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With the crazy price reduction of cotton yarn, the manufacturing cost of cotton cloth in China will also plummet.The cotton textile industry is India's largest industry, and a large amount of cheaper cotton cloth is shipped over. The cotton textile merchants in the middle and lower reaches of the Ganges are estimated to be in danger.

Regarding Xu Ying's memorial, the cabinet has different opinions.

Calling the cabinet ministers to discuss, Song Yingxing took the lead and said: "It is a good thing to have new machines, but this kind of new machines will leave women with no yarn to spin. Nowadays, there are a large number of women spinning yarn no matter in the city or in the countryside. In exchange for money. Once the flyer is widely used in factories, the income of Shengdou Xiaomin’s family will definitely drop sharply. I really don’t know whether this is a good thing or a bad thing.”

Chen Maosheng said: "I don't know how to look at this matter. The spinning machine has been improved several times, which is far better than women's hand spinning. This time, the new machine has doubled the efficiency, which has made countless weavers How does the woman respond?"

Zhu Shunshui said: "Suppression cannot be suppressed. With better machines, it is impossible to prevent merchants from using them."

When the other cabinet ministers spoke, they were all discussing new machines, and they didn't talk about sending troops to India at all.

From their point of view, soldiers are a matter of great importance to the country, and the imperial court is very cautious in using soldiers. How can they be instigated by a few merchants to fight across the sea?

Zhao Han said: "Everything should not be abandoned because of choking. Since there are better machines, let the merchants use them. As for the women who can no longer make money by spinning, they can only find other livelihoods. The women in the city, You can work as domestic servants, and women in the countryside can raise a few more chickens. When there are more factories, more women can also work as weavers in factories.”

I can only think so, otherwise what else can I do?

The only fortunate thing is that the collapse of the small peasant economy is a long-term process, and it will not be over immediately because of the development of the cotton textile industry (in modern China, the small peasant economy collapsed rapidly, which was impacted by mature Western industries).Moreover, farmers generally divide their fields, so they can make do with less income from spinning.As the city became more prosperous, women in the city could not spin yarn and could do other jobs.

Chen Maosheng said suddenly: "Your Majesty, instead of thinking about further issues, it is better to deal with the immediate issues first. Last year, Jiangsu Tianzheng was cleaned up, and two major cases occurred in Wu County, both of which were caused by coal mines. Salt and iron are average, and the imperial court has designated them as monopolies, and must impose a heavy tax on coal.”

"It must be so." Zhao Han nodded.

China's textile industry is concentrated in the south of the Yangtze River, and the textile industry in the south of the Yangtze River is concentrated in the area around Taihu Lake.

Coincidentally, a large number of coal mines were discovered on Xishan Island in the center of Taihu Lake.Coal mines have also been discovered one after another in some places on the edge of Taihu Lake.The coal produced in these places can be quickly transported to textile factories in various places in the south of the Yangtze River through convenient waterways.

Even in Jiangyin (Zhangjiagang), coal mines have been discovered, and the mine site is not far from the Yangtze River.

Fei Chun said: "I have heard that people in Beijing in the former dynasty relied on coal for heating and cooking. If coal is heavily taxed, people in some places may not even be able to afford coal for cooking."

Yuan Yunlong said: "Beijing is a special case. At that time, Beijing had a population of over one million, and the surrounding trees were all cut down. We had to go to Xishan to dig coal and transport it to the city to replace firewood. Today, there are not many people left in the entire Beiping Prefecture. The trees have already grown, and even the people in Beijing are buying firewood cut by woodcutters."

Fei Chun shook his head: "Not only in Beijing, but all over the country, many people cook with coal fires, and they also rely on coal fires to keep warm in winter."

This is the truth. In the "New Coal Mine" in the Jiajing period, there is "there are few vegetation, so coal is used for fire in the north".

