Since it is impossible to keep grain prices within a reasonable range through legitimate political channels, it is no wonder that Liu Hong has engaged in the monopoly of capital in later generations.

Shaofu buys unlimited amounts of grain, and at the same time sells unlimited amounts of grain - these two points alone are enough to achieve a monopoly on the grain market, so that other individuals who intend to make profits from grain will lose their profit space!

——The common people are not stupid~ After the autumn harvest, they can sell the harvested grain to Shaofu at a price of 80 yuan per stone, and in the following year, they can buy rice at a price of 85 yuan and go home as rations.

As a result, if a grain merchant wanted to buy grain from the peasants, he had to pay a price of more than 80 yuan per stone; If you want to have sales, the selling price should not be higher than eighty-five dollars per stone.

In other words, as long as this happens, the price of grain in the Han family will be completely constant between eighty and eighty-five yuan!

Without sufficient profit margins, the grain trade will gradually fade out of the vision of the merchants and eventually fall into the hands of the Shaofu; At that time, Shaofu will achieve a monopoly on grain in the name of the state!

If this achievement is achieved, most of the problems that the Han family faces today, as well as more than half of the problems that may arise in the future, can be alleviated to a large extent.

Stable food prices play an undoubted role in reassuring the people; At the same time, the state's financial situation will also be greatly improved because of the 'state monopoly on grain trading' -- under the current tax rate of 15 taxes and 1 month, the agricultural tax of the Han dynasty will be nearly 200,000 yuan, and the profits generated by the grain monopoly will definitely not be less than the agricultural tax!

With the situation of 'grain monopoly', Liu Hong could increase his prestige in the hearts of the people by halving the grain tax, or even reducing the grain tax intermittently and comprehensively, and thereby weaken the power of the foreign dynasty, especially the prime minister's mansion - a large part of the source of the power of the foreign dynasty is the financial power of the treasury!

Liu Hong can even directly cancel the grain tax after reaching a grain monopoly - the agricultural tax that originally belonged to the state treasury will be abolished, and the profits of grain trade, which is only a lot more than the agricultural tax, will all go to Liu Hong's small treasury and Shaofu!

The left hand is down to the right hand, the country's financial revenue is not affected at all, but the financial power that originally belonged to the foreign dynasty can all flow into Liu Hong's hands!

Even if the final situation is not so optimistic, Liu Hong can reasonably and legally reduce the agricultural tax to the historical one: thirty taxes and one; In this regard, the court can't find fault at all.

Empty treasury?

It's okay ~ Shaofu is very fulfilling; If there is money in the court, you can tell me~

With such a layer of 'begging Liu Hong for money' procedure, the government will be invisibly and slowly fall into Liu Hongdi's control.

Not to mention tax cuts? Is it a 'benevolent government' that improves the stability of the country and the lives of the people? Neither the court nor public opinion can raise objections.

Combining various backgrounds? The introduction of grain protection prices? It has almost become inevitable - with Liu Hong's secret support and the endorsement of Zhang Cang, the imperial historian? With the support of at least six people in Jiuqing, Uncle Tian's proposal to 'regulate grain prices in Shaofu'? It will be passed in today's council!

At the very least? It will also be tried in Guanzhong and gradually implemented in the world.

As for what tricks the courtiers and nobles whose interests have been damaged, Liu Hong also has a rough idea in his heart - the left and right are just coercion and temptation to prevent the people from selling grain to Shaofu and buying grain from Shaofu? Or block the road along the way.

To this? Liu Hong has also made arrangements.

"Yesterday, the Hun envoys came to visit, and I ordered Feng Chang to record the list of 'bullying and oppressing Xiongnu envoys', and Feng Chang can write it down?"

As soon as Liu Hong's words came out, the originally buzzing Xuanshu Hall was quiet; Everyone cast their eyes on the Chaoban on the left, second only to the three princes? Liu Budo, who ranks the highest in Jiuqing!

Liu Budo walked to the center of the hall generously and bowed: "Feng Chang leads the sect and the ministers do not doubt that your majesty will give you an explanation yesterday?" The ministers have all been recorded in this brief. ”

As he spoke, Liu Budo took out a roll of bamboo slips that were obviously much thicker than Uncle Tian's sparse letter? Raise your hands above your head.

After receiving Liu Hong's eye signal as planned, Liu Budo laboriously spread out the bamboo slips that were almost dragged on the ground? The contents of the records are reported in order.

