Zhang Anshi felt a little guilty, so he added: "Your Majesty, most of the young troops are recruited soldiers. Do they have any money?"
Zhang Anshi is really short of money now.
Nowadays, half of Zhili is in need of construction. Many railways and a large number of bridges need to be built. This is almost the largest construction project in the world.
Such a large-scale construction project can be said to be a waste of money. Even the Zhang family took this opportunity to make large-scale investments, and there was almost no money left on hand.
However, Zhang Anshi still needs to face a problem, which is to continue spending money.
Zhu Di said: "There are ten thousand people in the young army, how can we let ordinary soldiers spend it? It's just that all the military ministers have paid the money in full. It's just that such a thing must be done one by one, Zhang Qing... don't trick people."
."
Zhang Anshi couldn't help but feel happy after hearing this.
The so-called military ministers are actually relatively simple in composition, and they are often the descendants of military officials or officials.
After becoming a military official, it is understandable that many descendants of military officials often join the army and serve as officers.
The situation of Yin officials is more complicated. From the beginning of the Ming Dynasty, all civil servants of seventh rank or above, as long as they serve as officials for a period of time and after the assessment period expires, they will have a son from Yin, and their salary will be inherited hereditary.
This relatively loose system of appointing disciples in the early Ming Dynasty was gradually restricted later on, and came with additional clauses: these underprivileged disciples had to first enter the Imperial College to study, and they had to pass a special examination before they could be appointed officials. Soon, the provisions of the special examination were cancelled.
, but Yin Guan is only limited to the direct heirs of officials of third rank or above.
These people do not need to take the imperial examination to become officials, but most of these official positions are casual, or they hold relatively leisurely positions such as Taichang Temple, Shangbaosi and so on. Some people also become military officials, or are selected to join the Forbidden Army.
After all, the imperial examination is too difficult, and for civil servants with outstanding merits, once their children and grandchildren cannot take the imperial examination, they basically become common people. If they cannot protect their children and grandchildren, I am afraid not many people will be willing to do their best.
It's just that in the eyes of the ministers who took the imperial examination, Yinguan was not considered a serious official position. It was just a salary and a decent job.
Because of this, ordinary ministers, in order to allow these children and grandchildren who have no hope in the imperial examination to have some talents in the future, will find ways to stuff them into places with a "future".
For example, Shangbaosi, Taichang Temple, Guanglu Temple, etc. Of course, Qinjun is also a good place to go.
Now His Majesty has set up a young army to serve as the imperial grandson's bodyguard, and this... obviously has allowed many people to take advantage of the loophole.
This emperor's grandson is the real future emperor in the future. If his children and grandchildren are recruited into the young army and hold a military position, and the emperor's grandson ascends the throne in the future, even if he cannot be entrusted with important responsibilities, he will be protected by the emperor's grandson in this life, and he will have no worries about food and clothing.
So Zhang Anshi knew what the military attaches in this young army were like without even thinking about it.
At this time, his eyes were bright and he couldn't help but think: Zhan Ji knows me.
So Zhang Anshi obeyed, felt much happier, and said goodbye immediately.
…………
East Palace.
At this time, Zhu Gaochi's face was very pale.
He said: "In the past, your uncle An Shi was most worried about. Now that An Shi has grown up and behaved much more steadily, I thought it would save some worry. Who would have expected that you are so ignorant?"
.In the past, only those who were in a superior position showed kindness to their subordinates. How could it be that those who were in a superior position could demand from their subordinates? Zhanji, how dare you do such a thing? Now there are complaints from all over the place..."
Zhu Gaochi's face showed a look of pain and sorrow.
Zhu Zhanji was still a child after all. He was standing in the corner, hanging his head in fear and not daring to say a word.
Zhu Gaochi continued: "My father set up a young army. The original intention was to select talents for you, which means to respect you. But you use them as tools to make money, and actually force them to buy land. What's the truth?"
Zhu Zhanji hesitated for a moment, then mustered up his courage and said, "But...but...Grandpa Huang is not angry either."
