Daming: My boss Zhu Yuanzhang

"If you don't do it in the end, won't you still be harming the people?" Zhu Yuanzhang asked worriedly.

"No, the worst result is just to print more treasure money to pay off the debt."

"..."

Zhu Yuanzhang was speechless for a moment. He thought he was black enough, but he didn't expect this kid to be blacker than him.

"And we can also set restrictions so that only those with sufficient wealth can buy these debts, so that ordinary people can be avoided. In the future, we can also open up foreign trade and promote Baobao to vassal countries, so that they can all come to buy Ming Dynasty debts. National debt, when the time comes they will use Ming Dynasty’s treasure money to do Ming Dynasty business and buy Ming Dynasty’s national debt. If anyone dares to disobey, we will block him economically..."

Li Wei selected some of the economic sanctions commonly used in later generations and told them both. Both father and son were dumbfounded!
"Can you still do this??"

Both Zhu Yuanzhang and Hao Daer were greatly shocked. In the past, in order to appease the surrounding countries, he had always adopted a tolerant policy and implemented a policy of thin return and thick exchange of tribute. In this way, he gave people treasures and money. He still disliked it, so in the end he had no choice but to use precious gold, silver, porcelain, silk and cloth as a reward.

According to Li Wei's approach, these vassal states will be economically dependent on the Ming Dynasty in the future, and they will have to be obedient in the future, otherwise the treasure they have worked hard to accumulate may be wasted.

As for foreign trade, of course he knew that the benefits were huge. The Southern Song Dynasty could last for more than 100 years entirely due to the benefits of maritime trade. He was not blind when it came to history.

What he banned at sea was smuggling, in order to prevent the common people from being greedy for profit and neglecting their roots, neglecting farming, and to prevent the danger of rebellion by pirates.Risky liberalization of foreign trade might affect the resumption of farming and production, which would be detrimental to the Ming Dynasty itself.But if the Ming Dynasty's own products become richer in the future and maritime troubles are calmed down, then it will naturally be able to open up trade, but then it will want to be alone.

"Of course, even if this is the case, the court cannot print money indiscriminately. In short, as the saying goes, money is not printed out of thin air, and this bond issuance model cannot be messed up. The court's revenue and expenditure must mainly rely on normal taxation."

Li Wei emphasized again that although it would probably be useless to say it, ugly things must be said clearly in advance.

After Zhu Yuanzhang listened, he still looked worried. Although Li Wei's words were very tempting, they were too complicated and he didn't quite understand them now.

Seeing him like this, Li Wei comforted him again:
"Actually, Your Majesty, you don't need to worry too much. The villages in the example I gave have fixed grain output, but the actual situation in Ming Dynasty is not like this. Since the founding of Ming Dynasty, the population has increased year by year, and the abandoned farmland has slowly been restored to cultivation. Grain production is increasing year by year, and besides grain, other industries are also recovering rapidly."

"As long as the Ming Dynasty's property grows, more treasure banknotes can be issued accordingly. Now when issuing bonds, as long as the amount is controlled, there will be no problem."

"And not all the money obtained by the court from issuing bonds will be spent. For example, when building a city, you can sell the land in the city to recover part of the cost. You can also collect taxes on building roads and bridges, and lend it to farmers to buy farm tools. It can also directly increase food production, thereby increasing tax revenue. These are long-term investments that will pay off."

When Zhu Yuanzhang heard this, he suddenly came to his senses. Yes, his Ming Dynasty was not just a small village. Over the years, he encouraged land reclamation and resumed farming. The population and taxes were increasing year by year, and other industries gradually became prosperous. .

Moreover, he still has Li Wei. As long as he squeezes this kid hard, Ming's production will definitely recover faster, and it will definitely be better than the previous dynasty.

Zhu Yuanzhang glanced at Li Wei with relief and suddenly felt reassured.

"What you said makes sense. Let's go back and draft a memorial and write it down in detail and submit it to us."

Zhu Yuanzhang said that although I understood everything, you still have to write me another detailed report, and the process must be indispensable.

When Li Wei heard this, he knew that he basically agreed, so he relaxed a little.As for the memorial, just write it. Although it is a bit troublesome, in order to successfully set up the bank, he should work harder.

"The minister obeys the order."

"Well, besides, I don't seem to understand Biao'er very well. If you explain it to him again, you must explain it clearly! We don't appoint you as the Prince's Attendant for free. You should go to Wenhua more often when you have time. The palace is in charge!"

"Uh, I obey the order." Li Wei was slightly startled and said, secretly pouting, what's the use of telling Xiao Zhu, he can't be the emperor.

Zhu Biao next to him glanced at his father in surprise. His father could understand such a complicated matter easily. He was worthy of being his father.

Zhu Yuanzhang's face turned red, and then he said to him seriously: "Biao'er, you are the crown prince of the country. This matter of treasure money is of great importance. You must listen carefully and understand it. Do you understand?"

"My son understands, father, don't worry!"

Zhu Biao opened his mouth and agreed, secretly determined to study this matter clearly.

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded slightly, then waved his hand and said: "Okay, all of you, please step aside. We are going to the morning pilgrimage."

It took a lot of time to listen to Li Wei talk about these treasures, and now the courtiers are probably waiting impatiently.

Zhu Biao was about to bow and leave, but Li Wei remembered something important and hurriedly interrupted: "Your Majesty, I would like to request a portrait of Your Majesty to be used on the new treasure banknotes. I hope Your Majesty will allow it."

