In Ren Baqian's vision, it would be best to have three years of compulsory labor, followed by five years of compulsory paid labor, that is, these five years can give them a little freedom and a certain amount of remuneration, which will gradually increase with each passing year.
In this way, after eight years, these captives can resume their status as civilians.
Of course, Yunguo was long gone by then, and so was their home. Some people will leave, but some people will stay at ease and join another "construction team" as artisans or laborers with wages.
After writing all these, Ren Baqian pushed open the window, the moon was already in the sky outside, and it was already late at night.
Turning his head to look, he found that the food on the table was delivered by someone at some time. Although it was already cold, he was so hungry that he didn't dislike it at all.
The next morning after teaching the students, Ren Baqian went back to the palace to find the empress, and showed the empress what she had written last night.
When looking at the front, the empress didn't show any expression, it's natural to formulate rules and regulations. Even the ancients had their own system, and it was impossible for an emperor not to know the role of order.
But seeing the piece of paper with notes on it, the Empress was surprised: "Send them wages?"
Dayao is poor and poor, and now the treasury can starve to death rats, and finally brought back a batch of trophies that were almost snatched away before they entered the household department. Under such circumstances, you actually want to pay these prisoners
"Although I know that your thoughts are different from others, after all, the world you live in is completely different from here. But making such a suggestion, are you sick?" The empress put down the paper and looked at Ren Baqian with an inquiring expression.
Ren Baqian didn't know whether to laugh or cry, but he had foreseen the Empress's reaction long ago. Even if the empress doesn't mention it, other people will, so there are already countermeasures. First, give them some hope to improve work efficiency and reduce mistakes. What do they do
Then it was explained about:
"Your Majesty, these wages are just going around in their hands, and finally returned to us.
These people do coolies in the prison camp every day, build roads or dig mines. Today they don’t know what tomorrow will be. After a day of hard work, there is no time to relax. What can they do in this situation
Nothing more than eating, drinking, whoring, and gambling!
Eating, that's the easiest thing, want to eat something you like, spend money, want to drink, spend money, many people just get their money back.
Other than eating is prostitution, men eat and drink, how many people can stand the sight of alcohol? Even if they can bear it, when the time comes, find two trustees to drink a few sips of old wine and praise a few times, can others bear it
And it's impossible for them to pay the same price as the outside in the prisoner camp or other places, right? A jug of bad wine outside was worth a tael of silver, but in the prisoner camp it was only three taels of silver. They didn’t even earn three taels of silver a month, so they could only buy a jar of bad wine to enjoy themselves after a few months of saving.
Then there is whoring, if a group of brothel women go there every now and then, I am afraid that half of the money can be collected.
The last thing is gambling, and there is no need to say much about it. Only dealers in gambling are guaranteed to win, and we are the dealers.
These are things that no one can escape, especially in a place like a prison camp.
So the wages just go around in their hands and then come back to us. At the same time, it can make them feel that His Majesty is benevolent and can work with peace of mind, so why not do it? "
"Do you like to eat, drink, whore, or gamble?" the empress looked at him and asked with a half-smile.
"Uh, you can tell from the fact that I'm fat. I must like to eat and drink. The so-called wine bag and rice bag are like me.
What's more, with His Majesty who is unparalleled in the world, how can I be interested in other things? If there is a woman like guarding His Majesty who would have other ideas, she must be blind or foolish.
I am obviously not the two, how smart I am! "Ren Baqian winked and boasted.
"Someone said that house flowers don't have the fragrance of wild flowers! Otherwise, why would so many people go to brothels!" the empress said lightly.
"Who is that 'someone'? I'll beat him to death!" Ren Baqian immediately looked unkind.
"Hmph!" The Empress gave him a charming look, and then ignored the matter.
Looking carefully at the regulations of Ren Baqian, especially those in the notes, the empress said: "These are feasible. As for the notes, if it is according to what you said, you can try it. But... tomorrow you are in court Bring it up when the time comes, and you'll know when the time comes."
The next day, Ren Baqian didn't go to the school and waited outside the palace early in the morning, which attracted the attention of many people.
The main thing is that Ren Baqian has never been to court a few times at all, let alone waiting here. It is obvious that there is something wrong.
He said hello to Tong Zhenye and other people from the Ministry of Industry, and then the senior executive Shi Qing and Minister of Rites Xuanhua looked kindly at him when they saw him, after all he had stayed in the Ministry of Rites for a month.
As for the others, they all looked at them from a distance, and didn't even say hello.
