it to General Fu, and Quanzi has also entrusted it to General Fu."
"...Don't you think the Duke will stay in Xuan Mansion for a while?"
"I still have to go back to Beijing to reply."
Fu Duo only felt that he was too hasty in coming and going. When they saw Gu Shilong's second son Gu Yu, the two of them stared at each other.
Gu Yu was a little nervous.
So Fu Duo felt even more entangled: What was Xuanda's front line planning? Even he, the chief military officer, had to hide it first, so that Gu Shilong was willing to throw his immature son over to get some credit?
...Then Marquis Wu Ding came to guard the border because he was punished, and he came to take credit for it, right?
But Fu Duo had been in the border town for so many years, and he really couldn't imagine that Beilu had any great achievements that could be easily reaped.
Xiaxi Road and South Road...
Fu Duo couldn't help but feel shocked when he thought of the interesting stories and secrets about Datong Town told by his generals.
... Playing with fire, right?
(End of chapter)
