Autumn of the 17th year of Chongzhen

Chapter 124 Conquering the sea power, the monarch and his ministers are united
When Emperor Longwu heard Zheng Sen's words, he immediately rejoiced and said: "The Qing family is loyal to state affairs, and I am very relieved. The pioneer Ren Feiqing is not competent!"

Zheng Zhilong was slightly stunned, and the emperor had already accepted Zheng Sen's request, which made Zheng Zhilong's face turn cold. Although he was angry that Zheng Sen didn't agree with him, Zheng Sen was his beloved son after all. The descendants of the Zheng family can make great achievements because of the foundation he laid.

At this time, Zheng Zhilong saw that Zheng Sen was really going to lead his troops northward to fight against the Qing soldiers. He couldn't stand anymore, and went out with his ivory wat in his arms, and said: "Your Majesty, as the saying goes, before the soldiers and horses are moved, the food and grass go first. Now the treasury is empty and the money and food are empty." There is no way to continue, I think that the matter of sending troops must not be acted hastily, and more discussions are needed!"

Emperor Longwu heard the words and saw that Zheng Zhilong was talking about money and food again, so he said, "Old Shiqing's words are also reasonable, but this matter of money and food has repeatedly hindered the important affairs of the court, but it is not the way. Since old Shiqing proposed This question may teach me something!"

"This~" Zheng Zhilong couldn't help but froze when he heard Longwu's words. Naturally, he couldn't really advise Longwu, but the emperor asked him, and he had to answer, so after thinking about it, he said: "Your Majesty, my minister. There are four strategies to relieve the poor!"

"Oh~" Emperor Longwu thought that Zheng Zhilong would just use words to evade it, but he didn't expect that he really had four strategies, so he couldn't help but straighten his body and said: "Old Shiqing, you can say it!"

Zheng Zhilong wanted to prevent the emperor from sending Zheng Sen to the expedition. The strategy he saw and said must be a strategy that neither the emperor nor the courtiers could accept. , Hundreds of officials in the court discount their salaries to help pay. The second is that the gentry donate their salaries. The third is to borrow money and grain for the next year to help the soldiers. The fourth? It is to sell officials and nobles to raise soldiers' pay!"

When Longwu and the courtiers heard the words, they couldn't help frowning.

"Your Majesty!" He Kai, Minister of the Household Department, looked angry, and went out holding the ivory wat and said: "Pingguo Gong's four strategies are strategies for the subjugation of the country. I think it is absolutely unacceptable!"

He Kai, Minister of the Ministry of Household Affairs, had many conflicts with Zheng Zhilong, and every time he spoke, he was bound to be against him, which made him very unhappy, but seeing He Kai's opposition at this time, he couldn't help but feel a little proud.

"The Qing family's four strategies, in my opinion, are a little inappropriate!" Emperor Longwu looked at Zheng Zhilong at this time and said, "He Qing's words are too drastic, but implementing these four strategies is indeed like drinking doves to quench thirst, and there will be endless troubles , think about it in the long run!"

"Your Majesty is wise! It's my servant's lack of consideration!" Zheng Zhilong bowed his hands to the emperor first, and then sighed in pretending helplessness: "But if the issue of rations is not resolved, the army cannot be mobilized!"

The imperial court was newly established in Fujing. Although Zheng Zhilong handed over the land tax of Fujian Province to the imperial court, Fujian is surrounded by mountains on three sides, mostly forested land, and there are very few fertile fields. The land tax that the imperial court can collect is only a few hundred thousand taels, which is not enough for the imperial court. In terms of daily operations, Zheng Zhilong thought that without his four methods, it would be difficult for the court to obtain money and food, and the matter of sending troops would naturally be abolished.

For a moment, Zheng Zhilong couldn't help but feel a little proud. No matter what countermeasures the emperor and courtiers came up with, he just had to insist that he had no money and no food.

