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

Chapter 233 Your Majesty, we can't crash the market!

It turns out that Wang Shiqi was trying to verify the truth of the explosion at the Xishan Glass Workshop.

After planning for several days, they used a surprising tactic.

He ordered his servants to hide in a manure cart, using the filth as cover, and sneak into the Western Hills undetected.

The servant lay in wait until dusk before sneaking out of the western hills and making a round trip in the dark. When he returned, he was covered in night dew and dung.

Although it has been thoroughly cleaned, the stench is still unbearable.

The servant then described the entire process of the journey and the scene after the explosion at the glass workshop in detail.

Wang Shiqi then revealed a smug look: "Brother Chenyu, how was my performance this time?"

But Wang Heng frowned repeatedly as he listened.

He finally realized where the stench on the servant was coming from, and couldn't help but take two steps back.

He looked at the servant with slight suspicion and asked in a deep voice, "It's dark and you can't see clearly. Are you sure what you saw was a sign of an explosion in Liulichang?"

"Absolutely true! If I have uttered even the slightest lie, I am willing to accept punishment according to family law!" The servant knelt down with a thud.

"Brother Chenyu, still don't believe me?" Wang Shiqi raised his chin upon seeing this. "Ah Huang, bring out that object and let the master take a look."

"Yes."

As he spoke, the servant shakily pulled a fragment from his pocket and placed it on the stone table.

This charred fragment of glass gleamed, and its condition was still faintly visible through the cracks.

The servant said, as if seeking praise, "Gentlemen, please look, is this glass made from something from the Western Hills?"

“Brother Chenyu, please take a look.” Wang Shiqi couldn’t wait to pick up a shard and examine it under the sun. “Although this glass shard has scorch marks, its clarity can still be discerned. I have handled many pieces of Xishan glass, and I am absolutely certain that there is no mistake! This is a unique technique of Xishan!”

As he spoke, he lowered his voice.

"Then Xishan Liulichang must have suffered a significant blow!"

"This"

Even Wang Heng hesitated, staring intently at the glass shards. Could it be that the explosion at the Xishan Glass Workshop really happened?

Wang Shiqi said with a smug look on his face.

"Now it seems that the Xishan Glass Workshop was not only blown up, but completely destroyed, yet Zhang Shiyuan claims that only the boiler exploded!"

He raised his eyebrows.

"What do you think, Brother Chenyu? With the trouble caused by the Xishan Glass Workshop, which has prevented the production of glass, the price of glass on the market will surely skyrocket."

This is a golden opportunity! Let's work together to make a fortune.

Isn't this exactly what Zhang Shiyuan calls "economics" all the time?

But Wang Heng frowned deeply and advised his companion.

“Brother Jiongbo, you have already stumbled on this path before. As the saying goes, ‘It is fate, so accept it.’”

"Commerce is ultimately a crooked path. Rather than spending all day competing with Zhang Shiyuan, it's better to stay true to oneself and understand the principle of 'nothing exists outside the mind' as taught by Master Yangming."

"These same old clichés again!" Wang Shiqi slammed his hand on the table, making the teacups on the stone table clatter. "Brother Chenyu is too old-fashioned. Let's see how I deal with this kid. Father and Uncle have been praising Zhang Shiyuan as a genius, but I'll show them that this kid is nothing special!"

He clenched his fist so tightly that his knuckles turned white.

"This time, I will win back everything I have lost before!"

"What will you use to win?"

Sensing that his friend was already engrossed, Wang Heng quickly stepped forward to remind him.

"Last time you almost lost everything, and your uncle has cut off your money. How are you going to acquire the glass now?"

"That's easy," Wang Shiqi said with a smirk, a hint of madness in his voice.

"My father still owns some land and mansions in the capital, and many antiques and rare treasures left by our ancestors have all been sold off for glass! This time, I will definitely avenge my previous humiliation!"

"."

Wang Heng's pupils contracted, and he took two steps back, feeling a chill run down his spine.

It was as if Wang Shiqi was possessed by some demon.

The news spread like wildfire within just a few days.

Rumors and gossip spread throughout the capital.

