Go back to the Ming Dynasty to be a thousand households

Chapter 283 Iwami Ginzan
The markets in the capital were arranged along the streets. In the early Ming Dynasty, they were mainly concentrated in the four gates of the imperial city, as well as the Dongsi Archway and the West Fourth Archway. Town God's Temple City, Neishi City and other places.

It was noisy and lively outside, and it was full of lights. At this time, in a restaurant called Suiyifang next to the Town God's Temple, Huang Laifu was feasting on the authentic Beijing roast duck, accompanied by several father-in-laws.

This Beijing roast duck has a long history. As early as the Southern and Northern Dynasties, it was recorded in the "Food Treasures Records". The duck tastes crispy and fragrant, fat but not greasy, so the palace named it roast duck.After the late Ming Dynasty moved its capital to Beijing, roast duck technology was also brought to Beijing.Liu Ruoyu, an eunuch during the Wanli period, wrote in his "History of the Gallbladder Palace. Good Food and Drinks": "...the locals roast geese, chickens, and ducks!"
Roast duck has become a famous dish in the capital, not only loved by the palace, but also by the common people.This Suiyifang is arguably the most famous restaurant in the capital. It is famous for its braised oven roast duck. It uses various parts of the duck body to make a variety of hot and cold dishes, and it is very popular to serve with the roast duck.All the officials and nobles in Beijing love to eat here.And this Suiyifang also has Chen Yangzhi, the supervisor of the imperial horse, as a shareholder and investor here.

"Everyone, everyone!"

After eating several roast ducks, when the wine was hot, Chen Yangzhi, the supervisor of the imperial horse, shouted loudly, attracting everyone's attention, and he raised his glass again: "Let's have another drink for Huang Junmen's coming to Beijing! "

Everyone cheered again, smiling and amiable with each other.Although the 24 eunuchs in the Inner Palace of the Ming Dynasty were usually intriguing, but the few eunuchs in front of them seemed to be in harmony.

The eunuch of the Silver Works Bureau put down his wine glass and said to Huang Laifu: "This time the military gate came to Beijing, it can be seen that the emperor attaches great importance to the military gate. At present, there is a turbulent current in Beijing, and many Confucian scholars are speaking unreasonably to the emperor. I heard that Junmen Xiuwen refute in Shanxi, it's really satisfying!"

Several father-in-laws present said yes, they were all servants of the royal family, so naturally they were on the side of Emperor Wanli.

The supervisor of Shanglinyuan said: "Although we don't read many books, but after listening to the boys who read the newspaper, they also think that it is very good. After going to the neighborhood, many people also think that the newspaper is very good. reason!"

The imperial eunuch Chen Fengdao: "This newspaper is very pleasing to the hearts of the people, leaving the literary worms speechless. Does Huang Junmen plan to open a branch in Beijing and continue to serve the emperor?"

Huang Laifu said: "Of course, when Huang came this time, he prepared to open a branch of "Wuzhaibao News" in Beijing. In addition to continuing to argue for the emperor's need to open mines and discuss taxes, he also planned to send military reporters to follow the east. Conquer the army and enter the court, record the heroic deeds of my soldiers in the Ming Dynasty, and let the common people know that the soldiers fought for the emperor and for our Ming Dynasty, so they shed their blood on foreign lands!"

The eunuchs all took a deep breath, and said inwardly: "It's wonderful, this trick is really wonderful!"

They looked at each other, seeing the emotion in each other's eyes, as well as their surprise and admiration for Huang Laifu.Speaking of it, the eunuchs of the Ming Dynasty generally have a bad impression among the people because of their opposition to the literati, but they are generally helpless. Who will let the power of public opinion be controlled by the literati?Although some eunuchs can sometimes rely on imperial power to trample literati under their feet, such as Wei Zhongxian, Wang Zhen, Liu Jin and others, but in fact, their fate is not good, and the impression of public opinion among the people and history is even more messy. Every now and then, treacherous officials and eunuchs collude with each other to bring disaster to the country.Eunuchs, in the impression of ordinary people, have become synonymous with evil.

However, eunuchs are also human beings. Although they are incomplete people, many people also have their own ideals. It can't change the impression in the world.They didn't know what to do before, but since they saw Huang Laifu's "Wuzhaibao News" and other methods, they saw another way.

