Chapter 1400 Xin Zijuan’s Considerations of the Imperial Court Dukes
“Ziying, it seems that the Shanshan businessmen from the Ministry of Industry have reached an agreement?” Zhang Huaichang asked casually.
"It should be almost done. The problems of Zunhua Iron Works are more troublesome and the deficit is bigger. The Ministry of Industry has long been complaining that it can't bear it. It is said that Shanxi businessmen paid 400,000 taels of silver to get 60% of the shares. Now Mr. Cui has reported to the cabinet. Yes, we’re just waiting for the cabinet’s approval.”
Feng Ziying also did not hide it. The scale and investment of Zunhua Iron Works are much larger than those of Zunhua Workshop of the Ordnance Bureau, so they cannot be compared.
"Xi Huan, what do you think?" Zhang Huaichang turned his attention to Xu Dahua. The left minister of the Ministry of War was not good at military affairs, so he was in charge of the Arsenal Department and the Chariot and Driving Department.
"Sir, Zunhua Workshop is indeed in serious deficit, but the weapons are of great importance. Is it appropriate to sell them so easily?" Xu Dahua still planned to endure it.
Feng Ziying glanced at Xu Dahua. He knew that this guy probably wanted some benefits, but in order to save time and cost, it was okay to let those Shanxi businessmen pay some money, but if the lion opened his mouth, it would be a bit After that, he had to suppress the other party's talk.
"Master Xu, I am not bragging. The scale of the firearms workshop in Yongping Prefecture is about twice that of the Zunhua Workshop, and the level of craftsmanship is far beyond that of the Zunhua Workshop. This is not to mention the scale of Foshan Village. At least it is more than three times the size of the Ordnance Bureau of Jingzhong and Zunhua combined, not to mention the craftsmanship. Zhuang Ji directly recruits Western craftsmen from Nanyang and then trains his own apprentices. The level is even higher. They have already We are now able to mass-produce self-generated fire cannons, and the level of imitation red-coat cannons has caught up with those of the Western Yi people. Do you think it is necessary to cherish this little possessions of the Ordnance Bureau?"
Feeling a little uncomfortable being pushed back by Feng Ziying, Xu Dahua's face darkened, "Ziying, why are these Shanxi businessmen so concerned about Zunhua Workshop? They might as well build another workshop themselves."
"Sir, these merchants from Shanxi and Shaanxi are also unprofitable. The Zunhua Iron Factory is ready-made, and the Zunhua Firearms Workshop is also ready-made. There are a large number of skilled craftsmen, and they can get started immediately with a little modification. As for Foshan Although the scale there is large, there is insufficient iron material in Foshan, so it has to be transported from outside. The freight costs are high, and the cost is high. Moreover, our Dazhou weapons are mainly used in the nine sides, all in the north, and the cost of transporting them is also high. If you add another 10%, how can it compare to building it right here in Gyeonggi Province?”
Feng Ziying's attitude was also very casual. She was not indulging the other party, but she was not too mean either. Instead, she reasoned with the other party calmly and naturally, "Besides, it has been agreed that the weapons workshop can be supervised by the imperial court. If If there is any problem, there is also a veto power. In this way, everyone can live in peace and everyone gets what they need, so why not?"
Xu Dahua's mentality became a little calmer. He also knew that he could not stop this matter. Even if he set up some obstacles, it would only attract the dissatisfaction of Shanshan and Shaanxi businessmen and scholars from North and Central China. It was of little significance, so he Say no more.
Zhang Huaichang had long known that Xu Dahua was such a character, and he didn't know how Ye Xianggao and Emperor Yonglong reached a compromise on this person and let him come to the Ministry of War. Fortunately, this guy didn't understand military affairs and was quite knowledgeable. Don't bother much, if he is really allowed to interfere in military affairs, then something big will really happen.
After talking about the Zunhua Ordnance Bureau workshop, Xu Dahua simply patted his **** and left, leaving only Zhang Huaichang and Feng Ziying.
Yuan Keli is still in Yangzhou and has not returned. It seems that Huaiyang Town has many problems. To establish such a military town, there will be a very fierce dispute over the selection of general soldiers.
The cabinet, the emperor, the Ministry of War, the Six Ministries of Nanjing and the Jiangnan gentry behind them all have plans.
Zhang Huaichang was from Liaodong and was not very interested in establishing Huaiyang Town. However, this was decided by the cabinet in order to calm public opinion in Jiangnan. As Minister of War, he would not object. In contrast, Jingxiang Town concerned him more.
The poor performance of Guyuan Town made him, the Minister of War, inclined to abolish Guyuan Town and reduce Ningxia and Gansu towns. Of course, in exchange, Huang Ruliang also promised Zhang Huaichang that the Denglai Navy and Fujian Navy should be further strengthened, and Jingxiang Town should also ensure that , the six towns of Liaodong, Jizhen, Xuanfu, Datong, Shanxi and Yulin are not allowed to reduce investment.
Zhang Huaichang admired Feng Ziying very much, probably because of his love for Wujiwu.
Feng Tang's work in Liaodong was in line with Zhang Huaichang's wishes. Although there was a defeat in Fushun, it was the disaster left by Li Chengliang and could not be blamed on Feng Tang.
