prosperous age

Wei Guangde was unaware that, according to historical developments, this war did indeed break out in Europe decades later, directly leading to the depletion of silver in the Ming Dynasty.

Yes, because although Ming Dynasty merchants had made a fortune through maritime trade, they were inherently merchants who used their silver to buy land or hoard it, resulting in a shortage of silver in circulation.

The crisis at the end of the Chongzhen reign was due to both war and trade issues; it can only be said that all these factors happened at the same time, leading to the collapse of the Ming Empire.

However, Wei Guangde has now noticed that, yes, he can't witness history, but he still knows something about the economic crisis and its impact.

The outbreak of World War II was essentially a consequence of World War I, an extreme backlash against Germany after it had been pushed too far by Britain, the United States, and other countries.

Perhaps, even without the mustache, the German people would have chosen this path, only it would have been much more winding.

It was this thought that made Wei Guangde anxious.

The Ming Dynasty is now vigorously developing industry and commerce because it believes that the world economy may be in a state of supply shortage for the next one or two hundred years.

Yes, he completely ignored the fact that each era has its own characteristics and its own consumption power.

When we think that the economy is extremely bad and lacks growth momentum in a certain era, it is not necessarily because businessmen are not enterprising, but because they are limited by the times.

If the Ming Dynasty had continued to develop according to Wei Guangde's vision, although it could have created a huge commercial empire, the final result would have been an even more irreversible crisis due to this war, which might have been the catalyst for the Ming Dynasty's demise.

Yes, when the economy develops to its extreme, changes in the external environment prevent the domestic economy of the Ming Dynasty from being fully utilized, and it falls into a crisis of internal circulation, the destructive power will be much greater than in the past.

Perhaps, at this point, the working class would launch a rebellion due to unemployment, and might even overthrow the Ming Dynasty.

At this point, Wei Guangde had already thought of this. In order to develop industry and commerce, he had put forward many radical opinions during Zhang Juzheng's reforms.

For example, the policy of merging the poll tax into the land tax was implemented for less than a year, and many people in Songjiang Prefecture gave up farming and turned to industry and commerce to work.

Well, they could actually be considered the working class in later generations.

Wei Guangde stood there straight, his mind racing.

To resolve this predicament, at the very least, one must consider alternative strategies; otherwise, Wei Guangde believes he might become a sinner in history.

Although by then, European countries would be too preoccupied with war to look eastward, the internal turmoil in the Ming Dynasty could result in the change of Han Chinese dynasties or invasion by surrounding foreign tribes.

At least up to this point, Wei Guangde knew that powerful foreign tribes existed around the Ming Dynasty, including not only the Mongols in the north, but also the Jurchens in Liaodong and Tibet in the west.

At the same time, this internal strife could even cause them to lose the hard-won gains in Myanmar and Old Port again.

Old Port and Burma were Wei Guangde's key tools for controlling the Strait of Malacca, and also an important link for the Ming Dynasty's navy to enter and exit the Indian Ocean and embrace the world.

Without Burma, the Ming Dynasty's news channels would remain closed, making it difficult to obtain information from the Western world.

"Teacher, teacher!"

As Wei Guangde continued to speculate on possible future developments, he heard Hu Junde's voice.

Startled by the shout, Wei Guangde snapped out of his daze.

This time, he also wanted to see the warehouses at Shanghai Port. The seemingly endless rows of warehouses in the distance were the purpose of his visit.

Ports and stacked containers serve as important evidence of a country's economic development level, directly reflecting the prosperity of its foreign trade.

Even without containers, the function of warehouses and the goods piled up inside is essentially the same.

He turned and handed the memorial to his attendant, saying casually, "Let's go check out the warehouse."

Although Wei Guangde didn't say much, Hu Junde, observing his expressions, still noticed something amiss.

Although he racked his brains but still couldn't understand the reasoning behind it.

The wars in Europe were too distant for the Ming Dynasty to have any real impact.

Even if a large-scale war breaks out in the Middle East, the impact on the Ming Dynasty will be very limited.

The inspection of the warehouse was very rushed. Wei Guangde only made a quick look around before leaving with his men, getting into a sedan chair and returning to his residence to rest. His mind had already wandered off.

Upon returning to his residence, Wei Guangde dismissed the officials who had accompanied him from Songjiang Prefecture, citing fatigue as the reason. He also arranged for the other officials who had come with him to go back to rest.

Originally, he planned to be alone to think about what to do next, so that he could discuss the future direction of the court's policies with Zhang Juzheng and Feng Bao after returning to the capital.

The clerk who had accompanied him lingered outside the door. Wei Guangde frowned and asked, "Master Zhang, is something the matter?"

Zhang Tanming was a Shaoxing advisor recruited by the Wei family in the capital. He was not well-known, but he was skilled in business.

The Wei family invests heavily in business, so they specifically recruited several business advisors who are quite skilled in business to help manage business affairs.

