Rebirth of Zhu Di's son

Chapter 159 The first governor in the history of the Ming Dynasty
The next day
early morning.

"It's really a stone that stirs up a thousand waves. As soon as the seven-day trade ended, there were a lot of memorials. All the ministers and ministers expressed their true knowledge and insights, which made me dizzy."

Zhu Di sighed as he looked at the pile of memorials on the imperial table with a smile on his face.

"It is a shame for a gentleman to be an official if he is in his position but does not speak. It is the duty of an official to speak out everything he knows. Now we are talking about the seven-day trade. Anyone who has feelings can express his feelings directly. Ming Dynasty Don’t be punished by words.”

When he said this, his eyes fell on Zhu Gaoxu, and then said: "Prince, you speak first."

"Yes, Father."

Zhu Gaoxu bowed.

"This dynasty pioneered trade in the capital, and the foreign merchants were naturally overjoyed. Many foreign merchants always regretted that the goods shipped were too few. Because of this, less silk and porcelain were shipped back from the Ming Dynasty. Although In this way, the ships of those merchants were still filled with silk, porcelain and other goods."

"Overseas merchants sold their goods for money, and used the money to buy silk, tea, and porcelain from Ming merchants. Ming merchants also made money, which can be said to be mutually beneficial."

"In addition, the personal goods brought by the tribute envoys from various countries also benefit."

Zhu Di then said: "It is a worthwhile trip for the tribute envoy to make money, both for public and private purposes."

Zhu Gaoxu knew that the strength of modern countries in later generations is primarily based on finance. Only with money can they develop the military and start infrastructure construction.

"Also, I pardoned the housekeeper of Marquis Qi and was not guilty. After the ministers learned about it, they saw the opportunity and followed Qihou's example. They asked the family members to take the discounted goods to the market to sell them. At present, there are only a few People are still waiting and watching, fearing the smell of copper.”

Zhu Di nodded and said, "You did the right thing."

Then, he looked at Hu Guang, the cabinet adviser who was standing in the civil service queue near the palace gate, and asked, "Hu Guang, have you sold the money you drew at the Salary Department?"

"No."

Hu Guang bowed.

Zhu Di asked: "Are you afraid of being notorious for being greedy for money and profit?"

"Your Majesty, the sales of goods are in full swing now, and the prices are rising all the way. Wei Chen wants to take a look. When rare goods become available, Wei Chen will be able to sell them at a better price."

Hu Guang said respectfully.

"I didn't realize that you, the cabinet adviser, are also a shrewd businessman."

Zhu Di stroked his beard and said with a smile: "It seems like a good thing to get discounts on extra goods."

Then, his eyes fell on Qihou Qiufu's face, nodded and said: "Qihou, what do you think?"

Qiu Fu bowed and said: "Your Majesty, I followed His Highness the Crown Prince a few days ago and saw with my own eyes that the market in front of the Huitong Hall was filled with people. The several gates of the capital were filled with carts and mules transporting goods. It is estimated that there will be more Within half a month, all the chief ministers of the Ming Dynasty had their own goods for sale on the streets."

"That's good! All industries are prosperous, the country's destiny is righteous, the people are prosperous, and the world is at peace. The so-called prosperous age is the pursuit of this result. Zheng He not only brought back goods, but also brought back the prosperity of the Ming Dynasty."

Zhu Di said with a hearty smile.

"Your Majesty, I have a request."

Chen Ying, the deputy censor on the left, came out and bowed.

After Zhu Di succeeded to the throne, Peiping's envoy Chen Ying was appointed as the left deputy censor of the Metropolitan Procuratorate, serving as the deputy of Bao Zhao, the censor of the left capital.

"Say."

Zhu Di said loudly.

"The seven-day trade is in full swing, and the goods received by Wei Chen have already been sold out. Can you convert next year's salary into money and pay it to me and others in advance?"

Chen Ying said respectfully.

Zhu Di asked: "Do you want to make another fortune by borrowing the seven-day trade?"

Chen Ying replied: "It's not about making a fortune, it's about making a lot of money."

