Zhong Jinwei nodded, and it was time to get to the point: "Mr. Wen, as there are many natural disasters in the Ming Dynasty, tobacco, which has occupied a large amount of fertile land, must be banned and food crops should be planted to survive the disaster years. After this natural disaster,
After a continuous period of time, there should be no doubt that planting under the control of the imperial court is considered?"
Wen Tiren listened and had no objection. He had doubts about how to provide a good boost to the feudal overseas feudal clan.
But neither of them expected that Emperor Chongzhen put forward a different opinion: "Master Zhong, didn't you say that this tobacco is very profitable? Then the imperial court will start planting it directly, just like in your hometown, and the money will be used for
How about coming to buy food for disaster relief?”
When Wen Tiren heard this, he looked at Emperor Chongzhen and couldn't help but be a little impressed by him. Why didn't he think of this idea?
Zhong Jinwei also admired Emperor Chongzhen very much, but he didn't expect him to have such a method.
Emperor Chongzhen looked at the facial expressions of the two ministers and felt their surprise towards him, and felt a little proud in his heart.
The reason why he could think of it was because he had been tortured by a shortage of money. When Zhong Jinwei mentioned that tobacco was also a national monopoly in later generations, and that the profits of this tobacco were huge, the idea just came out.
Emperor Chongzhen's idea could have been used in ordinary times.
But what time is it now? It is the global Little Ice Age, and the global food production is decreasing. Even if you have money, it is difficult to buy. The only way is to rely on self-reliance and diversify food.
Zhong Jinwei explained this reason to Emperor Chongzhen, and Wen Tiren also added: "Your Majesty, Marquis Zhongxing is right. The Jiangnan area was originally a grain-producing area, but since the rice was replaced by mulberry, less and less grain is grown.
, Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces have already purchased grain from Huguang."
Emperor Chongzhen was unwilling to accept that the idea was rejected. He tentatively asked: "What if we buy it from other countries?"
Before Zhong Jinwei could answer, Wen Tiren spoke first: "Which country is your Majesty referring to? North Korea has now recognized Jianlu as its suzerain state; Japan, across the sea, is really far away, and there has been no news about Japan for a long time.
It is also unknown whether it has surplus grain; the rest is Nanyang. The grain from Nanyang has to be transported. If it is transported by land, it will not be enough to be consumed on the road. If it is transported by sea, the navy of the Ming Dynasty can safely escort it in the South China Sea, where pirates are rampant.
Are you coming here?"
Wen Tiren explained all the possibilities in one breath, leaving Emperor Chongzhen speechless. He was stunned for a while, and then he said politely: "Master Zhong, you better go on."
After listening to Wen Tiren's words, Zhong Jinwei had an idea in his mind that could solve the problem of land transportation consumption, but he didn't know whether there was food available to buy in Nanyang now. Moreover, the Ming Dynasty's food supply was not yet in crisis.
If so, let’s talk about it again.
Thinking of this, he did not mention it and continued what he had just said: "Once it is banned in the Ming Dynasty, those who have tasted the benefits of tobacco will definitely not be willing to accept it. At this time, let them follow the feudal princes and clans to plant overseas, and there is no need to occupy the domestic territory.
If they have fertile land, the court will not care about them. In this way, they will have the motivation to go overseas to prospect for gold, which will invisibly drive the Ming Dynasty's manpower and material resources to go overseas, which will naturally be beneficial to the feudal affairs of the vassal king."
Emperor Chongzhen nodded, this is possible. Since this matter can benefit the feudal princes and clans overseas, he will naturally not disagree.
However, Emperor Chongzhen was still thinking about that matter. He said to Zhong Jinwei: "Master Zhong, this tobacco should still be returned to the imperial court for exclusive sale?"
Zhong Jinwei did not hesitate and nodded directly: "Yes, Your Majesty, it is best for tobacco to be sold exclusively to the imperial court."
"Marquis Zhongxing, if this happens, will those people still go overseas to grow tobacco?" Wen Tiren asked.
