Zhu Mo left the Hanlin Academy, his heart still trembling—
He had finally managed to get past it!
As long as the Yan family agreed to establish money houses in Jiangnan and didn't inquire where the money was invested, things would be much easier. When the time was ripe, the funds would be channeled to farmers willing to set up silk workshops, forming an industrial investment. In essence, it would be a weaving bank disguised as a Jiangnan money house.
Once the silk industry achieved scale, the investment returns would be unprecedentedly huge, completely resolving the imperial treasury's financial crisis. And once the financial crisis was resolved, the Yan family's foundation would crumble… Kuaishu.com
It should be known that the Yan faction had become increasingly brazen over the past decade precisely because the imperial treasury was empty. Furthermore, the salt and mining taxes were all in the hands of the Yan faction, especially Yan Maoqing, who controlled the salt administration in Jiangnan. He could be considered the imperial treasury’s direct benefactor.
The first step had been taken; everything else would unfold gradually. It would begin with the weaving bank, and then the restoration of the Yuan De era's "Jiaochao Tiju Division," which was the central bank, to gradually introduce credit currency… In these past few days, he had mastered the system, and his understanding of previously learned knowledge became clear: for the Great Ming to prosper in all industries, relying solely on silver and copper coins would not suffice. Without credit expansion, how could industry develop?
The more he thought about it, the clearer the logic became, yet he felt a degree of disappointment towards Xu Jie and Zhang Juzheng—
The pure officials were too self-serving!
Lacking responsibility, lacking courage!
In the current situation, he was almost fighting alone. The pure officials were unwilling to share the risks, each one more slippery than the last…
"Alas, pure stream, turbid stream, who says clear water doesn't drown people…"
…
Meanwhile,
Xu Jie, Zhang Juzheng, and Gao Gong also arrived at Prince Yu’s mansion.
Prince Yu, Zhu Zaihou, knew that today was Zhu Mo’s first time participating in discussions, and regardless of the outcome, he was anxiously awaiting the results.
After all, although Zhu Mo was formally recommended by Xu Jie, it was actually Prince Yu who initiated the matter. And the reason Prince Yu had brought up Zhu Mo that day was because the eunuch Feng Bao had inadvertently mentioned that the Emperor particularly enjoyed his "qingci" (prose-poems for the emperor) and had been reciting them multiple times in the Yuxi Palace.
Prince Yu was the Emperor’s only son and naturally had no fear of others vying for the throne. As long as he could win the Emperor’s favor, recommending a scholar or two was not an issue. Thus, Prince Yu had to remind Xu Jie, and Xu Jie had no choice but to recommend him.
Upon meeting,
Prince Yu immediately asked, "Elder Xu, what is it? What strategy did young Master Zhu propose?"
Zhang Juzheng, with his meticulous mind, explained Zhu Mo’s strategy in a few words.
Prince Yu, however, listened with some bewilderment. And after Gao Gong explained the opinions of Yan Song and Yan Shifan, Prince Yu surprisingly said, "I think what Yan Shifan said at the end has some truth to it. How can the imperial court compete with the common people for profit? If Zhu Mo causes trouble in Jiangnan, we would not be able to bear the reputation…"
This statement immediately filled Xu Jie and Zhang Juzheng with disappointment!
Why was this Prince Yu so unenlightened? It was already good enough to have a solution and someone willing to take the risk. As the recommender, not supporting was one thing, but undermining it behind their backs was not acceptable…
Seeing all three looking bewildered, Prince Yu thought that he would ultimately have to rely on the pure officials. He then said, "Since the three teachers all agree, I will go and speak with my father, the Emperor."
With that, he took the prepared ritual offerings and hurried to the Yuxi Palace in the Imperial City.
…
Inside the Yuxi Palace,
Jiajing's emotions were in turmoil; he could not meditate.
Lü Fang could see clearly that Jiajing’s face switched between smiles and tears all day; he had not been calm for a moment.
