Jingnan Strategy

Chapter 462 Alone
"Xili..."

During the twelfth lunar month of winter, people in the north rest at home and endure the cold winter.

A certain town in Datong, Shanxi Province, is filled with workers wearing thin clothes and covered in black.

At the entrance of the mine under the mountain, miners were constantly going in and out. Some of them carried water, some pushed carts, and some came out to rest after their shift. Although they were dirty, the smiles on their faces did not diminish.

They are Daming miners at the Guanying Coal Mine in Shanxi Province, and their daily job is mining.

However, unlike usual days, all the miners in this mining area were called out of the mines today, and carriages drove into the mining area.

"Zhang Zhubo, this is the Datong Coal Mine. There are nearly three thousand miners working here. The market town we just passed to the south is where their relatives live."

As a young man stepped off the carriage, the manager of the mine hurriedly greeted him and introduced everything about Datong Coal Mine to the young man.

Regarding everything he introduced, the young man nodded to show his understanding, and at the same time said:

"This time the imperial court has sent twenty academicians. They will be responsible for instructing your people to install the water pump."

Seeing that public opinion was turning towards him, Zhang Chengshan continued:
"The reason why the court wants to use a water pump is to prevent you from soaking your feet in the water to mine. In addition, with the water pump, the price of coal will become cheaper and cheaper."

"These pumps have been tried in the Fangshan mining area and the results are very good."

The moment they turned on the water pump, the water outlet, which was covered with coarse cloth and tied with iron wire, immediately began pumping water into the mine.

Faced with their concerns, Zhang Chengshan stepped forward and asked people to shut down the water pump, and then said to the people around him:
"The mining area will not lay off any worker who does not violate discipline. The water pump is to allow you to work in a more comfortable environment. You don't want to be soaked in water all day, right?"

"Come and learn from ten people who have gone to elementary school."

"Yes, as long as the court doesn't want us, mining and pumping water are not the same thing."

Then, his hands were seen pulling a few operating levers on the machine, and soon the thing he called the water pump made a "buzzing" sound.

For a time, the miners' chatter even obscured the sound of the pump's operation.

"Working in a government-run mine is 130 cash per day, while a private-run mine only costs 70 cash. Of course, the government-run mine is more comfortable."

A man in his thirties spoke. Seeing this, several miners took action and moved baskets of coal to the big machine outside the mine.

"really……"

"If we can't pump water, then let's dig mines. What are we afraid of?"

This sudden sound startled the miners around, but in a mood to watch the excitement, the miners around were frightened and instead of moving away, they got closer and closer.

During the Taixue's teachings, the boiler of the water pump was turned on, and he shoveled the coal into it. After a while, it was ignited and started burning.

"in addition……"

Under their command, a long hollow pole was connected into the mine, and then they used components to connect it to a small machine three feet long and wide.

"With this pumping device, we don't have to dig with our legs submerged in water."

"Yes, now my family can eat meat every day, which I couldn't imagine before."

In just a few breaths, the water in the mine was sent to the pump outside through the water pump, and finally the water in the mine was pumped out of the mine.

"The water is being pumped out!"

"It's really exciting!"

The miners helped lift it off the carriage, and then they saw some very fair-looking young men wearing black linen clothes starting to direct the miners to move the machine.

Zhang Chengshan's voice spread, although only a few hundred people heard it, but humans are creatures that can spread the word, and soon the discussion below turned to Zhang Chengshan.

"No, something is pumping water, so what do we do?"

A steward next to the chief saw him walking away and asked in a low voice: "This man is just a boss. Why do you respect him so much?"

"At that time, not only us, but also the people of Datong Prefecture and even the entire Shanxi will be able to use cheap coal."

Not long after, under the witness of all the workers, steel objects nearly six feet long and wide were lifted off the carriage, weighing nearly a thousand kilograms.

"There's a lot of water. In just a short time, it's more water than I can transport in an hour!"

Soon, a long, fairly tough black hollow pipe was connected to the bottom of the mine, and was directed to be fixed at the other end of the small machine.

"Yes, you won't want us anymore, right..."

"Look, this is how the water pump works..."

"Seventy cents is still the current price. Before there was no government operation, private mining areas only paid thirty cents a day."

