Early Ming Dynasty: Turning Clouds and Rains into New Learning Saints

Chapter 206 Term Ends
In front of Zhu Yuanzhang, there was a row of houses, and the one directly opposite was very big, the size of an ordinary palace.

The overall style is relatively rough.However, it is indeed a palace, and it is all made of cement.

At this time, Zhang Yifan introduced to Zhu Yuanzhang: "The main hall in the front can be used for the father to discuss matters, and the back is the temporary resting place for the father. On both sides are the barracks..."

Basically, it is built according to the functions that the emperor's palace should have. Generally speaking, it will definitely take time and effort to repair it.

However, because the Xiangshan County construction engineering team has rich experience in building cement houses and has used cement prefabricated panels in the construction process in the past few years, the house construction speed is very fast.

Zhu Yuanzhang's meeting hall is the same conference room layout that the engineering team built before. The house in the back is in the layout of a three-in-a-siheyuan. As for the barracks on both sides, it is even simpler, just like a large house.

The engineering team has experience in building all these houses and is familiar with the roads.

However, this kind of cement house was built on the spur of the moment, and it certainly cannot be detailed and beautified. Even if flowers bloom in Xiangshan County basically all year round, if you want to transplant them to decorate the garden, some of them will be sparse because of the tight time. , it doesn’t look like a place where the emperor lives.

It can only be said that there is a palace in Xiangshan County, and the soft furnishings inside guarantee Zhu Yuanzhang's bedroom. As for the rest, it is inferior.

This is because there is a strong demand for new house construction in Xiangshan County, so there are many stores related to furniture, bedding and other supporting items related to new house construction.

Otherwise, it would be impossible to get it out so quickly.

Zhang Yifan explained in advance that it was not to be modest, but to prevent anyone from making trouble for receiving the emperor later. Therefore, he specifically emphasized that there was no time.

It was precisely what he said that greatly lowered everyone's expectations, including Zhu Yuanzhang.

After all, this is indeed a fact. In such a short period of time, according to their understanding, no palace was built.

As a result, when we arrived at the place, we saw that Xiangshan County had not only created a palace, but also had a decent appearance. At this moment, we were shocked immediately.

In this case, who cares about some details?

No, after Zhu Yuanzhang came to his senses, he immediately visited the palace.People were full of praises along the way, except for praising it as a miracle: "I really didn't expect it. The construction speed is so fast!"

Zhang Yifan, who was following him, listened and introduced one of the advantages of building a house with cement, which is that it is fast.Of course, the proficiency of the engineering team also plays an important role.

Listening to his words, Zhu Yuanzhang knew more about cement.

Suddenly, he asked Zhang Yifan with great interest: "How much did it cost to build this palace?"

Zhang Yifan listened, thought for a while, and then replied: "It probably cost more than 5 yuan!"

When Zhu Yuanzhang heard this, he was stunned again.Two years ago, over a million dollars were spent on the construction of the Forbidden City Palace in Nanjing. In comparison, the cost of this palace is negligible, which is incredible!

Seeing the expressions of Zhu Yuanzhang and others, Zhang Yifan hurriedly explained: "Father, please look at this pillar. The skeleton is first pierced with steel rods, then filled with concrete, and the outer layer is painted with cement and lime. Of course, This type is actually stronger than wooden pillars, more fire-resistant, and less prone to decay!”

For the pillars of the palace in Nanjing, you have to find trees that are thick enough in the mountains, then cut them down and transport them out of the mountains, and then transport them to Nanjing by waterway, where they are dried and cleaned before they can be used. The cost is certainly not comparable to that of cement pillars. .

Even in the late Ming Dynasty, when the palaces burned by the Jiajing Dynasty were rebuilt, the pillars were cut down from the deep mountains, transported to the lower reaches along the Yangtze River, and then transported to Beijing through the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal. Know how much more money it will cost.

When Zhu Yuanzhang heard Zhang Yifan's introduction, he couldn't help but stepped forward and touched the cement pillar, and then patted it hard. Finally, he said with emotion: "Yifan, this cement of yours is truly a national treasure!"

