Cutting 1719

Chapter 382 Don't do business at a loss
After meeting with Ning Yu, Matsudaira Tsunayoshi quickly edited a book, wrote Ning Yu's relevant thoughts in it, and sent someone back to Edo, Japan.Originally, he wanted to go back to Edo by himself and report to General Tokugawa Yoshimune in person, but he felt that the timing was not right and it might be more convenient to stay in Nanjing for the time being.

At the same time, Matsudaira Tsunayoshi thought of the words of Du Qiuyan, Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and realized that Zhu Yuyan's position in the hearts of Ning Chu's monarch and ministers might be unusual, so he also sent someone to look for Zhu Yuyan, hoping that Zhu Yuyan would meet Ning Yu in the future Say more good things from time to time to facilitate the tribute trade.

Of course, Matsudaira Tsunakichi didn't take Ning Yu's words lightly. In fact, he was well aware of the fact that the Satsuma clan controlled the Ryukyu Kingdom to conduct tribute trade with the Qing court, and he was quite dissatisfied. It's very simple, because the tribute trade sent by the Satsuma clan to the Ryukyu Kingdom almost occupied the most important amount of foreign trade, and this was detrimental to the interests of the shogunate.

Therefore, Matsudaira Tsunayoshi also included this aspect in his letter. He hoped that in this matter, the influence of the Satsuma clan could be weakened from the root, at least to allow the shogunate to dominate.

After Matsudaira Tsunayoshi left, Ning Yu also held an imperial cabinet meeting, the content of which was naturally about the coming of the Japanese envoy to China. On this matter, Ning Yu hoped that the officials of the imperial court could get rid of the limitations of the past and not always Committing the problem of arrogant self-esteem, let alone lose face for the sake of face.

"What do you think about Japan sending envoys to pay tribute to us?"

Now Ning Yu is more and more fond of digging out the problem first, and then make a decision or refute it after all the ministers have spoken. The purpose is naturally to hope that the ministers can understand the holy will more and more, so that things will be more handy.

At this point, Ning Yu was very conceited, because he came from a later age, if he was led by the nose by these old-school courtiers, he would be a time traveler in vain.

"Your Majesty, now that our Great Chu is newly established, and the four directions are coming to court, it is a sign of prosperity. It is only about the Ryukyu matter, but we need to order the Japanese to evacuate and restore the Ryukyu tribute to Zhengshuo."

Ning Zhongjing said sternly that what he said was generally correct, but he took a little light on the Ryukyu matter.

Ning Yu nodded noncommittally, and then turned to the others, "What other lovers want to say, can you speak freely?"

"Your Majesty, the Ryukyu matter should not be ignored. If it is just the actions of the Japanese local vassals, then that's all. But if the Japanese court intervenes, please be cautious." The speaker was the second assistant Cui Wancai, and he was talking about the key point. up.

Ning Yu continued to scan the ministers, seeing that no one else spoke, his face was a little disappointed, when he was about to speak, he found Ning Zhonghai, the minister of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce who had been taciturn, slowly stood up.

"Report to Your Majesty, at the time when overseas trade is being vigorously promoted, the old system cannot be used for trade with Japan, nor can it be replaced by tribute trade. Please also learn from Your Majesty."

Finally, someone can understand my thoughts!

Ning Yu had a bit of a smile on his face. Speaking of which, the ministers of the imperial court have not yet opened their minds. On the contrary, this Uncle Wang, who has been selling salt for business in the past, really has his own experience in terms of trade. set.

Of course, what Ning Zhonghai said made the ministers feel a little incomprehensible. This tribute is just tribute, why is it involved in trade?
"King Yunyang, do you think tribute trade is not feasible? Tell me your reasons."

Ning Zhonghai sighed softly, "I'm a rough man, I haven't read any books, I used to do some salt smuggling for a living in the past, and I understand a truth, that is, any business can be done in the world, but only Businesses that lose money cannot be done, and the current tribute trade is a big loss business!"

After the words were finished, the officials were in an uproar. Even Ning Zhongjing gave his younger brother a hard look. It's not the past, but he's still a prince anyway. How can he speak so out of tune? It's simply inappropriate
Compared with everyone else, Ning Yu was more accustomed to this way of speaking, and laughed loudly: "Uncle Wang, this is not a rough idea! It is for this reason, we will not be able to do business at a loss in the future!"

Speaking of the tribute trade, its original intention was good, but it changed afterward.The earliest tributary trade itself was an important part of the tributary system. Its prototype was the "five service" system in the Western Zhou Dynasty. According to the distance from the capital of each place, the tribute was stipulated, and then the process of giving back was carried out.

