After the vassal states paid tribute, most of the rewards they received were converted into exquisite copper coins made by the Ming Dynasty and shipped back. Even the biggest purpose of envoys from various countries coming to pay tribute to the Ming Dynasty was to transport away the copper coins of the Ming Dynasty.
Only Han Du's treasure banknotes are more exquisitely made than copper coins.
Once it circulated within the Ming Dynasty, it would naturally attract the attention of the vassal countries. When the time comes, I'm afraid they will transport the treasure notes back as soon as possible, just like they transported copper coins.
After all, treasure banknotes are much better than copper coins in terms of transaction convenience and transportation convenience.
Exchange treasure money for food?
A golden light suddenly appeared in Zhu Biao's eyes.
"Bao Chao, Bao Chao actually has such a great effect?"
Han Du nodded and said with a smile: "The treasure banknotes naturally have this effect. As long as I make the treasure banknotes exquisite enough to be recognized by the vassal countries."
"Okay, make the treasure with your heart and try to make it as perfect as possible. If you need any help, just tell me directly and I will definitely satisfy you." Zhu Biao promised Han Du excitedly.
He reached out and took off a jade pendant from his waist and threw it to Han Du, "This is Gu's token. You can take it. When you come to the East Palace, you can come in directly to find Gu without any notification."
"Thank you, Your Highness," Han Du picked up the jade pendant and looked at it again and again.
The jade pendant is exquisitely made and exudes a simple atmosphere. Although Han Du didn't understand jade, he thought that it could be worn by Zhu Biao. How could it be an ordinary item?
He quickly accepted the jade pendant. Seeing Zhu Biao's excitement, Han Du was afraid that he would regard this method as a life-saving straw.
Then he reminded: "Although this is possible, His Highness cannot place all his hopes on it. The issue of land annexation still needs to be restricted by a charter."
"Yes, yes, yes," Zhu Biao nodded repeatedly, "It's difficult to survive alone, so a multi-pronged approach is the best strategy."
Han Du felt relieved when he saw Zhu Biao's attitude.
Zhu Biao suddenly remembered that Han Du came to him today and talked for a long time, but he seemed to have not said the reason, so he asked. "By the way, why did you come to Gu today?"
"Is such that......"
Han Du told Zhu Biao what he had just encountered with Lao Zhu.
After Zhu Biao heard this, he smiled casually and said, "You, you. You don't have to think about this matter anymore. My father will not agree."
"Why?" Han Du was confused.
Are there any taboos in this? Otherwise, from Han Du's point of view, printing Lao Zhu's portrait on the treasure banknotes is a matter of great benefit and no harm.
Seeing Han Du's confusion, Zhu Biao straightened his clothes and patiently explained to him: "Let alone letting the people of the world see the true face of my father, it is difficult even for local officials outside the capital. I have the opportunity to see my father’s true face. Portraits of my father’s true face have only been given to a limited number of ministers. The other portraits that have been circulated are not my father’s true face. So, just give up on this idea. .”
"Why is this happening?" Han Du was even more puzzled, "Is there any reason for this?"
If it really doesn't work, then I have no choice but to give up.
Zhu Biao nodded and said: "There is indeed a reason." He stood up and looked up into the distance, "Father, the emperor raised his troops in civilian clothes and fought a hundred battles to establish the world. He knows the harm that corrupt officials do to the people, and he hates corrupt officials the most. Therefore, My father would often go out to Beijing for private visits incognito, and would directly punish corrupt officials if they were found. In order to avoid being discovered, my father banned his portrait from being circulated."
"That's it." Han Du understood, shook his head and laughed.
Zhu Biao lowered his eyes and felt that something was wrong with Han Du, so he asked: "What? Do you feel disapproval?"
"Ah?" Han Du reacted and sighed in his heart. He was too casual, and his inner thoughts were reflected on his face.
After a pause, Han Du explained: "I just feel that the emperor's move is overkill. If the emperor wants to investigate and punish corrupt officials, he should leave it to the censor instead of doing it himself. There are so many people in the world. After all, there is only one person in the emperor. Even if it is a private visit incognito, how much can be seen, and how much can be investigated after seeing it? It is just a drop in the bucket. If the emperor really relies on the emperor's private visit to investigate and deal with corruption, then the corrupt people will have to fight. And Qing. If you want to strictly investigate corruption, the right way is to rely on the censor to investigate and deal with it."
"Besides, the Emperor has so many things to do all day long that he rarely even leaves the palace. I'm afraid there's no way to visit him privately."
After Zhu Biao heard Han Du's words, he thought, this is really the case. If the world's corruption had to rely on the father to investigate and investigate privately, the world would have been full of corrupt officials.
After hesitating for a moment, Zhu Biao asked Han Du: "Is your father's portrait important to you?"
"It's not about me, it's about treasure money."
Han Du told Zhu Biao his plans, including the purpose of Lao Zhu's portrait, what a watermark was, and the anti-counterfeiting function of the watermark. He explained everything to Zhu Biao in detail.