Zhu Di smiled and said: "Haha, the word ruthless is used well! I got it right!"

After he said this, he looked around at the ministers in the hall and asked: "Who else wants to withdraw the discounted salary in advance?"

"I am willing."

Hu Guang was the first to stand up and bow.

"I am willing."

Cabinet adviser Kim Yo-zi then came out.

"I am willing."

Lu Zhen, the chief minister of Dali Temple, also stood up and bowed.

Immediately afterwards, [-]% of the officials stood up in the court one after another, all expressing their willingness to receive the discounted salary in advance.

Zhu Di waved his hand and said: "That's right, I will let you all make some money."

"I wait and thank Your Majesty Long En!"

The officials who came out bowed and saluted one after another.

For a time, the monarch and his ministers in the court complemented each other.

When the matter came to an end, the ministers returned to the class.

Zhu Di looked around at the ministers in the hall and asked, "Who has anything else to report?"

"Your Majesty, I have something to announce."

Fang Xiaoru finally seized the opportunity, bowed and bowed in salute.

"speak."

Zhu Di stroked his beard and said.

After Fang Xiaoru entered the cabinet in the 31st year of Hongwu's reign, although he held many positions, he worked diligently and worked hard without complaining.

He actively cooperated with Zhu Di in promoting the reform of the imperial examination, because he believed that this was the national policy set by Emperor Taizu Gao during his lifetime, and as a minister, he should not oppose it.

When Zhu Di carried out the policy of opening the sea and sent Zheng He to lead the Ming Dynasty fleet to patrol the sea, he did not object because there were daily notes proving that Emperor Taizu Gao did agree to lift the ban on sea, and Zhu Di's opening of the sea did not violate the ancestral system.

As for the establishment of the Jinling Women's Hall for the moral education of women, he had no reason to object.

The imperial court established the Royal Bank, the Household Bank, the Huimin Medical Center, the Huimin Industrial Construction Bureau and other government agencies, which were obviously policies that benefited the country and the people. He had no reason to oppose it and even fully supported it.

In addition, in the past two years, Zhu Di carried out tax reform, using a whip to transfer the complicated and excessive taxes to the tax bank, and issued a decree to never increase taxes, and even divided people into acres, completely putting the pressure on people who had been under pressure for thousands of years The poll tax on the people was eliminated.

Such good governance made Fang Xiaoru recognize Zhu Di in his heart as a wise ruler who was rare to see in a thousand years.

Therefore, he was loyal to Zhu Di and willingly worked hard for the Yongle Dynasty's new policy without any complaints.

However, as the seven-day trade started, a lot of chaos occurred in the capital of the Ming Dynasty.

Fang Xiaoru once wrote an article "Zhi Yu", taking "thumb disease as a warning", pointing out that "things in the world happen from the smallest to the most serious troubles", and advised people to take precautions before they happen.

It is precisely because he has this idea of ​​taking precautions in the bud and being prepared for danger in times of peace that he can see from the Seven-Day Trade and the chaos in the Qinhuai River that people's hearts are not old and the world is declining.

Therefore, Fang Xiaoru made up his mind to speak and persuade Zhu Di Longyan even if he made him angry. "Your Majesty, I heard that there is a family at the foot of Zhongshan Mountain. There are several very good children. They used to have a happy life, with men farming and women weaving. But now they all go to the Huitong Hall or the Qinhuai River to make money. Leave a sick old woman at home."

After Fang Xiaoru said this, the smile on Zhu Di's face gradually disappeared.

"Hearsays may not be true, but something Weichen personally experienced yesterday made me feel extremely panicked."

Zhu Di remained silent, waiting for Fang Xiaoru to continue.

Therefore, Fang Xiaoru recounted in detail what he had seen and heard by the Qinhuai River last night, including the owner of Yaliangzhai shop doing business behind closed doors, and his encounter with a charming woman while buying pens in the shop.

At the end of his sentence, he shouted excitedly: "This fine capital has been disrupted by foreigners. Nowadays, many people only care about money and have no sense of shame. We have really lost all our principles and ethics!"

