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

Liu Zhaoji respectfully took the heavy bird gun, his eyes flashing with curiosity and scrutiny. The bird gun was about five feet long and heavy, estimated to weigh more than ten pounds. The most special thing was that there was a long iron spike next to the muzzle, which looked both cool and practical. He tried to pry the iron spike with his hands and found that it did not move at all. It was obviously made of fine iron, and every inch of it revealed its firmness and sharpness. The bottom of the spike was connected to an iron pipe, which was cleverly put on the outside of the bird gun, making the whole gun look more slender, estimated to be more than one foot longer. In this way, the bird gun has the ability of close combat and appears more flexible and changeable.

Liu Zhaoji's gaze lingered on the thorn for a moment. He pointed at it and asked Lin Xiaofeng with a puzzled tone: "Your Majesty, is this the legendary bayonet?" His eyes showed both an exploration of new things and a hint of doubt about its actual combat application.

Lin Xiaofeng smiled slightly and nodded, "That's right. I originally wanted to design it based on the shape of a knife, but the soldiers of the Yongwei Battalion found that it was easy to hurt themselves after trying it, and the speed of loading ammunition was also affected, so later it was changed to the current long thorn style." His words revealed his emphasis on the opinions of soldiers and his deep understanding of actual combat needs.

Liu Zhaoji frowned, his thoughts running fast in his mind, and continued to ask: "I have a question, what is the use of adding a bayonet to the bird gun?" There was some confusion in his tone, and he obviously had reservations about the practical value of this innovation.

Lin Xiaofeng explained patiently: "It is mainly to enhance the close combat capability of the bird-gun soldiers. With this, they no longer need to carry extra swords or spears. This can not only reduce the burden but also improve combat efficiency." His eyes flashed with anticipation for the prospects of reform.

Liu Zhaoji shook the bird gun and shook his head. There was a bit of helplessness in his tone: "Infantry may give up waist swords, but this thing may be difficult to replace the spear. After all, the role of the spear on the battlefield is irreplaceable."

"Why?" Lin Xiaofeng asked, his eyes revealing a bit of confusion and expectation.

"Because it's too short." Liu Zhaoji said with some certainty, "Our spears are 18 feet long at the longest and 14 feet 8 inches at the shortest. This bird gun plus the bayonet is only about 6 feet long in total. How can it replace the spear? On the battlefield, the length and power of the spear are the key to protecting soldiers and breaking through the enemy's formation."

After hearing this, Lin Xiaofeng couldn't help but sigh, feeling a sense of regret. Liu Zhaoji shared the same view as Shou Hong, believing that the bird gun with a thorn could only replace the waist knife, but not the spear. His eyes flashed with some thought, and he was obviously weighing the pros and cons of this reform.

Seeing that Lin Xiaofeng was a little disappointed, Liu Zhaoji hurriedly advised: "Your Majesty, a bird gun equipped with a bayonet can not only reduce the burden of marching, but also save the expense of a waist knife. It is indeed a sharp weapon. In close combat, it may produce unexpected results." There was some affirmation and encouragement in his tone, and he obviously hoped that Lin Xiaofeng would not be discouraged by the temporary setback.

Lin Xiaofeng nodded, his eyes lit up again, and he asked again: "Can this replace the cavalry's waist knife?" There was a bit of expectation and curiosity in his tone.

Liu Zhaoji shook his head politely, "I'm afraid not. Cavalry close combat requires the lightness and speed of the weapon to win. This bird gun is long and heavy, and it is not very convenient for cavalry to use. On the battlefield, the mobility and impact of cavalry are the key, and the bird gun with a spike design is obviously more suitable for infantry use."

Lin Xiaofeng listened and nodded, his eyes revealing a bit of relief. He turned to Tianyang and said, "Pass the order down, all the bird gun soldiers in the Yongwei Battalion will be equipped with this new bird gun, and other arms will remain unchanged for the time being. If there are no problems with the trial, it will be promoted to the entire army." His tone was firm and determined, and it was obvious that he was full of expectations for this reform.

"I obey your command." Tianyang responded and retreated. His figure looked particularly firm in the afterglow of the setting sun.

After Tianyang left, Lin Xiaofeng asked Liu Zhaoji again: "Admiral Liu, do you want to know how many new recruits there are in Baoding?" There was a hint of mystery and expectation in his eyes.

Liu Zhaoji thought for a moment and asked tentatively, "Five thousand?" There was a hint of uncertainty and curiosity in his tone.

"No, guess again." Lin Xiaofeng's tone was teasing and encouraging.

