I am Emperor Wanli

Chapter 555: Prosperity, Justice and Harmony
In the back hall of Yaohua Palace, Zhu Yijun opened his arms and let Xue Baoqin pick him up, saying, "This jade pendant is too valuable. I will go on a secret visit later. It's just that the son of a noble family doesn't match my temperament."

Xue Baoqin chose a relatively ordinary silk belt and tied it for Zhu Yijun. "Your Majesty should go out of the palace less often. There are too many people outside, and there are many epidemic diseases. I am afraid that they will be transmitted to Your Majesty and affect your body."

"The more you pamper them, the worse it is. They need to experience more hardships so that they can grow stronger. When we have children in the future, we can't just let them raise them. We need to establish new, healthy parenting concepts."

Xue Baoqin's pink face turned slightly red, but the corners of her mouth were sweet, "The emperor just likes to say these weird things."

Zhu Yijun laughed, the feeling was different after getting married.

Living in Xiyuan, I actually feel like home.

But the more I feel at home, the more I want to go out for a walk.

It is said that Emperor Wanli left the palace only four times in his life: twice to offer sacrifices to heaven, and twice to go to Tianshou Mountain to pay homage to the tombs of previous emperors and to survey his own auspicious land.

A true veteran otaku, the fighting force among otakus.

In this respect, he was different from his idol, his grandfather, the Emperor Jiajing.

Shi Miao Lao Ye* often left the palace and was one of the few emperors who paid homage to the ancestral tombs and the Xiaoling Mausoleum after the Ming Dynasty moved its capital to Beijing.

There is a basis for the fact that Emperor Wanli worshipped his grandfather in history.

One example is that during the suppression of Japanese pirates in the southeast, some officials embezzled military funds. After the facts were verified, Emperor Jiajing was furious. He confiscated the officials' property and exiled them, and ordered their descendants to recover the squandered military funds.

When Emperor Wanli came to the throne, the official's old friends took the opportunity to write a petition, saying that the official was poor and miserable, and his descendants were still paying off his debts, which was even more miserable.

The new emperor has ascended the throne and issued a general amnesty. Please grant mercy and exempt the descendants of this official from repaying the debt.

When Emperor Wanli investigated, he found that your mother had embezzled military funds, which was extremely disgusting.

Secondly, my grandfather the Emperor asked me to pay it back. There is nothing I can do about it. I am my grandfather’s good grandson, so you should just keep paying it back.

Therefore, the official's descendants did not pay off all the embezzled military expenses until the 20th year of the Wanli reign.

Now that I have become the Wanli Emperor, I am still my grandfather's good grandson, and still a good saintly grandson. The corrupt official who was investigated and punished, his descendants continue to pay back the military funds he embezzled.

I even plugged the loophole myself. Before I pay off my debts, I am not allowed to take the civil service exam, or the science exam. You just have to work like a cow and a horse to earn money to pay off your debts!
If you think you can repay your debts by becoming an official and taking on more corruption, forget it.

That’s a good idea.

Zhu Yijun said to Qi Yan, who was standing outside the screen and did not dare to disturb the love between him and his wife.

"Qi Yan, ask the Imperial Household Department to write a letter to Master Li, asking the Court of Justice to add a clause to the anti-corruption clause in the National Law, requiring corrupt officials to return all the money they have embezzled, plus a certain percentage of fines.

If I squander all the money and cannot pay it back, I will work like a slave to pay it back. If I cannot pay it back in my lifetime, my descendants will pay it back. Before I pay it back, I will not be allowed to take the civil and military examinations, join the army, or be recruited as an official. "

"According to the order!"

This is the case with geniuses who are quick-witted and always have new ideas popping out of their heads. They always have new ideas in their minds and need someone around to help them record them quickly and accurately.

It is said that the emperor was also like this, full of energy, sleeping only three or four hours a day, and new ideas popped up in his mind from time to time. He often had two to four secretaries around him, always taking notes, but they often couldn't keep up.

It is said that shorthand was invented by secretaries who were driven crazy.

Speaking of the Emperor, I recalled my memory. In this era, there were no powerful kings in the East and the West. I was completely insignificant.

Alas, how lonely it is to be invincible!

Under Xue Baoqin's arrangement, Zhu Yijun put on a light robe and a net scarf on his head, and looked like an ordinary young man in the capital.

"Baoqin, I am about to leave the palace. Do you need me to bring you anything?"

Xue Baoqin thought for a moment and said, "If it is convenient for Your Majesty, please bring me a bag of sour plum powder."

Sour plum powder?
Zhu Yijun glanced at Xue Baoqin. My seeds sprouted so quickly?
According to the inner palace regulations he formulated, the imperial physicians would take turns to conduct physical examinations on the concubines in the harem every month, and the results should be known by then.

