The news of the imperial court's unification of the south was published in the Royal Daily, causing a huge sensation. The Royal Daily newspapers were sold out for several consecutive days. The imperial court's unification of the south and the prosperity of the country became a hot topic. During this period, although some scholars were concerned about the outcome of the Longwu court in the south.

How, including what happened to Qin Liangyu, the commander-in-chief of Sichuan in the Ming Dynasty, and Zheng Zhilong, the marquis of Pinglu, etc. However, these voices could not stop the mainstream voices. The Royal Daily introduced the propaganda in a timely manner, and it became the mainstream discussion among scholars and gentry.

The Chief Assistant of the Cabinet, Zeng Yongzhong, and the Second Assistant of the Cabinet, Lu Fah-Hsuan, worked hard on this matter. They reviewed every word of the article published in the Royal Daily. Of course, it was Wu Zongrui who made the final decision.

Controlling public opinion and guiding the thoughts of scholars has become the consensus of everyone in the cabinet. This can be seen from the fact that Lu Faxuan, the second assistant to the cabinet, is also the minister of the Ministry of Rites and is in charge of all matters of the Royal Daily. On this basis, the emperor proposed a new plan

The requirement is that the Royal Daily must become a position to promote the prosperity of the country and the prosperity of the nation. It must seize every opportunity to promote the heroes of the government and the public. It must first lead scholars to learn from the deeds of the heroes, and then establish a correct direction for the whole society.

Of course, the correct direction must be determined by the emperor and the court.

Mu Tianbo of Yunnan finally surrendered to the imperial court and assisted Wu Sangui to completely surrender the chieftains in Yunnan.

By the end of November of the second year of Ruichang, the whole south was pacified, including the Usi Zangdu Division, which specially sent officials to the capital to express their submission to the imperial court, and hoped that the imperial court would send officials to the Usi Zangdu Division to canonize their living Buddhas.

The imperial court once again dispatched a large number of officials to the south, and land surveying has been fully spread in the south. The policy of officials and gentry working together to pay taxes has been promoted to every household, and it has become an unstoppable torrent.

All the cabinet ministers, including Zeng Yongzhong, never expected that after the imperial court unified the south, the local situation could be stabilized in the shortest time. They could only admire the emperor's wisdom and wisdom.

Problems also exist, mainly due to the influence of climate. Although the climate has been slightly better in the past two years, extreme weather still occurs occasionally, causing great impact and damage to farming.

After entering the twelfth lunar month, the capital became obviously lively, and the atmosphere of the Spring Festival gradually came.

Wenhua Hall, greenhouse.

Spring plowing matters were discussed as usual a year ago, but this time the spring plowing covered a wide range.

The emperor has not yet arrived at the conservatory. Many cabinet ministers followed the palace guards and entered the conservatory to wait.

The cabinet was discussing matters related to spring plowing and production. The chief minister of the cabinet, Zeng Yongzhong, and the second minister of the cabinet, Lu Faxuan, had some different views. When the two were discussing in the meeting hall, a dispute arose. This dispute continued into the greenhouse.

"Master Lu, it's not that I don't agree with the renovation of rivers and ditches. What I mean is that such things need to be done step by step. Last year and this year, the large-scale renovation of rivers and ditches in the north has cost a lot of money, and the court cannot support it.

If we fully carry out the renovation of rivers and ditches in the south this year, the consumption of money will definitely be greater, and it will be more difficult for the court to support it. Besides, after the beginning of the new year, Denglai's new army will start an expedition against Houjin in the north, which will also require a lot of money.

..."

Lu Faxuan clasped his fists at Zeng Yongzhong.

"Sir Zeng, I understand what you mean. However, the regulation of rivers and ditches involves the spring plowing production in the south. The yield of food in the south is much higher than that in the north. However, because the regulation of rivers has never been carried out in recent years, the regulation of rivers has never been carried out.

Due to the renovation of the ditches, the grain output has dropped significantly, even compared to that in the north. During this period, I went to the area around the capital to have a look. Last year, there was a drought in the capital area, but due to the renovation of the ditches and the use of water diversion for irrigation,

There was almost no decrease in grain production, and there was still a bumper harvest. People's homes had enough grain, and the court also received enough land tax..."

Zeng Yongzhong looked at Lu Faxuan and nodded helplessly.

"Master Lu, I can understand your feelings. The yield of food in the south is much higher than that in the north, and the imperial court is planning to promote the planting of corn and sweet potatoes in the south. If corn and sweet potatoes can be widely grown, the problem of food shortages can be solved in the shortest time.

It should be resolved within the country. When the cabinet was discussing just now, I also thought of it. First, we would start renovating rivers and ditches in the Jiangsu and Zhejiang areas where conditions are good, and then gradually spread it in the south. It will take two to three years to comprehensively renovate the rivers in the south.

And ditches..."

When Wu Zongrui and Wu Fancheng entered the greenhouse, everyone quickly clasped their fists and bowed their heads in salute.

