In Hongwu, we started as rebels

Chapter 1020 The Situation Shifts, Enemy and Foe Change

Entering November, even though the heavens and earth are in the south,

The daytime temperature gradually dropped, and people changed their clothes from undershirts to long gowns.

Outside Yingtian City, in the boundless fields,
Local governments have organized manpower to prepare for the harvest of late rice.

Hundreds of people carefully checked the growth of their rice in their own fields.

This year, Yingtian has enjoyed favorable weather conditions. Even though there were several heavy rains, they stopped quickly and did not flood the crops.

Several officials from six departments were inspecting the sweet potato planting area.
He nodded frequently as he listened to the explanation from the officials in the capital.

Sweet potatoes have been cultivated outside the capital for two years, and both government officials and ordinary people are involved.

They were all very familiar with the process and had great confidence in the sweet potato harvest; some officials even praised them.
"I have never seen such an easy-to-grow crop."

At this moment, Fu Youwen, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, fell to the back of the line.
With his hands behind his back, he paced slowly.
Lu Yunyi, the head of the Market and Commerce Bureau beside him, also slowed his pace, his gaze sweeping over the rice paddies, his expression gradually becoming serious:

"Lord Fu, when does the Ministry of Revenue plan to set up more banknote exchange points?"

Currently, there are only a dozen or so in the capital, which is far from enough.

Fu Youwen is over fifty years old, and because he deals with accounts all year round, he looks particularly old.

The wrinkles on his face gathered together, revealing an enigmatic expression:

"Lord Lu, it's not that I don't want to set it up."

Rather, the resistance within the government offices was too great; everyone from top to bottom was opposed.

"Why? After opening up currency exchange points, the Ministry of Revenue will have more and more silver in its hands. Isn't that a good thing?"

"A good thing is certainly a good thing, but my colleagues think..."
If the currency were exchanged at the current rate, the imperial court would essentially have to pay 30% more in paper money.
This is a losing proposition, and we'll also have to pay extra for manpower.

Lu Yunyi frowned, a hint of absurdity flashing in his eyes:
"Lord Fu, how can you lose money if you hold onto it?"
Countless people throughout history have lost money in business.
"I have never seen a case where one could lose money while holding gold and silver."

"That's what they say, but everyone feels that this is a thankless task and it's been slow to get off the ground."

Fu Youwen sighed, his gaze sweeping over a figure in front of him, a shadow of gloom flashing in his eyes:
"Furthermore, Kong Tianzong comes from a powerful family and many people speak up for him, so it will be difficult for me to force this through."

"call"

An unnamed anger welled up from the depths of Lu Yunyi's heart.
He took a deep breath and said in a low voice:

"Lord Fu, the Yingtian Trading Company is packed every day, with commoners and wealthy families alike using precious paper money to shop."

However, as far as I know, there are still many common people who want to exchange their silver for paper money and earn the 30% difference.

The Ministry of Revenue will not set up any more banknote exchange points.

They can only exchange their money at underground banks and the black market.

However, the Embroidered Uniform Guard has recently arrested many people from money shops.
This resulted in many people having silver and wanting to spend it, but being unable to exchange it for paper money, and thus giving up.
If this kind of thing happens too often, it will eventually provoke public outrage.

Fu Youwen also sighed and nodded:
"I am aware of everything you have said."

"If the Ministry of Revenue were to distribute an additional 30% of the paper money to the people, wouldn't that be tantamount to the court admitting that the paper money was depreciating?"

Lu Yunyi didn't dwell on the topic any further, but instead suggested:
"How about exchanging it for 80%? Lord Fu, this is a temporary measure."

When there is less and less silver in the market,
As long as the imperial court doesn't over-issue paper money, its purchasing power will naturally increase, and the Ministry of Revenue will certainly not suffer losses.

Purchasing power?

Having served in the Ministry of Revenue for many years, Fu Youwen quickly grasped the meaning after a moment's thought, a knowing glint in his eyes:

"Lord Lu, if things really go as you say, that would be wonderful."

But how can you be sure that the amount of silver in circulation will decrease, or that paper money will become more valuable?

Isn't it obvious?
The imperial court used paper money to pay salaries, wages, and rewards.
Those in the Ming Dynasty who received a stable monthly salary held nothing but paper money.

The Ministry of Revenue is constantly collecting silver, so how could there be more silver in circulation?

Fu Youwen waved his hand, even if Lu Yunyi's words made sense.
This also cannot change the fact that the Ministry of Revenue is riddled with factions:
"Lord Lu, in recent years, more and more silver mines have been discovered."
The imperial court only controlled a portion, while powerful local clans kept the rest hidden.

