The Ming Dynasty: Starting with taking Old Zhu on a journey to the future

The devaluation of the paper money affected the interests of all officials in the court.

After all, the paper money was only issued by the imperial court, and only to officials like them.

Faced with the devaluation of the currency.

Zhu Yuanzhang also took some measures, but they were all of little effect.

They could only watch helplessly as the currency continued to depreciate.

If the emperor were to send someone to resolve the issue of the devaluation of the paper money.

I believe that no one in the court will have any objections.

After all, this involves the interests of all of them.

The worry in Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes disappeared.

He looked at Yu Xin with satisfaction.

This is a great idea. Yu Xin truly deserves to be the Minister of Revenue, whom he personally promoted exceptionally.

Money is involved in everything we do.

"Go, summon Lan Chen to the palace," Zhu Yuanzhang instructed Wang Sancai beside him.

"Yes."

……

At Jiang Huan's home.

Lan Chen was lying in the courtyard, waiting for Jiang Huan to come looking for him.

But then they heard hurried footsteps outside.

A sharp voice rang out: "Where is Lan Chen?"

This voice sounds authentic.

Eunuch?

Lan Chen hurriedly went to the door, bowed to the eunuch in front of him, and said, "I am Lan Chen."

Wang Yun looked at Lan Chen and said, "His Majesty has summoned me. Please come with me, Lord Lan."

The emperor is looking for me? Wasn't it supposed to be Jiang Huan who sent the message?

Why is it a eunuch this time?

This time of day seems to be during the morning court assembly.

Lan Chen changed his clothes and then entered the palace.

Since there was no official rank, there was naturally no court dress.

When they arrived outside Fengtian Gate, Lan Chen's gray robe stood out conspicuously.

The entire Fengtianmen Square was packed with people.

Good guy.

There must be thousands of people here, right?

As far as the eye could see, all that could be seen were officials in green robes.

He walked toward the dragon throne.

Gradually, people began to wear blue and red official robes.

Progressing step by step.

This was, in fact, his first time attending court, and he was gazing at the faces of these officials.

The officialdom of the Ming Dynasty seems to be a game of deception.

The officials present, especially those who were slightly younger, were all quite good-looking.

While middle-aged weight gain is not a concern, it's rare to find young officials who are considered unattractive.

As we walked.

He glanced at the officials around him out of the corner of his eye.

As they passed by Li Jinglong, Xu Zengshou, and others.

Lan Chen's gaze lingered for a moment.

Well, these few are a bit ugly.

Li Jinglong, Li Zengzhi, Xu Zengshou, and the others naturally noticed Lan Chen's gaze.

Li Zengzhi suddenly felt something was off: "Brother, why does this kid look at us a little differently?"

Li Jinglong responded calmly.

"My appearance is unique, so it's not surprising that people are attracted to me."

Li Zengzhi remained somewhat silent.

All I can say in my heart is, "He has the life of someone without a father, but the illness of someone with one."

How dark are you? How can you still be so narcissistic?

Lan Chen walked to the dragon throne, looked at Zhu Yuanzhang sitting under the yellow parasol, and immediately knelt down to pay his respects: "Your Majesty, I, your sinful subject Lan Chen, pay my respects. Long live Your Majesty!"

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded.

"Yes, get up."

"We have heard that you stay at home and are well-versed in various classics and historical books, and have a deep understanding of the laws governing the operation of the national economy."

Listen to what Zhu Yuanzhang said.

Lan Chen was somewhat bewildered.

Aren't you supposed to be staying home practicing alchemy and cultivating Taoism? When did you ever become familiar with scriptures and historical records?

Do you have a deep understanding of the laws governing the operation of the national economy?

When did this happen? How come I don't know about it?

"Although you have committed a serious crime, you were not the mastermind. We cherish talent and cannot bear to see you waste your life."

"We can give you this opportunity to redeem yourself. Since the eighth year of the Hongwu reign, I have established the Bureau of Precious Paper Money and issued circulating precious paper money."

"Eighteen years have passed, and the circulating currency has continued to depreciate, causing great distress to me and all the officials in the court."

