Hundreds of households in Liaodong, covering the light with one hand

Chapter 184 A precursor to the powers of the acting cabinet

With the start of the Ming Dynasty's war machine, from south to north, from Yingtianfu in South Zhili to Gyeonggi in North Zhili, all officials in office were busy preparing for the Liaodong war.

The newly established Special Military Division was even busier. Several cabinet ministers barely touched the ground and barely had time to eat a few bites of food.

Fortunately, Emperor Tianqi considered that Ye Xianggao and Sun Chengzong were old, so he specially ordered people to expand the house opposite Wenyuan Pavilion, clean up several rooms for temporary rest, and at the same time asked the imperial kitchen to prepare food for the emperor every day. For meals, an extra portion was sent to the Military Department to show the Emperor's consideration for his subjects.

In the military hall next to Wenyuan Pavilion.

Wang Qi is convening several members to discuss important matters.

"The local soldiers in Liaodong are sufficient, and there is no need to recruit temporarily. The question now is when the salary and money can be collected," Wang Qi sat at the top, followed by Ye Xianggao, Sun Chengzong, Xu Guangqi, and Lu Yu.

"The Hubu Yamen still has part of the balance from last year, and the remaining part needs the salt tax from Zhejiang Province. It can only be made up after the money from the river arrives." War raises money.

"Now only Shandong and Henan have paid taxes, money, and taxes on time. However, due to severe drought, Shanxi and Shaanxi areas still need help from the court, and they really have to pay money. In addition, because the spring grain harvest in Huguang and other places has failed this year, there is no extra money. "Supplementary explanation," Lu Yu frowned and added: "As for Jiangsu, the local officials complained of complaint and poverty, and none of them could actually hand over the money."

On the other side, Sun Chengzong looked at Lu Yu, slapped the table and said angrily: "I owe the imperial court three years of commercial tax money. They have always exchanged money for grain, or used cotton spinning and brocade weaving to deduct taxes. During this period, there were losses and how much money was missed. , can it withstand the investigation? If you dare to delay it now, you are really risking your life!"

The provinces south of the Yangtze River have always been extremely wealthy, but they have been able to delay and avoid taxation by the imperial court.

There is no way, who allows the Jiangnan area to have more officials?
  Most of them are dedication, deception, concealment, and false officialdom.

Most of the businessmen attached themselves to the officials, and the gentry spoke for the landlords. The south of the Yangtze River was full of beautiful scenery and romance, but the government's finances and taxes were stretched thin and there was a shortage of expenses.

"Now is not the time to rectify the financial and taxation issues in Jiangnan. Let's get through Liaodong first." Wang Qi put down the book in his hand and looked at several colleagues in the palace: "The imperial court has no money, so it can only borrow money from the private sector!"

Borrow money from the private sector?

Ye Xianggao was stunned for a moment, then subconsciously said: "How can it be possible for the whole world to be a royal land?"

But mid-sentence, Ye Xianggao took the initiative to shut up, because he had realized that if it was really Wang Tu, would the court still be short of money?
  "What Duke Lang Guo means is to liberalize the quota for local low-level officials?" Sun Chengzong asked tentatively.

And it has been carefully considered, and it is not directly used to sell one's official position.

"It's not about buying and selling official positions." Wang Qi shook his head: "I don't need to explain this kind of thing. From south to north, from west to east, where are there no buying and selling of official positions? Do I need to say anything? Besides, there is no buying and selling of official positions. Whether the money can get into the hands of the court is another matter!"

hiss.
  If you don't sell your official position, how can you attract wealthy businessmen, officials, and gentry to pay for silk for the imperial court?
  "After Liaodong is pacified, the imperial court will set up special trade ports. Private trafficking of commercial goods in Horqin, Liaodong, Japan, and Korea is strictly prohibited without imperial permission. At the same time, sea bans and southeast trade controls will be strengthened, and private and Jiaozhi countries will also be strictly prohibited. Once the trade transactions are investigated, the penalty will be confiscated a hundred times!" Wang Qi glanced at the crowd and sneered: "Of course, if the officials, merchants and gentry are willing to accept the silk in advance, the imperial court will automatically issue a franchise license and encourage merchants to go to places outside the Ming Dynasty. We will welcome all countries' trade activities that bring benefits and advanced technology to the Ming Dynasty! Moreover, after the peace of Liaodong, immigration and support will need to be increased. If there are gentry and merchants If they join, the imperial court can achieve the effect of bringing order to the chaos, so why not do it?"

