Chapter 239 Experimental Country, Spirit Stone Trade
On the plateau.
As Yan Song spoke, at this moment, everyone cast expectant glances at him.
At this moment, no one hoped that Yan Song's method would fail.
Everyone hoped that Yan Song would quickly come up with a set of rules and regulations, and then solve the huge grain crisis that was affecting the Ming Dynasty. Only in this way could these officials continue to achieve political achievements.
The hearts of all the officials above the fourth rank present were bleeding when they thought about the fact that five years, a full five years of "year-end bonus" were gone.
In fact, let alone the fourth-rank officials in the six ministries, even everyone in the cabinet felt a dull pain in their hearts at this moment.
Their feelings are much deeper than others. As their cultivation level improves, each step forward requires a lot of resources and energy. If they can increase their cultivation by five years at once, even if they cannot directly break through their current level, they can still improve a lot.
Now, the five-year cultivation reward is gone.
Therefore, everyone now hopes that someone who can handle the situation and get things done will quickly stand up and resolve the matter.
There is no doubt that the Prime Minister of the Cabinet is such a person.
Even though people who were not members of the Yan Party said all kinds of bad things about the Yan Party, they had to admit Yan Song's ability at critical moments.
"In fact, my method is just to borrow the light of our predecessors," Yan Song said, with a smile on his face. He stretched his neck and glanced at his son Yan Shifan and Zhang Juzheng, and said:
"Earlier, Taiyue said that we could sell the Ming Dynasty's annual surplus grain to overseas and neighboring countries to reduce the internal burden."
When Zhang Juzheng heard Yan Song mention his method, he nodded slightly, but his heart was calm.
If his method was feasible, the emperor would have adopted it directly. Yan Song obviously knew this better than anyone else. Obviously, this was just an excuse given by Yan Song.
Sure enough, Yan Song continued in a slow voice, "Of course, there is also Yan Shifan's proposal to use magic to strike at the agriculture of neighboring and overseas countries that are becoming increasingly restless and trying to get involved in the Great Ming Immortal Law."
"This is, firstly, a small punishment for the other countries. Secondly, it makes the other countries realize their own shortcomings and stop being too ambitious. If they want immortal methods, they should first take care of their internal affairs."
After hearing Yan Song's words, the corners of the mouths of all the officials present couldn't help but twitch. They all looked towards Yan Song subconsciously, and then lowered their heads and regained their composure.
But in his heart, he felt that what the old villain Yan Song said was shameless.
Yan Shifan, that arrogant, greedy villain, is this what he meant? That is a naked, undisguised vicious plot. Well, now, in your Yan Song's mouth, you are actually a warm-hearted person?
Is that human language?
A small punishment? The so-called small punishment is to destroy the agriculture of other countries and cause food crisis in them?
What else do you mean by making others realize their own shortcomings? Your kindness is to plunge other countries into civil strife, or even to cause countries around the world to fight each other and fall into war?
Otherwise, how can you be the Prime Minister of the Cabinet? This is a nice thing to say, but it is really blind and shameless.
Yan Song naturally didn't know what everyone was thinking, and continued in a docile tone: "If the countries realize their problems, they will definitely need a lot of food. In this way, Ming can also provide them with help and export our excess food to other countries."
“Actually, both of these methods are good.”
"But," Yan Song bowed to Jiajing and said, "I think the two are essentially the same."
"Because the ultimate goal is to sell the excess grain of the Ming Dynasty and revive the economy of the Ming Dynasty."
"The most important thing is that in the future, the 'Aura Industry Era' will enter its second stage, the 'Aura Industry Embryo Era'. Aura workshops will be set up throughout the Ming Dynasty, producing a large number of industrial products."
"These products also face a problem, that is, overproduction. Therefore, the surrounding and overseas countries always need our products to strengthen themselves."
After hearing this, everyone could see that Yan Song still chose Yan Shifan's method.
In response, Yan Shifan subconsciously straightened his back and glanced at everyone present.
The expression faintly revealed on his face seemed to be telling everyone, see, I am the winner after all!
You don’t even see that in this great Ming Dynasty, the two capitals and thirteen provinces are carried on whose shoulders.
Gao Gong snorted coldly at Yan Shifan's smug look, turned his face away and didn't look at him.
