I'm really not doing business

Chapter 992 What's meant to be yours, no one can take it away.
"No problem, Yang Qing, just do your best." Zhu Yijun agreed to Yang Junmin's request.

Zhu Yijun disliked Yang Bo because Yang Bo was disloyal. Yang Bo was not unaware of his own actions; he knew very well that what he was doing was wrong, but he still did it anyway.

Yang Bo ultimately chose to retire gracefully, supporting the performance evaluation system and returning to his hometown, thus preserving some dignity for both the emperor and his ministers.

In the early years of the Wanli Emperor's reign, when the emperor was young and the country was in turmoil, this last vestige of dignity was already a remarkable achievement.

Therefore, Zhu Yijun will not target Yang Junmin, much less deliberately suppress him; the past is the past.

It wasn't that Yang Junmin was incompetent; he was different from Shen Yiguan, Wang Yi'e, and Wang Xiyuan. With the Jin Party falling apart, Yang Junmin had no one to rely on, which is why he was in such a difficult situation.

Zhu Yijun granted the Shuntian Prefectural Assistant a special privilege: he could visit Tonghe Palace at any time, just like court officials. It was ostensibly to request an audience for political discussions, but in reality, it was to ask the Shuntian Prefectural Assistant for help. However, Yang Junmin never used this privilege.

This is not surprising. Before his death, Yang Bo must have given some special instructions. Moreover, Yang Junmin was not sure what the emperor's attitude was towards Yang Bo. If he went to Tonghe Palace and was turned away, he, as the Vice Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture, would be bullied by the Six Houses.

"If you encounter any difficulties, just come to Tonghe Palace." Zhu Yijun specifically mentioned this, telling Yang Junmin not to overthink it. Even though he was the Monkey King, Sun Wukong, proud and arrogant, he knew to ask for help when he encountered insurmountable obstacles.

People's hearts are easily swayed. Zhu Yijun, having been emperor for so many years, certainly understood that Yang Junmin was somewhat anxious and overthinking things.

With the official factory as his backing, Yang Junmin's request for favor was actually a test to see how the emperor would treat him. The emperor's answer reassured him.

Yang Junmin was quite surprised. He suddenly realized that His Majesty was really not a complicated person. He worked hard for the country and upheld justice for all the people. He could really gain His Majesty's approval.

"Your Majesty, I thank you for your great kindness." A heavy weight was finally lifted from Yang Junmin's heart.

Zhu Yijun realized that, at this point, the relationship between the ruler and his subjects was not as complicated as he had thought. It was just like Mencius said: "If the ruler regards his subjects as his hands and feet, then the subjects will regard the ruler as their heart and soul."

Because behind him stood 100,000 elite soldiers of the capital garrison, which could calm down some ambitious people, and the relationship between the emperor and his subjects became simpler.

Without these 100,000 elite soldiers of the Beijing Garrison, the relationship between the emperor and his ministers would be far more complicated.

The morning court session continued, and Zhu Yijun approved many memorials, such as the approval and publication of land reclamation in Liaodong, the further determination of pasture boundaries in Suiyuan, the specific scale of the relocation of people from Shaanxi, Gansu and Suiyuan, and the further reduction and exemption of taxes due to the imbalance of water and drought this year, etc.

An imperial censor submitted a memorial requesting a halt to the import of grain from overseas. His reasoning seemed quite sound: imported grain was cheap, and cheap grain hurt farmers.

The price of imported grain in Guangzhou was two qian of silver per shi, and in Songjiang Prefecture it was three qian of silver per shi. This price was generally lower than the grain price in the Ming Dynasty. This led to everyone buying imported grain instead of local grain. Local farmers had no choice but to lower prices, and low grain prices hurt farmers.

If growing grain is not profitable, merchants will abandon their land, and farmers will also abandon their land. Gradually, the stability and security of grain in the Ming Dynasty became overly dependent on imported grain.

However, this logic doesn't apply to Zhu Yijun, because Zhu Yijun himself was a farmer. He wouldn't dare say he knew more about other things than the scholar-officials, but when it came to farming, he was better than most of his officials.

