Chapter 932
Chapter 932
Chapter 932
Sun Yuanzhen immediately put forward his idea: "Once the seaport is built, Zhejiang's textile industry will definitely expand more than three times its current scale. This will consume a lot of labor, not to mention the surrounding economy brought about by the construction of the seaport. At least I can guarantee that the problem of displaced people can be completely solved."
Pan Yun asked, "Is this about converting displaced people into laborers, or farmers into laborers?"
Sun Yuanzhen paused.
Pan Yun continued, “I heard that dyers in Zhejiang only earn less than eighteen coins a day, and the dyehouse also deducts about three coins as a management fee. Dyeers are prone to illness. Fifteen coins a day is enough to support themselves, but it is impossible to support their families. If they get sick, it will be even more difficult.”
"Lord Sun, whether it is converting displaced people into laborers or farmers into laborers, they must be given sufficient protection. If they cannot support their elderly parents and raise their wives and children, this temporary peace is brewing a greater disaster."
Yang Zan quickly replied, "I have discussed this matter with Lord Sun. Our current focus is on converting displaced people into laborers. We will first find them jobs to help them settle down, and then increase their wages and fix the minimum wage by law."
Sun Yuanzhen nodded: "The government will set an example by paying two to five coins more for the construction of the harbor than it is now. After that, I will personally meet with the major merchants to agree on the minimum wage before issuing the decree."
Such trivial matters are difficult for the imperial court to address with decrees, and even if such decrees are issued, they are difficult for local authorities to comply with. Therefore, local authorities have the power to govern.
These regulations are not difficult for local governments to formulate.
It was because of this right that they were able to add additional taxes and levies on top of the taxes stipulated by the imperial court.
But Pan Yun was not satisfied with this, so she lowered her eyes, drank her tea, and remained silent.
Sun Yuanzhen and Yang Zan exchanged a glance, wondering what Pan Yun was still dissatisfied with.
Although only a quarter of an hour has passed since they met, Sun Yuanzhen and Yang Zan have already realized that this national advisor is neither a person who seeks fame and fortune nor one who is greedy for money.
When she spoke of the hardships of ordinary people, she was sincere, and then there was Xue Shao, whom she had just met on the stairs…
People say that birds of a feather flock together, and since Pan Yun and Xue Shao can become good friends, they must be the same kind of people.
Information about the Imperial Advisor is scarce, but information about Xue Shao is plentiful.
After some deduction and considering the conversation just now, Sun Yuanzhen instantly understood, but the Imperial Advisor felt it wasn't enough.
After a moment's thought, he said, "Fixing the minimum wage solely in law is not enough to guarantee a better life. I will discuss this further with the officials of the Provincial Administration Commission to come up with more solutions."
Pan Yun said, "People have many misunderstandings about Emperor Taizu. They all think that Emperor Taizu Gaozong was too ruthless when he ordered the execution of meritorious officials..."
Sun Yuanzhen and Yang Zan's hearts tightened, and they looked up at Pan Yun. The staff behind them, lacking their composure, had already changed color and looked at their masters in alarm.
Pan Yun, however, remained unfazed and said, "But in my opinion, it's understandable."
She said, "Emperor Taizu Gao was an emperor born from the common people. He knew the suffering of the people and that land was the foundation of the people. At the beginning of the founding of the country, he once shouted to eliminate violence and bring peace to the people. However, after achieving success, he seized a lot of land and acted like the Yuan army. How could Your Majesty not be angry and resentful?"
Sun Yuanzhen and Yang Zan listened without changing their expressions, but then a thought struck them and they understood.
To be honest, this was also a source of worry for Yang Zan.
He stared intently at Pan Yun, so excited he almost stood up.
After so many years, someone has finally hit the nail on the head.
Yang Zan clenched his fist and lowered his voice slightly: "Is the Grand Preceptor saying that we should take back the land lost by the refugees and redistribute it to them?"
Pan Yun said, "This matter is not easy."
Sun Yuanzhen pursed her lips and said in a deep voice, "It cannot be accomplished in a short time."
Pan Jun: "At the very least, we must prevent farmers who still have land from losing it and becoming displaced, and reduce tenant farmers' dependence on the land."
Sun Yuanzhen was taken aback. He was more skilled in military affairs than in matters of people's livelihood, so he couldn't help but look at Yang Zan.
Yang Zan's eyes lit up, and he nodded repeatedly: "That's right. Nowadays, tenant farmers still rent land from landlords on a household basis. A household of five people rents five acres of land. The landlord takes up all the labor and energy of the five people throughout the year. If we can improve the efficiency of labor and reduce the landlord's demands on the tenant farmers, as long as two of the five people can spare the labor, those two people can work outside to earn extra wages. Over time, the family's financial situation will improve, and in the future, they may not be unable to buy land from the landlord or change from tenant farming to manual labor."
