Traveling through the Ming Dynasty, as soon as you open your eyes, you will die

The entire major political policy has been set, and the operation of the entire court machine revolves around two things, one is to solve financial problems, and the other is to prepare for war.

But in fact, the problem of preparing for war is still a problem of money.

Now I have a loan of 5 million from the bank, which can support me until the end of the year. But what will the country rely on to function from the end of the year to June next year?

During this period, they had to prepare for Wu Sangui's war, which put great financial pressure.

How to do?
We have already thought of all the ways we should think of, but we must not donate more to the people of the world, as that will damage the credibility of the court.

To this end, Lu Mou summoned Prime Minister Wang, the Minister of Household Affairs, the President of the Central Bank of the Ming Dynasty, Sun Bin, the chief eunuch of the Sanbao Bureau, and Qian Tonghe, who knew best about financial management, in the Imperial Study Room, and held a small closed-door meeting.

When Qian Tonghe saw He Fugui, who was already exhausted and skinny, he first stood up and asked for instructions: "Your Majesty, the old minister came back a long time ago and was favored by the emperor to be admitted to the cabinet. But in fact, Lao Chen does not play a big role in the cabinet. Please return to the Ministry of Household Affairs. I would like to take a walk and help Mr. He with my many years of understanding of the Ministry of Household Affairs.”

"I understand what Old Ai Qing is thinking, but almost no one in the cabinet understands finance. As a result, when various departments submit memorials to the cabinet to apply for money and food issues, only the boss can check and review them, so you old man The position cannot be moved.”

Qian Tonghe looked at He Fugui with distress: "A young and strong young man is so tired now. If the emperor doesn't let him relax a little bit, you will destroy this future capable minister."

Lu Mou glanced at his younger brother: "I asked my younger brother to serve as the household manager, and that's why I asked him to do so. But it's a pity that cold hands can't hold hot buns. Brother, study hard and grow up quickly. "

Zhu Cizheng stood up: "You don't need to tell me, Brother Emperor, I am more anxious than Brother Emperor."

Then he faced Qian Tonghe directly: "Teacher, would you please move to your house tonight, get along with the teacher day and night, and listen to the teacher's teachings at any time?"

Qian Tonghe nodded happily: "This is what I want. I will definitely impart all my knowledge on finance to the prince."

Facing these three people who cared so much about him, He Fugui bit his lip tightly, fearing that he would cry because of being moved.

The current emperor doesn't like people crying in front of him to ask for favors. He likes people who are strong and can withstand all difficulties.

Lu Mou asked his younger brother to sit next to him, and then asked: "Brother, please tell me at this time, according to the current financial situation, can we have a stable New Year before the end of the year?"

For half a month, Zhu Cizheng spent almost every moment in the yamen of the Household Department, either looking through accounts or asking for advice from his subordinates. His growth was rapid.

When I asked him again this time, he was not in the same confused state as when the emperor asked him last time.

He frowned and reported to his emperor brother: "Master He borrowed five million silver dollars from the bank, and with Master He's careful deployment, there will be no problem in supporting it until the end of the year. But here, there is no problem." There is a gap, that is, the replenishment of various armies, as well as the money and food for Wu Sangui to prepare for the expedition, and there is an additional expense. My brother and the ministers have studied it and found that this extra expense has not been paid. For this reason, I beg the emperor to ask, except for Wu Sangui’s preparations for war, the replenishment of other armies should be temporarily suspended?”

He could only say such things that related to the fate of the army, but He Fugui did not dare to say them.

The reason is that his emperor made his fortune through the army. The army was something he valued so much that it was almost a taboo for him. It cannot be weakened.

Also, after several wars, a group of arrogant and powerful generals have been developed. If you ask to control them to reorganize and grow, they dare to directly smash your temple and kick over your incense burner bowl.

But it's different when Prime Minister Wang proposes it. First, his identity is there. Who among you dares to touch him?
There is also the emperor of our family, who is almost obedient and protective of his younger brother. His method of punishing his younger brother was that he would rather hit himself than lay a finger on his younger brother.

No matter what he said was right or wrong, no one would contradict him.

It depends on the emperor's decision to raise this matter this time. Lu Mou thought for a moment, then gently and finally shook his head firmly: "This won't work." Then he quickly explained to his brother: "It's not that I'm afraid of offending those soldiers, because the future situation requires us to be well prepared to deal with any eventuality. . At the same time, it is very important to not reduce military expenditures and dampen the morale of the soldiers.”

Zhu Cizheng saw that his brother was resolute. At this time, his brother was no longer the brother he used to be. It was okay for him to have a quarrel with him. He was the emperor now, and the emperor could not contradict him.

After pondering for a while, he raised his head and said again: "Since we can't cut military spending for the time being, we can only open up more resources."

Lu Mouman asked with encouraging eyes: "Then our Prime Minister Wang, please tell me, how to open up the source of income? Where to start?"

"Brother Chen and Lord He checked the accounts and found a problem."

"what is the problem?"

"Business Department."

Lu Mouyi frowned: "What's going on?"

Zhu Cizheng looked at Qian Tonghe: "Mr. Qian Ge, do you still have any impression of the income of the Shipping Company in the Year of Tianqi?"

Being reminded like this, Qian Tonghe nodded: "As a qualified Minister of Household Affairs, you must look back at the accounts for at least 50 years. This is the rule of the industry. This veteran has some impressions."

"Then tell me how much tax money the Shipping Department paid to the national treasury in the 6th year of the Apocalypse?"

Qian Tonghe thought for a moment and answered affirmatively: "Because the main income of the Shibo Division is internal funds. For this reason, the Shibu Division only paid miscellaneous taxes to the Ministry of Household Affairs, which was more than 7 taels that year."

Zhu Cizheng nodded, and then looked at Sun Bin, the chief eunuch of Sanbao Bureau: "Eunuch Sun, how much money did you earn in that year?"

Sun Bin did not hesitate to count all the family treasures: "That year, I remember it was 1.5 million taels."

Then Zhu Cizheng turned to face his brother: "During that time, the Ming Dynasty implemented a maritime ban, and the total income was still 220 million taels.

But now that our Ming Dynasty has opened the sea, it doesn’t matter that the south was not in our hands before. Now the coastal provinces of Fujian, Zhejiang, Shandong have returned to the control of the Ming Dynasty, but why is the money turned over to the national treasury only 61,000 taels? , it’s simply a drop in the bucket. If this amount of money is collected, it is estimated that it will be able to support it until the end of the year. "

This is another question that others cannot ask. In fact, this is an examination question for the new emperor.

Because everyone knows where the taxes from the Shipping Department have gone. All of it was in the hands of Zheng Zhilong, the powerful Marquis of Ming Dynasty, and he had his beard cut off.

Zheng Zhilong was able to raise a powerful fleet with more than 200,000 soldiers. Maritime trade itself was a part of it, but the protection fees collected from trading ships at sea were also an important source.

The protection fee he charges is not much. For a sea-going ship worth three thousand dollars, he charges three thousand taels of silver. Just think about what a huge amount of income that is.

However, since maritime merchants have to pay maritime protection fees, why should they pay the shipping department?

Therefore, if Shibosi has income, it is equivalent to taking food from Zheng Zhilong. You dare? Do you have that strength?
If you don’t have that strength and you don’t dare, no one will say anything to avoid embarrassment to the emperor.

But Prime Minister Wang, who was forced to have no other choice, put the problem out at this time. You take the move. (End of chapter)