Done! Your Majesty is going to prostitute me for free!

Inside the church, the cold air seemed to freeze. Six people stared at the two bodies lying on the ground. It was so quiet that even a pin drop could be heard clearly. Time seemed to have stopped at this moment. Only the occasional sound of the wind outside the window and the sound of waves hitting the shore in the distance broke the dead silence.

After a long time, Shi Lang was the first to come to his senses. He walked gently to Zheng Zhilong's side and asked in a low voice: "Sir, what should we do with these two bodies?" Zheng Zhilong's body shook slightly, as if he was suddenly awakened from his deep thoughts. He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, with a flash of determination in his eyes: "Don't make a sound, wait until dark and throw them into the sea." His voice was soft, but it carried unquestionable power.

"Yes." Shi Lang responded, and turned around to direct the servants to clean up the scene. They moved quickly and orderly, trying not to make any noise, as if they were performing a silent ceremony.

Half an hour later, the cathedral regained its former tranquility and solemnity, as if nothing had happened. However, there was still a subtle smell of blood in the air, like a silent witness, reminding people of the two lives that had just been lost.

Shi Lang walked to Zheng Zhilong again and reported in a low voice: "Sir, before the merchant died, he said, please leave a way out for those who come after you..." There was a hint of worry in his voice.

Zheng Zhilong's face was solemn. He nodded and said, "What I'm worried about is not that they will come directly at me, but that they will harm Ming Yan!" There was a deep worry in his eyes.

"Ming Yan has just been appointed as the deputy commander-in-chief of the Fujian Navy. If this matter gets out, it will be detrimental to his career." Shi Lang said, and added: "But it may not be a bad thing." He tried to comfort Zheng Zhilong, but there was a hint of uncertainty in his tone.

Zheng Zhilong glanced at him, sighed and said: "To tell you the truth, I actually don't want him to give up his career as a civil servant and become a military general! Sometimes a word from a civil servant is more effective than a military general fighting hundreds of battles." His tone was full of helplessness and regret.

"But the situation forces me to accept the emperor's grace." Shi Lang smiled gently, "Sir, the opportunity has come!" There was a hint of mystery and anticipation in his voice.

"What do you mean?" Zheng Zhilong frowned and looked at him in confusion.

Shi Lang smiled mysteriously: "What do you think, sir, about the emperor appointing Ming Yan as deputy general?" He deliberately paused and observed Zheng Zhilong's reaction.

Zheng Zhilong glared at him, then sighed: "Actually, I'm not very willing. But now that I've accepted it, I have to find a way to deal with it." His tone revealed a sense of helplessness and determination.

Shi Lang smiled again: "Your Excellency can try to contact those merchants and find out their background. If they are really detrimental to Ming Yan, ask for an order to revoke his position as deputy general and let him go to Nanjing to join his teacher Qian Qianyi. Although Mr. Qian is Mr. Shi's aide, he is actually the prince's confidant. With this relationship, it will not be difficult to find a position in Nanjing." There was a hint of cunning and wit in his voice.

"In this way, Ming Yan will be transferred from a civil servant to a civil servant. My Lord will be outside and Ming Yan will be inside. The two will complement each other and work together to revitalize the Zheng family!" Zheng Zhilong's eyes lit up when he heard it, "Good idea! Prepare the banquet quickly, I want to drink with Shi Lang." There was a hint of excitement and anticipation in his voice.

Two days later, two unexpected guests arrived outside Anping Prefecture. They claimed to be merchants from Northern Zhili, Dong Liao and Dong Dong. One of them held a business card and bowed deeply to the doorman: "Excuse me, is this Zheng's Mansion?" There was a hint of politeness and caution in his voice.

The doorman was the same servant from two days ago. He came out and asked with a frown, "What's the matter?" There was a hint of vigilance and confusion in his eyes.

"We are merchants from Northern Zhili, Dong Liao and Dong Dong, and we want to meet Mr. Zheng to discuss the issue of foreign goods." Dong Liao said with a smile. However, a sudden cold wind blew, and the doorman was startled, thinking he saw a ghost, and took several steps back before he could stand firm: "You are not... not..." There was a hint of fear and uneasiness in his voice.

"We are new here, please inform him. If Lord Zheng doesn't see us, we will commit suicide on the spot." Dong Dong said coldly. There was a hint of threat and determination in his voice. The doorman turned pale with fear and ran into the mansion to report.

Zheng Zhilong sat in his study with a calm expression, listening to the report from the doorman. A trace of doubt and thought flashed in his eyes, and then he said slowly: "Let them come in through the side door." There was a trace of unquestionable power in his voice.

After some pleasantries, everyone sat down. Zheng Zhilong spoke first: "What do you want to see me about?" His voice was full of dignity and calmness.

Dong Liao smiled and said, "We want to borrow Lord Zheng's fleet to smuggle goods to North Korea to make a living." There was a hint of pleading and expectation in his voice.