Zhong Jinwei thought for a moment before answering him: "In this way, in the Ming Dynasty, it must be a monopoly of the imperial court, and it can be done by state-owned enterprises. That is, they go overseas to grow tobacco, and then the state-owned enterprises buy it from them and sell it in the Ming Dynasty. As for if they feel dissatisfied
The profit from selling to state-owned enterprises is not high, so they can sell it to any other country, Ming Dynasty doesn’t care.”
After hearing this, Wen Tiren thought in his mind that if he did this, the profit margin would be enough and it should be possible. But he immediately thought of another question and asked Zhong Jinwei: "They are planting in the vassal country, won't they also affect the vassal country?"
Aren't you afraid that the feudal king will also take care of it?"
Emperor Chongzhen listened to Wen Tiren's reasonable question and looked at Zhong Jinwei, waiting for his answer.
"Lord Wen, it is premature to worry. The first task of the vassal clan is to establish a foothold overseas and own the largest vassal territory as much as possible. Even if they want to control it, they will reach a compromise with these tobacco-growing squires for mutual benefit.
Reciprocity is the best way. As for what will happen in the future, it is hard to say whether we will see this day."
Zhong Jinwei's words immediately made Wen Tiren realize how old he was.
He couldn't help but sigh in his heart. The Ming Dynasty currently being planned has great prospects, which are beyond the reach of previous dynasties. If he can live one more day, he will have one more chance to see that day. Even if he achieves a little more than before,
, there is no regret in letting the descendants know the rest when they pay their respects.
The regret in his heart showed on his face, and was caught by Emperor Chongzhen.
He remembered Master Zhong's previous suggestion and said: "Wen Qing, I ordered the imperial doctor to conduct a routine physical examination for the ministers tomorrow, and then every six months to form a routine. This matter must not be delayed any longer."
When Zhong Jinwei mentioned it last time, Jianlu was still in the capital and had no money. The corruption of civil servants and generals was endless, so Emperor Chongzhen was so busy that he forgot about it.
It was much better now than before. He remembered this from Zhong Jinwei's words and Wen Tiren's face, and decided to implement it tomorrow to avoid forgetting it later.
Upon hearing this, Wen Tiren gratefully bowed to Emperor Chongzhen and said, "I thank your Majesty."
Then he looked at Zhong Jinwei again and gave a slight greeting, which was considered a thank you.
The tobacco issue has been settled for now, and will begin to be realized after the feudal feudal overseas affairs of the feudal princes and clans kick off. What needs to be done now is to investigate the tobacco cultivation situation across the country.
After Emperor Chongzhen waited for Wen Tiren and Zhong Jinwei to retire, he summoned Luo Yangxing, the commander of Jinyiwei.
As soon as he saw Luo Yangxing, he asked: "What happened to what you ordered yesterday?"
Although Emperor Chongzhen did not say anything clearly, Luo Yangxing knew it, and he quickly replied: "Your Majesty, I have dispatched some Jin Yiwei who don't show up much on weekdays to disperse to hotels, teahouses and other places where people gather to spread the news early this morning.
In addition, I also asked the family member of my subordinate to contact other victims and go to the government offices at all levels in the capital to block the doors and cry out, so as to continue to increase the momentum. It is estimated that in a few days, the courtiers will discuss this matter."
When Emperor Chongzhen heard this, he nodded slightly, feeling quite satisfied.
Luo Yangxing was involved in the murder case before, and now he can be considered guilty of meritorious service. When he saw Emperor Chongzhen, he felt a little scared. Now that Emperor Chongzhen was quite satisfied with his performance, he felt slightly relieved.
Emperor Chongzhen then gave him the task of secretly investigating tobacco cultivation across the country. He originally wanted Dongchang to do it, but Wang Chengen was not around and seeing that Luo Yangxing's performance was acceptable, he gave it to him as well.
Luo Yangxing received another task and expressed that Emperor Chongzhen still trusted him, so he happily resigned and went to work quickly.