Imperial Master of the Ming Dynasty

"The method is very simple. Going to the Western Ocean requires building ships, sailors, and an army. It requires a lot of money."

"As for this money, the emperor takes the lead and asks all clans to contribute, and the nobles contribute according to their title level."

"At the beginning, some people may be reluctant, but now, whether it is the clan or the nobles, looking at the emperor's face, it is impossible not to pay this money."

"Even in order to please the emperor, even if they think the emperor wants to put the money into his pocket, they will compete and compete to give out the money."

"And only once they return with a full load, only once they receive a profit that is much more than the capital."

"They will automatically go all out to join the voyage to the West without anyone's lobbying."

“In this way, a certain interest class that is inherently stable can be transformed into a firm supporter of maritime trade.”

"And trade is getting bigger and bigger as costs increase!"

"The silks, porcelain, and spices of the Ming Dynasty were sold to the far west, and they all fetched sky-high prices!"

"In just a few years, the Ming Dynasty could plunder wealth from maritime trade that far exceeds the land tax countless times!"

Clear the clouds and see the sun!

Zhu Di suddenly realized, a feeling of enlightenment suddenly emerged, and a smile appeared on his face that was slightly red from drinking.

How to achieve the unparalleled achievements in his heart, Zhu Di has thought about this question countless times, but in this era, trapped by the so-called limitations of the times, he can't find the answer at all!

Since the land tax based on farming civilization cannot meet the expenditure required for him to achieve unparalleled achievements, then find another way and use ocean trade to help him become an emperor through the ages!

But if you don't have enough strength, you will be bound to the clan and the nobles!

If all the clans and nobles boarded his ship, what use would it be if the gentry class, who relied on farming and studying to pass down their family lineage, objected?

Without even a hint from the emperor, those clans and nobles who had received massive benefits would become the emperor's staunchest supporters and fight against the gentry and civil servants.

And as time goes by, when the decision to open the sea is proven to be completely correct, more and more gentry and civil servants will naturally embark on this big ship.

And the gentry and civil servants would naturally split into the sea-opening faction and the sea-forbidding faction. It was too late to fight among themselves. How could they restrict the actions of the emperor, clan, and nobles?

By then, Ming Dynasty will become the richest and most powerful country in the world.

With money, Zhu Di can study as many books as he wants, and fight Beiyuan as he wants!

Governed the Tang and Song Dynasties, and reached the Han and Tang Dynasties far away!

This goal that seemed out of reach just now, Zhu Di suddenly felt that it was so close to him!

Due to the specially designed sound eavesdropping system [one-way transmission], Zhu Di was not afraid that his voice would be heard by the other side.

Zhu Di stood up suddenly and praised excitedly.

"Jiang Xinghuo is a peerless genius!"

At the same time, Zhu Gaoxu, who was next door, suddenly realized and said: "Mr. Jiang, I understand!"

"Tell me."

"So, the first one is adjusting the clan support system, and the second one is overseas trade. They are basically the 'mutually reinforcing' relationship you mentioned, right?"

Without waiting for Jiang Xinghuo's answer, Zhu Gaoxu continued following his own train of thought.

"The purpose of adjusting the clan support system is to reduce the financial pressure on the Ming Dynasty in the future, and the 'vassal contribution rate' is to allow various vassals to compare and compete with each other to see who spends more money and has more people in overseas trade. , and they have made great contributions; and the 'dedication aspect of the clan members' is to see whether these clan members take their work seriously when they participate in overseas trade, or when they serve in places such as the Imperial Mansion, right?"

"That's right." Jiang Xinghuo nodded happily.

Zhu Di on the other side was a little surprised.

On the one hand, looking back, I also understood what the "contribution rate" when evaluating the vassal state and the "dedication" when evaluating clan members were about. I was surprised that when Jiang Xinghuo designed the system, they were so closely related. Buckle, not a step wrong.

On the other hand, he was pleasantly surprised that his stupid son actually got the idea? You know, when I was a child, I didn't even study and learn principles when I was whipped. I only knew how to dance with a spear and a stick. It's really amazing that Jiang Xinghuo can enlighten this stupid boy who is as stone as a stone.

"I finally figured out the matter of reducing the vassal status."

"I dare to ask Mr. Jiang, what is the "On National Destiny" that you mentioned repeatedly, what is it about?"

Hearing Zhu Gaoxu's question, Zhu Di's heart also aroused strong curiosity.

It seems that this "On National Destiny" is a very important thing.

"We'll talk about this later. I can ask you two questions first. You can do some thinking and come back to the class with the results of your thinking. The effect will be much better."

"Excuse me, Mr. Jiang."

Zhu Gaoxu, who had killed an enemy general out of a million soldiers, was extremely respectful when facing Jiang Xinghuo, who was powerless, like a child waiting for his teacher to enlighten him.

"Why does the phenomenon of 'the world must be divided for a long time and united for a long time' repeated over and over again in the land of China? The life span of the dynasties generally does not exceed three hundred years? The replacement of dynasties from one generation to the next is really a cycle of five virtues that restrain the way of heaven?"

"Why is it that at the beginning of a dynasty, the kings are always wise, and after two or three generations of emperors, they can often reach the peak of national power, and then there are several generations of kings who are ignorant and incompetent, and eventually the power is transferred to outsiders, until the country is destroyed?"

"Think about these two questions carefully and tell me your answers during the next lecture."

As the whistle sounded to end the parade, there was no more movement next door.

Zhu Di pushed away the two clerks in the secret room, sat on the chair, and tapped the armrest with his knuckles.

Zhu Di lowered his eyes and looked at the papers on the desk that were densely filled with the content of Jiang Xinghuo's lecture today, and fell into deep thought.

Today, he was greatly shocked.

After being stuck in the fog for a long time, Zhu Di finally found his goal and the method to achieve it. This also brought new confusion.

What is the reason for the change of dynasties and the longevity of dynasties?

Maybe it’s time to take today’s events and the questions raised by Jiang Xinghuo to Datianjie Temple to talk to Master Daoyan.

After a long time, Zhu Di sorted out today's gains and then looked up at Ji Gang.

"Those two people just now."

"Wei Chen understands!"

Ji Gang looked solemn.

These two clerks, one named Guo Jing and the other Chai Che, were both scholars who Ji Gang captured from the Imperial College and the Post House to help after the Yan army broke through the city. They heard too many secrets that they should not hear. They are destined not to get out of the prison alive, but their families, Ji Gang, will take care of them.

Human life is worthless in the eyes of those in power.

What's more, Zhu Di, who has been fighting for half his life and killing countless people, is in the eyes of the emperor.

But contrary to Ji Gang's expectation, Zhu Di said casually while gathering the papers on the desk together with his own hands.

"Let them keep coming tomorrow."