"Aren't these uncles and princes all in fief?"
The princes of the Ming Dynasty must go to the fief once they reach adulthood and cannot return to Beijing without the emperor's edict.
Only Fu Wang Zhu Changxun is an exception.
Zhu Changxun was the youngest son of Emperor Wanli, and the younger uncle of Zhu Youxiao and Zhu Youjian, who was particularly favored by his father, Emperor Wanli. Emperor Wanli prepared to pass the throne to Zhu Changxun, but the ministers in the court resolutely disagreed with "Zhu Changxun is not the eldest son" and asked Emperor Wanli to pass the throne to the eldest son, Zhu Youxiao and Zhu Youjian's father, Zhu Changluo.
For this matter, Emperor Wanli and his ministers were in a stalemate for several decades and never established a crown prince. Emperor Wanli did not go to court for decades and specially hid in the palace to make people. However, Zhu Changxun stayed in the capital, and the US dollar went to the fief. It was not until the Wanli Emperor became seriously ill that his ambitions were smoothed by the ministers, and Zhu Changluo was appointed as the prince. After the death of Emperor Wanli, Zhu Changluo became Emperor Jingtai of Ming Dynasty, and Fu Wang Zhu Changxun also had to go to his fief Luoyang.
"I am afraid that the emperor has already made a decree to call several uncles into Beijing. At that time, his Royal Highness will have to pay tribute to the uncles."
Wan'er is good. Not only can Zhu Youjian be served comfortably, but he can also be a housekeeper, allowing Zhu Youjian to concentrate on his great cause of saving the Ming.
On February 6th in the sixth year of the Great Ming Qi (1626 AD), Zhu Youjian's sixteenth birthday is also the day when Zhu Youjian married his princess Zhou Yufeng.
Early in the morning, Wang Mujiu was busy with a group of big soldiers in Xinwang's Mansion. In fact, there is nothing to be busy with. The rituals are all handled by the clan's mansion, and even the lottery is from the clan's mansion. Zhou Yufeng's new house has long been decorated, and the entire Xinwang Mansion is full of red happy characters and lanterns, which is more lively than Xinyuan.
Waiting for the princess to pass is very boring. If there is any aspect at this time, Zhu Youjian will definitely choose to look for this historical novel.
The bridegroom officer Zhu Youjian had nothing to do, so he had to chat and drink tea with a few uncles who had rushed back from the fief.
"My nephew, I heard that you set up a cement factory, a red brick factory or something in the capital, and you made a lot of money? I'm in Hengzhou, where there are many mountains, the products are barren, and the people live in hardship. When will I go to Hengzhou to set up some cement factories? , So that the people of Hengzhou can live a good life?"
Gui Wang Zhu Changying returned to the capital for the first time, and was very surprised by Zhu Youjian's nonsense. How could this kid look like himself when he was young? It's cement red bricks, it's entering the military camp, it's Shandong Miewa, where does he come from? However, nothing else matters, what matters is whether you can make money.
"Uncle Gui Wang, if we want the cement factory to repair the road in Hengzhou, I am afraid it will not work now. No one buys the cement produced! The production of this cement requires a lot of capital." For the people of Hengzhou? Zhu Youjian Ningyuan believed in the mouth of the matchmaker. He certainly hopes to push the cement factory to the whole country and build a large number of cement roads in Daming.
But now is not the time. The development of the commercial value of cement is not a matter of one or two days, and no one is willing to spend money to repair cement roads. "I don't know if Uncle Gui Wang can persuade the chief ambassador of Huguang, or a large local businessman, to build a cement road from Wuchang to Changsha?"
"What is the use of building a concrete road?" Zhu Changying knew that it was too difficult to get the Huguang government envoy. However, there is still some hope to impress local celebrities. But at least, you must know the usefulness of cement roads, or else, how do you sell cement to others
"Between Wuchang and Changsha, there are dense rivers and lakes, winding roads, and muddy and rainy days. In fact, there is no mountain barrier between Wuchang and Changsha. If a cement road from Wuchang to Changsha can be built, the original two thousand The distance of many miles has been shortened to six or seven hundred miles, which is only 30% of the original, which greatly facilitates the merchants and pedestrians in the past. Regarding the specific conditions of the cement road, Uncle Gui Wang has time to go and see outside Dongzhimen." Zhu Youjian turned to Hui again. Wang Zhu Changrun, "Uncle Hui's fief is in Jingzhou, which is closer to Wuchang and Changsha. I wonder if Uncle Hui is interested?"
"What about the cement factory?" Zhu Changrun is more concerned about how to divide the money. His family has a large population, and he really doesn't have much money on hand.
