"That means Linyang County Magistrate made an independent claim?"
"You can't say that..."
"Your Excellency Governor, I am confused."
Lin Xu was very puzzled. This was neither Liu Mingju's arrangement nor Fan Changqing's own initiative. What else could be the reason?
"Sir, let's talk again when we get to the Governor's Palace!"
Liu Mingju said in a deep voice.
When he returned to the Governor's Mansion, although it was late at night, Liu Mingju still arranged for the chef to cook a few dishes for Lin Xu to refresh himself.
He accompanied him personally and did not call anyone else.
At the dinner table, Liu Mingju took the initiative to pick up the wine glass: "Thank you again, Mr. Lin, for coming all the way to treat our soldiers. I am very grateful!"
"Your Majesty the Governor, you're welcome!"
The two of them clinked their glasses and drank in one gulp.
After putting down the cup, Lin Xu wanted to pour wine, but Liu Mingju stopped him, picked up the jug himself, and poured wine for them.
"On the way here, Mr. Lin asked me about converting rice into mulberry. There were so many people at the time that I couldn't say more."
"Actually, this is the intention of the imperial court. Official documents have been sent to all prefectures and counties in Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces, requiring farmers in various places to change rice to mulberry. This is a national policy. If anyone obstructs this, they can be treated as anti-people and killed on the spot!
The chief officials in various places do their own thing, and the superior government offices are not allowed to exercise restraint."
"Although I am the governor of Jiangsu and Zhejiang, I cannot interfere in this matter openly. I can only try my best to mediate in private!"
"In the eyes of the people of Jiangsu and Zhejiang, I am the most powerful person in the southeast, but in the eyes of the imperial court, I am just a chess piece that can be replaced at any time!"
"Although I do not hesitate to take this official position, the situation is critical now that the Japanese pirates have invaded! Wherever the Japanese pirates go, all lives are devastated! The harm caused by the Japanese pirates is worse than converting rice into mulberry. I can only choose the lesser of two evils!"
"When fighting in the front, I am most afraid of unstable rear defense! In order to fight against the Japanese, I can only do this!"
"As for Fan Changqing, I have sent someone to warn him. I believe he will restrain himself."
"Although there are problems in some counties, under my mediation, it is not a big mess. The situation is still controllable, so I can devote more energy to fighting against Japanese invaders."
"If I object too hard and make the capital angry, I can be removed from my post with an official document! By then, Jiangsu and Zhejiang will face internal and external troubles, and it will be the common people who will suffer!"
When Liu Mingju said this, his voice was calm, but there was a deep helplessness in his tone!
Lin Xu was also speechless.
Liu Mingju had only known him for a few hours, but he had already said everything that was in his heart. What else could he say?
However, there was one thing he couldn't understand.
"I briefly learned that the silk produced in Jiangsu and Zhejiang is mainly exported overseas. In China, the average price of a piece of high-quality silk is around six taels of silver, and if it is sold overseas, it can sell for up to fifteen taels.
, we can sell it for at least twelve taels! Moreover, the supply exceeds the demand!"
"In addition, silk is much more expensive than rice. If farmers switch from rice to mulberry, they can get an extra five cents profit per acre of land!"
"So, converting rice into mulberry is a good thing that benefits the country and the people, but why can't it be pushed back? Don't the people even know how to calculate this? Don't they just want to make more money?"
"In order to force this matter forward, the imperial court did not hesitate to use violent means. It is really incredible!"
Having said this, Lin Xu cupped his hands and said, "Please ask the Governor to clarify your doubts!" This chapter has been completed!