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In the spring of the first year of the Wanli reign, the political landscape within the Forbidden City had already become clear.

Grand Secretary Zhang Juzheng, with his status as Grand Secretary and Imperial Tutor, firmly controlled the court and formed an unbreakable alliance with Feng Bao, the Grand Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial.

After successfully appeasing and suppressing the political turmoil caused by Suning's radical proposals such as "equalizing land tax and poll tax," Zhang Juzheng began to promote his core political reform blueprint, the "Single Whip Law," nationwide.

To achieve this goal, he needs a capable and ruthless lieutenant who can make a breakthrough in the heart of the empire's financial resources.

Looking around, the most suitable candidate is undoubtedly Su Ning, the governor of Yingtian, who has deep roots in Jiangnan and has repeatedly created "miracles".

On this day, an imperial edict, drafted by the Directorate of Ceremonial and signed by the Grand Secretariat, was sent out of the capital at the fastest speed, covering 600 li, shaking the court and the public:
"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: The nation's affairs depend on the administration of finances and officials. Half of the Southeast's revenue comes from Zhejiang and Zhili. This region is vast and complex, requiring capable ministers to govern it effectively. Su Ning, the Governor of Yingtian, is talented and experienced, and has repeatedly distinguished himself in local administration, economy, and people's livelihood. Therefore, Su Ning is hereby specially promoted to Governor-General of Zhejiang and Zhili, with the rank of Second Grade, overseeing military affairs, provisions, and waterway management in Southern Zhili (Yingtian, Suzhou, Songjiang, etc.) and Zhejiang, concurrently serving as Governor. He is permitted to establish his own headquarters and control the various garrisons, so as to unify authority and strengthen our Southeast's defenses..."

This appointment concentrated the military and political power of the most prosperous regions of Southern Zhili and Zhejiang in the Ming Dynasty into Su Ning's hands, making him the veritable top regional official in the southeast, with power far exceeding that of ordinary governors.

This was not only Zhang Juzheng's affirmation of Su Ning's abilities, but also a crucial step in firmly binding him to the "Single Whip Method" strategy...

Only by granting it sufficient authority can all obstacles to implementing the new policies in Jiangnan be removed.

However, this widely publicized promotion decree was merely a nominal authorization to Suning.

A subsequent secret edict, personally drafted by Zhang Juzheng and delivered to Suning through clandestine channels, truly revealed the deeper strategic layout behind it:

"...Furthermore, in order to regulate commerce and increase national revenue, Su Ning, the Governor-General of Zhejiang and Zhili, is hereby appointed as the President of the 'Great Ming Chamber of Commerce.' This chamber will oversee the registration, management, taxation, and arbitration of all industrial and commercial matters in the country, aiming to regulate markets, stabilize prices, eliminate fraud, and facilitate trade. This is a matter of great importance, and you are hereby instructed to conduct a trial run in Yingtian Prefecture, establish regulations, and ensure stability. Once successful, we will discuss its wider implementation. All matters may be submitted to you in secret. This is my decree."

This secret edict officially transformed the "Great Ming Chamber of Commerce" from a concept into a semi-official organization with the backing of the imperial court.

Although it was temporarily limited to trial implementation in Yingtian, and Zhang Juzheng may still regard it as a financial management tool to assist the "Single Whip Law", the power it granted to Suning has quietly expanded from the traditional administrative and military fields to an unprecedented scope of national industrial and commercial management.

Upon receiving the imperial decree, Su Ning was filled with turmoil, but his face remained calm and composed.

He knew that his dual roles as the Governor-General of Zhejiang and Zhili, a second-rank official, and the president of the Ming Dynasty Chamber of Commerce, reflected Zhang Juzheng's high expectations for him, a heavy responsibility, and an unprecedented opportunity.

In Nanjing, the former Yingtian Governor's Office was no longer worthy of matching the prestige of the Governor-General of Zhejiang and Zhili.

