nucmednet Chapter 117 The Emperor's Small Goal
Chapter 117 The Emperor's Small Goal
Tang Ming is not a cat that eats fish as Pei Yuanji said.
But the gift was accepted and Pei Yuanji's wish was fulfilled.
"Lord Tang is so magnanimous. He accepted the gift and didn't forget to give me half of it."
Looking at the silver and expensive delicacies on the table, He Hairen felt that his subordinate was capable of doing things.
"Shangguan, that's not right. We are one and the same. I am just offering my filial respect to you and enjoying the pleasure with you."
Ever since Ho Hai-yan was put on the bench, the once bustling house has become much quieter. When someone suddenly gave him a gift, Ho Hai-yan felt inexplicably moved to tears.
After being in an official position with everyone around him for too long, it was hard not to shed tears when he suddenly became a lonely man.
That night, Tang Ming invited He Hairen to a brothel for fun. Near midnight, he called Pei Yuanji and introduced him to He Hairen.
In this way, all the expenses will be borne by He Hairen.
In this way, the Caoyunsi was equal to the Cao Gang, and the plan for the Cao Gang to become the second prince's people was naturally put on the table.
Just when Zhao Wei thought he had done everything perfectly, the imperial court issued an edict to the Grain Transport Bureau.
"Under the vast sky, I receive the command of Heaven and issue decrees to all directions with a flick of my imperial pen.
He Hairen, the Minister of Grain Transport, has received this imperial edict and is required to supervise the work with all his strength from today until the end of this month to ensure that the grain transport ships return fully loaded and bring back 50,000 dan of precious grain to benefit the country.
Moreover, Cao's silver of 100,000 taels is as heavy as Mount Tai, and we must all work together to deliver it safely to the treasury in order to consolidate the foundation of the country and strengthen the country and the people.
This mission will surely leave a significant mark in the annals of history, demonstrating the prosperity of our dynasty and the prosperity of our nation. ... "
The annual tax revenue of the Great Zhou Dynasty was only tens of millions, but the newly built government office alone would fill up 10% of the national treasury. He Hairen felt bitter, but he dared not say it.
When Tang Ming learned of the imperial order, he was extremely happy. He was in need of such a powerful weapon. The reading of this edict would undoubtedly be a weapon for legal taxation.
"I will obey the Holy Order and thank the Lord for His grace!"
Tang Ming, who was kneeling below He Hairen, spoke a little louder than usual.
After seeing off the white-faced man, He Hairen had a sad face.
"My Lord Tang, what are we going to account for the 100,000 taels of silver? Is it the river defense tax?"
He Hairen seemed to remember something. This project had been launched before, but it was opposed by the forces behind the scenes. After collecting for three years, it could not be levied again.
"Sir He, what else can we use if not river defense? Besides, we have the Canal Transport Office now involved in river defense. It involves dredging the river, maintaining public order, and ensuring fair distribution of goods. It requires some energy consumption, so it is only right that we pay some grain."
"This boy is so brave!" He Hairen thought to himself after hearing this.
But now that the imperial edict has arrived, He Hairen will not get involved in how to get money and food. This matter must be left to Tang Ming.
"The Lord Hou of Handan is still here, right? Please ask him and the Governor of Handan to come over."
Tang Ming asked a minor official in the department to make a trip. It happened that Song Yuan, who had gone to Luoyang for business, had also returned, and Liu Yihui, who stayed in Shangjing, accompanied him.
In the afternoon, a group of people held a small meeting at the Grain Transport Bureau, mainly to discuss how to implement the idea that the emperor needed grain and silver.
"Why? What does Lord Song think?"
Originally, this meeting was chaired by He Hairen, but he declined and let Tang Ming preside over it.
When asked this by Tang Ming, Song Yuan, after all, was the new top scholar, and he was somewhat arrogant towards this failed scholar.
"I think it would be a bit harsh for merchant ships to follow Lord Tang's instructions."
"Oh? So Lord Song has a way to deal with the things in the emperor's edict?"
Tang Ming pushed Song Yuan to the fifth rank, almost the same as himself, but this guy turned out to be so ruthless. It seemed that it was useless to keep such a person.
"If so, the three canal transport officials will decide among themselves according to the length of the river. Whoever solves your majesty's problem will continue in office."
Even if Song Yuan was stupid, could he not understand the meaning of Tang Ming's words?
This is to delegate task authority. Since he created the problem, Tang Ming will throw the problem to the person who created the problem.
"Why do you say you oppose his opinion? When were there three canal transport envoys? Wasn't there two?" Thinking of this, Song Yuan unconsciously glanced at Liu Yihui: "Could the third person be him?"
To be honest, there really is no third water transport envoy here, but the water transportation from Handan to the north and Zhuozhou is basically not within the influence of the water transport gang.
Tang Ming wanted to use the power of Renhetang and promised Pei Yuanji some hope, so that they could go north to expand their territory.
At the same time, Emperor Zhao Hengzhen received a letter from his eldest daughter, which was about the construction of roads and the escort of land transportation. The son-in-law Fan Xitong took the lead and united with the six major families.
The Wei family thinks themselves to be noble, so naturally they would not let them do such hard things.
The royal family provided convenience for road construction and the establishment of military and civilian post stations, and the royal family could hold a 30% stake as a token of their interest.
The letter then included the project's investment, revenue, financing, and expansion, etc. It was a very detailed plan, and as long as the emperor agreed, he would approve it.
The emperor was also happy to see it, and immediately issued a secret order: the princess and her husband should return to Beijing together to discuss something.
……
After finishing his business in Guangchang County, Zhao Sheng came to Weizhou.
Before entering the city, I saw the kiln site. Thick black smoke was rising, and the entire brick kiln factory was covered in black smoke.
"What's going on? Why is there so much smoke from the kiln?"
County Magistrate Zhang Chun, who went out of the city to greet him, was a local official and naturally knew about this matter.
"My Lord, originally there were four kilns. Later, some refugees approached and were taken in by us. The kiln factory provided them with food and wages, so they naturally worked hard. Later, we paid them according to the number of bricks they made.
They called their wives and children to work, and they were willing to pay for the food in the kiln factory cafeteria, which was really half-price and half-gift."
"I see. What's with the black smoke?"
Mr. Zhao felt that Zhang Chun was talking too much and he wanted to know the origin of the black smoke.
"The black smoke is coming from the three new buildings they added, and they built them themselves, without chimneys."
Zhang Chun was frightened and broke out in a cold sweat, speaking in panic.
"What? Building it yourself is free?"
"Yes, they later integrated brick making and kiln production, and then used the bricks to exchange for food. They mainly exchanged for their wives, children, and elderly mothers at home."
"Nonsense, how can you do this..."
Zhao Sheng’s words frightened the magistrate again, and he almost knelt down.
“This situation should be expanded immediately. If it can be contracted out, a base number should be set and any excess should be rewarded. It is right to subsidize family meals. If there are elderly people in their families, they should be registered and allowed to purchase more at the canteen.
And this illegally built brick kiln is filling the entire factory with a foul smell, which could be fatal. Those who aren't loading bricks to burn should stop immediately. Also, I'm asking if there's any way to solve the black smoke problem."
Zhang Chun was very relieved to see that although Zhao Sheng spoke in a loud tone, he still cared about the people of Weizhou!
As an official, on the one hand, he was afraid of foreign invasion, and on the other hand, he was afraid of the emperor and princes' misconduct.
At present, it seems that the son-in-law of King Zhao is kind-hearted. He takes the initiative to come forward to resist the enemy and helps the people under his rule solve their livelihood problems.