prosperous age

Wei Guangde was still considering developing Ming Dynasty's industry, starting with the wool textile industry.

These days, it is a complete seller's market. Daming's products are famous for their exquisite craftsmanship, and they are almost never hard to sell.

Why don’t you worry about not being able to sell your products?

The West was a nouveau riche before it became what it is today, and its largest market was Spain. They dug mines in the Americas and had countless gold and silver, which greatly stimulated the purchasing power of the Spanish nobles.

They bought up all the best things in Europe, and of course a large amount of gold and silver flowed to other European countries.

In this way, the whole of Europe was flooded with gold and silver from America, and market activity increased.

Of course, all this gold and silver is still in the hands of the nobles and big businessmen of various countries, and ordinary people are still suffering and working hard for three meals a day.

Correspondingly, the Portuguese also gained huge profits through trade in Africa and Asia.

In fact, it is relatively easy to get involved in trade in this era, as long as you have the transportation capability.

The Age of Discovery was naturally all about shipbuilding. As long as one could build seagoing ships for international trade, one could make endless profits.

As a result, countries and regions with developed shipbuilding industries also followed the example of Spain and Portugal and vigorously developed maritime trade.

Among them, the first to rise was not the future European overlords Britain, France and Germany, but a place called the Netherlands.

The Netherlands is just a region along the northern coast of Europe, roughly including the present-day Netherlands, parts of western Germany, Luxembourg, Belgium, and northern France.

In the Middle Ages, there were many feudal territories there, belonging to the Duchy of Burgundy and the Holy Roman Empire.

The Netherlands was officially established in the early 14s, but it remained in a state of feudal fragmentation until the 60th century.

In the early 16th century, due to complex royal marriages, it was gradually unified under the rule of the Habsburg dynasty of the Holy Roman Empire, and the ruler of the Habsburg dynasty at that time was also the King of Spain.

Therefore, the Netherlands began to be ruled by Spain at this time.

The King of Spain at that time was Charles V, who was the Emperor of the Habsburg Dynasty of the Holy Roman Empire, the Monarch of the Netherlands, the King of Germany, and a member of the Austrian Habsburg Dynasty.

At this time, Spain was extremely powerful. It also won wars with the Kingdom of France and the Ottoman Empire, establishing its hegemony over the European continent.

In order to get rid of Spain, the Netherlands at that time launched a long war that lasted 1568 years, also known as the Eighty Years' War, starting in 80 under the leadership of William I, Prince of Orange.

The sprouts of capitalism in the Netherlands appeared almost at the same time as in Italy, around the 14th century AD.

By the 16th century, the development of capitalism in Italy gradually came into a state of stagnation, while it developed rapidly in the Netherlands.

The capitalist economy of the Netherlands developed early and grew rapidly, with handicraft workshops producing woolen cloth, silk, linen, carpets, soap, glassware, leather and metal products developing rapidly.

Although at this time, the separatist situation of the Dutch princes led to internal chaos, and they were not able to extend their hands to the sea to compete with the old maritime powers such as Spain and Portugal.

However, the development of capitalism laid a good foundation for the development of the Netherlands. Its shipbuilding industry was also on the rise at this time, and it began to export materials from the region.

In fact, from the development of the Netherlands at that time, it can be seen that thanks to the large amount of gold and silver brought back to Europe by the Spaniards, the entire European market was activated and the economy was in an unprecedented state of development.

This is also the main reason why Ming Dynasty products could be circulated around the world almost without any obstacles during the Ming Dynasty.

Although Europeans ushered in the Age of Discovery, their industrial production was still extensive and could not compare with the finely crafted products of the Ming Dynasty.

The products of the Ming Dynasty were treasures coveted by the European upper class and big businessmen, and there was no trouble selling them.

Even though the wool textile industry in Europe had flourished during this period, product quality still lagged behind that of the Ming Dynasty. Perhaps after the Ming Dynasty's wool textiles entered the European market, they could only compete in the mid- and low-end markets.

For the high-end market, nobles and big businessmen still prefer products from the East.

Wei Guangde actually didn’t know that Europe was also developing the wool textile industry at this time, but it was still in the early stages of development and had not yet reached the point of “sheep eating people”.

But it will be soon. After all, there, people can think of and do anything to make money.

Therefore, he is now considering using the sheep on the Mongolian grasslands to provide him with a steady supply of cheap wool for weaving, and then dumping it abroad to make money.

However, after he finished dinner, Zhang Ji came in and reported: "Master, Lord Tan and Lord Jiang are here."

"Besides them, are there any others?"

Wei Guangde asked calmly.

