"My uncle has been in officialdom for a long time, so he is no stranger to finance. Do you know what the annual income of the imperial court is?"
Gongsun Ming couldn't help but feel happy when Gongsun Fan showed such an expression. However, he did not rush to explain the reason, but changed the topic with a smile.
"It should be salt and iron. However, these two things require time and consumables. They are not easy to do. Could it be that my nephew is planning to use these two things for him?"
After all, Gongsun Fan was the governor of a county and was no stranger to government affairs. Although he didn't quite understand why Gongsun Ming suddenly asked about finances, he still quickly gave the correct answer.
"My uncle is right. These two things are exactly what my nephew plans to use as the foundation for Xingyou and Bo. Among them, salt is the first and iron is the second. The initial results will be achieved within the year. By Mingxia, it will be enough in one year. The country can be rejuvenated!"
Although Gongsun Fan looked disapproving, Gongsun Ming didn't care at all and confidently made a bold statement, which made Gongsun Fan frown wildly.
"this……"
If others had said this, I'm afraid Gongsun Fan would have scolded him long ago, but it happened that these words were said by Gongsun Ming. Although Gongsun Fan categorically didn't believe it, he still had to save some face for Gongsun Ming and frowned. But he didn't criticize him out loud.
"What my uncle said before about making salt requires a lot of consumables is indeed true. However, it is just that the ancient method of boiling salt is too backward. The method of making salt designed by my nephew requires a lot of labor in the beginning to build a salt field. In addition, the subsequent harvest does not require much firewood at all, just collect it and carry it in the cart."
Gongsun Ming didn't care at all about his uncle's dissatisfied expression, and continued to explain.
"Is there such a wonderful method? But I don't believe it!"
The more Gongsun Ming said this, the more mysterious he became. Gongsun Fan couldn't help it anymore. He shook his head and said he didn't believe it. There was nothing wrong with it. The method of boiling salt has never been easier since ancient times. Bohai County itself also has a small salt farm. It relied on the method of boiling seawater to obtain salt. Gongsun Fan himself had visited the salt field several times to inspect, and he was no stranger to the method of boiling salt, and he did not think there was any possibility of innovation in this method.
"Oh, uncle, don't rush to conclusions. The blueprint in your hand is a new method of making salt. This method is called sun salt method. Compared with the boiled salt method, the cost has dropped sharply and the efficiency has been increased by more than a hundred times. It doesn't take much. , with only a few salt farms, the annual production of salt can exceed one million jins. With this output, why worry about the lack of prosperity in our You and Bo lands?"
After going around in a long circle, Gongsun Ming finally revealed his trump card with satisfaction.
"Is this true?"
In this era, salt is money, and it is also hard currency. As long as there is salt, there is nothing that cannot be bought. If it is feasible, the great prosperity of You and Bo will be unstoppable. How can Gongsun Fan is unmoved.
"Of course, my nephew also has a construction process description here, which can be used in conjunction with the drawings in his uncle's hands. Construction can be carried out according to the drawings. The more than 10,000 prisoners of war who were escorted to Zhangwu in the previous battle of Wen'an can be used for it. The salt farm will be built at the old site of Yuyang Salt Farm. After it is completed, the prisoners of war will be taken to the Bohai Salt Farm to work on it. In this way, salt may be produced by the end of summer, but this matter is related to our land of You and Bohai. My nephew cannot rest assured that his lifeline is entrusted to others, so please ask your uncle to take care of you."
Gongsun Ming actually had a headache on how to place Gongsun Fan. Without him, Gongsun Fan was an elder and had great favors for him, so he couldn't leave him alone. The problem was that his talents were limited and difficult to put to good use. , it was inappropriate to give him a low position, but he was afraid that he would cause trouble. Gongsun Ming thought about it, and finally decided to let Gongsun Fan control the money bag and try not to let him participate in important military and political matters. It can be considered as properly arranged.
"If it really comes to pass, even if I give up my old life, I must handle this matter properly!"
In fact, Gongsun Fan was not very fond of power. His appointment as the governor of Bohai was just a coincidence, and he was not very successful. He always felt exhausted mentally and physically. This was not the case. When he was in Wen'an, he would not have been very happy. The emperor easily handed over the seal and ribbon of the governor of Bohai County to Gongsun Ming. Now that he heard that Gongsun Ming entrusted him with this matter related to his lifeline, Gongsun Fan felt that he was deeply valued, so he naturally responded with great ease. .
"Making salt is only the first step. Once we have the salt, my nephew will have the skills to make great progress. The first is a new steel-making method. With the advantages of many iron ores and coal in Youzhou, the output of refined steel can be enough. It will increase dozens of times within three years, and then trade salt on the grassland in exchange for cattle, sheep and horses. It will not be difficult for our You and Bo lands to become rich. On this basis, we will encourage farmers and businesses, reduce rents and taxes, and make a living with the people. The rear can be consolidated, and the people's hearts are stable, they can go south to compete with the heroes, first annex the Black Mountain Army, then destroy the Yuan thieves, sweep the wings and unite the states, and then fight Cao Cao. If he wins, the north can be powerful. It’s settled, taking advantage of this general trend, it’s just around the corner to defeat all the heroes in the south!”
Hearing Gongsun Fan's statement, Gongsun Ming suddenly felt very good, and with great pride, he actually described the blueprint in his mind one by one.
"Since my good nephew has ambitions in the world, how can I not support him fully as my uncle? God bless my Gongsun family. If I can live tomorrow, it is fitting that my Gongsun family will prosper, haha..."
Being encouraged by Gongsun Ming, Gongsun Fan's blood boiled all over his body. He was so excited that he rubbed his hands repeatedly. As he laughed, tears appeared in the corners of his eyes.
"With my uncle's words, my nephew has the confidence to compete with the world's heroes. However, you can't reach a thousand miles without taking small steps. The most important thing right now is finance, especially salt and iron. I also ask my uncle to give me a lot of help." Take the trouble.”
Pride is pride, Gongsun Ming is a down-to-earth person after all. After drawing the blueprint, he turned back to the implementation of the salt field.
"Don't worry tomorrow. I will rush back to Zhangwu as soon as possible for my uncle to handle this matter urgently. It's just a negotiation with the Black Mountain bandits..."
Gongsun Fan Jiran was so impatient that he was deceived by Gongsun Ming. He wanted to go to the salt field immediately, but he still couldn't help but keep in mind the negotiations with the Montenegrin Army.
"Oh, brother, don't you want to divide the family property? Then give him all the eight cities including Yi Jing. My nephew will make Ji County (today's Beijing) his seat of governance. He will have salt and foundation. Then we can stabilize it, and when the time comes, it won’t be difficult to implement new policies.”
Gongsun Ming has always had a broad vision, and he doesn't care about temporary gains and losses. He only focuses on the overall situation of the world, and he is too lazy to argue with Gongsun Xu.
"That's all. Let's just talk to the Black Mountain Bandits."
Since Gongsun Fan's heart knot was over, he naturally didn't care much about Gongsun Xu's disobedient activities. After saying yes, he hurriedly left the Chinese army's tent and went to negotiate matters...
