August is the harvest season, the season when fruits and vegetables are fragrant, and it is the most anticipated harvest month.
Actually.
For Emperor Chongzhen Zhu Youjian, August this year is his harvest month.
There is an endless stream of good news coming from all over the place.
First, good news came from Shaanxi. The Hanzhong bandit uprising has been suppressed. Not only have hundreds of thousands of bandits been annihilated, but the long-standing bandit leader Gao Yingxiang has also been captured. The bandit is on his way to the capital. As long as Chongzhen gives an order,
, you can cut it into pieces with a thousand knives!
"Gao Yingxiang was captured?"
Zhu Youjian was stunned, a little unbelievable. This giant bandit that had appeared in his ears since the first year of Chongzhen had been wreaking havoc on the Central Plains for six or seven years. He had escaped repeatedly, and then jumped around to create even bigger things.
This intruder who treated the Ming Dynasty as his own back garden was really caught. There is no way he can jump around again this time, right?
"Yes, Your Majesty, Lu Xiangsheng, the military commander of the Tianxiong Army, wanted to repay Your Majesty and the imperial court by leading hundreds of elite men in pursuit for thousands of miles. Only then did they capture the intruders. Your Majesty, our family believes that Lu Xiangsheng is trustworthy and usable.
The cooperation with Xujiazhuang before was just for profit, but there is also loyalty and courage to serve the Ming Dynasty, otherwise we would not work so hard this time. Your Majesty, our family believes that the ministers who have made meritorious deeds, even if they have some flaws, should still be rewarded. The DPRK
Those civil servants are all holy and flawless, but have they invested money in fund-raising and financial management projects, and have they ever achieved such feats as capturing the leader of a thief?"
Wang Chengen, the eunuch of the Chief of Ceremonies, said in the young emperor's ears that he had been very unhappy with the civil servants recently. He obviously managed the imperial shop and brought income to the royal family. He was closer to Xujiazhuang and had more contact with him on a daily basis.
He was frantically impeached by the civil servants. He even took a few packs of diapers given to him in the Qichun New Year. They were exposed in the court and ridiculed by the civil servants. They also suggested that His Majesty should remove him as a traitor.
Wang Chengen was ashamed and angry, and his face was disgraced.
Since then, he has developed a grudge against the civil servants, which cannot be resolved!
Fortunately, the emperor still trusted him very much and was not stupid enough to obey the advice of the civil servants.
"In the Shaanxi Suppression of Bandits, Lu Xiangsheng eliminated 30,000 bandits (other achievements were shared), personally captured the bandit leader, and took the lead. His performance was remarkable. Although he did commit taboos and big mistakes, he cannot be completely dismissed.
Go to Xujiazhuang..."
Zhu Youjian thought for a while and said: "This person should be rewarded better, but he should not be given more territory or real power, just give him more title and reputation."
"Your Majesty is wise!"
Wang Chengen said.
And that’s it.
The full 10 million yuan of money and food provided by the imperial court to exterminate the bandits was basically used up.
The effects and goals we hope to achieve are not only achieved 100%, but at least 98% are achieved!
The total number of rogue bandits annihilated exceeded one million.
Some of the main leaders, such as Zijin Liang Wang Ziyong, Ge Liyan He Yilong and this time Chuang Wang Gao Yingxiang, were either killed or captured. Almost all of them were caught, leaving only a few small fish and shrimps.
The strategic objectives have been basically achieved.
It can be officially announced that the problem of rogue bandits has been eliminated, peace has finally been restored to the Central Plains of the Ming Dynasty, and all that is left to do is to take a good rest.
happy event.
This was definitely a great happy event for Chongzhen, and a big stone fell from his heart.
It's mid-August.
Another piece of great news comes: Agriculture in the Jiangnan region has achieved a bumper harvest!
Moreover, it was an unprecedented super bumper harvest. The grain output of various prefectures and counties in the south of the Yangtze River has reached an astonishing level. The memorials of the officials in the south of the Yangtze River are full of words such as "Nian Dafeng", "Auspicious Feng", "Thousands of Jin per mu" and so on.
words.
Such a super harvest is mainly caused by three factors.
First, the high-yield and improved varieties from Xujiazhuang have been comprehensively promoted in the south of the Yangtze River. Farmers have achieved 100% acceptance and are actively introducing varieties.