"This is a capital crime, aren't you afraid that I will expose you?" Zheng Zhilong asked coldly, with a majestic and inviolable light flashing in his eyes.

Dong Liao smiled and said, "Our lives are worthless, and Dong Liao and Dong Dong are just code names. Even if you kill us, there will be others coming." There was a hint of indifference and determination in his voice.

Zheng Zhilong remained silent, as he had seen the power of the Liaodong Jiannu behind them. So he asked, "What will happen if I don't agree to your request?" His voice was full of dignity and unquestionable.

Dong Liao said coldly: "If we die, others will naturally come, wearing the same clothes and saying the same words." There was a hint of threat and determination in his voice, as if to show Zheng Zhilong the power and determination behind them.

"You are forcing me!" Zheng Zhilong was angry. There was a hint of anger and dissatisfaction in his voice. He hated the feeling of being forced, and hated the situation of being threatened even more.

"Have you forgotten that merchants pursue profits? In troubled times, we should store more food and wait for the right time, rather than blindly pledge allegiance," Dong Liao said with a smile. There was a hint of cunning and wit in his voice, as if he was trying to persuade Zheng Zhilong.

Zheng Zhilong looked at him coldly: "Go away, I don't want to kill anyone, nor do I want to be implicated." There was a hint of determination and unquestionable in his voice. He had already decided not to be easily threatened by these people.

Dong Liao smiled and said, "Don't worry, sir. We have made arrangements." There was a hint of confidence and calmness in his voice, as if he was showing Zheng Zhilong their strength and preparation.

"Our merchant ships set out from Fujian, loaded with goods and sailed to Jeju Island. When they came back, they were either empty or loaded with Korean furs, ginseng, rice, beans and other things." Dong Liao explained their plan in detail. There was a sense of clarity and organization in his voice. It was as if he was showing Zheng Zhilong their expertise and strength.

"The people of Tamra are very tight-lipped. We are not worried at all about your secrets," Dong Dong added. There was a hint of confidence and calmness in his voice. It was as if he was assuring Zheng Zhilong of their safety and confidentiality.

Zheng Zhilong asked, "How much will it cost?" His voice was calm and rational. He would not be fooled by these people's words, nor would he be shaken by their threats. He just wanted to know the answer to this question.

Dong Dong replied: "For every thirty ships of goods, we will pay an additional 100,000 taels of silver. If we make an agreement, we will pay this money first." There was a hint of sincerity and expectation in his voice, as if to show Zheng Zhilong their sincerity and strength.

"Aren't you afraid that I will go back on my word?" Zheng Zhilong asked coldly. His eyes flashed with a majestic and inviolable light. He wanted to know the details and strength of these people. He also wanted to know whether they had enough confidence and determination to complete this plan.

Dong Liao smiled and said, "Although you have guns in your hands, business is about credit. Since we have chosen you, we absolutely trust you." There was a hint of confidence and calmness in his voice. It seemed that he was showing Zheng Zhilong their trust and determination. It also seemed that he was telling Zheng Zhilong that they had enough strength and confidence to complete this plan.

Zheng Zhilong pondered for a while, then slowly said: "I will give you an answer in three days." There was a hint of calmness and rationality in his voice. He had decided not to be easily threatened by these people. He would not give up this opportunity easily. He would use his wisdom and strength to deal with this challenge.

Dong Liao thanked him, left the banknote and left. Their backs disappeared outside the door, leaving the room in silence and contemplation.

Shi Lang walked up to Zheng Zhilong and said, "Sir..." There was a hint of worry and inquiry in his voice. He wanted to know what Zheng Zhilong thought and decided on this plan.

Zheng Zhilong interrupted him: "Don't ask more questions, I know what's going on." There was a hint of unquestionable power in his voice. He had made up his mind and would not easily change his mind or decision. He would not be easily influenced by the words of others.

"But the court..." Shi Lang wanted to say something, but was interrupted by Zheng Zhilong: "I know what's going on!" His voice was full of majesty and unquestionable. He had already decided to use his wisdom and strength to deal with this challenge. No matter what the court said, he would not give up this opportunity easily.

Zheng Zhilong walked slowly into the back hall, his heart in turmoil. He stood in front of the window, looking at the scenery outside. The sky was gloomy, as if it would rain at any time. The sea breeze whistled across the sea, stirring up waves. His mood was as gloomy and uncertain as the weather. Reason told him that he should reject this plan, but the temptation of one hundred thousand taels of silver was too great. When he thought of the annual military pay of five thousand soldiers, he felt that this money was not a small amount. He could use the money to equip the army, boost morale, and strengthen his strength. In this way, his position at sea would be more stable and no one could shake it.

However, he also knew the danger of this plan. Once discovered, he would not only be held accountable by the court, but also hunted down by the Liaodong Jiannu. His family and confidants would be implicated. This was a gamble, a gamble on his life and the future of the Zheng family.

