Chongzhen revived the Ming Dynasty

In the early years of the fifth year of the Chongzhen Emperor's reign, the capital was bustling with activity due to disputes among various religions.

However, the Suzhou-Songjiang New Area in Jiangnan is experiencing a frenzy because of the stock exchange.

After purchasing two million yuan worth of war bonds and taking concrete actions to support the court's policies, the Suzhou-Songjiang New Area was finally permitted to open the Ming Dynasty's second stock exchange.

Many companies in the new district are actively applying for listing so that their shares can be traded on the stock exchange.

Wu Shirui was doing just that; he planned to sell a portion of his shares in the shipyard.

The turmoil before the Lunar New Year had terrified him. He and many other Suzhou and Songjiang businessmen realized that industry and commerce were far less stable than agriculture.

This is also why land in the Liaohetao region is so sought after; these merchants who have transitioned from landlords still have no intention of giving up the land.

Looking at the bustling crowd in front of the stock exchange, one of the shareholders of Wu's Shipyard said:

"Shirui, is it worth it for our shipyard to go public at such a high cost?"

"Why do you have to come to this exchange to trade stocks when you can trade them anywhere else?"

This is an elder in the Wu family, someone who practically watched Wu Shirui grow up, and he speaks quite casually.

Wu Shirui treated him with relatively high respect and patiently explained:
Can private transactions be compared to formal transactions?

"Take our shipyard, for example. When the trouble happened before the Lunar New Year, who would care if you wanted to sell it off?"

"But stock exchanges are different; they are where buyers and sellers of stocks gather."

"If you're looking for a buyer, just come straight here!"

This is the biggest reason why he insisted on listing the company. He did not regard the shipyard as some kind of family business that could not be sold. He thought that if the business was not doing well, he could get rid of it.

Other shareholders understand this principle, but they still feel it's a pity that such a huge price was paid to go public. One shareholder said:
“We bought 50,000 bonds, gave 10% of the shares to the employee assembly, and also gave them board seats.”

"This is such a huge sacrifice. How can the stock price rise by ten percent today?"

Another shareholder sneered:

"how is this possible?"

"The stock market now has price limits; whether the price increases or decreases by 10%, trading will be suspended."

"A surge in prices is impossible, but our shipyard's stock should see some increase."

This is someone with a good understanding of the stock market. Two years after the Beijing Stock Exchange opened, various related systems have gradually been improved.

Zhu Youjian had been paying close attention to this and experimented with adding many of the systems he had come up with.

Today, the stock exchange in the capital is regarded as the most trustworthy place for securities trading in the Ming Dynasty.

Many people trust the exchange's trading system and feel more secure trading there.

Here, buying and selling are generally fair and just; there's no need to worry about threats, coercion, or breach of contract. As long as you have money, you can buy securities.

Therefore, Wu Shirui's listing proposal received support, and other shipyard shareholders also believed that the transaction was very legitimate.

After learning about the price limit system, these shareholders abandoned the idea of ​​recovering their losses immediately, but they had unwavering faith in this person's claim that the stock would rise.

After the imperial court decided to wage war against Annam and began its campaign in Southeast Asia, many merchants from Suzhou and Songjiang realized that:
Wartime procurement will not stop; they only need to focus on producing goods.

Therefore, industries that were extremely popular during the wartime period are once again in demand, and shipbuilding is one of them.
-
The textile industry was even more affected. Gu Yanwu's Gu family workshops expanded aggressively during last year's war. Almost the entire Gu clan invested all their spare money in it.

Even so, their production capacity was still insufficient; they were too busy just manufacturing socks and clothing.

Now that the imperial court is waging war against Annam, it also needs a considerable amount of clothing. After some thought, Gu Yanwu decided to go public and issue some shares to raise funds.

He doesn't need to worry about not meeting the listing requirements, because when the Gu family workshop was established, it followed the system stipulated by the imperial court.

He had already prepared for this, including financial systems and employee stock ownership plans. Like other companies such as Gu's Workshop and Wu's Shipyard, Gu's Workshop became one of the first companies listed in the Suzhou-Songjiang New Area.

At this time, Gu Yanwu was in the stock exchange, paying attention to stock issuance.

Zhang Yixian, who had a close relationship with him, said:
"If Commander Gu wants to raise funds, he doesn't need to sell shares at all."

"The Yingtian Bank and Sihai Bank of the inner court are both very willing to lend you money."

“Selling stocks now is a huge loss. In two years, the stock price of Gu’s Workshop will at least double.”

Gu Yanwu said with a smile:

"Whether it can double in the future is a matter for the future; I'm looking at the present."

“The risks of operating with loans are too great. The clansmen are worried that a similar crisis as last year will occur, and they will be unable to repay their debts in the future.”

"Issuing shares is fine. We will issue additional shares to dilute the shares of the existing shareholders and use the money to increase production."