Qiu Fu said angrily: "Your Majesty, please seal the Qinhuai River to see who dares to mess around there. Are you really rebelling?"

Zhu Di ignored what Qiu Fu said, but silently thought about countermeasures.

Fang Xiaoru said: "Although the flower boats on the Qinhuai River still have historical origins, within a few days, they have increased unabated. This is a fact that is obvious to all. Some officials openly enter and exit brothels. They not only damage their own moral integrity, but also cause serious harm to their moral integrity." I’m afraid this is something your Majesty doesn’t want to see if you ignore the country’s constitution?”

The "some officials" he mentioned included Chief Liu of the Ministry of Justice who was standing in the court at this time.

Mr. Liu knew that his whereabouts had been exposed, and evasion would not solve the problem. It would even make Zhu Di angry and kill him to scare others.

After weighing the balance, he walked out of the queue cautiously, knelt down, touched his forehead to the ground and said: "As the head of the Criminal Department, I openly enter and leave the brothel, which is unbecoming. Please punish your Majesty."

"Come here, take off his official uniform and official hat for me."

Zhu Di said solemnly: "Since you have lost the decency of an official, then don't become an official!"

"Thank you, Emperor, for your kindness!"

Chief Liu of the Criminal Department was really afraid that Zhu Di would give him a sword and ask him to commit suicide and apologize. When he heard what Zhu Di said, it was like hearing the sound of nature, and he immediately kowtowed heavily and shouted thanks.

"The world is declining, mud and sand are rising, the sky is dark on the clear Qinhuai River, and the sound of intimacy can be heard endlessly. Women from good families dare not go to the streets, and girls in the boudoir close their windows and doors. The good people are tempted by this, and they are willing to fall. He borrowed money to buy sex, which led to the separation of wives and children. "

Fang Xiaoru said again: "Your Majesty, the root cause of all this lies in the extravagant style brought back by the Ming Dynasty fleet and the overseas immigrants brought back by Eunuch Zheng!"

At this time, Yu Xin, the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, came out and said: "Your Majesty, there are no less than a thousand tribute envoys and attendants from various countries in the hall, and they spend no less than a thousand taels of silver every day. They are not happy to miss Shu, and their return journey is uncertain. If this continues , the imperial court is overwhelmed."

"Furthermore, some envoys and foreign merchants do not abide by national etiquette and do not know how to respect themselves. They rely on the foreign goods in their hands and drink alcohol day and night, which ruins our good customs. If small holes are not blocked, they will cause serious troubles. This has deeply hurt our government and the public. anger."

"I have the courage to report to Your Majesty, please send them back to the country as soon as possible, so as to save money and clean up the people's customs."

Zhu Di said expressionlessly: "When you open the window, mosquitoes and flies attack your face, and when you step into the water, sand and mud rise up. Don't you have any other option but to accuse me?"

Faced with Emperor Yongle's question, all the officials in the hall were silent.

Most of the ministers actually know very well that everything has pros and cons. You can't be too scared to eat just because someone choked to death, right?
Although the chaos in the Qinhuai River mentioned by Fang Xiaoru is true, it still needs to be viewed dialectically. Only after weighing the pros and cons can we consider how to solve this problem.

Therefore, they cannot come up with a reasonable solution at the moment.

"Who has anything to say?"

Zhu Di asked with a hint of anger.

"Father, the powder industry has been around since ancient times and has lasted for thousands of years, even in the Hongwu Dynasty. It can be regarded as one of the hundreds of industries. My son believes that this is not worth making a fuss about."

Zhao Wang Zhu Gaosui bowed and went out of the queue and said: "Besides, everything in front of you doesn't mean that when the people have money in their hands, they only have enough food and clothing to think about sex. If they are hungry, it is too late to beg for food."

"A prosperous age naturally has a way of living in a prosperous age. Singing and dancing bring peace. That is called a peaceful and prosperous age!"

"The most important thing now is to impose heavy taxes on them. We can't let them make all the money, and let the money flow into the national treasury."