Even if imported grains were cheap, farmers would never abandon their land. In the eyes of the scholar-officials who were ignorant of the five grains and lazy, grains were tradable commodities, something that grew on shelves and could be bought anytime at rice shops with silver.

For farmers, food is life itself.

Grain is different from beef. You won't die if you don't eat beef, but if you can't even afford grain, you will definitely starve to death.

Zhu Yijun was very certain of this. He had been farming for nineteen years, from someone who could kill even a pothos plant to someone who was now a semi-doctor of agronomy. He had personally contacted at least three thousand farming households, and farmers would never stop farming just because grain was cheap.

In the ninth year of the Wanli reign, Zhu Yijun dealt with a land dispute case in Wanping County. Because of three-thirds of a piece of land, four people from the Liu and Li families in Qiuzhuang, Wanping, died. In the countryside, having more children meant having more security and more labor. This kind of land dispute was an advantage.

If grain prices are low, you can choose not to sell and keep it for yourself. In those days, grain was not so plentiful that it could be freely traded.

In particular, apart from Songjiang Prefecture, other parts of the Ming Dynasty had not yet completed the transformation into a commodity economy, and the Ming Dynasty's transportation system, including the imperial roads, consisted of only a few scattered routes.

During times of famine, money cannot buy life-saving food.

Most of the farmers in the capital that Zhu Yijun came into contact with were considered middle-class families. They usually did not have three years' worth of savings, at most two and a half years, and at least only half a year. Some had no savings at all and occasionally even ran out of food.

At least during the Wanli era, this basic situation was unlikely to change significantly.

"Sir, if you think this kind of land can make money, why would farmers even bother to cultivate it?" Zhu Yijun's tone was very calm, but Feng Bao sensed that His Majesty was angry, not at the censor, but at the helplessness he felt over this issue.

If farming makes money, farmers will have their land consolidated and won't have a single acre left.

The main economy of the Ming Dynasty was still small-scale peasant economy. The biggest characteristic of small-scale peasant economy is its closed nature. Agricultural output and surplus cannot be exchanged smoothly, so the annexation has not yet become so severe that the people have nowhere to turn.

In the process of the transformation of the commodity economy, if farming could make money, then the local gentry and gentry would not leave farmers a single acre of land.

“Your Majesty, it’s not your turn,” Zhang Juzheng answered the question with absolute certainty.

"So, this situation of low grain prices hurting farmers, but who exactly is being hurt?" Zhu Yijun asked again.

"Local worthies and gentry." Zhang Juzheng answered the question quickly without hesitation.

"Let's stamp this memorial by Imperial Censor Chen." Zhu Yijun didn't get angry at the Imperial Censor, but instead stamped it, letting the cabinet reprimand him. The Imperial Censor should learn more about the actual situation before writing memorials. Lin Fucheng knew to go there in person when discussing the grassland issue.

"Your subject obeys the decree." Zhang Juzheng bowed his head and accepted the order. It was already quite serious that the cabinet would issue a reprimand for the useless and presumptuous statement once it was sealed.

This was the last matter in the court meeting. This unimportant matter was the final closing. Zhu Yijun gestured to Feng Bao, who flicked his whisk, stepped forward, and shouted, "If there is anything to report, step forward and speak now; if there is nothing to report, roll up the curtain and leave the court."

"Your Majesty, we respectfully see you off." All the officials rose to pay their respects.

Zhu Yijun glanced back. Fortunately, he was a well-trained emperor, otherwise he would have almost burst out laughing. Shen Shixing quickly stood up, leaning on the table. His feet hurt, so he could only hold onto the table with one hand while greeting the emperor, which looked somewhat comical.

This sprained ankle really caused Shen Shixing to lose face.

Zhu Yijun rested in the rear hall for a while, and Feng Bao reported that Shen Li wanted to see him alone.

Shen Li had two things to say. He wanted to recommend Gao Qiyu as Minister of Rites. In this way, Gao Qiyu would be the rightful Junior Minister of Rites, instead of managing the Ministry of Rites as the Left Vice Minister, which would be somewhat improper.

