Zhang Weixian didn't expose his intentions, but simply chuckled and continued, "Many mansions in the capital are planning to replace their glass windows, and there are probably even more wealthy people in Jiangnan. So, glass is very profitable!"
Zhu Chunchen blinked his eyes and speculated, "Making money shouldn't be a problem. The mirror alone is very expensive."
Zhang Weixian glanced at Zhu Chunchen and said, "This is originally the royal family's business. Your Majesty is willing to share the profits. What else is there to be dissatisfied about, Brother Zhu?"
Zhu Chunchen quickly waved his hand and said, "It's not that I'm dissatisfied, but I feel that such a rigid treatment is somewhat inappropriate."
Zhang Weixian looked down on Zhu Chunchen a little. He didn't even dare to express his dissatisfaction. How could he find an ally? Did he want to argue with the emperor?
Not to mention that he was just a duke with no power, even if he was a prince, wouldn’t the emperor still arrest him and bring him to the capital to be imprisoned for reflection?
"Your Majesty has made his decision. We are his subjects, so we will follow his orders." Zhang Weixian said calmly, "The thunder and rain are all the emperor's grace. Brother Zhu, don't you understand this?"
When Zhu Chunchen saw Zhang Weixian say this, it was like closing the conversation. Let alone making you lose money, even confiscating your property and exterminating your entire family was just an imperial decree.
Zhu Chunchen opened his mouth, forced an ugly smile on his face, raised his glass and signaled to Zhang Weixian to stop talking about this matter.
The emperor had sharp spies, and Zhang Weixian, Zhu Chunchen, and even the nobles in the capital all knew about it.
In the court, the emperor casually pulled out some intelligence and explained the situation of Zhu Chunchen's family clearly. This not only left Zhu Chunchen unable to even quibble, but also served as a deterrent to everyone.
In fact, if it was just about making money from the shares, Zhu Chunchen and other nobles would not have been too opposed. The emperor even took out the most profitable products, such as glass and mirrors, so it was certain that he would just sit back and reap the dividends.
However, there was one point: 30% of the annual profits would be invested in public welfare, which greatly displeased the nobles. Charity should be voluntary, shouldn't it be forced upon them? They had to do it even if they didn't want to.
By the time you volunteer, the sun will have to rise from the west!
Zhu Youxiao was too lazy to complain about this. What kind of moral character do you have? You can still volunteer to do charity? The country is about to perish, the capital is about to be destroyed, and you still hold on to your money and don't give a penny?
Anyway, I'm going to block your path to wealth. As for investing, it's completely voluntary, and I don't need your little money. If you really want to be shameless, it'll be easy to find a reason to deal with you.
I'm not exaggerating. As long as I want, I can know which wife you slept with last night.
After Zhu Youxiao manipulated the nobles in the capital, he turned his attention to finance.
Although hard work has alleviated the financial difficulties, it is still far from being well-off.
The key point is that the current war has not brought any benefits to the Ming Dynasty, nor has it robbed any wealth. Food, supplies, weapons and ammunition are all investments with no return.
Moreover, this situation will continue until the end of the war. And the annual military expenditure of several million silver is indeed not so easy to raise.
Another area where money is wasted without any return is the navy. Building ships and guns, as well as training officers and soldiers, is also a huge expense.
How could a single sea training mission cost so much? Zhu Youxiao's eyes widened. He looked at the figures carefully and found that live-fire shooting accounted for the majority of the money.
Does the navy love to fire cannons so much? Zhu Youxiao grinned and approved of such expenses.
The red cannon, the gunpowder and shells are not cheap. Every shot fired costs a lot of money!
But Zhu Youxiao was reluctant to tell Shen Yourong to be more frugal because he knew that it would be difficult to achieve a fast and accurate firing rate without repeated training.
Moreover, ships are different from land ships, and the requirements for gunners are higher. They must gain experience and master the rules through practice.
Well, if live-fire training can improve the combat effectiveness of the Ming Navy, we can get it back later.
Zhu Youxiao gritted his teeth and wrote a letter to Shen Yourong, praising her. At such an old age, he was still tossing and turning on the sea. This alone was worthy of praise.
Shouldn't the army's artillery training be saved a bit? Zhu Youxiao wasn't sure if the solid shells fired could be recovered and used.
But no matter whether it is possible or not, the money has to be spent, and you have to pay it even if you grit your teeth!
……………………Dividing line…………………………
Pi Island.
The atmosphere in the conference hall was solemn. Everyone present was silent, immersed in thinking, weighing and shocking the news they had just received.
Originally, the war was developing in a direction favorable to the Ming army. Even if the Jiannu could not be eliminated in the short term, the siege and blockade would put them in a more difficult situation.
But at this moment, problems arose in North Korea, which is one of the four links in the arrangement, causing people to worry about the subsequent impact.
The news had just arrived that Prince Yangyang of Joseon, Yi Jong, had joined forces with civil and military officials to launch a coup, deposing his uncle, Prince Gwanghae, and seizing the throne.
Lee Jong accepted congratulations from all officials in Gyeongun Palace, promulgated his accession to the throne, and issued a general amnesty throughout the country. He became King Injo of Joseon. This coup is also known as the "Injo Restoration."
Currently, Lee Jong is purging the Daebuk faction bureaucrats and Gwanghaegun's favorite concubines and ministers, and is employing southerners and westerners who lost power during Gwanghaegun's time.
Everyone on Pidao Island, including Mao Wenlong, was worried about whether Korea's attitude towards the Later Jin and Ming dynasties would change after the change of ownership, and what impact would that have on the implementation of this year's strategy?
Mao Wenlong spoke slowly, breaking the silence in the room. "In my opinion, if Li Jong ascends the throne, it may be more beneficial to our Ming Dynasty and Dongjiang. Gwanghaegun is ungrateful and unfaithful, and he fears the will of heaven and harbors two hearts. His dethronement may be a good thing."
Mao Wenlong had complaints about Gwanghaegun.
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