Daming: I can’t kill such a greedy prince-in-law?

Ouyang Lun felt a warm feeling in his heart, but it was also mixed with a bit of bitterness. He was touched by Zhu Biao's support, but he also understood that this meant greater responsibility and pressure. He opened his mouth, but finally swallowed the refusal that was about to come out of his mouth.

"I know, I feel like I've boarded your father and son's pirate ship!" Ouyang Lun said half-jokingly, but his tone could not hide his fatigue and helplessness. He thought of the various twists and turns during this period, from the dispute with Zhu Yuanzhang, to the opposition of merchants, to the impeachment of the old ministers now, every step was extremely difficult. But now that things have come to this, how can he retreat?
Zhu Biao was stunned at first, then burst into laughter. But there was a bit of bitterness in his laughter: "Brother-in-law, I'm sorry for wronging you. But for the future of Ming Dynasty, we can only grit our teeth and persevere. Although father has a bad temper, he also understands that what you are doing is for the country. As long as you get through this period, everything will be fine."

Ouyang Lun smiled bitterly and walked to the window. The snow outside the window was getting heavier, and the goose-feather-like snowflakes were fluttering, covering the Ministry of Revenue in a vast expanse of white. He looked at the snowy scene, but his thoughts drifted to a farther place.

If we had not come to the capital, but instead settled on an island off the coast, our lives would definitely be more leisurely than they are now.

"Your Majesty, the technology brought by those foreign merchants can indeed make the Ming Dynasty stronger. But this process is destined to be bumpy." Ouyang Lun turned around and looked at Zhu Biao firmly, "But as long as it can bring long-term benefits to the Ming Dynasty, I will persist no matter how difficult it is."

Ouyang Lun was silent for a moment, then slowly said, "I understand. I will sort out the business invitation as soon as possible, so that those merchants can see the benefits, and the emperor can see the results. However, I hope that Your Majesty will not let the emperor cause trouble again."

Zhu Biao patted his chest and said, "Don't worry! I am here, and I will never make things difficult for you. Just do it, and if you have any difficulties, tell me at any time!"

Ouyang Lun looked at Zhu Biao's departing back, feeling mixed emotions.

Why does it feel like Zhu Yuanzhang is the villain and Zhu Biao is the good guy?
Never mind, this must be my illusion.

Following Ouyang Lun's series of swift and decisive actions, the Ministry of Revenue was crowded with people every day.

In the dim morning light, a long winding queue had already formed on the bluestone slabs in front of the government office. The merchants were wrapped in thick sable furs, and the white breath they exhaled condensed into frost flowers in the cold wind, but they still couldn't hide the eagerness and anticipation in their eyes.

Wang, the leader of the East Market Chamber of Commerce, was pacing back and forth outside the red lacquer fence, holding a visiting card soaked with sweat. He looked at the foreign merchants who were respectfully welcomed into the back hall by the clerks, and a trace of unwillingness flashed in his eyes, but he had to suppress his dissatisfaction. "This Prince Consort Ouyang is really powerful." He muttered in a low voice, and the clerk beside him quickly echoed: "That's right, sir. But I heard that this time, as long as you can get in, it will be a sure-win business."

Shopkeeper Wang's eyes lit up instantly, and he remembered the rumors he had heard a few days ago - the new looms brought by foreign merchants could double the output of silk; and there was also the magical firearms technology, which, although inferior to the court's firearms, could be bought!

If it can be used to protect caravans, even the Japanese pirates would be wary of it.

Thinking of this, he subconsciously touched the silver bill in his arms and secretly made up his mind to get the investment qualification no matter what.

On the other side, Li Fuhai, a salt merchant from Jiangnan, was discussing quietly with several colleagues. "Although Prince Consort Ouyang has set many conditions, if you think about it carefully, it is for our own good." Li Fuhai stroked his beard, his eyes shrewd, "It may seem troublesome to have three Han merchants as guarantors, but it is actually an insurance for us. Those who have bad intentions, no matter how much money they have, don't think of sneaking in and breaking the rules."

"That's true, but the audit is too strict." Another salt merchant frowned, his face full of worry, "My shop's account books were turned upside down, and the clerks asked a lot of tricky questions, fearing that we would hide anything."

Li Fuhai chuckled and patted the other man on the shoulder: "Brother, you don't understand this. The stricter the rules, the more opportunities there are! If anyone can enter, can this business still make money? Didn't you see that all the merchants who were eliminated were cunning and treacherous?"

Everyone nodded in agreement after hearing this. They all understood that Ouyang Lun's seemingly strict conditions were actually to select merchants with real strength and integrity. As long as they could pass the review, their future business would be smooth sailing.

