The world of film and television starts from the flow of money

In the villa of the Sun family in Qingzhou, Sun Jinghai had a heated argument with several clan elders.

"Why go to Nan Yinzhou? My Sun family's ancestral precept is never to take risks. If we drift at sea for eight months, a third of us will die. Is that going to make a fortune or to die? We can make tens of thousands of taels of silver a year peacefully by boiling salt in Qingzhou. Why would we want to risk our lives thousands of miles away?"

An elder of the clan said excitedly.

Sun Jinghai remained silent, only repeatedly looking at the announcement. His son, Sun Mingyuan, couldn't help but retort:
“Third Uncle, things are stable, but haven’t you noticed that the Ministry of Revenue has been scrutinizing the salt tax more and more strictly these past two years? Last year, we offered the Salt and Iron Commissioner three thousand taels of silver, but this year he doesn’t dare accept it, saying that the Censorate is keeping a close eye on things. How many more years can this ‘stability’ last?”

Sun Mingyuan turned to his father: "Father, did you see that sentence in the newspaper? 'Southern Yinzhou is vast and boundless, with gold and silver everywhere, and fertile land stretching for thousands of miles.' How much can you earn from boiling salt? At most, tens of thousands of taels. But if we could open a salt mine there, or monopolize the salt-boiling rights on a piece of coastline..."

“That’s our family’s property, passed down through generations! The empire can’t interfere, and we can’t defeat the local natives. We are the masters of that land!”

Sun Jinghai looked up at his son. He knew his son was right, but he just couldn't get over that hurdle in his heart.

After a long silence, he slowly said:
"Let's wait for the regulations to be released. First, send someone to Qingdao Port to find out about the ships there, the wind direction, and... the detailed history of the Li family over those seven years."

.........

The commotion in the south of Luoyang quickly reached the north of the city.

This area was a gathering place for the powerful and wealthy, home to members of the imperial family, meritorious officials, and newly rich officials who had risen through the ranks from the Yuying Academy.

Their attitude towards Nan Yinzhou was completely different from that of the merchants.

At the residence of the Vice Minister of War, several colleagues gathered, and naturally, their conversation revolved around news from the newspapers.

"This Li family member does have some skills."

A white-haired general stroked his beard and said, "Controlling a thousand miles of land in seven years, we might not be able to do that."

"So what if we can do it?"

Another sneered, "Thousands of miles away, across the ocean, troops can't be mobilized, and supplies can't be transported. Even if he really becomes emperor over there, His Majesty can't do anything about it. Unless..."

"Unless the imperial court is willing to spend a fortune to build another ocean-going fleet and transport 50,000 troops there, the cost of which is enough to launch ten western expeditions."

"so,"

A third person chimed in, saying meaningfully, "It is His Majesty who intends to publicize this matter extensively."

Everyone looked at him.

He said slowly and deliberately, "The newspapers say that Nan Yinzhou is covered in gold and silver, and its fertile land stretches for thousands of miles. Who is this for? Is it for us? No. It's for those merchants. They have no future in the empire and are filled with resentment. Now that we've told them there's land and minerals there, and they don't have to pay taxes or be watched by the Inspectorate, won't they flock there like madmen?"

“But those eight months adrift at sea…” someone hesitated.

"What's there to fear about dead people? Merchants don't have to float the boats themselves. They have plenty of money; they hire people to do it. If ten thousand refugees die, they can get a boatload of gold and silver in return. They'll make a fortune."

Everyone fell silent.

After a long pause, the general slowly said, "His Majesty's thoughts... are becoming increasingly profound."

…………

The Imperial City, the Purple Palace.

Inside the Imperial Garden, Yi Huawei stood with his hands behind his back by the window, gazing at the melting snow. The snow had thinned considerably, revealing the gray-blue stone paths and withered yellow grass beneath. A few sparrows hopped among the branches, shaking off fluffy snowflakes.

Bai Qing'er stood three steps behind him, dressed in a black outfit with a dark blue cloak over it, her skin so fair it was almost transparent.

"Your Majesty, this is a summary of the movements of the eight families in the south of the city over the past few days."

Yi Huawei did not turn around, but simply raised his hand slightly.

Bai Qing'er stepped forward, gently placed the file on the low table, then stepped back and continued to stand quietly.

Yi Huawei slowly turned around, walked to the low table and sat down, casually flipping through the file, his eyes sweeping over the densely packed small characters.

