False eunuch in late Ming Dynasty

Chapter 77 Zhou Yanru hesitates

Zhou Yanru naturally knew that being in charge of salt and iron could not be a good job.The emperor has figured out that this salt and iron is the main source of ensuring the country's income, even more important than that meager agricultural tax.The Ming Dynasty already had sun-dried salt technology, so the production cost of salt was extremely low, but the sales price was not cheap.Although salt and iron have been monopolized by the state since ancient times, Daming's salt and iron have long been divided up by the rich and powerful.Now the emperor wants to get it back, but it is not so easy.

If Zhou Yanru wants to take back the interests of salt and iron from the powerful, he will definitely become an enemy of the powerful all over the world.At that time, the dignitaries will attack them together.Zhou Yanru worried that even if no one spit out, he could drown himself.But if this matter is not done well, his official career will be worrying.With the current behavior of the emperor, I am afraid that I will not have good fruit to eat.

Zhou Yanru didn't know who would harm him again.So much so that he was allowed to do such an errand.Zhou Yanru remained silent.He was figuring out what to do.He wanted to excuse his illness.But in this way, his rising momentum will come to an abrupt end, and if he offends Zhu Youjian, he may never have a chance to succeed in his life.

"Master Zhou, Mr. Cui Chengxiu seeks an audience" When Zhou Yanru was thinking about what to do, Cui Chengxiu found Zhou Yanru.

"Why did he come to see me?" Zhou Yanru was very surprised. Cui Chengxiu was from Wei Zhongxian, so there was naturally no contact between the two of them.After Cui Chengxiu's downfall, Zhou Yanru was kind enough not to throw stones at him, so naturally it was impossible to make friends with Cui Chengxiu.After Cui Chengxiu became the shopkeeper of Liuli Shop, Cui Chengxiu has not been an official with real power, and the money in his hand is not so rich, so he did not take care of Cui Chengxiu's business.

"Please. Please." Now who doesn't know that Cui Chengxiu is a member of Eunuch Cao, the celebrity around the emperor?Zhou Yanru's political mind is also very clear.Regarding this matter, he was still very clear, and hurriedly said to the next person: "Please hurry up."

Although Zhou Yanru didn't know what Cui Chengxiu was doing here, he vaguely suspected that Cui Chengxiu's coming might have something to do with him being in charge of Yantie Division this time.

Zhou Yanru himself greeted them out.

"Your Majesty Cui is here to welcome you." Zhou Yanru cupped his hands and said.

Cui Chengxiu also said hastily: "Don't dare, Mr. Cui is a civil servant, how can he dare to Lao Zhou?"

Both of them are very warm, like long-lost brothers.The acting skills are all at the actor level.

Zhou Yanru led Cui Chengxiu into the house, and ordered his servants to make tea.

"Master Cui is here, what advice do you have?" After the two talked about the weather and sipped tea for a while, Zhou Yanru couldn't wait to get straight to the point.

"Someone asked me to tell Mr. Zhou that this opportunity must not be missed, and it will never come again." After Cui Chengxiu finished speaking, she continued to hold the teacup and slowly savor the good tea from the Zhou Mansion.

"How do you say this? Master Cui please tell me clearly." Zhou Yanru asked.

"It is indeed a hard job to be in charge of the First Division of Salt and Iron. But it also depends on when. In the past, this job is indeed a hard job. It is difficult to be a man in the middle. But today, the Holy One is a Mingjun. Since he took the throne, he has demonstrated the supreme Wisdom. Now there are serious disasters everywhere, but the treasury is empty and the money and food are scarce. Salt and iron have always been the main source of silver for the courts of all dynasties. But in our dynasty, the power of salt and iron has been divided among the powerful. The two sources of treasury and silver. In this case, the Department of Salt and Iron is already related to the lifeline of Daming. The emperor entrusted this matter to you, which shows that he attaches great importance to you. If you shirk, the queen will definitely settle accounts later. It's hard to choose. You do things well. The treasury has more money, and the emperor will definitely see your contribution. Even if you offend all the nobles, with the emperor's support, who can do anything to you?" Cui Chengxiu said.

"Lord Cui, is this the emperor's opinion? I hope Lord Cui will make it clear." Zhou Yanru asked earnestly.

"Eunuch Cao's importance on the emperor's side, I believe anyone with a discerning eye can see it. It was actually Eunuch Cao's proposal to let you take charge of the salt and iron. Eunuch Cao believes that the person who can do this, the entire Ming Dynasty, is none other than you. .” Cui Chengxiu said.

"I was recommended by Eunuch Cao?" Zhou Yanru's tone was full of resentment.

"I hope that Eunuch Cao will recommend me. But I don't have such an opportunity now. If you do well in this matter, you will be able to achieve great success, just around the corner." Cui Chengxiu said.

"If it's not done well, shouldn't the head fall, just around the corner?" Zhou Yanru said.

Cui Chengxiu said calmly: "Master Zhou, don't be so pessimistic. With Master Zhou's ability, this matter will definitely be easy to handle."

"Lord Cui, I don't have any clue about this matter. What I am most worried about now is that I can't handle this matter. At that time, I will fail the emperor's expectations. Therefore, Lord Cui, please explain clearly." Zhou Yanru said.

"Actually, when the emperor gave you the position, he must have given you a clear indication. In this matter, if you want to persuade those rich and powerful who have benefited to spit out the money they have eaten into their stomachs, it will not work. If it is so easy, you don't need Mr. Zhou This is a great talent. Didn’t the emperor say that he can dispatch Dongchang Changwei and Jinyiwei at any time? In this case, after Mr. Zhou takes office, it’s better to make an example of others. When those people are obedient, Mr. Zhou can stop. Do big things, don't stick to small details. Now is the time for the survival of the country. How can we turn things around without heavy hands?" Cui Chengxiu said.

"On the occasion of survival? Master Cui made a slip of the tongue." Zhou Yanru felt that Cui Chengxiu was exaggerating.

"If you know what's going on in Shaanxi, you won't think I'm talking nonsense. Although the rebellion of victims in Shaanxi is an isolated case, it reminds us. Now the drought is severe in many places in Daming. The farmland has lost harvest, and local officials Instead of actively doing disaster relief, they kept adding gifts. In this way, these people are not forced to die? Once they become refugees, as long as someone with a heart instigates them, they will become rioters. Now the White Lotus Sect is rampant. The day before yesterday, they even blocked Yi'an on the road The queen is here. In addition, the Tartars have integrated into one body, and invasion of the border may happen at any time. But our Ming army has long been corrupted and has no combat power. It can't even fight the hungry people. If the Tartars invade the border, they will inevitably Entering the land of no one. At that time, I am afraid that I will drive straight in. My Ming Dynasty is in danger." Cui Chengxiu said.

"Your Majesty Cui is too worried. There are less than a million Tartars and less than a hundred thousand soldiers. We have a million troops in the Ming Dynasty. Although the Tartars are a problem, there is nothing to worry about." Zhou Yanru said.

"Millions of lions? That's because Mr. Zhou has never seen my Ming army. The general barracks are empty, and the rations are severely deducted. Soldiers can't eat enough, and it's rare to train once a month. How can we get combat power? This matter is said It's a long story. Mr. Zhou should think about his appointment." Cui Chengxiu suddenly remembered the main purpose of this trip.

"Let me think about this matter carefully." Zhou Yanru was still a little hesitant.

"That's it, Cui will leave here. It's the same sentence, don't miss this opportunity, never miss it again." Cui Chengxiu said.

(End of this chapter)