"If it can be negotiated, my nephew will arrange manpower to go to Huguang, and the two uncles will be responsible for the land acquisition and the collection of silver liang. Without farmland, the cement factory needs to be built in a mountainous area. As for the profits obtained," Zhu Youjian said to the two of them. Sweeping his face to let them hear clearly, "Pay taxes according to the standard of 15 taxes and 1 tax on the cultivated land. For the rest, the two uncles each have four shares. Cheng. Two uncle Wangs have opinions?” Zhu Youjian did not aim to make money for the promotion of cement. He had a bigger game in his heart, so he let the two princes gain more profit.
In fact, if the cement road from Wuchang to Changsha is repaired, merchants, celebrities, the government and the people will see tangible benefits, especially in the areas where the rivers and ponds are densely covered in the south of the Yangtze River. These waters are neither wide nor deep, but pedestrians cannot wade across, especially in autumn and winter.
"I'm afraid that the chief envoy will not agree." Zhu Changrun's eyes are already flashing the light, but he is a powerless prince and has no savings. It is really not easy to talk to the chief envoy.
"The benefits of building cement roads to the local area have been mentioned by my nephew just now. The cement road from Wuchang to Changsha can be reached in two days. Even if you take a horse-drawn carriage, it takes only three or four days. In addition, there is another one. Good," Zhu Youjian looked at the two princes moved their minds, desperately to find some high-sounding reasons for them: "The vast number of households in the lake occupy more and more land, and more and more people have no land to cultivate. These have no land. Farmers in China, if they work as workers in a cement factory or participate in the construction of cement roads, they will be paid and can support their families. There will be no unstable factors on the ground in Huguang."
"Okay, nephew, once we can raise funds for road construction, we will immediately start the cement plant." Gui Wang Zhu Changying immediately made the decision. His economic strength far exceeds Zhu Changrun, and his local prestige and contacts are better than Zhu Changrun. In addition to the chief minister, he can also mobilize local celebrities to participate.
"Wait. Nephew, this cement factory can't do without me?" Seeing the profits that the two brothers are about to get, Zhu Changhao, the elder brother, lags behind. After passing the village, there are no shops.
"Uncle Rui Wang, your fief is in Hanzhong, far away from Huguang! The cement factory in Huguang, you are always too far away." The traffic in this era is extremely backward. Zhu Changhao just sent people to Huguang to make profits. After a year and a half, most of the profits made are reimbursed as travel.
"That wise nephew, can you go to Hanzhong to open a cement factory?" Zhu Changhao didn't give up. Whoever makes money doesn't go inside, that's a fool.
"Then it depends on you, Uncle Rui. With Xi'an as the center, Shaanxi has four major military towns: Guyuan, Ningxia, Gansu, and Yansui. If Uncle Rui can persuade Shaanxi to build concrete roads, such as from Xi’an to Guyuan town, or even In Ningxia Town, my nephew can open a cement factory in Hanzhong.” There are nine military important towns on the northern border of Daming, of which there are four in Shaanxi Province, which shows the importance of Shaanxi in the north. If cement roads can be built in Shaanxi, it will definitely speed up the deployment of troops and materials in Shaanxi.
"This is too difficult. But, what if I persuade them?" Zhu Changhao is prepared with both hands. If he can persuade the civil and military officials in Shaanxi, he will make money; if he can't convince them, he will have nothing to lose.
"If Uncle Rui Wang can persuade them, the cement factory can of course be set up. Just like the cement factory in Huguang, Uncle Wang Rui pays money, and his nephew is responsible for the technology and craftsman. The profit earned by the cement factory, in addition to the taxes to be paid, is accounted for by Uncle Rui Wang. My nephew accounts for 40%.” Zhu Youjian believes that Shaanxi is too poor now, not to mention building roads, and the people can eat a lot of food if they are full. Although he especially hopes to build roads in Shaanxi, he has no money and everything is just a dream.
"Okay, it's a deal. I'll plan after I go back." Zhu Changhao got a similar agreement with the two younger brothers, and he was very satisfied. In fact, Zhu Youjian is right. Shaanxi needs to build more roads. If it succeeds, he will definitely earn more money than his two younger brothers.
"My nephew, does this king have to raise money for road construction before he can set up a cement plant with his nephew?" Although Fu Wang Zhu Changxun spoke courteously, his tone was quite disdainful.
Zhu Youjian looked at the uncle Wang who was almost the emperor. He was fat. He was too fat. I don't know what Emperor Wanli liked about him. Perhaps the Wanli emperor especially favored his mother Wangui concubine, loves the house and Wu, and desperately tried to pass on the throne to him. However, it's not like it. If he had nothing extraordinary, Emperor Wanli would not spend his entire life fighting against the ministers.
