In Hongwu, we started as rebels

Chapter 603 The Rise and Fall of a Powerful Empire: Matters Related to the Relocation of the Capital

The following morning, at the Crown Prince's residence.

Crown Prince Zhu Biao held the document in his hand, examining it quietly, his brows slightly furrowed.

I. Shareholder conduct must not interfere with operations:
All shareholders are strictly prohibited from interfering with the daily operations of Yingtian Trading Company in any way.

The business's operational decisions are based on the will of the palace and the instructions of the managers appointed by the palace.

Shareholders shall not interfere with the business operations, personnel appointments, financial management, or other specific business matters of the firm without authorization.

No instructions related to business operations may be given to the company's employees.
Second, respect the shopkeeper's authority:
The manager appointed by the palace is fully responsible for the operation and management of Yingtian Trading Company, and the shareholders must fully respect the manager's decision-making and management authority.

No one may make unwarranted accusations, interfere with, or obstruct the normal work of the shopkeeper.

If shareholders have any questions or suggestions regarding the operation of the business, they should raise them through a formal shareholders' meeting.
The manager will respond and handle the matter based on the palace's will and the actual situation of the business.
III. Profit Distribution and Road Construction:

Every year, Yingtian Trading Company needs to use 20% of its profits to build roads for many of its suppliers' villages.

This arrangement aims to strengthen partnerships with suppliers, promote local development, and aligns with the palace's overall planning.

Shareholders must not interfere with the distribution and use of these profits and must strictly adhere to the established plan.

The manager of the business should properly arrange the use of funds related to road repairs.

Ensure that funds are used reasonably and compliantly for village road construction, and regularly report to shareholders on road construction progress and fund usage.
IV. Handling Measures for Violations: Warning
For shareholders who violate the above-mentioned shareholder conduct guidelines,
Once verified, he/she will be immediately removed from the shareholder register of Yingtian Trading Company.

The company was forced to transfer all of its shares in the business, completely stripping it of its shareholder status and corresponding rights.

Expelled shareholders may not raise any objections to the disposal of their shares or related rights.
The firm will handle the subsequent equity transfer and liquidation matters properly in accordance with laws and relevant business practices.
V. Supervision and Implementation: A supervisory team will be established.

A supervisory team, composed of personnel selected by the Censorate and the management of the business, will be responsible for supervising whether the shareholders' behavior complies with the provisions of this plan.

The oversight team has the right to investigate and collect evidence regarding the shareholders' activities related to the business's operations.
VI. Periodic Review:
The oversight team regularly reviews the business operations and shareholder behavior of Yingtian Trading Company.
The focus of the inspection will be on whether there are any instances of shareholders interfering with operations or illegally interfering with profit distribution.

If any problems are discovered, they should be dealt with promptly according to the regulations for handling violations, and reported to the palace.
After reading the entire document, Zhu Biao looked at Lu Yunyi, who was standing below him, and asked:

"I feel that these restrictions are too vague?"

A hint of surprise flashed in Lu Yunyi's eyes:
"Your Highness is wise; this was done intentionally by your subject."

The purpose was to allow the palace and the court to exert maximum control over the merchants.

A look of surprise flashed across Crown Prince Zhu Biao's eyes, and a smile appeared on his lips:
What is your purpose in doing this?
If I remember correctly, you became a shareholder yesterday as well.

At this point, Lu Yunyi's expression became slightly strange.

Originally, he did not want to get involved in the business.

It is foreseeable that commercial banks will inevitably experience rampant corruption and a breakdown in their systems in the future, and participating in such situations is by no means a good thing.

However, yesterday many officials persuaded him to join.

If he didn't join, everyone would lack confidence, so he eventually joined.

After a brief pause, Lu Yunyi spoke in a deep voice:
"Your Highness, the business's goal is to build roads and promote cement and concrete, not simply to make money."

With just this one sentence, Crown Prince Zhu Biao showed a look of admiration:
"The officials of the court have long been blinded by the speed at which they can make money."

