Water transportation occupies an extremely important position and plays an extremely important role in the Ming Dynasty system.

It's just that the official administration of the Ming Dynasty collapsed, but many yamen were set up in places called water transportation routes, and anyone with a connection wanted to profit from it.

In addition to the disappearance of water transport, there are many problems, such as official ships for private use, military transport for private use, etc., which cannot be solved in one day or can be solved by restructuring.

Li Daiwen, who was the chief water officer at the time, was very capable and discerning. Since he took office in the first year of Chongzhen, he had solved many malpractices in water transportation.

Taking advantage of the water transport disaster that occurred in Shandong, Emperor Chongzhen clearly separated the water transport areas, established the North and South Central Admiral Water Transport Branches, and also reorganized the transport armies under his jurisdiction. This was not because he did not trust Li Daiwen, nor did he want to divide his power.

.

In fact, the water transport of the Ming Dynasty has reached the point where it must be changed and must be changed.

Even if it was just a formal change, this was what Emperor Chongzhen wanted to see.

At least through this adjustment and improvement, it can be ensured that the transportation of grain from the south to the north, and even the annual taxes, silver, etc. shipped from the Jiangnan provinces will not be seriously lost.

"The government and business interest groups under the rule of Jiangnan have reached the point of being crazy." Emperor Chongzhen, who was sitting on the dragon throne, said in his heart with cold eyes: "Everyone tried every possible means to evade taxes, even tax evasion, let alone embezzlement."

The official land of the Ming Dynasty.'

‘The Ming Dynasty’s control over the Jiangnan provinces has been continuously weakened, and the imperial power in Jiangnan is more like a big joke.

In the north, there are constant disasters and wars, while in the south, people are in a state of dissipation and indulgence.

This is not the tragedy of the Ming Dynasty.

At this stage, the strength and foundation of the Ming Dynasty are not enough to touch this minefield. If it really wants to touch it, I am afraid that there will be many rebellions under the rule of the Jiangnan provinces.

As for who is behind these rebel forces, it is unknown.’

The focus of taxation in the Ming Dynasty has always been the Jiangnan provinces, especially Huguang, Zhejiang and other places, which are definitely the top rich places.

It's just that Jiangnan has never experienced wars all year round, and its cultural heritage is prosperous. Coupled with the suitable climate and environment, there are many scholars under its rule. For example, there are many officials from Jiangnan in the existing court, including the government offices in various places.

The clans of these officials and scholars were very powerful in the local area. With the privileges in their hands, they had formed an intricate network of personal connections and interests.

"Your Majesty... I wish you a happy birthday!"

When Emperor Chongzhen was thinking about it, he summoned Zu Dashou, who had entered the palace, and came to Dongnuan Pavilion to bow to the emperor.

"Master Zu is here, please forgive me."

Seeing Zu's birthday, Emperor Chongzhen smiled, stretched out his hand and said: "Wang Banban, give Zu Qing a seat to serve tea. I want to have a long talk with Zu Qing."

"Here!"

Wang Chengen immediately bowed his head.

Since it was necessary to reform the Ming Dynasty's water transport and make it relatively controllable, Emperor Chongzhen had a suitable candidate in mind when he said he wanted to rectify the military transport.

That is the left deputy general of Shenshuying, Zu Dashou!

Nowadays, Zu Dashou is the number one general in Liaodong, but it is not yet possible to get rid of him. If Zu Dashou is really killed, Liaoqian will become the territory of Jianlu.

The Liao generals surrounding the Zu family and the Wu family knew very well what they had done. The imperial court's elimination of Zu Dashou meant that they were to be eliminated.

Unless they were kicked in the head, after knowing that Zu Dashou was killed, they were still lucky and felt that the court would not liquidate them.

"Master Zu, I am in trouble now."

Emperor Chongzhen pretended to be worried and sighed to Zu Dashou who had just sat down: "There is serious corruption in water transportation over in Shandong."

With just this sentence, Zu Dashou stood up, with a somewhat complicated expression on his face.

To be honest...he is too familiar with Zu Dashou when it comes to drifting.

He knows the secrets here very well.

Previously, part of the food and salary sent by the imperial court to Liao Qian was lost before it left the capital, and another part was lost when it was transported through various places. When it arrived at Shanhaiguan, a 60-70% share was considered to be highly incense-burning.

The exciting thing is coming next.