While he was hesitating, two secret letters arrived. Zheng Zhilong opened them and his face suddenly changed. One of them was a secret order from the court, requiring him to immediately give up any contact with the Liaodong Jiannu and closely monitor smuggling activities at sea. The other was a threatening letter from the Liaodong Jiannu, requiring him to agree to their plan, otherwise his family and confidants would be implicated.

Zheng Zhilong felt even more upset when he looked at the two secret letters.

Choices in times of war
The first letter was about the war in Huguang. Jian Mingxiao entered Hubei from Sichuan and won a great victory in Yiling. Yiling is the throat of Sichuan and Hubei. It is easy to defend but difficult to attack. It is said that Liu Wenxiu deployed 40,000 troops there, but was defeated by Jian Mingxiao. It is said that he beheaded tens of thousands of people. It is unbelievable!
As for Zhang Xianzhong, he was defeated by Hua Ruiqi at the beginning, but he was not stupid. He quickly crossed the river and dodged Hua Ruiqi's attacks three times in a row. Hua Ruiqi was a fierce general who fought desperately. It was a miracle that Zhang Xianzhong could dodge his three attacks. Then, Zhang Xianzhong secretly attacked Changsha and defeated He Tengjiao. He Tengjiao was the governor of Huguang and had a large army in his hands, but he was defeated by Zhang Xianzhong. Zhang Xianzhong fought all the way to the south of Huguang, which was really jaw-dropping.

Zheng Zhilong sat in his study, holding two letters in his hands, one from Jian Mingxiao and the other from Zhang Xianzhong. After reading the two letters, he muttered, "How can Jian Mingxiao be so powerful that he can capture such a dangerous place as Yiling? How did he do it?" He couldn't figure it out, and then he thought again, "Why did the emperor abolish the household registration system? What is he going to do? Does he want to reform the tax system? Or does he have other plans?" He thought for a long time but couldn't figure it out, and his mind became more and more confused.

In troubled times, it is important to maintain one's strength, but choosing a side is equally important! Zheng Zhilong is a smart man. He knows that in this troubled time, if he wants to maintain his strength, he must choose a strong backer. Now, Jian Mingxiao and Zhang Xianzhong are fighting so fiercely, which side should he choose?

Zheng Zhilong shouted loudly to the outside of the door: "Someone come! Is there any latest news about Li Chuangze?" He wanted to know what the situation was like on Li Zicheng's side and see if he could find some clues from him.

The servant outside the door answered through the door: "My lord, I heard that Li Chuang was stationed in Suzhou a few years ago, and it seems that he is planning to attack Fengyang."

Zheng Zhilong nodded and thought to himself. These bandits are endless, so why not take advantage of the chaos to gain some benefits? Thinking of this, he stood up with a smile and walked out the door. He decided to talk to some old friends and see what they thought.

At the same time, Lin Xiaofeng in the capital also received the news. He put the newspaper on the table and looked at the two postmen kneeling in front of the palace. One was from Jian Mingxiao and the other was from Hua Ruiqi. He wanted to know more details, so he asked the postman from Jian Mingxiao: "I heard that Yiling is the throat of Sichuan and Hubei. Liu Wenxiu deployed 40,000 troops there. How did Governor Qin break through?"

The postman replied tremblingly: "Governor Qin adopted the strategy of dividing his troops into two groups. One group was to contain the enemy upstream of Yiling, while the other group was to send more than 10,000 elite Xidong soldiers to cross the mountains and attack Liu Wenxiu from behind. At night, they set fire to the camp, and Governor Qin took the opportunity to lead his troops to attack fiercely, advancing by land and sea, attacking Liu Wenxiu from the front and back, and Liu Wenxiu was defeated."

Lin Xiaofeng secretly clenched his fists and sighed: "This tactic of sneak attack from behind is simple and effective! Governor Qin is really a military genius!" But he asked doubtfully: "How long will it take to sneak attack from behind? The mountains in Yiling are high and the roads are dangerous. It is not easy to sneak attack from behind."

The postman calculated and said, "Twenty-two days. They crossed mountains and ridges and walked for twenty-two days before they got behind Liu Wenxiu."

Lin Xiaofeng asked, "How did they get food? When marching and fighting, food is the top priority. Although it is not difficult to produce food, it is difficult to transport it. Long distances require more food. Soldiers usually only bring five days of food, and the rest has to be carried on horseback. But when crossing mountains and ridges, horses are not useful, so we can only rely on manpower. One person carries six dou of rice, and two people together can get eighteen days of food, but this is only for a one-way trip. It takes nine days to go back and forth. Jian Mingxiao's army crossed mountains and ridges for twenty-two days, how did they get their food?"

