First Minister of Ming Dynasty

"If the Central Plains doesn't work, can't it work in other places? The road of equalizing the land can only feed the common people. If you want the country to be rich and the people strong, it's still too far away. And once the world is peaceful, the population will multiply and multiply." , within a few decades, two or three generations will be able to occupy all the land, and the food produced may not even be enough to fill the stomach! When I promoted the equalization of land, no one said this, and neither did I I don’t know. But what can we do? There is still time to solve the problems that will happen decades later. If we don’t implement land equalization, we won’t even be able to get through the present.”

"Also, Zhu Ying, have you ever thought about why you want to promote education? Let the children go to school?"

Zhu Ying was stunned, "Is it because you read well?"

"That's right! But you can look at it from another angle. Going to school requires cost. Do you have a bunch of children and plan to eat in the soil, or do you have a few fewer and cultivate them into talents? This is a choice that can be discussed. Establishing a school The direct effect is naturally to cultivate talents, but it can also relieve the pressure on some people and land. But these are not enough, we need to find a better way."

Zhu Ying was dumbfounded, and he felt more and more that his elder brother was thinking deeply and had good intentions.

"Is this method Lingnan?"

"Almost! Even though industry and commerce have a lot of troubles... But there is one thing that no one can avoid. Industry and commerce really make money! Even the most conservative scholar-bureaucrats know how to get rich by relying on industry and commerce. We want to make the country rich A strong army is definitely inseparable from industry and commerce.”

"It is necessary to take advantage of the advantages of industry and commerce, but also to avoid the impact... What do you think should be done?" Zhang Ximeng asked with a smile.

Zhu Ying stared blankly, clenched her fists for a long time, "I understand, so I have to focus on Lingnan."

"Yes! Lingnan is still sparsely populated, and overseas merchants gather in Guangzhou. The conditions for developing industry and commerce are much better than other places. Moreover, the sky is high and the emperor is far away. In that place, the awe of official positions is not so important. Otherwise, you can go to Look in Shandong, even being an ordinary clerk in the yamen is more prestigious than having a hundred thousand coins in your pocket."

Zhang Ximeng said with a smile: "In the past few times of our imperial examinations, in addition to the ruling talents, the most foreign ones are from Shandong. So the story of the million taels of silver I will tell you also has a premise, that is, the pursuit of wealth is common, and the common Praise the rich, it works. Do you understand?"

"Understood!" Zhu Ying said seriously: "Brother, I understand everything now, and I never thought that I would shoulder such a big mission... But don't worry, brother, since it fell on my head, I won't back down , absolutely do my best!"

Zhu Ying was very serious, and Zhang Ximeng nodded in relief. Maybe this is why he doted on this brother!

Zhang Ximeng pushed the list back to Zhu Ying, and said with a smile: "The 400 million guan seems like a lot, but when it comes to using it, it's not enough. You have to learn how to use the financial resources of Lingnan merchants and even overseas merchants. Set up factories, workshops, establish commercial banks, organize fleets, and do business with overseas... If you need land, you will start around, looking for soft persimmons with thin skin and big stuffing. If there is a shortage of people, start with them, you understand me mean?"

"understand!"

Zhu Ying simply replied: "Brother, in fact, I have never dared to say that if you send other people, especially those who claim to be knowledgeable, not many of them can really do things. But under my command, That's different. How many people are willing to sacrifice everything for money! To be honest, someone has already set off to investigate the situation. Hearing what my brother said, I am more courageous. Is it some places around? I can also do it? You are welcome?"

The kid looked excited and couldn't wait.Zhang Ximeng has seen through it, this brat has a lot of trouble in his stomach!

"Zhu Ying, I also remind you that you can mess around with other things, but you have to be careful to appease the Li people in Hainan. No matter what, don't make trouble for me! Otherwise, your godfather may not be able to protect you!" Gu Wei

Zhu Ying was taken aback, didn't the elder brother seem to be lying?

He thought for a while, then suddenly smiled, "Brother, I'm here to ask for money, not to seek death. If I'm really stupid enough to kick around and offend a lot, I might as well close the Meiling Pass by myself! Don't worry! Well, I understand. When you go to Lingnan, you must first determine who is a friend and who is an enemy, who can be wooed and cooperated, and who must be eradicated... Anyway, even if I can't see clearly, there are still people like Gong Bosui I will listen to suggestions. And I will write letters to my elder brother regularly. If I encounter any problems, I will ask my elder brother. Don’t worry, I am not a child anymore. It can be done!"

