At the end of Qin, I became a son of the plane

Chapter 252, Expanding the Young Master’s Rights and Family Banquet

These county guards did not expect that Xu Fan would use sages to review them. At the same time, they did not expect that they could also ask the court for construction funds, so they were naturally ill-prepared.

But there was one person who was extremely well prepared, and that was Li Shiqi, the internal history order. Guanzhong was the foundation of the entire Han Dynasty, and consolidating the foundation was what every country must do. Therefore, Li Shiqi already had his own affairs before the autumn harvest. idea.

Seeing that no one came forward, the internal historian ordered Li Shiqi to say: "Your Majesty, dear sages, although the Zhengguo Canal was repaired in Guanzhong last year, there are still a large number of fields in Guanzhong that are difficult to receive irrigation from the canal. Please build it on the Jinghe River. A canal to Gaoling County. This canal can turn 50 acres of land in Guanzhong into irrigated land and add 100 million stones of food to Guanzhong. Moreover, this project is not difficult and will hardly cause death to the people. It can be said to be beneficial to the country. People’s projects.”

Li Shiqi was the most prepared. He also produced a water conservancy drawing and hung it on a wooden frame so that everyone could clearly see where the water conservancy project passed.

There are also ten project budget sheets, which are given to Xu Fan and other sages to read. They record how much manpower and material resources will be spent, how much time will be spent, and how much revenue will be generated.

The Water Conservancy College is in Chang'an City. The descendants of Zheng Guo and Li Bing are all here. He summoned these two major water conservancy families and formulated this plan very early. He originally planned to have money and food for the court after the autumn harvest. When he started this project again, he didn't expect that the big man would hold such a budget meeting, so he simply took out the plan he had prepared for more than half a year.

This plan made the other sages very satisfied. It seemed much more formal. The Neishi Ling obviously valued them as sages.

After reading it, Jing Yi smiled and said: "Food is the most important thing for the people, and water conservancy is the foundation of agriculture. A certain internal history order has done a very good job in this plan. You can even see how long the return will be. Hiring civilians in Guanzhong will not cause any problems." Whatever the casualties are, it’s feasible.”

The other sages also nodded with satisfaction. They still didn't know the extent of their rights, but they could see from Li Shiqi's plan that he respected them.

This point is the most important to them now. The other prefects just talk to them with empty teeth. This seems very disrespectful to them.

So all the sages here raised their hands and agreed to Li Shiqi's proposal.

At this time everyone looked at Xu Fan.

Xu Fan said: "Since all the sages agree, then this proposal has been passed."

After Li Shiqi's successful example, other county governors finally understood how to propose their own proposals. They brought civil servants here, and then went to Chang'an City's Water Conservancy Institute, Mozi Institute and other colleges to find some tutors to help them with some professional knowledge. Soon, a book was compliant and reasonable, the project quantities were clear, and the profits were Obvious proposals will be made.

In the end, Hedong County, Taiyuan County, and Yuyang County each received a steel plant, Donghai County was repaired when Fu Chai built Hangou, and Handan County was repaired. The water conservancy projects left behind by Ximen Bao in Ye were repaired. These five are the Han Dynasty's A national project.

After the imperial budget was spent, Xu Fan said: "The imperial court only has this amount of money and food. If there is a financial surplus next year, it will be distributed to other counties."

Then Xu Fan said solemnly: "But here I want to warn you seriously, don't do corvee work again to harm the people because you don't have money and food, and you want to achieve political achievements. I want to say it again here, the land tax collected by my big man includes If you receive the money from the corvee, you will violate Han law and I will punish you severely."

Chen Ying and other county guards said in unison: "No!"

"Cai!" The sages cheered after hearing Xu Fan's words.

Even when powerful people appear, they hate corvee very much. They are not paid for doing things, and they have to bring their own dry food. Only the imperial court can do such a thing in the world. It is disgusting to everyone, and they serve others for free.

At this time, Prime Minister Zhou Zhang also stood up and said: "In order to allow you county governors to have a fair competition environment, Chen County's textile factory, steel factory, sugar factory, Kuaiji County's salt fields, shipyards, fishing fleet, Nanyang County The iron and steel factories in the county will be put under the control of the Shaofu in the future, and all the money earned by these factories and workshops will be controlled by the court, and the local counties can only receive taxes. "

"Cai!" Cao Xing shouted immediately. A few county guards even clapped.