The tributary system and the distinction between Hua and Barbarians are almost two sides of the same coin. While despising other states, they also yearn for the glory of all nations coming to court. Therefore, all central dynasties at the peak of national power need such an honor to be served by all parties. From the Qin and Han Dynasties to the Sui and Tang Dynasties, and then to the Ming and Qing Dynasties, it was like this.

But the problem is that the tribute trade is not a real trade system. It also has some taste of advocating national prestige. For example, if a small country comes to pay tribute, the court will often repay it ten times, that is, the favor is generous.In this way, the face of a big country is gained, and the face of a small country is gained, and everyone is very happy.

This mode of tributary trade reached its peak in the Ming Dynasty. The number of tributary countries, the scale of the tributary, and the degree of organization far exceeded those of the previous dynasty. Zheng He’s voyage to the West is a typical example. Zao went to pay tribute to the Son of Heaven, and then brought back boatloads of belongings, and had a great harvest.

In this kind of tribute trade, in order to pay attention to benevolence and righteousness in the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Yuanzhang also wrote a special book "Emperor Ming Zu Xun", which reads: "I am afraid that future generations will rely on China's prosperity and power, be greedy for a moment's military exploits, and raise troops without reason to injure people. Remember No", and listed fifteen "countries not to be confiscated."

It can be said that the starting point of this matter is good, but unfortunately this kind of system is doomed not to last forever, because it is difficult to live forever if it only cares about face but not inside.

However, for those small countries that pay tribute, there are fewer and fewer people like this, so they come more frequently than each other, just like the Ryukyu country in front, when they paid tribute to the Ming Dynasty, they often brought over worthless seafood. , and then pulled back boatloads of gold and silver treasures, which really envied the Japanese.

Therefore, after Japan was expelled from the tributary trade system, it still tried every means to re-enter, and even used force to occupy Ryukyu, and then carried out the tribute trade under the skin of Ryukyu. Big money.

For the emperors in the past, face was bigger than the sky, wasn't it money?Just give it away, it's enough for everyone to shout Khan.

But Ning Yu's thinking is very fresh. Tian Khan is not bought by relying on gold and silver treasures, but by the guy in his hand. Lizi, he doesn't hesitate to save the so-called face at this level.

As long as the industrial revolution is carried out, it will not be difficult to flatten East Asia at that time, and there is no need to be polite to them now.

Of course, before taking this step, Ning Yu has to change the minds of the ministers around him. You can't be a good person, and you will suffer if you become a good person. The more people like Ning Zhonghai who like to do business without money, the better.

"Trade with Japan can be done, but it can't be done in the form of tribute trade. Make more money, and the more money you make, the better. The Ministry of Industry and Commerce needs to take the lead in this matter, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs can assist."

Ning Yu quickly set the tone. If you want to do business, you have to do it well. As long as you make money, you don't need to talk about anything else.

The officials looked at each other in blank dismay. In their eyes, it is really rare to see such a straightforward talk about money as Ning Yu. Shouldn't a gentleman be ashamed to talk about profit?Fortunately, the emperor took the lead in talking about money.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Nanjing, the chief rudder of the Cao Gang.

A man in green was sweating on his face. He walked into the yard quickly, with a look of anxiety on his face. He ignored the people who greeted him along the way, and just kept going. go forward.

It wasn't until the innermost one entered the courtyard that the man in green was stopped. Several young men in black formed a formation with sticks in their hands, but they didn't say a word.

"I'm Wang Jiang, I'm Master Pan's eldest disciple, and now I have something important to meet with Master Pan."

Although the man in Tsing Yi had an extremely anxious face, he didn't dare to intrude in without authorization. You must know that there are many big people here, and he, a junior, would not dare to make a fool of himself.

"So it's Brother Wang, let's get out of the way, please!" When the leader, a man in black, heard the name Wang Jiang on his face, he cupped his fists and saluted.

"Thank you brothers!"

Wang Jiang didn't dare to delay any longer, and walked quickly to the inner courtyard, but before he got close to the main hall, he heard some noise coming from inside, but it was far away, but he couldn't hear it clearly .

This made Wang Jiang's heart more depressed. I'm afraid something is going wrong in the gang right now!

After Wang Jiang walked into the main hall, he saw three old men sitting at the top, one of them was his master Pan Qing, who was also one of the three ancestors who founded the Cao Gang, and the other two were Weng Yan and Qian Qian. Jian, also sitting at the top, each sulked.

"Master, the two uncles, there is a letter from Beijing!" Wang Jiang took out a letter from his pocket and handed it over respectfully.

