"What do you mean, your Excellency, to gradually replace water transportation in the Gyeonggi area with sea transportation?" Wang Wenyan hesitated, "Sir, I'm afraid this is not just a simple transportation issue, but also the existence and value of the entire water transportation system.
,…”
The implication of Wang Wenyan's words is also very clear. Water transportation supports too many people, both the court and the people. Once this foundation is disturbed, I am afraid that there will be shocks along the canal, and even unpredictable risks will occur.
"So this can only be achieved under certain specific circumstances. Under normal circumstances, no one dares to use water transportation." Feng Ziying said calmly: "For example, if water transportation is interrupted, then sea transportation should follow as a matter of course, otherwise the people of Gyeonggi
How to live and how to maintain the imperial court?"
Wang Wenyan understood that your Excellency has determined that some unpredictable things will happen, including interruption of water transportation.
This can turn a crisis into an opportunity. No wonder Xue Jiazi of the second family went to Denglai and Yuguan to run shipping. This was something he had already optimistic about and prepared for a rainy day.
"If this is the case, Beitang and Daku should indeed start construction as soon as possible." Wang Wenyan thought for a while, "Dago and Tianjin Sanwei are actually one, and Beitang can also be regarded as the continuation of Liangcheng Suo. If you value this
There are two places, the Ji Town side is easy to talk to, but the Ministry of War side is still hard to talk to."
"Well, I have also considered that the purpose of Jizhen for these two places is to defend against enemy attacks at sea, while the Ministry of War focuses on military support. From the perspective of our Shuntian Mansion, it is to be used for civilian purposes or as a strategic support point.
We should use it to the extreme and each can get what he needs. Of course, we have more in common with the Ministry of War."
Feng Ziying's eyes became more and more profound, "Once the water transportation is interrupted, the status of Yuguan, Daku, and Beitang will suddenly rise. I'm afraid that everyone will be unprepared and will be in a hurry. That will be a disaster, especially during this year's severe drought in the North."
occasion."
"I'm afraid it's not just that. We can work overtime at the three terminals, but the most important thing is the source of supplies. Don't you think Jiangnan is unstable? Once Jiangnan is interrupted by water transportation, can it be shipped by sea?" Wang Wenyan asked again
: "Even if it can be shipped out, if Jiangnan does not recognize the imperial court, merchants will have to negotiate business. With the imperial court's current financial resources, how can these merchants take the initiative to transport various materials to the north? I'm afraid it won't work just by making empty promises."
This is of course a problem. As Wang Wenyan said, even if Jiangnan cannot control the coastal areas of Fujian and Zhejiang, as well as Guangdong and Dongfang, if the imperial court loses the protection of Jiangnan’s tax rights, who will be willing to listen to your empty talk?
Teeth's shout?
Of course, if you can demonstrate an absolutely overwhelming military position, then there will be businessmen willing to bet on it, but when the situation is unclear at the beginning, who will make a bet with money in vain?
Can the military power of the imperial court be sustained to the point where it can demonstrate absolute superiority?
Mobilizing all the border troops to launch an overwhelming offensive against the south requires a process, time, and money, food, and various logistical supplies. This is not a simple matter. In the past, wars were guaranteed by the Zhou Dynasty's system.
, but once the entire Nanbian is broken and no longer provides logistical support, how can we fight a war?
Feng Ziying also considered this point raised by Wang Wenyan, but apart from what she was already prepared to deal with, she didn't have any good countermeasures.
Guangdong is a place that requires good management. Once the North and the South confront each other, Guangdong's production will provide huge support to the North, not only in terms of material itself, but also in the psychological support of the people.
Dongfan is equally important. First, it can form a transit point for north-south transportation together with Penghu. Second, Dongfan itself has product production, but this can only be achieved after controlling the Fujian Navy.
When Shen Yourong went north to interview, Feng Ziying had to remind the other party that he might have to make arrangements in the Fujian Navy in advance. After all, Shen Yourong had served in the Fujian Navy for many years. Many generals in the Fujian Navy were once his subordinates. He was in the Fujian Navy. The prestige is extremely high, which is an extremely favorable condition.
Feng Ziying discovered that although Prince Yi Zhong was making various preparations, including military preparations, especially those on the Xuanda front line, he only paid little attention to the navy, whether it was Shen Yourong's Denglai Navy or the current Fujian Navy. The navy, as well as the Guangdong Navy, paid little attention to it.
From the day Denglai Town was established, Wang Ziteng regarded the Denglai Navy as a burden and believed that it would compete for his funds for the construction of Denglai Town's cavalry and infantry forces. Therefore, his relationship with Shen Yourong, who was the admiral of Denglai Navy, was extremely bad. Now, It's even more like fire and water.
The Fujian Navy is basically independent of the Jiangnan system, and most generals and middle- and low-level officers are loyal to the court. Shen Yourong has mentioned this. The Guangdong Navy is mainly local people, but Guangdong has never been regarded as one by Jiangnan. , this is also a benefit to the court.
"This is all we can do. Maybe what I have done will be regarded as unfounded worries and unnecessary. I also hope that my ideas are unnecessary." Feng Ziying spread her hands, " hope so."