"Ten thousand...?" There was a hint of excitement and anticipation in Liu Zhaoji's voice. His heartbeat began to accelerate. It was obvious that he was very interested in this question.

"You are wrong. I have recruited 30,000 cavalrymen with full pay and food in Baoding. 15,000 of them have been training with Xingzhong for half a year. I plan to send them south for actual combat. The remaining 15,000 recruits will be handed over to you, Admiral Liu, to train. What do you think?" Lin Xiaofeng's words revealed a bit of pride and expectation, and his eyes flashed with trust and expectation for Liu Zhaoji.

Liu Zhaoji's heart beat as fast as a drum. An army with full pay and food was the elite among the elite. When the Liaodong Iron Cavalry was at its peak, there were only more than 10,000 people. His eyes flashed with excitement and gratitude, and he was obviously honored by Lin Xiaofeng's trust.

"I am willing to go to Baoding to train the troops." Liu Zhaoji said, his eyes moistened. In the troubled times, it was rare to get such trust from the emperor. He was filled with lofty ambitions and vowed to devote himself to the Ming Dynasty until his death.

"Okay." Lin Xiaofeng patted his shoulder, his eyes revealing some approval and encouragement, "From now on, I will appoint you as the deputy general of Baoding, and go to Baoding to train the new recruits of the Yongwei Battalion. I hope you will not disappoint me."

"Yongweiying?" Liu Zhaoji thought he had heard it wrong. "That's your Majesty's personal army. Why is it stationed in Baoding?" There was some confusion and curiosity in his tone.

Lin Xiaofeng explained with a smile: "There are four battalions in the Yongwei Camp, namely Wuxiang Left Camp, Wuxiang Right Camp, Tengxiang Left Camp and Tengxiang Right Camp, commanded by Shouhong. After the battle in the capital, we lost a lot of troops. In order to quickly restore combat effectiveness, I asked Shouhong to recruit soldiers in the capital and Xingzhong to recruit soldiers in Baoding. Do you understand?" His words revealed his careful consideration of the army's layout and his expectations for the future.

Liu Zhaoji suddenly realized that training soldiers was not only for the sake of training soldiers, but also for the emperor to consolidate his military power. But for him, as long as he could serve the Ming Dynasty, it was fine. He was filled with lofty ambitions and vowed to give everything for this land.

"I thank Your Majesty for your grace, but I have one more thing to ask for." Liu Zhaoji knelt on one knee, his tone filled with earnestness and expectation.

"Just say it." Lin Xiaofeng's eyes revealed a bit of gentleness and encouragement.

Liu Zhaoji took a deep breath, his voice firm: "My family is in Nanjing, and we want to move to the capital. But the land price in the capital is expensive, and I would like to ask Your Majesty to give me money to buy a house." His eyes flashed with expectation and uneasiness, and he was obviously full of anticipation and worry about this request.

Lin Xiaofeng was stunned at first, but then he understood Liu Zhaoji's intention. He was borrowing money to buy a house, but in fact he was leaving his weakness in the capital to appease the emperor. This was a common practice for military generals before going to war. A warm current surged in his heart, and he admired Liu Zhaoji's loyalty and wisdom.

"How much do you need?" Lin Xiaofeng's voice was gentle and concerned.

"Two hundred taels will be enough." Liu Zhaoji's tone was filled with gratitude and expectation, and he was obviously full of anticipation and hope for this request.

You have to know that in the Ming Dynasty, the housing prices in the capital were not that high. For example, in the thirteenth year of Lin Xiaofeng's reign, a small courtyard house on Zhengyangmen Street only sold for thirty-three taels of silver. Lin Xiaofeng smiled slightly, and his eyes revealed some praise and encouragement: "Okay, I will give you two hundred taels of gold. I hope you can train your troops well in Baoding and make great military achievements for the Ming Dynasty."

After giving the gold, Lin Xiaofeng said earnestly: "I am now handing over all these new recruits to you. I hope you will not let me down." There was a gleam of expectation and trust in his eyes, and it was obvious that he was full of confidence and expectations for Liu Zhaoji.

"Your Majesty, rest assured. I will work hard until my death." Liu Zhaoji's voice was firm and full of ambition. A surge of passion surged in his heart, and he vowed to give everything he had for this country.

After leaving the imperial city, Liu Zhaoji did not immediately go to Baoding, but stayed in the capital for two days. During these two days, he waited for further instructions from the court and visited the ministers in the court. He knew that if a military general wanted to gain a foothold in the court for a long time, he had to have a good relationship with the civil officials. Only in this way could he make a difference in the court and contribute his own strength to the Ming Dynasty.

