After the government was closed, the cold air from the Siberian Plateau swept across the entire capital, and for a while the entire capital was completely dyed white.
The city of Beijing is commonly known as the Forty-Nine City, due to the four gates of the imperial city and the nine gates of the inner city. As for the seven gates of the outer city, they are completely ignored.
After all, it is the dignitaries who represent the city of Beijing.
And because it is the residence of noble people, there is a special emphasis on it.
Therefore, each of the nine gates in the inner city has its own purpose.
For example, there is a fish in Chongwen Gate, where wine taxes are paid, so if you use the wine cart, you can only go here if you need drinks in the inner city, but not Xuanwu Gate, because that is the place for prison carts, which is unlucky, and you can't go through An Dingmen, because it is excrement.
Where cars enter and exit.
If someone goes to the wrong door, they will be laughed at for half a year, or even lose their business.
The coal that is urgently needed in winter goes to Fuchengmen in the west, and the coal mines in Mentougou support the needs of the capital.
An endless stream of coal cars, pulled by mules and horses, lined up in a long queue, entering and exiting Fuchengmen.
The Chengmen intersection is divided into two parts, with left and right running in parallel, leaving on the left and entering on the right, in an orderly manner.
In order to provide fuel for the nobles in the inner city, the General Patrol Office even dispatched ten more people to maintain order.
"Don't be anxious, don't be anxious, one big piece per car, don't miss anyone -"
"It's not enough to hang bags on the backs of those donkeys and shovel them out in time. If a pile of dung falls, you'll be fined a big man!"
The patrol officers wore tight-fitting cotton robes with huge police letters written on their chests. They had removed their swords and only had short sticks hanging on them. They kept shouting to maintain order.
They kept a close eye on the animals, and once they encountered their droppings, they would immediately run over in three steps and two steps, and impose fines directly.
The drivers did not dare to resist and could only accept the punishment obediently. Even if their backers were dignitaries from the capital or relatives of the emperor, they did not dare to disobey in the slightest.
There is no other way. The General Patrol Office is in charge of fire protection, street cleaning, fire theft and other matters in the four counties inside and outside the capital. It is more powerful than the previous Five City Military and Horse Division.
Behind the city wall, two people, an old man and a young man, had their eyelids drooped, holding short sticks, looking at their colleagues who showed their majesty, without the slightest interest.
"Huh-huh-" The old patrolman, wearing a bulky woolen felt hat, took out a fire stick from his arms, then took out a tobacco bag from his waist, sprinkled the tobacco, and blew the fire stick to ignite it.
He gulped loudly, and his whole body relaxed a lot.
"Boy, which sect are you from? I'm from the Xuanwu Sect."
"I'm from Chongwen Sect."
"Look, this fire stick is from the top grade Mu Qingzhai. Each stick costs a penny. This cigarette rod is made from the best Xiangfei bamboo. You can't get it without paying three yuan!"
He proudly showed off to the young people around him.
"Dry cigarettes are very good, but if you want to smoke them, you have to smoke women."
The young man hugged the short stick and huddled up: "It's much more comfortable to go to Dashilan to find a girl than you are."
As he said that, he held out five fingers: "Three yuan can be entered ten times!"
"Bah, you don't learn well at a young age."
The old patrolman immediately became angry and said, "If you don't have any money to save, go to Huajieliuxiang."
Faced with his words, the young man ignored them and just lowered his head and asked: "How much oil and water can Fuchengmen get in one day?"
"Even though there are many cars, I don't think there are many."
There are more than 10,000 people in the patrol headquarters to maintain order in the capital, but they do not rely on government funding, but live on city gate fees.
A man is worth a piece of paper, and a car is worth a big coin (copper yuan). It is simple and cheap, much lower than the previous one.
For the low-level patrol officers, fines and the like are private income and a reward for their hard work.
For example, in Fuchengmen, you will be fined for livestock excrement, dropping coal from coal trucks, cutting in line, fighting, etc.
The less is one big piece, and the more is three to five cents.
But almost all the animals had bags covering their backs, so the fines were much less.
"There are about twenty of us brothers, and we can probably make a penny or two in a day!" The old patrolman sighed: "This profit is much worse than that of your Chongwen Sect."
"yes!"
The young patrolman had a sad look on his face.
"Salt, wine, silk, and cloth are sold outside Chongwen Gate, and dignitaries come and go. Rich families from other places also like to go there, and the daily business is gone."
As he said that, he stretched out another palm: "Three silver coins a day, that's the minimum."
"When you meet rich people who are in a hurry and are on their way, whoever jumps in line can't get through without three or five silver dollars."
Speaking of this, he suddenly lowered his head: "Unfortunately, now the rules have changed and I have to change them."
"Hey, you can't enjoy all the benefits."
When the old patrol officer heard about the benefits, he looked happy: "This defense adjustment is really good. We can also improve our lives!"
