Ming Dynasty: Ask Zhu Yuanzhang to abdicate at the beginning

Chapter 570 Political Collusion, the Art of Exchange!

Zhu Di's heart skipped a beat, and a look of curiosity appeared on his face. He quickly asked, "What is your plan? Tell me quickly!"

"Based on the information we've gathered along the way, and what we've seen and heard since arriving in Venice, we can confirm that Europe is a society where money reigns supreme," Zhu Gaochi said eloquently, his expression revealing a profound understanding of this land.

"Religion is nothing more than a superficial facade."

“They are businessmen at heart.”

"Venice is even more so; they can even make extensive use of mercenaries to form their army."

He paused for a moment, then said with disdain, "They have no moral education or sense of loyalty and filial piety here."

"In the eyes of those mercenaries, whoever pays them is their mother; they will risk their lives for whoever pays them."

"However, I think their business acumen is actually far behind that of our Great Ming Dynasty."

Zhu Gaochi smiled slightly and said confidently, "Leaving aside other things for now, at least in the entire continent of Europe, there isn't a single formal bank."

Venice is a city built on commerce, attracting merchants from all over the world who have a huge demand for capital.

"If we use this ten million Ducati as seed money to open a bank here, and then use that as a base to gradually expand our business to the entire European continent..."

At this point, Zhu Gaochi paused deliberately, looking intently at Zhu Di: "Father, you should know better than anyone how much influence and control the Great Ming Bank has in the Great Ming Dynasty, right?"

"If the bank we establish can reach the scale of the Ming Dynasty Bank, then the whole of Europe will be under our control!"

Zhu Di's eyes lit up instantly.

My son is right.

Since Zhu Yunwen founded the bank in the Ming Dynasty, every citizen of the Ming Dynasty was aware of just how terrifying the power of the Ming Bank was.

Massive amounts of funds converge in banks, and the entire economic system of society is firmly controlled by banks.

Zhu Yunwen was able to create a financial system that was unprecedented in history, and it must be said that he was indeed a genius. Zhu Di was also convinced of this.

In fact, the economic situation in Europe is more suited to this banking system than that in the Ming Dynasty.

Because Europe is a purely commercial society, unlike China, which has a tradition of "emphasizing agriculture and suppressing commerce" that has been formed for thousands of years.

Commerce holds an extremely high status here; the blood of merchants flows in the veins of every citizen.

In Europe, money is the only passport.

Money brings status, money brings identity, money brings everything.

This extreme materialistic social atmosphere drives countless people to engage in commercial activities.

Furthermore, Europe's location by the sea naturally facilitates maritime transport, thus fostering a large merchant class.

However, no "divine being descended from heaven" like Zhu Yunwen appeared in Europe.

Therefore, they have not yet established a mature and comprehensive financial system like that of the Ming Dynasty.

Even in a city-state like Venice, which was founded on commerce, its financial industry consisted of only a few insignificant and scattered private institutions.

With sufficient capital backing, introducing the entire financial system that Zhu Yunwen promoted in the Ming Dynasty would undoubtedly be a game-changer for European merchants.

Zhu Gaochi's eyes gleamed with ambition.

"That makes perfect sense!" Zhu Di exclaimed excitedly after hearing his words, "We can also introduce other business models from the Ming Dynasty!"

"Establish department stores and granaries throughout Europe and gradually monopolize their various trades."

"Then establish a newspaper, publish it, and control public opinion in Europe."

"With enough money and public support, we can then assemble a loyal mercenary army..."

Zhu Di's eyes grew brighter and his tone became more and more impassioned: "This fertile land of Europe will sooner or later become the possession of my Zhu family!"

He began to rub his hands together, extremely excited.

All the solutions are readily available.

Zhu Yunwen has already set a perfect example in the Ming Dynasty.

All they have to do is copy and replicate.

If that's the case, what's there to doubt?

"He is truly a genius!" Zhu Di sighed softly in his heart, his admiration for Zhu Yunwen deepening even further.

