Japan has silver, and China has goods such as silk, tea, and porcelain. The method of doing business in the Far East by the Dutch and other colonial powers was to go around taking goods to exchange for Japanese silver, and then exchange silver for goods, and sell it back to Japan for a profit.

This method of doing business is called "inland sea trade", and those who do this trade are called countrytraders, and they call the China Sea (the circle between Taiwan, Japan, and China) the "Far East Lake". Of course, if there is such a good trade opportunity, then why don't Taiwan, Japan and China do it themselves, but let the Dutch do it?

The main reason is that in the first half of the 17th century, China and Japan were in a state of isolation, and the government explicitly ordered that the pieces were not allowed to go to the sea.

Taiwan's geographical location is a good strategic point for the Dutch: first, it can be used as a warehouse for storing goods; second, it can be used as a supply and rest station for the fleet; the third is the geographical center of Japan in the north, Fujian in the west, Luzon in the south, the Strait of Malacca, and the Indonesian archipelago; Fourth, you can also exchange deer skin and sugar for silver in Japan. This is the Dutch trade layout in the Far East.

The most prosperous period of this "inland sea trade" was in 1641~1654, when an average of 26 ships were bought and sold in the Far East waters, and there were nine special ships coming and going from the south to the north every year on the route between Taiwan and Japan alone. During this heyday, trade with Japan was profitable at an average of 100%. The profit from shipping sugar from Taiwan to Japan was about 25%, and the profit from selling it to Persia was about 96%.

But after 1654, Dutch trade in the Far East went downhill. The key is China's raw silk market. It was snatched by Bangladesh at a low price. You must know that more than half of the total value of goods sold by the Netherlands to Japan is raw silk and silk. Raw silk in Bangladesh plummeted. China's raw silk has skyrocketed, and the market advantage has been completely reversed.

To make matters worse, the profits of the Far Eastern route were reduced to about 30%. For the Netherlands, if the profit is less than 60%, it is not worth going to sea to do this business. What followed was a predictable vicious circle: the number of ships on the Far Eastern route was reduced to thirteen, and by the end of the 1660s, only four remained. Anyone understands. Dutch business in the Far East is coming to an end.

The final blow to the Netherlands was the "coastal relocation" implemented by the Manchus, and the supply of goods from China was cut off at once, and even smuggling became impossible.

Historically. After failing to make contact with the Qing court, the Dutch quickly made a decision: instead of sending ships to the China Sea, they would allow Chinese merchant ships to enter Batavia. In this way, it is no longer necessary to send ships to sea, and all kinds of goods can be obtained. It can save the heavy cost of ships, sailors. By the end of the XVII century. The Dutch finally abandoned the Far East altogether and retreated to the Indonesian archipelago. This vast sea area was then ceded to the British, who took advantage of the situation, and started the opium and tea business.

A political history, in some ways, is also economic history. In particular, Western colonizers often made political decisions based on the main purpose of making money in business, and evaluated from a commercial point of view. and the scale of the war.

Zheng Chenggong defeated the Dutch who invaded Taiwan and was a national hero. There is no need to argue about this. However, from a commercial point of view and military assessment, the Netherlands believes that this island is no longer worth investing in a large army, and it is not worth fighting in Taiwan, which is also one of the reasons.

For the Dutch, a businessman who bought and sold, speculated, Far Eastern trade was no longer worth doing. But for Zhu Yongxing, this is not the case. Because after the recovery of the south of the river, the supply of maritime trade commodities has been guaranteed, and the cost has been greatly reduced. Getting rid of middlemen such as the Netherlands and Zheng's, and being relatively close to the Japanese country, the profits of direct sales are considerable.

Of course, the trade with the Japanese was only a channel to raise funds, and there was also a strong demand for silk, tea, sugar, cotton textiles, and so on in Europe.

Britain and France both wanted to compete for a share of the goods they exported, and thus become China's largest trading partner, so they had to deal with the Netherlands, which controlled the Strait of Malacca. Contradictions are inevitable, Britain and the Netherlands are enemies, and the Netherlands will be China's enemies in the future. So, from now on, the layout is already underway.

