I am Emperor Wanli

Chapter 701: Alcohol and Tobacco
On the plate that Yang Jinshui was holding in both hands were a dozen paper packages stacked together to form a pyramid.

The paper package is square and half the size of a palm.

Yang Jinshui did not explain, but just presented it to Zhang Juzheng and the other three with a smile.

They each took a pack and looked it up and down curiously.

The paper package is made of fine mulberry paper with exquisite patterns printed on it. On one side, a red sun rises in the east, shining on the mountains and rivers, and above the red sun there are two words, "Red Sun".

This font looks so familiar.

That’s right, it’s Feng Bao’s inscription.

It turned out to be Feng Bao’s inscription!

The four of them glanced at the smiling Yang Jinshui at the same time.

On the other side is the Great Wall winding through the mountains, which is magnificent.

The pattern is printed so beautifully and it’s even in color, which is amazing.

There are also patterns and words printed on both sides, one side says "high-end cigarettes" and the other side says "twenty packs".

You see, there is a line of small words printed below the pattern on the front, "China National Tobacco Group Beijing Cigarette Factory".

Looking from above the paper package, there is another layer of paper inside, which is some kind of oil paper, wrapped tightly, and there is a small seal on it, which is also printed with exquisite patterns and designs.

The exquisite color printing alone impressed the four ministers.

Hu Zongxian asked first: "High-end cigarettes? Your Majesty, what is this?"

"Mr. Merlin, this is a cash cow."

"A cash cow?"

"Yes, in the future, when the Ming army and navy dominate the world, their food and wages will come from this small paper box."

The four of them looked at each other. What did the emperor mean?
What kind of treasure is hidden in this small paper box that can provide the Ming Dynasty’s army and navy with food and supplies?
Zhang Juzheng heard the words "money tree" and turned the paper box over and over again. "Your Majesty, can I open it and take a look?"

"Of course. Yang Jinshui, please guide these four old gentlemen."

"Yes."

Yang Jinshui picked up a paper package from the plate, and in front of everyone, he tore open the small seal, then tore open the oil paper inside, and took out a paper roll as thick as a chopstick and as long as a finger.

What the hell?
Zhang Juzheng and the other three looked at each other.

Yang Jinshui demonstrated by holding the paper roll in his mouth, picking up a smaller square paper box from the pile of paper bags, taking out a match from it, and striking it on the red paper next to the box. A ball of fire ignited with a puff, as big as a peanut kernel. He then brought the fire to the paper roll next to his mouth and ignited it into red.

Yang Jinshui swung his right hand, the match went out, and the wooden stick fell into a round copper vessel on the plate that looked like a pen washer.

After taking a breath, Yang Jinshui naturally pinched the cigarette between his index and middle fingers, took it out of his mouth, and exhaled a puff of green smoke. A thick and pungent smell of smoke filled the air.

Yang Jinshui put the cigarette into his mouth, took a puff, and a cloud of green smoke came out of his nostrils.

Eyes slightly closed, enjoying it very much.

I feel as happy as a god.

"Four old gentlemen, you can give it a try." Yang Jinshui invited with a smile.

Just give it a try!
Hu Zongxian took the lead, and Zhang Juzheng, Zhao Zhenji and Tan Lun took out a cigarette one by one, put it in their mouths and lit it.

Hu Zongxian took a deep puff, coughed twice, and soon got used to it. He took another puff, holding the cigarette between two fingers of his right hand, his entire face looming in the smoke.

Zhao Zhenji took a small sip carefully, swirled it around in his mouth and spit it out, his eyebrows twisted into a knot.

Tan Lun inhaled the most steadily. He took a puff and the smoke quickly came out of his nostrils. He took another puff, and this time the smoke did not come out so quickly, but slowly, a little bit at a time, from his nostrils.

Zhang Juzheng also took a deep puff and swallowed the cigarette directly into his stomach. Then he kept coughing, choking his face so much that it turned red and tears came out.

Yang Jinshui hurried forward and patted him on the back.

"Mr. Zhang, smoke slowly. This is cigarette, not water."

The four advisors finished smoking a cigarette with different expressions, and then followed Yang Jinshui's example and put out the remaining cigarette butts in the ashtray.

"Four old gentlemen, tell me how you feel."

Hu Zongxian picked up the teacup, took a sip of the tea, and rinsed his mouth. "It's hot and spicy, and it's very strong."

Zhao Zhenji shook his head and said, "I felt a little dizzy after the smoke, and my whole body seemed to float."

Tan Lun’s feeling was simple and clear, “It’s so enjoyable!”

Zhang Juzheng's first cigarette was a complete waste, so he picked up another one and started smoking. After the other three people expressed their feelings, he slowly put out the cigarette.

"After I smoked it, my mind suddenly became much clearer, as if the wheels inside were turning much faster. Your Majesty, this may be the favorite thing of people who write documents."

Master Zhang, you are so accurate.

