Chapter 130: A Hundred Years Still Remember Shuofang Town (2)
In the silent Xingqing City, only a dark outline appeared at this time, and a bright moon hung above the tower, making it even more deserted.
Zhao Si stood on the earth wall and looked at Xingqing City not far away.
Behind him, in addition to Yao Lin and Yu Wenxuzhong, there were three other people, including Zhang Kangguo, the minister of the Ministry of Planning, Li Miao, the staff officer of the War Department of the Military Counselor, and Li Xiangyao, the eunuch of the Imperial Palace.
The faces of the three of them were covered in dust, and they seemed to have just arrived, and they stood quietly aside.
"Yao Gong, what do you think of my siege strategy?"
Yao Lin respectfully replied: "Your Majesty's idea is unprecedented. I have never seen it with my own eyes, so I don't know how powerful it is. But as your Majesty said before, if you don't try a method, how can you know whether it works or not."
Zhao Si smiled, "Yao Gong agreed to give it a try."
"Yes, I second my opinion."
Zhao Si glanced at the military commander with the highest rank in the Song Dynasty and felt the awe he felt for him from the bottom of his heart.
Ever since he brought 60,000 Suzaku banners and fought in Mobei for several months, surrendered the Kerei tribes, annihilated the Tataer tribes, and shocked the north of the mountains. After leading his troops southward, these generals have been in awe of him to the point of being frightened.
the point.
The expected effect was achieved.
"When my father was in power, he was humiliated by being repeatedly bullied by Xixia, and he vowed to wash away his shame. Unfortunately, Yongle City was defeated and his achievements fell short, which made him die with resentment. Today, Xingqing City is in front of me."
"The accounts that have been settled for a hundred years must finally be settled. I not only want to conquer Xingqing City, but also let Northern Liao, Goryeo, Dali, Li Yue and other countries know that no matter how powerful the city is, in front of our Song army, it is nothing more than
It’s just a criticism of the soil.”
Listening to Zhao Silang's voice, which was like gold and stone, Yao Lin and Yu Wenxuzhong said quickly: "Your Majesty worked hard to become stronger and finally avenged the shame of the late Emperor of Zhe Temple and fulfilled the long-cherished wish of the late Emperor of Zhe Temple."
Zhao Si raised his hand and waved it gently, "Yao Gong and Shutong are chatting first, and I will talk to the three of them."
"Here!"
Zhao Si walked up to Zhang Kangguo and the others.
"I am waiting to see Your Majesty."
Zhao Xi looked at the faces of the three people, and first said to Zhang Kangguo: "Zhang Qing, come with me for a walk."
"The Romance of Fairy Wood"
"Here!"
Zhao Si was in front and Zhang Kangguo was behind. The two of them walked slowly on the earthen wall. After walking a certain distance, Zhao Si asked: "What message does Prime Minister Zhang have for you to convey to me?"
"Your Majesty, the battle to destroy Xia lasted half a year, mobilizing more than 400,000 soldiers, millions of civilians, and countless supplies. We also had Hedong and Hebei to prepare for the war... It was a waste of money. Zhang Xiang asked me to ask your Majesty for advice on this war.
Will it continue until spring plowing time next year?”
Zhang Kangguo said respectfully.
Zhao Si remained speechless and continued walking forward. Zhang Kangguo did not dare to say anything and followed closely behind him.
"Xiang Zhang also became tactful when he spoke to me. He was reminding me that we can no longer waste so much manpower and material resources without end, otherwise next year's spring plowing will be extremely tense."
After talking to himself, Zhao Si turned around and asked again: "You are the minister of the Ministry of Planning. Are you in a difficult situation now that you are spending money from the national treasury?"
"Your Majesty, in June and July, the national treasury is indeed very tight. Fortunately, in August and September, autumn grain taxes from various places are released into the treasury, and maritime merchants ship a large amount of grain from the South China Sea area, which eases the situation a little bit."
Zhang Kangguo's head lowered a little.
"But millions of civilians were mobilized from Qinchuan, Hedong, and Henan counties, and they were all young and strong people from all over. This year's autumn harvest, all parties cooperated, the public, religious, military, and police all contributed, and we could barely cope with it.
.If it is delayed until next spring, the manpower may not be able to support it. If spring plowing is delayed, next year's autumn harvest in the three counties will be greatly reduced."
"You are thoughtful. We must not look at the immediate future when governing the country, but must look at the long-term future. If next year there is a harvest failure in the three counties, leading to famine, and extinguishing Xia will be more than worth the gain. Don't worry, I will remember it and capture Xingqing as soon as possible.
city."
"yes."