He couldn't leave empty-handed when visiting, so he decided to go to the market first to see if there was any suitable gift. He strolled in the bustling market, looking at the dazzling array of goods, and couldn't help but wonder: What kind of gift should I give that would be both decent and polite?

As he walked, he saw a store with the words "Zhou Shang" written on it. He couldn't help but wonder: The father-in-law's surname is Zhou, could this be his store? Thinking of this, he couldn't help but feel a little uneasy. If it was really the father-in-law's store, wouldn't it be a bit presumptuous to go in and choose a gift?

With a nervous mood, Liu Zhaoji walked into the store. As soon as he entered the door, he was stunned - all the people inside were familiar faces! Duke of England Zhang Shize, Jinyiwei Commander Gongsun Yuchun, East Factory Admiral Gu Chaosheng, Beijing Camp Governor Jiang Taiwei and others were all there. They were standing or sitting, chatting and laughing, and seemed very comfortable.

Liu Zhaoji suspected that he had come to the wrong place, and quickly stepped back to look at the plaque on the door. That's right, it was "Zhou Shang". He hadn't even gone to the Palace of Heavenly Purity yet, so why were all these ministers gathered here?

Without time to think, he hurried back to the store and greeted everyone. After some politeness, he quietly

Before Gongsun Yuchun could answer Liu Zhaoji's question, a middle-aged man in official uniform rushed in from outside the door. He was anxious, with beads of sweat on his forehead and his hands clenched into fists, as if ready to hit something at any time. He shouted, "Where's the shopkeeper? Come out!"

Everyone in the store was startled by the sudden shout and turned to look. They saw the middle-aged man with an angry face and wide eyes, as if there was something serious that needed to be solved urgently.

"Hey, sir, what's the emergency?" A middle-aged man with a big smile on his face and a round figure hurried out. His smile was a bit flattering and a bit helpless, as if he was already used to dealing with such emergencies. He greeted respectfully, "Sir, please tell me what you want."

"Orders?" The official put his hands on his hips, his face livid, as if ink could drip from it. "Let me ask you, why haven't the 100 packs of cigarettes ordered by the Ministry of War here last month been delivered yet? Do you know that this has delayed important matters?"

"Sir, please calm down," the shopkeeper said, motioning for the waiter to serve tea, trying to ease the tense atmosphere. "Recently, the supply is tight and the demand is high. You'll have to wait a few more days for the cigarettes from the Ministry of War."

"Can't wait! The minister and the yamen runners are all waiting for this cigarette to refresh themselves!" The military official snorted coldly, with unquestionable majesty in his voice, "The Minister of War is the chief minister of the cabinet, don't you understand this little rule?"

"I know, I know." The shopkeeper was so scared that he kept bowing his head, and the sweat on his forehead became more and more dense. He knew very well the power of this official and did not dare to be negligent in the slightest.

At this time, the waiter brought tea, and the official's anger subsided a little. He looked around and noticed five people standing with their backs to him. Their figures looked particularly mysterious under the dim light.

"Who are those people?" the official asked curiously, with a hint of scrutiny in his tone.

"They are all customers who come to buy cigarettes." The shopkeeper answered carefully, fearing that he would anger this moody official.

"Let them all go and tell them that the Ministry of War will cover all the cigarettes for today!" The official stood up and said sternly. His voice echoed in the store with irresistible power.

The shopkeeper shrank his neck and whispered, "Sir, please keep your voice down, they..."

Before he could finish his words, the official suddenly stood up, strode to a person, and shouted: "Didn't you hear? Today's cigarettes..."

At this point, he suddenly stopped talking, because the person standing in front of him was none other than the Jinyiwei commander Gongsun Yuchun. His face was stern and his eyes were deep, as if he could see into people's hearts.

Not only that, the governor of the East Factory, Gu Chaosheng, the Duke of England, Zhang Shize, the governor of the Beijing Camp, Jiang Taiwei, and the military official who was about to be transferred to Baoding as the deputy general, were also standing by. Their figures looked particularly solemn under the dim light, as if each of them was a heavy piece of history.

Gu Chaosheng approached the official, covered his ears with his hands and asked: "What are you making noise about here? Don't you know where this place is?" His voice was low and powerful, with unquestionable majesty.

"I..." The official hesitated, his face turning red and white. It was obvious that he had not expected to meet so many powerful people here.

"What is there to say? Go away!" Gu Chaosheng glared at him coldly. His eyes seemed to be able to penetrate people's hearts, making the official shiver.

The official knew he was no match for the opponent, so he snorted and left in disgrace. The store returned to calm, as if a storm had just passed.

