Rebirth of Zhu Di's son

Chapter 166 Dealing with Platinum Fu

After the meeting of honorable ministers in Wuying Palace.

Zhu Di kept Zhu Gaoxu and Xu Huizu.

"Yungong, you don't agree with me using troops against the Western Region. Apart from what you just said, are there any other reasons?"

Zhu Di looked at Xu Huizu and asked.

Xu Huizu said respectfully: "Your Majesty is wise, I do have another reason to object."

"Tell me and listen." Zhu Di said.

Xu Huizu cupped his fists and saluted: "Your Majesty, Emperor Taizu summoned his ministers before his death and asked them to urge him not to use large-scale troops in the Western Regions or the North during the first five years of his reign, let alone to allow his Majesty to personally conquer the country."

When Zhu Di heard this, he looked at Zhu Gaoxu.

Both father and son read a sentence from each other's eyes: "As expected."

"Okay, you can go down. I promised Emperor Taizu and I will definitely honor it."

Zhu Di said somewhat helplessly.

"My minister retire."

Xu Huizu bowed and retreated.

After a while.

Li Xing entered the palace and reported: "Your Majesty, Zheng He, the eunuch in charge of the Military and Horse Department of the Five Cities, wants to see you."

"Let him in." Zhu Di said.

"Your Majesty, Zheng He, pays homage to your Majesty."

Zheng He bowed and saluted.

"Exemption."

Zhu Di raised his hand and said: "Zheng He, you are not in the hall accompanying the merchants and tribute envoys to promote Pai Gow, listen to dramas, and let the barbarians bathe in Chinese culture, but you come here to see me, but you have something important to report?"

"Your Majesty, half a month ago, chicken plague broke out in Jiangnan, affecting nearly Baifu County, and hundreds of thousands of households were affected. Your Majesty ordered Huimin pharmacies in various places to do their best to treat poultry for the people. Pharmacies in various places found that sulfur was mainly used. Baiwen pills made of medicine have special effects on chicken plague, so they made the prescription public and allowed the people to prepare their own medicines to treat poultry."

Zheng He said respectfully: "A few days ago, the chicken plague spread to the suburbs of Beijing. There was a businessman named Bai Jinfu who stocked up on sulfur in the capital. This man took the opportunity to increase the price of sulfur and sold it to those who raised poultry. He made a lot of money." The money was then reported to the Military and Horse Department. At present, I have sent troops to capture this person, and I am just waiting to hear your Majesty's fate."

Zhu Gaoxu recognized Bai Jinfu and knew that he was an opportunistic businessman.

"Prince, I have not given any instructions on the matter of the Imperial College student Zhang Hao selling foreign goods. I am just waiting to deal with other matters caused by foreign goods. I never thought that I would have to wait."

Not only did Zhu Di not get angry, but he nodded and said to Zheng He: "Zheng He, you did a good job in this matter."

After a pause, he continued: "I have decided to deal with Bai Jinfu and Zhang Hao tomorrow morning in front of all civil and military officials."

"Zheng He, sit down." Zhu Di raised his hand and said softly.

Zheng He bowed and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty."

"Please tell me carefully about Platinum Fortune," Zhu Di said again.

Zheng He said respectfully: "Yes."

The next day.

early morning.

"After Zheng He's return voyage, a lot of new things happened. You haven't seen it, and I haven't encountered it either. This morning, I asked the businessman Bai Jinfu and the scholar Zhang Hao to go to the palace together. I just wanted to hear what they had to say, and then talk to them again. Let us all discuss how to deal with these matters."

Zhu Di sat on the golden platform, looking down at the princes and ministers in the hall, as well as Zhang Hao and Bai Jinfu who were kneeling under the hall, and spoke loudly.

Then, he paused, looked at Zhang Hao and said, "Zhang Hao, what do you have to say?"

"Your Majesty, there is a reason why I put down the book of saints and sages to do business."

Zhang Hao replied respectfully: "I really can't read the late-born book."

"Looking at the Imperial College, everyone else can study seriously, why can't you just study?"

Zhu Di asked loudly.

"Your Majesty, the supervisors of Wansheng Imperial College are donated. Studying is really difficult for Wansheng."

Zhang Hao bowed his head and said: "Wansheng didn't want to live up to the expectations of my old uncle at home, so I braved the situation and waited until His Majesty opened the seven-day trade."