From the Shanhaiguan side, to the places along the Liaoning front, to the hands of the generals of various ministries, and finally to the hands of the soldiers, after this layer of exploitation, there was not much left.

This is why the Ming Dynasty fought against the Jianlu. The more they fought the Jianlu, the stronger they became, and the more they fought the Ming, the weaker they became. They even gave birth to local quasi-warlord forces such as Liaodong Generals.

"Master Zu, I am determined to rectify the water transport of the Ming Dynasty. In addition to the matters under the jurisdiction of civilian officials, I have specifically made clear the control of water transport and the army."

Looking at Zu Dashou with a complicated expression, Emperor Chongzhen pretended not to know and continued: "I have decided to set up an important military transport town in eight provinces with reference to the Jiubian important town, which will be responsible for the transportation of each section of the water transport, and also set up the post of admiral to transport the army and military affairs.

, in charge of transportation and military affairs, under the direct jurisdiction of the Governor of Water Transportation.

From now on, this military movement will no longer be a loose group, but a customized army, so I plan to send a close general to leave the capital and take up his post!"

Nope.

Does your Majesty intend to ask me to take up my post?

Zu Dashou, who was shocked in his heart, couldn't help but exclaimed in his heart that this Lao Shizi's admiral of transporting the army and military affairs could not be appointed under any circumstances.

Leaving Liao Qian and being tied up in the capital was enough to upset him.

He was even set up by the emperor again and again.

If this is further extended to the south of the Yangtze River, the ancestral family's power in the Qian Liao Dynasty will inevitably suffer serious losses, and the Wu family will then take over.

"O Qing Zu, I have thought about it and decided that this matter belongs to you."

Emperor Chongzhen stood up and walked slowly towards his ancestors. He said with an moved expression: "Water transportation is related to the lifeline of the country. The country is facing difficulties nowadays. There are captives, thieves, and disasters that happen from time to time.

If there are any problems with water transportation, it will be a huge blow to the country. I know very well that Zu Qing is talented and taking up the post of admiral to transport the army will certainly be able to relieve my worries.

...If Zuqing can do this well and improve the water transportation, I will reward Zuqing as an earl and will not replace him hereditary!"

Seeing that Zu Dashou wanted to politely refuse, Emperor Chongzhen directly stepped up and refused to give Zu Dashou any reason to refuse.

It is said that you are my confidant, and you still reward the earl, hereditary and irreplaceable. Do you have the nerve to refuse?

If you refuse, what does that mean?

Do you not see me, the Ming Emperor, in your eyes?

It doesn’t matter whether you have it in your heart or not!

Furthermore, asking Zu Dashou to leave the Shenshu Camp and go to supervise the movement of troops and military administration. Considering the complicated relationships in the Jiangnan provinces, how could he easily tolerate such a general as Zu Dashou.

Emperor Chongzhen knew better than anyone what the virtues of the Ming civil servants were. He looked down on the Ming generals from the bottom of his heart, and even did so unabashedly.

Take ten thousand steps back.

Even if Zu Dashou went to Jiangnan and really got together with the government and business interest groups there, it would be at least a few years later.

When that time comes, Emperor Chongzhen will not be afraid.

As long as the generals of Liaodong are eliminated, that ancestor Dashou will be like a duckweed without roots. When the decree takes over his position, his ancestor Dashou will be nothing.

If he really dared to rebel in the south of the Yangtze River, Emperor Chongzhen would not have wished for it. Now his division had become famous and he sent the hard-working new army of the Ming Dynasty to conquer the south to quell the rebellion, and took advantage of the trend of military control of the south of the Yangtze River!

Time, as long as Emperor Chongzhen has time, as long as he can snatch a few years of stable development from this chaotic situation, everything is likely to change.

Zu Dashou, who left Dongnuang Pavilion, looked a little complicated and his mind was very confused.

He only remembered that he was leaving Beijing to take up his post, and was given a secret edict by the emperor, who also asked Wu Xiang to accompany him. As for the rest, he did not remember anything else.

A hereditary and irreplaceable earl.

This political extravagance made Zu Dashou deep down in his heart, unable to find any reason to politely reject the emperor.

It would be a lie to say that I am not impressed.

But Zu Dashou also knew the complexity of water transport.

But does he dare to refuse?

If he dared to disobey the holy will with such extravagance, Zu Dashou could even imagine how the emperor would deal with him, and even how the Zu family would be ruined.

There is no doubt that he will die.
Chapter completed!