Gu Zuo heard a very interesting thing on the boat.
The cause of the matter is this. After the Great Court Meeting, the imperial court announced that the imperial examination will be held in the second half of this year. Since the specific date of the imperial examination has not been determined, some candidates have arrived in Beijing in advance to avoid missing it.
After all, it was a long journey. It would take a month until the capital was settled and the news spread. It would take another month for them to prepare to leave for the capital. If there was a slight delay in the middle, such as rain, illness, etc., maybe it would be over. Too late.
As a result, more and more people went to the capital one after another.
Those who have a good relationship will go together. After arriving in the capital, it is better to study with peace of mind and prepare for the exam than to rush to the capital in a hurry.
Gu Zuo heard someone say on the boat,
"... After the imperial court established shipping departments in Ningbo, Fuzhou, and Quanzhou, Yingtian, Zhejiang, and even Jiangxi became more enthusiastic about sea trade. Because sea trade was often profitable many times over, many people were tempted. However, the people used silk and porcelain. In exchange for silver, after many years and months, I understand that there is more and more silver. If so, won’t the price of silver become lower and lower? "
Gu Zuo had nothing to do while he was on the boat, so he was sitting drinking tea. When he heard this sentence, he suddenly became interested.
He saw three young men wearing handkerchiefs.
"...If you ask me, you should not exchange silver coins, but grains. If you exchange grains, you can help the victims and replenish military supplies. If the Ming Dynasty does not have an empty stomach, it will be a prosperous age!"
Another person said, "That's not right. In addition to food, people also need silver, such as salt, sugar, cloth, clothes, etc. You can't carry food on your back to trade."
After hearing this, Gu Zuo felt that it was very unusual. He couldn't help asking abruptly without knowing anyone else: "Why not exchange for silver coins, but for food?"
He was not wearing official uniform, but he was also dressed in silk.
People judge people by their appearance, and when they see Gu Zuo, they know that they are extraordinary, but no one thought of currying favor. Instead, they immediately thought of discussing government affairs in front of such a person... If it spread to the government, wouldn't that be a big disaster?
So the two young people who were talking immediately stepped back and said, "We just talk casually, but we can't really do it."
Zou Cheng saw this scene from the side and shook his head mockingly.
Gu Zuo is still unreasonable. It's weird to ask directly like this. You are a stranger to someone, and it involves court affairs. It's strange that you can speak!
"Oh..." Gu Zuo couldn't do anything when he hit a snag.
At this time, he thought that maybe people had concerns.
If you want to ask for your name, it will probably be fruitless.
I just took a few more glances at the two young men in the corner and remembered their looks.
The person facing him was thin and dark-skinned. What was especially memorable was that his eyes were obviously squinted and he had some buck teeth. In fact, he looked very unsightly...
The face of the man who turned his back to him and said, "We can't all trade with food" was unclear, but he had six fingers on one hand, and it was quite strange the moment he saw it.
But Gu Zuo is not choosing a wife, he doesn't care about that, what matters is talent.
Although the first contact was not smooth, fortunately it would take many days before the ship arrived in the capital. Gu Zuoxun spent a day paying the bills for them, showing his sincerity in proactive contact.
He approached the three of them on the deck and said: "I am Zhan You, a person from the capital. I overheard the three brothers discussing politics a few days ago. I felt deeply in my heart. I also want to discuss the issues with the three of them, and I feel itchy. Please forgive me for the abruptness.”
After all, Gu Zuo was upright and gave people the impression of being decent, but now he behaves like this,
The three young men couldn't reach out and hit the smiling man. They looked at each other. The six-fingered young man from before spoke first, "I'm in Xingguan. These two are Jiang Yong and Song Wen. We are from Yangzhou Prefecture." Sir, this trip to the capital is for scientific examination. It’s my first time to meet you. I’m glad to meet you.”
Gu Zuo took a look at the buck-toothed man. He was surprised yesterday because of what this man said. Now he knew that his name was Jiang Yong.
"If you three don't mind, can you come and sit at the dock?"
Now that we know each other, this is easy to say.
After sitting down, Gu Zuo also went straight to the topic and asked: "Brother Jiang and Brother Xing, from what you said earlier, it seems that sea trade will also have hidden dangers in the future?"
Xing Guan was more cautious. He still didn't know what the gentleman who called himself Zhan You was doing.
"The three of us brothers chat a lot on weekdays, and some of them are casual. Why does Brother Zhan care so much? Is it because the family is engaged in maritime trade?"
Gu Zuo probably understood what he meant, "My family is not engaged in business. In fact, just like you, I also have to go to Beijing to take the exam. Although I am not in my position and do not pursue political affairs, I always have the heart to serve the country." Call it a joke."
"how come?"
People like Xing Guan would discuss these things on weekdays, which shows that they also have the ambition to go to the DPRK to watch and serve the country, and they are happy to meet people of the same mind.
"The three of us are all involved in business at home," the buck-toothed Jiang Yong finally said, "so some of us are influenced by what we hear and see at home. Brother Zhan, why do you have any doubts about what I said?"
Gu Zuo asked for advice seriously, "That's what Brother Jiang said, not silver, but food."
"Actually, what I said may not be right. Brother Xing Guan has repeatedly disagreed with my views. But if Brother Zhan is interested, I will tell you."
He took out a copper coin, silver ingot and treasure banknote, "Brother Zhan, look, the Ming Dynasty has used so many intermediates for pricing. Although the forms are different, the essence is still the same. Copper coins can be forged, and treasure banknotes can be stamped. , silver ingots... Don’t you know there are silver mines? Among them, the treasure banknotes are no longer used by the people. Why? The price is low because of the excessive distribution. Since the treasure banknotes will be cheap, why can’t the silver? In fact, since this dynasty, From the early years of our ancestors to today, the price of silver has been continuously decreasing.”
