Ming Dynasty: I risked my life to teach the prince, the emperor begged me not to die

Chapter 347: One Debate Shocks the Whole Palace
Qin Hong was not sure whether the Crown Prince was Chen Ce's backup, but in any case, the Crown Prince did not seem very reliable.

Zhu Houzhao looked at Liu Daxia, put his hands behind his back, and said calmly: "Okay, let's just assume you are right."

"Let me tell you some more historical materials."

"In the 14th year, it was forbidden for people living near the coast to have private exchanges with overseas countries. In the 17th year, Duke Xin Tang He inspected Zhejiang and Fujian and banned people from going to the sea to fish. In the 23rd year, the Ministry of Revenue was ordered to strictly prohibit exchanges with foreign countries. The emperor prohibited the export of gold, silver, copper coins, gunpowder, weapons, etc...."

Liu Daxia smiled and said, "The Crown Prince's historical records are all about the maritime ban."

Zhu Houzhao smiled slightly and said, "Yes, the whole article is about maritime bans, but as the years go by, I'm sure you've heard the changes, right?"

Liu Daxia was slightly stunned: "What changes?"

Before he could think carefully, Qin Hong suddenly said, "The maritime ban policy is being relaxed!"

From the fourth year of Hongwu to the fourteenth year, to the seventeenth year, people were no longer allowed to go to sea, to have secret communications with overseas countries, to be prohibited from going to sea to fish, and in the twenty-fourth year, gold, silver, copper coins, gunpowder, weapons, etc. were not allowed to be taken out of the country.

In fact, by the 24th year, the maritime ban policy of the Hongwu Dynasty had begun to relax. It was not that going out to sea was not allowed, but that sensitive items were not allowed to be traded overseas.

After Qin Hong finished speaking, he was dumbfounded.

No wonder Chen Ce found me yesterday and asked me to propose the policy of opening the sea again!

It turns out that he really has a backup plan, and his backup plan is the crown prince!
The Crown Prince's historical materials were well-reasoned and his rebuttal was clear, which left Liu Daxia speechless for a moment!

It wasn't just Qin Hong who was shocked.

Lord Liu stood there in a daze. He was not surprised why the crown prince suddenly became so smart. Needless to say, someone must have taught him.

The person who taught him was Chen Ce!

First, the Ministry of Revenue raised the issue of lifting the maritime ban, and then Zhu Houzhao came out to give a well-reasoned rebuttal. All of this was pushed by Chen Ce.

That young man is manipulating the court? His goal is to open up the sea?!

Emperor Hongzhi narrowed his eyes, his face still expressionless, and he did not say anything, quietly waiting for Liu Daxia's counterattack.

Liu Daxia was an imperial censor and was eloquent, but at this time he was speechless. The crown prince's statement was certainly correct. Judging from historical materials, the maritime ban policy during the entire Hongwu Dynasty was becoming more and more relaxed.

If Emperor Hongwu had lived long enough, he might have lifted the maritime ban later on.

Liu Daxia was silent for a moment, then he clasped his hands and said, "Your Highness is right, but the ancestral system has not ordered the opening of the sea. In this case, the sea is still closed."

It is obvious that Liu Daxia is being a rogue. Anyone with a discerning eye knows that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has more sufficient arguments. You can either produce historical materials to refute them or acknowledge what the Crown Prince said.

It seems very unprofessional to say this.

Zhu Houzhao said calmly: "May I ask how the Southern Song Dynasty could survive for a hundred years in such a remote corner?"

Qin Hong stepped out and said, "Your Highness, it is the Southern Song Dynasty that is seizing the profits from the sea. After the opening of the Maritime Silk Road, the profits that the Southern Song Dynasty has gained from overseas each year are enough to support the Southern Song Dynasty's finances."

Zhu Houzhao said calmly: "Isn't that right? Since we know that there are huge profits to be made on the sea, why are we still so pedantic as not to open the sea?"

"Father, what do you think?" Qin Hong clenched his fists tightly in his sleeves, feeling a little excited. If the sea was really to be opened, he would naturally have no objection, as it would enrich the Ministry of Revenue's treasury.

What he originally thought was impossible has now become possible! Yesterday he vowed to Chen Ce that the ancestral system could not be broken, but today Chen Ce used Zhu Houzhao to teach him a lesson!
This is just the debate he asked Zhu Houzhao to come. It would have been so exciting if he had come in person!

To be honest, Qin Hong is really looking forward to seeing Chen Ce debate with scholars in the court in his lifetime. That will definitely be exciting!
Chen Chunjian, ah, Chen Chunjian, you really make me look at you with new eyes time and time again!

After hearing what Zhu Houzhao said, Emperor Hongzhi did not express his opinion immediately. Instead, he asked the three cabinet elders: "What do you think?"

The cabinet was very important. Liu Jian was silent for a moment, then stepped out and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, what the Crown Prince said is certainly reasonable."

"But I think now is not the time to open the sea. The country is developing commerce, but it is not mature yet. If the sea is opened, the court will have to deal with more troubles. Instead of doing that, it is better to take steady steps and wait until the domestic commerce matures before discussing the issue of opening the sea."

Liu Jian did not say who was right or wrong between Zhu Houzhao and Liu Daxia. No matter what he said, he would offend one of the parties. He was an old and stubborn minister and his words were flawless.

In fact, Liu Jian had some selfish motives of his own. He did not want Chen Ce to have absolute power in the court. He always believed that it should be his cabinet, not a private businessman, that should be in control of the Ming Dynasty.

After Liu Jian spoke, Qin Hong was stunned again and looked at Liu Jian in confusion.

When Lord Liu said this, he basically defined the situation. He originally thought that the sea could be opened.

But who would have thought that Liu Jian would appear halfway through.

Zhu Houzhao was also anxious. Just as he was about to speak, Emperor Hongzhi interrupted him and said, "Mr. Liu is right, what Lao Chi said is correct."

"Let's put this matter aside for now. We won't discuss it today. Let's retire now if nothing else."

After the grand court meeting, Zhu Houzhao was somewhat resentful. He had behaved very impressively today, and even the Right Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate had been convinced by him.

As a result, that old man Liu Jian rejected the idea of ​​opening the sea with just a few words!
This old guy is really not a human being!

"Father! Isn't it good to open the sea? Why don't you let me continue?"

Emperor Hongzhi smiled and said, "My son, there are some things you don't understand. If the cabinet doesn't want to open the sea, then many officials will support the cabinet. If the argument continues, it will not be just between you and Liu Daxia, but between all the officials."

"You can't argue with them."

"But you said very well today. The fact that you thought of these things is enough to impress Father."

Zhu Houzhao said: "But——"

Emperor Hongzhi waved his hand and said, "Let's talk about it later. Now is not the right time."

Later...but how much time do you have left, little brother?
After Zhu Houzhao left in disappointment, Emperor Hongzhi sighed and said to himself: "You kid, you want to use my son to achieve your goal. Do you really think it's that easy for the court to stop the forces of Kaihai?"

Emperor Hongzhi certainly knew that Zhu Houzhao's wonderful debate in the court today came from Chen Ce. It must be said that the boy was really amazing. He could find so many loopholes in the historical materials to go against the ancestral system. Everything that seemed impossible seemed really simple in his eyes.

Haha, but you still failed this time!

(End of this chapter)