The Ming Dynasty started with caution

Yan Chengjin took out a piece of paper from his arms, Zhu Houzhao rolled his eyes, and Zeng Jian's eyes also fell on the paper.

"This is a list of items traded with Tibet, Siam and other countries. You may wish to take a look."

Zeng Jian took it and saw that Annan and Siam mainly exchanged rice, millet, etc., and Tubo mainly exchanged horses, cattle and sheep, etc. The shortfall was made up with silver.

"Lao Gao, why don't you want money?" Zhu Houzhao knew that rice was worthless.

This list of proportions shows that there is too much food.

Zeng Jian was also puzzled.

"Silver is the most useless thing."

With money, you can buy the best crickets in the capital, raise countless tigers and leopards, and make your father smile for three days and three nights.

Are you saying money is useless?

Zhu Houzhao felt that Lao Gao regarded him as a fool.

Zeng Jian's old face twitched hard. When did he go to the Ministry of Finance to ask for money? Instead of treating those dog officials like his own fathers, he just asked, "Dad, are you feeling well?"

This guy actually said that money is useless, and he couldn't help but blush. What does my hard work these years mean?

Yan Chengjinhun didn't care: "Now in the great cold, not only the nine sides are short of food, but the whole world is also short of food. If silver is traded, the court will send the silver to the state capital to buy rice and grain. When encountering corrupt officials, there will be little left. .

Annam and Siam produce a lot of rice every year, while Tubo and Chaozhou are not suitable for cultivation.

Therefore, what is exchanged is different.

Although the Law of the Strong can be implemented, horses cannot be born in a short period of time. Exchanging horses with Tubo can solve the urgent need of Yuanma Temple in Shaanxi.

If our Ming Dynasty becomes strong and prosperous and attracts other countries to come to court, we will have as much money as we can. "

Yan Chengjin noticed that after the reduction in grain production, the price of grain on the market increased.

Even if we plant hybrid rice now, it is too late.

Do you expect someone to bring sweet potatoes and potatoes back to the Ming Dynasty? It’s better to eat first and then dream.

What can be done now is to introduce foreign food to support the Ming Dynasty.

Annan and Siam are rich in rice. The introduction of more rice will not only increase the rice supply of Ming Dynasty, but also suppress the price of food to a certain extent.

Will Annam, Siam, Tubo, Korea and other countries fuse iron tools into weapons?

Of course it will!

There are constant disputes among the various tribes in Annan. Tubo has been thinking about invading small neighboring countries all day long. North Korea is now staged a drama of fighting for the throne.

They all need weapons.

But what does it matter? They did not dare to attack the Ming Dynasty.

Yan Chengjin said to Wang Shouren: "Just now, I recommended Bo'an again to be sent to Annan and Siam."

Wang Shouren was stunned for a moment, thought about it, and then nodded.

Fengtian Temple.

Emperor Hongzhi was discussing the exchange of ironware with his ministers.

How to export and how much money to exchange for all need to be carefully discussed.

After Zeng Jian saluted, he said: "Your Majesty, the envoys from Annan and Siam have appointed Wang Shouren. This is the name of the goods exchanged with Annan. Please take a look at it."

Emperor Hongzhi took a look and saw that the name was very detailed, and he couldn't help but frown: "Why do you only want food but no money?"

"Your Majesty, I believe that people are the foundation of a country. Money can be plundered, but people cannot be created out of thin air to fill the national treasury with foreign food and reduce or reduce taxes for our people..." Zeng Jian said.

Zhu Houzhao interrupted midway and raised his hands happily: "Father, I know this, let me tell you!"

Emperor Hongzhi gave him a disgusted look: "Then tell me."

Zeng Jian's face looked as ugly as if he had eaten a cockroach.

Zhu Houzhao's eyebrows were dancing: "Money can be plundered. If the Ming Dynasty's army is strong, why worry about no one coming to pay tribute? During the Yongle Dynasty, how much property did all the nations bring?

This is all due to the strong national power of the Ming Dynasty.

Nowadays, hunger and cold are raging, and many people in the Ming Dynasty have become refugees. They have lost their fields. If the fields are uncultivated, there will be no food. Without food, the population will wither. What will be used to defend the border?

No matter how much property there is, if it is left to gather dust in Taicang, what's the use?

If we get food from Annam and Siam, we can support the army and strengthen our military strength.

