prosperous age

"Shandai, you're not going to invest in it, are you? And put all those loans you've made into it?"

Lao Kan suddenly asked.

Lao Kan's family had members engaged in business, mainly purchasing silk and cloth from Jiangsu and Zhejiang and transporting them back to Jiujiang and Nanchang Prefecture for sale, and then transporting products from their hometown to Jiangsu and Zhejiang.

Such commercial businesses require a significant amount of capital.

Therefore, it was inevitable that they would turn to the Wei family for loans when they were short of funds.

Because of Lao Kan's connections, the Lao family was able to borrow a considerable amount of money from the Wei family without needing collateral.

Of course, the interest rate will still be 3%, which will never exceed the regulations set by the imperial court.

However, since they were all from official families, they naturally knew this, because the common people had long suffered from usury.

Therefore, the Wei family kept a very low profile in lending, never lending to ordinary people, but only providing funds for business transactions.

Upon hearing Wei Guangde's words, Lao Kan's first reaction was that Wei Guangde intended to use this bank to specialize in lending.

By investing in the company, Wei Guangde essentially transferred his family's lending business to the bank. With the involvement of the imperial court and the inner court, this was tantamount to receiving official endorsement and protection from power.

Perhaps the interest will be lower than before, since a portion of the profits will be distributed to the inner court and the Ministry of Revenue according to their shareholdings, but the Wei family will be impeccable in the lending business.

Wei Guangde glanced at Lao Kan and guessed what he was thinking, but he wouldn't admit it at the moment. He simply said, "This matter is mainly because it is in line with the new policies of the court. This method can eliminate the exploitation that occurs when the official silver is released."

Secondly, in recent years, private commerce has been booming, and businesses have a huge demand for funds, but they are struggling to find ways to raise capital.

With the combined resources of the inner court, the imperial court, and powerful nobles, they took out the gold and silver from the mansion's treasury to help them with their finances.

With increased commerce, the revenue from silver exchange will also increase, which will greatly boost the government's commercial tax revenue.

"Bank shareholders can increase their profits, the imperial court can increase taxes, and merchants will have access to funds. I think it's a win-win-win situation."

Wei Guangde wouldn't say that he did want to expand his family's lending business, but that going it alone would only increase the risks.

Think about it, because some businessmen failed to repay their loans on time, they had to provide collateral to the Wei family, resulting in the family now having many assets that are neither useful nor worth keeping.

In the past, when the Wei family lent money, these things were something we could only accept with a heavy heart, and then we would find a way to resell them for cash, with the whole family bearing the risk.

But if a bank is established, it will be different. More people can be attracted to participate. When the collateral is recovered, the shareholders can take a look at it first, and whoever thinks it is useful can take it away at a discount.

If you really can't find a buyer, it's not too late to sell it to the public.

Anyway, by doing it this way, the losses will be much smaller.

To grow bigger and stronger, it's not possible to monopolize the profits.

With his foresight, Wei Guangde certainly knew the dangers of hoarding wealth; many powerful families had ultimately fallen because of greed.

In later generations, this behavior has a specific term: "monopoly," which can refer to certain resources or a particular market.

There's no other reason than that whenever such a situation arises, being suppressed by all sides is an inevitable result.

The Wei family was in fact the largest lender in both the north and south of the Ming Dynasty, radiating outwards from the capital in the north.

In the south, Jiujiang is the center, radiating throughout the southeast.

The fact that the Wei family's lending business has grown to such a large scale is naturally inseparable from Wei Guangde's status and position.

No one dared to default on the Prime Minister's debt, especially since he was following the rules.

To put it bluntly, if anyone dares to default on the debt owed to the Wei family, once the news gets out, this family can forget about ever working in the business world again.

These days, credit is still very useful in the business world.

Moreover, the Wei family is known for its integrity. Even if they know that the borrower is unable to repay the debt, they will not demand repayment in advance. They will simply safeguard the collateral before the due date and will never interfere in any other way.

The collateral will be recovered as agreed upon until the loan matures.

Based on this alone, even those bankrupt businessmen couldn't find anything wrong with the Wei family.

Because the Wei family's lending business had grown so large, they now had a dedicated workforce, making it difficult for them to back down.

Therefore, Wei Guangde finally came up with this idea: all things were connected, and now it was time to set up a "bank".

With readily available manpower and sufficient funds, this business can easily and quickly get up and running.

History has proven that the business of "making money from money" is the only industry that will never go out of style, both a thousand years ago and a thousand years from now.

"ShanDai, have you mentioned this matter to them?"

Lao Kan continued to ask.

He came from a business background, so he was naturally very sensitive.

"Which way?"

Wei Guangde asked.

"The Duke of Cheng and the others."

Lao Kan said.

"No, but I think they won't refuse if I take the lead in investing."

