Chapter 156.
In everyone’s perception.
This Annan is no different from any other barbaric land.
At best, it’s just a smaller version of the North Dollar.
It is inconceivable that there are more than two million stones of grain.
And Daming’s knowledge of Annam actually remained a few hundred years ago.
It was rather like the Han Dynasty’s impression of Jiangnan.
Jiangnan during the Han Dynasty, because there were so many hills and mountains there, plus water everywhere, people from the north often could not adapt to the environment after entering the south.
Coupled with the low productivity at that time, Jiangnan was not developed, so people’s impression of Jiangnan stayed more in the concept of barbarism, while the grain-producing areas at that time were mainly in the plains of Guanzhong and Guandong.
It is said that whoever wins the center wins the world.
But with the increase in productivity, the south began to enter the big development, coupled with a few times in the north of the south, a large number of northern Han people into the south, the new agricultural technology has been applied, this south of the Yangtze River has become the land of fish and rice, grain production directly back over the north.
The same is true of Annam, which was known for its barrenness when the four counties of Jiaotong were first ruled by the central dynasty.
During the Song Dynasty, rice was also produced in Annam, Chamchung, and Chenla, but due to sloppy farming and no irrigation facilities, rice was left to grow naturally, so the grain yield was low.
However, with the gradual stabilization of Annam and other places, after absorbing part of the irrigation and reclamation techniques of the north, with the excellent geographical environment as well as fertile land, Annam’s grain yield was amazingly high.
“Where did this …… these grains come from?” Zhu Gaoqi was first shocked. He was in the Ministry of Revenue, roughly knew that the grain that the court can collect every year, roughly also in the 10 million stone up and down, an Annan, there are two million three hundred thousand stone, this has far beyond his imagination.
Zhang Anshi glanced at Zhu Di.
Zhu Di said, “Zhang Anshi said it.”
Only then did Zhang Anshi say, “Annam is rich in rice, and 40% of the land can produce two seasons of rice, while 60% of the land can produce three seasons of rice.”
The ministers were in an uproar at these words.
What’s the concept of three seasons of rice? It means that it can be harvested three times a year!
The same acre of land, you spring sowing fall harvest, but people can be harvested once a season, this yield …… is equal to a direct tripling.
In Daming, the more fertile land can only be harvested for two seasons at most, and that’s pretty much the limit.
Only to see Zhang Anshi added: “What’s more …… from this report, although Annan has many mountains, but the country has a plain in the north and south …… of the country, and the scale of its rice paddies is by no means inferior to that of Nan Zhili. ”
Zhu Gaoqi surprised: “South Zhili arable land is the most in the world, this Annan is even more than South Zhili?”
“It’s still thirty percent more.” Zhang Anshi said, “This is still only a conservative estimate, after all, this is the record of cultivated land in the period of Chen Ruizong of the Chen Dynasty in Annam, after the capture of the country of Chamchung and the unification of the north and south of Annam, and over the years …… I’m afraid that some of the land has also been developed.”
Zhang Anshi afraid of his own brother-in-law do not believe, and said: “This time, we enter the army extremely fast, take Shenglong, this Annan granaries are all full, if according to their own calculations, in fact, each year can be paid in the field, in the one million nine hundred thousand stone up and down.”
One million nine hundred thousand stones per …… year.
“More than Nan Zhi Li?”
This South Zhili …… was much larger than many provinces in the Ming Dynasty, equivalent to the population and area of Jiangsu plus Shanghai plus Anhui in the latter days.
Every year the court can collect the grain here, more than the so-called land of fish and rice in Jiangxi and Zhejiang combined, can be said to be the world’s top.
But now, Nan Zhili’s grain tax is not as good as that of Annan!
In ancient times, grain came to represent population and taxes, a symbol of national strength.
Although the real power of the country, may not only rely on food to calculate. But at least this Annan, but by virtue of the ultra-high grain production, known as the small China, alias the Western small bully, all kinds of bullying Western countries. (In the Ming Dynasty, Western Asia referred to Southeast Asia.)
Zhu Di looked at the group of ministers in awe, each revealing a look of incredulity.
