"Xili ......"

During the cold winter months, the people in the north are resting at home and surviving the cold winter.

A town on the border of Datong in Shanxi Province is full of workers in thin clothes and black bodies.

At the entrance of the mine under the mountain bag, miners kept coming in and out, some of them carried water, some pushed carts, and some came out to rest in shifts, although their bodies were very dirty, but the smiles on their faces did not decrease.

They are Ming miners in the Shanxi government-run coal mine, and their daily work is mining.

However, unlike usual, all the miners in the mining area were called out of the pit today, and horse-drawn carriages also drove into the mining area.

"Zhang Zhubo, this is the Datong Coal Mine, there are nearly 3,000 miners working here, and the market town that I just passed by in the south is where their relatives live."

As a young man stepped out of the carriage, the director of the mine hurriedly greeted him and introduced all the Datong Coal Mine to the young man.

For everything he had introduced, the young man bowed his head and said at the same time:

"This time, the imperial court has sent twenty Tai Scholars, and they will be responsible for directing your people to install the pumping machine."

"These pumps have been tried in the Fangshan mining area, and the results are very good."

"If these pumps can work in the same way in Datong, then the people of Datong don't have to worry about firewood."

Zhang Chengshan explained to the principal and walked towards the mining area at the same time.

A manager next to the principal saw him walking away, and deliberately asked in a low voice: "This person is just a master, why do you respect him so much?" ”

"Be quiet, this guy is the main thin of Bohai, which is different from the main thin of other places." The principal hurriedly asked the manager to shut down, and then followed Zhang Chengshan's footsteps with a smile.

In a short time, in the presence of all the workers, a steel object with a length and width of nearly six feet was lifted off the carriage, and its weight was nearly a thousand catties.

The miners helped to lift it off the wagon, and then some young men dressed in black coarse linen clothes but with a very white appearance began to direct the miners to carry the machines.

Under their command, a long hollow pole was attached to the pit, which was then connected by them to a small machine three feet long and three feet wide.

Soon, a long, fairly tough black hollow tube was attached to the bottom of the mine and was commanded to be fastened to the other end of the small machine.

"Fetch some coal!"

A man in his thirties spoke, and several miners moved baskets of coal to the large machine outside the pit.

"Ten people who have gone to elementary school will come and learn."

Another call sounded, and soon ten eighteen or nineteen-year-old miners walked out.

"Look, this pump works like this......"

In the teachings of the Prince, the boiler of the pumping machine was turned on, and the coal was shoveled into it by him, and in a short time the fire began to burn.

Then, his hand pulled a few levers on the machine, and soon the existence he called a pumping machine made a "buzzing" sound.

This sudden sound startled the miners around, but with the mood of watching the excitement, the miners around were frightened, not only did not stay away, but got closer and closer.

"Okay, now come with me to turn on that pump inside!"

Although he was a high-ranking bachelor, he did not show any disgust in the face of the mine, but easily led the miners into the mine and activated the pump to help pump water.

The moment they turned on the pump, the coarse cloth, wire-tied pump, began pumping water from the pit.

In just a few breaths, the water in the pit is pumped to the outside pump, and finally the water in the pit is pumped out of the mine.

"Pumping out the water!"

"It's really pumped out!"

"There's a lot of water, more than I can carry out in an hour!"

"No, there's something pumping, so what are we going to do?"

"yes, you won't want us......

For a time, the miners' chatter even drowned out the sound of the pumping machine.

In the face of their worries, Zhang Chengshan stepped forward to ask people to turn off the pumping machine, and then said to the people around him:

"The mine doesn't lay off a single worker who hasn't violated discipline, the pumping machine is for you to work in a more comfortable environment, and you don't want to be in the water all day, right?"

"Although there is no pumping work now, there has always been mining work, and we can still mine if we can't pump water."

"Everyone should know that the wages given by the government-run mining area are the highest, since the imperial court began to take over the government-run mining area, you ask yourself, is life better than before, or has it become worse?"

Zhang Chengshan's voice spread, although only a few hundred people heard it, but people are creatures that can spread, and soon the following discussion fell to Zhang Chengshan.

