Gou was a member of the imperial family in the late Ming Dynasty

Chapter 795 A Game of Chess
Zhu Shenzui's words made Kang Youfu suddenly enlightened, and he immediately understood Zhu Shenzui's real intention.

If they followed Zhu Shenzhu's instructions, they would not only be able to profit from Liaodong, but also be able to win over the Eight Banners and increase the conflicts within the Eight Banners and between them and Huang Taiji.

Thinking of the previous rebellion of the Zhenglan Banner, Kang Youfu finally realized that Zhu Shenzui was secretly planning something big. Although he didn't know what the final effect would be, why not give it a try as long as there was a chance? Moreover, from a purely business perspective, there was no loss and he could even make a profit from it.

Of course, Zhu Shencui's real plan was far more than that. Kang Youfu only thought of one aspect. As for other aspects, Zhu Shencui considered more deeply. He wanted to use trade as a means to not only divide and disintegrate the Jurchens, but also plunder gold and silver from the Jurchens and influence them through economic means.

Among them, Zhu Shenzhui specifically instructed that gold and silver must not flow out, and all transactions must be conducted using the Royal Bank's silver bills as the means of transaction, which was of utmost importance.

With the continuous expansion of trade on the northern border, the silver notes of the Royal Bank have now become the only currency for trade. In addition to ordinary copper coins, silver notes play a very important role and have completely replaced the role of gold and silver as currency.

This approach was initially resisted because Shanxi merchants were accustomed to using gold and silver for trade, and now they had to trade with silver bills, and all trade transactions had to go through the Royal Bank, which made them very uncomfortable.

However, under strong pressure and the temptation of interests, this system was implemented step by step. Moreover, the predecessor of the Royal Bank was Hengtong Bank, and Hengtong's silver bills already had a foundation in the North and had a good reputation, which also eased the attitude of most people towards trading with silver bills. In addition, the commercial tax and the strong suppression of smuggling, facing these measures of the court, merchants still accepted such operations.

As the operation progressed, merchants soon felt the convenience of using silver bills. Although they could not evade taxes as before because they had to pay taxes through the Royal Bank, the overall benefits they gained were greater than before due to the court's vigorous promotion and the cooperation of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and local governments including border troops. This changed their original views.

Now the profits from the northern border trade alone can basically meet the military expenses and local expenses of the nine borders, which is a great improvement for the finances of the Ming Dynasty. Since Emperor Chongzhen ascended the throne, the finances of the Ming Dynasty have been getting worse year by year, and the revenue has not been enough to cover the expenditure. The finances are facing collapse. Now the finances have eased, Zhu Shenzhu can also breathe a sigh of relief, the local areas are also much more stable, and the entire political situation is different from the past. Everything is developing in a good direction.

In addition to financial relief, what is more important is to redefine the Ming Dynasty's monetary system.

Because of Zhang Juzheng's reform, the original treasure notes of the Ming Dynasty were replaced by gold and silver, which also caused the currency to be non-circulated and the court's finances to become increasingly difficult. This belongs to the economic category and cannot be explained in a few words. Later, an economist named Lang once published a study on this, saying that the financial collapse of the Ming Dynasty was not due to the reckless issuance of treasure notes, but the suspension of the circulation of treasure notes and their replacement with gold and silver.

Of course, this view is a bit extreme, but we have to admit that it does make sense. Baochao is far more useful than gold and silver as currency, and the right to issue Baochao is controlled by the court. Even if it depreciates due to excessive issuance, Baochao is still Baochao. As long as you have Baochao, you can still find ways to alleviate financial problems through economic means.

Unfortunately, this powerful economic tool and economic lever was abolished by Zhang Juzheng. Zhang Juzheng's original intention was naturally good, but he did not expect that the Ming Dynasty would fall into such a predicament decades later, and he did not expect that the results of his reforms would be completely overturned after his death, which led to a series of subsequent situations.

Now Zhu Shenzhu replaced the treasure notes with silver notes, and directly established the Ming Royal Bank based on the Hengtong Notes, with the aim of re-establishing the Ming Dynasty's monetary system to reverse this situation. Once successful, the financial problem can be solved, and the currency can also affect neighboring countries and regimes, and even Western countries including the whole world.

The measures against Liaodong are also part of the currency war. This applies not only to Liaodong, but also to Korea, Japan and even other countries. When the Ming Dynasty's silver notes become the default currency in the world, Zhu Shenzhui will directly announce the complete abolition of gold and silver as currency, keeping the economy firmly in his own hands.

In addition, trade with Liaodong could not only divide and disintegrate the Eight Banners, but also take this opportunity to seduce and corrupt the Eight Banners nobles.

It has to be acknowledged that the Jurchens were indeed good at fighting, but nations like the Jurchens, especially nomadic nations (fishing and hunting nations), all have one thing in common, that is, they are extremely powerful at the beginning of their rise, but it won't be long before their degree of corruption becomes astonishing.

This was the case with the Liao and Jin dynasties in history. When they were first established, they were so powerful and their military prowess was unstoppable. However, in just a hundred years, they became rotten beyond recognition and ultimately ended up with the destruction of their country and their people.

The same is true for the Mongols. If the Mongols had not killed Mongke in Diaoyucheng due to the fierce resistance of the Southern Song Dynasty, the whole world might have been at the feet of the Mongols. But after the Mongols destroyed the Song Dynasty, Kublai Khan established the Yuan Dynasty. The Yuan Dynasty fell in less than a hundred years. The speed of corruption of the Mongol nobles was simply shocking.

