My Portable Ming Dynasty

Chapter 129 Management Game
Huang Ji quickly stood up and followed Zhang Hong into the East Palace.

As Huang Ji walked, he noticed that the Eastern Palace seemed to have changed.

The corridors on both sides of the Minglun Hall, where lectures were originally given, were where eunuchs and palace maids rested, and most of them were empty.

But now it's bustling with activity, with many people coming and going, and you can even hear the sound of abacuses. If you didn't know better, you'd think you were in the Ministry of Revenue.

Huang Ji was curious, but he didn't want to ask Zhang Hong, a eunuch, so the two walked silently to the Minglun Hall.

As soon as Huang Ji entered, he discovered that Minglun Hall had also changed.

On one side of the Minglun Hall, a large cloth was hung, which, upon closer inspection, showed a simple map of the capital, marking the main streets and wards.

On these streets, there are also some eye-catching red dots, each with a number attached to it.

On the other side of Minglun Hall, there were piles of account books, and several eunuchs were fiddling with abacuses, checking these account books.

Crown Prince Zhu Yijun stood before the simple map of the capital and instructed the palace maids to replace the numbers near the red dots.

Huang Ji was also dumbfounded. He had only taken a day off, so how could such a big change have occurred in the Eastern Palace?

Zhang Hong knew what was going on.

These are the "games" that Su Ze designed for the Crown Prince.

The red dots on the map represent the imperial property allocated by the emperor to the Eastern Palace.

These figures represent the revenue of each store.

After the imperial property was allocated, honeycomb briquettes were first manufactured under the urging of the Crown Prince.

Honeycomb briquettes are the simplest to make, and it's currently the season for purchasing coal, as many people need to buy coal themselves.

The stable combustion, ease of storage and transportation, and longer burning time compared to ordinary coal made honeycomb briquettes quickly popular.

Heating was a significant cost of living for ordinary people in ancient times.

In rural areas, one could naturally cut down trees and gather firewood, but this was not possible in the capital.

The trees near the capital had either been cut down long ago or were already owned, so the people of the capital had to buy coal for heating in the winter.

As sales of honeycomb briquettes increased, Zhu Yijun immediately ordered an increase in production. However, he soon discovered that not every store was experiencing the same sales figures.

For example, in the eastern and western parts of the city, officials and their families generally used charcoal for heating.

The palace even used gold-thread charcoal for heating, which was specially made tribute charcoal.

The Imperial Palace and the Eastern Palace also had special firewalls. For example, after winter arrived, the emperor would move into the heated chambers. Fire channels were dug under the walls, and charcoal stokers were placed under the eaves outside the halls. Once the charcoal stokers were lit, the heat would instantly raise the temperature inside the room by flowing through the entire wall.

Wealthy families in the capital city naturally disdained to buy honeycomb briquettes for heating.

After observing the difference in sales volume, Zhu Yijun quickly adjusted his strategy, mainly supplying honeycomb briquettes to the south and north of the city.

A few days ago, the first batch of cottonseed soaps also went on sale.

Similarly, the sales of cottonseed soap vary greatly. For example, near the docks along the Yongding River, where there are many manual laborers engaged in canal transport and a high demand for washing clothes, cottonseed soap sells very well.

However, in the slums in the north of the city, the people didn't even have many clothes, let alone wash them, so naturally there was no business.

These days, Zhu Yijun is constantly staring at the map, thinking about the ups and downs of sales, adjusting the supply, and devising various promotional methods. He's been extremely busy.

The revenue generated during these days was marked on the side of the map, and seeing his wealth grow every day made Xiao Pangjun extremely excited.

However, when it was time for class, Zhu Yijun dismissed the eunuch who was in charge of accounting and then respectfully greeted Huang Ji.

Huang Ji quickly returned the greeting, opened his prepared lecture notes, and began to speak:
"Your Highness wants to hear the 'importance' of the matter, and I have made some preparations accordingly."

The topic for this daily lecture was personally chosen by the Crown Prince, and Huang Ji had done a lot of preparation.

"The concept of 'lightness and heaviness' originates from the Guanzi. Your Highness, I will now explain to you what the art of 'lightness and heaviness' is."

Huang Ji had a very solid foundation in his studies. He became increasingly dedicated to his lectures, trying his best to use content that Zhu Yijun could understand. He also incorporated several examples, which made Zhu Yijun listen with great interest.

After listening to Huang Ji's lecture, Zhu Yijun asked another question:
"Master Huang, I have a few more questions."

Seeing Zhu Yijun's eagerness to learn, Huang Ji felt even more accomplished and quickly said, "Your Highness, please speak."

Zhu Yijun asked:
“Master Huang, since Guanzi advocates ‘government-run mountains and seas’ and believes that government-run enterprises are beneficial to the country and can ‘make the people free from the burden of ownership and bring benefits to the emperor,’ why did the emperor set up the Dragon Robe Manufacturing Bureau in Jiangnan and the emperor’s grandfather opened government mines, and why did the ministers oppose it?”