At this time, no one could know Zhu Yongxing's true thoughts, and it was impossible to understand that he wanted to show his strength in Asia, drive away the Western colonizers, and thus dominate Asia.

Northern Expedition, Northern Expedition! This is the main tone of the army, and this ambition must be maintained so as not to rust the sword. Expel the Tatars and restore China! This is a call to the whole people, and we must not let a stable life wear down the will and be satisfied with the present.

Generally speaking, the demands of the groups collectively referred to as the people are not excessive. Stability, peace, and being able to exchange one's own labor for a worry-free life are the most basic requirements. Of course, if conditions allow, they will want to eat better and live more comfortably.

That is, people's requirements will decrease or increase as the living environment changes. In times of war, I hope that I will not starve to death, and I hope that I will survive. Yes, that's what it takes to survive.

The so-called small chaos and small order, big chaos and big chaos, is actually a psychological reflection of the people's tired of war and longing for a stable life. As for who rules, whether he is a second-class citizen, or even a harder life, even if he does not starve to death, he can't care so much.

This is also the reason why such and such a prosperous era in history often appears after a long period of war. Although it is still too early to talk about the prosperous era, the speed of reconstruction and restoration of the Guangfu area is still very fast.

Without the expropriation and extortion of the Manchu government, under the impetus and encouragement of a series of policies to benefit the people, the people who had restored the Han family's clothes and clothes also regained their confidence and enthusiasm, and the spring ploughing ended at an astonishing speed. It is not only the speed that is staggering, but also the amount of newly cultivated land, which is more than 30% of the number of cultivated land on the list.

Although in the process of liberation, the seized government household registration, farmland statistics and other information are not very complete and accurate, but this figure is also quite alarming, and does not include the number of newly opened farmland in Mekong and Ha Tien provinces. Of course, there are reasonable reasons behind this amazing.

The potential of cultivated land in the occupied areas of Yunnan, Guizhou and Annam is already small, but Sichuan accounts for the bulk of the new arable land. There are also a large number of displaced people caused by the relocation of coastal borders in Fujian, Zhejiang, Guangdong and other provinces. He returned to his homeland and reclaimed the abandoned coastal land.

Although the Northern Expedition has not yet begun, ZTE has not yet competed for complete success. However, judging from the comprehensive national strength, it is only a matter of time before the Ming Dynasty has firmly occupied the advantage and won the final victory. This has become more and more evident in terms of the source of finance, the high morale and morale of the people, and other aspects.

For those in power. Policy changes can be in the space of a minute. And for ordinary people who tremble in the storm, a simple minute may mean the difference in their lives.

All living beings. How can you control yourself? The joys and sorrows of many families, and the tragedy of blood and tears on the bodies of many little people, are often in the thoughts of those in power.

Zhu Yongxing is already the emperor's honor, can be described as a golden mouth, and has great prestige in the army. There was little that could stop him. But even so. He also has a think tank, and he has to brainstorm and listen to everyone's opinions before launching various measures. It is not to trust experts, but to create such a collective atmosphere and form a system of collective decisions.

In other words, he can be arbitrary, but he is well aware of the great danger that arbitrariness can cause. For the sustainable and benign development of the country in the future, but also for his future life. He must restrain the impulse to act arbitrarily and arbitrarily.

And if the state's policies are to be implemented smoothly, they must have the cooperation of the people. And if people are to change their habits and be willing to take on risky challenges, they must be made to feel the benefits of doing so.

Therefore, it is undoubtedly a very good way to replace the whole area with points and make use of the power of example to steadily promote reform. This is the principle that Zhu Yongxing should follow in the current society, that is, to make policy adjustments and changes as little as possible and abrupt.

Zhu Yongxing believes that as a leader of a country, he must have a sense of history, rather than rushing to get praise that has not yet been recorded. A leader who is obsessed with the "conclusions of history" will only divert their attention from the sense of urgency of decision-making and action. Yes, you may lose something, and kinship may be replaced by respect for the emperor, but you should see that if you do it right, the people who love you will be thousands.

