Ming Dynasty: Ask Zhu Yuanzhang to abdicate at the beginning

Chapter 459 Bubbles and Extravagance, Old Zhu Angrily Denounces the Black Shop!

However, Old Zhu still knew what was important.

Zhu Yunwen had explained this to him on several occasions.

If the imperial court wants to prosper the economy, the first priority is to establish its authority, protect capital from infringement, and prevent any blatant acts of plunder.

Only in this way will merchants have trust in the market, and the tide of capital can continue to flow like a game of musical chairs.

Therefore, although Old Zhu felt an urge to "take advantage of the wealthy," he ultimately suppressed it.

The Ming Dynasty has been established and is no longer the "righteous army" of the past. The court must have prestige and credibility.

Of course, even if the imperial court didn't "rob" these wealthy households, the nature of the bubble meant that it was destined to burst eventually.

However, Zhu Yunwen hoped to postpone this moment of destruction as much as possible through careful planning.

Maybe two or three years, or four or five years.

At that time, the new policies gradually took root and solidified the foundation of the nation.

By then, even if the bubble bursts, it will only lead to asset restructuring and reshuffling, while the wave of capitalization will already be irreversible.

Before we knew it, it was lunchtime.

Old Zhu, accompanied by several Imperial Guards, quietly entered a magnificent restaurant next to the stock exchange.

Although he was traveling incognito, his status was still very high, so the arrangements for his guards were meticulous.

On the surface, several Imperial Guards were attending to him.

In secret, even more eyes and ears had already been deployed, vigilantly watching the surrounding movements.

In places like stock exchanges, wealthy merchants gather, and rich people who come with large sums of money are often surrounded by guards, so they don't seem out of place.

After all, the funds required to buy and sell stocks often amount to millions.

Even if you filled several sacks with 100-cash banknotes, it would still be difficult to meet the demand for trading dozens of lots of stocks.

Here, the currency in circulation is the Ming Dynasty Bank's acceptance checks with denominations as high as 10,000 or even 100,000 coins.

However, in this era, there is neither facial recognition technology nor instant online information system verification; banks only recognize checks, not people.

Essentially, carrying checks is the same as carrying cash; apart from checks being more convenient to carry, there is no other difference.

When you're out and about, you can't help but encounter thieves or robbers.

Therefore, wealthy merchants invariably hired burly bodyguards to accompany them, in order to ensure the safety of themselves and their wealth.

Inside the Jinling Stock Exchange, there was a tight defense line set up by the imperial court, which could be described as an inescapable net.

Anyone who dares to cause trouble here is essentially walking into a trap and will have no way out.

However, the world outside the stock exchange is ultimately different. Although Jinling City has strict security and constant patrols by constables, the principle that money can corrupt people remains unchanged throughout history.

In the marketplace, there are always desperate people willing to take risks for huge profits.

Moreover, this era lacked both the ubiquitous surveillance cameras and sophisticated investigative methods of later generations, making it inherently more dangerous compared to future societies.

Ordinary people can travel safely with just a few taels of silver.

However, if someone carries millions or even tens of millions of dollars and enters and exits the stock exchange alone without any guards, it is tantamount to putting their life and wealth on the edge of a knife, which is too reckless.

For this reason, it is no longer surprising to see wealthy businessmen accompanied by bodyguards inside and outside the stock exchange.

Although Old Zhu and his entourage were imposing and exuded a unique air of authority, they blended quietly into the bustling crowd without attracting much attention.

As soon as he entered the restaurant, Old Zhu's gaze was immediately drawn to the luxurious scene before him.

Inside the main hall, the carved beams and painted rafters, along with the exquisite wood carvings that meander along the ceiling, exude an air of nobility.

The walls are adorned with landscape paintings that evoke profound artistic conception, revealing the leisurely and refined tastes of literati.

What is particularly eye-catching are the nearly one hundred glass lanterns suspended in mid-air. The carved floral and bird patterns on the lampshades sway gracefully in the light and shadow, emitting a soft yet dazzling light that is mesmerizing.

The tables and chairs in the lobby are all made of heavy ebony, exuding a sense of antiquity and composure. Every detail is polished to a smooth, mirror-like finish, and you can almost feel the warmth of the wood and the weight of time when you touch it.

The entire restaurant's furnishings were perfectly integrated, exuding an air of wealth and elegance, yet subtly skirting the boundaries of etiquette without overstepping any boundaries.

Under the strict constraints of feudal etiquette, there was an insurmountable boundary between status and possessions.

If ordinary people use the clothing and utensils of princes and nobles without permission, or decorate their residences in a way that exceeds the rules, they will be punished with caning and exile at best, and beheading and confiscation of property at worst.

