The marriage Xu Jingchang mentioned was not just casual. If they got married in Peiping, everyone would laugh. And it would be unfair to Miss Huang.
Xu Jingchang was thinking about the procedures that should be followed, and nothing should be left out.
Empress Xu had already agreed before, and the two parties exchanged their horoscopes, and it was Yao Guangxiao who made the marriage, saying that the two were a match made in heaven... Of course, the old monk couldn't be disappointed in this kind of thing. But the authoritative Master Yao guaranteed the marriage.
Added some color.
Next, the betrothal gift, all these processes will be taken care of by the prince... It was originally planned that Xu Jingchang would answer the question before the end of the year, and the wedding could be held at home.
But as the stalls in Peiping get bigger and bigger, there are more and more things happening.
Xu Jingchang didn't want to delay... It happened that his uncle Xu Huizu was in Peiping, so there were elders there, and the Martyrs' Shrine was completed... It seemed more meaningful to get married in front of his grandfather's statue.
"There is only one thing left. I want to persuade Your Majesty to appoint my father, Mr. Huang, to go to Peking to help prepare for the establishment of the business... As long as he arrives, we can get married. What do you think?
?”
Miss Huang's face turned red, "You have already thought about it, why bother asking more."
Xu Jingchang laughed, "Don't I respect my wife!"
Miss Huang was so anxious that she stamped her feet, "We haven't gotten married yet, what kind of lady? You are clearly bullying me."
Xu Jingchang smiled and said: "You have wronged me. I plan to hand over the financial power... From now on, all our family's property will belong to you."
Miss Huang was very shy, but also very curious, "Is the money... a lot?"
Xu Jingchang did not speak, but turned around to the table, took out a mahogany box, and brought it to Miss Huang. After unfolding it, there was a booklet inside, which roughly recorded Xu Jingchang's property, excluding private money of course.
"Look, this first investment was my investment in Zhu Gaoxu's bank and workshop... Now calculated, about 30% of it is mine. The bank is worth five million taels, and the workshop can also be discounted for three million taels. That adds up to eight
One million taels."
Huang Yunfang's eyes widened and she couldn't believe it.
To be a dignified Duke of Dingguo, one must have money, but having so much still frightened her.
If this is considered corruption, Xu Jingchang is the most corrupt official in history.
"Is this the second payment? It's my family's original farm. A lot of it was occupied by the construction of the outer city. Then I invested the money into the land in the outer city. Now I own 200 properties in the outer city. After calculation, there are dozens of properties in the outer city.
Maybe 10,000 taels. Although it’s not much, it’s an income every month and it’s easy to sell. It’s better to be safe.”
"As for the third payment, it's the school... The best school in the world, sealed by His Majesty himself, has an annual tuition fee, the buildings and land around the school, and targeted talent training, all of which are money. After all, Zhu Gaoxu has to donate a sum of money every year.
Give me the money, the total amount he promised is one million taels of gold!"
"Then there is the port and terminal in Annan. The money is not much for the time being, but if it develops, it will be quite considerable..."
Xu Jingchang read one word at a time, and Miss Huang's expression changed. After hearing what he said, she shook her head.
"I can't control it. The Duke should keep it for himself."
Xu Jingchang was shocked, "Why? This is all our family's property, and it's fair and square. What do you have to worry about?"
Miss Huang said: "This is too much money, and I can't handle it. If Duke Ding wants to take care of the money for me, I can only take care of Duke Ding's salary. Otherwise, I dare not accept it."
"
Xu Jingchang raised his eyebrows. His wife was actually unwilling to take control of the financial power. Should he be happy, happy, or happy...
"Well, now I am both the Duke of Dingguo and the Commander-in-Chief of Jinyiwei. I am also an errand boy for Zhan Shifu. I can receive three salaries and some allowances. I don't know the specific amount. They are all taken care of by the housekeeper.
"
Miss Huang said sternly: "This is what the Duke needs to be careful about... How can he assist the government if he cannot run the family? The salary and allowance should belong to the Xu family, and there must be no mistakes. As for the housekeepers, they should also keep a close eye on them. Don't worry.
They are nothing in the Xu family, but when they leave the house and stand in front of ordinary people, they are big and powerful people. If they cause trouble, they will damage the reputation of the Duke. Now there are so many people staring at the court.
, Your Majesty must be extremely careful."
Xu Jingchang rolled his eyes and couldn't help but sigh: "What a good wife! When God responds to you in the future, you have to keep your home in order."
Although Miss Huang was shy, she still nodded vigorously in agreement.
Xu Jingchang felt greatly relieved. It was obvious that his wife knew how to measure herself and could control herself. Even getting married would only make life easier.
Thinking of this, Xu Jingchang really couldn't wait.
…
"Your Majesty, this is the list drawn up by Duke Ding... It includes one hundred and fifty civil servants from Daning, eight border guards, and five thousand cavalry. It is necessary to establish a Daning general soldier."
Jian Yi, the Tianguan of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, wanted to report to Zhu Di on the personnel arrangements. In the Wuying Hall, all the ministers were listening... Frankly speaking, Xu Jingchang's list of people was a bit unexpected.
Not too much, but too little!
It turns out that the Peiping Capital Division, a large number of guard posts below, as well as commanders, commanders and other generals, were all abolished, leaving only eight frontier guards, plus five thousand cavalry, for a total of thirteen thousand people.
