Chapter 17 Sugarcane Can Move History (Part 2)
Yang's reform allowed the emperor's father-in-law to organize a sugar industry association, which was for three purposes: first, to prevent technical outflows; second, to prevent everyone from killing prices at will; and third, it is convenient to collect taxes.
Those old industries are difficult to increase taxes and collect taxes, the Yang reform does not have the mind and those Ming dynasty scholars and officials, elites competing in brain power, competing in physical strength, still doing some articles in this emerging industry, collecting taxes is easier, and will not trigger a backlash from those Ming dynasty scholars and officials, elites.
"I understand, I will remember it in my heart." The emperor's words were as cold as the ice hole in a river on a spring day, making the empress's father feel refreshed.
Another thought, this can be considered as completing the emperor's secret mission, it can be said that he is the emperor's super confidant, relatives plus confidants, in this great Ming dynasty, what a great honor and power. In the future, isn't it just a matter of who doesn't please your eyes and then deal with them?
Another thought occurred to the Emperor: If I were the Emperor of this great Ming dynasty, your daughter would still be the Empress, and you would still be the Imperial Father-in-law... If we lose due to lack of military strength, leading to defeat and the destruction of our country, your daughter would inevitably have to follow me in death... You would also become someone else's slave, with mud on your feet. The Emperor's father-in-law felt a chill run down his spine, his neck stiffened, and his scalp numbed. Although these words were venomous, they made it clear that if the Ming dynasty fell, he would be nothing; but as long as the Ming dynasty remained, he would be a member of the imperial family, a noble and esteemed individual. Thinking this, the Emperor's father-in-law, Zhou Kui, gritted his teeth and secretly made up his mind: Under no circumstances could the Ming dynasty fall; he had to find a way to get more military funding. What I want is to be the Imperial Father-in-law, not someone else's foot mud...
"Alright, that's about it. After you go back, hurry up and get to work. Try to make money by the end of this year or early next year. Lead others to plant sugarcane. Remember, before the sugarcane is harvested and the white sugar is sold, don't be extravagant, be frugal and stingy. Only after the white sugar is sold can you splurge and let those people know that you got rich from planting sugarcane. Understand? Don't mess up my big plan." Yang reminded the emperor's father-in-law repeatedly, tightening his grip on the seal.
"Yes, I will remember it carefully." The Queen's father was now determined.
"Hmm, this time you go to Jiangnan there is another thing... Ah, forget it, let's talk about it later." Yang Reform's words reached the tip of his tongue but he didn't want to say it. This matter was about organizing a group of imperial relatives to farm "Jiangnan Vice Copy". Currently, the only imperial relative was Emperor Zhou's father-in-law and his family. Imperial relatives like those from Tian Fei and Yuan Fei's families couldn't be called an imperial relative group yet because Tian Fei and Yuan Fei hadn't been officially appointed as imperial consorts. Yang Reform planned to wait until the imperial relative group "matured" before going to farm "Jiangnan Vice Copy".
"Alas... the Empress Dowager was still thinking of you yesterday, clamoring to see you. You should go and see her now, don't let her wait anxiously." Yang let the Empress Dowager's father go and take a look at the Empress Dowager, with the intention of dispelling his doubts as well, so that he could feel at ease and handle matters for himself.
"I thank Your Majesty for your kindness." After finishing speaking, the Queen's father knocked his head again with gratitude and then backed out to see the Queen.
Yang looked at the departing figure of the emperor's father and thought about those wealthy landlords, big and small merchants, and scholars of the Ming dynasty rushing to set up sugarcane plantations, feeling a thrill in his heart.
The first benefit of Yang's reform calculation is that he can get 80% of the profit from the Empress Dowager, although it is nominally given to the Empress. But isn't the Emperor and Empress one entity? Do they need to distinguish between you and me? Moreover, Empress Zhou's reputation in history is not bad, belonging to the virtuous wife and good mother type, so using her money should not be opposed. Additionally, he can tax this new industry according to his own will.
The second benefit: Boosted the economy, doesn't buying land cost money? Doesn't manufacturing and transporting sugar require ships and people? Doesn't personnel travel require ships? Doesn't providing for these people's food, drink, and other needs require other industries? Doesn't it also require manpower? Doesn't it need to expand shipbuilding capacity? Doesn't it boost employment? Boost the economy? What is called pulling GDP, 21st-century people (including otaku) all know.
