I'm only seven years old, Lao Zhu, you let me supervise the country?

Chapter 74: Resumption of the market, resumption of the market, resumption of the market immediately!

Merchants in Jinling City went on strike collectively, which immediately caused shock throughout the court.

The memorials flew into Ouchi like snowflakes.

Jiangnan has been prosperous since ancient times.

Although the Ming Dynasty was only established for more than [-] years, because Jinling City is located on the most important waterway of the Yangtze River, there are a large number of people traveling from south to north, water transportation is developed, and commerce is prosperous.

At this time, Jinling City had a population of more than [-], making it an out-and-out big city.

The impact of the strike spread quickly.

"This group of businessmen are so bold that the imperial court should punish them severely."

A group of scholars who came to Yingtian to rush for the exam were discussing this matter.

"It's no wonder that those businessmen are levying a light business tax. This is a virtuous policy that benefits the country and the people. But now that business taxes are being levied, how can the businessmen be convinced?"

Another scholar retorted.

"That's right. It's wrong to raise business taxes and compete with the people for profits."

"Is it a natural thing to pay taxes? Businessmen make such huge profits, shouldn't they pay more taxes?"

"Business is the end, agriculture is the foundation. Increasing the business tax is just to give officials more excuses to extort money."

……

The scholars discussed it a lot, but generally they were more critical of the increase in commercial taxes.

Most of the scholars in this era are from relatively well-off families, and the truly poor cannot read books at all.

This also determines that they naturally have more common ground with the merchant class, although on the surface everyone looks down on merchants.

Moreover, they all felt that under the current situation, the imperial court had to regress.

……

In Yingtianfu's yamen, Zhu Yunxi was still flipping through the roster and account books in a leisurely manner to learn about Yingtianfu's affairs.

The subordinate officer below could not sit still.

"His Royal Highness Nan Wang, now that all merchants in Jinling City are on strike, how should we deal with it? We must come up with a charter as soon as possible."

Liu Zhixiang, the general judge of Ying Tianfu, was as anxious as an ant on a hot pot.

Zhu Yunxuan looked up at him and said, "Since they want to go on strike, let them go on strike."

Liu Zhixiang was stunned for a moment, and said: "It's not a trivial matter that the merchants in the whole city go on strike. Once the business stops, the entire Yingtian Mansion will be paralyzed. His Highness Nanwang is in charge of Yingtian Mansion, can we just let it go like this?"

Zhu Yunxi spread his hands and said, "What else? According to Master Liu, what should I do?"

Liu Zhixiang cupped his hands and said: "The merchants' strike is nothing more than a matter of raising commercial taxes for the imperial court. In my humble opinion, as long as Ying Tianfu Yamen puts up a notice stating that there is no intention to impose additional commercial taxes, the storm of the strike will be calmed down."

Zhu Yunzhen chuckled and said, "In that case, why don't Mr. Liu do it himself?"

Liu Zhixiang was stunned again and said in a low voice: "This matter still requires your approval and the Yin seal of Yingtian Mansion before it can be done."

Zhu Yunxuan snorted coldly and said: "Improving commercial taxes is a national policy. What right does Ying Tianfu have to make its own decisions? Mr. Liu doesn't do it himself, but he pushes me to the front. What's the point?"

Although his voice was immature, his tone had become sharp.

His gaze was like lightning, staring at Liu Zhixiang.

Liu Zhixiang's body trembled, and he quickly bent down and cupped his hands and said, "I don't dare to make my own decisions in a lowly position. But the merchants are on strike, and the court will pursue them. What should I do?"

As soon as his voice fell, someone came in from outside.

"See His Highness Nan Wang."

But it was Jiang Wei, the commander of Jin Yiwei.

"Humble duty is ordered by His Majesty to come to assist His Majesty."

Zhu Yunxuan laughed and said, "Commander Chiang has arrived just in time. Does the Emperor have any wishes?"

Jiang Yu bowed his hands and said: "Your Majesty has already learned about the strike of merchants in Jinling City. Your Majesty asked His Royal Highness Nanwang to do it."

Zhu Yunxi stood up and said: "Okay, with the emperor's will, then it will be easy."

Jiang Wei said: "The Imperial Guards have been gathered in the humble position. As long as His Highness gives the order, the houses of those who should be ransacked will be ransacked, and the heads of those who should be beheaded will be beheaded. I want to see if those profiteers still dare to go on strike."