One moment they say someone infiltrated Xishan and discovered the ruins of the glass workshop that had been destroyed.

A little while later someone said that many of the craftsmen from Xishan were injured in the explosion, but Zhang Shiyuan refused to compensate them, so the craftsmen could no longer bear the oppression and went to the Shuntian Prefecture government office to beat the drum and appeal for justice.

Some people also said that not only was Liulichang bombed in Xishan, but also the oyster mine and textile workshops were damaged.

Xishan is doomed!
As for why, when craftsmen from Xishan filed a lawsuit, Shuntian Prefecture remained silent, and no Xishan resident stood up to denounce Zhang Yunxiu.

Is that important?
The question is whether the people were coerced, whether officials protected each other, and whether Zhang Shiyuan used his power to oppress people and hide all the evidence.

Of course, for the people of Beijing, these were just everyday topics of conversation.

But for the gentry and wealthy merchants, that was great news!
The bound volumes of the economics section of the Wanli Xinbao newspaper sold out immediately.

With this shortage, the market price of glass also skyrocketed.

Everyone knows that the price of glass is going to rise, and everyone wants to sell glass to make a huge profit.

For a time, whether it was the gem shops on Qipan Street, the material shops at Dengshikou, or the antique stalls in Chenghuangmiao Market, the crowds seeking to buy glassware were endless.

Glassware also became scarce in Beizhili, and there were even cases where there was a price but no market.

Xishan Glass Workshop.

The area was heavily guarded by layers of Imperial Guards. People entering and leaving the glass workshop were not allowed to have contact with the outside world without special permission from the Thousand-Household Office.

Of course, there are exceptions.

Emperor Wanli, traveling incognito, arrived at the Xishan Glass Workshop in plain clothes.

To be honest, if he didn't know the inside story, even if he saw the huge crater and the charred marks all around, he would think that something must have happened to Xishan Glass Workshop.

Not to mention, high-ranking officials and nobles in the capital racked their brains to send people to sneak in at night.

Emperor Wanli was in a good mood and continued on his way, bypassing the "scenery" in the front yard of the workshop.

He circled several corridors and passed through numerous checkpoints before finally spotting Zhang Yunxiu in the workshop. Without even sending anyone to announce his arrival, the emperor curiously explored the workshop, his eyes sparkling as he looked at the various novel objects.

At this moment, Zhang Yunxiu, wearing a protective mask, is working with Zhao Shizhen to refine and develop a piece of crystal-clear glass brick.

Upon spotting the emperor, he quickly removed his mask, stepped forward to greet him, and bowed.

"Your humble servant Zhang Yunxiu greets Your Majesty, Your Majesty."

“We’re like brothers, there’s no need to worry about these formalities.”

Upon seeing Zhang Yunxiu, the emperor beamed with joy and stepped forward to encourage him.

"Shiyuan, Shiyuan, you are truly my wise strategist and decisive minister!"

Zhao Shizhen witnessed this scene, and his eyes nearly popped out of their sockets as he knelt in respect.

Just how close was the relationship between the emperor and his master that they were practically like brothers?
But Emperor Wanli seemed impatient, speaking with anticipation.

"Take me to the storeroom. The price of glass has skyrocketed recently. Bring me the account books as well!"

Zhang Yunxiu smiled slightly and said, "Your Majesty, please follow me."

They led the emperor toward the inner hall, making several turns, and finally arrived at a cellar.

Although it was dark and damp inside, the moment Zhang Yunxiu opened the door, the sunlight streaming in made the cellar shine brightly.

Upon seeing the dazzling array of glass artifacts, Emperor Wanli's face beamed with a happy smile.

"With the recent surge in the price of glass, glass beads that used to cost five taels of silver are now asking for eight taels of silver, and there are even cases where they are available but not sold."

They made a killing! They absolutely made a killing!

The glassware stored in the warehouse is all of the finest quality; there are hundreds or even thousands of pieces here, probably worth a million taels of silver.

With the price of glass rising, the difference between these two and three hundred thousand taels of silver is significant.

How to prevent people from becoming obsessed.

