On the eighth day of the second lunar month, Gewu Academy finally broke ground.
The foot of Yushan Mountain is also the fiefdom of Yun Ye. The reason why the academy is located here is that it has a beautiful environment and is more suitable for concentrating on studying. On the other hand, it is also to save money. After all, the funds that Yun Ye has raised now include
The 10,000 guan sponsored by Qin Hao is only 50,000 to 60,000 guan.
Taking into account the later expansion of the academy, the cost of land naturally cannot be too high. Naturally, there will be no problem in your own fiefdom. Except for the relocation of some sporadic residents who will need to spend some money, the rest will only require
Just register with the government and that's the benefit of being a noble.
According to ancient customs, some ceremonies must be held to break ground. However, Qin Hao and Yun Ye were completely indifferent to those blasphemous blessing ceremonies. In the end, they reluctantly agreed to let them go at the unanimous request of Cheng Yaojin and others.
Yuan Tiangang performed a blessing ceremony. It is estimated that even Yuan Tiangang himself did not expect that he would be arrested.
As the blessing ceremony ended, the entire Yushan construction site became lively.
Because the wages offered by Yun Ye were too high, more than 200 civilians came to ask for the construction of the academy. Half of the strong labor force in Yun Ye's village came. Even many residents of Chang'an City came to the Yushan construction site to find work.
Dry.
There was a lively scene on the construction site. At first, Yun Ye thought that without a large excavator, digging the foundation would be a very time-consuming project. According to his estimate, it would take at least three months. But when the construction actually started,
Only then did Yun Ye realize that he had underestimated the power of the ancient people.
In just one and a half months, these peasants dug the foundations of several buildings in the college with hoes, pickaxes, dustpans and wheelbarrows on their shoulders and handbags.
"Books have always said that the Chinese nation is a nation that continues to create miracles. Now I understand its true meaning. At least in terms of infrastructure, no one is our opponent." Yun Ye said with emotion.
Qin Hao was convinced, and then patted Yun Ye on the shoulder.
"Water it."
Following Yun Ye's order, the concrete that had been mixed evenly slowly poured into the foundation along with the iron plates rolled up on both sides.
The minister of the Ministry of Industry and his subordinates were staring at the construction site without blinking. Li Shimin had given him a task to build a three-story building with cement next to the Tai Chi Hall.
At first, the Minister of Industry did not think it was too difficult. He summoned the skilled craftsmen from the Ministry of Industry and started work directly without asking Qin Hao or Yun Ye.
As a result, the small building collapsed just after it reached the second floor.
Under Li Shimin's accountability, the Minister of Industry shifted all the responsibility to the cement, saying that it was the substandard materials that caused the collapse of the small building.
Some civil servants also took the opportunity to comment and talk about Qin Hao and Yun Ye.
Li Shimin believed that Qin Hao and Yun Ye would not deceive him about this matter, so he summoned them to the palace.
As a result, under their guidance, the skilled craftsmen from the Ministry of Industry built the three-story building in only half a month.
Although the cement house looked a bit ugly, far inferior to the dragon-carved building in the Taiji Hall, Li Shimin was very satisfied with the small building. He even wrote a plaque on the Taiji Building as an imperial gift, and also mentioned his usual
The office location was moved to this small building.
Afterwards, Li Shimin did not severely punish the Minister of Industry, but asked him to take the ministers of the Ministry of Industry to the Yushan construction site to take a closer look and learn how others used cement, so this scene happened.
At the same time, Qin Hao's fiefdom in Wannian County was also in full swing.
On the one hand, it is spring plowing. Farmers are busy planting soybeans. Potatoes have also been planted on Qin Hao's farmland. They are waiting for the potatoes to mature and serve as seeds for farmers to plant in two months.
On the other hand, there was the construction of the school. Originally, Qin Hao planned to hire someone else to build it, but when Old Man Liu and the others learned about it, they knelt down in front of Qin Hao and cried bitterly.
"Sir, you are able to provide money to build a school for us. We are already bursting with gratitude. If you still spend money to hire outsiders for this hard work, wouldn't it be a stab in our spines?"
"Yes, Sir, you can leave this matter to us. We will ensure that the school is built beautifully. Anyone who dares to cheat will no longer stay on the farm."
Seeing this, Qin Hao had no choice but to agree to their offer, but still asked the butler to prepare more abundant meals for the two meals, at least ensuring that each person could have a piece of bacon or half a salted fish in their bowl.
The farmers' eyes were wide open when they were preparing the meal. Only when the meat hit the bowl did they confirm that it was for them.
"Sir, you are benevolent and righteous!"
"Yes, God opened his eyes and allowed us to meet such a good owner."
