Survive in the world of Red Mansions

At the Dachao meeting this morning, Emperor Huiwen Li Min took the imperial envoys Wang Li and Lin Junwen to inspect Changping warehouses from Zhili and Lianghuai areas, which mentioned the Changping warehouses in the two places. The serious problems that existed caused the emperor to be furious throughout the early dynasty.

Last year, the weather in these two places was good, but the imperial envoys sent by the emperor found after investigation that none of the Changping warehouses in the two places met the requirements. The stored grain does not even meet half of the requirements, and many of the stored grains in the warehouse are not new grains, but old grains from previous years. Many of these old grains are even moldy, or mixed with sand and straw.Now it is only to check the Changping warehouses in these two places, and this is the result. It is no wonder that the emperor is furious.

After the court meeting ended, the emperor Li Min took the two memorials to Shangyang Palace and reported to the emperor, which aroused the emperor's anger and ordered the relevant officials involved in the Changping warehouse to conduct a thorough investigation.

The application time is almost over, but those who are still in the Imperial Study, Cao Jian, Lin Hai, and Zhao Wen from the Household Department, Zeng Hua from the Metropolitan Procuratorate, and Ye Jinwen from the Xing Department, no one dares to say at this time, the big boss, It's time to get off work, I'm going home from get off work.

"Changping warehouses in Zhili and Lianghuai areas are now having such serious problems. Cao Shangshu, why do you think this is the case?" The emperor looked at the Hubu Shangshu who had been calm and composed in front of him.

"I really don't know. The purchase quantity of Changping warehouses in various places last winter was reported to the Ministry of Households. Everything is normal, and there is no problem. I really don't know that the officials below are so bold. Please learn from your majesty!"

As soon as the emperor heard Cao Jian's words, he pushed all the responsibilities on himself, "Then Cao Shangshu means that the Changping warehouse has nothing to do with your household department?"

"The old minister dare not, His Majesty has learned from you!"

Cao Jian did not argue, but he would not think that this incident was his fault just because of the emperor's few words. He is an old minister of the emperor, and he dare not do anything to him now.

Even the emperor Li Min knew that his father was there, so he didn't think about what could happen to Cao Jian based on this incident, but he was really upset and couldn't bear it, so he got angry at Cao Jian.However, he soon calmed down, and directly instructed Xingbu Shangshu Ye Jinwen to cooperate with Dali Temple and the Metropolitan Procuratorate to conduct a thorough investigation of the incident.

Emperor Li Min continued to reprimand Lin Hai and the others for a while, and finally let them go back to the mansion until the first watch.

When Lin Hai was in Yangzhou before, his family members lived behind the government office. If Lin Hai had anything to do in the front office, he would send someone to report to the back immediately, and Lin Rui and his brother would know soon.Since Lin Hai came to the capital, he has been officially in court for so many days. He has always returned to the mansion after he was released from the government office. Even if he came back occasionally late, it would not exceed half an hour. first.

Today is Mr. Zhong's first day in Lin's residence. Lin Daiyu specially asked someone to prepare a banquet. Originally, Lin Hai came forward to entertain Mr. Zhong, but now because Lin Hai didn't come back, he couldn't attend, so Lin Rui, a student, had to come forward. Lin Xu and Lin Yun were invited to sit and accompany Mr. Zhong.Mr. Zhong also saw that his student was a little worried about his father, so he took the initiative to end the banquet early.

Because Lin Hai didn't come back for a long time, Lin Rui and Lin Daiyu didn't know what was going on, and they didn't feel relieved to go to bed early, so they had to sit together and comfort each other while waiting for Lin Hai to return home.

Lin Hai knew that it was his first time returning home late today, and the Lin Rui siblings must have been anxiously waiting, so after returning home, they didn't go to freshen up and change their clothes, and came directly to see the Daiyu siblings.

As soon as Lin Hai returned to the Lin Mansion, someone from his servants immediately reported to Li. As soon as Lin Daiyu heard that her father had returned, she immediately ordered the kitchen to prepare meals.

"Father, you are back!"

As soon as Lin Rui saw Lin Hai coming in, he immediately asked, "Father, you are finally back. Why is it so late today? Did something happen?"

"It's just that some things in the yamen were delayed, so I came back a bit late, it's already night, Daiyu, Rui'er, you all go to rest!"

