Late at night, Shen Yiyuan returned home smelling of alcohol. His wife, Mrs. He, came forward, took a whiff, and frowned, "Were you going to Qingyan Tower again?"
"Yes, the Three Kings are having a banquet today. Didn't I send someone to inform you?"
Shen Yiyuan took off his coat and said tiredly.
Mr. He snorted, with a sad look on his face, and said: "Since you came to the capital, how many days have you not been to Qingyan Tower? If you like a foxy girl, just tell him straight away, and there will be no delay in getting married. Your matchmaker is getting married."
"Run Niang, what are you talking about? Am I, Shen Yiyuan, that kind of person?"
Shen Yiyuan had just sat down, and when he heard what He said, he got up and walked over.
He took a step back, avoided Shen Yiyuan, and said coldly: "You have a foxy scent, tell me, what kind of person are you?"
"I really went to see the three kings, Runniang, you don't know, now the court is going to lift the sea ban. I was lucky today. I rented two sea ships. I will call Xiude, Xiuzhi and Wu shopkeeper tomorrow. Madam Together, we will purchase goods and prepare for the voyage."
Shen Yiyuan explained quickly.
"Now you are telling lies to deal with me?" He looked at Shen Yiyuan with tears in his eyes and said, "Taizu ordered that no piece of wood be allowed into the sea. Are you deceiving me for being ignorant?"
Shen Yiyuan sighed, turned around and closed the door, looked back at He, and said gently: "Mother Run, fifteen years ago, it was you and the old man who gave me food and saved my life. The old man valued me, You are also betrothed to me. I, Shen Yiyuan, have sworn to God that I will never look after you except Runniang again in this life."
"Although the business has grown bigger and bigger over the years, and the old man has entrusted me with everything, I have never failed you. Even though I travel north and south, I am traveling around. There are only one or two servants around me. When have you seen me? Is there a maid around?"
"I went to Qingyan Tower as a last resort. The merchants are there, the princes are there, business discussions are there, and the friendship between us is also there. If I don't go, the business will fail, and who will support the Shen family and the relationship in the future? He family? Mother Run, if I betray you, won't I even keep my oath? Then how can I do business in the world? "
After hearing this, the gloom on He's face gradually dissipated. She raised her sleeves to wipe the corners of her eyes and said, "I understand. You can rest now. I'll get some hot water."
Shen Yiyuan stretched out his hand to grab Mr. He, took him into his arms, looked at the weeping Mr. He, and said softly: "Who else would dare to speak to my husband like this except my wife? The book of Three Obediences and Four Virtues is a waste of time."
"So what, you owe me this."
Runniang said stubbornly.
Shen Yiyuan smiled at the corner of his mouth and looked at the woman in front of him, his eyes full of love.
That's right, I owe her.
In the thirteenth year of Hongwu, the Hu Weiyong case began. In the next twelve years, more than 30,000 people were killed, and his father was the official who was killed.
Later, my mother died of depression, my sister sold herself to a brothel, and my brother starved to death. I begged to survive. I walked all the way to Wuyuan, but finally passed out from hunger.
If Runniang hadn't discovered him and Mr. He was kind enough to take him in, where would he be today?
The woman from Qingyanlou?
forget it.
The old man taught:
Only when people know how to exercise restraint can they achieve great things without losing their true nature.
What I, Shen Yiyuan, want to do is to become the largest businessman in the Ming Dynasty!
The next morning, Shen Yiyuan took He, his sons Xiude and Xiu Zhi and the old shopkeeper Wu Hui out of Jiangdong Gate. This is a gathering place for merchants. If you want to buy a large amount of goods, this is the best place.
"Father, does the imperial court really allow trade?"
Although he was only thirteen or fourteen years old, Shen Xiude was already quite a gentleman, with a Confucian style in his behavior.
Shen Yiyuan shook his head, looked at Shen Xiude, and said: "We can't make a conclusion yet. This business trip to the south is not based on the imperial decree, and we haven't heard that the imperial court plans to restore the Shipping Department. Until the situation is clear, there are still variables. .”
Shen Xiude thought for a while, raised his head and asked, "What does father mean? This trip south may be the beginning of a series of trade deals, or it may be just this one time, right?"