"You want to print our portrait on the treasure banknote?" Zhu Yuanzhang paused and asked in surprise.

"Yes! I feel that if His Majesty's portrait can be printed on the banknotes, the credibility of the banknotes will be greatly increased, and the people will be more likely to accept this kind of banknotes." Li Wei nodded heavily.

Nowadays, people are more superstitious. If the emperor's portrait is printed on banknotes, it is not only a guarantee of credibility, but also equivalent to the banknotes being blessed by the emperor's destiny, making them more precious than ordinary metal coins!
Autographed photos of celebrities in later generations can still be sold for a lot of money, let alone portraits of emperors in this era. In this era, these are treasures that can be taken home and offered as tribute!

Zhu Yuanzhang pondered for a moment, and was very moved in his heart. If his portrait was really printed on the treasure banknotes, in the future the banknotes would be circulated all over the world, so that every common people would know that the portrait on it was their emperor. This would undoubtedly be very important. greatly enhance his reputation.

Of course, doing so also connected his imperial prestige with this treasure banknote, causing both prosperity and loss.

"Okay, we happen to have some people here. Once the painting is finished, we will have it delivered to you."

After hesitating for a moment, he nodded and agreed. As an emperor who had worked hard all the way from begging for alms, he still had this charm.

It just so happened that the painters who drew the map last time were still in the palace as guests.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Li Wei bowed and thanked.

Once this matter is finalized, his plans will no longer have to worry about, and all that remains is to implement them.

"Well, we're going to court, so you all should step aside."

Zhu Yuanzhang said, stood up and left. Li Wei and Zhu Biao bowed to see each other off.

When passing by Li Wei, Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly stopped and said: "From now on, I will call you Emperor Father!" Li Wei did not hesitate and agreed decisively: "Okay, Your Majesty."

"That stinky boy!"

Zhu Yuanzhang's face suddenly darkened, and he raised his leg to kick him. Li Wei was unable to dodge and staggered forward.

Zhu Yuanzhang snorted coldly, ignored him and left in a hurry.

Li Wei waited for him to leave, then patted his butt and turned around, cursing the old man in his heart.

Zhu Biao looked at him with a smile and said, "Li Aiqing, let's go together."

Li Wei nodded: "Your Highness, please."

Zhu Biao was not polite and walked out of the hall first. Li Wei followed half a step behind and walked with him to the front court.

"Actually, I think it doesn't matter whether you call me Father or not."

Zhu Biao said casually while walking.

"What His Royal Highness said is absolutely true!"

Li Wei nodded in agreement, secretly thinking that Xiao Zhu was better, how easy to talk.

"But I think he should still be called "Emperor Brother", and there is no need to always call him "Prince" in private." Then Zhu Biao said again.

Li Wei's face suddenly darkened and he looked up at Zhu Biao who was smiling.

Zhu Biao is now 26, three or four years younger than him, but he married a girl, which is more embarrassing.

Li Wei's face twitched twice, and after thinking for a while, he suddenly walked to the side of the road and stood down, waving to Zhu Biao: "Come on, Your Highness, come over here."

Zhu Biao looked at his strange behavior and walked forward in confusion and asked, "What are you doing here?"

"Come on, stand still."

Li Wei waited for him to come up to him and guided him to stand in the shadow.

Zhu Biao obeyed and stood still, but still looked at him with confusion on his face.

“It’s cooler here!”

After Li Wei waited for him to stand up, he kindly reminded him, then turned around and left alone.

"..."

Zhu Biao was stunned for a moment, then woke up immediately. He felt speechless for a while. Looking at Li Wei's leaving back, he smiled and shook his head.

……

After leaving the palace, Li Wei hurried back to the Chamber of Commerce and found Laifu and Shen Jing.

"From now on, we will go all out to ship goods and instruct the shopkeepers to give priority to collecting precious banknotes, especially old banknotes!"

Li Wei ordered in a deep voice.

It has only been five or six years since the treasure banknotes were issued, and they have not yet been picked up on the dirty streets. The price of the treasure banknotes has already fallen sharply. According to his estimation, a reasonable level should be around [-] yuan per banknote.

Now that the people are panicking, he must use the goods in his hands to restore the value of the treasure and rebuild the people's confidence.

Laifu and Shen Jing looked at each other, not understanding the meaning of his actions.

"Master, the downward trend of treasure banknotes has not stopped yet. In my opinion, I am afraid that these treasure banknotes will be finished in the future. It would be more appropriate for us to collect gold, silver and copper coins."

Laifu suggested respectfully.

Li Wei waved his hand: "No need to worry, I have my own plan, just follow it."

Seeing Li Wei say this, the two of them were slightly startled and then agreed.

"But now every store is unwilling to accept treasure money. Will they listen to us?"

Laifu said worriedly.

Although these stores that cooperate with the Minghuang Chamber of Commerce are afraid of the size of the chamber of commerce and Li Wei's power, if they are really unwilling to accept the treasure money and agree to refuse in secret, they have nothing to do.

"It doesn't matter, you tell them that we will accept all the treasure banknotes according to the order. From today on, when settling with them, all treasure banknotes will be used, and gold and silver will not be accepted!"

When Li Wei finished speaking, both Lai Fu and Shen Jing were shocked.

"This, why is this?"

Shen Jing couldn't help but ask.

Now everyone knows that real money is a good thing, and treasure money is just a piece of paper. When doing transactions, gold, silver and copper coins are given priority.But Li Wei wanted to do the opposite, which made him a little confused and worried. (End of chapter)