Secondly, Shen Li has recently been reading history and has gained some new insights, which he would like to share with His Majesty.

"Grand Minister of Rites, come with me to Tonghe Palace so I can explain in detail." Zhu Yijun had Shen Li board the little train with him. The little train whistled and started moving.

"No need for formalities, please sit down." Zhu Yijun offered Feng Bao a cup of fine tea before asking, "The Grand Minister of Rites has appointed Gao Qiyu as Minister of Rites. Does the gentleman agree?"

"Your Majesty, I am unaware," Shen Li said very clearly. "I have been working in the Wenyuan Pavilion for a long time, and the Junior Minister of Rites has been in charge of the position for a long time. If this title is not properly established, then the words will not be righteous. The signing of the charter of the Huantai Merchant Alliance last time caused some setbacks. I still think it would be better to let the Junior Minister of Rites be truly deserving of the title."

"Then I will discuss this matter with you, sir, and the Grand Minister of Rites will make the recommendation." Zhu Yijun understood Shen Li's concerns. This matter really required his intervention as the emperor, as Zhang Juzheng was not someone to be trifled with.

Gao Qiyu has made so many contributions; if he continues to pretend to be ignorant, the officials in the Ministry of Rites will probably have some reservations.

Shen Li took out a memorial and presented it to His Majesty, saying, "Your Majesty, I have recently been studying historical materials and discovered a strange thing: Qin unified the six kingdoms."

“Since Jia Yi wrote in his essay on the faults of Qin during the Han Dynasty: ‘When Qin Shi Huang came to power, he built upon the legacy of six generations.’ Since then, scholars and writers of all dynasties have believed that Qin’s unification of the six states and its eastward expansion were the result of the legacy of six generations.”

"I have recently studied the contradiction theory and the Records of the Grand Historian, and I think that this is not the case."

"Oh?" Zhu Yijun picked up the memorial and read it for a long time. There were contradictions, but in Shen Li's opinion, when the First Emperor succeeded to the throne of Qin, the Qin state did not look like a unified country, but rather it was beset by internal and external troubles.

Qin Shi Huang's father, King Zhuangxiang of Qin, Qin Yiren, reigned as King of Qin for only three years.

In the third year of King Zhuangxiang of Qin, King Zhuangxiang of Qin sent Meng Ao to capture Gaodu and Ji of Wei, and to attack Yuci, Xincheng and Langmeng of Zhao. He also ordered Wang He to attack Shangdang Commandery and establish Taiyuan Commandery.

The states of Wei and Zhao were naturally unwilling to surrender without a fight. Lord Xinling of Wei led a coalition of five states—Yan, Zhao, Han, Wei, and Chu—to launch a counterattack.

The allied forces defeated the Qin army south of the Yellow River. Meng Ao was defeated and retreated. The allied forces pursued the Qin army to Hangu Pass, but the Qin army refused to come out. After this battle, Lord Xinling became famous throughout the world.

This is an external threat, while the internal troubles stem from a young ruler and a nation in turmoil.

Qin Shi Huang was only thirteen years old when he ascended the throne. Lü Buwei was his uncle and controlled the government. Zhao Ji and Lao Ai caused chaos in the palace. Lao Ai even claimed to be his father. Qin Shi Huang's younger brother, Lord Chang'an Chengjiao, rebelled, and Lao Ai launched the Qinian Palace coup.

These events all prove that the First Emperor did not have an easy time in his early years, and that internal troubles were more serious than external threats.

At that time, Lao Ai was by no means a mere figurehead or a clown who could turn the wheel of power. When the First Emperor was young, Lao Ai represented a powerful force in Qin, second only to Lü Buwei, and was even capable of launching a rebellion.

"So, what the Grand Minister of State means is that before the First Emperor, the Qin state actually had no way to conquer the world?" Zhu Yijun was somewhat surprised after reading Shen Li's memorial.