Those merchants who passed the review were even more grateful to Ouyang Lun. Zhao Dechang, a silk merchant in Yangzhou, was so excited that he burst into tears when he got the qualification to attract investment. "In my life, I have never seen an official who cares so much about merchants." He held the hand of the clerk and kept thanking him. "Prince Consort Ouyang not only gave us the opportunity to make money, but also taught us how to use new looms to increase production. We will never forget such a kindness!"

Zhao Dechang's words attracted the echoes of the merchants around him. Everyone praised Ouyang Lun's wise decision. Some even expressed on the spot that they were willing to donate part of their profits to the soldiers in the northwest to support the border defense of the Ming Dynasty.

The Portuguese merchant Andre, speaking in stiff Chinese, excitedly said to his companions: "Lord Ouyang is so amazing! The rules he set not only protect the interests of Ming merchants, but also give us the opportunity for fair competition. I believe that doing business here will be very smooth!" His eyes were shining with longing, as if he had already seen the scene of a future of rolling in wealth.

Under Ouyang Lun's promotion, merchants spontaneously formed a chamber of commerce alliance to discuss business strategies and share business information. They also took the initiative to assist the court in combating smuggling and illegal trade and maintaining market order. A Shanxi merchant representative said passionately at the alliance conference: "We can have today's opportunities thanks to the support of the court and Prince Consort Ouyang. Now, it's time for us to give back! Only when the market environment is good can our business last long!"

These words won applause from the whole room. Merchants expressed their willingness to fully cooperate with the court's policies and jointly create a prosperous and stable business environment. They were no longer individuals fighting on their own, but were united in their efforts to make the Ming Dynasty's economy prosperous.

As the work of attracting merchants deepened, the business atmosphere in the capital became stronger. New shops sprang up on both sides of the streets like mushrooms after a rain; on the docks, merchant ships loaded with goods came and went, creating a busy scene. The people who were originally skeptical about foreign merchants gradually changed their views. They saw that foreign merchants brought not only novel goods and technologies, but also new business concepts and management models.

I am even more excited about the new city behind the train station. A street vendor looked at the shops opened by foreign merchants not far away with envy in his eyes: "I always thought these red-haired devils were not good people before, but now it seems that they can really bring a lot of benefits. I heard that the goods in their shops are all produced by new machines, which are cheap and good. We have to learn to improve our small business in the future."

The merchants who were eliminated were now filled with regret. The owner of a rice shop that was found to have ties with the Japanese pirates looked at the closed door and sighed: "If I had known this would happen, why did I do it in the first place? For a little profit, I ruined my bright future. Prince Consort Ouyang's move was really powerful. He cleared out all the bad apples like us."

After the investment promotion work was successfully completed, Ouyang Lun specially held a grand opening ceremony.

Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao were also present at the scene. Seeing the lively scene, Zhu Yuanzhang showed a pleased smile on his face. He patted Ouyang Lun on the shoulder and said with a smile: "Good boy, you are amazing! I was worried that you would mess up, but it turned out to be better than I expected!"

Ouyang Lun bowed respectfully and said, "This is all due to the trust and support of the Emperor and His Majesty. I dare not take credit for it. Although the investment promotion has been completed, the subsequent management and development are the key. I will do my best to live up to your trust."

Zhu Biao also smiled and nodded: "Brother-in-law, well done! Now that the merchants are so cooperative, the tax revenue of the court will definitely increase significantly. This silver can be used to enrich the treasury and strengthen the border defense."

At the opening ceremony, merchants presented gifts to express their gratitude to the court. On behalf of the East Market Chamber of Commerce, Shopkeeper Wang presented a beautiful silk scroll with eight characters embroidered on it: "Peace and prosperity for the country and the people, and prosperity for merchants"; Li Fuhai donated 10,000 taels of silver to support the military construction in the northwest; and Andre brought the latest mechanical drawings of the Portuguese machine as a token of his sincerity to the Ming Dynasty.

Seeing the merchants' enthusiastic appearance, Ouyang Lun was filled with emotion. He knew that all this was not easy. From the initial doubts and opposition to the current support and cooperation, every step was full of hardships. But as long as he could contribute to the prosperity of the Ming Dynasty, it was worth it no matter how hard it was.

After the ceremony, Ouyang Lun came to the Ministry of Revenue and looked at the piles of merchant information and plans, with a gratified smile on his face. He picked up a pen and wrote the last stroke on a memorial about establishing a commercial tax supervision system. Outside the window, the afterglow of the setting sun sprinkled on the streets and alleys of the capital, illuminating the entire city with splendor.

