The literary giants of the late Ming Dynasty began by copying books

Chapter 78: Emphasis on Business and Suppression of Business
In the first month of the year, those who travel across the state to sell goods are basically not small businessmen, so those present are caravans with relatively large business volumes, and some are scholars who are on the road during the end of the year.

The intellectual level of these people is still higher than that of the lower-class people of this era, otherwise there would not be so many people who have heard the stories of "History of Portugal".

But no one has ever seen this method of asking questions by name. Wang Wenlong said that it would be better for everyone to ask questions, but no one said anything for a long time.

Wang Wenlong smiled and said: "I had so much to say before, why did I remain silent now?"

The scene became slightly relaxed, and everyone burst into laughter.

Finally, someone finally said loudly: "Mr. Wang, can I ask a question?"

Wang Wenlong looked around and saw that it was the businessman who had just indignantly cursed that the Ming Dynasty would never be able to develop trade like Portugal. He looked like he was only in his thirties, and he was dressed upright. He must be an upper-middle-class member of some caravan company. figure.

Wang Wenlong nodded, and the businessman said in Mandarin with a Hakka accent: "I am a wood seller in Shaxian County, and my surname is Guan."

Wang Wenlong said: "What does the boss want to ask?"

"I read the story of "The History of Portugal". In the book, Portugal developed through trade. European countries relied on trade to become rich and powerful. It can be seen that there are good businessmen. There is no discrimination against businessmen in other countries, and businessmen also work for the country. But. Why have we in China discriminated against business since ancient times? Don’t we treat businessmen as human beings?”

This young merchant had obviously been bullied a lot and had a strong personality. When he said this, he had an angry look on his face and was quite dissatisfied with Daming.

Everyone looked at Wang Wenlong.

Wang Wenlong smiled and said: "Sir, why do you think China has discriminated against business since ancient times?"

"It goes without saying that scholars, peasants, industrialists, and merchants are the meanest. Which scholar doesn't talk like this?"

Wang Wenlong shook his head and said: "In ancient times, the State of Qi was founded on sea trade, and it greatly prospered in fish and salt. There was also Prime Minister Guan Zhong, and the new industry was engaged in trade. Fan Li, a great talent mentioned in the commentary, retired to do business in Taoyi, and became richest in the world. He was known as Tao Zhugong. These sages are all businessmen. We have hundreds of schools of thought in the pre-Qin Dynasty, among which there is the Legalist School of Qi, which is about business knowledge and has created the hegemony of Qi. Scholars, farmers, industry and commerce are the lowest, and they are just one school. It is said that since ancient times, there have been many scholars who can see the value of business."

Everyone present was a little surprised when they heard this, while some scholars were thinking silently.

Another businessman couldn't help but ask: "Sir, we have all had scholars who value business since ancient times. Why is this the case in this dynasty?"

Wang Wenlong smiled and said: "This is because of the changes of the times."

"At the beginning of the founding of this dynasty, the country had been war-torn for a long time, and the land was vast and sparsely populated. The people were required to enrich their fields. Naturally, the most important thing was agriculture to curb merchants. However, as the dynasty's population increased and its products recovered, merchants were needed to exchange goods. The importance of merchants Restrictions are also being reduced day by day.”

Commenting on the story of the founding of the People's Republic of China was not a sensitive matter at this time. Some frustrated scholars scolded "Since Yongle usurped the throne, this dynasty has become a different world", which only attracted the eyes of others. No one would follow them. After all, talking about some changes in customs during this dynasty is certainly not a crime.

Wang Wenlong gave everyone an example: "In the early days of the founding of the People's Republic of China, merchants were not allowed to sit in sedan chairs, wear silk and satin, and merchants' homes were not allowed to use slaves. Do people still mention these rules now? It can be seen that with the development of the times, the status of merchants is slowly improving, and the more Where trade is important, the faster this thing develops.”

The boss was surprised when he heard this and asked, "Is this really the case?"

Wang Wenlong nodded and said: "Take Huizhou, which relies most on trade, for example. Nine out of ten scholars there are engaged in business. Anyone who has been there can certainly prove it." Everyone present was a little surprised and talked among themselves. Some of them actually went to Huizhou to do business. After doing business, he nodded to indicate that Wang Wenlong was right.

Boss Guan thought for a while and then asked: "Sir, when do you think we Ming merchants will become as prestigious as Portuguese merchants?"

Wang Wenlong said: "When the country was founded, scholars were needed to govern the world, farmers were needed to stabilize the country, and craftsmen were needed to make tools. Businessmen were the least important, so there was a ranking of the four peoples of scholars, farmers, industry and commerce. If the importance of business becomes more and more important, the status of businessmen will rise." A rising tide lifts all boats. Think about it, if the Ming Dynasty relied on trade to build a country like Portugal, the importance of merchants would naturally be as high as that of Portugal."

One person suddenly raised his head and said: "If our country continues to develop like this, that day will never come to an end! How can a businessman's status be improved if the imperial court is full of scholars?"

Wang Wenlong looked again and saw that the person speaking loudly was a gentle middle-aged man. He was wearing a large turban on his head and the clothes of a businessman. He looked like a man who failed in the imperial examination and abandoned Confucianism to become a businessman. .He has been both a scholar and a businessman, so no wonder he feels this way.

As soon as he said this, Wang Wenlong had not yet spoken, but several scholars who were on their way next to him were unwilling to do so.

"You businessmen are so unjust for profit. If the world were led by you, what would it be like?"

At that time, some businessmen also responded: "Mr. Wang's "History of Portugal" clearly stated that all European countries have made their fortunes through commerce. Now ships have sailed to my famous Xiangshan Ao to colonize. If you can make the country rich and strong with your turbans, Soldier, it’s time for my Ming Dynasty’s ships to go to Portugal!”

"That's nonsense! Does this world need to be decided by businessmen?"

The reputation of businessmen in this era is really bad. In order to make more money, it is normal to deceive young people and pass off inferior goods. What they do is so excessive that neither officials nor the people have a good impression of them.The thought of relying on these people to rule the country frightened everyone.

But by the Wanli period, with the rise of the merchant-citizen class, the improvement of the status of merchants was already a certainty. Some literati and officials catered to it, while others strongly resisted.At this time, many of the focuses of debate among various schools of thought focused on whether to promote commerce or suppress commerce.

Although "History of Portugal" does not actively promote mercantilist ideas, the importance of commerce is inevitably highlighted through the development process of Portugal.

Although everyone in the field does a lot of business, everyone has different ideas about whether businessmen can rise to the status of a Portuguese high school.

Some people think that the Portuguese method is better than the Ming Dynasty, but some people think that the Portuguese method will cause chaos in the world.

Everyone had different opinions and suddenly started quarreling.

Looking at the chaotic scene, Ye Chengxue and Huang Daozhou both opened their mouths. They did not expect that the discussion on "History of Portugal" would lead to such serious conflicts.

During the quarrel, someone shouted loudly: "Mr. Wang, which side do you support?"

The shopkeeper of the inn ran out and was shocked when he saw this scene. After asking about the situation, he quickly ran to Wang Wenlong: "Mr. Wang, please tell me a few words. I still have business to do."

Looking at the shopkeeper, Wang Wenlong could only say loudly: "Portugal and the Ming Dynasty are very different in terms of land, products and culture, so copying them mechanically will definitely not work."

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(End of this chapter)