At that moment, everyone said one after another: "This is a good thing that benefits the country and the people. Presumably the emperor will support it. As long as the military sect has a word, if it is convenient, our family will definitely give it!"

Huang Laifu said: "Thank you, father-in-law!"

Everyone said a few more words of modesty, and Chen Yangzhi, the supervisor of the imperial horse, said: "This time, the emperor called the army to Beijing to discuss the matter of collecting food and salaries from the east... We are very curious. How should the sect prepare this huge amount of food and grass? Can I wait to help the army sect?"

Several eunuchs said one after another: "Yes, yes, I wonder if the military sect can clear up our doubts for us?"

Huang Laifu smiled slightly and said, "Well, I naturally have my own solution..."

……

During the few days in Beijing, Huang Laifu either accepted other people's banquets or inspected the properties in Beijing. A few days later, Wanli Emperor Zhu Yijun summoned Huang Laifu, and the two monarchs and ministers discussed matters in Xiyuan.

The imperial city is outside the palace city, with a circumference of eighteen miles. Xiyuan is in the west of the imperial city, and the central part is Taiye Pool (now Zhongnanhai). The pavilions and pavilions complement each other with Taiye Pool, and the scenery is magnificent.

By the side of the liquid pool, the monarchs and ministers took a leisurely walk. In fact, there was nothing important. Most emperors of the Ming Dynasty did not wear yellow dragon robes, and often wore blue or black ordinary clothes.The same is true for Emperor Wanli today. He is dressed in a black dragon robe with green piping, and his expression is very relaxed.

"Huang Aiqing, at the beginning of the year, you went to the Shu and asked for the restoration of Dongsheng's guards. There was an endless debate between the court and China. I want to hear your opinion!"

Huang Laifu said: "Dare to ask the emperor, what are the opinions of most opponents in the court?"

Emperor Wanli said: "Generally, it is difficult to supply, consumes food and salaries, and the deployment of soldiers and horses is complicated. Moreover, if the guards outside the Great Wall are re-established, the captives may be nervous, and the soldiers will be fired again. Now that the Eastern Expedition is imminent, the ministers all mean more things. , it's better to have one less thing!"

Huang Laifu snorted coldly: "Ambigration! Besides, those ministers don't understand the situation in the border areas at all. If Dongshengwei and all the guards are restored, the defense line of the northwestern frontier of Daming can be greatly moved northward. Shanxi Town, Datong Town and other towns, and then There is no direct suffering from military disasters. When it comes to supply difficulties, the immigrants outside the Great Wall are now starting to farm, and they can be completely self-sufficient. There is no need to transport food thousands of miles from the interior. Why is the supply difficult? Why are the captives nervous? Last year's frontier battle , Those captives have already been frightened and terrified, how dare they go on about it?"

Emperor Wanli nodded, and said: "I agree with Huang Aiqing's opinion, but Huang Aiqing is in Beijing right now and can't go directly to the border to plan. I think this matter will be dealt with after you return to Shanxi Town?"

Huang Laifu's method is very feasible and will be successful in the future. This achievement of restoring the land will also allow Emperor Wanli to be famous in history books, so he is naturally willing.However, the Eastern Expedition is imminent and there are many affairs, but Emperor Wanli wants to delay this matter for a while, and talk to Huang Laifu about this matter after the Eastern Expedition is over.

Huang Laifu cupped his hands and said: "The emperor is wise!"

Emperor Wanli looked at Huang Laifu and said: "Huang Aiqing, I have called you to Beijing this time to discuss the supply of food and salaries for the army to aid the DPRK. The treasury is empty right now. I wonder if Huang Aiqing has any magic formula?"

When speaking, the tone is quite eager.Although Emperor Wanli is now exploring mining taxes, he is far from being able to quench his thirst, and in history, even in the eight years from the 25th year of Wanli to the 33rd year of Wanli, the total amount of mining tax silver he received was only 300 million taels.And several wars cost millions of taels of silver at every turn.The Battle of Ningxia cost more than two million yuan in silver.The two wars to aid Korea cost 600 million taels of silver.There is also the Battle of Bozhou later, which also costs several million taels of silver.For the three major campaigns, the cost of silver was as high as tens of millions of taels. This heavy military expenditure made Emperor Wanli breathless.