At that time, in order to seek asylum, Annan and other countries will pay tribute to me, the Ming Dynasty, in vain! "

The court suddenly became quiet.

Zhu Houzhao looked around, why didn't anyone praise him for being smart?

"That...Father, I have finished speaking."

As soon as Li Dongyang heard this, he understood the key point.

What an endless cycle.

Li Dongyang couldn't help but marvel: "It seems like a simple request for rice, but it is full of thought. Are these all the thoughts of His Highness?"

"Apart from me, who else is so smart?" Zhu Houzhao's face was not red and his heart was not beating.

Pooh! Shameless!

Zeng Jian actually wanted to say that this was all Yan Chengjin's idea.

However, Yan Chengjin repeatedly warned him not to tell anyone, lest he would be impeached by the official, so he secretly suppressed his impulse.

……………

Wangfu,

Wang Shouren received the order and went as envoy to Siam and Annan. He made a special trip home to say goodbye to his father.

In fact, he has always respected his father in his heart, but Wang Hua didn't like to talk to him.

Wang Shouren knelt on the ground and kowtowed: "My son is going to Siam. This trip may not last more than a few days. Please take care of yourself during these days."

Wang Hua let out a long sigh and pretended to ignore him on weekdays. Now he was going to Annan as an envoy. After all, he was his own flesh and blood, so how could he ignore him like this?

"Are you still so careless about your job?"

Ever since Wang Shouren refused to study the world, Wang Hua could only sigh.

Wang Shouren said: "My son is confused. The saints said that studying the world leads to knowledge, but my son has never found the answer from studying the world."

Wang Hua almost jumped up: "What the saints said, what's wrong, you are so stubborn!"

Wang Shouren was scolded all over, and he was used to it.

Wang Hua also gave up: "Although there should be no obstacles on this trip, you also need to be careful. After finishing the work, don't delay and come back early. Here are some dry food snacks to eat on the way."

As he said, he handed him the package in his hand.

Wang Shouren smiled happily and kowtowed again.

……………

Today, Empress Zhang went to Renshou Palace to visit the Empress Dowager. The Empress Dowager and His Majesty have a deep affection for each other, so Empress Zhang also respects her very much. Knowing that she is lonely in the deep palace, she often comes to talk to her.

Empress Zhang bowed: "These are the snacks brought from Kunning Palace, specially for the Empress Dowager to taste."

"The Empress is thoughtful. I haven't seen Houzhao for many days. I miss him." The Empress Dowager looked at the snacks, but she didn't think about it at all.

Ever since Zhu Houzhao and Yan Chengjin got together, he rarely came to Renshou Palace.

Empress Zhang also knew that the prince often slipped out of the palace recently, so she comforted him: "Tomorrow, I will ask him to come to Renshou Palace to pay respects."

"I heard that the prince often climbed over the wall and slipped out of the palace, and even went through the dog hole?"

Empress Zhang blushed: "Yes."

The Empress Dowager laughed: "The prince is naughty, but men, after getting married, they will settle down."

Yan Chengjin studied in the Ministry of Works. Wang Shouren had been gone for several days. He can now draw a circle with his bare hands.

Zhou Yu sneaked into the Ministry of Works government office, like a thief, looking back every three steps.

Seeing Yan Chengjin, his face lit up, rubbing his hands, and said, "My dear nephew, you are familiar with the prince, do you know what kind of women he likes? Does he like fat ones or thin ones, does he like ladies from a noble family or girls from a small family?"

Yan Chengjin's head buzzed.

Would Zhu Houzhao have ordered him to rob a commoner girl? If Emperor Hongzhi knew about it, he would have to skin them both alive?

Skinning Zhu Houzhao would not matter, but the key point is that the six warriors would be exposed, and he had fooled him...

Yan Chengjin said, "The prince asked the uncle to abduct commoner girls?"

Zhou Yu showed a happy face: "My dear nephew, you misunderstood, it was the queen who intended to choose a concubine for the prince!"

Zhou Yu would naturally not miss this opportunity. Recommending a daughter for the queen would not only make merit, but also make a fortune. Which official would not want his daughter to be elected? He could also make a fortune by using the banner of Emperor Hongzhi.

Yan Chengjin said: "Why didn't the Lord ask His Highness directly?"

Zhou Yu was a little confused: "His Highness said that he likes all women."

Yan Chengjin: "..."