"Long live my emperor, long live, long live!"

The three of them came to the front of the temple, and after announcing their names, they shouted long live.

This voice reveals loyalty to Jiajing, as for the wish of long live, it is naturally just a form slogan, and no one will think that Jiajing can break the limitation of life span and live to 10,000 years.

Jiajing, who was wearing a blue robe, was lying on the soft collapse, looking not very good in spirit, raised his hand and said lightly to the three of them: "Everyone, Aiqing, flat!" ”

The three of them thanked each other, Wu Shan and Yan Ne turned their heads slightly, hoping that Xu Jie would be the first to break the silent situation, but Xu Jie was silently waiting for Jiajing to speak first.

Jiajing was flipping through the congratulatory sheet that had just been presented to the reborn son of the white turtle, and read a congratulatory sheet in his hand carefully, and then said lightly: "I came to you for the sake of the salt law!" ”

As soon as these words came out, the three of them immediately had different emotions.

The corners of Xu Jie's mouth rose slightly, and everything was under control. Although Lin Haoran is indeed quite smart, he is too young after all, and after everything goes smoothly, he will inevitably do something to destroy the Great Wall.

The Ticket Salt Law seems to be a sharp weapon to solve the salt policy, but this sharp weapon will also hurt the person who threw the sharp weapon.

Yan Ne had just received Xu Jie's reminder and knew the emperor's intention to summon them this time, so he was not much surprised, but secretly admired Xu Jie's accurate speculation about the emperor.

Wu Shan is a very smart person, and his brows furrowed slightly at this time. Although the emperor did not explain the specific reason, he knew that the matter must have started from his son-in-law, who was already a reformer of the Ming Dynasty salt administration.

The salt matter that can make the emperor summon the three of them here to discuss is naturally related to the new ticket law.

Jiajing did not fight dumbly this time, but said openly and honestly: "Lin Haoran neglected me yesterday and proposed to implement a new salt law in Lianghuai, and I want to buy and listen to your opinions!" ”

After all, the salt tax is the second largest tax related to the Ming Dynasty's finances, even if it is Emperor Jiajing, who has always been rigid and self-serving, he will not easily make a decision, but will listen to the opinions of all sides.

In the past, he listened to Yan Song's opinion, so he raised the tax on Huaiyan from 600,000 taels to 1 million taels. Then, he listened to Xu Jie's opinion, so he reduced the tax on Huai Yan from one million taels to six hundred thousand taels.

It can be seen from this that Jiajing is not completely arbitrary in major state affairs, but also able to listen to the opinions of courtiers, and often listens to the opinions of favored ministers.

Xu Jie saw that things were as he expected, and the corners of his mouth curled up in a larger arc, quietly watching the development of the situation.

After Jiajing explained the reason, he gave Huang Jin next to him a look.

Huang Jin was able to stand in this position, mainly because he was able to reach a tacit understanding with Jiajing, and even said aloud with understanding: "According to the Imperial History of the Left Deputy of the Metropolitan Procuratorate, the new salt law will be implemented in Lianghuai. The imperial court was invited to compile the salt received by the salt merchants into a compendium, which was divided into ten compendiums, with one compendium every year, nine compendiums and nine quotes, and new quotes were issued every year according to the number on the book. The compendium allows all merchants to be kept as a 'nest book' forever, and every year it is introduced according to the old number in the book, and those who are nameless are not allowed to join. The right to buy, sell, and sell salt belongs to the merchant and is hereditary. ”

"What? Lin Haoran didn't want to implement the ticket salt law? ”

After hearing Huang Jin's words, Yan Ne's eyes couldn't help but widen, looking at Huang Jin in disbelief, and secretly surprised in his heart.

Wu Shan's expression was very solemn, and he seriously pondered over this new salt method. But I have to admit that he, his son-in-law and protégé, always has so many wonderful ideas, which can always bring impact to people.

Xu Jie's face remained gentle as usual, but his eyes became more profound, and his heart was even more turbulent.

For a long time, he thought that Lin Haoran went to Yangzhou to implement the ticket salt law. He wanted to implement the Guangdong salt system in Huaiyan, and then implement it throughout the country, so as to become the reformer of the Ming salt policy.

But he never expected that this kid knew the drawbacks of the ticket salt law from beginning to end, not only did he not choose to be the enemy of the world, but also wanted to use it to win over a force.

Compared with the need to rely on connections to make a profit from all parties, the hereditary right of this salt business is simply fascinating, and those salt merchants will not only not target Lin Haoran, but will firmly support Lin Haoran.

It was only at this time that Xu Jie realized how wrong he was, but he underestimated Lin Haoran from a distance, and even more underestimated Lin Haoran's political acumen.