Feng Tang adopted military defense as the main focus and economic penetration control. He adopted methods of win-over and bribery over the Inner Khalkha and Horqin in the East Mongolian grasslands and the Hercynian Jurchens to form a united front against the Jianzhou Jurchens, and achieved great success. effective.
At least now, the Jianzhou Jurchens had to change direction. On the one hand, they attacked the Barbarian Jurchens first, and on the other hand, they won over the Chahar people. However, they failed to make much progress in Liaodong.
“Is it because of Wang Ziteng’s Denglai army?” Zhang Huaichang didn’t mince words. “Are you worried that they might have something to do with Yang Yinglong, um, including some people in our court?”
Feng Ziying laughed and said, "Your Majesty, Huaiyang Town makes people feel uneasy."
"Ziying is so worried? Jiu Bian Elite, how can you not know the details?" Zhang Huaichang said proudly: "As long as the imperial court controls the Jiu Bian Elite, everything is under control."
"Sir, the nine-sided elite will soon become the seven-sided elite." Feng Ziying said with a wry smile: "You also know Guyuan Town's performance in the southwest. Can this be called an elite? The Jingxiang Army has spent so much effort, but it is still The performance is mediocre and worrying.”
"If the Nine Border Army can't do it, let alone the others." Zhang Huaichang sighed, "Abolition of Guyuan and downsizing of Ganning are beyond help. There have been several quarrels within the court about the issue of Huaiyang Town. Months have passed, and delaying it is not an option. It is a fact that Japanese pirates are harassing Jiangnan. The imperial capital relies on water transportation from Jiangnan. You also know that there are already rumors of civil unrest in Jiangnan. We all know who is behind it, but we need to take the overall situation into consideration. Let’s get over the current situation first.”
"Sir, since I became an official, I have never felt that the imperial court has been more relaxed in any year. Every year, something happens here, or there is something that cannot be overcome. This is the case every year. You said that we should get through the current difficulty first. Then next year, if it is more What should I do if it's bad?" Feng Ziying also had a heavy look on her face, "Treat the symptoms but not the root cause. If you just want immediate stability, something will happen sooner or later."
Zhang Huaichang doesn't know, but the problem is that the current situation of the court is that it can only treat the symptoms first and control the situation before talking about other things.
"I know what you are worried about Ziying. The emperor and the cabinet should also consider it, but sometimes it is inconvenient for outsiders to comment on the affairs of the Tian family, and sometimes it is difficult for the cabinet." Zhang Huaichang rubbed his temples, "Many things are not truly understood When it is exposed, you can only wait and see what happens, otherwise if you intervene early, it may be regarded as deliberately provoking and guiding, which neither you nor I can afford."
When leaving the Ministry of War, Feng Ziying felt very heavy. After all, the princes in the court were still reluctant to intervene in the affairs of the Tian family. More importantly, everyone was somewhat unclear about the future situation, so everyone Willing to wait for the situation to settle before coming back.
In any case, no matter who sits on the throne, it is impossible to bypass the scholars and civil servants, so they sit firmly on the Diaoyutai.
The problem is that this kind of delay may lead to many unexpected risks, and may even be exploited by internal and external enemies. This point seems to have been ignored by the officials in the DPRK and China, intentionally or unintentionally.
What should you do to turn around the situation? Feng Ziying thought hard. After she was in Shuntian Mansion, she had more power over specific matters, but her influence on the princes in the court was less. When she was in the Hanlin Academy, her main focus was to understand the situation and plan, whether it was the six ministers The same princes and even the emperor can talk freely without worrying about anything else.
But it is different now. If you go beyond the scope a little, other officials will think that you are too ambitious or unfounded. Those people are also very resistant, so Feng Ziying has to think about it carefully.
After thinking about it, Feng Ziying still felt that he should go to Qi Yongtai's place. He would still be unable to let go unless he expressed his worries.
"Are you worried that Prince Yi Zhong will start an uprising in Jiangnan, um, or raise the banner of rebellion?" Qi Yongtai's tone was not as surprised and nervous as Feng Ziying imagined, but seemed to be assessing the possibility of this.
"Master Qi, Jia Jing was the former chief think tank of Prince Yi Zhong, especially in the financial aspect. It is said that Jia Jing was always in charge. Now he faked his death and went to Jiangnan. Tang Binyin went to Jiangnan with him. Master and disciple Han Jing, this is what I can confirm. The Prince of Beijing County must be among them. Wang Ziteng has ulterior motives in Huguang. Niu Jizong is accumulating strength. Looking at their activities, you can know that Prince Yi Zhong will never be so peaceful. As a prince who is suffering a lot, I am very worried about whether an unexpected incident will occur in the second half of this year or sometime next year, which will lead to..."
Feng Ziying's words made Qi Yongtai laugh. Seeing Qi Yongtai smiling easily, Feng Ziying felt a lot more relaxed for no reason.
“Ziying, do you think we are aware of what you said?” Qi Yongtai asked.
"You should be aware of it, right?" Feng Ziying was not sure how much they judged this threat.
"Well, I must be aware of it, but judging from the current situation, how much hope will there be if someone really raises the banner of rebellion in Jiangnan?" Qi Yongtai asked again.
Feng Ziying thought for a while and shook her head: "There is almost no hope, no righteousness, no military support. It is impossible to rely on Jiangnan alone."
Third update!
(End of this chapter)