Daming: Dad, you are really not good at governing the country

Ever since he stepped into the Greenhouse Palace, the smallest yet elegant side hall in the Eastern Palace, Zhu Gang felt a solemn atmosphere coming towards him.

The vermilion pillars in the hall are thick and tall, reaching from the sky to the ground.

It is like a pillar supporting the vast territory of the Ming Dynasty, demonstrating the majesty and heritage of the royal family.

The spacious hall is paved with golden bricks.

Under the soft candlelight, it exudes a warm and luxurious luster, as if silently telling the supreme glory and solemnity of this dynasty.

In the center of the hall, green smoke curled up from an exquisite gilded incense burner.

The elegant fragrance permeates the air, quietly adding a sense of relaxation and softness to the slightly solemn atmosphere.

On the walls, several magnificent landscape paintings are hung.

The mountains in the painting stand tall and majestic, reaching into the sky.

The river is surging and the waves are magnificent.

Just like the vast territory and booming vitality of the Ming Dynasty, it makes people feel heroic.

At this time, Zhu Gang had a resolute expression and a burning gaze.

In this quiet hall, his voice seemed particularly loud and clear.

"Tomorrow I will go to the palace to meet the emperor and ask him to relax the maritime ban.

Even if we open one or two ports as a test, we must not allow Japanese pirates to run rampant and wreak havoc on the Ming Dynasty's sea borders.

As for the matter of the ironclad fleet, I will go to the Ministry of Works in person.

Urge them to speed up the research and development process and strive to properly solve the current issues within their capabilities."

Chang Qingyun nodded slightly, a hint of worry flashing in her beautiful eyes.

She walked lightly with lotus steps and came to Zhu Gang's side.

Chang Qingyun gently pulled up his sleeve, his eyes full of concern, and said anxiously and worriedly: "Third brother, this is no joke!

The incident with Minister Chen seems like yesterday. How can you be so careless with this as a lesson learned from the past?

Those conservative ministers have always been conservative and regard the laws of their ancestors as the golden rule. How could they watch you touch their interests?

Minister Chen was impeached by them for merely proposing a tax reform and he almost lost his job.

Your relaxation of the maritime ban this time involves complex and intertwined interests. How could those conservative ministers give up easily?

If you insist on doing it, and fail, not only will your future be ruined, but your family will also be affected!"

Zhu Gang frowned slightly, and although he was grateful for his sister-in-law's concern, he said impatiently: "Sister-in-law, I know you are thinking about me, but how could I be blind and impulsive?
The current situation in the Ming Dynasty is like rowing against the current, if we do not advance, we will retreat.

The people living along the coast suffered greatly from Japanese pirates and piracy, maritime trade declined, and state tax revenues were greatly reduced.

If I don't take the risk, will I just sit there and wait for death, watching the Ming Dynasty go from strength to strength?
I have made up my mind, and I hope my sister-in-law can understand. "

When Chang Qingyun heard this, she felt anxious and angry.

She turned her back to Zhu Gang, the silk handkerchief in her hand trembling slightly, her voice choked with sobs.

"Why are you so stubborn, kid?

He simply won't listen to any advice!
Third brother, you know that there are undercurrents in the court, and if you are not careful, you will be doomed."

At this time, the accompanying staff member Li Xian frowned slightly, he took a step forward, the corner of his robe swaying in the wind, and said respectfully but sincerely: "Your Highness, what the Crown Princess said makes sense.

Not to mention the numerous obstacles in the court, our plans for the resumption of maritime trade are still incomplete.

If we rashly go to the palace to beg for the relaxation of the maritime ban, and His Majesty asks for specific details, we will be speechless.

I am afraid that His Majesty will think that you are acting rashly, which will backfire.

Your Highness, maritime trade is related to the prosperity and decline of a country, so you must be careful."

Zhu Gang waved his hand slightly impatiently and paced back and forth in the hall.

The boots stepped on the gold bricks, making a crisp sound.

"Li Xian, I understand your concerns.

But in an emergency, we have to take the necessary measures. The most urgent task is to seek the emperor's permission to relax the maritime ban.

We can make long-term plans for the follow-up. If we keep shrinking back, will we have to wait until the Japanese pirates and pirates make the coastal areas miserable and the Ming Dynasty's maritime trade completely declines?"

Li Xian did not back down and still insisted on his own opinion.

"Your Highness, when it comes to maritime trade, one move can affect the entire body.

If we fail due to insufficient preparation, it will undoubtedly be a heavy blow to our Ming Dynasty.

Your Highness, I hope you will think twice before acting!"

Zhu Gang thought for a moment, stopped, and said solemnly: "Li Xian, what you said makes sense.

As for the management after the resumption of maritime trade, I have already made some preliminary considerations.

After the ports are opened, a special customs office can be established to be responsible for the management of merchant ships.

The Maritime Customs Office was required to develop a detailed merchant ship registration system, which required detailed registration of ship information, crew list, cargo types and quantities for every merchant ship entering and leaving the port.

As for preventing Japanese pirates from disguising themselves and sneaking in, on the one hand, we strengthened the port inspection force.

Increase patrol frequency, set up multi-layer checkpoints, and conduct strict inspections of ships approaching the port in advance.

On the other hand, we can learn from the folk baojia system and let merchant ships guarantee each other.

If Japanese pirates or thieves sneak in, all the ships insured will be punished together, so that the merchant ships will supervise each other. "

Li Xian nodded slightly, and under the candlelight, a thoughtful look appeared on his face.

"Your Highness is absolutely right!

In addition, in terms of maritime trade tariffs, we can refer to past tax rates and formulate reasonable gradient tariffs based on current market conditions.

For goods urgently needed for people’s livelihood, such as food, medicinal materials, etc., tariffs will be reduced as appropriate.

For non-essential items such as luxury goods, tariffs will be increased.

In terms of trade rules, the transaction venue, time and dispute resolution mechanism must be clarified.

A special trade market is set up at the port, stipulating that transactions can only be completed here and within the specified time.

At the same time, a special arbitration institution will be established, and officials familiar with maritime trade affairs and laws will be selected to serve in it to handle trade disputes.

Zhu Gang nodded in agreement and said, "Yes, these details must be considered carefully.

After we meet the emperor in the palace, we will start to refine these plans."

Just at this moment, a guard hurried into the hall.

He knelt on one knee, his armor clanged against each other, and he said solemnly, "Your Highness, I have just received an urgent report.

The Japanese pirates along the coast have become more rampant recently. Several merchant ships have been robbed by them, causing heavy losses to the people! "

Upon hearing this, Zhu Gang's face instantly turned as dark as ink and he clenched his fists.

He glared outside the hall, as if he wanted to see through the evil deeds of the Japanese pirates.

"These Japanese pirates are truly extremely evil!

It seems that relaxing maritime bans and strengthening coastal defenses are urgent!

Sister-in-law, Li Xian, look!
The situation is so critical now, how can I hesitate any longer? "

When Chang Qingyun heard the news, she unconsciously clenched the handkerchief in her hand.

She paused slightly, then turned around slowly, her eyes full of worry and helplessness.

"Forget it, Third Brother.

Since you have made up your mind, your sister-in-law has no choice but to support you.

But you must be careful and not act rashly.

In the court, every step must be taken carefully and must not be taken lightly. "

Li Xian sighed upon seeing this, shook his head slightly and said, "Your Highness, if that's the case, then we will race against time.

Before entering the palace, try to perfect the preliminary plan for restarting maritime trade.

But Your Highness, there are probably many unknown obstacles in the court, so we need to prepare early." (End of this chapter)