Zhang Ximeng nodded, but still couldn't help nagging, "I can only give you a rough idea, but what you said is nice now, and it may not be so when you get there! All in all, you have to know that I am doing something unprecedented. For things, you must have a vision and be humble enough. You must lower yourself and think about things more comprehensively."

The majestic Zhang Xianggong took the trouble, like an old lady, repeatedly exhorting, breaking apart and crushing all kinds of truths, and repeatedly explaining to Zhu Ying.

Especially rare, Zhu Ying was not bored, but listened carefully, not daring to let it go.

At the end, Zhu Yingcai said: "Brother, I'm leaving. It stands to reason that I don't need to worry about your affairs. But I saw that you have not been married for a long time, you are just alone, and you fell ill again a while ago. I am really afraid No one will take care of you. Promise my younger brother to marry a good girl, so that I can hug my eldest nephew when I come back!"

Rarely, Zhang Ximeng blushed a little, but he didn't refute anything, but nodded slightly.

"I'll figure it out."

Zhu Ying was overjoyed to see that the elder brother had listened to it. He smiled and said, "Elder brother, I stole so much salary from you in the first few years. I blamed the younger brother for being ignorant. You are going to get married soon, and you have to spend money. I will give you money." You should be prepared. This is not repaying the debt! Between us brothers, it’s not easy to talk about this, just treat it as my share of the money in advance, it’s a little bit of fun.”

Zhang Ximeng nodded slightly, but didn't take it seriously. Zhu Ying gave him an envelope, and Zhang Ximeng asked him to put it on the table.

"I told you these things, I still need to sort them out, write them into a memorial, and hand them to your godfather. You should also prepare a little bit, don't be in a hurry."

Zhu Ying agreed, turned around and left.

On the other side, the examination of the Special Division of Criminal Names and Legal Affairs is also over.

I have to say that this subject really produced a lot of crouching dragons and phoenixes.

Needless to say, Li Shanchang's son passed the test and came in second to last in the exam, worse than Jiang Ke back then.

But he doesn't need to care about it, because the last one is more famous, he is Fang Guan, the son of Fang Guozhen, King of Yue!

After learning that her son had passed the customs and landed, Fang Guozhen was so happy!

Whether it's a big banquet or a floating banquet, no matter if it's a dignitary or a commoner in the city, they come to eat when they pass by, what they want is an atmosphere!

"Our old Fang family has figured out an all-rounder in civil and military affairs!"

It is worth mentioning that Feng Guoyong's son and daughter passed the exam together, joined Zhu Ying's team, and went south.

And the group of people from the commercial special department before also pulled out some, including Jiang Ke, and they all followed Zhu Ying to the south.

This is a group of people who gathered the essence of the entire Ming Dynasty... a complete set of business and legal talents, as well as a large group of crouching dragons and phoenixes, plus the children of civil and military officials.

They all gathered around Zhu Ying, this time everyone understood.

Yingtian is a street, ask who is the father!

Our Xipinghou is the head of the dude, No. 1 among the sages!

Such a large group of people left Yingtian in such a mighty way, but Zhang Ximeng didn't send them off, did he not care?No, after all the words have been said, it would be meaningless to waste saliva.

Between men, we should be more straightforward.

But having said that, Zhang Ximeng still felt empty. He finished writing the proposals for Zhu Yuanzhang to develop business and was about to take a break, but suddenly found the envelope that Zhu Ying had left for him.

"This brat stole so much of his salary, how much can he pay back?"

Zhang Ximeng tore it open at random, but a bill fell out of it. When he picked it up, Zhang Ximeng immediately rubbed his eyes.

"It's actually... 30 guan!"

Zhang Ximeng's hands trembled unconsciously...

Chapter 423 I'm sorry

Zhang Ximeng suffered from insomnia. He tossed and turned in the first half of the night, and couldn't sleep in the second half... Zhu Ying, a little bastard, actually gave himself such a generous gift.