Zhang Chengshan explained to his supervisor and walked towards the mining area at the same time.

"If these water pumps can work the same way in Datong, then the people of Datong won't have to worry about firewood."

There was another call, and soon ten miners aged 18 or 19 came out.

Although he was a high-ranking bachelor, he did not show any disgust when facing the mine. Instead, he easily led the miners deep into the mine and started the pump inside to help pump out water.

"Keep your voice down. This guy is a boss from Bohai. He is different from bosses in other places." The boss quickly asked the boss to silence, and then followed Zhang Chengshan's footsteps with a smile on his face.

"Okay, now come with me and turn on the pump inside!"

"Get some coal!"

"Everyone should know that the wages paid in the government-run mining areas are the highest. Since the imperial court took over the government-run mining areas, ask yourselves, are life better than before, or have it become worse?"

"Although there is no more water pumping work now, there is always mining work. If we can't pump water, we can still mine."

Zhang Chengshan kept talking, and the mood of the miners gradually stabilized.

Seeing that the miners were stable, Wu, the manager of the mining area, quickly started to ask people to install the water pump.

This time Zhang Chengshan brought twenty pumps, which can operate twenty mines.

Although it is not worth mentioning for the hundreds of mines in the Datong mining area, with the continuous production and installation of water pumps, sooner or later the Datong area will be able to use water pumps in every mine.

Things similar to the Datong mining area also happened in Fangshan, Xinzhou and other mining areas in Shanxi and Beizhili. This situation was also reported by local bosses such as Zhang Chengshan, and was finally summarized and handed over to Zhu Gaoxu's desk.

"Well, after the deployment of water pumps, coal mining volume has increased significantly, and coal prices have also dropped significantly in several places where water pumps have been promoted."

In Wuying Palace, Zhu Gaoxu commented with great interest on the impact of pumping machines entering the mining area.

Seeing him like this, Zhu Di, who was sitting in the main seat, also stroked his beard and felt a little proud.

In contrast to the father and son, Xia Yuanji, Guo Zi, and Huang Fu, who were standing in the hall, looked at each other. Finally, Xia Yuanji stood up and poured cold water on the father and son.

"Your Highness, although the price of coal in Fangshan and Datong has indeed dropped, the people of Shanxi do not have the money to buy coal."

"If the people cannot become rich, it will be useless no matter how cheap the coal price is."

Xia Yuanji's cold water failed to extinguish Zhu Gaoxu's enthusiasm. On the contrary, facing Xia Yuanji's reminder, Zhu Gaoxu also nodded and acknowledged:

"You are right, so the next thing the court will do is to build the Northwest Railway."

Zhu Gaoxu set his sights on Huang Fu. Upon hearing this, Huang Fu could only bow with a bitter face:

"Your Highness, this is the design drawing of the Northwest Railway. Please read it."

Huang Fu took out a map from his sleeve and spread it out. Wang Yan stepped forward to take it and put it on Zhu Di's desk.

Soon, a railway appeared in front of Zhu Di and Zhu Gaoxu.

The Northwest Railway starts from Beijing in the east and ends at Hami City in the west, with a total length of 5,600 miles. It is expected to take fifteen years to build, with an estimated cost of 30 million rails, four tracks, and an annual expenditure of 2 million rails.

The Northwest Railway starts from the east of Beijing and passes through Xuanfu, Datong, Taiyuan, Fenzhou, Pingyang, Xi'an, Fengxiang, Gongchang, Lintao, Lanzhou, Liangzhou, Ganzhou and Suzhou. , Shazhou Prefecture, Hami Prefecture.

The railway passes through 267 states and counties, affecting more than five million people living along the border.

Although he affected a small population, he had a great influence on Ming Dynasty.

With this railway, whether it is a major earthquake in Shaanxi or a severe drought in the northwest in the future, the Ming court can use the Beijing-Beijing Railway to transfer materials from the south and transport the materials to the local area within a month at most. possible solution to local disasters.

As long as they have a mouth to eat, the people in the northwest will naturally not choose to rebel.

"Your Highness, the construction of three railways at the same time is not in line with the court's expectations."