In his memorial, Shen Li listed a detailed timeline, including Meng Ao's defeat, the death of King Zhuangxiang of Qin, and Lü Buwei's takeover of state affairs.

"This is just my personal opinion, based on my reading of Mao Dun's words." Shen Li didn't claim that he was definitely right, after all, it had been nearly two thousand years, and he didn't have any concrete evidence; it was just his opinion.

But he was certain that when the First Emperor ascended the throne, the Qin state absolutely did not have the strength to conquer the entire world.

In the sixth year of King Zheng of Qin's reign, Pang Nuan, a general of the Zhao state, led a coalition of five states—Zhao, Wei, Han, Yan, and Chu—and once broke through Hangu Pass, approaching the most remote place, eighty li from Xianyang.

If it weren't for the Qin people's desperate fight, coupled with the fact that the five-nation alliance was divided and had their own ulterior motives, whether the Qin state would still exist is another matter entirely.

Shen Li experienced the entire Gengxu Incident firsthand. The panic Shen Li felt when Anda Khan broke through Gubeikou and marched south to plunder the capital region was still fresh in his memory.

In the second year of the Longqing reign, Tan Lun heard that Altan Khan's northern barbarians had once again invaded the south. He guarded the area for seven days and seven nights without rest, which directly led to the worsening of his condition.

In Shen Li's view, in the sixth year of King Zheng of Qin's reign, the Qin state was still forced to surrender by the allied forces of five states. In the seventeenth year of King Zheng of Qin's reign, he began to unify the world. In just ten years, the Qi state was destroyed, the world was returned to Qin, and he became known as the First Emperor.

This process was by no means simply a matter of ancestral legacy; the First Emperor's personal struggle was an indispensable factor.

The phrase "building upon the legacy of six generations" somewhat distorts the role of the First Emperor in unifying the six kingdoms.

Switching to the Wanli era, although there were various problems in the early Wanli period, at least there were no issues like powerful relatives of the empress or military rebellions. The capital was not breached by northern barbarians or Japanese pirates, and even the regent Zhang Juzheng was not addressed as "Uncle" by His Majesty. "I know what the Grand Minister of Rites is going to say," Zhu Yijun said with a smile after finishing his conversation with Shen Li. "Having inherited the throne, I will naturally do my utmost. The current situation is truly hard-won, and I will naturally prioritize the well-being of the nation and live up to the expectations of the people."

Zhu Yijun felt that Shen Li was being roundabout, and advised him to be a good emperor and not to think he was great just because he had achieved some success. He pointed out that Qin Shi Huang was a ruthless man who unified the country in just twenty years, from the time his door was kicked down in the sixth year of his reign to the twenty-sixth year.

"Your Majesty is wise." Shen Li said respectfully, seeing that His Majesty truly understood what he was trying to say indirectly.

"Using bronze as a mirror, one can straighten one's clothes; using history as a mirror, one can understand the rise and fall of dynasties; using people as a mirror, one can understand one's gains and losses."

"Let this memorial be published in the official gazette. The First Emperor was truly remarkable. The situation he faced was far worse than mine. His achievements over the past twenty years were truly magnificent." Zhu Yijun wrote his imperial comments on Shen Li's memorial and published it in the official gazette as a self-encouragement.

"Your Majesty, I am filled with trepidation. Since ancient times, when your subjects act, they inevitably speak according to the emperor's wishes. If I were to offer a word of advice, I fear the emperor may not listen; if I were to offer any remonstrance, I fear the emperor may not tolerate it! Your Majesty's acceptance of your wise words is a great blessing for our nation," Shen Li said sincerely.

Reaching the position of Grand Secretary is essentially the limit of his career. He could have simply followed orders without question, but Shen Li was, at heart, an upright and principled official. When he had something to say, he was still willing to speak to His Majesty.

The key point is that His Majesty is still willing to listen and to announce it to the world, which is extremely rare.

Nearly twenty years have passed. The Wanli Reforms were glorious, a golden age indeed. Yet His Majesty remains as steadfast as ever, willing to accept advice and strive for self-improvement. In Shen Li's view, this perseverance is a blessing for the nation.

