Domineering Daming

The two of them didn't see anyone, but the salt merchants who met them yesterday were anxious like ants on a hot pot, running around the city looking for someone.

The fat man who was going to teach Zhu Youjian a lesson yesterday was almost crying at this moment, and said: "What should I do? This time I took out all the money to buy Yanyin. Now that the money has gone out, I haven't seen Yanyin yet. It's over!"

The faces of the other salt merchants were also pale, and they all whispered impatiently, talking and discussing non-stop.

According to the Great Ming’s Gang Salt Law, the salt was sold to merchants, and the merchants bought and sold the salt themselves, and they were responsible for their own profits and losses after paying the full tax.Now they handed over the money but did not get the salt, and the imperial court wanted to seal up the salt farms in various places, and each promoted a department, and everyone in the transshipment department was in danger.Anyone who is a little sensitive knows that they probably won't get Yanyin this time, let alone get their money back!

The middle-aged man sitting in the middle, dressed in low-key and gorgeous clothes, seemed very calm. He waited for the crowd to quarrel for a while before saying: "Don't worry, everyone, the imperial court cannot seal the salt field for too long. It doesn't matter if the people have no salt to eat, but the imperial court still needs to pay taxes." Silver. So, we have to wait now to see when the court will release the salt, as long as the court releases the salt, we will have a way to get the salt and transport it to the salt!"

What he said was well-founded, everyone calmed down for a while, and they all agreed: "That's right, Shopkeeper Sun is right, the imperial court can't get out without holding on to the salt!"

"That's right, the imperial court needs this money even more, and it will definitely not affect Xia Yan, it will definitely be soon!"

"As expected of the richest man in Suzhou, this calmness alone is amazing, I admire it!"

"It's no wonder shopkeeper Sun's business is so big, and he bought the most Yanyin this time..."

Sun Yong was listening to the compliments around him, his expression was calm, but his heart was not as calm as his face.

He had a premonition nervously that the imperial court would definitely not give up easily with such a big move this time, I'm afraid it would not be as easy for them to get Yanyin as he said.

The adults who walked out of the Golden Temple gathered together in twos and threes, discussing in low voices.Zhu Youjian, Gu Bingqian and others walked behind, and they had to turn to the cabinet squad after a few steps.

Surrounded by a group of people, Yang Lian walked towards the palace gate. His originally serious expression and frown slowly relaxed, and his resentful expression loosened a lot.

"Master Yang, the emperor's method is really neat." A censor whispered beside Yang Lian.

Yang Lian couldn't figure out what it meant from his words. With a dull face, he raised his head and said: "The emperor's actions are straightforward and neat, and he has the style of a wise king. You and I should be gratified."

As soon as everyone heard what Yang Lian meant, they immediately began to express their opinions.

"What Master Yang said is that since ancient times, virtuous ministers have sought enlightened emperors. It is not easy for the emperor to be so decisive at such a young age."

"Indeed, the emperor's handling of today's court discussion is very appropriate, and there is a legacy of Taizu!"

"The emperor has Master Yang to teach, it should be so."

"Zongzhengying is not far away, and the Great Ming ZTE is in sight!"

A group of people flattered so much that Yang Lian himself felt his chest swell, and he was quite high-spirited and smug!

On the other side, a group of people looked dignified and were talking in low voices worriedly.

"It's definitely not a good thing for the emperor to trust Xinwang so much."

"Yes, it is said that the affairs of the cabinet are all given to King Xin, and Mr. Gu Ge sometimes has to back down by three points."

"Xin Wang is extremely diligent. I heard that he sits in the cabinet every day until the palace gate is closed before leaving the palace, and enters the palace as soon as the palace gate is opened."

"He is so diligent as a vassal king, where does he put the emperor..."

"You don't know yet, I heard rumors from the servants that the emperor's affairs today are all taught by the king of Xin, and he even drew up a list of officials before..."

"Speak carefully, speak carefully!"

"That's right, leave the palace, leave the palace..."

Although their voices were low, quite a few people heard them.Among them are the officials of Ke Dao, all of whom looked down, with a violent look on their brows.

It was the last edict of the first emperor to assist the government. They all thought that Zhu Youxiao was worried that the emperor would be young, and the country would be suspicious, which would shake their Zhu family. Therefore, the adult Xinwang assisted the government to stabilize the country.

But judging from the current situation, I'm afraid, there will really be a national crisis!

Fu Changzong and Zhou Yingqiu went down the stairs side by side, they looked at each other and smiled, and they both heaved a sigh of relief.Immediately, he smiled wryly again, since they didn't need to worry at all.