A grander "Governor-General's Office of Zhejiang and Zhili" is under intensive renovation and expansion. In front of the office, signs reading "Silence," "Avoidance," and the official titles that signify his authority stand in solemnity.

……

Meanwhile, on the bustling banks of the Qinhuai River, a massive building adjacent to the "Daming Supermarket" (the word "supply and marketing cooperative" is not allowed to be used) was meticulously renovated and adorned with a gleaming plaque that reads "Daming Chamber of Commerce".

This place will become the true command center for Suning to build its business empire.

The chamber of commerce is quite different from traditional government offices.

Instead of a grand courtroom with a mirror hanging high above, there was a huge map of the Ming Dynasty, marked with different colors and symbols indicating the main trade routes, product areas, and potential market nodes.

It has a Commercial Registration Division (responsible for issuing "business licenses"), a Tax Audit Division (relying on data from supply and marketing cooperatives and money shops to accurately calculate commercial taxes), a Quality Standards Division (formulating specifications for various commodities and combating counterfeit and shoddy goods), a Commercial Arbitration Division (mediating commercial disputes), and a Strategic Planning Division (controlled by AI to analyze data and formulate commercial policies).

In his capacity as governor-general, Su Ning issued the first edict to the Chamber of Commerce: "From this day forward, all workshops, businesses, and trading posts operating within the Southern Zhili and Jiangzhe regions, regardless of size, must register with the Great Ming Chamber of Commerce within three months and apply for a 'business license.' Those operating without a license, or whose operations do not match their licenses, will be severely punished upon verification, their goods will be confiscated, and they will be subject to heavy fines!"

This order was like throwing a boulder into a calm lake.

Merchants reacted in different ways: large businesses adopted a wait-and-see attitude, small businesses were bewildered, and traditional guilds felt their power was being usurped and secretly resisted.

However, no one dared to openly disobey Su Ning, who held both military and political power and controlled the two lifelines of supply and marketing cooperatives and money shops.

After the initial chaos, the registration process gradually got on track.

Through the "business license" system, Suning has, for the first time, systematically and comprehensively grasped the information, business scope, and scale of commercial entities within its jurisdiction.

This makes the tax base clear and controllable, and lays the foundation for precise management and regulation in the next step.

Standing on the top floor of the headquarters of the Ming Dynasty Chamber of Commerce, overlooking the bustling city of Nanjing below, Su Ning knew that he had already grasped the lever to influence the entire empire's economy.

Zhang Juzheng hoped that he would become the vanguard of the "Single Whip Law," while he, in his dual capacity as Governor-General of Zhejiang and Zhili and President of the Chamber of Commerce, would quietly weave a vast network covering the whole country and controlling the lifeline of industry and commerce while implementing the new policies.

This southeastern region is not only a vital source of wealth for the Ming Dynasty, but will also become a core testing ground for him to put his forward-thinking economic ideas into practice and accumulate the power to change the world.

A new order, based on commercial rules and industrial power, is quietly setting sail from the banks of the Qinhuai River.

……

Suning, who returned to Nanjing, was no longer the cautious and prudent governor of Yingtian he once was.

With the dual titles of Governor-General of Zhejiang and Zhili and President of the Great Ming Chamber of Commerce, and wielding the power to control the military and political affairs of the southeast and oversee the commercial and political affairs of the entire country, he truly became the undisputed authority in the most prosperous land of the empire.

Before he had even gained a firm foothold, he launched two bombshell attacks with overwhelming force, aiming to fundamentally reshape the commercial rules and industrial base of the Ming Dynasty.

On the third day after returning to the Governor-General's residence, an imperial edict bearing the dual seals of the Zhejiang-Zhili Governor-General's Office and the Great Ming Chamber of Commerce was issued throughout the prefectures and counties of Southern Zhili: the first Great Ming Chamber of Commerce and Industry Conference was to be held in Nanjing!
In an instant, gentry, wealthy merchants, guild leaders, and workshop managers from Jiangnan and even the surrounding provinces, whether they liked it or not, prepared generous gifts and rushed to Nanjing day and night.

