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

Chapter 304 Shi Yuan is my Xiao He! Hai Qingtian goes on a private visit?

"Times have quietly changed. Now, with the help of the futures market and various commodities, the existing commercial development in Jiangnan has taken a big step forward."

Anyone who attempts to hinder this development based on past experience will ultimately be swept away by the tide of history.

Zhang Yunxiu smiled and explained to the emperor.

"Everything in this world has its value. Things are valued for their scarcity. If there are too many items, prices will rise, which is a strange thing and will eventually cause problems."

The disaster in Jiangnan was just like this. The aristocratic families, led by Xu Jie, wanted to inflate prices by hoarding goods and speculating, all for their own selfish interests and to coerce the court. This was simply wishful thinking.

Extremes beget their opposites; going against the general trend of the world will inevitably cause trouble, it's just lacking an opportunity.

"An opportunity?" the Wanli Emperor asked, somewhat puzzled. "What is this opportunity?"

Zhang Yunxiu sneered and said, "Then the Prefect of Yingtian Prefecture, Sun Piyang, is one of the opportunities, and maritime trade is another. If there were no such opportunities, there would certainly be other ones. The goods are flowing into Jiangnan in an endless stream, piling up in warehouses, and prices are continuing to rise, which is against the laws of economics."

Just as a single pebble can trigger an avalanche, the Jiangnan Textile Bureau and Xishan Money Shop, taking advantage of this trend, were able to acquire various high-quality assets using the silver they held.

If we sell at a high price ahead of time, those aristocratic families will inevitably buy up the stock regardless of cost in order to stabilize prices.

In the process, their money was emptied, but they found that there were more and more goods on the market, and the prices were getting lower and lower.

After the price collapse, the agreements between the Jiangnan gentry became meaningless, and the goods from the textile bureau were naturally able to be sold smoothly.

"So that's how it is~"

Emperor Wanli smacked his lips, seemingly still somewhat unsatisfied. He was beginning to understand why Zhang Yunxiu's scheme had succeeded.

The underlying principle is exactly the same as the previous coal mine incident in Beijing, only it has been amplified to the northern and southern Zhili regions, affecting more people.

Thinking of this, Emperor Wanli couldn't help but turn his gaze to the account book at his side, and his eyes involuntarily welled up with tears.

"That's a whole ten million taels of silver!"

It should be noted that around the sixth year of the Wanli reign, the total tax revenue of the Ming Dynasty, including commercial taxes, was only 20 million taels of silver. However, after deducting the salaries of officials, palace expenses, military expenses, and so on, there was still a shortfall of several hundred thousand taels of silver per year.

But this ten million taels of silver is real silver on the books, without any loss or unnecessary expenses. This is silver that the court can withdraw at will!

Zhang Yunxiu said with a smile, "That's not all. The ten million taels is just the income from futures trading, plus the income from the sale of goods by the weaving bureau, and after deducting the funds needed for the implementation of the loan law, there are only ten million taels left."

Furthermore, the Xishan Money Shop's acquisitions of real estate and farmland in Jiangnan, if all of these are included, would easily exceed thirty million taels.

"Shiyuan, ah~"

Emperor Wanli was so overjoyed that he was almost moved to tears.

"You are no different from my Xiao Junfang!"

The young emperor had been in power for nearly ten years and had never earned so much silver.

Let alone Zhang Yunxiu being his classmate and childhood friend, even if Zhang Yunxiu were an ordinary person, if he could earn the court a year's worth of revenue in one go, the emperor would still treat him with great respect.

Why were Yan Song and his son able to control the government for so long? Ultimately, wasn't it because they were able to make money for the Jiajing Emperor?

Forget about friendship; the most genuine and enduring thing in the world is shared interests.

Upon hearing Emperor Wanli compare him to Xiao He, Zhang Yunxiu felt as if he were being elevated, and he quickly cupped his hands in greeting.

"Your Majesty, we are not entirely without worries now. We have indeed made a lot of money, but we have also turned the Jiangnan market into ruins."

If this isn't addressed, the Ming Dynasty's granaries and silver reserves will truly be in trouble in the future.

Emperor Wanli also frowned. He had read a lot of economic theories, and after the other party explained them, he was able to understand them.