"Master Fu, Master Zhou stay here."

Cao Huachun chased a few steps from behind, came to the front, and said with a smile: "My lords, the emperor has summoned you to discuss matters in Wenzhao Pavilion."

The two looked at each other and said without hesitation, "Yes, please lead the way."

In Wenzhao Pavilion, Zhu Xu was sitting on the slum, flipping through the mountain of booklets, and said to the two people who came in without looking back: "Sit down, let's talk about the salt method today."

In the late Wanli period, the Ming Dynasty switched to the Gang Salt Law. Simply put, the imperial court was responsible for producing salt, salt merchants were responsible for underwriting sales, the imperial court collected taxes, and merchants were responsible for their own profits and losses.

The reason for changing the salt law is very complicated, and the fundamental reason is still the salt tax.However, at the end of the Ming Dynasty, the corruption of officials reached the extreme. From the lowest-end salt-producing households to the top-most household department in the capital, none of them were clean.

Lost to the court, suffered from the common people.

Chapter 196 New Salt Law

Fu Changzong was not surprised, but he didn't sit down. He stood shoulder to shoulder with Zhou Yingqiu not far from Zhu Xu, thought for a while, and said: "Your Majesty, the salt administration has been corrupted for a long time, and it will not take a day to change it."

Zhou Yingqiu also pondered, and said: "Your Majesty, I agree with Mr. Fu's words. The salt administration involves too much. If you want to reform, I'm afraid it will involve too many obstacles and it will be difficult to implement it."

Zhu Xu also nodded. The salt administration has been involved in Daming for hundreds of years, and it has penetrated into every cent.He had just sealed off the saltworks across the country, and it wouldn't be long before his desk would have countless notes asking him to "act with caution".

The notebook in his hand was the memorabilia in which Zuo Guangdou was recommended by the Shangshu of the Nanjing Ministry of Industry to be the Minister of the Household Department. Zhu Xu threw it down casually and said, "I don't want to reform, I want to rebuild!"

Both of them were startled, looking at Zhu Xu first with doubts, then frowning.

Fu Changzong looked dignified, and said: "Your Majesty, if we rebuild, I'm afraid it will be more than a hundred times more difficult than reform!"

Salt administration involves all aspects, and it is a major pillar of a dynasty. If it is really overthrown and restarted, it will be tantamount to going against the whole world!

Zhu Xu smiled and said: "I know, so I have a shield to let all the sharp arrows shoot at him!"

Zhou Yingqiu's face moved slightly, and he said, "The emperor's intention is to ask Xin Wang to come forward and stand in front, while we secretly push?"

Zhu Xu nodded appreciatively, and said, "Next, let me talk about the reform of the salt administration."

Both Fu Changzong and Zhou Yingqiu didn't have enough time to think and object, they could only listen respectfully with the uneasiness in their hearts.

Zhu Xu will have thought up the idea a long time ago, and said simply: "In fact, it is very similar to Gangfa. The salt fields in various places are still controlled by the imperial court, but there is no need for salt introduction. Find several large chambers of commerce in each province and supply them in different regions. Salt, and then limit their prices and sales areas. Once anyone violates the regulations, they will be disqualified immediately. By the way, every salt merchant must have a deposit, and the deposit for violations will be deducted..."

The two listened, pondered for a while, and Fu Changzong said in surprise: "The emperor is going to abolish the Transshipment Department, is there still a hereditary Yanhu in the promotion department?"

Zhou Yingqiu also had a strange expression on his face. This is involved, but it is huge. It is not an exaggeration to use the four words "the world is in chaos"!

Zhu Xu didn't hesitate, his eyes were stern, and he said in a deep voice: "When Luo Yangxing is cleaned up, all the saltworks, household department, official department, Jinyiwei, and Fu Tao's accounting room will go in with four lines, and I will control them more tightly. Every chamber of commerce and local government offices must also deploy personnel to strictly control the price of salt, I will never allow anyone to interfere in this matter!"

Zhou Yingqiu and Fu Changzong looked at each other, Fu Changzong looked up at Zhu Xu and said, "Your Majesty, this matter is too important, let us go back and make a thorough plan to ensure nothing goes wrong."

Zhu Xu nodded slightly, and said, "No hurry, Xia Yan still has a few months left, take your time..."

Before Zhu Xu finished speaking, Cao Huachun walked in from the outside and said, "Your Majesty, Wang Shaohui and Ni Wenhuan are asking to see you."

Zhu Xu waved his hand and said, "No, let them handle the errands by themselves."