"The work in the government-run mines is 130 wen a day, and the private ones are only 70 wen, of course, the government is comfortable."

"Seventy wen is still the current price, in the past, when there was no official operation, private mining areas only gave thirty wen a day."

"Yes, now my family can eat meat every day, which was unimaginable before."

"If you can't pump water, then let's mine, what are you afraid of."

"Yes, as long as the court doesn't want us, mining and pumping are not the same."

"With this pumping thing, we don't have to soak our legs in the water to mine."

"It does ......"

Seeing that public opinion fell to him, Zhang Chengshan continued:

"The reason why the imperial court wants to use a water pump is to prevent your feet from soaking in the water to mine, and after you have a water pump, the price of coal will become cheaper and cheaper."

"At that time, not only us, but even the people of Datong Mansion and even the entire Shanxi will be able to use cheap coal."

"Another ......"

Zhang Chengshan kept talking, and the mood of the miners gradually stabilized.

Seeing that the miners were stable, Wu Zhangshi of the mining area hurriedly began to call people to install the pumping machine.

This time, Zhang Chengshan brought 20 pumping machines, which can function 20 mines.

Although it is not worth mentioning for the hundreds of mines in the Datong mining area, with the continuous production and installation of pumping machines, sooner or later the Datong area will be able to use pumping machines in every mining cavern.

Incidents similar to those in the Datong mining area also occurred in Fangshan, Xinzhou and other mining areas in Shanxi and Beizhili, and this situation was also reported by local directors such as Zhang Chengshan and finally handed over to Zhu Gaoxu's desk.

"Well, after the pumping machine is arranged, the coal mining volume has increased significantly, and the coal price has also dropped significantly in several places where the pumping machine is promoted."

In the Wuying Palace, Zhu Gaoxu enthusiastically evaluated the impact of the pumping machine entering the mining area.

Zhu Di, who was sitting on the main seat, saw him like this, and also stroked his beard, feeling a little proud.

Compared with the father and son, Xia Yuanji, Guo Zi and Huang Fu, who were standing in the hall, glanced at each other, and finally Xia Yuanji stood up and poured cold water on the father and son.

"Your Highness, although the price of coal in Fangshan and Datong has indeed dropped, the people of Shanxi do not have the money to buy coal."

"The people can't get rich, and no matter how cheap the price of coal is, it's useless."

Xia Yuanji's cold water did not extinguish Zhu Gaoyu's enthusiasm, on the contrary, in the face of Xia Yuanji's reminder, Zhu Gaochu also bowed his head and agreed:

"What you said is right, so the next thing the imperial court has to do is to build the Northwest Railway."

Zhu Gaoxu set his eyes on Huang Fu, and Huang Fu could only say with a bitter face when he heard this:

"Your Highness, this is the blueprint of the Northwest Railway, please read it."

A map was taken out of Huang Fu's sleeve and spread out, Wang Yan stepped forward to take it, and put it on Zhu Di's desk to spread out.

Soon, a railway appeared in front of Zhu Di and Zhu Gaoxu.

The Northwest Railway, east from Beijing to the east, west to Hami City, a total length of 5,600 miles, is expected to be built in 15 years, the estimated cost is 30 million runs, four tracks, and an annual expenditure of 2 million runs.

The Northwest Railway starts from the east of Beijing and passes through Xuanfu, Datong, Taiyuan, Fenzhou, Pingyang, Xi'an, Fengxiang, Gongchang, Lintao, Lanzhou, Liangzhou, Ganzhou, Suzhou, Shazhou and Hami.

The railway passes through 267 prefectures and counties and can affect more than 5 million people along the border.

Although he did not influence many people, he had a great influence on the Ming Dynasty.

With this railway, whether it is the Shaanxi earthquake in the future or the drought in the northwest in the future, the Ming court can draw materials from the south through the Liangjing Railway, and transport the materials to the local area within a month at most, so as to solve the local disaster as much as possible.

As long as there is a bite to eat, the people in the northwest will naturally not choose to rebel.

"Your Highness, the construction of three railways at the same time does not meet the expectations of the imperial court."