Especially Crown Prince Zhu Gaoqi, who looked quite shocked.
Of course he knew that the Crown Prince had been in charge of the Ministry of Revenue for the past year, and had been anxious every day over the matter of money and grain.
Zhu Di’s heart was secretly happy, but he pretended to be calm and said, “Continue reading.”
Zhang Anshi then said, “In addition to this, there is also one million three hundred and twenty-two thousand taels of silver, and the rest of the treasures, countless, especially with spices and other valuable things, there are even more nine hundred and forty-seven stones, these spices if sold, even if the price is a little cheaper, I’m afraid that the net profit of one million taels is also not in the question. As for the other lands and people, for the time being, they are not counted.”
The real money and spices alone could be worth two million dollars.
Zhu Di was happy, said, “This Annan is so affluent, really make me did not think ……”
Zhu Di looked at that Chen Ji: “Secretary Chen mouthed off about laboring the people and hurting their finances, is that right?”
Chen Ji in fact is also a hard head in the hard top just, but on second thought, Xie Jin is right, this time, if you can not ‘from one end’, but it seems to be their own two ends of the rat.
So he said, “Your Majesty, the conquests of all times are meant to be laborious, and I am only concerned about the people’s hardships.”
Zhu Di actually nodded, “Secretary Chen is right.”
“Ah ……”
Many people then looked at Zhu incredulously.
In fact, although this time the seizure is much, but the Hanlin may not be happy.
Only the crown prince Zhu Gaoxu and Yang Rong a few, Fang felt greatly relieved of the pressure and burden.
But for the vast majority of people, it’s not like the silver is for them, it belongs to the treasury after all.
And it is the subjects of the world who bear the consequences of war!
Therefore, it was naturally impossible for someone like Chen Ji to be happy.
Zhu Di said, “Since the labor, it is inevitable that the people will labor and hurt money, then …… withdraw the army of the expedition to Annan, I think about it, Chen Qing said the right.”
Chen Ji: “……”
Zhu Di went on to say, “These silver and money and food …… is the merchant bank down, naturally also belongs to the merchant bank, in the future this Western Ocean, I will never labor, everything to let the merchant bank to do is.”
“……”
This one …… has really stirred up a hornet’s nest.
Everyone looks at me and I look at you.
Honestly, it’s pretty lackluster.
Since so much grain, silver, and spices have nothing to do with the treasury, why did you come here to show off, Your Majesty?
Furthermore, if the court does not requisition an army and lets the merchant houses do the job, it is still not a left-handed reverse of a right-handed one. War requires the same number of people, only that it has changed from the previous requisition to another form of employment.
As usual, it can be disruptive to local production.
Since Chen Ji was thinking the same as most people, he frowned and said, “Your Majesty …… this ……”
Just do not wait for Chen Ji to say rebuttal words, Zhu Di will suddenly furious: “What is this? I sent a large army to conquer Annam, you said that it would hurt the people and the money. But when I tell you that Annan is fertile and can bring in a lot of money and grain revenue, you think it’s not beneficial to the country.”
“Now, I simply let the merchant bank to handle this matter, what else do you have to say? In this way …… I do not do anything, like a bodhisattva by you to provide, only can?”
Chen Ji said, “I ten thousand deaths, I just …… think …… that if this is the case, will not it nourish the flames of the merchant bank?”
“My Daming has always been light on business, and it is appropriate for a gentleman to cultivate virtue rather than seek profit. Nowadays …… His Majesty is so condoning the merchant houses, which is also a harm to the people of the world.”
Zhu looked at him mockingly and laughed, “Come on, tell me, what damage has been done?”
Chen Ji: “……”
Zhu Di said: “I forced the people to serve corv茅e? Zhang Anshi, you come to tell him, this goes to Annan the guards …… can someone is refused?”
Zhang Anshi said, “Your Majesty, before you went, you were asked, and those who are willing to stay can stay.”
Zhu Di then said, “Look, they all volunteered, they not only volunteered, but from the reports of Zhu Gaoxuan and others, these four guards and a battalion up and down, all of them rejoiced and everyone fought to be the first. How does this hurt the people?”
