Chapter 581 Promote industry and commerce, strengthen national destiny

Han Xu's Donglin Party was suppressed by the eunuchs of the Tianqi Dynasty. After Yang Lian and Zuo Guangdou were killed, it gradually transformed from a crony party into a regional party.

Now the Donglin Party's base area has shrunk to the southeastern region of the Ming Dynasty.

As the most prosperous region in the Ming Dynasty, there was no threat of war, which made the economy of the southeast region, especially the small workshop industry, very prosperous.

Industries such as textiles, silk, tea, and porcelain have driven the development of the southeastern region and have led to the existence of many unemployed groups in the region.

Emperor Chongzhen's proposal to abolish the craftsmanship certificate will inevitably touch the interests of some people once it is promoted in an orderly manner in Northern Zhili and Liaodong.

But although there may be some trouble, it won't lead to a big mess.

After all, it is not only the southeast region, but also the entire Ming Dynasty. Many scholars, gentry, large and small landowners and other groups care most about land, followed by mining tax, and thirdly commercial tax...

"Your Majesty, I think this is feasible."

After Han Xu was questioned, Bi Ziyan stepped forward and said: "If we really want to promote the abolition of the craftsmanship certificate, then the imperial court must make corresponding plans in advance at certain levels.

For example, for the military industry that was planned to be built in Xishan, under the governance of the various administrative departments, suitable areas were found and similar government agencies were set up to take charge.

In the past, it was only the ordnance, armor, firearms, etc. needed by the Beijing camp. The imperial court had to allocate more than 1 million taels of silver every year to meet these needs.

But what about now?

After reorganizing the three major battalions and replacing a batch of ordnance, armor, firearms, etc., the amount of money needed in Xishan is only a few hundred thousand taels."

Bi Ziyan supported the development of workshops in Beizhili and other places. The reason was very simple. As the financial minister of the Ming Dynasty, it was obvious that the advantages outweighed the disadvantages when considering expenditures and revenue increases in various fields.

Especially for tariffs, since Tianjin was evacuated and established as a prefecture, and the reconstruction of the capital began, the rectification and clarification of the currency customs led by the National Taxation Office can increase a lot of money and greatly alleviate the embarrassment of the national treasury.

"Since we mentioned this matter, let's talk about the promotion of industry and commerce."

Emperor Chongzhen picked up the tea cup, took a sip, looked at Bi Ziyan and said: "With the disaster relief agencies in the northern provinces, a large number of bankrupt victims and refugees have been accommodated in various places, and they have been diverted accordingly, especially to renovate and renovate the Chi Road.

Water conservancy and other matters will gradually increase the corresponding scale.

The number of workshops in various places will increase, especially those involving private groups, which will also show an increasing trend.

Based on this situation, I feel that a new government office should be established in the country to formulate corresponding policies and coordinate corresponding matters to encourage the development of industry and commerce."

Han Xu frowned and said, "Your Majesty, if the imperial court really does this, wouldn't it be contrary to the country's foundation of focusing on agriculture and suppressing commerce?

If we encourage the development of industry and commerce, it will inevitably affect land tax. If everyone wants to participate in industry and commerce and no longer cultivate acres, then..."

Emperor Chongzhen said with a half-smile, "Then according to Han Qing's wishes, I should issue an edict to shut down all workshops under the Ming Dynasty, including industries in various places?

Is the national foundation of emphasizing agriculture and suppressing commerce really implemented in various parts of the Ming Dynasty?

Are there few industries formed in the Jiangnan provinces?

Nowadays, the northern provinces of the Ming Dynasty are frequently hit by disasters. If no changes and adjustments are made, will the bankrupt victims and refugee groups starve to death?"

Han Xu: "..."

Emperor Chongzhen repeatedly emphasized that Jiangnan will be like Jiangnan, which is to show an attitude that the court's will will not be coerced by certain groups to make corresponding changes.

At this stage, the Ming Dynasty is obviously weak in the north and surplus in the south. When Emperor Chongzhen opened sea trade in Tianjin, he wanted to use policies to boost the level of official sea trade.

Through this restrictive policy, various resources from the Jiangnan provinces were allowed to circulate in an orderly manner to the northern provinces through sea trade and the Grand Canal before Jiangnan established an official opening to the sea.

In a sense, if Emperor Chongzhen could promote the construction of large-scale factories in the northern provinces, the situation would be very similar to that in the early days of the United States. When northern industry and southern farms develop to a certain extent, the situation between the north and the south will be intensified.

dispute.

But this is exactly what Emperor Chongzhen wanted.

After all, from the beginning of the Ming Dynasty, the prosperity of the provinces south of the Yangtze River far exceeded that of the northern provinces. The struggle between the north and the south had existed on the hidden front of the Ming Dynasty for a long time.

"Your Majesty is wise."

Bi Ziyan bowed his head and saluted and said: "If the imperial court can set up a new government office to be responsible for industry and commerce, it can orderly promote the process of preparing to build such industries in the northern provinces.

In this way, the large number of bankrupt groups existing under the rule of the northern provinces can be divided in an orderly manner, so that the bandit rebellions like the previous ones in Shanxi and Shaanxi will not occur on a large scale again.

But if we really do this, the demand for food will inevitably increase, and how to properly resolve this matter is also the foundation for stabilizing the place."

The reason why Bi Ziyan supports these is because he is not only a cabinet minister, but also a minister of the Ministry of Revenue. He can generate a lot of revenue for the state treasury and reduce unnecessary expenditures, so Bi Ziyan will think about it and do it.

What's more, with the increase in large-scale factories and the cultivation and development of industry and commerce, in addition to customs duties, the imperial court can also try to increase other tax items such as commercial taxes.

"The Qing family does not need to worry about food issues."

Emperor Chongzhen said without hesitation: "The warehouses that Xu Qing is responsible for have been actively preparing for construction in various places in Zhili. In addition, I have also purchased grain from Southeast Asia and other places through sea trade through some government agencies.

After cultivation and planting last year, potatoes, sweet potatoes, corn, etc. that Xu Qing was previously responsible for were found to be suitable for planting under the Ming Dynasty, and the yield was very large.

Now Xu Qing was ordered to leave Beijing and began to inspect various things in the north. One of them was to organize the disaster relief agencies in an orderly manner, delineate some areas, and plant potatoes, sweet potatoes, corn, etc. on a large scale.

Regarding industry and commerce, let’s set up a new Industrial and Commercial Cleaning Department at the Ministry of Household Affairs, and leave it to the Qing family, including the abolition of craftsmanship.”

"I obey the decree."

After completing the ceremony, he made a bow and saluted.

Facing these new changes, Han Xu was a little worried. According to this trend, what will the future of the country be like?

Although at this stage, the imperial court is not as embarrassed and helpless as Emperor Chongzhen in dealing with various food and salary expenditures at the beginning of his reign.

But regarding these new changes, many civil servants in foreign countries are more or less worried and dissatisfied. After all, this is different from what they know.

If this continues, will Ming Dynasty still be the Ming Dynasty they know?

Even if their interests are not affected at this stage, no one can say whether their interests will be affected in the future.
Chapter completed!