I, Jiajing, successfully cultivated immortality

Chapter 158 Discuss Countermeasures
Soon, the imperial court's official notice on the implementation of changing rice to mulberry in Zhejiang came down.

In the Zhejiang Governor's Mansion, Hu Zongxian gathered everyone together to discuss the next strategy.

Before it started, Hu Zongxian turned his gaze to Ma Ningyuan, and asked in a deep voice: "How did you deal with the matter you caused yourself earlier?"

"Teacher, the students went to the Inspectorate yesterday and told the Inspector He the reason of the incident. Later..."

Before Ma Ningyuan finished speaking, He Maocai stood up from his chair and smoothed things over: "My lord governor, I already know the cause of the incident. In the final analysis, it was the fault of the villagers. Regardless of the imperial court's ban, plant seedlings without authorization!"

"Not only that, they also openly confronted the personnel sent by the government! Mr. Ma sent people to the scene after receiving his subordinate's call for help. It's just that the method of doing things was a little rough, and it was all a misunderstanding."

"Yes, teacher! I have made corresponding compensations to those villagers. I will never make such a mistake in the future! If I make it again next time, the student will resign directly from the official position."

After Ma Ningyuan finished speaking, he turned his gaze to Hu Zongxian who was sitting above him, and said firmly.

Seeing that Ma Ningyuan admitted his mistake very sincerely, and he made such a guarantee in front of everyone, Hu Zongxian couldn't help sighing, and said slowly.

"Oh, that's all, let's take this matter as a lesson for you. If you do it again next time, teacher, I will never forgive you!"

"Thank you teacher, thank you teacher!"

Seeing that Hu Zongxian temporarily forgave himself, Ma Ningyuan couldn't help being overjoyed and said excitedly.

As Ma Ningyuan's teacher, Hu Zongxian naturally knew the temperament of his students very well. He was afraid that he would not be able to complete the task of changing rice into mulberry.

After the imperial court pursues the responsibility, I, the governor of Zhejiang Province, will be the first to accept the imperial court's inquiries. This is because I am worried about my teacher!
It was precisely because of this that Hu Zongxian couldn't calm down and deal with his student.

"Okay, now that the previous matter has come to an end, let's talk about how to implement the change from rice to mulberry."

Hu Zongxian turned his gaze to the people present, and said.

"Your Excellency, according to the personal experience of the prefect, many people in Zhejiang are opposed to changing rice to mulberry!"

Gao Hanwen took the lead to stand up and put forward his views to Hu Zongxian.

"Well, yes, that is indeed the case at the moment."

Hu Zongxian also agreed with Gao Hanwen's opinion and nodded.

"Since the people are resistant to changing rice to mulberry, there are only two ways left to go. One is to force the people to change rice to mulberry, and the other is to let the people see the profits behind it through subtle influences. , so that people can spontaneously replant mulberry seedlings.”

"The first path takes the shortest time, and the risk is greater. If you don't pay attention, it will stir up civil uprisings, and the gains will outweigh the losses! The second path is the most secure, has the least risk, and is also the easiest to implement. Yes, but it takes the longest time."

Gao Hanwen looked around at the crowd and said slowly.

"But right now, the imperial court has issued a task. At least half of the fields in Zhejiang must be replanted with mulberry seedlings by the end of this year. We don't have that much time to slowly guide the people!"

"What's more, those people are all a bunch of troublemakers! They don't want to understand the difficulties of the government at all. If you want me to say it, let's just go the first way!"

After Zheng Michang finished speaking, he immediately put forward his own ideas.

"That's right, you can't be polite to those unruly people at all! If you are polite to him, he will push his nose and face, and take the opportunity to ask you more. This kind of atmosphere must not be promoted, otherwise, how can the work of the court be carried out? go down?"

Seeing Zheng Michang's speech, He Maocai on the side also followed closely.

And Hu Zongxian, who was sitting at the top, frowned after listening to the discussion of his subordinates. Right now, the imperial court has a tight time to change rice into mulberry, and the task is heavy!If some extraordinary measures are not implemented, I am afraid that the set task will not be completed by then.

