Invincible Zhengde

Chapter 181

Zhu Houzhao also breathed a sigh of relief. His father had money, so he had to ask for some later. The Black Dragon Army and the steel factory must have spent a lot of money.The old man was reluctant to take out the money in the internal treasury. This money was put into the national treasury, so it was just for him to spend. If he spent it elsewhere, he might be corrupted by many people. At least he can guarantee that the money will be spent wisely.

"Let's go to the window and have a look!" Zhu Youtang felt very itchy when he heard the increasingly fierce bidding outside, so he stood up and walked towards the window.

The old man was interested, so Zhu Houzhao naturally wouldn't be disappointed at this time, so he followed his father and walked to the window. Zhu Houzhao saw a Shanxi merchant holding up a sign, and Qian Guangdou on the stage waved a hammer and said loudly: : "7000 taels, the bid on the 38th is 7000 taels, is there any more bids?"

As soon as the price came out, the auction house instantly fell silent. Although the Lianghuai Salt Field was very large and the transportation was convenient, but the cost was so high, how could they make money?

You must know that salt is also subject to salt tax, and it must be paid when the salt is transported. The Salt and Iron Division has tax collectors under each warehouse.

After deducting the money for buying the right to use, deducting the cost of transportation, and adding the shameful gift money, the cost is very high.If the salt farm is sold for 7000 taels, the annual average is more than 3000 taels. Based on the salt production of this salt farm, after deducting transportation costs and salt fees, the annual profit is only about 30 taels.

If in the past, there were private salt and tax evasion, such a salt farm with a monthly salt output of [-] shi could earn more than one million taels, but now it is far worse.

The current price of salt is about one cent of silver per catty, one tael of silver per hundred catties of salt, one hundred and twenty catties of salt, one tael of silver per halite, and one tael of ten thousand shi Thousands of silver, this salt field produces 120 stones of salt per month, and can sell 10 taels a month.

The transportation of these salts will consume one-third, and this is the average amount of long-distance transportation. If it is transported to the frontier, it would be good to have half of it left. This is still the Lianghuai Salt Field. If it is replaced by other salt fields, It is estimated that one-third is not enough.Including a quarter of the money for the salt class, there are only 5 to [-] taels a month.

Salt merchants will settle accounts, and Zhu Houzhao will also settle accounts. If the collection is based on the current output, Daming can receive more than 80 taels of salt from major salt farms a month, which is only a month's amount.Over the course of a year, the number of salt lessons in the Ming Dynasty soared to 1000 million taels, which is already higher than the number of salt lessons in the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty.

With the maturity of drying salt technology, this number will continue to increase. Compared with the salt class of more than 300 million taels before the imperial court, it can be seen how profitable the salt merchants are.

According to Zhu Houzhao's calculations, according to the current salt price on the market, the right to use the salt field that produces 10 shi of Lianghuai salt will cost at least 50 taels, or even [-] taels. Earn four and a half million taels.This is already considered a profiteering industry, and it is a monopoly profiteering industry. Of course, it is far worse than before.

In the past, selling salt in Daming was not only violence, but also a bonus, so everyone wanted to intervene.

Salt merchants, officials, nobles, and relatives all invaded and occupied the nest, reaching out to take money from the inside from top to bottom, and all the money they took was from the state.But this time is different. The salt merchants gave the gifts with the money of the salt merchants. What you do with them is up to you, but the country can’t lose any points. Come on, hand it over obediently.

Turning his head to look at the old man, seeing how happy he was when he heard the asking price outside reached 7 taels, Zhu Houzhao sighed helplessly. If the old man knew that the salt class can charge more than 1000 million taels a year, I don’t know if he would be happy what it looks like.Of course, so much money is mainly due to Zhu Houzhao’s improved salt drying method. Originally, the Lianghuai salt field produced about 50 shi of salt, but now it has more than doubled.

The price quickly broke through to 8 taels, and after 8 taels, the asking price slowed down. Obviously, these merchants are not fools.

"What if they go back and increase the price?" Zhu Youtang closed the folding fan, the expression on his face suddenly became unsteady, and he turned his head to look at Zhu Houzhao seriously: "After they go back, they raise the price of salt very high. Isn't it miserable?"

Glancing at his father, Zhu Houzhao couldn't help sighing in his heart, he was indeed the Emperor Renzong in history, so much money didn't go to his head, especially in such a poor situation, at this time he can think of not letting the people Eat high-priced salt.Zhu Houzhao said with a smile: "Father, don't worry, I think Yan Tiesi should have thought about this matter, right?"

As Zhu Houzhao said, he turned his head and looked at Qi You. Of course, he said this at this time to give Qi You a chance to perform.

Qi You hurriedly took a step forward: "Go back to Your Majesty, back to His Royal Highness, the Salt and Iron Department is already working on formulating the protection price of salt in each province."

Glancing at Qi You, then at his son, Zhu Youtang smiled and didn't say anything. He understood what his son meant. Stay in the position for a few more years.You must know that this yamen is called Yantiesi. There is salt, but Tie hasn't seen it yet!

Zhu Youtang doesn't believe that his son made a salt and iron department to manage the salt. The iron is just for the sound?It is simply impossible.

"Salt protection price?" Zhu Youtang was also willing to support his son, so he simply turned to Qi You and said, "Tell me!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Qi You nodded quickly and said, "The Yantie Division plans to set a protection price for salt based on the distance, convenience of transportation, etc. Offenders will be severely punished, ranging from a fine to revoking the saltworks business license.”

Zhu Youtang was taken aback for a moment, and then glanced at Qi You. He knew it was his son's handwriting, and it was just a ring.

In the past, this was very difficult. You didn't know who had salt in their hands. If you set a price limit, the salt merchants would not sell it. They would hoard it and wait for the price to rise. What's more, they just hoarded it.But it’s different now, who owns the salt farm, then check who, and check to be sure. If you say you don’t have any salt, where does the salt you get from the salt farm go?
"But how do you know whether they will increase the price?" Zhu Youtang asked Qi You with interest, but he was actually asking Zhu Houzhao.

"The imperial court has a system of secret performances. Officials at all levels can be supervisors. Jinyiwei and garrison eunuchs can also be supervisors, and even Qiqizhai in various places can be supervisors." Zhu Houzhao said this time before Qi You opened his mouth.

(End of this chapter)