Seeing that Zhu Gaoxu wanted to build three railways at the same time, Xia Yuanji still expressed his opposition despite the fact that he was the Minister of Civil Affairs.

It is true that the Ming Dynasty's finances have greatly improved compared to before. The annual income has even reached 42 million yuan, and it is still increasing...

But the problem is that as annual income increases, so do expenses.

"Your Highness, after the new policy of the imperial court is fully implemented, the imperial court has 700,000 troops, 220,000 soldiers and horses in prefectures and counties, 170,000 government officials, more than 54,000 civil and military officials, more than 420,000 officials, and four teaching and training personnel. More than 150,000."

"The administrative costs alone are as high as more than 48,000 yuan, and the annual balance is only one million yuan."

"In addition, the annual investment in the maintenance of the Yellow River, canals and waterways in various places is one million guan, and the supply of internal funds is another 2 million guan. Now three railways are being built at the same time, at least 5 million guan every year. The output of factories in various places has increased. It’s two million strings”

"Calculated in this way, the imperial court has an annual expenditure of more than 9 million yuan. Even if there are gold, silver and copper ingots accumulated by the fleet, it can only support it for three years."

"Therefore, I ask Your Highness to think twice..."

Xia Yuanji bowed and sang, and even Zhu Di couldn't help but feel that Ming Dynasty's current administrative expenses were too high.

But for Zhu Gaoxu, it can be said that the Ming Dynasty's current finances were completely inseparable from the existing administrative system.

He was also very clear about the financial situation, so in the face of Xia Yuanji's dissuasion, Zhu Gaoxu continued:

"Dongzhou gold and silver can fill the hole of four million, so the annual debt will only be five million."

"With the current situation of the imperial court, it can be fully supported until the end of the production increase in four years. Land taxes will continue to rise during this period, so there is no need to worry."

"Besides, I already have an idea about money and food, and that is to open a bank!"

Zhu Gaoxu suddenly proposed a new word. Faced with this new word, before Xia Yuanji and others had time to ask, Zhu Gaoxu took the initiative to explain the role of a bank.

People deposit money into it and then use the passbook to withdraw money across the country. At the same time, banks can issue various types of bonds, such as railway bonds and construction bonds.

These bonds have a certain interest. For those who have money and no place to invest, although the interest on the bonds is not high, it is better than being stable and guaranteed by the state.

In addition, the various functions of banks were also explained one by one by Zhu Gaoxu, many of which were not unfamiliar to Xia Yuanji and others. Although private institutions such as banks and money shops had not yet appeared during this period, some large businessmen had already begun to use their personal reputation to exchange money and save money.

What Zhu Gaoxu has to do now is to get interviews from banks in advance. Once there is a bank, once people's money starts to be deposited in the bank, then Ming Dynasty will not have to worry about construction.

After Zhu Gaoxu has studied the economic market of the Ming Dynasty for so many years, the total amount of money in the market is about two billion guan.

As long as one in ten people deposits money in banks, the problems of railways and infrastructure will be easily solved.

At the same time, the release of bonds will also prepare for the release of banknotes in the future.

"If a bank is established, wouldn't the common people be able to exchange their treasure banknotes for gold, silver and copper coins?"

Xia Yuanji immediately grasped the key point. You must know that there are still more than 40 million yuan of treasure banknotes circulating in the Ming Dynasty market.

If the people exchanged 40 million Guanbao banknotes, although the bank would not be bankrupted, the imperial court would definitely fall into a bankruptcy crisis.

Lao Zhu left enough money and food to the next generation, but he also left enough debt.

The treasure note was supposed to be an emergency item to deal with the money shortage, but in the end it became a means of harvesting the people.

If Zhu Yuanzhang hadn't stepped back from the brink and recycled part of it in time under Zhu Gaoxu's suggestion, and Zhu Gaoxu also focused on recycling treasure banknotes, the price of treasure banknotes would definitely not have remained at the current level.

Nowadays, the traditional treasure banknotes on the market can be exchanged for 900 copper coins. It can be seen that the treasure banknotes have returned to their monetary value. After all, the treasure banknotes can be used to pay taxes and government transactions.