"Your subject takes his leave." Shen Li bowed again and left the Imperial Study in Tonghe Palace.

Zhu Yijun stood by the window, watching Shen Li leave the gate of Tonghe Palace. Looking at Shen Li's back, holding the memorial, the emperor said with some emotion, "Truly, the Han dynasty has produced loyal and virtuous officials in every generation. The Grand Minister of Rites has already reached the highest position of the court and entered the cabinet as prime minister, yet he still dares to speak his mind and reminds me not to be arrogant."

"However, his expectations of me are a bit too high."

Using the story of Qin Shi Huang to advise the emperor shows a very high expectation.

Before Qin Shi Huang, there were many feudal lords. After Qin Shi Huang, all dynasties used the Qin system, which created a new unified system for the world. Just one unified system, with standardized cart tracks, writing, weights and measures, was enough for Zhu Yijun to catch up with in his entire life.

"Bring me the memorials." After watching Shen Li leave, Zhu Yijun began to deal with today's memorials. He was used to this kind of thing, so it wasn't too bad.

Shen Li had already written a memorial recommending Gao Qiyu as Minister of Rites. After Zhang Juzheng read it, he wrote a draft, attached it to the memorial, and sent it to the Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs, which then presented it to the Emperor.

This time, Zhang Juzheng did not object to Gao Qiyu becoming Minister of Rites. Instead, he accepted Shen Li's recommendation on the grounds that "without a leader, everything will go wrong and nothing will be able to proceed."

Despite the fighting and the commotion, matters of state are not child's play. If someone else were in charge, Gao Qiyu could do nothing but sideline the other side, leaving the Ministry of Rites leaderless and causing various problems, which would also be detrimental to the dignity of the nation. Therefore, Zhang Juzheng accepted Shen Li's recommendation.

You must strive to be successful. As long as you are successful, what is rightfully yours will not be taken away by anyone, not even a high-ranking official.

The emperor issued a vermilion edict, the cabinet drafted the decree, and Xu Jue received the imperial edict and went to proclaim it.

Gao Qiyu is recuperating at home. His illness is very strange. He used to scoff at Yan Shixuan's claim of overthrowing the emperor, but now he truly believes it!

The chief physician had diagnosed that the patient would recover in just two or three days, but around noon, the condition suddenly worsened.

Xu Jue arrived at the Gao residence to announce the imperial decree. When Gao Qiyu received the decree according to etiquette, two eunuchs opened the imperial edict.

Imperial edicts adorned with brocade were always of great importance.

"The emperor is destined to be carried by heaven, and the edict says:"

"I have received the mandate of Heaven and inherited the great foundation laid by the previous emperors. I have taken charge of the entire realm and govern all the lands. The prosperity of the state depends on having capable people to work with; and the spread of my teachings relies on envoys to demonstrate my authority."

"Gao Qiyu, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites, possesses broad vision and profound knowledge, and is skilled in practical matters. He has braved dangers and traveled thousands of miles, braving the waves and crossing vast oceans, carrying the imperial banner to reach distant lands. This has enabled the chieftains of the West to know the majesty of our Celestial Empire and the splendor of its culture. This is one of his achievements."

"The Japanese invaders, like madmen, coveted our vassal states, causing unrest on the seas and unrest throughout the land. You, having received my command, once again crossed the vast ocean, upholding the firm and decisive principles of the court, and subdued the Japanese at the banquet table, ultimately forcing their leader to submit, swear an oath of blood, and establish the Treaty of Kyoto. This is your second achievement."

"What is particularly commendable is that he had a keen understanding of the times, acted accordingly, and took action based on the circumstances. He initiated the grand plan of building the Pan-Pacific Trade Alliance, uniting the merchants of various countries and facilitating trade among nations. He established customs and ferries to facilitate trade and regulations to ensure shared benefits. This was not merely a temporary benefit, but rather the foundation for lasting peace. This is his third achievement."