"Mr. Zhang Bin (Zhang Kangguo), you are the Minister of Planning, the right-hand assistant of Prime Minister Cai, and one of the specific persons in charge of tax reform. Let me ask you, what is the biggest problem encountered in tax reform?
?”
Zhang Kangguo replied without hesitation: "Lack of money?"
"Lack of money?"
"Your Majesty, the lack of money I mentioned is not a lack of taxes or income, but a lack of copper coins and silver taels."
"Oh, there is a shortage of currency in circulation." Zhao seemed to understand, "Is there a shortage now?"
"Yes, there is a great shortage of currency as your Majesty mentioned. This dynasty was already short of copper and silver. When it was in embarrassment, some counties and states, such as the Bashu states, simply used iron coins. Later, your Majesty promoted maritime trade, and maritime trade came from Li
The shipment of copper and silver from Yue, Goryeo, and Eastern Japan initially alleviated the problem. However, the officials and people of this dynasty liked to store copper and silver, and also used it to make copper and silverware, which could be used immediately and used as savings at home."
"His Majesty's industrial activities and wide-open trade routes have made trade between the north and the south very active. In the trade, more copper coins and silver are needed as intermediaries. However, no matter how many copper coins are minted by the Baoquan Bureau of the Treasury Department of the Ministry of Planning, they will flow into the market.
Just like mud thrown into a river, it turns into nothing.”
"Currently, copper coins are in short supply on the market, and silver is also in short supply. It is really helpless. Some places use silk cloth, some use cotton cloth... It is very inconvenient for each to act as a trading intermediary. Your Majesty's strategy is to use the rest of the money besides grain and tax.
All taxes should be paid with money. But now the shortage of copper and silver is so severe that it cannot be promoted at all."
Zhao Si listened silently and asked, "Is it very confusing to trade currencies in the market now?"
"Yes, Your Majesty, it's very confusing. No matter how many copper coins are minted by the Baoquan Bureau, after it enters the market, some people will dissolve it and make copperware; what's worse, some people will dissolve it and re-add it with lead to make it into bad coins.
, to make huge profits. As of last month, the Judicial Investigation Bureau, together with the county police departments, had uncovered 59 cases of counterfeit coins being minted."
Zhao Si nodded: "The situation I was worried about finally happened. Has your planning department discussed countermeasures?"
"I told you, Your Majesty, we have discussed it. One of the most hotly debated items is Cai Shangshu's suggestion that the Ministry of Planning imitate Yizhou Jiaoziwu and upgrade the Guanjiaozi circulating in Bashu to a currency that can be used throughout the country."
As expected, it is still Cai Jing.
Zhao Si recited something silently in his mind, and then asked: "Does the Ministry of Planning know that Yizhou Guanjiaozi was originally circulated in Bashu and also in other prefectures and counties east of the Qinchuan River, but now it has become a piece of waste paper."
"Reply to Your Majesty, the Ministry of Planning knows that due to the use of troops in the northwest, countless expenditures were incurred and expenditures were repeatedly exceeded. Yizhou Guanjiaozi initially issued 1.25 million guan and kept a capital of 36 guan of Bashu iron money. Later, the capital was reduced to 1.25 million guan.
It didn’t increase much, but Guanjiaozi was printed and issued innumerable numbers. It was so indiscriminately issued that it was eventually devalued and wasted.”
Zhang Guokang replied quickly.
"The Ministry of Planning discussed the pros and cons of this strategy, and discussed several opinions based on the lessons learned from Yizhou Guanjiaozi..."
After listening to Zhang Guokang's words, Zhao Si nodded approvingly: "The fact that Cai Qing and the ministers of the Ministry of Planning came up with these countermeasures shows that you have really put your heart into it. We will discuss it in detail when I return to Kaifeng City in triumph soon."
After being praised by the officials, Zhang Guokang's face was full of pride.
Unknowingly, Zhao Si led Zhang Guokang for a short distance along the earth wall, and then walked back unknowingly.
"Zhang Qing, it's hard work for you to come all the way. Go down and rest first. I have something to ask you in the next few days."
"Thank you, Your Majesty. I will take my leave first."
Zhao Si watched Zhang Guokang walk down the earth wall, walked up to Yao Lin and Yu Wenxuzhong, and asked, "Yao Gong, Shutong, do you want to go back and rest first?"
"Your Majesty, it's okay! I'm discussing the attack on the city and don't want to go down to rest."
Zhao Si smiled and said, "Okay, you continue the discussion, and I will talk to them again."
Walking to Li Miao and Li Xiangyao, Zhao Si pointed at Li Miao and said, "Li Qing, come with me for a walk."