Seeing that Zhu Gaoxu wanted to build three railways at the same time, although the officials were still in the book, Xia Yuanji still voted against it.

It is true that the finances of the Ming Dynasty have been greatly improved compared to before, and the annual income has even reached 42 million yuan, and it is still rising......

But the problem is that revenues are rising, and spending is also rising.

"Your Royal Highness, after the full implementation of the new policy of the imperial court, the imperial court has 700,000 troops, 220,000 soldiers and horses in the state capital and county, 170,000 government officials, more than 54,000 civil and military officials, more than 420,000 officials, and more than 450,000 teachers and trains."

"Speaking of administrative costs alone, it is as high as more than 480,000 yuan, and the annual balance is only one million."

"In addition, the annual investment in the maintenance of the Yellow River and the canal and waterways in various places is 1 million guan, and the supply of domestic funds is 2 million guan, and now the three railways are being built at the same time, at least 5 million guan per year, and the output of factories in various places is increased by 2 million guan"

"In this way, the imperial court has a negative expenditure of more than 9 million yuan per year, and even if there are gold, silver and copper ingots accumulated by the fleet, it can only support it for three years."

"Therefore, please think twice, Your Highness......"

Xia Yuanji made a singing ceremony, and even Zhu Di couldn't help but feel that Daming's current administrative expenses were too great.

It's just that for Zhu Gaoxu, the Ming Dynasty can have its current finances, which can be said to be completely inseparable from the existing administrative system.

He was also very clear about the financial situation, so in the face of Xia Yuanji's dissuasion, Zhu Gaoxu continued:

"Dongzhou gold and silver can fill the hole of four million, so that the annual arrears are five million."

"With the current situation of the imperial court, it can be fully supported until the end of the production increase in four years, and the field endowment will continue to rise during this period, so there is no need to worry."

"In addition, I already have an idea about money and food, that is, to open a bank!"

Zhu Gaochu suddenly proposed a new word, and in the face of this new word, Xia Yuanji and others did not have time to ask, so Zhu Gaoxu took the initiative to explain the role of the bank.

Ordinary people deposited money in it and used their passbooks to withdraw money throughout the country, while banks could issue various types of bonds, such as railway bonds and construction bonds.

These bonds have a certain amount of interest, and for those who have money and no place to invest, the interest on the bonds is not high, but it is better than stability, and there is a state as a guarantee.

In addition, the various roles of banks were also explained by Zhu Gaoxu one by one, and many of them were not unfamiliar to Xia Yuanji.

Although there were no private institutions such as money banks and money shops during this period, some big businessmen had long begun to use their personal reputation to start this practice of exchanging money and saving money.

What Zhu Gaoxu has to do now is to let the bank interview in advance, and once there is a bank, once the people's money begins to be deposited in the bank, then Daming will not have to worry about construction.

After so many years of research by Zhu Gaoxu, the total amount of currency in the market is about 2 billion yuan.

As long as 1 in 10 people put their money in the bank, the problems of railways and infrastructure can be easily solved.

At the same time, the issuance of bonds will also prepare for the release of banknotes in the future.

"If a bank is established, won't the people be able to exchange treasure money for gold, silver, and copper?"

Xia Yuanji immediately grasped the key point, you must know that there are still more than 40 million treasure banknotes in circulation in the Daming market.

If the people exchange 40 million Guan Bao banknotes, although the bank will not be destroyed, the imperial court will definitely fall into bankruptcy.

Lao Zhu left enough money and food for the next generation, but he also left enough debts.

Treasure money was supposed to be an emergency to deal with the money shortage, but in the end it became a means of harvesting the people.

If it weren't for Zhu Yuanzhang reining in the precipice, recycling part of the money in time under Zhu Gaoxu's suggestion, and Zhu Gaochu's recycling of treasure banknotes, the price of treasure banknotes would definitely not be maintained at this level.

Now the consistent treasure banknotes on the market can be exchanged for 900 copper coins, which shows that the treasure banknotes have returned to the monetary value, after all, they can be used for tax payment and government trading.

Under such circumstances, the annual recycling of treasure banknotes is only one million yuan, which shows that it is unlikely that the people will exchange all the treasure banknotes for gold and silver in one go.