"Let bygones be bygones. Now I hereby appoint you as Minister of Rites, with the additional title of Junior Guardian of the Heir Apparent. I will bestow upon you a bullfighting robe, a crane-feather cloak, and a reward of one thousand taels of silver and twenty bolts of silk."

"He will continue to manage the affairs of the Pan-Pacific Trade Alliance, concurrently oversee the affairs of the Four Barbarian Institutes, and oversee all the etiquette of international exchanges and the key aspects of the development and reform of the Trade Alliance."

"I earnestly hope that Erke will diligently perform his duties, be even more loyal and steadfast, proclaim my virtuous will, harmonize all nations, and enable China and foreign lands to be one family, sharing in peace and prosperity."

"Each dynasty established its own laws, spread virtue and bestowed benefits, and issued edicts throughout the land, so that all might know them."

"Appreciate this."

"Your Majesty, I kowtow to express my gratitude for Your Majesty's great favor. Long live Your Majesty! Long live Your Majesty! Long live Your Majesty!" Gao Qiyu bowed deeply and accepted the imperial edict.

"Young Master Zong, once you recover from your illness, just go to the Ministry of Personnel to collect your official seal and robes. The Grand Secretary has also agreed. The Ministry of Rites is leaderless, which is not a good thing. Congratulations to the Young Master Zong on your promotion." Xu Jue handed over the imperial edict and said with a smile.

Gao Qiyu coughed lightly twice and said in a low voice, "Congratulations to you too."

As Xu Jue was leaving, the eunuch whispered a few words to the doorman, who then casually handed him a small box. The eunuch rolled up his sleeves and accepted the bribe, which was intended for Xu Jue.

There are some things you absolutely cannot accept money for, but this kind of "congratulatory gift" for promotion must be accepted. Otherwise, Gao Qiyu might be suspicious and think that he has offended a powerful eunuch in the palace at some point.

However, Gao Qiyu did not give the gift; it was the gatekeeper who gave it. Xu Jue did not accept it; it was the eunuch who accepted it. This was merely for the sake of mutual face. If the Anti-Corruption Bureau were to investigate, this would be bribery.

Gao Qiyu didn't give much, just two hundred silver notes. The Anti-Corruption Bureau wouldn't even bother to look at that amount of money.

Shen Shixing also received the imperial decree. He did not intend to make things difficult for Gao Qiyu. Instead, he first arranged for Yao Guangqi and Yan Shixuan to have all the necessary officials. Within three days, he sent the two out of the capital.

Strangely enough, as soon as Yan Shixuan left the capital, Gao Qiyu's illness immediately improved, and he was able to attend court the next day.

To be Yan Shixuan's superior, one must first be incredibly resilient, and secondly, possess great fortune; otherwise, it seems quite dangerous.

The claim that Yan Shixuan could overcome the superior is truly a vague and unfounded claim, as many things are just coincidences, but the number of coincidences is simply too many.

Gao Qiyu looked at Shen Shixing's legs, and Shen Shixing looked at Gao Qiyu's pale face after recovering from a serious illness. Both of them were still in shock, and had a feeling of having survived a disaster.

"Brother Yaotai, I have been away from the court for the past few days and there is something I do not understand."

"The method of transferring craftsmen to clerks in the official factory is a perfect solution to the problem of powerful families. It was approved by the court and implemented. I recently heard at home that there has been a great commotion in the Shuntian Prefecture government. All the clerks and runners have been replaced." After receiving his official seal, Gao Qiyu did not leave but inquired about the situation in the court.

Logically speaking, the transformation of craftsmen into officials was a direct hit to the heart of the matter, and the powerful families accepted it.

"On the surface, everything seems calm, but undercurrents are surging?" Gao Qiyu asked in a low voice.

“There are no undercurrents, the die is cast, and the officials of Shuntian Prefecture have been replaced.” Shen Shixing shook his head and said, “The powerful and wealthy dare not cause trouble. Commander Qi’s idea, your memorial, and His Majesty’s imperial edict, who dares to oppose them? Putting all that aside, even if we anger the craftsmen, it will be a big deal.”

