I, the Ming Dynasty, can still save me

Chapter 394 Sun Yuanhua goes to the West
The most fundamental thing about the imperial court is money.

As long as you have money, you can do anything.If you don’t have money, even if you have ambition, you won’t be able to do anything.

So seeing that the coin minting matter was finally settled, Zhu Youxiao couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief.

Minting is a long-term process, especially if you want to exchange all the people's silver coins into silver coins. It will be difficult to accomplish it in less than ten or twenty years.

But knowing this, Zhu Youxiao still wanted to implement this matter unswervingly.

Because this would not only bring a steady stream of income to the court, but also return the court's monetary power to the country, allowing the Ming court to regain control of the minting power, paving the way for future money houses and banks.

In Zhu Youxiao's previous life, he often read some online novels. As soon as the protagonist came to power, he set up some kind of bank and bank. People deposited money into it at every turn, and the protagonist immediately made a lot of money.

But after Zhu Youxiao traveled through time, he realized that this was simply not feasible.

Finance is all about two words: trust.

The officials and people of the Ming Dynasty originally distrusted the emperor.

In particular, the economic performance of the Ming Dynasty was a mess. From the beginning, silver coins were not allowed to be used, and Ming treasure banknotes had to be used.

It's just that the imperial court used it as a money printing machine at will, which caused the Ming Dynasty's treasure notes to depreciate so much that it was hard to use them as toilet paper, not to mention the disaster of the Wanli Emperor's mining tax and so on.

Therefore, the financial credibility of the imperial court is almost zero. If you come here and do nothing, you will directly launch banks and banks.It will definitely be considered by officials and people as a means for the emperor to make money. Let’s not say whether we agree or not, but we will definitely criticize and criticize it.

Therefore, Zhu Youxiao was very cautious about establishing banks and banks and did not dare to act rashly.

He wanted to slowly reform the tax system and mint currency so that ordinary people and merchants could profit from it.Only in this way can the economic credibility of the imperial court be restored, and things will be better done in the future.

After thinking about the matter, Zhu Youxiao discussed some details with Liu Yishui and asked them to retreat and discuss it themselves.

But after Liu Yishen left, Xu Guangqi still stood there with no intention of leaving.Seeing this, Zhu Youxiao was very curious and couldn't help asking:

"My dear, do you have anything else you want to discuss with me?"

Xu Guangqi smiled bitterly, nodded slowly and said:
"Your Majesty, I have one thing to ask for your permission before I stay."

Seeing what Xu Guangqi said, Zhu Youxiao became even more curious.

"No matter what, Xu Aiqing just says it's okay. Since I came to the throne, you have done your best. I see all the credit for it. As long as it is reasonable, I will definitely agree."

"Your Majesty, this matter is actually not for me, but for my student Sun Yuanhua. I would like to ask your Majesty to let him also go to the West."

Let Sun Yuanhua go as an envoy to the West?

Zhu Youxiao suddenly realized that when he went to court this morning, he read the list handed over by the Ministry of Rites.

There were four people sent by the imperial court this time, including two from the Ministry of Rites, one doctor each from the Host and Guest Department and the Siyi Pavilion, one from Honglu Temple, and the last person was from Jinyiwei.

The three civil servants on the list all came from the diplomatic department of the Ming Dynasty, and one of them, Yuan Wai Lang, from the Siyi Pavilion, was able to speak the Buddhist language.

Zhu Youxiao didn't say anything about this. After all, it was an adventure for the first time, and to be honest, it was a bit risky.

Zhu Youxiao would not send any important people there, as it would be troublesome if something happened.

After going there and briefly understanding the situation, Zhu Youxiao thought that he would send an ambassador's delegation there. That was the first official visit, and some important people would be sent there.

Therefore, Zhu Youxiao was a little surprised when he heard that Xu Guangqi wanted Sun Yuan to die, and immediately asked curiously why.

"Sun Yuanhua has outstanding abilities. He has been working in Licaolan Field, and he has contributed to the development of Krupa cannons and flintlock guns. I have always kept it in my mind. I was also thinking about letting him take up foreign posts in the future. Why did Aiqing suddenly want to do this? He went on a diplomatic mission to the West."

When Xu Guangqi heard this, he nodded slightly. Of course he knew that it was actually more cost-effective to serve in the Ming Dynasty than to go to the West.

Not only is it safe to work in the Ming Dynasty, but I can also help him, making his future career smoother. But if he goes to the West, he will just work hard alone, which goes without saying that it is dangerous.

But after listening to Sun Yuanhua's analysis, he also changed his mind.

"Your Majesty, this is Wei Chen's idea, and it was proposed by Sun Yuanhua himself. Sun Yuanhua was born in Juren, and because of His Majesty's favor, he has always been reused. Both Wei Chen and himself are very grateful to Your Majesty.

But last month, he suddenly found Wei Chen and said that he wanted to go to the West as a representative. First, he was interested in Western learning and wanted to see it in person.

Secondly, he can speak the French language and has contacts with Tang Ruowang and others. If he goes to the West, he will be able to understand the local situation more easily and introduce it to His Majesty.

Of the three, he said that the current Western books were all brought over by Tang Ruowang and others, and were not the latest ones.He was interested in Western learning, and if he went there, he would definitely bring some of the latest Western books to the Ming Dynasty. "

After Zhu Youxiao heard this, he held his chin with his hand and thought for a while.It seems that Sun Yuanhua has his own ideas. He has an advantage that others do not have, that is, he is more familiar with Western conditions than those in the imperial court's Ministry of Rites.

