The news that Ying Yuan was going to build a canal had been leaked.
Many civil and military officials knew about this.
Some people agree, some people disagree.
In the past, everyone would definitely oppose this decision.
After all, it is obviously not the right time to build such a huge canal.
But ever since they firmly believed that Ying Yuan was a wise leader.
They no longer look at problems so one-sidedly.
Gradually, Ying Yuan became the faith of some officials.
They stubbornly believe that a wise ruler would not do foolish things.
It even lists several benefits of building a canal:
First, improve transportation;
Second, improve water conservancy;
3. Transporting grain from the south to the north;
Fourth, promote cultural exchanges and development among regions;
Fifth, it is beneficial for military transportation;
six...
All in all, it can be summed up in one sentence.
The emperor is wise!
Building the canal is a great undertaking that will benefit future generations!
If Ying Yuan is still a long way from becoming the greatest emperor of all time.
Once the canal is successfully built, it will be a big step towards that goal.
Of course, there are also many people who believe that the time is not right and that hastily building a canal will only backfire.
Even if the merits are passed down through the ages, it is possible that sins will occur in the present.
......
The next day.
Within the Secretariat.
The six ministers are urgently discussing the specific matters concerning the construction of the canal.
They are worthy of being called great men who have gone down in history. In just one night, they came up with a rough outline of the regulations and handed it to Cai Jing to read.
After a while, he slowly said: "Once the canal is built, I'm sure you, Sima Yi, will be the busiest one.
However, the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of War will also fully assist you. I roughly calculated that if His Majesty's wishes are followed and construction begins simultaneously across the country...
It would probably require at least tens of millions of civilian laborers, plus the materials needed to build the canal... and it's estimated to cost at least hundreds of millions of taels of government silver."
The value he estimated here is not quite accurate.
Because Cai Jing and all the officials subconsciously believed that.
Those civilians don't have much money every month.
You have been conscripted as a laborer by the imperial court, and you still expect to get a good salary every month?
It is a waste of money and time, and the people are the first to suffer.
He Shen was the first to say: "Building a canal is not something that can be accomplished overnight.
Our Ministry of Revenue will take care of the financial matters. In short, the money needed for the canal construction will be there every year."
In fact, building a canal does not mean digging a channel from beginning to end.
In this case, the project cannot be described as vast.
From the perspective of various nations, this is unprecedented.
Therefore, building a canal here refers to connecting lakes and ponds in various regions.
But even so, the project volume can be said to be huge.
"I still trust you and Shenhe more."
Cai Jing joked.
Sima Yi suddenly said, "It will take some time to recruit tens of millions of civilians.
Moreover, the war has subsided for less than two or three years, and now suddenly conscription is underway. I'm afraid people will panic."
The cost of civilian labor was very low in this era.
They are not even as good as the most ordinary military households.
It is the cheapest labor force.
This is the drawback of the feudal dynasty system.
They always say that they are doing things for the people, but in fact they never take the common people seriously.
Throughout history, emperors have always valued scholars and aristocratic families the most.
Cai Jing slowly said, "I have seriously considered this issue.
The national teacher Zhang Jiao and the Heavenly Master of Mount Longhu who expressed his loyalty to the imperial court both had a large number of followers among the people.
If you get their help, you can at least recruit millions of laborers for your Ministry of Works.
From now on, you can recruit them gradually. Remember, don't rush things."
Sima Yi nodded and said, "I will follow the Prime Minister's instructions."
No one expected it.
Building a canal is such a huge undertaking that if we are not careful, it may lead to the destruction of the country and the extinction of the race.
However, with them talking to each other, the risk of such a bad situation was reduced to a minimum.
It has to be said that when these people who were originally treacherous ministers and heroes gathered together, they tried hard to do something well.
Then nothing is impossible.
......
afterwards.
Cai Jing wrote down everyone's specific matters and opinions on the construction of the canal on a memorial.
He planned to present it to Ying Yuan personally.
Not long after.
Ying Yuan saw the memorial, but he only glanced at it briefly.
He believed that building a canal was essentially a waste of money and labor.
No matter what preparations they make, I'm afraid it will be of no avail.
If this is the case, what is the point of reading this memorial or not?
After a pause, Cai Jing bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I have discussed this with the gentlemen.
As for the conscripted laborers, each will be paid one penny of silver per month. What do you think, Your Majesty?"
A penny of silver...
Even if you go to the city to do hard labor for the landlords, the amount you earn will be more than this.
You know, ten coins of silver are equal to one tael.
Cai Jing did not treat the people as human beings at all.
Of course, this was a reasonable thing in ancient society.
It goes without saying that building a canal would result in the deaths of many people.
In other words, they were paid a penny for a job that could cost them their lives.
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