Hanhou

Three days after arriving in Yuyang, all the materials and personnel for the construction of the new saltworks were in place.

After the land is measured, the project will officially start.

Zhao Jia travels back and forth between Jiadi and the construction site every day, getting up before dawn and rushing to work after dark, so he hardly has time to spare.The craftsmen were divided into three shifts. In order to catch up with the construction period, they dug pits and piled up mud bricks at night with torches.

Although the work is heavy, the wages are really a lot.

In addition to the copper coins and fine cloth, Zhao Jia asked Princess Yuyang for instructions. All craftsmen who participated in the construction of the saltworks would be rewarded with an extra bucket of millet and two lamb ribs.If the project is completed ahead of schedule, refined salt will be distributed.

In addition, after the start of the saltworks, a large number of salt workers are needed.If there is surplus labor in the craftsman's family, he can register his name at the clerk's office.As long as you are down-to-earth and don't steal or cheat, you can work in the saltworks for a long time, and the wages are quite generous.

Long before the saltworks broke ground, the backgrounds of these craftsmen were found out.Those with problems will basically not be recruited, and even if they sneak in, they will be eliminated immediately.Those with serious problems will even be arrested and taken to an official temple for torture.

The craftsman has a strong background and can stand the scrutiny.Recruiting salt workers directly from these families can save a lot of trouble.

After Gaozu, the contributions of princes and kings have existed in name only.Before and after the Seven Kingdoms Rebellion, the imperial court basically did not receive a single copper plate.

Princess Yuyang's resetting of the contribution fee, divided by Yan Lifeng treasury, and military expenses is also a signal from Emperor Jing, let's see how the princes and kings will react.Will he take the initiative to follow up, or pretend he didn't see it at all, and continue to hold his wallet tightly.

As for the game in court, Zhao Jia is temporarily not eligible to participate.

Building a good salt farm and producing a large amount of refined salt to satisfy Emperor Jing is his most urgent task at present.

During the construction of the Yunzhong Salt Field, Ji Bao Ji Xiong participated in the whole process and learned a lot.After breaking ground in Yuyang Saltworks, the two followed Zhao Jia to help him relieve a lot of burdens.

Zhao Xin, Zhao Puonu and Wei Qing were not idle either, they helped spread the word on the construction site, made trailers and wheelbarrows by hand, helped transport construction materials, and got acquainted with the craftsmen within a few days.

Wei Qing was especially popular.

The thin child in the past has grown into a spirited young boy.He is meticulous in doing things, and is extremely polite to the elderly, which is extremely popular.

The two master craftsmen really liked him. When the saltworks were about to be completed and there was not much work on hand, they used some leftover materials to make him a few mechanical weapons that could be carried with him.In terms of sophistication, it is no less than the hand crossbow made by Qin craftsman.

The most important thing is that if Wei Qing didn't say anything, no one would have thought that a wooden block the size of a palm can shoot out wooden thorns, and the strength is not small, and it can easily penetrate a piece of cowhide at a distance of ten steps.

Knowing about this, Zhao Jia specially sought out Dajiang, willing to donate a lot of money, and asked Dajiang and his family to move to Yunzhong.If I enter the Shaling Arsenal, I can receive corn every month in addition to wages.

Master craftsmen who can make weapons are treasures in Bianjun.If you see yourself, you can't let it go easily, and if you can get one, it's one.

The master did not refuse.

As a matter of fact, besides loving the boy, another important reason for making machine weapons for Wei Qing was to attract Zhao Jia's attention.

Although Yuyang is rich, in terms of military strength, it is no better than Yunzhong, Yanmen and other places.

The master craftsman has all his skills, and he doesn't want to be buried in building houses and walls for people.I want to use my ability to find a family background for future generations, but I have never had a chance.

The appearance of Zhao Jia made Master see the possibility of success.

The Shaling county lieutenant has repeatedly made military exploits, and following him is obviously more promising than staying in Yuyang.

Of course, with the craftsmanship of a master craftsman, you can also join the princess mansion.But after some careful consideration, the two master craftsmen made the same choice, and both decided to follow Zhao Jia and seek their birth in Yunzhong County.

The saltworks were completed in April, and the salt workers were in place half a month later.

The first batch of coarse salt was brought in, and purification began immediately.Princess Yuyang and Gongsun He witnessed the whole process, and saw the snow-like refined salt put into clay pots, with amazement on their expressions, as if it was unbelievable that the refined salt that the big merchants flocked to was produced in this way.

Even though Zhao Jia has already presented the recipe, the feeling on the bamboo slips is completely different from what he saw with his own eyes.

