Who killed the Ming Dynasty?

Zhu Cilang looked at Gao Hongtu. He knew that what was needed now was not a gradual approach, but a drastic measure that could immediately fill the financial hole.

"Minister Gao, what I need right now is five million taels of silver! As for what comes next—"

He pointed to the sky, but his gaze pierced through the twilight, shooting straight beyond the palace walls.

"This fertile land of Jiangnan, surely it can support its own court?"

Before the words had even faded, he suddenly turned around.

"As a high-ranking official in the Ministry of Revenue, Minister Gao should consider how to make wealthy households compete to purchase these properties."

"If this matter succeeds, I will record your merit as the greatest in the Imperial Ancestral Temple."

For a scholar-official, being awarded the title of "First Merit at the Imperial Ancestral Temple" was the highest honor, enough to bring glory to his family.

Similarly, it also means an inescapable, immense burden.

Gao Hongtu's back stiffened; cold sweat had soaked through his undergarments beneath his official robes, yet he gritted his teeth and pressed on:

"This old minister is foolish: the phrase 'temporary borrowing' may be a disguised form of apportionment."

"If the wealthy households resist to the death... how will Your Majesty establish your trust? And what will you offer as collateral?...

Gao Hongtu asked five more questions in one go.

A fierce glint flashed in Zhu Cilang's eyes, radiating confidence:

"I pledge the court's reputation as collateral, and the lifeline of Jiangnan as my bond!"

He jabbed his finger heavily into the paper pattern.

"The holder of this warrant may present it at—"

He spoke each word with the force of a hammer striking a nail:

"First, the Grand Canal Transport Office would exchange grain for rice at market price; this was called 'Grand Canal Transport Office Rice Exchange'."

Gao Hongtu's eyelids twitched: Grain! Hard currency!

"Second, the Lianghuai Salt Transport Office shall offset the value of salt certificates with salt certificates and allow them to transport salt. This is called 'salt tax offset with salt certificates'."

Gao Hongtu gasped for breath: Salt! Lifeline!

"Third, each customs office (canal tax office) can use the voucher to offset the taxes paid by merchants passing through, this is called 'customs tax offset'."

Gao Hongtu's mind went blank: Taxes! The path to wealth!

Three paths were offered to dispel the fog in Gao Hongtu's mind, each one precisely striking at the greedy nerves of the wealthy merchants of Jiangnan.

He originally thought the emperor was just grasping at straws in desperation, but he never expected that the emperor's actions were so well-thought-out and hit the nail on the head.

This is hardly a loan agreement.

It is clearly an imperial edict that can turn stone into gold.

This is tantamount to telling those wealthy merchants that their money, lent to the imperial court, can ultimately be converted into more valuable rice, salt, and tax exemption rights.

"Other--"

Zhu Cilang spoke slowly, yet every word carried immense weight:

"To repay his public-spiritedness, the annual interest rate is set at 'one percent'!"

"One point?!"

Gao Hongtu gasped in shock, frozen in place.

One percent interest! Ten percent annual interest!

It's more stable than the worst loan sharks.

It's more profitable than even the shrewdest maritime traders.

The imperial court acted as guarantor, and the salt and grain taxes were offset.

He stared at the paper sample under Zhu Cilang's finger, and a glint of light flashed in his cloudy eyes—he understood instantly.

This isn't a forced assignment; it's a calculated scheme!

They used mountains of gold and silver as bait to forcibly tie Xun Gui, the tyrant of the entire Jiangnan region, to the sinking ship that is the Ming Dynasty.

They want their principal and interest back?

Want to make this immense wealth?

Then we must first help the imperial court stabilize this ship.

"Gao Qing,"

Zhu Cilang stepped forward, his figure casting immense pressure on Gao Hongtu.

"This matter concerns the fate of the nation. The Ministry of Revenue must personally oversee the printing of official documents, the drafting of regulations, and the implementation of fundraising, keeping it extremely confidential and cautious."

The voice suddenly rose in pitch.

"Tomorrow, I will see the detailed regulations."

Gao Hongtu took a deep breath, cupped his hands, and bowed:

"Your subject... Gao Hongtu, will humbly obey Your Majesty's command! I will exert myself to the utmost, even unto death! However..."

"Just what?"

"This old minister asks again, even at the cost of his life: Your Majesty is truly confident about the three-year deadline?"

A ruler's word is his bond!

Zhu Cilang's answer was brief and powerful.

When Gao Hongtu raised his head, there was no longer any hesitation in his eyes, only a resolute determination to burn his bridges.

The paper pattern of the "fundraising receipt" on the railing seemed to be plated with a faint golden light under the slanting sunlight.

Zhu Cilang turned around and looked again at the sky outside the palace walls.

The wind whistled across the platform, ruffling a few strands of hair at his temples.

Borrowing the wealth of Jiangnan to fill the gaps in national expenditures and bind the interests of the people... This risky move has only just begun.

......

The following day, a political meeting was held in the Wenhua Hall.

The memorials on the emperor's desk were piled up like mountains, and coastal maps were spread out between the memorials.

The hall was silent, except for the occasional chirping of cicadas outside, which broke the stillness.

