Setting Sun Volume·Chapter 3 Urgent

Sufficient sunshine penetrates the thin clouds and evenly shines in the courtyard. Through the branches like fishing nets, two long and slanting figures are drawn on the neat gravel path.

"Slowness will not help." Zhang Junbao shook his head, "Ji Wei, no matter what you say, the flower in the mirror is like the moon in the water. The most urgent task is to repair the river immediately. The spring flood of the river will start. "It's not possible to break up. Ziyu, you also know that money is needed everywhere to prevent the world from being in debt. It will be difficult for Zhang Chong'an to maintain it." We'll deal with it here."

"I also admire the name of the 'Four Gods of Wealth'." Zhang Junbao raised his hands without any sign of respect.

"Ziyu, there is no need to ridicule me. The Taifu has money, but he cannot spend it carelessly. Most of the money does not fall into his pocket, so it has somewhere to go. The amount I can involve is also very limited. The official family The expenses for the royal family have been reduced again and again. As a minister of finance, I am very ashamed. The remaining money will naturally be used to the best, and you will not object at all." Luo Junan said. Sincere love.

Zhang Junbao almost nodded and believed.

However, he still shook his head and said politely: "It's useless for me to object. The official family and the Queen Mother are cutting back on envoy fees. Naturally, they care about the country and the country. But the official family If you don't reduce it, what's the use? Tao Wu Gong bought a Bihua glazed mirror, which is said to be one foot and three feet high, costing 40,000 yuan; It cost 36,000 yuan. How much of it is public money, Ji Wei, don’t you know? Not to mention the two husbands, Ji Wei, the mink fur cloak you are wearing is made of mink fur. Don’t tell me. It's worth 20,000 guan." Zhang Junbao shook his head in pain, "One hundred thousand guan. Even if these 100,000 guan cannot build a big river, it can still clean up some river channels and leave a way for the people to survive."

"Bihua. The Glazed Mirror and the "Smoke Trees in Nine Streams" are not owned by Wu and Shaanxi. Brother Ziyu is wrong. I only wear this cloak at home because I bought it from the official warehouse. I also know that it is too much to wear out. Swagger."

"Oh? But the royal treasury?"

"Well. The officials are considerate of the people and want to save money, so they don't want the palace people to suffer. The treasure was sent to the official treasury to raise money. I felt guilty when I heard about it, so I bought it. "

"You are rich, but it is pity that the people of Nancheng just spent it. Even at the end of the year, I won’t be able to see dozens of dollars,” Zhang Junbao said with a wry smile.

Luo Junan's face turned red, then recovered and said: "It didn't cost that much."

Zhang Junbao did not bother about this matter and continued to ask for the river work payment: "Gyeonggi Road is the first priority. River workers cannot wait any longer. If the rivers are not repaired for four or five years, the old river workers will change careers. In the future, river repairs will be done with half the effort and a lot of waste. If you allocate the money first, I will build the Gyeonggi Road. Make repairs, raise up the old river workers, and bring in new river workers. When the summer tax comes, you can give me the full amount. We can repair more by preventing autumn floods. In this way, the money and materials can be fully utilized, and you can also use it as a government official. "With no regrets."

After hearing Zhang Junbao's plan, Luo Junan also thought it was reasonable and almost agreed. Out of habitual caution, I asked him to ask one more question: "How much money do you plan to spend on river control?"

"Five million guans are enough for a common man." Zhang Junbao opened his eyes confidently and stretched out his hand. Take out your right hand and open your palm.

"Brother Ziyu, we have something to say in the open, there is no need to use the trick of advancing two and retreating one." Luo Junan did not have a shocked or dull expression. On the contrary, he was very calm, and even looked a little disappointed in his eyes - Zhang Junbao He is no longer the Zhang Junbao he used to be.

"I'm telling the truth." Zhang Junbao did not give in. He took out three thick letters from his arms and handed them to Luo Junan solemnly, "Ji Wei, this is the detailed booklet I made. How about I have already figured out how to hire workers, when to hire workers, how to prepare materials, and how much it will cost. You will know after reading it. Although I, Zhang Ziyu, am not a moral gentleman, I also disdain to be a beast who deceives friends and cheats on relatives.

”

Luo Junan took the letters and only read the beginning and end of each letter. He briefly glanced at the middle. The various tables, diagrams, and calculations were clear and clear, and they were indeed not fake.