Shen Shiyuan of the Guangling Shen family summoned his sons, nephews, and shopkeepers to discuss the development of Nanyinzhou, seemingly intending to invest the entire clan.

Wei Zhengrong of the Wei family in Xiangyang has sent people to Qingdao Port to reserve a ship's berth, and at the same time, he has secretly sent someone to contact Li Chongyi, the envoy of the Li family.

Zhuo Yuanfan of the Zhuo family in Chengdu gathered his old colleagues from the medicinal herb business to study methods of planting corn and potatoes, and sent people to Dengzhou to inquire about the details of the native crops.

The Sun family of Qingzhou is divided into two factions. The young master, Sun Mingyuan, advocates expansion, while the clan leader, Sun Jinghai, is hesitant and has already sent people to Qingdao Port to gather information.

Huo Yuanzheng of the Huo family in Taiyuan kept to himself and did not leave his home, but the Huo family's manager in Luoyang frequently went in and out of the Maritime Trade Office and the Maritime Expansion Office.

Qin Guanghou of the Qin family of Jiangling gathered the clan's old craftsmen to study the types of timber and shipbuilding matters in Nanyinzhou, seemingly intending to undertake the construction of ships bound for Nanyinzhou.

Ma Yongsheng, from Liangzhou, sent someone to contact his former subordinates in the Western Regions to inquire whether it was possible to travel by land to Nanyinzhou. This idea was absurd, but it showed how urgent he was.

The Liang family of Guangzhou, led by Liang Hongju, has already announced in Guangzhou Port that they are willing to offer high prices to recruit experienced sailors skilled in ocean voyages to build their own fleet.

As he closed the file, a faint smile curved the corners of Yi Huawei's lips.

"The actions of these eight families are faster than I anticipated."

Bai Qing'er said softly, "Your Majesty, is it necessary to... provide some guidance? For example, have the Ministry of Revenue issue preferential regulations as soon as possible, and have the Imperial Times follow up with several in-depth reports to exaggerate the prospects of Nan Yinzhou. We can also release the news that the first batch of applicants will receive additional land quotas."

Yi Huawei nodded slightly: "Do as you say. Be quick, before the spring floods. Make them invest all their money, manpower, and effort into that continent."

He paused, then looked up at Bai Qing'er:
"Have those officials who came from the 'Education Academy' and the generals who rose through the ranks have been talking about lately?"

Bai Qing'er replied, "There wasn't much discussion. A few people mentioned that 'the Li family's growing power might cause future trouble,' but most people were indifferent, thinking that something thousands of miles away was not a concern. A few people... privately said that it was good that the merchants left, so they wouldn't be an eyesore in Luoyang."

Yi Huawei chuckled softly:
"They find the merchants an eyesore, and the merchants find them an eyesore too. Perfect, let's part ways."

"Have the secret guards keep a close eye on the eight families, but don't interfere. Let them weigh the options themselves, take risks, fail, or... succeed."

"If we succeed, we will become the empire's bulwark, guarding its overseas territories, fighting against the natives, mining, and farming. This is more cost-effective than me sending 100,000 troops over there."

"If they fail, that's their own problem. The money went down the drain, and the people died in a foreign land. They can't blame the court."

Bai Qing'er lowered her head: "Yes."

Yi Huawei was silent for a moment, then suddenly said, "Tell me, am I too ruthless?"

Bai Qing'er was slightly taken aback, then replied, "Your Majesty is wise. Since ancient times, those who wish to accomplish great things have not been bound by trivial matters. If the eight families can succeed, it will greatly benefit both the country and themselves; if they cannot succeed... it is simply a matter of fate."

Yi Huawei didn't reply, he just stared out the window.

After a long silence, he said softly:
"Thirty years ago, I told Li Erlang outside Luoyang that the world was vast. Now, he has truly gone to the other side of the world and made a name for himself." "I let him go back then hoping he would give me an answer: how far can a person go beyond this chessboard?"

"Now, he has sent the answer back."

Yi Huawei turned around, his gaze calm as still water:
"Issue an imperial decree to the Ministry of Revenue that the superior seeds presented by the Li family be immediately handed over to the Ministry of Agriculture for trial planting. If the trial planting is successful, they shall be promoted to Guanzhong, Longyou, and Liaodong within three years."