This collapse of the futures market has affected not only the prominent families of Jiangnan, but also countless ordinary people. If the economy is not restored to normal in time, chaos is inevitable.

Emperor Wanli's eyes lit up with hope as he asked, "Does Shiyuan have any good ideas?"

Zhang Yunxiu shook his head and said, "Your Majesty, I am good at pioneering and enterprising. As for the method of recuperation and development, it is naturally the Grand Secretary and the officials of the court who are most proficient in it."

Emperor Wanli was speechless. It turned out that Zhang Yunxiu wanted his father to clean up the mess.

However, upon reflection, what the other party said makes a lot of sense. If you take too big a step, you have to pull back. That is undoubtedly something that Zhang Juzheng and those well-read scholars in the court are good at.

He asked again, somewhat suspiciously, "Then what are you going to do?"

Zhang Yunxiu smiled slightly: "The way to enrich the people is nothing more than increasing revenue and reducing expenditure. 'Reducing expenditure' is left to the officials of the court, and I will seek to increase revenue."

As he spoke, he slammed his hand on the desk and said.

"Opening up the sea and introducing new grain varieties are the solutions to the problem."

"Jiangpu County has been located on the north bank of the Yangtze River since ancient times. Its low-lying terrain has made it prone to flooding. Therefore, although it is a vital transportation hub between the north and south, the people there are extremely poor."

Hai Rui and his entourage entered the county town under the jurisdiction of Yingtian Prefecture, with his personal clerk following along and explaining things to them.

"I have heard that although this place has suffered from disasters for years, it is located in the prosperous Jiangnan region, and the taxes collected by the imperial court are no different from those in Nanjing, Taicang, Suzhou and other places. Is this true?"

His question left the clerk speechless, and he stammered as he spoke.

"It seems the imperial court hasn't been very supportive; perhaps they could have provided more disaster relief funds."

Hai Rui lost interest in probing him further and turned to Zhao Rui beside him, saying...

"Manager Zhao, you are a merchant, so you must have a clearer understanding of the situation than government officials. What do you know about the situation in Jiangpu County?"

Zhao Rui had lost a lot of weight, but his face was still as round as a plate. He looked at the rows of dilapidated thatched huts around him and said.

"I don't know much, but if the Jiangnan Textile Bureau wants to promote the use of machines and develop lending business, it must understand the local customs and conditions of various places."

As far as I know, although Jiangpu County often suffers from floods, it has also benefited from this misfortune.

As he spoke, he pointed with his chubby finger to the river not far away.

"Jiangpu County guards the ferry crossing on the north bank of the Yangtze River, facing Nanjing City on the south bank across the river. It is an important node for the north-south water transport, carrying silk and tea from the south and grains and furs from the north."
Furthermore, within the territory of Jiangpu, there are multiple garrisons with over ten thousand military households stationed there. The supplies needed by these military households and their families all contribute to the local economic development.

Hai Rui frowned and said, "Nowadays, military households are corrupt, and many military households have lost their livelihoods. How can there be any talk of a 'military market economy'?"

Zhao Rui smiled and shook his head, saying, "Hai Xiantai is so busy with his affairs that he seems to have forgotten that we previously implemented a method specifically for military households within the garrisons. These military households could help the weaving bureau promote the use of looms, and the weaving bureau would reward them with certain rewards."

Many military households had extensive connections in the local area, so promoting the use of looms was naturally a breeze for them.

Some military households even set up their own looms and made a living by weaving and spinning silk, which was a way to earn a living.

Hai Rui was quite surprised. He finally remembered that there was such a thing. He had come here before, but he had been to too many prefectures and counties, so it was common for him not to remember.

For a moment, Hai Rui couldn't help but sigh and say, "Is this yet another way of doing business?"

Zhao Rui smiled憨厚ly: "Whether it's the way of merchants or the way of Confucianism, the best principle is to be able to apply it to practical use in the world."

Hai Rui paused for a moment, then nodded slightly and said.

"It's a pity that Manager Zhao didn't become an official."

Zhao Rui cupped his hands and said, "If I were an official, I might not have such insights."

Hai Rui continued walking forward without responding, which seemed to be considered tacit agreement.

The group quickly entered Jiangpu County. Zhao Rui led Hai Rui to a small hill and pointed to a row of neat thatched houses in front of him.

