Chapter 1187 Political allies
Everyone knows that the Xing Han Hui has great means of amassing money, but as the saying goes, a big tree attracts wind. After the First World War in Guanzhong, the royal family obviously put some restrictions on the Xing Han Hui.
Of course Jiang Wan knew that the Xinghan Hui had been continuously sending money and food to Jiuyuan and Heping City in the past few years.
Not only has the stability of the border areas been maintained, but I heard that there are other arrangements. Anyway, it can be regarded as expanding the border areas and civilizing the barbarians.
So it is understandable that Feng Duhu said that the Xinghan Society could not provide money or food.
However, when it comes to Xinghan Hui, we have to mention the royal family.
The royal family was originally quite wealthy.
The Shaofu also controls many financial channels.
Just before the prime minister was alive, he had already started digging into the little fat man's treasury.
The establishment of the North-South Army almost brought the little fat man back to before liberation.
Then in the Battle of Guanzhong, the Northern and Southern armies were sent to fight with the army.
Although the Han Dynasty has restructured the Central Army and the Northern and Southern Armies are classified as the Forbidden Army, the royal family wants to control the Northern and Southern Armies, so naturally it is impossible to completely let go.
Hence, half of the money and food supplies for the Northern and Southern armies came from the national treasury, and the other half came from internal funds.
According to Feng Duhu's understanding of the little fat man, the royal young master probably didn't have much food at this time.
After all, the royal family has to pay for the restoration of Zheng Guo Canal—and most of it in the early stage.
Anyway, the Xinghan Hui could not get much of the land in Guanzhong, so it could only be regarded as quite satisfactory.
So after providing manpower and technology, it is natural that they are not willing to be taken advantage of.
The most you can do is spend the little money and food that belongs to you. No matter how much you spend, you will lose it.
The Royal Family, what’s wrong with the Royal Family?
The royal family can’t force others to pay!
When the emperor is in court discussions, he must listen to the opinions of important officials in the court with an open mind.
And if you want to pass a major decision, you must reach a consensus at the court meeting.
The court meetings of the Han Dynasty originally had some flavor of the parliamentary system of later generations.
In addition, the Xinghan Society was an emerging force, and a certain Central Protector was the leader.
It is not an exaggeration to say that the interest group Xinghanhui recommended Mr. Feng to safeguard his own interests in the court and speak on his behalf.
This is similar to that of members of parliament in later generations.
Just like now, Feng Duhu said that the Xinghan Society could no longer afford more money and food.
And Jiang Wan, the minister, naturally could not force the royal family to pay.
Then the only choice is the aristocratic family.
Feng Duhu rubbed his hands:
“It’s not easy to handle!”
It’s really not easy to handle.
The aristocratic families in Shu have been tamed and are very obedient, and now is a critical period for selling to Jingzhou.
Besides, even if we can transport grain from Shu, the day lilies will be cold.
After years of development, Liangzhou has produced a lot of grain, but it is also an important development area for emerging workshops.
Emerging workshops require a large number of original workers, as well as raising livestock in pastures and pastures, both of which require a large amount of food.
So it is very good that Liangzhou can ensure self-sufficiency in food production.
Of course, it should be no problem to ask the emerging workshop owners in Liangzhou to provide some money, but don’t worry about food.
As for the three areas of Guanzhong, Hedong and Bingzhou, they have been cut off twice in less than four years. If they are cut off again, the officials will force the people to rebel, and the people will have no choice but to rebel.
At present, the Han Dynasty has not completely eliminated the social foundation of aristocratic families.
Even more than a thousand and nearly two thousand years later, the circle of anthropologists is still looming - and these things like inbreeding.
Not to mention the current upstarts of the Han Dynasty, a considerable part of them were transformed from certain aristocratic families.
If we really want to uproot the aristocratic families in Guanzhong, Bingzhou and Hedong, not to mention how many people will be killed, it will be enough to cause a chain reaction in Liangzhou and other places in Shu.
You can’t also wipe out the big families in Shu and Liangzhou, right?
Perhaps as you go on and on, you will find that even your most trusted and close comrades will stab you in the back.
When it gets to that point, it’s not just a matter of population scarcity.
It's about the production relations reacting on the productivity, and if you take too big a step, you'll end up with an egg problem.