Jiajing first glanced at the three people who had different reactions, and finally turned his gaze to Yan Ne, who was surprised by the pockmarked face, and asked directly: "Yan Aiqing, you are the head of the household, tell me what you think of this Gang Salt Law!" ”

Xu Jie's and Wu Shan's gazes immediately fell on Yan Ne, while Xu Jie's gaze was more solemn. Now that the salt law has been thrown, and the emperor has found three of their important ministers, their opinions will become very important.

Although Huang Jin was not keen on political affairs, he was keenly aware of the disputes that existed here, and he also turned his head to look at Yan Ne.

Yan Ne suddenly felt an invisible pressure pressing on his body, although he couldn't tell whether this salt method was good or bad, but he knew what kind of attitude he had towards Lin Haoran, and even found fault and said: "The minister thinks that this law is not proper!" ”

As soon as these words came out, Huang Jin secretly looked at Jiajing, wanting to see what kind of reaction Jiajing would have.

Jiajing's gaze was still on the congratulatory sheet in his hand, and he just turned to Dong Fen's congratulatory form, looking slightly engrossed, and only after a long time did he react leisurely: "Why?" ”

The voice was not high, and the tone was not emotional, as if he was a sage monarch who spoke widely.

Xu Jie had been secretly observing Jiajing's reaction, but he couldn't capture Jiajing's true thoughts. Sometimes, he had to admit the fact that Yan Song was far stronger than him in this regard.

He assisted Yan Song in serving the emperor for nearly ten years, from a young cabinet minister to a scheming first assistant, he clearly saw that Yan Song can always grasp Jiajing's psychology, thus winning Jiajing's extreme trust and favor.

However, he knew one thing very clearly: the emperor would not be arbitrary in such a major matter as the salt administration, but would listen to their opinions solemnly, and the final direction of the matter was very important to the opinions of the three of them.

As soon as he thought of this, he secretly glanced at Wu Shan, looked at this upright minister, and couldn't help but feel a little vigilant in his heart.

Yan Ne had already found the flaw in it, so he arched his hand seriously: "Back to the emperor, this salt method is not advisable!" Once this method is adopted, it will intensify the monopoly of salt merchants on salt. If you lose the mutual bidding of various salt merchants, the price of salt in the local area will inevitably skyrocket, which will cause the people to eat too much salt, which is a move that hurts the people, please think twice! ”

The monopoly of salt will inevitably lead to an increase in prices, which is a very normal economic logic. Yan Ne's appointment as the secretary of the household department is also conscientious in his duties, and he is even more immersed in economics.

When Xu Jie heard this reason thrown by Yan Ne, his eyes couldn't help but light up slightly, and he immediately looked up at Jiajing.

Jiajing's face showed a contemplative look, but he did not respond to Yan Ne's request, but turned his gaze to Wu Shan and said, "Wu Shangshu, what do you think?" ”

Wu Shan and Lin Haoran's son-in-law and teacher-student relationship is well known throughout the dynasty, and Wu Shan has always attached great importance to this son-in-law, and this matter must be openly contradictory to Yan Ne.

Huang Jin knew that the dispute here was about to arise, so he looked at Wu Shan with interest, wanting to see how he could debate with Yan Ne.

Wu Shan met Jiajing's gaze, but he firmly spit out three words and said: "The minister seconded the proposal!" ”

As soon as these words came out, the people around him were immediately stunned, and the atmosphere suddenly became strange.

"What? He agrees with Yan Ne's opinion? ”

Huang Jin and the others were immediately stunned, thinking that they had heard it wrong, and looked at Wu Shan in amazement.

Not to mention the surrounding palace people, even Xu Jie and Jiajing were slightly stunned, not understanding why Wu Shan would make such a choice, and actually supported Yu Yan and opposed his son-in-law.

Wu Shan ignored the surprised gazes around him, but added very frankly: "Back to the emperor, businessmen are all mercenary!" If they monopolize the salt market, the price will definitely rise, and then the people will eat high-priced salt. ”

Evil law, this is a very severe accusation, and it will even ruin Lin Haoran.

This......

Huang Jin was really stunned, and he couldn't understand that Wu Shan not only did not oppose Yan Ne, but instead stood on the same front with Yan Ne against his son-in-law, but turned his head to look at Jiajing suspiciously.

Jiajing glanced at Wu Shan deeply, had already put down the congratulatory watch in his hand, and suddenly asked seriously: "Son-in-law Wu, this is the salt method proposed by your son-in-law!" ”

"The minister only looks at whether this salt law is beneficial to the country and the people, and never cares about relatives and negligence, please let the emperor see and abandon this evil law!" Wu Shan's body is full of righteousness, and he looks righteous and awe-inspiring.

