Baidu otaku as Chongzhen

Chapter 459

What the chief assistant Shi Fenglai said surprised the ministers in the court. When will the first assistant say such a well-founded statement?The courtiers in the court hall didn't realize it all at once, and were caught off guard.

"Gentlemen, is there anyone else to say?" Yang Reform was also very surprised by Shi Fenglai's fighting power, which was rare, and he could suppress the different voices in the court with just a few words.

There was silence in the court hall, and the ministers were still not used to it. How could this first assistant suddenly have such a strong "combat power"?

The aggressive minister just stared anxiously, but for a while, he couldn't find any suitable excuses. It was easy to embarrass the emperor in the past, even if it made sense, but as long as they are unwilling, there is no way to implement it , because you need money to do these things, without money, the emperor can't do anything, but now the emperor has no shortage of money. This amount of money will definitely not be able to stop the emperor, and if the imperial party makes money from it, it is estimated that this matter will really become a national policy. If this happens, it will be extremely unfavorable to the officials in Jiangnan. I am motivated to grow sweet potatoes, and I wish I could use all the land under my control to grow sweet potatoes, so as to improve my own performance in growing sweet potatoes, so that I can get promoted by growing sweet potatoes, but this is not the case in the south. Many have been changed to mulberry fields. If sweet potatoes are used to determine promotion, how can there be so many sweet potatoes in the south? Besides, how much are sweet potatoes worth?

In a panic, the aggressive minister just now saw that the emperor was going to follow the words to make a decision on this matter, so he could only keep looking around for help. If this matter is going to happen, it will be extremely detrimental to the south of.

"Your Majesty, I have something to say." A minister in the front row stood up and said.

"Oh, hehe, Mr. Han Ge, if you have anything to say, just say it." Yang Reform took a look, and he was one of the cabinet scholars.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, I think that Shi Shoufu will take 'food is the first thing for the people' as the national policy of this dynasty, and will solve the problem of food for the people of the world as the top priority. , the mountains and rivers that can be developed have been exhausted, and then using sweet potatoes as the basis for official assessment is indeed unfair to officials in some places in the south of the Yangtze River. Affecting the taxation of our dynasty, I think that this food should not just refer to sweet potatoes. I think that in the land of fish and rice in the south of the Yangtze River, where taxes are heavy, some counties that are not suitable for planting sweet potatoes can be replaced by rice. Sweet potatoes, for example, during the assessment, one stone of rice can be worth five stones of sweet potatoes, and five stones of sweet potatoes can be exchanged for one stone of rice. In this way, there will be no further impact on tax-heavy areas in the south of the Yangtze River, and this national policy will not be affected. Everyone is happy. "Elder Han Ge also spoke with reason and evidence, and took care of the claims of the imperial party and the South.

As soon as this remark came out, it was immediately approved by most of the ministers present. The Ming Dynasty has always had a tradition of folding rice. Not only sweet potatoes can be used to change rice, but wheat and millet can also be used to change rice. In some places, it can even be used Specialty products, such as mercury and wood, can be folded into rice, but the degree of color folding is different. For example, a stone of wheat can be folded into rice at about 1:0.8. Therefore, as soon as this remark was made, the ministers present immediately agreed. , This is five to one!Mr. Han Ge seemed to be fair, but he really dared to open his mouth, and immediately pulled the sweet potato and rice apart.

"I report to Your Majesty, I think this policy is more fair. It not only increases food production, but also avoids the injustice of the tax-heavy areas in the south of the Yangtze River. This policy is very good." Immediately, officials came out to smooth things over. People in the south and people in the south don't pay, and they are about to tear their skins apart.

"I report to Your Majesty, I believe that Mr. Han Ge is worthy of the reputation of fairness. If His Majesty can implement this strategy in the world, it will surely win the support of the people in the world and solve the problem of food for the people in the world. Our dynasty will last forever." Many officials also followed up. The smell of gunpowder is indeed a bit strong this morning. Some people in the south are indeed a bit aggressive towards the imperial party. It is better not to be too tense between the two parties, otherwise, everyone will have a bad life.

