Zhu Yuanzhang, who commanded the wind and rain, lived a long and arduous life.

Xie Jin was such a proud man.

Even if you tell yourself you've lost your temper, that pride isn't something you can break in a day.

I dare not…

Others say that Zhu Changye doesn't think too much, but this was said by Xie Jin.

Zhu Changye's eyes flickered.

Instinctively, he felt that something was wrong.

What did Xie Jinzhun go through?

Xie Jin was surprised.

Xie Jin suddenly froze, looking at Zhu Changye with some surprise, and murmured, "They really are father and son; their tone of voice when they speak to His Majesty is exactly the same..."

On his way back, Zhu Changye kept thinking about one thing.

The Jiangnan region was rich and its commercial taxes were very high. With such a large profit, the imperial court could only watch helplessly. How could Zhu Yuanzhang not be envious?

The problem is, how can the imperial court be involved and reap the commercial benefits without elevating the status of merchants?

It is common knowledge that the imperial court is short of money.

Zhu Yuanzhang was born into a peasant family. After establishing the social hierarchy of scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants, he was well aware that by taking charge of agricultural taxes, he meant he was completely abandoning commercial taxes.

Zhu Yuanzhang arrived at the center of the East Palace courtyard, lay down on a rocking chair, closed his eyes, and remained silent for a long time.

"What is this?" Zhu Xiong Ying was slightly taken aback, then suddenly realized: "Oh, so this is it. I was cultivating at the time, and I saw that Master was resting after his cultivation and writing these things, so I went over to take a look."

Xie Jin was slightly taken aback: "Old Taoist Master, are you... perhaps overestimating me?"

Xie Jin's stubborn temper flared up again: "Tai...Old Taoist Master, this is the law of etiquette."

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded, then asked Zhan Hui, "You are the Minister of Personnel, why don't you speak as well?"

Once you go to Jiangxi, you don't know when you'll return. Some people change drastically in just one year, let alone this unknown period of time.

"Old Taoist master, you... I think you are an immortal."

"Moreover, for letters sent from the post stations, such as those from Yingtian to Huating, wouldn't the prefectures along the way, such as Zhenjiang, Danyang, and Suzhou, be on the same route? Could these routes be combined? In this way, revenue would increase while costs would decrease sharply?"

"As for how to open source it, Master said that we first need to categorize these emails and letters. Taking Zhili as an example, we would send the letters to the Yunnan Provincial Administration Commission. Well, I don't know roughly how many kilometers that is..."

Zhu Yuanzhang was deep in thought; he certainly wouldn't make a hasty decision on this matter.

Upon hearing this, Xie Jin felt honored and straightened his posture slightly: "This humble official thanks His Majesty for his trust and also thanks the old Taoist priest for his guidance!"

He originally wanted to call him the Retired Emperor, but when they were eating wontons earlier, Zhu Changye had told him that he preferred the title of Old Taoist Master.

Zhu Changye was not surprised by this and nodded lightly: "Mm."

The unknown is always the most awe-inspiring and intriguing thing.

Zhu Changye kept everyone in suspense.

“Mr. Xie, please go to Jiangxi for now and hone your skills. When you return, perhaps… you will become the sharpest sword in Xiong Ying’s hands.”

He knew that Zhu Yuanzhang had groomed him, and he had figured it out last night, but since it was the retired emperor speaking, he simply replied as such.

Sometimes, even when they are enemies, they hesitate to act against each other because of the unknown background of the other party.

"This... old Taoist priest, what did you see?"

Xie Jin stood solemnly, his body ramrod straight: "I am willing to listen to your words."

Zhu Yuanzhang laughed and said, "That's right, we agree with that."

Fu Youwen, the Vice Minister of Revenue, pondered for a moment before speaking softly, "Your Majesty, I dare to ask, who proposed this suggestion?"

Zhu Yuanzhang was especially cautious when it came to matters of money.

Moreover, before educating or instructing him, he should first say that if something happens in Jiangxi, he can write to him for help.