Daiyu watched the little maids prepare the meal, and then retreated with the maids.

Lin Rui waited for Lin Hai to finish his meal and come out after freshening up before asking his father why he came back so late today, "Father, is there any other reason for coming back so late today?"

"Actually, today's matter has little to do with me, but the emperor wants to scold you together, can you still say it's none of your business and let me go first?"

"Oh? There's always a reason, right?"

"The emperor sent imperial envoys to check the Changping warehouses in Zhili and Lianghuai areas. The storage capacity of the warehouses is less than half of the requirement, and most of them are moldy old grains, or mixed with sand, stones, straw, etc., the emperor. After knowing it, don’t be so angry! In fact, even in modern times, there are still many grain reserves like this that are not up to standard, let alone here.”

"Are there only these two places? Or only checked these two places?" Lin Rui felt a little strange. Is there anything special about these two places?

"I'm not sure. In fact, I can make a rough guess even if I don't check it. The Changping warehouses in other places are definitely not as good there. It's all half a catty and eight taels."

"Oh, that means that the relevant officials of these two places are about to be unlucky ahead of time. Father, have you come back so late, have you agreed on how to deal with it?"

Lin Hai half leaned on the couch, and lazily replied: "The three divisions will interrogate, as you said, a group of people will be unlucky. I guess, the third prince should be lifted soon, and this time should not exceed half a year , when the time comes, our Emperor, His Majesty, will have even more headaches."

Lin Rui was taken aback when he heard it, and couldn't help but sit up straight, "Father, how do you know?"

"My guess!"

Seeing Lin Rui's face as if struck by lightning, Lin Hai had no choice but to explain in detail: "I don't believe that the problem of Changping warehouse only happened in the past two years, and it's not that there is a problem in one or two places, but a A common phenomenon. I think there should be two reasons for the emperor to check the open positions at this point in time:

One is because of this problem, which has indeed existed for a long time. As an emperor who hopes to make a difference, the new emperor definitely wants to clean up corruption and corruption in the officialdom, and restore a clear and clear administration of officials.

I guess Li Min is trying to test the bottom line of the Supreme Emperor. They say that the emperor and the courtiers, but most of the ministers in the court are still when the emperor was in power. Li Min does not want to be a puppet all the time, so of course he has to change. .Because of the pressure of the emperor, the new emperor can't replace people for no reason. He has no way to replace people now, so only when something happens or the court fluctuates, can he take the opportunity to install his confidants.If Li Min wanted to change people, he had to find a reasonable reason because he was at fault. This time, the regular liquidation of the inventory was a good reason. "

After listening for a long time, Lin Rui still didn't quite understand, "Father, what did you mean when you said that Li Min was testing the emperor's bottom line?"

"To put it clearly, it depends on the attitude of the officials involved in the investigation. If the emperor can not interfere this time, it means that even if the emperor is dissatisfied with his successor, as long as it is beneficial to the court, he will still support his successor. of those."

"Then if you don't support it, you must interfere?"

"..." Lin Hai shrugged and made a no-comment expression.

Lin Hai looked at his son's depressed expression, so he could only continue to say: "I think the Supreme Emperor will support the emperor's decision to investigate the incident of Changpingcang this time, and continue to investigate, but it will also let the emperor see that the emperor is eager to take power. Thoughts. Although Li Min succeeded to the throne, it is normal for him to want to take power, but now it is not a good thing for the previous emperor who does not want to delegate power.

In love, people will always say that only the dead can't compete, because the living are always more tolerant towards the dead, and thinking of the dead will infinitely magnify his goodness and magnify his goodness. The bad is slowly forgotten.

Now the Supreme Emperor is the same with the Emperor. Originally, he didn't have much interest in the present, but he had to choose at that time. Now, because the Emperor is unwilling to be a puppet, he begins to slowly reach out to the power of the Supreme Emperor. This will naturally cause the Supreme Emperor. dissatisfaction.

And before the third prince was imprisoned, whether it was because of Concubine Zhen or because of himself, he had always been favored by the emperor. Now that he hadn't seen him for a long time, the emperor naturally remembered the goodness of his son. Well, as for the fact that he brought troops into the palace at that time, I'm afraid he was more willing to believe that this son was picked up by some villains and did something stupid, plus there was the pillow wind of Concubine Zhen in the harem, and there was another important point that he wanted to suppress The current emperor Li Min.

