Zhu Ying is not an expert in history, so at this time, you need to look up information.

The establishment of the Ming Dynasty was less than a hundred years after the Song Dynasty, so the preservation of many materials and books was relatively intact.

Under Zhu Ying's instructions, Guo Zhong quickly brought over the classics related to the Song Dynasty.

When Zhu Ying saw more than a dozen large boxes being carried over by the eunuchs, he was a little confused.

How to check this?

Guo Zhong introduced them attentively: "Your Highness, these two are scholars who specialize in the study of the Song Dynasty. Most of the classics here were sorted and compiled by them."

"Your Highness, if there is anything you need to look up, perhaps it would be quicker to just ask."

Zhu Ying looked at Guo Zhong with admiration.

Although Guo Zhong was assigned by the old man, his presence in Zhu Ying's place is not strong.

Except for the early introduction of an official, Zhu Ying had no use for most of it.

Zhu Ying has his own power, and people like Zhang Bo and Ye Yueqing will be more familiar with everything.

So I subconsciously ignored Guo Zhong.

It now seems that Guo Zhong is still very attentive to details.

Receiving the approving look from His Royal Highness Chang Sun, Guo Zhong knew that his approach was effective.

Guo Zhong knew very well that perhaps he could not compare to Liu He, but as the eunuch in charge of writing in the Imperial Household Department, he was already the second in command among all the eunuchs in the entire imperial palace.

In fact, in more aspects, Guo Zhong is responsible for more affairs, or in more aspects of power, than Liu He.

Liu He needs to serve His Majesty personally, and there are many things that he cannot do personally.

If Guo Zhong wants to keep his position as the second-in-command, His Royal Highness Changsun is an obstacle he cannot avoid.

Ever since he started serving His Royal Highness Chang Sun, he has been thinking about how to make his presence felt.

This opportunity was obviously seized.

To the royal family, eunuchs were like household slaves; a look of approval was enough for them.

Next, Zhu Ying began to ask the two scholars from the Hanlin Academy about everything related to the Song Dynasty.

The main focus is on economic income.

From a historical perspective, the progress of dynasties has always been forward-looking.

If it were a backward dynasty, it would not be able to last for too long.

Regarding the Song Dynasty, both people in later generations and people today have only a vague concept about it: a weak Song Dynasty.

People who have studied history generally feel that this was a very weak dynasty that valued culture over military affairs and was always at the receiving end of attacks.

But leaving aside the military, from the perspective of economy, people's happiness index, social prosperity and other aspects, the Song Dynasty has actually reached the peak of historical dynasties.

The most obvious manifestation of this is the fiscal revenue of the national treasury.

Of the Song Dynasty's fiscal revenue, commercial taxes accounted for 70%, while agricultural taxes accounted for only 30%.

That is the Song Dynasty, a dynasty in which the country and the people were truly prosperous.

In the current Ming Dynasty, agricultural taxes account for 80%, while commercial taxes only account for 20%.

In terms of urbanization construction, it is also far inferior to the Song Dynasty.

The above contents were basically introduced by the slightly plump Hanlin scholar in front of me.

"It would be great if the economy of our Ming Dynasty could develop to the same scale as that of the Song Dynasty."

Zhu Ying thought to himself, and then looked at another Hanlin scholar who had a much more serious and gloomy expression.

"Do you have anything else to add?" he asked.

The dark-faced scholar bowed and said, "Just now my colleague introduced the beauty of the Song Dynasty, such as the prosperity of Bianjing."

"Then I will now tell you about the darkness beneath this light."

Zhu Ying's eyes moved slightly when he heard this, and he said, "Okay, then you can tell me about it."

The black-faced scholar began to introduce himself.

Behind the prosperity of the classics economy in the Song Dynasty was a huge exploitation of the people.

The reason why the fiscal revenue of the Song Dynasty was so high was because the Song Dynasty madly exploited the people. Although every dynasty has exploited the people, the exploitation of the people by the Song Dynasty was particularly severe.

The Song Dynasty was the only dynasty in the Central Plains that lost the core territories of the Han people, the Central Plains and the south, to foreign enemies. It was the first time that the Han people were completely destroyed by foreign enemies.

The Song Dynasty was not only militarily weak, but also politically corrupt and severely corrupt, and the people's livelihood was very poor.

There was a huge gap between the rich and the poor in the Song Dynasty, and the extremely severe exploitation of the people led to the custom of infanticide. The widespread phenomenon of infanticide did not start in other dynasties, but in the Song Dynasty.

Why was there no large-scale peasant uprising in the Song Dynasty?

Because the Northern Song Dynasty and the Southern Song Dynasty were destroyed by foreign enemies before the contradictions accumulated to the point where peasant uprisings developed into large-scale peasant uprisings.