How did that kid come up with so many ingenious ideas?
The father and son discussed the matter repeatedly for a long time, scrutinizing many details, before returning to their respective rooms to rest.

Next, all they had to do was wait for Michele to persuade the Venetian council to formally sign the currency swap agreement.

……

Michele naturally hoped the agreement could be signed as soon as possible, but as a leader well-versed in political maneuvering, he was in no hurry to submit it to parliament.

Instead, after getting up the next morning, he set off for the Contarini family mansion to visit the head of the family.

The Contarini family is the oldest and most illustrious family in Venice, with a history dating back more than 700 years.

It is said that their family participated in the election of the first Doge of Venice.

This family has produced many governors throughout its history.

To this day, members of his family still hold important seats in parliament and the Inquisition.

Since humans developed the "meeting system" to decide on relevant matters, "private communication" before and after meetings has become an indispensable part.

Signing a currency swap agreement with the Ming Dynasty is a major event concerning the future of Venice and must be approved by the council.

Michael's ability to be elected governor was undoubtedly exceptional.

He knew he couldn't just hastily submit the proposal directly to Parliament.

Although Michele believed the agreement was entirely beneficial to Venice, politics is never just about pros and cons.

The greater the benefits this agreement brings to Venice, the greater the profits it will bring to Michele and his family, consolidating their position.

Michele's political enemies would naturally not be happy about this and would try every means to prevent the agreement from passing.

At this time, they usually do not consider the overall interests of the Venetian city-state, but rather prioritize the interests of themselves and their families.

Many things that are beneficial to the country are difficult to pass politically, often for this very reason.

While it benefits the collective and more people, it harms the interests of a small group of vested interests. They will then obstruct the process, ultimately preventing the matter from being accomplished.

Michele was well aware of this.

Therefore, before formally convening a parliamentary meeting, he must first reach private alliances with various stakeholders and agree in advance on the distribution of benefits.

Only in this way will they cast their votes in favor in parliament.

Only by signing a currency swap agreement with the Ming Dynasty can the matter be successfully approved.

Today, he has come to visit Lorenzo Contarini, the head of the Contarini family, precisely to complete this crucial political deal.

Michele's family, Steno, has always been on good terms with the Contarini family, and he felt that reaching an agreement with them should not be difficult.

Moreover, the Contarini family's main source of income was trade with the East in spices, silk, and other goods.

They should be more eager than anyone else to establish stable trade relations with the Ming Dynasty.

"Sign a currency swap agreement with the Ming Dynasty?" Lorenzo fell into deep thought after hearing Michele's statement.

After a long pause, he shook his head and said solemnly, "In my opinion, it's best not to sign this agreement."

Michele was slightly taken aback, not expecting Lorenzo to refuse so decisively.

But he was, after all, a seasoned politician who had weathered many storms, and his face remained impassive as he quietly awaited the other party's explanation.

Lorenzo, leaning on his cane, sat down on a bench in his garden and gestured for Michele to sit as well.

He looked at Michele and slowly said, "You may not be very clear about the situation in the East, but our Contarini family has always maintained extremely close ties with Eastern merchants."

"According to their reports, in recent years, the Ming Dynasty Treasure Notes have become very popular in many parts of the East, and merchants are flocking to them, regarding them as a real hard currency."

"However, the Ming Dynasty is too far away, and most of the Eastern merchants who trade directly with our family have never set foot on the Ming Dynasty's mainland."

"Although they desperately wanted to obtain the Ming Dynasty's precious paper money, it was also extremely difficult for them to get it."

Lorenzo's tone shifted, becoming more profound: "Ducat is the foundation of my Venice."

"Throughout Europe, Ducat holds an unparalleled position, a reputation and authority that our Venetian city-state has slowly built up over hundreds of years."

"On the surface, it would indeed be beneficial to expand the influence of Venice if we were to exchange currencies with the Ming Dynasty."