Chen Ji: “………”
The hall had gone silent.
Zhu Di, on the other hand, continued to stare at Chen Ji, only the light of his eyes grew colder and colder, and he said under his breath, “You are the Secretary of the Ministry of War, but the Secretary of the Ministry of War is a corpse, and you don’t know anything about the military, and since you are so fond of calculating money and grain, you might as well be a bookkeeper.”
Chen Ji was shocked, knowing that ministers hate dealing with money and food.
In the sequence of civilian ministers, the more only responsible for the Duzha and repair books, preaching the identity of the minister is the most honored, known as the Qingliu, the future of the future, but also unlimited, as for those who deal with money and grain, inevitably be looked down upon.
Zhu Di’s gaze caused Chen Ji’s body to involuntarily tremble and he had to say, “I am guilty of ten thousand deaths.”
Zhu Di snorted coldly, his eyes are no longer just cold, there is obvious dislike, said: ”Ten thousand deaths? I see that you are unconvinced, what is ten thousand deaths? You such a person, I stay by the side of what benefit? If you are interested, you will write a letter to resign. If not, I decree to dismiss.”
Chen Ji: “……”
He was appalled, and really panicked at this point.
After all, the cold windows and hard work, only to survive until today, the result of His Majesty’s light sentence, and then directly dismissed, which is what he never expected.
Chen Ji sadly said, “Your Majesty, I’ll die in a million deaths ……鑷�……”
Zhu Di cold face said: “to say, I also thanks to you, originally these booty, I also think, no matter how to say, the merchant bank also want to share some to the national treasury, but since you have said so, I also have to be good from the good, this merchant bank and the national treasury, or divided clearly for the good. This time into the Annan benefit, inch of gold, also not the national treasury.”
Zhu Gaoqi: “……”
Then, Zhu Gaoqi looked at Chen Ji with a speechless look.
The other Hanlin were also dumbfounded and speechless.
Chen Ji at this time really feel ashamed of themselves, the heart at the same time fear, busy trying to ask Xie Jin for help, hoping that Xie Jin can say a good word for him.
Xie Jin, however, lowered his head, obsequious and incomparable appearance.
“Your Majesty ……”
Zhu Di was full of anger, directly whisked his sleeve and said: “Today there is no need to spindle speak, the so-called articles spoken by the Secretary and so on, in the country and what is the benefit? If everyone is like Chen Ji, the son of heaven only need to reduce taxes, only the so-called leniency, the world still need what the son of heaven? This is not to teach the so-called emperor’s art, Qing and so on this is to teach me how to be deaf, blind, do straw man just.”
With that, he lifted his leg in exasperation and walked away.
Until Zhu Di out of the Mandarin Palace, still full of anger.
Yiluoha hurriedly chased after Zhu, following him step by step.
Zhu Di glanced at the also lost ha, but happy: “How, I square act how?”
Yiluoha said with an expression of admiration, “Your Majesty is unpredictable, the slave girl admires you.”
Zhu Di with his hands behind his back, said loudly: “Into his mother’s, the name is not the right words, this group of tortoise grandson if not bitter admonition I do not want to move the sword, I really want to share the profit to the treasury it!”
“Hmph! Now it’s good, he’s unkind, I’m unrighteous! Don’t they readers often say that it’s abuse to kill without teaching? I am waiting for Chen Ji that dog thing bitter words. Now well …… this Annan has nothing to do with them anymore.”
After a pause, Zhu Di added: “I have long looked at them not good.”
Said the man, strutting, humming a little tune, and walking pleasantly toward the great inner sanctum.
Yizhuoha, on the other hand, continued to follow suit and whispered, “Then Chen Ji ……”
Hearing this name, Zhu Di s happy energy seems to be forced to alleviate a few points, he skimmed his mouth and said, “This person …… is really nasty, I give him to leave the last face, if he asks to resign, it is just, if he does not know what to do, do not blame me.”
Zhu Di paused, seemed to think of something, and added: “After this person resigns, have someone keep an eye on him.”
Yiluoha understood, “The slave girl complies with the order.”