The postman explained: "The Xidong soldiers are strong and good at mountain walking. Each of them brought a few days' worth of food. There are many Tujia tribes in Yiling Mountain. Governor Qin joined forces with them to transport food, which solved the problem of supply. The Tujia tribes trusted Governor Qin very much. They were willing to provide him with food and manpower support. That's why Governor Qin was able to successfully sneak attack Liu Wenxiu from behind."

Lin Xiaofeng suddenly realized: "Jian Mingxiao is truly popular among the people! He is truly ahead of his time in being able to leverage the power of the people to achieve victory! I really admire him!" After saying that, he also rewarded the postman.

Then he asked another postman: "How did Zhang Xianzhong get into southern Huguang? Wasn't he defeated by Governor Yuan? How could he still go all the way south?"

The postman swallowed his saliva and said, "After being defeated by Governor Yuan, Zhang Xianzhong retreated to Jianli. Then he crossed the river to the south bank under the cover of night, and went all the way south to cross the Yuanjiang River, Zishui River and other rivers, and directly arrived at the city of Changsha. The Changsha defenders did not expect him to arrive so quickly. The government troops outside the city collapsed at the first blow, and the people in the city were so scared that they stayed indoors. Zhang Xianzhong fought all the way to the south."

Lin Xiaofeng asked angrily: "What about He Tengjiao? Where is he? Isn't he the governor of Huguang? Why didn't he stop Zhang Xianzhong?"

"He is holding on in Changsha City." replied the postman.

"Everyone has fled, why is he still holding on!" Lin Xiaofeng gritted his teeth in anger. If He Tengjiao could stop Zhang Xianzhong in the north of Changsha, then Zhang Xianzhong would be in danger. Now the Ming army has laid a dragnet: there are Shunjun in the north, Jian Mingxiao in the west, Ma Jinzhong and Hui Dengxiang in the east, Hua Ruiqi in the southeast, and He Tengjiao in the south. Now such a good opportunity has been missed, Lin Xiaofeng is really angry.

He slammed the table in anger and shouted, "He Tengjiao is such an incompetent fellow, but he was defeated at the first blow! Pass on my order to dismiss him from his post as governor of Huguang and summon him to Nanjing to be punished!"

After that, he began to consider the new candidate for the governor. He originally wanted to use Hua Ruiqi, but after thinking about it, he felt that Hua Ruiqi was focused on military affairs and might not have time to take care of civil affairs. So he summoned Miao Yikui to discuss it.

Miao Yikui was a mature and prudent man. After listening to Lin Xiaofeng's words, he pondered for a while and said, "Your Majesty, what kind of person are you looking for? Do you need someone with experience, someone who is close to Huguang, or someone who can take office immediately?"

Lin Xiaofeng thought for a moment and said, "All are needed. This person must have experience and be able to calm down the situation; he must be close to Huguang and be able to take office as soon as possible; and he must also be able to manage civil affairs well."

Miao Yikui nodded and said, "Then I recommend two people: Du Yinxi and Wen Anzhi can both do the job."

Lin Xiaofeng asked: "Oh? How about these two people? Tell me about their resumes and talents."

Miao Yikui replied, "There is no need to say much about Du Yinxi. His strategic vision is one of the best in the Southern Ming. He has held many important positions and performed well. Moreover, he is very familiar with the Huguang region and was able to take office and carry out work quickly. As for Wen Anzhi, although he is not very famous, his courage to do what he knew was impossible when he was the commander-in-chief is also admirable. The position of commander-in-chief is very important. Generally, the cabinet minister or the Minister of War is in charge of the commander-in-chief, and he is also given the upper sword. Although Wen Anzhi faced many difficulties during his tenure as commander-in-chief, he still adhered to his beliefs and duties and worked hard to contribute to the country and the people. I believe he is also capable of being the governor of Huguang."

After listening to Miao Yikui's recommendation, Lin Xiaofeng already had a candidate in mind. He felt that Du Yinxi was indeed a good candidate, with both ability and experience, and he was close to Huguang and could take office as soon as possible. As for Wen Anzhi, although he was not well-known, he was courageous and a talent worth cultivating. So he said, "Okay, let Du Yinxi try first. If he is competent, let him continue to serve; if not, consider replacing Wen Anzhi."

In this way, Lin Xiaofeng made a decision. He hoped that by changing the governor, he could change the situation in Huguang and stop Zhang Xianzhong's attack. At the same time, he also hoped that Jian Mingxiao could continue to exert his military talents and make more contributions to the country and the people. In this chaotic world, choosing a side is important, but more importantly, it is necessary to have the ability and wisdom to deal with various complex situations and challenges.

The Secret Talks of the Minister of Personnel and the Country's Financial Dilemma
The Minister of Personnel, Miao Yikui, a thin, sharp-eyed official, reported in detail on the two candidates, with every detail appearing so precise, as if he had already conducted an in-depth analysis of the two men.

"Du Yinxi is currently the military governor of Wuhan and Huangzhou. He is also responsible for supervising the military in Changsha. His strategic vision and combat capabilities are among the best in the Southern Ming Dynasty. He can completely take over He Tengjiao's position and stabilize the situation in Huguang." Miao Yikui's voice was steady and powerful.