"Furthermore, summon Li Chongyi to the palace. I want to see him in person. Tell him that I am very interested in his experiences during those seven years in Nan Yinzhou."

Bai Qing'er bowed: "As you command."

She turned to leave, but Yi Huawei suddenly called her back:

"By the way, that newspaper report about the gold mine in Nan Yinzhou... was well written. Reward the chief editor of the Imperial Times with one hundred taels of silver."

A faint smile curved Bai Qing'er's lips, a smile that vanished in an instant, quickly replaced by her usual coldness.

"Yes."

She left the warm pavilion and disappeared at the end of the snow-covered path, which had not yet completely melted.

Yi Huawei stood alone by the window, gazing at the early spring that was gradually awakening in the Imperial Garden.

The Tower of Heaven stands majestically, its massive spherical structure atop resembling an eternally silent eye, overlooking this land reshaped by the will of the empire, and also overlooking the merchants, refugees, and adventurers who are about to set sail and embark on unknown destinies.

People's minds are restless.

The still unexplored Southern Yin Continent is being gradually depicted in the prints of imperial newspapers and in the ambitions of merchants as a glittering, tangible new world for those who have "no future."

As for what dangers and unknowns lie hidden behind that world, that's a matter for the future.

At this moment, a spring breeze rises, rippling the Luo River and stirring countless restless hearts.

...............

From the day the extra edition of the Imperial Times was published on February 8th, the entire city of Luoyang was plunged into an unprecedented state of turmoil.

It started as a small-scale discussion in the merchant quarters of the south of the city, but within ten days, the fervor spread like wildfire throughout the city and even the entire empire.

In mid-February, the Ministry of Revenue and the Department of Maritime Expansion jointly promulgated the "Preferential Regulations for the Development of Southern Yinzhou," marking the official start of this "gold rush" guided by the imperial court, led by merchants, and participated in by the general public.

The core content of the regulations is as follows:

I. All subjects of our dynasty, regardless of whether they are scholars, farmers, artisans, or merchants (except for the Jurchen and other labor service ethnic groups), may apply to go to Nanyinzhou for development. After the application is approved, the Ministry of Revenue will issue a "Development Order," which will allow them to board ships, purchase land, and recruit manpower.

II. Each of the first group of settlers will be granted one hundred mu of basic land. The location of the land will be chosen by the applicants themselves (avoiding areas already controlled by the Li family), and the government will only be responsible for registration and filing. The ownership of the land will permanently belong to the settlers and their descendants, and the imperial court will never take it back.

Third, of the minerals discovered in Nanyinzhou, the imperial court will collect one-tenth as tribute, and the remainder will belong to the explorers. Mining does not require additional licenses; it only requires registration with the local government (to be established).

IV. The Empire will organize an official fleet that will regularly travel between Dengzhou Port and Zhenhai City in Nanyinzhou every spring and autumn. In addition to transporting official supplies, the fleet will also sell berths to the public. The price for a regular cabin is fifty taels per person (including basic food and water), and the price for a cargo cabin is one hundred taels per cubic meter.

Fifth, and most importantly: except for gunpowder, firearms, cannons, and other firearms, as well as books, which are strictly prohibited from being exported overseas, all other materials, including cold weapons, armor, farm tools, oxen, seeds, cloth, medicines, books, tools, and even horses and mules, are to be supplied freely without quantity limits and without export taxes.

No restrictions on cold weapons? No restrictions on armor? No restrictions on horses? What does this mean? It means that the empire tacitly approves, no, encourages those who go to Southern Yin Continent to have enough power to gain a foothold in that wild land, and even to become kings and conquerors!
On the night the news broke, the lights in eight mansions south of Luoyang City remained on all night.

Shen Shiyuan summoned all the male members of his clan in Luoyang overnight and made a decision on the spot: the entire clan would bet on Nan Yinzhou!

"The Shen family's ancestral property will be divided, with 30% left to the elderly, weak, women, and children to maintain it. The remaining 70% will be liquidated and converted into grain, cloth, tools, medicine, horses, and cold weapons!"

"Not enough cash? Borrow from a money exchange! Not enough money exchange? Use the Shen family's textile manufacturing license as collateral! Tell the people at the Ministry of Revenue that my Shen family is willing to lend them 200,000 taels of silver, using our textile manufacturing quota for the next three years as collateral!"