Wu Zongrui had a smile on his face and held a document in his hand.

The eyes of Zeng Yongzhong, Lu Faxuan and others suddenly widened. They noticed this document because it was all written by the emperor and had undergone many modifications.

Wu Zongrui raised the document in his hand.

"I haven't written such a document for a long time, and I feel unfamiliar. Why, are your husband and Lu Ting arguing about the renovation of rivers and ditches in the south..."

Zeng Yongzhong quickly stepped forward and clasped his fists.

"Your Majesty, this is not a dispute with Mr. Lu, but a discussion. Mr. Lu suggested that river dredging and ditch improvement should be comprehensively carried out in the south. I suggest that we start with Jiangsu and Zhejiang and use two to three years to fully complete the work in the south.

Matters of river and ditch regulation..."

Wu Zongrui nodded.

"Everyone, please sit down. Fan Cheng will stand and listen to your adults' discussion."

"I have always had a point of view, that time waits for no one. The Ming Dynasty left us a mess. The people were barren, the place was poor, the land was full of hunger, and the people were in dire straits. If we hadn't laid some foundations in Shandong, it would be difficult for us to sit here and discuss spring plowing now.

many matters.”

"You are all cabinet ministers. How to make the country truly prosperous and powerful, and how the people can truly have enough food and clothing, you all need to think about it, come up with solutions, and have local governments at all levels implement them. There are many things you need to consider, and some of them are

, are contradictory to each other.”

"As for the improvement of ditches and rivers in the south, everyone knows that it is a good thing and should be done. It is related to the life and death of the people in the south. However, doing such a thing requires a lot of money, and the money needs to be allocated by the court. Once

If the imperial court doesn't have so much money, wouldn't it be a big deal?"

"The gentleman suggested taking it step by step, and Lu Ting suggested rolling it out in an all-round way. Both suggestions are reasonable."

"I think you don't need to argue too much. At this time, you might as well take a deeper look at the problem. If the comprehensive renovation of rivers and ditches in the south requires a lot of money and the court feels it is difficult, then where will we get the income?

Can we get more taxes to support a lot of spending?"

"Thinking of this level, we have to care about tax revenue. The revenue of the imperial court and local governments mainly comes from taxes. Last year and this year, tax revenue mainly consisted of two parts, land tax and trade tax. Among them, land tax was slightly higher than trade tax.

, these taxes not only support the expenses of officials at all levels and the Denglai New Army, but are also used for various local affairs, such as the improvement of rivers and ditches."

"I have long said that it is impossible to increase land tax. We cannot increase the burden on the people. On the contrary, we will gradually adjust and reduce land tax in the future. In some places in the south, land measurement matters are coming to an end. Once the integration of officials and gentry is implemented

By paying the grain, our land tax will increase a lot, which will be an additional step in increasing our income in the coming year."

"Our focus is still on trade taxation, especially the taxation on overseas trade. This year we only controlled the trade taxation in Dengzhou and Laizhou, but it will be different next year. All overseas trade in the south and north are controlled by the imperial court. We are reasonable

The planned trade taxation and strict implementation will increase a large amount of revenue."

"At the same time, we must also consider expanding trade overseas. Why do Western countries such as the Netherlands, Spain, and Portugal send merchant ships thousands of miles to conduct overseas trade? It is because the profits are huge. We encourage private merchant ships to go

By going to trade in these places, the imperial court can obtain revenue from trade taxes. Of course, the imperial court can also directly conduct commercial transactions with overseas countries and obtain money from them."

"Many workshops have long existed in various parts of the south. Can we support these workshops and let them develop and grow? These workshops can absorb a large number of people to do work, so that we can free many farmers from the land.

Let them enter the workshop to do things and earn income."

"Next year we will fully launch the renovation of rivers and ditches in the south. In the future, we will also build official roads on a large scale. Smooth roads are crucial. When roads everywhere are smooth, all kinds of commodities and goods can be transported quickly.

So, this will definitely promote the great development of commerce and trade."

"And our Royal Bank should consider whether it would prefer to support the improvement of rivers and ditches, the maintenance of official roads in various places, the construction of new roads, etc."

"The whole country is a chess game. Of course, the conditions in the south and the north are different. For example, the conditions in southern Zhili and Jiangsu and Zhejiang are better. The rapid development of these places can also inspire other places."

"Regarding how to develop commerce and trade, including how to expand overseas trade to the maximum extent, I have mentioned some methods in the document. The cabinet will discuss this matter specifically and draw on the strengths of others."

"Everyone, you must keep one point in mind. It is the responsibility of the court and the local government to let the people live and work in peace and contentment and gradually become rich. With this in mind, you will know what things must be done and what things cannot be delayed.

..."

"There are too many things we need to do. Again, time waits for no one. We may encounter some difficulties. This is normal. What we need to do is to try our best to solve the difficulties and do as much as possible for the people and for our dynasty.
Chapter completed!