The governors of Hedong County, Taiyuan County, and Yuyang County looked ashen. The steel plant had not yet been built and it no longer belonged to them.

Jia Bu, the governor of Hedong County, looked at the other two county governors and smiled bitterly: "At least there is still 30% of the tax, so I don't come empty-handed."

Although this can comfort themselves, it is obvious that the three of them feel lost inside. If it was okay before the meeting, they would have received 30% of the tax for free, but now they feel that they have not given up 70% of the income.

It doesn't matter whether they are merchants or farmers. These factories have always been under the management of the Shaofu. He is more concerned about agricultural matters.

But Ye Teng found it hard to accept that he had worked so hard to build these factories and workshops, and now he was making wedding dresses for the young master.

It's just that this was a decision jointly made by Xu Fan and Zhou Zhang. Ye Teng didn't dare to refute it, and since the merchants and farmers didn't come forward, he was even less qualified.

He thought for a while and said: "Your Majesty, Prime Minister, if we hand over our workshops and factories, my subordinates will take the responsibility. However, the factories and workshops that we and the governor have worked hard to build have been taken away by the young government, so that we can make wedding dresses for others. If there are too many local governors, there will be no incentive to build new factories to benefit the people. "

At this time, the other county guards' expressions changed from happy to serious.

Yes, they also have the idea of ​​opening a workshop and factory. If the imperial court keeps doing this, they won't be making wedding dresses for the young man.

The prefect of Donghai County had the idea of ​​building salt fields. The investment would be small and the benefits would be large. Moreover, Donghai County didn’t have many things but a lot of coastline, and the most important thing was sea water.

Other county governors in the south also have the idea of ​​planting sugar cane and building sugar refineries. The governors in the north also have the idea of ​​building small blast furnaces and textile mills. These counties are rich and have plenty of money and food left behind. They can build them even without relying on the court. A small workshop. If you really want to make more wedding clothes for the young master, it is really better to use the money and food to build water conservancy facilities. At least the young master cannot move the water conservancy facilities away.

Xu Fan thought for a while and said: "Factories and workshops built with finance at the county level are managed by the county magistrate's office, and their profits are used for the construction of the county. Factories and workshops built with finance at the county level are managed by the county magistrate's office, and their profits are used for the construction of the county." On the construction of this county.”

The governors looked good when they heard this.

But then Xu Fan said sternly: "But how we use this proceeds will be supervised by the sage councils in the counties and counties. If anyone is found to be corrupt, bend the law, or enrich his own pockets, he will be punished according to Han law."

Finally, Xu Fan said: "Doing business and managing a place are not the same thing. If you make money in business, you will also lose money. If you make money, the court will not want you, but if you lose money, you should not expect the court to take care of you. For serious losses, factories and workshops, or even create a deficit, then you use the tax surplus to repay these debts, and the income of the county officials is halved. When the debts are paid off, when will things return to normal."

You must be warned in advance about this matter. Xu Fan does not want to bear hundreds of thousands of gold in debt to work for these Han officials. Whoever does something wrong will be responsible for it. If the rights and responsibilities are not equal, who knows what these Han officials will do? What kind of lawless things will he do?
It's a pity that Xu Fan's warning was not heard by these county guards. In their minds, as long as the goods are manufactured in this world, they must be sold. It is just a matter of making more or less, whether they can sell it or not. There is no such possibility of going out. Doing business is just something you can do with your hands.

Zhou Zhang finally said: "The imperial court's assessment of you is mainly based on how many water conservancy facilities are built, how much wasteland is reclaimed, and how much population is increased. I hope you will not abandon the good and the weak."

It's a pity that not many county guards listened to Zhou Zhang's words. The Han Dynasty was different from other feudal dynasties. Under the influence of Xu Fan, Han officials paid more attention to the construction of factories and workshops. Although they did not have the theory yet, they had begun to practice it all year round. , vaguely realized that factories and workshops are also the foundation of the world, and are even more fundamental than agriculture. In terms of profits, they are better than hard farming.

But they lack awareness of risks. After all, this is just an era of handicraft industry, and the surplus of goods will not exist in their consciousness at all. Only when there is a real economic crisis will these Han officials have such awareness.