They were filled with unease, wondering what this powerful Governor Su was up to.

The conference was held in the magnificent council hall of the Ming Dynasty Chamber of Commerce headquarters.

On that day, the hall was filled with dignitaries. The business tycoons, who used to compete with each other, were now sitting upright, and the atmosphere was solemn and oppressive.

When the time came, Su Ning, dressed in the official robes of a second-rank official, slowly ascended the high platform in front, surrounded by his subordinates and chamber of commerce deacons.

He offered no pleasantries, his gaze sharp as he swept over the hundreds of familiar and unfamiliar faces in the audience, his voice steady yet penetrating:

"I have summoned you all here today not to reminisce, nor to extort money. I have only announced three things, and I hope you will remember them and spread them far and wide!"

"First, the Great Ming Chamber of Commerce is not a mere formality! From this day forward, all workshops, businesses, brokerage firms, and fleets operating in the Zhejiang and Zhili regions, regardless of size or who their owners are, must register with the Chamber of Commerce and apply for a 'business license' within the specified period! Operating without a license is illegal, and goods will be confiscated and severely punished! This is proof of legal operation and the cornerstone of the Chamber of Commerce's protection!"

"Secondly, paying taxes according to the law is the duty of every merchant! The Chamber of Commerce will determine the scale and category of business operations based on the 'business license,' and clarify the tax amount. The old bad practices of tax evasion, fraudulent tax payments, and underreporting will be completely eliminated! The Chamber of Commerce will establish unified accounting standards and promote the settlement of bills between 'supply and marketing cooperatives' and 'Daming Qianzhuang' to ensure that taxes and silver are clear and traceable. Those who evade taxes will have their licenses revoked at the very least, and their property will be confiscated and they will be prosecuted at worst!"

"Third, we will regulate the market and achieve mutual benefit! The Chamber of Commerce will formulate quality standards for all goods and strictly prohibit the sale of inferior goods as superior ones and market manipulation. We will establish a commercial arbitration division to fairly handle commercial disputes. We hope that everyone will abandon old bad habits, take integrity and quality as the foundation of their business, and work together to create a clean and orderly business community!"

The three rules are as firm as iron and resound with conviction.

The expressions of the crowd below the stage changed. Some looked worried, some had their eyes shining, and some were deeply shocked by the enormous ambition and control behind Suning's move, which aimed to bring all the merchants in the world under its management.

……

Before the aftermath of the Industrial and Commercial Conference had subsided, another even more disruptive event kicked off at the newly established "Expo Park" in western Nanjing: the first Daming Machinery and Equipment Expo!

This was a crucial step for Suning, carefully selected from industrial spaces, aimed at promoting a revolution in Ming Dynasty light industry. The expo was bustling with people; invited merchants, artisans, and even some curious scholars were all awestruck by the unprecedented sight before them:

Textile Zone: Huge water-powered spinning machines and flying shuttle looms rumbled, their efficiency far exceeding that of traditional hand-cranked spinning wheels and looms by dozens of times. The spun yarns were uniform, and the woven fabrics were tightly packed.

Food processing area: Highly efficient grain hullers, oil presses, and sugar centrifuges demonstrate how raw materials can be quickly transformed into refined products.

The hardware tools area features simple stamping machines, metal cutting machine tools, and spring manufacturing equipment, showcasing the possibility of standardized, mass production of metal parts.

The cosmetics section: small-scale reaction vessels and filling lines reveal how soaps, perfumes, and fine cosmetics are manufactured on a large scale.

Next to each device, there are trained (AI-masked) technicians who provide detailed explanations, elaborating on its principles, efficiency, and output.

What's even more enticing is the huge notice hanging on site: "Daming Chamber of Commerce's New Policy to Support Industry and Commerce: Any registered business can apply to the Chamber of Commerce to introduce or lease the aforementioned new machinery through installment payments or profit sharing! The Chamber of Commerce will provide technical personnel to be responsible for installation, debugging, and maintenance, and will assist in planning the production line layout!"

