Daming: Wanted to be a small landlord, but was forced to ascend the throne

Chapter 464 Mid-Autumn Festival Welfare
In less than a month, Zhu Youzhen has changed from a handsome young man in white clothes to a dark warrior.

Although Yingshan has arranged for him a residence in the official office, he has always been here in Yandi, doing everything by himself.

In the past month, hundreds of ancient salt wells have been drilled in the salt field, spreading over a 6-kilometer radius.

It was only when Zhu Youzhen arrived here that he understood why the new emperor said that the salt here was enough for the Ming Dynasty to eat for countless years.

When a shovel is dug down, there is a piece of white flowers underneath, and as long as a well is dug in this place, it is basically salt water. If the water is left outside to dry for a few days, the water vapor will evaporate and leave layers of salt grains.

Hubu transferred a group of highly skilled salt mining craftsmen from Sichuan, and those craftsmen were all veterans of well salt mining.

Drilling, extracting brine, drying brine, and pre-salting, following the process one after another, when the white salt appeared in front of him, Zhu Youxi almost burst into tears. Grandma, there is salt in Huguang, and there is so much salt!
Daming also has salt, inexhaustible salt, and when the court and the emperor have money, they can sell it outside to exchange for food and other things. In the future, Daming will not be poor with this salt!

Never worry about fighting and running out of money!

He gave those craftsmen a few pages of the drilling technique that His Majesty gave him to study, and those people trembled with excitement after reading it!
Today's percussive drilling is based on the information given by His Majesty!
Drilling 400 meters previously was regarded as a very deep eye, but now using the rope drilling technique and the method of leverage, a 910-meter-deep well has been dug out!

910 meters!

910 meters is several times that of the previous one, and the salt below is even richer!

The technical introduction of sinking, logging and rectification, cavity filling, salvage, repairing wooden pillars and other technologies made them hit the nail on the head, and even the old craftsmen were amazed!
It wasn't that Zhu Youzhen was excited, it was mainly because what he had been exposed to before was all theory, and after getting in touch with it, he realized that mining salt was really not a simple matter.

Before drilling a well, it is necessary to choose a good location, set up a wooden frame, and use the principle of leverage to step on a large iron rod hanging on the end of the rod (the lower end of the iron rod is as big as the mouth of a bowl).

Suddenly let go of the foot, hit the bottom of the well with the iron head, add water while hitting, and then take out the mud with the scraper, and repeat this, the well will become deeper and deeper.

After the well is dug, bamboo is used to go down to the well to separate the fresh water, and then the brine suction tube is placed down the well with the float on the float to fill it with brine, and then the float is pulled up, and the brine is taken out.

After the brine is drawn out, it needs to be dried to evaporate.

If it is dried naturally in the past, it will take a lot of time.

Today, artisans use high-temperature heating, evaporation, filtration, and boiling to gradually make salt according to the method in the brochure published by Xindi.

"Zhu Tiju! This salt is good. It is purer than the salt from Zigong, and the grains are crystal clear!"

Xing Xun fiddled with the salt with his hands, very excited.

"Of course, this is made according to the method His Majesty said, so it's good! Naturally, half of the first batch of salt will be sent to the capital first, and I will trouble the Governor to arrange this matter!"

Zhu Youchen cupped his hands and said.

"That's natural. The team to escort the salt has already been arranged, and the speed is very fast. I believe His Majesty will see our Huguang salt soon!"

Xing Xun smiled.

With these salts, Huguang will save a lot of silver this year, and the harvest will be much higher by then!

Huguang no longer has to worry about local revenue and tax collection.

"By the way, Brother Zhu, you are familiar with His Majesty. There is one thing, please help the people in the Huguang area to apply to His Majesty!"

Xing Xun bowed his hands to Zhu Youzheng.

Although Zhu Youzhen was just a promotion, Xing Xun is now the governor of Huguang.