Zhang Juzheng, who was standing aside, ignored Yan Shifan's expression, but lowered his head, thinking about something.
As for Xu Jie, his expression became even calmer after listening to Yan Song's words, but the gleam of light flashing under his drooping eyelids showed that he already had an opinion in his mind after listening to Yan Song's words.
"Hearing what you said, is there a way to have the best of both worlds?" Jiajing looked at Yan Song and said with a slightly relaxed expression.
"Your Majesty, thank you for your praise. I am just making some adjustments based on the influence of others." Yan Song said modestly to Jiajing first, and then he said, "I think that for the development of the Ming Dynasty, we can appropriately cultivate the other countries."
"Of course, the purpose of my doing this is not to aid the enemy, but to buy time for the Ming Dynasty." Yan Song first laid the groundwork for his next actions, and then continued to speak.
"First, according to our dynasty's previous plan, the third and fourth phases of land reform will not begin until the profits from the previous war of annihilation against Yingzhou Prefecture are fully digested."
"And in this process, we can use the national policy of 'Xianming Heavy Industry' to help Ming complete a transformation."
"But," Yan Song paused, glanced at Xu Fan, and said, "Lu Qing had previously proposed the 'Aura Industrial Era', so the plan has been postponed."
Hearing Yan Song's light words "passing the buck", Xu Fan was about to speak, but was suppressed by Xu Jie's hand. Then he saw his father Xu Jie shaking his head slightly, so he had to give up.
"However, this cannot be entirely blamed on Lu Qing," Yan Song said, and then he laughed and said, "After all, he is still relatively young, so it is inevitable that he is greedy for merit and does not consider things comprehensively."
After talking about the two of them, Yan Song continued, "Of course, the proposal of the 'Aura Industry Era' national policy, as the emperor said, will allow the Ming Dynasty to complete the transformation from agriculture driving all industries to the aura industry driving all industries."
"Looking back at the past from now on, it would be a bit biased to hold people accountable. There is no need to mention this past anymore."
Hearing this, even the honest Xu Fan could not help but feel his chest rise and fall violently with anger. The other officials around him also felt ashamed of Yan Song's words.
The emperor never said that he would hold anyone accountable, nor did he say that there was anything wrong with the "Spiritual Energy Industrial Era" proposed by Xu Fan.
It was obviously you who accused others of a biased crime right from the start, but now you act like a goody-goody.
The old villain Yan Song is becoming more shameless as he gets older.
"But fortune and misfortune go hand in hand. Now it seems that the first stage of the 'Aura Industrial Age', the 'Age of Farming and Spiritual Awakening', has caused a surge in food production, but it has also led to the current 'Great Food Crisis' because of the lack of control in all aspects."
"As a result, the third and fourth phases of the land reform can only be postponed and delayed."
"For now, the only solution is to fully implement it in the 'Aura Industrial Era' and solve the problem in advance."
"Therefore," Yan Song said, pausing slightly, "I think that since the third and fourth stages of land reform have been delayed, it is better to put them on hold for the time being."
As he spoke, he did not forget to look up at Jiajing.
When others heard that Yan Song dared to propose in front of the emperor to put the third and fourth stages of land reform on hold, they immediately started talking.
Of course, at this moment there were more people who admired Yan Song.
I just think this old guy is really stubborn. You know, the emperor had already said that by the end of the 75th year of Jiajing, he would ask his ministers to come up with a plan to solve the huge grain crisis.
The purpose is to start the third and fourth stages of land reform as soon as possible.
Moreover, the Emperor laid spiritual veins and added “spiritual warehouses” in the 27 prefectures and states of North and South Zhili, with the purpose of accelerating the development of the Ming Dynasty.
You should have started the third and fourth stages of land reform as soon as possible and let Ming Dynasty enter the war era. But you just put it on hold.
At this moment, everyone admired Yan Song.
At least at this moment, everyone was convinced that Yan Song was the chief minister of the cabinet.
If there is something going on, he really dares to do it!
While everyone was talking in low voices, Jiajing changed his sitting posture, looked at Yan Song leisurely, and said, "If you have anything to say, just say it all at once, otherwise I will think you are trying to be different."
caveat!
