Take control of Wei Zhongxian at the start and confiscate 100 million from him!

Chapter 271 The Minister's Move Shocks the World, His Iron Fist Weaves a Net to Settle the Fate

Bi Ziyan rose from his seat. He did not speak immediately, but first straightened his scarlet official robe and bowed deeply in the direction of the throne.

After the ceremony, he turned to face Wen Tiren, Sun Chuanting, and the others.

At this moment, the Minister of Revenue was completely different from the cautious and prudent old minister he usually was in court. His cheeks were flushed with an abnormal flush due to extreme excitement, and his eyes shone with a brilliance that was beyond his years. It was the heartfelt excitement of finally seeing such a rare treasure after suppressing it for too long.

His voice was loud and clear, full of energy, "Before I answer your questions, please forgive my rudeness."

He paused reluctantly, his gaze sweeping over the surprised and uncertain faces of the crowd. His chest heaved violently, and he could no longer suppress the surge of emotion he felt.

"I have discussed this outline with His Majesty several times, and I have been unable to sleep at night because of it! Today, I heard that His Majesty made it public in court, and I still cannot help but think about this magnificent plan that will bring peace to the world for generations to come..."

He suddenly raised his withered hand, before anyone could react.

"Snapped!"

A crisp and loud clapping sound echoed in the empty Fengtian Hall.

Bi Ziyan actually slammed his palm heavily on the nanmu wood table in front of him!
This was like a spark falling into boiling oil.

Wen Tiren's eyelids twitched, and his shock intensified.

This single strike completely pulled everyone in the hall from the emperor's thunderous power into a vision of an impending storm.

Bi Ziyan let out a long breath, as if he were releasing all the pent-up frustration and turmoil that had been building up in his chest for decades.

His aged back straightened ramrod straight at that moment.

"Gentlemen," he said, pointing to the map, his voice regaining its composure, "His Majesty's chessboard is set, and today I will explain to you in detail the method of placing the pieces. I dare to call this method the 'Five-Step Linked Strategy,' as each step is interconnected and indispensable."

Bi Ziyan pointed his finger at the six red circles drawn in vermilion on the map—Songjiang, Suzhou, Hangzhou, Jiaxing, Huizhou, and Raozhou.

"These six places, whether they are silk capitals, cotton-producing regions, porcelain capitals, or iron-smelting centers, are all vital hubs with abundant resources and convenient water and land transportation. Your Majesty's choice of these locations has already given you full advantage in terms of 'favorable timing' and 'advantageous location.' However, the foundation of everything lies in 'harmony among people.'"

His tone suddenly shifted, "What is harmony between people? It is the craftsman!"

Bi Ziyan raised his voice slightly, enunciating each word clearly, as if he were reading an imperial edict:
"His Majesty has decreed: 'Craftsmen are the nation's most valuable assets, not lowly laborers!'"

Upon hearing this, Sun Chuanting's eyes lit up with admiration. Coming from a humble background, he knew all too well the hardships of being a craftsman.

The artisan households, who had been artisans for generations, were burdened with official duties and held a low status, akin to government slaves. Their talents and hard work never received the respect and reward they deserved.

Bi Ziyan's voice grew increasingly resounding and powerful within the hall:

"Therefore, the first step of this strategy, which is also the foundational step, is to reshape the artisan register!"

"From the date this outline is officially proclaimed to the world, all artisans selected for the six 'Royal Bureaus' will be removed from their original artisan registers and their old files will be deleted!"

"The imperial court will establish a new register, named—'Imperial Craftsmen'!"

"Those who are registered as 'Imperial Craftsmen' will no longer be lowly servants exploited by the government, but will instead be 'quasi-officials' who receive a salary from the imperial court and serve the emperor! Their salary will be twice that of the best craftsmen on the market! Their food and lodging will be provided by the Imperial Bureau, ensuring that they have enough to eat and wear! Their families can move to the newly established 'Craftsmen's Camp' near the Bureau and be exempted from corvée labor!"

With each sentence Bi Ziyan spoke, the breathing in the hall grew heavier.