"The tomb of the late emperor Taifu An Guohou? Rods to hit the Hun envoys? Break the skull of Han Zhang, the deputy envoy of the Huns! ”

"The servant Boyang Marquis Chen Bi, stabbed the Hun envoy with his fist, and broke the face of the Hun deputy envoy Han Zhang; Break its ribs! ”

"Zhang Cang, the Marquis of Beiping, the imperial historian, stepped on the Hun envoys, and broke the nose of the Huns who were bald!"

Hearing Liu Budo spit out a personal name, the courtier Xungui, who wanted to bow his head and accept criticism, suddenly raised his head, and his face was full of doubts.

- This...

Aren't they all members of the Imperial Party?

Liu Budo's announcement of the 'fine' did not stop, and continued to expose the 'crime' committed by the Han courtiers against the Xiongnu mission yesterday.

"Uncle Hou Tian of Shaofu Yi'an, elbowed the Hun envoy and broke the ribs of the three people of the Hun mission, one of whom died and died that night!"

Thinking of this, except for a few members of the imperial party who knew about this matter, the faces of the rest of the courtiers and officials were full of doubts.

- Your Majesty, what do you want?

A personal name appeared in Liu Budo's mouth together with the 'crime' he committed; Sangong was better, only Zhang Cang made a move, and Jiuqing almost all went into battle with the chief official and adjutant, leaving his own 'mark' on the Xiongnu mission.

The lords are even more terrifying - just Liu Budo's statistics have almost wiped out the Chehou who eats more than a thousand stones; Guan Neihou also has a few guts and fat, appearing in the list.

And the last 'ticket' read out by Liu Budo pushed the doubts in the hearts of the courtiers and officials in the palace and the Marquis of Che to the peak.

I saw Liu Budo pause slightly, coughed twice in embarrassment, and then said with a pale face as usual: "Liu Budo, who is the leader of the sect, kicked the Hun envoys, and broke the fingers and ribs of the Huns' deputy envoy Han Zhang; Break the head of the Huns' chief envoy Xu Bu Bald; Fold the spine of the Hun envoy and his entourage..."

Under the dumbfounded eyes of hundreds of people in the hall, Liu Budo calmly read out his exploits, and then rolled up the bamboo slip and held it above his head again: "This is the list of guilty courtiers and nobles, please look at it Your Majesty..."

Seeing the bamboo slips that were likely to weigh ten catties, Wang Zhong was ordered by the eunuch to go up the imperial steps step by step, and the hundreds of officials in the palace subconsciously lowered their heads, and waited for Liu Hong's sentence quite unwillingly.

——What is the crime of our Han family's majesty?

Soon, Liu Hong's loud voice gave an explanation for the doubts in the hearts of the courtiers and officials.

"The state of etiquette of our Han family, foreign envoys, should treat each other with the courtesy of guests, how can foreign envoys add fists and feet?"

As he spoke, Liu Hong did not see the chagrin and anger caused by the 'diplomatic faux pas' on his face, and only said lightly: "All officials who are listed in this policy will be punished for half a year; The lord is fined ten gold! ”

Ben tightened his neck, waiting for Liu Hong's guillotine to fall, and the courtiers and officials suddenly cast their cute eyes on the royal stairs - just... That's it?

Immediately afterwards, Liu Hongdi's words once again subverted everyone's three views: "Yu Gong, this matter has damaged the face of my Han family, and I should be punished." ”

"However, in private, what Qing Cao did was very heartfelt!"

Under the shocked gaze of everyone in the hall, Liu Hong's face showed heartfelt agreement: "All the loyal ministers and righteous people who reprimand Yidi in the face should be rewarded without hesitation!" ”

As he spoke, Liu Hong smiled lightly and raised the bamboo slip in his hand: "Anyone who records his name in this book will be rewarded with a sword, ten gold, and ten cloth; Those who rank thousands of stones, and those who are on the marquis in Jueguan will be given another hundred gold! ”

Hearing this, the slightly dull person secretly calculated: the penalty for half a year is tens of thousands of dollars, and the reward is not to mention the sword, just the ten gold, it is worth 100,000...

This, what's the situation?

The person who reacted already showed a clear look, unconsciously straightened his chest, and his tone was full of pride: "Your Majesty Fu Wei is a blessing, and the ministers are only the first to bow, and they are just a hundred worshippers..."