This decline is truly astonishing.
Some people even wonder, can people use this?
In fact, in Xu Jingchang's view, border defense does not need to pile up so many troops on the front line.
In critical places, it is enough to arrange for thousands of households to be permanently guarded, such as Xifengkou, Gubeikou, Juyongguan, etc. Then arrange a mobile force to patrol the border day and night.
The key is the next two lines of defense... First, for the farm after the reform, a group of militiamen must be selected to protect the farm. If they encounter a small group of Mongolian invaders, they need to go into battle and promptly notify the surrounding officers and soldiers.
If the Mongols invaded in large numbers...this would require the Ming army's intelligence system to understand the information in advance and provide timely warning.
A group of elite forbidden troops must be retained in Peiping, Baoding, Tianjin, Shandong and other places.
During normal times, they are stationed in the mainland to reduce expenses. When encountering war, they are mobilized in time and go into battle.
This method will undoubtedly reduce the pressure on national defense and will not require so many civilians to transport goods... Xu Jingchang also suggested that special land should be allocated around all the troops' stations to serve as military camps, and encourage soldiers to rely on their hands to solve the supply problem
.
All in all, Xu Jingchang is really serious about reducing expenses, and is by no means indiscriminately making cuts on a whim.
After Zhu Di read it, he said with a smile: "Fellow gentlemen, what do you think?"
Xia Yuanji stood up and said: "Your Majesty, I have also estimated that if we follow Duke Dingguo's vision, in Beiping alone, the annual land tax will increase by 180,000 shi of grain, and the tax revenue from the forecourt will increase by more than one million.
Each farm can provide a lot of surplus food. The number of soldiers is also greatly reduced... In this way, it is really a blessing to the country, the country is very lucky, and the people are very lucky!"
Zhu Di smiled and said, "Yes, I have seen it a long time ago. Duke Dingguo is a rare talent. He is resourceful and capable. He can be called my right-hand man and minister... It's just that this time Peking has to make so many adjustments. I'm afraid there will be some mistakes."
Omission, I plan to go north to patrol the border, what do you think?"
here we go again!
Zhu Di perfectly explained what it means to be evil-minded.
Jian Yi hurriedly said: "Your Majesty, Duke Ding has taken care of everything. I don't think it is necessary for your Majesty to go north."
Zhu Di smiled and said: "You can't say that...he wants to kill Enke, but this is not something he can decide."
Jian Yi hurriedly said: "Your Majesty, for the Enke matter, we can just ask Huang Shangshu of the Ministry of Rites to go north."
Huang Guan could only stand up and said, "Your Majesty, I am willing to do it for you."
Zhu Di rolled his eyes and said: "Ding Guogong is already a grown man. By the way, Huang Qing's family, aren't you engaged? I also want to join in the fun and have a wedding drink! They are getting married in Peking, right?"
Huang Guan said helplessly: "Your Majesty, I have discussed with the Xu family and let them get married in Peiping first, at the Martyrs' Memorial Hall. Then I will respond to God and do it again. Your Majesty intends to do more, and I am grateful...
When Duke Ding returns to Beijing, he will certainly thank Heaven for his grace."
Zhu Di's attempt was blocked again.
This made Zhu Laosi very angry. No excuses would work. I want to get out of Yingtian, but why is it so difficult!
Zhu Di looked at the group of courtiers. Everyone lowered their heads, wandering in a daze, not wanting to say anything at all. Zhu Di exclaimed helpless.
The court meeting could only be ended in a hurry.
When he returned to the harem, he roared angrily.
"What happened to me? I became a prisoner and could only be trapped in this palace? I want to go to Peiping to see the former Prince Yan's Mansion and live in my own house for a while, but I can't do it anymore? Am I still the emperor of the Ming Dynasty?
"
Empress Xu frowned slightly and said, "Your Majesty, please don't cause trouble to the courtiers. The emperor's holy drive to the north is really expensive... After the emperor ascended the throne, he didn't leave the capital much. He only handled government affairs in the palace. You
Let’s also learn from Huang Kao!”
Zhu Di's face darkened, "Can I be the same as Huang Kao? In his early years, Huang Kao traveled all over Huaixi... How many places have I been? Moreover, these people trapped me in Yingtian, and I couldn't see anything.
I can only listen to what they say, and soon I will become Jianwen."
Zhu Di complained wildly, and Empress Xu was helpless. No matter what you say, you can't leave without a proper reason!
But at this moment, Zhu Laosan came.
"The child pays homage to his father and the queen."
Zhu Di was in a bad mood and snorted coldly: "If you have something to say, just say it. If nothing happens, just step back."
Zhu Gaosui was embarrassed, "Father, I want to ask, if the Martyrs' Shrine is completed and will be used to commemorate my grandfather, King Zhongshan, the newspaper will publish some special articles. I have prepared some. Do you want father to take a look at it?"
Zhu Di took a deep breath, "Since it is an article about the King of Zhongshan, not only I must read it, but your mother and queen must also read it. You must pay attention to it and write it well..." When Zhu Di said this, he was suddenly shocked and his eyes gleamed.
Everyone was excited.
"I know what to do! Hurry, send the message quickly, I want to go north, and I want to personally sacrifice to King Zhongshan!" Zhu Di looked up to the sky and laughed, tears almost came out. No one could stop him this time.
"You should also prepare, let's set off together." Zhu Di was ecstatic and said to Queen Xu.