As Jiajing finished speaking, the discussions among the ministers on the plateau also came to an abrupt halt.
Everyone present was a smart person and could naturally hear that if Yan Song could not come up with a reason that could convince the emperor, then the chief minister of the cabinet would be in trouble today.
"Whoosh!" On the plateau, the wind and snow were howling. Even though the cold air could not penetrate into their bodies, the ministers still felt a chill.
Accompanying you is like accompanying a tiger!
At this moment, they felt it even more deeply.
Even a cabinet leader like Yan Song who is favored can fall into an irretrievable situation in an instant if he is not careful.
Yan Shifan could no longer care about anything else at the moment. He could only stare at his father nervously, fearing that what he would say next would not please the emperor.
If something happens to Dad, the Yan family will be really finished.
"Your Majesty, please be wise. This action of mine will certainly not harm the interests of the court!" Yan Song was also smart. He knew that the method he came up with today would inevitably be full of unknowns, so before speaking, he first explained himself in advance to avoid being misunderstood.
"First, the 'Aura Industrial Age' has put the Ming Dynasty on a different path. If this path is fully completed, the Ming Dynasty will be unprecedentedly strong. Second, if we start the land reform first and then continue to complete the 'Aura Industrial Age', the risks are too great."
"Because right now, our Great Ming is bound to embark on the path of territorial expansion. The Great Ming has not yet completed comprehensive reforms. Expanding territory at this time is equivalent to 'fighting on multiple fronts.'
"If you don't handle it right, new problems will arise, just like the 'big food crisis' that no one noticed beforehand."
"In addition, after the arrival of the Ming Dynasty's 'Spiritual Energy Industrial Age', all industrial products will require spiritual energy as their core power."
"So many spiritual energy workshops will produce a large amount of industrial products. If we attack other countries at this time, how can we export the industrial products? If we haven't completed the internal reform, there will be a surplus of products just like food. It's hard to turn around because the ship is too big!"
"Looking through history books, there is only one Immortal Dynasty, the Ming Dynasty. What is an Immortal Dynasty like? How should it develop? There is no precedent to refer to. We can only cross the river by feeling the stones on our own."
"Therefore, my idea is also very simple," Yan Song said, cupping his hands and saying, "No one knows where the future spiritual energy industry will drive the development of various industries and lead the Immortal Dynasty."
"Or, one day in the future, we may have to continue to reform the law, or even overturn all the national policies currently being implemented."
"But no matter what, everything we have now is the foundation of our Great Ming Dynasty. Let's build a solid foundation step by step. Even if there are problems in the future, we can make adjustments."
"Therefore, my method is to spread the immortal law to the surrounding and overseas countries, and then the Ming Dynasty will control them and make the overseas countries become the 'experimental countries' of our Ming Dynasty."
"The so-called 'experimental country' is, as the name suggests, a pilot project of the Ming Dynasty. Their existence is to provide the Ming Dynasty with various spiritual energy industrial products to satisfy the needs of strengthening the Ming Dynasty."
"Even one day in the future, their territory may be returned to the Ming Dynasty, but they will still be an autonomous region."
"In this way, our Great Ming will become stronger and stronger, which is equivalent to gathering the power of the whole world to help our Great Ming become stronger and stronger."
"At the same time, the existence of these countries can also ensure the internal economic circulation of Ming Dynasty, so as to ensure that there will be no crisis caused by overproduction of products."
As he spoke, Yan Song's tone gradually relaxed. "Of course, if one day in the future, the Ming Dynasty becomes strong enough to move toward the outer space, the existence of the 'experimental country' can be reduced."
"Then, the entire planet beneath our feet is the homeland of the Great Ming Dynasty. If there are human beings in the outer star world, we can follow the same method and create a 'test country' again."
"So," Yan Song suddenly laughed, squatted down, picked up a handful of snow, and then kneaded it into a ball. Then he pushed it on the snow for a few times, and the ball became bigger. "It's like a snowball, following a rule, it gets bigger and bigger..."
After saying that, Yan Song threw the snowball high into the air, and then everyone saw the snowball falling from the slope of the plateau all the way down.
When its shadow could no longer be seen, suddenly a "boom" sound was heard, and on the slope of the depression in the distance, a huge snowball flew out, out of the pit, and continued to go away.
