I started with the Shinsengumi in Bakumatsu

Chapter 140 Three policies, clever noble lady
After more than a month of hard work by the cabinet, Yagyu finally established the framework of the Meiji government. Officials from 43 prefectures and five municipalities arrived in their jurisdictions with orders from the cabinet.

The samurai who passed the martial arts examinations all became police officers in local police stations and worked with peace of mind.

After half a month of operation, the local government is already in operation, registering the population again, measuring the land, and comparing it with the previously returned version.

Several earls and viscounts who had concealed their land were arrested by the police, and their titles were revoked by the cabinet and became commoners.

This time no one came out to oppose the cabinet move.

Shimazu Hisamitsu, Iwakura Tomoshi and others also understand that the authority of the cabinet has been established in the country, and no one can resist the cabinet.

As for the interior of the cabinet, Yagyu took out multiple plans to discuss with the ministers.

"Now we have established a system to establish the authority of the cabinet across the country, but this is not enough. If we want to become an advanced and civilized country, we have only done a little bit of foundation.

If we want to become a country like England and France, we must have strong military force, a developed economy, and advanced education.

Therefore, the cabinet will start from these three aspects. Today’s Fifth Guards Division and the Pioneer Corps have a total standing force of 8000. This is not enough. Next, our army will expand to 12 for the Army, [-] for the Navy, and [-] for the Navy. The number of ships should be increased to more than [-].

It is urgent to expand the army. Shannan, you need to complete it within this year. As for the number of people and ships in the navy, it still needs to be cultivated, so first set up a five-year plan. Mr. Sheng, Ryoma, you must be responsible for the construction of the navy. "

Shannan Keisuke has been moved from the Minister of the Navy to the Minister of the War, Sakamoto Ryoma has been promoted to the Minister of the Navy, and Katsu Kaishu is still the Minister of Defense, but in charge of the Navy.

As for the former Minister of War, Hijikata Shisan moved to the position of Commander-in-Chief of the Northern Army and Governor of Alaska Development.

"For military weapons, Lord Tokugawa will negotiate with the Prussian ambassador. We need at least 15 of the latest Dreiser needle guns and corresponding Krupp artillery.

In addition, Lord Tokugawa can also bid to buy production lines from Prussia, or let the other party come to Japan to build a military factory.

The most important thing is to ask the European aristocrats if they have any princesses of the right age, and say that His Majesty hopes to marry with an advanced and civilized country to promote the development of domestic civilization. "

Tokugawa Yingxi felt the heavy responsibility on his shoulders, especially choosing a queen for the emperor.

The current constitution stipulates that even the emperor is monogamous. Although this goes against Japanese tradition, Yagyu forcibly pushed forward this law in order to be in line with international standards.

Therefore, for Tokugawa Keiki, the pressure to select a queen for the emperor was heavier than arms negotiations.

He said with a solemn expression: "Your Majesty Prime Minister, this task is a bit difficult. What are the specific requirements?"

"As long as you are healthy and have a dignified appearance." Yagyu put forward two conditions.

Tokugawa Qingxi breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Okay, I'll do my best."

Yagyu nodded, picked up another document and said: "Speaking of the economy, the price instability in the past few years was due to the shogunate's use of gold and silver, and foreign countries resold our country's gold and silver for profit, resulting in the outflow of gold and silver. In order to prevent this, the shogunate, It created a bad currency and made prices rise.”

Hearing Yagyu's evaluation of the shogunate's currency, Tokugawa Keki felt the same way and said: "Yes, the shogunate's original intention was to prevent the outflow of gold and silver, but they did not expect that prices would rise and make people's lives difficult."

Matsudaira Yongho immediately asked: "Do we have a solution?"

Yagyu looked at Shibusawa Eiichi and gestured.

Shibusawa Eiichi said immediately: "Of course there is a way. I have consulted a lot of information on Western countries and done some research on economics. The currencies of Western countries are mainly paper money. This not only facilitates transactions, but also does not worry about paper money. outflow."

Tokugawa Qingxi asked doubtfully: "How can I trade a piece of paper?"

Shibusawa Eiichi immediately explained: "This involves the essence of currency. Currency is given value. The banknotes of Western countries are based on national credit and are linked to gold and silver, so they have value.

In other words, if the country declares that one pound can be exchanged for one or two gold, then this pound will definitely be exchanged for one or two gold. "

Yagyu took over and said: "The solution is for the government to establish a national central bank and issue banknotes. One tael of gold is [-] yen. As much gold as the central bank has, it will first issue as many banknotes as gold and silver cannot be on the market in the future. Circulation, but can be exchanged at the central bank.

In addition, considering that most people have copper coins in their hands, they can also be recycled and exchanged for new copper coins, yen coins issued by the central bank.

The initial issuance of the Japanese yen is divided into four levels: yen, jiao, cents and cents.The denominations of yen are one hundred, fifty, twenty, ten, five, two, and one.The denominations of horns are five, two, and one.The denominations of cents are five, two, and one.The denominations of cents are five, two, and one.

As for coins, the maximum value is one yen, and as for jiao, cents, and cents, the denominations are the same as banknotes.