Looking at the faces of his colleagues who were forced to be excited, and the undisguised appreciation in Liu Hong's eyes on the royal steps, no matter how dull they were, they all reacted.

- What kind of punishment for half a year, it is simply for the Huns to see!

His Majesty raised his hands and feet in agreement on this matter!

Liu Hong's subsequent actions completely pushed the passion in the hearts of the courtiers and officials to a climax.

I saw Liu Hong casually hand over the bamboo slip to Wang Zhong beside him, and explained in a 'whisper': "Take it and burn it." ”

Immediately afterwards, Liu Hong explained to the Diankeqing 'seriously': "Tell the Xiongnu envoys that I have been heavily punished for yesterday's incident; If the Huns are dissatisfied with this, they will come to find me. ”

Gently spit out the word 'Xun Zhen', Liu Hong sneered unabashedly, and muttered 'casually': "I still control 400,000 strings, when I am scared?" ”

When the sound fell, the hall was swept by a heaven-shattering voice: "Your Majesty Shengming!!!!! ”

What is the experience of five or six hundred adult men who have been practicing martial arts all year round, shouting in unison with passion and 'Your Majesty's Holy Order'?

- Liu Hong has tried his best to suppress, but the enjoyment that still overflows his eyes is enough to give an answer.

Refreshing!

Cool to the extreme!

Speaking of which, this is the first time in Liu Hong's two lives combined that he has experienced this kind of enjoyment that goes deep into the bone marrow - for a moment, Liu Hong felt that he was already standing on the top of the mountain, looking down on all beings...

Liu Hong thought that making a tough stance on the Xiongnu mission would win him a lot of support, but Liu Hong never expected that the effect would be so strong!

What Liu Hong didn't know was that more than 99% of the nearly 600 adult men standing in the hall had experienced the tragic death of their family members under the hooves of the Huns (1)!

-- The officials who can climb to the center are all downgraded by solid military experience; The lords and nobles have won today's lofty status by relying on real military exploits!

And today, when Han Li has only been in the army for 20 years, rich military experience means that one by one Xiongnu heads; The reliable political component represents the souls of the heroes who died one by one...

For the Huns, the courtiers and nobles of the Han family were not only out of desire for military achievements, but also felt 'hungry and thirsty' - the hatred for the Huns was deeply engraved into the bones of every Han person as early as after the Battle of Baideng!

Even if there is no military merit or martial arts, they cannot win any status, and the vast majority of Han people are also willing to bring their own saddle horse military rations and spontaneously participate in the war against the Xiongnu!

- Blood Feud!

Not to mention every Han family; At least every Han family in the north has a deep hatred with the Huns!

In the context of this era, an emperor who hates the Xiongnu and is not afraid in front of the Huns can definitely win the favor of the vast majority of Han people!

For the courtiers and nobles, an emperor who is tough on the outside world reveals another layer of information that makes people's blood swell...

War!

It would have taken ten or even twenty years to accumulate political qualifications, but at that time, it only took a few enemy heads to get a war!

Let's not mention Liu Hong's political skills and political wisdom, even if he is a child emperor who doesn't eat minced meat, he will say a sentence in the matter of the Huns, 'I am not afraid of you!' It is enough to make the courtiers and officials slam a lot of chicken blood!

Such a 'vigorous' and high-spirited pattern of the government and the opposition is exactly what Liu Hong needs in the future.

This is also the pie that Liu Hong drew for vested interest groups for the purpose of escorting the grain protection price policy - in the face of war, no problem is a problem!

Compared with snatching food from the mouth of the mud leg, the benefits that war can bring are more direct, larger, and more exciting.

This is also a choice made by countless feudal emperors in history: to transfer the contradictions outward to alleviate the internal contradictions.

The price of grain protection is a good governance that can improve the control of the regime, the financial capacity, and the control of the state. But in the same way, no matter what era, the protective price of grain will inevitably face layers of obstacles.

There is no other reason, only the word profit.

In the words of this time, it is the bustle of the world, and it is all for profit; The world is crowded, all for profit.

In the words of later generations, there is no buying and selling, there is no killing...

As long as there is a stable vested interest group for the existence of any thing, its change will inevitably meet with strong resistance from that group; The difference is only in the strength of its resistance, whether the state can handle it or not.

Just like in the original history, if the Donglin Party said 'not competing with the people for profit', the regime could only obediently go to its doomed demise.

Try it when you change to Qin?