Zhu Cilang pressed his finger on the two characters "Wusong" on the map (a key coastal defense location in the Ming Dynasty, now part of Baoshan District, Shanghai):

"Here!"

His voice broke the silence.

Minister of Works Cheng Zhu immediately stepped forward, pointing in the air:

"Your Majesty is wise! The Baoshan beacon tower was built by imperial decree of Emperor Chengzu, and was expanded into the Wusong Garrison Command during the Xuande era."

"It controls the throat of the river and the sea, and is truly a key location."

Zhu Cilang nodded slightly:

"I intend to build a navy of 30,000 men here to protect the rivers and seas and to point north towards Liaodong."

He clearly stated the strategic objectives, his gaze sweeping over the crowd as he observed their reactions.

Seeing that no one immediately raised any objections, he looked at Shi Kefa and asked in a deep voice:

"Minister Shi, who should be chosen as the commander-in-chief?"

Grand Secretary Shi Kefa cupped his hands and said:

"Your Majesty, I recommend Huang Binqing, the military commander of Zhoushan."

"This man is loyal and brave. He has won many battles with fewer troops and repeatedly defeated pirate ships. He is skilled in military administration and is capable of undertaking important tasks."

Second Grand Secretary Ma Shiying stepped forward, raising his official tablet high:

"Your Majesty is wise. Huang Canrong has created the unique 'Three-Ring' fire attack tactic, and the merchants of Zhoushan all praise his skill."

"good!"

Zhu Cilang suddenly stood up and said:

"Huang Binqing was appointed Commander-in-Chief of Wusong and was tasked with building a 30,000-strong navy, directly under the command of the Beijing Garrison."

"This navy should follow the old system established by the eunuch Zheng He, guarding the sea frontiers and even crossing the seas to conquer the country."

His ambition extends beyond defense; it lies in taking the initiative in the future to restore the glory of the Ming Dynasty's maritime power.

He suddenly turned to Cheng Zhu,

"Minister Cheng! Director of the Water Conservancy Department of the Ministry of Works, I require the fleet to be fully operational within a year."

Cheng Zhu's expression changed drastically:

"Your Majesty! The keel of this massive warship needs time to dry in the shade. Even if all the shipwrights in the land were gathered, it would still take two years..."

"Two years is too long!"

Zhu Cilang interrupted,

"Imperial decree! Zheng Zhilong is promoted to 'Earl of Jinghai', and given the title of Junior Guardian of the Heir Apparent, concurrently serving as 'General Manager of Fujian Coastal Defense'."

"His elite troops and shipyards were granted special permission to 'co-organize' the construction of the Beijing-based Wusong naval force."

"The imperial court will pay the Zheng family for ship materials, craftsmen, and warships at market prices."

Upon hearing this, a chorus of worried voices immediately filled the hall.

Gao Hongtu swallowed hard.

"I dare to speak frankly: if the Zheng family has doubts and is unwilling to do their best, or even outwardly complies but inwardly defies them, then... then the one-year deadline may be difficult to achieve."

Cheng Zhu stepped forward:

"Your Majesty! Minister Gao's concerns are exactly what I worry about."

"Zheng Zhilong, who held sway over the Fujian coast, suddenly ordered him to 'assist' in the construction of the Beijing naval forces."

"If the Zheng family is stingy with their money to protect the ships, shirks their responsibilities, or even secretly obstructs our plans, I fear our grand vision will be ruined and the nation will be in grave danger."

The air inside the hall suddenly froze.

All eyes were on the emperor, watching to see how he would solve this seemingly unsolvable problem.

A barely perceptible smile appeared on Zhu Cilang's lips:

"Are you all worried about the Zheng family's intentions?"

He asked calmly, his voice unusually steady.

"Zheng Qing (Zheng Zhilong) guarded the coastal borders with great merit and hard work. His son, Zheng Sen (Zheng Chenggong),..."

"At the tender age of twenty, he entered the Imperial Academy to study under Mr. Muzhai (Qian Qianyi), where he studied the ways of the sages."

His voice turned steady and resolute:

"I recently summoned the eldest son of the Zheng family."

"The young man is outstanding, with a calm and composed demeanor, and a deep understanding of the principles of loyalty between ruler and subject! His father's loyalty to the emperor and his desire to serve the country have already been explained to me by Zheng Sen on behalf of his father."

After a brief pause, he continued,

"This promotion and appointment as co-organizer is a sign of the court's trust and is also a path for the Zheng family to serve the country."

"He will explain to his father the court's profound intentions and my expectations."

He completely tied Zheng Chenggong's personal future to the cooperation of his family.

If the Zheng family wants to maintain or even improve their position in the imperial court,

If you want to pave the way for your successor, you must demonstrate sufficient "loyalty" and "ability" in this matter.

As soon as he finished speaking, the tense atmosphere in the hall eased.

Shi Kefa stepped forward first and sincerely praised:

"Your Majesty's vision extends far and wide!"

"Using Young Master Zheng as a link not only fulfills the court's trust and favor but also achieves the effect of keeping him at arm's length, which is a move that kills two birds with one stone."

"With the assistance of Zheng's shipyard, the Wusong Navy will surely be able to be formed soon, and the gateway to the Yangtze River and the sea can be secured."