Zhu Yijun was referring to two things. One was that when his father had just ascended the throne, he sent eunuchs to Jiangnan to weave dragon robes.

After the dragon robe was completed, the Longqing Emperor wanted to establish this institution as a permanent agency for purchasing clothing for the royal family, but this was opposed and abolished by his ministers.

Another incident involved Emperor Jiajing's initiative to open mines during his reign, attempting to alleviate financial pressure. However, the mines were eventually closed due to opposition from the scholar-officials.

Zhu Yijun had heard his father mention these two things, so he asked Huang Ji about them.

Huang Ji thought for a moment and said, "It is very good that Your Highness has asked this question."

"State-run enterprises are indeed a good policy, such as the salt certificate system in our dynasty, which hides taxes in salt, but state-run enterprises also have their drawbacks."

"Take the matter of purchasing dragon robes for example. His Majesty originally only wanted to purchase one set of dragon robes, but after the eunuch in charge of weaving took office in Jiangnan, he imposed a hundredfold increase on the local weavers, which caused the local weavers to flee and most of the weaving workshops to close down."

"The matter of Emperor Shizong mining was even more absurd. From the 25th to the 36th year of the Jiajing reign, Emperor Shizong dispatched more than 40 tax officials and more than 1,000 soldiers, spending more than 30,000 taels of silver, but only 2800 taels of silver were mined."

Huang Ji said sincerely:
"Your Highness, the art of weighing and balancing is the art of accumulating wealth, but if used improperly, it becomes an art that harms the people."

"The people sent out from the palace are of varying quality, and even if the palace wants to manage them, it is often beyond its reach. These people wreak havoc in the local areas under the banner of the royal family, and local officials dare not speak out. In the end, it is often these cunning people who benefit, while the royal family's prestige is damaged."

Zhu Yijun nodded repeatedly. Huang Ji didn't preach any grand principles this time, but his examples were very insightful. Compared to when Huang Ji first came to the Eastern Palace, his lectures were much more interesting.

The Buddhist banquet was much better!

Otherwise, if Master Su had been invited to give lectures at the Imperial Academy, these lecturers would not have sought to change their teaching styles. Huang Ji was the one whose teaching style changed the fastest, and he became more and more like Su Ze's teaching style.

Zhu Yijun then asked:

"Master Huang, if this can prevent cunning and treacherous people from causing trouble, then wouldn't this government-run system be a system that benefits the people?"

Huang Ji shook his head and said:

"Your Highness, the human heart is unpredictable. Even one's bedmate has their own thoughts. A good person may succumb to temptation and become a villain once they are in the local area. Not to mention, even if the person sent out is impartial, what about his subordinates? And what about his subordinates' subordinates?"

"Wang Anshi's market exchange system is just like this." Zhu Yijun nodded, seemingly understanding, but he was still immersed in the fun of the simulation management game. He said:

"Master Huang, Master Su has offered me a method of account management, saying it can prevent treachery and punish the wicked. Could you take a look at it for me?"

Accounting methods?

Huang Ji wanted to refuse, but upon hearing that it was Su Zexian, he gritted his teeth and said:
"I have some knowledge of accounting methods; perhaps I can answer Your Highness's questions!"

Huang Ji wasn't bragging. Before passing the imperial examination, he had worked as a staff member and did know a bit about accounting.

Can a single accounting method really prevent and punish wrongdoing? That's fooling children!

Huang Ji was prepared to take a good look. If Su Ze was bragging, he would complain to the Junior Chamberlain and ask him to punish Su Ze severely!
Zhu Yijun hurriedly asked Zhang Hong to bring the accounting method presented by Su Ze.

Unfortunately, Zhu Yijun was only six years old, and mathematics was still too complicated for him.

Zhang Hong had only studied at the Directorate of Ceremonial for a few years and had not received a systematic education, so he could not understand the accounting method presented by Su Ze.

Therefore, Zhu Yijun assigned the topic of "lightness and importance" to all the lecturers. Among all the lecturers, Huang Ji was the best, so Zhu Yijun placed his hopes on him.

Dragon Gate Tent Method?

Huang Ji opened the book and found that Su Ze had indeed presented him with an accounting method.

However, upon closer inspection, this accounting method differs from the four-column accounting method used by the Ming Dynasty government.

The official four-column accounting system of the Ming Dynasty refers to four parts: old accounts, new receipts, disbursements, and actual accounts.

The "Four-Column Balance Method" means that if the four columns are balanced when auditing accounts, it indicates that there are no problems with the accounts.

The Four Pillars Account is an account of income and expenditure. In fact, there are many ways to do accounting. Therefore, officials need a clerk who is proficient in accounting when they take office, otherwise they will suffer great losses in the accounts.

Even so, he was still not immune to being deceived by his subordinates.

Su Ze's account book was even more complicated. One income had to be recorded twice in the account book, reflected in two separate forms: "Income and Expenditure" and "Debts and Balances".