The ministers could not think of a way to tax the peasants, and Emperor Wanli was unwilling.So I want to hear Huang Laifu's opinion.

Huang Laifu smiled slightly, cupped his hands and said calmly: "Your Majesty, my humble minister's proposal is to issue national debt or bonds to the people. There are a lot of wealthy households in my Ming Dynasty. As long as the method is proper, raising millions of taels of silver is only a mere slap in the face." ! Moreover, taking money from rich households will not only harm the country, but will not increase taxes on the people, and it will also promote the circulation of wealth in our country.”

Emperor Wanli stroked his beard slightly, and said: "I have also thought about this method, but how will the bond be repaid then?"

Huang Laifu said: "The method of my minister is that after the chaos in North Korea, one is to let Japan pay compensation to relieve our military expenses. The other is to force Japan to sign a treaty with our Ming Dynasty and open up various trading ports. Enjoy all kinds of privileges, and can be sold in unlimited quantities. You know, my products from Ming Dynasty have always been popular in Japan. An iron pot from Ming Dynasty can be sold for one tael of silver in Japan, let alone other things. In this way, when the bonds are issued, the merchants and wealthy households of our Daming will definitely buy them enthusiastically, and those merchants are also willing to exchange them on such terms. We can also get a big Take the money."

At present, although the trade between Daming and other countries including Japan is booming along the coast, Daming still has various restrictions on Japan's trade, and it will not go deep into the interior of Japan. The terms of commerce and trade.If, like the concessions in later generations, Ming opened multiple treaty ports in various parts of Japan, and dumped a large amount of Ming products to Japan, it would naturally make a lot of money.This is what many Ming merchants are happy to see.

Emperor Wanli was surprised and said: "Trade with Japan? During the tribute talks in the past few years, didn't the Japanese just want to trade with me, Ming Dynasty, and they didn't agree before? Why did they agree after winning the battle?"

Huang Laifu said: "Your Majesty is wise, and his words are right. But there is a difference. In the past, the Japanese were disrespectful, and they were also worried that Japanese pirates would take the opportunity to go ashore to plunder during the trade. However, if you open a treaty port in Japan, But there is an essential difference. We are the victors, and the Japanese are frightened. The Japanese pirates came to our land of Ming Dynasty! And most importantly, exchanging the profits of the Japanese for the wealth of the merchants, this is the best of both worlds."

Emperor Wanli thought deeply, nodded at last, and said, "This is also possible!"

Although Huang Laifu's words were a bit weird, Emperor Wanli still understood them. He became happy and took several million taels of silver from the Ming businessman, and asked the Japanese to pay them back in the future.Including the possible indemnity, besides paying Ming's military expenses, there might be some profit.This made Emperor Wanli admire Huang Laifu secretly. In the entire Ming Dynasty, only Huang Laifu came up with such a method, what a talent.

Huang Laifu said again: "In addition, although Japan is small and poor, but if my Ming Dynasty wins, there will be a Japanese land, and I must let the Japanese give it to my Ming Dynasty. Grab it, and grab it!"

Emperor Wanli snorted and said, "Where is it so important?"

Huang Laifu said: "As far as I know, there is a silver mountain in the east of Iwami country in Japan, named Iwami Silver Mine. It is the location of the largest silver mine in Japan. This place not only supplies [-]% of the silver in Japan, but also imports hundreds of silver every year Wanliang came to the south of the Yangtze River in my Ming Dynasty. In addition, the silver produced by this silver mountain was also brought to the West by the Hongyi people on a large scale for trade in various countries. It is really a silver mountain! If I occupy it in the Ming Dynasty, every year Get a million taels of silver, only in the backhand!"

Japan's Iwami Silver Mountain has been mined for more than [-] years. At its peak, the silver output here accounted for one-third of the world's total silver output.It can truly be said to be a mountain of gold and silver. No matter who occupies it, it will immediately become richer than the enemy.

Hearing what Huang Laifu said, Wanli Emperor Zhu Yijun's eyes suddenly shone with dazzling light!
(End of this chapter)