"Hmph! Do the people from the Salt Envoy Department have anything to say today?"
Chongzhen said with a cold snort.
Although the tax on salt ultimately fell to the Ministry of Household Affairs, the Department of Transportation and Salt Envoy was in charge of all things related to salt introduction and salt prices.
Moreover, the salt fields of the Ming Dynasty were also under the control of the Salt Transport Department. Nowadays, due to equipment damage in a large number of salt fields, causing salt prices to skyrocket, they have to bear the main responsibility.
After hearing what Emperor Chongzhen said, Salt Transport Envoy Zhao Buru took a step forward and said in a deep voice: "Report to Your Majesty, the humble minister is guilty!"
"Humph! You also know that you are guilty!"
Emperor Chongzhen said coldly.
"Your Majesty, I deserve death for my crime, but I also have something to say. In the past few years of our Ming Dynasty, there have been constant natural disasters and wars. The salt field equipment in various places is aging and there is no money to maintain it. That's why it was damaged!"
"I tried to find a solution right away, but I don't have any money in the Salt Transfer Department, and the salt mining equipment is extremely large. Even if I have money, I'm afraid I won't be able to repair the salt mining equipment in a short time."
Zhao Buru said in a deep voice.
What he said is also true. The equipment in the most important salt fields such as Liangzhe and Lianghuai is damaged. Even if there is enough money, it will take half a month to repair the equipment.
After listening to what Zhao Buru said, Emperor Chongzhen's face gradually became solemn, like this again!
Every time something happened in the Ming Dynasty, these officials could always think of reasonable reasons to explain it, but no one solved the problem.
However, as an emperor, I am still unable to refute this matter.
"According to what you say, I, the Ming Dynasty, can only watch this kind of thing continue?
The price of salt has risen to one tael per pound! This is still coarse salt!"
"What else do the people of our Ming Dynasty eat?
Should we let them all die?"
Emperor Chongzhen said angrily.
this……
All the civil and military officials present had solemn expressions on their faces. Zhao Buru knelt on the ground and said in a deep voice: "Your Majesty, I'm afraid this is all we can do in a short time!"
"This is not what Wei Chen is most worried about. Our government's control over salt is very strict. If the salt merchants have little salt stock, they will not sell too much!"
"When selling in private, it has to be very concealed. Therefore, even if some people collect enough money, they may not be able to buy salt!"
"If things continue like this, I'm afraid the Ming Dynasty will be in trouble again!"
hiss!
All the officials looked at Zhao Buru in shock. They didn't expect that he would dare to say such words in the court. Doesn't this mean he is slapping His Majesty in the face?
"Haha! The salt price issue has always been handled by you guys from the Salt Envoy Department, and you are also responsible for selling the salt. If you say this to me now, aren't you afraid that I will chop off your heads?"
Emperor Chongzhen said with a sneer.
"Your Majesty, even if you chop off my head, the price of salt will not come down! I have already sold out all the salt I transferred to the Salt Envoy!"
"Now, all the salt in our Ming Dynasty is in the hands of salt merchants. If we want to solve the current predicament, I am afraid we can only discuss it with the salt merchants!"
Zhao Buru said in a deep voice.
"Asshole! I am the master of a country! I am the master of this world. When can a small salt merchant threaten me?"
"Come here! Pull this Zhao Buru down and chop him down!"
Emperor Chongzhen said coldly.
"Your Majesty, think twice!"
All the officials of the Salt Transfer Department knelt on the ground.
"Your Majesty, although Zhao Buru has neglected his duties, this kind of thing happened suddenly. No one else would have been able to solve the matter quickly!"
"Your Majesty, Zhao Buru has never made any mistakes since he took charge of the Salt Transfer Department. This time there was a reason for it. I hope your Majesty will spare him this time!"
"Your Majesty, the matter of transferring the salt envoy to the Department cannot be solved by manpower. It requires the concerted efforts of everyone in the court to overcome this difficulty!"
All officials stood up to plead for Zhao Buru.
Emperor Chongzhen clenched his fists. It was indeed not the wisest choice to execute Zhao Buru on the spot at this time. After all, the matter still had to be resolved.
If Zhao Buru is killed, there will be no one to take care of the mess caused by the Salt Transport Department.
"Hmph! Zhao Buru, I'll give you another chance. You should think of a way to lower the price of salt right now!"
Emperor Chongzhen said coldly.
Zhao Buru looked solemn, and after a while, he said in a deep voice: "Your Majesty, there is only one way to get through this difficulty, and that is to negotiate with the salt merchants and let them sell the salt in their hands at a reduced price!"
"In the past few years, those salt merchants have been stockpiling some salt every year so that they can continue to sell it when they can't get salt from the court."
"I estimate that the salt in their hands can support the people of the Ming Dynasty for at least more than a month. As long as they are willing to sell it at a reduced price at this time, everything will not be a problem."
Snapped!
Emperor Chongzhen slapped the dragon chair hard and said coldly: "You are totally talking nonsense! Those salt merchants are all very smart. Will they sell at a lower price?"
"Nowadays, the salt control is so strict that they dare to sell it privately at a high price. Hum! This method of yours is useless. Think of another one."
As the saying goes, there is no business without treachery. These salt merchants are eager to sell salt for sky-high prices. How can they be willing to lower the price?
Zhao Buru said in a deep voice: "Your Majesty, I am ignorant and can only think of this method. If this method does not work, I will have no choice but to die!"
Although he said this, Zhao Buru was sneering in his heart, thinking that no one would take over the mess except himself.
Does Your Majesty dare to kill yourself?
I just want to die, you kill me is a fact.
Emperor Chongzhen's fists clenched in anger. Killing Zhao Buru was just a matter of his words, and it was useless for the officials to plead for mercy. But if he killed him, the matter would be completely ruined.
"Haha! Are the officials of our Ming Dynasty all just a bunch of losers?
Even a group of small salt merchants can’t solve it?”
Emperor Chongzhen said with a sneer.
Li Jiantai stood up at this time and said: "Your Majesty, why don't you find Marquis Diwu and see what Marquis Diwu can do."
kindness!
After Li Jiantai said this, all the officials present were shocked. If Lin Fan came over at this time, with his temper, he would probably kill him directly!
An official said: "Li Shangshu, Emperor Wuhou is a good man in leading troops and fighting. It seems that he is not very good at doing business. His express delivery company is still losing money."
Ahem!
Hearing what the official said, Li Guozhen couldn't help coughing twice. Lin Fan asked him to attract customers for Shunlu Express Company and then give him a commission.
However, this was taken away in more than a month, and he didn't see a single tael of silver. The express delivery company was losing money, not to mention making money.