He nodded and said, "I believe you. But five million strings is too difficult for someone to do. Not afraid of Brother Ziyu’s jokes, after the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, the living money I can use will be less than 5 million yuan. ”

“You don’t want to embarrass Ji Wei, you don’t have to give it all at once.” From the beginning of spring to the spring floods, it would be better to only give 500,000 guan. This will be enough to repair the river channel of Gyeonggi Road. If everything goes well, Henan Prefecture and Daming Prefecture can also repair part of it. "

"It can't be done. Luo Junan didn't want to say too much, "Brother Ziyu cares about the people. I admire him very much." It’s just that we have to prioritize. For Xiongtai, river work is of paramount importance and there is no need to delay. For Yudi, river engineering is important, but it is not the first priority. Military expenditures, official salaries, trade taxes, public opinion and maritime affairs, and foreign affairs among princes and foreign countries all require money, and they cannot be neglected. "

"You are the Prime Minister, so of course you have to consider the overall situation. My layout is too small for you to worry about. "Zhang Junbao complained.

"Brother Ziyu is very resentful. Luo Junan laughed it off and said, "Follow me this way, my foolish brother." "

After saying that, Luo Junan walked towards the towering tree in the courtyard. Zhang Junbao didn't ask for the money, so he had to follow reluctantly.

Luo Junan pointed to the big tree in front of him, Xiang Zhang Junbao said: "You have seen what this tree looks like in summer, but how do you feel when you look at it again in winter? "

"Bald branches and fallen leaves are useless. "Zhang Junbao said politely.

"Not bad. In vain boss. More than that, look at this tree trunk." Luo Junan stepped forward and pointed, "In the summer, the branches are lush and leafy, and no one pays attention to these wormholes and rotten skin on the trunk, but now can you see it clearly? ? "

Zhang Junbao realized what Luo Junan was going to say and remained silent.

"The dynasty is like this big tree. " Luo Jun'an said, "If the season is not satisfactory, it will be in vain and there will be many disadvantages. But at least it can be maintained. The two Dukes of Wu and Shaanxi presided over the new policy. They did not mean that there was any magic trick that could make the big tree flourish in winter, but they tried their best to maintain its vitality so that it could wait until spring passed and summer came to flourish again. Only when we eliminate disadvantages and create advantages can we see the real chapter. If we dig out the wormholes and peel off the skin in winter, I'm afraid the big tree will collapse before the work is done. The same goes for river workers. ”

“We must repair it, but we don’t have the money now.” "Zhang Junbao answered unconvinced.

"Well, that's more or less the case. But someone I know thinks that Brother Ziyu is the best at water conservancy, and he is resourceful and good at making inventions. "

"Well, it's a pity that there is no money and we can't repair even an inch of embankment. "Zhang Junbao interrupted Luo Junan's compliment.

Luo Junan was not annoyed, he just smiled and said: "The story of the national dynasty, the highest river engineering expenses were during the Xuanmiao period, which was 3.2 million to 300 yuan per year. It ranges from 700,000 yuan. The second was the Gaomiao period, when the Beijing-Guangzhou river channel was to be opened, and many canals and water conservancy projects were started at the same time. Including the cost of immigration, it was only 3 million yuan per year. "

Zhang Junbao understood that what Luo Junan said was the truth and did not deny it.

"In an ordinary year, the river engineering fee does not exceed 3 million guan, and it is more than 2.3 million guan. to 2.7 million yuan. We take the median value and treat it as 2.5 million coins. Right? "

Zhang Junbao nodded after hearing this.

"The river work payment you want is twice that of an ordinary year. Not to mention you, other political officials may deserve it. ? It’s still those three words ‘can’t do it’. "

After hearing this, Zhang Junbao frowned again, but remained silent.

"Since you said that river affairs are urgent, I can't turn a deaf ear. I can give you one hundred thousand first. Through. According to what you just said, part of the river channel should be cleared first to leave a way for the people to survive. "

"Two different things. Simply clearing a part of the river channel, a hundred thousand rivers will be enough. Zhang Junbao immediately retorted, "But I want to support those old river workers, and one hundred thousand yuan is not enough. If I gather them together and then disband after clearing the river, isn't this a waste of public money?" We will have to rely on them for water conservancy repairs in the future. If they are used up and disbanded, people will be scattered and it will be difficult to reunite.

"

"Then how much do you say? "

"Fifty thousand guan...at least 200,000 guan, otherwise the river work will not be able to sustain itself. "Zhang Junbao shook his head and said, "I will recalculate how many river channels can be built and make up the detailed list when the time comes. "

"It's so troublesome to use, this detailed manual is very good. " Luo Junan said.

"Different, different. There is a way to do 500,000 guan for 500,000 guan, and there is a way to do 200,000 guan for 200,000 guan. That detailed list cannot be done accurately. "Zhang Junbao said disappointedly.

"I'm not sure about the two hundred thousand guan, but the 150,000 guan can be disbursed immediately. "Luo Junan looked at Zhang Junbao's eyes widening and said while touching his nose.

"No, the 150,000 yuan decision cannot be made. Zhang Junbao was very angry and said, "It's better not to do something bad than to do something bad." For 150,000 yuan, I am determined not to recall the old river workers, so I have to use new river workers to repair it. For such a big project, the capital is only willing to allocate 150,000 yuan for river affairs. Can you, Luo Shouyang, be worthy of the people? "

Hearing the sound, the boy in the corridor leaned half of his body to look into the courtyard. He saw Luo Junan's gesture from a distance and immediately shrank back.