"The craftsman just came down the mountain recently and really offended the official factory. Wang Ji, the general manager of the Xishan Coal Bureau's official factory, is not someone to be trifled with."

Qi Jiguang, Zhang Juzheng, and the Emperor—these three powerful figures came up with a plan together: to oppose? To oppose by sacrificing nine generations of their families?

“The trend is inevitable and cannot be stopped.” Shen Shixing added another point: economic status determines political status. The government-owned factories possess vast means of production and control the distribution of surplus production. Once they have economic status, seeking political status is inevitable.

Furthermore, with the uproar surrounding Wang Chonggu's death, the craftsmen realized the power they possessed. After the shareholding reform and the establishment of the workers' alliance, would the craftsmen still be able to be bullied by others?

Gao Qiyu agreed wholeheartedly, saying, "That makes sense. I remember that in the last Shuntian Prefecture provincial examination, 30% of the successful candidates were from artisan backgrounds, and in the metropolitan and palace examinations, artisans also accounted for more than 10%."

"If only one day all the artisans in the world could enjoy the same treatment as the artisans who live and work in the city."

The artisans who lived in official residences and the artisans were not in the same class at all. The artisans who lived in official residences had shares in government factories, while the artisans in the common people's workshops had nothing. The artisans in the common people's workshops were not even considered scholars, farmers, artisans, or merchants; they were poor laborers.

Shen Shixing chuckled and said with a smile, "Young Master is truly daring to think like this; even you, sir, wouldn't dare to think this way."

“In fact, looking at the rise and fall of shipyards during the Yongle era today, we can understand why the local gentry and officials were so determined to stop official ships and trade. It wasn’t entirely for the huge profits from maritime trade. Back then, the Longjiang and Qingjiang shipyards alone housed 120,000 craftsmen. That’s 120,000 households.”

The upheaval of changing personnel in the six departments of the Shuntian Prefecture government made Shen Shixing understand why several shipyards declined after the Yongle Emperor's reign. The emperor did not value them, the court and the public opposed them, and the local gentry and gentry naturally took the opportunity to sabotage them. Otherwise, the craftsmen living there might have really replaced them.

"Songjiang Prefecture and Yingtian Prefecture will also be replaced, and the shipyard craftsmen will be the ones we're looking for," Shen Shixing told Gao Qiyu.

“In the future, the number of successful candidates in the imperial examinations will be 30% from civilians, 30% from the military, and 30% from the industry. Only with these three groups in balance can the system be stable,” Gao Qiyu said after a moment of contemplation.

The Ming Dynasty's talent selection mechanism had some problems. Military personnel accounted for 30% of the total, while civilians accounted for nearly 70%. This naturally led to a trend of promoting both civil and military talents. However, the situation has now changed, with the military, civilians, and workers forming a tripartite balance, finally bringing the court into complete equilibrium.

"Oh, now that you mention it, it's true." Shen Shixing suddenly sat up straight, his eyes flashing with a sharp light. He said with a solemn expression, "Young Master Zong, please allow me to think about it."

Military meritorious marquises, because military talent is not inherited, usually stop leading troops in battle after one or two generations. Therefore, the ratio of civilians and military personnel in the court becomes particularly important.

The triennial imperial examinations were a feast for dividing power. With the introduction of the official factory as a variable, the court structure would be completely changed, leading to a stable state.

“No wonder. The gentleman once told His Majesty that if one day in the future, he must choose between Wang Chonggu and the gentleman after his death, the gentleman told His Majesty to choose Wang Chonggu.” Shen Shixing suddenly remembered a detail.

When Shen Shixing found out, he found it strange, because based on his understanding of Zhang Juzheng, Zhang Juzheng was not such a magnanimous person.

But now Shen Shixing understands that the official factory system is a variable, a huge variable, and the material pillar of the Wanli Reforms.

"What did His Majesty say?" Gao Qiyu asked with some curiosity.

Shen Shixing said with a strange expression, "His Majesty said, of course we want them all."

Your Majesty has the power to want them all.

(End of this chapter)