Wei Guangde smiled confidently.

Many of the businesses on the noble families' side were still done under his guidance, and now they bring them a lot of profit every year, even exceeding the output of those lands that they had spent over a hundred years acquiring.

Moreover, that was real money being moved into various households, money earned through legitimate business, which was much more aboveboard than their illegal activities such as reselling salt permits and embezzling salaries.

“If you take the lead in investing, my Lao family will definitely participate actively as well.”

Seeing Wei Guangde's resolute attitude and the fact that it was Wei Guangde who made the suggestion, Lao Kan naturally agreed immediately.

Now, his words carry more weight than the head of the Lao family, since the Lao family's future development depends entirely on the stability of his position in the court.

They all knew that Wei Guangde's business was profitable, so naturally they wouldn't turn down money.

"But if the financial matters can't be resolved, will this bank still be able to operate?"

At this moment, Zhang Xueyan suddenly asked a question.

"There may be twists and turns in taking control of the finances, and it will be difficult to achieve in the short term, but we must work towards this goal."

As for banks, they will definitely be established; this would benefit the current industry and commerce of the Ming Dynasty.

Wei Guangde looked at Zhang Xueyan and answered calmly.

“If that’s the case, then I also support the establishment of banks.”

Whether lending money is profitable or not is self-evident.

Investing in a bank is just a matter of how much you earn; you're guaranteed not to lose money.

Zhang Xueyan naturally wouldn't refuse such a business opportunity.

He has accumulated a considerable fortune over the years, and investing in banks is one way to do so.

He also lends money to others, but the scale is certainly not as large as that of the Wei family.

Over the course of twenty years, the Wei family's lending business has made a name for itself, becoming the top choice for businessmen seeking loans.

Jiang Zhi didn't speak, but he nodded slightly at the others.

In fact, most of the people sitting in the room were quite wealthy, and it wouldn't be a problem for them to casually take out tens of thousands of taels of silver.

In the officialdom of the Ming Dynasty, people like Hai Rui were ultimately outliers. Most people actually did their fair share of personal gain during their tenure, but the limits of each person's actions differed.

Wei Guangde was not entirely satisfied with tonight's banquet.

He could tell from the attitudes of those around him that it would be difficult to consolidate control over the finances of the various government departments.

Everyone reacted very negatively in his presence.

Not to mention those who weren't so close to him.

However, Wei Guangde did not give up. After seeing off the guests that night, Wei Guangde instructed Zhang Ji to send invitations to the major noble families in the capital the next day, inviting them to a banquet.

The Wei family's actions naturally did not escape the notice of those in the capital who were interested.

The day after the banquet, Zhang Jing had a list of guests invited by the Wei family for the next two days.

"Minister of War, Censor of the Censorate, Duke of Cheng"

As Zhang Jing read through these people's titles, he wondered if he could use this to make the Emperor suspect Wei Guangde. What the Emperor feared most was, of course, a powerful minister seizing power.

Wei Guangde not only controlled the outer court, but also had close ties with even the nobles. This news was definitely not good news for the emperor.

Furthermore, the current Beijing Garrison is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of War and the Duke of Cheng.

If they were to engage in any underhanded dealings, the Emperor's position would be in jeopardy.

That's what he thought, but he didn't do it right away.

After all, this wasn't the first time Wei Guangde had done this; he had been doing it for over a decade. Wei Guangde had long been adept at navigating the complex relationships between civil officials and nobles.

Even if I point it out now, the Emperor might not believe me.

"Go to the Embroidered Uniform Guard and check their records. See if they can find out what else Grand Secretary Wei said besides drinking with them."

The Eastern Depot, which supervised the Embroidered Uniform Guard, had the authority to mobilize them, which is why the Eastern Depot usually held the upper hand over the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

The Eastern Depot's investigative capabilities were certainly inferior to the Embroidered Uniform Guard's. They could manage ordinary surveillance, but to gather intelligence, they still had to go through the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

"Yes, Master Chang."

Zhang Jing wanted to investigate, and his subordinates, of course, dared not refuse and immediately went to carry it out.

"and many more."

Just as the stall owner was about to leave the house, Zhang Jing suddenly called out to him again.

"What are your orders, Master Eunuch?"

The officer immediately returned to Zhang Jing and bowed, saying...

"Does the Eastern Depot have a file on Wei Guangde?"

Zhang Jing suddenly asked.

This was the first time he had ever realized the importance of collecting information. He would never have thought of it if he hadn't needed to find intelligence through the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

"Master, the Eastern Depot doesn't have any, but..."

The officer hesitated before speaking.

"But what?"

Zhang Jing immediately asked.

“We in the Eastern Depot don’t have any, but the Embroidered Uniform Guard should have some records.”

