In the side hall of Shouning Palace, Han Cheng's words immediately made the Zhu family and his son excited.
Especially Zhu Di looked at Han Cheng with a look of expectation!
Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao, while surprised and surprised, were also thinking quickly to see if they could come up with any way to quickly obtain a large amount of money in a short period of time.
But it is a pity that neither of them can think of any good solution other than forcibly imposing additional taxes.
Obviously, Han Cheng's method is not an additional tax.
After all, Han Cheng is not even willing to issue excessive amounts of treasure banknotes, so he will definitely not use a tax levy, which is far worse than the excessive printing of treasure banknotes.
But without raising taxes, and unable to mine the gold and silver in the Japanese country, they really couldn't think of any other way to obtain so much money in a short period of time.
Under the gazes of several people, Han Cheng, who was anxious to go to sleep, did not show any concern and directly gave his solution.
"The solution is very simple: impose a maritime ban and re-establish the Municipal Shipping Department."
Han Cheng's short words stunned Zhu Yuanzhang, Zhu Biao, and Zhu Di who were waiting to hear Han Cheng's solution.
Good guy, my father had scolded him not long ago, which unscrupulous descendant took his sea ban as a fart.
As a result, Han Cheng was doing well now. He directly said in front of his father that he would impose a maritime ban and re-establish the Shipping Department.
This is so brave!
Zhu Yuanzhang's brows also furrowed, and at the same time he looked a little disappointed.
I originally thought that what Han Cheng said would be some earth-shattering, ingenious plan that would make ghosts and gods weep.
Who would have thought that it would be such an idea!
"This method won't work."
Zhu Yuanzhang shook his head and rejected Han Cheng's proposal.
Zhu Yuanzhang's refusal was so straightforward that it surprised Han Cheng.
"Why?
It's because His Majesty ordered a maritime ban before, and now he ordered the abolition of the maritime ban and re-established the abolished Municipal Shipping Department, which was somewhat contradictory.
Will this make His Majesty look down upon you?
If this is the case, Your Majesty, please listen to my advice.
How much is face worth?
Now the most important thing is to make money and fight against Japan.
Make money, don’t be shabby! "
Zhu Yuanzhang shook his head.
He naturally knows that making money is not shabby.
Although he does care about face in many things, when it comes to really big things, his face is still relatively flexible.
Is he, Zhu Yuanzhang, the kind of person who doesn't do some important things because he is concerned about his face?
joke!
“Putting aside the issue of face for now, the most important thing is that it is not profitable to open the sea and establish a shipping company.
Not only is it not profitable, it is also very easy to attract pirates.
It's two-sided.
How can we possibly do such a thing? "
After hearing Zhu Yuanzhang's words, Han Cheng was stunned.
Isn’t it profitable to open a sea and set up a shipping company?
What kind of joke is Lao Zhu talking about?
"What's wrong? What's wrong with what we said? Do you think of us like this?"
Zhu Yuanzhang felt a little uncomfortable when Han Cheng looked at him like this. He always felt that Han Cheng was looking at a fool.
"No, Your Majesty, do you really think it won't be profitable to establish a shipping department and trade with overseas countries?"
Han Cheng swallowed a mouthful of saliva and looked at Zhu Yuanzhang and asked.
"Of course, if Shibosi is making money, why should we shut down Shibosi? We are not fools, and we haven't been kicked in the head by a donkey!
Those pirates are second to none, but the most important thing is that the shipping company does not make money.
The tax revenue raised in a year is only about 10,000 yuan, which is really pitiful. "
Zhu Yuanzhang told the reason why he closed the shipping department.
The Shipping Department only collects 10,000 yuan in tax in one year?
After Han Cheng heard such an amount from Zhu Yuanzhang, he seemed a little stunned.
"Your Majesty, are you serious? Are you telling the truth?"
"Of course it's true! Do you think we are in the mood to amuse you at this moment?"