Gongsun Yuchun turned to look at Liu Zhaoji, with a smile in his eyes, as if he had seen through everything. He smiled and said, "Brother Liu, when did you come to Beijing? Why didn't you tell me in advance?"

Liu Zhaoji thought to himself, "You don't know when I will go to Beijing?" But he still coughed lightly to cover up his inner fluctuations and said, "Commander Li, stop joking. What are you waiting for here? Is it for this cigarette?"

"Waiting for cigarettes." Gongsun Yuchun's answer was simple and clear. There was a strange light flashing in his eyes, as if he had a special feeling for the cigarettes.

"Cigarettes?" Liu Zhaoji was a little confused. Although he was a soldier, he knew that cigarettes could relieve fatigue, but smoking too much would cause coughing, so the court banned it. Now looking at the situation, is the ban going to be relaxed?
“That’s right, Zhou Shang’s new cigarettes are a bit more expensive but they are not choking and you won’t cough after smoking them.” Gongsun Yuchun said, with a strange light flashing in his eyes, as if he had a special liking for this cigarette.

Liu Zhaoji looked at the others. They all had a bit of anticipation and excitement on their faces. It was obvious that they were here for the cigarettes. He asked, "Are you guys here to wait for the cigarettes, too?"

"Yes!" Zhang Shize nodded with a smile on his face, and it was obvious that he had a special liking for this cigarette.

"That's true." Jiang Taiwei also echoed, with anticipation gleaming in his eyes.

"Why else are we here?" Gu Chaosheng asked back, with a hint of disdain in his tone, as if he was a little bored by the question.

As they were chatting and laughing, two waiters came in carrying a large box of cigarettes. The box was heavy, as if it was filled with gold and jewels. Everyone rushed forward, and the cigarettes were all divided up in a blink of an eye. Their faces were filled with satisfaction and excitement, as if they had obtained some precious treasure.

"Here are two packs for you." Gongsun Yuchun handed Liu Zhaoji two packs of cigarettes. His movements were light and graceful, as if the cigarettes were his most precious gift.

Liu Zhaoji looked at the cigarette carefully and found that it was rolled with paper, with 20 cigarettes in a small pack and 16 small packs in a large pack. What was special was that there was something at the end of each cigarette. He asked curiously, "What is this?"

Gongsun Yuchun explained: "This is called a filter. It contains carbon cotton that can absorb substances that cause coughing. It is also wrapped in linen on the outside to prevent carbon powder from entering your mouth." There was a hint of pride in his tone, as if he was very satisfied with the design of the filter.

"So that's it." Liu Zhaoji suddenly realized. No wonder this cigarette is so popular, it turns out it has a filter. He looked at the cigarette in his hand, and an inexplicable urge surged in his heart, wanting to try it immediately.

"But the imperial court banned opium, so how could Zhou Shang still sell it?" Liu Zhaoji asked in confusion. He was full of doubts. This tobacco was clearly banned by the imperial court, so why could Zhou Shang still blatantly sell it?
"Don't ask anymore. Asking too much will do you no good." Gongsun Yuchun smiled mysteriously. His smile was full of meaning, as if he knew some unknown secret.

Not long after everyone had distributed the cigarettes, Li Banghua, the Minister of War and the Prime Minister of the Cabinet, came in with a cane. His face was so gloomy that it seemed as if water could drip from it, and his eyes were wide open, looking at everyone angrily. He stood at the door and said angrily: "Gongsun Yuchun, Gu Chaosheng, what do you mean by this? Don't you know that this cigarette is ordered by the Ministry of War?"

Gongsun Yuchun pretended to be innocent: "What are you talking about, Lord Li? We are just customers who come to buy cigarettes." "What? I know the production of this cigarette is pitifully small. Only one box is produced in two days. If you divide them all up, what should I do?" Li Banghua pointed at the empty box and said angrily, "I rely on this to refresh myself!" His voice echoed in the store with unquestionable majesty.

Gongsun Yuchun looked at the crowd helplessly. Everyone knew they were no match for Li Banghua, so after discussion they had to give him a few packs of cigarettes. Li Banghua left with satisfaction, his back looking particularly heavy under the dim light, as if carrying endless fatigue and worry.

Liu Zhaoji was stunned. After calming down, he said to the shopkeeper, "I want to buy 50 packs of cigarettes, too." His voice was firm and powerful, as if he had made an important decision.

