Zhu Di: My fourth son is a great emperor of all time?

Chapter 96 From Cook to Bed and Breakfast: Trade Reflects Human Nature
In Xunzhou, Prince Qi implemented a series of measures that promoted employment and increased the income of the local people. This could be a long story, and we'll dedicate a separate section to it later. For now, let's turn our attention back to how Prince Qi increased income.

After passing Prince Qi's examination and obtaining the certificate of a master chef of Xun cuisine, Prince Qi would recommend them for employment in the residences of officials and wealthy merchants he knew.

One-tenth of the income must be turned over to the Xunzhou Treasury.

These funds will be used for the Xunzhou Vocational Training Program, teaching more Xunzhou residents a skill that will enable them to make a living.

Zhu Di was worried that his imperial meal had not yet arrived, and he was very unhappy. He thought that although Zhu Gaoshuo's measures could increase the income of the people, disputes would inevitably arise wherever money went.

[You should know that back then, for an ordinary family, three taels of silver was enough for a year's food, clothing, and daily necessities.]

[A chef who goes out to work as a renowned chef specializing in Xun cuisine can earn fifteen taels of silver after deducting fees!]

What?! So many?!
Wouldn't that mean everyone would become a chef?
The foundation of Xunzhou will be shaken!

With no one cultivating the land, the fields lying fallow, and military affairs in disarray, what kind of state is this!
When the dog returned, Zhu Di was sulking at the sky. He didn't dare ask, and could only quietly watch.

Our founding emperor, as one of the greatest emperors in Chinese history, naturally had a long-term vision. He wasn't after the fifteen taels of silver; rather, he wanted to show everyone a fair system where hard work should be rewarded.

[What about those who don't want to be cooks or travel? Even better! There isn't much farmland in Xunzhou. If you cultivate even one acre of wasteland, Prince Qi will exempt you from taxes for that year and even reward you with farming tools!]

Over the years, our Xunzhou has developed into a vast expanse of fertile fields, much like the Jiangnan region by the sea.

With land, the people had food to eat and could live in peace.

[You can also exchange worn-out farm tools for new ones at the supply depot!]

What?! They've actually reclaimed so much fertile land!

The fields are all lush and green, with plants taller than a person—are they all grains?!

And what are those things that look like black military tents erected on the farmland?
How can there be large areas of flowers in fields where grain is grown?
These questions arose one after another.

Agriculture is the foundation of a nation!
Zhu Di was eager to know how to create a prosperous agricultural society on this coastal land of Xunzhou.

But the biggest problem right now is that Xunzhou is close to the sea and is often eroded by seawater, so the soil will become saline.

This alkaline soil is the most difficult to cultivate!

After developing the farmland, Prince Qi taught everyone how to determine the properties of the soil.

Different plants can be grown in soils with different properties.

[First and foremost is sugarcane. Look at these sugarcane fields stretching as far as the eye can see. With sugarcane, we have sugar. In the Ming Dynasty, sugar was still a relatively precious condiment. But Xunzhou already has sugar freedom.]

Of course, extracting sugar from sugarcane and sugarcane juice is already a relatively mature technology. Combined with local techniques in Xunzhou, Prince Qi presented it as a gift to the employers of the renowned Xunzhou chefs.

[In this way, Xunzhou candy became a well-known and widely recognized gift.]

Xunzhou candy... I want to try it.

Zhu Di swallowed hard. He had heard that Xunzhou could produce sugarcane, but he never expected that the yield would be so large that it could be given away for free.

The fourth brother is really shrewd. By giving Xunzhou candy to high-ranking officials and wealthy businessmen, he naturally spread the word among them, thus promoting the fourth brother for free.

Many people will surely come to purchase Xunzhou sugar because of its reputation.

[Xunzhou sugar became an important commodity in Xunzhou's early trade.]

[Besides, the original Black-Clad Barbarian shamans were also organized by Prince Qi into an organization called the Xunzhou Folklore Research Association.] Hmm? Organized the Black-Clad Barbarian shamans?
The fourth brother is really bold. Isn't he afraid they'll cause trouble?

wrong.

Does he intend to imprison them? Or perhaps capture them all in one fell swoop?
Zhu Di felt increasingly unable to understand his fourth son's thoughts.

The Xunzhou Folklore Research Association primarily preserves and inherits the local homestays of Xunzhou, which include the rituals, ceremonies, and traditional festivals of the Black Barbarians we saw earlier. The Black Barbarian shamans can wear their own clothing, promote their original rituals, and even sell their amulets for blessing.

Please look at this wooden carving. It was carved by the black-clad barbarian shamans and, having been blessed by them, can protect people.

The merchants who came to purchase Xunzhou sugar were mostly frequent travelers by sea, and they especially loved this kind of item when they were away from home.

Through their purchases and gifts to relatives and friends, this peace-themed wooden carving has become a specialty of Xunzhou.

You little brat, fourth brother!

There was no encirclement or slaughter, it was all exploitation!

That kid is such a money-grubber!
He does resemble the eldest brother quite a bit!

However, as the crown prince, the eldest son was ultimately subject to too many constraints, unlike the fourth son, who was free and could do whatever he wanted.

Perhaps, it's a kind of happiness to let the eldest child live such a free life.

Unfortunately, he is still his own son.

The local Black-Clad Barbarians of Xunzhou discovered that selling wood carvings could earn them money, so they carved a large number of different wood carvings during the farming season.

These wood carvings will be sent to the Folklore Research Association for a blessing ceremony. This ceremony is public and open to the public, so that everyone can know that these wood carvings are genuine.

The wizards' incomes have also stabilized. They not only preserved their original customs, ensuring the continuation of Xunzhou's traditions, but also earned significantly more through blessing rituals than before!

Gradually, the Black-Clad Barbarians integrated and settled with other people, all striving together to improve their lives.

Zhu Di's eyes welled up with tears.

To live a good life, yes.

Wasn't that what the Ming Dynasty started out for? How did they get to where they are today? Wasn't it all to make their own lives a little better?

Why is it that only the fourth brother remembers this today?

Without harming the people or imposing harsh policies, he enabled the people of Xunzhou to live a good life through trade and the introduction of talented individuals, while still remembering the kindness of the Ming Dynasty.

Those chefs from Xunzhou who go out to cook will surely spread the word about how wonderful Xunzhou is.

This made Xunzhou's products even more desirable to purchase.

"Your Majesty, please have your meal."

The dog lowered its voice, afraid of disturbing Zhu Di who was deep in thought.

Looking at the scene of the black-clad barbarians and Han people living together, he couldn't help but feel a surge of emotions.

(End of this chapter)