Pan Jun's lips curled slightly: "Deng Maoqi's rebellion in Fujian was precisely because the landlords were exploiting the tenant farmers too much. Although the imperial court has issued an order to strictly restrain the landlords in Fujian and cancel several labor-intensive auxiliary jobs for the tenant farmers, ... imperial orders are difficult to issue to local authorities. When it comes to the actual implementation at the local level, it still depends on the local authorities."
Yang Zan immediately turned to Sun Yuanzhen and said, "Sir, it is the time for spring sowing. All the counties are going to the countryside to encourage farming and sericulture. Why not take this opportunity to order them to restrain the landlords in each county and appease the tenant farmers?"
Sun Yuanzhen nodded.
After thinking for a moment, he simply put forward another idea: "Grand Preceptor, I am about to submit a memorial to the throne to separate Ruian and establish Taishun, and to separate Lishui and Qingtian counties to establish Yunhe, Xuanping and Jingning counties. I will also set up official positions and armies to settle the displaced people and prevent thieves."
Pan Yun's eyes lit up upon hearing this, and he threw his head back and burst into laughter: "Lord Sun is truly brilliant! This is a wonderful idea, hahahaha..."
With the division of counties, the government has the opportunity to clear out a lot of unregistered wasteland and "ownerless" fields, which can be used to relocate villages and resettle people. This will allow some of the large number of migrants to settle down, and they will also be allocated arable wasteland.
Seeing her happy, Sun Yuanzhen quickly asked, "Since the Imperial Preceptor also thinks this method is feasible, what about the matter of building a port in Hangzhou...?"
Pan Yun smiled slightly and said, "Lord Sun, do you know how much additional customs duty was added to Quanzhou Port's accounts from the end of the year until March?"
Sun Yuanzhen shook her head.
Pan Yun smiled and gestured a number to him.
Sun Yuanzhen's eyes widened slightly, and Yang Zan's heart also burned with excitement.
Pan Yun smiled and said, "This is just the tariff. Think about the transaction volume and profits of the merchants after this tariff."
“Maritime trade mainly involves silk, various fabrics, tea, and porcelain. These items are primarily produced in Zhejiang and Southern Zhili. Quanzhou is not far from Zhejiang. If we open another seaport in Zhejiang, wouldn't that cut off Quanzhou's supply of goods?”
so what?
"Better to die than for me, my fellow Daoists." They are now officials in Zhejiang, so naturally they must work for the benefit of Zhejiang.
Sun Yuanzhen immediately said, "Grand Preceptor, it's too far to go to Quanzhou Port. If we could open a port in Hangzhou, it would be more convenient for merchants and would also save a lot of travel expenses and taxes. This would be a policy that benefits the people."
“It is indeed a policy that benefits the people, but,” Pan Yun asked Sun Yuanzhen, lifting his eyelids, “it is best if those who benefit from it are fully aware of its benefits. Lord Sun is an official, but I don’t know what the ‘people’ think, or what they are willing to pay for it?”
Sun Yuanzhen and Yang Zan frowned. What did this mean?
Is this an attempt to extort bribes from those big businessmen?
Is Pan Yun that kind of person?
The two men, who had just been convinced they hadn't misjudged the person, were now doubting their ability to judge character, their confidence shattering.
Sun Yuanzhen and Yang Zan remained silent for a moment, but their advisors understood immediately. They stood up to pour tea for Pan Yun, bowed, and said with a smile, "The Grand Preceptor's words are reasonable. I wonder what the Grand Preceptor thinks is appropriate for those 'people' to pay?"
Pan Jun knew they had misunderstood, but he didn't blame them. He just glared at them and said, "How would I know? Let you adults figure it out yourselves. I only know that since Deng Maoqi's rebellion, His Majesty has paid special attention to the problems of tenant farmers and displaced people. If they are willing to contribute money, grain, and land to settle the displaced people and quell public grievances, I think His Majesty will be very happy. He might even grant Zhejiang a port with a stroke of his pen."
The four men suddenly realized that the matter still involved settling the displaced people and reclaiming land for the poor.
Pan Yun slowly picked up her teacup, took a sip, and said with a smile, "Isn't Imperial Censor Xue in Hangzhou right now? I heard he's found out a lot of interesting things."
Sun Yuanzhen and Yang Zan exchanged a glance and immediately came up with an idea. Mature politicians don't need to say too much; they can just hint at it and leave it at that.
Sun Yuanzhen burst into laughter, changed the subject, and turned to his advisor, "Go ask the manager why the dishes haven't been served yet?"
The aide immediately smiled and agreed, then pushed open the door and went out.
The restaurant had prepared the food in advance, but since the people inside didn't call for it, they naturally didn't dare to disturb them.
Upon hearing this question, the prepared dishes were brought out one after another.
Pan Yun enjoyed the meal very much, as it was Sun Yuanzhen's treat.
After eating and drinking their fill, Sun Yuanzhen and Yang Zan left with their staff, while Pan Yun went back to her room to rest.
The manager, who had been keeping a close eye on the private room, immediately called over a waiter and asked him to relay a message to the owner.
