I'm a big dick

Chapter 480 Deepening Reform
The victory of Ping Liao's extermination of slaves not only eliminated the serious troubles of the confidant, but also allowed the emperor to let go of his hands and feet and concentrate on the reform of internal affairs.

From the perspective of a traveler, the Ming Dynasty has accumulated many evils, and reforms must be carried out everywhere in order to restore the country's glory and stand proudly on top of the world.

Yes, despite the great improvement in the current internal affairs, it can support the cost of exterminating slaves in Liaodong and suppressing rebellion in the southwest.Moreover, it did not increase the burden on the people, but it was constantly reducing it.

But including the emperor, everyone knows where most of the huge military expenditures come from.To put it bluntly, the emperor was robbing the rich. Although he tried his best to be famous, it was impossible to maintain such a financial situation for a long time.

For a large empire to operate normally, it must also compete for living space outside, and finance is the most important factor.Without money, nothing can be done.

Well, the construction of infrastructure needs money, which is the first condition for the long-term development of the country and the people's living and working in peace and contentment;

The expansion of the navy requires money, and the artillery of the ships alone is a long-term and huge investment.It should be expanded and benefited at the same time, which is a virtuous circle;
After Ping Liao, the Liao people resettled and rebuilt their homes, and they also needed to invest funds and materials.And at least one year of tax exemption is required before the Liao people can achieve self-cultivation and self-sufficiency;
The footsteps of the catastrophe are approaching, and to get through it relatively smoothly, for several years or even more than ten years, with hundreds of thousands or even millions of victims, it will cost several times more money than Pingliao.

The emperor took out his own schedule, and reorganized them one by one, distinguishing the order and size.Although some work can be postponed, it must be started and cannot be delayed.

For example, Zuo Guangdou was transferred to be the governor of rivers, and he was inspecting Henan, and submitted a memorial, mentioning several important water conservancy facilities.

The emperor also knew that it was the most economical to use work for relief during a disaster, but since it was an urgent project, how could he wait until then.Therefore, he still asked the Ministry of Accounts to transfer the money.

"Your Majesty." Wang Tiqian entered the hall with a stack of memorials and inscriptions in his arms, and reported: "Zheng Zhilong and Wu Zheng have been called for an audience and are waiting outside the hall."

The emperor nodded, put away the documents on the table, and said, "Xuan."

Zheng Zhilong and Wu Zheng served as supervisory officials in the Maritime Chamber of Commerce and the Jiangnan Chamber of Commerce respectively. They have done a good job in the past few years, and there has been no corruption or violation of the law.

Now that they were called to Beijing, the two also knew that the emperor had another appointment, and promotion was basically a certainty.

Entering the hall, the two knelt down and kowtowed, shouting long live.

"Exemption, peace of mind." The emperor's voice softened and his face was peaceful.

After thanking them, the two stood up, bowed and stood, waiting for the emperor to give an order.

The emperor pondered for a while, and said slowly: "You two supervise the Chamber of Commerce, and I am very relieved that you can be diligent and conscientious in your duties."

"Although the work of the Municipal Shipping Department has improved, it is still very careless. It needs more detailed rules and regulations, and it needs a diligent and dedicated official like Erqing to manage it..."

Although the emperor has been promoting advantages and eliminating disadvantages according to the plan in the past few years, and has seen results, the time is still short and not perfect.

To put it simply, the emperor wanted to deepen reforms in some areas, but in others it was just beginning.

For example, the Shibo Department is still far from the real customs in the emperor's mind.Another example is the transfer of officials to officials, and there are more areas to be improved with the examination and promotion of civil servants in later generations.

As for the shipping department with the highest income in Ming Dynasty, now they are Shanghai and Guangzhou, Zheng Zhilong and Wu Zheng are going to be sent to these two places.

The Shibo Department and the Ministry of Officials in other places also reported the list of appointments.Some retained their original positions, while others took up new positions.

"Supervision, tax collection, and smuggling, these are the three most important tasks. The boom in maritime trade is foreseeable, and tariffs will also become an important pillar of national finance..."

The emperor didn't expect that the Ming Dynasty's city ship tax revenue could reach the astonishing amount of the Song Dynasty, but the current income situation obviously did not satisfy him.

In order to refine the organization and functions, the Municipal Shipbuilding Department is temporarily assigned to the Ministry of Accounting, but sooner or later it will be separated separately.

The first department to be independent from the Sixth Ministry is the State Administration of Taxation, which is in charge of taxation work and has the same rank as the Sixth Ministry.

It can be seen that the emperor is most concerned about the economy, that is, Daming's pocketbook.As long as there is money, whether it is domestic construction, military expansion, or people-friendly measures, it can be done freely.

Zheng Zhilong and Wu Zheng listened attentively, knowing that the emperor loved money, but they didn't understand the emperor's grand plans.

After talking for a long time, the emperor ordered people to move to Xiudun and gave them a great courtesy.According to the official positions of the two of them, how could they think that they could get a seat in front of the emperor?

"Thank you for your kindness." After saluting, the two sat down respectfully and carefully.

The emperor ordered the people in the palace to hand over the relevant documents to the two, and said: "This is a draft by me, and it has been discussed by all the ministers. You take it back, go to the General Administration of Customs and discuss it with your colleagues in detail, and submit it to me after revision and perfection. , to be finalized.”

In fact, such a job does not require the emperor's orders.But the emperor already knew what the emperor's kindness is, and summoning it in person can make the courtiers wholeheartedly serve him with loyalty.

"Long live." Zheng Zhilong cupped his hands and said, "Weichen thinks that Dongfan and Mekong should also establish a shipping department. From the perspective of geographical location, the development potential of the two places is very great."