"As for Wen Anzhi," he paused slightly, as if thinking about how to better describe this person, "he is from Yiling, Huguang. He lost his official position due to false accusations and returned to his hometown. But this man is courageous and knows that it is impossible to do something but still does it. He is a rare talent. Recently, the cabinet discussed calling him back to Beijing and reinstating his official position. I think this is also a wise choice."

After hearing this, Lin Xiaofeng raised his head and thought for a moment. His eyes were deep, as if he could see through everything. Then, he slowly said, "Then restore Wen Anzhi's official position and promote him to the governor of Huguang, responsible for all government affairs there. Then promote Du Yinxi to the general of Huguang, and obey Hua Ruiqi's orders." His voice was firm and powerful, as if he had already seen the future victory. "I obey your order." Miao Yikui took the order and retreated, his steps steady, as if he was ready to face all challenges.

After everyone left, the Qianqing Palace returned to its peaceful state. Only the sound of the wind outside the window and the occasional bird calls in the distance broke the silence. Lin Xiaofeng began to ponder the current situation. In the north, there were the Jiannu and the Mongols, who were eyeing them covetously, and the situation remained tense; while in the south, things gradually became clearer, as Jian Mingxiao entered Hubei from Sichuan, breaking the military balance in the Huguang region.

He closed his eyes, as if he could see Jian Mingxiao's resolute face and his heroic figure on the battlefield. If Jian Mingxiao could come, the Ming army could split into two routes: one route was led by Hua Ruiqi and Du Yinxi to pursue Zhang Xianzhong; the other route was led by Jian Mingxiao to drive Li Zicheng out of Huguang and recover Henan. This plan gradually became clear in his mind, and he seemed to have seen the future victory.

Having made up his mind, Lin Xiaofeng ordered the Ministry of War to start drafting the decree. His eyes were full of determination and resolve, as if he was ready to meet all challenges.

After dealing with this matter, Lin Xiaofeng began to think about the country's financial problems. He understood that the way to manage money was not to pursue profits like merchants, but to ensure the operation of the country through reasonable taxation. Although the tax exemption for two consecutive years brought benefits to the people, it also led to the increasingly prominent problem of the empty treasury.

He walked to the window and looked at the scenery outside. The breath of spring was in the air, everything was reviving, and the scene was full of vitality. However, his heart was full of worries. Even if there was a lot of wealth, if it was not managed and utilized, it would be wasted. He decided to achieve a balance between income and expenditure next year, which was the 19th year of Lin Xiaofeng.

He returned to his desk and began to carefully calculate every income and expenditure. The land tax was the largest source of income, followed by the ding silver and miscellaneous taxes. After the abolition of the three taxes, the land tax was about 13 million taels, the ding silver was 1.5 million taels, and the miscellaneous taxes was 1 million taels, but there was still a shortage of 4.5 million taels.

In order to increase fiscal revenue, Lin Xiaofeng considered three ways: confiscation of property, taxation, trade and minting. Confiscation of property was mainly aimed at corrupt officials and gentry who committed crimes; taxation was mainly based on salt tax and customs duties, especially salt tax, because salt tax was too seriously eroded by salt merchants and officials; and trade and minting were to increase national wealth through economic development.

Time passed in the busyness, and in the blink of an eye it was already evening. Gongsun Yuchun walked into Lin Xiaofeng's study, with a trace of fatigue on his face, but his eyes were full of determination.

"Your Majesty, the matter of the stipend has been investigated clearly." Yuchun's voice was a little hoarse, and it was obvious that he had put a lot of thought into this matter.

He presented a densely written document with signatures and fingerprints as evidence. Lin Xiaofeng looked at the document carefully, and every word seemed to be a heavy burden on his heart.

"I sent the Jinyiwei to Jiang Gui's hometown to investigate, and it took more than a month to complete the investigation. Although Jiang Gui's family was poor, he lived a very luxurious life, and his food, clothing, housing and transportation were no worse than those of the Jinyiwei of the Zhenfu Division. Especially the things he used, even I am ashamed of myself." Yuchun's tone was full of disdain and anger.

"Oh? Then where does his money come from? The Imperial Household Department only gives him one or two taels of silver for food every month." Lin Xiaofeng frowned, obviously very dissatisfied with this matter.

"Staff money is only part of it. He has other ways to get money, and he is good at gaining sympathy, so he can have extra income every month." Yuchun's tone was full of helplessness and anger.

"Then was Hou Yongfeng, the chief academic officer of the Imperial College, wronged?" Lin Xiaofeng asked the question in his mind.

Yuchun smiled bitterly and said, "It seems like he was wronged, but not entirely. His family is indeed very poor, and his house is about to collapse, but they don't look completely poor..." His tone was full of complexity and contradiction.

