In Hongwu, we started as rebels

Chapter 822 Merchants' "Situation" and "Power" to Promote Culture and Education

Compared to the other six ministries, the Ministry of Rites was much quieter and more peaceful.

Most of the officials walking among them moved slowly.

There was a calm ease that came from practice, and a faint smile played on his lips.

Lu Yunyi followed Li Yuanming from the outer hall to the inner hall, and then into the yamen.

The journey was mostly peaceful.

Even when clerks were talking to each other while holding documents, they tried to keep their voices down, showing courtesy in every way.

Lu Yunyi was deeply moved; this was completely different from the Ministry of Works, where people often made a scene.

As expected of the most prestigious government office, it naturally possesses a certain majesty.

Upon arriving at the yamen, Li Yuanming sat back down at the long table, gesturing for Lu Yunyi to sit down as well.

Lu Yunyi glanced around, surveying the government office.

Books were everywhere you looked; all kinds of books were placed in every corner, stacked up, filling the office with the aroma of books.

There wasn't even a single extra vase in the room.
The only decoration might be the copper stove in the corner where ice is placed.

After sitting down, Lu Yunyi sighed with emotion:
"Lord Li is extremely simple and honest, which I admire."

"Although there are no houses of gold in the book, there are real skills."

As a high-ranking official in the Ministry of Rites, wouldn't it be shameful to be outshone in academic matters?

Li Yuanming, without any hesitation, took out two bamboo pots from the side of the long table and handed one to Lu Yunyi.

Upon seeing this, Lu Yunyi looked surprised:

"Lord Li also likes to drink cola?"

Li Yuanming replied with a smile:

"I drink it occasionally. Sometimes when I encounter a problem, I will drink some to clear my mind."

I also drink the new iced tea from the shop.

However, in my opinion, it's just black tea with added sugar.

For the same price, this cola is made with better quality ingredients.

"What Lord Li said is true. Cola not only contains icing sugar, but also some nourishing Chinese herbs."

However, many people don't like the taste because of its unusual smell.

"Hehe, this time the bank's dividends have made this old man lose a lot of hair."

I also bought plenty of cola. If Lord Lu can answer my questions today, I won't need to drink it.

"Haha, Lord Li should really support the business of the merchant guild more."

To truly understand the intricacies of commerce, one must engage with it up close.

Li Yuanming nodded solemnly:

"Lord Lu is right about this; theoretical discussions are ultimately just empty talk and wishful thinking."

I obtained the development direction and strategy from the Yingtian Trading Company when it was established, and after reading it, I was amazed.

Even though I dislike merchants, I must admit that...
If we follow Lord Lu's strategy, the Yingtian Trading Company will grow stronger and stronger.
The imperial court will become increasingly reliant on the Yingtian Trading Company.

Until the Yingtian Trading Company became as indispensable as the Six Ministries.

As he spoke, Li Yuanming's expression grew increasingly grave, creating a tense atmosphere in the yamen.

Lu Yunyi was somewhat surprised, but not unexpected.
The Minister of Rites before me could read all documents except for those concerning royal secrets.
After a moment of contemplation, Lu Yunyi organized his thoughts and finally spoke in a deep voice:
"Lord Li, you are in charge of etiquette throughout the land and know that 'when the granaries are full, people know etiquette; when they are well-fed and clothed, they know honor and shame.'"

May I ask, sir, is this 'full granaries' and 'sufficient food and clothing' truly a sign of good health?
Whether it's the farmers who toil in the fields or the artisans who keep their fires burning brightly,
Or perhaps, they were merchants who exchanged goods and services, and facilitated the exchange of wealth?

Li Yuanming stroked his beard and smiled, saying softly, "All three are present."

Is there a sorting option?

"Agriculture, industry, and commerce are all indispensable."

Lu Yunyi nodded and said seriously:
"The fact that there is a position already indicates that it is important enough."

In my opinion, the essence of commerce lies in 'circulation' and 'value'.

This is not something unprecedented, but its momentum and form are particularly strong now, truly a trend driven by the times.

Li Yuanming pondered for a long time, then sighed:
"Merchants are crucial to the fate of the nation; they cannot be stopped by suppression."

"My lord, I am a general who leads troops into battle, fighting on many fronts."
A major battle can cost far more than a million.

Food supplies, military equipment, and rewards all require real money.

Farmers grow grain, craftsmen make tools, and merchants are responsible for transporting goods to and fetching wealth.

If grain and fodder are left to rot in the south, weapons and armor are left to stagnate in the north, and silver is left to be stored in cellars, how can it be used for military and national purposes?

In the past, Guan Zhong mastered the art of weighing and controlling, which enriched Qi and strengthened its military.

