King Luhuang of the Ming Dynasty: My father, Ming Taizu

Zhu Tan was also a little confused when he heard what Lao Zhu said.

How long has it been since Old Zhu learned how to hype?

He saw Zhu Biao and Zhu Tan were looking at him.

Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly smiled complacently.

"Don't think that because I'm the emperor I don't understand the intricacies of doing business! If I hadn't rebelled back then and had gone into business, there would be no way the Shanxi merchants would have become so powerful!"

talking.

Zhu Yuanzhang said to Zhu Tan: "Old Ten! Do you know why we support your glass auction so much?"

Zhu Tan said cautiously, "Father, do you want to get more of the money from this auction?"

When Zhu Yuanzhang heard this, his face suddenly turned dark.

In fact.

Old Zhu and Zhu Tan did have an agreement.

The money earned from this glass auction will be split in half between the two parties!
Old Zhu didn't know the cost of refining glass. Seeing that Zhu Tan contributed both manpower and labor, and also produced the glass, and split the profit with him in half, he felt a little guilty.

He didn't know.

What Zhu Tan paid was actually no different from no cost at all.

Zhu Yuanzhang snorted, "Do you value this little bit of silver so much?"

Zhu Tan nodded and said, "Yes! Otherwise, why would Father insist on splitting it in half with me? I contributed more. I should get at least 70%!"

Zhu Yuanzhang glared and said, "We came here in person, and just coming out once is not enough to get 20% of this auction? You don't take the emperor seriously at all!"

Zhu Tan sighed.

It's not me who invited you!
It was clearly after the Jinyiwei reported to you that you became interested and insisted on coming over!
Zhu Yuanzhang said.

He looked at Zhu Biao beside him again.

He said: "Besides, your elder brother is here with us! The current emperor and the future emperor are both here, and we still feel that we are at a disadvantage!

Then, you can give another 10% to your elder brother!"

Zhu Biao heard this and gave a bitter smile, saying, "Father, there is no need for this, right?"

Zhu Tan was also stunned.

This is too shameless!

He couldn't help but complain: "Why didn't you mention that the Jinyiwei commander Jiang Li is here? Isn't the Jinyiwei commander who intimidates the court and the country also worth money?"

Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes lit up and he said, "Yes! He is halfway there!"

Zhu Tan:.
He couldn't help but said, "Father! That's enough!"

Zhu Yuanzhang shook his head.

"You boy! A miser!"

Zhu Tan looked helpless.

I don’t know who the miser is!
You want a share of whatever money I make, and then come back to complain that I'm too stingy!
Fortunately, the money given to Lao Zhu is not given in vain.

on the one hand.

It was useless for him to have too much money. Now he had a fortune of 20 to 30 million taels of silver, and he had no place to spend the money.
Textile factories and iron smelters are now expanding madly.

At the same time, Zhu Tan was also studying shipbuilding in Qingzhou and other places.

At that time, the shipbuilding center of the Ming Dynasty was Yingtian.

The more developed areas are Zhejiang, Fujian and other places.

But Zhu Tan would definitely not choose to build ships in those places.

After all, the territory they control is in Shandong, so building a shipyard in Shandong is definitely the first choice.

Of course, the silver in Zhu Tan's hand was not cash.

The Ming Dynasty is still relatively short of silver.

Although silver mines everywhere are already being mined at full capacity.

However, as the Prince of Lu fully implemented the parallel trading of gold, silver and treasure notes, the demand for silver increased day by day, and the price of silver has seen rounds of increases.

of course.

This was also within Zhu Tan's expectations.

Next.

Whether it is to "move" back the Iwami Silver Mine from Japan, or to start a shipbuilding plan and ask Ma He to lead a team to America to bring back the silver from South America, both are solutions!

Of course, after having this silver, the most important thing is to issue new Ming treasure notes.

but.

Regarding the issuance of the new Ming Dynasty Treasure Notes.

Zhu Tan still had some concerns in his heart.

First of all.

Zhu Yuanzhang may not necessarily agree to issue treasure notes.

After all, he believed that today's Ming Dynasty treasure notes were sufficient, usable, and easy to use!

As Zhu Tan injected a lot of blood into the Ming Dynasty's finances, the value of the Ming Dynasty's treasure notes gradually stabilized.

The price had previously fallen to 4.5 guan to 1 tael of silver.

Now it has risen back to four strings of coins to one tael of silver.

Old Zhu is now even planning to restart the construction of Zhongdu Fengyang
Simultaneously.

The construction of fortifications in the nine borders was suspended, and instead large-scale water conservancy construction was started. Although the investment was also huge, the returns were definitely higher than military investment.

In the future, the amount of arable land in the Ming Dynasty will increase further.
Second.

