"The drought in Shaanxi has yet to pass, and the governor of Shanxi, Hu Yun, has submitted an urgent report for 800 miles. Shanxi is likely to have a plague of insects this year!”
"Dear ministers, do you have any good plans for disaster relief?”
Chong Zhen sat on the dragon throne, extremely anxious.
All these years, Da Ming had never been content. It was either a natural disaster or a man-made disaster.
Sometimes, Chongzhen even doubted his life. Was he not suitable to be the emperor and incur the wrath of the heavens?
Furthermore, the most important thing now was that the national treasury had money because they had confiscated Zhou Wen and his family's assets!
However, he couldn't buy food now!
Because of the merchants hurting the farmers, the grain production of the Ming Dynasty was already seriously insufficient.
In addition, the Shaanxi disaster relief, the Shaanxi army's pay, the Ji Liao army's pay, and so on needed food everywhere. Jiangnan and Huguang did not have that much food at all.
The entire Da Ming's grain prices were already rising crazily!
If he forcefully allocated money to buy food, the price of food would definitely reach a new height.
At that time, even if the disaster in Shaanxi and Shanxi could be resolved, what would happen to the people of Ming and the other fourteen provinces?
Could they withstand this wave of soaring food prices?
If they couldn't hold on, the commoners of the other fourteen provinces would rebel!
This was Da Ming's most fundamental problem!
Money couldn't buy food, and forcefully buying it would only increase the price of food!
This was also the reason why Chongzhen cared so much about potatoes and sweet potatoes before. It was because the Ming Dynasty was currently in the greatest shortage of food.
This was something that could not be lacking!
If the disaster in Shanxi could not be suppressed, Shanxi would become the second Shaanxi, and the consequences would be unimaginable!
"Your Majesty, I'm afraid that the only solution now is to find the Jiangnan aristocrats. The Imperial Court will buy grain from them and the market at the same time, and the government will come forward to forcefully suppress the grain prices!”
At this moment, the right assistant minister of the Ministry of Revenue stood up and reported.
"Your Majesty, I don't think this is appropriate. Now, those wealthy merchants have a large amount of grain in their hands. If we buy it, they will definitely raise the price of the grain and damage the national treasury!”
"Apart from that, once the government comes forward to forcefully suppress the grain prices, what if those grain merchants don't sell?”
"At that time, the price of grain won't just rise. It might lead to no food to buy!”
Another official stood out.
"Your Majesty, I believe that we should take a tough approach at this time. We should severely punish grain merchants who raise the price of grain. If they don't sell grain, the imperial court should cancel their qualifications as grain merchants and force them to sell grain!”Another minister suggested.
"No, those who have food are all aristocrats and squires. If they resist, the consequences will be even more unimaginable. They have food, and once they resist the imperial court, all parts of Great Ming will be in turmoil!”
"You can't do this or that. Tell me, what should we do?”
“……”
In the imperial court, the ministers were arguing.
Even Chongzhen's head was noisy!
"Shut up!"
Chong Zhen suddenly stood up and said with a frosty expression,"Normally, all of you are paid by the Imperial Court. Now that the Imperial Court is facing a problem, you can't even think of a decent solution!”
"What use do I have for you!"
All the officials in the court fell silent, no one daring to make a sound.
"Chief, tell me, what good ideas do you have for disaster relief?"”
Cheng Ji Ming smiled bitterly. What could he do?
What Da Ming lacked now was food. If there was less food, he was not a god and could not conjure food.
"Your Majesty, although the locust plague is terrifying, there are still several months before the autumn harvest. This subject believes that the disaster relief should be delayed rather than rushed. The Imperial Court can formulate some regulations for purchasing grain.”
" While ensuring that the grain prices are rising, we must ensure that they rise slowly and delay the rise. As long as we can delay it until the autumn harvest, the food crisis will be alleviated.”
Cheng Ji ordered.
"Although the Prime Minister's move is mature, those grain merchants are all over the country. They will soon receive news of the insect disaster in Shanxi. Based on past experience, these grain merchants will hoard grain, and the grain on the market will probably decrease!”
"The price of grain will continue to rise in the future. I'm afraid it's not something the Imperial Court can control." Qian Xiangkun muttered to himself.”
"Is there no other way?"
Chong Zhen's face was so gloomy that water could drip out. He believed that what Qian Xiangkun said was completely reasonable.
This was because he had experienced more than just this once over the years.
Most merchants only cared about profits, not the imperial court!
"Your Majesty, this subject has another suggestion. Based on the previous regulations, the Imperial Court might be able to discuss with those aristocratic grain merchants and purchase grain at a high price without affecting the price of grain among the people. Although this would cause the Imperial Court to suffer heavy losses, it would at least be able to ensure the disaster in Shanxi.”Cheng Ji Ming said.
"Chief, what if those aristocratic grain merchants are not satisfied and want more?" Qian Xiangkun frowned.”
"The Imperial Court can give these grain merchants and aristocrats a certain amount of grace!”
"For example, bestowing them with some plaque to reward them for their support of the imperial court's disaster relief!”
Cheng Ji Ming said," It can relieve the pressure in this area. I believe many grain merchants will restrain themselves."”
Cheng Ji Ming's suggestion was very simple. To put it bluntly, it was to make money for the grain merchants and also to give them a reputation.
Don't underestimate this reputation. In the Ming Dynasty, the status of merchants was very low. Some grain merchants didn't lack money, but they lacked reputation.
It had to be said that the method of forming a Foundation Life was still useful.
Chong Zhen couldn't help but laugh bitterly. This was really like the saying, a whore still wants to build a chastity memorial archway!
Chongzhen was really angry!
If it was possible, he really didn't want to do this!
However, the situation forced him to do so, and he had no better way. Perhaps this was the only way!
Wait a minute!
No!
Chong Zhen suddenly thought of Zhu Ci!
My son Ci Xi is the reincarnation of an immortal!
Was there a better way?
Chong Zhen thought about it and shook his head. Although Zhu Ci Xin was the reincarnation of an immortal, he was not a real immortal. Could he have conjured food out of thin air?
If he eavesdropped on Zhu Ci Xin's thoughts, he would know if Zhu Ci Xin had any good ideas.
However, he shouldn't have too much hope.
Chong Zhen suppressed his thoughts and sighed,""In that case, Minister Cheng, your cabinet and the Ministry of Revenue will draft a constitution and submit it.”
"Your Majesty is wise!"
civil and military officials of the court all shouted like mountains.
Chongzhen laughed at himself. Sacred my ass!
After that, Chongzhen instructed Hou Xun and the others in the imperial court to speed up the promotion of potatoes and the planting of sweet potatoes. Once there were any results, they had to report immediately!
This time, Chongzhen was determined to promote these two crops throughout the country!
He no longer wanted to be restrained by merchants!
This feeling made Chongzhen very unhappy!
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