The ministers were quarreling constantly, and Zhu Di, who was sitting on the dragon throne, was still silent.
At this time, Prince Zhu Gaochi stood up.
"Father, my son has his own memorial!"
"Yes!" Zhu Di glanced at his eldest son and spoke slowly.
"Father, when Emperor Taizu Gao banned the sea, it was due to the national conditions at that time."
"After all, Ming's biggest enemy was on the grassland at that time."
"Only the remnants of Fang Guozhen and Zhang Shicheng are causing rebellion in the coastal areas."
"There are also attacks by Japanese pirates."
"But at that time, the court obviously couldn't be distracted."
"It's not cost-effective to go to sea to fight."
"In order to protect the people along the coast, Emperor Taizu Gao only implemented the sea ban policy."
"Today is different from the past. Our Ming Navy is invincible and can ensure that the coast is safe."
"Furthermore, Zheng He's voyages proved that sea trade was very profitable. If we just look at it without taking any action, it will be a loss for our Ming Dynasty."
"Therefore, it is urgent to reopen the shipping department and replenish the national treasury."
After saying that, Zhu Gaochi bowed deeply.
After Xia Yuanji came to see him yesterday, he went to Changping Marquis Mansion to ask Yang Xuan for advice.
Originally he was opposed to reopening the shipping department, but Yang Xuan convinced him.
Reopening the Shipping Department and replenishing the national treasury had more advantages than disadvantages for Ming Dynasty.
After Zhu Gaochi expressed his attitude, the opposing officials were stunned for a while.
Some people were even filled with astonishment.
If they remember correctly, when His Majesty asked Zheng He to go to sea, Your Highness the Crown Prince voted against it!
Why has your attitude changed now?
The ministers are about to fight to the death, why does Your Highness surrender first?
This should best describe their current thoughts.
"What the prince said makes sense."
At this time, Zhu Di finally spoke.
"What do you think?" He turned his gaze to the officials below.
Everyone also saw at this time that Zhu Di wanted to reopen the shipping department.
Besides, the prince has made his attitude clear, so what's the point of their objections?
"Your Majesty, please reopen the Shipping Department and replenish the national treasury." Everyone said in unison.
Among them, Yang Shiqi, Yang Rong and Yang Pu were the loudest.
"Okay, over there, according to what you dear friends said, the Shipping Department will be reopened."
Zhu Di said.
Then comes the determination of tariffs.
Xia Yuanji proposed to tax six out of ten.
Immediately, some people scolded Xia Yuanji for being in the eyes of money.
Xia Yuanji is so miserable!
These are all strategies discussed in advance. Otherwise, how can the 40% tariff be implemented?
So he can only carry the blame.
After some cordial and friendly discussions, Zhu Di finally ordered that the tariff be set at 40%.
All the officials called upon His Majesty to be wise.
After talking about these things, the next step is to discuss building a cargo distribution center at the port.
This went smoothly and most officials supported it.
It just so happened that the envoys from various countries who followed Zheng He to the Ming Dynasty also brought a lot of goods to be sold in the Ming Dynasty.
The court can help with the auction and charge a handling fee to replenish the national treasury.
The handling fee is also Yang Xuanzhi's trick.
Depending on the value of the goods, a minimum of 1 per 100 will be drawn.
Several imperial edicts were issued, the court meeting ended smoothly, and all departments began to get busy.
Back in the imperial study, Zhu Di called Ji Gang, the commander of the Jinyi Guards, and ordered him to check whether those who opposed the reopening of the Shipping Department at today's meeting had colluded with maritime merchants.
After explaining the matter, Zhu Di leaned on the dragon chair, gently rubbed his eyebrows, and sighed.
…
Early November.
Zhu Di summoned envoys from various countries and held a banquet to receive them.
The banquet was of great size.
Jiaofangsi put on many good shows.
Yang Xuan didn't pay much attention to this, so he found a corner and ate quietly.
After this banquet, Ming Dynasty established tributary relations with various countries.
Basically once every three years.
However, all countries are very envious of the prosperity of the Ming Dynasty and hope that it will happen once a year.
Zhu Di gave full authority to the prince and the Ministry of Rites to discuss this matter with envoys from various countries. He only looked at the final result.
A few days later, the imperial study room.
Yang Xuan and Zhu Di drank tea and chatted.
At this time, Wang Zhong came in to report that it was the Minister of Rites who wanted to see him.
"Xuan!" Zhu Di put down his tea cup and said calmly.
"I, Zheng Ci, will see your Majesty!" Zheng Ci, the Minister of Rites, paid homage.
Then he saw Yang Xuan was there and said hello.
"I've met Marquis Changping!"
"Pingshen." Zhu Di said.
"What's the matter?" Zhu Di asked.
"Your Majesty, the regulations have been finalized regarding the sending of envoys from various countries to pay tribute to our country, the Ming Dynasty."
Zheng Ci took out a folder from his sleeve.
Seeing this, Yang Xuan took the fold and presented it to Zhu Di.
After the latter read it, he handed it to Yang Xuan.
Seeing this scene, Zheng Ci felt envious in his heart.
Among the civil and military officials of the entire dynasty, who could be as favored as the Marquis of Changping?
"Your Majesty, I think the return of tribute mentioned above is unreasonable."
Yang Xuan said bluntly after reading the excerpt.
Now that there are outsiders here, Yang Xuan still takes care of Zhu Di's face in terms of titles.
"Oh? I think there's no problem!" Zhu Di was confused.
Zheng Ci also looked at Yang Xuan.
"On this one, the tribute in return is actually three times as high."
"How does this work?"
"Am I not the one who was taken advantage of?"
Yang Xuan said.
"Master Marquis, the system of paying tribute and returning gifts was established by Emperor Taizu Gao."
Zheng Ci explained.
"Besides, our Ming Dynasty is a kingdom in heaven, with a vast land and abundant resources, so we should pay more in return."
"In this way, it can also reflect the mind and courage of a big country."
He added immediately.
"Yes, that makes sense." Zhu Di said.
Just want to save face... Yang Xuan thought to himself.
Then he looked at Zhu Di and motioned for Zheng Ci to leave first.
Zhu Di nodded slightly and asked Zheng Ci to go down first.
"I retire." Zheng Ci left.
"What do you want to say?" Zhu Di looked at Yang Xuan.
"The tribute system established by Taizu is inherently unreasonable."
Yang Xuan said.
"Then why didn't you tell your father before?" Zhu Di said.
"Didn't the late Hongwu Dynasty implement a maritime ban policy? Even the tributes from vassal countries were stopped. Why are you talking about this?"
"But now that tribute is to be restored, the system must be changed."
"At least, our Ming Dynasty can no longer be taken advantage of." Yang Xuan said.
"What do you mean by being taken advantage of? It's so ugly." Zhu Di said dissatisfied.
"That's what it is."
"Paying tribute is a loss-making business."
"It costs a lot to save face."
"The benefits are pitiful."
"During the Hongwu Dynasty, tribute had little impact on the court's finances."
"But now, there are dozens of countries represented by envoys and kings in the Ming Dynasty."
"After Zheng He goes to sea, more foreign envoys will come to Ming Dynasty."
"Implementing this tribute policy will be a burden on Ming Dynasty's finances."
Yang Xuan said seriously.
"As a sovereign state in the Ming Dynasty, do I still need this little money?"
…
