() When Emperor Chongzhen heard this, he thought to himself: Why is there still more? But on the surface, he remained calm and said to Wen Tiren: "Wen Qing, if you have anything to say, just tell me."
"Your Majesty, to put it bluntly, I have no confidence in the abilities of the officials in the Salt Envoy Department and the Salt Class Examination Department." Wen Tiren said bluntly in front of a few trustworthy people in the palace.
Bi Ziyan, the Secretary of the Ministry of Revenue, looked a little embarrassed after hearing this. But he knew that Wen Tiren was telling the truth. If those officials were really capable, they would not need these salt policy reforms.
"What about your opinion?" Emperor Chongzhen asked.
"Your Majesty, my suggestion is that the imperial court sends a Salt Patrol Censor who is brave enough to serve and be brave in innovation to urge all departments to work hard and ensure that there are no deviations in the salt policy reform policy at the local level."
"Oh, can anyone recommend Wen Qing?" Emperor Chongzhen listened to Wen Tiren's suggestion and thought it made sense.
"I recommend Zhang Juzheng, the first assistant during the Wanli period, and Zhang Tongchang, the great-grandson of Zhang Taiyue, to be the censor of salt inspection." Although Wen Tiren was not interested in Zhang Juzheng's reforms, he was very opposed to those who liquidated Zhang Juzheng after his death and affected Zhang's descendants.
When he was just transferred to the capital from Nanjing, he learned that Zhang Juzheng's great-grandson Zhang Tongchang was very like his great-grandfather, who was brave enough to do things and knew right from wrong. The matter discussed today directly reminded him of him.
Zhong Jinwei listened carefully to the conversation between Wen Tiren and Emperor Chongzhen, and was also thinking about it.
What Wen Tiren said is indeed a problem. According to his vague historical understanding, Wang Anshi's reform in the Northern Song Dynasty was because after the policy was promulgated, the local government failed to implement it well, and deviations occurred, which turned it into a law that harmed the people.
Zhong Jinwei heard that Wen Tiren recommended Zhang Tongchang, and he vaguely remembered that this man seemed to be a celebrity from the Nanming period, but he could not remember the specific deeds.
At this time, Emperor Chongzhen nodded and said to Wen Tiren: "The person recommended by Wen Qing should be good. I would like to meet him. Where is he and what position does he hold?"
"The current member of Zhongshushe is from the seventh rank." Wen Tiren replied.
Listening to the conversation between Emperor Chongzhen and Wen Tiren, Zhong Jinwei suddenly had an idea, so he interrupted and said to Emperor Chongzhen: "Your Majesty, I also have a suggestion after listening to Master Wen."
"Master Zhong, please speak."
"Your Majesty, you can recruit the first and second leaders of the Salt Transport Department and the Salt Class Promotion Department to come to the capital and explain the content of the salt policy reform policy and their rewards and punishments face to face. In addition, Lord Wen recommended the Salt Patrol
Shi's supervision, oh, if coupled with Dongchang's secret supervision, I think the effect will be good."
When Wang Chengen heard that Zhong Jinwei was taking work for him, he felt as happy as a flower. Factory guards only have power if they have something to do.
After hearing this, Emperor Chongzhen asked the two ministers in the Wenhua Hall: "Master Zhong's proposal, let's see if it is feasible."
"I second the proposal." Of course Wen Tiren agreed, which was a supplement to the question he raised.
"I have no objection." Bi Ziyan also agreed. The biggest advantage of being able to truly implement the salt policy reform is that he is the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue.
"Okay, since we have no objections, I will meet them together." Emperor Chongzhen concluded.
By this time, the winter sun had turned red, and the light in the palace had begun to dim.
Wang Chengen turned around and asked the two chamberlains standing in the hall to light the lamps. Suddenly, he remembered something. After the two chamberlains finished lighting, he called over and said: "If anyone hears anything about what happened in the palace today, I will hold you accountable."
.understand?"
The two chamberlains didn't dare to say anything.
Emperor Chongzhen and several people in the palace had noticed Wang Chengen's movements. When they heard that Wang Chengen was learning how to use the confidentiality mentioned just now, they all smiled slightly.
"My dear ministers, there should be no problem with the salt administration?" Emperor Chongzhen finally asked the people below.
Wen Tiren and Bi Ziyan looked at each other, and then at Zhong Jinwei. Zhong Jinwei spread his hands and said, "I can't think of anything else to add at the moment."
"Okay, since everyone has no objections, that's it for today. I'm sending an order to the Duyuan Envoy and Tongzhi of the Salt Envoy Department, as well as Tiju and Tongtiju from the Salt Class Tiju Department to come to Beijing together.
Discussion."
Emperor Chongzhen summarized what was to be done, and also ordered Wen Tiren: "Wen Qing will go back and draw up a first draft of the regulations on confidentiality levels, and discuss this matter at the cabinet meeting later."
Wen Tiren agreed immediately.
"Bi Qing and Wang Daban must have the results of that investigation before the next salt policy meeting. Is that okay?"
"Yes, Your Majesty." Bi Ziyan and Wang Cheng'en thought there was no problem and agreed.
Zhong Jinwei is the most laid-back, he doesn't have to do anything.