Shen Yiyuan put his hand on Shen Xiude's head. He liked this precocious child very much and said, "That's right, unless we can make a lot of money this time, which proves that trade is right."
Shen Xiude lowered his head and thought about his father's words. Shopkeeper Wu Hui stopped and asked, "Master Shen, what are the best goods for us to buy when we go south?"
Shen Yiyuan took out a piece of paper from his sleeve, handed it to Shopkeeper Wu, and said, "Please buy according to the instructions on it."
Wu Hui unfolded it and couldn't help being stunned. After reading it carefully, he said: "I'm afraid this is inappropriate?"
"What's wrong?"
Shen Yiyuan asked rhetorically.
Wu Hui pointed to the shopping list and said: "Is purchasing six thousand pieces of ceramics too much? Why buy a large number of kitchen knives and other knives? That's all. Why are these five hundred pieces of silk?"
The Shen family sells silk, but a silk seller actually wants to buy silk? This is not a joke. The Shen family has a lot of silk in the capital's warehouse, and taking out five hundred pieces will not affect the operation of the store.
Shen Yiyuan said confidently: "People from Nanyang are good at ceramics and silk. This has been recorded in previous dynasties. Ceramics need to be purchased in large quantities. When the time comes, they can be exchanged for gems."
"gem?"
He's eyes began to shine.
"Knives such as kitchen knives are naturally goods. There are not many iron ores in those places in Nanyang. Even if there are iron ores and the weather is so humid, many iron objects should be exchanged. Use them to barter. A kitchen knife can be exchanged for five Ten pounds of spices is still okay.”
"Fifty pounds of spices?"
He's eyes widened, this, is this just robbery? No, robbery is not that expensive...
"As for why we still need to buy silk when we have silk, it is because our silks are all top-grade goods, and people in the capital can distinguish good from bad. But people in Nanyang only recognize silk, how do they know the difference? Low-grade goods are enough. According to I think it’s a good deal to exchange one foot of silk for fifty pounds of cardamom..."
Shen Yiyuan talked eloquently.
He was a little dizzy. How could the land of Nanyang be so rich?
"Go ahead and buy according to the list and ask them to send it to Dongshuiguan Pier. Fortune ships No. 17 and 18 are our merchant ships. After checking, you can move them into the cabin first."
Shen Yiyuan ordered Wu Hui.
Wu Hui's face was full of smiles, he nodded, and left with the list.
He looked at the calm Shen Yiyuan and said with a smile: "It seems that my husband is quite confident in this business deal."
Shen Yiyuan nodded heavily and said: "I can feel that drastic changes are about to happen in our Ming Dynasty, and in this drastic change, merchants will become extremely powerful! Runniang, this is our opportunity, I want to handle it myself Good thing!"
"In person? Are you going to Nanyang?"
He's expression changed, and he reached out to grab Shen Yiyuan's arm and said, "No, I won't let you go!"
Shen Yiyuan looked at Mr. He and said with a smile: "This business deal is unusual. If I don't keep an eye on it, who will? Shopkeeper Wu is fifty-five this year, how can I bear to let him be tossed on the sea? Shopkeepers Sun and Yang are still here In Suzhou, Shopkeeper Meng is in Wuyuan, and Shopkeeper Liao is a good candidate, but you also know that his son is not yet one month old, how can you get him to leave the capital?"
"Furthermore, whether Nanyang trade is feasible? Can the Ming Dynasty be based on Srivijaya? What products are there in other island countries and how much are they worth? If I don't go, who can make the decision?"
"It's too dangerous, the sea is very windy and rough..."
He said worriedly.
Shen Yiyuan patted He's hand and said comfortingly: "We are pure businessmen, born to be on the road. Don't you know, the King of Liao will also go to Nanyang in person? He is a member of the royal family and could have enjoyed the glory. A wealthy man. If he's not worried, what are you worried about?"
"The King of Liao also went
? "
He couldn't believe it.
Shen Yiyuan nodded slightly, looked at the bustling street in the distance, and said seriously: "The thirty-six merchants who attended the banquet last night will definitely send their most capable people to Nanyang, and many of them will even go into battle in person."
Liao Prince's Mansion.