Don't worry. Doctor Wanshen has trained female medical officers in the past few years. They are very skilled in medicine and specialize in gynecology, obstetrics and pediatrics.

There won’t be a Doctor Wen who suddenly appears!
Zhu Yijun nodded calmly, "Okay, I will definitely remember it."

When they arrived at the Xi'an Gate duty room, Yang Jinshui and Lin Fu, the junior supervisor of the Imperial Stables, had changed into casual clothes and were waiting.

After the opening of Nanhua Gate, Xi'an Gate became much quieter.

"Your Majesty, you look really smart today." Yang Jinshui said with a smile.

"Haha, I am a spirited young man. When we go out, remember to call me Young Master Liu. Don't call me the wrong name."

"Yes, Mr. Liu. Did you change your surname to Liu today?"

"Yes, I just clicked on it when searching through the Hundred Family Names."

Zhu Yijun talked to Yang Jinshui and Lin Fu and got into the waiting carriage.

The carriage drove out of Xi'an Gate and headed south along Xuanwumen Street.

Zhu Yijun asked amid the sound of horse hooves.

"Jinshui, are all the people from your Federation of Industry and Commerce here today?"

"To answer your question, everyone is here. The Chairman of the Federation of Industry and Commerce, Song Yingqing, the Vice Chairman, Shen Jialiang, Zhou Muxian and five others, the 21 directors of the board of directors, and the 211 members of the Federation of Industry and Commerce are all gathered in Changfeng Pavilion today."

"They are all the pillars of the Ming Dynasty's industrial and commercial enterprises." Zhu Yijun sighed.

I have read the accounts of the Shaofujian and know that these merchants and factory owners of the Federation of Industry and Commerce have occupied half of the economy of the Ming Dynasty. Half of the national treasury income comes from them.

With the rise of the Industrial Revolution and the promotion of free trade, the value they create will account for an increasingly important proportion of the Ming Dynasty's economy and treasury revenue.

Problems will definitely arise if the resources available and the rights allocated do not match.

How did the Western bourgeoisie seize power?
Under the banner of freedom, democracy and fraternity, Charles I and a string of nobles were sacrificed in Britain.

The situation in France was even more terrible. You chop off your heads and I hang them on street lamps. Louis XVI and hundreds of nobles, Brissot, Madame Roland and thousands of revolutionaries were all sacrificed.

It was only by killing so many people that the bourgeoisie was able to seize power.

Freedom, democracy and fraternity are the six-word mantra of the bourgeoisie: if anyone stands in the way, kill him; if Buddha stands in the way, kill Buddha.

The only thing they dare not mention is equality.

Rousseau, the old master of the Enlightenment, dared to say loudly: "All men are born free," but he did not dare to say, "All men are born equal."

If it is equal, then won't capitalists share property with cattle and horses? We have freed you from the shackles of feudal aristocracy, given you freedom and democracy, and loved you with a broad mind, so you should be happy to be cattle and horses, especially don't talk about overtime pay, it hurts our feelings too much.

The bourgeoisie of the Ming Dynasty, which is mainly composed of industrialists and businessmen, is gradually growing stronger, and we must guide them well.

You can add more ingredients later according to the situation, just like when a pot of soup is cooked to the right temperature, you should naturally add the appropriate seasonings.

Also, there is a system of one person for one job, and when people from the Federation of Industry and Commerce come in, a group of people must be cleared out.

The higher up a tree is, the less space there is for people.

"Jinshui, the Federation of Industry and Commerce has been established, and a major matter has been resolved. Let them go back quickly. Especially the southeast. The southeast wind has been blowing quite strongly recently."

Yang Jinshui understood, "Sir, I understand. We will have a meeting later. Would you like to give them some instructions?"

"No need, I'll go take a look, and you can come forward to explain what needs to be explained."

"Yes."

Zhu Yijun thought for a moment and then explained: "Master Zhang rejected the comprehensive reform plan for the science examination. This is normal. He asked for a high price and bargained down.

Now I am gathering chips and have a good talk with Master Zhang. Reform is always done step by step. If the steps are too big, it will be a disaster.”

Zhu Yijun shut up. Yang Jinshui was a eunuch and it was too humiliating to say such nonsense to his face.

Those who humiliate others will eventually be humiliated.

Yang Jinshui was loyal to me and worked hard for me, but I still humiliated him personally. It was unacceptable.

Zhu Yijun turned his tongue and said, "It's easy to split your legs, which is not good."

Yang Jinshui's eyes flickered, "I understand your Majesty's painstaking efforts.