"Even if the company performs poorly in the future and the stock price drops, the actual assets will not be lost."

"At worst, we can divide up the looms and sewing machines; even if we go bankrupt, we'll still have something to lose."

This was the opinion of many people, and Gu Yanwu could not go against it.

Another reason he agreed to list Gu's Workshop was to formalize the family business and establish a professional board of directors, board of supervisors, and other systems.

That way he could get rid of family interference and avoid the situation where, due to the concerns of some family members, he had to sell the stock at a low price when the business was taking off.

Zhang Yixian shook his head and remained silent.

He then brought up another matter, asking Gu Yanwu:
"I heard that a merchant from Suzhou and Songjiang found a stunningly beautiful courtesan on the Qinhuai River and intends to present her to the Emperor."

"That woman seems to be surnamed Gu. Does Captain Gu know about her background?"

Gu Yanwu immediately shook his head and said:

"There are many people with the surname Gu. Gu, Lu, Zhu, and Zhang are all prominent surnames in Jiangnan. It is impossible for our Gu family in Kunshan to know all the Gu family members in Jiangnan."

"Why should Eunuch Zhang concern himself with this matter? Your position with the Emperor means you don't need to do these things."

Zhang Yixian smiled and shook his head, without explaining the reasons to Gu Yanwu.

After winning the Liaodong campaign, the emperor was clearly somewhat fatigued, a fact that was noticed by the court officials.

As close advisors to the emperor, these eunuchs were even more sensitive to this matter.

Zhang Yixian had long learned from his close eunuchs that the emperor was indulging in pleasure.

Seeing that the Empress was pregnant again, he naturally paid close attention to whether another favored concubine would be born during her pregnancy.

However, Gu Yanwu's next words made him realize that this woman surnamed Gu had absolutely no chance:

"I heard that the woman is skilled at singing Southern opera, and can be described as having both beauty and talent."

“I was discovered last year when I was thirteen, and some people planned to select young ladies to present to them.”

"However, due to the war in Liaodong, the selection of ladies for the palace last year was still done by the guards, without attracting the attention of the common people. This girl missed the opportunity to enter the palace through this method." "The next selection will be in two years, by which time she will be sixteen years old."

Upon hearing these words, Zhang Yixian understood that the girl was only fourteen years old.

Although people at that time considered her to be of marriageable age, according to the etiquette established by the emperor, a girl was considered an adult only at the age of fifteen, and before that she was a young girl who did not have full capacity for action.

Therefore, marriage is forbidden before the age of fifteen, and no sexual relations are allowed; otherwise, it will be treated as rape of a minor.

These are the rules of etiquette established by the emperor, and he would not violate them for the sake of a woman. Even if this woman had entered the palace, let alone not entered, she would never have had the chance to be favored by the emperor.

This caused Zhang Yixian to sigh deeply, because he was still thinking of currying favor with the emperor by presenting beautiful women in order to return to the capital.

Now it seems that hope is slim. He has a better chance of handling things well in Suzhou and Songjiang, where there are plenty of opportunities to make a name for himself.

During last year's Liaodong campaign, the Suzhou-Songjiang New Area provided a lot of living supplies, which made people inside and outside the court realize the potential of this place.

The status of the Suzhou-Songjiang New Area has risen sharply, and many people now regard Liu Lishun as a powerful regional official.

This small area alone provides supplies comparable to those of many provinces.

Many government offices set up branches in the Suzhou-Songjiang New Area. For example, the Labor Court and Economic Court of the Supreme Court directly assigned personnel to be stationed there.

The inner court further increased its investment in this area, investing in numerous industries.

As the supervising eunuch of Suzhou and Songjiang, Zhang Yixian's status naturally rose, almost comparable to that of the eunuchs in Nanjing.

When he returns to the capital in the future, he may become the Grand Eunuch.

Therefore, Zhang Yixian was very enthusiastic about making contributions in this regard, which is why he participated in the opening of the stock exchange.
-
The two chatted for a while, and soon, the Suzhou-Songjiang Stock Exchange was about to open.

The opening ceremony was presided over by Liu Lishun, who rushed back to the market. He also brought a deputy district head with him to co-host the event.

Gu Yanwu recognized the man; he knew he was the son-in-law of Shang Zhouzuo, the Minister of Works. He whispered:
"Qi Biaojia, what's he doing here?"

"Is this the will of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, or the decree of the Emperor?"

"His presence here at this time, does that mean the next district head has already been decided?"

Upon hearing his words, Zhang Yixian said softly:
"This is His Majesty's will, to have Liu Hanlin find a successor."

"His Majesty intends to give Liu Hanlin a high position and has the intention of letting him take charge of Shuntian Prefecture."

"However, the Suzhou-Songjiang New Area is equally important, and Liu Hanlin cannot leave it for the time being."