In addition, maritime trade brings in tens of millions of taels of silver annually.

"I must remind you, the Ministry of Revenue alone is simply not capable of collecting all the gold and silver in the market."

He paused, then sighed, and said in a deep voice:

"Let me tell you the truth."
According to regulations, the recovered silver must be deposited into the national treasury, and the Ministry of Revenue has a fixed number of banknotes to print each year.

If we were to exchange currency on a large scale now, the Ministry of Revenue's treasury would likely be empty before the end of the year, and the exchanged silver wouldn't even reach the Ministry of Revenue.

Therefore, this is extremely difficult to implement.

"Hoo," Lu Yunyi said in a deep voice.

"Lord Fu, the rebels are causing trouble, and the rumors about abolishing currency have only just been suppressed."
If we don't press our advantage, all our previous efforts will have been in vain!

"Lord Lu, please don't be hasty," Fu Youwen said gently.

"I have been in the capital for many years, and it takes at least several years for a government decree to be implemented from top to bottom."

Even if His Majesty wanted to pilot the abolition of currency, it's still a long way from being implemented, let alone having any official documents issued.
His Majesty sometimes procrastinates, and in the end, nothing is ever done.

Rest assured about the matter of abolishing currency; it will not be accomplished overnight.

Don't rush, don't rush.

We've come to check on the harvest today; let's go take a look at the front first.
Let's not talk about official business anymore.

Fu Youwen smiled and quickened his pace, clearly unwilling to talk to Lu Yunyi any further.

Lu Yunyi lagged behind the group, his face grim, but he was not discouraged.
He had anticipated that things would be difficult to implement.

The anti-Party tactics have now been neutralized.
He wanted to go further, but naturally he encountered obstacles.

Many people in the capital neither wanted the rebels to gain power nor wanted the imperial faction to become too strong.

He put his hands on his hips, a resolute glint in his eyes.
We have to think of other solutions.

"What is this?"

Just as he was pondering this, a commotion arose ahead. Officials from six ministries were gathered around a farmer, discussing the matter animatedly.

As Lu Yunyi approached, he saw Qi De, the chief clerk of the Ministry of War, smiling as he explained to everyone:
"These are agricultural tools made by the Ministry of Works' workshops."

It was an improvement on the bicycle gears created by Lord Lu.
Compared to a regular shovel, this farm tool is more time-saving and labor-saving when used on soft soil.

It even eliminates the need to bend over, making things easier for ordinary people.

Everyone looked at Lu Yunyi with strange expressions, then at the strange shovel.

Although the farmers appeared apprehensive, their work continued unabated.
He gripped the retractable shovel handle and plunged it forcefully into the ground.

With the help of the spring and gears, the shovel pushed itself in nearly a foot.

In no time, they had cleared nearly ten feet of land, their movements fluid and effortless, far less strenuous than the old days of shoveling.

Upon seeing the shovel, Lu Yunyi's mood improved considerably, and he explained:

"When the workshop was making bicycles, it produced a lot of defective gears that couldn't be installed on bicycles, so we tried using them on farm implements."

This is just a preliminary attempt; the final product still needs further research.

Everyone suddenly understood and felt even more admiration for the workshop.

In the past two years, the workshop has had stable financial support, and new things emerge every now and then.

The elevator at Yingtian Trading Company, in particular, has recently shocked the powerful and wealthy.
It's really novel to be able to go upstairs without walking.

At this moment, Yan Zhenzhi, the Minister of Works, first nodded in agreement, but then changed the subject:
"Many of the novel researches in the workshop have not yet been made public. I have been there twice, and the progress is indeed fast."

But this workshop is too expensive.

Even if Yingtian Trading Company covers half the cost, the remaining half is still a considerable expense for the Ministry of Works.

Ling Han, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice, asked in surprise:

"A few workshops, how much silver could that cost? Is Lord Yan just feigning poverty?"

Yan Zhen shook his head and said with a wry smile:
"Since all of you are here today, I will not hide anything from you."
Last season, the Ministry of Works allocated nearly 20,000 taels to the workshops, and the Yingtian Trading Company also contributed 20,000 taels.

In the end, they only managed to develop one elevator, and all their money was gone.

"hiss"

Everyone gasped, their faces filled with shock.

What kind of workshop can spend so much money?

The annual expenses of the Six Ministries might not even reach 40,000 taels.

At this moment, Yu Wensheng, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Works, spoke up, his tone insistent:

"My lords, the workshop is paving the way for the future, and initial investment is necessary."

