At the end of the month, a book suddenly caused an uproar in Luoyang.
That is "The Theory of Evil Metal" written by the little-known Yingchuan native Zhong Fu. At first glance, this book might have been thought to be a book on how to smelt steel. However, the content caused everyone to argue endlessly. This Yingchuan book
Although Zhongfu has no reputation, he is also a son of a wealthy family. He is the successor of the general Zhongli Mei. He has been an official in successive generations. From Zhong Jie, Zhong Yan, Zhong Qin, Zhong Yuan, Zhong Qi to his father Zhong Hao, he is a famous person.
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His elder brother, Zhong Di, was the head of Yingchuan County, but he was the only one who did not serve as an official.
He was a man of distinguished origin, but his works were reviled by wealthy families.
He asked the country to take back the salt and iron monopoly and not allow powerful landlords to privately own it. He also proposed setting up large-scale smelting plants in areas where important minerals are concentrated for large-scale production. He believed that iron, as a heavy weapon, was related to the national economy and people's livelihood, as well as military armament.
It has a huge role. If iron farm tools and daily utensils can be widely used, they will definitely be able to develop in various fields such as farming and mulberry!
He believes that decentralized private iron smelting and sales cannot be compared with centralized and unified smelting by the government. Therefore, if you want to update iron tools on a large scale, improve people's livelihood, and improve armaments, you must adopt iron monopoly. As for salt, he
and was not mentioned.
The little fat man saw the huge benefits in it, read it in a hurry, and immediately summoned the ministers to discuss the matter.
Because the little fat man had already passed this book to He Xiu, Yuan Feng and other important ministers went to see it. The court officials also knew why the emperor summoned them. They were particularly excited after going to court, and even asked the king to cook the letter.
Put it aside and get to the point.
Yuan Feng, who was cautious and never gave any testimony, was the first to walk out, bowed to the emperor, and then said: "In the past, the Huns were rampant and intruded on our Han territory. Emperor Xiaowu ordered Sang Hongyang to specialize in salt and iron to collect
The profit was used for military supplies and the Huns were defeated. It can be seen that the monopoly system is a good thing to make a lot of profits. However, since then, salt, iron and wine have been exclusively in the hands of the government, and the market price has increased repeatedly. The treasury has piled up mountains of salt and iron, and the people
But I can’t get one of them.”
"This is a harsh government, so Emperor Xiaohe banned salt and iron, and the people benefited, and the world has been prosperous for a long time."
"Nowadays, there are no enemies outside and no turmoil inside. There is a market tax on ironware and a special tax on salt and wine. If we rashly open a monopoly again, I am afraid it will cause unrest among the people and compete with them for profit. This must not be done!"
Everyone nodded and agreed, but someone on the side suddenly sneered: "That's not necessarily true, Mr. Yuan, it's just because of the smelting of salt and iron and your hands that he gave such advice. During the Xiaowu period, there was never a centralized iron smelting place.
, most of them are scattered, and the establishment of iron officials is very expensive, so the market price increases sharply. If smelting is established in the location where the minerals are located, and the cost is reduced, why will the market price increase sharply? "
It was Wen Renxi who said this.
Yuan Feng was furious and cursed: "Does my Yuan family have half an acre of iron farm salt land? Don't spit on others!"
"For people like you, if you implement a monopoly, how much are you going to sell? Are you asking people to spend thousands of dollars to buy shovels and rakes? Are you going to let this great age be ruined?!" Yuan Feng pointed at him and cursed.
After hearing about the attack and being scolded, the two naturally became angry, and the two began to debate in the temple. Each had his own opinions, but no one could convince the other. Most of the courtiers in the court supported Yuan Feng.
Because the Han Dynasty has already tasted the pain of monopoly once, as Yuan Feng said, after the monopoly, private smelting was greatly hit, and in order to gain greater profits, the government continued to raise prices, and also lost competition.
As a result, materials accumulate, but people cannot buy them, and the market is depressed. Although it is a huge profit in a short period of time, it is not a long-term solution.
What Wen Renxi valued was the content about centralized large-scale smelting. He believed that things are different from the past. Today's technology or manpower are much more developed than those of Emperor Xiaowu's time. As long as the cost can be reduced, it will be possible.
Controlling prices, replenishing the treasury, and improving his reputation. At this time, most of the imperial parties in the DPRK no longer supported him.
Almost all the ten thieves in the court stood opposite him, and only a few people, including Cao Song, always stood by his side and spoke for him.
The little fat man listened for a while and became a little bored. He frowned and thought, then turned to look at the most important minister in the court. Why rest?
Today, He Xiu is the most powerful minister in the court. He is powerful not because he has many confidants and can dominate the government, but because he has a high prestige and is admired and feared by everyone. The little fat man also respects him.
In addition, most of the old ministers like him have died, so he became the most senior minister among the ministers!
Over the years, the little fat man has also continuously rewarded him. He has given him privileges such as praising and worshiping without name, entering the court without trends, wearing shoes to go to the palace, etc. Just like the previous story of Xiao He, when he paid homage to without name, he paid homage to the emperor.
The Huangmen who paid tribute did not call him by his name, but only addressed him by official title. To put it simply, he was the little Huangmen who informed him and would not shout, "Why don't I greet your Majesty?"
Instead, he would say "Situ greets Your Majesty!".
In addition, when entering the court, other ministers have to jog in without interruption, while He Xiu can walk in slowly and swaggering. He also walked in like this before, so this privilege does not matter.
, many elderly ministers will get this privilege. After all, it is inappropriate for you to let an old man trot in.
The last one is the scary one. It was supposed to be to go to the temple with swords and shoes, which means that you are allowed to wear a sword and wear shoes to see the emperor. But the emperor thought for a moment and still only gave him a sword to go to the temple with shoes. As for the
It's better to forget about wearing a sword.
It was not because he was afraid that He Xiuxing would stab him, but because he was afraid that the whole temple would start a dispute. The old man shouted about the hatred of nine generations, so he drew his sword and stabbed him.
That's a bit scary. Judging from He Gong's performance over the years, the emperor's actions obviously saved the lives of many ministers.
The little fat man looked at He Xiu at this moment, hoping that He Xiu could give him a solution. He Xiu also noticed the emperor's eyes on him. He leaned on crutches and stood up slowly. He was already a little old and his body was slightly stooped.
, but when he stood up, many of the quarreling ministers immediately quieted down, sat down slowly, and no longer dared to speak.
Master He slowly walked to the middle of the temple and was about to salute. The little fat man said helplessly: "Master He, there is no need to be more polite. I wonder what Master He thinks of this matter?" He Xiu looked at Wen Renxi and said: "
Of course, monopoly sales are not allowed, but nowadays, iron tools smelted by the government are gradually becoming scarce, and the Northern Army and the Southern Army even have to purchase armaments from the private sector, which is inappropriate."
"It is feasible to set up large-scale smelting sites, but it does not have to be a monopoly or compete with the people for profits. Government ironmaking can also drive private smelting and technology can develop..." He Xiu said, raised his head and looked at
He turned to Wen Renxi, who forced a smile, nodded, and said: "Master He is a great talent, what he said makes sense!"
The little fat man nodded and handed over the matter to Wen Renxi, asking him to set up a large-scale government-operated iron smelting yard. The main purpose was to support the weapons and armaments of the Northern Army and the Southern Army. Of course, people's livelihood equipment also had to be made, not for the purpose.
sideline.
Zhong Fu, who wrote this book, was recruited by Lu Zhi as a long history officer and went to Hezhou.