This era has the advantages of this era, the news spread is too slow, and the local news is blocked.

Some big businessmen want to incite the people to blow up the bank, and the price they need to pay is much greater than that of the bank.

Zhu Gaoxu has taken back more than half of the treasure money issued during the Hongwu period with several heavy blows against officials, and now the remaining 40 million yuan treasure money is basically in the hands of small merchants and ordinary people.

Apart from the imperial court, Zhu Gaoxu didn't think there were other forces that could incite them.

"Don't worry about the treasure banknote, as long as the people don't exchange more than 20 million yuan, it's acceptable."

"Once the people have established trust in the bank, the imperial court can immediately issue construction bonds with an annual interest rate of 5%, and no matter how much they can sell, as long as the imperial court pays the principal and interest on time, the trust of the bonds can be cultivated."

"In the long run, when the imperial court encounters some financial crises, it can also use bonds to tide over the difficulties."

As for finance and economics, Zhu Gaoxu also knows nothing about it, and belongs to crossing the river by feeling the stones.

However, even if he encounters problems, he can rely on overseas gold and silver mines to survive, which is nothing more than a few difficult years.

Zhu Gaoxu, who had overseas gold and silver mines, knew very well that even if the Ming Dynasty dug up at this level for 300 years, it would be impossible to hollow out all of them.

Xia Yuanji's concern was based on the unstable output of gold and silver overseas, but Zhu Gaoxu knew very well that these gold and silver mines were even more stable than the national fortunes of the Ming Dynasty, and there was no need to worry about it.

"Take the lead in building the Daming Bank in 1,746 counties across the country, and at the same time prohibit any private businessmen from following the bank."

"At this time next year, I will see 1,746 county banks rise from the ground, and I will hand over the design drawings to the Ministry of Industry."

Zhu Gaoxu instructed Guo Zi and Huang Fu, and when the two saw this, they could only respond head-on.

Although Xia Yuanji objected, he couldn't twist his arms around his thighs, so he could only find a way to deal with the problems that broke out in the bank in the future.

"Stand down."

"The minister retired ......"

Zhu Di opened his mouth and motioned for the three of them to retreat, and the three of them also retreated one after another.

Not long after, as they left completely, Zhu Di looked at Zhu Gaoxu:

"This home is in charge, I don't worry."

"Now it's about to be the seventeenth year of Yongle, I said before, let you take the throne at the end of the year, what do you mean now?"

In the past few months, Zhu Di did not suggest that Zhu Gaochu should be enthroned, but Zhu Gaochu always shirked, which made him very incomprehensible.

Why did the throne that the world dreams of become a hot potato here in Zhu Gaoxu?

"Zhan Yan has not been practiced yet, if you want to abdicate, it will be Erchen who will deal with it alone."

Zhu Gaoxu used an excuse that was not an excuse, but after hearing this, Zhu Di shook his head and said, "Wouldn't it be better for you to form a palace university scholar by yourself?" ”

"Erchen has also considered it, but the time is not yet ripe." Zhu Gaoxu is still prevaricating.

People are nostalgic for the old, and Zhu Gaoxu is no exception.

When he was young, Zhu Gaochu thought that Zhu Di would abdicate and ascend the throne himself, but at such an age, Zhu Gaochu felt that the throne was not so important, and he didn't want to lose the reputation of forcing Zhu Di to abdicate.

"I know your thoughts, you don't want to ascend the throne now, I can understand, but after the Daming Palace is built, you have to ascend the throne even if you don't take the throne."

Zhu Di gave people a non-negotiable tone, and Zhu Gaoxu could only make a fuss when he heard this:

"If the Daming Palace is built, the retainers will not push it back."

"Well, you go back to the Chunhe Palace first, and I will go to the Daming Palace with the eldest and the third to have a look."

Seeing that Zhu Gaochu did not push, Zhu Di breathed a sigh of relief and motioned for Zhu Gaoxu to leave the Wuying Palace.

"The retainers retired."

Zuo Yi left the Wuying Palace, and Zhu Gaoxu also took the step and embarked on the way home to the Chunhe Palace.

