I am Emperor Wanli

Chapter 703: A Very Awesome Captain
Zhang Juzheng looked at Zhu Yijun nervously, speculating in his mind.

As the Prime Minister of the Cabinet, he certainly hoped that Taiyuan would be promoted to a Zhili Prefecture and directly under the jurisdiction of the Cabinet.

Taiyuan has a complete range of coal and iron resources, and its coal and iron output is not inferior to that of Luanzhou.

Its biggest disadvantage is that it is not near the sea, so transportation is inconvenient. Therefore, most factories are opened in Luanzhou, and there are only a few factories in Taiyuan, which is far less than Luanzhou.

Even so, Taiyuan is still a big piece of fat meat.

Zhang Juzheng now understood that industry's ability to make money was much stronger than agriculture.

He worked hard to urge his subordinates to pay the autumn grain and summer taxes in full, and bore countless infamy, but in the end, the tax he paid was not even as much as what Luanzhou in Shanghai paid to the Ministry of Revenue's Taxation Bureau in a year.

Since then, his political philosophy has undergone major adjustments.

It’s not that agriculture is no longer important. It is still the foundation of the Ming Dynasty. Whether hundreds of millions of people in the Ming Dynasty can have enough food depends on it.

However, Zhang Juzheng placed his hopes for strengthening the country and enriching the people on industry and commerce, and no longer thought of relying on land taxes to realize these dreams.

Taiyuan is one of the only two industrial centers in the Ming Dynasty, so the cabinet naturally wants to directly manage it.

However, officials from Shanxi, led by Wang Chonggu and Wang Guoguang, strongly opposed Taiyuan's promotion to a direct-controlled prefecture and hoped that Taiyuan would remain in Shanxi.

Zhang Juzheng knew the reason.

If there is no Luanzhou in the capital, there is still Tianjin and Qinhuangdao. If there is no Huzhou in Jiangsu, there are still Suzhou and Yangzhou.

If there was no Taiyuan, there would be nothing in Shanxi!

Wang Chonggu and Wang Guoguang were the Minister of Punishments and the Minister of Revenue respectively, and were highly valued by the emperor. Among them, Wang Chonggu had once fought in the southeast to suppress the Japanese pirates, and was a member of the southeastern lineage with a legitimate family background.

The two were his important allies, and Zhang Juzheng had to take their opinions seriously.

The court debated for more than half a year about whether Taiyuan should be promoted to a direct-controlled prefecture, and the matters of upgrading Luanzhou and Shanghai to direct-controlled prefectures were delayed.

Now is the time to make a decision.

But Zhang Juzheng was not in a position to make this decision.

Supporting Taiyuan's promotion to Zhili Prefecture would offend allies from Shanxi such as Wang Chonggu and Wang Guoguang; not supporting it would disappoint the entire cabinet.

As the Prime Minister of the Cabinet, you are actually turning your elbow outward!

Now that the emperor has made the decision, whether he is promoted or not, it will be a relief for Zhang Juzheng.

Zhu Yijun said word by word: "Taiyuan will not be promoted to Zhili, and will continue to stay in Shanxi."

Zhang Juzheng couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

Although I feel a little disappointed, it’s a good thing that I don’t have to worry about it anymore.

Zhu Yijun continued, "Shanxi's foundation is weaker than Hebei and Jiangsu. Taiyuan's promotion to a direct-controlled prefecture will be a devastating blow to Shanxi's economy.

The promotion of prefectures is to facilitate management, with each region divided into different areas. Huzhou is directly under the jurisdiction of the prefecture, driving the Yangtze River Delta region; Luanzhou is directly under the jurisdiction of the prefecture, driving the capital and coastal areas.

Where does Taiyuan drive? I and the cabinet have thought about it and it is difficult to define it. "

Zhang Juzheng stroked his beard and nodded. It was indeed difficult to define.

To the north of Shanxi is the Mongolian desert, a vast pastureland; to the west is Ordos, northern Shaanxi, and Ningxia, a land of drought. Even if Taiyuan tried its best, it could not move these two places.

To the east, across the Taihang Mountains, is Zhili and Hebei. They have Luanzhou and Tianjin, so they don't need you to take them with them.

