I served as an admonisher in the Song Dynasty

Chapter 517: Labor shortage in Hehuang, tight treasury! Su Liang's method of raising money
The Liao ruler was ill, and the crown prince took power.

This incident was like a big rock thrown into a deep well, and no splash appeared as expected.

Yelu Hongji acted quickly.

The transfer of power was completed quickly and smoothly.

All Liao officials who were not in agreement with Yelu Hongji were either assassinated or placed under house arrest, and their end was extremely tragic.

Although the Jurchens in the north are fierce, they have not yet caused any substantial damage to the Liao Kingdom.

Although the people of Liao lived in poverty, its army was still powerful.

The Song Dynasty maintained superficial peace with the Liao Dynasty and sent a congratulatory letter to the Liao Dynasty on its succession to the throne.

And this moment.

Of the 22 states of Western Xia, 16 had already been conquered.

A large number of Xixia nobles fled to the Western Regions and the Liao Kingdom.

The Black Khans and Uighurs in the west had been bullied by the Western Xia and were now driving the Western Xia people out of their own territories.

The once arrogant Xixia people were like rats crossing the street, and everyone wanted to kill them.

……

June 20th, afternoon.

Su Liang was busy in the courtyard when an official walked over quickly.

"Zhongcheng, the emperor summons you to the Reform Office immediately."

Su Liang nodded, looking puzzled.

Since the beginning of last year, Su Liang and other key members of the Reform Bureau have rarely visited the bureau's yamen.

Because all the regulations for the reform of the entire Song Dynasty had been determined, there were officials in the Reform Office to handle daily affairs.

All they need to do is look at the monthly report.

Now, the government summoned him to the Reform Office, obviously because of the reform throughout the Song Dynasty.

……

About a quarter of an hour later.

Fu Bi, Wang Yaochen, Zeng Gongliang, Liang Shi, Su Liang, Wang Anshi and others all gathered in the meeting room of the Reform Office.

Lean slightly.

A eunuch handed over a document and asked everyone to circulate it around to read it in turn.

Not long after.

The document was passed to Su Liang.

This document came from Sima Guang, who was currently carrying out stability maintenance and reform in the Hehuang region.

Sima Guang said: In just over a month, the cotton in the Hehuang area will be harvested and a large number of cotton pickers and weavers will be needed.

The local cotton merchants offered 200 wen per person per day, and provided food and lodging, but they were unable to recruit anyone.

Hehuang is a vast area with few people, and some people survive in tribal collectives.

They are not willing to do this kind of thing at all, and they are not good at this kind of craft.

Sima Guang had no choice but to ask for help from the chief officials of Qinzhou and Weizhou, hoping that the people there could go to Hehuang to work.

He thought that with the high salary, there would be a constant stream of people coming.

Who would have thought that we couldn’t even recruit 10% of the missing number of people.

The main reason is——

The people of Song Dynasty outside the Hehuang area had a very bad impression of the Hehuang area. They believed that there were many Fan and Qiang people there, the order was chaotic, there were many looters, and it was easy to lose their lives because they could not communicate with the people there.

In addition, due to the reforms in the whole Song Dynasty, most of the people at that time could maintain food and clothing, and this kind of recruitment was mostly aimed at women, which led to the people's lack of interest.

Then, Sima Guang listed the many problems faced by the people of Hehuang.

Unwilling to be educated.

Don't like using new tools.

Don't like reading and learning words.

Unwilling to do anything other than planting and breeding.

Exclude merchants and all outsiders.

The pace of life is very slow.

Lazy and ignorant, xenophobic despite being very poor, and unwilling to learn.

……

Finally, Sima Guang also gave his own suggestions for solving this series of problems.

He said that there is currently a shortage of over one million people in Hehuang.

If one wanted to ensure the smooth operation of Hehuang as soon as possible, one had to either send a large number of soldiers to be stationed there permanently to reclaim wasteland, build roads, and improve basic measures; or one million people had to be forced to relocate and move to Hehuang.

Both of these reasons have obvious flaws.

The former is too costly; the latter is unfair to the people and may easily cause civil unrest.

After everyone finished reading the document, Zhao Zhen walked out from behind.

"My Lords, at present, Hehuang is also the land of our Great Song, and the people of Hehuang are also the people of our Great Song. We cannot let it fall too far behind, and it also needs reform."

"How do you think we can solve the shortage of people in Hehuang and the various problems raised by Junshi?"

Suddenly, Su Liang and others began to think seriously.

……

Lean slightly.

Fu Bi was the first to speak: "The people are unwilling to go to Hehuang because it is bitterly cold and lacks order. I suggest that a large number of soldiers be sent there first to open up wasteland and build roads. Once the basic measures are completed, people will naturally go to live in Hehuang."

On the side, Zeng Gongliang shook his head.