However, despite its extremely luxurious decor, this restaurant cleverly circumvented the constraints of etiquette.

For example, the main hall of an ordinary tavern might be decorated with at most one or two lanterns, but this place is quite unique.

Above each of the dozens of ebony dining tables hangs a dozen or so exquisite colored lanterns, their lights reflecting off each other and illuminating the entire hall with a dazzling glow.

For example, the ebony table uses a simple and unadorned approach, without any embellishment, just a sense of weight and solidity, and the lacquer used is also of excellent quality.

Is this against regulations?

Upon closer examination, it was found that there was not a single instance that violated the red lines of etiquette and law.

The imperial court never set a limit on the number of lanterns, so shopkeepers took advantage of this loophole to spend their money lavishly and create a magnificent spectacle.

Such an arrangement not only demonstrates financial resources but also avoids violating taboos, showcasing ingenuity.

Of course, this is also due to the fact that Zhu Yunwen continuously relaxed regulations after taking office.

According to Zhu Yunwen's idea, except for a very few items that remain under control and are strictly prohibited from being misused, most other items should be allowed to be used freely by the common people.

Otherwise, if the old regulations were applied, there would always be a law that could be used to convict the owner of this restaurant.

If all else fails, there is still a "safety net clause".

Officials can say whatever they want that he is extravagant and corrupts social morals, then give him a severe beating and order him to remove the restaurant's decorations.

However, Zhu Yunwen abolished these laws and strictly forbade officials at all levels from doing so.

Since Zhu Yunwen came to power, factories have sprung up all over the Ming Dynasty, producing a continuous stream of various home decorations and everyday items.

Old Zhu was no stranger to this; he had seen those exquisite glass lamps and lifelike paintings before.

They also understood the mystery behind it.

Although these items appear magnificent, they are actually the result of mass production in factories, with costs far lower than those of handcrafted items. They not only beautify people's lives but also promote the prosperity of commerce and nourish the economic lifeline of the Ming Dynasty.

The restaurant's decor was similar.

The glass lamps and paintings are all mass-produced in the factory, and the price of a single item is not outrageous.

However, the shop owner used them in a grand way, stacking and using dozens of lamps and more than a hundred paintings to create a stunning visual spectacle.

Such extravagant decorations must have cost an astonishing amount of money.

Is this extravagant lifestyle a bit too indulgent in pleasure?
Old Zhu felt a surge of displeasure.

Behind the glitz and glamour often lies a change in the state of society and people's hearts, something he was unwilling to see. Old Zhu suppressed his displeasure, concealed the gloom between his brows, and found a black wooden table to sit down.

He had at this moment toned down his imperial demeanor and looked like just an ordinary diner in this bustling restaurant.

As soon as we sat down, a waiter stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Honorable guest! Here is the menu. Please take a look and feel free to order whatever you like!"

Old Zhu looked up at the sound, his gaze lingering on the waiter for a moment, a sense of surprise creeping into his heart.

The waiter's appearance was completely different from the waiters he usually saw in taverns.

The waiters in ordinary restaurants mostly wear coarse cloth short shirts, and you can tell at a glance that they are of lowly status.

The waiter here, however, was dressed in a fine outfit, a well-tailored blue suit. Although the fabric was simple, it was ironed so neatly that it looked brand new and was almost spotless.

If he hadn't taken the initiative to strike up a conversation, Old Zhu would have almost mistaken him for a young master from some wealthy family, who had shed his elaborate outer robes and changed into casual attire to travel around.

The waiter spoke humbly, bent slightly at the waist, and presented a beautifully packaged item with both hands.

Old Zhu took a look and was slightly taken aback.

This is a booklet wrapped in fine leather, warm to the touch, with elegant silk threads along the edges, resembling an ancient book treasured in the palace.

He opened it and realized it was a recipe book, its exquisite craftsmanship breathtaking.

Each page not only lists the names of the dishes but also features colorful illustrations with delicate brushstrokes, bringing the dishes to life on the page with vibrant colors that make them look mouthwatering.

The concept of recipes first appeared as early as the Tang and Song dynasties.

During the Song Dynasty, some taverns would write the names of their dishes on the walls for guests to choose from.

However, many restaurants still follow the old custom, where waiters verbally describe the dishes, and customers then make their choices.

After all, most restaurants have a limited selection of dishes, and customers can only order so many. A little explanation from the waiter is enough.

As for such a luxurious recipe book, it was like a rare and precious book, with a binding quality far surpassing that of ordinary books. This was the first time in Old Zhu's life that he had ever seen one.

Even though he was a man of considerable experience, he couldn't help but feel a sense of wonder at this moment, just like a country bumpkin who had just entered the bustling capital and was suddenly struck by the magnificent sight of flowers blooming in the city.

wrong!