Zhang Juzheng continued to ask: "Your Majesty, what are these cigarettes made of?"

"Jinshui, tell these four old gentlemen."

"Yes." Yang Jinshui bowed, then stood up and said, "Four gentlemen, the tobacco leaves used in cigarettes were brought by the Spaniards from Genxunzhou. The natives there light them up and inhale the smoke, which can repel insects and remove filth, and it is quite effective.

With the Emperor's advice, I found the tobacco seeds and transplanted them to Lingnan, Fujian, Jiangxi, Huguang and other places. After harvesting one crop, I followed the Spanish secret method and asked the King of Medicine Dongbi to select some spices, mixed them with the tobacco leaves, and then used a machine to roll them into the shape they are today.
The Beijing Cigarette Factory produces the Red Sun brand of cigarettes, which is the type we smoke. It is the most expensive and the scheduled selling price is fifty cents.

Zhang Juzheng blurted out, "How much?"

"Fifty cents."

Zhang Juzheng laughed, "It's such a small pack, only 20 cigarettes, one cigarette will be gone in two or three minutes, and you dare to sell it for 50 cents.

Eunuch Yang, tell me, how much does this pack of cigarettes cost?"

"Seven cents."

"Seven cents, and you dare to sell it for fifty cents, Eunuch Yang, you are really brave."

Yang Jinshui smiled confidently, "Seven cents is the visible cost, and there are also invisible costs."

“What are the invisible costs?”

"value."

"Value?" Zhang Juzheng and the other three looked at each other, feeling awe-inspiring.

"Yes, this Red Sun cigarette not only makes people enjoy smoking, but also allows people to smoke it with excellence and uniqueness. This is the value."

Zhao Zhenji was incredulous. "Is this only worth fifty cents?"

"No, Mr. Zhao, the value of this is priceless!"

Ok!

No wonder you are called the God of Wealth, your ability to make money is second to none. Seeing that the four old gentlemen did not say anything, Yang Jinshui continued.

"The Beijing Cigarette Factory also released the Luanhe brand cigarettes, which were to be sold at 25 cents. The Tianjin Cigarette Factory released the Sanggan River brand cigarettes, which were sold at 5 cents a pack, and the Lugouqiao brand cigarettes, which were sold at 10 cents a pack.
There are also matches, one cent a box, fifty in total, sold together with cigarettes, to make it easier for people to smoke."

Zhu Yijun spoke up, "Jinshui, isn't there another kind of lighter?"

Yang Jinshui turned around and replied, "In reply to the emperor, the Luanzhou Precision Machinery Factory has made it. It uses a rotating flint and kerosene cotton, but it's a bit expensive."

As Yang Jinshui spoke, he waved his hand, and a young eunuch came in holding a wooden box, put it on the table and then walked out.

Opening the wooden box, Yang Jinshui took out a lighter from it.

"Your Majesty, four old gentlemen, this lighter is made of fine steel and has patterns carved on it. Listen."

Yang Jinshui opened the lid, and there was a crisp sound, as pleasant as a bronze chime. He turned the wheel again, and a spark flashed, and a ball of fire ignited on the cotton wick.

Hu Zongxian looked at the lighter with interest, "How much is this?"

"This one is ten yuan each, a limited edition with a number engraved on it. Only 500 of each pattern will be produced, and then the mold will be discarded, and you will never be able to make the same one again."

"Ten yuan each!" Hu Zongxian looked incredulous, "Just to light a fire?"

Tan Lun said from the side: "And listen to the sound. This sound is crisp and pleasant."

"Then it can't be ten yuan each! Do you know how much a Longqing Type II smoothbore rifle costs? It's so small like a lighter, but its price is almost as much as my gun.

Eunuch Yang, you are truly the God of Wealth."

Yang Jinshui was not ashamed, but proud, and said with a laugh: "Okay, okay.

Four old gentlemen, this is expensive, but there are more expensive ones, made of gold and platinum, which cost hundreds of silver dollars each. I won’t show you my embarrassment.
Of course, there are cheaper ones, this copper one is five yuan, this one is three yuan, and this one is the cheapest, one yuan. But lighters still need to be regularly refilled with kerosene, replaced with flint, and maintained. "

After Yang Jinshui had finished showing everything, Zhu Yijun said, "Jinshui has shown everything, now let's get back to the point. I have high hopes for the cigarette industry.

China National Tobacco Corporation, also known as China Tobacco Group, was established only last month.

At present, there are only two factories, one in Beijing and one in Tianjin. We need to do business in both the domestic and foreign markets. There were many problems in the process, but Yang Jinshui and his team solved most of them.

Zhu Yijun picked up a pack of cigarettes and pointed at the inner layer of oil paper.

"For example, cigarettes are most afraid of moisture. Once it gets damp, the taste will change and you can't smoke it at all. The other links are easy to deal with, but the transportation link is the most difficult.