It's rare to find someone who can remain true to their original aspirations even when faced with such a huge sum of money.

"Your Highness, the esteemed officials have never seen a business like this before."

In time, they will naturally come to their senses and understand the priorities.

Crown Prince Zhu Biao looked sentimental:

"Alright, there's no need to make excuses for them."

Their family is large and wealthy, so it's understandable that they have a fondness for money.

However, the money from the merchant guild did give the Ministry of Works and the Governor's Office great confidence.

Qin Kui and Geng Zhong have already announced that officials and clerks should keep busy for the remaining months, and bonuses will be distributed at the end of the year.

In normal times, it's already quite rare to receive a salary on time.

Lu Yunyi said with a smile:
"Your Highness, money is not everything, but you can't do without it."

If the merchant guild could not only help the villages but also ensure that the officials in the capital lived well, that would be a truly great achievement.

Crown Prince Zhu Biao smiled and waved the document in his hand:

"Does anyone else have any objections to this document?"

"Your Highness, there are naturally objections."

But when faced with sufficiently substantial benefits, dissent becomes insignificant.

"That being said, there are still many hidden dangers."

"How long do you think this business model can be sustained?" the prince asked, picking up his teacup.

Lu Yunyi fell silent, and after a long period of thought, he spoke in a deep voice:
"I beg Your Highness to forgive my presumptuousness in speaking frankly."

"explain."

"As long as the imperial court is strong enough, the business model can continue for a long time."

Even if years later, when corruption is rampant and institutions are bloated, they will still be able to get things done.

At the very least, it can support enough people, build enough roads, and nourish the commercial soil of the Ming Dynasty.

If such affairs were controlled by individuals, they would undoubtedly amass more wealth, but this would bring no benefit to the Ming Dynasty court.

"Oh? Tell me in detail."

Zhu Biao sat at the head of the table, showing no anger whatsoever. Instead, he waved his hand, and a eunuch beside him brought over a chair.

Lu Yunyi sat down without any hesitation and said in a deep voice:

"I have been pondering a question: how to balance making money and benefiting the people."

However, no matter how it is implemented,

The end result is often less money made, or even no money made at all.

Just like Wanshou Sugar Mill, it doesn't have to pursue profit.

As long as we can provide shelter for the elderly eunuchs and wounded soldiers, that will suffice.

However, if it were owned by an individual, they would inevitably hire fewer people, do more work, and earn more money.

But this money would neither end up in the hands of the employees nor belong to the imperial court; it all went into the pockets of the business owners.

Even if he gets the money, he won't use it to build bridges or roads.
They would not waste money to support those who have contributed to the country, nor would they hire a large number of people from the capital.

Therefore, I believe that
Such matters concerning trading companies must be controlled by the imperial court and must never fall into the hands of individual shareholders.

The business can now earn 20,000 taels a day, making it a real goldmine.

Even if it declines to the point where it only earns a hundred taels a day, it is still a small gold nugget.

At least, it can support enough people and provide enough jobs for the residents of the capital, which is good.

Lu Yunyi suddenly remembered something and changed the subject, saying:
"Your Highness, I have also drafted a [Regulations for the Selection of Personnel for the Yingtian Trading Company]."

The requirements were numerous, but the ultimate goal was to hire hardworking people in the capital who lived below the poverty line.

The crown prince nodded slightly after hearing this:

"That's a good move."

However, don't have too high expectations for this.

Many workshops and businesses controlled by the palace were initially like this, employing poor people.

But later, it all turned into appointing relatives and friends, and the court couldn't do anything about it.

Lu Yunyi looked helpless; nepotism is a problem that has been difficult to solve for thousands of years.

"Your Highness, with this charter in place, at least we can still recruit some qualified people."

If not, then it really is all distant relatives.

"Hahaha"

Crown Prince Zhu Biao suddenly burst into laughter and nodded repeatedly:
"I suddenly realized that you always think of the worst-case scenario when it comes to these kinds of things."

Can't we think of things on the bright side?