Old Zhu was startled and secretly became alert.

I am the founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty, the dignified Emperor Taizu. How can I lose my composure because of a mere cookbook?

We must not let the waiter see through our act and think that we are unsophisticated.

Thinking of this, Old Zhu remained calm and composed, subtly flipping through the recipes in his hands.

Upon closer inspection, he noticed that the price was clearly marked next to the name of each dish.

Old Zhu flipped through the recipe, his eyes sweeping over the neat lines of handwriting, when he was suddenly stunned.

"Three taels of silver for a bowl of braised pork?"

He gasped softly, his voice filled with disbelief.

"A steamed sea bass costs five taels of silver?"

"A plate of fried eggs costs an ounce?"

"They dare to price a plate of ordinary green vegetables at one tael of silver?"

Old Zhu's voice grew louder, tinged with anger.

"This price is astronomical!"

"Is your restaurant some kind of shady establishment?"

"With such outrageous prices, why don't they just rob people in the street!"

Although he was the supreme emperor of the Ming Dynasty and had been emperor for many years, Zhu Yuanzhang was not someone who was raised in the deep palace from childhood. He came from a humble background and traveled all over the country in his youth, so he knew the prices of goods in the city like the back of his hand.

Restaurants need to make a profit to survive, and it's understandable that they might try to earn a price difference, but this price is outrageously unreasonable.

One tael of silver is enough to buy hundreds of kilograms of vegetables, yet this restaurant is charging such a high price for a single dish of stir-fried vegetables. It's blatant extortion!
Zhu's anger grew increasingly intense. The imperial majesty and the simplicity of the common people intertwined in his heart, transforming into an uncontrollable resentment.

Upon hearing this, the waiter showed no displeasure whatsoever, and replied respectfully with a beaming smile, "Honored guest, you have wronged me!"

"Just look at the furnishings in this hall. The stained glass lamps, the ebony tables and chairs, the paintings by famous artists on the walls—every single one of them was carefully selected and cost a fortune."

"These decorations are all designed to make you feel comfortable and honored while you dine."

"Since the restaurant charged for the food, shouldn't that be factored into the price of the dishes?"

"We can't expect our employer to operate at a loss, can we?"

He pointed to a corner of the lobby, a hint of pride in his smile: "Look over there, that gilded bronze bull, so lifelike, symbolizes a 'bull market soaring to the sky,' specially made to bless the distinguished guests of the stock exchange, hoping you will make a fortune in the stock market!"

"Everyone who comes to our restaurant is a powerful businessman who wields considerable influence in the stock exchange."

"The profits from trading stocks in a single day can easily amount to several thousand taels of silver. What is the cost of a mere meal compared to that?"

"The money you spend here will definitely be returned tenfold or a hundredfold in the stock market!"

Upon hearing this, Old Zhu sneered, a cold glint flashing in his eyes, and said in a deep voice, "What a silver tongue you have!"

"How can you confuse eating with stock trading?"

"You are clearly using the guise of luxury to extort money and are blatantly cheating your customers!"

Seeing that his anger had not subsided, the waiter's smile froze slightly, but he still maintained his courteous manners, bowing and saying with a smile, "Honorable guest, please calm down. Our shop has always had clearly marked prices, and we treat everyone fairly, young and old."

"If you find the price unsatisfactory, there are many taverns in the city, and you are welcome to look elsewhere. Our shop would never dare to force you to stay."

No sooner had the waiter finished speaking than a customer in a brocade robe at the next table glanced at him sideways and said, "If you can't afford it, don't come here and make a scene. How can you accuse them of being a shady establishment? The restaurant didn't force you to eat here!"

His tone was flippant, a hint of mockery playing on his lips, and his eyes filled with disdain.

Another person at the table immediately chimed in, his voice laced with sarcasm: "That's right! Everyone who comes to the stock exchange has a lot of money in their hands. Making or losing thousands or tens of thousands of taels of silver in a single day is commonplace. Why would they haggle over a few taels of silver for a meal?"

"My friend, aren't you being a bit too petty?"

After saying this, he and his companion exchanged a smile, their laughter filled with contempt.

Old Zhu's face suddenly darkened, anger surged between his brows, and the majesty of an emperor was faintly revealed at this moment.

The commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Jiang Huan, who was guarding him, turned cold and his hand quietly went to the sword at his waist, revealing a murderous intent in his eyes.

These ignorant and arrogant commoners dared to publicly ridicule the current emperor, the founding emperor of the dynasty; they were simply courting death.

Just as he was about to lash out, another person stood up.

……

(End of this chapter)