Good morning Daming

Chapter 1093: One Million Dollars a Year, General's Envoy

Smart people love to outsmart their opponents and take pleasure in guessing their opponents' next move.

Yan Shifan had been waiting for Jiang Qingzhi's counterattack.

What means will it be?
Silver mountain?

Yan Shifan almost stared his one eye out.

Does Japan have a silver mountain?
Who are you fooling!

He looked at the Taoist priest, who had lost his composure. It was obvious that Jiang Qingzhi had not informed him in advance.

All the ministers were stunned.

Xu Jie stood there alone, but Old Xu was Old Xu. Even if no one paid attention to him, he still performed his one-man show.

"The Ministry of Revenue has had a difficult time in recent years. If we can get our hands on the Japanese silver mountain, it will help alleviate some of the difficulties."

Qian Yu said coldly: "May I ask Chang Wei Bo, how big is that silver mountain?"

As an important official, Jiang Qingzhi naturally could not lie about this matter.

But how big is that silver mountain?
Everyone suddenly realized.

"Isn't it as big as the dirt pile where children play?"

Everyone couldn't help but laugh.

What a bunch of idiots!

Jiang Qingzhi sighed, "It's so big that it's beyond your imagination."

"Who has seen it?" Qian Yu pressed on.

"You can't just send out an army on empty promises, right?"

The Taoist looked at Jiang Qingzhi suspiciously. He knew his cousin's character, so the claim that Japan had a silver mountain should not be false.

But as the skeptics ask, how big is that mountain of silver?

If the so-called silver mountain was just a small hill, Lu Song would strangle him to death.

Even the bankrupt Taoist priest couldn't forgive him.

As for whether Jiang Qingzhi dares to do this...

In order to conquer Japan, Jiang Qingzhi was able to do such a thing.

Both the Eastern Depot and the Embroidered Uniform Guard had secretly reported that Jiang Qingzhi was too harsh on the Japanese pirates during their campaign in the southeast, even killing prisoners.

Killing prisoners is a bad omen. Few of those who killed prisoners on a large scale in history had a good ending.

But Jiang Qingzhi still did it. This time when he went south, he killed prisoners again and was criticized by the scholars.

Compared with his cruelty towards the Japanese pirates, Jiang Qingzhi was much more tolerant towards the northern ethnic minorities.

At least they didn't kill the prisoners, and the treatment of the prisoners was pretty good. But last time Jiang Qingzhi suggested that the prisoners be used as laborers to build roads for the Ming Dynasty.

We can’t let them eat and drink for free!

This kid...does he have a grudge against the Japanese pirates?

The Taoist priest asked Rui Jingxian to investigate, and soon news came from Suzhou Prefecture that Jiang Qingzhi had never seen Japanese pirates since he was a child, and no one in his family had died at the hands of Japanese pirates.

The Taoist priest was also puzzled and wondered why this idiot was so cruel to the Japanese.

As a loyal believer of Taoism, Daoye was worried that Jiang Qingzhi would suffer retribution.

In Daoye's opinion, Jiang Qingzhi's motive for conquering Japan was the same as killing prisoners of war.

What is the real reason behind it?
Now that Jiang Qingzhi has thrown out the silver mountain theory, it has triggered ridicule from the ministers, and he has backfired.

The Taoist sighed and winked at the old dog, Lao Yuanfu.

good!
It's your turn!
Yan Song smiled bitterly in his heart, but had to stand up.

Xu Jie was still talking there.

"…Japan has been a scourge to the Central Plains for more than a hundred years, and we have not been able to eradicate them. If we let them become powerful, I am afraid they will come ashore to attack. There are also signs of recovery on the side of Altan recently. Once the Japanese pirates come ashore, Altan will certainly take advantage of the situation and go south again. With enemies in both the north and the south, the Ming Dynasty will be in danger. Therefore, I think we should take the initiative to strike first."

Xu Jie glanced at Jiang Qingzhi, and Jiang Qingzhi felt that Old Xu had taken the wrong medicine.

At what time has it come that you, Old Xu, dare to take sides?

Aren’t you afraid of being besieged by everyone?
Qian Yu asked: "Then I would like to ask Chang Wei Bo, can the silver mountain offset the cost of conquering Japan?"

Come on, don't start talking nonsense right away. I'll give you a quantitative standard: to offset the cost of conquering Japan.

Jiang Qingzhi, do you dare to do this in front of all the civil and military officials in the court?

This is the killer feature.

"The money spent on conquering Japan is not a big deal before that silver mountain." Jiang Qingzhi said, "It's just a small matter."

"Words are not enough." Qian Yu was preparing to make a coffin for Jiang Qingzhi, and the final decision was left to Jiang Ying.

Jiang Ying was about to leave class when Jiang Qingzhi asked, "Who said there's no proof?"

"Where?" Qian Yu asked.

