Three whips break the father-son relationship, please call me prince

Chapter 176: Farming Ceremony, Imperial Subsidy Plan

When spring comes, the most important matter for the entire court is spring ploughing.

From the emperor and his ministers to the common people, everyone was busy with this matter.

The emperor had to perform the ceremony of personally tilling the land, set an example to encourage people to engage in agriculture and pray for a good harvest.

This day is the Jingzhe season, the Spring Equinox.

The sky is clear and the air is fresh, with a gentle spring breeze.

Li Shimin held the Zhenguan plow in his hand, and Li Chengqian led the ox in front, plowing out furrows.

This is an extremely common action in the eyes of ordinary people.

At this moment, it represents strong political significance and solemn symbolic meaning.

"This Zhenguan plow saves a lot of effort."

“The Ministry of Industry did a good job.”

Li Shimin said with great appreciation.

Zhenguan Plow.

It was researched by the Ministry of Works before the ploughing ceremony.

It is the curved plow, but the name has to fit the current situation.

Li Chengqian was quite pleased that the Ministry of Works had finally achieved some results.

The appearance of the Zhenguan plow was intended to greatly save time, reduce waste of manpower and improve production efficiency.

"With the Zhenguan plow, a family that could cultivate ten acres of land before can now cultivate more than twenty acres."

“There will also be extra time to reclaim other barren lands.”

Wei Zheng said with a smile: "Duke Zhao, it seems that there is no need to worry about the 20 million acres of fertile farmland this year."

Zhang Sun Wuji was of course very happy and said, "This is the achievement of the Duke of Yun. The Zhenguan Plow has benefited the people and has made great achievements..."

Minister of Works Zhang Liang held his head high and chest puffed out. After the mixed doubles between the two palaces, the Ministry of Works finally had something to show for itself.

"Duke Zhao, you are too kind. This is all thanks to your Majesty's wise leadership and the Crown Prince's close care."

Zhang Liang asked, "How dare I take credit for it?"

Li Shimin was in a very good mood and said with a smile: "Okay, my mind is as clear as a mirror."

"You, Duke of Yun, led the officials of the Ministry of Works to produce the Zhenguan Plow, which lived up to the expectations of me and the Crown Prince."

"But we must not underestimate ourselves, nor should we take credit for ourselves or become complacent."

"We should concentrate on our work and keep working hard."

"I'm giving you the Ministry of Industry's fortune-telling. You have to make achievements to live up to the expectations of the people of the world."

Zhang Liang clasped his hands and said, "I will follow your instructions!"

"Assistant, how do you plan to promote the Zhenguan Plow?"

Li Shimin took two steps and stood aside, watching the prince holding the plow and urging the ox forward with one hand.

Chang Sun Chong and Li Zhi ran in front of the oxen to lead the way.

There was a slight smile on his face.

"Spring ploughing has already begun. If we want to replace it in the world now, it may be too late."

"So, we can only start from around Chang'an and gradually implement it."

Chang Sun Wuji said: "I think by the time the autumn plowing season comes, the major areas of the country will be completely replaced."

"When the spring plowing season comes next year, try to ensure that all people in the world use the Zhenguan plow."

"Can the production keep up?" Li Shimin asked.

Zhang Liang continued, "It's not a big problem."

"The Ministry of Industry received the order from the Crown Prince and after discussion, decided to announce the detailed manufacturing process of the Zhenguan Plow to the public."

"Increase the output of Zhenguan plows by combining the court and the people."

"In this way, it is not difficult to meet the replacement needs of the world."

Li Shimin nodded, "This is a good method. It can not only solve the problem of production and meet the needs of the people, but also achieve the purpose of the court's promotion."

He looked at the prince, his eyes becoming more and more satisfied.

As an emperor, he recognized the prince's excellence.

As a father, he was also very happy, but the only fly in the ointment was...

Hey!
If I say too much, he is the only one who knows my pain.

"But how much is this Zhenguan Plow worth?"

“Can the people afford it?”

He retracted his gaze, walked aside with his hands behind his back, and asked, "The Zhenguan plow saves effort, and one person can complete the farming."

"But a family of young and strong men only has one plow and one ox. Isn't that a waste?"

"Have the Ministry of Civil Affairs and the Ministry of Industry considered this?"

"One family cannot afford to buy an ox and a Zhenguan plow."

Zhang Sun Wuji said: "The Ministry of Civil Affairs is considering this issue."

"I have an idea, but I am a little hesitant."

"What do you mean?" Li Shimin asked curiously.

"This method is very debatable. I have discussed it with the officials of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, but we still cannot reach a consensus."

"tell me the story."

Li Shimin became even more curious.

Zhang Sun Wuji said: "The Ministry of Civil Affairs and the Ministry of Works will jointly bear part of the price of the Zhenguan plow."

"This makes the price of the Zhenguan plow within the acceptable range for ordinary people."

“At the same time, you can use the old plow to offset some of the price.”

"The same applies to oxen. The Ministry of Civil Affairs can subsidize part of the price of purchasing oxen."

"In this way, the money paid by the people is not too much, and the people can accept it more easily."

Li Shimin looked at Zhangsun Wuji meaningfully.

He had a premonition.

This was not something Changsun Wuji thought of.

"No wonder there is no unified idea."

"The Ministry of Civil Affairs is going to spend such a large sum of money. Can it afford it?"

"You, the great minister of agriculture, don't you feel bad?"

Li Shimin joked.

Zhang Sun Wuji said solemnly, "Your Majesty, everything is for the benefit of the people of the world."

"I am not distressed about the small amount of money from the Ministry of Civil Affairs. I want to see whether it benefits the people and is beneficial to the country."

"Ah……!"