But we all know that this is the former Zaoyang King. The problem has always been close to His Majesty. This Yingshan salt land was originally His Majesty's private property, and now it is specially entrusted to Zhu Youzhen to take care of him, which shows how much His Majesty trusts him.

"whats the matter?"

Zhu Youzhen was a little puzzled.

He had a good impression of the governor of Huguang.

When I first came here, I heard that Zhu Chenhao, who had participated in the encirclement and suppression of the rebel army, was very brave, and he was a close friend with Wang Shouren.

Zhu Youzhen knew that the new emperor admired that Wang Shouren very much, and that many of the measures implemented in the South today were sought out by him to participate in the implementation. I heard that the current Nanjing Mansion is quite vibrant under his governance.

The former Nanjing government "nursing home" is said to be very active now.

Ever since Zhu Youxuan came into contact with Xing Xun, he also felt that this person was a practical person, without so much extravagance, and without so much official pretense, so it was comfortable to get along with.

"Brother Zhu, I heard that His Majesty is now promoting the planting of eggs in the north. I heard that the yield is very high, and I also heard that those things are very good to eat. Although the harvest of rice in Huguang is not bad, there are many mountainous areas that cannot be irrigated. Water, the yield of other crops is very low, so I wanted to introduce that thing, but I heard that there are not many seeds now, and various places are scrambling to get them, so I wondered if I could get them to Huguang through my relationship. With the yield, there will be more people It will be easier to pay the tax when the time comes!"

Xing Xun didn't hesitate and said directly.

"You mean yam eggs, right? I heard His Majesty also said what he called potatoes. It seems to be the same thing! It tastes good. It can be steamed or stewed, and the stew is also delicious! It's especially frustrating, I heard that potatoes and sweet potatoes are now the staple food at the Datong Border Pass! Your Majesty has indeed asked people to grow a lot of seedlings in the manor in the suburbs of Beijing, and transport them to places with low grain production, just to solve the food shortage problem in various places."

"Although our Huguang has the reputation of Huguangshu and the world's abundance, it is true that the grain production varies greatly from place to place, especially in some mountainous areas, and what you said is true! But those seedlings are precious, and they are all close to some border areas. I You can’t go through the back door to intercept other people, not to mention that those places don’t want to, even His Majesty won’t agree!”

"However, when I was in the capital, I also heard that those potatoes can be cut into pieces and placed in suitable soil to grow seedlings, and they can bear fruit when planted in the right season, and they can be propagated in a greenhouse even in cold weather! How about In this way, I asked someone to get some potatoes to deliver to us, and asked them to write down the seedling raising technology. You can raise seedlings in Huguang by yourself. The weather here is not as cold as that in Beijing. I feel that maybe we can plant two seasons a year. Maybe, at that time, it would be better to cultivate a large number of seedlings and promote it than to wait!"

Zhu Youchen thought for a while and said.

"It's still the king of the county, no, brother Zhu is smart, he can think of this method, this method is very good, we can cultivate it ourselves, a few potatoes are enough, and we don't have to embarrass others! Also, I think that technology must not be simple. Compared with us Try to build a car behind closed doors. If you can’t waste the precious seeds, it’s better to send someone to the capital to learn first. As for the board and lodging, we in Huguang will bear it ourselves..."

Xing Xun thought of the preciousness of the thing, so it was better to send officials and craftsmen to learn it by himself.

"Well, the governor said it better, let's do it! I'll write a letter. As for the person who went to Huguang, I'm also myself. I still have a yard in the capital, and I can live there when the time comes. It's okay to come back after I finish my studies. Convenience!"

"The king of the county!"

Xing Xun couldn't help calling out the previous title.

Xing Xun and Wang Shouren are good friends. Because they had no relationship or background, the position they were in with Wang Shouren was basically the work of a nursing home.

Even if you have a lot of heart, day after day, year after year, you will inevitably be gradually disappointed in your heart.

