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

Chapter 207 Father, your child is saving you! You must study The Wealth of Nations carefully!

In the main hall of the Thousand Household Office, there was no one to the left or right, and the surroundings were quiet.

In the dead of night, only one light shone brightly in the hall, the flickering kerosene lamp casting an extremely gloomy light on Zhang Juzheng's face.

As he approached, Zhang Yunxiu saw his father's face, which was as hard as iron. His pale complexion made it seem as if Zhang Juzheng had already passed away.

Only when they got closer did Zhang Juzheng slowly speak.

"You must have made a lot of money this time? You must have worked so hard until so late."

Zhang Yunxiu looked a little embarrassed and cupped his hands in greeting.

"I am not suffering. It is my duty to share the burdens of the country and the ruler!"

"Zhang Shiyuan!"

Zhang Juzheng could no longer tolerate it, slammed his fist on the table, stood up, and glared at his young son.

"You keep talking about serving the country and the people, yet you engage in all sorts of profiteering and promote extravagance. Do you know your crime?"

Zhang Yunxiu said with a puzzled look, "Making a profit is for the country and the people, so what's the conflict?"

"Only when wealthy merchants and gentry indulge in extravagance can the common people survive!"

This sense of entitlement angered Zhang Juzheng even more, and he glared at him and said...

"Where did you get this twisted logic from? As the ancients said, 'Integrity is the foundation of governance.' A minister should 'maintain his integrity and uphold the right path, and not be led astray by evil forces!'"
During the Song Dynasty, extravagance became rampant throughout the court, ultimately leading to the disgrace of the Jingkang Incident!
Ancient sages all valued frugality and simplicity; why do you speak with such certainty?

"So what if the country is destroyed?"

Zhang Yunxiu has given up all hope now. Since he has already openly declared his intention to "usurp the throne," why should he pretend to be a loyal and filial son in front of his father?

"If ordinary people cannot have enough to eat, then the Ming Dynasty will perish."

"you"

Zhang Juzheng was speechless for a moment, feeling as if he had punched cotton.

Since the other party has already said such things, it's useless for him to quote scriptures and spout profound truths.

Zhang Yunxiu shook his head and explained, "Father still doesn't understand. These so-called treasures and luxury goods are specifically prepared for these gentry and wealthy merchants. Only when they are willing to spend their money can the economic difficulties of our Great Ming be resolved."

He squinted at Zhang Juzheng.

"If Father wants to implement the Single Whip Law and use silver as currency, he must let them live extravagantly and spend silver!"

"Your son is not only saving the Ming Dynasty, but also saving Father's Single Whip Law."

"Nonsense!" Zhang Juzheng said, flicking his sleeve. "Is it your so-called economic principles again?"

Zhang Juzheng's views on economics were complex; sometimes he felt that the method could enrich the country, while at other times he felt that it was a method that would bring disaster to the country and its people.

What he saw and heard at the auction, in particular, instilled even greater fear in him.

Having thoroughly studied history, Zhang Juzheng couldn't help but think of the auction scene, which reminded him of historical anecdotes such as "the wealth-spending rivalry among powerful families in the Western Jin Dynasty" and "Emperor Xuanzong of Tang riding a horse through the dust to win the favor of his concubines," all of which were omens of national ruin!
"Father still doesn't quite understand."

Zhang Yunxiu, with an air of superiority, sat down opposite his father and slowly poured him a cup of tea.

Zhang Juzheng gritted his teeth, but he couldn't refute them because the other party did have some valid points.

But Zhang Yunxiu took a sip of tea before slowly speaking.

"Father may not understand economics very well, but I am an authority in it. Future generations may even call me the 'Supreme Teacher' of the economics field. Please let me explain."

"I have never seen such a shameless person!" Zhang Juzheng turned his head away, unwilling to look at his unfilial son who didn't even blush or skip a beat.

But then Zhang Yunxiu said, "Father, do you know that if you borrow in the spring and repay in the autumn, the interest will double?"

Zhang Juzheng frowned, a hint of interest emerging in his mind, as this touched upon his area of ​​expertise.

"The saying goes, 'Sell your house to pay the government, demolish your house to buy firewood.' Since ancient times, people have suffered from poverty. Whenever there is a disaster or famine, ordinary people inevitably have to borrow money to survive. Local gentry and powerful people take advantage of this opportunity to exploit and make huge profits."

"Then what is the purpose of Father's implementation of the 'Single Whip Law'?"

Zhang Juzheng glanced at the other party: "The Single Whip Law is very beneficial. First, it can eliminate complicated and heavy taxes; second, it can equalize taxes and corvée labor, so that the common people will have less burden; and third, it can reduce the loss of money, grain and fire materials along the way. This is a policy that benefits the country and the people."

These days, he has also gotten used to Zhang Yunxiu's way of speaking, which is divided into three points.

Zhang Yunxiu blinked and said, "The Single Whip Method is indeed beneficial, but what is it based on?"