"Bastard!" Zhu Gaochi was furious: "Your emperor can indulge you, how can I, as a father, indulge you?"
"I...I...I was wrong."
"How much land did you sell?"
"No... not much... more than 3,700 acres..."
"What's the price?"
"Five hundred taels..."
Zhu Gaochi suddenly fainted.
"The land on the market only costs ten taels or twenty taels, so you might as well grab it!"
"It can't be robbed." Zhu Zhanji said, "Uncle said..."
Zhu Gaochi interrupted him angrily: "Don't mention your uncle. Your uncle is not sensible. Are you also ignorant?"
Zhu Zhanji: "..."
Zhu Gaochi said solemnly: "Three thousand seven hundred acres, five hundred taels of silver, thank you for opening this mouth! There are only more than four hundred military attachés in the young army, and you have not left any of them behind. You caught them and sold them forcibly."
Zhu Zhanji said pitifully: "They... they..."
Zhu Gaochi roared: "You are teaching them to smash pots and sell iron, and you are going to kill them!"
Zhu Zhanji said: "The poor buy two or three acres, and the rich buy thirty or forty acres..."
"Thirty or forty acres, do you know how much money it is? This is tens of thousands of taels, and you are going to kill them!"
"But... you can borrow money..." Zhu Zhanji said: "If you buy land... you can go to a bank to borrow money, so... so..."
Zhu Gaochi suddenly jumped up: "It's okay for you to say..."
"This...this is what my uncle taught me..." Zhu Zhanji burst into tears, tears welling up in his eyes, looking extremely aggrieved.
But Zhu Gaochi was obviously very angry and said: "You are a traitor... you are a traitor..."
At this time, a eunuch outside said: "The empress has arrived..."
But Mrs. Zhang has already come in.
Zhu Zhanji was even more frightened because in many cases, his mother and concubine were stricter than his father.
At this time, Mrs. Zhang smiled sweetly and said, "Your Highness, what's going on?"
"Ask him about the good things he did. How can I have such a son? This son is not like me."
Zhang, however, only glanced at Zhu Zhanji lightly and said, "Your Highness, why don't you ask me what happened? I probably know a little about the matter... In my opinion... Zhanji didn't do anything.
wrong."
After Zhu Gaochi heard this, he was puzzled and said: "It's so ridiculous..."
However, Mrs. Zhang had already sat down and winked at the eunuchs who came with her, and they quietly left.
Zhang said: "Not to mention, Zhan Ji did this for his own uncle and his family... He was supposed to be there to help each other."
"Hey...you don't know, if this continues, people will lose their support..."
Mrs. Zhang's eyes fell on the tea cup on the table. She picked up the tea cup and handed it to Zhu Gaochi before saying gently: "This is what I want to say. Your Highness, An Shi is currently working hard in Zhili.
What is it? Isn’t it for my Ming Dynasty? In the final analysis, isn’t it just for His Highness and Zhanji? In the past, he ruled the Taiping Mansion, and his achievements were obvious to all, but now... he has to take drastic measures again, and now he needs money, not to mention other things.
Yes, our East Palace, can we help?"
After Zhu Gaochi heard this, he was speechless for a moment. He took the tea cup and subconsciously took a sip of tea. The warm tea seemed to calm down the deep anger that had just been burned in him.
After a long while, Zhu Gaochi said: "Having said that, but with this kind of behavior, doesn't it mean that it is robbery and plundering the people?"
Mrs. Zhang shook her head and said: "The Young Army was established by my father for Zhu Zhanji. Everyone in it will be Zhanji's team in the future, not to mention... now that the emperor and grandson are in trouble, it's time for them to serve."
.The second best thing to do is to think... After they purchased the land, they were tied to Zhili who implemented the New Deal."
"What Your Highness is thinking about is the means, and the essence of means is just skills. When you look at problems from the perspective of skills, you can only see limited things. But I think that since Your Highness is the Crown Prince, he should view it from the perspective of 'Tao'
To look at this."
Zhu Gaochi was stunned, pacing back and forth with his hands behind his back.