After saying that, Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Han Cheng and said: "So, it's better not to think about setting up a shipping company to gain a lot of wealth from overseas trade.
Let's calm down first, let people continue to build ships, and at the same time train the navy, and stay dormant for a few years.
If we tighten our belts and live in poverty for a few more years, everything will be fine, and we will have all the materials needed to conquer Japan.
At that time, it would be safe to go to conquer the Japanese country.
Young people, don't be too anxious when doing things. You can't eat hot tofu if you are anxious. "
Zhu Yuanzhang, who had always done things in a hurry, now began to educate Han Cheng and told Han Cheng not to be too impatient.
Although Zhu Yuanzhang could not get a good strategy to gain wealth from Han Cheng, Zhu Yuanzhang was quite disappointed.
But I felt good when I saw that Han Cheng, who had always seemed smart and denied himself in all kinds of ways, was frustrated on this matter and was completely suppressed by himself.
"Your Majesty, you must have been deceived!"
"Oh? Then tell me how we were deceived?"
Zhu Yuanzhang now regarded Han Cheng's performance at this time as a desperate struggle after being unwilling to have his opinions vetoed.
But this struggle is obviously of no use.
“There’s really huge wealth overseas.
Overseas trade is also an extremely profitable thing.
Some places overseas are rich in gems, and some places are rich in spices...
In some places, there are sweet potatoes and potatoes, these high-yielding crops.
Sweet potatoes and potatoes in our later generations, even if they are grown on sloping land, can normally achieve a yield of more than two thousand kilograms per mu.
If it is grown on good land, a yield of four to five thousand catties per mu will not be a problem under normal circumstances.
In some specialized planting areas or high-level experimental fields, it can even reach 10,000 kilograms..."
"What?! What did you say?!"
Zhu Yuanzhang, who originally seemed calm and calm, wanted to see how Han Cheng would struggle next. After Han Chengcai said these few words, he was no longer calm.
He took two quick steps and came to Han Cheng, looking at Han Cheng with a look of disbelief on his face.
"I said, there are places overseas that produce spices..."
"No! No! It's food! Tell us about that food!
Are the yields of those two grains really that exaggerated? ! "
When Zhu Yuanzhang said this, he was extremely excited, his eyes were shining, and he looked directly at Han Cheng.
If he hadn't been so excited before and pinched both of Han Cheng's shoulders without any care, Zhu Yuanzhang would have definitely attacked Han Cheng again at this time.
"Sweet potatoes and potatoes are extremely high-yielding grains...the normal yield on sloping land is upwards of 2,000 kilograms, and the yield on good land generally fluctuates around 5,000 kilograms per mu..."
Han Cheng had no choice but to repeat what he had just said.
boom! !
It was like a thunder exploded in Zhu Yuanzhang's mind.
Zhu Yuanzhang's lips were trembling.
He has cultivated the land and knows the yield of food.
The yield of rice per acre is 500 kilograms, which is the best land. It still needs people to take care of it carefully, and it can only be done when the weather is good and the weather is good.
As a result, now, potatoes and sweet potatoes, two types of food that have never been heard of before, can actually produce two thousand kilograms per acre of land?
Or two thousand pounds as a base? !
The most important thing is, is this the yield of slope land? !
Good land can weigh up to five thousand kilograms or even more!
In some extreme cases, it can reach a terrifying 10,000 pounds? !
What a concept!
Can one acre of land produce as much yield as twenty acres?
Even under normal circumstances, it can be compared to ten acres!
this……
Zhu Yuanzhang quickly calculated all this in his mind, and Zhu Yuanzhang felt extremely dizzy.
If Ming Dynasty could obtain such food for planting, how much more food would be harvested in one year!
How many more people can we feed? !
In our own Ming Dynasty, not only will there be no more people starving to death, at least the number of people starving to death will be greatly reduced! !
"Really, really?"
Zhu Yuanzhang swallowed a mouthful of saliva and looked at Han Cheng asking again. He was so excited that he stuttered a little when he spoke.