Even if a brand new Ming Dynasty treasure note was issued, Zhu Tan knew that Old Zhu was not an easy person to deal with.

Even though he gave his own Prince of Lu such great power, secretly, who knows how many spies of the Imperial Guard were stuffed into the fiefdom!

Zhu Tan's every move is under his surveillance!
In addition to those advanced weapons hidden in the firearms workshop.

There is almost nothing that Zhu Tan can hide from Old Zhu.

Lao Zhu may not understand it, but he must see it.

This is Zhu Yuanzhang's tyranny and control.

and so.

If one wants to kick out the imperial court and issue Ming treasure notes independently, the difficulty is indeed terrifying.

perhaps
As long as Old Zhu is alive, this thing will never succeed.
after all.

As an emperor, besides attaching importance to military power, Zhu Yuanzhang also attached great importance to money.
It is really unimaginable to ask him to give up the power to print money.

But if the imperial power can still interfere with the right to print money, then the newly issued Ming Baochao in the future will be no different from the current Ming Baochao.

In the end it's still just a piece of waste paper!
The more Zhu Tan thought about it, the more headache he got.

Forget it.

Anyway, my father will die in ten years.
Why are you in such a hurry!
on the other hand.

Although Zhu Tan was often extorted by Lao Zhu, the money would eventually be returned to Zhu Tan by Lao Zhu in the form of privileges.

Generally speaking, the more money you give, the more power Lao Zhu has to return!

For example, with the initial 10 million silver coins, Zhu Tan obtained the privilege of freely entering and leaving the fiefdom and Changlu Salt Field.

The takeover of the Changlu Salt Field provided the imperial court with several million taels of silver.

Zhu Tan was given the privilege of carrying out reforms in his fiefdom.
Later, Zhu Tan's territory was limited in development, so Zhu Tan exchanged Dengzhou, Laizhou, Qingzhou and other places for a lot of silver.
Zhu Tan suspected that if this continued, maybe Zhu would "sell" Shandong to him, and then sell the Northeast and Beijing.
Anyway, after Zhu Tan took over, the tax revenues in these places increased significantly, and Zhu could take them back whenever he wanted.

Moreover, it can be sold for a large sum of money.
Zhu Tan spent money to rent these territories to develop himself and also gained benefits.

In short.

This is one of the few exchanges of interests that can be made with Lao Zhu.

I hope Zhu Tan’s career is not affected in any way!

at this time.

The auction is about to begin.

The auctioneer chosen was named Zhao Chunlai.

He was the most eloquent shopkeeper in Lushang Salt Company.

at this time.

He stood in the center of the auction table.

He was wearing a black satin robe and looked very proud.

In order to make the auctioneer dress decently, His Royal Highness Prince Lu even gave him a ninth-rank official title.

Although there is no salary or other benefits.

But this identity alone is enough to make many people envious!
Before the auction begins.

He already knew that the auctioneer's salary was based on commission.

Thousand and two!

This commission is already very generous.

If tonight's auction can fetch several million taels of silver, he can make thousands of taels!

Therefore, Zhao Chunlai is also very much looking forward to this auction.

at this time.

He silently repeated the description of the auction item countless times, how to arouse the emotions of the auctioneers, and how to maximize the benefits of the auction item.
He even frantically rehearsed in his mind how to cooperate with the supporters in the audience.

Zhao Chunlai stood on the stage, closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

suddenly.

Offstage, a waiter brought him a cup of tea.

"Auctioneer Zhao! Tea please!"

Zhao Chunlai was stunned when he heard this.

Who served me tea?
Zhao Chunlai took a sip suspiciously.

The waiter then whispered Zhu Yuanzhang's request to him.

Pfft——!
The tea in Zhao Chunlai's mouth suddenly sprayed out.

What?
It is said that Your Majesty has also used these items?

Isn't that an act of usurpation?

but
Then think about it, the master behind you is His Royal Highness Prince Lu!

He is not afraid, so why should I be afraid!
That’s what I said!
Think of this.

Zhao Chunlai couldn't help but feel more excited.

With the bonus of His Majesty's praise, I believe it will not be a problem for this item to be sold at a higher price!
By then, won’t your commission be
Ha ha
soon.

Zhao Chunlai coughed lightly and said loudly: "Dear guests! Thank you all for coming to participate in this August Summer Collection Glass Auction today!

This time, we will witness the birth of another treasure together!

That is, glass!"

talking.

Zhao Chunlai waved his hand.

The first glass product was pushed out.

That is a set of glass wine glasses.

It consists of a wine jug and six wine glasses.

The jug has a rounded outline, slightly wide at the base, gradually narrowing upwards to the neck, which then flares outward again, forming an elegant curve.

The entire wine jug is transparent, but a slight blue glow can be seen in the sunlight.