"This is our resettlement area. It was built under the unified management of the imperial court. All the timber and fodder were allocated in a unified manner, which naturally reduced the cost considerably. The people who suffered from floods a few months ago were all resettled here."

The government took over the management of the project, which was constructed by the Jiangnan Textile Bureau and the Xishan Money Exchange. A certain amount of rent was collected in the first few months, and the people then repaid the rent by handing over a certain amount of silk and cloth through their looms.

There are now nearly a thousand households.

As Hai Rui listened to Zhao Rui's explanation, each and every one of these measures was clearly quite novel compared to the court's previous actions.

However, he has gradually gotten used to it, and often feels that Xishan's novel methods are more people-oriented and have a more modern feel.

Problems are inevitable, but compared to the traditional methods used by the imperial court, this is already much better. However, no matter how good the method is, it ultimately depends on the people who implement it, which is why Hai Rui is here today.

He wanted to take a good look at how these people were doing amidst the collapse of the Jiangnan futures market.

As soon as they entered the village, a man put down his cart and ran towards Hai Rui and his companions.

"Master Hai! Master Hai!"

Wang Erzhu was extremely enthusiastic, but was stopped by the guards around Hai Rui.

Hai Rui stepped out from behind the guards and spoke to them in a gentle voice.

"This fellow villager, have you ever met Hai before?"

Wang Erzhu grinned, revealing a mouthful of yellow teeth, and said, "I am Wang Erzhu! Hai Qingtian, you must have a bad memory. It was Hai Qingtian and his men who distributed the steamed buns to us a few months ago. I wanted to take an extra one, but the officials in the yamen scolded me. It was you who put in a good word for me!"

As he spoke, tears seemed to well up in Wang Erzhu's eyes.

"My wife was pregnant before, otherwise I wouldn't have bothered to get that extra card. Everyone's starving, so if I get one more, someone else will get one less."

Hai Rui seemed to remember something and nodded slightly, speaking with concern.

"Brother Wang, how is everything at home now? Is your wife still in good health?"

"Perfect timing!" Wang Erzhu said with a smile. "Then I'll take Hai Qingtian to my house for a look."

Hai Rui glanced at Zhao Rui beside him, and after confirming that it was not a deliberate arrangement, he nodded emphatically.

"Then let's go take a look."

Wang Erzhu's house was no different from everyone else's in the village, a thatched hut of the same style. However, once you opened the courtyard gate, the inside was very tidy, and there were even a few hens.

Hai Rui's gaze fell on a spinning machine not far away, which was only half-used and still had some cotton threads hanging on it.

“As the heavens know, since we started doing business with the officials of the weaving bureau, we can earn the money we used to make in half a month just by using this ‘Heavenly Weaving Machine’ every day.”

Wang Erzhu seemed very excited when he saw Hai Rui.

"The imperial court had never reduced or exempted taxes before, but this time they have reduced them for us. We earn money by weaving machines, and the imperial court has reduced or exempted taxes for two years, so our lives are naturally getting better."

"Taxes?" Hai Rui asked, somewhat puzzled.

Zhao Rui, who was standing to the side, explained: "Hai Xiantai may know that whenever the imperial court encounters disasters, it will reduce or exempt taxes and corvée labor for the local areas. However, whether or not the taxes and corvée labor are reduced or exempted is up to the county magistrate."

He smiled slightly.

"After we arrive at the Xishan Textile Bureau, all the information from below must be compiled into a yellow register and reported in the form of a report."

To some extent, this also curbed the arbitrary and reckless actions of local officials.

"Hmm." Hai Rui nodded slightly, quickly understanding the crux of the matter.

Immediately afterwards, bursts of crying came from inside the house.

Wang Erzhu looked rather embarrassed and scratched his head as he spoke.

"I'm sorry, Hai Qingtian. I suppose the boy is crying again. Please come in and have some tea, gentlemen. I'll be right back."

"No need for tea, just a cup of water."

Hai Rui waved his hand and followed him into the house.

While Wang Erzhu was inside, he quickly swept the room. It was a mess but orderly place. Most importantly, the briquettes next to the stove were piled up like a small mountain, and the new rice in the earthenware jar was clean and free of impurities.

All these details indicate that Wang Erzhu's family had indeed improved their situation, and Hai Rui naturally remembered him.