Zhu Di had long known that Zhang Hao's supervising students were donated, and he also knew that Zhang Hao had other hidden agendas when he went to do business.

But at this time, Zhang Hao told this matter in front of all the civil and military officials, which was tantamount to killing his way back to study.

Because the donated prison students are bought with money, and compared with those outstanding students selected from the local government, it is not a glorious thing.

For a moment, there was a small discussion in the hall.

"His supervising student actually donated it."

"No wonder I can't read it."

"..."

Zhang Hao continued: "Your Majesty, Wansheng is really not good at studying, and he can't read well. Wansheng thought that instead of spending money and effort, it would be better to find some way to pay off the old uncle's debts and share the worries of the family."

At this time, Hu Yan, who was offering wine at the Imperial Academy, had already turned his attention to Zhang Hao, who was kneeling not far away from him.

Hu Yan, as the priest of the Imperial College, was in charge of all the students in the Imperial College. However, Zhang Hao did not study hard and went to sell foreign goods, which made him very angry.

Since Prince Zhu Gaoxu asked Hu Yan about Zhang Hao, Hu Yan carefully investigated the hidden reason why Zhang Hao did not study but went to do business.

When Zhang Hao was young, his parents died of illness and he was adopted by his uncle.

Because his uncle had no children, he regarded him as his own. In order to bring glory to the Zhang family, his uncle later sold his family property and donated a supervising child to him.

Hu Yan originally wanted to ask Zhu Di to kill Zhang Hao, but considering that it was not easy for the court to cultivate talents and Zhang Hao had his own reasons, he remained hesitant and did not take the initiative to ask Zhu Di how to deal with Zhang Hao.

Zhu Di looked around at the people in the hall and said, "What do you think the court should do with Zhang Hao?"

Censor Guizhan bowed out of the queue, saluted and said: "Your Majesty, Zhang Hao has failed his uncle in raising him, betrayed your majesty's ardent expectations, insulted the teachings of Confucius and Mencius, and ruined the Ming Dynasty. His behavior of selling foreign goods not only brought shame to the Imperial College, but also brought shame to the Imperial College. Scholars have led the wrong path of pursuing fame and wealth. If Zhang Hao does not cultivate his own moral integrity, how can he serve the country and pray for the people in the future? I ask your Majesty to kill this scum!"

"Your Majesty, this minister agrees!"

Another censor came out to bow.

"Your Majesty, this minister agrees."

Another official stood up and echoed.

Seeing that the situation was not good, Zhu Gaoxu immediately gave Qihou Qiufu a wink.

"His Majesty."

Qiu Fu understood Zhu Gaoxu's intention, and immediately bowed and said: "Wei Chen has never read a book since he was a child, so he still goes into battle to kill the enemy and make contributions to the country. Your Majesty, Wei Chen believes that everyone has his own ambitions, and Zhang Hao should not kill."

"How can you not kill a polite scumbag?"

Gui Zhan asked rhetorically.

Qiu Fu said: "It would be unreasonable to kill Zhang Hao because he doesn't like reading."

While Gui Zhan and Qiu Fu were arguing, Zhu Gaoxu, who was standing on the steps below Zhu Di, bowed and said, "Father, I have something to ask Zhang Hao."

"That's right." Zhu Di raised his hand and said.

Zhu Gaoxu turned to look at Zhang Hao and asked, "Zhang Hao, you are in trouble at home. Why don't you report it to the superintendent or think of other ways to solve the problem at home?"

"His Royal Highness, Wansheng is ashamed. The old uncle has already put a lot of effort into donating the prison students. If the court's money is used to relieve the difficulties, Wansheng will really be embarrassed."

Zhang Hao told the truth: "A few days ago, my old uncle fell ill and the family was in emergency. It happened to be that your majesty opened a seven-day trade, so I tried my skills for a while, but I didn't expect that I really made a fortune." Zhu Gaoxu listened to Zhang Hao. He then reported to Zhu Di: "Father, Zhang Hao was originally a Confucian student and should focus on studying. However, he abandoned his studies and went to do business. This shows that he is not a student."

"I feel that the fact that Zhang Hao can think of repaying his old uncle's debt shows that his conscience is still intact and his filial piety is commendable. Therefore, I would like to ask your Majesty to give Zhang Hao a lighter sentence."