The problem that even people with lofty ideals cannot solve is even more difficult for Feng Duhu, who only knows five volumes and has not seen six volumes.
“It may not be easy for others, but for the Central Protector, there is definitely a way.”
Without having to explain it too clearly, Jiang Wan understood what Feng Duhu was thinking.
After all, no matter how the Han Dynasty has changed over the years, the Prime Minister and the Central Government have always insisted on one thing, which has always remained unchanged.
“Oh, may I ask Mr. Jiang, where did you start with these words?”
“Did the Central Protector forget about the Southern Expedition?”
When Feng Duhu heard this, he was immediately stunned.
What did I do during the Southern Expedition?
Isn’t it just following the prime minister, earning some labor and some betrothal money?
Moreover, just for this small amount of gift money, he also got the bad reputation of the Ghost King, which has not gone away to this day.
“Hahaha, it’s normal for the Central Protector to not care about what happened back then, as he has repeatedly defeated powerful enemies over the years. Most noble people forget things.”
Jiang Wan first praised Feng Duhu, and then continued:
“Before the Southern Expedition, the Han Dynasty only knew that going on expeditions was a waste of money and food.”
“But I didn’t expect that after the Zhongduhu’s operations, the gains from the southern expedition not only made up for the empty treasury, but even made a surplus.”
When Jiang Wan said this, there was admiration in his tone:
“Every time I think about this matter, I am still amazed that Zhongduhu’s method is comparable to that of Guan Zhong.”
It is precisely because Jiang Wan has been responsible for delivering supplies to the army in the rear these years.
That's why he knew how terrible it was that Feng Duhu was engaged in labor business during the Southern Expedition. In order to provide guarantee for others, he conjured up money and grain equivalent to 80% of the Han Dynasty's tax.
As a trader back then, Feng Duhu heard the piano and knew its elegant meaning. He quickly waved his hand and said:
“It can’t happen! This kind of thing can only happen once and for all. Although it can solve a temporary emergency, it needs to be able to generate sufficient benefits in the future.”
For things like leveraging, you need to see future returns.
If you can't see the future returns, or the future returns are unclear, blindly leveraging will only make you feel that you are not dying fast enough.
Although capturing Caoqiao Pass is beneficial to the Han Dynasty, this benefit is only for the overall situation.
If you really want to be leveraged, what can you use to repay the principal and interest?
At present, the money and grain that Shu, Liangzhou, and even Nanzhong can collect are all useful and fully arranged.
The three places in Guanzhong and Hedong are in a critical period of resuming production.
The aristocratic family in these three places harvested a wave of cotton crops, which is already considered Feng Duhu's specialty.
Unexpectedly, when Jiang Wan saw Feng Duhu rejecting the offer so quickly, he smiled slowly:
"Huh, don't be anxious, Central Protector. I didn't say you should imitate that."
"Isn't that what you're talking about?" Feng Duhu couldn't help but be a little surprised, "Then what did Mr. Jiang want to say?"
“It’s the Reserve Bureau, Zhongduhu!”
Jiang Wan subconsciously approached Feng Duhu, lowered his voice and emphasized his tone:
“It’s the Han Dynasty Reserve Bureau used by the Central Protector to issue notes…”
“That’s even worse!”
Feng Duhu shook his head repeatedly: "I made an agreement with the Prime Minister back then. There is a quota for the Reserve Bureau to issue notes."
“If you overpay, you may be able to solve your immediate needs, but you will definitely be worried about disasters in the future.”
Why do you think Dahan’s finances have been so good these years?
Taking the land of two states, swallowing up Guanzhong and annexing states plus one Hedong, not only was it not overwhelmed to death.
Even while resuming production at full strength, there is still energy left to continue to launch another war.
In the event of natural disasters, we still have the confidence to reduce taxes.
No matter how high the grain output is, it must be transported to where it is needed in a timely manner.
The Reserve Bureau and the bills it issues are the key to stimulating people to continuously improve the efficiency of the operation of various materials.
But money is money after all, it cannot produce wealth, nor can it produce food.
In recent years, the red line for food prices in Dahan has risen to 300 yuan, which is 100 yuan higher than the initial price. Inflation has been a bit too fast.
This is still under the condition that Wei Guo and Wu Guo helped to receive a lot of money.
It is naturally impossible for Feng Duhu to ask the Reserve Bureau to print more tickets for a mere Caoqiao Pass.