He used the four words "truly" to describe it, which was only possible when he was deeply moved.

The place where he lives must be good, but if he can live in a better place without wasting money and people, then of course he is willing.

No, after seeing him sigh with emotion, he turned to look at his princes and sons and said to them: "Your palaces are also built with cement."

Just last year, on July 11, the 150th year of Hongwu's reign, the Ministry of Industry reported that the Jin government should prevail, and Zhu Yuanzhang approved it.Its regulation: three miles, three hundred and nine steps and five inches in circumference, 190 feet, two inches and five inches from east to west, and [-], seven feet, two inches and five inches from north and south.

The King of Qin and the King of Jin originally established a vassal state in the 11th year of Hongwu, but because Zhu Di was promising, Zhu Yuanzhang felt that his other sons were not good enough, so he continued to stay with him to teach him.History has changed, and all the princes have not yet joined the feudal clan, and this time they also came to Xiangshan County.

These princes all heard Zhang Yifan's introduction to Zhu Yuanzhang just now.For them, no matter whether it saves money or not, it is just that cement construction is stronger and fireproof. These two points are all they want.

Therefore, upon hearing this, they all agreed.

With this cement-built palace, not only can it be built better, but it can also save a lot of manpower, material resources and money. Zhu Yuanzhang was in a very good mood, so he turned to the civil and military officials behind him and said: "Settle down today and start tomorrow." For three consecutive days, you and others walked around Xiangshan County dressed in casual clothes. Remember, you are not allowed to reveal your identity or violate laws and disciplines!"

Civil and military officials: "..."

Good guy, with the emperor's decree, the streets of Xiangshan County will be bustling these days.

But they also understood what the emperor meant: Don’t they have doubts about Xiangshan County’s political achievements?So when you get to the place, go and have a look.As for casual clothing, we also want them to understand the truth as much as possible.

However, everyone in Xiangshan County knew that they had arrived. From the accent, they knew that they were from the capital, at least from the north. They might be the officials accompanying them this time.

I can’t imagine what the next three days will be like.
Zhu Yuanzhang would not care about this. The settled dinner was a family meal together. It was a reunion after a long absence, and it was quite enjoyable.

The emperor is here, but the curfew is still in place.But from the second day onwards, except for the emperor's palace, guarded by Jinyiwei and Lanyu's subordinates standing guard, the martial law will be lifted in other places, and the common people can do whatever they want.

Zhu Yuanzhang stayed in the palace to rest, and listened to Zhang Yifan and Zhu Jingjing report the specific situation in Xiangshan County.In particular, I looked through Zhu Jingjing's account books of Xiangshan County over the past three years to learn more about the economic operations.

The other civil and military officials changed into civilian clothes and started a three-day tour of Xiangshan County with a few soldiers in civilian clothes.

Depending on their own interests, the things they choose to check first are naturally different.But, from time to time, you run into acquaintances.

Although more than half of Xiangshan County's population of about 50 lives in the county seat, these people from the capital are so special.Even among the crowd, he can be recognized immediately.

However, the people in Xiangshan County will not ask who is the adult, even when entertaining, they will be more cautious when asking questions.

On the third day, Zhu Yuanzhang, accompanied by Zhang Yifan, visited the bank as well as the county school and social school.

The bank is the heart of Xiangshan County's economic boom, and enlightenment is a measure related to the future. He attaches great importance to these two things.

On the fourth day, Zhu Yuanzhang held an imperial meeting in the main hall of the palace.

This hall is actually not very big, and it is packed with all the accompanying civil and military officials, as well as the royal family and nobles.Even if Zhang Yifan arranged multiple windmills filled with ice cubes around and let people shake the handles to blow cool breeze, it still seemed a bit hot.

However, at this time, no one cared about this.Because they all know that the next imperial meeting is crucial to the future of Ming Dynasty.

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at so many courtiers below, and said: "In three days, you must have understood Xiangshan County, right? Tell me, listen, what harm to the people, what exaggerated achievements, Say it all!”

Hearing this, although there were many people in the hall, there seemed to be silence. Everyone, including Hu Weiyong, spoke.