Jiajing's brows furrowed slightly, but he was silent, did not respond to Wu Shan's request, and instead turned his gaze to Xu Jie and asked, "Elder Xu Ge, what do you think?" ”

Huang Jin turned his head to look at Xu Jie, and sighed secretly in his heart, knowing that the overall situation had been decided.

The three votes all supported the abolition of this salt law, and the emperor would definitely attach importance to the opinions of these three important ministers, so as to refuse Lin Haoran's request and not adopt this new salt law.

Xu Jie faced everyone's eyes and arched his hand at Jiajing: "If there is no preventive policy, the minister also thinks that this method is indeed inappropriate." However, if you can prevent this drawback, it is not a good salt method, and you can try it first! ”

This......

Huang Jin and the others were stunned for a while, and looked at Xu Jie in disbelief.

Wu Shan, who thought he would vigorously support Lin Haoran, opposed the new salt law; Xu Jie, who thought he would strongly oppose Lin Haoran, was unusual, and it turned out to be a new salt law that supported Lin Haoran.

Now, there are no three votes against it, and the largest vote is already in favor of Lin Haoran, resulting in a sudden increase in variables.

Hey?

Huang Jin suddenly noticed that Jiajing's face had softened a lot, and he couldn't help but look at Xu Jie secretly, and found that this person was indeed a first assistant who knew how to judge the situation very well.

It's just that at this time, Yan Ne stood up and said seriously: "Your Majesty, even if it is to prevent salt merchants from raising prices, but to make such a huge amount of salt benefit to the big salt merchants, so that the salt merchants will sit big, the minister still feels inappropriate, which is contrary to the policy of valuing agriculture and suppressing business!" ”

Emphasizing agriculture and suppressing business, this is the fundamental policy of the Ming Dynasty, and it is indeed a very powerful attack.

"The minister seconded the proposal, if this new salt law is adopted, most of the salt profits will definitely be given to those salt merchants, which is not the way to govern the country and secure the country!" Wu Shan was already standing on the same station line as Yan Ne, and immediately expressed his support for Yan Ne.

Jiajing's face suddenly sank, and he asked with a chill: "Are you repaying me like this?" ”

"Panic!" Yan Ne and Wu Shan immediately felt Jiajing's anger, and hurriedly knelt down together to confess.

Jiajing narrowed his eyes, no longer concealed his emotions, and said with a sense of warning: "I know that you love the people, but I hope that you can be loyal to the king!" ”

"The minister is guilty!" Yan Ne and Wu Shan knew that they had touched the dragon scales, and they were guilty again. In the past, love for the people and loyalty to the monarch were usually equal, but in this dynasty they are contradictory.

Jiajing's gaze withdrew from the two of them, and turned to Huang Jin's instructions: "Read it!" ”

Huang Jin cleared his throat and read aloud: "Salt merchants named Cao Meng, Hu Dayong, Xu Yun'an, Weng Zirong, Hua Zisu and others are on the book: the imperial court implements the Gang Salt Law, and they jointly bear the salt tax of at least two million taels per year!" ”

As soon as these words came out, the entire lobby suddenly lost its voice.

The biggest killer feature of the salt method thrown by Lin Haoran is that he was able to ensure the salt tax revenue of the imperial court, which jumped from a mere 600,000 taels to 2 million taels of silver.

Jiajing has always been most concerned about financial revenue, so he agreed to the "silver ban" proposed by Yan's father and son, and then supported Yan's party to rectify the salt government, and later promoted the opening of the sea in the Ming Dynasty.

Now, Lin Haoran has brought a guarantee of two million taels of silver from Huaiyan every year through the new salt law, how can he not make Jiajing feel moved and supportive?

When Xu Jie heard this, he also sighed heavily.

Although he was keenly aware of Jiajing's emotional tendencies in advance, he turned to support Lin Haoran. Just hearing that Lin Haoran had contacted all parties to claim the two million taels of salt tax, he still secretly felt a sense of loss in his heart, and even felt that the back waves of the Yangtze River pushed the front waves.

Inadvertently, Lin Haoran pulled down another city, and even attracted all parties to throw out enough conditions to impress the emperor. For the name of Lin Operator, he has a new understanding.

I am afraid that as early as the beginning of his southward journey, Lin Haoran had already calculated everything and planned to implement the salt acceptance law in Lianghuai.

Jiajing didn't pay attention to Yan Ne and Wu Shan, but looked at Xu Jie and asked, "Elder Xu Ge, do you think this salt method is feasible?" ”

The eyes of Huang Jin and the others immediately fell on Xu Jie, and the choice of the new salt method was already tied to Xu Jie. Out of their understanding of Xu Jie, everyone understood that it was impossible for this old fox to admit defeat so easily, let alone let Lin Haoran's salt method pass.