Everyone understood what Yan Song said.
In simple terms, keep the countries, don't destroy them first, use them to complete the Ming Dynasty's spiritual energy industrial era, complete the internal transformation of the court, and ensure that every step of the Ming Dynasty is solid. Then let the countries also enter the spiritual energy industrial era, and produce what the Ming Dynasty needs specifically for the Ming Dynasty, so that the Ming Dynasty will continue to grow.
Afterwards, the Ming Dynasty gradually encroached on the surrounding countries while heading towards the starry world in the universe to establish a new "experimental country".
Once the "experimental country" edits a certain star world outside the domain, the other countries in this world they are in will disappear.
In fact, according to Yan Song's method, the Ming Dynasty only needs to complete the transition to the spiritual energy industrial era internally, and the next step in the future can be to step into the wider world of the universe and stars.
This is equivalent to allowing the Ming Dynasty to enter the starry world ahead of time.
For a moment, everyone's heart was moved, and they felt that Yan Song's method was indeed tempting.
If this is the case, wouldn't their political achievements be greater if the area under the court's jurisdiction is larger?
Of course, at this moment, not only the imperial court, but also the kings including Prince Yu, Prince Jing and the other nine kings were also tempted. How wonderful it would be if each of them could occupy a star alone in the future?
At that time, even if he could not become the crown prince in the struggle, at least he could ensure a continuous supply of resources for the palace, right?
It can be said that Yan Song's method is in the interests of everyone.
"I have a question." Just when everyone was tempted by the huge benefits in the world described by Yan Song, a calm and steady voice sounded.
When everyone looked towards the source of the voice, their expressions suddenly became strange, because the person who said this was none other than Xu Jie, the Second Assistant of the Cabinet.
Everyone knows that there has always been a competitive relationship between the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister.
It can be said that the ultimate goal of the second prime minister of the cabinet is to bring down the first prime minister and replace him.
And the chief minister of the cabinet is always on guard against the second in command!
In the 52nd year of Jiajing, Xu Jie fought with Li Chengwu, who had the support of the Five Military Commanderies. In the end, both were defeated and Xu Jie was demoted to Yingzhou Prefecture. Eighteen years later, Xu Jie returned to the cabinet.
Yan Song completely defeated Xu Jie this time.
Since Xu Jie returned to the cabinet in the 70th year of Jiajing, he rarely participated in court struggles and was fully busy dealing with various factions in the Ministry of Works, and had even fewer conflicts with Yan Song.
Now at this critical juncture, he suddenly spoke. Could it be that he discovered Yan Song's fatal weakness and wanted to win back once?
Xu Jie, the old villain! Seeing that his father had finally painted a beautiful picture for the ministers, and it seemed that it was enough to impress the emperor, he stood up and disrupted the situation halfway.
He is simply not a son of a man!
"If Mr. Xu has anything to say, please feel free to speak." Jiajing nodded slightly, motioning Xu Jie to speak.
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Xu Jie thanked Jiajing and then looked at Yan Song, cupped his hands, and greeted him, "Lord Yan."
Seeing this, Yan Song naturally looked calm. At the same time, he smiled and bowed to Xu Jie and said:
"Shao Hu, if you have anything to say, just say it. Discussions are meant to solve problems and relieve the emperor's worries."
"Yes," Xu Jie nodded, and after organizing his words, he said, "The 'experimental country' proposed by Lord Yan and everything prepared for it are all fine in my opinion."
"But," Xu Jie said, looking at Yan Song, "If we pass down the immortal method to the other countries, we can make these 'experimental countries' become workshops in the era of spiritual energy industry."
"Specializing in providing more industrial products for the Ming Dynasty will inevitably enable people from other countries to start cultivating immortals."
"Not only that, do we need to provide them with spiritual veins? Let them develop spiritual resources?"
"Of course, we can also regard these countries as the greater 'spiritual warehouse' of our Ming Dynasty overseas and provide spiritual resources for the Ming Dynasty. However, as the old saying goes, those who are not of our race must have different hearts."
"I think that if we lay spiritual veins in places like Europe, the disadvantages will outweigh the advantages, unless there is a more reliable solution."