"There is also Lord Wang Xilie from the Ministry of Rites and Lord Wei Shiliang from the Ministry of Justice."

Zhang Ji called out a few more names, and Wei Guangde nodded, "Please ask them to go to the flower hall for tea. I'll change my clothes and leave."

The reason why those old guys came to Wei Guangde was naturally because of Zou Yuanbiao's matter.

Even though the matter may seem insignificant, it involves the unity of their small group.

Why can they command the people below when they are in a high position? It is because they feel that they have someone protecting them, so their career path will be much smoother.

Although Zou Yuanbiao was looking for trouble himself, they were also watching to see if the bosses could protect him.

At the beginning, they also thought that Wei Shiliang could suppress Zou Yuanbiao. After all, he was his superior. If Zou Yuanbiao wanted to stay in the capital, he had to keep Wei Shiliang well-served.

But who would have known that in the afternoon, when they heard the news from the Ministry of Justice, Zou Yuanbiao and Wei Shiliang were at loggerheads and refused to withdraw their memorials.

They do understand that it is a headache to meet such a stubborn person, and it would be the same for anyone.

I just saw Wei Shiliang outside, and a few people asked about this.

"Regarding Erzhan's matter, I have already discussed it with Feng Bao this afternoon.

You will definitely not be able to escape this beating. His Majesty got angry yesterday and beat a few people to make an example of them.

He committed this crime in defiance of the law. Your Majesty will certainly not let him off easily.

However, Feng Bao also promised that he would not kill the patient and that it was just a superficial wound that would heal in a few days.

Officials can stay, but they will be sent to serve in remote places.

With his personality, he is really not suitable to stay in the capital. This is also to protect him."

In the flower hall, Wei Guangde sat down and exchanged a few pleasantries before getting down to business.

"That's good too. I hope Erzhan can mature after this setback."

Wei Shiliang spoke up.

"For a stubborn person like him, the Censorate is the best place for him to go."

Wang Xilie spoke.

Wei Guangde glanced at Wang Xilie. This old guy probably also wants to make progress.

Probably because of seeing the current situation in the cabinet, he might be betting on joining the cabinet or succeeding Ma Ziqiang as the Minister of Rites.

Now in the cabinet, Zhang Juzheng introduced Zhang Siwei, who suppressed Wei Guangde in the cabinet.

In theory, Wei Guangde should also consider introducing allies to increase his voice in the cabinet.

Wang Xilie had some conflicts with Wei Guangde before, but now he seems to have thought it through and plans to cooperate with Wei Guangde.

But Wei Guangde never thought of helping Wang Xilie. There was no way. His beard was already very big, and it was too late for him to think of making progress now.

Age is a major flaw for officials.

"Come on, if he goes to the Censorate, I'm afraid Shandai won't be able to clean up his mess.

This is trouble just after entering the court, and it is no small matter.

The memorial he submitted, to put it bluntly, was an insult to the emperor."

Jiang Zhi spoke up.

With Zou Yuanbiao's temper, none of his fellow villagers dared to speak up for him or employ him. Next, Wei Guangde talked to them about the Yellow River flood control and the southwest, and then sent them out of the mansion.

Before leaving, Wei Guangde gave each of them a piece of woolen cloth.

Cashmere is precious and even people like Tan Lun and Jiang Zhi don't have it.

Wang Xilie's family was well-off, and when he saw the woolen cloth, he recognized it at a glance and found that it was not blue velvet, but a slightly inferior fabric.

“This is not made of cashmere, but wool from the Mongolian grasslands.

They keep warm by weaving blankets made from wool, but the craftsmanship is very poor.

I asked someone to set up a chamber of commerce, and brought back a lot of wool from the grassland for weaving, and that's how this thing came about.

We actually made a batch last year, but the quantity was small, and it is said to be quite effective in keeping out the cold.”

Wei Guangde smiled.

Wei Guangde did not want last year’s woolen cloth, mainly because the output was low.

These things were sent to the caravans in Liaodong, so that they could experience the warming effect of wool.

If you make something that doesn't keep you warm, it's doomed.

After using it last year, we found that it was effective in keeping out the cold, so we started to increase production, and the officially produced products were naturally sent to the Wei Mansion first.

There is still time before winter, so I can make a few sets of clothes and change into them when the weather gets cooler.

Early the next morning, not long after Wei Guangde entered the cabinet, Lu Bu came to deliver a letter, and the Jinyiwei received an order to arrest Zou Yuanbiao early in the morning.

Not only that, the palace issued an order that all Beijing officials, unless it was a particularly urgent matter, should go to the Meridian Gate to supervise the executions.

