The happy life of the devil and the devil

The letter of credence who proposed to Su Tai was still on his way to Qingzhou, preparing to take a boat south from the seaport.It is reckoned that it will take three or four months to go back and forth, just in time for Yuan Shao to visit the eastern border and come back to preside over the wedding, and it will not be delayed until the child is born and the concubine cannot enter the door.King Kang was completely confined in the mansion, and it was impossible to release him before the Zhengdan Dynasty. Therefore, this ridiculous diplomatic conflict quickly faded out of people's sight.

From the beginning of the twelfth lunar month, what attracted the attention of the Beiliang government and the public has become the distribution of Yu Xia's huge compensation.Under Shen Shiliang's brilliant tongue, Yu Xia finally agreed to use 1000 million taels of silver, 500 million pieces of silk, and 200 million catties of tea to redeem Jianmen Pass and all prisoners of war and civilians.

The price offered by Shen Shiliang was very fair and reasonable.The value of each prisoner of war is 20 taels of silver and ten bolts of silk, and the officer will calculate the price separately; market price.The price of Jianmenguan is 20 million taels of silver, 500 million pieces of silk and 200 million catties of tea. , as compensation to Beiliang and as a reward for the army.

Of course, the rations and winter clothes for the prisoners of war, as well as the shipping costs for transporting these items to the place where the prisoners of war are located - also paid for with food and clothes - are calculated separately and are not included in this list.

At the same time, renewing the covenant, vowing not to invade each other; reopening the border market, allowing people to trade with each other in designated markets... These various things are the meaning of the title, so there is no need to repeat them one by one.

Such a large sum of income is enough to make everyone's calculations crackle.After the royal family takes [-]% of all the compensation, the rest will go to whoever captures the ransom from the prisoners of war or civilians; for the ransom at Jianmen Pass, the Xuanjiawei will get [-]% for their victory in capturing the city, and the Xiaoqiwei will get the remaining [-]%—that is, [-]% Cheng is also very satisfying, after all, the [-] prisoners of war and tens of thousands of civilians at Jianmen Pass were almost given to them by Xuanjia Weibai.

The compensation for the war on the border of Beiliang should have been entirely owned by Hubenwei, but since Yuan Shao had already distributed relief in advance, it was a surprise that Hubenwei could get half of the compensation.As for the rewards of the armies participating in the battle, the Xuanjia Guard with the highest military exploits and the Huben Guard who shouldered the heaviest mission each get [-]%, and the Xiaowu Guard and Xiongwu Guard each get [-]%. It can be said that everyone is happy.

Hubenwei: ...Nonsense!Xuanjiawei's reward alone is ten times that of ours!

Yuan Shao: Leading ten times the strength of others, but not as good in battle as others, do you have the nerve to complain in front of me?

The silver is white, the silk is red, and the eyeballs are black. If the white silver falls into the black eyeballs, it is impossible to pull it out.The whole court rejoiced at this unexpected fortune, and when they calculated that this year would be a good year, only Ling Yucheng unceremoniously poured cold water on it.

"Do you know how much Yu Xia's annual income is? Do you know that this ransom is only one-third of Yu Xia's annual income? Do you know that it is just the military expenses of the northern Xinjiang camp for a year, including military pay, food, clothing, armor and equipment for a year? , are you going to drop a few million?"

Those who can discuss matters in the imperial study are the most core and closest courtiers around Yuan Shao, and naturally, they have the most active minds.Ling Yucheng tapped on the table with his fingertips, glanced at the faces of several people one by one, and his tone became more and more cold: "1000 million taels is a lot? The two countries trade each other, tea and medicinal materials, silk, even hoes and shovels. One stitch at a time, what should we not buy from Yu Xia? Except for the cattle, sheep and horses, what else can we sell to them?——Not to mention the official trade, when I was in the northern Xinjiang camp, I was only smuggling for a year Trade, earn more than 100 million taels!"

Yuan Shao smiled and leaned aside, watching Ling Yucheng talking to everyone.They have discussed these words in private more than once. When Ling Yucheng said it in front of him, his tone was always respectful and solemn, and he tried to analyze it objectively. He even looked a little cautious, as if he was afraid that he would be wronged Angry from embarrassment—compared, of course, it is more pleasing to the eye and the eye to be merciless and slashing people now.

"Looking at the amount of money, how much can His Majesty hold in his hands? - Add up to 600 million at most, is it enough to renovate the roads in the major states and counties? Xingyi Canal, Zhenguo Canal, An Fengqu, do these major water conservancy facilities need to be repaired? There are also coal mines in Jindi, iron mines in Youzhou, and copper mines in Tongguanshan. They must not be mined and smelted quickly? The government reserves must be filled to prepare for shortages. It is necessary to build a government school - all the expenses are calculated one by one, and the millions of dollars are not enough to fill in half!"

"If I have some money, I want to use it for Hu Huahai. What should I do if I use it up? Go grab it again? After I grab it, I will spend money to buy things with others, and I will pay it all back? ——Can you be a little bit better!"