Xu Jie's words immediately awakened the ministers who were tempted by the dream of "experimental country".
Yes, those who are not of our race must have different hearts. This is also related to the cultivation of immortals. We also want to let all countries enter the era of spiritual energy industry. This is to aid the enemy. What if these alien races develop and endanger the Ming Dynasty?
Although, with the power of the Ming Dynasty, they might not be able to catch up even if they were given decades or hundreds of years. In fact, as long as the number of spiritual veins laid was small enough and the quantity was strictly controlled, there would not be much risk.
It’s better to be safe than sorry!
After all, immortal techniques and resources are the core of the Ming Dynasty. How can they be passed on to foreign races?
Many people started shaking their heads on the spot.
For a time, there was a lot of discussion, and everyone thought that this move was inappropriate.
Even Yan Shifan frowned, but when he thought of his father's backup plan and overall plan, he felt relieved.
"Yan Song, do you have any solution to the problem raised by Xu Qing?" Jiajing looked at Yan Song, who had a calm expression, and curiosity appeared in his eyes. To be honest, he was also interested in Yan Song's method.
But at the same time, what Xu Jie and his ministers considered was not unreasonable. With their own strength and the current military strength of the Ming Dynasty, they did not have to worry about any threats from other countries.
However, immortal techniques and spiritual veins are the core of the Ming Dynasty after all. If they are used to develop the capital of a foreign race, one must be cautious.
Moreover, Jiajing has not yet decided whether to keep or not the people of overseas countries after they are conquered in the future.
If the Ming Dynasty sails into the sea of stars in the future and encounters races from other star worlds, will it kill them all?
If we want to conquer the world, it would be narrow-minded if we don't have the courage to embrace all races.
As an emperor, he conquered the universe and all living beings. He did not think that he lacked the breadth of mind and courage to embrace all races.
As for the original natives of Yingzhou Prefecture, they were dead, mainly because he really hated that race.
A race that is ungrateful at heart and cannot be tamed should naturally be exterminated.
Hearing the emperor's question and feeling the gazes coming from all directions, Yan Song smiled calmly.
"Your Majesty, I have no intention of laying spiritual veins in various countries, and the 'Spiritual Warehouse' is just a project of the future 'Experimental Country'. Like the Spiritual Workshop, it must provide a steady supply of spiritual objects and resources for the Ming Dynasty!"
Hearing Yan Song say this, Xu Jie and the other ministers all frowned, not understanding what this meant.
Without laying spiritual veins, how can we develop the spiritual energy industrial era, and how can we build spiritual energy workshops and "spiritual warehouses"?
For a moment, everyone was confused by Yan Song.
In fact, if they did not know that Yan Song had always been cautious and relied on the power given by the emperor more than any of them, they would have thought that Yan Song was playing a trick on the emperor and was seeking death.
While everyone was puzzled, Yan Song laughed and looked at Lu Fang who was also looking at him curiously, and said:
"That depends on Eunuch Lu."
Eunuch Lu, Lu Fang?! Everyone, including Lu Fang himself, was stunned when they heard Yan Song say this.
For a moment, everyone's eyes were focused on Lu Fang.
"Lord Yan, why does this matter depend on our family?" Lv Fang smiled bitterly and shook her head, then looked at Jiajing and said, "Master, I really don't know what Lord Yan means."
"Eunuch Lu," Yan Song did not keep everyone waiting for long and immediately asked, "Do you still remember that you showed me something in the sixty-fifth year of Jiajing?"
Hearing this, Lu Fang was stunned for a moment, and then suddenly seemed to have thought of something, and a look of realization suddenly appeared on his face.
"Spirit Stone!" Yan Song uttered two words in a deep voice.
Spiritual stone? Upon hearing this, everyone looked at Yan Song and Lu Fang, who looked confused.
They all didn't understand what this completely unfamiliar-sounding "spiritual stone" was that could make Yan Song so cautious.
Even, judging from the voice, they still want to use this thing to replace the spirit vein and pass it on to overseas countries? And aren't they worried about aiding the enemy?
Is this "spiritual stone" really so magical?
When Yan Song said the word "Lingshi", Jiajing reacted instantly and understood his purpose.
