Red Mansion: Bastards rule the roost

Baoqin wrinkled her delicate nose and snorted softly at Jia Cong's back, "Hateful, I'm not a child."

Chu Chan smiled and said, "Qin'er, you don't know how lucky you are."

"Sister Chan, if you make fun of me again I will ignore you." Baoqin couldn't help but feel shy and said angrily.

Chu Chan and the others all laughed. Baoqin was innocent, sincere and humble, and they all liked her very much.

Jia Cong came out to the main hall and saw that except for Chen Ji, all five middle-ranking officials had arrived, plus a later arrival, Prince Zhongxin. Pang Chao was talking to them.

Seeing Jia Cong coming out, everyone stood up to greet him.

After the greetings, Jia Cong bowed and said with a smile: "I am honored to have you here. What can I do for you?"

Zhongxin smiled and said, "I am not in the same group as the other ministers. Please speak first." After saying that, he stepped aside and left.

Jia Cong looked at Duan Zhun and said with a smile, "Mr. Zhun, feel free to speak up if you have anything to say."

Duan Zhun coughed dryly and said, "I have read the prince's instructions on the proposal the other day. I have to report some of my humble affairs to the prince."

"So that's what it is. Please tell me, sir." Jia Cong glanced at Pang Chao and said with a smile.

"Regarding the duties of the Ministry of War, if the selection, promotion, replacement, and reward of officers at all levels are all under the jurisdiction of the General's Office, then wouldn't the Military Selection Department of the Ministry of War be a mere formality?

I personally think it is inappropriate. Now that the prince is in charge of the general's mansion, there is no danger. If someone with ulterior motives takes over the imperial army and uses this power to take it as his own, the country will be in danger, and this is not a system that can ensure long-term stability." Duan Zhun said.

Jia Cong pondered and said, "Mr. Zhun is a man of foresight and what he said is very true. What do you think, Mr. Pang?"

Seeing everyone looking at him, Pang Chao bowed and said, "Your Highness, ladies and gentlemen, I think what Mr. Zhun is worried about is very true. You can order the Ministry of War to be responsible for the military examination and select talents, and have the right to make recommendations on the promotion, demotion and transfer of generals at all levels for the adoption of the General's Office. What do you think?"

Jia Cong said: "Well, the power of the Ministry of War is not small. Since the General's Office is in charge of the army of the world, it should have the power to make decisions."

Duan Zhun saw everyone nodding slightly, thinking that at least he had the right to make suggestions, which was better than kicking the Ministry of War out of the military personnel system, so he said, "This is a very good plan.

In addition, the Censorate is responsible for supervision and impeachment, and all offenders in the army are judged by the General's Office. I am afraid that the officers in the army will protect each other, making it difficult to eliminate malpractices, making supervision a waste of time, and ultimately leading to the corruption of military affairs, the soldiers' disobedience, and a major change. "

Jia Cong said: "What Mr. Zhun said is absolutely right, it is indeed possible, so I want to set up a military court to try the officers and soldiers who have committed crimes and violated the prohibitions in the army.

Judges are selected from officials from the Generalissimo's Office, the Ministry of War, the Censorate, the Dali Temple, and the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and they are responsible for each case for life.

If someone is wrongly convicted of harboring someone, once it is proven that they are guilty of the same crime, the judges can supervise each other. If they cannot reach a consensus, they can raise objections and let the orphan make the decision personally. "

Duan Zhun nodded and said, "Your Highness has made thorough considerations. I admire you. If you do this, there will be no place for evildoers to hide in the army."

Jia Cong smiled and said, "You are too kind, sir."

"The third thing is about military expenses... 30% is really too much. The country is a big country with a lot of money to spend. In previous years, we were short of money and many things that should have been done were left unfinished.

Apart from other things, many of the palaces in the palace collapsed due to disrepair, fire and other reasons. The late emperor was frugal and diligent and had never paid any attention to it.

If the situation in the imperial palace is like this, then you can imagine the situation in other government offices and local areas. The national treasury is unable to cope with the excessive military expenditures. Your Majesty, please understand this." Duan Zhun bowed.

Gu Tao also said: "Now that the new emperor has ascended the throne, the Empress Dowager is in power, and the new laws are in force throughout the country, it is time to work hard to govern the country.

If we can save some military expenses, in the future when the people have more money and taxes are higher, won't military expenses also be higher? I think it is better to do it slowly and for a long time."

Although Jiang Feng and Guan Pu did not express their opinions, their expressions showed the same idea.

Jia Cong smiled and said, "I understand what you all mean. Now that the new law is in effect and the tax rate was raised the other day, the treasury revenue should have increased greatly. Even if it is only 70% left, it is still a world of difference compared to previous years. I think it will be enough for you to show your talents.

The court has many places to spend money, I naturally understand, but the country has more than one million soldiers who have dedicated their lives to the country, and many of them even guard the border and endure hunger. They only spend 30% of the country's income to keep the country peaceful, isn't it too much?"

