Great Qing Dynasty talker

Chapter 600: Social Economics for Art Students
Finished in one breath.

The Fifth Master quickly lowered his eyelids and stared at the pair of black boots.

He didn't dare to look at it any more and avoided it.

The Songjiang New Town Patrol Branch has two platoons, including two female mounted police squads.

The female police officers in these two classes are not ordinary. They are between 14 and 17 years old, over 5 feet tall, have pretty faces, are literate, and come from middle-class families.

They wore uniforms designed by His Majesty himself.

A black woolen coat, red trousers, a red silk cape, a black fox fur hat, a slender light sword, and an embroidered silk scarf as a mask.

……

Your Majesty, the Holy Candlelight~
It is well known that the best way to quickly improve the combat effectiveness of patrol police in a short period of time is to change the paint.

Paintwork is important.

Paintwork represents combat effectiveness and takes effect in one second.

Everyone who comes to the new city for the first time will stare at the female police officers patrolling the streets and salute them for a long time.

This idea is so advanced.

Our empire is too strong.

……

"Spitting anywhere will result in a fine of 2 silver coins."

The fifth master immediately broke out in a cold sweat on his back. After much persuasion and constant confession, he finally paid the two silver coins.

He regretted it so much that he wanted to slap himself.

How could I forget the rules here again?

He found the notice board and read the regulations aloud again:
Spitting on the ground will result in a fine of 2 silver coins.

Urinating or defecating in public will result in a fine of 10 silver coins.

Being shirtless in public places will result in a fine of 5 silver coins.

Beating others will result in a fine of 10 silver coins and 2 days of hard labor.

He robbed, kidnapped and cheated, and was exiled to Southeast Asia for life.

……

A middle-aged man who looked like a wealthy businessman came over.

laughed:

“The rules here are very novel.”

The Fifth Master immediately bowed slightly:
"You are right. Songjiang is a place with laws and regulations. It contains the special efforts of your majesty. Every blade of grass, every brick and every tile here is the royal heritage."

"Oh?" The rich businessman immediately became interested. "This is my first time here. If you have time, why not tell me more?"

"As you wish."

Then Master Wu took advantage of the situation.

His eloquence was naturally excellent. He spoke without stuttering for half a minute. His content was 5% true, 2% false, and 3% imaginary, which greatly aroused the rich businessman's interest.

The bannermen in the old city crossed the Wusong River every day and almost all of them made money in the service industry.

They will find delicious food and say nice things.

This kind of people are called "professional hangers-on". Brothers who have been rich know that hangers-on are there to provide emotional value. Without these grandsons, spending money is boring.

……

"Well, sir, I am a businessman from Guangzhou. I am new here. Today, how about I trouble you to be my guide?"

"As you wish."

The Fifth Master waved his right arm, and a four-wheeled carriage slowly stopped.

The smartly dressed young driver moved swiftly, taking down the bench from the back of the carriage and opening the door.

"My two lords, please get in the car."

The rich businessman was shocked:
"So sir, is this your car?"

The Fifth Master waved his hand modestly:
"No, no. This is a taxi. Just wave and it will stop. Get in and go. It's state-owned. It's only one silver dollar per ride. It's cheap. Look at the royal blue velvet seats. How impressive."

……

The carriage moved slowly on the cement road, very smoothly and comfortably.

The rich businessman was amazed.

Guangdong is only using the third generation of four-wheeled carriages, while Songjiang Prefecture is already using the fifth generation.

It mainly involves updates to the shock absorption system and chassis.

Along the way, the fifth master observed the rich businessman's words and expressions and cooked the paste over a low fire. By the time he got off the car, he had basically figured out what the rich businessman was thinking.

That day, the guide made a small profit of 10 silver dollars.

The rich businessman said that he had to go to Suzhou Prefecture to do some work first, and then come to Songjiang New City to play for a few days. Five days later, the two met in a restaurant.

Let that master take him out to eat, drink and have fun.

……

In the afternoon, one hour before sunset.

All the flag bearers went off work.

Some were drunk, some had rosy cheeks, and some were relaxed. They met at a tavern two miles outside the new city for a drink.

The Fifth Master picked up his wine glass:
"Today, we, the Zhenghongqi Nine Dogs, are reunited. The first toast is to the five brothers who are not present."

Everyone was dejected and spilled their drinks on the ground.

Jiugou is nine old buddies who drink tea and brag together in the old city.

Tiger, wolf, and leopard are all occupied by people with higher positions, so they can only be called dogs.

later,

Two died in the war, two died in exile, and one went to Southeast Asia and was never seen again.

The Fifth Master sighed:
"Living is more important than anything else."

Everyone nodded.

……

The tavern owner brought over a steaming casserole.

laughed:

"Dear guests, please enjoy your meal."

On a cold day, it is very comfortable to eat a hot pot with a few friends. The dishes include mutton, pork, offal, fish fillet, vegetables, and a small jar of rice wine.