Jiang Qingzhi smiled and said, "Your Majesty, I once went to the south to fight against the Japanese. I met a Japanese woman. This woman is not ordinary, so I brought her back. Now she is outside the palace. Please allow her to come into the palace to testify."

"Can!"

Ashikaga Yoshiko was brought into the palace by the eunuchs and was dazzled by the sights along the way.

As the younger sister of the Shogun, Ashikaga Miko had seen many magnificent palaces since she was a child. But after searching her memory, she sighed, "It is indeed the birthplace of Japanese culture."

Japan is unique in the world in learning foreigners' advanced technology in order to defeat them.

Before modern times, people learned from the Central Plains, and when the Central Plains declined, they learned from the West.

Later on, they simply proposed to leave Asia and join Europe.

When they arrived in front of the palace, Ashikaga Miko lowered her head, and the eunuch came out and said, "Follow us, and remember, don't look at what you shouldn't look at."

"Yes."

Ashikaga Miko was a little nervous. She walked into the hall and felt that countless eyes were staring at her.

I must be too nervous.

Ashikaga Miko comforted herself.

All the officials were staring at the Japanese woman. Qian Yu asked, "Do you know about the Japanese silver mine?"

Ashikaga Miko was told by Jiang Qingzhi yesterday, so she said simply, "I know."

"How big is that silver mountain?"

Ashikaga Miko looked up. "There are many mountains."

"More details."

"It is..." Ashikaga Miko thought for a moment, but couldn't think of a suitable adjective, so she said, "It is a real mountain, a silver mountain."

"I want to ask, how big is that mountain?"

"Yes..." Ashikaga Miko thought about it. To be honest, she didn't know how big Iwami Ginzan was.

But Jiang Qingzhi had explained to her yesterday that Ashikaga Miko had to bow her head under someone else's roof, "at least one million taels."

One million taels?
Lu Song's eyes lit up.
"really?"

"Ahem!" Qian Yu glanced at Jiang Ying. Since Lu Song, his immediate superior, had spoken, it was not easy for him, the minister, to go against the order.

Jiang Ying said, "One million taels of silver is not a small amount, but distant water cannot quench immediate thirst. Besides, it would take at least ten years to mine one million taels of silver! If something unexpected happens during these ten years..."

Jiang Qingzhi, you are just making empty promises.

Jiang Ying saw that Jiang Qingzhi was actually laughing. The Japanese woman looked at her in surprise, as if what she said was ridiculous.

The average annual output of silver in the Ming Dynasty was only about 200,000 to 300,000 taels.

One million taels of silver is equivalent to three years' output.

is it a lot?
"Once the army is dispatched, if the war prolongs, I'm afraid that one million taels may not be enough to sustain it!" someone said.

"We need to have food for the people and horses, and we also need to mobilize the fleet. If we encounter strong winds and waves, the fleet will be lost..."

All the ministers started to laugh at him.

Until a weak voice came, "I said... one year."

Ok?
What's that strange sound?

Everyone was stunned.

"One year?"

Ashikaga Yoshiko felt that she was a scapegoat. Once something happened, these nobles would find out that the annual output of the silver mine was far less than one million taels, and Jiang Qingzhi was fine. All their anger would be poured out on her.

At this moment, Iwami Silver Mine had just been developed not long ago. Although people saw its potential, everyone thought it was just an ordinary silver mine.

There are many volcanoes in Japan. Volcanic activity brought disasters, but also brought silver. The representative silver mine is Iwami Ginzan.

During its heyday, Iwami Ginzan’s annual output accounted for 30% of the world’s silver production.

Thirty percent, what does this mean?
The silver output in the next year was 200,000 to 300,000 taels, most of which was produced in the West.

Although the exact output of 30% is unknown, Jiang Qingzhi dares to guarantee that if the excavation is carried out at full capacity, the annual output will definitely be more than one million taels.

At least two million taels!

But Mr. Jiang was a humble man, so he reduced it by half.

However, the annual output of one million taels of silver still made the Ming Dynasty's emperors and ministers almost pop their eyes out.

One million taels!
The Taoist priest was breathing rapidly and lost his composure for the first time in the court.

What does an annual output of one million taels mean?
During the reign of Emperor Xiaozong, the Ming Dynasty's total annual monetary income was only about 500,000 taels, of which gold and silver income was only a few tens of thousands taels.

Of course, currency is a small part, and land tax is a big part. But Ming Dynasty is short of money!
The Ming Dynasty originally prohibited the use of gold and silver, but what to do if you are short of money?
The public were the first to violate the ban, and later on, local governments also openly accepted silver as a deduction for tax collection.

One million taels of silver...can expand the Ministry of Revenue and the emperor's private treasury.

"Annual output of one million taels!" Lu Song's old face glowed red, and then he looked at the Taoist priest warily.