Zhu Biao was dumbfounded when he heard this. He had never thought that a simple treasure note could contain so many things. "Can it really achieve the kind of watermark you mentioned?"
"I will do my best," Han Du said humbly.
Han Du tried his best to speak, but his face was full of confidence.
Zhu Biao glanced at Han Du for a few times, gritted his teeth and said, "Okay, I will beg my father for you once. Just wait here, I will be back soon."
"Thank you, Your Highness."
Han Du stood up and bowed to Zhu Biao. He didn't sit down again until he couldn't see Zhu Biao's back.
Everyone said that His Highness the Crown Prince was kind, but Han Du really realized it today. Leaders like Zhu Biao who can stand up for their subordinates are rare. On the contrary, there are many leaders who take credit for their subordinates' achievements and pass the blame on to their subordinates.
Han Du smashed his mouth, picked up a piece of snack on the table, put it in his mouth and bit it.
Suddenly, Han Du's eyes lit up. The snack in his mouth was soft and sweet, and one bite filled him with satisfaction. It's said to be the most delicious pastry in Beijing, and it's even better than the pastry bought by Jingyun.
The craftsmanship of the imperial chef of the East Palace is indeed better than those outside.
Just as Han Du was happily taking a sip of snacks and a sip of tea, someone shouted and walked over.
"Brother Prince, brother Prince, where are you?"
"Your Highness, Your Highness, slow down..."
Han Du looked back following the voice, and suddenly the snack in his hand no longer smelled good, and he fell to the ground unconsciously.
"Huh? Who are you? Where is the prince brother? Where is the prince brother?"
Han Du's eyes were completely dazzled by the brilliance of the person in front of him. How could he hear her words? He murmured to himself: "My wife...is your wife you?"
The person in front of him looked too much like Han Du's former wife. It’s just that one is in modern costume and the other is in Ming Dynasty costume.
"Huh? Wife, what is that? Can you eat it?"
Before Han Du could recover, another woman stood in front of her, completely blocking the person behind her.
He shouted sternly: "How dare you, who are you? How dare you be rude to Her Royal Highness the Princess!"
It turns out to be a princess, so she must be Lao Zhu’s daughter, but I don’t know which daughter it is.
"Han Du, I would like to pay my respects to the princess. Because the princess looks too much like one of my friends, I was distracted for a moment. Please forgive me." Han Du stood up and bowed solemnly.
"No gifts, no gifts." The princess seemed very generous and waved her hand to absolve Han Du of his sins.
On the contrary, the palace maid next to her seemed to be unyielding towards Han Du, but when she saw the princess, she didn't pursue the matter, and she couldn't say anything to Han Du. She could only stand aside and grit her teeth at Han Du.
"Ah, by the way. You said that one of your friends and I look very similar. Is that true? What kind of friend?" The princess obviously had little contact with outsiders and looked curious about everything.
"Yes, it belongs to me..."
Han Du wanted to be like his former wife.
The maid on the side quickly interrupted Han Du, "Your Highness, aren't you here to see the prince?"
"Ah! Yes, yes, I will go find the prince brother first." The princess nodded quickly.
Seeing this, Han Du had no choice but to hold back the words in his mouth again.
The princess suddenly turned to Han Du and said, "I'll listen to your story next time."
Han Du felt disappointed for a while, but he still put a smile on his face and nodded.
When the palace maid saw that the princess actually told a minor official that she would listen to the story next time, she was so frightened that she quickly pushed the princess and ran inside. The princess was already engaged by the emperor, and now she was talking like this to a strange man. If someone knew about this, maybe nothing would happen to the princess, but her little arms and legs would definitely be beaten to death on the spot.
When Han Du saw them running in, he said something strangely: "If you are looking for His Royal Highness, there is no need to work hard."
The two stopped immediately and turned to look at Han Du.
Han Dushi calmly sat down again and poured himself tea, "Because I am also here to see His Highness the Crown Prince. Just now His Highness the Crown Prince had something to see the Emperor, so I asked him to wait here."
"Really?" Princess Fox asked.
"It's absolutely true," Han Du smiled and nodded.
"Then what should we do?" The princess took a few steps back and forth, clapped her hands and made up her mind, "Otherwise I will wait here for the prince brother."
When the palace maid heard what the princess said, her heart skipped a beat.
What do you mean by just waiting here? Didn't you see a strange man here? Waiting here, it's inappropriate for a man and a woman alone.
So, the palace maid quickly took the princess's hand and said: "Your Highness, since the prince is looking for the emperor, the princess will go to the emperor to find the prince. If your highness is waiting here, if the prince is left to talk by the emperor, then Couldn’t the princess wait for the prince?”
While talking about the palace maid, she looked at Han Du with her eyes, as if she was deeply wary of him.
"Well, what you said makes sense..." The princess nodded, "Okay, then let's go to our father to find the prince brother."
After saying that, he was pulled by the smiling palace maid and left along the original road.
