Water Margin: The opening scene involves assassinating Emperor Huizong of Song and forcibly taking L

He was actually an advisor.

He repeatedly offered direct advice to Zhao Gou.

Because he offended Qin Hui,

He was thrown to promote the Taoist temple.

He was later appointed as a prefect, but he resigned from the post.

Because he was unwilling to serve in the same court as Qin Hui,

He spent the rest of his life leisurely traveling through mountains and rivers, writing poetry for pleasure.

Fu Zhirou said, "When Cai Jing reformed the salt law,"

"There was once a decree that even government-owned ships..."

"We must give way to private salt boats as well."

"When passing through checkpoints, salt boats have priority."

"Cai Jing has indeed done a lot of practical things."

Zhao Yuan nodded in agreement.

Fu Zhirou said, "But after the rise of the Flower and Stone Tribute,"

"No matter what kind of ship it is, it must give way to the ships carrying the Huashi Gang."

"In the end, even salt ships had to give way to tribute ships from local tribes."

"When Cai Jing returned to the premiership for the third time,"

"The salt laws he established have been completely destroyed."

Zhao Yuan commented, "Cai Jing's salt administration was driven by short-sighted greed."

"Only half can be taken."

“He was just trying to please his superiors,” Fu Zhirou said.

The northwestern region of the Northern Song Dynasty

The main types of salt consumed were Jiezhou salt and Xixia Qingbai salt.

Emperor Huizong of Song ascended the throne less than two years ago.

The Jiezhou Salt Lake was destroyed by floods.

Meanwhile, the imperial court imposed trade sanctions on Xixia salt.

Suddenly, the people of Shaanxi had no salt to eat.

It was at this time that Cai Jing reformed the salt administration.

The reforms were a great success.

It not only solved the salt problem for the people of Shaanxi,

Moreover, the salt tax increased several times over in the first year.

It also revitalized the production, sales, and transportation of salt across the country.

However, this quickly led to dire consequences.

Cai Jing implemented reforms,

A large portion of the salt tax, which belonged to the local tax bureau,

Not a single penny was retained; all funds were converted into national taxes.

Local government revenue has plummeted.

But local officials need money.

Then they can only collect more exorbitant taxes and levies from the people.

Secondly, Cai Jing wanted to obtain money for Emperor Huizong of Song.

The frenzied issuance of new salt banknotes

This led to a sharp devaluation of the old salt banknotes.

Salt merchants were subjected to fierce exploitation by the imperial court.

Targeting only the salt merchants would be one thing.

Cai Jing also continued to raise salt prices.

This has led to a year-on-year increase in the cost of salt for ordinary people.

Faced with dual exploitation from both the central and local governments,

How can ordinary people withstand this?

Initially, Cai Jing also cracked down on powerful figures who were illegally obtaining salt certificates.

Chapter 1935 Salt Law

However, this can be done once the Jiezhou Salt Lake is fully restored.

Shaanxi is no longer experiencing a salt shortage.

The Tsai faction took the lead in profiting from salt certificates.

This made life even more miserable for salt merchants from other regions.

The result of Cai Jing's salt law reform

In the end, it turned into that horrible sight.

That is, central government revenue has increased significantly.

The powerful and wealthy made a fortune.

Local finances, salt merchants, and ordinary people all suffered.

The system for entering China has completely collapsed.

The salt merchants made no profit.

They will no longer transport supplies to the northwest frontier for the imperial court.

Instead, they purchased salt certificates directly from the powerful and wealthy.

The border troops have lacked daily supplies for years.

As a result, a large number of soldiers stationed on the border deserted.

Now, the new Ming Dynasty has learned its lesson.

It adopted 70% of Cai Jing's salt law.

We must discard all those aspects that prioritize quick success and instant benefits.

For example, salt boats did not pay tolls.

This option has been cancelled.

Some revenue will be left for local governments.

The system of entering the central government (opening schools) has been fully restored.

Old Song Dynasty salt certificates (salt permits) issued after the fourth year of the Xuanhe era.

The new Ming Dynasty would also recognize it.

Furthermore, the new Ming Dynasty strictly controlled salt production.

The annual issuance of commercial salt certificates should be approached with caution.

Protect the legitimate interests of lawful salt merchants.

Salt prices have also come down.

To restore to the level at the beginning of Cai Jing's reforms.

This will reduce the cost of living for people in various regions.

The central government's salt tax naturally decreased sharply.

But it is beneficial for long-term development.

Leaving aside other groups,

Anyway, salt merchants from all provinces across the country,

They wholeheartedly support the new Ming Dynasty.

Who dares to mention anything about overthrowing the Ming and restoring the Song?

The salt merchants were the first to object!

And now, we hear that the Emperor is coming to inspect!

Salt merchants from Northeast China flocked to this area.

They brought countless gifts to express their gratitude.

Yes, "Northeast salt" refers to sea salt from Shandong and Hebei provinces.

This was the official title during the Song Dynasty.

Salt merchants from Northeast China flocked to Xuzhou upon hearing the news.

Then they chased them all the way to Xiapi.

They finally caught up with the emperor in Haizhou.

Zhao Yuan gave a brief meeting to the salt merchants from Northeast China.

Accept their inexpensive gifts.

All particularly valuable gifts must be returned.

Next, Zhao Yuan went to inspect the salt fields.

Learn about the situation of the official and private salt fields in Haizhou.

The salt field with the highest salt production.

They were mostly state-owned enterprises.

But private ownership is also permitted.

Unlike the Ming and Qing dynasties, which were governed so strictly.

Even salt producers,

They also have the freedom to choose.

If you feel the pay is too bad, you can choose to quit.

"Where do the salt workers in the officialdom come from?" Zhao Yuan asked.

Wu Juji, Salt Commissioner of Donghai, replied:

"Half of it is recruitment (employment),"

"Half of them are conscripted for military service."

Zhao Yuan asked, "How much are the salt workers paid?"

Wu Juji replied, "We will follow the methods of the former Song dynasty."

"The annual allowance for each household is 40,000,"

"Two liters of rice per day."

That is, a salt farmer's entire family would receive forty strings of cash a year.

Two liters of rice were given to the salt workers each day.

If it can be implemented

That's definitely high income!