Daming: I am the Crown Prince

There are many things to spend money on, so Zhu Yunhuan naturally needs to consider making money. The Ming Dynasty now seems to be rich and powerful. However, compared with a series of major projects, the family foundation is still not enough.

The only thing that made Zhu Yunhuan feel relieved was that the current Ming Dynasty was free of unnecessary troubles.

Zhu Yuanzhang's thirty years of rule had accumulated enough wealth for Zhu Yunhuan. Without the countless casualties and national turmoil in the Jingnan Campaign, Zhu Yunhuan could now let go and do something.

After all, after the Jingnan Campaign, Zhu Di also completed a series of tasks including several northern expeditions, seven voyages to the West, expedition to Annan, and relocation of the capital.

This is of course due to the efforts of Zhu Di and Zhu Gaochi to govern the country, but it is also related to the solid foundation laid by Zhu Di.

Zhu Yunhuan no longer needs to worry about these things. Now that his family is well-off, he can do whatever he wants. So whether it is maritime trade or dredging the Grand Canal, it is not too much of a burden.

The most important thing is that dredging the Grand Canal will be a financial burden in the short term, but it will be helpful for some farming in the Central Plains area of ​​Huifu and will be of great significance in bridging the north and the south. It is something that must be done.

As for maritime trade, it is not just about spending money, it is about making more profits from overseas.

After Yu Xin arrived at Wuying Palace, he immediately bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I, Yu Xin, pay my respects to you."

"This year's taxes should be collected. Except for the exemptions in the disaster-stricken areas, the rest must be collected according to the amount." Zhu Yunhuan said directly, "Send people to investigate the disaster reports in detail. Don't let corrupt officials use the excuse of natural disasters and man-made disasters to deceive the court."

Yu Xin quickly replied, "I understand."

Don't blame Zhu Yunhuan for being suspicious, there are indeed many precedents like this.
The territory of the Ming Dynasty was very large, so every year some places would report disasters. Under normal circumstances, the taxes in the disaster-stricken areas would definitely be reduced or exempted, and a certain amount of relief would be given.

However, some of the disaster reports every year might not be real disasters, or the extent of the disasters reported was greatly exaggerated, so much so that sometimes Zhu Yunhuan even became suspicious.

So we must be kind when we should be kind, and we must be cautious when we should be cautious. There is no contradiction.

Zhu Yunhuan then asked with concern, "Is there enough money in the treasury now?"

Yu Xin said confidently, "Your Majesty, whether it's silver or grain in the granary, it's enough."

Hearing Yu Xin's words, Zhu Yunhuan also felt more confident, "Then when we collect taxes this year, we will continue to use treasure notes to offset taxes, and it's okay to be a little more relaxed."

Hearing the emperor say this, Yu Xin and others had mixed feelings. The current Emperor Chengkang has spent too much time and energy on the Baochao matter.

When the emperor was still the crown prince, he began to take the lead in continuously repairing the credit problem of Baochao, and urged the Hongwu Emperor to change the policy, allowing the court to recall Baochao and normalize its currency properties.

There is no doubt that this matter seems to be a thankless task, and the resistance encountered is indeed quite large.

However, no matter whether Zhu Yunhuan was the crown prince or the emperor, he was determined to do these things, and he saw some results step by step.

Yu Xin smiled and said, "Your Majesty, the treasure notes in Jiangnan and other places have already won the hearts of the people. The treasure notes in Jiangnan area have almost stopped depreciating."

Hearing Yu Xin say this, Zhu Yunhuan also smiled, which only meant that he had reversed some situations. Now the treasure notes were no longer heading towards waste paper, which was a recognition of his efforts.

Of course, this is also because the problem was discovered in time, so at this stage, it is still possible to make timely adjustments. If it were to be a few years later, it would be almost impossible to reverse the situation, and it would be almost impossible to succeed if we wanted to do such a thing again.

Daoyan also said, "I was ordered to go to Taicang before. These merchants have always been smart. Many people in the northern region are still wary of Baochao. They exchange Baochao from the north at a low price and use it in the south."

If it were other people, especially Old Zhu, they would definitely be subconsciously dissatisfied, thinking that these unproductive merchants were just taking advantage of the people, and they might even punish these merchants severely.

But Zhu Yunhuan smiled and said, "It can only be said that the previous treasure notes incident hurt the people's hearts, and it is normal for the people in the north to be dissatisfied. It's just that now the treasure notes can be exchanged, which is also a good thing."

After hearing what Zhu Yunhuan said, both Yu Xin and Daoyan felt that there was actually nothing wrong with this statement.