A sudden aura of weariness emanated from Lu Yunyi, and his voice grew increasingly heavy:
"Your Highness, the laws of nature are cyclical and ever-repeating."
People die, things are damaged, and plants wither and then regenerate.

Things always go from prosperity to decline; this is a natural law of the universe.

I believe that rather than hoping for a good outcome that is unlikely to occur, it is better to face the bad outcome head-on.

This allows us to prepare a response, at least delaying its arrival.

Crown Prince Zhu Biao stood at the head of the table, his face as calm as still water.

But the eunuchs and servants around him had already lowered their heads; these words were utterly treasonous.

After a long while, Crown Prince Zhu Biao let out a long sigh:

"You see things too clearly."
No wonder he looks like a sixty-year-old despite his young age.

"Your Highness, I did not wish for this to happen either."

"Alright, let's talk about something else."

"You've come to see me today just about the trading company?"

Lu Yunyi bowed with his hands clasped in greeting:
"Your Highness is wise. I have indeed come here today on other matters."

"explain."

"Please dismiss your attendants, Your Highness."

Crown Prince Zhu Biao narrowed his eyes and waved his hand gently: "All of you, step back." The eunuch beside him hesitated for a moment, but still slowly withdrew.

The large study was suddenly left with only the two of them.

"Go ahead."

Lu Yunyi took a deep breath and said in a deep voice:

"Your Highness, I am going beyond the Great Wall and do not know when I will return."

"Your Highness, I urge you to exercise utmost caution in the matter of relocating the capital."

As soon as he finished speaking, the study fell silent.

Sunlight streamed through the window, brightening the dim study and casting flickering light on the two faces.

"You also oppose moving the capital?"

"I am a northerner, so how could I oppose moving the capital?"

Lu Yunyi was somewhat helpless. In fact, one could say that he was from beyond the Great Wall, further north than the northerners, and even more eager to move the capital!
"Too."

The crown prince murmured something softly and let out a sneer.

"Then what do you mean?"

"Your Highness, when I first went south, I felt that the north was too far from Yingtian."

If this continues, an imbalance between the North and the South will reappear.

At that time, I believed that if the Ming Dynasty wanted to control the north, the capital should be located in the north, the further north the better!

After arriving in Yingtian,
I have discovered that the various forces surrounding Yingtian are intricately intertwined and interconnected.

This formed a vast network capable of covering the entire world.

Yesterday, all the goods on the second floor of the shop were sold out, with the buyers mostly being gentry and wealthy families from the south.

Don't lie to each other,

This is also the first time I have heard of this.
There are so many wealthy people in Yingtian City.

To propose moving the capital at this time would be tantamount to cutting off someone's source of income.
The imperial court would at best suffer a backlash, and at worst trigger widespread chaos throughout the land.

The atmosphere inside the room became heavy again.

Amidst the interplay of light and shadow, their thoughts were completely different.

"I understand. When do you think the time would be appropriate?"

Crown Prince Zhu Biao's voice was slightly hesitant.

"Your Majesty, with a formidable enemy at hand, now is the best time to relocate the capital."

Lu Yunyi answered crisply and decisively, then a hint of hesitation appeared on his face, and he couldn't help but scratch his head:
"If the forces of the northern grasslands become powerful and threaten the Ming Dynasty, then we can take advantage of the situation to move the capital to the north under the pretext of defending against the enemy."

But now the Northern Yuan is already vulnerable.
"I, too, am somewhat perplexed."

"What do you want to do?" Crown Prince Zhu Biao asked calmly.

Lu Yunyi's expression quickly returned to normal, though it still carried a hint of seriousness.

"Your Highness, I believe that if there is no enemy, we can create one."

"No."

Crown Prince Zhu Biao refused decisively:
"The Ming Dynasty was established through military force, and its achievements lie in driving out the Tartars and restoring China."

If we ally with barbarians, we will lose our status as the legitimate rulers of the land.

"Your Highness is wise; I also believe so."

"Then why bother saying all this?"

Zhu Biao shook his head, leaned back in his chair, and looked somewhat helpless.