Obviously, this old man intends to use spiritual stones to help the countries enter the era of cultivating immortals, and then establish "spiritual warehouses" and spiritual energy workshops to develop the spiritual energy industrial era, thereby providing spiritual resources for the Ming Dynasty.
If it is a spiritual stone, there is no need to worry about aiding the enemy, because this thing is poisonous and its use is strictly prohibited in the world of cultivating immortals.
Lingshi is a special item that is produced in abundance in the world of immortal cultivation on Arcturus, in the western central plains. Its function is similar to that of Lingyuan, both of which provide spiritual energy for cultivators.
According to the "Star Domain General Records", after a spirit vein 'dies', it absorbs the earth's evil spirit and its own spiritual energy, and combined with the special terrain and environment, it will condense into a special mineral vein.
Spiritual veins can also die. There are several explanations for the death of spiritual veins, such as drying up, being polluted, or turning to stone for unknown reasons. Spiritual stone veins are the latter.
The ore from which the Dead Spirit Vein was born is called Spirit Stone.
A poisonous substance. Although it can be used like a spiritual source and provide spiritual energy to cultivators, the toxin will also enter the cultivator's body and stimulate the cultivator's spirit.
This can cause the cultivator to become addicted, or even develop mental demons and various strange symptoms, leading him to embark on the path of evil or become an evil cultivator.
Countless independent cultivators, after absorbing spirit stones, became crazy and insane. The most important thing is that after absorbing spirit stones, they will reject the spiritual source, and then the poison becomes deeper and deeper, and the final end is to fall into the path of evil.
Generally, such cultivators are abandoned by the way of heaven, their souls are corroded, and their path to immortality is long gone.
Some cultivators can do many incredible things for spirit stones, and selling children is a basic operation.
I'm willing to do anything for the spirit stones!
Therefore, the academy explicitly prohibited the use of spirit stones for cultivation.
If anyone is found selling spirit stones, if the amount exceeds one kilogram, they will be executed immediately.
Of course, the White Horse Academy belongs to the Southern Continent, while the Western Continent’s Control Academy has no restrictions on spirit stones, so it can be said that spirit stones are free!
The main features of the spirit stone are fast absorption, high purity of spiritual energy, and strong explosive power. After it is compatible with one's own spiritual energy, the speed of the operation of the exercises will also be faster. Although the toxins harm the soul, the cultivator becomes extremely agile the first time he uses the spirit stone.
The mind was clear and the comprehension was instantly elevated. I heard that there were some spirit stones of extremely high purity and excellent quality. Well, the quality of spirit stones is divided into four levels: low, medium, high and top quality.
A piece of top-grade spirit stone can directly allow a person to enter a state of enlightenment. All cultivators know how rare enlightenment is.
For example, if you are at the first level of Qi training and you absorb a piece of top-grade spirit stone, you may have an epiphany and break through to the late stage of Qi training!
Spirit stones are extremely useful to cultivators in the Jindan and Yuanying stages, which shows how precious and powerful they are.
Therefore, the profits from the spirit stone business are surprisingly large.
Many independent cultivators engage in the "spiritual stone" business, after all, the profits are too high.
Li Changqing, as a senior executive of the academy, was secretly smuggling spirit stones and doing spirit stone business, which shows how profitable this thing is.
(Note: For more information about the Spirit Stone, see Chapter 157.)
Yan Song apparently learned about the efficacy of spiritual stones from Lu Fang, so he planned to provide spiritual stones to overseas countries, making them dependent on them, and then all countries in the world would be in complete chaos.
Moreover, Ming Dynasty is the only exporter of spiritual stones. Controlling spiritual stones is equivalent to controlling the lifeline of cultivators all over the world.
Once the spiritual stones are cut off, these addicted monks will be tortured to death or driven crazy.
In this way, there is really no need to worry about the risk of aiding the enemy.
Jiajing could even smuggle more spirit stones into the Ming Dynasty through Lu Fang's "Mingri Tower" in the world of immortal cultivation, and then export them to overseas countries.
"May I ask your Majesty, what is this spiritual stone?" At this time, Hai Rui was the first to ask.
Hearing this, Jiajing looked at Lu Fang, who immediately understood and began to explain the functions and effects of the spirit stone to everyone.
"..."
(End of this chapter)