This promise completely dispelled many people's concerns about "not being able to afford it or not knowing how to use it".

Looking at the highly efficient machines and imagining the enormous output and profits that would be generated if their own workshops were equipped with them, countless workshop owners and merchants were filled with envy.

This is no longer just a demonstration, but a naked enlightenment and temptation about the leap in productivity!

The Industry and Commerce Conference sets the rules, and the Machinery Expo showcases the future.

Suning's two major initiatives after its return were like two solid chains, one soft and one hard, one regulatory and one profit-driven, firmly binding the industrialists and merchants of the Ming Dynasty to the track he designed.

Through chamber of commerce registration and license management, he gained control over the "registration" of all business entities, establishing the legal basis for management and taxation.

By promoting new types of machinery and equipment, he not only greatly improved social productivity, but also deeply intervened in the production process by controlling the source of equipment, technical support and after-sales service, making the entire industrial and commercial system increasingly dependent on his technology.

Standing on the high platform of the Expo Park, looking down at the crowds who were watching the machines with rapt attention, and the businessmen who were eagerly consulting the chamber of commerce deacons about registration and loan matters, Su Ning knew that the seeds he had sown had begun to take root and sprout.

A new industrial and commercial empire, with him setting the rules, guiding the direction of technology, and controlling the economic lifeline, is thriving on this ancient land at an unprecedented speed and in an unprecedented manner.

The commerce and industry of the Ming Dynasty thus turned a new page, and the one who wrote the record was none other than Su Ning.

……

The success of the first Machinery and Equipment Expo in the Ming Dynasty was like a boulder thrown into the stagnant waters of the Jiangnan business community.

Those highly efficient water-powered spinning machines and precision stamping equipment seemed like divine objects from another world, making all the merchants and workshop owners who witnessed them itch with desire, as if they saw mountains of gold and silver beckoning to them.

However, when they rushed to the "Equipment Application Information Desk" on one side of the exhibition, they were told a crucial condition that had not been mentioned before.

The information desk was staffed by several deacons dressed in the uniforms of the Ming Dynasty Chamber of Commerce, who looked capable (actually AI in disguise).

Faced with a throng of merchants inquiring about prices, they did not offer direct quotes. Instead, they produced beautifully bound copies of the "Regulations for the Introduction and Management of New Mechanical Equipment," and stated in a calm yet undeniable tone:

"Dear business owners, if you wish to introduce the new machinery showcased by the Chamber of Commerce, you must first meet one fundamental prerequisite—your business and all the estates and properties under your name must have fully complied with the new policies of the Imperial Court, namely the 'Single Whip Law' promoted by Chief Minister Zhang."

These words immediately caused an uproar in the audience!
"What? You have to go through the 'one-size-fits-all' process before buying a machine?"

"What...what's the logic behind this? What does my purchase of the machine have to do with the imperial tax laws?"

"What does Governor Su mean by this? Is he trying to force us to accept the new policies?"

Faced with the doubts and dissatisfaction of the crowd, the Chamber of Commerce's deacon remained calm and explained according to the charter: "Please be at ease. This regulation has three advantages, please allow me to explain: First, it clarifies property rights and protects investment. The core of the 'Single Whip Law' lies in the clear surveying of land and the unification of the tax system. Only with clear land ownership and well-defined property rights can the Chamber of Commerce accurately assess your company's assets and credit, ensuring stable operation after the introduction of machinery and avoiding production disruptions caused by land disputes and unclear taxation. Second, it stabilizes tax revenue and ensures fairness. The new machinery has a huge production capacity, and if the tax system is unclear, tax evasion is likely to occur, which is unfair to law-abiding businesses. Unifying taxation according to the 'Single Whip Law' is fair and just, and it also stabilizes the tax revenue for the court, which is the duty of merchants to serve the country. Third, it optimizes the layout and improves efficiency. The Chamber of Commerce will accurately plan the areas and quantities of machinery to be deployed based on the tax data of various regions clarified by the 'Single Whip Law,' avoiding vicious competition and ensuring that businesses that introduce machinery can obtain maximum benefits."