Wen Tiren and Bi Ziyan saw that nothing happened and it was getting late, so they prepared to go home. Tomorrow was New Year's Eve, and there were still many things waiting for the head of the family to arrange.
Wang Chengen said to Emperor Chongzhen: "Your Majesty, it's almost time for dinner."
Emperor Chongzhen nodded. He is the boss in the palace. Tomorrow is New Year's Eve and there are many things that he has to arrange. He is going to adjourn the meeting.
Who knows, but Zhong Jinwei, who is the most idle, still has something to do, so he said: "Your Majesty, I have something I want to report to Your Majesty."
"Oh, what's the matter, Master Zhong, please tell me." Emperor Chongzhen naturally wouldn't mind Zhong Jinwei's troubles, he might have another good idea.
When Wen Tiren and Bi Ziyan heard this, they both looked at Zhong Jinwei curiously to see what novel idea he was going to come up with.
"Your Majesty, on my way to Tongzhou, I discovered that the road after leaving the capital is no longer an official road paved with stone slabs. It is said that when it rains, it becomes muddy and difficult to walk on." Zhong Jinwei said.
"Uncle Zhongxing, do you mean to pave all official roads with bluestone?" Bi Ziyan was very sensitive. As soon as he heard this, he immediately asked back according to his own understanding, and even pretended that if he really wanted to do this, he would
I'll sell it to get money to lay stone slabs.
Emperor Chongzhen knew a lot about Zhong Jinwei, and knew that what Zhong Jinwei said was not simply asking for bluestone to pave the way for officialdom. A normal person would not mention such a huge project when the country's finances have been in deficit for years.
So, he asked Zhong Jinwei: "Master Zhong, what suggestions do you have?"
"Your Majesty, I don't want to say that all roads should be paved with bluestone, but there is something that I call cement. Its function, function..." Zhong Jinwei didn't know how to describe it for a moment, and suddenly remembered that glutinous rice juice was used for gluing in ancient times.
So he immediately continued: "It has the same function as glutinous rice juice, but it is a hundred times better than glutinous rice juice. Whether it is used for building roads, building houses, or building bridges, it is of great use. Well, it can be said that using this cement
After that, the world will be turned upside down."
"How much does this cement cost?" Bi Ziyan asked quickly.
At the same time, Emperor Chongzhen also asked: "How to turn the world upside down?"
Zhong Jinwei looked at Bi Ziyan, then turned to Emperor Chongzhen and said: "Your Majesty, this cement is a powdery object that turns into a paste after adding water. It can bind sand and stone and other materials, and can solidify in air and water. It is used for
If it is used to build houses, it will burn without burning. If it is used to build roads, it will be smooth and intact in rainy days. If it is used to build bridges, it can build cross-sea bridges."
Cross-sea bridge, this is too exaggerated, and several people in the hall automatically understood it as an exaggerated statement by Zhong Jinwei.
But even so, this thing called cement sounds outrageous to them.
"How much does this cement cost?" Bi Ziyan raised his voice and asked again, "Oh, hurry, it would be a pity if the cost of this good thing is too high."
Emperor Chongzhen was itching to hear this, but the cost of good things is generally high. Emperor Chongzhen prayed in his heart that it would not be too expensive. According to what Zhong Jinwei said, countless cement would be needed to build roads and houses across the country.
It's too expensive. I can't afford it.
"As far as I know, the cost of cement should not be expensive, and the raw materials are very common." Zhong Jinwei replied with a smile.
"Uncle Zhongxing, don't be joking. Such a good thing is not expensive. Where did you see it, or did you just see it in ancient books? Forgive me for being ignorant, I have never heard of it, and I have never seen it mentioned in any book.
"Bi Ziyan didn't quite believe it.
Emperor Chongzhen, Wen Tiren and Wang Chengen knew the origin of Zhong Jinwei and understood that there should be no lies.
Seeing that the topic might involve Zhong Jinwei's origin, Wang Chengen waved his hand and drove the two chamberlains out.
Zhong Jinwei looked at Emperor Chongzhen, and then mysteriously said to Bi Ziyan: "The secret of heaven must not be leaked."
When Bi Ziyan heard this, he was startled for a moment, and then he was about to get angry. I'm having a serious discussion with you, but you are here to make a mystery.
Emperor Chongzhen spoke at the right time: "Master Zhong, I believe what you said. Please tell me how much does this cement cost and how to make it?"
Zhang Tongchang, a hero who sacrificed his life in the late Ming Dynasty. Book friends can go to Baidu. He should be around 20 at this time. Here is a poem of his death:
The preface says: After being tortured for one month, both arms were broken. Suddenly on this day, my right hand moved slightly, and my left arm could not be extended. After three days, I wrote three poems, and the pain in my right arm returned unbearable. Is this a masterpiece?
The sad song of January is waiting for this time, God knows how to be benevolent and righteous;
The clothes and hats remain the same as they were during his lifetime, and his name and surname remain empty for poems after his death.
The broken mountains and rivers have broken bones, and even the king and father have not relaxed their eyebrows.
The soul is lazily pointing to the road back home, going straight to the tombs to pay homage to the old monuments.