Da Ming: Father, step aside, I'll be the prime minister!

Chapter 187 Zhang Juzheng: What is Economics?
When Xu Guolai had some free time, the father and son couldn't help but start discussing it again.

Zhang Juzheng frowned deeply: "Market? Trade? And supply and demand?"

“That’s exactly what my younger brother said.”

Zhang Jingxiu nodded and said.

"The saying goes, 'Without agriculture, there is no stability; without industry, there is no wealth; without commerce, there is no life.' According to Shi Yuan, all three are indispensable."

Father's reforms focused on agriculture, but he forgot about industry and commerce, which are also very important.

Shi Yuan used industry to solve the problems of plague and refugees, and used commerce to enrich the people; this is the right way!

Zhang Juzheng sat upright at his desk and couldn't help but glare as he spoke.

Are you saying that the principles behind the new policy are flawed?

Zhang Jingxiu shrank back and quickly explained, "Father, these are all things Shiyuan said. I suppose he didn't mean anything by them; they were just metaphors."

Zhang Juzheng narrowed his eyes, a barely perceptible hint of disappointment flashing across them, before sighing and speaking.

"Tell me what supply and demand are. That rebellious son succeeded because he used the principle of supply and demand."

Zhang Jingxiu tilted his head: "I only heard about it and only had a vague understanding. Recently, while searching for ancient books, I found a few words in the Records of the Grand Historian."

He subconsciously steered the conversation toward his area of ​​expertise.

The "Biographies of Merchants" records, "By examining the surplus and deficiency, one can know the value of goods. When value reaches its extreme, it will fall back to low; when value reaches its extreme, it will fall back to high." This suggests that when an item becomes extremely valuable, it will fall back to low, and when an item becomes extremely cheap, it will fall back to valuable. The two cycles are mutually reinforcing, much like the principle of Yin and Yang in Taiji.

He spoke eloquently about these things, but left Zhang Juzheng, the well-read Grand Secretary, completely bewildered.

However, Zhang Juzheng still grasped a key point.

"So, this supply and demand relationship is one where things go from extremely expensive to extremely cheap, and from extremely cheap to extremely expensive?"

"I suppose that's how it is?" Zhang Jingxiu's eyes were somewhat vacant.

"What exactly happened?"

Zhang Juzheng was somewhat annoyed.

Ever since the Xishan workshop increased production and routed the unscrupulous Shanxi merchants, he had become very interested in this art of commerce.

The seemingly insignificant path that was once looked down upon has actually played such a significant role, causing the enemy to collapse from within without shedding a drop of blood! It is truly astonishing.

Zhang Juzheng's gaze fell on the desk, on a book with slightly yellowed pages, "Guanzi Supplement," which he was reading halfway through, covered with numerous annotations.

For thousands of years, apart from Guan Zhong, very few people have studied the art of commerce.

He read extensively, but only found this book by Guan Zhong. Since ancient times, those who wanted to learn the way of commerce had to read this book, "Guanzi." Many merchants even worshipped Guan Zhong as a deity.

Zhang Juzheng thought that Guan Zhong's story of "buying a deer to subdue Chu" seemed to have some similarities with Zhang Yunxiu's "economics".

He was an extremely sharp-minded person, and he immediately grasped the reasoning behind it.

He looked intently at his eldest son, Zhang Jingxiu, and said.

"There is a loophole in this supply and demand relationship. Since things will turn into their opposite when they reach their extremes, why can't merchants from all over the country transport grain during years of disaster?"
If this method is followed, the imperial court will no longer need to provide disaster relief. For example, in the past few months, there was a famine in Pingyang Prefecture, and grain prices soared. Why did no merchants transport grain there?

If merchants can transport enough grain to the disaster area, the price of grain may be extremely high at first, but as more grain is produced, the price will inevitably decrease.

At that time, even if gentry and merchants hoard goods and engage in speculation, it will probably be to no avail!

Zhang Jingxiu was at a loss for words.

Zhang Juzheng, the father of the Wanli Emperor, was incredibly quick-witted. As the leader of the "Wanli New Deal," he inevitably encountered many economic issues, and his thinking was much more profound.

Zhang Juzheng continued speaking rapidly.

"If supply and demand were truly effective, as that rebellious son said, the market would be controlled by an invisible hand. How could so many people have starved to death in the more than two hundred years since the founding of the dynasty? Yet you haven't even asked these questions?"