Under such circumstances, the amount of treasure banknotes recycled each year is only one million, which shows that it is unlikely that ordinary people will exchange all the treasure banknotes for gold and silver in one go.

This era has its benefits. News spreads too slowly and local information is blocked. This is the benefit of this era.

Some big business gangs want to incite people to defraud the bank, but the price they need to pay is much higher than defrauding the bank.

Zhu Gaoxu's several heavy attacks on officials have recovered more than half of the treasure banknotes issued during the Hongwu period. Now the remaining 40 million yuan of treasure banknotes are basically in the hands of small businessmen and ordinary people.

Apart from the imperial court, Zhu Gaoxu didn't think there were other forces that could incite them.

"Don't worry about the treasure banknotes. As long as the people exchange banknotes for no more than 20 million guan, they can accept it."

"Once the people build trust in the bank, the court can immediately issue construction bonds with an annual interest of 5%. No matter how many they can sell, as long as the court pays the principal and interest as scheduled, trust in the bonds can be cultivated."

"If things go on like this, when the imperial court encounters some financial crises, it will also be able to use bonds to tide over the difficulties."

Zhu Gaoxu also knows little about finance and economics, and he is crossing the river by feeling the stones.

But even if he encounters problems, he can rely on overseas gold and silver mines to get through it. It will just be a difficult few years.

Zhu Gaoxu knew very well about the overseas gold and silver mines that even if the Ming Dynasty dug with such intensity for three hundred years, it would be impossible to hollow them out.

Xia Yuanji's worries were based on the instability of overseas gold and silver output, but Zhu Gaoxu knew very well that these gold and silver mines were even more stable than the national destiny of the Ming Dynasty, so there was no need to worry.

"We will take the lead in building the Ming Dynasty Bank in 1,746 counties across the country, and at the same time prohibit any private businessmen from imitating the bank."

"At this time next year, I will see banks rising from the ground in 1,746 counties, and I will hand over the design drawings to the Ministry of Industry."

Zhu Gaoxu gave orders to Guo Zi and Huang Fu. Seeing this, the two had no choice but to comply.

Although Xia Yuanji objected, his arms could not twist his thighs, and he could only find ways to deal with problems that would arise in the bank in the future.

"You guys should step back first."

"The minister will leave..."

Zhu Di opened his mouth and motioned for the three of them to retreat. Upon seeing this, the three of them also retreated.

Not long after, as they left completely, Zhu Di looked at Zhu Gaoxu:

"This family will be taken care of, I can rest assured."

"It is now the seventeenth year of Yongle. I said before that I would let you take the throne at the end of the year. What do you mean now?"

In the past few months, Zhu Di had not suggested that Zhu Gaoxu should ascend the throne, but Zhu Gaoxu always refused, which made him very confused.

Why has the throne that the world coveted become such a hot potato for Zhu Gaoxu?
"Zhan He hasn't mastered it yet. If you want to abdicate, I will have to handle the memorial alone."

Zhu Gaoxu used an excuse that was not an excuse. After hearing this, Zhu Di shook his head and said, "Wouldn't it be better for you to form a palace bachelor yourself?"

"My son, I have also considered it, but the time is not yet ripe." Zhu Gaoxu was still prevaricating.

Everyone is nostalgic for the past, and Zhu Gaoxu is no exception.

When he was young, Zhu Gaojiu thought that he would ascend the throne if Zhu Di abdicated. However, at this age, Zhu Gaojiu felt that the throne was not that important. He did not want to be famous for forcing Zhu Di to abdicate.

"I know what you are thinking. I can understand that you don't want to take the throne now, but after the Daming Palace is built, you will have to take the throne even if you don't."

Zhu Di gave people a non-negotiable tone, and Zhu Gaoxu could only bow after hearing this:
"If the Daming Palace is built well, my sons and ministers will not give in."

"Well, you should go back to Chunhe Palace first. The boss and the third boss and I will go to Daming Palace later."

Seeing that Zhu Gaoxu refused to give in, Zhu Di took a breath and signaled Zhu Gaoxu to leave Wuying Hall.

"My son, please retire."

After Zuo Yi left Wuying Hall, Zhu Gaoxu also got on the Buyu and headed back to Chunhe Hall.