He calculated the accounts unconsciously.
According to the rules of the hall, the Imperial City is guarded by the Guards Division, and there are nine gates in the inner city and seven gates in the outer city, a total of sixteen gates. The guards rotate every half a month, and they have experienced both good and bad.
"Hey, you bad guys, don't think I don't know. You are using this excuse to check on the rich ladies. They spend money to avoid trouble, and it is also a big income..."
"Hey, according to the rules, can't we check it? It doesn't matter what gender it is, our money is not unfair."
The young man sighed: "Look at Fuchengmen. Well, except for that beast, there are not many women at all."
"Hahaha!"
The two of them laughed.
What they didn't know was that on the top of the city, Zhu Jing, the commander-in-chief of the General Patrol Office, was looking at him.
In this severe cold period, the capital's heating needs are as much as food, and there must not be any delay.
If there is not enough coal to be mined in Mentougou on a certain day, or if the coal is blocked in the middle of the road, countless people will freeze to death.
"Brothers, what do you think about defense adjustments?"
Zhu Jing pulled open the hook of her felt hat, revealing her round face. Her pampering made him gain a lot of weight.
"I generally agree." The deputy commander-in-chief on the side said softly: "After all, some brothers eat and drink every day, and everyone can't stand it."
"Don't worry about scarcity, but worry about inequality."
Zhu Jing shook her head and smiled: "This is common sense."
The sixteen gates of the capital are guarded by the capital camp, and those who guard the gates to maintain order are the general patrol officers. The brothers in this department work in two shifts, with a total of about 1,600 people.
It is also to take care of their emotions and appease the morale of the soldiers, so it is necessary to adjust the defense.
Carloads of briquettes are transported from Ximengou to the outer city, and then made into briquettes and sent to the inner city to avoid contaminating the ground.
Just like the underground ditches in the outer city, they are basically opened once a year, while in the inner city they are opened once every three months for fear of being blocked.
After all, the ministers in the inner city will write a memorial to impeachment, but how can the common people have the right to speak?
Suddenly, a group of carriages and horses came slowly, with the flag of the Ministry of Internal Affairs hanging on it.
In an instant, all the patrol officers immediately became energetic and cleared a highway for them to quickly jump in line.
None of the coachmen had any complaints.
"The red radish charcoal has arrived."
Zhu Jing said softly, and then got off the tower.
Red radish charcoal is made of Qingxin wood, white jujube wood and dendrobium wood from the Taihang Mountains. It has always been used in the palace.
Although briquettes are used for floor heating, hand stoves or braziers, for example, are still made of red radish charcoal.
The royal rewards given to distinguished ministers are also red radish charcoal.
After watching him enter the city, Zhu Jing got on the carriage and entered the imperial city.
The emperor, as always, had no time to deal with political affairs, and there was no political affairs at all. He seemed to be studying the fishing pole.
Generally speaking, it is fishing rods, silk threads, copper hooks, floats and even peacock feathers made of the best Xiangfei bamboo.
Now, there is a wooden fish floating on the water, swimming by itself, like a real fish.
On the side, there is no fishing rod, but a large wooden otter, shaped like an otter.
There are baits and mechanisms in its mouth. Once the fish bites the hook, the mouth will close, and the tied stone will be released at the same time, and the wood otter will float up with the fish in its mouth.
Okay, this fishing is really fun.
The emperor's interest was not diminished. He was wrapped in a big cloak and sitting by the lake, lighting a stove. He held a little jade figure with a gourd on his head in his left hand and petted a cat in his right hand.
The maids on the side were carrying various fruits and passing them to his mouth from time to time. It was a very nourishing day.
"how?"
Hearing the sound of his footsteps, Zhu Yixi knew that it was Zhu Jing who was coming. He said casually: "You were thinking of coming to see me?"
"Greetings to you." Zhu Jing said with a smile, then casually found a bench to sit aside and fished with the emperor.
Although he didn't have any fishing rod in his hand.
Seeing his obedient appearance, Zhu Yixi smiled and then threw the gourd doll in her hand to him:
"For your reward."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Zhu Jing smiled.
He carefully looked at the half-palm-sized jade, the round doll, the lotus skirt, the white short coat on the head, and the colorful gourd on the head.
This is different from the seven villains who were just given to nobles.
It seems that this is the eighth game that the emperor often plays, and it is almost full of blood.
After a long time, the emperor had finished half the plate of grapes, and the wooden otter finally surfaced.
The eunuchs quickly used nets to catch the fish.
"Oh? Yes, it really works."
Zhu Yixi smiled and said: "Give the craftsman ten silver beans!"
Looking at the big fat fish in front of me, it is two feet long and weighs twenty pounds.
"Send it to Kunning Palace and let the Queen cook soup."
"Yes!" Liu Afu responded quickly.
