Steel Dynasty - Chapter 697

[Chapter 696 The Evil Beast of Capital]

“Open the workshop for private business?”

Princess Pingyang looked happy. She came here for this reason. Xiao Ming obviously understood her thoughts.

However, she had always had doubts about Xiao Ming’s enthusiasm for business, so she asked: “Why is the emperor so fond of business?”

Xiao Ming smiled, “The eldest princess was wrong, industry is the backbone of business. , So for me, I value industry more than commerce. “

After pondering for a while, he said: “The strength of a country depends on the wealth and poverty of its people, and the wealth and poverty of its people depends on the amount of its products, and the amount of its products is caused by it. Yu Gongye. “

Princess Pingyang frowned slightly. Although her vision was not as broad as Xiao Ming’s, she understood the meaning of Xiao Ming’s words.

So he said: “The emperor is going to let merchants build a large number of workshops this time?”

Xiao Ming nodded. The root of this reform is to revitalize industry. The lack of supplies for the northern war made him deeply realize that Qingzhou’s industrial capacity is insufficient. of.

If he wants to establish an industrial system similar to that of Western countries, he must encourage people and businessmen to participate in industrial construction.

With more workshops, the products of Great Yu will be enriched. When the products are enriched, they can be sold to other places. In this way, the people will have money and the country will become rich and strong.

“Yes, this time I will not only encourage the construction of workshops, but also plan to sell the steam engines to businessmen and let them build workshops in the six states.”

This is something Xiao Ming has hesitated for a long time. The steam engines can no longer be hidden. As a driving force, it must be popularized among the people in order to exert its greatest value.

With the sales of steam engines, he will open textile and other industries to merchants. After ensuring that the people have food to eat, he will ensure that the people have clothes to wear.

“Steam engine?” Princess Pingyang was shocked.

This steam engine has always been a very mysterious thing, and she has only heard about it and never seen its true face. Now Xiao Ming bluntly said that he wanted to sell the steam engine, which made her unable to react at all for a while.

That’s all Xiao Ming wanted to say to Princess Pingyang. He said: “Elder Princess, please tell them that this is a rare opportunity. It’s up to them whether they can seize it or not.”

Princess Pingyang nodded, “Your Majesty, After returning home, I will summon them to talk about the matter, and also beat them for the emperor. “

Xiao Ming is naturally happy with this. All dynasties have been very strict with royal family members, so no business is allowed. Being in politics is like raising pigs.

Princess Pingyang said something about industry and commerce again, and Princess Pingyang said goodbye and left. At this time, Xiao Ming continued to write the imperial edict. This imperial edict was the beginning of the rise of industry in the six states.

At court the next morning, Xiao Ming asked Qian Dafu to read out the imperial edict, formally establishing support and protection for the establishment of private private workshops.

At the same time, he proposed three new terms in the imperial edict, the first is capital, the second is industry, and the third is company.

The main purpose of this imperial edict is to use the power of the imperial court to support the development of private capital. To this end, the imperial edict proposes four policies.

The first policy is to abolish the checkpoints in various parts of the north, so that the north can be integrated into one city, and goods can be sold freely in the north. At the same time, the mines of the rebellious lords and rebellious wealthy families are fully taken over, transformed and expanded, so as to form a mining enterprise controlled by the imperial court and build Modern mines and smelting workshops.

The second is to open steam engines, textile machines and other advanced technologies and machinery to the private sector, while transforming previously backward processes and equipment.

The third article is to open textile, sugar, soap and other industries to the private sector. The fourth article is to require Qingzhou Bank to provide silver support to individuals. At the same time, the court must also use silver to encourage the development of private capital.

As soon as this policy came out, the court was in an uproar. In their opinion, the emperor’s reform step was too big.

“Your Majesty, businessmen don’t care about production or farming, and farming is the foundation of the country. If this continues for a long time, there will be problems with the food.” Fiji said.

“Your Majesty, think twice. I am not against your Majesty. I just hope that Your Majesty will consider farming matters.” The ministers said one after another.

When productivity was insufficient, Xiao Ming naturally would not be so desperate as to give up agriculture, so he said: “Promoting business and encouraging agriculture are not contradictory. After all, there are only a few people who can do business. In the future, the government will not only pay more attention to agriculture, but also drill grains.” Machines, steam pumps and other equipment are used for farming. “

Fiji and others whispered after hearing this, and Xiao Ming’s words reassured them.

Pang Yukun did not raise any objections this time, because this was within his expectation. Xiao Ming had encouraged business development before, but this time it was just more thorough.

In his opinion, the fundamental reason for Xiao Ming’s determination this time The north is now basically stable and can make great strides forward, so that they will have sufficient supplies to defeat the barbarians in the future.

Seeing that all the ministers had no objections, he said: “If you have anything to say in the court today, say it. After this morning court, the content of this imperial edict will be implemented in the six states. At that time, if someone interferes with it, don’t blame me for being ruthless.” .”

“Yes, Your Majesty.” The ministers bowed and said.

After experiencing the Yu Ming incident, these ministers have obviously become more honest. Now that Xiao Ming has the power and his position is unshakable, they have no choice but to be more honest in front of Xiao Ming.

Nodding, Xiao Ming looked at Pang Yukun, “Pang Chief Fu, how much money is there in the treasury?”

“Back to the emperor, there are only thirteen million taels of silver now.” Pang Yukun said simply, he knew the treasury best. .

Xiao Ming had a headache. This time, the long war had left him impoverished. He said, “Spend six million taels of silver to support and encourage the development of private workshops.”

“Six million taels!”

The ministers in the court said. Taking a breath, Xiao Ming was cruel this time.

The expressions of the ministers were seen by Xiao Ming, and he said to the courtiers: “After talking about supporting and encouraging the development of private capital, I will talk about you. So much money is put into the private sector. If you If you dare to reach out, I will cut off your hands. At the same time, no official is allowed to engage in business or seek personal gain. Otherwise, if found out, he will be dismissed immediately and punished according to crime. “

In the Western world, officials are businessmen, and businessmen are officials, so the country always Serve capital.

But now Dayu State is still an officialdom. He does not want officials and businessmen to collude to harm the interests of Dayu State, so he gives them a warning in advance.

He knew very well that when he let go of this beast of capital, a double-edged sword was hanging over his head. ‘

He doesn’t know exactly when this double-edged sword will fall, but at least one thing is clear to him. After this meeting, the Chongqing Congress will burst out with capital sparks like Western countries.

(End of chapter)