At the same time, His Majesty Li Shimin of the Tang Dynasty was not in a good mood. Judging from the secret reports sent from Baiqisi from various places, there was indeed the possibility of a locust plague in Guanzhong.
As the permafrost has opened up, spring plowing has begun in various places, and in some states and counties, insect eggs and locust larvae have been found when digging the ground.
At this moment, Du Ruhui, Fang Xuanling and other civil servants were also worried. Many signs showed that a locust plague was indeed possible.
However, at this time, the Tang Empire's treasury was already empty. Years of war and Turkic plunder in the previous two years made the already overburdened finances even worse.
"How much grain is left in Hanjiacang?" Li Shimin asked in a low tone.
Du Ruhui and Fang Xuanling looked at each other and answered with a grimace.
"It's already less than five hundred thousand dan."
When Li Shimin heard this, he stood up from his chair and gritted his teeth and asked: "How come there are only five hundred thousand dan? When I came to the throne, I ordered the expansion of Hanjiacang. Why did the grain reserves not decrease instead?"
Du Ruhui said bitterly: "Your Majesty, Hanjia Cang has indeed been expanded. However, due to the continuous war for food and the constant disasters in various places, the food collected by the imperial court did not have time to replenish Hanjia Cang, so it was sent to various places."
In fact, this is also the biggest conflict between civil servants and military generals. Where is the role of civil servants? The treasury is full, and the people are rich and live in peace and contentment. However, if military commanders want to make contributions, rewards, and promotions, they can only conquer on the spot. As for raising money,
Food and fodder is a matter for civil servants. They only care about victory or defeat.
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading! Li Shimin also knew that these civil servants could not be blamed for this matter.
"Now that things have come to this, do you, dear friends, have any strategies?"
Du Ruhui and Fang Xuanling looked at each other: "As of now, there are only two strategies. One is to actively raise food to fill the granary to prepare for emergencies. The other is to collect poultry from outside the customs and other places as the Qin County man said.
The locusts should be stocked in various places in Guanzhong to minimize the scale of the locust plague."
"Well, just do what Du Aiqing said." Seeing that other officials had no more constructive opinions, Li Shimin had no choice but to sigh and follow this method.
After everyone left, Du Ruhui and Fang Xuanling did not leave.
"Du Aiqing, what else does Fang Aiqing have to do?" Li Shimin asked in a deep voice.
Du Ruhui bowed down and said: "Your Majesty, the first strategy mentioned by me is actually of little effect. It is spring plowing now, and the people do not have much food in their hands. If we force it to raise food, I am afraid it will cause turmoil in various places. The only solution now is
I bought food from aristocratic families, but my treasury was empty..."
What is before Li Shimin now is that the people are already in misery, and it is the time of spring plowing. If they exploit the people, they will undoubtedly cut off their livelihood. If not, it may lead to the turmoil of the late Sui Dynasty. Then those forces with ulterior motives will
, would also take the opportunity to cause trouble. Buying grain from aristocratic families was the only feasible way, but he had no money.
"What if I don't give you the money?" Li Shimin said in a gloomy tone.
Du Ruhui and Fang Xuanling were shocked when they heard this: "Your Majesty, you must not do it. If you use force, I am afraid that the great families will become disloyal and the foundation of the Tang Dynasty will be shaken."
The reason why the Tang Dynasty was able to maintain its position was actually inseparable from the support of the aristocratic families. At least the Guanlong nobles gave their full support. As for the Five Surnames and Qiwang, although they secretly looked down on the Li family, at least they still obeyed the control of the Tang Dynasty on the surface.
.
Once force is used to break up the situation, although the temporary famine may be solved, the hidden dangers buried will explode at any time, with disastrous consequences.
Just when Li Shimin was at a loss what to do, Du Ruhui suddenly gritted his teeth and said.
"Your Majesty, why don't you ask the man from Qin County or Yun County if he has any good ideas?"
Li Shimin frowned. Although he admired Xiaoyaozi very much and always wanted to ask him for advice, as the king of a country, he was still somewhat proud of himself. Even so many civil servants and generals under him could not solve the same problem.
However, Xiaoyaozi's two disciples can offer good advice one after another. Doesn't it mean that he has a bunch of mediocre people under his command?
"Go and invite the men from Qin County and Yun County!" After all, it was Li Shimin who quickly made a choice between face and dignity.
Du Ruhui and Fang Xuanling actually felt very unhappy. They had paid for their own education and were well versed in the ways of governing the country. However, they were constantly outclassed by Qin Hao and Yun Ye. They were really unwilling to do so.
Not long after, Qin Hao and Yun Ye arrived at the Tai Chi Hall.
Li Shimin couldn't help but wonder when he saw the two of them looking dusty and tired: "Qin Aiqing, why are you two in such a mess?"
