Back to Daming to be a genius

Chapter 193
(PS: The second update has been delivered, and I am qualified to stand upright and ask my friends for a monthly pass.)
The difficulty of enforcing the taxation of pedestals into mu is much greater than what Young Master Zhang and Wei Zhongxian imagined. Datong Prefecture governs four prefectures and seven counties. He was strongly opposed by the local gentry officials, and there were civil uprisings several times—that is, the local gentry organized family members to go to the yamen to make trouble and refused to pay taxes. Thanks to Ma Shiying's support from the Datong army, they sent troops to arrest the two most troublesome gentry, and Wei Zhongxian also withstood the pressure of officials at the court to protect Ma Shiying.And the results are quite gratifying. After one year, one prefecture and two counties have received more than 2 taels of taxation than in previous years. At the same time, the burden on the poor people has also been greatly reduced. During the spring famine season, the poor people in the two counties of this prefecture did not riot, which completely cut off the signs of a peasant uprising in Datong.Of course, the price is that the Ministry of Officials has more than 40 memorials to impeach Ma Shiying on file.

"No matter how difficult it is, we must continue to implement it." After listening to Ma Shiying's report, Wei Zhongxian made a decision on the spot and said: "And we must expand the scope of the implementation of the allocation of land into acres. Starting next year, not only the four prefectures and seven counties in Datong Prefecture will implement , the neighboring Shanxi and Xuanfu must also implement it! There are also Shanxi and Gansu, anyway, the tax revenue is not coming up, so it is better to follow the trend to promote the sharing of the land, and make an empty favor for the common people!"

"Father, it's okay to say that in Shaanxi and Gansu, the thieves have become so violent that the gentry and officials there don't have the guts to object even if they want to." Young Master Zhang said darkly: "But if you want to promote the stalls in Xuanfu and Shanxi It is more difficult to enter the mu, and without a strong Xuanda Governor to implement the new policy of sharing the land into the mu, I am afraid that the implementation of the new policy will only become a dead letter, or even turn into a new policy that harms the people. Based on Zhang Pu's past performance , I’m afraid I can’t bear such a heavy burden.”

"That makes sense." Wei Zhongxian nodded slowly, and said in a deep voice, "Governor Xuan's burden is heavy! Not only must he guard against thieves fleeing eastward and invade the Gyeonggi area, but he must also guard against the Tatar tribes and Mongolian Lindan in the north. Overcoming the opinions of all the people and forcing the implementation of the new policy of "sharing the land into the mu", with thousands of clues and surrounded by enemies, Zhang Pu's trash alone will definitely not work."

Speaking of this, Wei Zhongxian's mung bean eyes frantically looked around at Young Master Zhang and Ma Shiying who were present, while Young Master Zhang sat up straight and hinted at Wei Zhongxian.I never thought that after Wei Zhongxian fixed his eyes on Young Master Zhang, he hesitated for a while, but then looked away, and said vaguely: "Okay, let's stop here today, you two monkeys are tired, go back and rest .Other matters will be discussed another day.”

"Strange? Besides me, who else is more qualified to sit in the position of Xuanda Governor?" Young Master Zhang wondered, but he couldn't ask directly because Ma Shiying was present, so he had to get up and leave with Ma Shiying, leaving Wei Zhongxian behind. Close your eyes and meditate in the hall.When he went out, he looked back and saw Wei Zhongxian's frowning face, and Young Master Zhang even felt a little worried, "Could it be that the old eunuch saw through my temptation today? The dead old eunuch really colluded with those traitors, so he was afraid of me After becoming Governor of Xuanda, he attacked those traitorous businessmen in Zhangjiakou and cut off his financial resources, so you don’t want me to be Governor of Xuanda?”

