Chapter 102 Who are you telling this to?
Hearing what Zhu Chong said, an inexplicable dark light flashed in Old Zhu's eyes, and he nodded after a long time.
"You've really made a lot of progress recently. You've been talking about everything from government and agriculture to commerce. I admit you're good at those three things, but when it comes to industry, you're being a bit alarmist."
"Since the Han and Tang dynasties, no one has ever placed the status of craftsmen in the position you mentioned. Do you also think that the emperors of that time were wrong?"
What Old Zhu said was a bit difficult, but it did not faze Zhu Chong. He had plenty of reasons to prove his point.
"Your Majesty is well-versed in history and present-day knowledge. You must know that we humans are born inferior to beasts in every aspect. Yet, we humans ultimately became the masters of this world, the beings that overwhelm all other living beings."
"And to achieve this, we rely on the various skills and abilities that we humans have continuously explored."
"Humans know how to think and make weapons. No matter how strong a beast is, can it be stronger than a sword or a gun, or a powerful crossbow?"
"Your Majesty, with his proficiency in both civil and military affairs, can surely imagine the situation where two armies encounter each other in the wild, one poorly equipped with only swords, spears, and arrows, while the other is equipped with muskets, cannons, and various powerful bows and crossbows."
"Which of these two armies will ultimately triumph? Your Majesty must already have the answer in mind. But please consider, regardless of the quality of the equipment, who made it? Could scholars, farmers, or merchants have crafted it?"
"It is for this reason that the Ming Dynasty can continue to prosper. Without it, the consequences would be disastrous. For the sake of the Ming Dynasty's eternal prosperity, Your Majesty, I implore you to reconsider!"
"Your son begs your Majesty to reconsider!" Zhu Biao's blood boiled when he heard this, and he knelt on the ground with Zhu Chong.
After hearing Zhu Chong's words, Old Zhu did not refute it immediately as he did before. Instead, he looked solemn and did not say a word for a long time. It was obvious that he was touched by Zhu Chong's words.
Zhu Chong's words opened a new door for him. For the first time, he had a new understanding of the classes of scholars, farmers, merchants and artisans.
It’s just that this time Zhu Chong stuffed too much into him, and Old Zhu couldn’t handle it all at once.
Without industry, the country will not be strong!
Zhu Yuanzhang basically agreed with this principle, but he had to be cautious when it came to changing the future treatment of craftsmen.
It's not for any other reason, but because Lao Zhu is poor now and has no money in his pocket, so he doesn't dare to make a decision casually.
Over the years, he tried to do both, wanting to recuperate and fight the small Northern Yuan Dynasty at the same time. As a result, he messed up both ends. The farmers' taxes were reduced, resulting in an empty treasury, and the empty treasury made it impossible to support the Northern Expedition.
Otherwise, why would he think of using treasure notes to fill the hole? As a result, just when Zhu Chong thought of a way to make money using treasure notes, before he could make money for himself, Zhu Chong gave him this difficult problem again.
"We asked you to work as a supervisor at the Treasury Bank, not to have you deal with things that shouldn't be your concern!"
Zhu Yuanzhang thought about it, his head buzzing, and he couldn't help but get angry. "Do your duty well. If you can't do what I said before, I won't forgive you. Get out!"
"Yes, I'll take my leave!" When Zhu Chong heard what Zhu Yuanzhang said, he was immediately overjoyed. After bowing his head, he stood up and walked out.
As a result, he saw Crown Prince Zhu Biao kneeling on the ground looking at him with a confused look on his face. Thinking of his adopted elder brother's stubborn temper, he was worried that he would ruin his plans, so he quickly dragged him out of the imperial study.
"Second brother, why did you come out?" Zhu Biao looked puzzled. "Why didn't you beg father a little longer? You clearly persuaded father just now, why didn't you beg him again?"
"Brother, you really are..." Zhu Chong couldn't help but shake his head. "You're right. Our father was indeed tempted just now, but once he opens his mouth, the court will have to spend real money to provide relief to the craftsmen. So let me ask you, does the court still have the money now?"
Zhu Biao was speechless when he heard this. He was the crown prince and knew something about the situation of the Ministry of Revenue. The imperial treasury was empty and it was indeed impossible to come up with money to appease the craftsmen and households.
"Your Majesty has no money, and the treasury is empty, but Your Majesty certainly hopes that the craftsmen can continue to serve the country, so a compromise must be adopted."
"Huh?" Zhu Biao was confused by Zhu Chong's words. "Father didn't agree to anything just now. How come I didn't hear that he told you some compromise?"
"Of course I have a solution!" Zhu Chong said firmly, "Our father's attitude is the decision on this matter."
"If the court had money, why would I have to go to my father and say so much? Wouldn't it be better to just give him some money and be done with it?"
"So my father didn't say anything just now, didn't tell me anything. In fact, he was telling me that as long as we can help the court make money and relieve the country's worries, we can do whatever we want. As long as we don't rebel, anything is fine!"
"Ah?" Zhu Biao's eyes widened. "Is that really the case? Are you sure that's what father meant?"
"Who is our father? If he doesn't have this little courage, how can he be the emperor of our Ming Dynasty?" Zhu Chong said carelessly.
"Second brother, you're talking nonsense again!" Zhu Biao's face darkened when he heard Zhu Chong talking nonsense.
But that was all. Zhu Biao certainly couldn't go back to ask Zhu Yuanzhang for confirmation, so he could only let Zhu Chong drag him back to the Baochao Tizhusi.
By the time Zhu Chong and Zhu Biao left, Old Zhu already knew what they had said after they left his imperial study.
After hearing what Mao Xiang had said, Old Zhu smiled slightly and said, "Mao Xiang, do you think our second son's words outside the Imperial Study were meant for the Crown Prince to hear, or were they meant for us?"
Mao Xiang hesitated for a moment before saying, "Your Majesty, I am too dull to discern, but His Royal Highness the Prince of Qin has a heart for his country and his people, as bright as the sun and the moon. I congratulate Your Majesty, and our Ming Dynasty has gained another helping hand!"
"Assistant? Him?" Old Zhu couldn't help but sneer when he heard Mao Xiang praising Zhu Chong. "That kid is smart now, but he's still impulsive. If he weren't our son, he would have had his head chopped off countless times!"
Hearing this, Mao Xiang just laughed along with Lao Zhu and didn't dare to say another word.
After being with Lao Zhu for so long, Mao Xiang could still clearly tell whether what Lao Zhu said just now was happy or unhappy!
"This time, that kid has really taught us a lesson. Let's wait and see what tricks he can come up with!"
Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Mao Xiang. "What's going on with the Jinyiwei of the Baochao Tizhusi? How were they arranged before? They don't even recognize the second brother, and they dare to accuse him of rebellion. When did the Jinyiwei become so overbearing? They're almost catching up with us!"
"I deserve to die, Your Majesty, please punish me!" Mao Xiang didn't expect that Zhu Yuanzhang would change his mind so quickly, so he kowtowed and begged for mercy.
"Alright, alright, you've embarrassed yourself. With so many people, you can't even beat the Second Brother, and you don't even have the foresight to do it. You must immediately reassign the people and fully cooperate with the Second Brother. If anything goes wrong again, we'll hold you accountable!"
"As you wish, I'll do it right away!" Mao Xiang agreed and left in a hurry.
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