As the Prime Minister, Master Zhang always has his own position and considerations. But I know that Master Zhang and the Emperor have the same goal. So I am not worried at all. "

Otherwise, Huang Jin praised you for inheriting his true teachings!

"Jinshui should know this. Power must be collected before it can be distributed. You can't create something out of nothing. You need to make this clear to them.

They are my foundation. When I was the Prince of Yu and the Crown Prince, they followed you and traveled around for me, accumulating wealth and enriching the national treasury.

They have made great contributions. Tell them that I will not forget them, nor will I treat them unfairly."

Yang Jinshui said hesitantly, "Your Majesty, these words are like spring rain and sweet dew to them. I ask Your Majesty to speak to them in person and let them thank you for your grace together."

Zhu Yijun shook his head. "I will tell them personally, but it's too early to tell them now. Once I speak, my words are golden. I can't just keep making empty promises.

If you say too many empty words, even your golden words will be useless.

When I have cleaned up the southeast, I will be able to give them real benefits when I meet them in person next time. At that time, my words will be regarded as "The emperor's grace is born from heaven and earth, and you know it best. "

Yang Jinshui bowed and said, "Your Majesty is wise."

The carriage stopped in front of the north gate of Nanyuan. Zhu Yijun and Lin Fu changed to another carriage and went to Changfeng Pavilion in two groups with Yang Jinshui.

As soon as Yang Jinshui got off the carriage, a large group of people gathered around him. They were all members of the Federation of Industry and Commerce. They expressed their admiration for Yang Jinshui, the God of Wealth, with great enthusiasm.

Yang Jinshui cupped his hands, smiled and greeted everyone, speaking words that made people feel like they were in the spring breeze. Four guards protected him from front, back, left, and right, and he walked slowly in the crowd.

"Everyone, the Federation of Industry and Commerce has been established. It will be your home from now on. Chairman Song and other members of the board of directors were also elected by everyone, one vote at a time. They are all people you can trust.

If you encounter any problems or difficulties in the future, remember to look for your parents’ home.”

Everyone said, "Eunuch Yang has done a great thing for us again."

"With the Federation of Industry and Commerce and the election of Chairman Song and others, we are now strong and upright!"

Yang Jinshui smiled and said, "Okay, if you have anything to say, let's go inside and talk. It's drafty here, and I'm also drafty when I'm talking."

Everyone laughed and surrounded Yang Jinshui and entered Changfeng Pavilion.

Zhu Yijun and Lin Fu mixed in the crowd and followed the flow of people slowly inside.

Lin Fu suddenly said, "Sir, Eunuch Yang was carried into Changfeng Pavilion by these people. I didn't expect that his prestige in the Federation of Industry and Commerce is so high."

This statement has the meaning of putting on eye drops.

Lin Fu was also an old man in Prince Yu's residence. He used to be one of Liu Yi's deputies, responsible for the safety of Zhu Yijun, the crown prince. Later, he also followed him into the Western Garden.

But later on, he was always assigned to work under Wanfu.

However, he was naturally close to Feng Bao, who was also in Prince Yu's residence and had been by his side since he was still the Crown Prince.

Zhu Yijun glanced at him and smiled.

If the eunuchs around me were all harmonious and of one mind, I would not be able to sleep well.

Changfeng Pavilion is a typical reinforced concrete frame building, except that the doors, windows, corridor guardrails are made of wood. The roof beams are also covered with a layer of wood to show elegance and retro style.

The Ministry of Industry has set new construction standards, which require that cement concrete be used whenever possible, and that leftover wood be used as much as possible.

If a building dares to use large materials, the new construction standards of the Ministry of Works will tell you that it exceeds the regulations. Even the emperor would not dare to use it easily. How dare you use it? Are you more awesome than the emperor?
It's outrageous!
Buildings should use reinforced cement concrete as much as possible, which will stimulate the cement and steel industries.

Real estate can drive many industries, and this also applies to the Ming Dynasty!

The second is to protect trees.

By planting trees, conserving water and soil, and coordinating a large number of water conservancy projects, the Ming Dynasty would have a better chance of success when the peak of the Little Ice Age comes in a few decades.

Yang Jinshui was escorted into the first floor lobby, the spacious space was packed with people. Yang Jinshui walked to the front desk, stood with Song Yingqing and others, and spoke to the nearly 300 people below the stage.

"The Ming Federation of Industry and Commerce has been officially established. This is a great thing! This means that the Ming government and the public have recognized us.
The emperor personally wrote the inscription for the Federation of Industry and Commerce: "Prosperity, Justice, and Harmony."

But I also know that many people don’t quite understand what the emperor meant by these six words.”

Yes, what does it mean?

*In the Ming Dynasty, the colloquial name for the former emperors was "some temple master". For example, "Shimiao Laoye".

(End of this chapter)