The news from Lubu was naturally a notification, and Wei Guangde had to go as well.

After seeing two beatings for three consecutive days, Wei Guangde was speechless.

As scheduled, Wei Guangde arrived at the Meridian Gate and saw a man in a white inner garment tied to a bench, with four eunuchs standing in front and behind him, ready to torture him.

He looked a little disheveled, with his hair in disarray.

"Mr. Wei Ge."

"Master Wei, you are here."

After Wei Guangde arrived, several people from the six ministries who were in the front line greeted him one after another.

Wei Guangde also bowed all the way. After all, although he held a higher official position, he was younger than most of the people here, so he couldn't be arrogant.

Age is both an advantage and a disadvantage for Wei Guangde.

Seeing Wei Shiliang, Wei Guangde pointed over there and asked in a low voice: "What's going on?"

The day before yesterday, Wu Zhongxing and the others didn’t look so miserable. At least they didn’t look so miserable before the execution.

"The Jinyiwei went there, and he even resisted, but that's it."

Wei Shiliang said in a low voice, and Wei Guangde was also speechless.

It is said that when a scholar meets a soldier, he cannot explain himself clearly. This Zou Yuanbiao was so clueless that he actually made physical contact with the Jinyiwei.

"Have you found a doctor yet?"

Wei Guangde asked in a low voice.

"The best trauma doctor in the city, he took me away for treatment right after the fight. Sigh."

Wei Shiliang answered in a low voice.

After all, he was on his side, and it was a bit embarrassing for him to see someone being spanked in public.

Although the Ming Dynasty's "court" was very powerful and many people were proud of having been beaten with a stick in the court, that was actually just a view held by the ignorant people in the common people, who believed that only those who dared to contradict the emperor were men of iron will.

They had never seen the miserable state of those who were beaten with the cane in the court. Not to mention those who did not survive, even those who survived, if they did not get help in time, they would have become disabled.

"Fifty strokes of the cane, hopefully that will wake him up."

Wei Guangde said in a low voice.

When the time came, Zhang Hong walked out of the Meridian Gate, spoke a few words to the eunuchs outside, and then ordered the execution.

Feng Bao didn't come, probably because he felt it was boring.

If he came, I was afraid that I wouldn't be able to hold back and would forget how to place my feet.

"clap clap"

Two court sticks were swung one after another. The person in front counted loudly, while the other squatted there and observed the condition of the person being punished.

If the wooden stick falls out of the person's mouth, the torture should be stopped immediately and continued after the person bites it again.

There were no heart-wrenching screams, and there was no other sound except the sound of beatings and counting.

When the eunuch shouted "fifty", the sound of beating stopped abruptly.

"The execution is over, everyone can go home."

At this time, Zhang Hong shouted at the officials surrounding outside, not even bothering to say a word of teaching.

Perhaps, in the eyes of these eunuchs, all the officials outside, whether they were wearing red or green robes, were a group of people without good eyesight.

Knowing that the Empress is unhappy and the Emperor is dissatisfied, he still comes up to ask for a beating. Isn't that despicable?

Wei Guangde did not go up to check the situation. The four eunuchs over there had already retreated, and Wei Shiliang had already gone up with a few people.

Since the person is from the Ministry of Justice, naturally they have to take responsibility for it.

A doctor walked over carrying a medicine box. Wei Guangde just took a look and turned around to walk towards the Meridian Gate.

Today's matter is over. I hope no one will continue to cause trouble.

Outside the Meridian Gate, most of the people who had gathered before had left, but there were still more than 20 new scholars who had not left. They were still concerned about Zou Yuanbiao's injuries.

Wei Guangde returned to the duty room and received another note from Lubu.

"It was sent by the chief steward, saying it was about what happened in the Prime Minister's residence last night."

Lu Bu whispered.

Wei Guangde took it and took a look. It turned out that Ma Ziqiang, Wang Xijue and others had gone to Zhang Juzheng to plead for mercy, asking him to plead with the palace to bypass Zou Yuanbiao.

Seeing this, Wei Guangde’s eyes widened.

Is this because he is afraid that Zhang Juzheng will let Zou Yuanbiao go or what?

It is obvious that the palace will never let this matter go, otherwise who knows how many people will follow suit and continue to make trouble.

However, it was written that when Zhang Juzheng was forced into a corner, he actually pulled out the knife and handed it to Ma Ziqiang, asking him to kill him.

This directly frightened Ma Ziqiang, Wang Xijue and others, and they had to return in disappointment.

"What kind of reforms are there? In ancient China, no reforms ever ended well."

After a long while, Wei Guangde put down the note and sighed. (End of this chapter)