Zhu Di nodded when he heard this, then looked at the ministers in the hall and asked, "Who has anything else to say?"

When he saw no one said anything, he said to Zhang Hao: "Zhang Hao, from today on, I will remove you from the Imperial College. You should not go to the Imperial College again. You cannot be allowed to humiliate the place where saints taught. You want to do business?" , I will help you, and I will take you to the Shibo Department to listen to it."

Censor Gui Zhan said: "Your Majesty, Zhang Hao deserves to be punished for his crimes. He cannot be an official!"

Zhu Di ignored Gui Zhan and asked loudly: "Why study?"

Fang Xiaoru answered the question appropriately: "Learn martial arts and sell them to the emperor's family."

"Dr. Fang is right. Studying and practicing martial arts are all for the purpose of contributing to the court. Zhang Hao went to the Shipping Department. If he can become an official who knows how to do business and finance, wouldn't it be a meritorious deed if he can make full use of his talents?"

Zhu Di smiled.

Upon hearing this, Censor Guizhan had to bow and return to the class.

"Zhang Hao, from today on, you can do business legitimately. You have to do business for me and make money for the Ming Dynasty. After three years, if you are not famous, you will be punished for both crimes."

Zhu Di said loudly.

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for the grace of rebuilding!"

Zhang Hao was so excited that he kowtowed three times and shouted.

"Go down!"

Zhu Di said loudly.

After Zhang Hao retreats.

Zhu Di looked at Bai Jinfu who was kneeling in the hall and said, "Are you Bai Jinfu?"

"The grass-roots people are blessed with platinum gold. I bow to Your Majesty. Long live my emperor."

Platinum Blessing goes to the great ceremony of paying homage.

"Bai Jinfu, you took advantage of the outbreak of chicken plague in Jiangnan this time and sold sulfur, which is particularly effective in treating chicken plague, at an increased price. How much money did you make in total?"

Zhu Di asked loudly with a smile on his lips.

Bai Jinfu replied respectfully: "Your Majesty, the common people sold 17 kilograms of sulfur this time and made a total of [-] taels of silver yuan."

As soon as these words came out, there was an uproar in the hall.

"17 taels? Oh my god, this is too exaggerated!"

"How can you earn so much silver?"

"Yeah, you can make so much money in just a few days. It's simply inhumane!"

"..."

Zhu Di ignored the whispers of the ministers in the hall and continued to ask: "How much money should you make if you trade normally?"

"Less than [-] silver yuan." Bai Jinfu bowed his head and said.

Zhu Di turned to look at Zheng He, who was standing on his lower right, and asked, "Zheng He, how many families have bought his sulfur?"

"Your Majesty, the Wucheng Army and Horses Department checked the bills and found that more than 500 households had bought his sulfur." ​​Zheng He bowed and replied.

Zhu Di asked again: "How many families raised poultry and survived after eating his sulfur?"

Zheng He replied: "Your Majesty, there are more than 300 households in total, and the poultry of more than 100 households have not been cured, and they have all died of the disease."

Zhu Di nodded, and then said: "Bai Jinfu hoarded sulfur and earned 17 taels of silver yuan. At the same time, he saved more than 300 households' poultry, saving these 300 households from the chicken plague. Should he kill them or not?" How to deal with this award?"

Lu Zhen, the minister of Dali Temple, said: "Your Majesty, the chicken plague broke out in the south of the Yangtze River this time. Countless chickens, ducks, geese and other poultry died. Many people went bankrupt and had to borrow money from the Household Bank and the Royal Bank to survive. Bai Jinfu took advantage of the outbreak of chicken plague. Collecting ill-gotten wealth is a loss of conscience and should be punished for the crime."

"Your Majesty, spare your life! Your Majesty, spare your life!"

After hearing what Lu Zhen said, Bai Jinfu was so frightened that he broke into cold sweat and kowtowed desperately.

"Father, I think Bai Jinfu is guilty, but he should not be punished."

Zhu Gaoxu bowed.

When Bai Jinfu heard the prince speak for him, he slowly calmed down and stopped kowtowing to beg for mercy.

"Tell me about it," Zhu Di said.

"Father, when Bai Jinfu sold his house and land and borrowed heavily to hoard sulfur, the sulfur was still on the market and no one cared about it."