When auditing accounts, it is necessary to verify the "income and expenditure balance" and "assets and liabilities," also known as "closing the gate." If false accounts are found, the gate will not close, and the problem can be traced back.

The Longmen account is a system that requires not only recording income and expenditure but also recording profit and loss.

Of course, it's not that Longmen Zhang can't falsify accounts, but it's much more difficult for him to do so. It's very difficult for ordinary accountants to falsify accounts without causing problems.

Huang Ji's mathematical skills were average, but as he looked at it, he could see that the Dragon Gate Account Method was indeed ingenious.

Huang Ji glanced through it briefly and then said:
"Your Highness, please allow me to take it back and study it further."

Zhu Yijun, with a smile on his face, took Huang Ji's hand and said:

"I'll have to trouble you to take care of things, Master Huang!"

Then Zhu Yijun gave Zhang Hong a wink, and Zhang Hong immediately brought over a porcelain bottle.

Zhu Yijun said:
"Master Huang, this is a secret recipe soy sauce from the palace."

This moved Huang Ji to tears, and he swore that he would study the Dragon Gate Record thoroughly.

Little Fatty Jun personally saw Huang Ji to the door, and only after Huang Ji left did he say:
“All shops in the Eastern Palace must use Master Su’s Longmen Accounting Method for bookkeeping, and the accounts must be sent to the Eastern Palace for verification at the end of each ten-day period.”

"If anyone dares to embezzle my money, or even my father's money, they will be sent to the Eastern Depot!"

Little Fatty Jun was full of murderous intent. In fact, it wasn't just Huang Ji; Su Ze also wrote to him, reminding those below him to deceive their superiors and cover up their misdeeds.

Zhu Yijun regarded these imperial properties as his lifeblood, so naturally he kept a close eye on them.

Zhu Yijun added:

"Once Master Huang has mastered the Dragon Gate Accounting, we will invite him to the Eastern Palace to check the accounts at the end of each month!"

Zhang Hong echoed repeatedly, saying, "The Crown Prince is wise."

Then Zhu Yijun continued:

"After a few days, Zhang Daban will ask Master Huang how the soy sauce tastes. If Master Huang can't tell the difference either, then the shops in the East City will sell this kind of porcelain bottle soy sauce from now on."

Zhang Hong said hesitantly:
"Your Highness, didn't His Majesty say that you are not allowed to profit from tribute or royal property?"

Zhu Yijun said:
"Let word spread that this soy sauce is a tribute. As long as we don't say anything, it won't be considered a violation of Father Emperor's decree. What do I care what these buyers think?"

Zhu Yijun also ordered people to inspect the shops in the eastern part of the city, because the area was inhabited by high-ranking officials and nobles, so items related to the imperial family sold very well.

Zhu Yijun had a sudden inspiration and ordered his men to fill porcelain bottles with soy sauce and sell it as high-end soy sauce.

Soy sauce is meant to enhance flavor and taste. The traditional brewing method might make it taste better, but most people can't tell the difference.

Zhu Yijun bestowed soy sauce upon Huang Ji. If Huang Ji could not discern the difference, then he could openly pass it off as tribute soy sauce.

If this method works, the profits of the stores in Dongcheng will increase significantly.

The busyness of these days made Zhu Yijun feel very fulfilled, and he even found more enjoyment in managing these imperial properties than in organizing the Hundred Plays Festival.

Now, the Hundred Plays Festival has become the ultimate goal of the game, a direction to strive for. Moreover, according to Zhu Yijun's calculations, if he can continue to earn money in this way, he can earn enough money for the Hundred Plays Festival before next year's lecture conference, and even have a surplus!
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Su Ze had no idea that Little Fatty Jun was so motivated by his "simulation management" game. If he had known, Su Ze would probably have just thought that Fatty Jun had a talent for making money.

At this moment, Su Ze was squatting at home with the door tightly shut, and even Xu Wei had been sent out for drinks.

Su Ze took out a few potatoes from the bag, carefully cut off the sprouting parts, and then planted them in the [family-sized planting mat].

Su Ze never expected that just over a month after the opening of the port of Dengzhou and Laizhou, Tu Zeming would get him potatoes!

Before Tu Zemin left, Su Ze drew up pictures of potatoes, sweet potatoes, and corn, asking him to collect these crops at the port of Denglai.

Just half a month ago, Tu Zemin found a basket of potatoes on a Dutch merchant ship and sent it to the capital by fast horse.

This Dutch merchant ship arrived in Dengzhou and Laizhou on a whim after hearing the news of the opening of the port in Japan. Unexpectedly, the Ming Dynasty actually allowed them to dock and even started trading with them.

When Sir De Vries, the captain of the merchant ship, heard about Tu Zemin's bounty on potatoes, he gave Tu Zemin a basket of potatoes from the ship's hold that he had prepared to take back to Europe to sell as garden plants.

Su Ze changed the soil to sandy soil and buried the cut potatoes in the ridges.

After planting the potatoes, Su Ze sat in front of his study and began to think about how to promote them.

(End of this chapter)