7 Chapter 007
◎Wheat Harvest Plan◎
In Chongbeifang, south of the city, a sparrow landed on a wall, turning its little head to survey the courtyard. Suddenly, a startled cry rang out, and the sparrow shuddered, flapping its wings and flying away.
"Are you serious?" the woman inside the room suddenly stood up. "The notice said that as long as you donate 30,000 dan of grain, you can get a place in the imperial examination?!"
The female steward replied, "That's right, Master. If you can't raise enough food right now, you can donate 10,000 taels of silver."
The current average price of one stone of grain is about three hundred coins, and thirty thousand stones is equivalent to nine thousand taels of silver.
It seems more cost-effective to donate grain directly, but the price will fluctuate during the grain transaction, and a grain transportation team must be prepared, so the difference is not much compared to paying 10,000 taels.
The woman was surprised, then slowly sat down and asked, "Can the government explain why we need to raise grain?"
"It's not explicitly stated in the notice, but the donated grain will be shipped to Henan, Shanxi, and Shaanxi."
"Shanxi..." The woman was surprised. "What happened in Shanxi?"
The steward shook his head: "I haven't heard of it. It was fine when we left home."
The woman was silent for a moment, then asked, "Do you think I should donate?"
"Many merchants would be willing to spend a fortune to secure a spot in the imperial examination," the steward hesitated, "but it wouldn't mean much to the owner."
The woman sneered: "Yes, even if I get a place, my soul mother won't be able to take the imperial examination."
"If the boss has close nephews or nephews, perhaps he can trade with the clan," the steward consoled.
"That makes sense," the woman decided. "No matter how much money I make, I can't keep it all. Might as well get some chips. Yingniang, where should I go to donate?"
Yingniang explained in detail: "Merchants from the three provinces can register for donations at their provincial governments. The deadline is ten days, and the money and grain must be in place. If they are not from their hometowns or are in another place and cannot make it in time, they can register for donations at the local governor or relevant government office."
The merchants in the capital were undoubtedly the first to get the news, followed by Henan and Shanxi. Huguang and Jiangxi in the south probably couldn't catch up.
The woman couldn't help but laugh and said, "Then I'm lucky."
"Yes, but the capital is full of wealthy merchants. The notice says it's first come, first served. Once the total amount reaches 500,000 shi, no more donations will be collected. Each merchant can donate a maximum of 90,000 shi."
The woman was surprised: "You can still donate 90,000 stones?"
"Well, Boss, do you want to go to Shuntian Prefecture Government Office now?"
"Prepare the car immediately."
Five hundred thousand shi is not a small amount, but it is hard to say whether it can guarantee food and clothing for the people affected by the disaster.
According to the Ministry of Revenue, Henan had approximately 460,000 farming households. Henan was divided into north and south parts, with Shangqiu, the seat of Guide Prefecture, Kaifeng, the seat of Kaifeng Prefecture, and Luoyang, the seat of Henan Prefecture, as the central line.
Since snow fell only in the north, the number of households was reduced by half, leaving 230,000 households.
Among these 230,000 households, there are many landlords and local gentry. Their fields occupy nearly half of the land, and their warehouses are piled high with goods. They are not included in the disaster relief for the time being. Excluding them, there are only 130,000 self-cultivating farmers left.
According to this method, there are 220,000 households in Shanxi, 120,000 households in Shaanxi, and a total of 470,000 households in the three provinces.
Among the decrees issued by the imperial court, there was one called the "Wheat Harvest Plan."
Henan, Shanxi and Shaanxi provinces grow winter wheat, which is usually harvested around the Grain in Ear season, which is April 29th.
Half a month to one month before the maturity period is the filling period of wheat. The filling period includes the milky stage and the dough stage. The former takes twelve to thirteen days, and the latter takes three days.
Only after the filling period is over can the wheat grains be considered complete. After another half-month of maturity, the grains become plump and farmers can harvest the wheat to obtain food.
During the grain filling period, the stems and leaves of wheat are the most critical, as they need to condense starch through photosynthesis to produce grains.
A heavy snowfall will ruthlessly interrupt this process.
Even if some fast-growing wheat has finished its grain-filling period, heavy snow will freeze the stems, leaves and new grains. At that time, not to mention harvesting the grain, even silage cannot be made.
The harvest date is April 29th, and the wheat filling period in the three provinces is approximately from early to mid-April.
In the southern part of Henan, wheat matures faster, and the grains may have been produced before April 15th.
If we are lucky, some wheat in Shanxi and Shaanxi will end its filling period early.
Although the grains are not full at this time, they are at least grains and can still be eaten after harvesting.
The imperial court's "wheat harvesting plan" required farmers in the three areas to harvest the wheat that was not yet fully mature before April 15th.
Harvesting early is tantamount to "destroying the green crops", and farmers are definitely unwilling to do that. They will risk their lives to protect the crops that are about to mature.