The business in Songjiang Prefecture was mainly managed by this Master Zhang, who also accompanied him south this time.

"Xu Sicheng has arrived. If you are tired, Master, please rest today. It's fine to see him again in a couple of days."

Master Zhang entered and bowed to Wei Guangde.

"Xu Sicheng, oh, that's the one the prefecture hired to manage the business in Songjiang Prefecture."

Wei Guangde remembered that he had said he wanted to meet yesterday, and they had arranged to meet in the next couple of days, hoping that Wei Guangde could find some time to do so.

"Is he here or not? If he comes, let him in."

Wei Guangde spoke up.

Upon hearing Wei Guangde mention seeing someone, Master Zhang hurriedly said, "I've arranged for the person to be in the side room in the front courtyard. Go and fetch him right away."

"Just have him go and let me know, then you can tell me about his situation."

Wei Guangde spoke to Master Zhang.

"Yes, sir. The Xu Sicheng family were once prominent merchants in Songjiang Prefecture. They made a living through commerce, built a large business, and acquired a considerable amount of land."

Master Zhang began to talk about the Xu family. However, the rise and peak of the Xu Sicheng family was actually the same as that of most Chinese businessmen: they made their fortune in business, then bought land and changed their status to become landlords.

Wei Guangde waved his hand and laughed, "Just tell me about his family's business. Why would he choose to work for my Wei family? With such a big business, he probably can't even manage his own affairs."

"Hehe, that's true, but that's all in the past. His family has fallen on hard times."

Master Zhang laughed.

"Talk about it."

Wei Guangde became interested and asked with great interest.

It must be quite difficult for a merchant family to squander their entire fortune. This made Wei Guangde think of the old saying: "A county magistrate who confiscates a family's property and a prefect who exterminates the entire family." Could it be that the Xu family has been targeted by someone?

"The Xu family had planned to do a big business deal and raised a lot of money. They even borrowed a lot of money from my Wei family. But the business failed and the money was stolen, so they were severely weakened. Now they only have some land left and have become a family of farmers and scholars."

Because of the previous loan from the mansion, his shops were all mortgaged to the mansion.

It just so happened that the manor was going to continue doing business in Songjiang Prefecture, and since he was quite familiar with the people there, they asked him to take on the role of head manager.

He did quite well this year, but unfortunately, if it weren't for that loss, he would have achieved even more.

By the way, I heard his son is quite good. He passed the imperial examination at the age of eighteen and became a scholar, which is a well-known talent in the area.

He got married last year to the daughter of Wu Xiaoxi, a scholar from the county who had passed the imperial examinations. Now he spends his time reading and teaching children basic skills, preparing them for the upcoming provincial examinations.

Master Zhang laughed.

"Yes, an eighteen-year-old scholar who has passed the county-level imperial examination. If he can pass the provincial-level examination before the age of thirty, he will have the opportunity to enter the imperial court." Wei Guangde smiled and casually asked, "What's his name?"

"Xu Guangqi, courtesy name Zixian, came to the mansion with his father yesterday."

However, the master was very busy and did not have time to make the introduction.

"Master Zhang said."

"Xu Guangqi, Xujiahui"

Wei Guangde muttered something under his breath.

Okay, memories from later generations have appeared.

It is said that Xu Guangqi entered the cabinet and became a cabinet minister during the Chongzhen era. Although his focus was on agriculture and science and technology, he was posthumously honored as the first person in China to open his eyes to the world.

Wei Guangde knew him because he also knew that he had joined the church and studied Western science with missionaries, which led to many rumors about him in later generations.

Even the Xujiahui area of ​​Shanghai in later generations is actually closely related to him.

It is said that Xu Guangqi's descendants gathered in Xujiaku, which was later developed into a market town due to its location at the confluence of the Zhaojiabang and Fahuajing rivers, and was later renamed Xujiahui.

"master."

Upon seeing Wei Guangde's background, Master Zhang called out in a low voice.

"Hmm, it's nothing. Has anyone arrived yet?"

Wei Guangde asked casually, then thought for a moment before saying, "You should keep a record of his family's news, especially Xu Guangqi's participation in the imperial examinations."

Upon receiving Wei Guangde's instruction, Master Zhang nodded with a smile.

Well, being a scholar is useless, but if he passes the imperial examination and gains the master's favor, that young man from the Xu family will have a bright future.

I'll go back and tell Xu Sicheng about this, and make him thank me properly. Otherwise, how would the master have known about his son's affairs?

Since Xu Sicheng is now employed by the Wei family, according to the prevailing notions of that era, Xu Guangqi is also considered a member of the Wei family, although he still retains a strong degree of independence.

Therefore, it would be a blessing for the Xu family if Wei Guangde could lend a helping hand after Xu Guangqi passed the imperial examination.

At the very least, Wei Guangde could lend a hand in the rankings for the provincial examination and the palace examination.