……

In the court, it seemed that the situation was very good, but the aggressive minister just now was not reconciled. Although Mr. Han Ge's proposal was more fair, he was still not reconciled, and wanted to come out angrily and say something else.A minister next to him could see that the emperor was determined to do this. He mobilized two imperial party cabinets to make a noise about this matter. , if you follow what Mr. Han Ge said, it will not conflict too much with the interests of the South. Many states and counties in the South do not need to grow sweet potatoes at all, so what should they do? This national policy can basically be regarded as a Something that is useful to the north, especially in the disaster-stricken areas. Seeing my colleagues around me getting ready to leave work, I pulled him and said: "... [-]% off, that's enough... "Five stones of sweet potatoes are converted into one stone of rice. This ratio is already exaggerated. You know, wheat can be worth [-]% of rice, and even corn can be worth [-]%. Sweet potatoes are directly five to one, which can only be worth two. become.

The aggressive minister flicked his sleeves several times, but he didn't shake off the minister who pulled him. He wanted to say something, but he didn't say it in the end.

Seeing that there were basically no problems, Yang Reform also breathed a sigh of relief. This matter was completely initiated by Xu Guangqi's memorabilia, and he was completely moved and added it temporarily. It is touching, but when it actually involves the interests of all parties, it will still encounter huge opposition. If it is not for my own pressure, I will use a lot of force to "settle" this matter, relying on Xu Guangqi's manpower alone, relying on this touching letter It is absolutely impossible for this kind of sweet potato to be vigorously promoted by the imperial court, and it is impossible to raise the cultivation of sweet potato to the height of national policy. The Ming Dynasty will inevitably continue to slide into the abyss according to history. Still can't save the Ming Dynasty.

"Since you have nothing to say, then this matter is settled like this. With the basic national policy of our government, the cultivation of sweet potatoes will be the top priority. In the next five years, we will vigorously develop Promote the planting of sweet potatoes, and link the official's annual examination with the cultivation of sweet potatoes. If the promotion is not effective, it can be rated as inferior. Because of the ineffective promotion, the victims will not have enough to eat. Those who gather rebels will be severely punished. The Secretary of Agriculture is in charge, and Shi Shoufu is in charge of this matter, with the help of the cabinet. From the cabinet down, all the ministries and yamen supervise and supervise, all the way to the prefectures and counties. They must complete the task seriously and not slack off." See you no one If he came out to speak out against it, Yang Reform would settle the matter logically.

"Your Majesty is wise, I will obey the order!" All the ministers replied in response.

Seeing that the matter has been settled, Yang Reform was in a good mood, and said again: "Actually, this sweet potato is a good thing. You may not know it. Master Xu wrote to me, saying that this sweet potato can not only be eaten as food, but also can be used for other things." There are many uses, for example, it can be made into vermicelli, called sweet potato flour, and stewed with pork. It is very fragrant and delicious, and it is a rare delicacy. After the sweet potato vermicelli is made, it can be stored for next year There is no problem, and it is convenient to eat. I am going to use this sweet potato vermicelli as military rations, which can relieve the hardship of the frontier army's food difficulties; this sweet potato can also be made into sugar, called sweet potato sugar, and it tastes very sweet; this sweet potato, You can also make wine, according to Master Xu's instructions, I have ordered my ministers to make some, you all have a taste, this is Master Xu's painstaking efforts, in order to promote sweet potatoes, Master Xu has worked hard!" Yang Reform said with a smile , After finishing speaking, motioned to Wang Chengen.

Wang Chengen got the emperor's signal and immediately called the little eunuchs to bring in the things the emperor said.

Before the ministers figured out what the emperor was going to do, the little eunuchs carried some things, and some bottles and cans came out.

"This filament-like thing is sweet potato flour. It's been made. Gentlemen, no one brought back twenty or thirty catties. It's a gift from me. Let the cook cook it when you go back. Try it, everyone. See if it tastes good? I have prepared a note for the recipe, and you just need to ask the cook to make it according to this method." Yang Reform said with a smile.