Emperor Wanli looked around and touched everything, as if he had fallen into a mountain of gold.

He kept making comments as he watched.

"Recently, Liuli has been very popular in and around the capital, even a bit too much. I have read your economics and your theory of the wealth of nations."

According to the theory within, this situation shouldn't be considered normal.

If we're talking about what emperors still study these days, economics is definitely one of them.

After all, those kings and generals of the past, despite studying the classics and historical texts for a long time, could not see any results.

But this economics, they actually made real money.

With this in mind, the emperor narrowed his eyes and scrutinized Zhang Yunxiu as he spoke.

"What methods did Shi Yuan use to fuel the flames?"

Zhang Yunxiu couldn't help but chuckle, and shook his head with a smile, saying, "Does Your Majesty not know? People's hearts are naturally inclined to seek advantage and avoid harm."

Merchants and gentry are inherently greedy. Seeing the potential for profit, they will drive up the price of glass even without my intervention; with just a little guidance, they will inflate the price ever higher.

As if he had suddenly realized something, the Wanli Emperor raised his eyes and his eyes brightened slightly.

"Is what Shi Yuan is saying the same as the financial bubble in economics?"

“The concepts are similar.” Zhang Yunxiu poured a cup of tea for the emperor and slowly pushed it in front of him. “But the definitions are quite different. If I had to define it, this would be a typical speculative bubble—its price is detached from the actual use value of the commodity and is purely driven by bullish expectations.”

Emperor Wanli raised his eyebrows, his face full of curiosity: "I would like to hear the details."

Zhang Yunxiu pulled out a piece of paper and started writing and drawing.

"Just like this time, the gentry and merchants did not originally have much demand for glass, but they formed the idea that the price of glass would definitely rise, which created a speculative demand."

As the price of glass rises, more and more people want to get a piece of the pie, leading to excessive market frenzy.

Coupled with information asymmetry and herd mentality, more and more people will naturally buy glass.

As more and more people buy, won't the price just go up?

Emperor Wanli only half understood what he was hearing, but he imprinted these words deeply in his mind. As he thought about them, he couldn't help but shudder and say something.

"This method is extremely powerful. If it were used by someone with ulterior motives, wouldn't it be able to bring down a country?"

"It was recorded in the 'Guanzi: Light and Heavy Chapters' long ago."

Zhang Yunxiu tapped the manuscript paper and said.

The so-called "Qi silk and Lu silk" refers to the story of Guan Zhong ordering the people of Qi to buy live deer from the state of Chu at high prices. The people of Chu abandoned farming to pursue profits, and in the end, Qi cut off their supply lines, causing the price of rice in Chu to skyrocket twentyfold.
Guan Zhong conquered various states during the Spring and Autumn Period using the principles of commerce and trade; this was precisely the application of economic principles.

Economics is a theory that can destroy the foundations of a nation without bloodshed.

Emperor Wanli opened his eyes and couldn't help but sigh.

"Economics can be so effective? Fortunately, Shi Yuan is well-versed in this field, and he can finally apply it to the right path of enriching the country and strengthening the military."

His gaze gradually hardened as he thought about how he would study diligently when he got back.

Upon hearing the word "legitimate path," Zhang Yunxiu couldn't help but chuckle. But considering that in this era, those who could participate in this economic experiment were nothing more than high-ranking officials and nobles.

I have absolutely no qualms about swindling money from these people.

Theories are ultimately quite complex; Emperor Wanli preferred to see tangible silver deposits into the accounts.

He looked at Zhang Yunxiu with anticipation and said.

"In that case, when will this glass be sold off? I've noticed that the price of this glass has skyrocketed for several days now; it's time to sell it off."

We sold all the glassware, bursting this damned bubble in one fell swoop.

The imperial court will receive another sum of money this month!

Emperor Wanli even used several economic terms he had learned from "The Wealth of Nations" and "Wanli Xinbao".

"A sell-off?"

Zhang Yunxiu frowned, then spoke in a very serious manner.

"Your Majesty, we are the last people who should cause trouble."

(End of this chapter)