And those old ministers who had been skeptical about the investment promotion had to look at Ouyang Lun with new eyes at this time.

The Minister of Rites publicly stated in the court: "Ouyang's move to attract investment this time is indeed a policy that benefits the country and the people. It not only introduces advanced technology from foreign countries, but also standardizes the business order. It is indeed a blessing for our Ming Dynasty!"

This statement was agreed by many ministers. They submitted memorials one after another, requesting the court to vigorously promote Ouyang Lun's investment promotion experience and carry out similar investment promotion activities in other cities. Zhu Biao looked at the memorial in his hand and said to Zhu Yuanzhang with satisfaction: "Father, Ouyang Lun really did not disappoint us. Now that the merchants are so cooperative, the prestige of the court has also been greatly improved."

Zhu Yuanzhang smiled and nodded: "This kid is really capable! However, we can't let him get too proud. There is still a long way to go, so we have to let him continue to work hard!"

Amidst all the praise, Ouyang Lun remained sober.

He would not be bought by Zhu Yuanzhang's few words of praise.

He called together representatives of merchants to discuss future development plans. At the meeting, he said earnestly: "Dear colleagues, today's prosperity is hard-won. We cannot be satisfied with the status quo, but must continue to make progress. Only if everyone works together and abides by the rules, can the business of Daming prosper!"

The merchants all agreed, knowing that their fate was closely linked to the prosperity of the Ming Dynasty. Only when the imperial court was strong could their business grow bigger and further.

As dusk fell, Ouyang Lun carefully sealed the memorial on commercial tax supervision on his desk. The candlelight cast a swaying halo on the rice paper. He stroked the jade pendant on his waist, and suddenly remembered the cunning light in Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes when he asked for investment qualifications that day, and couldn't help but smile bitterly. His fingertips knocked heavily on the Huanghuali wooden table. With a "creak", the clerk who used to be ordered by him walked in quickly with a hunched back, and fine beads of sweat were still oozing from his forehead under his official hat.

"Send this document to Zhu Wusi." Ouyang Lun pushed the gold-plated investment invitation letter to the edge of the table. The edge of the rice paper still had a fresh cinnabar stamp. "Remember, it's Zhu Wusi, the merchant of the silk and satin shop."

The clerk's eyes swept over the "Ministry of Revenue Seal" at the end of the invitation, and his Adam's apple rolled violently twice. He stared at the three characters "Zhu Wusi" on the invitation letter, which were so strong that they could be seen through the back of the paper. It was as if he saw the strong wind brought by Zhu Yuanzhang's dragon robe fluttering. His legs trembled slightly uncontrollably: "Sir, this Zhu Wusi is the emperor, isn't he?" Before he finished speaking, he had already fallen to his knees, and his knees hit the blue bricks with a dull sound.

Ouyang Lun took a sip from the teacup. The warm tea soothed his throat, but it couldn't suppress the helplessness in his heart. He put the teacup back on the table. The crisp sound of porcelain and wood colliding startled the clerk and said, "Why are you panicking? I asked you to deliver it to the merchant Zhu Wusi. When did I say you were delivering it to the emperor?" He stood up and walked in front of the clerk, and the corner of his robe brushed across his stiff back. "He is probably drinking with his old brothers in Yuelai Tower at this moment. Just deliver the documents according to the rules."

The clerk looked up, and in the flickering candlelight, he saw the coldness in Ouyang Lun's eyes, a complex expression of someone who saw through the emperor's will but had to deal with it. "But if others knew about this," the clerk's voice was as thin as a mosquito, and his fingers unconsciously picked at the dirt in the cracks between the bricks.

"If we don't let him get involved, we really won't have to do anything." Ouyang Lun leaned forward, his warm breath brushing the clerk's ear, "Do you think those harsh words the emperor said in the Ministry of Revenue that day were true? He has been eyeing the fat piece of meat of investment promotion for a long time, but he just wants a legitimate reason." He straightened up, his eyes swept across the "Great Ming Law" hanging on the wall, and a meaningful smile appeared at the corner of his mouth, "Besides, Zhu Wusi's silk and satin shop has long been registered in the merchant registration book - if we do things according to the rules, no one can find fault with it."

"I understand!" The clerk kowtowed violently, his forehead hitting the blue bricks with a dull sound, "I will hand the document to Mr. Zhu in person!" He rolled and crawled to his feet, but was tripped by the corner of his robe when he stepped out of the door, and fell awkwardly in the corridor. Ignoring the pain, he hurriedly stuffed the document into his arms, stumbled and disappeared into the twilight. (End of this chapter)