Zhang said, "Your Highness, why was Shang Yang's reform successful?"
Zhu Gaochi said: "Is it because of Qin Xiaogong's strong support?"
Zhang smiled and said: "I am an ignorant woman, and my knowledge of classics and history is shallow. Naturally, I am not as profound as His Highness. However... I do not agree with His Highness's words."
Zhu Gaochi was stunned for a moment: "Please tell me and listen."
Zhang smoothed the tangled hair from his forehead and said calmly: "If Your Highness only thinks that it was Qin Xiaogong's support that Shang Yang's reform was successful, then why, after Qin Xiaogong's death, his son hated Shang Yang so much that he
Shang Yang's chariot broke apart in the city, and Shang Yang died without a complete body, but why did his new law remain?"
"this……"
Zhang said: "This is because even though the newly ascended King Qin Hui hates Shang Yang who carried out the reform, the old nobles also wanted to eat his flesh. But in the process of the reform, many new nobles followed Shang Yang's reforms.
They had already been granted the title of marquis and prime minister, and they had a huge influence on the Qin army and the court. At this time, King Qin Hui could not only kill Shang Yang to vent his anger, but he would never dare to change Shang Yang's reforms. Because he also knew very well that once
Changing back to the old system will definitely offend the countless new aristocrats and trigger a backlash. The crux of the problem lies in this. If a reform only does harm to the old aristocrats but no one benefits, such a reform will
It can't last long."'
"Only if there are people who benefit from it and change the way they seek fame and wealth, then... once there are obstacles to the new law, there will be a group of people who will firmly check and balance with the old nobles. This is the success of Shang Yang's reform."
After Zhu Gaochi listened, he thought deeply and said: "It makes sense."
Zhang continued: "The profits here are actually tied to the new law, which may not necessarily lead to huge profits. Just this time, these military ministers of the young army, for the sake of the emperor's grandson, they had no choice but to take out their family's resources.
All the money and silk were used to purchase commercial land in Zhili."
"No matter what, they will both prosper and lose with Zhili's New Deal. If one day, the new law fails and we return to the past, these lands can only be used to cultivate food. Your Highness, think about it, these five hundred taels
Isn’t the purchased land worthless? Now...as long as the new law is still there, no matter whether it is a profit or a loss in the future, there is always hope, isn’t it?”
When Zhu Gaochi heard this, he couldn't help but smile bitterly: "Hey... you didn't discuss anything with me."
Mrs. Zhang pursed her lips and smiled: "When children grow up and have their own opinions, how can they ask their parents about everything all the time? Zhanji will have to take on big responsibilities in the future. He has made a decision, so we might as well let him
Give it a try, whether it succeeds or fails, if it succeeds, my family will be wise, but if it fails, at least let him learn this lesson. Just like a child learning to walk, can it be taught that people will always be there?
With support from the side, if you don't fall a few times, how can you make it?"
Zhu Gaochi was speechless for a moment.
Zhu Zhanji suddenly felt proud.
Zhu Gaochi glared at him, and then he drooped his head obediently, with an expression of pain.
"Hey... these more than 3,000 acres of land are worth more than one million taels of silver. God... more than one million taels..." Zhu Gaochi shook his head, feeling heartbroken.
But there was nothing else to say.
…………
At this time, in Xia Mansion.
Xia Yuanji was looking at the accounts at home and felt his head was buzzing.
He is the Minister of the Ministry of Household Affairs, and although his salary is not low, the expenses for being an official in Beijing are also not small.
Fortunately, the Xia family is a wealthy family in Jiangxi and has considerable wealth, so they can live a comfortable life.
He, the Minister of Household Affairs, guards the world's wealth, but everyone knows that His Majesty keeps a close eye on the money. Not to mention that Xia Yuanji is a relatively clean person. Even if he dares to reach out, Zhu Di will be able to cut him.
.
But now... Xia Yuanji only feels dizzy.
The steward on the side quickly supported him.
Xia Yuanji took a breath, then threw the account on the ground, and cursed angrily: "You traitor..."
