eldest son of Ming dynasty

Yan Song's trip was crucial. In addition to controlling Japan and expanding trade routes, the most important thing was to control Iwami Ginzan.

The purpose of controlling Iwami Ginzan is naturally to mine silver.

This is actually a technical job. There is a very key figure in the history of Iwami Ginzan named Ouchi Yoshitaka.Before him, the output of this silver mountain was actually not high because the smelting level was not high enough.

It was Ouchi Yoshitaka who introduced the ash blowing method from the Ming Dynasty, which greatly increased the production capacity of Ginzan, stabilizing its annual output at the order of 400 million taels per year, and triggered intense controversy surrounding Ginzan in subsequent Japanese history. Fights and wars.

The so-called ash blowing method is a unique silver refining method created by the ancient Chinese people and has been used since at least the Tang Dynasty.Simply put, the ash blowing method is to add lead during silver smelting to dissolve the silver in the lead to achieve silver enrichment, and then blow air to oxidize the lead into the ashes to separate the silver.

Of course, it requires craftsmanship to actually make it, and it is not something that can be made by just touching the upper lip to the lower lip and blowing air.

On the last trip, Wu Wending collected 100 million taels of silver, which was all plundered from people's inventory for many years. If there are no skilled craftsmen to follow, I am afraid there will not be such a 'harvest' next year.

Fortunately, Xing Guan attached great importance to it and had already reported the matter to the court, and Zhu Houzhao naturally would not turn a blind eye to it as that kind of confused king.This is not a difficult task in itself. It only requires dozens of craftsmen, and the arrangements have already been made.

In fact, Zhu Houzhao knew that this was only the silver of this silver mountain. In fact, Japan's silver reserves were very rich. At its peak, the entire country could produce 2000 million taels of silver per year.

This is just silver, there is also gold and copper.

It can be said that from now on, Japan has been targeted by the Ming Dynasty monarchs and ministers. Not to mention more, at least 1000 million taels of silver are plundered from him every year, and Zhu Houzhao has no moral burden at all.

In addition to sending craftsmen to Japan, Zhu Houzhao also ordered the Ministry of Industry and the Academy of Sciences to organize manpower to continue to deepen the research on the ash blowing method, and at the same time make every effort to improve and optimize the manufacturing process.

As long as everything goes well, Yan Song should be able to carry at least 12 million taels of silver and varying amounts of gold in the spring of the 200th year of Zhengde.

Once this two- to three-year cultivation period is over, this will be the second 'sea trade'!
In this case, Zhu Houzhao certainly would not desperately keep the money in the treasury. It was also the first time that he felt the initial joy of colonization.

So it was rare that the emperor and his ministers began to discuss a matter that was not easy to talk about.

However, Zhu Houzhao was not a petty person. He called the cabinet and ministers, and while pointing to the sweat on his forehead, he said to them: "I am afraid of heat but not cold. Every summer, the sun is scorching and the sun is like fire. It is sweltering inside and even hotter outside. There is really nowhere to hide and nowhere to hide. It can be said that I have suffered a lot these years. So I thought about finding a place near the capital where the summer temperature is not enough and where you can cool down and escape the heat. Spend a little money. Is it possible to build a similar palace?"

This matter also depends on He Jian, the Minister of Household Affairs. He and Wang Hua are the oldest among these people, and they also have a clean style.These civil servants of the Ming Dynasty were all very unique. Sometimes they didn't agree, they just didn't agree.

This has been the case in history, you can fight and kill, but you won’t nod anyway.

Zhu Houzhao had conflicts with these people many times, and few of them relented at the time, so he had to deal with some people every time.

"I wonder what kind of palace the emperor wants to build? How much will it cost?"

Zhu Houzhao replied: "The palace does not need to be big. It can be temporarily lived in for two or three months every year. As for how much it will cost, I have never spent money to build a house, so I really can't estimate it well. It's best to ask someone knowledgeable about this." ask."

He Jiandao: "When I look at the palaces built in the past dynasties, they often cost millions of taels. Now, although the national treasury has a surplus of silver, the Ming Dynasty used troops in three directions: west, north and east. The chieftains in various places may have acted unusually. , at this juncture, the old minister thought that... the large-scale construction work was slightly inappropriate. Moreover, His Majesty governs the country with frugality, and the world regards him as a thrifty emperor. For more than ten years, extravagant things have been forbidden. If this is the case, the top will follow the example, and the officialdom will follow. Once it breaks, it will be too late to regret it!”

Zhu Houzhao got a little angry. He was an emperor and had never spent more money. He finally spoke after discussion, but he still refused, and the reason was very legitimate.

Damn, it’s really hot without air conditioning!

Seeing the change in the emperor's expression, He Jian's expression remained unchanged.

It was the Shaofu's order, Gu Renyi, who calmed down the atmosphere, "If this is not the case, His Majesty just said that he would find someone knowledgeable to ask. There should be such talents in the Capital Planning Department of the Shaofu. I will find someone to make a detailed estimate after I return today. , then submit it to His Majesty and all of you for discussion."