The emperor smiled and nodded, expressing his appreciation, and said: "It's all in the document. Although it is alone overseas, it is also the territory of the Ming Dynasty, and the imperial court will not be left behind."

Wu Zheng was a prudent person. He didn't see the documents and didn't understand the details, so he didn't speak easily.

Zheng Zhilong still studied less and was keen on fame, but he seemed a little eager.

However, the emperor didn't take it seriously, and was secretly proud of having subdued the great evil at sea in history.

After saying a few more casual words, the emperor ordered the palace servants to read the imperial decree and bestow the new official uniform on the spot.There must be a sense of ritual, and the effect of face-to-face rewards is better. This is also the way the emperor learned to control his subordinates.

Zheng Zhilong and Wu Zheng resigned gratefully. Their promotions over the past few years have made them realize the truth that they can be safe if they serve the monarch loyally, do things honestly, and obey the law.

After this fall, another batch of corrupt officials were beheaded.Although it is much less than last year, the deterrent effect is still the same.

Why bother? !The greedy money, fields and houses were all gone; his own head was lost, and his family and relatives were also exiled for thousands of miles.

Law-abiding officials can not only be promoted, but also receive increased salaries, enjoy subsidies for driving, high temperature, heating, etc., and live a worry-free life.

But money touches people's hearts, and there will always be people who are blinded by profit and do corrupt things with a fluke heart.

You are unkind, I am unrighteous.The current emperor has absolutely no psychological burden on killing people.Even more suffocated, I still don't believe that corrupt officials can't be cured.

Zheng Zhilong and Wu Zheng left, the emperor stroked his forehead gently, Fan Xiaohui immediately stepped forward, and massaged the emperor with her slender hands.

The emperor closed his eyes and enjoyed it. When he remembered something, he opened his mouth and ordered: "My king's companion, send some fresh vegetables from the royal greenhouse to Master Sun and other important officials."

"Your maid obeys the order." Wang Tiqian bowed in response, turned around and left.

In fact, the cultivation of off-season vegetables in China can be traced back to the Qin Dynasty.After the Tang and Song Dynasties, off-season vegetables have been generally accepted by people, and "the out-of-season things are treasured", off-season vegetables are regarded as delicacies!

In ancient times, in the early days, natural heat sources were used to produce off-season fruits and vegetables. In the Tang Dynasty, the "inner garden" for the court to grow off-season fruits and vegetables introduced hot spring water to create a temperature suitable for vegetable growth.

In the Ming Dynasty, fire chambers or kangs were basically used to produce off-season vegetables.

The so-called "fire room" is what we call a greenhouse in modern times, and a kang is built in the room to heat up the temperature of the vegetable shed.

Ming Xie Zhaozhe's "Wuzazu · Wubu San" records: "In the middle of winter in the capital, there are yellow sprouts and leeks, which are made from the kang in the cellar of Fushi."

At that time, rich families in the capital would build kangs in cellars. In the middle of winter, not only yellow sprouts and chives were endless, but also "other flowers and fruits, all the time", as well as peony flowers and cucumbers.

It is conceivable that the off-season vegetables grown in this way will cost a lot, and only the rich and powerful can enjoy them.

The emperor personally designed the greenhouse made of glass, which has a large span and has heat-collecting and thermal-storage walls, which can effectively use sunlight, which is very close to the solar greenhouse of later generations.

Although it is necessary to heat up the fire when it is very cold, the cost is much lower.Moreover, it is said to be royal, but it is also used for agricultural experiments.

The cost of building a greenhouse is very high, but the emperor still drew money from the inner treasury to build many multi-span greenhouses.

If it is planted well, he plans to let the people in the capital try something new during the Chinese New Year.Is there too much? Each family makes dumplings with two handfuls of chives, which is also a great grace of the emperor.

Ordinary people also have overwintering vegetables, one is pickled or dried, and the other is stored in cellars.Of course, the taste of pickled vegetables is better than that of stale vegetables; the ones that are stored in the cellar are Chinese cabbage and radish.

It would be even better if we could receive news of the great victory in Liaodong years ago.The emperor closed his eyes slightly, looking forward to it, but also worried.

Half a small face poked out from the door of the hall, looking in quietly.

Fan Xiaohui pursed her lips and smiled when she saw it, leaned close to the emperor's ear, and reported softly: "My lord, May is peeking outside the door!"

The emperor opened his eyes, saw the little face that was shrinking back, and couldn't help laughing: "Wu Yue, come in!"

That's right, it's May.The little girl did well in the exam and was promoted to junior high school. The emperor also fulfilled her little wish to be a little palace maid during the winter vacation.In other words, she was allowed to have an imperial meal in the Qianqing Palace for a winter vacation.

Even the emperor didn't expect that the little girl was extremely intelligent, but she was a foodie.I used to ask what to eat, but I still kept thinking about it. This time I really know what the emperor ate.

Wuyue grinned, entered the hall with a few clear laughter, knelt down and kowtowed politely, but was stopped by the emperor.

"Excuse me, stay flat." The emperor raised his head, he really liked this clever little girl, and hoped that his daughter would grow up like this.

Wu Yue got up, stood at the bottom of the steps and asked with a smile: "My servant is reading, there are a few things that I don't understand. Knowing that Long Live is knowledgeable and omniscient, I want to ask for advice."

I have known for 500 years, and I have known for [-] years. No one in Ming Dynasty is better than me.

Hearing this compliment, the emperor smiled happily, and said, "Ask, it's really hard to answer my question."

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(End of this chapter)