The third benefit: alleviated the pressure of land and population, giving this land and population pressure a vent. Planting sugarcane must require a large number of people, which can only be transferred from inland! Whose labor is the cheapest? It must be the labor of those in the north who cannot eat enough food or wear warm clothes.
The fourth benefit: broadened the horizons of Ming dynasty scholars and officials, who later went to Ryukyu, Annan, Jiaozhi, and even further afield, bringing population growth with them, indirectly expanding the Ming dynasty's "territory". They had to deal with pirates and local "natives" when trading sugar cane and sugar, and those Ming scholars, landlords, and elites who suffered losses would cry out for troops to be sent to eliminate the pirates and "natives". Wouldn't that allow for the creation of many warships? The deployment of many soldiers? The establishment of overseas military bases? Once these military bases were established, wouldn't it naturally follow that they would be incorporated into the territory?
With a sucrose decolorization technique, he stirred up the entire history of the Ming Dynasty, and Yang's reform efforts were fantasizing.
Opening up new industries for taxation, the original iron, salt, silk, tea and other traditional tax fields cannot collect more taxes. The tax revenue of the Ming Dynasty will not increase much. With a new tax, it is possible to significantly increase the tax revenue of the Ming Dynasty, and it is still in one's own hands.
Also mobilized the Ming Dynasty's white silver, that is, the circulation of wealth, buying land, planting sugarcane, making sugar, making money, and then investing in buying land again, planting again, the economy gradually circulates, no longer letting these white silvers mold in the landlord's cellar, just like the blood in the giant blood vessels of the Ming Dynasty regaining vitality, with many obvious benefits.
If it were an ordinary businessman, he might not be able to handle this arduous task.
First, without sufficient "official background", wanting to plant sugarcane in Guangdong or even Annan is likely to be eaten by the locals until nothing is left, let alone keeping the secret of sugar extraction.
Secondly, it is impossible to make friends with many Ming dynasty officials and nobles, especially the wealthy ones. Ordinary people can hardly get in touch with them, even if Yang Reform tries to support one or two, firstly, Yang Reform doesn't know many people in the Ming Dynasty, secondly, there isn't enough time and energy to support them. Since ordinary people cannot get in touch with those wealthy families and large landowners, they cannot be persuaded to set up plantations, and therefore, it is impossible to naturally make population and money flow, or organize a sugar industry association with executive power, or have the power to collect taxes. Others won't listen to you, can the emperor always support you and fight for you?
So, this matter is best left to the Queen's father, Zhou Kui. Firstly, his background is solid enough - he is the Queen's father and the Emperor's father-in-law. For now, he is the only one with such a hard background in the Ming Dynasty. He is also a genuine elite of the Ming Dynasty scholars and officials, and a high-level elite at that. He is also the elite that various people try to curry favor with, and it would be perfect for him to lead those Ming Dynasty scholars, landlords, and merchants to Guangdong, Annan, and Ryukyu to cultivate land. It would be great if he takes the lead in paying taxes and protecting the secret of sugar production.
Thinking of this, Yang reform felt that he was indeed a genius, thinking of such a good idea. He couldn't help but laugh out loud with pride.
Early spring in the capital city, the snow is still very thick and cold, but the bright sunshine on top of my head, the gentle warmth of the sun continues to melt the thick snow. Looking at the new buds emerging from the snowy ground outside the pavilion, Yang Reform feels that this weather scenery suits his mood.
As for Queen's old father Zhou Kui's actions and execution ability, Yang Reform dare not look up to him. In history, he did not leave a good name, but only a synonym for stupidity. However, it can't be said that he has to try again, and himself is also busy intimidating him. There is no one around Yang Reform who can discuss with him, so he can only let him do it first.
This thing, the idea is good, but whether it can be achieved, Yang's reform has no plan. The current Yang Reform is at a loss in the face of the situation at the end of the Ming Dynasty, there is no good way to go, and can only force its way through.
The queen's place. There are 200,000 taels of silver tickets left by Yang Gaofu, which is the start-up capital given to Queen's father Zhou Kui by Yang Gaofu. As for whether it will succeed or not, Yang Gaofu can only pray for good luck.