Just like Liu Rong who let himself go.

Reading his written letters is a completely different experience from being nagged by his ears.The former can still bear it, but the latter can't wait to hit the wall with his hair.

Zhao Jia often wondered if the Liu Rong he met at the beginning was really the same person as the chatterbox in front of him?

The first batch of new salt was produced, and the head of the Peng family went to Yuyang County to pay a visit to Princess Yuyang.

Unlike Zhao Jia's treatment, Princess Yuyang sat in the main room with a screen in front of her.The head of the Peng family was introduced into the room by the palace people, and he was five steps away to salute.

The Peng family is a high school in Yuyang, and exists like a local snake.

Although the Naihe family is rich, it lacks leading figures who can play games in the court.For example, Dou Ying, the Marquis of Wei Qi of the Dou family, and Wei Shang, the guardian of the cloud of the Wei family.

Finally, a prefect came out of the clan, but God bless him, he died within a few years in office.When he first saw Feng Hou's possibility, he was quickly beaten back to his original form, and he couldn't even vomit blood smoothly.

Although the Peng family lacks leading figures, it does not mean that the family is weak.

With the wealth accumulated in the salt mines and the family's local prestige, they are enough to make it to the top.After the Qin and Han dynasties, the family has always been entrenched in Yuyang, and the court will not easily move them if they have committed a serious crime in a daze.

This time when Zhao Jia was ambushed on the way, Mrs. Peng was also suspected.However, after a few days of investigation, the suspicion was cleared.

Again, Mrs. Peng is not stupid.

The current situation is very clear, Princess Yuyang stands behind Emperor Jing, and Zhao Jia seems to be registered in front of the emperor.Dare to attack him, or in this sensitive period, purely jumping high and looking uncomfortable.As a family that has gone through the flames of war and is still standing, it would never do such a stupid thing.

There was Wei Shang, the prefect of Yunzhong in the front, Princess Yuyang in the back, and Gongsun He, the prince who was next to him. They were so overwhelmed that they stretched their necks with their knives and waited for the court to chop.

Patriarch Peng's visit this time is to show his attitude, further get rid of the suspicion, and also to send a big gift.

As early as the imperial edict was issued, the head of the Peng family and the clan elders knew that Yuyang was about to change.In order to keep the family, the saltworks in his hands will be kept as long as they can, and if they can't be kept, they will be used for life.

There is something to do with home.

Only by giving up money can one save one's life.

If he does not let go, Emperor Jing will never be merciful.

Look at the fate of the Seven Kingdoms, and look at the back of King Liang. If the Peng family does not want to exterminate the clan, they must take the initiative to cut the flesh, and use a bone-evisculating knife to scrape until the emperor is satisfied, and then please leave some meat residue so that the clan can survive go down.

Princess Yuyang smiled slightly when she heard that the Patriarch of the Peng family offered three saltworks.

Three seats?

not enough.

Princess Yuyang didn't speak, and the head of the Peng family gradually felt the pressure through the screen.Knowing that the meat must continue to be cut, he simply gritted his teeth and gave up [-]% of the salt farms in the clan, and packaged and presented it together with the salt workers.

At this point, the voice came from behind the screen.

Knowing the pass, the Patriarch of the Peng family secretly let out a long sigh of relief.

If it wasn't for the fact that there is no noble in the family, most of the in-laws have already made their attitude clear, and they would not be able to cut the flesh to such an extent.It's just a foregone conclusion, and regret is purely asking for trouble.At least to keep [-]% of the salt field, with the benefits of new salt, the income will not be small, and the loss is acceptable.

Peng's understanding, Chang'an will naturally give some benefits.

Patriarch Peng withdrew from the main room, and was caught up by Nangonghou. He smiled and asked him how many sons he had in his family, but at Fu Ji's age, how good was he at riding and shooting.

"His Royal Highness likes to shoot and hunt, and likes brave people."

To talk to a wise man, you don't need to speak too clearly.

Hearing Nangong Hou's implication, Patriarch Peng's heart skipped a beat, and he couldn't help feeling happy.I bowed my hands to express my thanks, and when I left, my steps became brisk.Getting on the horse outside the residence, I wish I could rush home immediately, pick out suitable children, and send them to Chang'an.

This is a rare opportunity and must be seized!

A few saltworks are nothing, if you give them away, you will give them away.Being able to follow the crown prince will definitely bring the family to another level.If things go on like this, one day they will be able to jump out of the old circle and get closer to the top family.

At the beginning of May, Yuyang Salt Field was on the right track.