Later, Zhu Chenhao was suppressed, and several people joined forces, and under Wang Shouren's order, they won a complete victory!

That kind of command is determined, that kind of hearty and hearty beat the rebels to pieces, and wiped away the stagnation of many years.

It's just that Yang Tinghe controlled the court at that time, and they and Wang Shouren were regarded as Wang Qiong's subordinates, so they were naturally not taken seriously, and their credit was almost taken away.

Just when they felt that everything was true, the new emperor took control of the court with lightning speed.

Xing Xun originally thought that he would die in that small position, but he did not expect to be directly appointed as the governor of Huguang by the new emperor!

How can this kind of kindness of knowledge and encounter prevent him from flexing his muscles and making some achievements to repay the new emperor?

……

There are still three days until the Mid-Autumn Festival on the [-]th day of the eighth month of the lunar calendar, and the capital is already bustling with activity.

Because compared with the custom of not having a holiday in the Mid-Autumn Festival in the past, today's Mid-Autumn Festival is a three-day holiday for the imperial court, and the whole country celebrates the Mid-Autumn Festival and family reunion.

Yes, the Mid-Autumn Festival was an important day in Qin Shao's previous life, and it must be a holiday.

But in the Ming Dynasty, although the Mid-Autumn Festival was also celebrated, such as eating moon cakes, offering sacrifices to the moon, and offering sacrifices to ancestors, there were no holidays.

Even in the Song Dynasty, where there were many holidays, there were 76 days of holidays, which did not include the Mid-Autumn Festival. What's more, Zhu Yuanzhang, who has always been strict with officials, naturally would not regard the Mid-Autumn Festival as a holiday when reducing the holidays.

Ever since the new Emperor Zhu Houxi promulgated the three-day Mid-Autumn Festival regulation in June, there are still three days before the Mid-Autumn Festival, and all parts of Ming Dynasty have entered into a joyous atmosphere for the Mid-Autumn Festival.

The shops, morning fairs, and night markets in the capital are even more lively, selling items commonly used in the Mid-Autumn Festival: moon cakes, street lamps, melons and fruits, and some other types of food and so on.

Compared with Qin Shao's previous life, the Mid-Autumn Festival was a public holiday and a day of moon appreciation and reunion.

Today's Mid-Autumn Festival is mainly about worshiping ancestors and sweeping tombs. As for appreciating the moon, it is a custom that has only begun to rise in recent years.

When worshiping ancestors, some moon cakes are made. The so-called moon cakes were originally Hu cakes, but they were round. Later, some people added some fillings and gradually called them moon cakes.

Later, moon cakes became a necessary food for offering sacrifices to the moon and ancestors, and eating moon cakes on Mid-Autumn Festival gradually became one of the customs of Ming Dynasty.

Regarding the mid-autumn salary holiday, those court officials looked serious, as if the holiday affected them to perform their work, and their faces were swollen, as if they were devoting themselves to their posts all the time, and they had already arrived at their posts after death.

The officials below were quite out of touch, chatting excitedly about what to do after the holiday.

"I heard that the night market will also hold a Lantern Festival this time, and it will definitely be very lively, so let's go shopping together!"

A young official said excitedly.

"Hey! I think it's because drunken people don't care about drinking. Before there was no Lantern Festival, there were many young women who came out to watch the moon. This time, there must be many beautiful ladies who came out to play. There are also those thousands of flowers. Lou's delicate flowers will definitely come out too! Which side do you want to see?"

Said the young official sitting across from him with a playful smile.

"Screw you!"

The young official who spoke earlier was obviously unmarried, and his skin was relatively thin. He was teased by that person, and his face turned red.

Although he did have thoughts in that regard, it was always a little embarrassing to be told.

"Happy Mid-Autumn Festival! Come out soon!"

A shout from outside immediately attracted the attention of the officials working indoors!

Many people stood up and looked up to see what was going on.