Li Shimin couldn't help but laugh and said, "Last year's surplus was 1,500 guan, and this year's budget will require an expenditure of 33 million guan." "Although it hasn't been spent yet, it's putting a lot of pressure on your Ministry of Civil Affairs."

"How much money are you prepared to give as a subsidy?"

Zhang Sun Wuji said: "Your Majesty, this money is not only provided by the Ministry of Civil Affairs, but also by the Ministry of Works."

"The oxen used for plowing are not counted among the Ministry of Works. The Ministry of Works also needs to take one of the Zhenguan plows."

How could it be possible that the Ministry of Civil Affairs should pay for all this?

The Ministry of Works made the Zhenguan Plow. You want to take some credit for it, but how can you do that without paying?

Zhang Liang wanted to take advantage of the situation, so how could Changsun Wuji give him the chance?

Zhang Liang looked embarrassed and said, "The Ministry of Industry doesn't have much money..."

Wei Zheng said quietly, "The Ministry of Works still doesn't have the money for the three million guan temple budget?"

"The total amount of state affairs is only 18 million guan."

No.

Zhang Liang touched his beard. What does that mean?
Why are you targeting my Ministry of Industry’s money?
You all think that I, a Minister of Works who came from a military background, am easy to bully, right?
I am also a Duke.

"His Majesty."

"The Ministry of Industry really can't come up with the money." Zhang Liang said.

At this time, Li Chengqian came over, took the handkerchief, wiped the sweat off his face, and said with a smile: "This farming is not an easy job."

"Just look at this moment, I've sweated a lot."

"It seems that I haven't exercised enough."

He asked, "Your Majesty, gentlemen, what are you talking about?"

"Your Highness, you have to make the decision for the Ministry of Works."

Zhang Liang shouted, "The Ministry of Civil Affairs wants the Ministry of Industry to give money to subsidize the Zhenguan plow."

"Where does the Ministry of Industry have extra money?"

Li Chengqian had a general idea and asked, "How much can the Ministry of Industry give at most?"

"what?"

Zhang Liang was dumbfounded. He thought reinforcements had arrived, but they turned out to be even more powerful.

Li Shimin didn't say anything, just watched.

Fang Xuanling gently bumped into Zhang Liang, and Zhang Liang finally reacted and said hesitantly, "One hundred thousand strings of cash?"

"Three hundred thousand strings of cash?"

Neither His Majesty nor the Crown Prince said anything. Changsun Wuji glared at him, as if he was sending away a beggar.

"Five hundred thousand strings of cash." Zhang Liang said with a wry smile, "The Ministry of Works can only give this much."

"If there's more, I'll just have to beg for food."

Li Shimin laughed and scolded: "Look at your achievements. You squeezed out 500,000 out of 3 million strings of cash. You are as wronged as a young wife."

Zhang Liang lowered his head, feeling a little upset.

Your Majesty speaks better than you sing.

If you have the ability, don’t let the Ministry of Works widen the official road in Hebei.

You want the horse to run, but you also want to pull its grass.

You have the final say on whether it is good or bad.

If things don't get done, you'll blame me.

It's really not easy to be a civil servant.

"Five hundred thousand is fine."

Li Chengqian smiled and asked, "How much is the Ministry of Civil Affairs prepared to give?"

"Five million strings of cash."

After Changsun Wuji finished speaking, everyone in the audience was shocked.

Li Chengqian was also a little surprised.

Zhang Liang was confused, your Ministry of Civil Affairs is not that awesome.

Five million right off the bat?
Why are you still staring at my 500,000 yuan?
Your uncle’s Changsun Wuji.

Li Shimin was suspicious and said, "Assisted machine, five million, are you kidding?"

"Your Majesty, this five million is for one year. It may seem like a lot, but when it comes to subsidies, it may not be enough."

Zhang Sun Wuji explained: "There are nearly four million households in our Tang Dynasty now."

"The subsidy for oxen and plows is nearly 4 million strings of cash per string of money."

"If it is a household, it needs two oxen and two plows..."

It can be seen that Changsun Wuji has done his homework.

Otherwise, he would not be able to come up with such detailed data.

The same is true.

As the main productive animal for the people, oxen are extremely valuable and their prices have always been high.

Otherwise there would be no ban on killing cows.

If the Xueyantuo had not been destroyed, a large number of live cattle would have been seized and transported back to the country, causing the price of live cattle to fall.

Changsun Wuji didn't even dare to mention the idea of ​​subsidizing the oxen for working.

Although some cows lack endurance and are not suitable for plowing, they are a minority and can be sold at a lower price.

Anyway, cows eat grass, so no food is wasted.

But even so, it is extremely difficult for ordinary families to buy it.

If the imperial court wants to achieve the goal of increasing private production and increasing land use, it can only pay part of the money.

The imperial court is currently losing money, but in just one or two years, the grain output of the people will increase significantly, and the tax revenue of the imperial court will also increase greatly.

Everyone understands the reason.

Wei Zheng suddenly said, "I do have a question. The court subsidizes it, and the people buy it at a low price."

"If some people take advantage of this price gap, they can sell it at a higher price."

"Isn't this court being made a fool?"

Everyone also feels that there is this risk.

"Your Majesty, this is something you should take into consideration." Fang Xuanling said, "The court's idea is good, but there are always some people who are blinded by profit and take risks."

Li Shimin frowned and was also weighing and thinking.

Li Chengqian said: "I believe that the people all yearn for a better life and work with their own hands."

"Just like the birth control policy, we cannot be afraid to act because of some petty and unscrupulous people."

"After all, these people are a very small minority. We cannot take this uncertainty into consideration and throw the baby out with the bathwater."

(End of this chapter)