It's no wonder he was so excited; Zhang Yunxiu's actions were truly beyond Zhang Juzheng's comprehension.

He even keenly sensed that if the principles of "economics" could be applied to the "Wanli Xinbao" newspaper, it would likely achieve even better results.

But the eldest son in front of him knew nothing about the matter.

"My child. My child."

Zhang Jingxiu stammered, then finally sighed and cupped his hands in a respectful gesture to his father.

"Father, please forgive my dullness. I have been studying mathematics diligently lately, and I only have a superficial understanding of the ways of the commercial economy."

Since Zhang Yunxiu asked him to check the accounts last time, Zhang Jingxiu has learned the "chart method" and developed an immense interest in arithmetic. He knows about economics, but he only had a brief conversation with Zhang Yunxiu a few days ago, so he can hardly be considered an expert.

Unexpectedly, Zhang Juzheng became very agitated: "You unfilial son, you ask Shiyuan about everything, how can you be a proper elder brother? The principles of economics are so important."

"Rebellious son" became almost a catchphrase for Zhang Juzheng.

Zhang Jingxiu was a mild-mannered person.

But she still had a temper, and after being unreasonably scolded by her father, she felt wronged.

Especially after Zhang Yunxiu took the lead, the brothers became increasingly "rebellious" towards Zhang Juzheng.

So Zhang Jingxiu also retorted, sticking his neck out.

“Father, you are mistaken. Shiyuan once said that mathematics is the foundation of economics. Without mathematics, there is no economics.”

He looked at his father with a strange expression.

"Since Father cares so much, why doesn't he go and ask my younger brother directly?"

These words seemed to hit a nerve with Zhang Juzheng, causing his old face to flush red as he turned his head away.

"I have nothing to say to such a rebellious son."

The main reason was that Zhang Juzheng was genuinely afraid of Zhang Yunxiu's repeated defiance.

Every time I intend to discipline my child, I end up being disciplined by them instead.

This feeling was simply unbearable for someone as powerful as Zhang Juzheng.

She was even somewhat afraid to communicate with Zhang Yunxiu.

Zhang Jingxiu, looking earnest and earnest, sighed and said.

"How can Father be so old-fashioned? The saying goes that a disciple is not necessarily inferior to his master, and a master is not necessarily inferior to his disciple. Shi Yuan is a man of exceptional talent, so it is normal for Father to lose a few times."

With Zhang Yunxiu leading the way, the brothers' fear of Zhang Juzheng gradually decreased.

"Stop making such a racket!"

Zhang Juzheng got impatient and slammed his hand on the desk.

"Can't I learn economics without Zhang Shiyuan? I'll call Zhang Xueyan over next!"

Zhang Jingxiu sighed, said nothing more, and buried himself in studying his "Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art".

After waiting a while, there was a cautious knocking sound from outside.

“Minister, I am Xu Guo. I apologize for any inconvenience caused. I hope you will not take offense.”

Judging from the tone of the voice, Zhang Juzheng almost thought it was a different person. He coughed twice and said...

"come in."

The door was gently pushed open, and Xu Guo walked in with a bow, as if afraid of making any noise. He kowtowed and said...

"Student Xu Guo greets Your Excellency, and pays respects to Principal Zhang."

Zhang Juzheng was displeased to see his exaggerated movements.

“You are a high-ranking official in the Ministry of Personnel, so you do not need to kneel before me or pay your respects to Zhang Siwen.”

Xu Guo looked somewhat embarrassed: "The student couldn't help himself... couldn't help himself..."

"Why are you behaving like a rogue and scoundrel?" Zhang Juzheng asked, his voice carrying an air of authority despite his lack of anger.

Upon hearing this, Xu Guo's lips immediately twisted into a grimace, and he prostrated himself on the ground, weeping bitterly, as if he had suffered a great injustice.

"Professor Yuanfu, you must do me a favor! This Xishan shareholding is absolutely not to be withdrawn. My life and fortune are tied to it. If I withdraw, I will be bankrupt!"

"You're being completely unreasonable!"

Even Zhang Jingxiu, who was usually good-tempered, couldn't help but speak to Xu Guo, who was prostrate on the ground.

"Back then, you were the one who shouted for violence and insisted on returning your shares, because you saw that Xishan Workshop was going to lose money. My younger brother kindly returned the money to you, but now you're making trouble and wanting your shares back."

There's no such thing as a free lunch.

(End of this chapter)