"Brother Zhang, don't be annoyed. , wait until I finish. From the beginning of spring to the spring floods, I will allocate you 150,000 yuan for the purpose of preparing embankments to prevent spring floods. There are also good gentry in the capital, many of whom have served the imperial court in the past years. I will recommend them to you. To put it bluntly, how much you can get from 50,000 yuan depends entirely on Brother Zhang's ability. "

Seeing Zhang Junbao being comforted, Luo Junan said confidently: "The total allocation is two million yuan, which is the limit I can afford. How much depends on this year's summer taxes and maritime trade risks. ”

“Sea trade risks? Something happened in the South China Sea? "Zhang Junbao asked keenly.

"It's not just the South China Sea. Luo Junan laughed at himself, "There will be troubles in the north and south of the dynasty. This year's sea trade income may not be safe." This is also the reason why I dare not promise you too much money for river work. ”

“Okay. Two million strings is better than nothing. The capital, Xijing, and Beijing have enough repairs, but the counties upstream, especially the counties along the river in Hedong and Shaanxi, are beyond their capabilities. ”

“Proceed step by step and have your own priorities. " Luo Jun'an acquiesced to Zhang Junbao's plan, "The changes in the north and south will definitely be clear before April, so I will allocate the second sum of 300,000 yuan to the Tuntian Division in early April. The name is Tuntian Water Conservancy Dredging, and it will be counted among the Tuntian Division. , it’s up to your Water Department to use it. "

"Too little, at least five hundred thousand guan. "Zhang Junbao habitually increased the price.

"Okay. "

Zhang Junbao did not expect Luo Junan to agree and thought he heard wrongly.

"Then we will allocate another five hundred thousand yuan in April. Luo Junan saw Zhang Junbao's surprise, "Anyway, it's one to two million dollars, it's best for mutual convenience." ”

“That makes sense, that makes sense.” "

"As soon as the summer tax arrives, I will release 1.2 million guan from the Water Supply Department, which will be considered as prevention of autumn floods. The final sum was allocated before the twelfth lunar month and was deposited with the Post Office of the Ministry of Industry. The name was to dredge the river into Beijing. The total amount is 150,000 yuan, and it's up to you to use it. how? "

"Only 1.35 million yuan is directly allocated to the Water Department..."

"You have a brother-in-law like Ji Youcheng, why should you worry about such a trivial matter? " Luo Junan said nonchalantly.

"Okay. It would be best if the funds are allocated by the Department of Water Resources. "Zhang Junbao is still a little worried.

"Then do you want to write 'It must be handled by Zhang Junbao, the doctor of the Ministry of Water Affairs'? Luo Junan said angrily, "Relax." You want to benefit the people, and you are not seeking personal gain. No one will make things difficult for you. "

"Hey. I hope this year will be smooth and prosperous. ”

“What a great ambition. If that's the case, things will be better next year. Luo Junan said, "If there are no major changes in the South China Sea this year, I dare to allocate you three million dollars next year." ”

“Then you are really the ‘God of Wealth’. People all over the world will remember your kindness. " Zhang Junbao said with a smile.

"It doesn't matter whether the people remember it or not. I just ask that after the money is given, you and I can still come and go frequently. Don't let Brother Kong Fang separate us from the same family.

"

"This is what my wise brother taught me. Zhang Junbao nodded and changed the subject, "What happened in the South China Sea?" "

"Young man, you are very courageous. Di Wentai, the eldest son of Chang'an Marquis of Qi State, sent troops to attack Hezai Mai State. ”

“Traveling thousands of miles away is not the best strategy in the art of war. "

"More than that. Luo Junan said, "The capital of Hezai Mai Kingdom is in the sky, which is far enough." Di Wentai sent troops this time to Kunlun Continent, which was further away. "

"The Jinzhou Alliance is afraid something will happen. "

"Not bad. This is something to worry about. Zhou and Ye had endured He Zaimei for so long without taking action, but Di Wentai traveled thousands of miles to seize chestnuts from the fire. It's really surprising. "

"Where are Yong and Cao? The Mayi countries have always wanted to get involved in Kunlun Continent. "

"This is unknown. I just heard that there is a war between the Yong Kingdom and the Western Yi Kingdom in Dongzhou, but I don’t know whether it is true or not. Cao Guo also had a rebellion in Dongzhou. If it is true, it can be considered a blessing among misfortunes. "

"Fortunately, fortunately. "Zhang Junbao said with sadness - if there is a war in the South China Sea, river construction will not be taken care of.

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(To be continued)

Previous chapter: Chapter 2·Common People

Next Chapter: Chapter 4·Omen