Lu Yunyi spoke honestly:
"I'm just making conversation because I don't know what to say."

Zhu Biao was stunned, and almost laughed in anger:

"Then why do you still want to stop me from moving the capital?"

"I am not trying to stop the Crown Prince from moving the capital, but rather to stop him from moving the capital at this time."

Now that sweet potatoes are available, the lives of ordinary people will be greatly improved, and the prestige of the imperial court will reach an unprecedented height.

However, Your Highness, I am a soldier.

We know that the moment we are closest to success is often the moment we are closest to failure.

Your Highness, I would like to advise you to discuss this matter again in ten or twenty years.

By then, some of the veteran officials from the early days of the nation will have passed away, and the resistance may be much less.

"So that's what you were thinking."

The crown prince smiled slightly, then slowly shook his head:

"It is better to do things sooner rather than later."

If we don't seize the opportunity to do some things while the nation's initial prestige is still strong, we will never have the chance to try them again.

I appreciate your kindness.

After you go to Daning, do your job well and bring peace to the north.

After you leave, who do you think is suitable to be the Vice Minister of Works?

Seeing that he had brought up other matters, Lu Yunyi sighed inwardly, temporarily setting aside the matter of relocating the capital, and said:

"Your Highness, Li Zhigang, the Assistant Director of the Imperial Household Department, is very capable."

However, his reputation as an official was poor, and he was obsessed with obtaining a higher position.

"I know him. The business is well-built, and he's reliable in his work; he's just too young."

Upon hearing this, both of them sensed that the atmosphere had become somewhat strange.

Li Zhigang is now in his thirties, while Lu Yunyi is only twenty-one.

"Well, I won't hide it from you, the court plans to send him to Henan to manage the floods."

His future performance will determine his position as Vice Minister.

Since he's so eager to get an official position, we can let him know this information in advance.

Lu Yunyi stood up and bowed:
"Thank you, Your Highness."

"What do you think of Feng Kezhao from the capital?" Crown Prince Zhu Biao asked.

Lu Yunyi blinked and said truthfully:
"Your Highness, I have only had contact with Lord Feng in business matters, and I do not know much about his character."

Seeing his perfunctory attitude, the crown prince pressed on, asking:
"Don't you have any other recommendations?"

Lu Yunyi's expression was extremely strange:
"Your Highness, I come from a military background and most of the people I know are military generals."

Recommending someone from the Ministry of Works is really asking too much of them.

"Haha, that's not wrong."

I almost forgot you came from a military background.

"In that case, let the imperial court decide this matter."

"As it should be."

Crown Prince Zhu Biao pursed his lips and said softly:
"How about this, let him also serve as the Left Vice Censor-in-Chief."

Although the Assistant Commander of the Local Military Command has many responsibilities,

However, Da Ning had not yet established a Provincial Administration Commission, and some local affairs still needed to be handled by officials.

"Huh?" Lu Yunyi scratched his head, somewhat bewildered.

"Your Highness, I have never had any contact with the Censorate and am unfamiliar with its operational mechanisms."

Crown Prince Zhu Biao waved his hand:

"It's just adding a title so that it can be legitimate when governing the local area."

Otherwise, local officials in some cities would wield great power, making it difficult for the military command to control them.

Lu Yunyi was aware of this.

The Beiping Regional Military Commission was a military region whose main function was military defense. It did not have a civil administration agency called the Provincial Administration Commission.

However, there were many cities and officials among them.

Although the commander-in-chief was capable of managing affairs, his authority was somewhat illegitimate.

After careful consideration, Lu Yunyi stood up and bowed deeply.
"Thank you, Your Highness."

"On my journey to Daming, I will certainly do my utmost to win the hearts and minds of the people of Daming!"

"Well, it's good that you understand the priorities."

Contact and discuss matters with Beiping frequently.

"Yes."

The crown prince glanced at the sky.
Seeing that it was already broad daylight, he waved his hand:
"Alright, the imperial edict will be issued today."

Choose an auspicious day and leave the capital as soon as possible.

(End of this chapter)