"So let Qi Biaojia assist him and see if this son-in-law of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry can become a qualified successor."

"Given his relationship with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, he will certainly be of some benefit to the Suzhou-Songjiang New Area."

As he spoke, he looked at Gu Yanwu and said with a smile:
“In fact, Captain Gu also has a chance. You are one of the founders of the Suzhou-Songjiang New Area and know this best.”

“Outsiders in charge of the Suzhou-Songjiang New Area are ultimately not as familiar with it as you are.”

"With you as the head of the new district, His Majesty will be at ease, and our cooperative industries will also see great development."

The district head of the Suzhou-Songjiang New District is a sixth-rank official. Given Gu Yanwu's current rank as a civilian military officer, it is possible for him to be transferred to this position.

However, Gu Yanwu took it as a joke and shook his head, saying:

"As a civilian military officer, how easy is it for me to become a civilian official?"

"Besides, I am from Suzhou, and I should avoid mentioning my ancestral home."

Zhang Yixian disagreed, saying:
"The Susong New Area is now a separate district, independent of Suzhou Prefecture and Songjiang Prefecture, and is listed separately by the Planning and Development Commission."

“You are from Kunshan, Suzhou Prefecture. This place has not been included in the new district, so there is no need to avoid it.”

"As for the conversion of civilian military officers to civilian officials, it is difficult for others, but for Captain Gu, isn't it an easy task?"

"The most crucial thing is whether you have this intention. If you do, you can express it to His Majesty."

"Given His Majesty's high regard for Captain Gu, I believe Captain Gu will definitely have a chance."

These words made Gu Yanwu think deeply, because he had never even considered this question.

He had wanted to fight after joining the army, but just as the Liaodong War was about to break out, he was transferred to Jiangnan to quell the civil unrest.

He was very unwilling about this, especially after learning that many of his brothers in the Eagle Flying Army had made meritorious contributions and received titles, and were even going to participate in the triumphant surrender ceremony to present prisoners of war this year.

Gu Yanwu, who greatly admired this, preferred to make meritorious contributions on the battlefield. He had no intention of leaving the army to become a civil official and was not interested in Zhang Yixian's statement. He casually said:

"talk later!"

"I still want to achieve great things and obtain a higher title."

Even if you become a civil servant in the future, you still need to take the exam to transfer to the Hanlin Academy.

"Who in officialdom would accept such an unclear and ambiguous job transfer?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yixian sized up Gu Yanwu and realized that this man was even more arrogant than he had imagined.

Although Gu Yanwu was a Yuan dynasty scholar and qualified to take the imperial examination, he had previously only been a Xiucai (a lower-level scholar). How could he compare to those Jinshi (highest-level scholars) who had studied diligently for decades?
He advised Gu Yanwu:

"Commander Gu is already qualified to be an official, why should he bury himself in old books like those other people?"

"Whether or not you can pass the Hanlin exam is irrelevant. With Captain Gu's military experience, even if you can't become a Grand Secretary, you will still have the opportunity to become a Privy Councilor in the future."

This has become a source of motivation for many officials who do not intend to take the imperial examinations.

Under the established practice that no one could enter the cabinet without being a member of the Hanlin Academy, it was impossible to become a Grand Secretary without the status of a Hanlin member.

The current emperor has opened up the opportunity to take the examination for the position of Shujishi, no longer limiting it to newly appointed Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) under the age of forty. Instead, he allows newly appointed Jinshi over the age of forty to participate in the examination, and also allows outstanding officials, excellent officials, and exceptional officials to enter the Hanlin Academy by taking the examination for Shujishi.

Upon learning this, many officials actively prepared, hoping to gain promotion opportunities along this path by passing the imperial examination for Hanlin scholars.

County magistrates, in particular, were most enthusiastic about this. This was because, with the current emperor no longer selecting officials from among the county magistrates through examinations, they had lost the opportunity for rapid promotion along the official career path.

They saw the Hanlin Academy route as an alternative, and these people hoped to become outstanding officials and have the opportunity to take the Hanlin Academy exam.

Many county magistrates, while governing their local areas, picked up their studies again, hoping to pass the examination for probationary officials.

Some people were no longer willing to take the exam. They took Yuan Keli as their role model and planned to take the military and political route, believing that they could become a regent minister without taking the Hanlin exam.

Zhang Yixian viewed Gu Yanwu in this way, believing that he should transition from military to political service, eventually becoming a governor-general and then a minister in the Privy Council.

As for passing the imperial examinations and having the opportunity to become a Grand Secretary, I never even considered it.

Little did anyone expect that Gu Yanwu, confident in his talent and learning, believed that he could rely on his status as a Yuanshi (a scholar who passed the imperial examinations) to pass the Hanlin Academy examination in the future.

After offering a few words of advice, Zhang Yixian, seeing that it had no effect, stopped discussing the topic. (End of Chapter)