In exchange for franchise rights, merchants receive silk.

This method is similar to the Shiohiki system, but it seems to be slightly different.

Everyone in the hall was pondering Wang Qi's words, especially the last few sentences: encouraging merchants to conduct business in countries other than the Ming Dynasty. Doesn’t this mean that the sea ban will be lifted?
  "Before reporting this matter to His Majesty, we need to have a unified voice." Wang Qi picked up the teacup and took a sip: "What do you think?"

"Old minister Rong, let me ask you a question," Sun Chengzong spoke first: "If business in the four seas begins, then all the people will not think about production, but will only do business as merchants, grabbing wealth for enjoyment, wouldn't it be bad for the world?"

"The problems in the world are not caused by the people not thinking about production, but because the court does not think about progress and change." Wang Qi retorted unceremoniously: "Master Sun, as representatives of all the people, we, millions of people, Don’t be paranoid about one end of things, or ignore the fundamentals and pursue the inferior.”

Wang Qi's words really didn't give Sun Chengzong any face, even though this well-educated scholar had a gentle temper, his face was still red.

But speaking of the matter, everyone in the palace knew Wang Qi's temperament and had no other objections.

"If we really open up the world for commerce, there will be a lot of things to do for the subsequent imperial control." Xu Guangqi was very receptive to Wang Qi's suggestion. After all, he himself had many exchanges with Western missionaries, and he was very concerned about the situation in the capital of the Yi people. The policy has also been discussed, but now it seems that there is some expectation.

"Let's use Liaodong as a pilot project first. It can be done," Lu Yu also agreed: "After all, Liaodong is occupied by all four directions, and the population will be mixed. If Liaodong can be successful, it can be done in all four directions."

Wang Qi's eyes finally fell on Ye Xianggao: "Master Ye, what do you think?"

"Should this matter be handed over to the cabinet for further discussion?" Ye Xianggao always felt that something was wrong. How could the Duan Duan Special Military Department, an agency responsible for military affairs in Liaodong, suddenly, under the guidance of Wang Qi, It became a department that designated national policies.
  This made Ye Xianggao, the chief minister of the cabinet, a little uneasy.

"Liaodong affairs do not need to be reviewed by the cabinet," Wang Qi directly rejected Ye Xianggao's suggestion: "In the afternoon, I will go to the palace to meet the Holy See and report the matter directly to the Holy See. You can all be present at that time."

"Okay, let's meet together tomorrow to go over the matters regarding the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Household Yamen. Let's disperse today."

"I sincerely obey the orders of Duke Lang"

Except for Ye Xianggao, the other three people all stood up and bowed.

After a while, the rest of the people dispersed, leaving only Wang Qi and Ye Xianggao in the house.

"Master Ye, do you have something to say?" Wang Qi was so busy that he seemed to be well prepared.

"My lord, I have something to say, should I say it or not?" Ye Xianggao thought about it for a long time before speaking.

"But it doesn't matter," Wang Qi nodded.

"The southeast region has always been forbidden to Donglin," Ye Xianggao paid attention to Wang Qi's expression and said, "If this move causes Donglin to counterattack."

"Grasshoppers after the fall, how dare they speak out to object?" Wang Qi sneered: "Are those people in the Supervisor of Ceremonies free of charge?"

Forehead.
  As if shocked by Wang Qi's answer, Ye Xianggao didn't say a word for a long time, with a bitter feeling in his heart: This Duke of Lang Kingdom no longer seems to be restrained.

(End of this chapter)