In the Jiangnan region, the Baochao began to be normalized. Although the Baochao still depreciated in the northern region, some merchants were already recycling and exchanging it, and some people also realized that the Baochao had been normalized.

Especially when tax policies began to be relaxed and allowed the use of treasure notes to offset taxes instead of demanding physical goods, the people in the north would soon realize the greed and cunning of those merchants.

This requires a process. Zhu Yunhuan did not allow the normalization of Baochao in one go. In the final analysis, the debts owed in previous years were too great and he did not dare to release them, otherwise the court's granaries would have been empty.

Now that the people have confidence, many things will naturally be easier to handle.

What these merchants do is like trading treasury bonds, exchanging them from a low price to a high price and making a profit from the difference.

Naturally, some people's interests will be harmed, while some people can make a fortune.

However, this is also due to the fact that some people have excellent ability to interpret policies and are willing to take risks. This is also because Baochao has given the people confidence, so these people dare to do so. After all, Baochao is now one of the official currencies of the Ming Dynasty.

For Zhu Yunhuan, the most gratifying thing is naturally that his efforts have paid off and some of the problems he found have been solved.

As for the fact that these things don't seem perfect now, there's nothing that can be done about it. He doesn't expect to achieve everything in one go. As long as problems are constantly being solved and things are moving in a good direction, that's enough.

In Zhu Yunhuan's eyes, the normalization of currency was a very important matter, after all, the Ming Dynasty lacked copper.

He couldn't guarantee that all the currencies were silver or copper coins, nor could he guarantee that all the currencies were treasure notes, but when various currencies were used reasonably, it could also promote trade, etc.

When more gold, silver, jewelry and supplies can be brought to Ming Dynasty through maritime trade, it will also further promote Ming Dynasty's economy.

By that time, the imperial court could collect more tax revenue, and it would be more convenient to do things. After all, relying solely on land taxes and so on seemed to be enough, but who wouldn't want a more affluent finance?

However, Zhu Yunhuan also understood that, given the current situation, land tax was the biggest financial support, and he did not expect commercial taxes to completely replace land tax as the largest source of finance. But if he collected more, he would have more confidence, and he would have money to do big things in the future.

What's more, Zhu Yunhu had already made some adjustments to commercial taxes, and he really didn't want more wealth to be taken away by some merchants and gentry. He hoped that the court's taxes would be sufficient so that he could do some big things.

Both taxation and treasure notes are now being implemented in an orderly manner, and the budget and investment for dredging the canal or going out to sea have already been prepared.

This naturally means that Zhu Yunhuan does not need to worry too much. Now the Ming Dynasty's finances are healthy, and everything seems to be developing along a normal track.

Zhu Yunxun, feeling satisfied, returned to the West Palace after a busy day. "Grandfather, what are you doing?"

Old Zhu, holding a small hoe, said cheerfully, "I have nothing better to do, so I'll plant some fruit trees. When Wen Yao grows up, they will bear fruit."

Zhu Yunxun couldn't help but complain, "Then you should have planted it earlier. Wen Yao can eat some fruit now. When the tree bears fruit, he might not like to eat fruit anymore."

Zhu Yuanzhang said with regret, "Now that I think about it, I regret it a little. I was busy with important things in the early years and didn't plant any fruit trees. Otherwise, when I'm gone, you can still have something to think about."

The previous generation plants trees and the next generation enjoys the shade. The older generation plants fruit trees, and maybe when the younger generation grows up they can pick some fruits to eat, and maybe occasionally they can even think that these were planted by their ancestors.

"It's not too late to plant now. Peaches are grown in three years, apricots are grown in four years, and pears are grown in five years. Don't miss out on planting a white orchard." Zhu Yunxun said with a smile, "When Wen Yao likes to eat fruits, it will be just in time."

Zhu Yunhuan said all the good and bad things. He just thought that it was too late for Old Zhu to plant fruit trees. But in the blink of an eye, he seemed to think that the timing was the most appropriate, and the transition was so smooth that it didn't seem to be inconsistent at all.

It seems that Zhu Yunxun is not the only one who thinks so. Old Zhu also thinks so, "After all, I raised Wen Yao, and I will have a thought when the time comes. You just have to bear with it. You are too old now, and you don't need these things."

"You are in such good health, you must help me take care of Wen Yao for another ten years." Zhu Yunxun said with a smile, "Seventy is too short for me, eighty is just right."

According to history, Zhu Yuanzhang died in this year, so Zhu Yunhuan would sometimes feel worried and nervous.