A hint of worry flashed in his eyes as he said, "But if we take a longer-term view and allow large amounts of Ming Dynasty banknotes to flow into Europe, I dare ask you, will future merchants prefer to use Ming Dynasty banknotes or our Ducat?"

"Won't this undermine Ducati's position in Europe if this continues?"

Lorenzo looked at Michele and said in a heavy tone, "This is something we both have to seriously consider."

Michele frowned slightly, not expecting Lorenzo's response.

“Your daughter is engaged to the prince of the Ming Dynasty, and I know you can’t refuse directly,” Lorenzo offered, trying to ease his worries. “If you can get the members of parliament to vote against it, you’ll have a legitimate excuse, won’t you?”

"It's because the councilors didn't pass the resolution, not because you were unwilling. Even the princes of the Ming Dynasty can't blame you for this."

Michele smiled faintly and retorted, "Isn't what you're saying a bit of an exaggeration?"

"The Ming Dynasty is tens of thousands of miles away."

"Even the Eastern merchants who trade with your family have mostly never been to the Ming Dynasty itself. They bought spices and silk through other merchants."

He said with certainty, "How could such a distant country possibly pose a threat to Ducat's position?"

"Moreover, if the Ming Treasure Note is indeed as popular as rumored, linking the Ducard to the Ming Treasure Note will only further enhance the Ducard's status, rather than devalue it or cause it to lose credibility."

Michele looked at Lorenzo and said sincerely, "Those middlemen made huge profits by reselling."

"If we can establish direct trade relations with the Ming Dynasty, that would be an excellent thing."

"The Contarini family has always maintained close trade relations with the East. Selling goods is your family's forte, and you control the sales channels. Trading directly with the Ming Dynasty is entirely beneficial to your family!"

As Michele spoke, she observed the old fox's expression.

However, Lorenzo remained unmoved, his expression unchanged, as if listening to a story that had nothing to do with him.

“Ten coins of Ming Dynasty paper money can be exchanged for one Ducat gold coin. This transaction alone can bring us huge profits.” Michael finally threw out his prepared bargaining chip.

He held up five fingers, staring at Lorenzo, and said, "Of the ten million Ducat gold coins in the currency exchange quota, I can give the Contarini family a share of five hundred thousand. How about it?"

Lorenzo's expression finally changed.

A smile appeared on his lips, but he reached out and gently pressed down on Michele's five fingers.

“We want a quota of one million.” Lorenzo held up one finger and said, “If you are willing to accept, then I will ensure that all the members of the family vote in favor when the matter is discussed in Parliament.”

"What a cunning old fox! He really knows how to ask for an exorbitant price!"

Michele cursed inwardly.

This Lorenzo, on the surface, claimed in a grand manner that he opposed the currency swap with the Ming Dynasty for the sake of the stability of the Venetian Ducat.

In reality, he was merely worried that the Michele family would monopolize the benefits of this big deal, while the Contarini family would not get enough of a share, so he made up an excuse to oppose it.

Michele had originally planned to leave his family a quota of one million gold coins, but now he had to give so much to the Contarini family, which stung his heart.

The Cantalia family was one of the biggest beneficiaries of the establishment of ties between Venice and the Ming Dynasty.

They will surely make huge profits through direct trade with the Ming Dynasty.

After all, they have always controlled the relevant trade and sales channels.

Lorenzo was still not satisfied and wanted to take such a large share!

Michele quickly weighed the pros and cons in his mind. Although one million gold coins was indeed a lot, the most important thing right now was to get the support of the Contarini family as soon as possible so that the currency swap agreement could be passed soon.

Regardless of the circumstances, he and his family are ultimately the biggest beneficiaries of this deal.

Whether those quotas go to the Venice government or to the general public, it doesn't have a significant impact.

With that thought in mind, Michele gritted her teeth and made up her mind: "Alright, then it's a deal!"

Lorenzo laughed heartily and said, "Don't worry, our Contarini family will do everything in our power to ensure that this currency swap agreement, which is beneficial to both the Ming Dynasty and Venice, is passed as soon as possible!"

……

(End of this chapter)