To the south is Henan and Shaanxi's Guanzhong region. The key point is that it is a bit far away. There are no sea routes or canals, so it all relies on land transportation, and the transportation cost is too high.

Steel is produced in Taiyuan, transported to Henan and Shaanxi to be manufactured into various industrial products, and then transported to various places?

How expensive is this! Tofu is sold at the price of mutton.

Why don't I just make steel and iron in Taiyuan and then ship it out after completing the whole process?
Zhu Yijun continued: "The ultimate goal of upgrading the prefecture is to revitalize the economy, not to suck the blood of the local areas to enrich the central government.

We need to consider all the factors and weigh the pros and cons. I have weighed the pros and cons over and over again and I feel that if Taiyuan is promoted to a direct-controlled prefecture, the disadvantages outweigh the advantages! We will not promote it! "

Zhang Juzheng was the first to shout: "Your Majesty is wise!"

Zhu Yijun nodded, "Now let's decide on the second thing. Currently, there are only four teachers in the Council of State. I have said that even if we want to add more, it will not exceed six.

There are currently 73 court officials who can lead the imperial court council, 46 of whom are in Beijing. The number of places is still increasing, and it is expected that the final number will be around 120.

They include court officials from the capital, local officials, university presidents, and big managers of banks, factories, mines, and businesses. They represent all aspects and can also allow me and the central government to hear opinions from all sides, similar to the previous court discussions.

Originally, I planned to hold a plenary session of the court once a year, but due to current traffic conditions, this is completely unrealistic and it can only be held once every two to three years.

Non-general court meetings can be held frequently, but some military and national affairs are not convenient to discuss within this scope.

For example, when drafting the Southwest Economic Revitalization Plan, the five of us only discussed a general outline and then asked the six ministries and temples to directly participate, express their opinions and clarify their positions. After all, only with the support of the six ministries and temples can the Southwest Economic Revitalization Plan be successfully implemented. "

Zhu Yijun looked at the four people and said, "I think we must add another advisory body between the Council of State and the Imperial Council."

Zhang Juzheng and the other three looked at each other, trying to figure out what the emperor meant.

In addition, the scope of political discussion has been expanded, but it is still much smaller than that of the imperial council. The emperor did this in the hope of expanding the scope of discussion of certain military and national affairs to a controllable range.

The Advisory Bureau currently has only four people, which is too narrow, or in other words, the interest groups it represents are too concentrated.

Hu Zongxian represented the noble group, the Southeast faction, some emerging industrial and commercial groups and part of the military.

Zhang Juzheng represented part of the civil service group and part of the emerging industrial and commercial group.

Zhao Zhenji represented the orthodox scholar-official group.

Tan Lun represented part of the civil service group, as well as local forces newly incorporated into the Ming Dynasty, such as the left and right wings of Mongolia, the two Liaos, Haidong, and Jinghai, as well as part of the military.

There are also various factions within them. They appear to be united on the surface, but in fact they are fighting for their own interests in secret.

You have me I have you.

For example, Tan Lun's prestige in the Southeast faction was slightly inferior to that of Hu Zongxian, and it was understandable that he was the second elder brother.

Both Zhang Juzheng and Zhao Zhenji had influence in the literati and civil service groups, but Zhang Juzheng was supported by new-school civil servants and students of new learning, while Zhao Zhenji was more supported by traditional civil servants and literati.

Sometimes when the Advisory Bureau held a meeting to discuss a major resolution, Zhang Juzheng and the other three would feel very embarrassed because the resolution was hotly debated within their own faction.

It is not support, and it is not not support either.

For example, when Taiyuan was promoted to Zhili Prefecture, there was a huge quarrel within Zhang Juzheng's faction, and Zhang Juzheng was in a dilemma.

If the scope of decision-making discussion was expanded a little bit as the emperor said, the four bosses would not be so embarrassed.

For example, Pan Sheng and Fang Fengshi who support Taiyuan's promotion to Zhili Prefecture, you can argue with Wang Chonggu and Wang Guoguang who are against it. I, Zhang Juzheng, will not get involved. I will just be careful to prevent the two sides from arguing to the point of getting really angry and falling out.

After figuring this out, Zhang Juzheng and the other three exchanged glances.