Duan Zhun argued, "Your Majesty is right. The soldiers shed their blood for the country. How could we not know that?
Thirty percent of military expenditure is not too much, but not too little either. If this is the upper limit, the court can pay the military expenditure accordingly regardless of whether there is a war or not. However, based on the experience of past dynasties, this is obviously a fantasy.

We must always think about the long term. Only by saving money in normal times can we have enough money to deal with it when a war breaks out. Do you agree with me, Your Highness?

Of course, it is fine to let the General's Mansion manage this money. In the future, the Ministry of Revenue will allocate 30% of its income each year as military expenses and hand it over to the General's Mansion for management.

If war breaks out, no additional funds will be allocated, and only this amount will be used to pay. This is also acceptable.”

"This... is so inappropriate." Jia Cong shook his head.

If 30% is guaranteed, it will definitely not be enough if there is a big war in the future. Besides, the army only knows how to spend money. Asking those soldiers to save money is like asking a prostitute to remain chaste. It is pure nonsense.

Pang Chao said: "What Mr. Zhun said makes sense. I think the previous plan is very good. It is just like the life of an ordinary family. They are frugal on weekdays and only have money to spend when something happens."

"What you said is very true, sir." Everyone said hurriedly. Although Pang Chao's official position was not high, it was well known that he was Jia Cong's strategist. Who would dare to ignore him?

Jia Cong said decisively: "Since the master also said so, well, I will take a step back and give it 25%!
This is the bottom line for the country to train new troops and build military industries. If we fall below this number, we will fall behind the barbarians, and something bad will happen sooner or later. The silver we save today will become war reparations in the future!"

Duan Zhun and the others looked at each other and saw that Jia Cong had no intention of discussing the matter, so they had to give up while they were ahead. After all, they saved half a cent, which was also a gain.

He said, "Let's do as the prince says. However, if the land tax is suddenly raised to five cents, there will be great resistance from many gentry in the country, and it may not be collected."

Jia Cong laughed and said, "This is the character of the landlords. They don't want to pay even one cent, let alone five cents. But we still collected it, didn't we?
There are certainly resistance and difficulties, but don't forget, gentlemen, the land under the four seas belongs to the king, and the laws of the court are like this. Anyone who dares to resist taxes will be killed or confiscated. As long as the land is still there, why worry that no one will farm it and pay taxes? "

Feng Yuan smiled and said, "Your Majesty is wise. As long as local officials enforce the law impartially and make strong orders, I don't believe that any gentry would rather live than live."

"That's right. If there are people who are not afraid of death and want to rebel, won't our military funds come in handy? It will also teach you all that the more than one million soldiers supported by the court are not there to eat for free." Jia Cong said with a smile.

Everyone laughed and said, "Your Majesty, this is absolutely true."

“In my opinion, in the next few years, the assessment of officials should start with taxation.

First, we will never increase taxes on civilians, and second, we will never allow the gentry and wealthy to evade taxes.

In this regard, I should be the first to take the lead. In the future, the Ministry of Revenue will post the land and tax amounts of each clan, noble family, aristocratic family, and wealthy family in the capital every year and announce it to the world.

Let the people know that no matter who you are, there are only two things that are fair and no one can escape them. "Jia Cong said.

Feng Yuan hurriedly said, "Yes, I will do it right away. I wonder what two things your Majesty is talking about?" "One is death, and the other is taxes."

"Your Highness, that's a good idea." Jiang Feng smiled and twirled his beard.

Duan Zhun also said: "The country is fortunate to have the prince taking the lead in paying taxes."

Everyone nodded in agreement. Although they might have different political views, everyone had to admit that Jia Cong was flawless in paying taxes. Not only did he pay taxes himself, he also took the initiative to influence others to pay taxes in full. This made people have to admire him. For this reason alone, he deserved to be called a national hero.

With Jia Cong around, who dares not pay taxes?

Jia Cong waved his hands and said, "You are too kind. This matter is settled. Let's submit it to the Empress Dowager for her review. Is there anything else?"

Feng Yuan hurriedly said, "Prince Yuan and Prince Zhongxin still have something to report."

Duan Zhun and the others said, "In that case, I will take my leave first."

Jia Cong said, "Please go slowly, gentlemen. Mr. Pang will see you off for me."

"Yes." Pang Chao smiled and sent them out.

Feng Yuan saw Zhong Xin coming in, and then he said, "Your Majesty, I came here to ask for advice on starting a business."

"Say it."

"First, Yuan plans to set up a Commercial Department in the Ministry of Revenue to be in charge of trade and business affairs. He is thinking about dealing with foreigners frequently and suffering from language barriers." Feng Yuan said.

Jia Cong said: "That's easy. Wanguohao has accumulated a lot of talents who are proficient in foreign languages. I will ask them to send some to you."

Feng Yuan smiled and said, "Thank you, Your Highness. In addition, if the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Internal Affairs invest in building a factory and participate in trade, will it be suspected of competing with the people for profits?"