"Prime Minister Fu, this move cannot cure the root cause and is too costly."

"If we want to transform the Hehuang area, it will take at least five years and at most ten years. If the soldiers are stationed in such a place, how will their families be settled? If they leave, I am afraid that Hehuang will still be in chaos. Soldiers can open up wasteland and build roads, but the development of people's livelihood can only rely on the people. I suggest selecting some people from poor areas and forcibly relocating them collectively, such as the people in Hedong, Caizhou, Shouzhou, and Guangzhou."

Liang Shi, who was sitting opposite Su Liang, said, "This is not a good move! People have always been attached to their land. If you ask them to move to a new place, or even change their customs, they probably won't want to do so. And some people will definitely come back secretly, which could easily lead to civil unrest."

……

Just when everyone was discussing heatedly.

Wang Anshi suddenly raised his voice and said, "I think it will work as long as we promise the people great benefits. Hehuang has a lot of land resources, and commerce has not yet flourished. The court will first exempt taxes for three years, and then distribute land and money. When they persist in Hehuang for five years and make more money than they do now, a large number of people will definitely be willing to go to Hehuang."

At this time, Zeng Gongliang asked in return: "What if they all come back five years later?"

Wang Anshi puffed out his chest.

"If five years later, Hehuang still needs the court to pay to keep its people, it will be our fault."

"Five years later, Hehuang will definitely be transformed. The people there will not only be prosperous, but also live happily and freely. With less taxes, more land and more subsidies, they will definitely not come back."

"Five years is enough to change a person's lifestyle. As long as they are willing to spend money and can live a good life in Hehuang and reunite with their families, most people will definitely not want to return. This can serve as an incentive for the court to the first batch of people going to Hehuang."

"In addition, the development of people's livelihood in the Hehuang region must involve the Han people. It is impossible to rely on the Fan and Qiang people to set up commerce, markets, and schools."

……

After Wang Anshi finished speaking, Su Liang nodded and stood up.

"Sir, I think Jiefu's idea is feasible. Most people are also looking for benefits. As long as we provide enough good policies to benefit the people, we will definitely be able to solve this problem."

"In addition, after we occupy Western Xia and destroy the Liao Kingdom in the future, we can do the same, promise great benefits, and let our Han people integrate into it and spread all over the world. Only in this way can commerce, industry, farming, schools, etc. be full of vitality, and these places can be completely sinicized and become our land forever..." Zhao Zhen looked at Fu Bi and Zeng Gongliang not far away.

They both nodded.

To develop Hehuang, it is better to use the people than to use soldiers, and it is better to allow the people to be used more readily than to force them to be used.

"I think this idea is feasible."

At this time, Wang Yaochen, the Third Secretary, frowned and spoke.

"Sir, this is a good idea, but... but I'm afraid there isn't enough money left in the treasury!"

"Dredging the Hehuang River trade costs money, and the military expenses for attacking Xixia are even more huge. In addition, there is a sum of money and grain in the treasury prepared for the recovery of Yanyun, which cannot be touched. It is difficult for the treasury to support the millions of people with huge profits!"

"In addition, once we destroy Western Xia, we need to restore agriculture and commerce there, reward the soldiers, and resettle the people there. All of these things cost money. If, as Jingming said, we use this method to promote the circulation of Han people after destroying the Liao Kingdom, the national treasury will not be able to afford it!" Wang Yaochen said truthfully.

Wang Yaochen's words immediately extinguished the anger that had just risen in everyone's hearts.

I finally came up with a good idea, but I can't do it.

It makes people despair.

At the moment, the Song Dynasty is taking big steps.

Although the treasury revenue is increasing, it cannot resist spending money like this.

As for the military expenditure for destroying Liao, it is absolutely impossible to use it at the moment.

Wang Yaochen saw that Zhao Zhen and the other officials all lowered their heads, and said, "How about we try to get some copper coins or certificates, or increase taxes?"

Zhao Zhen smiled helplessly and shook his head.

In the past, the best ways for the imperial court to make quick money were to print more currency or short certificates, or to increase taxes.

"These actions are too harmful to the people. How can we harm the people in such a prosperous era?" Zhao Zhen immediately told Wang Yaochen to stop thinking about this. He would never use such a short-sighted and harmful strategy again.

immediately.

Everyone started discussing again, wondering if there was any idea of ​​replacing the "Han people entering Hehuang" or making a fortune.

Unfortunately, after an hour of discussion, nothing was achieved.

Finally, Zhao Zhen ordered everyone to think about it carefully and planned to discuss it again tomorrow afternoon.

this moment.

An idea suddenly came to Su Liang's mind, but before it could take shape, he did not speak.

……

into the night.

In a private room on the second floor of a tavern.

Su Liang and Cao Yi, the uncle of Cao Guo, sat opposite each other. There were four side dishes and two jugs of fine wine on the table.

immediately.

