These are industries related to the lifeline of the economy such as pig iron, grain, and salt. In today's world of underdeveloped productivity, domestic sales alone are not enough.
"I intend to set up the secret patrol matter, so let's hang it up with the inspector of the Military and Political Department!"
Zhu Yixi then told what he had witnessed in Wuchang Mansion, and said with emotion: "Nowadays, the officialdom is full of mud and sand. There must be no upright officials like Hai Rui..."
"I don't know what to do if we restore Taizu's method."
After saying this, Zhao Shu and Yan Chongxin both fell silent.
Nowadays, officials who live on salary have long been squeezed out and either starve to death or lose their official positions. People in officialdom have no control over their own affairs.
Zhao Shu saw this and hurriedly said: "Your Highness, the secret patrol envoy is like the envoy collecting winds. It conforms to the way of the ancient saints, and I highly approve of it."
Yan Chongxin also nodded hurriedly: "Times have changed, and now, tapping a little bit is the most appropriate."
Speaking of this, he was rather hesitant and said reluctantly: "Nowadays, Jiangnan and other places as well as Nanjing are not suitable for large-scale open axes."
Seeing the reactions of the two people, Zhu Yixi couldn't help but smile lightly.
The butt determines the head, or in other words, people are all selfish.
The minister naturally has the thoughts of a minister, and it is impossible for him to cut his own thigh with his own hands.
Those who have always had the courage to cut off their own swords are all top capable ministers, such as Zhang Juzheng, Wang Anshi and others.
Who wants to go back to the early Ming Dynasty, where they would rub red on the wat board in the morning and be ready to kill themselves at any time? The day is precarious?
It is said that the people of the 21st century never want to go back to the moral model society of the 1960s and 1970s, when they were hungry and full.
Just like Zhu Yixi, he is a monarch, and of course he knows that eunuchs are extremely inhumane, but for the sake of power and enjoyment, he can only choose to acquiesce.
The female official system is worse in comparison. It may be better in terms of service, but its political assistance is incomparable.
The temptation is over.
Zhu Yixi laughed in her heart and said with a stern face: "It's just a joke, but it is different from the past. The old and bad habits must be changed."
"Please keep this in mind."
The two of them bowed with sweat on their backs.
"Bring it in!"
After calling out, Yang Le walked in slowly carrying a tray.
Zhao and Yan frowned when they saw this. This eunuch is really lingering. Is it true that the Ming Dynasty cannot cut off its roots?
When he opened the red cloth, he saw a plate of silvery white round silver appearing in front of his eyes.
"This is this?" Yan Chongxin said in surprise.
Zhao Shu had heard of it and was quite calm.
"silver!"
Zhu Yixi said softly: "Imitate the silver coins of Franji people. One coin is worth one or two square meters of silver, and contains more than 90% silver."
Yan Chongxin quickly took one and looked at it carefully.
The silver coins are all solid, not round on the outside and square on the inside. The size is equivalent to two copper coins.
The round edges have broken teeth to prevent shearing.
The pattern on the front is exquisite, in the form of peony.
On the back are the words Chongzhen's 17th year, and at the bottom are the words Hanyang engraved in small pieces.
After weighing it, it was about one tael.
"The style is exquisite, the weight is very good, the silver content is high, and the lines are clear. Merchants should like to use it."
Yan Chongxin said with a smile.
"This is a silver cent!" Zhu Yixi pointed to a circle that was smaller and appeared pale white. If you didn't pay attention, it would be a little yellow.
Because its silver content is only 70%, and the rest is mostly copper and tin.
"Silver cents weigh about two qian (one qian is 3.12 grams), and five silver cents are equivalent to one silver coin."
The style of silver cents is similar to that of silver coins, but smaller and thinner, equivalent to the weight of two copper coins.
In other words, one silver cent is equivalent to one hundred copper coins. (The market price of one tael of silver is five hundred copper coins)
"Very good, very good!" Yan Chongxin couldn't restrain his joy: "If it were popularized, I don't know how much complexity would be reduced."
"That's fine."
Zhu Yixi smiled, how could the economy and industry not have financial support?
"The Forwarding Department can receive these silver coins in the future."
"In addition, I want to abolish the rice system and redefine the salaries of officials."
With that said, King Hanyang gave the two of them a heavy blow.
The two of them couldn't help but feel moved, it was related to their interests.
In terms of rank, the Transportation Department and the Military and Political Department all have the title of third rank, each cao is ranked fourth rank, and the hall is ranked fifth.
The issue of remuneration is very important.
However, because she had communicated with Zhao Shu in advance, Zhu Yixi spoke without hesitation:
"From the ninth grade, the monthly salary is ten yuan, from the ninth grade, it is twenty yuan, from the eighth grade, it is thirty yuan, from the eighth grade, it is forty yuan..."
"By analogy, if you are a third-grade official, your monthly salary will be one hundred and forty silver coins."
"Monthly salary?" Yan Chongxin was shocked and said from ear to ear: "Isn't my annual salary one thousand six hundred and eighty yuan?"
And you must know that the annual salary of a third-grade official is only 420 shi of grain.
Converted according to the market price, it is worth about 400 silver coins, which has increased nearly four times.
"This is too much!" Yan Chongxin said in disbelief.
"This is what you deserve, and your future salary will also be a monthly salary."
Zhu Yixi waved her hand. Compared with the money raised by the Qing Dynasty, it was still nothing. "Repaying silver with grain will save you the trouble of exchanging money."
"I am deeply grateful for Your Highness's kindness."
Zhao and Yan bowed sincerely.
This is truly a great grace.
"As soon as possible, take the silver deposited in Hu Cao to the craftsman's silver and convert it into silver coins as much as possible."
Zhu Yixi felt that she was indeed rich, and couldn't help but said: "Now there are more than 100,000 silver coins, enough to cover Huguang's monthly salary, right?"
"Your Highness, there are more than one hundred prefectures and counties in Huguang Province. In terms of officials, there are about a thousand people. Naturally, it is suitable. But if we add subordinate officials, the number will increase ten times -"
Zhao Shu interrupted King Hanyang's thoughts without politeness and said honestly: "If the Xiangyang Mansion's method is implemented, the monthly salary expenditure will be at least five times."
"Five million?"
Yan Chongxin felt that in just half an hour, half a year of surprise had been wiped out.
Taxes from businesses are not enough to feed the officials. Isn't this a bit exaggerated?
"It must be implemented, and it will be implemented after next summer's harvest."
Zhu Yixi gritted his teeth and said.
There are tens of thousands of people in a county, and the number of officials has been expanded to 200, which is not too much at all, and can only be barely controlled.
Once it lasts until next year, the summer grain will be put into the warehouse and it will not be difficult to meet the salary of the bureaucrats.
Moreover, for salt, tea, iron, etc., it is just easy to collect three to four million taels a year, which also requires the control of the local government.
The more officials there are and the better the control, the higher these incomes will be and they will complement each other.
"Since you have eaten my generous salary, you can never condone corruption or bribery easily."
Zhu Yixi said in a deep voice: "The inspectors in various places must also be replenished and cooperate with the secret patrols, one in the dark and one in the dark, to fully supervise."
"As you command!"
Zhao and Yan cupped their hands and said.
"In the past, it was annual salary. Since I regained Huguang, I have not paid any salary. How can the officials pay attention to eating last year's old grain?"
Zhu Yixi looked at the two of them and said with a hint of meaning: "Let's make arrangements. Today we will announce the regulations on the salary reform and distribute the silver coins."
Although there is a lot of mud and sand, something is better than nothing. Bribing off officials is temporarily necessary.