Uncle from a poor family

Chapter 788 Investment
After leaving the palace, Zhang Yanling took Li Rong directly to a coal mine in the suburbs of Beijing, because the large-scale promotion of steam looms would require a large amount of coal.

To improve the production efficiency of looms, installing power equipment is an inevitable choice, which requires fuel, making it a major destination for the coal produced in Xishan.

"Second Young Master, will the new machine require honeycomb briquettes? Those things are really useful; four or five briquettes can last a day, and the key is that you don't need to start a fire the next day, which is very convenient. Many families in the capital are using them now," Li Rong said with a smile, looking at the rickshaws and horse-drawn carriages loaded with honeycomb briquettes on the road.

Zhang Yanling shook his head: "Using honeycomb briquettes for a steam engine is too extravagant... For large-scale coal use, as long as proper coal washing is done, it's basically usable... By the way, Eunuch Li, are the workshop's revenue accounts all normal recently?"

As the palace's weaving workshops continued to expand, a major problem arose: people began to embezzle funds and profit from the entire production and sales process.

Originally, the matter was to be presided over and managed by Zhang Yanling, but as time went on, people in the imperial palace system gradually took control of the power. Since the emperor and empress could not keep an eye on things at all times, they eventually had to send a special person to be in charge, which involved all aspects of the workshop management, and there were many places where they could interfere.

Li Rong should be very familiar with accounting matters, but it's uncertain whether he will pay attention to them or whether he will profit from them.

Li Rong respectfully replied, "I may need to go back and organize the documents before I can hand over the ledgers to you."

"Ah."

Zhang Yanling nodded and said, "No rush. Actually, I'm just asking, not auditing the accounts... My people have found out that a large amount of new fabric has recently appeared on the market, some of which are of unknown origin, and the prices are very low, which is already considered dumping... You may have to send someone to investigate this properly later."

Once someone profits from the production process, they will inevitably resell the stolen large quantities of finished fabric to make a profit.

Normally, Zhang Yanling wouldn't have noticed the problem if these fabrics were taken to the south for sale. The problem lies in the fact that the people in charge were too careless, or rather, reckless, thinking that what they were doing was so secretive that ordinary people wouldn't be able to see it.

But what could they do when they encountered Zhang Yanling, this oddball?
Li Rong said, "Second Young Master, since there is a problem, why don't you bring it up with His Majesty directly?"

Zhang Yanling shook his head: "I don't know if there are really people selling stolen goods in large quantities, and I'm not very clear about the source of the cloth being dumped at low prices. Eunuch Li, now that you are in charge of the Eastern Depot, you should have someone investigate this thoroughly, so that you won't be unable to answer His Majesty's questions and be questioned."

"Yes."

Li Rong replied with an air of acceptance.

……

……

Large quantities of coal were transported from the Western Hills to the capital.

Although the journey was not very long, the poor transportation conditions made the costs high. In Zhang Yanling's view, it was necessary to build a simple transportation track from the Western Hills to the capital.

Building a railway and trains is costly and time-consuming, and the period for seeing results is also long.

In addition, the investment is huge, and various problems will be encountered during construction, such as disrupting feng shui, affecting crops, and having safety issues, making it very difficult to complete.

As Zhang Yanling left the coal mine, he saw Qin Zhao waiting for him outside.

"Master Qin."

Zhang Yanling had taken the initiative to greet him.

Qin Zhao quickly returned the greeting.

The two walked together toward the warehouse next door.

Around Jishuitan, there are many such warehouses, and now, due to the popularity of honeycomb briquettes, large quantities of honeycomb briquettes can be seen piled up in any warehouse or inn around the capital.

Qin Zhao said, "Second Young Master, the newly produced coal is now being transported to the capital in a steady stream. Those who initially handled this business saw returns in less than a month. Currently, the demand for coal is also very high in Tongzhou, Beizhili, Shandong, and other places."

Zhang Yanling smiled and said, "The imperial court is only responsible for collecting taxes from private mines. As for where the mined coal is transported, there are no restrictions. Geographically, as long as the business is viable, it can be promoted."

Qin Zhao nodded and said, "That's true, but there will be all sorts of extortion and bribery by the government."

This brings us to the fact that the power of the government was enormous back then. Any commodity, especially bulk commodities like coal, would inevitably encounter government checkpoints and even profit from them once it arrived in the local area. Their goal was to get you to bribe them with silver, and if you didn't give enough, they would directly confiscate the goods.