He was challenging his weakness, unfortunately, Zhang Ximeng really couldn't hold on anymore.

Where did the money come from?

There is no doubt that it was either a salary, or Zhu Ying received it from a businessman and gave it to herself.

If Zhang Ximeng was really stern and selfless, he would probably have to arrest this kid.

But the problem is that Zhang Ximeng is not such a person!

It's just that outsiders think he is clean, and Zhang Ximeng also wants to enjoy it, and the little bastard also said that he is marrying a wife... By the way, I really don't have a wife!

Marriage costs a lot, the mansion needs to be refurbished, painted, repainted, bought some new furniture, the bamboo bed should be replaced with a thousand-work bed, and there are banquets, at least shark fin banquets.

There is also a bride price, this is a big deal!

After getting married, there will be a baby soon, and the cost of raising a baby is not small...it will be fatal!

Zhang Ximeng did some calculations, if he was still single, it would be too troublesome to get married.

Anyway, this bastard Zhu Ying managed to break his elder brother's defense.

Zhang Ximeng got up early the next day, got some cold water to wash, and then sat there.In the final analysis, cowardly or cowardly.Even taking Zhu Ying's money is called being greedy!

A windfall from the sky, if you can't explain it clearly, that is also a sin!

Although Zhang Ximeng felt that it was unnecessary to punish Zhu Ying for this reason, he still wanted to tell Lao Zhu that we are pure ministers and should not lament about corruption and bribery.

I, Zhang Ximeng, stand upright and stand up to the test!

Zhang Ximeng shook his head, got up and left the mansion.

He is going to go to the province first to see if there are any government affairs that need to be reported, so as to have an excuse to enter the palace, and then find a chance to talk about the matter, perfect!

Zhang Ximeng came to Menxia Province, and by chance, Jiang Nan was there... Although it was planned to transfer the Du Branch Bureau under the Budget Department and be managed by Zhongshu Province, the reform of the Ministry of Household Affairs has not yet been finalized.

Jiang Nan still works in Menxia Province, and it is a newly built yamen, which is much more comfortable than Zhang's.After all, there is a special small canteen here, where you can order food, so you don't need to eat noodles every day.

"Zhang Xiang, your value house still has a small garden, just planted some bamboos and orchids. Do you want to change it to something else?"

"Change it? Can I change it to spinach and radish?"

"No!" Jiang Nan laughed angrily, "Zhang Xiang, you just want to harm your own family. This is a shame, so let's be more elegant!"

Zhang Ximeng grinned helplessly, "Then do as you said! By the way, come here for a while, I'll ask you something."

Calling Jiang Nan to his room, Zhang Ximeng poured her a cup of tea.

"Let's make do with it first! I guess you can't raise goats... That Jiang Tiju, me, let me use an analogy! Let's see how to deal with this..."

Seeing that Zhang Ximeng was serious, Jiang Nan straightened his back and listened humbly.

"Think about it! There is a person who is very powerful and ranks first among the officials. If he suddenly receives a sum of money, a lot of money, how will it be calculated?"

Jiang Nan's heart was beating wildly, what do you mean?Has Zhang Xiang captured the evidence of Li Shanchang?Ready to do this old guy?

Just got rid of a large group of moths from the Ministry of Households, and they are about to attack Li Shanchang. Zhang Xiang is really high-spirited!

Jiang Nan thought about it, but he didn't dare to point it out. Anyway, if you make an analogy, I'll just listen!

"Naturally, we need to find out the source of his money. Is he greedy for ink?"

"No!" Zhang Ximeng said bluntly: "Absolutely not. The source of the money is still legitimate, and there is nothing illegal about it."

"Then, that's not right." Jiang Nan said puzzled: "I just said that people must ask for courtesy, not to mention heavy courtesy. Even if there is no such thing for the time being, it is still a long-term fishing. It must be severely punished! Arrest the gift giver! Torture and torture, don't worry about finding out the truth!"

Zhang Ximeng's face turned dark, Zhu Ying, I want to keep you too, but he won't agree!

After a little bit of astonishment, Zhang Ximeng said simply: "This is really not a long-term fishing. It's a bit different from what you think. It's just that there is not much meaning in giving some money and gifts between relatives."