Second, the nitrogen fertilizer plant in Xujiazhuang successfully achieved mass production in April this year, and its production capacity reached its peak in May. A large amount of fertilizer was sold to the outside world in June, and surrounding farmers were allowed to borrow money to purchase it. After the grain harvest, they would pay back one pound of fertilizer and three pounds of grain.
loan.
Third, Xujiazhuang’s water pumps have been most widely used (a special water pumping team has been formed to provide low-cost rental services to all farmers in South Zhili), alleviating drought conditions in countless fields. Pesticides are also sold at zero profit or given to many for free.
The farmers' only requirement is to underwrite all the surplus grain to Xujiazhuang after the harvest, and Xujiazhuang will give a purchase price that will not make the farmers feel disadvantaged.
That is to say, mainly due to the vigorous promotion of Xujiazhuang, the entire southern Zhili achieved a bumper agricultural harvest.
The total output of rice alone exceeds 30 billion jin.
The total wheat output exceeds 28 billion catties.
The total amount of coarse grains such as corn, potatoes, and sweet potatoes must exceed 50 billion kilograms. Anyway, there is too much to eat. They can only be sold to Xujiazhuang in large quantities and used to make vermicelli and other non-staple foods, or to be fermented into ethanol and then synthesized into biomass.
diesel fuel.
In short, this year's grain production in the southern Zhili region can meet the food needs of at least 100 million people, enough to feed more than half of the Ming Dynasty's population.
The land tax that the court could collect, at a tax rate of 3%, could collect more than 24 million shi in grain.
That is to say, the land south of the Yangtze River alone can provide 24 million yuan of grain this year. Including Ding Fu, the total money and grain may reach 30 million yuan. This is a number that has never been reached in the more than two hundred years of Ming Dynasty history, creating an unprecedented record.
.
As long as the officials in the prefectures and counties in the south of the Yangtze River complete the exams 100% this year, the Ming Central Committee will not be short of money this year, and can even achieve an unprecedented balance.
"This year, the tax revenue from Jiangnan alone can support half of the Ming Dynasty and the entire imperial court. It doesn't matter if other places can't collect a penny of tax. If Jiangnan is stable, then the Ming Dynasty will be stable, and Jiangnan will become my source of wealth and life."
!”
Zhu Youjian said excitedly.
In addition to the bumper harvest in Jiangnan this year, Huguang is also experiencing a good harvest. The grain output has increased by about 20%, and can contribute about 5 million yuan. Although it is far less than that of Jiangnan, it is still very eye-catching, and the future potential is exciting.
to late August.
Fang Yizhi, the general manager of Huangzhuang, did not disappoint Chongzhen this year and brought another surprise this year.
Because the Royal Farm also achieved a bumper harvest!
This year, the number of Royal Farms has increased from 100 to 300. Although the yield per mu of grain has declined (mainly due to cost savings on pumps, pesticides, etc.), it has still achieved a bumper harvest. 300
The royal farm, with nearly 10 million acres of cultivated land, harvested a total of more than 4 billion catties of grain, 70% of which was retained as rations, and the other 30% was turned over to the emperor's internal funds.
That is to say, about 10 million shi of grain will enter Chongzhen's internal funds, and he can freely control it and use it as he wants.
"The "Royal Farm Plan" was originally planned to achieve an annual income of five million in five years. Unexpectedly, in just two years, Fang Aiqing has completed the goal ahead of schedule and exceeded the task. As expected, my son, Wolong
, brought me a great surprise, I don’t know how many times better than Yuan Chonghuan’s generation.”
Chongzhen rubbed his palms and walked around the hall excitedly, the smile on his face never dissipating.
Because the imperial court has money, the huge and complex ruling machine of the Ming Dynasty can operate normally. It will not be stretched when encountering some crisis, unable to come up with money and food to deal with it, or even have to allow the situation to worsen and fall into no solution.
in a vicious cycle.
Chongzhen's internal funds are now full of money! Xujiazhuang's merchant fleet has recently sent a full 3.5 million in money and supplies to Tianjin Port. In the next few days, it can be filled into the dry internal funds, or deposited in Tianxiatong Bank
Yes, but for the sake of safety, Chongzhen still chose to settle for safety.
Starting next month, the surplus grain from the 300 royal farms will also be sent to the capital one after another.
Another good news is that recently the civil servants and nobles of the imperial court, some relatives of the emperor, and ordinary ordinary people with some extra money in their families have seen that the emperor's internal funds have begun to become abundant, and they know that the young emperor is rich, and the Ming Dynasty
The destiny of the empire has been reversed and is becoming increasingly prosperous.
