Teacher Yuan, Commander Yuan, please don’t let me down. I have high hopes for you!
The historical commander Yuan Shikai had long been sent far away by Zhu Youxiao. There was no way he could even get involved in military affairs, let alone make contact.
If they didn't have the same surname, and there was another General Yuan, the emperor would have almost forgotten the one who was good at bragging.
Even if he remembered it now, he just asked the Ministry of Personnel to investigate, and the emperor forgot about it again.
Now, with famous generals and brave generals from history gathered in Liaodong, with well-trained soldiers and sufficient food, the emperor did not have too much to worry about. The Jiannu were about to be destroyed, so what kind of trouble could Yuan Dachui, a Jinshi graduate, do?
History has completely changed, Zhu Youxiao can be 100% sure. While changing history, he also changed the fate of too many people.
Generals such as Xiong Tingbi, Mao Wenlong, He Kegang, Zhang Pan, Man Gui, Huang Long, Kong Youde, and Zu Dashou all embarked on life paths that were different from history.
Of course, they still fought hard on the Liaodong battlefield, made great achievements, and were awarded titles and generals. But some people seemed to have lost the opportunity to show their talents. The time to create heroes was gone!
For example, Lu Xiangsheng, who had risen from a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the imperial examination) to his current position as the commander of the Five Cities Army, had risen quite fast in just a few years. However, with the Jiannu about to be destroyed, it was unlikely that he would have the opportunity to showcase his loyalty and bravery.
But Zhu Youxiao did not feel regretful about this, just as he would not let others believe his predictions of major disasters without making full preparations, allowing major disasters to cause extremely bad effects or even social unrest.
Then, they put on a sanctimonious face and said: See, I told you a long time ago, but you didn’t believe it; I knew it a long time ago, but you didn’t listen.
Although many people like to show their foresight in this way, hindsight remarks are only disgusting and annoying, and have no practical meaning.
Zhu Youxiao didn't need to improve his image so much, nor did he need a reputation for wisdom and bravery. As long as the people could survive, the throne would be secure, and this was his fundamental principle.
"So fast!" The emperor flipped through the information handed over by the East Factory, pursed his lips, and was slightly surprised. "The ticket salt system has only been implemented for less than three months, right?"
Since the Changlu Salt Factory started to pilot the ticket salt system, the price of salt in the capital has dropped by 20%, while the quality has improved.
The East Factory was not only responsible for monitoring officials, but also for compiling and reporting intelligence from the public, such as prices, droughts, floods, harvests, etc.
"Your Majesty cares for his people and has promulgated the salt ticket law to stabilize the price of salt among the people, benefiting all people." Wei Zhongxian bowed and flattered him.
Zhu Youxiao knew that the drop in salt prices was not unexpected, but the speed of the event was different from what he had imagined.
Unlike the Gangfa, which designated salt merchants, the Piaoyan Law was open to the public. Anyone with the financial resources to purchase 500 kilograms of salt could go to a salt factory and sell it. The factory's ex-factory price naturally included the salt tax.
Five hundred kilograms of salt was a small limit, so as not to force ordinary people to go to the salt factory to buy two kilograms of salt. It was not like they were running a small shop. However, five hundred kilograms of salt was nothing to a small shop.
The emperor knew that this would destroy the salt merchants' livelihoods, but the salt tax was directly collected into the treasury. Tax evaders no longer had to risk breaking the law and could simply go to the salt factory to buy salt.
The most important thing is that without the monopoly of big salt merchants, the salt produced by the salt factories can be priced relatively normally through market regulation and fair competition can be carried out, and the improvement of quality will be a natural result.
You mix sand and soil into salt and expect it to sell well, but you are not the only one doing it.
It is expected that the people will benefit, but I don’t know whether the salt tax will increase significantly.
Zhu Youxiao pondered for a moment, then gently put the intelligence aside and waited for the summary data to be reported in the middle of the summer. If the results were good, it could be promoted in Huaibei, Huainan, and Guangxi next year.
Cracking down on corruption and unscrupulous businessmen brings in quick profits, but they are not sustainable. A country's normal finances and operations cannot always rely on these side channels.
If there were no corruption, no unscrupulous businessmen, and no powerful princes and parasites, that would be the Ming Dynasty that Zhu Youxiao expected.
"Wei Ban doesn't need to personally deliver these daily reports to the palace." The emperor raised his head and said slowly, "More reports are needed on the situation in the northern provinces. You must know that a major disaster is approaching, and the impact will be greatest in the north."
Wei Zhongxian quickly bowed and replied, "I understand. I will send more people when I return so that His Majesty can understand clearly."
Zhu Youxiao nodded slightly and said, "Although the Jiannu were rampant for a time, they ultimately lacked the necessary foundation and were not far from collapse. The internal troubles of the empire were the greatest cause of the turmoil that shook the country. For several years, I have used an iron fist to rectify the situation, and now there is some improvement, but we must not relax and must continue to work hard."
"Don't worry, Your Majesty." Wei Zhongxian gritted his teeth, a look of hatred on his face. "Whoever dares to betray your grace, whoever dares to commit corruption, whoever dares to make Your Majesty unhappy, I will never let go."
Zhu Youxiao smiled, and Old Wei was even happier.
If the Emperor pointed east, he would run east; if the Emperor wanted to beat a dog, he would never chase a chicken. This was the only way to maintain the Emperor's favor. Whether it was right or wrong was not something a eunuch like him could consider.
Zhu Youxiao pointed to the fruit on the table and said, "Wei Ban, you have worked hard. This fruit is a reward for you."
"Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty." Wei Zhongxian fell to his knees and kowtowed, so moved that he almost cried.
As for what happened, the fruits that the emperor ate were also grown in the ground, but their appearance and taste had to be carefully selected, so it was not difficult for Old Wei to eat them.
But the imperial award is the highest honor, which is the consensus in feudal society. Lao Wei's behavior is also somewhat of a performance, just to please the emperor.
"Go!" The emperor was indeed happy. Looking at Lao Wei holding the fruit carefully, he smiled and waved his hand.
Wang Tigan escorted Old Wei out of the palace, secretly rolling his eyes. He couldn't let Old Wei return to the palace to serve the emperor and steal his family's favor.
The salt and iron monopoly was already halfway complete. As long as no corrupt officials got involved, the salt tax would be a huge source of income.
Zhu Youxiao sat in the imperial chair, thinking and calculating.
The crackdown on corruption and collusion between officials and businessmen has been quite effective. Not only the salt tax, but also the tea tax should be greatly increased.
The liberalization of maritime trade and the strict prohibition of smuggling led to a rapid increase in customs revenue. Although most of the customs duties in Fujian and Guangdong were invested in the navy, a considerable amount still went into the national treasury.
In addition, Zhu Youxiao also had high hopes for the tobacco monopoly. As expected, with the growth of tobacco planting area, the increase of tobacco factories, and the improvement of production capacity, tobacco taxes also increased year by year.
Smoking is harmful to health, there is no doubt about that. But compared with the calamity that destroyed a nation and the devastation of the Little Ice Age, it pales in comparison.
If we can successfully pacify Liao, we can save a lot of military expenses, and we may see gold and silver next year.
Zhu Youxiao shook his head and couldn't help but smile bitterly.
The whole country is working hard to pacify the Liao Dynasty and eliminate the slaves. I don't even want my salary. If we fail, is it fair?
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