Once even one thing can be successfully rolled out across the Ming Dynasty, all the money spent before will have been worthwhile.

Lu Yunyi glanced at Yu Wensheng in surprise.
Unexpectedly, he dared to contradict his superior in public; he certainly had some guts. Sure enough, Yan Zhenzhi's face darkened instantly, and he let out a soft snort:
"With this money, it would be better to invest it in the weapons workshop. Forty thousand taels of silver is enough to forge one hundred thousand fine iron longswords."

Lu Yunyi smiled and said calmly:

"One hundred thousand fine iron longswords are not lacking in the Ming Dynasty."
But an elevator was something the Ming Dynasty had never had before; going from nothing to something was a huge step.

Businesses invest money in researching new things to seize opportunities, not to waste money.

If the Ministry of Works is unwilling to bear this expense, the Market and Commerce Bureau can bear it entirely.

The Ministry of Industry's previous shareholding in the workshop,
The Market and Exchange Bureau could also acquire it at a 20% premium, ensuring the Ministry of Works doesn't suffer a loss. What do you say?

Yan Zhenzhi's face darkened further. Although these workshops were currently losing money, he knew their true value.

The flintlock musket that sparked heated discussions a few days ago had key components developed by the workshop, and the trial and error alone cost nearly ten thousand taels of silver.

Who knows what even more shocking things might come out in the future?

Before he could speak, Yu Wensheng preemptively answered:

"The Ministry of Works is in charge of all civil engineering, military equipment, and workshops in the country."
Such cutting-edge investment should naturally be undertaken by the Ministry of Works; Lord Lu is joking.”

Lu Yunyi glanced around and, seeing that no one spoke, smiled and said:
"Since all of you are here, I shall also state my position."
For workshops that delve into new techniques and new tools,
Whether it's 50,000 taels, 100,000 taels, or 1 million taels, the Market Exchange Bureau will continue to invest.

I believe that these cutting-edge technologies and advanced equipment will one day finally be able to shine.

You gentlemen may not know,
Flintlock guns were made in these kinds of workshops.

The combined investment of Yingtian Trading Company, Beiping Military Command, and the Governor's Office in flintlock muskets has exceeded 80,000 taels of silver, with nearly 4,000 personnel involved.
As you saw the other day, the flintlock musket has already shown initial success and is just waiting to be tested in battle.

Then we'll show the Northern Yuan people what it means to hit a target from a hundred paces away.

From now on, Ming soldiers will no longer need to train hard in horsemanship and archery from a young age; they will still be able to shoot more accurately than the Northern Yuan's archers.

As soon as he finished speaking, a surge of heroic spirit swept over us.

It instantly enveloped everyone, causing them to catch their breath.

Many young officials even had their eyes shining.

Their gazes toward Lu Yunyi were filled with admiration.
Compared to those timid and irresponsible officials in the government offices, this man's spirit was many times stronger.

"Lord Lu, is this flintlock musket really that powerful?" Yuan Tai, the Right Vice Censor-in-Chief, couldn't help but ask.

Lu Yunyi nodded and smiled:

"Of course, the Market Supervision Bureau and the Ministry of Industry are continuing to invest money in improvements, and the accuracy will become higher and higher."

"Perhaps one day, even a three-year-old child could use it and shoot more accurately than a master archer."

Everyone looked shocked; though somewhat doubtful, they still chose to believe.

Regardless of his stance, Lu Yunyi always keeps his word.
What they said they would do, they never failed to do.

Lu Yunyi pointed to the rice paddies in front of him and said:

"The workshop is also researching a new fertilizer; if it succeeds..."
Even without sweet potatoes, the Ming Dynasty's grain reserves were inexhaustible.

Seeing that everyone's eyes lit up, he added:

"But this research process could take decades, and there are no signs of success yet."

Yan Zhen frowned and said:

"Why is Lord Lu so certain that this fertilizer will work?"
We don't even have samples yet, and all this money has been wasted.
It's not that I'm stingy with money, it's that I'm stingy with the imperial treasury.

Lu Yunyi shrugged and said calmly:

Without dedicated study, you will never succeed.

In order not to miss any potential breakthroughs, I have decided to continue investing money until results are seen.

Yan Zhenzhi looked helpless, shook his head, and didn't know what to say.

Yuan Tai also looked at Lu Yunyi with a strange expression, wondering why Lu Yunyi was so confident in throwing money around.

How much did you actually earn the other day?

The group, each with their own thoughts, walked slowly along the rice paddies.

Few people could understand the explanations given by the officials of the Agricultural Administration Bureau and the Beijing Municipal Government.

