Da Ming: Father, step aside, I'll be the prime minister!

Chapter 209 The Green Seedling Law and the Spinning Machine? A Firefighting Letter from Jiangnan!
The Green Sprouts Act, also known as the "New Ever-Normal Granary Act".

In the second year of the Xining era of the Northern Song Dynasty, under the leadership of Wang Anshi, the Regulations for the Establishment of the Three Offices of the Northern Song Dynasty were promulgated and implemented.

Based on the principle of "reducing market price when prices are high and increasing market price when prices are low," an improvement was made by adding a money lending system.

Five households could form a group to borrow cash or grain from the imperial court to help them survive years of disaster and to supplement their farming.

Similar to the "Single Whip Law," the Green Sprouts Law was indeed well-intentioned and had some effect. However, when it came to ordinary people, it was distorted by local officials into the collection of usurious loans.

Zhang Juzheng, who promoted the "Wanli New Deal," was naturally very familiar with Wang Anshi's reforms.

He never imagined that he would hear about the "Green Sprouts Law" from his young son.

Zhang Juzheng stared intently and said, "Is this based on the Green Sprouts Act?"

"Not bad at all."

Zhang Yunxiu was surprised by the unexpected match, so he simply followed the Green Sprouts Act.

"However, we have many advantages over Jie Fu Gong, and we can solve the problems he encountered."

One reason is that Jie Fu lacked a mature economic theory. If such economic methods were not regulated by a financial institution and relied on the local government to lend money directly, there would be a lack of inspection and management, which would inevitably lead to corruption.

One reason is the limitation of productivity. The imperial court was already spending more than it earned, so the loans could not reach the people. Even if the people borrowed money, their productivity could not keep up, and they would eventually fall into the trap of "interest compounding".

But we have the 'Heavenly Weaving Machine,' which brings together ordinary people to produce silk and cotton together.

A sinister smile crept across his face.

"The wealthy gentry of Jiangnan want to raise prices, don't they? Let them raise them. Once the people's silk and cotton cloth are produced, it will surely spread like wildfire, leaving these wolves and tigers with nothing left!"

This deprived the gentry of their power, benefited the common people, and stabilized Jiangnan!

Zhang Juzheng frowned deeply. He examined the "Heavenly Craftsmanship Textile Machine" again and again. He could not make a decision on such a crucial matter concerning the stability of the country.

After thinking for a moment, he asked again.

"What would you do if these people copied it?"

"Imitation?" Zhang Yunxiu scoffed. "Does Father really think that things produced in Xishan are so easy to imitate? Without Xishan's craftsmanship, parts, and design concepts, what can they possibly use to imitate them?"

"Moreover!"

He raised his eyebrows.

"This is Xishan's business. Counterfeiting looms is like kicking His Majesty out of his way and stealing his money! In the past, it was understandable that they were unwilling to take in disaster victims. But counterfeiting looms is a grave offense of disrespect. Father, is it not difficult to deal with this?"

Zhang Juzheng couldn't help but chuckle. His youngest son had really got the emperor's temperament figured out. This Wanli Emperor, it didn't matter if you were disrespectful to him, and it didn't matter if you made some mistakes.

But if you plot against his money or even harm his ability to earn it, you'll be crossing the line.

On the other hand, as Zhang Yunxiu said, if any wealthy gentry dared to imitate it, then the court would indeed have a legitimate reason to punish them.

"Let's set up a special weaving bureau to coordinate all the affairs."

Zhang Yunxiu lowered his voice and said.

"It's not just about checking if there are any criminals who are imitating the Heavenly Palace textile machines; it's also about keeping the textile industry firmly in the hands of the imperial court."

If the imperial court wants to levy taxes on merchants in the future, wouldn't it be killing two birds with one stone by starting with textile machines?

Zhang Juzheng thought about it for a while, but still seemed unconvinced.

"Does your textile machine really have such an effect?"

"Whether it will work or not, we'll find out by trying!"

With an air of confidence, Zhang Yunxiu steered the conversation back to the topic of Ming Dynasty economics.

"Making the wealthy gentry of Jiangnan cough up their silver is only the first step. They are using the flood as an excuse to cause us trouble, so we will cut off their supply lines and seize the textile business in Jiangnan."

In the future, based on the weaving bureau, we will also be able to establish an escort fleet to sell silk fabrics overseas and conduct pilot projects for opening up maritime trade!
"Too hasty."

Zhang Juzheng offered a simple and clear assessment.

But even though he said that, he already largely agreed in his heart, staring intently at the drawing in his hand.

"Take me to see if your ingenious textile machine truly has such miraculous effects."

At some point, a glimmer of hope appeared in Zhang Juzheng's stern eyes.

A few days later.

Yin Zhengmao and Hai Rui received a letter from the capital while at the Nanjing governor's office.

At first, the two were very excited, as if they had found a spring in the desert.

After briefly reading the contents of the letter, they all fell silent.

"Nonsense!"

Hai Rui flicked his sleeve, turned around and returned to his desk, suppressing his anger as he spoke.

"This is utterly absurd! What kind of ingenious spinning machine is this? I've never heard of it in all my years as an official! Zhang Shiyuan actually intends to use it to resolve the predicament in Jiangnan? It's nothing short of child's play!"

Yin Zhengmao coughed softly, sat back down on the large table in the center, and held the letter in his hands, looking at it again and again.

This letter, delivered overnight by a servant in Yin Zhengmao's household without going through the imperial post station, was intended to avoid suspicion. Logically, it shouldn't have been delivered so "carelessly".

Yin Zhengmao was somewhat puzzled. Why would the Prime Minister send this letter from so far away just for this unrealistic "Heavenly Weaving Machine"?
It's no wonder the two didn't believe it. There have been precedents for improving looms throughout history, but at most, the improvement was only one or two times.