This is the wheat they planted with great effort. It will be harvested in half a month. Who can bear to harvest it early?
So Xie Mingzhuo set up a reward mechanism.
First, farmers in the three provinces who harvest wheat early will be exempt from all taxes this year.
Second, the donated money and grain were not distributed in the name of disaster relief, but were used to encourage farmers to voluntarily participate in the "Wheat Harvest Plan."
The decree stated that if a household harvested one acre of wheat ahead of schedule, it would be rewarded with 50 kilograms of grain or the equivalent in silver; if it harvested two acres, it would be rewarded with 100 kilograms, and so on.
As long as farmers follow the government's instructions, they will not be completely desperate even if they can only harvest half an acre in the end.
Half an acre of grain is not enough, but there is still a reward of 25 kilograms of grain. If worse comes to worst, the court can continue to provide disaster relief.
If there is still time, we can not only harvest most of the wheat, but also get relief food in the name of "reward". As long as there is food to eat, the people will have hope. As long as the people have hope, the world will not be in chaos.
Third, if the wheat harvested early did not produce grains, the court would purchase it at the price of silage.
The war horses, cattle and sheep in the nine important border towns alone can digest all of this feed, not to mention the countless farms across the country.
The pig farm rebuilt in the capital also needs feed.
If the warning is wrong and it doesn't snow, the farmers won't be so angry and desperate as to revolt with these compensations.
Anyway, the annual taxes are so heavy that there won’t be much food left after paying the taxes. Otherwise, so many farmers wouldn’t have become tenants.
With tax exemptions for the entire year, bonus grain, and if you're lucky enough to harvest ripe wheat, life will be easier this year than in previous years.
If heavy snow really falls, farmers will be protected and will not be displaced.
The court simply issued a decree and there was not much loss.
Merchants exchanged money for imperial examination quotas, seizing the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and were ecstatic.
This is the method that Xie Mingzhuo and the other four could think of to minimize the damage.
Whether the government orders can be perfectly implemented is also a test.
The imperial court specifically issued instructions that this "wheat harvesting plan" would become the evaluation standard for officials in the three places this year, and ordered the censors in the three places to strictly supervise it.
Even if the decree was sent quickly at an speed of 800 miles, it would take a while for the decree to reach the three places. Before the decree was spread, the hottest topic in the capital was still "Merchants donating grain to pass the imperial examination."
The merchants in the capital were very enthusiastic. In just half a day, before the announcement even left the capital, they had already bought up 500,000 dan of money and grain.
After dinner, Xie Mingzhuo received a donation list, which indicated each merchant’s household registration, name, age, donation amount and intended relief area.
There were thirteen people on the list, two of whom tied for first place, both donating 90,000 shi of grain.
The first one was a wealthy businessman from Shanxi, named Lu Fei, 29 years old, and the only female.
The second one is Zhou Sui, from Suzhou Prefecture, Nanzhili. He is 25 years old and also very young.
The rest are mostly from Beijing, with a few coming from other provinces.
As long as they can deliver the money and grain to the destination within the validity period, they will be considered to have completed their mission, and the court will grant them the corresponding places in the imperial examinations.
Shanxi and Henan are close to each other, so most merchants in the capital choose to send their goods to Taiyuan, Shanxi and Kaifeng, Henan.
Lu Fei is originally from Shanxi, so naturally he chose Shanxi.
Only merchants from Shaanxi and Zhou Sui from Suzhou Prefecture went to Xi'an Prefecture. Fortunately, Shaanxi had the fewest farmers, so the pressure of disaster relief was relatively light.
Because they were far away, the court granted them a three-day extension.
"Shao Shao, one household needs 470,000 shi per mu. Is 500,000 enough?" Xie Changfeng couldn't help asking.
Xie Mingzhuo smiled and said, "This time it's for emergency relief. When a snowstorm really hits, 500,000 yuan can temporarily stabilize the situation. At that time, it will be reasonable and not hasty to transfer food relief from various places."
After all, the "Taoist immortal's warning" is untenable. If grain is transferred in advance using this excuse, local governments will definitely ask for clarification, and the back and forth will be endless.
"That's right." Xie Changfeng paused and asked, "Logically speaking, Gansu is further to the northwest, so why didn't it have a snowstorm?"
Xie Mingshuo played around with the jade pendant, raised his eyelids and said, "This is a routine from the novel."
"How do you say that?"
"Snow fell in three provinces, but not in Gansu. Doesn't this further indicate an abnormal celestial phenomenon? Such an illogical event has occurred. Doesn't it only further confirm the rumor that 'the emperor is unkind and that disasters were sent from heaven?'"
Xie Changfeng: “…”
It’s so frustrating to be an emperor!
Meng Qi poured a cup of tea and handed it to her, saying gently, "Let's not talk about these heavy topics. Shao Shao, your birthday is coming soon. How are you planning to celebrate it?"