When Zhu Yuanzhang saw it, he asked again: "I've given you a chance. If you don't have any objections, then I will refer to Xiangshan County and do something that benefits the country and the people."

After he said these words, his voice rose a little higher and his tone became a little more majestic.

Zhu Yuanzhang's tendency is very obvious. He has said that he must do things that benefit the country and the people. This is to characterize the matter.Anyone who opposes it is a traitor and is unwilling to do things that benefit the country and the people.

There is no doubt that the current situation in Xiangshan County shocked these civil and military officials.Even if it was said before that it sucks the blood of the surrounding places, it is not enough to prove that everything in Xiangshan County will become useless because it does not suck the blood of the surrounding places.

Not to mention, they had already seen clearly during the three days of their visit that it was impossible to help Xiangshan County become so prosperous just by asking other places to assist according to the emperor's will.It is the interests that will attract the population and money from surrounding places to flow to Xiangshan County.

From the perspective of serving the country and the people, there is no doubt that the success of Xiangshan County is definitely the golden key to making the people of Ming Dynasty live a better life and making Ming Dynasty stronger.

However, if it changes to the position of one family with one surname, it may not be a good thing.For example, the grain fields in Xiangshan County are allocated to the public.

But at this moment, who dares to say this in front of the emperor?

Are the interests of your family more important, or are the interests of the Emperor Zhu's family more important?

The emperor in front of him was killed from a mountain of corpses and a sea of ​​blood. Killing a few more didn't seem to be a problem at all.

Therefore, no one dared to speak.

Zhu Yuanzhang glanced at them slowly, and then said in a cold voice with a decisive tone: "The household registration reform and the public distribution of grain fields are the basis for Xiangshan County to be so successful. I have decided that these two laws must be implemented throughout the country as soon as possible. , the land that was rewarded before, whether it is the emperor's relatives or other people, as long as it is within the territory of the Ming Dynasty, no private land is allowed, and they must be sold to the government at a price."

In the past, he rewarded meritorious officials with a lot of grain fields and even corresponding tenants.At this time, he specifically pointed it out and emphasized that there was no private land in the Ming Dynasty.

Originally, the royal family and nobles were still taking chances, thinking that the emperor would slap themselves in the face and return the grain fields they had given out as rewards?

Unexpectedly, for the sake of the stability of the Zhu family, Zhu Yuanzhang announced this decision without hesitation, which disappointed all the royal relatives and nobles.

But it was obvious that Zhu Yuanzhang knew how to control people's hearts. After being beaten with a stick, he immediately gave Tianzao the gift.

After he softened his tone, he looked at the ministers below and said: "The core of Xiangshan County's development is the bank. I looked at the account books and found that the Xiangshan County Government Office's most profitable place is this bank. There is some data here, I have written it down so that you can listen to it."

After hearing this, the eunuch Wu Cheng immediately came forward with the three-year data of the bank that he had prepared in advance, and read it in a high and low tone with a eunuch's unique voice.

To be honest, most people in this era are unaware of the benefits of money banks.Otherwise, it would be impossible for banks to take shape only in the middle and late Ming Dynasty and to take shape in the middle and late Manchu Qing Dynasty.

This bank in Xiangshan County was run by Zhang Yifan using modern concepts. He used other people's money to make money for himself, so that his bank, which originally only had a principal of [-] guan, suddenly became a behemoth.

Whether it was Deng Yu, the Duke of Wei, who was extremely talented in fighting, or Hu Weiyong, the prime minister who was an expert in governing the Ming Dynasty, no one could have imagined that a bank could make so much money!
Compared with those who do business, no matter what kind of business it is, this method of using money to make money is the real profit.

Listening to the groups of data that Wu Cheng read, everyone in the hall was suddenly stunned.

What kind of brain does the consort have, that he can come up with such a profitable idea?
After Wu Cheng finished reading and retired, he saw a smile on Zhu Yuanzhang's face and announced in public: "I have decided to set up a bank in the capital, and the capital prepared will allow all the ministers to subscribe. At that time, all ministers will have their own grain fields. The selling price will be included in it. At the end of each year, dividends will be distributed according to the shares according to Yifan's proposal. As long as the Ming Dynasty exists for a day, the descendants of the ministers will also be able to receive this money!"