But Yin Zhengmao looked at the words on the letter from left to right and was quite certain that it said "one machine can replace more than forty skilled female workers". He looked at it from left to right and if he hadn't confirmed Zhang Juzheng's handwriting, he would have really suspected that Zhang Yunxiu was deliberately playing a trick on him.

"Ai--"

Yin Zhengmao closed his eyes and pondered for a while, then opened them and picked up the Wanli Xinbao newspaper next to him to take a look.

He spoke to Hai Rui, offering words of comfort.

“Ruxian, don’t be discouraged. I think Zhang Shiyuan is a man who sometimes speaks recklessly and acts without a plan, but he has never done anything bad.”

Such measures as flood control and epidemic prevention, as mentioned in the newspapers, are all practical and effective strategies.

Perhaps such a miraculous textile machine really exists, but its effectiveness has been exaggerated.

Furthermore, given the Grand Secretary's composure, how could he allow him to run rampant?

"But I don't see it that way."

Hai Rui said with a serious expression.

"This letter mentions that loans should be used as a form of relief, which is indeed a good method, referencing the Green Sprouts Act of Wang Anshi during the Song Dynasty."

However, this method also has its drawbacks. Firstly, it is difficult to define the loan terms. How can ordinary people borrow money? How should they borrow it? The implementation is still carried out by officials. If officials withhold funds, it is likely that they will engage in extortion and bribery.

Secondly, in Southern Zhili, numerous clans existed, and the gentry and powerful were not necessarily opposed to the common people. Rather, they frequently used their clan connections to incite people from various regions to act on their behalf.

He frowned deeply.

"Zhang Shiyuan wants to use the power of the people to deal with the gentry in Jiangnan, but it will probably be difficult to do so in Southern Zhili."

"This," Yin Zhengmao thought for a moment and said. "The Grand Secretary has suggested that a Jiangnan Textile Bureau be established to oversee all affairs. With His Majesty's support, it should be able to succeed."

"The difficulties are numerous and complex."

Hai Rui sighed heavily. It wasn't that he had any prejudice against Zhang Yunxiu.

He hoped more than anyone else that Zhang Yunxiu's method would work and save the people from suffering.

But no matter how you look at it, Zhang Yunxiu's plan doesn't seem reliable at all.

Yin Zhengmao comforted him, saying, "Ruxian, you don't need to be too pessimistic. The letter doesn't give you the authority to act expediently."

In extraordinary times, extraordinary measures must be taken. In the past, the Grand Secretary feared that you would act too impulsively, so there were some restrictions.

The imperial court has now granted you the power to suspend and investigate officials below the rank of prefect. The task of disaster relief now rests with you!

It wasn't that Governor Yin Zhengmao was unwilling to do his job; it was just that, comparatively speaking, Hai Rui, a renowned incorruptible official, was more intimidating.

Hai Rui stared intently at the teacup in his hand, the tea leaves bobbing up and down. Looking at the crystal-clear tea, his expression turned serious, and he spoke in a heavy voice.

"Since that's the case, then let me, Hai Rui, restore a clear blue sky to Jiangnan!"

Yin Zhengmao was startled. He looked at the other person with a complicated expression, feeling uneasy, wondering whether Zhang Juzheng's move was a blessing or a curse.

Hai Rui slowly stood up, his back straight, and turned to look at Yin Zhengmao on the large table.

"I would like to request that Your Excellency, Governor, bring me the official register of all officials in Southern Zhili so that I may have a look at it."

Upon hearing this, Yin Zhengmao shuddered, knowing that the other party was about to get serious.

Just as I was pondering how to alleviate the situation, a voice came from outside the door announcing something.

"Your Excellency, a letter has arrived from the Western Hills of the capital."

"West Mountain?"

Yin Zhengmao was taken aback.

He and Hai Rui looked at each other in surprise, not expecting there to be another letter.
When the trusted clerk presented the letter, Yin Zhengmao unfolded it, took a look, and was immediately stunned, and couldn't help but ask in confusion.

“That brat Zhang Shiyuan actually sent a letter. What is it that he can’t discuss with the Grand Secretary, but wants to tell me privately?”

Zhang Yunxiu's letter was very short, and it could be summarized into three things.

First, he wanted to establish the Jiangnan Textile Bureau in Southern Zhili under the name of Xishan, with the royal family holding 60% of the shares. This bureau would oversee all textile affairs in Jiangnan, with a focus on promoting the "Tiangong Textile Machine" and engaging in silk and cloth trade.

Secondly, a "Xishan Money Shop" was established in Jiangnan to specifically handle the issuance of low-interest loans to disaster victims.

Third, the first batch of one hundred "Tiangong Textile Machines" has already been transported to Nanjing via the Grand Canal.

"What exactly does Zhang Shiyuan want to do?" Hai Rui frowned deeply.

Yin Zhengmao let out a breath and analyzed a possibility.

"I suppose this matter is of great importance. If we act in the name of the imperial court, it will surely have far-reaching consequences. If we act in the name of Xishan, we can use the guise of merchants to handle political affairs."

"Nonsense!" Hai Rui retorted without hesitation. "This is an abuse of the court's power; if this continues, the administration will become increasingly chaotic!"

"There's no point in us speculating here."

Yin Zhengmao glanced at the annotations on the letter from his trusted clerk.

"The spinning machine seems to have arrived at the port, along with several weavers. We two will find someone we trust to see it for ourselves and then we'll know the truth."

Hai Rui's eyebrows shot up, and after thinking for a moment, he nodded and said.

"We will proceed immediately!"

(End of this chapter)