Yang Jinshui led the cigarette factory's masters to work day and night to make special oil paper as the inner packaging paper. Then he designed a wax-sealed waterproof iron outer packaging box specifically for long-distance transportation.

While Zhu Yijun was drinking tea, Yang Jinshui quickly added a sentence.

"Originally, the cigarette factory also developed tinfoil for inner packaging, which has a better moisture-proof effect. However, due to customs, tinfoil inner packaging is not convenient for the domestic market for the time being, but is used in foreign markets."

Zhang Juzheng didn't quite understand, "Why can't tin foil inner packaging be used in the domestic market?"

Tan Lun, who was standing by, replied calmly, “Since the Jin and Northern and Southern Dynasties, people have used tin foil, silver foil, and gold foil to make ingots and burn them for their ancestors.

In the early years of the Guo Dynasty, Emperor Taizu banned the use of gold and silver foil in order to avoid waste, and only allowed the use of tin foil to make ingots. "

Make gold ingots out of tin foil and burn them for your ancestors?

Some people would indeed be superstitious about using it as cigarette wrapping paper.

It turned out to be the case.

Zhang Juzheng suddenly realized.

Zhu Yijun put down his teacup and continued, "I plan to classify cigarettes as licensed products, just like wine, tea, sugar and salt, and put them under the unified management of the Salt Monopoly Bureau of the Ministry of Revenue. Well, now it can be called the Salt, Sugar, Tobacco, Wine and Tea Monopoly Bureau.

To produce and sell cigarettes, you must apply for a franchise license."

At this point, Zhang Juzheng and the other three also understood the essence of the license monopoly system proposed by Zhu Yijun as early as the 41st year of Jiajing, which was to facilitate tax collection!

Think about it, the cost of these cigarettes is only one or two cents, yet they dare to sell them for five cents or ten cents, or even a few cents for twenty or fifty cents. It's pure profiteering.

Such products must be sold exclusively to ensure that the entire chain of production, transportation, wholesale and retail can be controlled to prevent huge profits from slipping through one's fingers.

Hu Zongxian now somewhat believed what Zhu Yijun said, that the military expenses of the Ming Dynasty’s army and navy could be obtained from tobacco.

This cigarette looks like wine, which is a special love of men and gives them appropriate stimulation. Of course, the court does not stop women from smoking.

Unlike alcohol, you won’t get drunk from smoking and you can keep smoking.

There are twenty cigarettes in a pack, which is not enough for smoking.

Even if a person smokes one pack a day, how much does one pack cost?

Not many people can afford the 50 cents and 25 cents ones, so they are charged at 10 cents. One pack per person is 10 cents.

It is sold domestically and abroad. If one million people smoke one pack a day, that would be 100,000 yen, and 365 days a year, that would be 36.5 million yen.

Hu Zongxian felt like he was suffocating and was so shocked by the huge surprise that he couldn't breathe.

That's only one million people.

Are there only one million drinkers in the world?
Far more than that, and the number of people who smoke is far more than one million.

What if it’s five million people?

That year, cigarette sales were 182.5 million yen, 80% of which was profit.
In an instant, Hu Zongxian felt that the emperor sitting in the middle was shining with golden light all over, and there was a dazzling halo behind his head.

Zhu Yijun continued, "After talking for so long, let's get back to the point and take a bird's-eye view.

While Wang Yi'e and Yin Zhengmao were working on the land reform in the front, we in the rear must rack our brains to think of how to benefit the people of Yunnan, Guizhou and Sichuan and boost the local economy.

Only when the people of Yunnan, Guizhou and Sichuan can live a better life after returning to the rule of the chieftains than when they were under their rule, and no longer miss the life under the chieftains, can our policy of returning the chieftains to the rule of the chieftains be considered a historic success.

Zhang Juzheng replied: "Your Majesty, the places where the aboriginal system was changed in Yunnan, Guizhou and Sichuan are all mountainous areas with little land and many mountains. The people are in great poverty. How to improve the local economy is also a headache for the cabinet.

Even if financial subsidies are provided, the government can’t fill such a huge hole even if it sells everything it has. It’s powerless.”

Yes, starting from the 41st year of Jiajing, with the support of Emperor Shizong, the emperor vigorously promoted industry and commerce and secretly carried out fiscal and taxation reforms, which finally enabled the Ming Dynasty's finances to get rid of its previous difficulties. However, it was not yet rich enough to support Yunnan, Guizhou and Sichuan.

"Master Zhang is right. The key is that Yunnan, Guizhou and Sichuan must have their own hematopoietic function and their own economic foundation.

So how can Yunnan, Guizhou and Sichuan have their own economic foundation and generate their own income? "

Zhu Yijun looked around and the four people looked at each other.

The same old rules, Your Majesty, you have the final say and we listen.

When it comes to economics, we are completely convinced by you!

So visionary, so incredible and so effective.

Looking at the familiar scene, Zhu Yijun felt both amused and confused.

"Okay, then I'll just briefly explain it."

(End of this chapter)