This matter was somewhat caught off guard. Seeing Gu Zuo say this, everyone said, "That makes sense, that makes sense. Let's do it like this."

Zhu Houzhao was so angry that he fanned himself with a fan. Generally speaking, this was a disrespectful behavior. When a monarch and his ministers are playing against each other, ministers have etiquette, and the monarch cannot be rude either. But he couldn't control it anymore and looked up to the sky. "Then you go as soon as possible." Make an estimate, and also ask which places are not hot in summer and are more suitable, and report them together."

…………

Outside the palace, the ministers were talking a lot.

He Jian also said to Gu Zuo, "The Analects of Confucius says that the monarch should love his people and make the people respect their time. King Qin built Afang Palace, but the second generation died. Emperor Yang of Sui abused the people's power and gave up the beautiful country to others. The emperor wanted to choose When a new palace is built in a place, as a minister, shouldn't you sincerely advise it? Why did you just agree to it without asking what's right and wrong?"

This matter is actually somewhat contradictory.

Wang Hao and Wang Hua frowned, but they were actually very confused.

Gu Renyi couldn't bear to say: "Your Majesty is still young. He is no better than us. He is always sweating profusely in summer. Doesn't Great Situ feel heartbroken? I feel that Your Majesty has been very patient. In the past, the country's situation was not good. When I was young, I never mentioned it, but now I have this intention only when I have the conditions, which is not too much."

This matter involved the emperor's dragon body. Even if He Jian wanted to refute it, he didn't dare to refute it too harshly. Otherwise, it would be disloyal to not pay attention to the health of the emperor's dragon body.

Yang Tinghe moderated: "Just follow what Yishan said, and estimate the cost first. Maybe the cost was too high, and His Majesty gave up on it himself."

The emperor has to live for two or three months a year, so it is impossible to find a manor to spend his time casually. No matter how good the manor is, it will not work, so the cost must be unaffordable.

At least it costs 200 million.

After everyone dispersed, Yang Tinghe and Wang Hao felt uncomfortable sitting in the cabinet.

Forget about them, Zhu Houzhao was even more unhappy.

"This He Jian is indeed responsible for his work. Whether it is building a border city or preparing an army, he has good control over money. I have never noticed that he has such a stubborn head. I never expected to say this to him. Still don’t buy it!”

You Zhi encouraged, "Your Majesty, there is no need to be so angry. Your Majesty is the emperor, and they must listen to whatever you say. As long as your Majesty persists, this matter should not be difficult."

Zhu Houzhao pinched his waist and walked back and forth like this, "I have worked hard for this country for more than ten years, why can't I build a garden? Besides, this is also a work-for-relief, and the money spent is used to earn money for the engineering team and the people." If you go, what does it matter?"

"Your Majesty, do you want me to give you a try?"

"No need!" Zhu Houzhao patted the table, "Let's wait until they come again. Then I will listen to how they resolve the matter and see whether they went too far or I went too far."

……

"Mr. Ge, we have to think of a proper solution to this matter." Yang Tinghe started to blow the wind next to Wang Hao, "What Gu Yishan said is indeed true. As ministers, how can we remain indifferent when we see the emperor suffering this every year? ?”

"Of course I know this, but since ancient times, large-scale construction projects have never been a sure sign. This is what I am worried about." A thought flashed through Wang Hao's mind, "Actually, it is a bit strange. Your Majesty is afraid of heat. It is not a matter of one or two years. , why didn’t you say it before, why do you have to say it again this year?”

"In the past, the national treasury did not have such a large amount of silver."

"How can your Majesty be willing to spend millions of taels of silver to build a palace?" Wang Hao waved his hands firmly, "I have taught your Majesty since childhood and understand your Majesty's aspirations very well. Should 500 million taels of silver be exchanged for [-] elite soldiers? Of the fifty palaces, His Majesty will choose the former without hesitation."

Yang Tinghe also believed it, "But His Majesty will not mention this for no reason, let alone come to a fake practice palace to make people unstable out of thin air."

"Well, it's true that I'm afraid of the heat, and it should be true to build a palace, but Your Majesty will definitely control the cost. But... not everyone understands Your Majesty so well, and if it doesn't go well, there will be uproar between the government and the public."

The reasons given by the emperor are very valid. It is estimated that the court will soon be divided into two groups, one supporting and the other opposing.Compared with the previous ten years, this may be the most outrageous controversy.

The noise was noisy. Wang Kui was the first one. He was confused at first, but he couldn't keep hesitating like a woman. "When you have time, let He Jian come. I will try to make him relax. Your Majesty's Dragon Is weight more important, or that little money? We all have to turn this corner!"

Yang Tinghe was respectful and agreed that it was risky for the emperor to do such a thing, but Wang Hao was still so decisive.He is indeed not as good as Yang Yiqing in some areas, but there is a reason why he has been retained by the emperor.