“It is naturally the governance of officials,” Zhang Juzheng replied succinctly.

“Wrong!” Zhang Yunxiu said with absolute certainty. “It is based on silver! The people’s land tax, corvée labor and miscellaneous taxes are all collected under one law and paid in silver.”

"So what? In recent years, commerce in the Ming Dynasty has flourished, and most transactions are conducted in silver. Paying taxes in silver is only natural."

Zhang Juzheng was very determined. He never made decisions on a whim when he implemented the Single Whip Law. This law can be traced back to the ninth year of the Jiajing reign, when the Minister of Personnel, Gui E, submitted a memorial entitled "A Study on the Appointment of People".

It can be said that the "Single Whip Law" was developed and summarized over many years before it was implemented nationwide.

"That's where the problem lies!"

From the perspective of someone from a later era, Zhang Yunxiu spoke without reservation.

"Father made the people pay taxes in silver, but what grows in the fields is grain. Where are they supposed to get silver?"

"Of course."

Zhang Juzheng was momentarily speechless.

Yes, the common people don't have silver; it's all in the hands of gentry and merchants. If they want to pay taxes in silver, they inevitably need to exchange it with gentry and merchants.

Price suppression and exploitation will inevitably occur.

But he wasn't entirely unprepared.

Zhang Juzheng said sternly, “You mentioned this matter before, and I have made improvements.”

Since last month, the imperial court has set up money shops in various places for the people to exchange money, and local government offices can also purchase money and grain at market prices to replenish granaries for use in disaster years.

The imperial court has allocated special funds to implement this policy.

After thinking for a moment, he added.

"This can be implemented in parallel with the performance evaluation system and incorporated into the performance evaluation of officials."

Zhang Yunxiu had previously raised this issue, and Zhang Juzheng had already taken it to heart, so he provided a solution.

Zhang Yunxiu shook his head, looking quite disdainful.

"Useless, this is just a drop in the ocean."

He spoke without any regard for face, Zhang Juzheng said irritably.

"What do you say?"

“The solution is quite complicated,” Zhang Yunxiu said, squinting. “Since ancient times, gentry and powerful people have ‘made their fortunes through trade and maintained their wealth through agriculture.’”

These people aspired to enter officialdom, and once they did, they aspired to amass wealth.

"May I ask you, Father, which scholar-official doesn't have hundreds of thousands of taels of silver hidden away in their possession?"

"Not entirely," Zhang Juzheng said hesitantly.

Looking at his father's expression, Zhang Yunxiu said speechlessly, "Only our cellar is empty."

Zhang Juzheng looked somewhat awkward, then explained.

"The weather is unpredictable, and hoarding wealth is for unforeseen needs; this is human nature."

Zhang Yunxiu said decisively, "It is indeed human nature for them, but it is a disaster for the common people. If Father implements the Single Whip Law, it will only make things worse!"

He stood up and glared. "Father, do you know that implementing the Single Whip Law not only has benefits, but also sows the seeds of even deeper disasters?"

Even if Father uses the money exchange method to temporarily stop the gentry from exploiting the people, can it stop the overwhelming trend?

Father has also read *The Wealth of Nations*, so he probably understands supply and demand. What will happen if silver becomes increasingly scarce in the market?

"Supply and demand relationship?"

Zhang Juzheng seemed to understand something and said solemnly.

“Silver is currency. If silver is scarce and many people are burdened with debts during years of famine, they will have to repay even more in silver.”

"That's not all!"

Zhang Yunxiu said without any politeness.

"With less silver, there will inevitably be a situation where 'silver is expensive and money is cheap,' and copper coins in the market will become increasingly worthless. Copper coins are in the hands of ordinary people, while silver is in the hands of wealthy merchants and gentry. With this ebb and flow, what do you think will happen, Father?"

"This"

Zhang Juzheng began to lose confidence.

Zhang Yunxiu stepped forward again: "Father is vigorously promoting the Single Whip Law, using silver as the tax, wouldn't that just encourage this trend even more!"

If this continues, the rich will get richer and the poor will get poorer.

The common people work hard to grow grain, but what they receive in return is worthless copper coins. They have to pay interest to creditors, pay taxes to the imperial court, and suffer exploitation from gentry and powerful families!
When the people can't survive, the imperial court naturally can't collect taxes!
"Father, do you still think there's no problem?"

From Zhang Juzheng's perspective, the Single Whip Law was definitely a good solution to the Ming Dynasty's economic crisis.

However, from the perspective of later generations, the Single Whip Law only solved the problem temporarily, but it also sowed the seeds of future disaster.

This is naturally not Zhang Juzheng's fault. How can you expect an ancient person to look at problems from the perspective of deep economic principles?
Moreover, the Ming Dynasty has been receiving a huge amount of silver from overseas over the years. Who could have predicted that a "silver crisis" would break out in the near future?
The silver that the Ming Dynasty relied on was suddenly cut off.