This argument cleverly links economic behavior with political demands, using seemingly reasonable and altruistic names such as "clarifying property rights," "fair tax burden," and "optimizing layout," leaving many originally indignant businessmen speechless.

The news spread quickly, sparking heated debate and difficult choices among the merchant and gentry class in Jiangnan.

The conservative gentry were furious: "Outrageous! This Su fellow is using his skills to intimidate us and coerce us with the advantage of his tools! We absolutely cannot yield!"

The shrewd merchant fell into deep thought.

They carefully considered their options: accepting the "Single Whip Law" would certainly expose the previously hidden land and population under their names, thus increasing their tax burden.

However, if one could obtain those amazing machines with efficiency improvements of dozens of times as a result, the resulting profit growth would probably far exceed that small amount of tax revenue!
More importantly, if competitors adopt this approach while we do not, will we still have a place in the market in the future?

Small and medium-sized workshop owners are even more anxious.

They did not have as much land to hide as the gentry, and their resistance to the "Single Whip Law" was relatively weaker.

Their greater concern is that if they cannot keep up with technological changes, they will soon be squeezed out by large trading companies equipped with new machinery.

Faced with the undercurrent of resistance, Suning did not take strong measures to suppress it, but instead made another move in a seemingly casual manner.

A few days later, the Daming Chamber of Commerce announced a "First Batch of 'Single Whip Law' Compliance Demonstration Zones and Preferred Partner Companies List".

All prefectures and counties that have completed the initial land survey and begun to pilot the "Single Whip Law," as well as registered businesses in these areas that actively cooperate, will receive priority and high subsidies in areas such as applying for machinery and equipment, low-interest loans from Daming Qianzhuang, and priority listing on supply and marketing cooperatives!
This completely shattered the psychological defenses of many people.

Watching neighbors and rivals soar to new heights with new machinery, while one is excluded from opportunities because of clinging to old ways, is an unbearable feeling of panic and loss.

Suning's move has packaged a political requirement as a business opportunity concerning its survival and development.

He wasn't using swords to coerce, but rather using tangible benefits to guide, or even "tempt," the business owners of the entire Jiangnan region, encouraging them to willingly jump onto the "Single Whip Law" chariot he was driving with Zhang Juzheng.

Thus, a peculiar scene emerged in Jiangnan: local gentry and merchants who had previously tried to delay or resist the "Single Whip Law" were now actively inquiring about the progress of the land survey and urging the government to expedite the determination of their tax amounts under the "Single Whip Law."

They were eager to obtain that "compliance certificate" so they could queue up at the Chamber of Commerce to apply for the new machinery they had been dreaming of.

……

When Zhang Juzheng received the report in the capital that the "Single Whip Law" in Jiangnan was being implemented with unstoppable momentum, far exceeding expectations, he was first taken aback, then suddenly realized what was going on. He couldn't help but clap his hands and exclaim: "What a brilliant strategy Su Anbang has been! What a brilliant scheme! He has managed to hide a sharp blade in honey, making his opponents eager to swallow it! Using economic means to carry out my political reforms is unprecedented in history!"

Inside the Nanjing Governor's Mansion, Su Ning looked at the documents submitted from various places requesting the acceleration of the implementation of the "Single Whip Law" and the introduction of machinery, and a smile of complete control appeared on his lips.

He not only successfully used technology to leverage stubborn political reforms, but also, through this process, bound the fate of Jiangnan's industry and commerce more deeply to himself.

What Suning holds in its hands is not only business rules and advanced technology, but also an invisible scepter guiding the development direction of the entire region.

This brilliant move of "equipment bundling policy" truly killed two birds with one stone, pushing his power and influence to a whole new peak.

...(End of chapter)