Looking at Han Cheng with eager and nervous eyes.
I was afraid that I would hear denials from Han Cheng.
Han Cheng nodded vigorously: "Really, but in our time, these two crops were able to have such terrifying yields, and it was not just the two crops themselves that were high-yielding.
The continuous development of improved varieties, chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and agricultural planting machinery in later generations is also a top priority. "
"Then...the two crops you mentioned, if they are grown in Daming, how high will the yield be?"
Zhu Yuanzhang asked aloud.
Han Cheng thought for a while and said: "I don't know the specific amount, but taking everything into consideration, it is not a problem that a good land can produce more than two thousand kilograms."
"More than two thousand kilograms? That's enough! That's enough! The output of one acre of land is comparable to five acres now!!
nice one! Really good stuff! ! "
Zhu Yuanzhang said with excitement.
As he said this, he couldn't help laughing.
But he was smiling, but his face was already filled with tears.
Is Lao Zhu crying with joy? This was the thought that came to Han Cheng's mind.
Zhu Biao and Zhu Di hurriedly stepped forward and asked with concern.
He also advised their father that it was a good thing to know from Han Cheng that there are two kinds of crops in the world. If the Ming Dynasty can obtain these two kinds of food, it will definitely be able to feed more people in the future and make the Ming Dynasty stronger. .
This is a good thing, why are you crying?
Still crying so sadly...
The two of them could naturally see that his father was really crying now, really sad, and it had nothing to do with the tears of joy that Han Cheng wanted.
After listening to what his two sons said, Zhu Yuanzhang cried for a while and then spoke with sobs.
“These... these two crops, it would be great if we could get them earlier!
In this way, your father, your mother, your uncle and your mother will not starve to death! !
Our Lao Zhu family will not end up with a broken family! ! !
Don't say that without such a thing, we would not be able to conquer the world and sit in this position.
As long as my parents and family don't starve to death, I'm willing to spend the rest of my life digging in the dirt!
The emperor is a thief!
Biao'er, fourth child, remember! People can go to the battlefield and die fighting for thieves, they can die of illness, they can kill themselves because of their own thoughts... all kinds of death methods are acceptable.
Just can’t starve to death!
It is really unfortunate and difficult for people to starve to death.
That's not the way people should die! ! "
Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes were red from crying.
Zhu Biao and Zhu Di knew what his father had gone through when he was young, and could understand his father's mood at this time.
So after hearing Zhu Yuanzhang's words, they all nodded vigorously to show that they had remembered these words.
After saying these words to his son, Zhu Yuanzhang, who had been crying just now, suddenly turned his head and looked at Han Cheng and said: "Han Cheng, where are the two grains you mentioned, are they far from our Ming Dynasty?"
Zhu Yuanzhang originally wanted to move forward to hold Han Cheng's hand and ask, but when he saw Han Cheng making evasive movements, he had to stop again.
Han Cheng breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that Zhu Yuanzhang, who had a lot of runny nose and tears, had no intention of touching him.
After throwing a piece of cloth to Zhu Yuanzhang, Han Cheng nodded and said: "It's very far away, these things are all in America.
In fact, in addition to these two grains, there is another crop called corn.
It is a very good grain. Although it is not as high-yielding as potatoes and sweet potatoes, it is still higher than ordinary grains. "
"Where is America? No matter how far away it is, we must get these things back!"
Not long ago, Zhu Yuanzhang, who had expressed disbelief in Han Cheng's talk of opening up the sea and obtaining a large amount of money from overseas, had a 180-degree change in attitude at this time, and it directly turned into a large-scale real fragrance scene.
It was just sweet potatoes and potatoes, but it already made Zhu Yuanzhang crazy.
As a result, now, Han Cheng mentioned corn, a grain with a very good yield, which made Zhu Yuanzhang even more crazy.
My desire to go to America and get these things in my hands has become even more determined!
Even he didn't know where America was or how far it was from the Ming Dynasty.