It was clear that
This young man named Zhu Mo, for some unknown reason related to the Emperor, had made this icy emperor restless day and night. Counting back, this state had persisted for over a month…
And since two days ago, the Emperor had been constantly holding that book, "Yun Chao Shu" (A Treatise on Imperial Dynasties), reading it over and over, his expression fluctuating between despair and joy, and muttering to himself from time to time…
Just moments ago, Huang Jin had also reported the cabinet’s public deliberation in the Hanlin Academy. The Emperor was likely very appreciative of Zhu Mo's strategy.
Although his expression was impassive, it did not fool Lü Fang—the more the Emperor internally agreed, the more expressionless he became. And as Huang Jin relayed the message, the Emperor’s complexion grew increasingly cold… This indicated he was a hundred percent in agreement!
The master and servant sat silently until a eunuch reported—
Prince Yu seeks an audience!
…
Prince Yu entered the inner hall of Yuxi Palace with his head bowed and back bent. Lü Fang had set up a stool for him.
Jiajing then opened his eyes and said calmly, "The matter of disaster relief in Jiangnan has been causing a stir for quite some time. What are your thoughts?"
Prince Yu had always feared his imperial father. Seeing his sharp gaze, he trembled and replied, "This humble son has also heard of the public deliberation in the Hanlin Academy. Two strategies were presented: one by the attendant scholar Gao Hanwen, and the other by that Zhu Mo…"
"Oh, which strategy do you believe is feasible?"
Prince Yu, habitually fearful of Jiajing, answered, "Elder Xu and the others all believe Zhu Mo's strategy is feasible…"
"Oh…"
Jiajing closed his eyes and pondered for a moment, then asked:
"What about your own opinion?"
Prince Yu thought that the Emperor most disliked pretentious people and was extremely repulsed by impractical strategies. He immediately replied,
"This humble son believes that the key to governing lies in prudence. Zhu Mo's proposed public debt and money house scheme is truly inconceivable. Even if it holds some merit, its implementation would undoubtedly be extremely difficult and prone to complications, making it hard for the imperial court to control…"
"As the cabinet ministers have said, the imperial court should not compete with the common people for profit. Otherwise, with public outcry, the great cause of resisting Japanese pirates in Jiangnan would become even more passive…"
As Prince Yu spoke, he subtly glanced at Jiajing's expression, but found no trace of emotion, which made him feel a little uncertain. He stammered, "Therefore, this humble son believes that the three matters of resisting pirates, disaster relief, and raising funds should be considered comprehensively. Both Zhu Mo's and Gao Hanwen's strategies can be further deliberated upon…"
As he spoke, his own words echoed in his ears, making him feel somewhat guilty. Jiajing and Lü Fang remained expressionless, and he immediately felt that he might have said something wrong. He promptly stopped speaking.
After a long silence, Jiajing slowly nodded,
"Hmm, I understand…"
"Then, then this humble son shall take his leave…"
Prince Yu could not discern Jiajing's preferences at all and returned home uneasily.
…
Jiajing sat for a while longer before rising and pacing, murmuring,
"Lü Fang, what do you think?"
"Your servant believes that Prince Yu’s words are not without merit—"
Just as he was about to continue, he saw Jiajing cast an angry glare, and immediately closed his mouth.
Jiajing snorted and said,
"You are not being honest either…"
Lü Fang understood his thoughts best and replied, "Your Majesty, Prince Yu is not having an easy time either. He has been trembling with fear for decades, and seeking stability is not wrong… This Great Ming empire will eventually have to be passed on to him. Not causing trouble, not provoking incidents, seeking compromise and balance, is also a way to maintain the dynasty…"
Heh!
Jiajing let out a cold laugh and said, "You only say what sounds good! How to preserve this Great Ming empire is not for you to dictate!"
"Yes. Your servant knows his mistake."
The reason Lü Fang dared to speak in such a manner was because the Emperor only had this one son. If not him, then whom else would it be passed to? Even if he was dissatisfied, it was an unavoidable situation.
In the past, Jiajing would have sighed, but today was different—
His heart was now convinced that Zhu Mo was Zhu Zai Mo!
The Great Ming empire did not necessarily have to be handed over to Prince Yu!