If I go there, I will understand the Western countries in more detail and introduce myself in more detail.

"Of course I know Sun Yuanhua's desire to serve the country with his fists. If he wants to go, I will definitely agree. But from the Ming Dynasty to the Western Ocean, it is tens of thousands of miles away. I heard from Western monks that it would take more than half a year just to travel by boat, and the sea breeze, food and , pirates and other dangerous and unusual things, I am a little worried about them."

"Your Majesty, I also know that the journey is long and difficult, but Sun Yuanhua is not afraid of this. After all, this is the first time for our Ming Dynasty to go to the West. It will be of great benefit to our Ming Dynasty if we send Sun Yuanhua to learn more about the situation in the West.

As for the risks involved, Sun Yuanhua is also aware of it.He has made it clear that if something happens, it will be like dying in battle and sacrificing his life for the country. Please don't worry, Your Majesty. "

When Xu Guangqi heard the emperor's worries, he thought so too.It's just that Sun Yuanhua has long understood the risks, and even his persuasion is useless. Now he can only report the truth and support Sun Yuanhua.

Hearing Xu Guangqi's explanation, Zhu Youxiao couldn't help but sigh.

"Having said that, if I don't agree, it would seem that I am too heartless."

When he said this, he looked at Xu Guangqi and said solemnly:

"I appointed Sun Yuanhua as the doctor of the Ministry of Household Affairs, and appointed the host and guest secretary. He is the leader of the mission to the West and has full authority to handle its affairs."

Xu Guangqi secretly breathed a sigh of relief when he heard this, and immediately bowed and said:

"In compliance with the order, I would like to express my gratitude to Your Majesty Sun Yuanhua."

Zhu Youxiao nodded slowly.

"You should give him more instructions when you go back, and also ask Tang Ruowang and others to tell him about the situation of the Western Ocean and the precautions for navigation."

"Please rest assured, Your Majesty."

"Well, that's it, I'm tired."

Seeing Xu Guangqi nodding, Zhu Youxiao didn't want to say anything anymore and waved his hand directly for Xu Guangqi to step back.

Watching Xu Guangqi leave, Zhu Youxiao stood up slowly and walked towards the wall opposite the throne. The huge "Kunyu and Ten Thousand Kingdoms" was hung on the wall, which was particularly eye-catching.

Zhu Youxiao stood next to the map, his gaze gradually extending downward from Beijing, passing through the Ming Dynasty, the South China Sea, the Philippines, Malacca, India, Africa, and finally Europe.

With such a long distance, Zhu Youxiao, as a traveler, also knew the dangers involved.

Therefore, no matter what purpose Sun Yuanhua had, whether he wanted to achieve meritorious service or gain fame, Zhu Youxiao was full of admiration for him.

At the same time, I was also thinking secretly that since Sun Yuanhua was sent there, many plans for Europe could be arranged earlier.
-
Chief Secretary of Guizhou

As the saying goes, the sky in Guizhou is never clear for three days, the ground is never three feet flat, the mountains are three feet away from the sky, and people don't have three cents of silver. Hong Chengchou originally thought it was just a rumor, but as soon as he entered this place, he knew that these words were true.

Since receiving the task of escorting grain and fodder in early August, Hong Chengchou set off without stopping, leading the fleet along the waterway while there was still a southwesterly wind, setting sail and sailing up the Yangtze River to Wuchang Prefecture.

Thanks to Zhu Xieyuan, he became the governor of the five provinces, and the Chief Secretary of Huguang was also under his jurisdiction.After the grain and grass arrived, the Chief Secretary of Huguang assisted Zhu Xieyuan in allocating people's forces and rushed to Guizhou by land and water.

But as soon as he arrived in Guizhou, Hong Chengchou immediately understood the characteristics of Guizhou. There are mountains and peaks everywhere, and it is very difficult to transport by land. As long as you guard the strategic transportation areas, it will be difficult for outsiders to break in.

Fortunately, the imperial court also knew this truth. Therefore, when creating the Chief Secretary of Guizhou, it adhered to the idea of ​​"sticking to the front line" and set up many post stations on the way to the Chief Secretary of Sichuan, Yunnan, and Huguang, and placed guardrails in them. So, encourage military camps.

Originally, these inns had long been dilapidated after hundreds of years of operation, and the local chieftains became increasingly disrespectful to the imperial court.

However, after the Battle of Bozhou in the Wanli Dynasty and the rebellion in Yongning, Sichuan in March, two of the four major chieftains in the southwest were pacified by the court. Now only the Shuixi'an clan and the Shuidong Song clan are left, making the chieftains in Guizhou a little afraid of the court. .

Especially now that the imperial army has gathered to annihilate the Shuixi'an clan in one fell swoop, the chieftains did not dare to act rashly, for fear of offending the imperial court and eventually being implicated by An Bangyan.

Of course, these toasts are just watching people prepare their dishes. Their so-called not to act rashly is nothing more than watching a show to see the outcome of this battle.

If the imperial court wins.When the time comes for the imperial court to seize the power of victory and return to the country, they will not dare to say anything.But if the imperial court cannot destroy An Bangyan, then all the chieftains will not give the imperial court face.

But no matter what, Hong Chengchou still feels pretty good.

As the Chief Secretary of Guizhou, the Zuo Councilor, and the Censor of Grain Road, he was treated very well along the way.The chieftains in northwest Guizhou did not dare to offend this high-ranking official and were very respectful to him. They sent people to help carry grain and grass one after another.

With their help, Hong Chengchou quickly escorted the grain and grass to Guiyang.

(End of this chapter)