The heights are cold, and Zhu Yongxing has to adapt to this, although he feels melancholy and sadness from time to time when friendship is being or has been replaced by cold etiquette.

O majesty of the emperor! That's thousands of years to form. Don't say that it is a strong emperor like Zhu Yongxing, that is, Yongli who has been reduced to a prisoner, Wu Sangui's subordinate officials still kneel and worship Ruyi, even after Wu Sangui was reprimanded by Yongli, he knelt without feeling that he was on his knees, his face was like ashes, he was sweating, and he had to be supported by others to get out.

The deep-rooted concept of hierarchy and inferiority between the upper and lower generations, not to mention in ancient times, is not exempt from vulgarity even in later generations. It's just that there is no ancient strict zhòng.

"The Ministry of War, I will change my name to the Ministry of Defense in the future. Ma Qingjia, why do you have the intention of entering the military department? Isn't leading troops to fight exactly what you're good at? After a set of red tape, Zhu Yongxing was very confused by the intention of Ma Bao, the king of Wei.

"Qi Shengshang, Weichen has military exploits, but he feels that resourcefulness is not what he is good at, the army changes day by day, and Weichen often has a sense of falling behind." Ma Bao, the king of Wei, leaned on his body, sat on half of his buttocks, and replied respectfully: "So Weichen wants to have free time to study more and leave the army for a while." ”

Zhu Yongxing felt that Ma Baoyan was insincere, as a few generals who were promoted very quickly, he was already the king of one word, which was his loyalty and great achievements. Is he still not satisfied? Or—

Some of the Zhu clans in Taiwan will soon return, and how to deal with them makes Zhu Yongxing quite brainless. Except for Zhu Shugui, the king of Ningjing, who committed suicide and martyrdom in history, Zhu Yongxing, the king of Badong, Zhu Jun, the king of Le'an, etc., Zhu Yongxing did not have a good impression. But acceptance is certain, and Zhu Yongxing, who has a reputation for being mean and unkind, is unwilling to carry it.

The Ming Dynasty clan was different from the Han and Jin dynasties, and also different from the Tang and Song dynasties. There are Ming Zhu, divide the feud but not the tin soil, the lord but not the people, eat Lu but not govern things, and can not participate in the business of the four people (Shinong industry and commerce).

In this way, the members of the royal family of the Ming Dynasty became a privileged class and a parasitic class. Most of these dragon sons and grandsons do not work hard and live a life of indulgence in lust and lust. Except for a few outstanding people who have made special contributions to the progress of the country, the nation, and the world's culture, most of them are people who only eat, drink, and have fun and have no interest. And the huge clan. It has cost a lot of national wealth and people's fat and ointment. Especially in the middle and late Ming Dynasty, the huge expenditure of Zonglu made the burden of enslavement increasingly heavy, and also caused the financial crisis of the Ming Dynasty.

Keeping the clan in a fiefdom. This kind of pig-raising method, Zhu Yongxing will definitely not adopt. Even fiefdoms, he is not ready to give. There is also the hereditary recklessness, which he also wants to change.

Fiefdom means the creation of a large landowner. Now that the war has just begun, land annexation is not yet obvious, but it is a hidden danger. Hereditary replacement. It may cause waste from generation to generation, relying on the inherited prince, it is still a trivial matter to get something for nothing. The remnants of the people have also done it.

In the discussion with the ministers, Zhu Yongxing meant to temporarily give Yulu, but not to the fief, and then let go of the restrictions of the ancestral system. Let these clans be able to support themselves. Of course. This self-reliance is not to liberalize everything, but to stipulate some areas and formulate corresponding methods.

For example, in business, the children of the clan rely on their own identity, and it is inevitable that there will be behaviors similar to bullying and dominating the market, forming a freak who is also an official and a businessman; Let him decide to open a factory, Zhu Yongxing also has the same worries. Therefore, he thinks that the clan can invest. However, it is not appropriate to directly relate to operations.

