The establishment of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce, the Maritime Chamber of Commerce, and the Jiangnan Chamber of Commerce, as well as the court's recognition of the three major chambers of commerce, greatly stimulated merchant organizations including the Yangtze River Merchants Gang.
Being granted a civilian title naturally means an improvement in social status, and one can jump from a lowly merchant to a scholar who does not have to bow to an official; if one submits a letter directly to the emperor, the emperor will see the advice and suggestions.
The Chamber of Commerce also has officials appointed by the emperor to take charge. When faced with extortion and exploitation by the government, they are the ones who will intervene. Commercial taxes have been raised, but for an organization like the three major chambers of commerce, how many officials would be so daring as to try to take over?
Businessmen are very shrewd, they calculate carefully and analyze the interests thoroughly.
But to gain the imperial court's approval and receive the same treatment as the three major chambers of commerce, you have to find a way! Official recommendations are being cracked down on collusion between officials and businessmen. Who would dare to speak up for them?
Fortunately, there was a businessman who had some friendship with Tang Mo. He came to visit him, said all kinds of nice things, and made all kinds of promises. Naturally, there were also some business benefits. Only then did Tang Mo agree to mention it in the letter to see what the emperor meant.
Tang Mo was a knowledgeable man, and had received guidance from Xia Zhongshi. He could guess a little about Wansui's thoughts, and also knew what Wansui's attitude was towards establishing a chamber of commerce.
Therefore, he was quite confident when he mentioned the Yangtze River Merchants in his memorial. At least, he knew that the Emperor would not be displeased.
Zhu Youxiao did intend to encourage the establishment of the Chamber of Commerce. The signal he sent out was not obvious, but it was not surprising that it was guessed by others.
Using chambers of commerce to gather merchants together, have them pay integrity deposits, conduct self-supervision, and operate with self-discipline. This is more efficient than government inspections.
At least, in the current Ming Dynasty, Zhu Youxiao did not trust the efficiency and ability of the government. Moreover, this also saved the cost of adding officials.
The imperial court's direct rewards and punishments for the chambers of commerce led to relatively high standards for their members. The president had to be both virtuous and wealthy, and relatively influential, in order to be granted a civilian nobility.
If the Chamber of Commerce is established and absorbs those illegal businessmen, wouldn’t it cause trouble for itself?
Over time, merchants might become what Zhu Youxiao hoped they would be: righteous merchants, patriotic merchants, or law-abiding merchants, while the living space of illegal merchants might be squeezed out and eliminated.
Although this was only a concept, Zhu Youxiao was working towards it. The establishment and operation of the three major chambers of commerce showed good signs and gave him great confidence.
The Yangtze River Chamber of Commerce must accept and recognize it, which just makes up for the vertical and horizontal water transportation network that Zhu Youxiao wants to gradually establish.
In ancient times, when there were no airplanes, railways, or highways, water transportation was the most convenient, fastest, and lowest-cost mode of transportation.
The development of maritime transport will enable coastal cities to develop and trade with foreign countries; inland waterway transport will promote the economic development of the interior and greatly speed up the flow of people and money.
As a golden waterway, the Yangtze River's main stream flows through Sichuan, Yunnan, Hunan, Hubei, Jiangxi, Anhui and other provinces, and flows into the East China Sea; hundreds of tributaries converge from the north and south, and extend to Guizhou, Gansu, Shaanxi, Henan, Guangxi, Zhejiang and other provinces.
There is no need to talk about the high-sounding Yangtze River Economic Belt. Even during the Little Ice Age, transporting grain to severely affected areas such as Gansu, Shaanxi and Henan through the Yangtze River was a great feat that saved countless people.
Moreover, as long as the relief food can be transported to the northwest and Henan, even if there is a major famine, it will not lead to civil unrest, let alone become an unmanageable situation in history.
Since Hankou was a rice distribution center, its development was much faster and more convenient. When Huguang is prosperous, the rest of the country is well-fed. The impact of the Little Ice Age was not as severe in the south.
Zhu Youxiao pondered for a moment and wrote back to Tang Mo. He couldn't always establish a chamber of commerce through his own efforts. The specific regulations and rules were almost ready for promulgation. The Ministry of Revenue had established a Commerce Department to review them.
Of course, if those who have made outstanding contributions are to be rewarded with civilian titles, the emperor must issue an imperial decree to commend them.
The two civilian titles of Righteous Merchants and Hardworking Workers were both rewarded. But the biggest reward, after being published in the newspaper, immediately caused a sensation in the court and the country.
If the warriors were not rewarded, then it would be fine. More than 800 people were rewarded at once. They defeated Daishan's Liaonan Corps, captured Amin's flying cavalry and dragon cavalry, and the meritorious officers and soldiers of the Dongjiang headquarters.
Among them, the largest number were from the Liaonan Corps, the backbone of the "Panshi" Mixed Brigade, and the hundreds of surviving officers and soldiers, the lowest of which was level eight and the highest was level six.
In addition to being awarded titles, there were thousands of officers and soldiers who were awarded medals and commendations.
The emperor clearly distinguished between rewards and punishments and was generous in bestowing gifts. His goal was to elevate the status of soldiers and provide huge incentives before the major counterattack.
As for the officers and soldiers who died or were disabled, the emperor once again emphasized that pensions should not be reduced, and care for disabled veterans and military families should not be delayed. Local officials who are negligent will be held accountable and severely punished.
The emperor was never stingy in providing food and wages to the army, or in rewarding military merit. Even when the court finances were insufficient, he was generous in spending from the treasury.
"Long live, long live, long live!"
The cheers of "Long live the army" were inspiring. They came not from the officials or the people, but from the heroic soldiers, loud and passionate.
Zhu Youxiao slowly raised his hand and said in a clear voice, "Stand up."
After being amplified by several specially made iron loudspeakers, the emperor's voice seemed a little dull, but the volume was sufficient for everyone on the parade ground to hear clearly.
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace." The voices were both uniform and loud. The officials from the Ministry of Rites had not taught in vain.
These are the backbone of the Rock Camp who survived hundreds of battles and were ordered to go to Beijing to receive rewards.
The armor, uniforms, and swords were all brand new, and coupled with the murderous aura these people exuded, a few hundred people had the momentum of a mighty army.
The best training is actual combat. Only after this life-and-death battle can we forge such a mighty military might that can sweep away all powerful enemies.
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