……

Time flies, and it is the end of June in a blink of an eye. Lin Xiaofeng sat in the Qianqing Palace, his eyes were deep and bright, as if he could see through everything in the world. His mind was full of thoughts, what is the way to make money? Starting from fine salt, to soap, and then to cigarettes, each one made a lot of money. The profit of fine salt was bought out by Zhou Kui; soap was hot-selling in temples in northern Zhili and Shandong; and cigarettes with filter tips were deeply loved by the gentry, monopolizing the market and bringing in hundreds of thousands of taels of income every year. However, these incomes were not enough to make up for the tax gap, so Lin Xiaofeng was still looking for new sources of income.

He looked out the window at the sky, which was azure with a few white clouds floating in it, like the most beautiful painting of nature. He felt an inexplicable urge to add his own touch to this beautiful painting.

"Your Majesty, great news! The flying shuttle loom supervised by the Armory Bureau according to your drawings has been successfully built!" The good news made Lin Xiaofeng's eyes light up. He felt an inexplicable excitement and joy in his heart, as if he saw a new source of wealth waving to him. He stood up quickly and walked towards the Armory Bureau. He wanted to see the power of the flying shuttle loom himself and see if it could bring him new wealth and glory.

The Beginning of Capitalism: An Economic Dialogue in the Palace

On a spring afternoon in the middle and late Ming Dynasty, the sun shone through the clouds onto the glazed tiles of the Forbidden City, glittering with the luster of history. In the Imperial Garden, the fragrance of flowers filled the air, and several ministers were discussing heatedly around a stone table.

"Ladies and gentlemen, do you know what the signs of the budding of capitalism are?" A minister twirled his beard, his eyes flashing with wisdom.

"Of course it was the emergence of the employment system." Another minister answered without hesitation, his face full of confidence.

This topic aroused the interest of everyone, and they all nodded in agreement. At this time, a gust of wind blew, bringing with it the sound of a distant hustle and bustle. It was the sound of the palace servants busying around, and it was also the unique rhythm of this era.

"You are right. Look at the textile industry today, especially in the south. Handicraft workshops are gradually turning into small factories. The workshop owners pay for the equipment and the people do the work. Isn't this the original appearance of capitalism?" a minister said with emotion.

"Yes, it's a pity that this phenomenon has not spread like wildfire." Another minister shook his head, with a helpless look on his face, "On the one hand, people's thinking is still relatively conservative, and on the other hand, it is the suppression of the court."

Everyone nodded, knowing the plight of this era. The heavy commercial taxes were not because the court was charging arbitrarily, but because local officials were too corrupt. Whenever the court received a commercial tax, the local officials often secretly withheld more than the court received. This situation made everyone feel distressed.

"Take the merchants in Yangzhou for example. Their cargo ships have to go to Beijing along the canal through three provinces: Nanzhili, Shandong, and Beijing. There are countless checkpoints along the way, and the tolls, river crossing fees, and various other fees added up are all pocketed by the officials, while the court does not see any benefits." The words of a minister were full of indignation.

"Moreover, the court's policies are also hindering the development of commerce." Another minister continued, "All dynasties have valued agriculture and despised commerce. Merchants are not even qualified to be officials. Although those gentry are rich and hold a large amount of wealth and means of production, they dare not easily get involved in the business world because they are afraid of policy restrictions."

At this time, Lin Xiaofeng slowly came over. He was wearing a dragon robe, smiling, and his eyes revealed a kind of firmness and determination. If he wanted to change this situation, he had to prescribe the right medicine.

In an open space outside the Qianqing Palace, the palace maids were busy on the shuttle loom. The machine roared as it worked, the shuttle shuttled back and forth, and the warp and weft threads intertwined. In a short while, a piece of cloth was woven. Before a quarter of an hour had passed, the spinning thread was used up and the cloth was woven.

When Queen Zhou saw this, she asked in surprise, "Your Majesty, is it finished so quickly?"

Lin Xiaofeng smiled and replied: "Yes, this is the magic of the flying shuttle loom."

Empress Zhou personally checked the quality of the cloth and found that it was no different from the usual ones, but the width was larger. She happily said to Lin Xiaofeng: "With this machine, I can make more clothes for your majesty."

Lin Xiaofeng smiled bitterly and shook her head, lamenting her frugality. At this time, Empress Yi'an Zhang also came over. After bowing, she asked, "Your Majesty summoned me here. Is there something?"

Lin Xiaofeng looked at her. Although she was almost forty years old, she was still beautiful. She was tall and well-proportioned, with red lips like cherries, a straight nose like a hanging gourd, and white and fine teeth. She exuded a mature and elegant temperament. He quickly turned his eyes back to the loom and said, "I want my sister-in-law to help me make money."

