Guangzong Yaoming

Chapter 183: Money and Food Are the Backbone

The emperor’s attitude was first of all that whoever saw it would be entitled to a share.

Anyone who can be called can subscribe. After paying the money, they can send one person from their own family to understand the business situation.

"The Ten Princes' Mansions on Dingzi Street will be the headquarters of Changminghao in the future, so that you can know the business situation of Changminghao." Zhu Changluo said, "Don't underestimate this right to know. Changminghao only chooses the main business, and will not do all the minor businesses. Each of you can do some matching business around Changminghao according to your own strengths. But I have one request!"

He looked at those without real power, and then at those with real power: "You are not allowed to use your power to evade the stamp duty, and you are not allowed to try to send people to work or even instruct registered officers and soldiers to participate in it!"

"I dare not..." Li Chengliang immediately expressed his position, and he expressed his position on behalf of others.

"Remember, if you make money cleanly, you will be invincible." Zhu Changluo said, "Maybe some people can make more money than you at the beginning and dominate more markets by managing things properly. That doesn't matter. The grain market in the capital is an example. I will make the rules of doing business clearer and clearer. The more honest you pay taxes, the more taxes you pay in total, and the more the court will rely on you in financial planning."

Having said that, I have really hit the point.

Zhu Changluo paused for a moment, letting everyone focus, before he spoke slowly, "In the past, the court relied on the gentry and wealthy families. With an annual grain tax of more than 4 million dan, a mere 3 million taels of revenue was enough to keep me and the court from making any rash moves! In the future, I will let the officials in the court and the gentry in the opposition know that I can ignore them! Only when they are no longer relied upon can I open up this vast world!"

"Why are nobles suppressed by civil officials in the court and cannot raise their heads?"

He looked at the nobles, each of them seemed to be thinking about something.

“Why are merchants and craftsmen inferior to others?”

He looked at Wang Xun and the others again, and saw that the three of them looked quite excited.

"Money and food! It's all money and food!" Zhu Changluo emphasized, "Whoever provides me and the court with a stable supply of money and food to pay salaries, recuperate, and govern the country, is the one who truly shares the same fate with the country! Only in this way, there won't be a situation where the running dog is abandoned after the cunning rabbit dies! There won't be a situation where people immediately seek out trouble and suppress meritorious officials after the war ends! You must understand these principles!"

Liu Jing nodded repeatedly: I understand this, the lesson is profound!

"Instead of just giving you grace, I'd better think of a way. Even if you don't go to the battlefield, you can still help me stabilize my finances, and you can also take a share of the profits every year with peace of mind." Zhu Changluo put forward the first plan for next year, "Now that you know how important this matter is, can the land under the names of each family be handed over to Changminghao for rent?"

Everyone was stunned.

"You will still receive the rent you deserve," Zhu Changluo said. "Start with you, the imperial farm, plus the King of Shu and the King of Chu, and in the future, it will be expanded step by step to all the royal family's granted land and many official fields! Half of the land tax in the world is paid by the Changminghao, which you have all joined. What else can the officials and gentry do? What else dare they do? I have money, food, and soldiers. What good policies can't I implement? What opportunities for achievements can't I give you?"

At this point, the emperor had fully explained to them the direction of the order that would be established around the Changming.

To put it bluntly, whoever the court relies on more financially will naturally have more say.

Is this competing with the people for profit?

No, the people mentioned in the memorials of civil officials were often officials and gentry, but now the emperor was just integrating the assets of the royal family and noble relatives first.

After concentrating their efforts, the assets they have accumulated over the years have become considerable.

The total amount may not be as much as the total assets of the civil officials and gentry in the world, but on the one hand, they strictly abide by the laws and policies of the country, and on the other hand, they will try every means to escape even when faced with strict preferential treatment. In the end, it is reflected in the annual report of the Ministry of Revenue, and that is something to say.

On the one hand, it has become an "independent" financial pillar that cannot be underestimated and cannot be easily moved. On the other hand, it will also form a data comparison, making those future arguments of "competing with the people for profits" look pale.

The officials and gentry and the current ancestral system cannot be easily changed because the emperor really must rely on them to govern the world and obtain taxes.

Now the emperor wants to connect the other leg.

What lies before them is a model in which half of the Ming Dynasty's wealth may flow into Changminghao through a series of channels and then be distributed to various families. The total scale makes people's heart beat faster.

Also, being in the military troupe in the court means that you are no longer an invisible person or a punching bag.

Just give it a try, you have to give it a try, even if it’s just a part of it first.

"We also need to train our children." Zhu Changluo told them, "You all know about the establishment of the Imperial College. I can send the inner study room to examine those who have a good foundation and grant them admission to the Primary School or even the Hundred Family School. In addition, I have long asked Wang Xun and others to build a special academy to focus on training good business talents. Your own shopkeepers and clerks can work in Changminghao and receive monthly wages from Changminghao, which can save some money."