As soon as he said this, Liu Zhixiang quickly dissuaded him, saying: "Your Highness, this matter must never be done."

"The most urgent task is to appease those merchants and persuade them to resume the market. They must not add fuel to the fire, otherwise, the situation will be out of control."

Jiang Yu sneered and said, "Master Liu, why bother to make alarmist remarks. There have always been only rebellious peasants and a group of businessmen, and they still want to turn against the sky?"

Liu Zhixiang said: "Seventy-eight out of ten merchants in Jinling City are servants and subordinates of officials in the imperial court, and there are many noble families among them."

"If there is a large-scale pursuit, I am afraid that the government and the public will be shaken."

"Besides, the lower officials have heard that merchants in Suzhou, Yangzhou, and even Jiangnan are also collaborating and intending to stop the market."

"If it intensifies again at this time, I'm afraid that Ying Tianfu will not be the only merchants that are going on strike."

Jiang Yu frowned.

The solution he thought of was very simple, whether it was to capture, kill or suppress.

But now it seems that the market strike is undercurrent. I am afraid that killing a few businessmen will solve the problem.

Zhu Yunxuan clapped his hands and laughed loudly, and asked: "Miaoji, Miaoji, it's better to go on strike."

He looked very happy, which puzzled Liu Zhixiang and Jiang Yu.

"His Royal Highness Nan Wang." Liu Zhixiang coughed lightly, shouted, and asked, "Why did you say that?"

Zhu Yunxi laughed and said, "Since Your Majesty asked me to let go, then I will write the notice."

He picked up the pen and started writing on the spot.

Seeing this, all the officials below breathed a sigh of relief.

The merchants in Jinling went on strike, and the first person to be held accountable was Ying Tianfu.

The burdens on the shoulders of these officials are not light.

If Zhu Yunxi is willing to step back and post notices to appease the merchants, that would be the best.

Not to mention, most of these officials' families also have business servants, which are actually their own property.

The salaries of officials of the Ming Dynasty were surprisingly low, and most of them were issued "Treasure Banknotes of the Ming Dynasty", whose value was greatly reduced.

Relying on the little salary given by the Ming court alone, their whole family would have to drink the northwest wind.

You can only let the servants do some business in private to subsidize the family.

This matter cannot be said clearly, but it is tacitly understood.

Naturally, no one wanted to see the court impose additional business taxes.

Soon, Zhu Yunxi finished writing.

"Commander Jiang, order Jin Yiwei to post the notice immediately."

Jiang Yu quickly took it over.

Liu Zhixiang and other officials gathered around and looked at the notice. Their jaws dropped to the ground in shock.

……

……

……

"Haha, I think the emperor's grandson is nothing more than this. Now the merchants in Jinling City are on strike collectively. Let's see what he can do?"

In Jinling City, somewhere in a wealthy merchant's house, a group of businessmen were discussing.

"That's right. I heard that merchants in Suzhou and Yangzhou are also moving after hearing the news, and they are also planning to strike."

"All the merchants in Jiangnan are on strike. Let's see if he dares to propose an increase in business tax?"

"In my opinion, right now he can only retreat obediently."

At this point, everyone laughed and drank, feeling very unhappy.

At this moment, a servant ran in from outside.

"Master, it's not good, it's not good, Yingtianfu Yamen has put up a notice. Let's resume the market quickly. If it's too late, I'm afraid it's too late."

"What are you panicking about? You are not alone in beheading your head and ransacking your home." A merchant reprimanded.

Extremely dissatisfied with the performance of the servants.

Now that they have decided to strike, they are psychologically prepared for it.

There are so many merchants in Jinling City, can the imperial court kill them all?
Although Emperor Zhu was famous for being cruel and ruthless, the Yamen could work without officials and use scribes instead, but Jinling City could not live without merchants.

The daily needs of goods in the city, such as salt, grain and cloth, all need to be supplied by merchants.

There are no merchants. Do all the 70 people in the city drink the northwest wind?
"Old... Master, you are not in a panic. Notice, notice... notice..."

He ran all the way, still a little out of breath.

"Look how anxious you are. What did the notice say?"

"The little one has already copied a copy, sir, please read it."

The servant took out the transcribed paper from his pocket and handed it over.

All the merchants looked over, and then their expressions changed drastically.

"Resume the market, resume the market, resume the market immediately!"

The merchants were in a hurry and left in a panic.

……

(End of this chapter)