I'm sure of the prosperous age of Kangxi and Qianlong!

Chapter 211 Total Ban
Strictly speaking, Jiale and many other Missionaries of the Missionary Society suffered an unforeseen disaster.

But it doesn’t matter, the Dominicans are not a good thing anyway.

The Imperial Guards escorted Jiale and others down as ordered, but the two interpreters from Honglu Temple were still stunned and at a loss.

Zhu Yijiong did not express his anger, but waved the two of them away, and then went back to write the imperial edict.

Afurong has been introduced into China for a long time.

"Da Ming Huidian" records that the kings of Siam, Java, and Bangladesh regularly sent tribute missions to China, and opium was among the tributes.

It's just that the "Da Ming Huidian" calls it "Wuxiang" (it's not entirely certain, but if not, it can't explain why opium suddenly appeared in large quantities in China).

Siam paid 200 catties to the emperor and 100 catties to the queen each time. The amount of tribute paid by the other two countries has no clear history.

However, this quantity could not meet the needs of the royal family. The emperor also sent eunuchs to search for and purchase opium. At that time, the price of opium was the same as the same weight of gold.

Zhu Yijiong quickly wrote the imperial edict:
First, except for medical clinics and drugstores registered with the government, no one or store is allowed to sell opium poppy (named after the Northern Song Dynasty's "Kaibao Materia Medica", the latter "millet" is the capsule) and related products.Even registered medical clinics and pharmacies must strictly register and report the products they sell, otherwise they will be ransacked.

Second, it is strictly prohibited for private citizens to cultivate and sell opium poppy. Anyone who cultivates and sells opium poppies must stop immediately and destroy it within a time limit.Anyone who refuses to execute the law will have their property confiscated and their entire family will be exiled, and future generations will never be forgiven.

Third, those who are addicted to smoking or taking afurong, Fushou ointment, or opium are ordered to quit within a time limit.If there are any officials in office, they will all be dismissed from office and their deputies will temporarily serve concurrently. If the deputies are also addicted, they will continue to serve until they are minor officials.

These three prohibitions were decisions made by Zhu Yijiong after careful consideration. As a future generation, Zhu Yijiong naturally understands the consequences of the proliferation of opium.

However, it is impossible to truly ban opiates. Even in future generations, it will be difficult to find suitable substitutes for opiates.

What's more, in ancient times when there were no narcotics and antibiotics, opium could quickly spread all over the world, and it was not really useless (for medicinal purposes, do not spray it).

Moreover, only a trace amount can indeed be used as medicine.

However, free selling and cultivation by the private sector must not be allowed.The right to plant and sell crops must be in official hands, and the military must be set up to guard the plantations. Medical clinics and drug stores must also be strictly controlled by the government.

As for officials who smoke opium, Zhu Yijiong can still let them continue to serve as officials as long as they can quit within a time limit.

This is not because Zhu Yijiong is benevolent, but simply because this era is already the Kangyong period, and God knows how wide the spread of aphrodisiac is.

Moreover, most of the officials and people at this time did not know the dangers of afurong, and they only regarded afurong as a luxury product.

This is also why the Qing Dynasty smoked aphrodisiac, instead of taking it commonly in Europe and Arabia.Because it is more classy and more respectable.

Those who do not know are not guilty, and the law does not punish everyone.

The imperial edict issued by Zhu Yijiong did not go through the cabinet deliberations, and strictly speaking it can only be regarded as a successful edict.

But as the founding emperor, he was still the emperor immediately. Even if Zhu Yijiong just said something casually, no one would dare to disobey his authority.

Zhu Yijiong didn't know much about the cabinet because he really didn't want to argue.

After all, in the eyes of these people in this era, opium is just a strange drug, but it is easy to become addicted if you take it too much, just like alcohol addiction.

Emperor Zhu's imperial edict was quickly issued to the cabinet and major ministries. Several cabinet ministers and the chief officials of various ministries were a little confused about the reason, but they still carried out it seriously.

Nanjing City.

As the capital, this place bears the brunt.

Following the issuance of the order from the central government, all the servants and subordinate staff of various major government offices in Nanjing were dispatched.

Although the number of subordinate officials in the Ming Dynasty was also limited, they had salaries and establishments.The descendants of subordinate officials were also allowed to participate in the imperial examinations normally. They could be promoted based on their merits and even obtain official status.

Officials went from house to house to conduct strict inspections. With the emperor's decree, the process went very smoothly.

In just two days, thousands of opium addicts were arrested in Nanjing.

Without exception, they were all officials and dignitaries in the capital, and even the son of Chief Assistant Wang Li was involved.

Fortunately, afurong in this era was still a high-end luxury product, and the Qing court had always banned it.Although it is not strict, it still makes afurong more expensive than gold on the market.

Many people don't even know what aphrodisiac is, let alone inhaling it.