"Making money?" Empress Zhang asked in surprise, "I have lived in the palace for a long time and don't know how to do business. What do you want to do, Your Majesty?"

"It's not you, the Emperor's sister, who should go to do the business yourself. Instead, let your father, Earl Taikang, go." Lin Xiaofeng looked at Queen Zhou again, "And Earl Jiading as well. I want to sell this kind of loom to them."

After hearing this, the two queens were confused. Lin Xiaofeng began to explain: "This is the principle of money making money. Buy machines to set up workshops and hire people to weave cloth. The money earned from selling cloth is used to buy more machines and hire more people. This cycle repeats, and wealth will naturally grow."

Empress Zhang still had some doubts, but out of courtesy she said: "Your Majesty may be doing this for my own good, but my father is not good at business and I am afraid he will not be able to do this job."

Lin Xiaofeng smiled and said, "I am not discussing this matter with you, my sister-in-law." There was an unquestionable firmness in his tone.

Empress Zhang was stunned for a moment, feeling a little aggrieved. Lin Xiaofeng noticed her change of mood and said quickly, "Sister-in-law, please listen to me carefully."

He paused and continued, "I am actually doing this to provide relief to the victims. Natural disasters have occurred frequently in recent years, and although the court is also providing disaster relief, it is not a long-term solution. Farmers rely on the weather for their livelihood, and they suffer terribly when they encounter droughts or floods. The landlords not only do not sympathize with them, but also increase taxes, causing the people to live in hardship, which can easily lead to rebellion."

"But it would be different if we had a workshop. People could go in and work and earn wages to make a living, and they wouldn't starve to death." Lin Xiaofeng's words were full of concern for the people and his vision for the future.

Empress Zhang thought it made sense, but she was still a little worried about other issues. "Your Majesty, why don't you sell the machines to the people and let them weave the cloth themselves?" she asked.

Lin Xiaofeng patiently explained: "The machines are expensive and ordinary people cannot afford them. Moreover, women often interrupt their weaving at home because of trivial matters, so the machines cannot be fully utilized. If they are placed in a workshop and funded by the machine owner, people only need to work in the workshop to earn wages, without having to buy the machines themselves, and the machines can be fully utilized."

Empress Zhang was still a little hesitant after hearing this. She thought that if she could make a profit from it, she must let her father participate. So she asked: "Your Majesty, can you really make money by doing this?"

Lin Xiaofeng answered firmly: "Of course! The Emperor's sister-in-law doesn't have to worry about selling the machines. The Beijing Army, the Border Army, and the armies in various parts of the south all need a large amount of cloth to make military uniforms. The cloth woven by the flying shuttle loom is fast and wide, and the cost is low, so the price is naturally cheaper than other cloth. The Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of War will definitely purchase a large amount."

The two queens believed it. Queen Zhou spoke first, "I will write to my father and ask him to buy the machine."

Empress Zhang also said, "I will write a letter too." There was a hint of eagerness and anticipation in her tone.

Lin Xiaofeng smiled and shook his head and said, "There's no need to write a letter. Just send someone to summon them to the palace for a talk. By the way, you can enjoy some family happiness."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Empress Zhang almost cried. She had never seen her father since Emperor Tianqi ascended the throne. Now that she had this opportunity, how could she not be excited?

In this way, a dialogue about the budding of capitalism and economic reform quietly unfolded in the Imperial Garden of the Forbidden City. The outcome of this dialogue would also affect the fate and direction of the entire Ming Dynasty.

The Imperial Court in the Ming Dynasty: The Prelude to an Alternative Reform
In the Ming Dynasty, countless unknown secrets and sorrows were hidden under the red walls and golden tiles of the Forbidden City. It was almost impossible for concubines to return to their parents' home to visit their relatives. The high palace walls were like an insurmountable chasm that separated them from their relatives. Zhang Yan, the beautiful and gentle woman, missed home so much! In addition to writing letters to express her longing, she could only hope that the emperor would show mercy and let her parents come to the palace to see them. Emperor Lin Xiaofeng, the young and wise monarch, really touched Zhang Yan's heart with this move.

"Don't be polite, my sister-in-law. I do this for the sake of the people of the world." Emperor Lin Xiaofeng said with a smile, his eyes full of determination. He continued to promote his economic reforms, hoping to make the two queens feel at ease and to give the entire Ming Dynasty a new lease of life.

After the two queens left, Emperor Lin Xiaofeng began to carefully consider his policies. His brows were furrowed, and his eyes revealed a thoughtful light. He knew that his reform had begun quietly. This was an unprecedented change. He wanted to use his own hands to change the fate of this ancient empire.