Su Liang informed Cao Yi of the matter discussed today. This is not a secret and can be told.

Moreover, Su Liang wanted Cao Yi to make decisions for him, so he told him everything.

"The court is short of money?" Cao Yi was a little surprised.

Over the years, the commercial taxes the court collected from him alone were an unspeakable amount.

Su Liang smiled and said, "We earn a lot of money, but we spend even more! We have been fighting with Xixia for the past two years, and we have also been pacifying Hehuang. The money in the treasury is really not enough."

"I have an idea to replenish the national treasury. Do you think it will work?"

“I want the court to borrow money from the people and call it national debt.”

"To be precise, it is to borrow money that the rich people don't need. There is no coercion, no official power to oppress people, and it can be divided into three-year, five-year, and ten-year periods. The interest rate can be set according to the market, and some unique treatment will be provided to those who borrow money from the court, such as reducing business taxes. What do you think? Are the rich businessmen willing to lend?"

When it comes to understanding the minds of wealthy businessmen in Bianliang City, Cao Yi is definitely the best.

Cao Yi thought about it.

"I definitely agree, and most merchants in Bianjing would agree as well, but it's hard to say for merchants in Jiangnan."

Jiangnan businessman.

That is, the merchants in the area of ​​Suzhou, Hangzhou, Mingzhou and Taizhou, with Hangzhou as the center.

These Jiangnan merchants were the most adept at doing business in the Song Dynasty.

In recent years, thanks to the benefits of the Song Dynasty's reforms, everyone has made a lot of money and is very rich.

Cao Yi may be better than one or two of them, but he still cannot compare with all the wealthy businessmen in Jiangnan combined.

Merchants in the south of the Yangtze River have always disliked dealing with the imperial court and are very united.

Su Liang nodded slightly.

"Indeed. But this time the court must borrow money with their participation, otherwise this strategy will fail."

The imperial court has always adopted a conciliatory policy towards these merchants who have not violated the laws of the Song Dynasty.

If we borrow money this time, we will naturally follow market rules, rather than relying on the power of the court to exert pressure.

Otherwise, it will cause great damage to the business environment of the Song Dynasty.

Su Liang thought for a moment and said, "If the Jiangnan merchants are not interested, I think I can try to have a chat with them, report to the government tomorrow, and then see what happens!"

Uncle Cao Yi nodded.

……

The next day, afternoon.

Zhao Zhen, Su Liang and other officials gathered again in the meeting hall of the Reform Office.

When everyone was at a loss, Su Liang expressed his thoughts.

"Your Majesty, I think Jiefu's proposal yesterday to 'promise great benefits to the Han people and order them to relocate' is a good strategy, and it is also the best way to integrate with the people of Xixia and Liao in the future. As for the lack of money in the national treasury, I suggest that we borrow money from the private sector!"

"What? Borrowing from private individuals?" Zhao Zhen looked puzzled.

"I call this issuing national debt. After the three departments have calculated the money gap, they can lend money to wealthy private merchants and promise to pay interest for five, ten, or fifteen years, and repay on time. The people who buy the imperial bonds will be granted some commercial privileges and exempted from some commercial taxes."

"In about five years, we will be able to develop Hehuang. By then, the extra money earned from taxes and trade will be enough for us to pay back the principal and interest, and there will be a surplus. The three departments need to calculate the specific amount first."

"This move is to use the people's money to handle the affairs of the court first, and give interest. It will benefit the country, the people, and the merchants. In the future, when the treasury is insufficient, this method can also be used. What we rely on is the credibility of the government and the stability of the Song Dynasty."

"Although I don't know how many wealthy businessmen will cooperate, I think this strategy is worth a try. Once the national treasury has sufficient money and grain, and the problems of Hehuang and Xixia after the war are solved, we will be able to go to war with the Liao Kingdom with more momentum and more advantages!"

……

After Su Liang finished speaking, Zhao Zhen and others were a little confused.

But I soon understood.

In many dynasties, the imperial court had lent money to wealthy merchants in the private sector, but most of the time it was forced, and the merchants would die if they refused to pay.

But Su Liang wanted to treat this as a business activity, a negotiable transaction.

At present, the court still has a strong reputation among the people.

Wang Anshi liked this kind of unique strategy the most.

He said excitedly: "This strategy is very good, this strategy is very good, it is a win-win for all parties, we can give it a try, we can give it a try!"

"If the emperor and you gentlemen can accept it, I am willing to take the lead in this matter and raise money for the court!" Su Liang stood up and bowed heavily.

Zhao Zhen looked at the four veteran ministers: Fu Bi, Zeng Gongliang, Liang Shi, and Wang Yaochen.

After the four of them nodded, Zhao Zhen slowly said, "We can give it a try."

(End of this chapter)