But now that he knows these things and confirms that they are in this world, he can now declare that these things belong to the Ming Dynasty!
This is what Zhu Yuanzhang said, and no one can change it! !
No matter how far he travels across the ocean, no matter how high the price is, no matter how high the price is, he still has to get this thing to the Ming Dynasty! Get it in hand! !
"You tell us where it is, no matter where it is, we must get it back!
After getting it back and planting it, I confirmed that these things are really what you said, then we will definitely reward you well!
You should make the first contribution! ! "
Zhu Yuanzhang was completely excited.
Because of his previous experience, after Zhu Yuanzhang became emperor, in addition to cleaning up the mess left by the Yuan Dynasty and hoping that the throne of his old Zhu family could be passed on for a longer time, he also worked hard to ensure that the people could have food.
Not to mention being full, at least try not to starve to death!
But this thing is too difficult!
It was so rare that Zhu Yuanzhang felt heavy and powerless every time he thought about it.
Preventing people from starving to death sounds like a very simple thing, but as Ming Dynasty is so big, it is really difficult to achieve it if we want to prevent people from starving to death!
Involved in all aspects.
Zhu Yuanzhang has done a lot in the past, but he still feels that there is no hope at all for him to realize this wish!
But now, after learning from Han Cheng the terrifying yields of these new grains, Zhu Yuanzhang really saw new hope!
If it can prevent people from starving to death, it will not only fulfill their inner wish, but also gain a greater benefit.
The advantage is that his Ming Dynasty can really extend the country as long as possible!
After all, he was the rebel all the way.
But I know very well what many people think.
As long as there is something to eat and as long as they can survive, there won't be too many people tying their heads to their belts to rebel!
As long as the many people at the bottom do not rebel or follow the chaos, and the rest of the people make trouble, the scale will be limited and they can be easily solved...
"How should I put it? America can be said to be behind us..."
Han Cheng thought for a while, and organized a speech to introduce to Zhu Yuanzhang and others what he knew about the geographical location of the Americas.
As a result, when these words came out, Zhu Yuanzhang, Zhu Biao, Zhu Di and others were stunned.
The three father and son invariably lowered their heads and looked at the ground beneath their feet.
Underneath yourself and others?
This...could it be underground?
America is... the underworld? !
The brains of the father and son were almost burned dry.
Zhu Di looked at Han Cheng and stuttered: "Han Cheng, don't lie to me. Although I don't have much education, I also know that there is no place for living people down here."
Seeing this, Han Cheng said with a bit of laughter and tears: "You are wrong. What I said below did not mean under the earth, but that after penetrating this thick earth, you can reach the Americas... Well, that's not the case, I don't mean that When going to America, you have to dig through the ground beneath your feet. This is impossible. The bottom is filled with lava. If you can't dig through, you will be burned to death.
What I mean is that the earth we live on is actually a sphere as a whole.
Here we are, America is on the other side of the ball.
They also live on the ground, not underground..."
Han Cheng felt that the more he explained, the more confused he became.
In later generations, it was just a matter of common sense, but to Zhu Yuanzhang and others, it sounded so incredible and difficult to understand.
Even Zhu Yuanzhang, who had heard Han Cheng say some related things before, still felt that it was too subversive when he heard this again.
"Then...if it were a ball, people wouldn't be able to stand firmly on it, but the land under our feet is obviously flat.
Also, we walk on our heads. According to what you said, Han Cheng, then don’t the people living in the Americas behind us have to walk with their heads down every day?
This is too terrible!
Also, how come they won't fall?
Don't they get dizzy if they stay head down and feet up for a long time? "
Zhu Di's big head was filled with doubts.
Can't understand!
I really can’t understand it!
“You can’t fall because of the gravitational force... Uh... forget it, if I don’t talk about this today, it can’t be explained in a few words.
When I have time later, I will talk about these things with you.