The major iron factories in the north almost all use coal mines to smelt iron. As a result, the firecrackers manufactured by the northern ironworks often have a large number of air holes, and the barrels of the firecrackers explode when they are hit.

In the south, under the guidance of some practical officials, many urban residents also use coal.

The main content of "Newly Opened Coal Mine" is to record that in Mahu Prefecture (Pingshan) in Sichuan, the prefect Wansu led the people to explore the coal mines and taught the people how to use coal stoves. The residents in the city switched to coal for fire.

This is a major issue related to people's livelihood, and heavy taxes on coal cannot be imposed across the board.

After thinking carefully, Zhao Han said, "Jiangsu, Shandong, Anhui, Jiangxi, and Zhejiang, these five provinces impose heavy taxes on coal, and the rest of the provinces remain the same."

Due to backward transportation technology, it is difficult to transport coal from the north to the south, and even if it is transported, the loss outweighs the gain.

Shandong is the most important cotton-producing province, and the cotton in Shandong is of the highest quality.

In recent years, the cotton textile industry in Shandong has also developed, especially after the steam engine appeared.Not only did Shandong's cotton spinning industry develop rapidly, but Xuzhou also prospered.Because there are large coal mines in Xuzhou, and it is close to Shandong, after buying cotton from Shandong and transporting it to Xuzhou, the local coal can be used to drive the machines.

By the way, Datong China's silver dollar casting was changed from water power to steam power several years ago.

The monarchs and ministers discussed repeatedly, but they never talked about sending troops to India.

Even if you really want to send troops, let it wait for a year or so before talking, and you can't be arrogant to the temper of those merchants!

Chapter 835 [Li Zicheng Returns]

Shaanxi, Yulin.

Yang Zhenqing, who was dismissed for violating military discipline, worked as a teacher at the Nanjing Military Academy for two years, and was finally sent to the front again to lead the army.

There are [-] hybrid long-haired sheep who went to Shaanxi with Yang Zhenqing.

The long-haired sheep brought from Europe have been bred in Liaoning after years of crossbreeding.Now, take [-] sheep to Hetao, and gradually replace the short-haired sheep there.

As long as the long-wool sheep are successfully promoted in Hetao, the Mongolian herdsmen in Hetao will establish a solid economic relationship with Shanxi.There are so many coal mines in the Shanshan area, and they are next to wool producing areas. With long-wool sheep, the wool textile industry will be more prosperous.The income of herdsmen will also increase, and if they have money to buy goods south of the Great Wall, they will not easily go south to plunder unless they are really starving to death.

Fei Ruhe had been waiting for a long time, and as soon as Yang Zhenqing arrived with [-] sheep breeds, he immediately led a large army to Hetao.

Passing by the residence of the Ordos Department on the way, the leader Da Zhamusu greeted him warmly, leading the crowd to kneel down and said: "The vassal Zamusu, please see the governor of the Celestial Dynasty!"

"Huh?" Fei Ruhe raised his eyebrows.

Da Zha Musu was stunned, his son knelt behind him and muttered, the guy finally came to his senses, and said again: "The vassal Zhao Jinzhong, kowtow to the Great Governor of the Heavenly Dynasty!"

Fei Ruhe immediately showed a smile, and helped this person with his own hands: "You don't need to be polite, general, please get up quickly."

Da Zha Musu's forehead was sweating, and he smiled and flattered him throughout the whole process.

This guy has been ravaged repeatedly by Li Zicheng, and he has been completely subdued, and he doesn't dare to have another heart.

Historically, Shunzhi implemented the alliance flag system in the Hetao area, and only Dazamusu jumped out to rebel.After jumping back, I found out that my brother Xiao Zhamusu and other relatives and tribal leaders all chose to hide in the sidelines to watch the fun.As soon as the Qing army was about to launch a conquest, Da Zha Musu surrendered in a hurry. How could he fight against a tribe?It is also because of this that the tribe of Dazhamusu became the only outer Mongolia in Hetao, and was not seen by the Manchu court from the beginning to the end.