First, he abolished the household registration system, so that the people were no longer bound to the land, and could migrate freely to find a better life. Then, he reformed the practice of hereditary employment of military households and kitchen households, giving soldiers and craftsmen more freedom and choice. He also allowed people like Taikangbo and Jiadingbo to open workshops and set up factories to encourage the development of commerce and handicrafts. This was not to directly promote the development of capitalism, but he knew that it was difficult to support it alone, and someone had to take the lead. Lin Xiaofeng knew that the bourgeois revolution could not be achieved by suppressing it from above. The foundation of the agricultural country of Ming Dynasty was too deep, and the gentry and landlords faced many obstacles. Although capitalism could sprout in the Ming Dynasty, it was difficult to thrive on this land. In fact, what he did was to give those nobles and gentry a signal: I support this road! These people are the best at guessing the emperor's intentions, and they will definitely follow suit in order to gain the emperor's favor. In time, capitalism may really become popular on this land. Although this is an alternative reform and its success or failure is hard to say, it will not do any harm to me and the Ming Dynasty.

It was early July, and the capital was as hot as a steamer. The air was so stuffy that it made people feel uneasy. On the afternoon of the second day of the Chinese New Year, the sun was so hot that it seemed to burn everything. Li Banghua, the elderly and resolute Minister of War and the Prime Minister of the Cabinet, quietly came to the Qianqing Palace to ask for an audience with the emperor. He was wearing a heavy official uniform and staggering on the hot stone road. Sweat slid down his cheeks, but he didn't care.

Emperor Lin Xiaofeng was drinking the sour plum soup made by Empress Zhou to cool off. Seeing this, he immediately ordered a bowl to be given to Li Banghua. The sour plum soup was bright red, sweet and sour, and after a sip, he felt refreshed. Li Banghua dared not take it. Knowing that the soup was a gift from the Empress, he quickly declined, "I dare not. This is a gift from the Empress. How dare I accept it?"

"This is what I give you, Lord Li, drink it." Emperor Lin Xiaofeng said sincerely, his eyes revealing a majesty that cannot be refused. Li Banghua had no choice but to take the sour plum soup and drink it all, then he breathed a long sigh of relief: "Your Majesty, it's already July."

"Oh? What's the matter, Lord Li?" Emperor Lin Xiaofeng put down the porcelain bowl in his hand and looked at Li Banghua with sharp eyes.

"I have nothing to do, but there is urgent news from the south." Li Banghua said solemnly, "The relief army has already set out from Shandong and will soon reach Nanzhili."

"Really?" Emperor Lin Xiaofeng thought for a moment, "I remember there's no disaster relief in Henan yet." His brows furrowed slightly, his eyes revealing a deep worry.

"In Henan, there are eight prefectures and one direct-controlled state. There have been wars for years, the land is barren, and people are starving to death everywhere. Not only the gentry and landlords, but even the ordinary people are scarce. The household registration books of various prefectures and counties were destroyed in the war. The overcollected taxes cannot be refunded, and the owed taxes cannot be collected." Li Banghua's voice was low and powerful, and every word he said was like a hammer, hitting Emperor Lin Xiaofeng's heart heavily.

"Strictly speaking, there is no need to provide disaster relief in Henan." Emperor Lin Xiaofeng sighed, his eyes full of helplessness and regret. Henan has been a battleground for military strategists since ancient times. The saying "He who controls the Central Plains controls the world" refers to Henan. In troubled times, the people of Henan suffered the most.

Seeing that the emperor remained silent, Li Banghua was afraid that he did not understand what he meant, so he explained: "Your Majesty, Henan is not short of land now, but lacks people to cultivate the land. Therefore, there is no need for disaster relief." There was a deep sadness and helplessness in his voice.

Emperor Lin Xiaofeng felt mixed emotions when he heard Li Banghua's words. He understood that the people of Henan had suffered to the extreme. What they needed was not only food and money for disaster relief, but also peace and hope for life. Thinking of this, he resolutely said: "I have made up my mind. I will pass on the decree. Starting next year, Henan will be tax-free for three years!"

As soon as these words came out, Li Banghua was stunned. Not long ago, the whole country had been exempted from taxes for two years, and now Henan was going to be exempted for three years, for a total of five consecutive years! This had never happened since the founding of the country! He stood up excitedly, knelt on the ground and kowtowed: "Your Majesty, I, Li Banghua, thank you on behalf of the people of Henan for your grace!"

"Mr. Li, please get up quickly and stop being so polite." Emperor Lin Xiaofeng said as he asked Guo Tianyang to help him up. His eyes revealed a kind of warmth and care, as if they could illuminate every corner of a person's heart.

