My hotel is full of emperors throughout history.

He grabbed Zhu Di's arm, his fingers clenching tightly with excitement.

"How big is that silver mine? How much silver can it produce?"

This is nothing like the Northern Expedition. The Northern Expedition was a money-devouring beast that only ate money and never spent it.

Now that we hear that Japan has a large silver mine, what does that mean?

This means you can make money this way!

Zhu Di's arm went numb from being shaken so much that he slapped his hand away and chuckled.

"Very large! Young Chen said that silver mine accounts for about 30 to 40% of the world's total."

"Hiss~!"

Zhu Gaochi's eyes gleamed with a sharp light.

"Fight! We must fight! Fight now!"

"Father! I'll approve the permit right away. We can't let such a huge silver mine go to waste!"

"Your Majesty, I will immediately instruct the Ministry of Revenue to allocate provisions and fodder, and order the coastal garrisons to prepare for war!"

Zhu Gaochi looked at Zhu Di, who seemed somewhat surprised, and smiled.

"Father, don't worry. As long as we can secure the silver mine, it's worth it, even if it means emptying half the national treasury to fund the military!"

He suddenly remembered something and added.

"And then there's Zheng He's fleet. After conquering Japan, they'll conveniently sail to the Western Ocean, bringing back silver from the mines and depositing it directly into banks as reserves. Once the new banknotes are issued, the people will surely scramble to buy them!"

Zhu Di couldn't help but tease him, seeing his eagerness to lead the troops into battle immediately.

"You fat lad, you're even more eager than I am when you hear there's money involved."

He changed the subject, his tone becoming serious.

"However, Japan has a complex terrain, and the navy needs to be well prepared. Zheng He's fleet can carry troops and transport supplies. If he is deployed to fight alongside the coastal garrisons, the chances of victory will be greater."

Zhu Gaochi nodded repeatedly, already making a list in his mind.

"Your Majesty, I will immediately draft an edict ordering Zheng He to suspend preparations for his voyages to the Western Ocean and to first reorganize the navy."

"Have the Ministry of Works rush to build more warships and prepare more cannons. As for the Ministry of Revenue, I will personally oversee the allocation of provisions and ensure that the soldiers do not lack food or clothing!"

As Zhu Gaochi spoke, his face was flushed, and the previous worries had long since vanished.

After he finished speaking, he glanced at Zhu Di again, his tone somewhat resentful.

"Dad, why didn't you say so sooner! If you had, the money might have already been paid off! And I wouldn't have gotten so thin from worrying about money!"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Di nearly blew his beard dry.

"Why didn't you say so earlier? Didn't I already tell you we were going to attack Japan?"

"But you keep saying you don't have the money and won't approve it! What can I do?"

Zhu Gaochi gave an awkward smile.

"We didn't know there was a silver mine there back then!"

"Those Japanese pirates have been harassing the coast for years, robbing our people of their property and cutting off our maritime trade routes. They deserve to be fought! Now that we know there are silver mines buried beneath them, we have an even better reason to attack—we can eliminate the scourge and seize the silver mountain at the same time, killing two birds with one stone!"

"good!"

Zhu Di nodded, stroked his beard, and smiled, but quickly changed his tone, his eyes filled with murderous intent.

"Boss, I don't care about anything else, I only have one request!"

Zhu Di looked at Zhu Gaochi and said sternly.

"After conquering Japan, every man taller than a cartwheel was killed!"

At this point, Zhu Di, fearing that Zhu Gaochi might not understand, added a sentence.

"Put the wheels flat."

"Lay it flat???"

Zhu Gaochi stared with his round eyes, not coming to his senses for a long time.

He subconsciously gestured to indicate the height, then fell silent.

"This...this means even teenagers are being killed?"

"Father, you've killed too many!"

"many?"

Zhu Di's eyes flashed with anger, and his fists clenched so tightly they cracked.

"Those Japanese pirates burned, killed, and looted along the coast; how many families were destroyed and lives lost?"

"Later generations have gone even further, seizing our land and slaughtering our people. This blood feud will be repaid today, with interest!"

"Flatten the wheels, leave no one alive! Anyone capable of wielding a knife must be eliminated!"

Zhu Gaochi shrank back in fear of the murderous intent in his eyes, but still forced himself to persuade him.

"Father, revenge is important, but someone needs to mine that silver mine!"

He counted on his fingers.

"If we kill all the men taller than a cartwheel, who will mine the silver? We can't expect our Ming soldiers to lay down their swords and dig for gold, can we? That would be such a waste of time!"

Zhu Gaochi pondered for a moment.

