Zhu Cihong's energy in the past few days has been focused on handling internal affairs.

Daming is too big, and there may only be one or two problems in various places. But when you put it together, it looks like a lot of things.

The good news is that the Firearms Division has imitated the 12-pounder Franc cannon, and Zhu Cihong personally went to inspect it and found that this imitation cannon is not much worse than the genuine product of the Franc man.

This is absolutely gratifying.

You must know that this Ming Dynasty can imitate three-pounder cannons and six-pounder cannons at most, but twelve-pounder cannons have never been made.

Three-pounder guns and six-pounder guns, although lightweight, can be used in field battles at any time. But it was far less powerful than a twelve-pounder gun.

Zhu Cihong was very happy to see that Daming had the manufacturing technology of such a sharp weapon.

For this reason, Zhu Cihong rewarded the craftsmen who successfully imitated this kind of artillery, which also gave a signal to the outside world, that is, I have clear rewards and punishments. As long as you can make something, I will reward you.

For the encouragement of craftsmen in the Ministry of Industry, Zhu Cihong has always spared no effort.

From the original Longjiang Shipyard to the current Huangming Firearms Division.

From the beginning, the Huangming Firearms Division mainly made all kinds of firearms, and now it has also begun to imitate the Franc cannon, and its business can be described as a comprehensive upgrade.

Of course, this has something to do with Zhu Cihong's needs, most of Huangming's current artillery is still Hongyi cannons, although the power is huge, but it is too bulky and does not meet Zhu Cihong's tactical needs.

The addition of various Franc cannons can effectively enrich the tactical play of the Ming army.

After seeing the twelve-pounder Franc cannon, Zhu Cihong, accompanied by Gao Hongtu, the secretary of the Ministry of Industry, visited the branch specializing in flintlock pistols.

According to the drawings given by Zhu Cihong, the craftsmen worked day and night to make a prototype gun.

This type of gun is not ignited by a fire rope, but by striking the fire door with a flint, which ignites the gunpowder and fires.

It's a pity that the accuracy and range of the sample gun are not as ideal, and it will take time to make a replacement gun in batches.

However, Zhu Cihong still felt very happy.

After all, this can be regarded as a qualitative leap. As for the details, you can polish it slowly.

Zhu Cihong asked about the situation of the newly built sea ships at the Longjiang Shipyard, and was very satisfied when he learned that these new ships, along with the boats in the Xinjiang Estuary Naval Division, had sailed into the sea along the river and headed for Dengzhou.

The restoration of the Dengzhou Navy Division is urgent.

After returning to the palace, Jiang Yueguang, the head of the household, asked to see him.

Although Zhu Cihong was not very satisfied with Jiang Yueguang recently, he still summoned him.

"Jiang Yueguang, the secretary of the Ministry of Households, greets Your Majesty!"

Jiang Yueguang gave Zhu Cihong a big salute and was given a flat body.

"Why did Jiang Aiqing ask to see me?"

"Your Majesty, the minister has come up with a way to raise the salary of the sailor."

Not long ago, Jiang Yueguang was severely reprimanded by Zhu Cihong for only reaching out for money, and he couldn't think of a way so quickly, which made Zhu Cihong feel a little surprised.

"Oh? Let's hear it. ”

Zhu Cihong said lightly.

"Your Majesty, along the coast of Denglai, there are many merchants engaged in maritime trade. Why can't the sailor do this business? ”

Zhu Cihong was really taken aback.

Listening to Jiang Yueguang's meaning, he wanted the sailor to do sea trade.

"I'm afraid that's not right. The sailor is part of my Ming official army, how can I turn to sea trade. ”

Zhu Cihong frowned.

It is one thing to collect sea taxes, it is another thing to open an Huangming trading company, but it is another thing to do sea trade in person.

After all, the imperial court is the imperial court, and there are some things that cannot be done directly. Even if you really want to do it, you have to wear a layer of skin, such as the Huangming Trading Company, which is still a businessman on the surface.

This Jiang Yueguang, he doesn't like to be ugly, I also think it's ugly.

"If Your Majesty is worried that this move will hinder the dignity of the Emperor, you don't have to. Denglai sailors hang military flags during drills, and merchant flags when doing maritime trade, isn't it okay? ”

In Jiang Yueguang's view, no matter how much you collect taxes, it is not as cost-effective as doing it yourself.

The profiteering of sea trade is well known. Instead of giving up the bulk of the profits to those businessmen, it is better to pocket all the profits.

"It's not just a matter of the court's decency."

Zhu Cihong felt a little crying and laughing.

"A trip to the sea can take as little as a few months, or as much as half a year. What if the sailors go to sea to trade, but I want to use them to defend against the enemy? ”

In any case, the first role of the sailor is to fight, and it is not right to put the cart before the horse.

"This... It's the ministers who owe it to consider. ”

Jiang Yueguang secretly complained in his heart.

He originally thought that he could win the appreciation of His Majesty the Emperor by this method, but who knew that what he thought was completely wrong with what the Son of Heaven thought.

"But I think what Jiang Aiqing said is very reasonable."

Zhu Cihong paused and said, "The imperial court can go to the sea, but it must be in the name of the Huangming Trading Company. A separate fleet had to be built. ”

Previously, Huangming Trading Company was only a nominal party as a guarantee, and the main body was still some maritime merchants. In this way, the profits obtained by the imperial court are limited, and if they can trade at sea as the main body, the profits may be multiplied several times.

Previously, Zhu Cihong did not choose to do this, and the main reason was that his shipbuilding capacity was limited. At that time, the entire Longjiang Shipyard was in a semi-paralyzed state, and Zhu Cihong could only rely on major maritime merchants, including Zheng Zhilong, to put up the shelves first.

But that's no longer the case.

In just a few months, there are dozens of large Fu ships and Guangzhou ships built by Longjiang Shipyard, not to mention those small boats.

In this case, it is indeed possible to consider building a dozen ships specifically for maritime trade.

With his own maritime trade fleet, Zhu Cihong didn't have to look too much at the faces of Zheng Zhilong and other maritime merchants, and the Huangming Trading Company could really stand up.

"Ahh

Jiang Yueguang hurriedly climbed up the pole: "Your Majesty is wise, Your Majesty is wise." Merchant warships should naturally be separated! ”

Zhu Cihong smiled and said, "That's it." Now that Jiang Aiqing is here, I still have something to discuss with you. ”

Zhu Cihong stood up and paced a few steps and said, "I plan to issue treasury bonds, but I don't know if the household department has any ideas. ”

"National debt?"

Jiang said that Guangzhi felt that there were some clouds and mountains and fog.

"The old minister is stupid, dare to ask His Majesty what the national debt means?"

Zhu Cihong explained: "The national debt, as the name suggests, is the debt owed by the imperial court. I plan to issue government bonds to the world in the name of the imperial court, and anyone who buys government bonds will receive principal and interest after a certain period of time. I intend to take three, five, and ten years. ”

Jiang Yueguang deserved to be the head of the household, and immediately understood what Zhu Cihong meant.

Your Majesty, this is going to release money!

Lending money to collect interest is a normal thing in the people. But if it is done by the imperial court, it always feels awkward.

Especially how harsh the word debt sounds.

Doesn't it mean that the small people who bought the treasury bonds have become the creditors of the Ming court?

Isn't this relationship between dignity and inferiority messed up, that's great!

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