After all, who in the world doesn’t know that Feng Duhu was responsible for the banknotes?
If the money is really going to flood and the people will be vocal, who cares what your difficulties are, anyway, the first target of the attack will definitely be someone Feng.
When the time comes, no matter who is in the palace will take the opportunity to cause trouble, I am afraid that even those conservative families will take the opportunity to counterattack.
Besides, Feng Duhu doesn’t want the notes issued by the Reserve Bureau to go the way of Zhu Baba’s Ming Dynasty treasure notes—at least we have to wait until he is in the coffin, right?
Since I can’t control my descendants after my death, they can do whatever they want.
Even if someone in the future generations opens my coffin to vent their anger, it doesn't matter to me.
"Feng Duhu misunderstood, misunderstood, I didn't want the Reserve Bureau to print more notes."
“Then what does Chiang Kai-shek mean by mentioning the Reserve Bureau?”
"Zhongduhu, now that your Majesty has returned to the old capital, Guanzhong, as the capital, should be the center of the Han Dynasty, right?"
“That’s right.”
"However, Guanzhong cannot participate in the circulation of Han's money. Has the Central Protector ever thought about what the sergeants in Guan would think?"
Feng Duhu was startled.
Jiang Wan said slowly:
“When the Central Protector established the Reserve Bureau, the Han Dynasty was only a small part of Shu. Therefore, the Reserve Bureau had the royal family and the Xinghan Association as guarantees, and everyone believed in these notes.”
“Later, when Liangzhou was recovered, the Central Protector considered the overall situation and let the Zhang family of Dunhuang participate in it. It can be said that he had a long-term vision.”
It was precisely because the Zhang family was firmly tied to the Han chariot that Zhang went to the Western Regions to promote the prestige of the Han Dynasty and stayed there for several years.
In the rebellion provoked by some well-intentioned people, the Liangzhou wealthy families represented by the Zhang family firmly stood on the side of the Han Dynasty. These factors also contributed to the rebellion.
Jiang Wan looked at Feng Duhu with a meaningful look:
“The Central Protector has always been at odds with the Shu family, so it is understandable that the Shu family has not been allowed to participate in the Reserve Bureau.”
“But we don’t worry about the scarcity but the inequality. Since the Liangzhou wealthy families can participate, why can’t the Guanzhong wealthy families participate?”
“The Guandong family has always been at odds with the Yongliang family. The Han Dynasty wants to regain the world, and the Guandong family cannot get around it.”
“If the Han Dynasty Reserve Bureau involves the Liangzhou wealthy family, but the Guandong family cannot get involved, does the Central Protector intend to only rely on the support of Liangzhou to establish a foothold in the court in the future?”
The Dahan Reserve Bureau is not controlled solely by the Xinghan Hui. The Xinghan Hui holds a considerable part of the say. This can only be said to be due to the current situation.
In addition, the members of the Reserve Bureau initially included the royal family, a few meritorious officials, etc.
The imperial court sent supervisors.
At that time, in order to regain the hearts of the Liangzhou officials as soon as possible, and the Zhang family really understood the overall situation.
More importantly, in order to control the economic lifeline of Liangzhou as soon as possible, let the bills circulate in Liangzhou.
Feng Duhu took the initiative to invite the Zhang family to become members of the Reserve Bureau, in order to appease the wealthy family in Liangzhou.
This is an honor, a recognition, and at the same time a responsibility.
Become a member of the Dahan Reserve Bureau and participate in the ticket printing activities.
But at the same time, we must also jointly maintain the stability of the Han economy and promote better economic development in various regions.
For example, if the Zhang family joins, the Reserve Bureau can use the Zhang family's channels to spread its business as quickly as possible.
Jiang Wan’s previous words have the most obvious meaning:
Increase the number of members in the Reserve Bureau and allow the wealthy families from Guanzhong, Bingzhou, and Hedong to join.
There is one thing to say, Jiang Wan said, in the long run, it is indeed beneficial to the country.
Increasing the number of members in these three places will not only strengthen the economic control of these three places more deeply, but also strengthen the political control of the court over these three places.
In the short term, a batch of grain and grass can be prepared immediately to meet urgent needs.
Because the summer grain is about to be put into storage, it would not be too difficult if the three aristocratic families work together to assemble a batch of grain that can support a small-scale battle.