The astonishingly generous dividends of the Yingtian Trading Company today stem from its ability to connect the north and south and trade throughout the world.
This is not due to the greed of merchants, but rather to their contribution to 'circulation'.

Most of the merchants' wealth was mined from villages in the capital region.
This wealth remained even before the emergence of merchant firms.
But it's just an inanimate object, not living wealth.

Merchants accumulate small profits to become enormous wealth, thus increasing the 'value' of both the nation and its people.

“That makes sense.” Li Yuanming’s expression was serious, and he gestured for him to continue.

Lu Yunyi continued:

The Ministry of Rites is in charge of the proper etiquette and rituals throughout the land.
Its meaning of 'orthodoxy' should also flow like water, guided by the circumstances.

The Duke of Zhou's establishment of rites and music did not come out of thin air; rather, it was a summary, regulation, and constraint of the social order at that time.

The power of merchants in Qin is now established.
Their power can enrich a country, or it can bring chaos to a nation; someone like Lü Buwei could bring chaos to the world.

Therefore, in my opinion,

Rather than viewing it as a monstrous flood and keeping it out, allowing it to lurk in the shadows and breed problems, we should not.

It would be better to include it in the 'orthodox' order.
They should be regulated by rites and laws, constrained by taxes, and guided by education.

Make its 'profit' conform to 'righteousness', and its 'wealth' serve 'public good'.

In this way, the power of merchants can be used for the benefit of the state.
The wealth of merchants can increase the national treasury, and their actions can also conform to etiquette and laws.

This is not a loss to orthodoxy, but rather a difference between the 'new' and 'old' aspects of orthodoxy.

This is the unstoppable force of merchants.

Li Yuanming looked at Lu Yunyi with some surprise, quite taken aback by his words and actions.

"I never imagined that Lord Lu, a renowned general on the battlefield, could also write such excellent essays. If these words were used in the imperial examinations, he would surely pass with flying colors."

Lu Yunyi was taken aback, then shook his head:

"I have such good handwriting that I'm afraid I wouldn't even pass the preliminary examination."

"Ha ha ha ha."

Li Yuanming burst into laughter, his unrestrained manner completely out of place in the current Ministry of Rites.

"Lord Lu, please continue your guidance. What is the meaning of this form?"

Lu Yunyi pursed his lips and said in a deep voice:
"Lord Li, nowadays, iron smelting techniques are advanced and weaving skills are improving daily. In Jiangnan, the fields are crisscrossed and workshops are lined up one after another."

The produce produced far exceeds the needs of the local area.

Without merchants traveling the world to sell their goods, artisans would be confined indoors, and farmers would be trapped in the fields.
Merchants make the best use of resources, and the people benefit from it.

This is a natural cycle of mutual generation and influence between 'demand' and 'supply', which cannot be forcibly suppressed by human power.

The prosperity of Yingtian Trading Company was simply a result of adapting to the trend of daily progress in craftsmanship and abundant resources.

As the status of merchants rises daily, I believe this is not an intentional elevation.
In reality, it is the name that naturally comes about after its 'value' is revealed.

Merchants were once considered to be in a lowly profession.

Because they either hoard goods for speculation, exploit the common people, collude with officials and merchants, and are only motivated by profit.

However, today's Yingtian Trading Company,

It was a newly emerging business led by various government departments of the imperial court.

His actions were methodical, his contributions were measurable, and he was able to mobilize huge sums of money to accomplish things that the government could not.

Just like this, connecting villages in various places, building roads for each village,
The imperial court is not incapable of handling this, but fairness must be considered.

If they fix this, they have to fix that too, which is far less flexible than Yingtian Trading Company.

In this way, its 'ability' is evident, and its 'benefit' is public.
It is only natural that people admire him and officials discuss him.

This is not a sign of moral decay or social disorder, but rather an acknowledgment of the 'efficiency' and 'contribution' of emerging things, which is also their 'form'.

Li Yuanming frowned, carefully considering the loopholes in the statement, but found that most of what he said was fair.

Lu Yunyi paused, then concluded:
"Lord Li, in my humble opinion, the rising status of merchants is a product of the times."
It is an inevitable result of advancements in craftsmanship, abundant resources, and expanding demand.

This trend is irreversible, but its form can be molded.

The Ministry of Rites' responsibility is not to suppress its "power," but to regulate its "form."

As long as the immense power inherent in merchants can be used for the benefit of the country and conforms to etiquette and laws,

To make its 'circulation' function serve the nation.

The increase in 'value' benefits people's livelihood, while the prominence of 'prestige' is accompanied by the burden of 'responsibility'.