"No need to make a big deal, just invite the family to have a meal together."
"In the princess's residence or in the palace?"
"In the palace, it's inconvenient for you to leave."
Meng Qi smiled and nodded: "According to convention, we have to post invitations at the end of the month. We will only invite a few royal family members who are still in the capital, as well as people from the Meng family."
"Mother, thank you for taking care of this matter." Xie Mingzhuo grabbed her sleeve and leaned on her shoulder.
"Don't worry, I'm just worried about having nothing to do. I'm almost going moldy from being idle." Meng Qi rubbed her head. "But you haven't rested at all all day."
"Yeah, so I need a loving hug from my mother."
"Okay, okay, you can hold me as long as you want. Or you can stay and sleep with me tonight."
Xie Changfeng: "Ahem."
"My dear father, what's wrong with your throat?" Xie Mingshuo winked at the side. "It's been cold lately, and you've caught a cold? Do you want me to call the imperial physician?"
"Get out of here!" Xie Changfeng's face flushed. He picked up the mahogany tray and stood up to hit him.
Xie Mingshuo nimbly dodged and ran behind Xie Mingxuan, using him to shield himself from his old father's love.
"Oh." Xie Mingxuan sighed helplessly, but there was a smile in the corners of his eyes.
After the laughter and noise, the stars and the moon were already embracing each other outside the hall.
Xie Mingzhuo leaned against his mother and said lazily, "I'd like to hire a literary master and a martial arts master. What suggestions do you have?"
"Any requirements?" Xie Mingshuo asked. "Being well-educated is the foundation. There are many people like that in the court. Humorous? Serious? Or good looks would be fine, too. It's pleasing to the eye."
Xie Mingzhuo glared at him and said, "As long as you can teach me sincerely, it's all fine."
"Sincerely?" Xie Mingshuo snorted coldly, "Father has given the order, who dares not to be sincere?"
Xie Mingxuan: "It's hard to say. It's hard for beginners to tell whether the teacher is teaching with all their heart."
Because I didn’t understand anything, I just believed whatever the teacher said.
"I think Chang Wei is a good guy. I met him today. He's not too pedantic and has a gentle temperament," Meng Qi said. "It's just that he's busy with work and I'm afraid he doesn't have time."
Xie Changfeng nodded: "I think he's good too. I'll ask him tomorrow."
"Where's Master Wu?"
"How about I ask Marquis Weining tomorrow?"
Xie Mingshuo couldn't help but laugh: "The pig farmer went to his son, the Censor went to his son, and Master Wu also had to ask him. This is to grab his entire family."
Four people: "..."
When you think about it this way, it’s a bit unfair.
Xie Mingxuan was originally a fool, he knew nothing about this and did not express any opinion.
Of course, he is studying hard.
"Forget it, I'll practice the moves myself first." Xie Mingzhuo stood up lazily. "I can practice archery and horsemanship later when I find a suitable master."
Xie Mingshuo: "I remember there's a martial arts arena in the palace with many martial arts masters. I also want to learn. How about we go together?"
"Okay."
Xie Mingzhuo made a detailed study plan for himself that night.
He read in the morning, practiced martial arts for two hours in the afternoon, and spent the rest of the time reading memorials.
Memorials can sometimes reflect an official's personality traits and style of doing things.
For example, the prefect of Shuntian Prefecture would always start by writing "May the emperor be well and healthy," and then spend a lot of time describing how prosperous and wealthy the capital was, how colorful the people's lives were, praising the emperor for his diligence and hard work, and wishing the Great Qi Dynasty would last for thousands of years.
This shows that he really has nothing to do every day and can only write articles to kill time and find a sense of existence.
For example, the Imperial Censor of Shandong Salt often wrote in his memorials how much salt the salt fields had produced that month, how the fishermen returned home with full loads every day, and how delicious the seafood was, so he sent some precious fish and shrimps for Your Majesty to taste.
Filial piety is filial piety, and Xie Mingzhuo is worried that he will get gout.
The Governor of Fujian wrote a whole article about pirates, describing them as having fangs and green faces and being extremely greedy. He also vowed to beat them severely and make them so badly that they would not recognize their parents. Finally, he asked whether the navy's food and pay could be increased.
These insignificant memorials were directly submitted to the emperor's desk after passing through the Ministry of Public Administration. They did not require approval and were only for the emperor to read in his spare time.
The papers that actually discussed the national situation were firmly controlled by the Cabinet and the Imperial Household Department. Xie Mingzhuo read a few of them through Xie Changfeng's hands and felt deeply ashamed. After traveling through time, he found himself an illiterate.
Some of the titles quoted classics and were written in profound language. Moreover, she did not have much knowledge of the local customs and administrative operations in various parts of the Qi Dynasty, so she was completely confused.
Study, you must study!
【Author’s words】
Send 100 red envelopes~
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