But Feng Duhu did not agree immediately, he just fell silent.
After all, he is not a saint, and he needs to carefully consider the pros and cons:
“Does Mr. Jiang think that at this time, the big families in these three places can be trusted?”
These three places are not like Liangzhou, which was first blocked by Longyou, and then infiltrated and managed by Feng Duhu for several years. Finally, after the Han army advanced westward, most of them surrendered.
As for the Zhang family, they even launched their legitimate son to the Western Regions.
Jiang Wan knew Feng Duhu's concerns, so he also fell silent for a moment, and then said slowly:
“Since I proposed this matter, if the Central Protector can trust me, I can also help the Central Protector to check it.”
Gateway?
As soon as these words came out, Feng Duhu glanced at Jiang Wan in surprise.
This is considered a guarantee, right?
“Why would Mr. Jiang want to get involved in this kind of thing?”
Jiang Wan raised his head and looked at the empty door, with a little worry on his face:
“Because I want the Han Dynasty to prosper as soon as possible, but I don’t want the Han Dynasty to destroy itself due to internal strife.”
He raised his hand and gently patted the back of Feng Duhu’s hand:
"Mingwen, you are the successor designated by the Prime Minister. I believe in the Prime Minister and I believe in you."
“The Prime Minister must have a reason to abandon Wei Wenchang and use you.”
Jiang Wan lowered his voice again:
"It's indeed inappropriate to act like that in the palace a few days ago, but this matter involves a private matter between you and the palace, so I can't stand up and say anything."
"But using private matters to involve public affairs is crossing the line. In addition to Wei Wenchang in the army, some people from Shu are also involved in this matter, both in the government and in the public."
"What they did was wrong, very wrong. So I am telling you this today because I want you to use the Reserve Bureau to win over the hearts of the big families in Bingzhou and Hedong in Guanzhong."
“This way, it will naturally be more convenient for you to act in the court in the future. Not to mention letting them support you, it is also good to have less resistance.”
Speaking of this, Jiang Wan sighed:
“The emperor is kind, but he is also too soft-hearted. Sometimes he can’t make up his mind and is easily influenced by others.”
"This is the time when you and I exhort Your Majesty, clearly, no matter what, remember not to forget the Prime Minister's instructions, and remember to make a living on state affairs."
Feng Duhu looked at Jiang Wan's old face and was shocked.
He held Jiang Wan's somewhat dry hand and nodded heavily.
Then he seemed to remember something, and turned to look at Fei Yi and Dong Yun sitting on both sides.
“Don’t worry, I won’t be afraid of these words even if they fall into the ears of the palace.”
“Some things have to be brought up if they go too far, and they will be corrected if they are raised.”
Feng Duhu actually didn't expect that Jiang Wan, who had always been a good man, would actually say such things.
“Mr. Jiang, I understand.”
After leaving the Chancellor's Desk, Feng Duhu turned his head and looked up at the sky. The sun was as bright as fire.
He let out a long breath.
“Zhongduhu, may I ask where else to go?”
Xiao Huangmen, who had been standing outside, asked respectfully.
“No need, let’s leave the palace.”
"Please come this way, the Central Protector, and the little man will lead the way."
When he reached the palace gate, Feng Duhu turned around again, looked inside the front hall of Weiyang Palace, and then looked in the direction of the Chancellor's Desk. A strange smile suddenly appeared on his face.
Feng Duhu believed that ninety-nine percent of what Jiang Wan said was true, and it was possible that it was ten percent true.
But this does not prevent the minister from expressing his dissatisfaction with the recent actions of the palace.
Feng Duhu, Jiang Wan, Fei Yi, and Dong Yun were all successors to the prime minister's legacy.
At the same time, he is also a vested interest in the prime minister's legacy.
So Feng Duhu understood Jiang Wan’s psychology very well:
There is an instinctive rejection of those who want to destroy the arrangements left by the prime minister.
After all, Dahan's achievements in recent years were all achieved under the leadership of the Prime Minister, which is enough to prove the correctness.
You want to change these practices, but what if you make a mistake?
Wouldn’t that ruin the Prime Minister’s hard work and the results of everyone’s hard work over the years?
As for the Shu faction who embraced the queen, have they gone too far recently and have been beaten by the Jingzhou faction?
That is a trivial matter.
(End of this chapter)