Zhu Changluo stood up and said, "Prepare a banquet! Talk while drinking! In short, the beauty of it is hard to describe in words. How the nobles and relatives deal with themselves should change. The Ming Dynasty has been established for more than 200 years, and it is time to change. It is said that you will die with the country, but are you really willing to see your children, grandchildren, or even your younger selves really die in the near future?"

Not everyone can deeply understand what the Ming Dynasty has become today.

But the Ming Dynasty has indeed been established for more than 200 years. How many dynasties have lasted for more than 300 years?

At least the emperor showed enough enthusiasm today and had his own ideas.

Li Chengliang and his men were not sure whether this would work. But they were "honored for a generation" and did not want to enjoy wealth and honor for only two or three generations. After lunch, the eunuchs helped some families carry their boxes and leave the palace.

Most people who saw it outside the palace walls thought it was a reward from the emperor.

In the Qianqing Palace, Wang Xun asked worriedly before leaving: "Your Majesty, I didn't tell you nobles to keep the secret today..."

"Are you worried that someone might not keep a tight lid?" Zhu Changluo was a little drunk. He smiled and shook his head. "That's just right! Changming is such a big company, who can hide it from? But these are all the land and businesses of each family. They are handed over to you to manage. How can others say anything? As for the future role of Changming, it's just right to let some smart people in the local area know what the general trend is! Remember, as long as you act in accordance with the law, you will not be criticized. Now, just keep the arrangement given by He Guangtongchen in the account. Sooner or later, you will get your principal and interest back!"

Wang Xun then realized that allowing some big mouths to leak information was also a way to divide the gentry group.

Zhu Changluo asked him again: "Based on this year's situation and the expansion of business next year, how long can you sustain it?"

Wang Xun thought for a moment and said, "With the two million taels we have added this time, plus our family assets, we can still hold out for two years. If we can convince some big merchants to join us, with Your Majesty's approval, we should be able to hold out for three to five years."

Zhu Changluo nodded: "That's enough."

From the financial report, Changming is of course profitable. But from the actual surplus this year, Changming is naturally in a loss-making state.

A large amount of fixed assets have been invested, a large amount of income has not yet been recovered, and a large amount of public relations expenses have been paid based on "unwritten rules".

The business to be expanded next year will require huge investments.

Even with the support of the emperor and other members of the royal family and noble relatives, as well as real capital investment, such a huge business would be enough to empty the fortunes of the top ten richest businessmen in Shanxi within two or three years.

Zhu Changluo was sure that he didn't have too many reservations, so he asked, "Are you not afraid of gambling too much and losing everything you have invested in this game?"

Wang Xun and the other two knelt down and said, "If Your Majesty had wanted to punish us last year, our families would have been destroyed. Now that Your Majesty has bestowed upon us a special favor, how dare we be reluctant to sacrifice ourselves? This is all our blessing."

"That's the truth." Zhu Changluo laughed, "Get up."

In fact, they are answering why they are not afraid of losing all their money.

Because he was the emperor, he could confiscate property for crimes.

So how could Changminghao really fail to survive? As long as the Ming Dynasty survived, Changminghao would not fail to survive. At most, the emperor would invest more and more money, and their shares would be diluted less and less.

There will always be some return. At least it is still on the emperor's ship and will not become the target of property confiscation.

After they stood up, Zhu Changluo said, "You should investigate the other big merchants first. As long as they are engaged in business as their main business, they have been dependent on others for so many years and are people who can be won over. Among them, Fujian and Guangdong are mainly sea merchants who go out to sea, so they are the first to be won over, followed by the merchants who travel around in places like Sichuan, Guizhou, Yunnan and Shaanxi. The wealthy areas in the south of the Yangtze River only protect some small and medium-sized merchants."

"I'll remember this." Wang Xun bent over.

"Following you will receive grace. I will grant 100 places for the children of Changming in the Imperial College and 10 places for the Baijia Garden." Zhu Changluo added, "Those who can be selected will take the exam first. Those who fail will be selected based on merit."

The three were overjoyed and immediately knelt down to express their gratitude.

It doesn’t seem like the topic is being revealed, but grace is more direct and brutal.

After letting them leave, Zhu Changluo stood up and said, "I'll take a break first to sober up."

The cups, plates, tables and chairs from the banquet were still being cleaned up in the Qianqing Palace. The new palace maids in charge of sleeping and accounting in the Qianqing Palace hurriedly asked Zhu Changluo where he wanted to rest, and then went to make preparations.

Zhu Changluo waited in the west warm room while Wang Jiayue served him a cup of hot tea.

Wang An came up and asked, "Your Majesty, who would you like to summon to bed?"

Zhu Changluo was in a relaxed mood, but still a little drunk. He looked at him sideways and said, "Just taking a nap to sober up."

"I understand." Wang An nodded.

There were many nobles and relatives present today, and Zhu Changluo really hoped that they could participate in this matter with less worries, so he talked to them one by one and drank a few more cups.

Then he went to the dragon couch closest to the west warm pavilion and took a nap. Wang Jiayue, who was guarding in the corridor outside, heard him snoring.

Is this... a dragon's roar?
(End of this chapter)