Those who were granted the title could wear silk, did not have to bow when meeting officials, and the regulations on their residences and vehicles were the same as those of officials of the same rank. They could supervise local governments and submit petitions to the court... Well, it sounds very honorable.
But in reality, the privileges granted to the nobility were very limited.
For example, compared with the Western Han Dynasty, firstly, there was no preferential treatment of exemption from punishment or reduction of sentence, and secondly, there was no reduction in taxes and labor service.
As for not bowing when meeting officials, supervising the government, and directly submitting letters, it was a natural move for Zhu Youxiao, who had long wanted to use civilian power to monitor officials, recruit talents, and listen to opinions widely.
The common people and the wealthy sea merchants were all common people. They were incomparable to the officials and merchants in the mainland. They were sea merchants, overseas treacherous people, profiteers, and even had the name "Japanese pirates".
Therefore, for Li Dan and Yan Siqi, if they could use money to buy an improvement in their status and be able to stand with their heads held high in front of officials, they would definitely not hesitate.
Now, this opportunity is right in front of them, and they don't have to spend any money. Of course, it's not given for free, the operation of this maritime chamber of commerce requires their dedication.
Zhu Youxiao looked at the changing expressions of the two sea tycoons below and the glances they exchanged with each other, and suddenly felt as if he had guessed what they were thinking, and what he was about to say seemed to be more effective.
After a light, dry cough, Zhu Youxiao slowly spoke as Li Dan and Yan Siqi glanced at him, "Merchants, carrying tens of thousands of dollars, brave the dangers of storms, endure humiliation from customs officials, and endure insults in the marketplace. They work incredibly hard. How can they be despised?"
After a pause, Zhu Youxiao continued, "The world is bustling with people, all for profit. The world is bustling with people, all for profit. As long as you abide by the law and make money in a proper way, there is no need for you to worry and despise yourself."
This defines the Chinese seafaring merchants, a golden statement that can be called a vindication. As for the premise of abiding by the law, what does it matter?
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty!" Li Dan and Yan Siqi knelt in thanks. "We are willing to serve you and devote all our energy to running this Maritime Merchants Guild."
Zhu Youxiao nodded slightly and waved to the palace maid beside him.
"Merchant Li Dan, whose livelihoods depend on seafaring and fishing, lives on the scarcity of arable land for coastal residents. Now that he has been able to revere Heaven and uphold virtue, cleansing his heart in gratitude to China, he is specially granted the sixth-rank civilian title of "Yi Shang" and awarded the sixth-rank medal and clothing..."
"Sea merchant Yan Siqi... was granted the sixth-rank civilian nobility of "Yi Shang" and awarded sixth-rank medals and clothing..."
Li Dan and Yan Siqi were overjoyed and bowed their heads heavily, saying, "We thank Your Majesty for your great grace. Long live His Majesty, long live His Majesty, long, long live His Majesty."
Zhu Youxiao chuckled and said, "Now that you have been conferred the title, there is no need to call yourself a commoner anymore. No need to formalize, please take a seat."
As he spoke, Zhu Youxiao instructed the palace servants, "Call Wu Zheng over."
"The Maritime Merchants Association will be established in Shanghai, with Li Dan as president and Yan Siqi as deputy." Zhu Youxiao turned to Li Dan and Yan Siqi and said, "Wu Zheng will temporarily serve as the Observer to assist you."
"Yes, this humble official..."
Li Dan and Yan Siqi looked at each other. They had different opinions but kept talking at the same time, which was quite awkward.
Zhu Youxiao was unconcerned and said with a smile, "We will work together in the future, but we must not undermine each other or compete with each other. Going to the East and the West, there are huge markets. I hope that we, the Ming merchants, can monopolize them in the future."
"Yes, I (this humble official) will obey the Holy Order (and dare not disobey with all my heart)..."
Zhu Youxiao was also somewhat helpless. After all, he could not compare with the officials in the court. Many people spoke in a coherent manner and were very experienced!
"Li Dan is from Quanzhou, and Yan Siqi is from Haicheng, Zhangzhou." Zhu Youxiao pointed at the robes bestowed upon them and said, "Don't rush back home in glory. Let's finish the business of the Sea Merchants Association first."
Li Dan and Yan Siqi glanced at each other, afraid they would stray off topic again. Yan Siqi secretly rolled his eyes and raised his chin, signaling Li Dan to speak.
You are the boss and I am the deputy. You are the boss, so you speak first!
After Wu Zheng entered the hall, Zhu Youxiao gave some more instructions and asked the three of them to leave and discuss the various matters concerning the establishment of the Maritime Chamber of Commerce.
Are two big sea merchants, or pirates, worthy of Zhu Youxiao's condescension?
Zhu Youxiao was also helpless. The killing of Wufeng ship owner Wang Zhi was really too cruel.
If possible, Zhu Youxiao would have liked to pull Wang Bengu, who hated evil and was clear about right and wrong, in front of him and give him a hard knock on the head.
Now, with the navy insufficient, recruiting sea merchants to compete with the Western barbarians and monopolize the East Asian shipping routes is also a shortcut with the fastest results.
Zhu Youxiao was a little surprised that he could take down Li Dan and Yan Siqi in one fell swoop.
In his prediction, Yan Siqi should have a good grasp of the situation. Being young, he was more adventurous, and he had Yang Tiansheng as his lobbyist.
As for Li Dan, Zhu Youxiao felt that he was too old and didn't seem to have many years left to live.
Therefore, he did not have much hope that Li Dan would be among the first group to come and join the army.
Zhu Youxiao thought that only after Yan Siqi or other sea merchants were treated well and valued would Li Dan, the giant crocodile of the East China Sea, be attracted.
Obviously, Zhu Youxiao had not yet fully integrated into the Ming Dynasty and had not yet fully adapted to this feudal society, or he had retained too many characteristics of later generations in his thinking.
Therefore, Zhu Youxiao may have underestimated the favor an emperor bestowed on his subjects, even if it was just a little bit, which would produce unexpected results.
Similarly, Zhu Youxiao also underestimated the wandering sea merchants' longing for their homeland, their obsession with returning to their clans, and their eagerness to return to their roots.
It’s just a small wish: an identity recognized by the country, the ability to return home with peace of mind, join the clan, and be buried in the hometown after death.
Just like Zheng Zhilong, who dominated the East Asian coast in history, his strength far exceeded that of the Ming Dynasty navy, but he always had the obsession to be recruited and return to his hometown on land.
Of course, Zhu Youxiao's actions changed history again. The Eighteen Zhi that dominated the world during the Age of Exploration would definitely not appear again.
………………
For ordinary people in the Ming Dynasty, there was no obvious change in life, and it was even the same as before.
As for the court's policies and official changes, they were not very clear about them and did not have the time to pay attention to them.
But the reform has already begun. It will spread from the capital, gradually be promoted, and spread from top to bottom. Sooner or later, the people will feel the impact on themselves.
Now the spring breeze of reform has spread from the court to the vassal states in various places, allowing these royal relatives to feel it firsthand.
Starting with Prince Fu of Luoyang, the land granted to the princes was taken back one by one. More or less, the emperor had to pay the money he had borrowed.
There was no way around it. The emperor had already set up Prince Fu as an example for the princes.
Prince Zheng of Huaiqing sold slaves privately and kept guests in violation of ancestral rules, so he was arrested and brought to the capital. The abolition of the vassal state also made the vassal king see the emperor's determination.
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