Lin Xiaofeng sighed and said, "So how do you think we should deal with this matter?" His eyes were full of helplessness and expectation.

"This...I dare not make the decision on my own." Yuchun's voice trembled a little, and it was obvious that he felt this matter was very difficult.

The matter has become a hot topic, and if it is not handled properly, it may lead to a bigger incident. Lin Xiaofeng pondered for a while and said, "Then you go and tell Hou Yongfeng and let him figure it out. No matter what the result is, I don't want to see him in the court again." His voice was firm and powerful, as if he had already made the best decision.

"I obey your order." Yuchun took the order and walked out. His steps were a little heavy, but his eyes were full of determination. He knew that this matter was not easy to handle, but he would try his best to do it well.

"Wait," Lin Xiaofeng suddenly called Yuchun, "How was the grain harvest in Shaanxi and Shanxi last summer and autumn?" His voice was a little hurried, and it was obvious that he was very concerned about this matter.

Yuchun was stunned for a moment, not knowing how to answer. He hesitated for a while and said, "I will send someone to check it out immediately to ensure that the data is accurate." His voice was trembling, and it was obvious that he was very nervous about this matter.

"Go and make arrangements." Lin Xiaofeng waved his hand, signaling Yuchun to leave. His eyes were full of anticipation and anxiety, and he was obviously very concerned about the outcome of this matter.

After Yuchun left, Lin Xiaofeng continued to think about what he had done before. He wrote down matters such as salt inspection, tariffs, ocean trade, and coinage on paper. Although he did not list every detail, he had recorded his intentions and ideas, ready to implement them after the cabinet discussed them. With the help and support of the cabinet, he could avoid many detours.

At this time, Guo Tianyang walked in gently, his steps were steady and powerful, as if every step was full of determination and strength. He walked to Lin Xiaofeng's side and said respectfully: "Your Majesty, the Minister of Revenue Shao Shihan wants to see you."

"Let him in." Lin Xiaofeng's voice was calm and powerful, as if he was ready to face all challenges.

Shao Shihan walked into the hall, his face a little nervous, but his eyes full of determination and expectation. He held up a box high, as if it contained all his hopes and dreams.

"Your Majesty, please look, this is the newly minted copper coin by the Ministry of Revenue." His voice trembled a little, and it was obvious that he took this matter very seriously.

Lin Xiaofeng opened the box and took out the copper coin to examine it carefully. He saw the words "Lin Xiaofeng Tongbao" engraved on it, with clear and powerful handwriting, as if his name gave the copper coin endless power and value. He knew that before the Ming Dynasty, copper coins were mostly called "Yuanbao", and in the Ming Dynasty they were changed to "Tongbao" in order to avoid the name of Zhu Yuanzhang.

Shao Shihan went on to report, "Your Majesty, our dynasty uses copper to mint coins. One hundred kilograms of copper can be minted into 16,000 copper coins, which is equivalent to 20 taels, 5 qian and 4 li of silver. Our cost is only 10 taels of silver, so the profit is very lucrative!" His voice was full of excitement and anticipation, as if he had already seen the scene of a future of abundant wealth.

"How many copper coins can one ounce of silver be exchanged for?" Lin Xiaofeng asked the question in his mind. His eyes were full of expectation and curiosity, and he was obviously very concerned about this matter.

"On paper, one tael of silver is exchanged for one string of copper coins, which is seven hundred and seventy coins." Shao Shihan answered without hesitation, as if the number had been deeply engraved in his heart.

But Lin Xiaofeng knew that before the Song Dynasty, one guan of copper coins was worth one thousand wen. In the Song Dynasty, although one guan was nominally equal to one tael of silver, it was actually only worth seven hundred and seventy wen. He pondered for a while, then asked, "What about the actual situation?" His eyes were full of sharpness and insight, as if he had seen through the truth behind this number.

"Actually... it can be exchanged for about 1,500 coins." Shao Shihan answered truthfully. His voice was trembling, and he was obviously very surprised and uneasy about this number. But he knew that this number was real and could not be changed.

Lin Xiaofeng held the copper coin tightly in his hand. The copper was mottled, but it seemed to contain a certain historical weight. He turned his eyes to Shao Shihan, which was a deep and wise light, as if he could see through the essence of everything in the world. "Shihan, has the Ministry of Revenue ever considered minting silver coins?" His voice was not loud, but it carried an unquestionable majesty.

Shao Shihan was surprised when he heard this. He knew Lin Xiaofeng's keen insight into the country's finances, and he also understood that behind this question, there was a deep thought about the country's economic lifeline. He sorted out his thoughts and said slowly: "Your Majesty, the silver and money you mentioned is indeed an issue worth discussing. The coin minting system of the Ming Dynasty has always been jointly undertaken by the Baoyuan Bureau of the Ministry of Industry and the Baoquan Bureau of the Ministry of Revenue. Branches were also set up in various provinces to be responsible for minting coins. But the issue of silver and money is something that I have not yet considered in depth."

