After serving as the governor of Shuntian Prefecture for nearly two months, Yan Yingyuan has kept a low profile. He has been working with Xiao Gui and Cao Sui, focusing on the city's transformation.
The Ministry of Household Affairs has been complaining that Shuntian Mansion is thinking about how to spend money every day. Every month, it reaches tens of thousands of dollars, which is not a small sum.
"How about the renovation of the outer city?"
"Reporting to Your Majesty, the outer city is dirty and messy. There are many filthy and collapsed buildings. The area is more than twice that of the inner city. It will take several years to organize and renovate it."
Yan Yingyuan's voice is a bit tough, which gives people a strong impression, but in fact his temperament and personality are indeed unique.
"How many years?" The emperor's tone changed: "Wouldn't that cost hundreds of thousands of silver coins?"
"Your Majesty is Holy Ming."
Yan Yingyuan cupped his hands and said: "Fortunately, Taicang is full, so the imperial court has enough power to do this..."
As he spoke, he briefly introduced his measures to uphold the holy will and renovate streets, build culverts, dredge and expand open channels, etc.
In order not to interfere with people's lives, he divided the huge outer city into nine parts and cleaned one area every season. Except for three months in winter, he had nine months a year for renovation.
Therefore, a conservative estimate would be about three years.
Of course, seeing the emperor's surprised expression, he immediately added: "If the Ministry of Revenue allocates 500,000 silver dollars, it will only take half a year."
"Let's give it another three years!"
Zhu Yixi said with waning spirits.
This year's budget has been drawn up, and the money for transforming Beijing has also been set. Half of the internal funds have been taken out, and 250,000 yuan is taken out at once. Wouldn't that be fatal?
The internal funds are used to build a garden!
"There is no money in Shuntian's treasury?"
"Your Majesty, although the city of Beijing has recovered very quickly, it has suffered a catastrophe. Now it only has 500,000 people."
A hint of bitterness appeared on Yan Yingyuan's stiff face: "One season's commercial tax is enough to maintain the salary of government officials."
The tax exemption mentioned by the imperial court refers to agricultural tax. Agriculture is the foundation of all industries. Tax exemption for three years and half tax for two years. This is the fundamental strategy to restore the vitality of the north.
The shortfall in agricultural taxes will naturally have to be made up from commercial taxes.
However, even in the city of Beijing, although commercial taxes are high, Chongwenmen, the fattest piece of meat, is controlled by Chaoguan, and it is still an internal fund. Now Shuntian Mansion naturally needs the Ministry of Household Affairs to allocate money and food.
"Lack of money."
Zhu Yixi hit the nail on the head, staring into his sincere eyes, her brain turned rapidly, and her eyes suddenly lit up:
"Shuntian Prefecture only governs two counties, which is really too few."
The dignified Yin of Shuntian Prefecture governed less than one-tenth of the area of Beijing in later generations.
"The five prefectures near Beijing include Tong, Ji, Zhuo, Ba, and Changping, as well as Liangxiang, Fangshan, Dong'an, Gu'an, Yongqing, Baoding, Dacheng, Wen'an, Wuqing, Xianghe, Baodi, Ninghe, Sanhe, and Pinggu,
Seventeen counties in Shunyi, Miyun, and Huairou County were all assigned to Shuntian Prefecture."
As a result, Shuntian Prefecture directly governs nineteen counties and five states, with an estimated population of more than two million, matching its status as a prefect.
During the three hundred years of the Ming Dynasty, the largest official in the Northern Zhili region was the governor of Jiliao. The three governors of Shuntian, Baoding and Liaodong all obeyed his orders and were based in Miyun.
During the Chongzhen period, it was divided into four, Governor Xuanda, Governor Shuntian, Governor Baoding, and Governor Jiliao.
After Emperor Shaowu returned to the north, Northern Zhili has been directly managed by six ministries. Now that it is suddenly divided, there is no restriction.
But, why is Yan Yingyuan's eyes so weird?
"Before, I only heard that the emperor liked to divide states and counties and break the previous boundaries. I never thought that I would see it with my own eyes today. It was a worthwhile trip..."
Yan Yingyuan lowered his head and started thinking.
"cough--"
After pretending to cough, Zhu Yixi said: "With these more states and counties, even if there is no summer grain, commercial taxes must be able to add some, right?"
"This..." Yan Yingyuan could only say: "If every household continues to receive subsidies, it must be enough."
After all, there are a lot of corvees that can be used, saving a lot of costs.
"That's good."
The emperor suddenly became interested and said to Tian Ren aside: "Bring the map."
Soon, a huge map six feet high and one foot wide was brought in.
This shocked Yan Yingyuan. Could this be the legendary map opening of borders? No, it was the map dividing borders?
I've heard about it for a long time, and now I finally see it.
"Now that Shuntian Prefecture has dug up such a large area, Beizhili is still huge, so we can't still let the imperial court directly govern it, right?"
The emperor stood in front of the map, minding his own business, and muttered.
Everyone on the side did not dare to say anything for fear of disturbing his thoughts.
"Yes, there is already a governor of Baoding in Beizhili. Now, isn't it justifiable to establish a new province of Hebei?"
“As for the capital, let’s make it Baoding!”
"What about Yongping Mansion in the east? Shanhaiguan can be there! How about setting up a governor to be responsible for the Western Liaoning Corridor..."
After muttering for a while, the emperor suddenly said with interest: "I have an idea."
"Yongping Prefecture, Liaoxi Corridor has the Governor of Western Liaoning, one to the east and one to the west of Governor Xuanda, to protect the capital."
"Tianjin Health established Tianjin Prefecture, which was under the direct jurisdiction of the imperial court."
"The rest of the territory of North Zhili should be Hebei Province, with a governor and three division offices, and the capital is Baoding."
Suddenly, Hebei Province was added, but Yan Yingyuan was very adaptable, but he didn't understand why Tianjin Wei set up a government. Isn't this unnecessary?
However, after turning around in his mind, he suddenly understood that this was due to shipping. Tianjin Wei was a must-pass place, so he naturally had to pay attention to it.
Furthermore, Emperor Chengzu also endowed it with sanctity, and it was natural for it to be established as a palace.
"Your Majesty is wise!"
Yan Yingyuan raised his hands in admiration.
"Leave it to the cabinet and let them draft a charter."
Zhu Yixi breathed a sigh of relief, and then saw Yan Yingyuan and said: "Although there are five cities' military and horse departments in charge of public security, the Shuntian government office cannot be idle. They must take responsibility and supervise each other."
"There is no small matter in Gyeonggi. I will reward you with a sign. From today on, you can submit the sign to the palace at any time."
"Thank you for your grace!"
Yan Yingyuan's face was moved and his mood was greatly moved.
This kind of power is really not small.
To meet the emperor, either the emperor takes the initiative to meet you, or he asks to meet you.
When ministers asked to see the emperor, they had to go through a long process, which was cumbersome and long, and they had to go through the eunuchs.
For example, if a relative of the emperor breaks the law and goes to the palace first, the evildoer will complain first, but you can only submit a memorial to defend yourself and accuse the emperor. The emperor has the first impression, and your tricks will make the day lily grow cold.
And he could enter the palace like the cabinet ministers and see the emperor easily, which meant that he was extremely close to the center of power.
Nowadays, people can ask for a meeting, and you can also ask for a meeting directly. At least they are on the same starting line.
The cabinet thought over and over again the emperor's opinion on delimiting the border, and felt that it still made sense, and that it was appropriate for Hebei to be established as a province.
The candidates for Governor Xuanda and Governor of Western Liaoning were in trouble.