This is no longer preferential treatment; it is blatant buying people's hearts and minds, using the entire Ming Dynasty's reputation and financial resources!

What shocked Sun Chuanting even more was what Bi Ziyan said next.

"Moreover, their children, regardless of gender, can enter the 'School of Natural Sciences' attached to the General Bureau! They will not only learn their fathers' craftsmanship, but also literature, mathematics, reasoning, and history! The instructors of the school will be jointly selected by the Hanlin Academy and the Department of Natural Sciences!"

"Those who excel can be directly appointed as officials without going through the imperial examinations, through the examinations of the Bureau of Natural Sciences, and can serve in the Ministry of Works, the Ministry of War, or even the newly established Imperial Workshops and other departments! They can enter officialdom on the same path as those who passed the imperial examinations, bringing glory to their families!"

"This is the Emperor's great grace, to let all the artisans in the world with their unique skills understand that they will no longer be slaves, but subjects! Let them create for the Ming Dynasty willingly and proudly! Let them know that these hands can not only make a living, but also earn a bright future with a title and a secure future for their families!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Sun Chuanting felt a surge of heat rush from his chest to the top of his head.

This is absolutely ripping off the very roots of all the workshops and factories run by gentry and wealthy merchants across the land!

Under the heavy reward, there must be a brave man!
With the promise of "quasi-official" status and a promising career path, how could the most skilled craftsmen in the land not be drawn to him?
At that time, the Imperial Bureau of the court will gather the most exquisite skills and wisdom of the Ming Dynasty, while those folk workshops, even with vast wealth, will only have some second- or third-rate craftsmen left. How can they compete with the emperor?
Harmony among people—that's true "harmony among people"!
He used his supreme imperial power to turn the tide and completely bring the most oppressed yet most creative group of people under his control!

Brilliant! Absolutely!
“With the people in control, the next step is to build.” Bi Ziyan’s finger traced across the map. “His Majesty has already made arrangements for this matter, and the Ministry of Revenue has also allocated funds for the initial stages, so there is much preparation.”

He spoke faster, revealing a swift and efficient manner.

"The construction of the factory will be supervised by the Minister of Works, and the Ministry of War will dispatch officers and soldiers to demarcate the factory area and provide round-the-clock security, prohibiting unauthorized personnel from entering! All blueprints for the general bureau will be uniformly drawn by the 'Bureau of Natural Sciences' personally established by His Majesty, ensuring a reasonable layout and smooth process. The Songjiang Prefecture General Bureau has already secretly broken ground a month ago. As for the other five sites, once this order is issued, construction must begin within the month, and the main structure must be completed within one hundred days!"

Hundred Days Completed!

Wen Tiren felt a chill run down his spine.

In the past, it might not have taken ten years to complete such a project.

But judging from Bi Ziyan's tone—with the emperor's blueprints, the Ministry of War's strong intervention, and the Ministry of Revenue's pre-prepared funds—this matter seemed to be more than just empty talk. This was no longer ordinary government action; it was clearly being implemented under military law.

However, this is not the most terrifying thing.

Bi Ziyan's expression slowly darkened at this moment. His previous excitement faded, and his face began to show the coldness unique to an old minister, which was permeated with calculation and determination.

"The factory buildings can be constructed by the government, but the raw silk, cotton, iron, porcelain clay and other materials needed for production are all in the hands of the gentry and wealthy merchants of Jiangnan. This is the key to 'material supply,' and it is also the most vulnerable point to the implementation of this policy."

He glanced around at the crowd, especially glancing almost imperceptibly at Wei Zhongxian in the shadows.

"Therefore, the core of the second step lies in 'iron-fisted purchasing'."

"His Majesty's favor is reserved only for the loyal and obedient. To ensure the supply of materials and stabilize prices, the court will establish the 'Imperial Procurement Bureau' under the six major bureaus. This bureau will not be subject to the control of local governments and will be directly under the Imperial Bureau!"

Bi Ziyan paused, his voice becoming slow and clear, "Those who obey me will be 'Imperial Merchants'."