The six high-foot wine glasses complement the style of the wine jug. Each cup is inlaid with a thin golden edge at the bottom. The foot of each cup is engraved with delicate patterns, and the cup body is slightly bell-shaped, which looks extremely novel.

moment.

The air in the entire auction venue seemed to freeze.

Everyone's attention was attracted by the transparent glass wine utensils, and for a moment, the venue fell into a rare silence.

The set of glass wine sets sparkled with a dreamy luster under the light, and every detail looked so exquisite and magnificent.

The business tycoons present were all well-informed, but they were still shocked and amazed when they saw such exquisite glass products for the first time.

Fang Qingchen, the president of the Zhejiang Chamber of Commerce, could not help but say, "This glass is clearer and more transparent than the best crystal in Jiangnan! How can there be such a beautiful thing in the world!"

A young businessman could not help but recite an impromptu poem: "As clear as the first sight, as brilliant as flowing water. What else can retain this brilliance? Only this glass is better than the clear river water!"

"Good poem! Good poem."

Everyone couldn't help but admire him.

Zhu Yuanzhang sat in the box, quietly looking at everyone present, and couldn't help but snorted.

"What the hell! Bullshit! Is this a good poem? These merchants don't seem to have much culture!"

Zhu Tan smiled and said, "This young poet is the young master of the Fujian merchant Chen family, Chen Sixuan! Even if he just said a few words of nonsense, some people who curry favor with the powerful would praise him as a good poem!"

Zhu Yuanzhang frowned and said, "Are these merchants more flattering than the officials of our Ming Dynasty?"

Zhu Tan smiled and said, "It's different! But they are all the same! The officials of the Ming Dynasty have power in their hands. They can decide life and death, and they can also help people get rich!
And these merchants
Having money in hand can also make people rich and decide life and death!"

Zhu Yuanzhang angrily said: "Lawlessness!"

Zhu Biao smiled bitterly and said, "Father, you should have seen this from the Shanxi merchants! Those merchants even shipped out firearms and cannons. If it weren't for the great contribution of my tenth brother, Prince Lu, I'm afraid our more than 200,000 troops in the Northern Expedition would have suffered greatly!"

Zhu Yuanzhang snorted.

"Let them run wild!"

talking.

Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly said, "Fujian is a poor place, with eight mountains, one river and one field. How can these Fujian merchants be so rich? We have always heard that Fujian merchants are lawless, privately building docks and large ships! Our customs ban is ineffective in Fujian, is this true?"

The words fell.

Zhu Biao remained silent.

I usually follow Zhu to observe government affairs.

Whatever you know, Old Zhu knows it all.

Definitely not asking yourself.

The only people present, besides Zhu Biao, was Zhu Tan.

When Zhu Tan heard what Old Zhu said, his heart skipped a beat.

he knows.

As more and more salt was sold overseas from the Changlu Salt Field, it was estimated that some of it had leaked to Lao Zhu's ears.

He is ordering himself!
Zhu Tan saw that Old Zhu was staring at him while talking.

Zhu Tan laughed dryly and said, "Father, why are you staring at me? I am not a Jinyiwei."

Zhu Yuanzhang sneered, "Your Highness Prince Lu, why are you being so modest? Jinyiwei don't know as much as you do!"

Let’s chat!
We heard that the products from your steel workshops and Changlu Salt Field, and even the soap, have flowed overseas!

is this real? "

Hear this.

Zhu Biao and Zhu Tan were both shocked.

They didn't expect it.

Zhu Yuanzhang would suddenly attack at this time.

Zhu Biao could not help but say: "Father, we are in private service now, should we discuss this matter after returning to the Forbidden City?"

Zhu Yuanzhang snorted.

"Why go back to the Forbidden City? We just want to hear the truth from our son! We are not going to interrogate him. Do we need to change places?"

talking.

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Zhu Tan.

Zhu Tan sighed and said, "Replying to Father, yes!"

Zhu Yuanzhang said angrily, "Okay! Old Ten! You still dare to admit it! I said we should ban the sea, and you dare to disobey me?"

Zhu Tan coughed lightly and said, "Father, tell me! How much silver do you want?"

Zhu Yuanzhang frowned and said, "How much silver? Are you trying to bribe me? Let me tell you, you are violating the imperial order! What does this have to do with silver?"

Hearing this, Zhu Tan couldn't help but say, "If you miss this opportunity, you won't be able to get it again! Father, don't regret it if you don't want the money!"

Zhu Biao was stunned on the spot.

He didn't expect that.

My tenth brother is now so rude to my father.
the other side.

A scene that made Zhu Biao even more stunned appeared.

Zhu Yuanzhang coughed lightly and said, "At least 10 million taels!"

Zhu Biao:? (End of this chapter)