The fifth master picked up a piece of mutton with chopsticks and chewed it carefully, sighing:

"This taste is still a little worse than that of Forty-Nine City."

Everyone nodded and sighed.

Separated by a thin wooden board.

The tavern owner was chopping wood in the kitchen and sneered:
"A bunch of country folk."

The waiter who was helping to arrange the dishes whispered:

"Shopkeeper, they are from Yanjing."

The shopkeeper paused in his cutting action and nodded:
"Oh, a country bumpkin from Yanjing."

……

After three rounds of wine, the dishes were halved and everyone started to offer their treasures.

"I accompanied a businessman from a small town to walk around the city today. We went to the theater, took a bath, and ate some local dishes. I also told him about the local customs and practices. I made a small profit of 10 silver dollars."

"Master Wu, steady!"

Everyone praised him.

Xiu Er, who had fair skin and no beard, sipped the rice wine, narrowed his eyes, shook his head and said:

"I am a humble man, but I earned 20 silver dollars today without any effort."

"Tell me?"

"I saw a nobleman from afar on the Imperial Street, shopping with a son, a daughter, two concubines and four bodyguards."

"I just stood there and stared at him. The nobleman was surprised and pointed at me and asked, 'What the hell are you looking at?'"

"My eyes were slightly red at the time, and I said in a shrill voice, 'Master and Miss are having a great time in Songjiang, and I am happy to see them.'"

"Your Excellency is happy, wave your hand and give me a reward~"

……

Everyone laughed.

I know that the noble lady regarded Xiu Er, who has a white face, no beard and a shrill voice, as a eunuch from the palace.

Eunuchs are rare, and being praised by one is an honor. As for the reason, I can't tell you! If I tell you, I'll lose my head.

So the nobleman was overjoyed, thinking that he was paying for a good omen.
suddenly,

Xiu Er stared at the person next to him and asked:
"Master Jiu, what's wrong with your face?"

Jin Jiu took out a small cloth bag and threw it on the table, making a clanging sound. Everyone looked at him sideways instantly, judging from the noise, he had gained quite a lot.

"I am not talented, I just made a small profit of 100 silver dollars."

"Master Jiu, did you smash the pawn shop or steal the ticket number?"

……

"Neither. I went to the stadium first. There was a very popular female sparring partner there, her stage name was Red Jasmine. When she spoke and walked, hey, the men's souls flew away."

"What does it have to do with you?"

"Yes!" Jin Jiu said proudly, "I saw a rich young man carrying Hong Jasmine on his shoulder and going to ride a horse! I quickly stepped forward, stopped him politely, and said, sir, I'm sorry, can you give Hong Jasmine to me? I'll compensate you 50 silver dollars."

"and then?"

"The young master got anxious when he heard that. He came up and slapped me in the face and said, 'I'll give you double the money. Get out of here.'"

The Fifth Master suddenly realized:
"How to provoke generals?"

"Yes." "What if he really agrees?"

"We are all old people in the city. We can tell the difference at a glance. We can judge people accurately without any mistakes~"

……

In the evening, the south bank of the Wusong River is very lively.

Small boats shuttled back and forth.

The farmers rowed boats to pick up the bannermen after get off work and take them back to the old city on the north bank, earning a small fee of 5 copper coins for the seat on the river.

The profit from ferrying is small.

The advantage is stability, a trickle of money, all in cash, and no payment period.

The bannermen on the north shore thought it was not cost-effective, so they pooled their money and bought a few small boats in an attempt to save the money on daily commuting.

result,

The cunning farmers in Songjiang went to the government to file a complaint, saying that the bannermen's act of purchasing their own ships threatened the security of the empire.

The reason is:
They could row their boats across the Huangpu River, across the Yangtze River, across the East China Sea, and eventually escape to Southeast Asia.

They could also row boats up the Wusong River to reach Suzhou Prefecture.

The first one is pure nonsense, but the second one cannot be ignored.

Since this concerns the royal family, who dares to ignore it?

then,

Songjiang Prefecture posted a notice:
It is strictly forbidden for bannermen and their families to purchase and build ships privately, otherwise they will be treated as treason.

……

The Songjiang New Town model actually hides a huge wealth artery:
The upper class of the empire - family members and sons - Songjiang New City - the national treasury.

At the same time, it also hides a number of tiny capillaries of wealth.

For example:

Songjiang New Town - Exiled Eight Banners - Songjiang Farmer

The farmers on the north bank of the Wusong River had nothing else to think about. They were busy ferrying the "country people" across the river in the morning and evening. In the morning, they carried vegetables, rice and flour and sold them to the "country people" at a higher price.

At the end of the month, he earned three or five taels more.

Everyone goes his own way and earns his own money.

……

Li Yu has been quietly paying attention to the pros and cons of the Songjiang New City model.

Once the operation is mature and it is determined that the benefits far outweigh the disadvantages, he will not hesitate to replicate dozens of similar new cities, thereby opening up a hidden source of tax revenue.

You are the owner of Songjiang New City.

Behind all business is yourself.