You must know that when the Ming Dynasty was established, it was under the banner of "Reopening the Song Dynasty" and Zhu Yuanzhang declared that he would restore the enlightened rule of the Song Dynasty.

But soon, this voice disappeared because Zhu Yuanzhang saw the miserable lives of the people while the literati were praising the Song Dynasty in the classics.

"What's your name?" Zhu Ying asked the black-faced scholar.

Due to the huge gap in status, the two scholars were not even qualified to introduce their names until Zhu Ying asked.

The dark-faced scholar's face might be too dark, and when he heard the question from His Royal Highness Chang Sun, no emotion could be seen on his face.

Under the envious gaze of another scholar, he slowly said: "Your Highness, Li Weiliang, pays homage to His Royal Highness Changsun."

Zhu Ying nodded.

This name is unfamiliar. Zhu Ying's memory is pretty good. Since this name is unfamiliar, it means that Li Weiliang has not left any trace in the history of the Ming Dynasty.

"I am missing a study companion. If you are willing, how about you study with me?"

Zhu Ying asked.

He admires Li Weiliang very much.

The biggest reason is that this person dares to speak out.

Under the royal majesty, most people would only say nice things, like the pale-faced scholar just now.

But Li Weiliang is different. Not only does he dare to speak out, but he also cares about the people in his heart.

Officials who care about the people will not have bad character.

"I thank your Highness."

Upon hearing this, Li Weiliang knelt on the ground and kowtowed with excitement.

Before coming, the two only knew from Guo Zhong that the person in front of them was His Royal Highness Chang Sun.

But after arriving at Kunning Palace, they realized how important the concept of His Royal Highness Chang Sun was.

What happened in Kunning Palace is no secret in the palace.

Although they were somewhat puzzled by the appearance of His Royal Highness Chang Sun, they were not qualified to ask more questions.

Being a study partner of His Royal Highness Changsun is a step to heaven for a Hanlin scholar.

Just like Huang Zicheng.

"You should step down first."

Zhu Ying instructed another pale-faced scholar.

After the white-faced scholar left, Zhu Ying asked Li Weiliang, "Do you have any suggestions for the current Ming Dynasty, especially in terms of system?"

Upon hearing this, Li Weiliang moved his lips but did not speak, and turned his gaze to Guo Zhong.

"Okay, you can go down too. I will have a good chat with Li Hanlin."

Li Weiliang seemed to be wary of Guo Zhong, perhaps because he had suffered losses at the hands of eunuchs before.

Only after Guo Zhong left did he have the idea of ​​giving advice.

Zhu Ying was very good at judging people. After all, the people of the Ming Dynasty were not as cunning as those in later generations, so it was relatively easier to see through them.

Especially honest people.

It is obvious that Li Weiliang is an honest man and a straightforward person.

Then he said, "Your Highness, in my opinion, the current Ming Dynasty is far superior to the former Song Dynasty in all aspects, but in the field of business, there is a huge gap compared with the Song Dynasty."

"The main reason, in my opinion, is that the former Song Dynasty did not have strong restrictions on merchants, and even encouraged their development."

"In contrast, in the Ming Dynasty today, the maritime ban has blocked maritime trade, civilians are prohibited from moving around, and merchants are subject to restrictions. Although commercial taxes are low, the overall prosperity cannot be compared with that of the former Song Dynasty."

When Zhu Ying heard this, he was extremely surprised.

It is really outrageous that such a person could get the position of Hanlin Bachelor.

If these words reach the old man's ears.

It was basically impossible for Li Weiliang to see the sun the next day.

No wonder he wanted Guo Zhong to leave just now. He really dares to speak out his feelings.

"You know that what you just said is enough to put your life in danger." Zhu Ying asked in a deep voice.

Li Weiliang bowed his head and said, "I understand, but this is the fact. These are what I think in my heart, and they are also the most real situation at present."

Zhu Ying did not ask further questions, but instead asked: "I think he is a smart man, why do you dare to say these things in front of me?"

Li Weiliang did not hesitate and explained frankly: "Your Highness has read the ancient books of the Song Dynasty, and I have some guesses in my mind."

"After I told you about the plight of the people of the former Song Dynasty, your Highness's reaction told me that your Highness truly cares about the people and the Ming Dynasty."

"So I dare to speak, and I can speak."

Zhu Ying smiled and said, "What a man who dares to speak and can say it. I never thought that in the Hanlin Academy, among the literati, there is a person like Li Hanlin."

"What you said is also what I am thinking about now."

"The annual revenue of the Ministry of Revenue of the former Song Dynasty far exceeds that of the Ming Dynasty. This king is also thinking about how to increase the annual revenue of the Ming Dynasty."