Yuan Shao managed to hold back his laughter.Faced with the faces of "there is no extra bonus this year, no money for fireworks, no red envelopes for children and grandchildren", it is not easy to control your expression.In fact, he also wanted to find a chance to renovate the palace. Although Ling Yucheng still lives with him now, it is really not the reason why the queen's bedroom has no money to repair it...

What's more, the old manager reminded him privately that day, "Your Majesty, you have brought in another group of concubines this year. It's the Chinese New Year, at least give them some clothes and jewelry..."

"The Ministry of Household Affairs and the Ministry of Industry have done a good job of calculating, repairing roads and water conservancy, storing grain to prepare for shortages, opening mines, building schools, etc., how much money will be required to report the plan. For the insufficient part, I will see if the inner government can come up with it. How much?"

Alas, even without the huge dowry expenses this year, life is still tight...

I'm afraid that Ling Yucheng in Qingzhou is more comfortable spending money than the emperor.

Move your mouth above, break your legs below.

Ling Yucheng made a few understatement assumptions, and Shen Shiliang, Minister of the Ministry of household affairs, led his subordinates to work overtime for ten days!During the period, the budget form sent up was sent back no less than three times...

"There are two new coal mines in Jindi, and the official road is not repaired. Are you going to let the coal rot in the mountains or push it out with a wheelbarrow? Redo it!"

"The two hundred miles of official roads only cost so little? What about the three rivers in the middle, do they rely on six-foot-wide wooden bridges or ferry boats? Redo it!"

"The construction of the Xingyi Canal requires hundreds of thousands of corvee labor, and the surrounding government warehouses have no plan to absorb and store grain? What do we do to prepare for the spring famine when the grain is exhausted? Redo it!"

……

Shen Shiliang burst into tears.It seems that I lost all the impression points I earned during the previous negotiations... I'm going to stay up late and work overtime tonight...

The point is, why is Ling Yucheng responsible for throwing these plans back on them?Where is Your Majesty?It's wrong to leave the work to the queen and go out of the city to hunt by yourself!

Jin Bo, who had come all the way from Qingzhou to report to Ling Yucheng about the plans for the fiefdom next year, also burst into tears.As a big housekeeper in Qingzhou, he has to handle farming, commerce, and construction. He is already exhausted like a dog. Why should he review the construction budget for the whole country in Beiliang next year!My lord, I really don't want to be transferred to the household department to be an official!

Ignoring that, spending money can still be a pleasure.Throwing millions of taels of silver into the vast country of Beiliang is really not a splash. However, such a small piece of land in Qingzhou will be spent, how can it be so refreshing.In addition to the routine rewards for participating in the battle and making military achievements, each soldier of Xuanjiawei was happily notified:

Starting from August this year, all soldiers who get married can get 20 taels of silver and two bolts of silk as a settling allowance, and officers at all levels will be promoted in order of rank!

"Anyway, it's affordable—" Ling Yucheng explained to Yuan Shao in this way. "It's been more than a year, and it's time for them to marry a wife and settle down."

He stretched his shoulders comfortably, leaned back, and breathed a long sigh of relief: "Finally, I don't need to rely on His Majesty to support me."

"Oh?" Yuan Shao squinted at him, "Is there really no need? Then I took Qingzhou back?"

"……His Majesty!"

Yuan Shao stared at him leisurely.Ling Yucheng pursed his lips, lowered his head slightly, and moved his body a little restlessly on the seat, with a look of wanting to beg for love but unable to hold back.After a while, he stood up solemnly, and bowed to the ground:

"The minister just spoke nonsense, Your Majesty forgive me."

Ugh... so boring.

If it was his son who was grounded in the mansion, he would have started rolling all over the floor by this time, crying and howling while hugging his thigh.Ling Yucheng insisted on using this kind of pattern of the monarch and his ministers playing the right role... If you say a few soft words, you will die!

Forget it, you can't ask too much at once.Yuan Shao sighed regretfully, after all he knew it was not appropriate to continue teasing him, waved his hand, looked down at the report sent by Ling Yucheng.

Compared with the stretched situation when I first came here, the situation in Qingzhou this year can be called affluent.After a year of sparing no effort in repairing water conservancy, farming, and distributing cattle and farm tools, Qingzhou's grain output this year has already increased by [-]% compared to last year. Among other things, it is more than enough to feed Xuanjiawei and their horses.Coupled with the monopoly of a good sea port, the money earned from the business is enough to pay the soldiers. Even if this war does not break out this year, the entire Xuanjiawei has entered a virtuous circle of self-sufficiency.

And this unplanned wealth can push Qingzhou to a new level.