Upon hearing this, even in front of Zhu Yuanzhang, the officials in the hall immediately began to whisper excitedly, and there was a buzz in the hall.

Why do they want to buy grain fields?Isn’t it just to pass it on to your children and grandchildren, so that you can have enough food and clothing?
And now, the emperor has announced that the bank's dividends can also be passed down to his descendants. Doesn't this also ensure that his descendants will have enough food and clothing to live in?
Originally, they were worried that their grain fields would disappear, and they did not dare to resist due to the emperor's power.But suddenly, something unexpected happened, and there were even greater benefits. How could we not be excited? How could we not be excited?
When it comes to grain fields, you have to worry about whether God will open your eyes and reward you every year. There will always be a grain harvest failure.

However, this bank, judging from the bank's data released just now, is earning more than a year, and it doesn't require them to spend a little energy. This is simply a bottomless treasury, and money can be taken out every year!
Of course, in the past three days, most of them had naturally visited the bank and heard other people talk about this bank, and they didn't just believe it because they heard the emperor announced the data.

Zhu Yuanzhang's sweet jujube is really big and sweet enough, not only washed away the unwillingness of the previous stick, but also wished that he didn't have more private land, so he could sell more to the government.

Some people even boldly asked in the crowd: "Your Majesty, can I contribute additional money to purchase the principal of this bank?"

Hearing this, everyone looked at Zhu Yuanzhang expectantly, wondering how he would reply?

Zhu Yuanzhang had already heard Zhang Yifan explain that the more principal a bank has, the stronger its ability to drive the economy, which is good for the country.Therefore, he said happily: "You are all my beloved, how can I refuse?"

Hearing this, there was another loud bang in the hall, followed by Shan Huo Long live!
They don't know that the most important thing about dividends is the proportion of shares. No matter how much money they pay, can they pay more than classmate Zhu Yuanzhang?He has a money printing press, so he can make whatever money he wants!

At that time, it depends on how much Zhu Yuanzhang is willing to give them as dividends, that's how much!

But at this time, the emperors and ministers of the Ming Dynasty, who lacked financial knowledge, looked at what they could see in front of them, smiling and being satisfied.

The household registration and land system are the foundation and the cornerstone of the dynasty. Once this is solved, other policies will not be significant in comparison.When Zhu Yuanzhang announced it again, it would be easier.

Zhu Yuanzhang stayed in Xiangshan County for another ten days. During these ten days, he himself traveled all over Xiangshan County, and also summoned He Zhen, and reappointed He Zhen as the chief envoy of Zhejiang.

Panyu County, which is next door to Xiangshan County, was also noticed by Zhu Yuanzhang because of its close proximity. He also promoted Daotong's official position and appointed him as Shanxi Right Chief Envoy, which was regarded as a leapfrog promotion.

Finally, Zhu Yuanzhang made Zhang Yifan a Marquis of Rongguo, received an extra salary, resigned from the post of magistrate of Xiangshan County, and returned to the capital with him.Fang Xiaoru took over as the magistrate of Xiangshan County. At the same time, Xiangshan County was maintained as a special zone and directly under the jurisdiction of the emperor.However, starting from next year, [-]% of the tax revenue will be handed over to the court, instead of just leaving it to the Xiangshan County government.

Although the prince-in-law came to Xiangshan County to be the county magistrate, from the beginning, all the people knew that the prince-in-law came to be the county magistrate, and the term was only for three years.

Now it is really confirmed that the son-in-law has resigned from the post of magistrate of Xiangshan County, and the people of Xiangshan County are all in tears.

According to later historical records, as soon as the news came out that the prince-in-law resigned as magistrate of Xiangshan County that day, the whole city wailed, as if he was mourning.

When the consort left Xiangshan County, people on both sides of the Pearl River knelt to see him off, and they continued to mourn all the way to the north of Guangzhou.

(End of this chapter)