On this morning, in this serious, solemn, and sacred place of the morning, the emperor did this kind of thing of giving sweet potatoes. Bundles of sweet potato powder were piled up in front of the ministers, and the ministers couldn't laugh or cry.

"This kind of beige white lump is sweet potato candy. Come on, knock it down and taste it, and see if I lie to you." Yang Reform said again with a smile.

So, the little eunuch immediately used a mallet and wooden awl to break open the beige sweet potato candy, and distributed pieces of sweet potato candy to the ministers. So, amidst the wry smiles of the ministers, this minister of the Supreme Harmony Sect, a He eats sweet potato candy with a bitter face. Although sweet potato candy is sweet, why can't he feel sweet when he eats it?
"This kind of candy, each of you gentlemen will bring back a few catties and distribute it to the children, women and children in the family. It is a little bit of my heart." Yang Reform said again.

The ministers were even more miserable, but it was a gift from the emperor, and they dared not say no.

"Finally, everyone, take a look at this wine, it is also brewed from sweet potatoes." Yang Reform said again.

When it comes to wine, some ministers have thought about it. In ancient times, salt and iron tea and wine were strictly controlled. If this kind of high-yielding sweet potato can be used to make wine, it is undoubtedly a good way to make a fortune!Sweet potatoes are worthless, but this wine... Some ministers changed their minds and began to try sweet potato wine.

"It smells so good..."

"smell good!……"

As soon as the wine bottle is opened, the hall is filled with the smell of wine. Ancient literati and wine are good things that cannot be separated from each other. For other things, they may not know whether to laugh or cry, but they have a different attitude towards wine. , is completely happy.

"Your Majesty, is this wine really made from sweet potatoes? May I ask how it is made? Why is it so fragrant?" Some ministers have a taste for good wine. When they smell the aroma of wine, wine worms come and start to swallow their saliva. Come.

"Hehe, let's have a drink first, and then we'll talk after drinking." Yang Reform said with a smile. This thing is his trump card for promoting sweet potatoes. He planned to use it when the court debate was unfavorable. Killing all directions, even the assistant minister surnamed Han held the attitude of Zhongyun, and made this happen all at once. There is no need to use this trump card, but it still has his use.

A few alcoholic ministers couldn't wait any longer, poured a glass and tasted it themselves, regardless of whether this is the Supreme Harmony Gate or the main hall of the early dynasty.

"Good wine, good wine! This wine is mellow and sweet. After drinking it, I feel very refreshing...Your Majesty, this is really good wine..." Several ministers who had drunk this wine praised it unanimously it is good.

I heard that the previous few ministers who tasted the wine said it was delicious, and smelling the tangy aroma, more ministers couldn't help it, and started to get a cup from the eunuch to pour wine... If it is something else, here it is If the people in the early dynasty ate and drank, they would definitely reject and object, but this wine is different, literati, how many people don't like wine?
Another minister poured wine from another flagon, took a sip, and felt his throat was burning, his face suddenly changed, with a bitter face, he swallowed the wine, trembling all over After a while, he came back to his senses, and said: "What a strong wine!" After finishing speaking, the whole person stared at the jug with lingering fear.

The ministers looked at the guy's changing face and the trembling appearance. Some people didn't believe it, so they tried it themselves. The result was the same as the minister just now, with their faces tightly closed and shouting alcohol. However, the more so, the mouth On, but the more shouted good.

Yang Reform smiled and said nothing, this sweet potato wine is brewed according to the recipe in the future, how can there be any reason why it is not fragrant?Now that the technology of purifying alcohol has matured, the technology of brewing high-grade wine is naturally not a problem.