It is good to expand the staff. After all, the Advisory Bureau is just an advisory body, not an executive body.

Power lies in decision-making and discussion. The final decision is made in the name of the emperor, but it is implemented by the cabinet, military government, Censorate, Xuanhuiyuan and local governments.

I do not have the power to execute specific decisions, only the power to participate in decision-making. One more or one less person will not have much impact on me.

Zhu Yijun glanced at the faces of Zhang Juzheng and the other three, taking in their expressions and knowing what was going on. No one objected.

Zhu Yijun continued, "My intention is that the structure of the Advisory Bureau will remain unchanged, but the number of people involved in decision-making will be increased. Four masters will be advisory ministers, and there will be 16 to 20 more advisory bachelors.

I have asked the Imperial Household Department to draft a set of regulations, which lists in detail the scope of military and national affairs that the Grand Councillors of State Affairs discuss and decide, and the scope of military and national affairs that the Grand Councillors of State Affairs discuss and decide. The four masters, please take a look first. "

Qi Yan took four manuscripts and handed them to Zhang Juzheng and the other three.

There wasn't much content, so the four of them finished reading it quickly.

Zhang Juzheng spoke first: "Your Majesty, the current cabinet consists of six ministries: the Ministry of Personnel, the Ministry of Revenue, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of War, and the Ministry of Industry, and seven temples: the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Rites, the Ministry of Rites, the Ministry of Imperial Household, the Ministry of Imperial Household, and the Ministry of Water Resources.

The military government had five military commanders, the Xuanhuiyuan had left and right envoys, the Censorate had the Siliyuan, the Duchayuan and the Dali Temple, and the local areas had the two capitals of the north and the south, and two directly-controlled prefectures of Luanzhou and Huzhou.

Twenty advisory scholars don’t seem to be enough.”

When he said this, he laughed first, and then Hu Zongxian, the other two and Zhu Yijun also laughed.

Zhu Yijun replied: "It is not enough. My idea is to add more academicians to the list when the actual administration of the government involves more department heads. The Siliyuan and Dali Temple of the Censorate focus on administrative investigations and have little to do with military and national decision-making. Instead of adding academicians, adding court officials is enough.

All the six ministers must be promoted, but the seven ministers, including the Grand Master of the Imperial Household, the Waterworks Department, and the Imperial Household Department, do not need to be promoted. The Left Envoy of the Xuanhuiyuan, who coordinates the civil affairs of the left and right wings of Mongolia, can be promoted, while the Right Envoy, who is also the Commander-in-Chief of the Front Army, and the Commander-in-Chief of the Rear Army, do not need to be promoted.

The two capitals in the north and south and the two direct-controlled prefectures must be added. It is exactly 19 people. However, it is inconvenient for the prefect of Nanjing Yingtian and the prefect of Huzhou to travel to the capital, so it is estimated that they only attend the meeting once a year. "

Zhao Zhenji suddenly said, "Your Majesty, according to the organization of the cabinet, there are left and right councillors, who are assistants to the prime minister and are supposed to be above the minister. Now that the minister has been given the title of advisor, should the left and right councillors be given the title as well?"

Zhang Juzheng said quickly: "Your Majesty, Lord Dazhou, the Left Councillor is now concurrently held by Lord Tan, and the Right Councillor is going to be concurrently held by Fang Butang of the Ministry of Personnel and Wang Butang of the Ministry of Justice.

It doesn’t matter whether you add it or not.”

Zhao Zhenji shook his head: "This is still inappropriate. Just because I am a concurrent post now doesn't mean I can continue to be a concurrent post in the future."

Zhang Juzheng stroked his beard and nodded: "That's true."

Zhu Yijun glanced at the two old foxes who were working in perfect harmony: "This is a problem. Let me think about it carefully."

After thinking for less than ten seconds, Zhu Yijun said: "The left and right councils will be abolished, and the first assistant to the prime minister will be the assistant minister, who will also serve as the left envoy of the Xuanhui Court, just like the former military governor who also served as the right envoy of the Xuanhui Court.

I originally intended the six ministers to be assistants to the prime minister, just like the governor and the councillor are assistants to the governor. From now on, the six ministers will not only be the heads of the six ministries, but also assistants to the prime minister of the cabinet, and this will be a regular practice.”