But think about it, he has changed a lot of things. At least now Zhu has a grandson by his side and a great-grandson to rely on. He does not have to suffer the pain of losing a son in his later years like in history.

After all, Zhu Chong is alive and well now, and is preparing to return to his hometown to farm. Zhu Gang is also there, and he will continue to take on the responsibility of building frontier fortresses and dividing pastures in the northwest.

I don't know what Zhu Yuanzhang's mental state was like in the past, but Zhu Yuanzhang is in good mental state now. With Zhu Wenyao making trouble every day, Zhu Yuanzhang has no time to think about his wife and eldest son.

Old Zhu smiled and said, "Okay, if we can live to be 80, then that's fine. If not, then don't blame me. Live a few more years and I'll help you take good care of Wen Yao, and you'll have an easier time."

These are also what Zhu really thinks. He knows how busy the government is. Now that he is so old, he thinks that helping to take care of the children is the most important thing he can do.

After chatting for a long time, Zhu Yunxun felt something was wrong, "Where's Wen Yao? He must not be asleep at this time. Why is he so quiet?"

"His mother took him away to play with Baoqing." Old Zhu laughed and said lovingly, "If Miaojin hadn't helped take care of him for a while, we wouldn't have been able to hold on. After all, we are getting old, and Wen Yao is naughty again."

Children are full of energy, and they fall asleep when they are tired from playing. After waking up, they are still full of energy, and it is time for them to have fun everywhere, so they don’t feel tired at all.

But it’s different for someone of Mr. Zhu’s age. He won’t feel that his fatigue is completely gone after taking a nap when he’s tired, but children like Zhu Wenyao don’t know how to feel sorry for the elderly.

Zhu Yunxun smiled and said, "He can only take care of her for a while. After dinner and when he is resting, he will still come to find you. I think even if it is Miao Jin, he can only take Wen Yao out for more than half an hour at most."

Hearing what Zhu Yunhuan said, Zhu Yunhuan also became proud, because that was the truth.

Zhu Wenyao has basically been taken care of by Old Zhu, so naturally the child only recognizes his "grandfather". It doesn't matter if Xu Miaojin takes him out for a while, but after a long time the child will have to look for someone else.

Old Zhu continued to plant trees, and Zhu Yunhuan sat on the recliner like a young master. It would have been fine if he didn't help Old Zhu, but he often said a few words, seemingly affecting Old Zhu's work.

If this were seen by some great scholars, they would definitely criticize it directly. How could a grandson be like this? How could he be so unfilial? This is the current emperor. How could this be disgraceful!

Old Zhu naturally had no objection to this, as he had long been accustomed to Zhu Yunhuan's appearance.

It seems that he is not so "filial" sometimes, but he is really close to him in every way. This is the grandson he wants, not someone like Zhu Yunwen who seems to be polite in every way but makes people feel difficult to get close to him.

Zhu Wenyao, with a red face, arrived before the person even showed up and threw himself into Lao Zhu's arms to ask for water. It seemed that he was really tired from playing outside.

"Aunt." Zhu Yunhuan stood up with a smile and teased Princess Baoqing, "Are you taking your nephew to catch insects?"

Princess Baoqing was not afraid of the stage, and said in a clear voice, "Emperor nephew, I am afraid of insects and dare not catch them."

Old Zhu carried Zhu Wenyao away, and he felt uncomfortable hearing the words "Emperor's nephew". But there was nothing he could do, as Zhu Yunhuan liked to tease Baoqing, the little girl.

Of course, it was also because Princess Baoqing was young and was Zhu Wenyao's playmate, so old Zhu didn't bother to care.

Zhu Yunxun said cheerfully, "Someone just gave me some Dongzhu, and I asked someone to send it to my aunt as her future dowry."

Dongzhu was not invented in the Qing Dynasty. During the Han Dynasty, the pearl-collecting areas were divided according to the pearl-producing areas. During the Liao Dynasty, the Jurchens presented Dongzhu, Gerschner, sable fur and other items to Emperor Tianzuo of Liao. This is all history.

Liaodong is now in the hands of the Ming Dynasty. Although the three Jurchen tribes are not all under the rule of the Ming Dynasty, they often refuse to obey. However, there are many people here who know how to deal with current affairs, and some of the tributes they pay are not bad.

Princess Baoqing said happily, "That's great. My father also said that my future marriage will be decided by the emperor's nephew."

This is true. Princess Baoqing is only four years old, so it is highly likely that Zhu Yuanzhang will not be able to take care of her marriage. It is only Zhu Yunhuan, the emperor's nephew, who will make the decision. (End of this chapter)