Jia Cong said: "It's not that we are competing with the common people for profit, but with the gentry and merchants. For the common people, no matter who is the boss, they can only get that little salary, it's all the same. But you must not be the boss."

"Why is this?" Zhongxin asked hurriedly.

Jia Cong sneered, "If you use the money from the national treasury or the inner treasury to build a factory and then assign officials to run it, there's no way you can make money. Why? The factory is not mine, why should I run it for you? How much money can I get if I run it well?
It is better to enrich myself and live happily without doing anything. Anyway, the factory is bankrupt, and I will still be a fifth-rank official. It is that simple."

Zhongxin laughed and said, "That's true. Who would risk their life for something that has no profit?"

Jia Cong said: "So officials should just do their job honestly, and don't think about being both an official and a shopkeeper. This will waste the people's money and leave a mess. Who will clean it up? Besides, not everyone has the talent for business."

Feng Yuan nodded and said, "That's right, what does your Highness mean?"

"You can set up a factory in a joint venture with private merchants. The court will pay 40% and the merchants will pay 60%. You can entrust them with full management authority. You just need to supervise and collect the dividends, but don't interfere in the operation." Jia Cong said.

"What kind of factory should we run?"

Jia Cong said: "We should set up whatever factories the foreigners have, whether cotton mills, sugar mills, woolen mills, silk reeling mills, weaving mills, foundries, transportation bureaus, or mining bureaus.

Get to know the Yi people more, don't put on airs, first get their good stuff, such as the equipment they produce, especially the Yi people's craftsmen from all walks of life, the more the better, get them all."

"We can buy the equipment with money, but how can we get the craftsmen?" Zhong Xin said.

Jia Cong laughed and said, "The barbarians are only interested in profit. As long as you spend money, you can buy their ancestors, let alone a few craftsmen.

Tell them that the Celestial Empire is willing to hire Western craftsmen. They provide one to us and we give them some silver, with no upper limit, and we will take as much as they can. "

Feng Yuan said: "Well, it is better to teach people how to fish than to give them fish. It is better to buy skills than to buy machines."

"Yes. In the future, if you visit more new factories, you will realize that the sky is high and the sea is vast. As the sage said, if there are three people walking together, there must be one who can be my teacher."

Zhong Xin said, "Your Majesty is right. There is one more thing. I have heard Your Majesty say that the new factories can produce goods very quickly. One female worker can spin as much yarn as seven or eight women. And it is very cheap. Once it is widely used, a large number of women will lose their jobs. What should we do?"

Jia Cong said: "It is the general trend of the times that machines are replacing human labor. There is nothing we can do about it. In fact, this is a good thing. These women can do other things instead of spinning, such as embroidery, raising poultry and livestock, or even doing some small business. Can a living person be suffocated to death by urine?
As long as people are allowed to move freely, they will always find ways to support their families and there is no need to worry.

The money earned by the imperial court could be used to better benefit the people, such as building bridges and roads, reducing taxes and levies, supporting the poor, the weak, the orphans, etc., which would also reduce the worries of the people. "

Feng Yuan clapped his hands and said, "After listening to your explanation, my mind is suddenly enlightened."

"By the way, Lord Yansheng came to see me the other day and expressed his interest in doing business. You can get him to invest." Jia Cong said.

Feng Yuan's eyes lit up and he said, "Well, with the support of Lord Yansheng, who dares to say that the court values ​​commerce over agriculture and puts the cart before the horse?"

Jia Cong said: "No matter who says what, no matter how difficult it is, we must go down this road. A gentleman should be slow to speak but quick to act. As long as we achieve results, all rumors will naturally disappear."

Feng Yuan praised: "Your Highness's understanding of the sage's teachings is becoming more and more profound. I admire you very much."

Jia Cong spread his hands and smiled, "There's nothing I can do. When dealing with the officials in the court, I would be embarrassed to speak unless I memorize a few words of the saints."

Zhongxin and Feng Yuan laughed. They naturally understood that Confucius was just a fig leaf. No matter what they did in private, they had to carry up the old man's banner in public to protect themselves, so as to avoid criticism.

The three of them talked for a while. Before leaving, Zhongxin smiled and said, "Brother Zhengfang, go first. I will talk to the prince about some royal family matters."

"Please do as you please, Your Majesty. I'm taking my leave." Feng Yuan smiled and bowed before leaving.

Jia Cong noticed that he looked strange, and asked, "What's the matter, Your Majesty?"

Zhong Xin looked around and whispered, "Shuo Ge asked me to tell you something. He wants to see you, but he doesn't want to attract attention."

Jia Cong frowned slightly and asked, "Which brother Shuo?"

Zhong Xin whispered, "Who else could it be? It must be Sun Shuo, the Prince of Gongxian."

Jia Cong nodded slowly. He naturally knew Sun Shuo, the legitimate son of the deposed Crown Prince Yi Zhong Prince Sun Xing, and the biological brother of Qin Keqing!

Is he finally tired of being lonely? (End of this chapter)