Hu Zongxian and Tan Lun smiled softly beside them.

The two old foxes joined forces to fight the little fox, hoping to squeeze a few more advisory bachelor positions from the little fox, so that the two of them could add two and one to make five.

Unexpectedly, the little fox was more clever. He cut off all their thoughts with one move and streamlined the cabinet.

The little fox must have anticipated this move, otherwise why would he have thought about it carefully and come up with this foolproof plan in less than ten seconds?

There was no embarrassment on Zhang Juzheng and Zhao Zhenji's faces.

This is normal.

Rights are something that we have to fight for ourselves. This is the hard truth that the emperor taught us!

After discussing and adding some details, Zhu Yijun glanced at the four people.

"The four masters have no objections, right? Okay, then the list of additional advisory scholars will be announced as we agreed. Also, the draft amendment to the Advisory Bureau's rules of procedure and decision-making will be formally finalized and announced in writing."

"Your Highness has no objection and will follow His Majesty's will."

An official ship was sailing northward on the Zhili Canal.

Three people with high spirits stood at the bow. They were Ren Boan, Yang Guian and Qiu Qinzhuo.

Qiu Qizhuo said: "The front is Tianjin Wei. I heard that it was originally a garrison city. After several developments, it is now the capital of Zhili and the capital city.

Brother Ziming told me about the grand scene of factories in Luanzhou and Tianjin. Now I can see it with my own eyes. I am so excited. "

Ren Boan and Yang Guian looked at each other. "After the 45th year of Jiajing, every time I come to the capital, I feel that the capital is changing with each passing day. I wonder what kind of feelings I will have when I come to the capital this time."

Less than an hour later, Captain Huang came over to remind them.

"My three guests, we are about to enter Dingzigu."

"Tingzigu?"

"Yes, where the North Grand Canal and the Wei River meet, there is also a huge market outside the west gate of Tianjinwei."

Seeing more and more boats ahead, the boat the three people were riding on was moving slowly forward along the waterway on the right bank.

Suddenly, Qiu Qizhuo saw through the riverside protective forest that there were rows of houses standing in the wilderness in the distance, with huge chimneys standing tall.

Qiu Qizhuo pointed there and asked excitedly, "Two brothers, is this the factory area?"

Ren Boan and Yang Guian looked in the direction where Qiu Qinzhuo's finger was pointing and shook their heads almost at the same time.

"I don't think these houses existed when I came to the capital last time."

"Brother Xiu Jing, I can say for sure that the last time I went to the capital for further studies, there was indeed no such row of houses."

"That means it's newly built. Let's ask the captain. He comes here frequently, so he must know. Captain Huang!" Ren Boan called the captain over, "Captain Huang, is this row of houses newly built?"

"Yes, construction began in the second half of last year."

"This row is endless, it looks like it's quite large."

"That's right. At the very end is the cotton mill, a little further on is the weaving factory, over there is the cigarette factory, a little further on is the enamel factory, and next to it is the thermos factory."

"They all look the same, with so many chimneys. Are they all powered by steam engines?"

Captain Huang gave a thumbs up and said, "You are an expert. One of my cousins ​​said that all these new factories use steam engines."

"Is Futai Hu so generous?"

"Futai Hu was very capable and got a lot of money from the cabinet. The newspapers called it an investment, and people in Zhili called him Hu Caishen.

Oh, yesterday the emperor officially issued an edict, Zhili was changed to Hebei Province, and this place is now called Hebei. Tianjin Wei is called Tianjin City, and it is still the capital of Hebei. "

"Hebei, Tianjin? It has changed again."

"During the Wanli Dynasty, the most common thing was change, but everyone liked it. It was getting better and better, who wouldn't like it?"

Captain Huang grinned, revealing a row of yellow teeth, and laughed heartily.

Qiu Qizhuo bowed and asked, "Captain, I have heard of cotton mills and weaving factories in newspapers, but what are these cigarette factories, enamel factories and thermos bottles factories?"

"Hey, you're still asking."

"Captain knows everything?"

"You know everything?"

"So awesome?"

"hey-hey."

(End of this chapter)