"Uncle Fu's fief is in Luoyang. That's a prosperous place. Could Uncle Fu be worthy of this little money?"
"Haha, haha." Zhu Changxun smiled presumptuously, but no one was serious with him. "Who doesn't like silver? But... This king really likes this little money. If this king builds the roads in the eight houses in Henan by himself, nephew, do you figure it out, how many silver taels do you need?"
The other three princes remained silent, their eyes all staring at the snowflakes that did not exist outside the window.
Zhu Youjian thought to himself that Emperor Wanli really gave the Fu Wang a lot of money as compensation for not becoming the emperor. However, it is really beneficial to the country and the people to be able to repair all the roads in Henan's eight houses. In this regard, I don't have to worry about him.
"That depends on how Fu Wangshu repaired. If you go from Luoyang to the south, through Nanyang to Huaiqing; from Luoyang to the east, through Kaifeng, you will return to Germany. The total of the south and the east will add up to about 1,500 miles. Calculating one hundred taels of silver, it needs 150,000 taels. Then, centering on Kaifeng, going north through Weihui to Zhangde, and south to Runing, it is another thousand miles, requiring one hundred thousand taels. A total of twenty-five taels are needed. Wanliang. This is the shortest mileage. If you connect Huaiqing and Runing, and Zhangde and Guide, you will have to add one hundred thousand liang."
"Guide is too remote, and this section of the king does not repair it. As for the connection between Huaiqing and Runing, and Zhangde and Guide, we should leave it to others! Good thing, this king can't do it all at once." It seems that I don't care about silver at all. This is more than two hundred thousand taels. But he resolutely refused to repair the road from Kaifeng to Guide.
"I'm afraid King Fu doesn't have much land in Guide, right?" Zhu Changying was the most uncomfortable with King Fu's local tyrant's character, and took the lead to fight back.
It turns out that Fuwang's land is all over Henan, so it's no wonder that he is enthusiastic about building roads.
"Uncle Fu, if you really don’t want to repair it, then your nephew will repair it from Kaifeng to Guide. However, my nephew has no money now. You have to wait for Uncle Fu to repair the road from Luoyang to Kaifeng. The road extends to Guide. In addition, Uncle Fu Wang builds the road, these things are beneficial to the merchants and the people. Although the younger nephew is poor, he also supports the behavior of Uncle Fu. The nephew is willing to sell the cement to Uncle Fu at a 20% discount. "This great thing about road construction, don't let a few uncle Wang break down, Zhu Youjian had to make a sacrifice, but he didn't know whether he could raise funds for the road construction. As for the cement discount, it is estimated that it will not be discounted, that is, make less money.
"The wise nephew is really kind. However, on the road from Nanyang to Huaiqing, this king is not willing to repair it. There is also not much land for this king. I don't know if the three king brothers are willing to repair this section? This will do something for the people. Good thing, you can't miss the three princes." Zhu Changxun is still aggressive and didn't put the three elder brothers in his eyes at all. Who told them not to support himself as a prince
Asking me to spend money on road repairs, I am already living tight, and I want to ask for some pocket money from Zhu Youjian. Zhu Changrun was frightened in a cold sweat, and he blurted out: "Our fief is not in Henan, so why should we go to Henan to build roads?"
"What's wrong with not being in Henan? Henan is not the land of Zhu's family?" Zhu Changxun finally found his pleasure. Zhu Changying criticized him just now. Now they are the same. They have no profit. Who would make useless investments
"A few uncles and princes, everyone is their own, and it is not guilty to let outsiders read the jokes. Today is my nephew’s big day. Who will build this section of the route, I’ll talk about it later. It’s not early now. Let’s eat first. My nephew hasn’t seen you for a long time. It’s time for some uncles and princes. Today, my nephew is toasting some uncles and princes. Ying Yuan, prepare wine and food." Zhu Youjian raised his voice and said to Xu Yingyuan outside the hall.
"Haha, let me fix the road! Who made my fiefdom be in Luoyang! Let me see how many brothers Wang did to benefit the people in their fiefdom! Haha." Although two hundred thousand liang is not a decimal, But Zhu Changxun still doesn't care too much, he just wants to see how downright a few Wang brothers are. "As for this wine, I have something to do this afternoon, so let the three kings drink first! Their fiefs don’t have much good wine. Three kings, drink more, don’t disappoint your nephew’s goodwill. Nephew, tonight. I'll drink your wedding wine again and accept the visit of the two newcomers." Zhu Changxun arched his hands and walked out of the hall without looking at the crowd again. When he bowed his hands, he turned to the outside of the hall, and it seemed that something particularly important was waiting for him.