Lin Xiaofeng smiled slightly, and that smile showed both his praise for Shao Shihan and his expectations for the country's future. "Yes, I heard that in prosperous places like Fujian, Jiangsu and Zhejiang, foreigners use silver coins for transactions, and the common people call them foreign coins. Each coin weighs seven coins and three and a half cents, and there are countless styles, including horse swords, foreign ships, double candles, water grass patterns, etc. It's really dazzling." His tone was full of yearning for that new currency system.

Shao Shihan listened to Lin Xiaofeng's description, and he couldn't help but feel curious. He imagined the scene of silver coins of various shapes and exquisite patterns circulating in the market, what a prosperous and convenient scene it would be. He couldn't help but ask: "The advantage of this kind of silver coins is that they don't need to be weighed every time they are traded. As long as they are not worn too badly, they can be used as seven cents and three cents. It is indeed convenient for merchants to use. But Your Majesty, why do you want to mint silver coins?"

Lin Xiaofeng did not answer directly. He looked through the window lattice at the bustling market in the distance, with a strong sense of mission in his heart. "When there is more silver in the market, I plan to prohibit the use of silver to pay taxes, and only accept silver and copper coins." His voice was firm and powerful, and every word seemed to carry a heavy weight.

Shao Shihan's heart was moved when he heard this. He understood that Lin Xiaofeng was serious. He stood there, pondering Lin Xiaofeng's words, and gradually understood the truth in his heart. Currency is the lifeblood of the country's economy. If the monetary system can be made more stable and convenient, it will undoubtedly have immeasurable significance for the long-term stability of the country.

"Currency is the lifeblood of our Ming Dynasty." Lin Xiaofeng's voice sounded again, with an unquestionable majesty, "I have to hold it firmly in my own hands and not let those big businessmen control it!" His tone was full of firm belief in the future of the country.

Shao Shihan listened to Lin Xiaofeng's words and couldn't help but feel admiration in his heart. He knew very well that Lin Xiaofeng wanted to break the old economic structure and reshape a more fair and reasonable monetary system. What a grand ambition! He stood there, full of longing and expectation for the future.

Lin Xiaofeng looked at Shao Shihan's respectful eyes, and he couldn't help but feel relieved. He knew that his decision would bring a profound economic change to the Ming Dynasty. He continued, "The foundation of currency lies in the credit of the country. If the currency is out of control, the country's credit will be gone, and the people's hearts will be scattered. This is a subtle way in which the economy affects politics. The decline of dynasties has always been seen in economic collapse, and then political turmoil. Isn't this the case with the Tang and Song dynasties?"

His tone was full of profound insight into history and deep concern for the future. He knew that he was walking on a road full of thorns, but he also understood that only in this way could he create a better future for the Ming Dynasty.

Shao Shihan couldn't help but feel excited when listening to Lin Xiaofeng's words. He seemed to see a brand new Ming Dynasty rising up, a prosperous economy, political stability, and people living and working in peace and contentment! He stood there, his heart filled with infinite longing and expectation for the future.

"After the An-Shi Rebellion in the Tang Dynasty, the feudal lords were divided and taxation was no longer under the control of the central government. The finances were extremely urgent." Lin Xiaofeng continued, "Both the imperial court and the local governments were thinking about minting coins, and in the end, the economy collapsed. The Song Dynasty also suffered many disasters, with a large population, developed handicrafts, and a huge increase in currency demand. The Song Dynasty wanted to learn from the Tang Dynasty to mint coins, but there was not enough copper. So they looked for substitutes. Gold and silver were scarce, and iron was cheap and easy to rust. As a result, Jiaozi was invented. But Jiaozi ended up being worthless, like toilet paper."

His words were full of profound reflections on history and deep concerns about the future. He knew that he was walking on a challenging road, but he also understood that only in this way could he create a better future for the Ming Dynasty.

Shao Shihan listened to Lin Xiaofeng's words, and he couldn't help but feel admiration in his heart. He knew that Lin Xiaofeng wanted to break the old economic structure and reshape a more stable and fair monetary system. What a grand ambition! He stood there, his heart full of infinite longing and expectation for the future. At the same time, he also understood that this decision would face countless difficulties and challenges, but he believed that under the leadership of Lin Xiaofeng, they would be able to overcome all difficulties and achieve this great goal.

Lin Xiaofeng looked at Shao Shihan's determined eyes, and felt relieved. He knew that his decision was not made alone. He had a capable assistant like Shao Shihan and the support of the entire court. He continued, "I don't plan to issue paper money. I'm afraid of excessive issuance. I can manage it well in my generation, but it's not certain for future emperors. Paper money has high profits and is too tempting. But minting silver coins can avoid these drawbacks. And the Ming Dynasty has abundant reserves of silver and copper."