Only in this way can we safeguard the foundation of the Ming Dynasty's "legitimate" rule amidst change, ensuring its enduring vitality, rather than clinging to outdated practices and suffering the consequences.

The kind smile on Li Yuanming's face gradually faded, replaced by a profound understanding of the ways of the world.

He slowly picked up the teacup, took a small sip, and then put the cup down.
His gaze, as deep as an ancient well, fell upon Lu Yunyi:
"Lord Lu's insightful remarks are penetrating and thorough, analyzing circulation, value, momentum, and form with great clarity."

Although I am old, I still know that the role of merchants in facilitating trade and increasing wealth is indispensable to the country and its people.

However."

He abruptly changed the subject, his voice lowering, carrying a barely perceptible sigh:

What is being discussed is not only reason and power, but also law.

But in the imperial court, and in people's hearts,

The most unpredictable and the most difficult to guard against is the word 'love'.

More precisely, it's about 'human nature'.

To make the benefits align with righteousness and to make the wealth serve the public good—this is the realm of a sage, and how difficult it is!

Human nature is inherently selfish; the instinct to seek advantage and avoid harm is innate.

It's only natural for merchants to pursue profit.

Officials are human too; how much do they earn in salary?

Seeing wealthy merchants spending money like water, moving in and out of grand halls, and cultivating many good relationships...
How could one not feel envy? How could one not feel a desire to get closer?
No matter how good the laws are, they are still inanimate objects; those who enforce them are living people.

Nowadays, personal connections are rampant in the imperial court, and given time, the collusion between officials and businessmen will inevitably arise.

In fact, Yingtian Trading Company has already gone very far down this path.

Your Majesty may have seen the drawbacks.
This led to the establishment of the Market and Exchange Bureau, which was above the traditional trading companies.

However, without control over the specific flow of funds, the Market and Commerce Bureau could only manage the Yingtian Trading Company, and its control was limited.

For example, during this dividend distribution, Han Yi wanted to get some money from the trading company but was unsuccessful; the trading company made excuses and said it would be next year.
But this year's money belongs to many high-ranking officials and government departments.
"Won't it be the same next year? Can the Market Authority take it away?"

Lu Yunyi did not answer this, but simply smiled slightly:
"Lord Li, it all comes down to money in the end."
Whether the market broker can get the money depends on his ability.

As for what will happen to the merchants afterward, I am a general leading troops into battle, and I haven't thought that far ahead.
I believe in the wisdom of future generations regarding these issues.

Upon hearing this, Li Yuanming was taken aback.
Unexpectedly, Lu Yunyi only scratched the surface and did not delve any further.

However, this made him somewhat wary. Li Yuanming didn't believe that Lu Yunyi hadn't considered how things would develop.
But at such a young age

Being able to refrain from drawing attention is already quite remarkable!

Li Yuanming tapped the table and laughed:
"Since Lord Lu is unwilling to discuss this further, then I will tell you about the events that occurred in court today."

"All ears."

"The court appears chaotic today, but in reality, each faction has its own agenda."

Ji Yucheng has recently been suppressed by Qin Kui at the Ministry of Works.
If the flood control efforts in Henan are successfully completed,

Qin Kui's prestige will surely increase greatly, and he will have no chance of advancement in the Ministry of Works.

That's why he came up with this method.

Impeaching King Zhou for obstructing flood control efforts
He was trying to use this to keep his official position, or at least buy himself some time.

Lu Yunyi nodded slightly upon hearing this, indicating that he understood.

"And what about Lord Yang? Why did he get involved as well?"

Li Yuanming's lips curled up slightly, revealing a meaningful smile:

Yang Jing was thirty-one years old at the time.

He has been working in the Ministry of Revenue since high school and is meticulous in his work.

However, this year His Majesty reached a tacit understanding with some scholars, and Zhao Mian was transferred to the position of Minister of Revenue.
Yang Jing's foundation was shallow, and he was powerless to resist.
He could only take the lowest position, Minister of Justice, which greatly reduced his power.

He spoke and acted on this matter today.
On the one hand, it is to express their dissatisfaction with His Majesty.
On the other hand, it was to establish authority through the Yu Qilun incident.
If they could truly uncover the secret meeting between King Zhou and the Duke of Song, it would be a great achievement for the Ministry of Justice.
Even if no evidence is ultimately found, he will not have committed a serious offense.

Lu Yunyi nodded slightly and continued to ask:

"And what about Lord Yuan Tai? It was His Highness the Crown Prince who advised bringing Prince Zhou back to the capital."

By doing this, wouldn't he be undermining his own people?

Li Yuanming's expression turned serious. After considering for a long time, he said in a deep voice:

Yuan Tai is an upright and incorruptible man.

However, he was also extremely protective of his master, just like Zhan Hui.