Master Zhang was still thinking that when he saw Xu Sicheng off later, he would sell his face and try to get some benefits from the Xu family.

After all, it concerns the future of the Xu family, so Xu Sicheng shouldn't be stingy.

Master Zhang was busy calculating with his abacus beads, and at that moment, the servants brought Xu Sicheng to the main hall.

Wei Guangde stared at him for a couple of seconds, then waved for him to stand up and speak, without having to bow.

Afterwards, Wei Guangde chatted casually with Xu Sicheng for a few minutes and learned that he had also passed the imperial examination at the county level, but had turned to business after failing to pass the examination. Wei Guangde sighed with regret.

In those days, anyone who had the opportunity to study would primarily pursue the imperial examinations.

In other words, they would only change careers, such as opening a private school or starting a business, if they really couldn't continue taking the exams.

Songjiang Prefecture has a long tradition of doing business, and the Xu family had the means, but unfortunately, fate played a cruel trick on them, leaving behind only a vast expanse of white and utterly desolate land.

Incidentally, Wei Guangde also inquired about Xu Guangqi's studies.

"Reading is always good. I've become a little interested after hearing Master Zhang mention it."

"Tell him to go home and study hard, prepare for next year's provincial examination. If he passes, he'll have many opportunities to serve the country in the future."

Finally, Wei Guangde reassured Xu Sicheng.

Xu Sicheng was naturally overwhelmed with gratitude. If his son passed the imperial examination, although he would still have to take the provincial examination later, if he could gain the favor of the Grand Secretary, his future career would be very smooth.

However, the provincial examination was indeed not easy.

When talking about Xu Guangqi, Xu Sicheng couldn't help but mention his recent troubles.

This matter was indeed troubling for him, but Wei Guangde was completely oblivious to it.

"Yes, he helped me with some business matters before. I met a foreign missionary in the port area, and somehow we hit it off. I've been going there from time to time lately."

In Xu Sicheng's view, what was the point of talking to the barbarians? They didn't understand the Four Books and Five Classics.

Instead of wasting that time, it would be better to stay home and read more books, or even teach students, than to communicate with those barbarians.

What do barbarians know about the ways of sages?

Although Wei Guangde did not know when Xu Guangqi joined the church, he thought that Xu Guangqi would later become a mathematician and agronomist who studied Western astronomy, calendar systems, surveying, and water conservancy, so he did not think much of it.

If he doesn't interact with missionaries, where will he learn these things?

"In fact, many of the skills that the barbarians excel at are also what our Great Ming lacks. If Zixian likes them, let him learn them as much as he wants."

Wei Guangde said with a smile.

Although he disagreed with Wei Guangde's words, Xu Sicheng simply nodded and smiled in response.

After seeing Xu Sicheng off, Wei Guangde dismissed his attendants and sat alone in his official hat chair, lost in thought.

Well, now that the Ming Dynasty is focusing on developing industry and commerce, whether or not to adjust this policy appropriately is no small matter.

Overcorrection
In the long run, it was definitely the right thing for the Ming Dynasty to develop industry and commerce, as history has proven, especially the Western-led Industrial Revolution.

"Industrial Revolution."

Wei Guangde suddenly muttered to himself, "If we have the advantage of technological superiority and vigorously develop the Ming Dynasty's arms trade, will Europeans buy our products?"

The Ming Dynasty was far from Europe, and the quality of its firearms did not seem to be very attractive. Without a technological advantage, Europeans were unlikely to go to the Ming Dynasty to purchase arms.

However, the advantage of the Ming Dynasty actually lies in its scale effect, that is, the Ming Dynasty has a large number of artisans who can manufacture a large number of firearms in a short period of time to meet the needs of the European war.

Thinking of this, Wei Guangde suddenly felt that it was necessary to do something to integrate the military industry of the Ming Dynasty. The firearms manufacturing bureaus of the two capitals, as pioneers of technological revolution, should focus on supporting the development of the military industry. With the most advanced technology, they could not only arm the Ming army, but also have the opportunity to generate revenue through exports.

"Someone, summon Master Zhang over here."

Wei Guangde gave an order.

Soon, Master Zhang was summoned, and Wei Guangde instructed him: "Make a note of this and adjust the itinerary."

The planned trip from Songjiang Prefecture to visit Dongfan Island is cancelled. We're going to Nanjing. Please let them know.

"Yes, sir."

Master Zhang hurriedly nodded in agreement.

"Also, send a message from Chongming Island to Dongfan Island, asking Admiral Yu to return as soon as possible after calming the situation, and to go directly to Nanjing to find me."

Wei Guangde continued.

Well, those were the only famous generals he knew, and he felt that he could only entrust his affairs to them with peace of mind.

Therefore, even if Yu Dayou wanted to retire, Wei Guangde still had to squeeze every last drop of value out of him before letting go. (End of Chapter)