"Any wealthy household in Jiangnan that owns farmland, mines, or shops, and is willing to sign a contract with the Purchasing Department at market price or below, to reliably supply the General Bureau with the materials it needs, will be immediately granted the title of 'Imperial Merchant.' Their family will enjoy the protection of the government for three generations, and will be exempt from some corvée labor. Their caravans, whether by land or water, may fly the 'Imperial Merchant' flag, and all military stations and inns along the way must provide them with convenience, and local garrisons are obligated to escort them! The benefits will be a hundred times greater than before!"

Inside the hall, all was silent.

This is blatant appeasement.

Bi Ziyan's cold gaze slowly swept across the faces of everyone present, and finally, his voice turned icy again.

"Those who oppose me are 'traitors to the nation'!"

"Anyone who hoards goods, inflates prices, or colludes with others to refuse to cooperate with the court during the implementation of this outline will be guilty of cutting off the court's financial resources, undermining the foundation of the nation, and is no different from treason!"

"The Purchasing Department need not take action," his gaze sharp as a knife, piercing directly into the shadows where Wei Zhongxian was. "The Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Censors of the Censorate will immediately intervene and, on the charge of 'disrupting the national economy and people's livelihood, competing with the people for profit, and harboring treacherous intentions,' be ordered to investigate and confiscate the property!"

"His person was arrested and brought to the capital for a joint trial by the three judicial departments! His land, shops, warehouses, silver, and even every blade of grass and tree in his home were all confiscated and turned into the property of the Imperial Bureau!"

"If one household does this, that household will be investigated and its property confiscated! If one clan does this, the entire clan will be implicated! There will be absolutely no leniency!"

Sun Chuanting felt as if a thunderbolt had struck his mind. He looked at Bi Ziyan's wrinkled yet murderous face, and then recalled the emperor's words, "If there is a clan, exterminate the clan," and suddenly everything became clear!
The emperor never expected everyone to obey him!
He was even... hoping someone would stand up and object!
Those gentry and wealthy merchants, who were used to living in luxury and valuing money above all else, would never easily give up the fat meat in their mouths.
They will definitely resist, they will definitely unite, and they will definitely use every means to oppose the imperial court.

And this, in turn, gave the emperor a legitimate reason!

This is yet another 'legitimate' reason to uproot these deeply entrenched and incredibly wealthy Jiangnan tycoons with the swords of the Embroidered Uniform Guard!

Sun Chuanting could even imagine the despair those once high and mighty gentlemen would feel when the Imperial Guards, like wolves and tigers, stormed into those ornately decorated mansions.

He is now undoubtedly a member of the imperial faction!
Sun Chuanting firmly believed that the emperor had his reasons for doing so!

The only way to deal with these officials, gentry, and wealthy people who only care about their own interests and have no sense of the bigger picture is through swords and death!

……

"Once people and things are in place, the key is to 'manage' them."

Bi Ziyan suppressed his murderous aura and instead spoke of the internal system of duties and controls.

"Each of the six major bureaus has a 'General Manager,' who is personally appointed by His Majesty from among the officials in the capital. He holds the same rank as the third grade and is directly responsible to His Majesty and the Ministry of Revenue. Under the General Manager, there are four departments: 'Construction,' 'Procurement,' 'Construction Work,' and 'Finance and Accounting,' each with its own responsibilities and powers."

"The families of all officials above the rank of principal officer in each department, as well as managers of branch factories and important craftsmen, must be kept in the capital."

Bi Ziyan spoke in a calm tone, but what he said sent a chill down Wen Tiren's spine.

“It is not for imprisonment,” he explained, “but for ‘honorable upbringing.’ The court will dedicate a special ward in the inner city of the capital to grant them a residence and provide for their needs. Firstly, this demonstrates His Majesty’s favor towards meritorious officials and their families; secondly… it will also allow all the general managers and stewards to focus wholeheartedly on public service without being burdened by their families.”

Nominally a privileged life, but in reality a hostage!
How ruthless and effective this method is! By firmly holding the lives and fortunes of all key personnel in their hands, who would dare to have any disloyalty?
“This is the rigor of the organization,” Bi Ziyan continued. “And to ensure the quality and uniformity of the output, the key lies in ‘instruction.’ Instruction is divided into two parts.”