After drinking the wine, all the officials blushed and kept praising each other for the good wine. The whole hall was filled with the smell of wine. The early court hall turned into a tavern, and Yang Reform himself drank it too. After a few sips of sweet potato wine, his face instantly turned red. Looking at the drunken ministers below, Yang Reform breathed out his alcohol and said with a smile, "Everyone, don't underestimate sweet potatoes. Sweet potatoes are worthless, but they can become After buying these things, they are worth a lot of money... I have already sent my ministers to collect sweet potatoes, and I am going to make several big deals for these items, especially this wine. In addition to making this fragrant and delicious wine In addition to national wine, we are also planning to make strong wine and sell it outside the customs. If you are interested, you may wish to follow me to do it, and you all come to buy shares..." After talking halfway, Yang Reform stopped talking and went to drink again .

Although the words were only halfway through, the officials heard them, but they all trembled. What did the emperor say? "Bravely" said in court that he wanted to do business! !Many ministers were so drunk that they were woken up by the emperor's words, and quickly threw their glasses away.

Looking at the surprised, horrified, and panicked expressions of the ministers, Yang Reform said through his drunkenness: "Mistake, mistake, I drank a few sips of wine and just talked about it. You don't have to take it seriously... just pretend it never happened." , everyone, don't talk nonsense outside!... Talk about business, talk about business!" Yang Reform vaguely revealed the matter of doing business through his drunkenness.

Some of the officials were embarrassed, some were funny, some were happy, and some were lost in thought.Everyone looked at the wine glass in their hands, looked at the jug of wine, and then thought about the wine they drank and the breath they exhaled. This..., it was really a mistake to drink!More people are dumbfounded.

The ministers "threw" the cups and started to get down to business.

"Report to Your Majesty, I have something unclear, please tell Your Majesty." All the ministers saw that the emperor was "playing drunkenly" by drinking, and said in this hall to let everyone invest in shares and do business. The emperor probably wanted to sell stocks directly in this hall, and Bi Ziyan was the one who asked the question.

"Oh, what's the matter with Bi Qing's family?" Yang Reform asked a little "drunk".

"Reporting to Your Majesty, I only listened to Mr. Shoufu talking about the national policy, but His Majesty did not specify where the money for the national policy came from! This household department..." Bi Ziyan was depressed. The emperor asked him to mention the matter of the salt merchant, but today But it’s a big deal about planting sweet potatoes, and a national policy has been established. What’s even more outrageous is that everyone is drinking in the court hall. The most outrageous thing is that the emperor is “crazy with wine” and wants everyone to buy shares to do business. Bi Ziyan I don't object to the emperor's business. Anyway, most of the money earned is used in state affairs, but, do you want to talk about his affairs?
"Uh, this is the fund for the national policy. Well, Shoufu, how much money does it cost each year to implement this national policy?" Yang Reform asked "drunkly".

"Reporting to Your Majesty, my Ming Dynasty has nearly two hundred prefectures and more than one thousand one hundred counties. According to the national policy fund of 500 taels for each prefecture and county, it would cost 65 taels of silver." Chief Assistant Shi Fenglai also drank , The national policy was implemented, and I was happy, and I shook my head and said while enjoying the wine.

"Well, 65 taels..." Yang Reformed.

"Report to Your Majesty, I have something to say." Minister of the Ministry of War also said immediately through his drink, seeing that the emperor was about to approve the 65 taels of silver, wouldn't it be too late if we didn't say anything?
"Oh, what do you want to say?" Yang Reform asked "drunkly".

"Returning to Your Majesty, there are national policy funds in all states and counties in the world, but why is there no guards? There are nearly five hundred guards in the world, and more than 300 guards. Your Majesty, if sweet potatoes can solve the problem of military rations, wouldn't it be a great deed?" Liu Yanyuan's brain suddenly opened up, and he said it directly through the drunkenness. Normally, he might not have the courage to discuss it with the emperor first.

"Well, it makes sense. The officers and soldiers of the guard also have to rely on farmland to live, and they are also my people. It would be a good thing if they can rely on sweet potatoes to solve the military food problem. In this way, it will also be included in the national policy plan. You don’t need to give as much as the state and county, and it’s not included in the annual exam. Shoufu, you see, how much is more appropriate?” Yang Reform said in a “drunk” way, using the alcohol to talk about wine, It's really comfortable, I want to say what I want to say.

(End of this chapter)