"Reporting to Your Majesty, I have just come down from the construction site of Yushan Academy. Please forgive me for my indecency." Qin Hao bowed and saluted.
"I see, how is the progress of Yushan Academy?" Li Shimin became interested.
"The foundation has been inspected and accepted, and construction can begin tomorrow. In addition, more than half of the roads have been built. It is expected that the infrastructure construction will be completed in another three months, and will be almost completed in July. If everything goes well, when the osmanthus flowers are in full bloom in September
, then school can start." Yun Ye said with some excitement. Maybe in the eyes of others, Gewu Academy is just a very ordinary academy, but he knew very well that this was a seed that he planted that represented science.
Perhaps for a long time in the future, this seed will be weak and unable to withstand wind and rain, but as soon as it begins to sprout, it will quickly grow into a big tree and push Datang to become more powerful.
Run wildly.
"Oh? The progress is so fast? Are you sure you are building according to the original planning?" Li Shimin said in surprise.
Qin Hao and Yun Ye looked at each other and smiled: "Your Majesty, this plan has been revised more than ten times, and the current area is much larger than before."
According to Yun Ye's original idea, he would first build a few teaching buildings, and then build a playground or something, and then school could start.
However, it was later discovered that the bareness of the college was really unsightly and did not fit the name of the First College of the Tang Dynasty, so a library, dormitory building, garden, fountain and other buildings were added.
Thanks to the hard work of the people, although many buildings have been added, the construction progress has not been delayed, but the money has been somewhat overrun, forcing Qin Hao and Yun Ye to increase their budget by another 10,000 yuan.
Du Ruhui coughed a few times, reminding Li Shimin that there were more important things now.
Li Shimin had no choice but to suppress his inner curiosity and said seriously: "We invite the Qin County man and the Yun County man to come here because they have important matters to discuss."
After saying that, he looked at Du Ruhui, who cupped his fists and raised his hands towards Qin Hao, and explained the current predicament.
When Yun Ye heard this, he rolled his eyes and whispered to Qin Hao: "Isn't this a hot potato for us brothers?"
Qin Hao also frowned. It's hard for a clever woman to make a living without rice. She has no money and has to buy food from a wealthy family. She can't force it. It's like dancing in shackles.
Suddenly, an idea flashed in his mind, and Qin Hao raised his hands to Li Shimin and said, "Your Majesty, why don't you borrow food from a wealthy family?"
A trace of disappointment flashed in Li Shimin's eyes: "Qin Aiqing also said that these aristocratic families all belong to the Pixiu family. How can they be willing to lend me their stored grain obediently?"
"Everything in the world is about profit, and everything in the world is about profit." Qin Hao said calmly: "As long as your majesty offers a price they can't refuse, why not do a profitable business?"
"Is this feasible?" Li Shimin hesitated.
Qin Hao smiled and said: "Your Majesty has control over the world. Now that the world is stable and the elites of the Tang Dynasty are suppressing all directions, it is better to use the credibility of the Tang Dynasty as a guarantee and make a profit. It is better than putting food in a warehouse to rot and still sell it.
Why not do it for your majesty if you give him a favor?"
Yun Ye looked at Qin Hao in surprise and blurted out: "Isn't this the national debt?"
"National debt?" Li Shimin and Du Ruhui looked at each other and saw shock in each other's eyes.
"With the endorsement of the state, foreign borrowing, the word national debt is used appropriately."
Li Shimin continued to ask: "How much interest does Qin Aiqing think should be given on this national debt?"
"Twenty percent should make those aristocratic families excited." Qin Hao thought for a while, and the interest rates on loans in ancient times were very high, especially among the private sector.
To shed tears.
However, considering that there were no banks in ancient times, the money of wealthy families could be used for loan sharking to make huge profits, but there was no way to generate income from food, so an interest rate of 20% should still be good.
"Is the profit of 20% too high?" Du Ruhui frowned.
Li Shimin is also in a dilemma. The 20% profit is indeed not low, but if he can solve the upcoming dilemma, it is not impossible to agree. At worst, he will tighten his belt and reduce some expenses next year.
Qin Hao thought for a moment: "If you are worried that it will be difficult to redeem the money in the coming year, you can consider extending the payment time. For example, 50% will be paid in the first year, and the rest will be paid off over several years based on 20% interest."
"Haha, Qin Aiqing's plan is very clever. Du Aiqing will formulate a complete strategy based on this national debt. Remember, it is a matter of great importance. No one is allowed to reveal it before the strategy is implemented." Li Shimin knew very well the virtues of those wealthy families.
Yes, once they know the specific plan, they will definitely find ways to take advantage of it.