Chapter 518 T-Zi Juan is deeply involved, with mixed joys and sorrows
Emperor Yonglong's mood was a little complicated. Feng Ziying's frankness satisfied him, but Feng Ziying wanted to marry Lin Ruhai's daughter, which made him a little uncomfortable.
He didn't believe that Feng Ziying didn't know who Lin Ruhai was, even though Lin Ruhai was seriously ill and died soon.
However, he had to admit that if Feng Ziying came forward to lobby the salt merchants in the name of Lin Ruhai's prospective son-in-law, the salt merchants would definitely give some face.
The salt-transporting envoy Si Yamen's deterrence against salt merchants is no ordinary, and over the years, the dirty things between salt merchants and salt lords, as well as the complicated relationship forged with his father's six trips to the south of the Yangtze River, have been revealed in the capital. The salt transport department is no secret.
These relationships are not only their protective umbrella, but they may also become their guillotine. Salt merchants should also be aware of this and even feel uneasy about it.
If Feng Ziying can go to Yangzhou with some special identity, then this identity that is accepted by all parties may really play an unexpected role.
Thinking of this, Emperor Yonglong felt more and more that Feng Ziying's fantastic idea was really wonderful, but...
Seeing that Emperor Yonglong's eyebrows suddenly expanded and receded, he was obviously thinking about something. Feng Ziying couldn't figure it out for a while, but he felt that his hint should be obvious, and Emperor Yonglong should understand.
But understanding is one thing. How to mediate and make all parties accept it logically is the test of one's ability.
"Your Majesty, the salt merchants are very wealthy. In the past, they could help the Emperor go to the south of the Yangtze River. I think they still have some loyalty. If I can explain the truth to them, I believe they should support it. Besides, this is a stock investment, and they can also receive dividends in the future. , I even plan to set a rule, for example, after ten years of ownership, these shares can be transferred, in order to appease their hearts..."
Feng Ziying's words made Emperor Yonglong laugh, "Feng Qing, how can these salt merchants be able to feel at ease just because of your illusory ten-year agreement? Why not, I will also use the money from the internal treasury to invest in the shares, but I am very poor. I don't want salt merchants like them, so I can only think..."
Feng Ziying was overjoyed. He was waiting for Emperor Yonglong's words, but then he realized that Emperor Yonglong didn't mention anyone else. Did the other party not understand his reminders and hints, or was he pretending not to understand? Or maybe the other party has no intention of letting these people into the game?
This made him a little unsure.
In Feng Ziying's view, since Emperor Yonglong was so tolerant to the Supreme Emperor and the Wu Xuns, he naturally felt that a small intolerance would ruin the big plan, so such a method of bundling interests should be the best way to deal with it, which not only eases the conflict with the Supreme Emperor, Although the relationship is rigid, you can also win over these warriors. Why not?
But it seems that it may not be as simple as he imagined. Since Emperor Yonglong didn't mention it, Feng Ziying needs to think about it carefully.
Feng Ziying couldn't figure out whether it was because he felt that the bank was too likely to lose money, and bringing other people into the game might deceive the other party and worsen the relationship, or for some other reason, but he couldn't ask.
"Feng Qing, in addition to the shipbuilding industry, Cui Jingrong mentioned in the memorial that the establishment of this bank should also be able to support the Linqing tribute brick industry, the silk industry in Yangzhou, Suzhou, Hangzhou, Jinling, as well as the tea industry in Fujian and Zhejiang and Jiangxi, Fujian and other places. porcelain industry, what does this mean?”
Emperor Yonglong's question obviously didn't understand much about this, so Feng Ziying patiently explained to him that the expansion of sea trade may bring about an increase in demand for these goods. Linqing tribute bricks are needed by the huge domestic market. Such support for development will not only allow Yinzhuang to have a relatively stable profit channel within two to three years, but also alleviate the financial pressure that the shipbuilding industry may face when lending, and give Yinzhuang shareholders hope.
"The emperor should know that those who have permanent property have perseverance. The meaning of 'property' should not be limited to property or industry, but should be any channel that can provide a stable source of livelihood for them. As long as they can have a bowl of rice to eat, they can I won’t think about committing crimes or committing crimes, let alone take risks..."
For kings, the first internal and external troubles are naturally the rebellion of the people. If this problem is solved, the dynasty will be able to maintain long-term peace and stability in many cases.
Feng Ziying made it clear that as long as the government can guarantee a way for the people to have a bowl of food, whether it is through work-for-relief, hiring from tenants, or working as a slave, as long as they can live with food and clothing, it will be enough. Not many people are willing to take the road of fighting against the government. Those who are born to rebel and become princes and generals are hard to find.
Emperor Yonglong also agreed with this principle.
These industries introduced by Feng Ziying, especially the Linqing tribute brick industry, can largely alleviate the pressure of refugees from southern Shandong. Even if they can absorb 51,000, it will be a relief for Shandong, and these tea-growing industries in Jiangnan Tea, silk and satin and porcelain production are all typical industries that require a large number of manpower. As long as every additional 10,000 people are absorbed, it is almost equivalent to 10,000 families having a stable livelihood. That said, it's also a big help.