At this time, Zhu Yixi stood up and ended today's fishing.
Zhu Jing hurriedly came over, half a step behind.
The palace maids and eunuchs didn't think it was inappropriate either. This person had been the king's favorite for twenty years.
"How's your situation with the Chief Patrol Office?"
Zhu Jing was convinced. As expected, the impeachment of the censor patrolling the city had arrived.
It's just to collect city fees, even the prince cannot avoid it, so what is the censor?
"Now there are more than 20,000 people in the Fire Department, Street Cleaning Department, Robbery Department, General Affairs Department, and Criminal Investigation Department..."
There are 3,000 people in the Fire Department, 5,000 people in the Street Cleaning Department, 4,000 people in the Robbery Department, 2,000 people in the General Affairs Department, and 6,000 people in the Punishment Department.
The newly added Criminal Division is the Serious Cases Division, which is responsible for criminal, White Lotus and other major cases.
It can be said that other departments are the foundation, while the Criminal Department is the key point, which is related to the stability of the capital.
"Is twenty thousand people enough?" the emperor suddenly asked.
The capital has a population of one million. Although there are government officials at various shops to maintain basic order, the General Patrol Office is the key.
The inner and outer city gates are all controlled by him.
They are almost the same as the Nine Admirals of the Qing Dynasty.
Therefore, he upgraded it to the fourth level and put it under the direct control of the emperor, thus easily controlling the entire capital.
Even in order to deal with those strongmen, the White Lotus Sect, etc., the emperor allowed them to form a musketry team of one hundred people, armed with flintlock guns.
This is a powerful mobile force.
"That's enough." Zhu Jing said softly: "Although the capital is big, it is stable."
"That's good."
Zhu Yixi laughed: "You can gain a lot by guarding those sixteen gates, right?"
In order to avoid the pressure of public opinion from the court and to maintain the independence of the General Patrol Office, the sixteen city gates were handed over to him to collect money and maintain development.
Although there is a cash checkpoint at Chongwenmen Pier, the flow of people at Chongwenmen is too large, and the toll alone cannot be underestimated. The sixteen gates are worthy of their name.
"The monthly income is about 80,000 yuan."
I'm coming.
Zhu Jing sighed and reported truthfully.
"That's one million dollars a year."
Zhu Yixi quickly calculated in his mind that the average person was fifty silver dollars.
An average of three yuan per month.
Looking at those officials, their monthly income is about two yuan, which is not low in the capital, but not too high either. It is more than enough to support a family.
"If you have some spare money, don't be arrogant."
Crossing the threshold, Zhu Yixi came to the inner hall, took off her cloak, and said casually: "Now the imperial censor is impeaching you, saying that your general patrol office exploits the people, makes you rich, delays handling cases, and collects money very quickly."
"Yes and no?"
"I have been wronged!" Zhu Jing cried out.
In this regard, Zhu Yixi was noncommittal: "All the Jin Yiwei complained to me and went to work."
"However, the General Patrol Office does not collect taxes, but handles cases and provides security. Someone lost his sense of proportion and changed his purpose."
After beating Zhu Jing for a while, Zhu Yixi smiled, and then took her to Kunning Palace to eat big fat fish.
In the afternoon, Chu Yu, the commander of Jinyiwei, came to report on the work.
In his hand, he holds the price list of each province and capital, covering five major categories: grain, salt, iron, vinegar, and soy sauce, which are related to the national economy and people's livelihood.
After the foreign troubles dissipated, Jin Yiwei's duty became to monitor all parts of the country.
Prices are an important reference when considering the development of a place.
Which province was abnormal and which category was high? He explained the reasons and asked the emperor to think.
Generally speaking, the more developed the economy, the higher the price. For example, in Suzhou, Songjiang, Nanjing, Guangzhou, etc., food prices basically remain between eight cents and one yuan.
In places like Henan and Hebei, grain prices range from 6 cents to 8 cents, which is several percent lower.
What he said was well-founded and well-organized.
After listening to it, it was already half an hour later.
"How many people are there in Jinyiwei now?"
the emperor suddenly asked.
"Each province has a thousand households, the prefecture has a hundred households, and the county has a small banner. There are about 800 people in a province, and about 30,000 in the country."
Chu Yu thought for a while and then said slowly.
For Jin Yiwei, who had 100,000 at his peak, 30,000 is indeed too little, but it is reasonable.
Because Jinyiwei is directly funded from internal funds.
Thirty thousand people spend two million silver dollars a year.
After the salary is re-customized, the annual salary of an ordinary strongman and captain is thirty yuan.
Fifty for small flags, one hundred for general flags, one hundred and fifty for trial hundred households, two hundred for one hundred households, three hundred for deputy thousand households, and four hundred for one thousand households.
There are more than a thousand officers, which consumes a lot of money, with an annual income of more than one million yuan.