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

Chapter 478: Proposal to Open a Maritime Customs Office

In fact, it was not just Zhang Mao. Military heroes such as Xinning Marquis Tan You had the same idea as Duke Yingguo Zhang Mao.

They all thought that the reason why Chen Ce was so trusted by Emperor Hongzhi was mostly because of Crown Prince Zhu Houzhao.

After all, Emperor Hongzhi had only this one precious son, and he loved Chen Ce so much that he naturally looked up to him.

It was not until today that most people came to their senses and realized that this was not the case. It turned out that there were hidden stories that they were not aware of!

He was trusted by the emperor not because of his opportunism, but because he really did so many things for the Ming Dynasty!

Each of these things, if taken out, would be a great achievement worthy of being made a marquis, but Chen Ce has done so much, and the key point is that no one knows about it until now.

If Emperor Hongzhi had not been exposed in the Fengtian Hall today, who would have known that this unknown guy had done so many things in Jinyi Yexing?

In fact, there are many more people here who don’t know one more thing. They don’t know that Chen Ce is already terminally ill and doesn’t have much time left.

Otherwise, Emperor Hongzhi would not have to make public everything Chen Ce had done today.

Emperor Hongzhi wanted to give Chen Ce the honor that originally belonged to him!

When Emperor Hongzhi announced that Chen Ce would be conferred the title of Marquis of Tai'an, the entire hall fell silent again!

To be granted a title of nobility and to ascend to heaven overnight, what an honor it is!

Tai'an Tai'an, the country is peaceful and the people are safe.

Liu Daxia, the Right Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate, immediately came out to refute, saying that the standard of the reward was too high and not in line with etiquette. Originally, he wanted to wait for the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Personnel to come out to oppose Emperor Hongzhi, but no one from the six ministries of the cabinet spoke out.

Liu Daxia had to say: "Your Majesty, Chen Ce is young and inexperienced. Standing out from the crowd may not be a good thing. Please think twice."

Emperor Hongzhi said to Liu Daxia: "He has a lot of experience."

How many civil officials in the Ming Dynasty were granted the title of nobility? How many were there in the entire Hongzhi Dynasty? How could these civil officials face the title of nobility when a young boy was granted the title of nobility?

"Don't discuss this matter any further. I have made up my mind."

"Marquis Tai'an, Chen Ce."

Hearing the summons from Emperor Hongzhi, Chen Ce walked to the front of the hall with his hands clasped, and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty."

Emperor Hongzhi waved his hand and asked, "Do you have anything else to say?"

Chen Ce clasped his fists and said, "Your Majesty, I do have one more suggestion."

"Now that the Japanese threat has been eliminated, the benefits of the sea are within easy reach. I pray that the emperor will reopen the Ming Maritime Customs Office and resume maritime trade with the barbarian countries."

Previously, the biggest reason why officials prevented the opening of the Maritime Customs and the resumption of trade with the maritime countries was the obstruction of the Japanese invasion. Now it seems that there is no excuse to reopen the Maritime Customs.

Even though there are some Southeast Sea Merchants’ forces in the imperial court, they are unable to speak up to stop it now because they can’t find an excuse.

Therefore, after Chen Ce suggested reopening the Maritime Customs Office to restore maritime trade and seize maritime interests, this matter was quickly agreed by Emperor Hongzhi.

But Chen Ce's real purpose was not here, so he continued to bow and said: "Now the Ming Dynasty is at its peak, and we have been silent for many years. Many island countries do not know the true strength of our Ming Dynasty. Therefore, I pray that the Ming Dynasty will restore the feats of the Emperor Taizong. Please organize manpower and go to the Western Ocean!"

Sailing to the West...

After hearing this, Liu Daxia's expression froze, and his face suddenly fell. He quickly stepped out and retorted: "Your Majesty! What Marquis Tai'an said is inappropriate!" Chen Ce glanced at Liu Daxia slightly. He knew why Liu Daxia was unwilling to go to the West, but he did not rush to speak.