Could it be true, as Zhang Jianxiu said, that the poor people of Jiangnan actually benefited?

A short while later, Wang Erzhu, with his wife and a baby in his arms, knelt down before Hai Rui as soon as he entered the door.

"This humble citizen, Wang Erzhu, thanks Hai Qingtian for his great kindness and virtue, and thanks everyone in Xishan. Without you all, I, Wang Erzhu, would not have the good fortune I enjoy today."

"Zhang Cuiyu, a commoner"

The baby in the swaddling clothes was also crying loudly, as if it wanted to speak.

As Hai Rui watched this scene, his beard trembled slightly, as if he were somewhat moved.

In the end, they did not stay. Hai Rui taught Wang Erzhu and his wife some of the essentials of the loom, had the clerk record their information, and then planned to go and see other places.

However, when Hai Rui stepped out of the thatched hut, he had a genuine smile on his face.

But before long, a commotion arose outside.

A group of peddlers and merchants, holding scissors, knives and other items, had gathered outside the village entrance at some unknown time.

The man at the head of the group, his eyes bloodshot, shouted.

"Is Hai Rui here? Tell that corrupt official to get out here! If it weren't for him, how could we have ended up in this state!"

"My wife ran away, it's all Xishan and Hai Rui's doing!"

"The officials in the government are deceiving their superiors and exploiting the people. I've already lost everything, so I might as well trade my life for theirs and fight this corrupt official to the death!"

"Fight him! Fight him!"

The dozens of people immediately burst into a loud shout.

At the village entrance, many local men, carrying farm tools, rushed over upon hearing the commotion. They confronted the group of peddlers and merchants, and tensions quickly escalated.

The village elders rushed over, gritting their teeth and trembling their white beards as they spoke.

"What are you all doing today? Trying to rebel? Chen Laosan, you've become obsessed with money, and now that you've lost it, you're blaming the government? If you knew this would happen, why did you do it in the first place? If only you had lived an honest life..."

The leader, Chen Laosan, looked more like a thug. He was carrying a pig-slaughtering knife and spoke viciously.

"If I'm not doing well, no one else should either. Living a peaceful life? There are plenty of people here who live peacefully, but they still can't make a living."

We can't even live a good life, yet those officials in the imperial court eat and drink like royalty every day. What kind of logic is that?

The village elder, trembling, said, "You dare to curse Hai Qingtian? If he's a corrupt official, then there are no honest officials left in the world! You lot!"

At this moment, a peddler jumped out. He had a large abscess on his face and said viciously.

"Old Wang, it's not that we don't want to live a peaceful life, it's just that this court is only interested in profit. If it weren't for the court promoting those futures laws and those weaving machines, would our business be unable to continue? You all live a good life, but we are not citizens of the Ming Dynasty? What kind of logic is that?"

There was a huge commotion at the village entrance. Hai Rui was about to go and investigate when Wang Erzhu, who was carrying a pitchfork, stopped him.

Wang Erzhu said with red eyes, "Hai Qingtian, there are spies in our village. They came shortly after you arrived. Please go and hide in my house first. These merchants have lost money and are acting like they don't care about their lives. If they hurt Hai Qingtian, I will be the talk of the village."

Hai Rui frowned and asked, "Merchant? Peddler?"

Wang Erzhu nodded and said, "That's right. These people either went to Nanjing to buy futures by all means, or they stockpiled a lot of goods. The better ones are doing some small business."

Lately, they've all lost money, so naturally they've been constantly clamoring for war against the government.

Zhao Rui also advised from the side, "Hai Xiantai, village feuds are common. We didn't bring enough people with us this time, so it's best to be careful. Send someone to find the county yamen constables to handle this matter."

Hai Rui, however, became stubborn: "Our purpose in coming here is to investigate the people's conditions. Now that their conditions have come to us, why should we hide?"

He immediately gave the order.

"Take some men to the county government office to look for the person. Leave a few men with me to go and ask these merchants and peddlers!"

"Lord Hai!?" Zhao Rui was somewhat incredulous. "A wise man does not stand under a crumbling wall!"

Hai Rui glared and said, "What do you mean by a dangerous wall? If the Jiangnan Textile Bureau truly represents the will of the people, I have the protection of these villagers. What is there to fear?"

(End of this chapter)