"The money is still not enough." Just now he secretly felt that Qingzhou was thriving, when he heard Ling Yucheng sigh from the side. "Building bridges, roads, canals, opening ports, opening fields and mines, and calling on the people to plant a large number of fruit trees and saplings, mulberry and silkworms, cattle, sheep, pigs and chickens on the mountains... Some things, the money is spent, and the money is lost. It will take three to five years to see the effect, but it has to be smashed! We have to build a school to encourage the style of writing, which really makes people want to grab another vote."

... Rich people should not say such things!I don't think it's enough to build a road here. Have you already spent your money on the third and fourth steps?Still crying poor, does this mean you want to reach out to me?

"There are also those who try to make things, whether they are making steel and iron or building new ordnance, even if they are trying to make new looms, they are all gold-eating pits! ... When will this day be the end?"

"so?"

"So I still have to save some money..."

"Okay, okay, I got it." Yuan Shao patted his arm reassuringly, "Those tributes that are given to you this year, such as mink fur and fox fur, should be distributed to your subordinates as you like, okay? It won't save you from spending real money." Silver to buy..."

"This one……"

"What else do you want from me?" Yuan Shao turned his head in a good mood.It's rare that Ling Yucheng is willing to ask him for something.

"Actually, what I want to say is that I really don't lack furs this year... Didn't I take in a bunch of Haixi savages at the beginning of the year? The source of goods..."

"..."

Depressed by the real local tyrant, Yuan Shao quickly read through Qingzhou's development plan for the next year, Zhu Bi approved the word "probable", and began to look at the next one.Chinese New Year is approaching, and the prince and princess want rewards, the clan and nobles want rewards, civil and military officials want rewards, even the harem concubines want rewards... It's not just a few thousand or hundreds of taels of silver and it's all over.

Objects have always been a very important part of rewards. Haidongqing from Baishan Heishui, good horses presented by Xibu, cloth from Qingzhou, silk from Jinzhou, and gold and silver jewelry made by Gongnaifang are all kinds that only the royal family can give. The exquisite tributes that are eligible to be enjoyed are all matched and rewarded in different categories, and even these things can be seen more holy than real gold and silver.Although the Shaofu and the head of the inner court worked together to draw up this list, as the emperor, he should at least take a look at it.

"Yu Ji'en is not so cautious in handling things anymore." He frowned, picked up a pen and erased a line of words on the list, "Woven materials from Qingzhou, what do you do with them as rewards!"

"Who is the reward?" Ling Yucheng just finished approving a document, put down his pen and leaned over to read it.Yuan Shao generously pushed the booklet in front of him—it was said that some new clothes and jewelry would be issued every year, is it necessary?So what about those concubines wearing red willows and greens? It's impossible to even make him pleasing to the eye in front of him, it's pure waste.Besides, rewarding concubines with what the queen paid tribute, what a joke!

"Well, reward them..." Ling Yucheng thought about it seriously.It's not that he can't understand the thoughts of the chief of the inner court. For rewards, the value of various materials must be matched. The value of Qingzhou is higher than that of plain silk and light silk, and it is not as expensive as brocade and gold satin. , it’s just convenient to open up the grade—”It’s just a pity.”

"what?"

"Even if there is a favorite concubine among those rewarded - these materials can be sold for at least ten times the price."

This……

Qingzhou is not so poor, is it?

"If you really want to, I will give you a pet?" It seems that there is no time... This year I am going to break the ice and fish in the black water, and I have to start in less than a month.

What is "give me a pet"... For some reason, Ling Yucheng suddenly felt a little bored. Ling Yucheng shook his head lightly, and then turned his eyes back to the paper: "Forget it, it's not annoying enough." Toss, now the top priority is to spend the compensation to the real point, let's forget about some unnecessary things for nothing.

"Yes." Yuan Shao thought for a while and nodded. "It's not that I don't have princesses, if I can't do it, those princesses, duchesses and wives can also be rewarded...Actually—"

Looking up and down at Ling Yucheng, in fact, the cloth material from Qingzhou tribute, cut into a military uniform and worn on Ling Yucheng's body is the most suitable, it is energetic and upright, and people's eyes are stuck everywhere.It’s just that he is only willing to wear black clothes, those red and purple, inlaid gold and silver woven fabrics want to be fried, it is obviously unrealistic to rely on Ling Yucheng to make clothes hangers...

Go back and think of something else.Or for casual clothes during the New Year, can these woolen materials be used to make one or two sets?

The author has something to say: So this is the hard scissors difference between animal husbandry countries and relatively developed agricultural and light industrial countries...

And the annual revenue (total revenue of the central government) of the Northern Song Dynasty was 6000 million guan, and the Southern Song Dynasty was an appalling 2000 million guan...

In addition, annual income and annual disposable income are really not the same thing. I don’t know how the Song Dynasty spent such a high annual income to make ends meet every year...

And the basic construction is really spending money without explaining...

Your Majesty: ... Let's be friends, local tyrants!

As well as cultivating fashion spokespersons to hype luxury goods, Xiaoling, you are too inexperienced...Look at how easy it is for Peng Guomu to hype a high-end brand...