Number of People

Chapter 1265: Gengzijuan seeks balance

Chapter 1265: Seeking balance in Gengzijuan

 Qi Yongtai and Qiao Yingjia couldn't help but look at each other, not knowing what to say for a while.

 Obviously, the attitudes of Cui Jingrong and Zhang Huaichang have changed, and they no longer support Feng Ziying in going to Shuntian Mansion as before.

One of them wants to be the Minister of the Ministry of Industry, the other is to be the Minister of the Ministry of War, and he is from Liaodong. The other hopes that the Ministry of Industry's Jieshen Treasury will be richer, which can be used to supplement the treasury of the Ministry of Revenue, and at the same time, it can also give the Ministry of Industry more room for expenditure; One hopes that the military industry in Yongping Prefecture will usher in great development, and that the manufacturing of firearms and cannons that have always relied on the south will be transferred to Yongping Prefecture. This will not only promote the development of the military industry in the north, but also, the key is to be able to move to Jiubian nearby. Providing these cannons and muskets can greatly improve the nine-sided defense capability and save a lot of transportation costs.

Sun Juxiang and Han Xu were also silent.

Shanxi merchants were the most important supporters of the northern gentry. Both of them were Shanxi scholars, so they naturally understood the power of these merchants from their hometowns. Shanxi merchants were charitable and diligent in helping scholars study, and they were also willing to Assist the government to provide relief to local areas, but where will the Shanxi merchants' money come from? It’s not just a matter of making a living from these things.

 Now that I have finally encountered such a good opportunity, I definitely don’t want to have any twists and turns in the process, and would rather continue with a collaborator who is the initiator and has achieved good results.

On the first day of the year, it seemed that what Feng Ziying said was not difficult, but everyone here had worked in the state capital, and they knew that it was not that simple when it came to specific matters, especially the development of mining, iron smelting, ironmaking and building materials, Industries such as shipping also involve dealing with local gentry, building roads and bridges, none of which is simple. It requires not only determination and courage, but also planning, skills and connections. Otherwise, these places will think that their own interests will be compromised. The bad gentleman will teach you how to be a good person in minutes.

If it were someone else and things didn't go well, I'm afraid these businessmen wouldn't agree, which would affect the relationship between the two parties. And if it was someone else and it was done, wouldn't it be making wedding clothes for someone else? I'm afraid Feng Ziying will also feel resentful in her heart.

"Ziying, are you really so sure that Yongping Mansion can make such a big change in one or two years?" Qi Yongtai was also a little shaken. After all, if Yongping Mansion can really become a model for Northland, what will happen to Yongping Mansion? The hidden competition between the entire Northland and Jiangnan is also a boost, which is so rare.

"Reporting back to Master Qi, this disciple is sure of this." Feng Ziying nodded calmly: "At present, the mining and iron smelting blast furnaces in Qian'an and Lulong have been built, and construction in Luanzhou has also begun. It’s relatively simple. It’s the same for later expansion, and the cost and efficiency can be greatly improved. The only limitation now is skilled craftsmen. The disciple has already made an agreement with Zhuang Ji, hoping that Zhuang Ji will arrange hundreds of craftsmen. Going north, the efficiency can be greatly improved."

Feng Ziying's statement made everyone present feel a little confused, but Wang Yongguang still insisted on his point of view: "Chengfeng, the status of Shuntian Prefecture is not comparable to that of Yongping Prefecture, and now Wu Daonan is reciting poems, composing poems and participating in these literary conferences all day long. Yes, it is obviously to close the relationship and lay a good foundation in front of several princes who may be in the position of great wealth in the future, but there is exactly such a figure in our court. If Ziying can come and her age is close to these princes, she will definitely If they have more common languages, they would not have invited Ziying many times. Moreover, the incompetence of Wu Daonan and Mei Zhiye can just show Ziying's ability. This makes Ziying not need to enter the court, but can be at any time. Maintaining a certain degree of influence and being able to provide advisors at any time can be said to kill two birds with one stone. I think its importance is more meaningful than if he was in Yongping."

Wang Yongguang's views are also very representative. The status of Shuntian Mansion is much higher than that of Yongping Mansion, and the foot of the imperial city is the place where officials' abilities are best trained. They must control so many princes, nobles, gentry and wealthy families in the city. , but also to prevent such conflicts from intensifying and affecting the situation between North Korea and China.

 This is also a big test for any official who may take up this position.

“I also think Ziying is more suitable to go to Shuntian Mansion.” Sun Juxiang thought about it again and agreed.

Everyone's eyes fell on him. You must know that he is a scholar from Shanxi, and he should understand the stakes.

Sun Juxiang, however, seemed very calm and somewhat confident.

"First of all, the current situation in Shuntian Mansion is indeed very bad. If Ziying comes to Shuntian Mansion to reverse the situation, it will not only give Ziying a training and increase her reputation, but also allow the gentry and people in Beijing and the officials of the DPRK and China to have confidence in us in the North. The scholars have greater confidence. After all, the performance of Wu Daonan and Mei Zhiye is obvious to all. Comparing the two, we will have stronger confidence when we compete with the Jiangnan gang in the future..."

This point is indeed very important, related to the image of the entire Northland scholar group. Qi Yongtai and Han Xu also nodded slightly.