Jiang Nan pondered silently, and after a while, he said in a low voice: "Mr. Zhang, you mean that Li Qi gave Mr. Li a gift?"

Zhang Ximeng was startled, his expression changed slightly, he could only say in embarrassment: "That... just an analogy, it's just an analogy, don't take it seriously!"

Now it's confirmed, that's what happened!

Jiang Nan thought that Li Shanchang was really dishonest, he sent his son to Lingnan to make a fortune, otherwise how could he be so active!

It seems that Zhang Xiang wants to deal with Lao Li, but this situation is indeed a bit troublesome.

"Zhang Xiang, although the land in the south of the Five Ridges is not a foreign country, it is obviously different from Yingtian's law. If Li Qi gets money from there, it will be difficult to convict him for a while."

There was no way to convict, Zhang Ximeng breathed a sigh of relief.

Jiang Nan said again: "If a child gives a gift to his father, even if the gift is larger and the amount is larger, it cannot be regarded as bribery." Gu Lin

The half-suspended heart was completely put in the stomach, and it seemed to be all right.

Zhang Ximeng asked curiously again: "Then look, is there no problem at all?"

Jiang Nan thought hard and said after a long time, "Mr. Zhang, if you must be convicted, there is still a way."

"What way?" Zhang Ximeng asked hastily.

"Although this situation does not qualify as bribery, it is still okay to count it as a gift. If Li Shanchang did not report the tax truthfully, that is to say, there is still a problem with the money. It's just how to set the tax rates for gifts and inheritances, Hu Shangshu said Bian doesn’t seem to have come to a conclusion so quickly. He even has trouble collecting business taxes now, but he doesn’t have the heart to take care of them. If Zhang Xiang wants to deal with Li Shanchang in this way, it’s best to urge Hu Weiyong, and let them bite the dog when the time comes.”

Jiang Nan patiently advised Zhang Ximeng.

"Okay, very good! Jiang Tiju has helped me a lot!" Zhang Ximeng was very moved: "I will slaughter the sheep later, please go over and eat the roast leg of lamb!"

Jiang Nan readily agreed, "Just leg of lamb is not interesting, if you can beat the old man, how about adding a puffer fish?"

Zhang Ximeng grinned, "The fugu needs to hire a cook from outside, or shad, or shad!"

Jiang Nan smiled, "I heard the empress say that she is greedy for fish, and her favorite is shad. It turns out that you and your ministers have similar tastes!"

Zhang Ximeng's face turned dark. What does taste mean? It's clear that Zhu Yuanzhang and his wife stole the recipe from me, and I improved their taste.

"Since I know that the lord likes it, I'll entertain you with a royal banquet, aren't you satisfied?"

"Satisfied, the humble job is very satisfied!" Jiang Nan said with a smile: "I can wait for Zhang Xiang to eradicate rape and evil!"

What can Zhang Ximeng say? After Jiang Nan left, he swung a knife around his neck, which was quite scary.

Don't say anything, let's call Hu Weiyong over!

"Finance and taxation are the foundation of a country. There is no room for carelessness. The reform of the Ministry of Household Affairs cannot be postponed for the time being. It is just that the expenditure is too much and the collection is seriously insufficient... Now I have more than enough money but not enough money!"

When Hu Weiyong heard what Zhang Ximeng said, his heart was beating wildly.As a vicious dog, what he is most afraid of is that there will be no prey. Now that Zhang Xiang has given the order, he has no reason not to work hard!

"Master Zhang, I am sure that within half a year, the income of the tax department will be doubled!"

Zhang Ximeng raised his eyelids, and said with a smile, "I'm very ambitious...but the core of the moment is to focus on the big and let go of the small, first to figure out the business tax, customs duty, salt tax, and foreign trade. Lingnan needs to make efforts. Your taxes The Ministry should also cooperate with us to focus on cracking down on smuggling, understand?"

"understand!"

Hu Weiyong immediately said: "The humble job has already been thought out, I will ask the navy for help, and strictly investigate private trade!"

Zhang Ximeng nodded repeatedly, said a few more casual words, and let Hu Weiyong go down.

After dismissing Lao Hu, Zhang Ximeng breathed a sigh of relief, he should be fine!

In other words, from now on, I will be considered a rich man!