"Wen Tao, take fifty capable men and set off for Qingdao Port immediately. Charter ships! Charter as many as you can! Not enough cargo space? Charter several more ships! Money is no object!"

"Remember, those who go first must be quick! Get ahead of everyone else, claim the best spots, and find the biggest mines!"

The Wei family of Xiangyang, led by Wei Zhengrong, employed even more brutal methods.

He led his men directly into the government-run ironworks in Xiangyang City, and in front of the foreman, he presented 100,000 taels of silver notes, demanding the purchase of all the iron materials, finished farm tools, and swords in the inventory.

The field supervisor turned pale with fright: "Master Wei... Master Wei, this matter must be reported to the Ministry of War..."

Wei Zhengrong sneered: "Report? The newspaper clearly states in black and white that 'no limit on the quantity of cold weapons and no export tax'! If you, the field supervisor, dare to stop me, I'll go to Luoyang tomorrow and accuse you of 'obstructing development and disobeying the Emperor's will'!"

Three days later, three Wei family cargo ships, fully loaded with iron and weapons, sailed down the Han River and headed straight for the Yangtze River.

Chengdu Zhuojia's actions were the most low-key.

Instead of rushing to liquidate his assets, Zhuo Yuanfan dispatched twenty of his most skilled herbal medicine merchants to various medicinal herb producing areas in western Sichuan to buy up all the Coptis chinensis, Ligusticum chuanxiong, Fritillaria cirrhosa, Rheum palmatum, and other effective herbs for treating malaria that were available on the market.

At the same time, he personally visited several large farmers in Chengdu Prefecture and purchased their oxen, mules, horses, and all their farm tools at high prices.

Zhuo Yuanfan said to his son, "Those who go to pan for gold will eventually need to eat after they make their fortune. To eat, they need to farm, and to farm, they need seeds, livestock, and farm tools. In the end, these things will be more valuable than gold."

The Liang family in Guangzhou acted the fastest.

Liang Hongju was originally a maritime merchant, and his familiarity with the sea far surpassed that of the other seven families. On the third day after the news was announced, he spread the word in Guangzhou Port that the Liang family was willing to pay double the price to recruit experienced sailors who were proficient in ocean navigation, accountants who knew nautical charts, and interpreters who could speak foreign languages.

Within seven days, he recruited thirty-seven experienced sailors, five of whom had traveled to Southeast Asia with the imperial fleet, the furthest being Ceylon.

In early March, the Liang family spent a huge sum of money to purchase three ocean-going merchant ships (old-style treasure ships converted from retired Imperial Navy ships), and began to modify and reinforce them, as well as to stockpile supplies for the long voyage.

The actions of the Ma family in Liangzhou were the most daring—or rather, the most reckless.

Ma Yongsheng personally led fifty elite cavalrymen deep into the northern grasslands. Ostensibly, he was "purchasing fine horses," but in reality, he visited several Uyghur tribal leaders who had maintained a long-standing friendship with the Ma family.

No one knows what they talked about. All that is known is that half a month later, Ma Yongsheng returned to Liangzhou with two hundred top-quality warhorses, along with thirty young warriors who were skilled in riding and archery, could speak Turkic, but looked no different from Han Chinese.

These people will become the Ma family's private guard during the upcoming expedition to Nanyin Continent.

The Huo family of Taiyuan, the Qin family of Jiangling, and the Sun family of Qingzhou also made their own moves.

Huo Yuanzheng personally went to Luoyang to visit an old acquaintance at the Ministry of Revenue and obtained the first batch of "pre-registration certificates" for land in Nanyinzhou. He did not make a fuss, but quietly sent someone to Qingdao Port to reserve a full twenty cargo holds.

Qin Guanghou summoned the clan's veteran craftsmen to work day and night to produce a special kind of "modular wooden house"—all components were prefabricated, and upon arrival at the destination, they only needed to be simply assembled for occupancy. In Nan Yin Zhou, this thing would probably be more valuable than gold.

Within the Sun family, the patriarch, Sun Jinghai, was finally persuaded by his son, Sun Mingyuan. Instead of selling off the salt fields on a large scale, the Sun family allocated 50,000 taels of silver to purchase ten boatloads of sea salt, salted fish, and the tools needed for salt production.

"Let's go to Nan Yin Zhou to boil salt! It's by the sea there, so there must be salt fields. Our Sun family has been boiling salt for three generations. Once we get there, who can compare to us?" (End of Chapter)