Fang Xiaoru then said: "The Qinhuai River is the prosperous place of the capital, the face of the Ming Dynasty, and attracts more attention from the world. Besides, the world is declining and people's hearts are not as old as they used to be, which will inevitably encourage the trend of arrogance, extravagance and debauchery."

Zhu Gaosui said disdainfully: "How can a few flower boats and a few dandy children become a nuisance to the country? I don't believe that these prodigal rats can rebel against nature!"

Fang Xiaoru said: "If you have money but no virtue, how can you talk about a prosperous age?"

Zhu Gaosui retorted: "Is it a prosperous age to be virtuous when you are hungry?"

As soon as these words came out, the hall fell into silence again.

Zhu Di looked at Zhu Gaoxu and asked softly: "Prince, what do you think?"

"Father."

Zhu Gaoxu bowed and said: "I believe that although the chaos in Qinhuai has nothing to do with the return of the fleet, discipline must be maintained in this important place in the capital."

Zhu Di was secretly happy. Zhu Gaoxu had guessed what he was thinking, so he said loudly: "If the education is clear, the people will be upright, the rituals and music will be prosperous, and the world will be prosperous. The bad weather on the Qinhuai River must be rectified. If things go on like this, it will harm the country and harm the people."

"Prince, I leave it to you and Zheng He to manage the Qinhuai River Fenghuai. You cannot fight or kill. We must see results within half a month. Otherwise, you and Zheng He will be questioned!"

"My son leads the order!"

Zhu Gaoxu bowed and bowed.

In the distance, Zheng He, who was standing by the corner gate, immediately bowed and saluted after hearing what Zhu Di said: "Wei ministers accept the order!"

"Retreat."

Zhu Di stood up and waved his hand.

Afterwards.

Officials in twos and threes formed teams with each other and talked in low voices.

The seven cabinet advisers formed a natural group.

Xie Jin sighed: "Eunuch Zheng has become the target of public criticism, but your Majesty asked him to assist the prince in handling the chaos in Qinhuai, which is equivalent to putting him at the forefront of the storm."

Huang Huai answered: "Those Fan people were brought back by Eunuch Zheng. It is appropriate for him to be responsible for this matter."

Fang Xiaoru, Yang Rong, and Yang Shiqi remained silent.

Hu Guangdao: "It is not an easy task to both calm the Qinhuai River and calm the grievances of the subjects. To be honest, I still haven't come up with a reasonable solution so far."

Jin Youzi said: "Eunuch Zheng went to sea and broadened his horizons. He has experienced many things. He should be able to come up with a solution. Even if he has no solution, His Highness the Prince has the image of a saint king, how can he not be able to come up with a solution?"

Among the seven cabinet advisers, Fang Xiaoru is the oldest, now 45 years old, and the youngest is Yang Rong, now 30 years old.

After Fang Xiaoru entered the cabinet, he won the respect of Zhu Di and soon became the No. 1 in the cabinet.

After Xie Jin, Huang Huai, Hu Guang, and Jin Youzi expressed their opinions, they together with Yang Shiqi and Yang Rong turned their attention to Fang Xiaoru, the eldest among them.

As a great Confucian of the generation, Fang Xiaoru was proficient in the true meaning of Confucianism, although he sometimes acted out of his own way and seemed ignorant of current affairs.

But he was not a pedantic person as shown in later movies and TV dramas. On the contrary, he took it as his own duty to understand the king's way and bring peace. He took Sage Kong as an example and was friendly, tolerant and courteous to his friends and colleagues.

The reason why he insisted on telling the chaos of the Qinhuai River in the court was because he was loyal to Zhu Di, deeply in love with the Ming Dynasty, and it was the duty of a minister to tell everything he knew.

At this time, Fang Xiaoru noticed that the other people were waiting for him to express their opinions, so he did not say harsh words like those in the court, but said tactfully: "It is very important to not only calm the Qinhuai River, but also calm the grievances of the subjects. It’s a difficult thing. Right now, I don’t have a good strategy in mind.”

Having said this, he looked around at everyone and said: "Everyone, as ministers, we might as well think about it after we go back and see if we can think of some good ways to help His Royal Highness."

(End of this chapter)