Zhu Geng looked at Zhu Zhi who was drinking tea peacefully and advised: "Brother Fifteen, there is no need to go to Nanyang in person, right? Not to mention the long journey, I am afraid it will take a year to go back and forth."
Zhu Gui opened his mouth, let out a long sigh, walked to Zhu Zhi, took the tea cup away, and said: "What on earth do you think? Taizu used the sea route to transport grain to the north, and there were many ships that capsized during the journey! You As a vassal king, how can you risk your life? I won't agree to this!"
Zhu Zhi patted the tea on his clothes, stood up and saluted Zhu Gui and Zhu Geng solemnly, saying: "Thirteenth brother and eighteenth brother went south to do business. At a small scale, it is just a business. But at a big scale. , this matter is related to the changes in the maritime ban policy, the survival and well-being of the people along the coast, and the Ming Dynasty’s foreign national policy.”
"How can I, as a vassal king and the son of Taizu, stay behind in such a big event? When a man is reincarnated, I should do something about it. I have decided to go to Nanyang in person, to become a merchant, to trade with Chinese and foreigners, and to The envoys are invited to comfort the Three Buddhas."
Zhu Geng and Zhu Gui looked at Zhu Zhi in surprise.
If you join the army, you will guard the frontier.
Businessmen worry about the people!
Is this the awakening of King Liao?
"Well, you are worthy of being my chosen one!"
Zhu Yunwen raised his feet and entered the room. Zhu Zhi, Zhu Geng and Zhu Gui quickly knelt down and saluted.
"Get up."
Zhu Yunwen sat down, motioned for the three kings to take their seats, and said: "Whether you are a vassal king or a minister, you should be determined to serve the country and the people. In the country, the people are the most important. Only when the people are safe and peaceful can the Ming Dynasty truly move towards prosperity. There are more than a million soldiers and civilians along the coast. If we still abide by the strict order not to go to the sea, not only will the people complain about us, but even Taizu will not be able to spare me!"
Zhu Zhi and others were taken aback and looked at Zhu Yunwen in confusion.
Zhu Yunwen took out a document from his sleeve, put it on the table, and said: "In the 30th year of Hongwu, Taizu had decided to change the policy of sea ban. This is a copy of the ultimatum written to Siam by the Ministry of Rites at that time."
Zhu Gui took the ultimatum and looked at it carefully. He saw that it read: "At the beginning of our reign, all the overseas Tibetan people came to enjoy... The three Buddhas have different minds... If the emperor is angry, he will send someone away..." It is as easy as covering up one's hands to command a hundred thousand soldiers. If one can sincerely avoid mistakes and do good, he will treat them with courtesy as before."
"Taizu has long been determined to clear the obstacles in Nanyang? Reopen trade and tribute?"
Zhu Zhi and others were shocked.
Taizu insisted on the policy of banning the sea for many years. In his later years, he realized that something was wrong and even had the intention to correct it and restore it to its original appearance.
But, it's too late...
A few months after this ultimatum was issued, Taizu Zhu Yuanzhang passed away.
This may be Taizu's regret.
With this ultimatum from the Taizu period, if Zhu Yunwen wants to open Shang Tong Gong and restore the Shi Ship Division, the pressure on the imperial court will be much less.
In the past, the courtiers often accused Zhu Yunwen of violating the ancestral system. Now, Zhu Yunwen has completely inherited Taizu's legacy this time, and the courtiers will have nothing to say.
When Zhu Yunwen got this document, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief and rushed to the Liao Prince's Mansion specifically to tell the Liao Prince and others that the lifting of the maritime ban and the resumption of trade and tribute were not only in line with the national destiny of the Ming Dynasty, but also Taizu's wish.
The implicit meaning is:
Although lifting the ban on the sea goes against the ancestral system, I really don’t blame you for this matter. In the final analysis, it is also your father’s intention...
Zhu Yunwen was talking with Zhu Zhi and others when suddenly heavy footsteps came from the door.
Security Bureau Commander Shi Gu Sanshen hurriedly entered the hall, knelt down on one knee, held up a letter with both hands, and shouted loudly: "Your Majesty, Fengyang Mansion has an urgent report from eight hundred miles away."