"father……"
Xia Yuanji's eldest son died young, and Xia Yuanji was busy taking care of the family business, so it was his second son Xia Xuan who also served as a Yin official in the capital.
Looking at her father's face, which was red with anger, Xia Xuan was already trembling, and said: "The emperor and grandson first found dozens of wealthy military ministers in their families and asked them to buy land. After that, he called a few of us in to see him, and immediately taught him
Of course our son refused to buy the land. Five hundred taels of silver for one acre of land. Isn't this robbery? What's more... our Xia family was asked to buy 20 acres of land. Even if our Xia family sold it, we might not be able to get so much.
Here comes the money."
"But... but the emperor's grandson said... he has already calculated... If the Xia family can barely afford it, don't we still have a lot of fertile land in our hometown in Jiangxi? In addition, those colleagues who have already purchased the land have heard that
The emperor and grandson gave orders, tried their best to persuade, and even threatened, if you don't buy, then...then..."
"The son immediately said that if he really couldn't afford so much money, could he just buy three to five acres... The emperor's grandson asked his son... to borrow money. Although his son... refused at all costs, he couldn't stand up to the military officials who had already purchased the land.
The emperor's grandson's threats and inducements. In this world, anyone can offend anyone, but who dares to offend the emperor's grandson?"
Xia Yuanji waved his hands with a distressed look on his face and said, "Don't say it, don't say it."'
Xia Xuan was anxious: "Dad, can you blame me? I was working in Shangbaosi at first, but my father himself said that now His Majesty has established a young army to protect the emperor and grandson. Once he can enter
Youjun is like entering Zhan Shifu. As long as you can serve the emperor and grandson, your future will be limitless, but dad... look..."
"Stop talking, stop talking..." Xia Yuanji continued to shake his head and wave his hands.
He sat down slowly and stared blankly into space.
"Dad...are you okay?" Xia Xuan looked at Xia Yuanji worriedly.
Xia Yuanji sat upright, but didn't move at all.
Xia Xuan wanted to say something else, but was afraid of provoking him, so she had no choice but to bow to the ground and not dare to express her anger.
a long time.
Xia Yuanji suddenly burst into flames: "They are openly robbing me! As an official... I didn't get much salary, but I even took away my life and property. Now that I have borrowed so much debt, this... this... still costs...
Are people alive?"
Xia Xuan said with a sad face: "The bank's interest rate is said to be discounted. The interest rate is three percent per year, which is much lower than the interest rate on loans in the market. The interest rate outside is more than five percent."
"Do you still think we took advantage?" Xia Yuanji stamped his feet angrily: "You still use our house and land as compensation?"
Xia Xuan said tremblingly: "Not only that...but also...but also..."
"What else?"
"I also took my father's salary, saying it was... saying it was..."
Xia Yuanji: "..."
Xia Yuanji was completely convinced.
"Dad, all the military ministers up and down have actually... bought them all, not just our Xia family. The son of Jin Chun, the Minister of Punishment, bought more than 40 acres. I heard that his family has been practicing medicine for generations and is famous.
The Youdao family has made a huge fortune by treating people's illnesses..."
"Okay, okay." Xia Yuanji said: "Shut up, shut up! I want to report, I want to participate in the impeachment..."
When Xia Yuanji said this, he suddenly became discouraged.
Who to impeach?
Impeach the emperor's grandson?
The emperor's grandson is now the most ideal monarch among the three generations of the Zhu family, and Xia Yuanji considers him to be the most ideal monarch.
At any rate... the grandson of the emperor wouldn't curse his mother, or be too indecisive like a prince, right?
"Hey..." Xia Yuanji sat down and said quietly: "I was careless, I was still careless! Blame me, blame me! I only wanted to find a career for you, but I pushed you into a pit of fire. If I had known this, I should have let you
On duty at Shangbaosi."
Xia Yuanji shook his head, but he wanted to cry but had no tears.
…………
This huge investment will undoubtedly have a huge boost to the entire market.
