I'm only seven years old, Lao Zhu, you let me supervise the country?

Chapter 174: An upright law!Wonderful idea!
"You don't have to be nervous."

Zhu Yunxi smiled lightly and said: "Grandpa Huang left the palace to Yangshan to recuperate, didn't he just want them to jump out?"

"It's not good if they don't jump out."

Xu Miaojin murmured: "Do you really think that your Majesty went to Yangshan for this reason? Why do I think I want to see your performance?"

Zhu Yunzhen was slightly startled and said, "Is there any difference?"

While the two were talking, a eunuch outside spoke loudly: "His Royal Highness, Minister of the Household Department Zhao Mian and Minister of the Ministry of Punishment Yang Jing are asking to see you."

The eunuch knew that Taisun and Xu Miaojin had a secret discussion, so they only shouted outside.

"Let them in."

Zhu Yunxi gave an order, and then said to Xu Miaojin: "Although the method you said is not good, it has also given Gu some inspiration. There is a saying in the art of war that "use justice to win with odds." , there is no need to act like they do. "

"As long as Chao Gang's hearts are stabilized, they won't be able to make big waves."

Xu Miaojin was thoughtful.

At this time, Zhao Mian and Yang Jing had come to the hall.

"His Royal Highness, the Household Department, it is really impossible for me to be an official."

Zhao Mian complained as soon as he came up.

"Today's statement from the King of Jin states that tribes from the grassland sometimes move south. To pacify the grassland, the best way is to go out to the military garrison to intimidate the tribes."

"The Military Affairs Office agreed. I handed the document to the Counseling Office, and they all agreed."

"But the household department really can't pull out the money right now."

"The recruitment of the second phase of the new army is about to start. The strength of the new army is obvious to all. This money cannot be saved."

"The Bureau of Technology Research and Manufacturing wants 20 taels of silver. They said that there are several important things that His Royal Highness Taisun ordered, so they must definitely withdraw the funds."

"Compiling the "Hongwu Canon" also requires a huge sum of money. In addition to the severe drought in Shandong this year, many crops have not been harvested. Not only can Shandong's taxes not be collected, but a large sum of money for disaster relief has to be drawn."

"But there is really no money in the treasury of the Ministry of Household Affairs. I thought that the supplementary taxes and taxes paid by Suzhou would make up for a shortfall, but now they are all transferred to build the new city of Shanghai."

“If all the money deposited in the Ministry of Revenue’s treasury is withdrawn, it will not be enough to cover expenses.”

"If it was before, we could still print millions of Daming Treasure Banknotes."

"Currently, precious banknotes are depreciating in value, and printing them in large quantities will not help quench thirst with poison, so I dare not take it lightly."

"I am incompetent, so I can only resign to His Highness the Grand Sun, and I hope His Highness the Grand Sun will give me permission."

……

Zhu Yunxi's face turned red slightly.

In fact, during the Hongwu period, Daming's financial situation was not too bad, and basically there was some surplus every year.

It will not be necessary to make up for the shortfall by imposing "three rates" as in the later period.

The main reason why he has no money now is that he spent the money.

The weapons equipped by the new army are very expensive.

The industrial level of this era is not high. To build a gun requires many processes and a lot of man-hours.

Due to their complex structure, breech-loading guns are much more expensive than front-loading flintlock guns.

In addition, the cost of custom-loaded bullets is also very high.

But after tasting the sweetness, Zhu Yunxi didn't want to stop there.

On the contrary, he has ordered that all the guns equipped by the new army be replaced with breech-loading guns with fixed ammunition.

This way the shooting efficiency will be much higher.

With a rear-loading gun with fixed ammunition, it is possible to shoot continuously.

Restricted by the level of craftsmanship and production, each bullet is expensive.

The Bureau of Technology Research and Manufacturing is even more expensive.

Support those craftsmen to do research and manufacture new gadgets, all of which are spent on burning money.

Daming is still a typical agricultural society, how can it support research that is extremely expensive even in industrial society?
Although no funds were allocated from the Ministry of Household Affairs for the construction of the new city, Songjiang's taxes were all cut off first.

All the tax, silver and grain owed by Suzhou were also shipped over.

In addition, the compilation of the Hongwu Canon was also very expensive.

Pens, ink, and paper were very expensive, and it took thousands of scholars to compile the book.

The knowledge of this era is very valuable, and the salaries given by these people are not low.

Thousands of talented scholars who compile books, famous scholars and great scholars can support tens of thousands of troops for the cost of supporting them.

Not to mention, in order to compile a grand canon, books from the people are needed to collect ancient and modern classics.

Of course, this dedication of the book was not in vain. The imperial court wanted to give a reward after receiving the book.

The value is often many times higher than the value of the donated books, so the cost is certainly not small.

However, if this were not the case, how could the common people submit their treasured books for compilation of the canon?
The tax revenue has not increased much, but the expenditure has increased so much, it is no wonder that Zhao Mian, the secretary of the household department, will not be able to continue.

"Why should Zhao Shangshu resign in a hurry?" Zhu Yunhuan said with a smile: "The money I spent will be replenished to the national treasury."

Zhao Mian was stunned for a moment, and said, "This is not a small sum."

Next to him, Yang Jing winked at him, and Zhao Mian suddenly came to his senses: "His Royal Highness is working on state affairs, and it's not for private affairs. How can His Royal Highness make up for it? It's because the officials are incompetent..."

