Chapter 151 Misunderstanding
"Since Big Brother doesn't agree with using war or aggression to accomplish what I've said, there are other ways."
Hearing Zhu Chong say there was another way, Zhu Biao immediately breathed a sigh of relief and couldn't help but complain: "Why didn't you say so earlier!"
"Because I don't want to use this method, it's too troublesome!" Zhu Chong said with a look of disgust. "If you don't expand abroad and you can't increase the burden on your own people, then you can only increase the burden on your vassal states."
"Brother, haven't you noticed that the vassal states surrounding our Ming Dynasty are all major grain producers? If they are unable to provide our Ming Dynasty with a large amount of grain every year, that would temporarily solve the problem."
"If the imperial court has food, it naturally won't have to increase taxes on the people. It can even provide aid to those in need. This way, everyone will be happy."
Zhu Biao pondered for a moment and glared at Zhu Chong unhappily, "What kind of stupid idea is this? Do you think those vassal states will listen to us and ship their grain to the Ming Dynasty?"
"Besides, the vassal states are all far away from the Ming Dynasty. Even if they can transport it here, I'm afraid there won't be much left by the time they reach Yingtian Prefecture!"
"Brother, your thinking is still fixed on land transportation." Zhu Chong laughed, "Let's not talk about my cement road for now, let's talk about waterways and sea routes!"
"As I just said, we have to get food from vassal states with abundant grain production. I've carefully examined these vassal states. They are basically all overseas, and they pay tribute to the Ming Dynasty every year."
"We don't want their specialties, we just want food. Let them send food here instead of tribute!"
Upon hearing this, Zhu Biao was even more dismissive. "Second brother, you really don't have the upper hand. You don't know the ins and outs of this. Don't you know that when vassal states pay tribute to the Ming Dynasty, the Ming Dynasty must return the tribute doubled!"
"If you do this, won't you be increasing the burden on the court? Wouldn't that be even more costly than the gains?"
"How could it be that the cost outweighs the gain?" Zhu Chong shook his head. "Brother, you misunderstood me. The grain from the vassal states is worth as little as dirt. Even if we return it to them at several times the market price in their countries, we can still make a profit!"
"And, big brother, have you forgotten that our treasure note policy is for this purpose?"
"When the time comes, we can use our treasure notes to return the gifts to those vassal states. This way, we will definitely not end up losing more than we gain!"
Zhu Chong poured out all the strategies he had thought of in his heart to Zhu Biao. After hearing it, Zhu Biao's eyes suddenly lit up.
According to convention, after vassal states paid tribute to the Ming Dynasty, the rewards they received were basically exchanged for Ming Dynasty currency, that is, gold, silver and copper coins. As a result, over the years, a large amount of gold, silver and copper coins from the Ming Dynasty flowed into the vassal states.
Therefore, if the Baochao policy can be officially implemented in the Ming Dynasty as Zhu Chong said, then naturally the gifts returned to the vassal states can be replaced by Baochao.
Using treasure notes to exchange for food was a completely feasible strategy, and Zhu Biao was immediately happy.
"Why didn't you tell me earlier? I was worried for so long!"
Zhu Chong laughed heartily. "Speaking out earlier wouldn't have had any immediate effect. Big Brother, you must take the overall situation into consideration and understand all the pros and cons before you can make the most accurate judgment. I'm just someone randomly coming up with ideas. How could I possibly say that from the start?"
"Okay, then do as you say. If you need my help, just tell me. If you encounter any difficulties, just come to me and I will help you solve all the problems. If I can't do it, there is still my father!" Zhu Biao became excited and actually made a promise to Zhu Chong.
"That's great. I have a trouble now and need your help!" Seeing Zhu Biao happy, Zhu Chong immediately took advantage of the situation.
"What is it that you can't solve? Why do you need me to help?" Zhu Biao suddenly became curious.
"It's like this..." Zhu Chong then told Zhu Biao everything about how he was humiliated by Old Zhu.
"Brother, do you think our father is being ridiculous? He's actually unwilling to do something that will go down in history!"
After hearing this, Zhu Biao shook his head and laughed out loud, "Second Brother, you really are... What can I say to you? I can't help you with this matter. You'd better give up on this idea!"
"No, you can't do it either?" Zhu Chong wanted to print the portrait of Zhu Yuanzhang on the banknotes to satisfy his design concept of the banknotes. Unexpectedly, neither Zhu Yuanzhang nor Zhu Biao supported it!
For Zhu Chong, having his portrait printed on his country's banknotes is definitely a great thing with no harm and only benefits to him. Why is it like a disaster to Zhu Chong?
Although Lao Zhu is not handsome enough, Zhu Chong has prepared several plans. If it doesn’t work, they can be used as watermarks!
"Don't you really understand?" Zhu Biao saw Zhu Chong's confusion and explained with a smile, "Father is the emperor. An emperor must have the dignity of an emperor. How can a portrait be shown to others so easily? Besides, there are some of Father's own thoughts in it."
"Ah? Is there any hidden secret?" Zhu Chong was shocked and looked at Zhu Biao eagerly.
Zhu Biao laughed and said, "Father, as a commoner, conquered the country and experienced countless battles. He understood only too well how much harm corrupt officials can cause to the people. That's why, even after ascending the throne, he still wanted to visit the people in disguise."
Upon hearing this, Zhu Chong immediately understood. It turned out that Old Zhu still had a complex about pretending to be cool and then getting slapped in the face. He couldn't help but laugh.
"What are you laughing at?" Zhu Biao clearly noticed the disapproval in Zhu Chong's laughter.
"Brother, don't you think it's funny?" Zhu Chong didn't hide it, "Our father wants to be Zhuge Liang. He's not afraid of working himself to death!"
"We have so many officials in the Ming Dynasty. Shouldn't professionals do their own things? He's the emperor, so he should do what an emperor should do. Going on incognito visits is what the censors should do. How can our father steal their jobs? Is that interesting?"
"Ah?" Zhu Biao was stunned when he heard this, and subconsciously retorted: "No, second brother, you may have misunderstood..."
"No misunderstanding!" Zhu Chong waved his hand to interrupt Zhu Biao. "No matter whether our father's intentions were good or not, since he established the Censorate, he should have handed these matters over to the Censors instead of focusing on these trivial matters. He doesn't have a lot of free time!"
"He's just one person, and the Ming Dynasty is so vast. How much impact can he achieve by going on an incognito tour? How many people can he win over? To be honest, our father's actions are a bit of a fame-seeking act!"
"Second brother, you are being unreasonable again!" Zhu Biao was frightened. He had heard Zhu Chong say too many treasonous words today. But deep down, Zhu Biao also thought that what Zhu Chong said was correct, but he could never support it.
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