Now let’s continue talking about potatoes and sweet potatoes. "
Han Cheng explained a few sentences and found that Zhu Di, Zhu Yuanzhang, and Zhu Biao were even more confused, and finally wisely chose to shut up.
Otherwise, if this continues, he feels that he may not be able to explain these issues clearly to them even in the last day.
Several people strongly agreed with Han Cheng's proposal.
Although Zhu Biao and Zhu Di were more interested in Han Cheng's novel statements, relatively speaking, they hoped to know how to obtain potatoes and sweet potatoes as soon as possible.
“To get there, you need to take a boat and sail a long way to get there.
It requires a spirit that is not afraid of death. Moreover, there are great uncertainties in the early stage, and many people will inevitably die because of this..."
"Don't be afraid of this! No matter how many people die, as long as we can get this food back, it will be worth it!"
Zhu Yuanzhang straightened his body and spoke loudly and forcefully.
In Zhu Yuanzhang's view, what Han Cheng said was nothing serious.
"You just need to tell us how to get to America!"
Han Cheng nodded and said: "Start from Daming, pass through the Qiongzhou Strait, and then cross the Malacca Strait..."
After Han Cheng said these words, Zhu Yuanzhang was once again confused.
Because except for a few places within the Ming Dynasty, the places Han Cheng mentioned had other strange names that made their heads spin.
It's just like a duck hearing the sound of thunder, and he will be as confused as he wants.
They had no idea of the names Han Cheng mentioned and had no idea where they were.
It's normal that they don't know, because they themselves don't understand the overseas situation, not to mention that many of the place names mentioned by Han Cheng are completely different from the place names of this era.
In this case, it would be strange if Zhu Yuanzhang, Zhu Biao and Zhu Di could understand.
Looking at Zhu Yuanzhang and others with blank and puzzled eyes, Han Cheng felt helpless for a moment.
This kind of chicken-and-duck talk feels really bad.
In this era, it is really not easy to explain some issues clearly!
"That... let's put the route issue aside for now. It's impossible to explain it clearly just like this.
In the past two days, I have taken the time to make a globe as standard as possible, and then marked the route and the location of the Americas on it. It will be much more intuitive to look at it this way.
Anyway, your Majesty, all you need to know at this time is that America is very far away, a place that no one from our Ming Dynasty has ever been to. To go there, you need to take a boat out to sea, which is very difficult.
The rest of the news is known two days earlier and two days later. There is not much difference. "
At this time, Zhu Yuanzhang was excited about what he heard. He just wanted to get the potatoes and sweet potatoes immediately. When he heard Han Cheng's words, he gave up.
"Han Cheng, can you...can you get something out of that place right now?
Now, if it's neither high nor low, it will really cost people's lives. "
After listening to Zhu Yuanzhang's words, Han Cheng pointed at his dark circles and drowsy eyes: "That thing is a test of people's memory, and it has a lot to do with whether the mind is awake or not. Do you think my current state is suitable for me?" Do this?"
Zhu Yuanzhang looked at the dark circles under Han Cheng's eyes, then at Han Cheng's mental state, and nodded vigorously: "Suitable, I think it is indeed suitable."
grass!
Han Cheng couldn't help but give Zhu Yuanzhang a roll of his eyes.
"Your Majesty, you said before that you shouldn't be in a hurry. You can't eat hot tofu or anything in a hurry, but now you forget about it?"
"Father, Han Cheng is absolutely right, we should wait until he feels better before letting him do things like the earth.
It doesn't hurt that we wait a few more days.
Otherwise, even if you know the route, you can only stare blankly without a boat..."
Zhu Biao spoke out to persuade.
After listening to Zhu Biao's persuasion, Zhu Yuanzhang finally suppressed his regret and put the matter aside for the time being.
He did not forget to remind Han Cheng again and again: "You must take this matter seriously and never slack off.
It will be taken out in the next few days. "
At this time, Zhu Yuanzhang was about to turn into a mother-in-law.