When the government has the power to rob merchants at will, one cannot entirely rely on the officials' compassion to refrain from robbing you.

Many people think, "If you have power, you should seize it too. Since I'm in power today, why should I let go of these easy benefits?"

Zhang Yanling cannot claim to be particularly noble. In fact, many of the industries he developed were able to succeed because he had powerful backers. The Huizhou and Shanxi merchants tried every means to get close to him precisely because the power behind him made the local government fearful.

Having a powerful backer, especially one whose power extends throughout the entire Ming Dynasty, one would certainly gravitate towards the strongest backer without the slightest hesitation.

They also wanted to get close to the emperor, but the emperor wouldn't give them the opportunity.

Zhang Yanling could be considered the emperor's spokesperson.

Zhang Yanling said, "I don't have a better solution for this at the moment. If you encounter a similar situation in the future, you can report it to me and I'll try to help you resolve it."

If local officials want to exploit merchants and you come to me for support, I don't currently have a good way to deal with it.

Even a powerful dragon can't suppress a local snake. Since I'm in the capital, I have no say in what's happening in the local areas.

He further cautioned, "The situation is much better around the capital and in the Jiangnan region near Nanjing. As for other provinces, we can temporarily refrain from transporting coal there, unless the merchants have powerful backers in the local area, or are directly officials and businessmen."

It's not that business can't continue just because local officials exploit people.

If someone like the brother-in-law of the provincial governor or the brother-in-law of the prefect were to do this business, would they still be exploited?

The key is to use connections to sell goods to these people and let them resell them locally. As for how much they earn, that depends on their skills...

Throughout history, the issue of territorial protection has never been something that can be resolved once and for all by using public power.

The problem lies in the poor timeliness of decentralization of power these days. By the time a matter is reported to the central government and the court sends someone to intervene, the local officials may have already been replaced.

Even if there is enough time, the people who have been exploited will probably be bankrupt or even have disappeared.

"Ah."

Qin Zhao nodded and said, "Then, Second Young Master, what are your long-term plans for this?"

Zhang Yanling said, "Master Qin, to be honest, my vision is actually a bit short-sighted... Right now, I only plan to do well in the business around the capital. If in the future I have to expand the business to every corner of the Ming Dynasty, then I'll worry about that."

In essence, this means that no matter what, as long as the political system of the Ming Dynasty is not reformed and the power of local officials remains unchanged, I am powerless to change this matter.

To change all this, I would have to overthrow my brother-in-law's empire, establish my own dynasty, implement a constitutional monarchy, implement the separation of powers, and even go through decades of legal education to establish a complete oversight system, while ensuring that no problems arise within this oversight system... I am not a god, nor am I here to completely transform the Ming Dynasty. I am merely the emperor's brother-in-law, using the existing political system to achieve some of my goals.

Qin Zhao said, "Second Young Master, I heard that you are planning to build a ship recently. Is there anything I can do to help?"

"Master Qin, do you think you're capable of helping?"

Zhang Yanling smiled and said, "Or perhaps you think you want to get involved in this overseas business? To tell you the truth, shipbuilding is a great undertaking that benefits the country and future generations, and it will definitely bring in huge profits. However, the policy risks involved are much higher than those of opening a few coal mines."

Qin Zhao asked, "Do people in the court support you in doing this?"

Zhang Yanling smiled and shook his head: "Of course I won't support him, so I have to raise the money and supplies myself. I can only get His Majesty's support. Everything will have to wait until we see results before His Majesty will talk to the people in the court. Until then, I'm fighting all by myself."

"I would also like to participate."

Qin Zhao appeared decisive and said, "If I can do something that will benefit future generations and fight alongside you, Second Young Master, I believe this is the best investment right now. As for my life and fortune, and so-called policy risks, these are not things I care about."

……

……

The next day.

Inside a workshop in the south of the city.

Shen Lu led the way, bringing Wang Yue inside, where they met Zhang Yanling, who was instructing the casting of cannons.

The workshop wasn't large, because it was making prototype cannons, so there weren't many craftsmen inside, but there were quite a few people protecting it from the outside.

After Wang Yue entered, he felt that everything was new and exciting. After looking around, he finally waited for Zhang Yanling to finish his work and come over to see him.

"My name is Wang Shichang. I have met Zhang Guojiu."

Wang Yue took the initiative to bow to Zhang Yanling.

Zhang Yanling returned the greeting, saying, "Your Highness is too kind."

"Don't dare to take it seriously."