When banknotes are issued, the salaries of government officials will be paid in banknotes. No one can refuse to accept national banknotes, and violators will be punished. "

Kido Takayun immediately asked: "How much gold and silver does the country have to support such banknotes?"

Yagyu said straightforwardly: "Don't worry about gold and silver. A new gold mine has been discovered in Hokkaido, and three tons of gold have been excavated and sent to Kyoto. In addition, Sado Gold Mountain, which is directly under the shogunate, is also in the hands of the cabinet, and Hishikari in Sashu is also in the hands of the cabinet. A gold mountain was discovered in the township and is expected to contain more than 100 tons of gold."

"what!"

Okubo Toshimichi stood up in surprise.

If the Satsuma clan had discovered this golden mountain earlier, maybe the result would have been different!

Yagyu didn't care. He continued: "So, you don't have to worry about the gold reserves of the National Bank. We just need to make counterfeit-proof banknotes as soon as possible. Shibusawa, I will leave the matter of the National Bank to you."

Shibusawa Eiichi said excitedly: "I understand! Now we will also use banknotes to trade with Western countries, so that we will not suffer too much loss, and we can stabilize domestic prices as soon as possible!"

Tokugawa Qingxi's expression was a little strange, as if he didn't know whether to be angry or calm. He couldn't help but ask: "The Prime Minister has already thought about the bank matter, right? He actually couldn't bear to implement it until now."

Yagyu smiled and said: "There is no way. The establishment of the National Bank requires a strong central government to guarantee its credibility. In the past few years, the time was not ripe, and I did not want to take risks.

Of course, my bigger worry is that countries such as England and the United States will attack our bank plans and penetrate our economic lifeline, so I can only hold back. "

Kido Takayoshi agreed: "The Prime Minister's concerns are wise. Now Britain, the United States and other countries can no longer interfere in our affairs."

Yagyu clapped his hands and said: "Okay, then I will talk about the third thing, education. As the saying goes, it takes ten years to grow trees and one hundred years to cultivate people, and education is the top priority for national development.

I plan to set up public schools in the state and county to provide five years of free education for children, and there are also adult schools where students can learn at a very low cost and contribute to the country's literacy.

In addition to free education, after entering higher education, students have two paths, one is to go to a vocational school that provides jobs, and the other is to go to higher education, where poor students with good grades receive state subsidies and are later assigned jobs.

Another point is that girls can also go to school. Our large population is a major advantage. We must take advantage of it so that both men and women can study and serve the country together. "

Sakuma Shoyama said with a smile on his face: "Although I am old, I still have a lot of passion and I am willing to dedicate myself to the important issues of national education!"

After the meeting, Liu Sheng stood up and left the conference room and returned to the office to rest.

Ichimura Tetsunosuke asked: "Sir, are you going back tonight? You haven't left the cabinet for several months."

Yanagi Chang breathed a sigh of relief and said: "I've been really busy these days. I've been thinking about things. I'm really a little tired. Speaking of which, it's been a long time since I went to Flower Street to relax. Tetsunosuke, send someone to invite Mikami and the others to come to the mansion. I'll go back and rest." A few days.”

Ichimura Tetsunosuke immediately asked other attendants to go to Flower Street to invite Taifu Ayanami and Taifu Mikami.

Liu Sheng tidied up, and while it was still early, he left the palace and walked towards a main road.

As soon as he walked near a mansion, a figure rushed out from an alley next to him. Tetsunosuke Ichimura immediately drew his sword and shouted: "Who is it!"

The visitor looked up and apologized quickly: "I'm sorry, I didn't mean it."

But he was surrounded by attendants.

Liu Sheng took a look, raised his hand and said, "Okay, she is just a girl who ran away from home, don't make things difficult for her."

The girl was very surprised and asked: "You know so well that I am away from home...ah! You spilled the beans!"

Upon hearing this, Ichimura Tetsunosuke put away his sword and said, "What a girl."

The remaining attendants also moved out of the way.

The girl looked at Yagyu, and then said with some surprise: "Are you the Prime Minister Yagyu who said that men and women are equal?"

"it's me."

Yagyu replied briefly, but he immediately asked: "Since you want to run away from home, don't waste time."

The girl was calm and said with a naughty smile: "Don't worry, with the Prime Minister here, I will be confident. Prime Minister, I am a young lady from the Ichijo family. If I go to school, I will definitely become a Be a role model!”

The corner of Yagyu's mouth was slightly raised. The girl with a bright smile and a hint of cunning in front of him was Katsuko Ichijo. She was originally supposed to be the empress of Meiji, but because of his interference, Emperor Meiji wanted to marry a Western princess. This girl is still waiting for a child, and there will be one this year. Nineteen years old.

"You are very smart, Miss Ichijo." Yagyu confirmed Ichijo Katsuko's idea. He really needs a noble lady as a role model. "I agree to this condition. I can guarantee that you can enroll in school. There will be reporters to interview you. I hope You can be a role model for women across Japan.”

　The heroine appears and the little protagonist is nine years old!Cut off Hu Mingzhi’s queen, hahaha!
　　
　
(End of this chapter)