Feng Ziying was aroused by Cui Jingrong.
During the two days of contact, he felt that Cui Jingrong should be regarded as a typical and outstanding scholar and civil servant of this era. He had a generous temperament and had his own thoughts, but he did not listen to partial beliefs and was willing to accept some new things. This was particularly important.
If you are a pedantic and stubborn civil servant, no matter how clean and honest you are, and how capable you are, your thinking can only be limited to that stereotype, and it will be difficult to break out of this historical cycle and make changes.
As I mentioned to him before, Linqing tribute brick firing involves Linqing's soil quality, paper burning technology and specific canal transportation capabilities. These are indispensable, so this is how the tribute brick industry can develop.
The fundamental reason for the rise and further expansion.
The Linqing tribute brick firing kiln often requires hundreds of masons and kiln workers. In addition to the mastery of technical heat by some skilled workers, most of it is mainly simple high-intensity labor, which also means that a large amount of labor is required. However,
The main factor restricting the development of the tribute brick industry was the imperial policy.
Since the Ming Dynasty, tribute bricks were mainly used by the palace and imperial officials. Later, the restrictions were gradually relaxed, and they were mainly used for official residences in the capital city with the approval of the Ministry of Industry. Therefore, there were some private transactions even below, but after all
This does not comply with the regulations of the imperial court, and the transaction can only be carried out secretly, and the scale is not too large.
When Feng Ziying was in Linqing, she felt that if this industry could be liberalized and the tribute brick firing around Linqing City could be fully developed, it could at least expand three to five times the current scale.
Because the demand for tribute bricks is so great, local gentry and merchants are very fond of it. They are willing to spend money on it for their own residences. This can not only absorb a large number of laborers, but also further expand the Linqing Wharf.
The needs of various industries such as shipping.
Now it happens that the harvest in the southwestern Shandong area is poor this year. If it is not handled properly, it may lead to a gathering of refugees. This situation has been reported to the Ministry of Household Affairs and the Cabinet by the Shandong Chengxuan Envoy Department, and a plan has been made in advance.
Early warning.
Feng Ziying felt that this was just an opportunity.
"Mr. Cui, I actually think that instead of letting this kind of tribute bricks be traded secretly in private, it's better to let it go openly. If it really feels like it's a bit over the top, then we can just put some restrictions and requirements on some regulations." Feng Ziying
He spread his hands and said, "Mr. Cui, you just need to get off the boat and ask around. Who doesn't know that Linqing tribute bricks are sold privately? How many wealthy families in Linqing city have never used tribute bricks? But everyone tacitly agrees with it.
, or don’t use it outside and use it in the inner room of your home, but why bother?”
"Ziying, I'm afraid some problems are not as simple as you think."
Cui Jingrong naturally also knew that Linqing tribute bricks were issued by the Ministry of Industry. Without the approval of the Ministry of Industry, then the tribute bricks fired in the brick kiln and sold privately were in compliance with the law. Anyone who purchased and used tribute bricks in excess of the limit would also be punished.
, but some wealthy families would rather be punished than use these tribute bricks, just because they are willing to make up for this scene.
"Cui Gong, I know what you mean, but the sale and use of tribute bricks requires the approval of the Ministry of Industry. This regulation does not originate from our Zhou Dynasty, but is an old rule from the Ming Dynasty. Since it is an old rule from the Ming Dynasty, it is no longer the rule.
It’s so in line with the situation, why can’t it be revised and corrected?”
Feng Ziying stood next to Cui Jingrong and said softly: "Actually, I don't think the imperial court may care about this. The Ministry of Industry may not be aware of the following matters. It's just tacitly understood by everyone. In this case, as long as someone puts it forward, it doesn't matter if they want to revise or correct it.
It is difficult, and there are not many voices of opposition, and this is good news for Linqing and these brick kiln owners. Similarly, if we can take this opportunity to attract those people who come from low-income areas to go out to eat and provide security to the capital city
The pressure it brings, I think this can be regarded as a good thing that kills two birds with one stone, right?"
Cui Jingrong nodded slightly.
To be honest, he was moved.
The relief pressure shouldered by the Ministry of Household Affairs every year makes him overwhelmed.
This year, except for southwestern Shandong, Henan and Shaanxi are suffering from severe drought and poor harvests, especially in Shaanxi.
Next year, the Ministry of Household Affairs' main focus on relief work will be on Shaanxi, especially northern Shaanxi. The pressure on Henan is also huge.
So wherever he can get good news or a way to relieve his stress, he is happy to see it.
"There is another benefit." Feng Ziying noticed Cui Jingrong's heartbeat and struck while the iron was hot.
"Oh? Tell me." Cui Jingrong was still thinking about how the refugees in southwestern Shandong could be solved by transferring the refugees to the canal, similar to the work-for-relief model, but the other end of the relief was no longer the government but the government.
It’s the kiln owners. This also provides a lot of labor for the kiln owners, which is a good thing.
"Since the ban on tribute bricks has been lifted and can be used by ordinary gentry, merchants and even ordinary people, it makes sense to appropriately allocate points or tax on tribute bricks." Feng Ziying saw Cui Jingrong's eyes light up and smiled slightly.