The next day, the first day of November, Ming Xizong formally accepted the pilgrimage of the Mongolian taijis captured by Master Zhang in Huangji Hall, and conferred the three taijis of Oba, Ukeshan and Selen as Khans, and canonized Khans. They are allowed to pay tribute, and the other Taiji have also been officially awarded by the Ming court, allowing them to form a team to pay tribute once every three years-but there are clear regulations on the number of envoys.At the same time, Ming Xizong and Wei Zhongxian also adopted the suggestion of Young Master Zhang, and detained these Taiji's sons in the capital as hostages, gave them a mansion to live together, and learned Chinese culture. The Mongolian army in the Qin Grassland and the Horqin Grassland, and placed them under the jurisdiction of the Liaodong Governor. ——Originally, several officials suggested that a few Mongol Taiwan Ji Liwei should be dropped. Fortunately, Master Zhang has already won the absolute trust of Ming Xizong and Wei Zhongxian. Under the firm opposition of Master Zhang, Ming Xizong and Wei Zhongxian finally dismissed it. this thought.

After the award was completed, Ming Xizong gave a banquet in Qianqing Palace to entertain the group of Mongolian captives captured by Young Master Zhang. During the banquet, Se Leng respectfully kowtowed to Ming Xizong and said, "Your Majesty the Great Ming Emperor, your most loyal servant Selen I have a presumptuous request, please allow your Majesty the Emperor." After Ming Xizong's permission, Selen kowtowed again and said: "Your Majesty the Great Emperor, Selen dares to plead with you on behalf of the Mongolian tribes in the whole grassland. Open a few more border markets on the border of the Great Wall to expand border market trade, so that Mongolian tribes who have been loyal to you for generations can buy much-needed food, salt, cloth, pig iron and tea from the border markets. All Mongolian tribes on the Mongolian grassland must also I will never forget Daming's kindness."

After Selen said this, other Mongolian Taiji also begged one after another, hoping that the Ming court could open more border markets and expand the scale of trade.The interpreter translated the words, Ming Xizong couldn't help but asked: "What? Are the few border cities now not enough?" Selen kowtowed and replied: "Your Majesty, Emperor Ming, it is indeed not enough. The Mongolian tribes can only buy food from the four border markets of Gaotaibao, Xifengkou, Gubeikou and Zhangjiakou. The roads are far away and the prices are very high, which cannot meet the needs of the Mongolian tribes. That's why your most loyal servant dared to plead with you you."

"Your Majesty, I don't understand something." Instructed by Young Master Zhang's wink, Liu Ruozai stood up and asked with cupped hands: "Your Majesty, as far as I know, the Zhangjiakou border market is mainly open to Lin Danhan, and the Karaqin Grassland Why do the Mongolian tribes of Mongolia not go to the border markets of Xifengkou and Gubeikou, and go to the border market of Zhangjiakou to buy supplies? Is the price of goods in the border market of Zhangjiakou cheaper than that of Xifengkou or Gubeikou? much?"

As soon as Liu Ruozai said this, the civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty were dumbfounded, and many people's faces changed a little. Over there, Ming Xizong and Wei Zhongxian also looked at each other, and it was the first time that they found that there seemed to be a big problem.Seeing this scene, Young Master Zhang hurriedly coughed, stood up and said, "Lord Liu, you don't know something. Since I took office in Jimen last year, a kind of grain and salt trading standard has been implemented in the border markets of Gubeikou and Xifengkou. System—equivalent to export quotas. Only the Mongolian tribes loyal to my Ming Dynasty can obtain purchasing standards by estimating their population consumption. They purchase grain, salt, tea, and iron from the border markets of Gubeikou and Xifengkou. So many of them are in Gubeikou and Xifengkou. The Mongolian tribes who couldn't buy food, salt and tea at Fengkou had no choice but to look far away."