…………
This time, there is no doubt that Zhang Anshi is the biggest winner.
Of course, he has not won it all yet, and will need to wait for a charter he has drafted and for His Majesty to finalize it.
Occupying land is not a skill, squeezing oil out of that land is the real skill.
As soon as Zhu Di left, Zhang Anshi was busy going up to assist Zhu Gaoqi.
Zhu Gaoqi face showed a few points of worry, said, “Annan so much food …… unfortunately can not be used for people’s livelihood ……”
Zhang Anshi said, “Who says it can’t be used?”
Zhu Gaoqi helplessly said, “Giving it all to the merchant bank is not good after all.”
Zhang Anshi can not see his own brother-in-law always frowning worried look, then patiently said: “Brother-in-law, you are not aware of ah, think about it, Annan where so much food, although to the merchant bank, but think about it, if which province has a disaster, the merchant bank will be transported to the grain to sell at a fair price, in this way, whether it is conducive to the country’s people’s livelihood? With the surplus grain, you can feed pigs, you can brew wine, you can …… In short, under the sky, as long as the production is abundant enough, it is good for the people.”
Zhu Gaoqi nodded his head and seemed to have taken Zhang Anshi’s words in, not continuing to say anything more on this matter, but said with concern: “The merchant bank is now taking up such a large profit, you need to be more cautious, this is similar to a child walking at night with a golden treasure in his arms, it is inevitable that someone will covet it.”
Zhang Anshi said with eyes full of confidence, “Brother-in-law rest assured, this world only I rob people …… where there are people …… no, I did not rob people, I Zhang Anshi do not do this kind of thing.”
The two of them spoke to each other.
The group has dispersed.
Only Chen Ji remained lost in thought, kneeling here, when a eunuch came and urged, “Lord Chen, please return.”
Chen Ji had to stand up in a muddle, thinking of their own decades of floundering, but now ended up in such a situation, the heart is both unwilling, but also inevitably born resentment.
He stumbled out of the temple.
Look up …… but insights Jinyin Xu step by step.
Chen Ji was like grabbing the last life-saving straw, hurriedly sprinted forward and lowered his voice, “Duke Xie …… I …… I …… ”
Xie Jin, however, smiled and said, “Congratulations.”
“Congratulations?” Chen Ji first stared blankly, then with a huffy look on his face, “Why did Duke Xie say that?”
Xie Jin, however, remained calm, said: “you speak out for justice, by his majesty removed from office, is not this worthy of congratulations? After tomorrow, the world’s readers will know, my Ming have a iron bone strong frank minister, spelled the hat do not want, also want to speak out, this is how to teach people to admire the thing.”
Chen Ji lowered his head, but he said painfully, “It s just that …… from now on …… it will be for the common people.”
Xie Jin said: “What about the common people? The green mountain in not worry about no wood to burn! You ah, just some things can not think, think of the benefits.”
Said, Xie Jin accelerated footsteps, to Wen Yuan Pavilion.
Chen Ji, however, continued to ponder something with his head down, his face clouded over, and finally shook his head and stumbled away.
……
A decree urgently ordered Zhu Yong and the others to return to the court.
Only Zhu Gaoxu was left to guard Annan.
As for Zhu Neng in the center army, naturally, he also returned to the court without mentioning it.
And at this time …… the king of Zhao has returned to the capital.
The King of Zhao, His Highness, got his own father’s will, the heart of the great joy, so day and night rushed back, a face of dusty, but not the slightest delay immediately into the palace audience.
Worshiped the parents, no less than coaxed Zhu Di and Empress Xu happy and smiling, and then into the Zhu Di given the Zhao Wang House to live.
By the next day, King Zhao Zhu Gao Suo came to see the Crown Prince.
The two brothers were not free from intimacy, and said many things to each other.
Only Zhu Zhanji seemed to have been left out as if he had been left out in the cold, and when he saw Zhang Anshi come in the evening, he gleefully hugged Zhang Anshi’s leg in one hand and said, “A-uncle, A-uncle ……”
Zhang Anshi picked him up with one hand and gently touched his head with the other, saying, “What’s wrong? Did you get a lecture from your mother consort again? You ah you, only at this time will you think of your uncle me, you really have no conscience, now do you know that under the sky only uncle loves you the most?”