"Secondly, I also received some information from the Ministry of Punishment. The activities of the White Lotus Sect in Gyeonggi Province are becoming more and more rampant, especially among the refugees. They are spreading very quickly and are likely to spread. If we don't deal with it as soon as possible, I'm afraid there will be unforeseen disasters. In order to affect the overall situation, Ziying cleaned up hidden houses and tightened public security in Yongping Mansion, especially in the mines and workshops, demanding that socialists be banned. I think it was probably the weakness of the White Lotus Sect that was used, so there was the assassination at Guhe Ferry. , the current situation in Shuntian Mansion is probably worse than that in Yongping Mansion. If it continues, there will be serious trouble. Ziying can just come to Shuntian Mansion to arrest this matter..."

 When it comes to Feng Ziying’s assassination at the Gu River Ferry, everyone’s expressions became solemn. Up to now, neither Long Jinwei nor the Criminal Department has a clear result, but all signs point to Yongping Mansion, and Sun Juxiang’s judgment is basically reasonable.

"Sanlai Ziying did such a good job in Yongping Prefecture, can't the story be repeated in Shuntian Prefecture? The iron mines in Zunhua are not inferior to Qian'an and Lulong, and there is Zunhua Iron Works as the foundation, and its craftsmen There are a lot of them, but the poor management of the Ministry of Industry will make them worse. If Ziying can continue the policies and measures in Yongping after arriving in Shuntianfu, businessmen from Shanxi and Shaanxi may not come to Shuntianfu to open mines and build factories, right? And Isn’t there a lot of mines in Miyun? At least the iron and steel produced in Zunhua and Miyun can be sold nearby to the capital city and neighboring places such as Baoding and Shanxi, which is more convenient, right?”

Sun Juxiang put forward three reasons in one breath, each of which was very pertinent, especially the third one that made everyone present feel moved.

Yes, the output of Zunhua Iron Works is shrinking. In addition to chaotic management, old process equipment and rising mining costs, it is also due to strong competition from Yongping Prefecture. If Feng Ziying can manage Zunhua and Shuntian Prefecture after arriving, If Miyun copies the Yongping Mansion model, wouldn't it mean that a Shuntian Mansion with greater development potential could also operate according to this model, and could even be firmly in the hands of northern scholars?

You must know that Shuntian Prefecture is no better than Yongping Prefecture. It is the first prefecture in the Great Zhou Dynasty. Scholars, officials and merchants from the north and south are all eyeing this place. Even the stability of public security and people's livelihood is better than others. If we rely on vigorously developing the coal and iron industry to absorb refugees, we can Reducing the impact that refugees may have on the security and stability of Gyeonggi without a job to earn a living will undoubtedly greatly add glory to the scholars in the North.

 Sun Juxiang’s reasons and suggestions caused Cui Jingrong and Zhang Huaichang to change their attitudes again.

Especially Cui Jingrong, he knows very well that if Zunhua and Miyun follow the model of Yongping Prefecture, then the development momentum of Shuntian Prefecture may be revived. Zunhua and Miyun are equally rich in iron ore, and there are many more in Yongping Prefecture. The advantages that the government does not have can also provide the Ministry of Industry with an additional channel for careful management and good harvest.

As the future Minister of War, Zhang Huaichang also knew that if the capital was unstable, it would definitely affect the defense of Xuanfu, Jizhen and Liaodong towns. A stable Shuntianfu was particularly important for the three towns.

Qiao Yingjia took a deep breath, glanced at Qi Yongtai who was silent, and finally felt that he still needed to listen to Feng Ziying's opinion: "Ziying, what Bo Fu said makes sense. Of course, Yongping Mansion should not be touched lightly, but it's okay to Tianfu is more important to us, and this is also an opportunity. If someone else takes over as Shuntianfu Cheng, I am afraid that our side will also be greatly affected. Have you considered it?"

Sun Juxiang's opinion was also a reminder to Feng Ziying, and feeling that so many people attached great importance to this matter, Feng Ziying also realized that this matter may not only concern herself, but also involve the entire Northland scholars. Benefit.

You can't just see the benefits brought by the rapid development of Yongping Mansion. You also need to see how much great benefits it will bring if you accept that Shuntian Fu Cheng, Wu Daonan, the governor, has little involvement in practical matters, and holds the real power of Shuntian Mansion. benefits.

Feng Ziying couldn't help but rub her cheeks. Feng Ziying felt that she needed to think carefully about this matter.

Yongping Mansion is so important to the development map I have outlined in the future. It will not only become the most important logistics support center in Liaodong and support my father’s military control in Liaodong, but it will also become the most perfect experimental field for me, a coal and iron industry. , building materials, military industry, and even experimental fields for promoting new crops. Although Feng Ziying did not visit Xu Guangqi in person due to time constraints, she contacted him through letters, and he was also willing to find a experimental field for large-scale promotion.

Feng Ziying also knows that the interests of herself and the group in front of her are tied together. Only when they are good will she get greater support. Her success in Yongping Mansion is largely due to their understanding or understanding in various aspects. Or implicit support, so he needs to be consistent with them on this issue. How to balance the pros and cons requires a thorough consideration.

 (End of this chapter)