"The imperial court's countermeasures are actually very simple. The emperor immediately consulted with the two governments and three departments and decided to issue a strict order to order merchants and noble families with more than 5,000 shi of grain to take the initiative to hand over the grain at the official price within one month.
In the official warehouse, those who fail to pay after the due date will be inspected and dealt with by the department. At this time, heavy penalties must be used, otherwise there will be no good results."
Su Jin frowned and asked, "Is there anything else?"
Yan Shu said: "Order the heads of local officials to personally supervise the matter, and coordinate with the Third Department and the grain envoys to conduct raids on the homes of wealthy merchants. Those who fail to comply with the imperial decree within the time limit will be severely punished, and the hoarding trend will be completely cracked down."
Su Jin said: "Isn't this the same as before?"
Yan Shu said: "What? Isn't this enough?"
Su Jin's face was extremely ugly, and he said calmly: "I'm sorry to say it bluntly, but it's strange that this kind of approach can become famous. I don't rule out that some timid people will hand over the food stored at home, but I'm afraid it will have little effect.
.”
Zhao Zhen said: "In the second year of Tiansheng, Fan Yong, the envoy of the Third Division, also wrote a letter about this matter. In that year, I also issued an edict to do this, and the hoarding trend stopped immediately. This method has worked. This time it is just a matter of using
Just use it again, does Su Jin think this method won't work?"
Su Jin said: "Your Majesty, the common people don't know what happened in the second year of Tiansheng. As far as I know, the Emperor has carried out rectifications on hoarding several times since he came to the throne. The common people have read the records of the three departments. I'm afraid it was no less than four times. But why?
It has been banned repeatedly, and the more it is banned, the more it is punished, the more rampant it becomes? Why is this? I wonder if the emperor has thought about it."
Zhao Zhen thought about it and said: "The country is in trouble, and the constant fear of floods and droughts is a major reason. If the fertile fields throughout the Song Dynasty were good and the weather was good, these problems would inevitably be eliminated."
Su Jindao: "The emperor is right. Frequent famines are the inducement. However, businessmen pursue profit, and collusion between government and businessmen is the key to this matter. Common people think that food matters are like war, and they also pay attention to the right time, place, and people. Disasters are the right time, and the right time is not the right time."
Changes have occurred, and geographical advantage is management, and it is hard to cut wood without cutting wood. I don’t know if the local government and the court have invested in water conservancy measures in important grain-producing areas in recent years. Lakes and rivers in Jiangsu and Zhejiang come and go. If it is said that it is a flood-stricken grassroots
It’s understandable, but if it is said that drought has caused a large-scale reduction in grain production, it can only be heard as a joke.”
Yan Shu said solemnly: "The use of water conservancy has been intercepted by the local government for a long time. How can you say that the imperial court has not invested in this project?"
Su Jin smiled and said: "Sir, please calm down. Since the imperial court has allocated special funds for water conservancy, it is a matter of human relations. Businessmen are taking risks in pursuit of profit. Are officials using the water conservancy money to do other things, or even pretending to be themselves?"
pockets, whether there is any ulterior alliance and collusion between officials and businessmen, these are all things that need to be clarified. The right time, the right place, the right people, and if any link is not done well, this matter will never end and never have peace. Don't talk about it.
It is in vain to impose a strict order to ban four times even ten times or eight times."
Zhao Zhen's face was extremely ugly. As an emperor, how could he not know that these things really existed? It was just that such things were so intricate and involved that he wanted to do them but was unable to do them. Yan Shu understood even better, what was he doing in charge of the Third Division?
No, there were occasional official corruption cases, and most of them involved matters such as grain, cotton, salt, and iron. However, he was just a money bag and had neither the ability nor the inclination to handle these things.
Su Jindao: "These things are too complicated, and ordinary people know that they cannot be accomplished overnight, but there is one thing. We must pay attention to water conservancy issues. Building ditches and canals to drain water and fight drought are of great use. In areas lacking water, we must dig and build reservoirs to retain surplus.
If there is abundant rain, it will remain, and in years of severe drought, it can be irrigated. In this way, manpower can be used regardless of the weather and the losses caused by the weather can be reduced."
Zhao Zhen clapped his hands and said: "Su Jin has the talent to help the country. Although these things are clichés, it does require some insight to outline and find out the key points. But as far as the current situation is concerned, how do you need the court's help? Water conservancy matters.
But that’s a story for another day.”
Su Jindao: "Strict coercion may not be effective. Most people who dare to hoard food must have already thought of countermeasures or escape routes. With the edict, let alone food, they may not even be able to find it in their warehouses; as long as there is a way to get it,
According to the news, things were done cleanly. Even if you knew that he must be stocking up on food, you would never be able to get a handle on him."
"Then keep an eye on him so that he doesn't dare to sell grain. In times of famine, he will take them as soon as he sells grain." Yan Shu said fiercely.