"Firstly, the instructors are loyal!"

His voice rose again, carrying a fanatical tone.

"The first lesson for all new craftsmen and apprentices entering the factory is not to learn skills, but to learn loyalty!"

"We must make them understand that every bite of food they eat and every piece of clothing they wear is a gift from the Emperor! The hammers and chisels in their hands are no longer tools for making a living, but tools for serving His Majesty and bringing glory to the Ming Dynasty! Their glory is no less than that of the swords and spears in the hands of the soldiers on the frontier!"

Wen Tiren was stunned.

Is this... a training exercise?
This is not training soldiers; training soldiers is about training their form. This method is about forging their soul! It is about fundamentally transforming a group of artisans scattered in the city, each with their own thoughts, into a royal artisan force that serves His Majesty and knows only loyalty to the emperor and the country!
Secondly, teaching skills!

"Once their loyalty is established, they can then begin learning their craft. Within the General Bureau, every process has its own set of rules, compiled into a book by the Bureau of Craftsmanship and the master craftsmen, complete with illustrations. New craftsmen must be taught by master craftsmen one-on-one and pass the examination by the Bureau of Craftsmanship before they can start working. Anyone who needs to operate new machines must receive intensive training and pass an examination before they can even touch them!"

"Only in this way can we ensure that the millions of items produced are all made by the same hand, of the same quality and without the slightest error!"

“Furthermore,” Bi Ziyan added, glancing meaningfully at everyone, “His Majesty has said that such regulations will become increasingly common in the future, not just within factories. I hope all of you will carefully consider their implications.”

This entire teaching method once again left everyone in the hall speechless.

This clearly treats living people and complex affairs as components of a huge mechanism, fitting them in perfectly according to the blueprints!
No favoritism or the slightest mistake is allowed.

Sun Chuanting was filled with fervor and wished he could immediately throw himself into it; but Wen Tiren immediately understood that what the emperor wanted to reverse was not only the flow of wealth in Jiangnan, but also to reshape the hearts and rules of the people in the world!
……

Bi Ziyan slowed down his speech again, entering the concluding stage.

"The fourth step is the commencement ceremony and the system of rewards and punishments. On the day each bureau is completed, a grand commencement ceremony must be held, inviting local officials, gentry and celebrities to attend, to demonstrate the emperor's great benevolence and to set the record straight."

Within the factory, any craftsman or supervisor who improves processes, increases output, and saves materials will be immediately and handsomely rewarded upon adoption! Rewards may include silver, promotions, and even a petition to His Majesty to grant the honor of 'presenting one's skills before the Emperor'!

"The fifth step is inspection and auditing. This is the final lock in the net of heaven and earth. I request Your Majesty to form a 'Royal Bureau Inspection Team' composed of the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Censorate of the Censorate to conduct unscheduled and unpredictable inspections of the six major bureaus."

The investigation will examine whether the chief administrators and supervisors are corrupt or negligent, and whether the imperial craftsmen are fulfilling their duties. Anyone who violates the regulations will be punished ranging from flogging to dismissal and imprisonment! This inspection team operates independently of the main bureau and reports directly to His Majesty!

"Only by clearly distinguishing between rewards and punishments, and by combining kindness and severity, can we achieve long-term stability and security."

Bi Ziyan has finished speaking.

He stepped back two paces, returned to the center of the long table, and bowed deeply towards the throne, his bow almost touching the ground.

"Your Majesty's five-step strategy, from site selection and personnel selection to construction, material supply, management, and inspection, forms a flawless closed loop. As long as we follow this plan, the six major bureaus in Jiangnan will be completed on schedule, just as Your Majesty wishes, opening up a source of wealth for our Great Ming Dynasty for generations to come!"

Bi Ziyan's voice echoed in the empty hall.

The hall was eerily quiet.

Wen Tiren's face turned ashen. Faced with this inescapable net woven from five interconnected steps, any individual's struggle or any alliance of gentry would be like a mantis trying to stop a chariot, crushed to pieces!

(End of this chapter)