"After sea trade, the import of more silver will definitely speed up the process. Soon the price of silver will fall and the price of goods will rise. This is all foreseeable."
Gu Zuo frowned in thought, "Did you think of all this?"
"Not really."
Xing Guan answered, "In the past few years, the imperial court has rectified the horse administration, launched the Battle of Huamachi, and built a city that never sleeps. It has been a big move, but the treasury is empty. Where does your majesty's money come from?"
Gu Zuo is also an expert, so he understands. In fact, in the final analysis, this is also a 'tax'.
Although the emperor did not collect wealth from the people, for the Ming Dynasty, this was extra silver out of thin air. The flow of silver into the market would inevitably lead to a decrease in silver prices. What is this if not a tax?
"So, in a few years, the Sea Trade Association will be a bad government!"
"Brother Zhan, be careful!"
Jiang Yong added: "It's not to that extent, but it's true that we can't all exchange it for silver. Of course, Brother Xing is right, and we still need silver to some extent."
Gu Zuo asked: "So how much silver is the right amount?"
This question is more in-depth. Whether it is Xing Guan or Jiang Yong, they may know some information in the process of doing business at home, but a specific number cannot be obtained by imagination alone.
So both of them shook their heads.
Gu Zuo was slightly disappointed. Of course, he was still grateful for this encounter, which triggered him to think more.
In the days to come, he almost didn't care about Zou Cheng, but got together with these three movers.
Xing Guan, Jiang Yong, and Song Wen told some truths, and Gu Zuo also shared what he had seen and thought over the years, such as the flow of wealth and job creation... These contents also touched those three people.
Meeting a close friend on the road speeds up time. Unknowingly, the passenger ship has entered the capital.
People are coming and going at the dock. The capital's business has become increasingly prosperous in the past few years. Tens of thousands of civilians have gained basic spending power because of the imperial court's 'investment', and hundreds of thousands of people have been affected by this.
The demand generated by such a large group of people caused commodities from all over the country to continue to flow into the capital, including rice, noodles, oil, salt, medicine... After the imperial court no longer tormented them or artificially disrupted commercial operations, many ordinary people burst out. Enthusiastic about creating wealth, when they see such demand in the capital, they will even take the initiative to leave and sell goods to other places, moving back and forth to earn the price difference.
In fact, the imperial court was protecting various commercial activities, including public security rectification of the capital.
What makes many small vendors even more excited is that it is rumored that the city that never sleeps will officially open this summer. In this way, the capital will be more lively in the future, and liveliness is money.
The dockside is also a top priority for public security. Guards often hang around here, sometimes staying there all day long.
As the opening of Evernight City approaches, the issue of urban order has been raised to an unprecedented level. Although there may still be various religions and factions secretly, in the open, these people have to keep their heads down.
And today, for some unknown reason, there were suddenly more guards at the pier. In the past, there were only fifty people under one banner, but this year the number had doubled.
People getting on and off passenger ships, cargoes getting off and on cargo ships... Many people would glance at the guards in uniform who were always coming and going, for fear that they would get into trouble.
"I'm sure, he came from Yangzhou."
On the arch bridge, Mao Yuwen rushed over in person, because the emperor personally gave the instructions.
The arch bridge spans a small river, which is equivalent to a tributary of the canal. There are houses with black tiles and white walls on both sides of the river.
"Boss, we saw it and are disembarking."
When Mao Yuwen heard this, he no longer hesitated. He led the crowd under the arch bridge and rushed to the dock.
Gu Zuo saw the Jin Yiwei, but he only thought that the Jin Yiwei were here to maintain order and intimidate Xiao Xiao. Even if there were hundreds of Jin Yiwei acting collectively, he felt that they were catching some thieves and it must have nothing to do with him.
Zou Cheng, on the other hand, felt guilty and wanted to retreat after walking behind.
When Xing Guan, Jiang Yong and others saw the Jin Yiwei walking straight towards them, they felt fear in their hearts. Could it be that Brother Zhan was indeed a member of the government, and now he wanted to arrest them for making irresponsible remarks on government affairs? !
Mao Yuwen appeared in front of Gu Zuo with his cloak hanging on and holding a scimitar.
"Deputy Ambassador Mao...what are you doing?"
"By the Emperor's decree, I will put you in jail!"
Gu Zuo was confused, "Take me to jail?! Deputy Ambassador Mao, is there any misunderstanding in this?"
"Perhaps, but I will obey the orders and do nothing else." Mao Yuwen was a little more polite, considering that he was the emperor's favorite, "Let's not be rough and go by ourselves, shall we?"
Zou Cheng felt proud beside him, and he immediately thought that the emperor must have suspected Gu Zuo!
For betraying the trust of His Majesty, in addition to being guilty, the Emperor will definitely feel resentful. Now this guy is finished!
Gu Zuo's heart was pounding. He still felt a little unreal, but then he thought of what he had seen on the ship and asked: "Deputy Ambassador Mao, I have something important to report to the emperor. Can I meet with the emperor?"
Mao Yuwen shook his head.
Gu Zuo was even more anxious, "This matter is of great importance! Gu's life and death is nothing, but it is related to the country and the country. Deputy Ambassador Mao, Gu is also considering His Majesty!"
"If you truly consider your majesty sincerely, how can your next generation of wise kings wrongly accuse a loyal minister?"
Zou Cheng's annoying voice came to his ears.
There was also the joy of a villain's success on his face, "Jinyiwei's prison is not a good place. You should take good care of yourself if you are a superior."
He talked too much and Mao Yuwen didn't have much patience anymore.
"take away!"
(End of chapter)