If it is enforced according to what they say, the people of Zhejiang will definitely suffer.

"Teacher, the Jiangnan Weaving Bureau still owes an order of 50 bolts of silk! Right now there is a shortage of silk, and this is a palace business."

Ma Ningyuan on the side also spoke at the right time to remind Hu Zongxian.

"I am wondering if there is any way to achieve the best of both worlds, which can complete the tasks entrusted by the court without disturbing the people too much."

Hu Zongxian picked up the teacup on the side, took a sip, and said slowly.

"This……"

Hu Zongxian's question stumped everyone present.

After pondering for a long time, He Maocai suddenly remembered what he said to Ma Ningyuan yesterday, and then his eyes lit up, and he said excitedly: "I have thought of a solution to this matter!"

Hearing He Maocai's words, everyone was surprised.

On the other hand, Zheng Michang was even more surprised. This He Maocai usually doesn't look like a mountain, and looks very simple and honest. He didn't expect such a conspiracy. He really shouldn't be underestimated!

"Tell me, what did you think of?"

Hu Zongxian, who was sitting at the top, was also quite interested in the method He Maocai had come up with, and then asked.

"Your Excellency, it's only now that the officials have realized that after a while, isn't it time for the court to collect land taxes?"

"Why don't we take advantage of this and promote the transformation of rice into mulberry?"

"You mean to combine the conversion of rice into mulberry with the land tax that the imperial court will collect next!"

After hearing this, Hu Zongxian also had some eyebrows in his heart.

"That's right, my lord governor, this is what the lower officials think. Those who are willing to change rice to mulberry will be put on a list by the government. People on this list can harvest less or even no crops." Tax!"

"Not only that, the government will give these people a lot of publicity, and even give some rewards!"

"And those who are unwilling to change rice to mulberry are also listed by the government as a list. People on this list will be charged double or even more land taxes! It is equivalent to passing on all the less collected to them."

"In this case, the people of Zhejiang will be divided into two camps because of the change of rice to mulberry. One side supports it and the other side opposes it. They will no longer be able to gather enough strength to resist the government!"

"If the two sides have different opinions, they will naturally fight, and the government only needs to make a difference."

After He Maocai finished speaking, he looked around for a week before sitting back in his seat.

"Your Excellency, this method is wonderful! Not only can it reduce the resistance to implementing the transformation of rice into mulberry, but it can also save the common people from suffering. It is really a way to achieve the best of both worlds."

Zheng Michang followed He Maocai's thinking and found that it was very feasible, and the final result was also predictable.

"Your Excellency, according to the officials, this method is feasible."

After Zheng Michang, Gao Hanwen also figured out the key points, and asked Hu Zongxian for advice.

"Well, teacher, the students also think this method is feasible!"

Immediately afterwards, Ma Ningyuan also stood up and asked Hu Zongxian.

"Well, since that's the case, let's act according to this law then."

After Hu Zongxian thought for a moment, he agreed with everyone.

"Yes, Lord Governor!"

Seeing that Hu Zongxian agreed to the method proposed by He Maocai, everyone was overjoyed and said in unison.

"At the moment, the food prepared by the neighboring provinces is not yet in place. Before that, let the government make preparations in advance!"

Hu Zongxian said, turned his gaze to Ma Ningyuan, and ordered lightly.

"Yes, teacher! Students must live up to your great trust!"

Seeing that Hu Zongxian had left this matter to himself to prepare, Ma Ningyuan had a look of surprise on his face, and then he said excitedly.

"Since the results of the discussion have been reached, everyone should leave first. I still have official business to deal with!"

After the matter of changing rice to mulberry was resolved, Hu Zongxian couldn't help feeling better, and said loudly.

"Yes, Lord Governor!"

After everyone finished speaking, they got up and left one after another, only Ma Ningyuan remained where he was, hesitating.

(End of this chapter)