There was no external input, and there was also less internal circulation.

The Ming Dynasty would be like a patient who has been deprived of nutrients, struggling on his sickbed.

However, the more unlucky the year, the more the gentry and nobles hoarded silver.

Gu Yanwu once recorded in his book "The Advantages and Disadvantages of the Counties and States Under Heaven" that "he hoarded a million taels of silver but refused to buy a single rafter."

To what extent are they hoarding? To what extent are they being stingy?
Just before Li Zicheng attacked the city, Emperor Chongzhen pleaded with his ministers to donate silver for military supplies, but only 200,000 taels were collected.

After Li Zicheng captured Beijing, he plundered a total of 70 million taels of silver from court officials, gentry and nobles!

It can be said that the Ming Dynasty perished because of a lack of silver.

After hearing Zhang Yunxiu's words, Zhang Juzheng's anger vanished, replaced by confusion and bewilderment.

"Am I wrong?"

He persisted for decades, sparing no expense, even risking execution, to suppress the emperor and eliminate all opponents, all for the sake of restoring the Ming Dynasty.

In recent years, the "Assessment and Performance Evaluation Method," the "Land Survey Method," and the "Single Whip Method" have been implemented one after another.

The imperial court's annual revenue increased daily, and it finally showed signs of a revival.

But these very things seem to have become the root cause of the Ming Dynasty's downfall?
"In a way, it's not that Father is wrong."

Zhang Yunxiu shook his head and said.

"It is the tide of the times that has brought about this, and the relationship between people and the land has developed to this point, which is already deeply entrenched and difficult to reverse."

If we want change, we need more than just the Single Whip Law; we also need extraordinary measures to support it, giving our Great Ming Dynasty the opportunity to transform the world!

"An extraordinary measure?" Zhang Juzheng frowned deeply, his mind racing with thoughts.

Zhang Yunxiu, with his hands behind his back, spoke very seriously.

"My auctions are a practical application of this method!"

In an instant, a fire suddenly ignited in Zhang Juzheng's previously bewildered eyes.

After all that, it turns out it was just an "auction"?
This kid made up all this stuff to excuse his auction!
He had never been so angry before, and he roared.

"You brat! How dare you play around with such a thing! Today I will punish you!"

As he spoke, Zhang Juzheng jumped up, filled with pent-up resentment, and kicked his young son.

With a loud crash, the chair was kicked over.

Fortunately, Zhang Yunxiu was agile and managed to escape unscathed.

He said, somewhat embarrassed.

"Father, please let me explain."

"I won't listen! You unfilial son, you have no ruler and no father!"

Inside the main hall, Zhang Juzheng picked up his shoe that had accidentally fallen off and began chasing after his young son.

Zhang Yunxiu darted between the tables and chairs in the lobby, explaining as he went.

"Father! Oh dear~ please don't be confrontational, let me explain slowly!"

"I won't listen! You stop right there!"

Seeing that the other party was being unreasonable, Zhang Yunxiu also got angry and shouted loudly as he ran.

"You old fool! If this continues, the Ming Dynasty will perish!"

"I'll let you speak!" Zhang Juzheng suddenly threw his shoe at his young son.

With a "thud," the shoe knocked over the tea on the table.

Zhang Yunxiu fled in all directions, muttering intermittently.

"Auctions are one of the methods used to force gentry and merchants to part with their silver, so that silver can circulate in the market! You stupid old fool, don't you understand that?"

"Shut up!"

"Another key point is to increase supply and reduce expenditure! Increase the amount of silver on the market to alleviate deflation and ensure a balance between silver supply and the needs of economic operation."

At the same time, by increasing productivity, goods and silver can complement each other, and only then can the economy of the Ming Dynasty recover.

Finally, we'll expand into overseas markets! We'll use maritime trade to revitalize the economic cycle! You old fool! You haven't even properly read my *The Wealth of Nations*!

After chasing and attacking all the way, Zhang Juzheng was already out of breath, but he couldn't even touch the hem of his rebellious son's clothes.

He leaned on the table, panting, barefoot, and pointed at Zhang Yunxiu with his other shoe, cursing.

"That economic theory again, boosting productivity? It's not that simple! Going out to sea to find gold mines? Searching for silver mines? Those are all vague and unrealistic. How can I possibly believe them!"

Zhang Yunxiu paused for a moment, then suddenly realized something.

I may know the right path, but it's incredibly difficult to convince the ancients that this path is correct.

After all, Zhang Juzheng had no knowledge of history, so his rash proposal to go to sea was indeed hard to convince people.

If you have nothing, and you tell him there's gold overseas, nobody will believe you.

So Zhang Yunxiu thought for a moment and said...

“Father doesn’t believe me, but I have a more practical solution.”

He smiled.

"Did Father receive the letter from Yin Yangshi, the Governor of Yingtian?"

(End of this chapter)