Su Jin couldn't laugh or cry. What kind of brain did Yan Shu have? Why did he keep saying such nonsense today?
"In that case, not to mention the waste of manpower, how can we achieve our goal? The grain cannot be collected, the northwest army will be without food, and the refugees will cause chaos everywhere. It will not be over by then." Su Jin said softly in a light tone to avoid giving Yan Shu too much trouble.
Embarrassing.
Yan Shu's face turned red and he was shocked to realize that he had made a mistake. Today, Su Jin was so angry that he was a little confused. He didn't think carefully about such a simple matter.
"I know you said this on purpose to see my reaction, but don't worry, sir, although I am young, it does not mean I am stupid. There are some things that I can understand without needing to be reminded by adults." Su Jin said gently.
A ladder was placed at Yan Shu's feet to allow him to step down safely.
Yan Shu got off the donkey and smiled happily and said: "Yes, I saw you right. Tell me what you want the court to do."
Su Jin smiled and said: "The common people are talking nonsense, and the emperor and Lord Yan just ignore the mistakes."
Zhao Zhen and Yan Shu thought to themselves: "Have you said too few words today? You are so polite at this time."
"The common people divided this matter into two stages, which can be called courtesy first and then attack, or one overt and one overt. They first asked the emperor to issue an order to purchase the hoarded grain at a price 10% higher than the market price, and at the same time spread the word to clarify the purchase deadline.
After this period, the purchase price must be based on the official price. The official price must be set so low that it is intolerable. The common people think that three hundred coins and one stone is enough; if there are still hoarders who do not pay, they will be severely punished.
"
"This part must be known to everyone. The imperial court ordered officials at all levels to publish notices, and beat gongs and drums to read the notices in towns and villages every day, creating a big fanfare. In this way, at least a small number of people could not bear the pressure and sold grain to the officials.
Every merchant who takes the initiative to sell will be given a reward by the court, including a royal pen and a plaque, a scholar's title, and an official status. In short, we will give them whatever honor they want. It's just a false title and it's not worth anything.
This will inevitably arouse the emotions of many people; ordinary people believe that on the one hand, it is the award from the court and the profitable situation that is 10% higher than the market price, and on the other hand, the court's vigorous and resolute action after the deadline.
There will be a lot of people making wise choices."
Yan Shu slapped his thigh and said, "I have you. I'll use a two-pronged approach and start with people's hearts. This is a very tricky move."
Zhao Zhen said happily: "It's a good idea, but I'm a little worried that the imperial court will have so much money to purchase grains on a large scale? The market price is always high, and there is no money in the treasury, how can we cash it in?"
Su Jin waved his hand and said: "It's easy to handle. I'll give you half and the rest will be the IOU."
Zhao Zhen said in astonishment: "Is this possible?"
Su Jin said: "Why not? Can the court pay back the money it owes? If the emperor is displeased and all taxes are increased by 30% next year, everyone will be in trouble; if you scare them, no one will talk, but this IOU must be issued by the Third Division, and
Mr. Yan will put a big seal on it so that no one will be worried."
Yan Shu rolled his eyes and muttered in a low voice: "It should be the emperor's signature and seal. This country belongs to the emperor."
Zhao Zhen chuckled and said: "Yan Aiqing, I have wronged you. Isn't it because the money owed by the Third Division means that I owe money? I will not default on the debt."
Yan Shu looked at Su Jin and wished he could go up and strangle this white-faced boy to death.
"What should we do next? There must be many people who are stubborn. After all, the rewards from the court are worth more than the piles of money." Zhao Zhen said.
Su Jindao: "The next thing will happen secretly. The remaining ones are all old fools. They have seen a lot of strong winds and waves, so they turn a deaf ear to these actions of the court. Don't be polite to them. This part of the matter
The grassroots will conduct it secretly, and the specific situation will depend on the specific situation. You will have to play tricks with them, or even fight with them."
Zhao Zhen said: "You should be careful when doing things, and you must not cause a storm in the city, otherwise I won't be able to protect you."
Su Jin smiled and said: "Don't worry, everything will be done in accordance with the law, but I still need the court to give me convenience."
Zhao Zhen said: "Tell me, what do you need?"
"First, I want to ask the emperor for some imperial guards from the capital to take with him. I admire a general to lead the army, but you must listen to my deployment."
"I give you the right to mobilize a hundred troops. You can mobilize troops locally. Why do you need the Imperial Guard?"
Su Jin said: "Xiang soldiers? It's better not to have them. Will the local Xiang soldiers listen to me? Even if they do, it's an overt and treacherous thing. If there are a few tipsters here, what else am I going to do?"
"Ultimately, you don't trust local officials."
"Of course I don't believe it. There are definitely people like this who help openly but restrict things secretly. If the emperor feels that this move is inappropriate, then he will stop it."
Zhao Zhen looked at Yan Shu, who nodded slightly. Zhao Zhen turned to Su Jin and said, "I agree to this." dd