"Sir, I think your worries are not unnecessary. Even if the situation in the south of the Yangtze River is not as bad as we imagined, the severe drought in the north is an indisputable fact. According to reports from various sources, Shanxi and Shaanxi will encounter unprecedented severe droughts. , it will be difficult for the court to provide relief, and if there are any further setbacks in the local government, there will be big trouble."
Wang Wenyan felt that the risk of severe drought in the north was greater.
"I have mentioned this to Master Qi. Master Qi takes it very seriously and has also told Mr. Fang. However, the decision made by the cabinet is not to find a way to raise money and food for relief, but to consider having the Metropolitan Procuratorate send patrols. Supervise the implementation of local relief..." Feng Ziying breathed a sigh of relief, "It's true to say that there are many people in the government below, but it's hard for a good woman to make a meal without rice. When the government's relief is far from enough, is there anyone? There is no point in raising or lowering one's hands in it."
"The imperial court is also stepping up its warehouse replenishment, and the warehousing speed of Jingtong Second Warehouse is also accelerating. You don't need to worry too much," Wang Wenyan comforted.
"That little grain, as long as the water transportation is cut off, can be snatched up for you in a few days. It does not depend on how much grain is stored, but on the expectations of the people. If everyone thinks that grain is going to run out, every household will want to save some. Two years of practical food storage, even if you have great abilities, you still can't do anything..." Feng Ziying said the key point.
Both Wang Wenyan and Wu Yaoqing are not mediocre people, and they naturally understand the truth. Once the people have become aware of the situation, they will buy as soon as they see the food. In the end, countless people will flock to buy it, and in the end, countless people will be without food.
Eat, but some people have piles of it in their homes.
"That's why adults will start contacting Guangdong to store grain now. Yuguan has already stored a lot of grain, but if too much is stored, the cost will also increase..."
Wang Wenyan also had a headache. Business activities required calculation of cost and output. If it was to be solved from the perspective of court policy, then Feng Ziying should not be the one to do it, and Feng Ziying could not do it either.
"Forget it, let's take it one step at a time." Feng Ziying shook her head, "I can't care about so much now. I used to think that I had a far-sighted vision, strategized, and was omnipotent, but now I realize that there are some things that you think will be
That way, people don’t think so, and you think you can do it, but in fact there are too many constraints and you can’t do it at all, what can you do?”
Wu Yaoqing murmured for a long time before saying: "Maybe the situation will not be as bad as expected."
Feng Ziying glared at the other party, and Wu Yaoqing could only lower his head. This was not a reason, and he couldn't even convince himself.
"Sir, we have done our best. Your Excellency is only the Prime Minister of Shuntian. What you have done is beyond the scope of your responsibilities. You are not the Prime Minister, so you have a clear conscience." Wang Wenyan also sensed that Feng Ziying was not in a good mood and turned away.
Topic: "I haven't congratulated you yet. The second girl from Rongguo Mansion will be here in three days."
Wu Yaoqing also echoed, and Feng Ziying's face softened a little, and she said: "This is the only good thing during this period, so why should I put pressure on myself and make myself so uncomfortable?"
Indeed, Feng Ziying sometimes wondered whether she was too anxious about herself. The Feng family relied on her background as a civil servant, her backing and connections like Qi Yongtai and Qiao Yingjia, and her status as a Northern scholar. Her father supported the army in the border town.
, no matter who takes the position of emperor, it is impossible to touch the Feng family, unless they stand firmly on the opposite side of the other party, there is no need to think so hard, life is too hard.
Isn’t life good now? With a lovely wife and beautiful concubines, surrounded by beauties, I feel aggrieved just thinking about it. Even Qingwen and Ping’er, the leading characters in the book "Dream of Red Mansions", have been raised in the house for several years.
I had time to close the house, two wives, several concubines, but not even a son. Like tonight, I even gave up the time to sleep with Baochai. They are worse than animals. No wonder dad and mom.
Neither are satisfied.
I was too dedicated, really taking the salary of a foreign minister to worry about the emperor's heart.
After sighing with emotion, Feng Ziying realized that all good things are based on hard work. If she didn't worry about it, the current situation of the Feng family in the future might really be that they were at their peak when they debuted and started to go downhill.
My father has become a very popular minister, at least he is at the pinnacle of military generals. Perhaps prosperity and decline are not empty words.
Although I still have a lot of room, but if Prince Yi Zhong really becomes the emperor, will the northern scholars still be as respected as they are now? The balance in the court will soon fall to Jiangnan, Han Jing, Xu Xie,
People like Huang Zunsu will rise quickly and replace himself and Lian Guoshi's current status. People like Fang Youdu, Shen Zizheng, and Yang Sichang can also reap good fruits if the limelight changes quickly. Only people like himself, Lian Guoshi, Fan Jingwen, and Sun Chuanting can reap the benefits.
I'm afraid this kind of northern scholar won't have such a good chance.
If the Mongols, Jurchens, and White Lotus Sect were allowed to succeed, the situation would be even worse, which Feng Ziying could not accept.
The situation of the Feng family is like sailing against the current. If you don't advance, you will retreat. You can only go on, and you can only go better and better!