Based on the above reasons, I guess that the third prince will be lifted soon, understand? "

"After listening to your analysis, Dad, there is some truth, let alone, maybe it will really happen."

"of course!"

"Okay, my curiosity is satisfied, go back and rest, Mr. Zhong will teach you the first day of class tomorrow, don't be listless due to lack of sleep."

"..." Lin Rui snorted coldly, am I the kind of person who doesn't take classes seriously?

February [-]th, Huachao Festival, is Lin Daiyu's birthday.Waking up early in the morning, Xueyan brought a few maidservants in with toiletries. After Lin Daiyu finished washing, Xuehe next to her specially chose a more festive pink dress for her own girl.After Lin Daiyu sat down, several maidservants knelt down to pay respects to the girl's birthday, and Daiyu hurriedly said, "I'm only too old to let you kneel down to pay respects to the girl, and you won't lose your blessings. It's good that you have the intention. "

"The girl didn't let us worship us, so I listened to the girl. We also prepared a gift for the girl. We know that the girl has seen a lot of good things. Don't be disgusted with this gift. The few of us clumsy and rusted together. Vice Kangping, the girl must accept it."

Xue Que brought up the Kang screens they had already mounted. There were four sets in total, which fit the four seasons of spring, summer, autumn and winter. Although they couldn't compare with those sent by others in the mansion, the rusters were already quite good.

Lin Daiyu looked at the kang screen, "Didn't this take a lot of time for you? I like it very much. It's hard for you to prepare gifts every day when you are on errands. You must reward them well. Xueyang, you are in charge of the money. The four of you A first-class purse for each person, and the other maids and mothers Xueyang in the yard will also give rewards according to the rules."

"Thank you girl!"

Lin Hai had also told the housekeeper a few days earlier that although Daiyu was too young to handle things, it would be nice to have fun in the house, so the kitchen prepared longevity peaches and longevity noodles early in the morning, and added some meat to the house. vegetable.

The birthday gift Lin Hai prepared for his daughter this time was a set of emerald jewelry custom-made at the well-known Zhenbaozhai Jewelry Shop among wealthy families in the capital. When Daiyu came to pay her respects this morning, she took out this set of jewelry.

"Daiyu, take a look at the birthday present Dad prepared for you, do you like it?"

"Thank you Daddy!

Lin Daiyu took the jewelry and opened it happily on the spot, "Purple jadeite? It's rare to see jadeite in this color, and it's even more rare to find a complete set. Thank you, daddy. My daughter likes it very much!"

"Father specially asked someone to order it. We made the material ourselves. This piece of material was given by the salt merchants when we were in Yangzhou. I thought this color was very rare, so I took it out and made it into jewelry this time. Good boy." As long as my daughter likes it!"

"Thank you dad! Ruier, where's yours?"

"Who would ask for a present on their birthday?"

"Oh, where did the rosewood pen holder on the desk in your room come from? Didn't you force me to give it to you for your birthday last year?"

As soon as Lin Rui heard it, she knew that her sister must have a purpose for saying this, "I know, tell me, what good things do you fancy in my hand?"

"My sister thinks that glass paperweight from the previous dynasty on your desk is crystal clear and very beautiful."

Lin Hai listened to it and laughed. Lin Rui glanced at his father who was gloating at his misfortune. He knew that he liked this crouching tiger-shaped glazed paperweight. yourself.

"Why, don't you want to part with it?" Lin Daiyu raised her beautiful eyes and said coquettishly.

"Don't allow me to regret it, okay, okay, I promise you, okay, let Bai Zhi send it over later!"

"That's about the same, thank you Rui'er!"

Lin Hai had eaten breakfast, and it was almost time, so he couldn't stay to watch Lin Rui's jokes, so he had to leave first.Lin Rui watched his father leave, and Mr. Zhong gave him his first class formally. It is always better to arrive earlier, so he also went to the front yard.

Today is the Huachao Festival, and it is also my student's birthday. Mr. Qiu has already said that Daiyu will be suspended for one day today.If he was still in Yangzhou, Lin Hai would arrange the affairs of the yamen early. At this time, Jiangnan is full of green grass, peach blossoms and willows are green. .

Lin Daiyu and the others can't go out for an outing, but the maids in the mansion will still have fun on the day of the Huachao Festival. The five-color paper bought in advance by the mansion was cut into five-color paper by these little maids, and they specially took the red string , tie colored paper on the flower trees all over the mansion, from a distance, all kinds of colors, colorful, quite beautiful.