If these industries have stable sea trade channels for export, and all they need is monetary investment to expand their scale and establish new businesses, then the banks will be able to play a stable role.
Feng Ziying discussed this issue with Emperor Yonglong for a long time, and it was not until the meal was passed on that it came to an end.
Dining with the emperor is really not something worth looking forward to. After this experience, Feng Ziying gave up hope.
The food is always warm, but it lacks the freshness. It is probably due to various tests and preparations in the imperial dining room, and then when it is served, it is kept warm in this winter, but it is not allowed to escape the eyes of the servants, so It is brought up step by step, and it really doesn't have much flavor anymore.
And Emperor Yonglong is not the kind of person who likes to talk. At his age, it is estimated that what he desires most is to have his name leave a mark in the history of the Zhou Dynasty and even in the history books. This is his biggest achievement. Target.
That's why he was so enthusiastic about marching into Shazhou and Hami, even if he paid some reputation and price for it.
On the way home, Feng Ziying’s thoughts were very confused.
He had expected today's court meeting, but the topic suddenly became so big, which still caught him off guard.
But I guess this unprepared and confusing feeling is not just for me, but for many people, including the cabinet and the six princes, well, including Emperor Yonglong, otherwise he would not be eager to keep him.
This is both a good thing and a bad thing.
The good thing is that things have finally been revealed, and there is no need to be secretive. Everything is revealed. Then the pressure is released, and everyone from all parties can take responsibility and think about it. There is no need for one person to worry all day long.
The bad thing is that you get stuck deeper and deeper.
From the bottom of her heart, Feng Ziying would rather hide in the Hanlin Academy and compile "Internal Reference" and write signed comments or anonymous articles. This is the best strategy to enhance her reputation or raise her hopes. Three years later, if there is an opportunity, You can either join the Sixth Department or the Metropolitan Procuratorate to hone your skills, or you can go directly to the local area. There is a high possibility that you can get a full fifth grade directly. Of course, whether you stay in the capital or go to the local area depends on the situation.
According to the practice of the previous Ming Dynasty, the treatment of Jinshi in the Zhou Dynasty can be said to be generous. It is customary for the second-class Jinshi to be awarded an official position after three years, and it will not be lower than the original Pinyi (from the seventh grade) to three or even four grades. If he is released to the outside world, it is generally As a magistrate of the state (from the fifth rank), if you stay in Beijing, you will usually be the chief official (the sixth rank). If you are a top three Jinshi, you will generally be awarded an official rank no lower than the original rank of Yi (the eighth rank) after three years. If you are sent to another place, you will generally be awarded the county magistrate. Or they may be promoted to officials. If they stay in Beijing, most of them will be commentators and practitioners, and occasionally there will be doctors and Zhongshu.
From this point of view, even the ordinary second-class Jinshis are much better treated than the third-class Jinshis, and they are not even inferior to the second-class Jinshis who choose Shujishi. However, the biggest advantage of Shujishi is that it has improved The upper limit for Jinshi.
Because according to the practice of the Great Zhou Dynasty, if you don’t have the qualifications of a Shujishi, you basically have no chance to enter the Hanlin Academy. The sentence that non-Hanlin people cannot join the cabinet basically determines that you have no possibility of entering the cabinet as a cabinet minister. .
At the same time, without the qualifications of a Shujishi, the possibility of even holding the position of Six Ministers, Zuodu Yushi of the Duchayuan, Minister of Dali Temple, and Tongzhengshi of the General Affairs Department is much smaller than that of a Shujishi.
It's just that he has taken a different path from ordinary Shujishi or even second-class Jinshi. In one year, Shujishi has been dismissed from his official position and studied in the Hanlin Academy of the sixth rank. Qualifications have cleared away the obstacles to joining the cabinet in the future. In fact, whether you stay in the Hanlin Academy is not of great significance anymore, and it depends on the situation.
Moreover, according to the convention, the second-level Jinshi who are dismissed after three years have to move up to the third level. He is now from the sixth rank, and the third level is the fifth rank. He is a doctor in the Sixth Ministry and a bachelor of the Hanlin Academy. In the rule of Tianfu, all the Dali Temple ministers are officials of the fifth rank, and they are the local magistrates of the government.
From Feng Ziying's personal point of view, he actually hopes to go to the local area to improve it, and the prefect's tongzhi is a very suitable position, because this position is not to be the chief official, but to assist the prefect in handling many daily affairs, so this is very important for the local government. For me, whose affairs are still somewhat unclear, this is undoubtedly a very good opportunity to make amends and exercise.
However, he also feels that this possibility is relatively small. Judging from his current situation in the DPRK, the chances of him being released from Beijing are not high unless some special circumstances arise.
Especially now, opening up the sea and opening up the Liaonan-Denglai route, establishing banks and encouraging the establishment of shipyards are all very complicated and specific matters, and they are completely different from the previous ideas, so I estimate that I will be deeply involved in them for a long time. .
(End of this chapter)