After going to court, Ren Baqian took a few steps forward and preached the things he had written. The last words of the Empress yesterday made him vigilant, so he went back last night and thought about it carefully again.
As a result, it was exactly as he and the empress thought, the other people didn't care, and when it came to wages, everyone was blown away.
Paying wages to prisoners has never happened before, it is simply a fantasy.
Especially the members of Hubu, such as Hubu Shang Shutu Wan, the pair of willow-leaf eyebrows stood upside down. If it wasn't for Gu Nian Ren Baqian's identity, she would have shot Ren Baqian against the wall on the spot.
Now as long as you ask her for money, it's like digging out her life.
Then Ren Baqian once again told everyone about his plan of "out with the left hand and in with the right".
According to him, this is called economy, and only when money circulates can more value be created. Moreover, the money is always in circulation, and will eventually return to the court.
"However, some money was still lost in the process." Tuwan keenly grasped the problems in his theory. Whether it is eating, drinking or whoring, only gambling is worthless.
"The money lost is nothing compared to the value they created. And no matter whether it is eating, drinking, or whoring, those who make money will still spend their money, which will enrich the market! The market will It can be circulated!" Ren Baqian patiently explained.
"However, the money was taken out of the treasury." Tuwan said with an unkind expression, she bit on one point desperately. The money should have been in the treasury and used in other places. If there is no such expenditure, the money can be used in other departments such as the Ministry of Industry, the Ministry of War, the Ministry of Officials, and the Ministry of Punishment.
No matter how Ren Baqian explained, she was unmoved.
Paying captives is unprecedented! Not before, and never will!
Moreover, what Tu Wan said moved Qin Chuan and the others. What Tu Wan said was correct. Part of the money from the treasury was used to pay those people wages. ah!
Ren Baqian was about to explain to everyone what is economy, what is circulation, what is hiding wealth for the people, when he was interrupted by a loud voice.
"Mansion Chief Ren, I think you need to reconsider this matter." Tong Zhenye was originally watching the fun, but now he changed his position and began to persuade Ren Baqian.
As soon as he opened his mouth, his pitch was so high that he forced all of Ren Baqian's words into his stomach.
"That's right, this matter is too ridiculous!" Others spoke one after another, and they have already given you enough face by persuading you so much. If it were someone else, we would call it out directly.
There was only one person who supported Ren Baqian, and that was Qin Chuan. With the mentality that as long as Tong Zhenye supported something, he must oppose it, and that Tong Zhenye opposed it, he must support it. After Tong Zhenye spoke, he stood up immediately. Ren Baqian's side.
However, after the others opened their mouths one after another and said, "Do you want to fight alone or in a group, you pick us all in a single fight, and we all beat you in a group fight!" Qin Chuan immediately followed the crowd like that. Liu, I feel that what everyone said is not wrong at all, it is really old-fashioned!
The court hall was like a vegetable market, a group of loud voices condemned Ren Baqian, and Ren Baqian's next words were all drowned out.
Ren Baqian got a toothache from their anger, and even a headache from a bunch of loud noises. He really wanted to shout, "Shuzi is not worth it!"
Looking up at the Empress, I saw that the Empress was sitting on top of the old god, with an expression on her face watching a play.
"As for what Governor Ren said, let them work hard, that's easy, just follow what Governor Ren said, let them restore their status as civilians after eight years of service.
If you don't do it well, you will be chopped down with a knife.
With the knife resting on their necks, they must make a choice! " Tong Zhenye said again.
The method is always simple and rude!
Everyone continued to nod.
It seems to everyone that this is enough. As for the salary that Ren Baqian said, it is completely unnecessary.
In the end, the debate ended with all the members of the ancient court winning.
Ren Baqian's words were all drowned out by everyone's spitting, and no one could hear them except himself, how could there be any debate
"How is it?" After the court, the empress and Ren Baqian had a smile on their faces when they returned to the bedroom.
"They are too loud, it's not a crime of war!" Ren Baqian was dissatisfied! I was going to teach this group of people, but I didn't expect to be crushed by a group of people with loud voices!
How can this embarrass him
At the same time, I felt ruthless in my heart, I must bring a megaphone next time I go to court! Let them know what it means to crush with your voice!
The empress laughed lightly after hearing Ren Baqian's answer, it was not the first time she had seen this group of people making noise. In the end it turned into a melee, which happens from time to time.
Although it can be suppressed by force, it cannot be suppressed by force forever, right? Always let them talk.
Regarding Ren Baqian's desire to regain his position, the Empress is not very optimistic.
If this group of people find that their voices are not as loud as Ren Baqian's, they should compete with whoever has the loudest fist.