"Lead the sheep!" Fei Ruhe ordered.

Three males and three females, six sheep, were led to Da Zha Musu.

Da Zhamusu stared at the sheep with bright eyes, and said in admiration, "Which breed of sheep is this? The wool grows really long."

Fei Ruhe said: "Your Majesty's great grace is to buy it from the west across the sea. The Mongolian tribes on the Hetao side will give six heads to each tribe for breeding. In the future, the wool can be sold to Shaanxi, and the price will definitely be higher than that of short wool. "

Da Zha Musu knelt down again: "Minister Zhao Jinzhong, thank you His Majesty the Emperor for the reward, and thank the Governor for sending the sheep."

The Tumed and Ordos tribes in the Hetao area were defeated by the Ming frontier army during the Longqing period.

Why did I Da Khan accept the tribute from the Ming Dynasty?

Because he was bullied too badly by the frontier army!

At that time, the biggest resistance to Ida's tribute came from the Shaanxi frontier army.The Mongols in Hetao requested a truce and accepted the canonization of the imperial court, but the Shaanxi frontier army has been obstructing it.

Even when the imperial court sent envoys to Hetao to negotiate, the Shaanxi frontier army went out to make trouble, trying to create conflicts and disturb the good things of the Huang court.

The governor of the three sides, Wang Zhigao, issued an edict to the imperial court, clearly pointing out the reason: the mutual market is not allowed now, even if it is allowed to pay tribute, it will be difficult to do it again, and not only the border people are disappointed, but the soldiers are disintegrated.

The translation is that Mongolia requests an armistice and mutual market, so don't agree.Once agreed, the frontier army's operations of smashing nests and driving horses will not be able to continue, and the officers and soldiers of the Shaanxi frontier army will be very disappointed, and I will no longer be able to lead the resentful frontier army.

After smashing the nest, the frontier army rushed out of the Great Wall and directly took the Mongolian tribe's garrison.

Chasing horses, the frontier troops broke out of the Great Wall and robbed the pastures of the Mongolian tribes.

At that time, the Shaanxi frontier army had their salaries deducted layer by layer, and very little was in their hands. The frontier generals and servants counted on robbing the Mongols to make extra money.

During the truce negotiations, the Ordos Department was attacked and killed by the Ming border army. The leader Jineng not only dared not resent the Ming border army, but also took the initiative and patiently explained the cause of the conflict to Governor Xuanda.Moreover, Ji Neng ordered the leaders of the various ministries to be restrained, and they were not allowed to send troops to seek revenge from the Daming Frontier Army, for fear of disrupting the truce negotiations.

In the end, Alda succeeded in paying tribute, and the border between Hetao and Shaanxi has been peaceful for decades.

The Ming court can save countless military expenditures every year, but the Shaanxi frontier army is declining day by day.One is that the military pay is getting less and less, the second is that the Mongols cannot be robbed to earn extra money, and the third is that the Mongols can no longer be used for actual combat training.

It's a pity, from the late Jiajing period to the early Longqing period, Daming was like a cloud of fierce generals.

Although the decadent military household system has not been abolished, in order to cope with the war, the recruitment system has become more and more popular. Governors and generals fight by recruiting their own soldiers instead of completely relying on family members to fight.

After decades of fighting, although the finances have been ruined, real swords and guns have fed out elite soldiers and strong generals.In the southwestern region, along the coast, and in several northern provinces, generals have risen one after another. Many of these famous generals have never failed in their entire lives, rubbing Japanese pirates, chieftains, Mongolians, and Jurchen on the ground.

It's a pity that Ming Dynasty's decline had nothing to do with the military, it was institutional corruption.

When the finances collapse, everything goes away.

The Shaanxi frontier army could bully Hetao Mongolia at will, but Emperor Longqing had to cease fighting. Not to mention military pay, the imperial court was almost unable to pay civil servants' salaries.