These people got excited and suddenly came to put the icing on the cake, and took the initiative to apply to join the royal family's "fund-raising and financial management" project. They wanted to enjoy the 3% interest dividend every year, and at the same time gain the emperor's trust and reuse, which would be beneficial to their career development.
After all, the annual 3% interest dividend is much better than hiding the money in the cellar to mold.
Moreover, no matter how bold Tianxiatong Bank is, it will never be able to attack the emperor's principal, and its safety is very guaranteed.
Looking at the current Ming Dynasty, the internal troubles of rogue bandits have been eliminated, the financial crisis has been successfully overcome, and there are actually faint signs of ZTE.
Therefore, you must join the royal fund-raising project, share the benefits and dividends, and gain the respect and trust of His Majesty. It can be said to be a win in one fell swoop.
Chongzhen naturally accepts all comers and welcomes anyone who wants to join. There is no threshold.
then--
five million.
Eight million.
Ten million.
At the end of August, the total deposits in Tianxiatong Bank's Royal Financial Account reached an astonishing fifteen million taels.
Zhu Youjian was very surprised. He did not expect that the people of Ming Dynasty were so rich. His financial account alone attracted more than 15 million deposits in the capital alone. So how rich is Beizhili? How many are in Jiangnan?
Rich, how much is the total wealth of the entire Ming Dynasty?
Anyway, it must be far beyond his imagination. It is likely that there are wealthy people everywhere, but they are very low-key on the surface.
The deposits in the financial management account have increased significantly. Chongzhen is naturally very happy. He is so happy every day that his face is bursting with laughter. Because such a huge deposit brings him more than 300,000 taels of interest dividends every year. This is a
It's a considerable amount, and it can do a lot more things.
Just in private.
Zhu Youjian said arrogantly to Queen Zhou who was responsible for managing the royal financial account: "Humph, these people have only now invested in my fund-raising financial management project, hoping to gain my trust and use. Haha, they think too much, no matter if they invest in it
How many silver dollars are just the icing on the cake rather than a helper in times of need, how can I trust them?"
"Your Majesty, no matter who you are, it is true that you send money. Although they are unpleasant, they are still better than those who do not buy shares."
Empress Zhou said that she was originally virtuous, noble and well-educated. After the lessons of reality, she has now become a little vulgar in valuing money. But there is no way, money is too important, she must master it, and she must not stop it.
Living in poverty and embarrassment that cannot lift one's head.
"Zitong, the situation is very good, the situation is very good."
Zhu Youjian put his arms around Queen Zhou's shoulders and began to look forward to the future: "If the bandits are wiped out this year, next year we can start to attack the slave establishment in Liaodong with all our strength. Just like dealing with the bandits, we must first raise 30 million in money and food, and then use
Money and food will kill them all! The only one worthy of attention is Xujiazhuang in the south of the Yangtze River. However, after I work hard for a few more years, haha, Xujiazhuang..."
There was a cold glint in his eyes and confidence on his face, as if he had thought of a good way to deal with Xujiazhuang.
"Well, Your Majesty, I believe you can do it."
Empress Zhou rested her head on his shoulder and said with infinite tenderness that no matter what ambitions His Majesty had, she would stand by his side and give him the greatest support and encouragement.
…
Just when Zhu Youjian was smiling and ambitious.
In September of the sixth year of Chongzhen.
In Datong Prefecture, on the prairie north of the Great Wall, a large army, perhaps no less than 200,000 strong, is being assembled.
At this moment, in the position of the central army, on a carriage with a square yellow umbrella and pulled by eight horses, a middle-aged man with a fat body and a red face, wearing a yellow robe and mandarin jacket, was sitting upright in the style of a dragon chariot.
Sitting on the chair, he looked towards the south with deep eyes, and the urgency of time and waiting flashed across his face.
He murmured:
"Have the bandits been completely wiped out in the Central Plains? Jiangnan, Huguang, and the Royal Farm have all had great harvests?"
"I really don't want to enter the border at this time. I have just built a few of my mighty general cannons."
"But there is no time. If we cannot continue to weaken and consume the Ming Dynasty, Jianzhou will be defeated and the Eight Banners will be defeated! This king will be captured by Chongzhen's son~"
"My sons, please give me a hard kill and rush forward with all your strength! If possible, I will destroy the Ming Dynasty in one fell swoop this time and take over the Ming Dynasty!"