The market is incredibly hot.
Workshops are rising from the ground one after another.
As long as you open a workshop, you won't have to worry about sales.
A large number of craftsmen were recruited. They needed food, clothing, housing, transportation, ready-made clothes, and food and drink. As long as they spun cloth, they could immediately exchange it for silver.
As long as an inn or restaurant is opened, there will be no need to worry about lack of diners.
Even before the workshop is built, orders have been queued up until the end of the year, especially for steel, wood, and mechanical components. The huge market demand has reached the point of madness.
Even...many craftsmen pooled their money together and found ways to borrow money from banks. As long as they built a workshop, they could suddenly become rich and rich.
The whole of Qixia, or half of Zhili, seemed to be going crazy.
Everyone felt...as if the ground was full of gold and silver, and they could be picked up by just bending down.
As a result, various workshops have sprung up like bamboo shoots after a rain.
All the workshops are desperately trying to recruit workers, and the wages in the prefectures and counties under the jurisdiction of the Right Governor's Mansion have actually exceeded twice that of Suzhou Prefecture.
Suzhou is a prosperous place, so this is unprecedented.
In the workshop area that Kuang Ye is responsible for, dozens or hundreds of documents regarding the purchase of land to start a workshop are received almost every month.
Although some documents were not in compliance with the regulations, Kuang Ye could not imagine such a grand occasion.
This is just one county. It seems that everyone is dreaming of building a workshop and making a fortune from then on.
So much so that Kuang Ye himself felt it was too scary.
In each steel workshop, the molten steel produced was then preformed into rails, and then... they were transported to the construction site by carriages and horses. Dozens of railways were under construction.
The railway tracks of this era were not as troublesome as those of later generations. The land was leveled, the roadbed was laid, and the tracks were laid directly.
Therefore, progress is also extremely fast.
Gao Xiang deals with all kinds of data every day.
Especially after having the table, his understanding of the data becomes clearer.
At this time, Gao Xiang sat down in the duty hall of the Zuo Dudu Mansion and said with a wry smile: "It's so scary, sir... It's really unheard of."
Zhang Anshi looked at him confused and said, "What's going on?"
Gao Xiang said: "Do you know how much the steel output of Taiping Prefecture has increased in more than half a year since the construction of the railway?"
Zhang Anshi didn't have the patience to guess this, so he said: "Don't sell it."
"Three times, fully three times..." Gao Xiang's voice was full of surprise.
Different from Gao Xiang's reaction, Zhang Anshi had a calm face and didn't take it seriously.
Isn't this normal? When the market is booming, steel can be sold for money. However, the gap in the market is so huge that the original steel workshops are desperately expanding their production. More merchants are also eyeing this piece of fat and are desperately borrowing money to raise funds.
Build new workshops.
If this is not doubled, Zhang Anshi's millions of taels of funds for railway construction will be wasted.
"It's true that once the railway is built, hundreds of industries will be born!" Gao Xiang shook his head and sighed, and continued happily: "Not only steel, but also mining... and other industries such as cloth, etc., have also experienced extremely high growth, and the output of minerals has also doubled.
More than three times as much, and the cloth has doubled...and..."
"Okay, okay." Zhang Anshi interrupted him and said: "That's almost it. Now is not the time to be arrogant and complacent. This is just how much production we have. With this small amount of steel production, we won't be afraid of people laughing at us."
However, Gao Xiang still couldn't suppress the joy on his face and said: "If this continues, it will be really scary."
Zhang Anshi said calmly: "Don't worry, there will be many places that lack steel in the future... By the way, I heard that the left governor's office is under the control of various prefectures, and many people have come to our right governor's office. His Royal Highness, the King of Shu, has no
Are you angry?"
"Not at all." Gao Xiang said: "I have tried it several times since I came to the official position, but now the King of Shu is still thinking about dividing the land."
Zhang Anshi nodded and continued: "That's good. The most important thing now is the lack of labor. In this regard, you, the Taiping Prefect, have to think of a way. Don't always be surprised today and feel scary tomorrow.