"Lord Sun and Lord Yang were very respectful to that Taoist nun. Before they arrived, Imperial Censor Xue from the capital escorted her upstairs, but she only stayed for a short while before leaving."
Yuan Hongsheng twirled the jade pill in his hand thoughtfully: "A person whom both Lord Sun and Lord Yang respect, a female Taoist priest, and she's with Imperial Censor Xue from the capital..."
He paused, sat up straight, and his eyes widened slightly: "Could it be... the Imperial Advisor?"
Yuan Hongsheng immediately put down the jade pill, changed his clothes, and went to the inn. After stealing a glance at Pan Yun, he immediately beckoned the innkeeper and asked, "Have you paid?"
"He left a piece of silver as a deposit when he entered the house."
"Return it to me right now, and double it!" he said. "You all need to take good care of me, serve me three meals a day and two tea breaks, and serve me the best you can."
The shopkeeper couldn't help but wipe the cold sweat from his forehead and asked in a low voice, "What if I guessed wrong..."
Yuan Hongsheng glanced at him and said, "If you guessed wrong, you guessed wrong. It's just food and lodging for today. Even if he's not the Imperial Advisor, how bad can someone be who is treated as an honored guest by Lord Sun and Lord Yang?"
Yuan Hongsheng was a businessman. Although he owned several inns and restaurants, this one was still the best in Hangzhou, and he still found it difficult to expand further.
In particular, he had already opened inns in several prosperous prefectures in Zhejiang, making it difficult to break through further. If he wanted to go further, he could only develop in other industries.
But switching tracks isn't that easy.
He had a gut feeling that this was an opportunity.
He was unaware that this opportunity was given to him by Pan Yun, and was also a clue left for Sun Yuanzhen and Yang Zan.
To run the best inn in Hangzhou, one must be either extremely shrewd or extremely arrogant.
A different attitude, a different way of playing, but no matter what, it can be a breakthrough.
Pan Yun pushed open the window, picked up Pan Xiaohei and threw him down: "Go find Xue Shao and tell him that there's no one here."
Pan Xiaohei nimbly leaped and twirled in the air, landing smoothly before taking off running.
It played outside happily until nightfall before returning to find Pan Yun: "Xue Shao is not in the city."
Pan Yun finished her practice, opened her eyes, glanced at it, and said, "I knew it all along."
Pan Xiaohei: "How did you know?"
"From the moment I heard you running around the city like a madman, and then I heard all sorts of hawking noises coming from your direction, I knew you were out having fun."
Although Pan Xiaohei is playful, he is intelligent and reliable. He will only play wildly when he has completed the task or is certain that he will not be able to complete the task.
Seeing Pan Yun walk to the table to pour tea, Pan Xiaohei immediately jumped onto the table, craning its neck to drink first, muttering to itself: "Aren't you worried he'll get killed? Quite a few people are watching him today."
Pan Yun: "Xue Shao has a good reputation, and there are many people watching him every day. He has been in Jiangnan for quite some time now. He is not someone to be trifled with.
Pan Yun took another teacup, poured herself a cup of tea, and gulped it down before saying, "Besides, he has talismans on him, so I don't sense any danger from him."
Xue Shao was indeed not in danger, just a little disheveled.
He and Xijin failed to enter the city before the gates closed.
The master and servant stood outside the city, looking up at the lanterns hanging on the city gate. They felt the last glimmer of light in the sky disappear and the sky become completely dark. They then exchanged a silent glance.
Xi Jin looked up at the sky and said, "There is no moon tonight, and the stars are sparse. It's so dark."
Xue Shao also looked up at the sky and asserted, "It will rain in the latter half of the night."
If it's a clear day with the moon and stars, it can be as bright as day, even at night. So even if they spend the night outside the city, the master and servant won't panic.
But if it rains, you can't just stay there anywhere.
Xue Shao turned and left, quickening his pace: "Let's go to the City God Temple. If we can stay there, we will. If not, we need to get to a village to stay overnight before the rain starts."
Xi Jin quickly ran to catch up.
Both master and servant were used to living outdoors and were very familiar with survival in the wild.
Spring rain is as precious as oil, but it can also be very harmful.
In spring, especially at night, if you get caught in the rain and don't dry off or change your clothes promptly, you're likely to get sick.
Even if Xue Shao is a cultivator, it's useless.
Xue Shao felt that even gods were useless.
So the master and servant hurriedly went to the City God Temple, which was three miles away.
When we arrived at the City God Temple, we found that the roof of the temple had been torn off, leaving no place to hide.
Clearly, the City God Temple was completely destroyed after last year's typhoon.
Xue Shao was also decisive, turning around and pulling Xi Jin to the village three miles away.
It was too dark at night, and the rain started earlier than Xue Shao had anticipated. The master and servant took a shortcut along the ridge of the field, but Xi Jin's foot slipped and he swayed towards the dark side. Xue Shao was startled and instinctively grabbed him, but ended up falling down himself.
With a splash, Xue Shao entered the water and realized it was a pond.
(End of this chapter)