Moreover, the recruitment system is too expensive.

At that time, the civilian governor had personal soldiers, that is, he personally recruited and trained soldiers, and in addition to the personal soldiers, he also recruited directly subordinate troops.Military generals also have personal soldiers and direct troops, and they also recruit soldiers to train in person.However, the Weisuo system has not been abolished, which means that the imperial court has to spend money to support military households and recruit additional troops. How can such a terrifying military expenditure be afforded?

Emperor Longqing carried out a comprehensive military contraction, the Ming Dynasty's short-lived recruiting era ended, and the generals of the frontier army finally had to rely on their family members to fight.

Tribal leaders like Da Zha Musu didn't dare to jump in the late Ming Dynasty, and they were even more obedient when they met the Datong army.

This guy heard that Fei Ruhe was going to take over Li Zicheng's troops, so he volunteered to lead the army along with him.Walking halfway, he dragged his younger brother Zha Musu along, and the canonized Mongolian leaders in the surrounding area came to cheer with their troops.

Twenty miles away from Yunzhong City, Fei Ruhe said to the chiefs of the Mongolian tribes, "Stay here, don't go any further."

In fact, this is already Li Zicheng's core site.

Li Zicheng had already received the news and personally led the army to check the situation.These Mongolian tribes had already been conquered by him, but now they followed Fei Ruhe to the north, which inevitably made Li Zicheng upset.

Zhang Nai came to Li Zicheng's side on horseback: "Your Majesty, this guy is too deceitful. He obviously doesn't believe us, and he has brought many defeats. Why don't we fight first!"

Li Zicheng didn't say anything, just quietly watched the thousands of cavalry brought by Fei Ruhe.

Suddenly, Fei Ruhe rode out alone, galloped all the way, and came directly to Li Zicheng's formation.

Fei Ruhe rode on the horse, smiled and cupped his hands and said, "King Chuang is face to face. I, Fei Ruhe, have known his name for a long time, and today I can finally see it with my own eyes!"

Li Zicheng also galloped out on horseback, and praised: "Fei Dudu is so courageous, you are not afraid that if I give an order, the army will come out and arrest you?"

Fei Ruhe said: "I've heard that King Chuang is a man who keeps his promises. The subordinates under King Chuang are also upright, not the villains who wait for their promises. If that's the case, what else should I be afraid of?"

These words were beautiful, not only did Li Zicheng have a lot of face, but even the other generals nodded their heads again and again.

"As expected of Dudu Fei, who is famous all over the world, I admire him!" Li Zicheng cupped his hands in admiration.

Fei Ruhe raised his hand to beckon, and two more riders rushed towards him.

One is Yang Zhenqing, the deputy general, and the other is Zhang Yunyi, a civil servant who came to confer.

Fei Ruhe said: "Bringing too many soldiers will inevitably make King Chuang suspicious. The three of us will go to Guihua City (Yunzhong City)."

"It's easy," Li Zicheng ordered in return, "Prepare food and drink, and invite the imperial army to station on the south bank of Tumo River, and send all the food and grass there by boat! Fei Dudu, please."

Fei Ruhe rode forward on his horse and rode side by side with Li Zicheng, and the two headed towards Yunzhong City together.

Fei Ruhe introduced: "This is Zhang Yunyi, the envoy sent by the imperial court, and this is Yang Zhenqing, the deputy general accompanying the army."

Li Zicheng ignored the civil servant, and looked at Yang Zhenqing in surprise: "This is General Yang who broke through the Tartar capital and beheaded the Tartar queen mother and emperor?"

"King Chuang is well-informed." Fei Ruhe laughed.

Yang Zhenqing said: "I broke the Tartar capital, but a young eunuch killed the Tartar queen mother and emperor."

"Good guy!"

Li Zicheng praised him greatly, but he still held a grudge in his heart.

If it weren't for the damned Tartar, he would probably still be the emperor. How could he run away in despair after occupying Beijing for a month?