Where is the appearance of Emperor Hongwu who is decisive in killing and unwilling to talk nonsense?
…
“There are not only good varieties overseas, but also a lot of wealth, and foreign trade is very profitable.
Many silks, porcelain, tea, etc. produced in the Ming Dynasty are best-sellers overseas.
And many things that are rare in Ming Dynasty, such as spices, gems, corals, camphor and other things, are just like picked up for free overseas.
If you make a round trip, you will get ten times the profit.
By that time, the tariffs collected by His Majesty from overseas trade will reach more than one million guan every year, or even more, all easily. "
After temporarily ending matters about America, Han Cheng looked at Zhu Yuanzhang here and talked about overseas trade again.
Crops such as potatoes, sweet potatoes and corn fully ignited Zhu Yuanzhang's mood for going to the sea.
But Han Cheng is still worried, fearing that the Ming Dynasty will not be able to continue to embrace the ocean in the future.
Because Zhu Yuanzhang's strong motivation at this time was to find these very important crops.
Once it is found in the future, after the promotion of the Ming Dynasty, the domestic grain harvest will be bumper, and the strong driving force will disappear. I am afraid that there is a high possibility that the sight will be narrowed back to the mainland of the Ming Dynasty again.
Therefore, Han Cheng felt that it would be safer to deceive Zhu Yuanzhang into restarting the Shipping Department, vigorously develop maritime trade, and earn a lot of money.
Because people's desire for wealth is endless and will never be satisfied.
Even if some people are satisfied, there will be more people who see others making money from overseas trade, and will join in this matter with red eyes.
As long as this opening is opened and maritime trade can be maintained, the Ming Dynasty's influence on overseas countries will always exist!
Compared with Zhu Yuanzhang's search for sweet potatoes and potatoes, this one is more lasting, more stable, and involves more people.
"Really make money like this? Can you really receive so many tariffs? Don't lie to me!
Since we can make money in this way, why can't our shipping company in Ming Dynasty receive any money? The tariff collected per year is only a pitiful ten thousand guan? "
Zhu Yuanzhang still said he couldn't understand.
Han Chengdao: "With an example, you can understand whether what I said is true.
During the Song Dynasty, around the time of the Southern Song Dynasty, the annual income of Shibosi could reach between 1.5 million guan and 2 million guan, which basically accounted for 20% of the total income of the Southern Song Dynasty!
During the Yuan Dynasty, if I remember correctly, the income of the Shipping Department was higher than that of the Southern Song Dynasty! "
"Really that much?!"
Zhu Yuanzhang was shocked by what Han Cheng said.
Two million dollars a year!
What a concept!
Accounting for 20% of the national annual income?
It’s exciting just thinking about it!
But after the excitement, Zhu Yuanzhang quickly calmed down again.
He looked at Han Cheng and said: "You must have remembered it wrong. I have seen the records of the Yuan Dynasty Shipping Department before.
When Shibosi's annual income is good, it can earn 70,000 to 80,000 guan. When it is not good, it makes even less than our Ming Dynasty, only a few thousand guan, or even makes no money at all! "
Didn't the shipping company of the Yuan Dynasty make money?
This shouldn't be the case!
Why is this so different from what I remember?
But looking at Lao Zhu, it didn't look like he was talking.
This made Han Cheng feel confused for a moment. Could it be that he really remembered it wrong?
It shouldn’t be!
I clearly remember that the income of the Shipping Department in the Yuan Dynasty was higher than that in the Southern Song Dynasty.
"Don't worry about this matter. Let's get all the records of the Shipping Department of the Yuan Dynasty and take a closer look. Then you will know what happened?"
Zhu Biao's voice sounded, giving a solution.
Just do it, Zhu Yuanzhang immediately gave the order, and soon someone sent the information about the Yuan Dynasty Shipping Department.
When several people saw it, they were quickly stunned.
Because neither Han Cheng nor Zhu Yuanzhang said anything wrong!
(End of chapter)