The decline in the price of opium is still due to the continuous smuggling of European businessmen.

Similarly, when the Qing court banned crows, it was based on the opium tax. Only those who could ban crows would have trouble.

"Are you here to plead for your son?" Zhu Yijiong was reviewing the memorial in his hand without raising his head.

Wang Li quickly handed over his hand and said, "I don't dare!" In the past two days, more officials had petitioned for mercy.

After all, those arrested here are all high-ranking officials, and not just one or two. The cells at all levels in Nanjing City are now overcrowded.

Although the Pseudo-Qing Dynasty also banned opium, it was only because opium required frequent overseas exchanges and was too extravagant.

In addition to those whose relatives were involved in drug abuse, many of the officials who begged for mercy simply did not understand the emperor's intentions.

Dismissal from office, confiscation of homes, and exile are too much.

Understanding why this royal gift came and that the officials below really needed an explanation, Zhu Yijiong shouted: "Here comes someone!"

"I'm here." The secretary on duty entered the door.

"Accompany Wang Qing to visit the prison."

"According to the order."

The prison is the jurisdiction of the Three Law Departments.

Although Wang Li was the chief minister of the Ming Dynasty, he did not have the power to enter and exit the prison at will.At least you have to go through the procedures first, such as arraignment, visitation, etc.

Because of the emperor's decree, the process was avoided, and the two of them arrived at the Tianlao in a sedan chair quickly.

There are so many people arrested that the ordinary cells are already full, so they can only be crammed into cells for serious criminals such as Tianlao.

Wang Li walked through the prison under the guidance of the jailer, his eyes constantly scanning the imprisoned drug addicts.

From time to time, someone stretched out his hand, looking like a demon from hell.

"Please, let me take a sip! Just one sip."

"I can't stand it anymore, hurry up...give it to me...give it to me..."

"My father is the right minister of the Ministry of Rites. Let me go...let me go quickly..."

"..."

All the cells, without exception, are like hell on earth.All the dignitaries and dignitaries, when they get here, become addicted, they all look crazy, and some even fall into coma and shock.

Wang Li felt chills in his heart when he saw it. Although his original impression of afurong was not good, it was because his son liked to smoke it when he had nothing to do. Therefore, he felt that this drug made people indulge in pleasure and play to lose their morale.

Only now do I realize that this is not a plaything, it is clearly a thing that can harm people.

Wang Li instantly understood the emperor's intention of calling him over. His Majesty had indeed had foresight to issue an order prohibiting it as early as possible.Otherwise, if this harmful poison continues to spread, the consequences will be disastrous.

After walking for a while, he reached the cell where his son was.

The prison was taken care of. The overall environment of the cell was pretty good, not too humid, and there were beddings inside for warmth.

This is for sure, after all, he is the son of Mr. Shouxiang, but he was caught because of his drug addiction. Mr. Shougong has not lost his power. Who dares to be careless.

Wang Li only glanced at him and turned away. He recognized his son, but he recognized him from the clothes he was wearing. All the addicts in the cell had lost their human appearance.

Fortunately, these people were tied up and could not move around. Otherwise, if their addiction broke out, they would definitely hurt themselves without the drug. They might even be unable to bear the pain and commit suicide by hitting the wall.

This was just opium in the early Qing Dynasty, and its purity was not as high as in later generations. It was possible to quit by forcefully quitting, but it would be a huge test of willpower.

I really want to be the next generation... haha.

But it does not rule out that there will be some with weak constitutions who cannot bear the withdrawal reaction and will quit themselves to death.

However, this has nothing to do with Emperor Zhu.

Moreover, how can the world pay attention to it unless a few unlucky people die?

After Wang Li left Tianlao, many officials and dignitaries came to visit him one after another.Not only Tianyao, but also every cell in Nanjing has people coming and visiting.

Looking at the hellish scene in the prison, some people understood and felt deeply disgusted, while others did not understand and felt that the emperor was too unkind.

It doesn't matter if you don't manage or understand, or even harbor resentment behind your back. Zhu Yijiong doesn't care. How can these people turn the world upside down?
　Volume 67 of the Ming Dynasty's "Records of Taizu" contains Zhu Yuanzhang's clear edict that "subordinate officials" in the world are not allowed to take the examination: "When the imperial examination was first established, all those who had smooth writing and reasoning would be pre-selected and encouraged with their writing. However, the subordinates' minds were broken. You are not allowed to take the exam." In the Qing Dynasty, not only subordinate officials were not allowed to participate in the scientific examination, but their descendants were also not allowed to participate in the scientific examination. "Qing Bailei Chao Examination" records a story about a rich man in Qianshan, Jiangxi Province. Because he "started as a subordinate official", his son took part in the county examination and "conformed to the rules". He was opposed by others and later spent a lot of money. After a lot of effort, I managed to get into the examination room.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)