"The people who use these tribute bricks should be the wealthy gentry and merchants from all over the country. I used to worry about exceeding the quota, but now I no longer worry about it. A few more taels of silver must be insignificant to these families.
And if you add up to a little, it will be an extra benefit for the court, and the emperor and the cabinet must be happy to see it."
Cui Jingrong was really convinced. No wonder this kid could achieve such a great reputation. Such thoughts are really not something ordinary people can have. He goes around and around and touches people's hearts directly. Moreover, everything can stick to what you care about and make you want to stop.
"Ziying, it is really rare for me to convince someone once, but this time, I have been convinced by you. Tonight, I will write a memorial to several cabinet elders and the emperor, canceling the restriction on tribute bricks, and at the same time encourage
Build more brick kilns in order to absorb the large-scale refugees who may appear next spring. Even if a refugee family has one strong laborer working in the kiln, it can support the whole family, and it can also reduce the pressure on the government to provide relief a lot..."
Seeing Cui Jingrong being so excited, Feng Ziying calmed down a little, "Mr. Cui, there is no need to be so urgent about this matter. It is best to arrive in Linqing today, and after arriving at Dongchang Mansion tomorrow, we can discuss it with the governor, the magistrate and others.
, understand the current annual scale of Linqing tribute bricks and estimate the scale that may be expanded in the future, so that you can be targeted..."
Cui Jingrong saw that Feng Ziying was becoming more and more pleasing to the eye, and nodded: "Of course I know about this, but I have to write a letter to several elder monks and make preparations first. As for the specific operation, I will naturally have to wait until Dongchang Mansion and Linqing Prefecture.
We will make a decision after the basic situation is revealed.”
"Then as long as you have a plan in mind, your subordinates will feel relieved."
Feng Ziying said no more. Based on Cui Jingrong's experience, she didn't need to remind herself about such things, and she would naturally understand how to promote them.
If this matter can be accomplished in the future, it will certainly be a real political achievement for Cui Jingrong. As for her own role in it, Feng Ziying believes that it is indispensable.
Not to mention that Cui Jingrong does not have the character to annihilate the contributions of others, and he has to go to Dongchang Mansion tomorrow. The Lord of the Mansion is his future, and such things cannot be separated from the promotion of the government at both the prefecture and prefecture levels.
**********
When we arrived at Linqing, we all disembarked.
Even Fan Jingwen and He Fengsheng knew that Feng Ziying had to seize the half-day to go back to her old house to do some personal things, so they didn't bother her.
But for the group of people on the passenger ship behind, it was definitely a trip.
Jia Lian had never been to the Feng family's old house, so naturally he wanted to get acquainted with it, and Daiyu also wanted to revisit the old place to express her feelings.
As for Third Sister You, she was even more uneasy, which meant that she might have to officially appear in front of the Feng family, even if the people here might just be some distant relatives and servants.
"This is my home. The pond over there was originally called Scorpion Pit. It has an unpleasant name, but it is quite large. My family bought it and renovated it into a back garden pond for enjoying the cool air in the summer.
It’s much more comfortable, too…”
Feng Ziying walked along the way and introduced to a group of people the two carriages sent by the government, one for Daiyu, Third Sister You, Zijuan and Xueyan, and the other for Feng Ziying and Jia Lian.
"The family over there is also a prominent family in Linqing, Dongchang Prefecture - the Ren family. Their family has repeatedly promoted people to become scholars, and most of them served as officials in other places..." Feng Ziying still had the impression that she and Zuo Liangyu wanted to leave the city.
The scene of entering from Ren's Garden and then taking a detour, four years passed in a flash, and it still seems like yesterday.
Zuo Liangyu did well in Liaodong. This boy's unruly and domineering temperament coupled with his good martial arts and emotional intelligence allowed him to climb up the ranks very quickly in the army. This made Feng Ziying feel more and more that she was right in not interfering with the other party's life path.
Maybe after a few years of polishing, you can see a brave and brave warrior slowly grow up.
When they reached the gate of Feng Mansion, the carriage stopped, and Feng Ziying and Jia Lian jumped out of the car. Feng Ziying couldn't help but put her hands on her hips and sighed: "That day, Sister Lin was hiding there with Jia Yucun, but Uncle Xue came from here.
While running over,..."
Recalling the situation that day, Feng Ziying couldn't help but look over, and the curtain of the carriage behind opened a gap, facing Daiyu's bright and pretty eyes.
The two pairs of eyes converged.
Duan Xigui is already waiting at the door.
Duan Xigui was a little surprised when he saw Feng Ziying and another person coming down, the corner door opened, and the carriage behind them driving in directly.
"Brother Keng."
"Cousin, it's just the second brother Lian of the Rongguo Mansion, the second brother Lian, this is my cousin, you can just call him the third brother Duan." Feng Ziying briefly introduced Jia Lian and Duan Xigui, and it was inevitable to have some pleasantries.
Feng Ziying did not introduce Duan Xigui to the female family members who got off the car at the back, and Duan Xigui also knew enough not to ask.
This cousin is no longer the cousin of the past. He actually compiled it from a sixth-grade Hanlin Academy. Even the governor of the prefecture must be a little polite when he sees it. Duan Xigui knows how to measure.
This chapter has been completed!