The goal was to find out what made Zhu Changye different from ordinary people. But he looked like an old man, so how could he have lived for over a hundred years?

"Old Taoist priest, folklore says you are an immortal, are you... really?"

This concerns His Majesty, and as a subject, he dares not fabricate stories.

There were indeed people in the Embroidered Uniform Guard secretly watching them, and the one leading the team was none other than Mao Xiang, the Embroidered Uniform Guard Envoy.

The more mysterious one's background, the more curious and frequently people think about it.

"Over there... over in Jiangxi, if you encounter any difficulties, you can write to me. Chongba is very busy and may not be able to take care of you, but I can."

Fu Youwen was startled and had a thought in his mind: Could it be that the Emperor Emeritus said it again?

He couldn't figure out Zhu Yuanzhang's opinion on the matter, so he could only say in a conventional way: "The post stations were established by the court to transmit important military and national affairs. If they are opened to the public rashly, the distinction between officials and civilians will be blurred, which may easily lead to trouble. This is not advisable."

This shows that if this policy were implemented, the people would be very grateful to Zhu Yuanzhang.

"How can this be considered a business? What child from another place doesn't miss their parents? This is just helping them fulfill their wishes."

Watching Zhu Changye's departing figure, Xie Jin hesitated for a long time before bowing again: "Elder Daoist, this junior, Xie Jin, takes his leave!"

This wasn't just Zhu Yuanzhang's view; it was the common people, and even high-ranking officials, who all thought the same way.

However, this does not obscure the core idea of ​​Zhu Changye's policy document.

He took a deep breath and carefully examined Zhu Changye, scrutinizing his entire body.

Zhu Xiong Ying laughed heartily: "I also asked my master this question before, and his answer was impeccable. Now, let me ask you, Yingtian Prefecture must have tens of millions of people, right?"

Many young people have lofty ambitions, but along the way, they may lose sight of their original aspirations due to beauty, wealth, laziness, and so on.

Such a grand gift was hard for Zhu Changye to accept for a moment.

“In the early years of the dynasty, the court said that post stations should not be used except for major military and national affairs. Post stations were only for the use of the government. However, the situation varied from place to place, and the post stations also varied.”

They didn't know why Zhu Yuanzhang had summoned them, nor could they discern whether he was pleased or angry, so they could only stand respectfully to the side with their heads bowed.

“Each stamp has a mileage limit, and the price is calculated based on the length of the mileage. The price doesn’t have to be too high; a few coins or a dozen coins are fine. Ordinary farmers can afford it, right?”

One identity alone is enough to command endless flattery.

Xie Jin looked at him seriously.

In fact,

Then he took a deep breath and looked intently at Zhu Changye: "Old Taoist Master, you...you are the Emperor Emeritus, aren't you?"

“If each post station is connected, letters will be sent from different places. Grandpa, do you think the income would be considerable?”

amount.

Zhu Yuanzhang smiled sincerely.

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded: "Everything you said is a policy that benefits the people, and I like it very much. But you said we can use this to open up new sources of income. What do you think?"

"Phew... I still can't quite believe it."

Zhu Yuanzhang remained silent, then turned and asked, "Grandson, why did you bring this back?"

Zhu Yuanzhang stared at Zhu Xiong Ying, his gaze lingering on him for a long time.

Zhu Xiong Ying thought for a moment and replied, "Two or three days. Every night after I studied it on my own, I would go to Master for explanation the next day. Master would correct my mistakes and explain the correct ones to me. Overall, I have made quite a bit of progress."

It has both advantages and disadvantages, moments of sudden enlightenment and moments of confusion, surprises and bewilderment.

The sound was somewhat unsettling.

“The Ming Dynasty had more than 1,500 post stations, which were used to deliver official documents and receive passing officials. Each post station had a postmaster, clerks and helpers. Small post stations had dozens of people, while large post stations had hundreds of people, as well as horses, weapons, livestock and cooks.”

This is the most valuable asset, because understanding it allows one to have a clear and intuitive understanding of the entire Hongwu reign!