Looking at his distant figure, Zhu Di said to Wang Yan beside him: "Do you say that this throne is so hot?" The second child is so reluctant to sit? ”

Hearing this, Wang Yan shook his head and chuckled: "The slave maid thinks that His Highness is not unwilling to sit, but he just doesn't want to admit that Your Majesty should abdicate." ”

Wang Yan's words made Zhu Di stunned, he didn't expect Zhu Gaoxu to worry about this.

Just thinking about it carefully, it seems that after my sister Xu left, the second child began to change greatly, especially paying attention to his own opinions.

In the face of his own opinions, he used to suggest a postponement, but now he basically does it as soon as he mentions it.

Thinking about it like this, Zhu Di couldn't help but feel warm in his heart, and then thought of Zhu Gaochi and Zhu Gaosui.

For Daming Palace, the boss often says that it costs too much.

He said that he would continue the northern expedition in a few years, and the boss immediately knelt down and cried, as if he would die on the way to the northern expedition.

As for the third child, he couldn't hold back a loud fart for a long time, and it was also a stinky fart.

Compared with the second brother, these two brothers are simply worms.

"The second child is like me, I am filial, and the second child is naturally filial."

Zhu Di stroked his beard, and in the face of praise from others, he always wanted to let himself be touched.

Seeing this, Wang Yan didn't expose it, but just chuckled.

Seeing this, Zhu Di also got up and instructed Wang Yan: "Let the eldest and the third go to Xizhimen to wait for me!" ”

"The slave takes the command." Wang Yan responded, and then sent someone to arrange it.

However, when they were about to leave the palace, Zhu Gaoxu returned to his Chunhe Palace, and while dealing with the music, he was thinking about the accession to the throne.

The old man was about fifty-seven, and he was almost thirty-seven.

Counting the time, if it is according to the historical situation, the old man will live for seven years at most before leaving.

"Seven Years ......"

Thinking of this time, Zhu Gaoxu was a little uncomfortable.

If the old man is really going to leave in seven years, what is the need for him to "force" him to abdicate early?

If the old man is really gone......

For a while, Zhu Gaoxu couldn't help but think of the scene where Queen Xu left.

As he grew older, he felt more and more alone.

Zhu Di, Guo Yan, and several sons are among the few things he cares about in this world.

Once he could ruthlessly imagine that Guo Yan would hinder him, so he deposed Guo Yan.

But as he grew older, Guo Yan almost became his taboo, and whenever others said a word about her, he felt uncomfortable.

Guo Yan is like this, not to mention the old man.

"Your Highness is still thinking about His Majesty's abdication?"

Yisha saw the reason for Zhu Gaoxu's sullenness, and asked carefully.

Zhu Gaoxu responded, and when he saw this, he said: "This matter is Your Majesty's desire to abdicate, and you can't stop it even if you don't want to." ”

"Besides, Your Majesty's heart is in Mobei, instead of keeping him in the deep palace, it is better to help Your Majesty solve the affairs of Mobei."

As he spoke, he couldn't help but feel sorry for Zhu Gaoxu, and said with a sour nose:

"When you returned from your last safari, do you know what the brothers below said?"

Zhu Gaoxu paused with the red pen in his hand, and slowly raised his head to look at Yishiha.

Yisha sighed: "The brothers all said that His Royal Highness was the crown prince over the years, and His Royal Highness over the years has done all the things that are beneficial to the world and are all good things, but ......"

He paused, then continued: "For the brothers, only the high-spirited Highness of Bohai is the Highness we want in our hearts. ”

"You've been trapped in the deep palace for many years, and you haven't had the slightest idea of wanting to go back to the past?"

"If you have, then your majesty is not."

"In the final analysis, Your Majesty and Your Highness were both outside the border for the imperial court back then, and they didn't want to be trapped in the palace......"

"Got it, needless to say."

Zhu Gaoxu interrupted Yi Shuha, and looked at the mountains of music on the desk with a complicated expression.

There was silence for a long time before his voice resounded in the Chunhe Palace.

"If I speak next time, I'll ...... it."

(End of chapter)