His tone was full of confidence and determination for the future. He knew that as long as they worked together, they would be able to overcome all difficulties and achieve this great goal.

Shao Shihan listened to Lin Xiaofeng's words, and his heart was filled with excitement. He seemed to see a brand new Ming Dynasty rising, a prosperous economy, political stability, and people living and working in peace and contentment! He stood there, his heart full of infinite vision and expectation for the future. At the same time, he also understood that this decision would face countless challenges and tests, but he believed that under the leadership of Lin Xiaofeng, they would be able to overcome all difficulties and achieve this great goal.

"Shi Han, what should we do with the silver on the market?" Lin Xiaofeng suddenly changed the subject and looked at Shao Shihan with sharp eyes.

Shao Shihan was stunned for a moment, then reacted and said quickly: "Your Majesty, merchants can bring silver to the court and exchange it for an equal amount of silver to trade."

Lin Xiaofeng smiled slightly and nodded: "That's right, but in this case, the molds and labor costs will have to be spent, won't the court lose money?"

When Shao Shihan heard this, a worried look appeared on his face. He thought for a moment and said, "What does your majesty mean?"

Lin Xiaofeng smiled and explained, "The ratio of silver to white copper in silver coins is nine to one. If white copper is not counted, merchants can only exchange one ounce of silver for nine coins. Doesn't the court make one coin? This ratio can also be adjusted according to the quality. The court does not seek huge profits, but only seeks to avoid losses."

Shao Shihan's mind suddenly became clear when he heard this. He understood Lin Xiaofeng's intention and the far-reaching significance of this decision. He stood there, his heart full of infinite longing and expectation for the future. At the same time, he also understood that this decision would bring about a profound economic change for the Ming Dynasty, and an unprecedented prosperity was about to begin.

However, Shao Shihan's face showed a worried look again: "But I'm afraid that merchants are unwilling to exchange silver coins, and there will be no silver to mint. If there is not enough silver coins in the market, the people and merchants will still use the old silver, and the new currency will not be issued."

Lin Xiaofeng looked at Shao Shihan's worried expression, and he could not help but feel relieved. He knew that Shao Shihan had completely understood his intentions and the far-reaching significance of this decision. He smiled and said, "Shihan, have you forgotten what I said? If I ordered that taxes would only be collected in silver and copper coins next year, what would you do?"

Shao Shihan was stunned for a moment, then blurted out: "Then I will definitely choose copper coins to pay taxes!"

Lin Xiaofeng nodded and continued, "What if there are fewer copper coins in the market?"

Shao Shihan thought for a moment and said, "Copper coins. They will definitely appreciate in value, right?"

Lin Xiaofeng smiled slightly and asked, "What would the corresponding thing be?"

Although Shao Shihan had a little idea, he didn't fully understand it. He hesitated for a moment and said, "Silver will depreciate!"

Lin Xiaofeng smiled and nodded: "That's right. The more silver depreciates, the more panicked those who have silver will be. They will either change the silver into copper coins to preserve its value, or spend it quickly. Whether it's paying taxes or buying things, it can avoid depreciation. If you want to pay taxes, you have to change it into silver coins. When there are more silver coins on the market, the prices of copper coins and silver coins will slowly balance out."

Shao Shihan's mind suddenly became clear when he heard this. He understood Lin Xiaofeng's intention and the far-reaching significance of this decision. He stood there, his heart full of infinite longing and expectation for the future. At the same time, he also understood that this decision would bring about a profound economic change for the Ming Dynasty.

"This is such a perfect cycle!" Shao Shihan exclaimed. He finally figured out the key points and understood why Lin Xiaofeng wanted to mint silver coins and reform the tax system. All of this was to stabilize the country's economic lifeline and for the long-term stability of the Ming Dynasty!

Lin Xiaofeng looked at Shao Shihan's expression of sudden enlightenment, and felt relieved. He knew that his decision had been fully supported by Shao Shihan. He smiled and said, "Go and cast silver coins for me. If there is no problem, we will make it."

Upon hearing this, Shao Shihan hurriedly bowed and thanked him, "I understand. Thank you for your guidance, Your Majesty. Your Majesty's talent and wisdom are far beyond my reach."

Lin Xiaofeng smiled slightly and waved his hand: "Don't flatter me. Go and prepare quickly. But before you make a decision, you must not let the news leak out, especially the tax reform."

Shao Shihan quickly assured: "Your Majesty, rest assured, I will keep my mouth shut."

After saying that, Shao Shihan left in a hurry. Lin Xiaofeng looked at his back, his heart full of expectations and confidence for the future. He knew that as long as they worked together, they would be able to achieve this great goal and create a better future for the Ming Dynasty.

After Shao Shihan left, Lin Xiaofeng called Gu Chaosheng again. He looked at Gu Chaosheng's respectful expression and felt satisfied. He knew that Gu Chaosheng was a loyal and capable person, and he would definitely be able to (End of this chapter)