Wang Yue never expected that he would receive such courtesy from Zhang Yanling and be allowed to come to such a confidential place. He immediately felt honored.

The group then went inside and took their seats.

Shen Lu smiled and said, "Nephew Yanling, didn't your father say that the selection of the person in charge of the three border regions for the court still needs to be discussed further?"
"His Majesty attaches great importance to military and political affairs and needs a capable and virtuous person to be stationed in Guyuan to oversee the three border regions. There are very few people in the court who meet this requirement, and Prince Wang is one of the best among them."

Zhang Yanling thought to himself, "Do you really need to be so blunt?"
Wang Yue said, "Counselor Shen flatters me... I am just an old man who has retired at home, made a big mistake in the past, and whose merits and demerits are barely offset."

Shen Lu sighed, "Your Highness is far too modest... Throughout your life, you have never suffered a defeat in your military campaigns against the Tatars. Who in the court and the public does not admire you? Among the officials of today, who can compare with you in military affairs?"

Zhang Yanling looked at Shen Lu, then at Wang Yue, and wondered to himself, "Why are they bragging like this?"
Have you considered my feelings?

"Your Highness, do you have any specific research on artillery warfare?"

Zhang Yanling asked.

Wang Yue glanced at the cannon parts displayed in the courtyard outside and said calmly, "In the war against the Tatars, cannons, as weapons of mass destruction, if used properly, will greatly boost the morale of the soldiers and officers, and thus advance step by step... making them invincible on the battlefield."

"What if we use cannons, muskets, and firearms as our main means of combat, and gradually abandon bows, crossbows, spears, and other cold weapons?" Zhang Yanling asked again.

"This……"

Wang Yue was somewhat puzzled.

I've come to talk to the Zhang family and ask for their help in pleading with the emperor so that I might have the opportunity to become the governor of the three border regions.

Why are you suddenly bringing up cannons and muskets with me?

Although the Ming Dynasty's cannons and muskets were quite powerful, the Shenji Battalion could never dominate the battlefield, and in many cases, they still had to rely on cold weapons to conquer cities and fortresses.

what is this?
Is it for my exam?
"Please forgive me, Your Highness."

Zhang Yanling patiently explained, “After His Majesty ascended the throne, he hoped that the use of firearms in the Ming border army could be significantly increased. The next step is to make firearms the dominant weapon on the battlefield, and to use it to confront the Tatars head-on, thereby promoting military reforms. His Majesty desperately needs a knowledgeable person to take charge of everything on the three borders.”

Tell the emperor the purpose of appointing the governors of the three border regions. It's not to create a problem for you; it's simply because that's what the emperor really thinks.

Even if you, Wang Yue, have your own opinions on the transition and reform from cold weapons to firearms, keep them to yourself for now. Now, let me ask you, do you want this position?
If you want to go to the Northwest as the governor-general, even if it's just to please the emperor, you have to say something that makes him think you are the most suitable person to promote reform.

If you insist on sticking to your own way of doing things, no matter how great your past achievements or how rich your experience in leading troops and fighting, the emperor will not use you.

Wang Yue quickly replied, "I have served in the military for many years and am very knowledgeable about the use of firearms."

Zhang Yanling laughed and said, "Then why doesn't the prince go back and write a memorial on this matter, taking the initiative to reach His Majesty's ears, so that His Majesty knows your determination and courage in military reform?"

It's not that I'm giving you a difficult question; it's that I'm telling you the exam questions in advance.

Whether you, Wang Yue, are capable or not, don't expect others to speak well of you; you have to rely on your own real abilities to achieve it.

Shen Lu asked curiously, "Nephew, do you mean... whoever has a better understanding of firearms and is more proficient in the tactics surrounding firearms can oversee the military affairs of the three border regions?"

"This one……"

Zhang Yanling smiled and shook his head, saying, "Uncle, how can I answer you when you ask me this? The final decision still rests with His Majesty, and it can only be decided after the court officials have discussed it."

"However, there is still controversy over who is capable of this task. I think His Majesty will soon list out the relevant issues, that is, the requirements for the overall command of the three border military affairs in detail."

Shen Lu seemed to understand something and nodded, saying, "That means there will be more and more candidates being reported, and finally, based on everyone's strengths and the demonstration of their abilities, we will discuss who will be used in the end?"

Wang Yue was also very curious.

Despite being a former Minister of War, he was extremely insensitive to politics, and he only understood the issue after Shen Lu asked him directly.

(End of this chapter)