Daming: Refining zombies at the beginning, Lao Zhu was shocked

Seeing that Zhu Yuanzhang had already put down the empty bowls and chopsticks, how could Zhang Yan, a minister, have the nerve to continue eating?

He had no appetite anyway, so Zhang Yan simply put down the bowls and chopsticks.

"Zhang Aiqing, we are here to discuss something with you this time!"

Zhu Yuanzhang didn't pay attention, but stared at Zhang Yan with burning eyes and said.

"Your Majesty, please speak!"

Zhang Yan's heart tightened when he heard this, he couldn't escape what was coming after all!

It seems that my guess is correct, the emperor must have asked for money again!

"We decided to build a road and build a cement road from Yingtian to the northwest!"

Zhu Yuanzhang said slowly.

"Isn't His Highness the King of Han always building roads?"

Zhang Yan asked with confusion on his face.

Because the road construction in Hanzhong is no longer a secret!

Not only have the cement roads in Hanzhong been built to Xi'an Prefecture, but they are also continuing to be expanded outwards. Now they have been built to Shangluo Danfeng County!

Although it is still in Shaanxi, if you go southeast, you will enter Henan!

Zhu Yuanzhang was speechless when he heard this!

What is Zhang Meng thinking?

Could this guy be thinking about asking Lao Jiu to pay for building this road?

"Why do you think the King of Han built a cement road to Henan?"

"If we hadn't discussed it with Lao Jiu, this road might not have been built from Xi'an Prefecture to Henan, but directly from Hanzhong to the Chengdu Basin!"

"Even the King of Shu knows the benefits of building roads. As the Minister of Household Affairs, Zhang Aiqing can't possibly not see it, right?"

Zhu Yuanzhang asked with a somewhat dissatisfied tone.

Zhang Yan had a wry smile on his face!

How could he, the Minister of Household Affairs, not know the benefits of building cement roads?

It is definitely beneficial to the country and the people. For example, recently, the supply of briquettes from the northwest has been in short supply due to transportation problems!

If there is a cement road directly leading to Jiangnan, more briquettes can be transported here!

The production of briquettes in the northwest is sufficient, but if it cannot be transported, it will be in vain!

But Zhang Yan also has his own plans!

Anyway, the king of Han and the king of Shu were willing to spend their own money to build roads, so why should the imperial court rush to pay for it themselves?

He also saved a lot of money for the imperial court!

But judging from what the emperor meant, he seemed very dissatisfied with this!

It’s really hard for me to be the Minister of Household Affairs!

"Well...I certainly know the benefits of building roads!"

"But although there are still millions of taels of silver in the treasury, we can't use them all to build roads!"

“Besides, you had to promote the cultivation of rubber before, which is also a big expense!”

Zhang Yan explained with a troubled face.

"Whether it's rubber planting or road construction, they are all things that benefit the country and the people. Since you also think it is a good thing, why is there any reason to oppose it?"

"Rubber seeds will not be given away for free, and cement used for road construction will not be given away for free. The Ministry of Household Affairs will approve as much as it needs to be approved!"

"The national treasury is so full during this period. If this money is not used, it will be no different from a pile of scrap metal if it is piled up in the treasury!"

Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand and said nonchalantly.

Besides, it’s not like the imperial court only has these few million taels of silver left. Isn’t there a steady stream of money earned every month?

This is also where Zhu Yuanzhang’s confidence lies!

"This... I obey your order!"

Zhang Yan sighed helplessly.

He knew that Zhu Yuanzhang invited him over for dinner today and discussed it with him in a good-humoured manner, which was enough to give him face!

If he doesn't know how to promote and insists on opposing Zhu Yuanzhang, it would be unreasonable. As the head of the household department, Zhang Yan must assess the situation and assess the situation as a compulsory course!

And it can be seen from this that His Majesty still values ​​him very much!

If it were another minister, Zhu Yuanzhang would probably have issued an order directly through an imperial edict. Who would discuss it with you? I would just inform you!

So although Zhang Yan is stingy, he is still very clear on some issues!

The main thing is to build roads and plant rubber trees, which are indeed good things. He just feels sorry for the money invested in the early stage. It is not that he is opposed to building roads or planting rubber!

"We all know that Zhang Aiqing knows the basics!"

"In this case, the money for road construction and rubber planting will come from the Ministry of Revenue. Send someone to talk to the King of Han directly!"

When Zhu Yuanzhang saw Zhang Yan relenting, he immediately nodded with satisfaction!

Although this old boy is a tough guy on weekdays, he is still quite sensible at critical moments!

……

Prince Yan's Mansion in Peking.

Ten days passed by in a hurry.

Zhu Di's face turned livid when he looked at the approval just sent by someone from the court!

The old man actually rejected his request, and this year he won't give any money or food to Peiping!

The only thing that made Zhu Di feel better was that all the vassal kings were treated in this way, not just Zhu Di!

Of course, he didn't know that it was because of him that the old man also rejected all the requests of other feudal lords!

Sooner or later he will have to take the blame for this matter!

In fact, it was not that Zhu Di suddenly lost his mind and opened his mouth to Zhu Yuanzhang!

He just wasn't willing to give in and wanted to test the old man's attitude towards him!

In the final analysis, it was because of Lao Jiu that the trouble was caused. He felt that the old man was too partial and gave all the benefits to Lao Jiu!

He just wanted to see what weight he would have in the old man's heart?

Although Zhu Di himself thought it was too much to ask for a million taels of silver, but in his opinion, even if the old man disagreed, he should still give him a little bit!

Even if you give me two to three hundred thousand taels, it’s okay if it’s a little higher than in previous years!

But he didn't expect that the old man could do it so well!

This also made him feel more and more that the old man was too kind to Lao Jiu!

"Master, what do you think about this matter?"

Zhu Di asked Yao Guangxiao with a livid face.

"Actually, His Highness doesn't have to be so persistent. Even if His Majesty fails to agree to provide food and salary, it doesn't mean anything. Didn't all the feudal kings give it?"

Yao Guangxiao laughed disapprovingly.

In his opinion, Zhu Di thought too much!

To put it bluntly, he is just jealous of Zhu Yue, the king of Han Dynasty!

Many times, people are easily confused because of the immediate benefits. Zhu Di may be in this state!

"You mean, my father is not partial to Lao Jiu?"

Zhu Di frowned!

"Actually, the King of Han was able to develop to this level without His Majesty trying to stop him at most. Have you ever seen Your Majesty help him?"

"On the contrary, King Zhu Yue of Han can also help the court. For example, in the matter of refined salt, it can make the court follow its instructions!"