This money cannot be brought into the palace. My Ministry of Revenue must take at least half of it. No, 70%!

Jiang Ying narrowed her eyes, "Does Long Wilbur really mean what he said?"

You dare to guarantee it.

This is the final reveal.

Jiang Qingzhi said calmly: "If we mine at full capacity and the output is less than one million taels per year, I will stay in Japan and never come back."

What the hell!

This oath...can be called a poisonous oath.

In the eyes of all officials, Japan is a barbaric land, even more barbaric than Qiongzhou.

Staying in Japan would be tantamount to exile.

Jiang Qingzhi actually dared to swear such a vicious oath!
Qian Yu glanced at Jiang Ying and shook his head slightly.

The issue of money and food could not stop Jiang Qingzhi.

Yan Song sighed. He knew that since Jiang Qingzhi dared to make such a vicious oath, the silver mountain must be a rich mine and large enough.

An annual income of one million taels of silver, and ten million taels in ten years...it is enough for military expenses, more than enough.

The proposal to use money and food to block Jiang Qingzhi's invasion of Japan failed!

Everyone knows what's next.

Who will fire?
This shot must be fired with dignity and in a way that makes you feel proud.

Everyone subconsciously looked at Xu Jie.

Old Xu had finished lining up and was now standing behind Yan Song... This guy was actually smiling at Jiang Qingzhi.

Old Xu is determined to lean towards Jiang Qingzhi and the new policy.

But if you think about it, it is understandable. Now that he is in disgrace, the only ones who can accept him are Dao Ye and Jiang Qingzhi.

The Taoist priest is not short of people, but positions. Xu Jie's downfall is not a bad thing for him.

But what about Jiang Qingzhi?
"Xu Jie is bowing to you, but you have to consider carefully what His Majesty will think." Zhu Xizhong reminded his younger brother not to anger the Taoist master because of Xu Jie.

"I know." Historically, the Daoye used Xu Jie as the chief minister for two main reasons. First, Xu Jie's reputation was growing at that time, and he was the popular choice. The father and son Yan Song, who the Daoye had favored for many years, were notorious and had just been overthrown by Xu Jie. If he didn't use Xu Jie, anyone else would cause public opposition. Second, Xu Jie was good at serving the Daoye. Whether it was writing Qingci or some of the Daoye's requests, he did everything properly.

Now the first advantage is gone, but the second one remains.

"It's not bad to let him be a flatterer." Jiang Qingzhi said with a smile.

"His Majesty!"

Jiang Ying said, "So-called war has a legitimate reason. Japan is one of the countries that Taizu Gaohuangdi listed as not to be conquered. I would like to ask Master Wei Bo, what is the reason for the Ming Dynasty to go to war?"

"To defeat the unjust with justice, this is what a true and upright army does!" Qian Yu added.

This is the biggest trouble today!

The temptation of earning a million a year made Dao Ye a little excited. When the word "ancestral system" which he hated appeared, he couldn't help but think of the dispute between the emperor and his subjects with Yang Tinghe and others.

The look in his eyes turned gloomy.

Trouble is coming.

Jiang Qingzhi said calmly: "The reason for sending troops? In fact, the reason why I suggested attacking Japan was not for the so-called silver mountain, nor for the Japanese pirates."

Ha ha!

Everyone was laughing and no one believed it.

"I'm sorry to say, if I want to ban the Japanese pirates, is it difficult?"

Jiang Qingzhi looked at the ministers with sharp eyes. Everyone thought of his record in conquering Japan and no one questioned him.

"Benber is not a warlike man."

Ha ha!

The laughter got louder.

Damn!

Whenever faced with provocations from foreign races, most people in the court would seek peace. But you, Jiang Qingzhi, were the most aggressive, shouting for war and killing as soon as you disagreed with someone.

Not to mention the beating of Altan in the north, even when he went to Yunnan, he did not forget to beat up the Burmese.

If you are not warlike, who will be?
Jiang Qingzhi said: "When I went south, I met the envoy of the Japanese general, Your Majesty..."

Jiang Qingzhi had a righteous look on his face, "Now the Japanese king is not a king, and the ministers are not ministers. The envoy represents the Shogun and asks for help from the Ming Dynasty!"

"Where is the messenger?" Jiang Ying asked.

You, Jiang Qingzhi, just made up an envoy with just a few words. After you invade Japan, the Shogun will be your prey. No matter what you want him to say, does he dare to refuse?
Jiang Qingzhi pointed at Ashikaga Miko.

"This girl's surname is Ashikaga, and she is the younger sister of Ashikaga Yoshiteru, the general of the Japanese Empire."

Jiang Ying's body trembled.

Ashikaga Yoshiko bowed solemnly: "The envoy of the Shogun, Ashikaga Yoshiko, greets Your Majesty!"

(End of this chapter)