As soon as these words came out, Qin Shi Huang was afraid that he would have another stigma of 'pit x'!

In the final analysis, the key to the implementation of a policy lies in whether the policy implementers can buy off or eliminate vested interest groups to create a smooth political environment for the implementation of the policy.

Qin Shi Huang turned all the Qin people into vested interests in farming and warfare, and Qin swept the Six Kingdoms into the garbage heap of history; Wang Anshi failed to deal with vested interest groups, so Wang Anshi changed the law, and finally pushed Song to a faster demise.

In the same way, if Liu Hong wants to implement the policy of protecting grain prices, and many other people's cakes in the future, the difficulty lies only in whether he can kill or buy vested interest groups.

For the time being, the vested interests involved in the grain protection price matter are mainly the courtiers and bureaucrats who make a living from the lucids, and the marquis and nobles who make a living from the feudal state and taxes—as for the merchants, their political status in the Han family is: no status.

These two, at least the bureaucratic class, are what Liu Hong can force the bull head to drink - don't forget, the master is a feudal emperor!

Bureaucrats below the rank of Jiuqing and below 2,000 stones, not to mention Liu Hong, who is the emperor, even the prime minister can decide whether he will stay or go with a word.

As for more than 2,000 stones, to be honest, people don't care much about that little bit of money.

- Let's just say that the three princes and nine ministers of the DPRK and the Central People's Republic of China, which one is not a noble?

Ask Zhou Bo, is it the 200,000 stone corn incense obtained by the feudal country in a year, or the 4,200 stone corn incense issued by the imperial court!

Even Liu Jie, the internal historian, has a feudal tax of nearly 30,000 stone corn a year; But there are only more than 2,000 stones.

In other words, those small shrimps that really sell at a high price, the identity of Emperor Liu Hong can be steadily crushed; And those giants who can't be suppressed by Liu Hong don't care about this at all - people are officials, that is to realize their political ambitions!

Therefore, what Liu Hong has to do is very simple: take out a pie that is bigger than 'making the difference in grain price', and let Xungui give up making profits from grain.

The war is the pie drawn by Liu Hong for the vested interest groups damaged by the grain protection price policy, that is, the 'Chehou Xungui clique'.

It is true that this Han-Hungarian diplomacy is most likely to be based on the Han family's pursuit of peace - this is not determined by Liu Hong's personal will, but by the actual situation of the country and the objective comparison of Han and Hungarian strength.

But Liu Hong's toughness is enough to show Liu Hongdi's determination: when the time is ripe, he will raise troops to the north and step on the grassland!

With this turnip falling in front of him, the far-sighted nobles will naturally focus their attention on training their sons, nephews, and private soldiers, and be ready to make more meritorious contributions in the war; Stable grain prices can also make the country rich and strong faster, and provide a material foundation for the future Han-Hungarian war.

As for those who are short-sighted and still want to eat from the mouths of the people, Liu Hong doesn't mind learning Emperor Wu's 'Honorarium' to clean up the rice worms in the honor.

Liu Hong even wants to come up with a set of elimination systems for the noble class at the end in the future, similar to the football league in later generations: in the middle of the Che Hou, the top few meritorious ones will automatically get the opportunity to play in the next war (European competition); The latter were demoted to the Marquis of Guannai (demoted); The same is true for the Marquis of Guannei, the first few meritorious ones are Feng Chehou (upgraded), and the last few are demoted...

Pulling back the absurd thoughts that flew 108,000 miles away, looking at the courtiers and nobles in the hall whose faces were flushed, and who had already thrown Uncle Tian aside, Liu Hong showed a relaxed smile.

-- The protective price of grain will be implemented in Guanzhong from tomorrow!

·

·

·

PS: 1. Some people may think that every bureaucrat has relatives who died at the hands of the Huns, which is a bit alarmist, but in the early Han Dynasty, this was really the reality.

The composition of the army of the Han family is generally to turn the soldiers of unified origin into the same formation, so that the army can be better managed through the feelings of the township party, so basically, the four big soldiers led by each army commander are the hometown of this army commander.

Before the Common Era, the township party almost died by the same as their relatives - not because of analogy, but because the clans of the same surname were generally gathered in the same township, and between each fellow villager, they were distant relatives.

And the bureaucrats who were able to climb to the center in the early Han Dynasty were all based on solid military exploits, so in the process of these officials and lords following Liu Bang to fight, it was inevitable that their distant relatives and big soldiers would die in battle.