Zhao Jia did not hide anything private, and compiled the details of salt production and management of the salt farm into a book, and presented them all to Princess Yuyang.

He can't stay in Yuyang for a long time, and he will leave next month at the latest.According to the records in the booklet, there will be basically no problems in redeploying personnel from the saltworks, and they will be able to get started soon.

"Doctor Zhao not stay longer?" For Zhao Jia, Princess Yuyang had a very good impression.Before, he obeyed the emperor's orders, but now he truly cherishes talents.He even wanted to play Chang'an, and transferred Zhao Jia to Yuyang as the county magistrate.

"Everything is over, Jia should not stay for a long time. And I have military affairs, I need to return as soon as possible, please forgive me, Your Highness."

"Never mind."

Knowing that he couldn't keep them, Princess Yuyang didn't force her. According to Zhao Jia's request, she allocated two master craftsmen and more than a dozen craftsmen to him, and ordered the palace servants to open the storeroom, take silk and silk, and add a box of gold. , five pieces of beautiful jade, as a gift.

"Doctor Zhao don't want to refuse."

"Thank you, Your Highness!"

Knowing that this reward does not only represent Princess Yuyang, Zhao Jia naturally has no reason to refuse.After saluting and receiving the reward, it was reported that the matter of the saltworks would be handed over soon, and then he got up and left the main room.

Walking down the corridor, I happened to meet Gongsun He who was walking in a hurry.

Zhao Jia was about to say hello, but when he saw Gongsun He chasing Liu Rong behind him, he immediately turned around and strode away in the opposite direction.

"County Zhao!"

Gongsun He's voice came from behind, Zhao Jiaquan pretended not to hear it, and quickened his pace, wishing he could run away.

It's a pity that Gongsun Heren has long legs and catches up faster, grabs Zhao Jia, and says he wants to consult economic affairs.Liu Rong also caught up at this time, his eyes lit up when he heard Gongsun He's words, and he actively joined the conversation.

Now that he was held back, Zhao Jia couldn't leave even if he wanted to, so he could only accept his fate and go to Gongsun He's residence together to answer his questions in detail.

This is the hole he dug for himself. It has been dug a few months ago, and he can't do it without jumping.

"Agriculture is the foundation of the country, and excessive agricultural taxes actually hurt the people."

It is about the economy and not about imperial power, so you can talk freely without worrying about being convicted for your words.

However, Gongsun He represented the crown prince, and every word Zhao Jia said would be presented to Emperor Jing and the crown prince. To be cautious, he still had to organize his language and try to use facts as examples to make it reasonable and well-founded.

"Farmers have to pay grain taxes, and Cheng Ding has to serve hard labor every year. After Fu Ji, he still has military service. In case of war, he will be conscripted, either as a servant or to fight the enemy."

"Oral tax, counting tax, replacement tax, and household tax. Farmers have to pay the tax, and they must buy grain. The harvest is cheap, and a year of hard work means that there is little surplus food in the family. In a disaster year, the imperial court can exempt tax, but it is not exempt. In order to raise money, the sale of land and houses can be tax deductible."

"In the event of natural disasters and man-made disasters, the people have no food to eat, and their suffering is unspeakable."

While Zhao Jia was talking, Gongsun He was writing down. At the end of the note, the writing became slower and slower, and his heart became heavier.

"The agricultural tax should not be too heavy, and the commercial tax should be used to make up for it?" Liu Rong said suddenly.

Zhao Jia nodded first, then shook his head.

"Commercial tax is only one."

Seeing that Gongsun He and Liu Rong were interested, Zhao Jia spread out the sheepskin, picked up a pen and sketched on it, roughly drew two trade routes, and began to explain to them how to set their sights abroad, how to develop foreign trade, how to Fight the war and get richer.

Being militaristic doesn't mean draining the national treasury, we can exploit...well, develop commerce.Anyway, from ancient times to the present, whoever has the biggest fist has the final say.

In short, with the right method, war is not a waste of national strength, but can still be a way to make money.

After careful consideration, Zhao Jia picked up all the explanations that he could say, and all the ideas that were too advanced, all with reservations.

Unexpectedly, the receptivity of the two people in front of them was beyond imagination. Zhao Jia proposed the introduction, and they brainstormed and listed many items in one, two, three, and four.

On the way, Zhang Sheng and Zhang Cigong suddenly appeared and joined the discussion together.

When the discussion got heated, even tactics and tactics came out.

Seeing this scene, Zhao Jia was surprised, and once again realized clearly what kind of concept "Han Style Shangwu" is.