After the meeting of wise men, Yingbu and other princes also entered Guanzhong, as well as other foreign vassals, such as Zhao Xie, Xiang Yu's envoy Xiang Bo, Chen Yu's envoy Kuai Che, Wei Wang Jiu, and even the Nanyue King who was not summoned by Xu Fan. Zhao Tuo also sent envoys to Chang'an City.

The reason why Zhao Tuo sent the envoy was also very simple. Yingbu was almost at his door. Facing such a strong general, Zhao Tuo was of course worried that Yingbu would be the vanguard of the Han army. When he took root in the south, will invade his country of South Vietnam. Therefore, he sent envoys to Chang'an to inquire about the news, so that he could know whether it was war or peace.

For a time, the entire city of Chang'an could be described as a gathering of princes.

On October 6, the third year of the Han Dynasty. Chang'an City, Yan Palace. The First Emperor's palace was extremely large. In order to accommodate the beauties of the Six Kingdoms, he built six palaces according to the names of the Six Kingdoms.

Most of these palaces have now become academic palaces, libraries and other official offices of the Han Dynasty. Xu Fan and Chen Xiu lived in a small Yan Palace.

Ji Bu, Yingbu, Chen Xiao, Lu Chen and other confidants returned to Chang'an City. Xu Fan held a family banquet in his place to entertain them.

Ji Bu saw Chen Xiu's big belly and said happily: "Your Majesty has a daughter, it is a great joy for me as a man. This is a white folded cloth that I got from the Western Regions. This kind of cloth is hygroscopic and breathable, and its surface is shiny and soft. The softness of the hand is different from that of the silk from China. ”

Xu Fan and Chen Xiu were not as bloody as they were on TV. After settling down in Chang'an City, Chen Xiu got pregnant very quickly and was about to give birth now.

This made Zhou Zhang, Chen Lin, and Chen Sheng relieved. After all, it was a huge flaw for such a huge empire to have no successor.

Xu Fan took the cloth and found that it was actually cotton. He asked with some surprise: "How did you get this cloth?"

Ji Bu said: "Businessmen from the Western Regions brought this cloth over. This cloth is more valuable than gold. A piece of cloth like this costs 30,000 yuan."

Chen Xiu complained: "It's too extravagant to spend 3 yuan to buy such a piece of cloth."

Xu Fan instead said seriously: "You have to find a way to get the merchants from the Western Regions to bring back this kind of cloth. Even if the price is more expensive than gold, you still have to buy it. This is a treasure comparable to silk. Even if your country Ji can develop, Maybe it depends on this.”

Ji Bu saw that Xu Fan's words were so serious and said, "When I get back, I'll hurry up and find the seeds."

Yingbu took out two pieces of tiger skin coats and said: "This is a gift prepared by the general for His Majesty and the Queen. The general shot it with his own hands and skinned a whole tiger skin. Later, the general will bring one to the future prince." A leopard skin coat.”

Chen Xiao said: "The general will bring some pieces of Shu Brocade."

Shu brocade has a long history of more than 2,000 years and is one of the most famous silk products in the world. After the Qin Dynasty unified Bashu, Jinguan City was built in the south of Chengdu, and Jinguan was set up to manage brocade production.

Lu Chen said: "The general will bring some bearskin coats. Your Majesty and Queen, you can change them."

Xu Fan smiled and said: "There is no shortage of coats to wear this winter. It just so happens that I can advertise for you and increase your income."

Xu Fan knew that Yingbu and the others had just opened up the country, so they only had these specialties. Advertising them could be considered a support to them.

Although it was the first time for Yingbu and the others to hear this word, they understood the literal meaning. Yingbu and Lu Chen were overjoyed.

They all knew each other well and were not polite after drinking.

Yingbu complained: "My country is hotter than Jiujiang County. Wild beasts, mosquitoes, and dragons all eat people. There is almost no safe place in the water, on land, or in the sky. You all know that someone likes hunting." But this year I was almost sick from hunting, and I spent more than 300 days hunting.”