After sitting down again, Li Banghua suddenly said: "Your Majesty, I have something to say in my heart, I hope Your Majesty can listen to me." His voice was low and powerful, revealing a firm determination.

"Please speak, Lord Li." Emperor Lin Xiaofeng looked at Li Banghua, his eyes full of encouragement and expectation.

"Your Majesty, do you trust me?" Li Banghua's voice trembled slightly, and his eyes revealed a deep expectation and desire.

"Of course I trust you, otherwise why would I let you be the Minister of War and Prime Minister of the Cabinet?" Emperor Lin Xiaofeng said with a smile, his voice full of warmth and trust.

"I want to know how much trust Your Majesty has in me?" There was a hint of temptation and expectation in Li Banghua's voice.

Emperor Lin Xiaofeng thought for a moment and replied, "Among the people I trust, Lord Li can be ranked in the top three." His voice was firm and powerful, revealing an unquestionable majesty.

Hearing this, Li Banghua breathed a sigh of relief. He stood up with the help of his cane and saluted Emperor Lin Xiaofeng again: "Your Majesty, the autumn examination will be held in August, and the disaster relief troops will soon arrive in Nanzhili. I would like to request your permission to go there in person to organize the autumn examination and take charge of disaster relief matters." His voice was full of firmness and determination.

"Your Majesty, please grant me your permission." Li Banghua knelt down again and begged, his eyes revealing a determination that could not be refused.

However, Emperor Lin Xiaofeng got anxious when he heard this: "No!" His voice was full of worry and anxiety, "Southern Zhili is a place of trouble in the Ming Dynasty. It's easy to get in but hard to get out! Besides, the autumn examination is complicated, and disaster relief is even more difficult. Tax evasion is rampant in Southern Zhili, and powerful people try every means to evade taxes. Although there are also tax evaders in Northern Zhili, it is under the feet of the emperor after all, so they dare not be too presumptuous. Southern Zhili is different. It is the old capital of the founding of the country. Many frustrated officials were exiled here. It is a mixed bag, with all kinds of people."

He paused and continued, "The reason why the prince can live in peace in Nanjing is, firstly, because he is the crown prince and everyone wants to curry favor with him; secondly, because he only leaves Nanjing and does not come in, he does not touch the interests of those people, so he can live in peace. But once taxes are levied, the balance there will be broken."

Li Banghua felt mixed emotions when listening to the emperor's words. He knew that the emperor's concerns were not unreasonable, but he also knew that the people of Nanzhili were in dire straits and waiting for rescue. He leaned on his crutches and said righteously: "Your Majesty, please tell me why you don't allow me to go south!" His voice was full of firmness and determination.

Emperor Lin Xiaofeng looked at Li Banghua's determined eyes, and his heart was full of contradictions. He knew that Li Banghua was the best candidate to go south, but he was indeed worried that the complicated situation in Nanzhili would bring danger to Li Banghua. He pondered for a while, and suddenly thought of something: "According to the secret report of Jinyiwei, Liaodong has suffered a severe drought this year, and the Jiannu are short of food, so they are likely to go south to plunder. Li Ge Lao should stay in the capital and resist foreign enemies with me!" His voice was full of worry and anxiety.

However, Li Banghua said unwaveringly: "I am not afraid of death! If I can sacrifice my life for my country while in office, my name will go down in history! Please grant my wish, Your Majesty!" His voice was full of firmness and determination, as if he was ready to sacrifice his life for his country.

This made sense, and Emperor Lin Xiaofeng could not find any reason to refute it. He looked at Li Banghua's determined eyes, and his heart was full of admiration and emotion. He knew that this elderly minister was ready to sacrifice his life for the country, and his loyalty and courage made him feel extremely proud and proud.

"This..." Emperor Lin Xiaofeng pondered for a while, his eyes revealing a deep thought and hesitation. He knew that he could not let this loyal minister down, but he was also worried that the complicated situation in Nanzhili would bring danger to Li Banghua. However, in the end he was moved by Li Banghua's loyalty and courage, and he resolutely said: "Okay! I allow you to go south! But you have to promise me that you must return safely!" His voice was full of care and expectation.

Upon hearing the emperor's permission, Li Banghua was so excited that tears welled up in his eyes. He quickly knelt down to express his gratitude: "I obey your order! Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace!" His voice was full of gratitude and excitement. He knew that this journey to the south would be full of hardships and dangers, but he was fully prepared. He wanted to prove his loyalty and courage with his actions. (End of this chapter)