"How about this—kill the most heinous Japanese pirate leaders and bandits who are taller than a cartwheel, and keep the remaining able-bodied men to mine! Give them rations and let them mine day and night. All the silver they dig out will belong to our Great Ming. Isn't that more worthwhile than killing them?"

Zhu Di frowned slightly, and the murderous intent in his eyes eased a little.

He was so focused on revenge that he forgot about the silver mine.

Chen said that the silver mine has huge reserves, and it's a real pity that no one is mining it.

But keeping it doesn't feel like enough to vent my anger.

Zhu Di said indignantly.

"Keep them? Aren't you afraid they'll rebel?"

"What's there to be afraid of!"

Zhu Gaochi patted his chest.

"Gather their families under strict guard, and station heavy troops to protect the mining areas. If they dare to rebel, kill their families!"

"Besides, we're giving them food, which is better than them starving in Japan. They'd be grateful enough, they wouldn't dare rebel!"

He rolled his eyes and added another sentence.

"We can deal with it after the silver mine is almost depleted!"

Zhu Di stared at him for a long time, then suddenly chuckled.

"You fat bastard, all you think about is money! Fine, we'll do it your way—the ringleaders will be executed, the able-bodied men will be kept to mine, and their families will be kept under close surveillance. Any disturbances will be met with death!"

He paused, then seemed to remember something.

"I remember that Chen had already drawn a rough map of the silver mines in Japan, marking which mines were the richest."

"Later, have Zheng He take the map and lead the navy to first capture the coastal outposts, then head straight for the silver mine. Don't let those Japanese destroy the mine!"

"Father, rest assured! Your son will speak to Zheng He immediately and tell him to protect the silver mine at all costs!"

Zhu Gaochi was overjoyed.

We've finally managed to get the money!

Zhu Gaochi smiled, then suddenly remembered what Zhu Di had just said and turned to ask again.

"Father...you just said that Manager Chen has two methods, paper money and banks. What are banks?"

"Banks! Those are really powerful!"

Zhu Di chuckled.

"Firstly, it allows people to deposit their silver and earn some interest, thus giving us a large amount of cash to circulate."

"Secondly, we can lend money to merchants and collect some interest, which is another source of income."

"Thirdly, banks are specifically in charge of issuing and exchanging new banknotes. Anyone who wants to exchange banknotes must do so with silver or goods. They will never print an extra one. In this way, the new banknotes will not depreciate, the people will trust them, and merchants will be willing to use them. Wouldn't that mean we've got the currency firmly in our hands?"

Zhu Gaochi was deeply moved and wished he could do it immediately.

"Wonderful! Absolutely wonderful!"

He slapped his thigh.

"After defeating Japan, we had the silver. With the new paper money as capital, the banks managed both deposits and loans, as well as the circulation of the new banknotes. Coupled with the accounting methods of later generations, the Ministry of Revenue no longer had to worry about money!"

Thinking of the good days to come, Zhu Gaochi couldn't help but howl.

"My God!!! Why didn't you bring out all these good things sooner???"

Zhu Di blushed.

"Isn't this what I've been learning from that kid Chen these past few days!"

"Oh, right..."

Zhu Di pondered for a moment, looking Zhu Gaochi up and down at his obese body.

"I'll take you to a hospital in the future for a checkup when I have the chance! I have a feeling you're sick."

Zhu Gaochi: ...

"Father, this isn't necessary! I believe I'm in good health."

Zhu Di's eyes widened.

"What do you know? Modern hospitals can detect diseases that are invisible. The sooner you treat them, the better. Otherwise, if you suddenly collapse one day, who will manage the Ministry of Revenue, the banks, and the silver mines for me?"

Zhu Gaochi's lips twitched, and he subconsciously touched his stomach, muttering something.

"Your Majesty, this is a sign of good fortune! You can eat, sleep, and do accounting, so where would you get sick? Besides, we're busy with preparations for the Japanese invasion, the bank's regulations, and the design of new banknotes. How could we have time to go to some kind of modern-day hospital?"

Fearing that Zhu Di would insist, he quickly changed the subject.

"Father! Let's get down to business—we need to expedite things with Zheng He, reconfirm the silver mine blueprints, and expedite the selection of bank officials. These matters cannot be delayed!"

Zhu Di was outmaneuvered, but he didn't completely let him go.

"Business is business, but we can't neglect our health!"

He snorted.

"It's settled then. Once we've taken over the Japanese silver mines and opened the first bank, you must come with me to the future to investigate!"

"Father... I'm really fine. I've only gained a little weight."

"Heh~! Just a little?"