During this period, there is a question that has been bothering me for a long time - how to help farmers make cash?
In the 18th century, farmers had few ways to make cash other than selling their crops.

Obviously, the farmer didn't have much food left at home.

It was not easy to get enough to eat. Selling the little surplus food was only enough to buy some oil, salt, sauce, vinegar, needles, thread, coarse cloth and farm tools.

……

The palace terrace.

Silent night sky, empty heart.

His Majesty, who had just finished his ritual, took out a notebook from the cabinet and gently wiped the dust off the surface.

He put on a black fox cloak, walked to the terrace, and began to write in his diary:

My heart is filled with anxiety.

Apart from joining the army, working in factories, and working overseas, I can hardly find any other way for the farmers in the empire to make cash!
If this continues, there will be trouble.

Now, there is another option: new town satellite village.

Although it doesn't help the overall situation, it's better than nothing.

The above four methods should be ranked according to actual effects: overseas labor > working in factories > serving in the army > satellite villages.

There are only two points in the theory of serious economics:
How is money created? How is it distributed?

The former: technology, industry, and colonization.

后~
……

Just as I wrote this, a crisp shout came from the hall:

"Your Majesty, come quickly~."

Li Yu put down his pen and closed his notebook.

The next second, the glass door of the terrace was pushed open.

The spring breeze blows on your face and the fragrance fills your nose.

A group of bright-eyed, white-toothed, well-educated women surrounded him and walked towards the three-meter-long and two-meter-wide desk~
"Your Majesty~"

"Your Majesty~"

"Your Majesty~"

Here is the most beautiful scenery on earth, which is not inferior to heaven.

……

Wandering among the palace's spring breeze, gunfire and hail of bullets, and pools of wine and meat every day, Li Yu suddenly understood why Qianlong always went to the south of the Yangtze River.

I'm sick of eating too much delicacies from land and sea.

I just want to eat some wild vegetables and fruits with thorns and experience the rustic culture.

After emptiness comes pain. During this painful period, Li Yu's artistic attainments improved by leaps and bounds and his literary level improved by leaps and bounds.

As an unknown writer put it:

People are more likely to spark artistic ideas when they are in pain and frustration.

There are many examples, such as Cao Xueqin, Wu Jingzi, Beethoven, Schopenhauer, Picasso, etc.
……

Fortunately, the spring of 1781 arrived!

The smoke of gunpowder has cleared everywhere and farmers are busy with spring ploughing.

However, in such a vast empire, 6% of local civil service positions remained vacant.

Although the ministers have repeatedly advised His Majesty to relax the restrictions on talents and select loyal people to fill the vacancies in order to avoid local vacuums and the emergence of demons and monsters.

but,

Li Yu insists on "better to have nothing than to have something of poor quality".

Without enough civil service graduates leaving school, the government offices remained empty.

The money and grain are first collected by the grain chiefs in each village.

Even if there is confusion, it's not a big problem.

Li Yu really wants to see what the people will look like in his lifetime.
……

If an empire wants to progress, it must be reborn and endure the pain.

But whatever the cost is, it is bearable at the moment.

To break down and reorganize an ancient empire, remove some genes, and implant some fresh blood, the resistance is huge, the difficulty is great, and the cycle is long.

Li Yu had never come across nationalism.

Because there are concerns.

The advantage of nationalism is that everyone is united in fighting against foreign enemies.

But currently,

Even without this benefit, the empire can still cope with this era with ease, because the empire has no external enemies; the empire is the external enemy of other countries.

……

To realize the ideal
Li Yu deliberately built an army with modern tactics and feudal thinking, which was enough to deal with all the chaos he could imagine.

The Wu army is the most useful tool for the Emperor Wu.

A good tool must be sophisticated and cold.

A tool endowed with folk ideology is like an iron tool with its carbon content changed; a slight mistake can lead to a huge error.

In addition to exploring colonial purposes, the Wu army may also need to deal with internal dissidents.

Perhaps, Your Majesty is a conservative and radical Jiangsu person at heart.

Open-minded yet traditional.

There is conservatism in radicalism.

While being aggressive, we also try to control risks.

……

Li Yu has always believed that:
On the surface, the empire was backward in the field of natural sciences.

Ultimately, it is the humanities and social sciences that are lagging behind.

It doesn't matter if natural science lags behind. One generation's efforts can make up for it.

Humanities and Social Sciences
The most ethereal things are the hardest to grasp.

……

recent,
Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Fan Zhongmo passed a plan at the court meeting:
After the first round of grain chiefs expire, in the second round of elections, they will be encouraged to serve as grain chiefs of multiple villages, reducing the number of existing grain chiefs to 5%.

In the next election period, it will drop by another 3%.

Li Yu agreed.

He can fully accept a 10-year span and allow the public to spontaneously work out the most reasonable model.

Let the simple thinking of the people germinate, sprout and grow on its own.

Life will find a way.

Civilization will eventually be reborn from the ashes.

(End of this chapter)