I saw a group of people outside carrying several large boxes walking towards the yard of the office.

"What is this going to send?"

The crowd rushed out in a swarm.

Regardless of the fact that these officials are all refined and refined through scientific examinations, and they look arrogant and superior to ordinary people when they walk on the street, in fact, in private, they are no different from ordinary people who like to gossip and watch the excitement.

Although it is recorded in the history books that Lao Zhu of Ming Dynasty was harsh to officials, he only let the donkey pull the mill, and did not let the donkey eat grass.

This is actually a bit too exaggerated. Although the salaries of Ming officials are not very high, there is no problem with food, clothing and housing. Their expenses are mainly for entertainment.

In addition to salary, the imperial court actually had benefits during the festivals. It was also very common for Beijing officials to give rice dumplings during the Dragon Boat Festival and cakes during the Double Ninth Festival.

After the new emperor came to power, he was very good at appeasing officials.

During the holidays, some daily expenses will be distributed to reward officials, and local officials will also be allocated money by the Ministry of Households, but there is a limit.

And the benefits of the festival are the same whether they are Beijing officials or local officials, and regardless of the size of the official position.

There is a holiday for the Mid-Autumn Festival this year, and it is regarded as an important festival. Naturally, there will be benefits. Therefore, many officials have long been looking forward to it.

The box was opened, and there was a sweet smell of cakes. It turned out to be boxes of packed moon cakes.

Each official has four catties of mooncakes, which is the welfare that the imperial court agrees to purchase and distribute to officials.

The name of the mooncake signboard looks like Jinghua Tea House!

The pastries of Jinghua Tea House are also well-known in the capital. I heard that a large number of people were recruited to make pastries a month ago. It turned out that they had received orders from the imperial court.

Because Jinghua Tea House has a great reputation, it is often necessary to make an appointment to drink tea and read scriptures!
This time, the Mid-Autumn Festival cakes are not sold among the public. I heard that some people have long wanted to snap up them. After all, they are famous there and they have not been sold yet. Naturally, they are very dignified gifts!
Nowadays, only serving officials of the imperial court send out, which adds to the gold content of the mooncakes.

"Brother Wentao, this moonlight smells like a fragrance. The children will definitely like it. This year's Mid-Autumn Festival, there is no need to buy mooncakes!"

Someone said to the people around him.

"Yeah, I heard that there are all kinds of fillings, including five kernels, lotus seed paste, jujube paste, and egg yolk! Look! There are names written on them. I didn't expect the small mooncakes to be so delicious. Can make such a famous figure! But this thing is too precious, I still give it to my old father-in-law. My position today is recommended by him, and I can ask him to give it to that person when the time comes! As for our family, we might as well go there later Just buy some from the pastry shop in the alley, it’s so precious, I’m not willing to eat it!”

"That's right, it's a good gift, I think I'll have to ask my family..."

"Those who have taken mooncakes don't make noise, and don't quit their jobs yet. Lord Shangshu is coming over, saying that there are still benefits to be paid!"

Everyone took the moon cakes and talked for a while. Many people started to pack their things and prepare to leave their jobs. A steward shouted loudly.

"Master Shang Shu wants to come over? Do you want to send blessings?"

Someone asked in amazement, and many people stopped and prepared to leave.

This is the Household Department, and the Shangshu is naturally Wang Qiong Wang Shangshu.

Recently, Wang Shangshu brought a few right-hand assistants from the household department to help with an errand, saying that the emperor personally ordered it, and many of them have not been here to work.

If you want to distribute blessings and benefits, or Wang Shangshu will distribute them, what should you distribute?

Everyone was very surprised, and they all looked forward to Wang Qiong who walked in from the outside with his head held high!
"Everyone! Everyone! The Mid-Autumn Festival is approaching. Your Majesty is sympathetic to our hard work, and has issued great benefits!"

After everyone was quiet, Wang Qiong said loudly with a smile.

(End of this chapter)