The Duke of Song was one of the six founding dukes, and the only one remaining.
Its influence within the military is unparalleled.
King Zhou was both a vassal king and a father-in-law/son-in-law.

Even if the two had no intention of rebelling, Zhan Hui and others would still assume that they did, given their close proximity.

Even if His Highness the Crown Prince doesn't mind, those of us waiting can't be lenient.

"Our appearance today is to demonstrate the attitude of the Crown Prince's court officials, not to represent the Crown Prince's attitude."

At this point, Li Yuanming smiled and gave Lu Yunyi a meaningful look:
"Logically speaking, you shouldn't have held back and instead kicked him when he was down."

Lu Yunyi was taken aback, then smiled helplessly.
Yes, he was also a guest of the Crown Prince and an official under the Crown Prince.

Suddenly, he remembered something else.
Recently, Duke Chang Sheng has been trying to bring Duke Chang Mao of Zheng, who is currently in Longzhou, back to the capital.

Chang Maotong was one of the six founding dukes, the Crown Prince's brother-in-law, and also the son-in-law of the Duke of Song.

Once Chang Mao returned to the capital, the Duke of Song completely became part of the Crown Prince's faction.
Thinking of this, a glint flashed in Lu Yunyi's eyes, and he cupped his hands in a respectful gesture:

"Thank you for your explanation, Lord Li, but I still have another question, and I hope you will be generous in granting it."

Li Yuanming wore a gentle smile and spoke in a deep, resonant voice:
"Lord Lu, please speak freely."

"Will the Duke of Zheng be able to return to the capital?"

"No."

A hint of surprise flashed in Li Yuanming's eyes, his smile widened, and his voice slowly said:
"Since Lord Lu is being so direct, then I won't keep you in suspense any longer."

The return of the Duke of Zheng to the capital would be a major problem.

Although he currently holds no title, for someone of his stature,

Having a noble title had no impact on his status in the military.
The situation in the capital was already chaotic enough; the court wouldn't invite trouble upon itself.

After saying that, he added, "Even the Crown Prince wouldn't know that."

Lu Yunyi suddenly understood the deeper meaning behind Li Yuanming's words; His Majesty might...

Others may fear the generals who command troops, but His Majesty has no such fear.

"Thank you for your explanation, Lord Li. I have benefited greatly from today's conversation."

Lu Yunyi looked respectful, showing great respect for this elderly minister.

Li Yuanming smiled and waved his hand:

"Lord Lu, it is I who have benefited the most."

In just a few years, the capital region has undergone tremendous changes.
Lord Lu also made a name for himself in the northern border town.

However, I would like to offer Lord Lu a word of advice: instead of killing foreign tribes in border towns, we should try to influence them with culture and wisdom.

I am currently arranging cultural and educational affairs in the Shaanxi, Gansu, and Liangzhou regions.
Many scholars will go there to educate the many grassland people brought back from the northern expedition.

I wonder, does Lord Lu belong to Da Ning? Is that necessary?

If necessary, I can draft a memorial to inform His Majesty.

Lu Yunyi was taken aback, looking at Li Yuanming with some surprise.
His first thought was that there was some kind of exchange of benefits.

However, when he saw Li Yuanming's deep, honest eyes...
Lu Yunyi then abandoned the idea, thinking that the Minister of Rites must genuinely be preparing to promote education in the border town.

He took a deep breath and said in a low voice:

"Lord Li, the city of Daning has been promoting children's education since last year."
There have been some recent results, and the people in charge are Yang Shiqi and Xie Jin.

If the Ministry of Rites could send more people,

Dealing with the nomadic and Jurchen people who came to surrender was much easier.

"It's them! I've heard of Yang Shiqi, and I'm even more familiar with Xie Jin. Are they doing well in Daning?"

"Very good. Reading ten thousand books is not as good as traveling ten thousand miles."

When the two of them first arrived, there was some of the restlessness of scholars.
But by the time I left Da Ning, I had matured considerably.

“Very well. There aren’t many scholars willing to go to the frontier. I will inform His Majesty and then make arrangements for Da Ning.”

Lu Yunyi stood up with a smile and bowed deeply:
"Thank you, Lord Li. The day when education and culture flourish in Da Ning will be the day when the borders are secure."

If Lord Li has any instructions, please do not hesitate to ask.

Li Yuanming smiled and waved his hand:

"There is a distinction between civil and military officials. As the head of the civil service, it is already an exception for me to meet with Lord Lu alone today."

Absolutely no contact is allowed.
Otherwise, even if we are completely innocent, others will still have doubts.

Lu Yunyi shook his head with a wry smile:

"Then I shall take my leave."

"go Go."

(End of this chapter)