The officer immediately replied, "I was previously at the Southern Garrison Command, where there are files on all members of the Embroidered Uniform Guard except for secret agents."

"Oh, so who has the spy's file?"

Zhang Jing asked.

Although he was in charge of the Eastern Depot for half a year, his mind was not on the Eastern Depot at all, but rather on how to please the emperor.

After all, the emperor was the master of these eunuchs, and they could get anything as long as their master was happy.

The reason they actively sought to become the head of the Eastern Depot was because, once outside the palace gates, the head of the Eastern Depot was quite prestigious.

Even the powerful and influential people in the court would try their best to curry favor with him.

It can be said that all the eunuchs who entered the palace, or more accurately, the palace attendants, initially aspired to become the head of the Eastern Depot.

Only those who have truly gained status and power within the inner court will think of vying for the position of Grand Eunuch and becoming the Inner Chancellor.

"Only the Commander can access the files of the secret agents; no one else is allowed to touch them."

The officer immediately spoke.

At this moment, Zhang Jing stroked his chin, thought for a while, and then said, "Then can you get Grand Secretary Wei's file from the Embroidered Uniform Guard?"

The files of spies are only accessible to the commander, and Zhang Jing was unsure whether ordinary members of the Embroidered Uniform Guard could access intelligence on important officials in the court.

"Ordinary documents might be accessible, but the truly important ones are probably only visible to those without the Commander's badge."

The leader thought for a moment before speaking.

As for why he agreed to let Zhang Jing check the intelligence inside the Embroidered Uniform Guard, it was because the various intelligence gathered by the Embroidered Uniform Guard would be compiled into a briefing.

What he showed Zhang Jing was actually a copy of a briefing from the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Therefore, if the Embroidered Uniform Guard had investigated what happened at Grand Secretary Wei's residence and what he had said, it might be mentioned in the report, and then he could copy it back and report back.

Of course, if not, they can simply say that the Embroidered Uniform Guard couldn't find it.

All archives are actually archival materials formed by copying together countless pieces of such intelligence.

"Go and try. If you can find it, make a copy and bring it back."

If you can't, then don't alert the enemy, understand?

Zhang Jing spoke up.

He knew that Liu Shouyou, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, had a close relationship with Wei Guangde, and that they were likely both his men.

Thinking of this, Zhang Jing mentally added another note to Wei Guangde's notebook.

His connections in the court are too complicated. Once he finds an opportunity, as long as the Emperor has even the slightest suspicion of Wei Guangde, he can implicate him along with the Duke of Cheng and the Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Okay, that's right.

Chen Ju from the inner court also told the Emperor all the news about the close relationship between these people and Wei Guangde.

I believe that by then, even if the Emperor still trusts Grand Secretary Wei, he will definitely be wary of him.

If even the slightest doubt remains, then Grand Secretary Wei is not far from his doom.

Thinking of this, Zhang Jing's mood immediately improved.

He waved his hand impatiently and said to the foreman, "Go on, go on, I've remembered everything I just said."

"Yes, Your Excellency."

The foreman hurriedly bowed and saluted before turning and striding out.

Soon, the grand court assembly on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month began. After the ceremony, Wei Guangde, Shen Shixing, and others returned to the cabinet.

"Your Excellency, there are still five days left in the holiday. Should we continue with the previous work schedule, or what?"

On the way back, Shen Shixing said to Wei Guangde.

"We only need one or two people in the cabinet each day, you and I can take turns, and the other three can take turns."

Wei Guangde smiled and said to the group.

During the Ming Dynasty, the Spring Festival holiday lasted from the first day of the lunar new year to the fifth day, followed by a few working days until the Lantern Festival, which lasted for ten consecutive days starting on the eleventh day of the lunar new year.

Wei Guangde chose to take a break from the sixth to the tenth day of the lunar month. This was a privilege granted by Emperor Wanli to cabinet ministers after Zhang Juzheng fell ill, allowing them to decide on five days of leave in addition to the monthly ten-day leave.

Wei Guangde naturally took a long break, so that his holiday in the New Year could be extended from the first day to the twentieth.

However, cabinet affairs are complicated, so being able to relax until the 15th is already considered very good.

"By the way, has anything major happened in the country these past few days?"

Wei Guangde was just saying it casually; if there were any truly important matters, the cabinet would have already informed him.

However, he still had to say something, indicating that even while resting at home, Grand Secretary Wei was still thinking about national affairs.

"There are no urgent matters, but there is one major issue."

Shen Shixing suddenly said.

"What's the matter?"

Wei Guangde glanced at Shen Shixing and immediately asked.

"Last year, His Majesty issued an edict to the Ministry of Rites, instructing them to determine the location of His Mausoleum as soon as possible, so that the Ministry of Works could expedite its construction."

Shen Shixing began to speak, while Wei Guangde merely nodded slightly. (End of Chapter)