Zhu Gaoxu explained respectfully: "Since Bai Jinfu is a businessman, it is reasonable to hoard rare goods and sell them at a price. And it was the large amount of sulfur that Bai Jinfu hoarded that became a special medicinal material for treating chicken plague, making 300 Many households were saved from the chicken plague, and the problem of chicken plague in the south of the Yangtze River was solved."

When he said this, he looked at Bai Jinfu and said: "Bai Jinfu, think about it, if you could take the initiative to take out sulfur and give it to the people when the chicken plague was rampant, maybe more people would be able to avoid the chicken plague." More than 7000 households, but 70 households, or even [-] households.”

"There is no nobility or disgrace under the word righteousness. A gentleman loves money and acquires it in a proper way. It is said that the nature of a businessman is profit-seeking, but he cannot forget his righteousness. However, you have taken advantage of the crisis to make a fortune, which is outrageous."

When Zhu Gaoxu reached this point, he clasped his fists and bowed to Zhu Di, saying: "I would like to ask my father to confiscate the property of the Platinum Fu family as a warning to the world's merchants."

Zhu Di listened to what Zhu Gaoxu said, then looked at the ministers in the hall and said, "Who has anything else to say?"

Fang Xiaoru bowed down and said: "Your Majesty, Bai Jinfu should not only be killed, but also cut into pieces by a thousand cuts. Even if he only made one tael of silver yuan and saved a hundred thousand households' poultry, he should be killed because it was dirty money!" "

"Why?"

Zhu Di was a little surprised by Fang Xiaoru's overreaction, so he asked.

Fang Xiaoru respectfully replied: "Your Majesty, the so-called freezing to death in the windward station is a noble and honest thing. I would rather starve to death than touch the food that comes. This is a model of Chinese civilization."

Zhu Di asked in a deep voice: "Let me ask you, when the chicken plague broke out, which prince, minister or wealthy businessman in the south of the Yangtze River had their poultry die because they couldn't afford medicine?"

Fang Xiaoru was speechless for a moment.

"Dr. Fang, I cannot use my life to achieve the so-called example of freezing to death in Windward Station. Otherwise, according to your words, I don't know how many people will die in the future under the sharp blade of integrity you advertise! "

Zhu Di suddenly stood up, stood with his hands behind his back, and said loudly: "I am the king and father of the people in the world. I can't just watch the people in dire straits without saving them! The life and death of the people is my destiny, and I can't use the lives of the people to win. The so-called name clearing.”

These sonorous and powerful words left all the princes and ministers in the hall speechless.

Zhu Di walked down the golden platform and came to the throne of Dan. He stood with his hands behind his hands, looked at Bai Jinfu and asked, "Bai Jinfu, have you ever paid taxes when selling sulfur?"

"No, no." Bai Jinfu stammered.

"There is nothing wrong with your business. Selling sulfur has saved more than 7000 households from chicken plague, which is considered a good deed."

Zhu Di said loudly: "But you should know that you should pay taxes when doing business, and those who are opportunistic and hoarding like you should be taxed heavily. Therefore, I will fine you 35 taels of tax silver and turn it over to the national treasury."

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, you should give the poor people a death! If you hand over all the capital and profits, the poor people will not be able to survive even if they want to."

Bai Jinfu touched his head to the ground and prayed.

"You don't need to cry pitifully about being poor. I know your family background well."

Zhu Di said with a smile: "If I don't kill you this time, I will let you continue to do business, but you must remember the lesson and abide by the rules."

"The common people would like to follow His Majesty's teachings and thank Your Majesty for your kindness in rebuilding!"

Bai Jinfu kowtowed again.

Zhu Di re-entered the golden stage, sat back on the throne, and said loudly: "I hope that all the people in the world, whether they are officials, scholars, farmers, or businessmen, should put the suffering of the people first and keep it in their hearts! In the face of righteousness, you must stand upright and maintain your character! I think this way, and all the scholars, farmers, industrialists and merchants all over the world think this way. Only then can we build the spirit of Chinese civilization, sustain our country, and make our great cause last forever!"

PS: Thanks to book friend 20191110214719521 for the reward!Thank you to the Supreme Kaitian Haotian Jade God, a crazy reader, a big watermelon dad, a bookworm for 12 years, the Immortal Emperor and other veterans for their recommendations and monthly votes!grateful!

(End of this chapter)