The Ming Dynasty only levied taxes in kind. It seems that no matter how much the circulating paper money depreciated, the tax revenue would not be affected, right?

"We hope that you can use your knowledge to solve the problem of the devaluation of the circulating currency."

"Are you willing?"

How to solve the problem of the devaluation of the Tongxing Baochao (通行宝钞)?

Well, they have a whole set of theories, but in practice, they may not be effective.

However, judging from Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes, it seemed that he had no choice but to agree.

Although he didn't know what had happened, Lan Chen still replied, "This humble subject will certainly do his utmost!"

Seeing that Lan Chen understood his look, Zhu Yuanzhang nodded and said, "Well, I'll give you three years. During this period, you can assume your duties while still guilty."

Done.

Zhu Yuanzhang turned his gaze to Zhan Hui, who was standing to the side, and looked at Yang Jing: "Imperial Censor Zhan, do you have any further questions?"

Zhan Hui was speechless for a moment.

This reason is indeed enough for Lan Chen to redeem himself through meritorious service.

Although the officials in the court disliked Lan Yu's character, if Lan Chen could really make the precious paper money appreciate in value...

They can still let go of their prejudices.

After all, if Lan Chen really had that ability...

The money stored in their homes will also appreciate in value.

Therefore, they naturally agreed to let Lan Chen give it a try.

Doing something is better than doing nothing and watching the precious paper become a pile of worthless paper.

Minister of Revenue Yu Xin slowly stepped forward: "Your Majesty is wise!"

"Your Majesty is wise!" the courtiers shouted.

This matter is settled.

The morning assembly continued.

Lan Chen was taken to the study.

By noon.

Zhu Yuanzhang still did not end the morning court session.

It was lunchtime, so Lan Chen prepared to leave the palace to eat.

Wang Sancai immediately stopped Lan Chen.

"Lord Lan, His Majesty has instructed you to wait for him here."

Lan Chen rubbed his stomach: "I'm just going to have lunch, I'll be right back."

Wang Sancai did not make way, but explained.

"Lord Lan, His Majesty will serve food every day at noon if the court session has not yet ended."

"Of course we won't let you go hungry."

No sooner had he finished speaking than a eunuch came to the door carrying a bowl of food.

Lan Chen held the bowl and chopsticks handed to him by the eunuch, gazing at the cabbage and radish in the bowl.

He remained somewhat silent.

"Is this what the officials eat?"

Wang Sancai nodded: "Yes, officials of the fourth rank and those of the Hanlin Academy can sit down to eat, while those of the fifth rank and below must stand to eat."

"But we all eat this."

Zhu Yuanzhang often held court sessions that went on for extended periods, sometimes from morning until afternoon.

Of course, there will be employee meals.

Given the large number of officials, it's understandable that the staff meals might be a bit subpar.

But... this is probably not too bad, there's not a single trace of meat.

"Is there any meat? I'm injured, and eating meat will help me recover."

Wang Sancai smiled calmly: "No, His Majesty eats this all the time. Even if he wanted to eat it, there wouldn't be any. The Imperial Kitchen wouldn't prepare meat dishes just for you, would it?"

"Please understand, sir. The Imperial Kitchen prepares meals for over a thousand officials every day. If one person eats meat, the others will naturally have to too, won't they?"

Even providing some vegetarian dishes is already a huge expense.

Not to mention it includes meat.

There were more than two thousand officials attending court every day.

Of course, the rules cannot be broken.

"His Majesty is also eating these kinds of things for this meal, so I hope Lord Lan will understand."

Helpless, Lan Chen had no choice but to eat the tasteless cabbage and radish mixed rice.

Lan Chen was just about to sit down.

Wang Sancai advised him, "According to the rules, you have no rank and belong to the fifth rank or below, so you need to stand when you receive the complimentary food."

"This isn't Fengtian Gate."

"That's the rule."

Seeing Wang Sancai's stubborn expression, Lan Chen sighed helplessly, "There are really a lot of rules in the palace."

"Without rules, nothing can be accomplished."