Trade on the open seas has never ceased. Previously, it was smuggling. After the establishment of the Maritime Customs during the Longqing period, trade became even more rampant. The imperial court permitted overseas trade, but the problem was that it was tax-free.
In the past two years, with the encouragement of Zhu Youxiao, business has flourished, the products of the Ming Dynasty have become much more abundant, and foreign trade has naturally become more prosperous.
Under such circumstances, money continued to flow in.
Zhu Youxiao had observed that the value of silver had increased significantly in recent years. Although there had not yet been a significant depreciation, there was already a trend towards this.
Zhu Youxiao's Imperial Household Department had already collected a large amount of silver. After conquering Japan, Zhu Youxiao was ready to formally incorporate silver into the monetary system.
Zhu Youxiao was very clear about what was happening in Zhejiang.
In order to sell silk for foreign trade, Zhejiang merchants converted their land into mulberry fields instead of growing rice. This practice was intended to increase their own economic income, but in fact it undermined the interests of the entire country.
Not to mention businesses that don't pay taxes, it's unacceptable for ordinary people to go without food in any era. Large areas of land were converted into mulberry fields and rice was no longer grown.
Future generations will have to defend the red line of 1.8 billion mu of arable land, let alone now?
But some things cannot be reversed.
Zhu Youxiao looked at Li Chaosheng beside him and asked, "Did someone ask you?"
Li Chaosheng quickly shook his head and said, "I'm just a little worried. Eunuch Wei seems to be making some moves over there."
Wei Zhongxian?
Zhu Youxiao hadn't expected this. Could it be that he had discovered something there? That's why he ran to Zhejiang?
Zhu Youxiao learned about Wei Zhongxian's situation in Zhejiang after he arrived in Nanjing.
During the last trip to Yangzhou, the Hui merchants were punished, and the Zhejiang merchants were also affected, but more importantly, the Hui merchants and Shanxi merchants were also affected.
Is Wei Zhongxian going to deal with them this time?
Zhu Youxiao asked, "What is he doing?"
"Your Majesty, Eunuch Wei is investigating how many mulberry fields there are in Zhejiang, who they belong to, what they were used to grow, how many people are weaving, and how many workshops there are."
Li Chaosheng quickly said, "Your Majesty, I think Zhejiang should not be moved rashly, otherwise it will easily cause chaos."
"Do you know where Zhejiang has bought its grain over the past two years?" Zhu Youxiao looked at Li Chaosheng and asked, "From the surrounding provinces?"
"Your Majesty, most of them come from Huguang." Li Chaosheng said hurriedly.
Zhu Youxiao nodded.
While the saying "When Huguang is prosperous, the rest of the world is well fed" is an exaggeration, Huguang's grain industry is very developed and its yields are very high. With the promotion of new rice varieties, production has increased again.
With the addition of corn, potatoes, and sweet potatoes, the Ming Dynasty actually had enough food in recent years. The only problem was the imbalance.
In some areas, droughts have made it difficult to transport food. This has already happened in Shanxi and Shaanxi over the past two years.
Although preparations had been made, it was still a bit tricky to deal with. The best way was to divert the people, recruiting some to work in the capital, some to Zhangjiakou, and some to do business on the grasslands, thus reducing the pressure on the court.
Zhejiang is close to Huguang, so food is naturally not a problem. Although I don't farm, I don't lack food.
Zhu Youxiao always felt that Wei Zhongxian's investigation of these things seemed to have nothing to do with the rice-to-mulberry conversion. Li Chaosheng said this, probably out of concern.
Besides Li Chaosheng, the businessmen in Zhejiang must also be worried. They are worried that their own businesses will be in trouble.
The silk business has made a lot of money in recent years. With the emergence of various stores with royal banners, this luxury product is almost established. The prices are rising exponentially, and the prices of top-quality materials are even more expensive.
Mulberry leaves are crucial for silkworm rearing and silk reeling. Without good mulberry leaves, there will be no good silkworms, and thus no good silk. Even the slightest fluctuation can lead to problems.
"Your Majesty, ever since Eunuch Wei arrived in Zhejiang, the prices of raw silk and silk in the market have risen accordingly. If this continues, I'm afraid something bad will happen!" Li Chaosheng said with some concern.
Zhu Youxiao nodded and said, "I'll go to Zhejiang to take a look."
After hearing this, Li Chaosheng was slightly stunned. His expression did not ease at all, but became even more worried.
Your Majesty is actually going to Zhejiang?
Isn't one Eunuch Wei enough? Your Majesty actually wants to go in person?
It's over now!
Once this news gets out, won’t the price of raw silk continue to rise?
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