Zhu Zhanji shook his head and said, “Today I saw Third Uncle.”
Zhang Anshi was first stunned, then he remembered that the so-called Third Uncle was that His Highness, the King of Zhao, and said, “Oh, and then what.”
In fact, for that Zhao Wang …… Zhang Anshi truly has no interest, to know, this is also a restless master ah!
Perhaps it was because Zhu Di had gotten off to a bad start, so much so that both Zhu Gaoxu and Zhu Gaoqi had the illusion that I think I can do it too.
At this time, Zhu Zhanji bit his finger.
Zhang Anshi broke his hand out of his mouth.
But he saw Zhu Zhanji say somewhat unhappily, “I don’t think Third Uncle is a good person.”
Zhang Anshi said with some surprise, “Huh, how did you see it?”
“When he arrived at the palace, he cried when he saw his Royal Grandfather, saying how he missed him in Beiping, and cried as if he were coughing up blood.”
Zhang Anshi laughed and said, “That’s it?”
Zhu Zhanji then added, “I wouldn’t miss my royal grandfather, and even if I did, it would never be like this.”
Listening to Zhu Zhanji’s little milky voice, Zhang Anshi nodded and then said, “And?”
“When he met his father, he also wept and cried, saying that he missed him daily.”
Zhang Anshi, however, added, “That’s it?”
Zhu Zhanji said, “But he didn’t miss his second uncle.”
Zhang Anshi said, “There’s no problem with missing second uncle?”
Zhu Zhanji tilted his head and said, “If he really cares about his closest relatives like this, shouldn’t he miss them all together? He misses his Royal Grandfather because he is the Son of Heaven, he misses his father because he is the Crown Prince, and he doesn’t miss his second uncle because he was convicted of a crime, so it is obvious that he is not a good person.”
Zhang Anshi couldn’t help but touch his head again and said, “Have you said these words to your mother consort?”
Zhu Zhanji said, “I’m not going to talk to Mother Consort, if Mother Consort knows about it, she must say that I’m not good.”
Zhang Anshi lamented, “How come you even know about the palace?”
Zhu Zhanji said, “I also do not want to know ah, but …… what happens in the big interior, always spread very quickly, I do not want to know …… also not.”
He drooped his head and looked chagrined, as if he were the victim.
Zhang Anshi said, “Come, sit down and let’s talk about this.”
He placed Zhu Zhanji on the stone pier next to the rockery, while saying, “You dislike your third uncle so much?”
Zhu Zhanji nodded heavily.
Zhang Anshi said, “Then when you met him, did you treat him well?”
“I …… I ……” said Zhu Zhanji, “I didn’t want to pay attention to him, just called out and left.”
Zhang Anshi sighed, ”You see, this is where your skills are inferior. Whatever your third uncle has in mind, yet when he meets His Majesty and meets his brother-in-law, he can be so warm and welcoming. You, on the other hand, write what you are happy and unhappy about on your own face, how can this be accomplished.”
Zhang Anshi said, “You think that your third uncle is treacherous, but you haven’t thought about the fact that for treacherous people, you have to be even more treacherous than they are, and if he is despicable and shameless, you have to be even more despicable and shameless, you know?”
Zhu Zhanji held his chin, his eyes bright, as if the pattern had opened up all of a sudden: “So when I see my third uncle again, I will also cry, as if I love my third uncle.”
Zhang Anshi cheerfully said, “This is up to you, crying or not is just a means to an end, how to achieve the end is most important.”
Zhu Zhanji then all of a sudden hugged Zhang Anshi’s thighs and wailed, “A-uncle, A-uncle, I like you too much, why don’t you always come to see me, you don’t come ……… to see me for a day … …I …… I …… I …… woo woo woo woo …… I will be in pain, I have a hard time in my heart, A uncle… …You have to come …… to A-Uncle every day in the future, I like A-Uncle to be around, I like A-Uncle to hold me, as long as A-Uncle is with me, I will be happy.”
Tears fell from his eyes and his lapel was wet.