Emperor Hongzhi asked Liu Daxia in confusion, "What's wrong?"

Since it has been decided to open a Maritime Customs Office and resume trade with the various sea barbarians, why not make a trip to the West to demonstrate the power of the Ming Dynasty to the maritime nations? There is nothing wrong with Chen Ce's suggestions. I wonder why Liu Daxia suddenly expressed his strong opposition?

Liu Daxia said: "The commerce and agriculture of the Ming Dynasty are just in the development stage. Going to sea will consume a lot of manpower and resources, which is not worth the loss."

Qin Hong stepped out and retorted: "Liu Yushi is wrong. Our Ministry of Revenue can still afford the expenses for overseas trade."

Chen Ce also said: "As for the loss outweighing the gain, it is obvious that Liu Yushi's words have not been carefully considered. In maritime trade, it is inevitable that pirates will have evil intentions against merchant ships."

"On one hand, this trip can show the strength of our Ming Dynasty and deter pirates; on the other hand, we can also exchange what we have with the island countries and see the development of other countries, so as not to fall into the confusion of cherishing what we have."

"The future world will definitely be an era of globalized trade and economic growth. When the Ming Dynasty's economy develops to a certain level, it will definitely find ways to plunder overseas assets. For long-term considerations, how can it be said that the gains do not outweigh the losses?"

Liu Daxia was silent for a moment, then said, "Marquis Tai'an, stop talking nonsense! China has been a country of etiquette since ancient times. How could we plunder the assets of other countries?"

"A great country should not bully the weak. Humiliating the weak will lead to the danger of national destruction. What is the intention of Marquis Tai'an? Is he trying to lead the Ming Dynasty down a path of no return?"

Chen Ce looked at Liu Daxia and smiled, "Master Liu, are you betraying your master and ancestors?"

Liu Daxia: ???

"Your Majesty! Marquis Tai'an slandered his colleagues. I beg Your Majesty to punish him!"

He then asked Chen Ce, "Why do you insult me ​​for no reason?"

Chen Ce said: "When Emperor Taizong sailed to the West seven times, wasn't that just humiliating the weak and small countries?"

"Master Liu, aren't you betraying your teacher and ancestors by accusing Emperor Taizong of wrongdoing? Aren't you denying all the achievements of our ancestors' voyages to the West?"

"At that time, Lord Liu was a Hanlin scholar, and the navigation chart of Eunuch Sanbao was managed by Lord Liu... You wouldn't burn the navigation chart of Eunuch Sanbao's voyage to the West in order to deny the merits of Emperor Taizong, right?"

Chen Ce narrowed his eyes and stared at Liu Daxia with a half-smile after he finished speaking.

Originally, he was reluctant to talk about these things, even though Liu Daxia had burned the eunuch Sanbao's map of his voyages to the West, but Chen Ce had it.

When he was planting crops in the courtyard, he harvested the nautical chart of the eunuch Sanbao.

As long as Liu Daxia didn't come to make trouble, he would hand over the nautical chart to Emperor Hongzhi, and there wouldn't be so many things today, and he wouldn't do anything to Liu Daxia.

But Liu Daxia wouldn't let him go. Although Chen Ce was sick, he was never a weak person who could be bullied.

Liu Daxia couldn't help but gasp, how could he know? !

He had kept the incident a secret, and almost no one knew what he had done. As long as he did not go to the West in the future, no one would know that Liu Daxia had burned the nautical chart.

But how would he know?
Seeing that Liu Daxia didn't speak for a long time, Chen Ce smiled and said, "Liu Yushi, I'm not right, am I?"

Liu Daxia was so angry that he said, "What nonsense!"

"Your Majesty! This Marquis of Tai'an has just been conferred the title of Marquis, but he is already so arrogant and domineering that he doesn't take the court officials seriously. He is still like this in front of Your Majesty. If he leaves the palace, how will he harm the people? Your Majesty, please revoke your order and take back the title of Marquis from this boy to serve as a warning to others!"

(End of this chapter)