As evening approached, the officials boarded their carriages and began their journey home.

Inside the carriage, Lu Yunyi closed his eyes in deep thought.
He came here today specifically to see which of the six departments were his enemies.

Unexpectedly, even someone like Yan Zhenzhi, who supported the abolition of currency,
It was somewhat unexpected that they showed no obvious hostility towards him.

On the contrary, Fu Youwen, who had been standing in the palace, became somewhat sluggish.

After seemingly gaining the upper hand, the roles of the two sides unexpectedly reversed.
At this moment, Basong, the driver of the carriage, poked his head in and asked:
"My lord, shall we return to the manor?"

"Go home."

"Yes."

The carriage swayed and rocked, and soon returned to the Lu residence at No. 2, Third Alley, Xi'an Gate.

As soon as Lu Yunyi stepped off the carriage, a figure hurriedly approached him.
The man looked young, with handsome features and a tall, upright figure; he was none other than Xu Zengshou, the commander of the Yingtian Guard.

"My lord, you're finally back! I've been waiting here for over an hour."

"Why are you here? Has everything been arranged?"

As Lu Yunyi walked inside, he asked with a smile.

Xu Zengshou pursed his lips, his eyes shining, and looked around the courtyard, nodding repeatedly.

Lu Yunyi raised an eyebrow and pointed to the backyard:
"Let's go to the study to talk."

A short while later, in the study.

Lu Yunyi sat down at the square table, picked up a teacup, and gulped down two large bowls of tea.
Xu Zengshou sat down to the side and waited quietly.

After Lu Yunyi finished drinking, Xu Zengshou immediately leaned forward, his eyes wide with surprise, his voice filled with delight:
"Sir, I have already seen that flintlock musket!"

Not to exaggerate, but this thing is truly a treasure!
These are far superior to the firearms we use in Yunnan, and they look much better too!

Xu Zengshou's eyes shone as if he had seen a rare treasure.
Lu Yunyi couldn't help but laugh and reminded him:

"Use them carefully. There are only two hundred in total. You have to return them after you're done, otherwise I won't be able to explain it to the workshop."

"Oh, we still have to pay it back?" Xu Zengshou's face fell immediately.

"Each one costs 130 taels. If Yingtianwei can afford to buy it, it's not impossible for us to provide it to you."

"So expensive!"

Xu Zengshou's eyes widened suddenly, his face filled with horror:

"This is just the ex-factory price, the cost price; it doesn't include labor, material, and miscellaneous expenses."

If sold to outsiders, it would cost at least three hundred taels.

But don't rush, the more you make, the more skilled you become, and the cheaper the price will be.

In two years, you might be able to buy one for a few dozen taels of silver, and I'll get you a matching one then.

"Two more years?" Xu Zengshou muttered to himself, leaning back in his chair, his face full of disappointment.

Lu Yunyi suppressed his smile and said seriously:
"Get to the point. There are three thousand wealthy households, along with their families and attendants, totaling nearly twelve thousand people. We absolutely cannot afford any mishaps."

This time you are escorting a general, so you must take charge and treat this matter as a battle.

We thwarted the rebels' plot to replace currency with silver.
They will definitely look for a breakthrough elsewhere.

The biggest weakness now lies in these three thousand wealthy households; we absolutely cannot allow anything to happen to them.

Xu Zengshou immediately suppressed his disappointment, his expression turning serious:
"Rest assured, sir! I have already dispatched two thousand elite troops, and they will ensure the safe delivery of the people to Guanzhong."

"Gong Xianzhi will be going with you this time. He is very familiar with how to use a flintlock musket."

You are responsible for overall command, while the musketeer team can be handed over to Gong Xianzhi for coordination, so that you can focus on dealing with other situations.

Of course, if you have someone under your command who is familiar with musket tactics, you can have Gong Xianzhi as his deputy.

"My lord, most of the soldiers in the Yingtian Guard are young masters."
Few people have fought in wars, let alone understand musket warfare.
"I trust Gong Xianzhi to take charge of the musketeers."

"Okay, when are you leaving?"

"I'll leave first thing tomorrow morning."

Lu Yunyi pondered for a moment, then nodded slightly:
"Okay, I'll deliberately cause some commotion in the capital to help you attract attention."

Remember, if any rebels come to intercept and kill you,

"It's better to lose two thousand soldiers completely than to let one wealthy family suffer harm. Do you understand?"

Sensing Lu Yunyi's seriousness, Xu Zengshou immediately stood up and straightened his back:
"Yes, sir! I will certainly not fail in my mission!"

(End of this chapter)