Just when Zheng Zhilong was secretly complacent, Wang Yan, who was standing behind him, keeping his eyes on his nose and nose and his heart without saying a word, suddenly came out with his ivory wat in his arms and said: "Your Majesty, I have a plan to help you." If the imperial court is in trouble, if your majesty accepts the ministers' words, it will surely make the imperial court rich in taxes and taxes, and will no longer be stretched."

Wang Yanzhi's words made the court hall quiet. Zheng Zhilong originally thought that the emperor and ministers of Longwu would not be able to make any big waves, but at this moment his heart couldn't help trembling. , Wang Yan did not speak.

Seeing Wang Yan coming out, Emperor Longwu couldn't help calming down and said: "What is Wang Qing's strategy, I will listen with all my ears!"

"Report to Your Majesty!" Wang Yan saluted and said, "I have recently stationed troops on the banks of the Minjiang River, but I have seen large ships shuttle on the Minjiang River, full of supplies, which are either transported into Fujing, or transported from Fujing to the sea. I see trade. It was so busy, and the subordinates went to Haikou to investigate, and there were no less than a hundred large ships for trade every day. Since the opening of the sea, the court has neglected the management of trade due to frequent wars and complicated affairs, so that the court has not made any profits. If His Majesty can send warships, control the sea area of ​​the port, set up checkpoints, and improve the tax system, the imperial court will immediately have an additional tax source!"

Wang Yan and Emperor Longwu started planning to take back the right to sea tax when they were in Wenzhou, but it was not until today that they took the first step on a long road.

When Zheng Zhilong heard Wang Yan's words, he was furious immediately. The Zheng family was born in the sea, how could they allow others to get involved, and immediately objected without waiting for Longwu's reply: "There are red-haired barbarians and pirates on the sea. If the court wants to collect taxes, it must be It will make the barbarians angry, and the coast of Fujian may be harmed by them at that time, and the people of Fujian will be in trouble, and I firmly oppose the tax collection!"

"Ping Guogong's words, the Marquis does not agree, how can the world's affairs be abandoned because of choking?" Wang Yan immediately argued: "Your Majesty, I also have [-] warships under my command. If the barbarians really come, I am willing to serve your majesty." Break it!"

"Your Majesty!" Zuo Maodi also said in agreement at this time: "I think the strategy of being loyal and brave is feasible! Now the war is imminent, and the court has no money and food. If you want to enrich the treasury, there is only two strategies to increase revenue and reduce expenditure. Today, Your Majesty and Queen only wear commoner clothes. The eclipse of the sun is nothing more than simple tea and light food, and the imperial court has no festivals, so we can only raise money and collect sea taxes!"

"My minister agrees!"

"My minister agrees!"

"My minister agrees!"

~~~

After Zuo Maodi finished speaking, the civil and military ministers standing on both sides of the hall immediately walked into the hall one after another, bowing to the ground one by one.

Above the court, in a short while, there were only a dozen or so members of the Zheng family left among nearly a hundred ministers, and they were at a loss. Zheng Zhilong looked at it, and couldn't help but feel a chill in his heart. Almost staggered and fell to the ground.

"All gentlemen, be at peace!" At this time, Emperor Longwu raised his hand and said, "I also think that the words of the loyal and brave Marquis are very good, and they are a good way to save the time. I decided to accept them!"

"Your Majesty is holy!" All the officials bowed together.

The Son of Heaven reaffirmed the faith of the Lord, and now Emperor Longwu, relying on the power of his courtiers, accepts Wang Yan's strategy and speaks golden words, which cannot be changed.

At this time, Zheng Zhilong looked at the scene in the court hall, and he didn't understand that he was being tricked, but the matter has come to this point, but he has nothing to do.

Although Zheng Zhilong is domineering, he can't cover the sky with one hand, let alone hurt the emperor, so he can only hold his anger in his heart, thinking that the future will be long, and he has warships in his hands. It is difficult to see results, and the losses will definitely be recovered in the future.

(Thanks to Danshui Ranger, Tang Doudou 123, shyion, Long Min for their rewards, and thanks to the book friends who have been recommending!)

(End of this chapter)