Chen Xiao also complained: "The same goes for me. What's more important is that your vassal country is flat land after all, and there is a river to transport goods. The land south of Shuzhong where I went is really not even three feet flat." , the sky is not clear for three days, except for wild animals, even savages, and the roads are only five feet wide. This year, a certain man reclaimed tens of thousands of acres of land, established 1 acres of sugar cane fields, and sold all the sugar he produced to Shu. If you win, you will only earn a few hundred million, but all of it will be transferred to Chen State. So far, the palace has not been built, only a city wall has been built and a few roads have been expanded. "

Yingbu said jealously: "Why can I only plant 1000 acres of sugar cane, but you planted 1 acres?"

Chen Xiao said disdainfully: "Can your family's output be comparable to that of a certain family?"

Xu Fan stopped them from comparing and said: "Both places have their own advantages, there is no need to compare."

Then Xu Fan warned: "The high profits of the sugar industry may disappear soon. Starting this year, several prefects in Han Dynasty want to acquire sugar cane fields. Next year, the price of sugar may drop several times."

Yingbu, Chen Xiao: "Ah!"

Such good days are coming to an end so soon.

Xu Fan said: "So you have to give full play to your own characteristics. There is more tea in Yingbu. As long as the tea gardens are well established, this is an industry that is not inferior to the sugar industry in terms of profit."

Ying preached: "General Mo brought 2000 kilograms of tea this time, but these are medicinal materials, and the demand in various places is not large. I only sold a few dozen kilograms in various counties."

Xu Fan smiled and said: "You leave me 30 kilograms, and I will sell it to you. I will ensure that all these teas are sold out before you leave."

Then Xu Fan said to Chen Xiao: "Nanzhong's silk, tung oil, and even tea can be developed. The rich Shuzhong is the largest market for your products."

Then Xu Fan asked Ji Budao: "How is your development in Hexi?"

Ji Bu said with a smile: "The last general built a city on the Zhuanglang River west of Longxi County, named it Xicheng, and gathered the surrounding tribes of Dayue people. Now there are 5 tribes and tens of thousands of troops. Before coming, the last The general has severely damaged the Yueshi army, annihilating tens of thousands of enemy troops, and captured more than cattle, sheep, and horses."

It turned out that when Ji Bu first entered Hexi, he did not arouse the vigilance of the Dayuezhi people. It was only when Jibu recruited a large number of Dayuezhi tribes that the Dayuezhi tribe became dissatisfied. More than 20 of their tribes united Tens of thousands of tribesmen were gathered to annihilate the enemy Ji Bu.

But Ji Bu took the west city and defended it. After the Dayue clan attacked the west city for a month, they were exhausted. Ji Bu led his troops to fight out again and annihilated the Dayue clan coalition in one battle. Now Ji Bu is in the west of the west city. A city called Wuwei was built 100 miles away.

Yingbu was very envious and said: "I can only hunt, but my brother can fight."

Xu Fan asked: "The Dayue clan has millions of tribesmen, and they only strive for military strength. Your 5 tribesmen in the Ji Kingdom will definitely not be the opponent of the millions of Dayue clan people. You must learn to find your own allies, Dayue clan." The tribal leaders cannot be your allies. The oppressed tribesmen at the bottom are your allies. If you win over them, you will have millions of tribesmen. "

This is also Xu Fan's consistent attitude. He does not divide his enemies based on race, even if they are barbarians. If we really divide the enemy according to race, we will fall into the war between the farming civilization and the grassland civilization for more than two thousand years. The results of history have told Xu Fan that this method cannot integrate the grassland civilization. On the contrary, the experiences of later generations are more worth learning.

Ji Bu smiled and said: "Your Majesty, you led 800 of us to defeat the violent Qin army with a million troops. I have been studying for three years and have already learned how to find allies and how to identify enemies."

Needless to say, Xu Fan knew how to do it. Ji Bu knew how to do it. The Da Yueshi people were just a slave-owning grassland alliance, and Ji Bu was a general who came out of the feudal era. With Xu Fan's teachings, he could barely be regarded as a close relative. A modern system.

He followed Xu Fan's example of treating the Da Yuezhi tribes equally, allowing them to have enough to eat, helping the tribe sell cattle and sheep, and fairly handling the division of pasture between them. Soon these tribesmen recognized themselves as the people of Ji State. identity.

For these people at the bottom, having enough to eat is the most important thing, and it doesn't matter which country they are from. Whoever can bring them enough food will belong to that country.

(End of this chapter)