Chapter 138 Urban Renewal

The group of people supported the emperor and sat him in the main seat. Zhang Fu hurriedly poured him a pot of hot tea.

Princess Yongning clamored to go see the birds. Zheng Xier smiled, and together with Zhang Fu, she led Princess Yongning out of the hall.

"Sit down." After the few people left, Emperor Wanli looked at Zhang Yunxiu and ordered.

Zhang Yunxiu smiled at the emperor and sat down on his left.

As soon as he sat down, Emperor Wanli couldn't wait to ask: "Yunxiu, didn't you say you would help us make money? Why are you spending so much money now? How much will it cost to demolish the entire West City and build new houses?"

But a few days ago, a memorial was delivered from the cabinet.

When Emperor Wanli opened it, he found that he wanted to demolish the West City, clean it up, and then build a new house.

Moreover, every household whose land was demolished not only received a house, but also a sum of money.

After doing the math, Emperor Wanli felt his heart bleed.

So, he found the right opportunity to sneak out of the palace and find Zhang Yunxiu to get to the bottom of everything.

When Zhang Yunxiu heard about this, he raised his eyebrows and slowly explained to Emperor Wanli: "Your Majesty, most of the Xicheng District is dilapidated streets and alleys, and the houses are not worth much. If we demolish them and replan them, the price of this place will not be this high."

"If we give out houses and money, wouldn't the court be at a loss?" Emperor Wanli still felt a little distressed.

"It's not a loss." Zhang Yunxiu said, moving his chair towards the emperor. "Think about it, when the people have money, they will naturally think about spending it. As long as they spend money, the merchants below will make money, and with money earned, the court can collect taxes."

"This money will eventually return to the court."

Emperor Wanli's eyes lit up when he heard this. He clapped his hands and said, "Now that you've said this, I understand a little. The money we spend is like drops of water. They roll around, gather into a river, and flow into the imperial treasury."

"Your Majesty is wise." Zhang Yunxiu complimented with a smile.

As long as people are willing to spend money, business will naturally be revitalized. When business prospers, more jobs will naturally be created.

On the contrary, if these people hold on to their money, it would be a big problem.

This money is only called money when it is spent. If it is not spent, it is just hard coins.

Emperor Wanli was relieved and knew that he would not suffer any loss. He was in a good mood. He stood up and said with a smile: "Since it is good for both the court and the people, this matter must be done and it must be done quickly."

"Yes." Zhang Yunxiu nodded in agreement.

Afterwards, Emperor Wanli said some words of encouragement and made a gesture to leave.

Zhang Yunxiu escorted the guest to the gate of the mansion. Emperor Wanli turned around and said, "Remember, this must be done quickly and well. There must be no delay."

"Your Majesty, rest assured. I will supervise this matter as soon as possible."

"Okay, let's go back and take care of those three birds."

Emperor Wanli waved his hand, stood up and left.

Princess Yongning looked unsatisfied. She made a face at Zhang Yunxiu and said angrily, "Take good care of my bird. If it's thinner next time I come to see it, I'll hold you accountable."

Zhang Yunxiu nodded and smiled apologetically, watching the brother and sister get on the carriage and slowly drive away.

Until they disappeared from sight.

After wiping the sweat from his forehead, Zhang Yunxiu turned around and walked back to his mansion.

In the blink of an eye, it is October, and the demolition and resettlement of ordinary people in Xicheng District has begun to get on track.

The vast majority of ordinary people are happy to do so.

After all, the imperial court promised to pay a sum of money as compensation and also to provide them with a new house. For these people who had lived in the stinking ditch for a long time, it was simply a pie in the sky.

Once the idea was proposed, many people began to plan to move temporarily.

Sun Yuan is one of them.

Because Zhang Yunxiu had informed him in advance, he was not too surprised. He just lowered his head and busily sorted out the sundries.

He had lived in this house for more than 20 years, and although it was a little run-down, he had feelings for every blade of grass and every tree in the house. Now that they were suddenly separated, he felt a little reluctant.

As he thought about it, he stood there like a wooden stake, staring at the scene and object in front of him.

"What are you still standing there for? Hurry up and pack up. Our house will be the first to be demolished. For our shabby house, the court is willing to compensate us with 70 silver dollars and give us a new house. This is simply a great thing."

While Sun Yuan was in a daze, his wife came in. Seeing her husband in a daze, she couldn't help but yelled, "If we are slow, and the court doesn't demolish our house, you will cry."

Sun Yuan smiled and shook his head, blowing away the dusty book in his hand.

"Don't mention it, I'm still a little reluctant to leave this place."

"What are you reluctant to leave? Your little lover? Or the smell of urine here?" Sun Yuan's wife asked him with her hands on her chest and a ferocious face.

Sun Yuan was about to refute when they heard footsteps outside the yard. The couple stopped talking and tilted their ears to listen outside.

A slightly majestic voice rang out: "Sun Yuan, come out."

"It's Captain Han." Sun Yuan recognized him as Zhang Yunxiu's close associate.

He did not dare to delay and walked out with his robe lifted.

More than ten Jinyiwei were standing in the courtyard, and the leader was Han San in military uniform.

Upon seeing Han San, Sun Yuan hurriedly trotted forward and asked in a flattering manner: "Captain Han, why are you here? Look, this place is very dirty and messy, and there is no place for you to stay."

"Sir, let me come and see you, and see if anyone has embezzled your resettlement fee." Han San waved his hand and took out a list: "Sun Yuan, seventy taels, right?"

"Yes, seventy silver dollars per tael, not a small amount." Sun Yuan laughed.

"Okay, as long as it's not less."

Han San nodded slightly, patted Sun Yuan on the shoulder, and said jokingly, "Ambassador Sun, don't think that your current position in the Military Equipment Bureau is insignificant. As long as you work hard, your future prospects will be limitless."

"We know." Sun Yuan nodded and replied.

"I'm glad to know." Han San grinned, left two Jinyiwei to help, and covered his mouth and nose, fleeing from the alley.

After exiting the alley, he turned left and right and came to a teahouse at the end of Chongwen Street.

In the private room on the second floor, Zhang Yunzheng was leaning against the window, looking out at the common people walking out of the West City with their families. Many people chose to seek refuge with relatives and friends, or live in the small sheds temporarily built by the court.

In order to take care of these people, Zhang Yunxiu also formulated two sets of plans for them.

Those who have skills can stay and participate in the urban reconstruction, with food and accommodation provided, and monthly wages.

Women can also stay and cook, and they are also paid.

If you really don't want to stay in the capital, that's fine, just go sailing.

After sailing on the sea for a year or two and earning some money, you can live comfortably in a new house when you come back and save yourself a lot of trouble.

Suddenly, the door opened and Han San walked in quietly.

Zhang Yunxiu looked back and asked, "Have you arranged everyone?"

"Everything has been arranged. There are a total of 305 households in the first batch of demolition, and the actual amount of silver dollars issued is not less than one." Han San replied respectfully.

"This is just the first batch. There will be a lot of troubles later." Zhang Yunxiu shook his head.

Han San shook his head and said in disbelief, "This is a major plan of the court. The Prime Minister and the court are watching this. Who dares to cause trouble?"

"Weren't there some people who refused to move a few days ago, clamoring to live here forever?"

"Oh, I have sent someone to negotiate with him, and the family is willing to relocate." Han San grinned.

“Don’t go too far.”

"Little understands."

(End of this chapter)

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