"So that's how it is." Liu Ruozai nodded, and said loudly, "Your Majesty, Eunuch Wei, the food shortage in northern Daming is also very serious, why don't Zhangjiakou and Gaotaibao Border City also adopt the grain and salt pioneered by Mr. Zhang?" The trading guideline system, by estimating the population consumption of each Mongolian tribe, issued the guideline, which is directly under the jurisdiction of a special person sent by the Rites Supervisor to verify and issue. In this way, it can not only ensure the daily needs of the Mongolian tribes on the grassland, but also avoid waste , to ease the food shortage in the north, wouldn’t it kill two birds with one stone?”

As soon as Liu Ruozai's words came out, I don't know how many officials who might be cut off from their fortunes wanted to strangle Liu Ruozai to death—if the governor in charge of Gaotaibao Border City was present, he would definitely want to strangle Liu Ruozai to death as well!I don’t know how many Mongolian Taijis want to strangle Selen to death, secretly scolding you, Selen, why mention Zhangjiakou for nothing, this is all right, our source of income will be cut off by you!Selen was expressionless, peeping at Young Master Zhang out of the corner of his eyes—he said in his heart that we have agreed, and my food and salt trading rules will be doubled!On the contrary, the eyes of the father-in-laws in the Supervisor of Rituals were all shining. It was the first time that Liu Ruozai was so cute, and he wanted to rush forward to kiss Liu Ruozai. What is it for the superintendent of ceremonies?Only Young Master Zhang remained calm, staring at Wei Zhongxian with his thief eyes, peeking at the change of expression on Wei Zhongxian's face.

The book explains that the establishment of export quotas in Zhangjiakou is actually just a trick carefully arranged by Young Master Zhang to ask for directions. The purpose is to test Wei Zhongxian's attitude towards those traitorous businessmen in Zhangjiakou. I will definitely firmly oppose this export quota system, so as not to endanger my own financial resources.If Wei Zhongxian, who has a sense of the overall situation, supports this system and introduces fertilizer and water into the field of the Supervisor of Rituals, then needless to say, our Young Master Zhang, who is more than Hai Ruilian than Bao Zheng, can let go and do it hard. Cleaning up the gang of traitors and Jin merchants in Zhangjiakou will not only benefit the country, but also enrich themselves, that is the real killing two birds with one stone!
"Zhongxian, what do you think?" Contrary to Young Master Zhang's expectations, when Ming Xizong asked Wei Zhongxian for his opinion.After thinking about it for a long time, Wei Zhongxian replied noncommittally: "Your Majesty, the slaves think that the Zhangjiakou border market is different from the border markets of Gubeikou and Xifengkou, because Zhangjiakou is mainly for the Mongolian Lindan Khan trade. I'm afraid that it will involve too much, and it's hard for Lin Danhan to explain. Therefore, the servant feels that this matter should be discussed carefully before making a decision, and the opening of the border market can also be discussed together."

"Okay then." Ming Xizong nodded, and said to Selen: "King Selen Khan, I and the Ming court will carefully consider your request. You just go back to Jinghou Jiayin."

"Thank you, His Majesty, Emperor Ming." Selen kowtowed to express his thanks, and stood up with a smile—Selen didn't care whether Zhangjiakou's border market had any export quotas. I can't wait for Zhangjiakou to reduce exports and strictly investigate smuggling!However, Young Master Zhang was extremely disappointed. He really didn't understand whether Wei Zhongxian was considering the overall situation, or was he deliberately shirking, and secretly indulged the traitorous Shanxi merchants in Zhangjiakou?Thinking of his begging for the position of Governor Xuanda and failing to get the position, Young Master Zhang inevitably became more suspicious—could it be that Wei Zhongxian really colluded with those traitorous Shanxi merchants, so he was not allowed to attack them?

"Damn it, try again!" After thinking about it, Young Master Zhang gritted his teeth secretly, and decided to fan the flames again and try Wei Zhongxian's true attitude again - if it proves that Wei Zhongxian really colluded with those traitorous Shanxi merchants, Then Young Master Zhang had no choice but to withdraw temporarily, and waited for Wei Zhongxian to be overthrown before attacking those traitors and Shanxi merchants...