A few serving eunuchs in the distance …… were stunned.
Zhang Anshi was furious, cursed: “Zhu Zhanji! You are not a human being, your conscience has been eaten by a dog, you black-hearted thief, how dare you use this to fool your uncle, who treats you with such sincerity, and you play with my heart? Well well well, you are really too good, A-uncle never thought that you are such a wolf-hearted person, from now on, ignore you again.”
Zhu Zhanji tugged Zhang Anshi and said bitterly, “A uncle …… don’t be angry, I …… I’m just taking A uncle to practice …… ”
After saying this, he wiped his tears and grinned, “Uncle, isn’t that right?”
Zhang Anshi glared at him, “Into your …… into his Deng Jian s mother! If you continue to treat uncle like this, don’t blame uncle for turning the other cheek, you guy who can’t tell right from wrong.”
Zhu Zhanji drooped his head and shook it up again, “Uncle don’t be angry.”
Zhang Anshi saw many eunuchs and palace eunuchs surrounding him before he gave a cold snort and whispered, “Fang was still soft-hearted and wanted to give you a popsicle to eat, but now that I’m in a fit of anger, I won’t give it to you, so you behave yourself.”
Zhu Zhanji actually didn’t feel any pain at all: “Anyway, across the board, A-Uncle won’t give it.”
…………
By mid-July.
Finally …… a group of people returned to the capital.
Zhu Yong returned to Nanjing after a long absence and was overjoyed.
The rest, Zhang Yoking, Qiu Song, and Gu Xingzu, were also eager to return.
The five hundred model battalions that came with them were all mounted and in high spirits.
First, we’ll go to Suthep’s camp and settle down.
Then there was a decree ordering the four to enter the palace for an audience on the following day.
The eunuch who passed the decree specially urged, “His Majesty means …… to prepare a family banquet in the big house, and invite a few small meritorious ministers to go.”
Zhu Yong said angrily, “How is it a small meritocracy, I’m a big meritocracy.”
The eunuch’s jaw dropped.
Zhang Yoking urged from the side, “Second brother, forget it, forget it, don’t be angry.”
Zhu Yong cursed, “In order to get credit, I even sold my own father, and called me a small meritorious official, heck, a father and son turn against each other in exchange for this? By the way, where is big brother?”
“Big brother must have a lot of time on his hands, let’s not bother him at this time, he’s been worried about us in Annan, and now that he knows we’re safe, it’s rare for him to let go of his heart. Let big brother take a break, let’s just make do in the camp today, tomorrow and big brother together into the palace.”
Zhu Yong nodded his head, “Third brother is right.”
The next day, Zhang Anshi really came, Zhang Anshi red light, a see the brothers, wailed: “brothers, I can think of you dead. A day without seeing you, I feel that life is worse than death …… Well, all give me a little bit of spirit, we enter the palace, later …… while His Majesty is happy, I have a charter, waiting for him to finalize.”
“Oh …… oh ……” four people packed neatly, all the way with Zhang Anshi out of the camp, many days do not see, can not help but have a lot to say.
The five rode on their horses, you spoke and I spoke, only Qusong looked like he was in love, as if he had something on his mind.
Of course, people are used to him being so.
Entering the palace from the Noon Gate, he was then guided by eunuchs into the inner sanctum.
This is not ordinary people can see, unless the royal family close relatives, or the emperor personally authorized by the ministers, can only be in and out.
This was a great honor for Zhu Yong and the others.
As soon as he entered the inner sanctum, there was a eunuch in front of him, who was none other than Yizhiha, who looked at the five with a smile and said, “Zhang Anshi people, etc., there is a decree.”
The five then saluted.
Also lost Ha Road: “Fengtian Cheng Yun Emperor, the edict said: this conquest of the barbarians, the Secretary of the family of labor and hard work, there is this military success, can not be no praise for the virtue, praise the United States of America, Tai Zu Gao Emperor since the founding of the country, there is a merit must be rewarded, there has been a punishment, this Edict Zhang Anshi for the Marquis of Annan …… ”
Zhang Anshi was stunned …… This is …… to make himself the first credit?