"Now it seems that you are an expert in this area."

Hearing Zhu Ying's praise, Li Weiliang quickly bowed and said, "I only have a few ideas, and I don't deserve such praise from Your Highness."

Zhu Ying said: "I will not hide it from you. The main reason for the maritime ban is the Japanese pirates. Now the Ming Dynasty has two armies led by the Prince of Yan and the Prince of Jin."

"Go to the coastal areas ravaged by Japanese pirates and eliminate their hidden dangers."

"Not only that, we will also go directly to Japan in the spring of next year."

"In Korea, there are already 150,000 troops. Two months later, they will march to Tsushima Island and directly attack Japan."

"In the future, the maritime ban will be lifted and the Maritime Silk Road will be reopened."

Upon hearing this, Li Weiliang said, "I don't understand military affairs, so I dare not make any rash comments. But if the maritime ban is lifted, the annual revenue of the Ministry of Revenue of the Ming Dynasty will increase significantly."

If someone else said this, he would probably not want to answer, but when Li Weiliang said this, Zhu Ying knew that he really didn't understand.

"So in your opinion, should we release the people from their bondage now?"

Zhu Ying asked.

Li Weiliang shook his head and said, "You can't do that. The focus of the Ming Dynasty right now is still on the food problem. Your Majesty has a thorough understanding of this, so he restricted the movement of the people."

"Only by vigorously restoring farming and initially ensuring that the people are well fed can we free them from the shackles and open up trade."

Zhu Ying nodded. From this aspect, it can be seen that Li Weiliang is indeed a good talent.

In fact, in terms of IQ and knowledge, many people are like Yao Guangxiao, who have ambitions but cannot realize them.

This is true for great figures such as Li Bai and Du Fu, who are famous in later generations.

Not to mention those unknown people who haven't even made a splash in the long river.

"That's it for today. Tomorrow the king will have someone issue a document. From now on you will be my companion." Zhu Ying said, looking at the sky.

It is already dinner time, and he will have dinner with the old man later. This was something they had agreed to long ago, and there is no time to delay.

"I obey your order."

From beginning to end, Zhu Ying did not see any emotional fluctuations on Li Weiliang's face.

However, there was a big change in tone, and the excitement was obvious.

Zhu Ying reacted.

It turns out this guy has facial paralysis.

"Yueqing, contact Guo Zhong and check Li Hanlin's resume. Let me take a look at it then."

"I am quite surprised that there is someone like him in the Hanlin Academy."

Zhu Ying said with some emotion.

This guy is really brave. He dares to say this when we meet for the first time.

Whether it was taking advantage of opportunities or other aspects, it had to be said that it attracted Zhu Ying's attention.

"Yes, sir."

Ye Yueqing replied.

Things here were almost dealt with. Zhu Ying stood up and stretched. Feeling a little hungry, he went to the Huagai Palace.

Just when Zhu Ying was about to leave, there was a sudden noise outside.

Soon, Zhu Ying saw Zhu Gaochi jogging towards them in a panic. There were two eunuchs beside him who wanted to stop him, but they didn't know where to start.

After all, Zhu Gaochi was the emperor's grandson, and they didn't dare to take action when he was charging forward.

"Brother! Brother! Please save my aunt, please save my aunt!"

When Zhu Gaochi saw Zhu Ying from afar, he began to shout loudly.

Zhu Ying waved his hand, and the eunuchs blocking Zhu Gaochi immediately moved aside.

"Don't worry, tell me what's going on."

Zhu Ying asked. It was the first time he saw Zhu Gaochi running so fast and out of breath. It was obvious that something big had happened.

Zhu Gaochi wanted to speak, but he couldn't catch his breath, so he kept coughing and his face turned red.

Guo Zhong hurried forward and gently patted Zhu Gaochi's back, and he finally recovered.

"Brother, it's bad. It seems my aunt has been kidnapped."

After Zhu Gaochi caught his breath, he quickly spoke.

"What exactly happened? Tell me in detail. Don't leave anything out."

Zhu Ying asked in a deep voice.

When Zhu Gaochi heard his elder brother say this, he calmed down and began to explain Xu Miaojin's situation.

It turned out that after the last Chinese Valentine's Day, Xu Miaojin had been trying to sneak out of the house and always came to Prince Yan's Mansion.

The reason, naturally, was to let Zhu Gaochi contact Zhu Ying again.

But yesterday, someone from the Xu residence suddenly came over and asked if anyone had seen Xu Miaojin.

After some communication, everyone discovered that Xu Miaojin was missing.

In this world, especially in the capital, there is only one possibility for disappearance.