eldest son of Ming dynasty

Chapter 850 Ideological Liberation

The reason why Zhu Houzhao repeatedly discussed the currency reform was, firstly, because it was important, and secondly, because it was not easy to try it out in some provinces.

Money is this thing,

You can't let the people in South Zhili use new money and the people in North Zhili use old money. How can they exchange between them?

And if the pilot is conducted in a province where commerce is completely lacking, the significance of the pilot will be lost due to insufficient use, and the economy may even be backward and unable to adapt to new money.

So at most there is a transition period.

That is, in the first two to three years, the court will still allow the old money to exist, while encouraging people to use the new money, and announcing that the court will completely abolish the old money at some point in the future.

As soon as the transition period comes, the new currency will immediately play its positive role. Once there is chaos, causing price chaos or abnormal accumulation of wealth, and artificially creating poor people, it will not only be psychologically difficult, but also practical. Social stability will also have an impact.

As for the failure to obtain real results from the currency reform, that would make Zhu Houzhao even more distressed.

Taking this into account, it is natural to carefully discuss every aspect.

Of course, the establishment of the mint can already begin, including the purchase of raw materials, recruitment of workers, and collection of related casting techniques.

He has even thought about the choice of director of the mint.

Zhu Houzhao's expectation is to at least trial-produce new money within two months.

As for the nationwide promotion, it is estimated that it will not be until the 21st year of Zhengde at the earliest.

In order of priority, the most important thing right now is Jing Yang's return to the country.

Logically speaking, in order to show the formality of the welcome, it was best to hold relevant ceremonies in the Forbidden City. However, Zhu Houzhao later discussed with the courtiers and decided to give up.

First of all, the emperor Long Hu had just arrived in Rehe and had not rested yet. Now he had to go back, which was unavoidable.

Secondly, the emperor's safety is of paramount importance. If something is done in a hurry, no one will be able to bear the responsibility if something is overlooked.

It's not impossible to follow the authority when the matter is urgent. It's not impossible here.

To show his importance, Zhu Houzhao not only asked the cabinet to prepare a number of matters, he also made two decisions himself. One was to order people to bring all Jing Yang's wife and children to Rehe so that their family could be reunited and enjoy the reunion. happiness.

Second, let Wei Ningbo lead his people south to greet him.

In fact, the best candidate should be his son.

Unfortunately, the news came too suddenly. His three adult sons, the eldest and the third, were not here. Although the second son was on his way back north, Sichuan was too far away from here and he couldn't make it in time.

Zhu Houzhao wanted to give Jing Yang all the honors he could, and he wanted to use an exaggerated way to show his courtesy to this famous navigator.

And let his knowledge in the West spread quickly with this exaggeration.

He thought about it carefully...

In 1525, the world should be dominated by the Spanish at this time, and Magellan's fleet had almost completed its global voyage.

The completion of the global voyage has had a huge impact on human knowledge, including the people of the Ming Dynasty. After all, the round sky and the square earth have been passed down for thousands of years.

This impact is all-round. For example, if the earth is round, then the word 'center' does not hold true, and many issues have to be reimagined.

Behind the great geographical discoveries was the rapid growth of knowledge. With the beginning of the Age of Discovery, there was also the colonial era of the Spanish and Portuguese around the world.

Then the people of Ming Dynasty will know that there is wider land and more fertile grassland in this world. North America, Australia, South America...it's exciting just thinking about it.

"emperor,"

Zhu Houzhao's thoughts were called back by You Zhi's call. He adjusted his expression and said, "They're here, right? Let them in."

"Yes."

Not long after, Wang Tingxiang of the Cabinet and Jin Gui, Minister of Rites, came hand in hand.

Zhang Cong was involved in the smuggling of official silver.

As for Gu Renyi, after He Tingren said that he would add more people, Zhu Houzhao ordered Gu Renyi to coordinate and send as many people as there were.

Matters related to Jing Yang's return naturally fell on Wang Tingxiang's head.

Zhu Houzhao usually uses this method. Each pavilion elder has his own things that he needs to be responsible for.

"Your Majesty, your Majesty, Jin Gui, your Majesty."

"No big rules." Zhu Houzhao rubbed his hands and smiled a little, "Have you heard about Jing Yang?"

Both of them nodded, "I heard the news at dawn, and I was very excited. Your Majesty was far-sighted and sent envoys to various countries a few years ago. Now that he has returned victorious, he will definitely gain something. I would like to congratulate your Majesty!"

"This is not only a happy event for me, but also a happy event for Ming Dynasty. Sun Tzu's Art of War once said the simplest truth, know yourself and the enemy and you will be victorious. Nowadays, people from the West can be seen everywhere in Nanyang, but what the West is like, Ming Dynasty does not know , it’s really uncomfortable to be so passive.

Jing Yang's trip not only brought him personal knowledge of the West, but also opened up a sea route from east to west. From now on, our Ming Dynasty can continuously send people to the west. "

He was thinking, let’s have a Ming Dynasty version of the Westward Expansion Movement!

"Uncle Weining has already gone to greet you according to my order. The reason why I came to see you today is to ennoble Jing Yang."

These words came out of the emperor's mouth, which really surprised these two people.

"Your Majesty, since the founding of the Ming Dynasty, ministers with foreign surnames have not been granted titles without military merit. Although Jing Yang has made outstanding achievements during his visits, he has not expanded the territory and has not defeated any enemy troops. Wouldn't it seem like a reward to be granted a title based on this? Heavy? I may cause criticism."

Zhu Houzhao said: "His fleet has three thousand naval soldiers, passing through countless countries along the way. Some are friendly, and naturally some are unfriendly. For those who are unfriendly, Jing Yang can force them to retreat and ensure the safety of all personnel on the ship. Safety, why is this not a military achievement?

In addition, he has told me in his report that he will write a book about what he has seen and heard over the years, and the content is very different from our previous understanding. This is a feat that furthers our understanding of the world, the monarchs and ministers of the Ming Dynasty. How great is this contribution!

Furthermore, even if these reasons are not considered, there is a first time for everything. Jing Yang risked his life and went on missions to various countries. Why was it wrong to give him this title? "

There is a first time for everything is what he really wants to say.

In fact, there is an idea that has been brewing in Zhu Houzhao's heart, that is, he must be awarded a scientist title in his life. Of course, not yet, but sooner or later it will happen.

He has to gradually improve the status of science and knowledge.

It can be said that when he has governed the country to this point, in addition to the two major events of currency reform and the shaping of foreign colonial ideas, the third major event he cares about is continuing to open up the Ming Dynasty and allowing more scientific knowledge to flow into the Ming Dynasty. .

If the first two are economic and military aspects respectively, then the third major event is the emancipation of the mind. Nowadays, no caring person has paid attention to these rules of behavior of the emperor, but in fact there are some, and there are more than these three.

(End of this chapter)