………………

Under the deliberate dissemination of many interested people, the news that Liu Ruozai suggested that the Zhangjiakou border market should also set up export quotas in the Qianqing Palace soon spread to the Zhangjiakou border market which is not too far from the capital.Hearing this news, the eight major locust merchants of the Qing Dynasty who made great contributions to the establishment of slaves and entry into the customs in history yelled at Liu Ruozai's eighteen generations of ancestors, Wang Dengku, Jin Liangyu, Wang Dayu, Liang Jiabin, Tian Shenglan, Zhai Ying, Huang Yunlong and Fan Yongdou It is rare for these eight locust merchants to get together and start discussing countermeasures.

"The barbarian court must not be allowed to implement this grain and salt trading standard system in Zhangjiakou!" Huang Yunlong, who presided over the meeting, slapped the table and shouted angrily: "If the barbarian court implements this system, our business will be over. ! We have to limit the amount of grain, salt and tea sold to the Mongolian grasslands, and have to pay taxes to the imperial court, how can we still earn money?”

"I heard that the old eunuch Wei Zhongxian objected. He was afraid that Lin Danhan would be unhappy and lead troops to attack the Xuanda Great Wall." Tian Shenglan was more optimistic and said with a smile: "In the barbarian court, the old eunuch Wei can cover the sky with one hand, as long as he doesn't nod , who dares to cut off our fortune?"

"Be careful." Jin Liangyu said darkly: "Liu Ruozai, the son from Shandong, suggested that the supervisor of ceremonies be in charge of the grain and salt standard system directly. Can those gangsters in the prison not be tempted? They get along with old eunuch Wei day and night, if old eunuch Wei is persuaded by them that day, then everything will be over."

Several other locust merchants agreed one after another, and they were also worried that the eunuchs in the Supervisor of Rituals would be dazzled by the money, so they encouraged the old eunuch Wei to agree to the export quota system that lacked eight lifetimes of virtue.Only Fan Yongdou remained calm, until everyone was tired of yelling, Fan Yongdou said slowly: "It seems that the few of us need to go to the capital in person."

"What are you going to do in the capital?" Jin Liangyu asked tentatively, "Master Fan, do you want us all to find out what's going on? Spend some money to send those barbarian officials to come forward and stop them?"

"That's right, there are also those gangsters from the Supervisor of Rituals who want to buy one or two for our use, so that the old eunuch Wei won't get dizzy. I really agree with this system." Fan Yongdou nodded, and said slowly: "There is one more important matter, We have to do it ourselves—Governor Zhang Pu’s three-year term is about to expire, and with his performance in office, it may be difficult for him to be re-elected, so we have to find out who the next Governor of Xuanda is, and plan ahead Pull him over first! As long as Governor Xuan Da is used by us, even if the old eunuch Wei really agrees to set up some food and salt standards, we don’t have to be too afraid.”

"That's right. Shopkeeper Fan Da is really scheming, I agree." Wang Dayu was the first to agree.The other locust merchants also nodded in agreement, and Tian Shenglan also shouted arrogantly: "Let's just use silver to throw over the Minister of the Ministry of Officials, and ask him to recommend our people to be the governor of Xuanda. It will be more convenient to do things like this!"

"Treasurer Tian, ​​it's useless for you to knock the minister of the official department unconscious with silver." Fan Yongdou sneered, despising Tian Shenglan's ignorance, "For an important position like the governor of Xuanda, the minister of the official department talks and farts The same is useless! The key to deciding who to appoint as Governor Xuan is the Emperor Manzi and the old eunuch Wei! So this time, we still have to try the old eunuch Wei’s path again..."

Note: The governor of Xuanda in the Ming Dynasty, with the full title of "Governor Xuanda, Shanxi and other military affairs and food and payment", has jurisdiction over the three towns of Xuanfu, Datong, and Shanxi Sanfu, and is usually held by a second-rank official.

(End of this chapter)