Pan Qing glanced at his senior disciple with some reproach. Now that the Cao Gang is facing a life-and-death crisis, the three ancestors of them have already argued about this matter, but he, the senior disciple, has no ability to perceive words and feelings at all.

However, teaching disciples is a matter for the future. Pan Qing took the letter handed over by Wang Jiang, opened the letter and asked casually, "Jingzhong? Which Jingzhong?"

Weng Yan and Qian Jian, who were on the side, also focused their attention at this time, staring at Wang Jiang in front of them.

Wang Jiang swallowed his saliva, pointed to the sky cautiously, and said in a low voice, "It's from the north."

"hiss"

The three of them took a deep breath, especially when Pan Qing held the letter in his hand as if holding a soldering iron, but it felt extremely hot. He couldn't help but glared at himself as a disciple. If they find out, the rest of my life will be over!
Fornicating the North is a serious crime. Even if they are the ancestors of the Cao Gang, they are nothing more than slightly bigger ants in front of the Fuhan army.

Thinking of this, Pan Qing's hand to open the envelope slowed down. He glanced at Weng Yan and Qian Jian, hesitant.

Weng Yan was a little older, he sighed and said, "The Cao Gang is already like this, why don't you take it apart and have a look first."

Hearing what Weng Yan said, Pan Qing opened the envelope, opened the letter and read it carefully, but the more he saw the back, the more dignified his face became, and then he handed the letter to Weng Yan , After Weng Yan read it, he handed it to Qian Jian.

After the three of them had read it, the atmosphere in the whole room was extremely dignified, which made Wang Jiang feel a little out of breath. He could guess with his butt that the content of this letter might be unusual.

"Wang Jiang, tell me the truth, who else has contacted this letter besides you?" Pan Qing's face was a little gloomy. Once this kind of thing is discovered, it will be a big deal.

Wang Jiang was a little nervous, and said in a low voice: "This matter was handed over by a cousin of mine in the north. No one else knew about it. It only said that the content in it was related to the life and death of the Cao Gang. It must be handed over to a few patriarchs. It must not be seen by others, so The disciple didn't even dare to open the letter, and sent it directly."

Hearing what Wang Jiang said, Pan Qing and the other three breathed a sigh of relief, casually sent Wang Jiang out and waited outside the courtyard, which made Wang Jiang even more nervous, and did not dare to disobey The master meant that he had to go out of the yard honestly.

When only Pan Qing and the other three were left in the room, Weng Yan opened his mouth with a complex look on his face.

"Second brother, third brother, what do you think about this letter?"

Since the three of them founded the Cao Gang, Weng Yan has always been the leader, while Qian Jian and Pan Qing are right and left hands, they are not brothers but they are better than brothers, so these important matters are discussed and settled together.

Seeing Weng Yan's question, Pan Qing showed a wry smile on his face, "Nowadays, anyone with a discerning eye in the world can see that the Great Qing is already on its last legs, and even the little White Lotus Sect can't be dealt with. The momentum is probably exhausted. If we If you get mixed up with them, I'm afraid there will be no good fruit to eat."

Seeing what Pan Qing said, Qian Jian's face turned a bit cruel, "But big brother and third brother, don't forget that now Ningchu is the capital of Nanjing, and the north-south navigation is prohibited, and the disciples of my Cao Gang are gone now. It’s a chance to survive. If we can create some momentum in the south of the Yangtze River, maybe we can make a living in the north in the future.”

To put it bluntly, seizing people’s wealth is often at the same level as killing their father and seizing their wives. Although this is not Ning Chu’s original intention, it is a foregone conclusion that all Cao Gang disciples will be unemployed. There is a large group of supporters in the gang.

But Pan Qing really didn't want to get on the Qing's boat at this time, so he said in a low voice: "The livelihood of my Cao Gang disciples is naturally important, and I'm already looking for relationships, to see if I can find some ministers in the imperial court to wait for me. The people talk and seek a way of life."

"Hmph! Third brother, you are thinking too well. What can my Cao Gang do to find a trust relationship? Right now, I don't even have much money. How can I talk to a big man? Besides, how can I wait for the untouchables? Will the old man take it to heart?"

What Qian Jian said was quite true, because in the past under the hands of the Qing court, the so-called Cao Gang was almost equivalent to the idlers in society, and they were all groups ignored by the government.

The two couldn't stop arguing, and then they looked at the old man, Weng Yan, and asked him to make a decision.

But at this moment, Weng Yan sighed lowly, just stared at the letter on the table, and didn't say a word.

(End of this chapter)