For example, when Zhu Xiong Ying was discussing with Zhu Yuan Zhang just now, he couldn't say the population of many places or the distance between different places.

Xie Jin looked up at the sky, clasped his hands in a fist salute to Zhu Changye, and said, "Old Taoist Master, I am about to embark on my journey."

If you don’t understand it, don’t think about it.

consult?

Zhan Hui said, "I agree with what Lord Fu said, but I still don't understand. If the post stations are used for the civilians to deliver goods and letters, wouldn't that be using official documents for civilian purposes and disrupting the hierarchy? It seems... that it is contrary to etiquette and law?"

Ok?

interesting!

Zhu Yuanzhang smiled. "Our father's investigation into these matters is quite accurate."

Just as Zhao Ren was about to speak, Zhu Yuanzhang said, "Don't waste your breath on us!"

"Long live the Emperor..."

Zhu Xiong Ying looked at him in surprise. Her grandfather was indeed knowledgeable and had a great understanding of the landscape and customs of the Ming Dynasty, far more than she did.

"Then let's assume it's four thousand miles. There should be some kind of proof to send it to the destination, right? Master calls this proof a stamp."

Could it be that Grandpa actually believed the contents of that paper? Really, really?

Without thinking too much, he responded and followed Zhu Yuanzhang toward the residence.

Beyond money, Zhu Yuanzhang had many other deeper considerations.

Zhu Xiong Ying was a little confused.

Zhu Yuanzhang muttered a curse under his breath at Zhu Xiong Ying, then opened the document to see what it contained.

After the Imperial Guards left, Zhu Yuanzhang stood outside the courtyard in the cold wind with his hands behind his back.

Zhu Yuanzhang did not answer, but instead asked in return: "Grandson, let me ask you, your master said that the post stations in Jiangnan should be changed from being used by the government to being used by both the government and the people. What should be done if an emergency military or political event occurs?"

Zhu Yuanzhang was well aware of the vital role of the post stations in the northern frontier.

Upon hearing this, Xie Jin's lips twitched.

now,

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded, agreeing that what he said made sense.

Zhu Yuanzhang retorted angrily, "Go to hell! Don't you understand? Yingtian Prefecture has 2.21 million households, totaling only five or six million people. What do you mean by tens of millions?"

The commercial taxes were substantial; Zhu Yuanzhang, who ruled for so many years, was not someone who couldn't see that.

Fu Youwen continued, "But it cannot be denied that many post stations in the Jiangnan region are still idle, wasting national funds. For example, as Your Majesty just mentioned, opening post stations as inns would be a brilliant idea."

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at him and said, "Tell me your thoughts."

This put him in a dilemma.

Zhu Yuanzhang closed his eyes in deep thought, waiting for Fu Youwen, Zhan Hui, and Zhao Ren, the Minister of War, to come to his court.

Zhu Changye shook his head: "I'm an old man, I've forgotten a lot of things, and I can't do a lot of things anymore, but when it comes to judging people, I'm more accurate as I get older."

Many people don't understand and always question why Zhu Yuanzhang was so stupid and why he relentlessly suppressed commerce.

Zhu Xiong Ying asked again.

Zhu Xiong Ying didn't dwell on it. He casually flipped through the two books the old man had given him: one was called "Qinyi Zhili Junpinglu" and the other was called "Hongwu Kuaiji Lu".

"This is, um? Our father's handwriting."

He went to see his son, Zhu Yuanzhang.

And it's something I always keep in mind.

Xie Jin was deeply moved.

"Mr. Xie, I have some things I'd like to tell you. If you can accept it, then listen; if not, you can pretend I didn't say anything."

"Even ordinary people would give the messenger gifts such as cured meat and eggs when they sent a letter to another place. Now it has become a custom to give money to the messenger."

Zhu Changye didn't mind and smiled as he changed the subject: "It must have been that boy Chongba who told you about my identity. That boy is really something; there are some things he shouldn't have said."