"There is only one plan, which can fill the deficit of the national treasury." Zhu Yunxi interrupted his polite words.

"His Royal Highness, please make it clear." Zhao Mian cupped his hands in salute, and did not say any more flattering words before.

He thought and thought, but for a moment he couldn't think of where to conjure a large sum of money.

It's just that the grandson's behavior is full of surprises and expectations.

"When people are short of money, they borrow money from neighbors, relatives and friends to tide over the difficulties."

Zhu Yunxi said: "Currently the imperial court does not have enough funds and the national treasury is empty, so let's borrow from the common people."

"No!"

As soon as he said this, Zhao Mian and Yang Jing spoke up at the same time.

"The business tax increase has caused quite a stir. Although His Royal Highness the Grandson resolved it skillfully, there are still many wealthy businessmen who are dissatisfied, and there are not many honorable officials among them."

"If you borrow money from the common people again, I'm afraid it will lead to great disasters."

"If there is a civil uprising, it will be out of control."

Zhu Yunxi laughed loudly: "Don't you think that the "borrow" that Gu said is "forced borrowing"?"

Is not it?
Both of them stayed.

The government borrowed money and grain from large private households, which has happened in all dynasties.

But that was usually a deal reached between the local government and the local gentry to solve the immediate needs of the local government.

As for subsequent payments.

Since the Song Dynasty, the practice of "imperial power not descending to the county" has gradually been formed.

Most local governments entrusted gentry to collect local taxes, and repayments were naturally deducted from the taxes.

Therefore, in most cases, the gentry did not worry that the local government would not repay the loan.

The situation in Suzhou is quite special, so the big households behind are not willing to borrow.

But borrowing money from the imperial court is not the same as borrowing money from local governments.

Rewarding you with a plaque is your face.

If you want to pay back the money, there is no way.

If you borrow from a big owner, it will be a blow to the powerful.

If you "borrow" from ordinary people, it is in the name of borrowing to collect an extra tax.

Can this be "borrowed" at will?

No wonder Zhao Mian and Yang Jing had such a big reaction.

"What I mean is to issue national bonds!"

Zhu Yunzhen had already had a plan in mind.

The issuance of national debt must be preceded by currency reform.

Raise a large sum of gold and silver through the issuance of national bonds.

Then use this as a reserve fund to issue new banknotes and carry out currency reform.

In this way, Ming's financial crisis can be resolved virtually.

"National debt?"

Both Zhao Mian and Yang Jing heard this term for the first time, and they were stunned for a moment.

"In the name of building a new army and preparing military expenditures, issue national bonds and let the common people buy them. With their trust in the new army, they will definitely snap up them..."

Zhu Yunzhen explained to them in detail.

What is national debt and how to operate it...

His Royal Highness Taisun is indeed a genius in the sky, to have such a wonderful idea.

just.

"Although this strategy can solve the urgent need for the moment, it will eventually be paid back in the future."

Zhao Mian was still a little worried.

Strictly speaking, agricultural societies do not actually have the conditions to issue national bonds.

Because the national debt is to pay interest.

The national debt interest of industrial society is covered by economic growth.

Therefore, all countries are willing to issue national debt.

But the agricultural society, the economy is almost at a standstill.

Year after year, always the same.

At this time, even paying the lowest interest is not worthwhile.

"Don't worry, by then, Daming's treasury will already have enough money to spend."

Zhu Yunxi is full of confidence in this.

What Daming needs now is just a start-up capital.

The Technical Research and Manufacturing Bureau is still in the investment stage. Although it has made a series of advancements such as breech-loading guns, custom-loaded ammunition, and printing technology, it has not yet reached the stage of large-scale "profit".

At this time, you need to keep throwing money, throwing money, throwing money...

However, over time, the follow-up payoffs will also be huge.

The new army's ability to wipe out the Japanese pirates in one fell swoop this time is the best example.

Although there is no direct money.

But I can in the future.

If it doesn't work, you can also go on an expedition to the Wa country.

One is to completely solve the problem of Japanese pirates.

Secondly, he has long been coveting the silver of the Wa Kingdom.

Iwami Silver Mountain has not yet been excavated on a large scale at this time. If it could be captured, wouldn't there be silver?

Possessing a weapon that spanned the ages, Zhu Yunxi did not worry at all that the expedition to the Wa Kingdom would not be successful.

Zheng He was already building warships, and an expedition was not too far away.

"Then I will go and do it."

Seeing what the grandson said, Zhao Mian immediately agreed.

In fact, he didn't really want to resign, but he just wanted to complain and see if the grandson could cut some expenses.

Unexpectedly, even though expenses were not cut, there was a way to make money.

For this result, Zhao Mian could barely accept it.

Anyway, when it comes time to pay back the money in the future, he should no longer be the Minister of Household Affairs, so let the next one have the headache.

After Zhao Mian left, Zhu Yunxuan asked Yang Jing, "Yang Shangshu, what's the important matter for you, do you want to report it face to face?"

Yang Jing arched his hands and bowed his knees and said: "The lower officials are in charge of the Ministry of Punishment and are in charge of illegal matters. Today, Zhao Mian, Minister of the Ministry of Special Affairs, abused his power, embezzled and accepted bribes. Ouyang Lun, the captain of the son-in-law, committed crimes, indulged his servants in murder, and evaded taxes."

"Oh?" Zhu Yunxi was slightly taken aback.

(End of this chapter)