Looking at his retreating figure, Zhu Di said to Wang Yan beside him: "Do you think this throne is so hot? Is the second child so unwilling to sit on it?"

After hearing this, Wang Yan bowed and chuckled: "I feel that His Highness is not unwilling to sit down, but he just does not want to admit that Your Majesty should abdicate."

Wang Yan's words made Zhu Di stunned. He didn't expect Zhu Gaoxu to be worried about this.

Just thinking about it carefully, it seems that after my sister Xu left, the second child began to change a lot, and he paid special attention to his own opinions.

When faced with his own opinions, he used to suggest a postponement, but now he basically does it as soon as he mentions it.

Thinking of this, Zhu Di couldn't help but feel warm in his heart, and then he thought of Zhu Gaochi and Zhu Gaosui.

Regarding the Daming Palace, the boss, who picks out the bricks and seams, often says that it costs too much.

He said that he would continue the Northern Expedition in a few years, but the boss immediately knelt down and cried, as if he would die on the Northern Expedition.

As for the third child, he couldn't hold in a loud fart for a long time, and if he did, it would be a smelly fart.

Compared to the second oldest, these two brothers are nothing short of insects.

"The second child is like me. I am filial, so the second child will naturally be filial as well."

Zhu Di stroked his beard. Faced with the praise from others, he always wanted to get involved in it.

Wang Yan didn't expose it when he saw it, he just chuckled.

Seeing this, Zhu Di also stood up and told Wang Yan: "Ask the boss and the third child to wait for me at Xizhimen!"

"My slave, please take your orders." Wang Yan bowed in agreement, and then sent someone to make arrangements.

However, when they were preparing to leave the palace, Zhu Gaoxu returned to his Chunhe Palace, dealing with memorials and thinking about his accession to the throne.

The old man is about to be fifty-seven, and he is about to be thirty-seven.

Calculating the time, if the historical situation is followed, the old man can live for up to seven years before leaving.

"Seven years..."

Thinking of this time, Zhu Gaoxu felt a little uncomfortable.

If the old man is really going to leave in seven years, why do I need to "force" him to abdicate early?

If the old man really left...

For a moment, Zhu Gaoxu couldn't help but think of the scene where Queen Xu left.

As he got older, he felt more and more alone.

Zhu Di, Guo Yan, and several sons were his few concerns in this world.

Once, he could ruthlessly assume that Guo Yan was hindering him, so he deposed Guo Yan.

But as he grew older, Guo Yan almost became his forbidden love. Whenever others said something about her, he would feel uncomfortable.

Guo Yan is like this, let alone the old man.

"Your Highness is still thinking about His Majesty's abdication?"

Yi Shiha saw the reason for Zhu Gaoxu's depression and asked carefully.

Zhu Gaoxu responded, and upon seeing this, Yi Shiha said: "This is because His Majesty wants to abdicate. Even if you don't want to, you can't stop it."

"Besides, His Majesty's heart is in Mobei. Rather than leaving him in the palace, you might as well help His Majesty solve the matter in Mobei."

As Yi Shiha spoke, he couldn't help but feel distressed for Zhu Gaoxu, and said with a sore nose:

"After returning from the last hunting trip, Your Highness, do you know what the brothers below said?"

Zhu Gaoxu paused with the ink pen in his hand and slowly raised his head to look at Yi Shiha.

Yi Shiha lamented: "Brothers all say that His Highness has been the Crown Prince these years, and what His Highness has done these years has been beneficial to the world and good deeds, but..."

He paused, and then continued: "For brothers, only the high-spirited His Highness from Bohai is the His Highness we want in our hearts."

"You have been trapped in the palace for many years, and you have never had the slightest thought of going back to the past?"

"If you have it, then why not your Majesty?"

"In the final analysis, Your Majesty and Your Highness were both guarding the border for the imperial court, and neither of them wanted to be trapped in the palace..."

"I know, no need to say anything."

Zhu Gaoxu interrupted Yi Shiha and looked at the pile of memorials on his desk with a complicated expression.

After a long silence, his voice sounded again in Chunhe Hall.

"If you ask again next time, I will agree..."

(End of this chapter)