The Jurchens were not much better, not to mention the Jin Dynasty before them, even the Qing Dynasty was the same. According to later historical records, the Jurchens became corrupt soon after they took over the country, and it was not the Eight Banners that finally took over the country and destroyed the Southern Ming and other resistance forces, because the Eight Banners were no longer very capable at that time. As the older generation who followed Nurhaci to conquer the world died of old age, didn't the new young Eight Banners have some family background?

I fight for my life, and my descendants enjoy the happiness. The Jurchens are also human beings, so they can't just ignore their descendants, right? Otherwise, what are they going to do with all the wealth and land they looted, including the Baoyi?
By the time Kangxi came to power and Wu Sangui started his rebellion, the Eight Banners had almost rotten to the core. The Eight Banners that had once been invincible throughout the country had all become playboys, who only knew how to stroll around the streets and play with birds and have a good time. Where was the bloodiness of their fathers and ancestors left in them?
If Wu Sangui had not died too early, and if he had not been despised by the world for his harsh treatment of the Southern Ming, the Qing Dynasty might have ended directly in the hands of Kangxi.

Therefore, Zhu Shenzui had a very clear view of the Jurchens. He knew too well how quickly the Jurchens would corrupt. They were just like poor people who had suffered for hundreds of years and suddenly became rich. The poorer they were before, the more they wanted to show off and enjoy themselves now.

Many Jurchens thought that they followed the Khan and the Emperor to conquer the world, and fought all the way to enjoy life and become the superiors. Now that they have power, wealth, territory, and bannermen under their control, shouldn't they be able to enjoy themselves and live happily? It is easy to go from frugality to luxury, but it is difficult to go from luxury to frugality. This is true for all people, and the Jurchens are no exception. Once they have tasted these sweetness, they will become corrupt and fall very quickly. By that time, even if Huang Taiji or his successors are very capable, they will not be able to change the decline of the entire Jurchens.

In the Wenhua Hall, Zhu Shenzui and Kang Youfu chatted until nearly dusk, then ended their conversation.

Kang Youfu said goodbye and left Wenhua Hall. After returning, he did not sleep well the whole night. He tossed and turned in bed, thinking about what Zhu Shenzui had said to him today.

Two days later, Kang Youfu left Beijing for Shandong. Accompanying him were not only people from the Imperial Household Department, but also people from the Ming Royal Bank and more than a dozen Jinyiwei.

These Jinyiwei were not wearing Jinyiwei uniforms, and their attire was no different from Kang Youfu's followers. Some of them even looked more like businessmen. These Jinyiwei were accompanying Kang Youfu not only to protect him, but also to directly participate in all aspects of maritime trade. In fact, the reason was simple. Maritime trade involved dealing with overseas countries, and also with the Jiannu in Liaodong. Jinyiwei's participation not only allowed them to control first-hand information, but also to take this opportunity to go deep into it and pass on intelligence.

Grassland, naturalized city.

Compared with the Ming Dynasty in the south, the grassland entered winter a month earlier. This winter is as cold as in previous years. There have been two heavy snowfalls. The originally withered and yellow grassland has turned into a vast expanse of white, and at a glance it is connected with the white clouds in the sky, indistinguishable from each other.

Tana stood on the top floor of the City Lord's Mansion, gazing into the distance, as if she was looking at something, and as if she was waiting for something.

She didn't know how long she stood there like this, until a knock on the door brought her back to reality.

The person who came was Wang Hai. Seeing him coming, Tana withdrew her gaze and nodded slightly to him with a smile.

Seeing Tana like this, Wang Hai sighed inwardly. Ever since his master, Zhu Shenzui, led his army into Beijing, he has never returned to the grassland in the past two years, nor has he seen Tana again.

Although the two sides often exchanged letters, both Tana and Wang Hai could understand that Zhu Shenzhui was now helpless. After all, he was different now. As the regent of the Ming Dynasty, he had to stay in the capital and could not come and go as he pleased as before.

Once Zhu Shenzhui left the capital, no one could guarantee whether there would be any problems with the central government. Only when he stayed in the capital would those evil spirits not act rashly.

It's understandable, but the longing in my heart can't be faked. Wang Hai is still better, but as the days go by, Tana misses Zhu Shenzhu more and more.

Like today, Tana was looking into the distance, not looking at the scenery, but thinking about her husband.

"What would you like to drink? The weather is getting colder, how about a drink?" Tana sat down and asked Wang Hai, as if she was asking and also as if she was talking to herself. Then she clapped her hands, and a maid brought up a pot of kumis and filled a bowl for Tana and Wang Hai respectively.

Picking up the silver bowl, Tana took a big sip. Her face flushed slightly. She exhaled and asked Wang Hai with a smile, "Why are you here today? How are the departments doing? How much have you lost in the past two snowfalls?"

"Reply to the mistress..."

"You, you call me mistress again. Didn't I tell you to call me aunt?" Tana interrupted Wang Hai unhappily before he could finish.

Wang Hai smiled embarrassedly: "I'm used to it. It's more convenient to call her mistress."

"It's up to you... just call me that if you want." Tana smiled and shook her head. Ever since Wang Hai married Qiao'er, Zhu Shenzhui asked Wang Hai to change his way of addressing her, and Tana did the same. However, Wang Hai started calling her by the original name again within a few days of changing his way of addressing her. Tana had told him about this many times, but Wang Hai still did the same and there was nothing she could do.

(End of this chapter)