Lin Daiyu is just a little girl in her teens, and it was time for fun. Seeing the little maids in the mansion having fun, she also got excited. She hung the cut colored paper on the tree with her own hands, and was having fun. At that time, a servant girl came over and announced: "Miss, the Yao Mansion sent someone to bring gifts."

The one who came over to give gifts was the nanny who waited beside Aunt Yao Biao. Daiyu asked someone to prepare a high-quality reward envelope, and the hospitality was polite. , and two bolts of brocade and a pair of jade locks.

Seeing Xueyang arranging these presents, Xue Que asked the people next to her, "The Yao family has brought gifts to the girl, why didn't the girl's maternal ancestors send over, didn't they invite the girl to their house a few days ago Is it your birthday?"

When Xue He heard it, he couldn't help but look at his own girl, this Xue Que was really outspoken, "You're the only one who talks too much!"

"Okay, Xue He, it's not like you don't know that Xue Que is always outspoken, what a big deal, but Xue He is right, Xue Que should be more careful when talking outside.

The eldest cousin has just become a concubine, and the grandfather's family is busy. I have a child's birthday, but it doesn't matter. Wouldn't it be better for us to have fun at home? ! "

The author has something to say: Types of ancient granaries

Changping warehouse: The central or local government pays for the purchase of grain, which is operated by the government, with the main purpose of stabilizing grain prices.The stone storage and grain storage established in Nanjing during the Eastern Wu Dynasty belonged to this category and was managed by the government.There have been successive dynasties, and the amount of stored grain has continued to increase.

Yicang: Wealthy merchants and gentlemen paid for the purchase of grain or the grain obtained from the taxation of grain was managed by the people, and it was completely used as a backup in the year of famine. The Yicang grain in Nanjing existed in the Tang Dynasty, and it has been used throughout the years.

Military storage warehouses: The military storage warehouses were mainly used to pay the salaries of officials. At that time, there were [-] military guard warehouses, and the grain storage was mainly supplied to the imperial guards stationed in Nanjing at that time.

Reserve warehouse: Zhu Yuanzhang asked gentlemen to pay for grain purchases and was in charge of the reserve warehouse for relief in times of famine.The specific method is: if the folks have surplus grain and sell it voluntarily, they will be transported to designated warehouses and sold to the government at market prices. In case of a famine, the government will lend it to the people, and the harvested grain will be returned to the reserve warehouse after autumn.

Historically, the Changping Warehouse System was not often abolished in China.But when the entire territory of China fell to the Manchus, its regulations were quite complete.In the Qing Dynasty, the funds for Changping warehouses mainly came from local fiscal revenue, withholding grain to enrich Changping warehouses’ funds and enriching people’s donations of grain; the role of Changping warehouses was not only to stabilize prices, but also to lend to farmers as seed rations to solve the problems of some rural areas that were in short supply. Difficulties that arise, at the same time achieve the purpose of exchanging old things from the grain and changing the new ones.In times of catastrophe, the Changping barn is also used to relieve the victims; in order to ensure the quality of the national grain reserves, the portion produced every year is about 30.00% of the total reserves.

The storage volume in Changping was continuously expanded with the rise of the national power of the Qing Dynasty. The Qing Dynasty declined from prosperity, and the storage of grain was gradually empty and even dried up.By the end of the Qing Dynasty, for most of the country, Changpingcang, the economic stabilizer, had existed in name only.

Since the 30s, the United States has introduced the permanent warehouse policy in Wang Anshi’s New Deal of the Song Dynasty into Roosevelt’s New Deal, and it is still the theoretical basis of the US government’s agricultural policy until today.

Insurance, futures... Of course, we must learn from these good economic mechanisms in the West, but we must not lose China's good institutional models.Futures can only really play a role in stabilizing prices under the constant position, because the constant position prevents speculators from ever daring to exceed the price boundary set by the constant position.

It's a pity that the agricultural policy of the United States knows that it has signed a system of permanent warehouses. On the contrary, China now does not insist on the good things passed down by our own ancestors. Look at the current price of meat and grain, and talk about using the national reserve every day Stabilize prices, but the relevant reserves are not well done, how can we achieve the purpose of stabilizing prices.