Li Zicheng's generals also looked at Yang Zhenqing curiously.

The story of Yang Zhenqing is too legendary, and there have been many folk interpretations.

Leaving aside the gimmicks of descendants of the Yang family generals, it is basically the same. A hunter in the mountains was killed by the Tartars, so he changed his name and determined to take revenge.With hundreds of soldiers, they even broke through several gates of the Tartars.With [-] soldiers, they went all the way through several checkpoints of the Tartars.In the end, with [-] soldiers, they were given the task of raiding and harassing, but they successively broke through the gates of recruiting and surrendering. In the end, they succeeded in surprise attacking the capital of the Tartars, and blocked the retreat of the main force of the Tartars.

When they arrived at Yunzhong City, the Han people here lined up to watch Fei Ruhe.

The younger brother of the Emperor Zhao, the younger brother of the Empress, and the governor who holds a heavy army, Fei Ruhe has much more weight in the hearts of the common people than Yang Zhenqing.

That night, a big banquet was held.

While pushing cups and changing glasses, Fei Ruhe said drunkenly: "Brothers, we are all leaders of the army, and we don't engage in those vain schemes. Your Majesty said that you can each bring ten carts of goods and go back home." Go to their hometowns to settle down and divide the fields. Those who don’t want to go back to their hometowns can also go to the city to do business, as long as they are not in the Hetao, they can go anywhere. If you want to lead troops to fight, that’s fine, first go to the military academy in Nanjing. If you don’t want to go to the military academy, you can recommend a son to go to school, and after graduation from the military academy, you can be assigned to the army as an officer. How about it? Although I didn’t make a wish for you to be appointed as an official, the imperial court treats you well, right?”

Li Zicheng asked: "What if you go back to your hometown and are persecuted by corrupt officials?"

"Your Majesty decides for you!"

Fei Ruhe smiled and said: "You are very close to Shaanxi, you must have heard of the tactics of the Datong New Dynasty, and they are merciless in dealing with corrupt officials. When you raised righteousness in Shaanxi, Your Majesty and I raised troops in Jiangxi, isn't it all because of Corrupt officials? You and I are actually ordinary people, brothers of our own family. Come, come, brothers, let’s drink this cup to the brim!"

"readily!"

"Minister Fei, I respect you with this cup!"

"Done, done!"

"..."

The atmosphere quickly heated up, and Li Zicheng's subordinates happily toasted and drank.

Each person can bring ten carts of goods back to his hometown, which is enough to be a rich man for the rest of his life.He can also recommend a son to go to the military academy, and he will become an officer after finishing the military academy, and the future development of the family will also be assured.It seems that they are not as good as they are domineering in Hetao, but Hetao can't defend against the Datong Army, and Li Zicheng's troops have long since lost their hearts.

Everyone recommended their sons one after another, saying that their sons were excellent in martial arts.

Only a few young people like Zhang Nai, who are only about 30 years old, are willing to go to Nanjing to study in the military academy in person, intending to continue to seek development in the new dynasty of Datong.The rest of the old bandits and generals don't want to bother anymore, wouldn't it be good to return home and enjoy the blessings?

Li Zicheng said suddenly: "My brother is going back to his hometown, and I'm going to Nanjing to have a look. Zhao of Nanjing... Your Majesty the Emperor, I really admire him very much. If I don't see him with my own eyes, I won't be able to sleep well in this life."

Fei Ruhe laughed and said, "King Chuang asks for an audience, His Majesty will sweep the couch to welcome you. By the way, since Zhang Xianzhong is a landlord in Taiwan, King Chuang can also go to Taiwan to catch up on old times."

"Thief Zhang? It's okay to see him." Li Zicheng said disdainfully.

When Liu Hanyi was still besieging Batavia, Li Zicheng took a group of students who were going to the military academy and went all the way south to Nanjing to meet Emperor Zhao.