Then there is the issue of being an official. If there are really talents in these clans, Zhu Yongxing thinks that they should go to the academy. Or it is also possible to participate in the imperial examination. As long as they can put down their bodies and benefit the people, it is not impossible to be a good official.

As for hereditary succession, it is not something that can be changed immediately. But the reduction of the seal is something that Zhu Yongxing will implement sooner or later, except for a few special clans.

The general content of the discussion and discussion was indeed known to Ma Bao, the king of Wei. He originally had to use his military exploits to earn a hereditary replacement, but after Zhu Yongxing's meaning was exposed, he thought and made a choice. As the king of different surnames, he has already reached the peak, since the hereditary replacement is not liked by the saints, has he come to the situation of "no seal, no reward"?

Those who have never bravely shocked the Lord are in danger, and those who have made great achievements in the world are not rewarded. When the emperor can't come up with anything to reward the credit, it seems that there is only one ending.

Ma Bao was not reluctant to leave the battlefield, and this duet also had a tentative meaning. A new generation is rising and seems to be more trusted by the Holy One. Although his age is not too old, he is a general of the same older generation as King Jin, King Zhao, and King Han. And Zhu Yongxing's successive political, economic, and military reforms also made Ma Bao think.

Zhu Yongxing carefully examined Ma Bao and pondered his thoughts. Before, he was left behind by the clan, and Ma Bao and the others were respectful to him, but he was not as scared as he is now.

Sighing secretly in his heart, Zhu Yongxing didn't completely see through Ma Bao's meaning, so he slowly spoke, guessing and saying, "If Ma Qing's family is tired of fighting, I won't blame it." In the past few years, the imperial court has been busy with war, and all kinds of treatment may not be satisfactory. With the respect of the prince, you are afraid that you don't even have a guard of honor, right? When the Northern Expedition is successful and the world is stable, will there still be any honor and dignity that it should have? ”

"Holy Lord, Wei Chenwan doesn't have such a mind." Ma Bao was taken aback and hurriedly stood up, if the temptation made the saint suspect that he was disgruntled, it would be a bad thing.

"Sit down, sit down." Zhu Yongxing pressed down his hand and said, "Don't be so panicked. I'm just guessing, I don't know why you left the army. Furthermore, I will not condemn this so-called 'punishment of the heart'. If it was before, you would still be able to tell me honestly, and there would be no barriers. What's the matter now, can't I even hear a word of truth when I'm sitting in this position? ”

Ma Bao heard Zhu Yongxing's tone with some indignation, and couldn't help but sigh with emotion. Although he was also respectful at the beginning, he also saw that Zhu Yongxing was not a thing in the pool, he must be a golden-scaled dragon, but in the end, he had not yet reached the status of the Ninety-Five Emperor. Now it's different, even if Zhu Yongxing wants to return to the previous state, as a courtier, he will never dare.

Some were vague and vague, but Zhu Yongxing still understood Ma Bao's explanation. He frowned and thought for a while, sighed, and said, "I said before that what merit is high and shocking the master, and what merit is not rewarded, is nonsense. Is it that only the Jin officials are rewarded, is it that the decree is commended, is the gold, silver and jade silk not rewarded? If it's all your thoughts, and you want to retreat bravely without competing for all the work, where will I have any available ministers in the future? ”

"The minister is afraid, and the minister is guilty." Ma Bao didn't know what to say.

"What is your sin?" Zhu Yongxing waved his hand and said, "I do have the idea of abolishing hereditary succession, but it is not absolute. As parents, it is not surprising that they always have the intention of saving up for their children and grandchildren to lay a good foundation. But because of this, it also gives the children and grandchildren the opportunity to get something for nothing, sit back and enjoy it, and become a prodigal son. At the end of the day, I want these juniors to get stronger from generation to generation, but I don't want them to become wastes who can't do anything but eat, drink, and be merry. ”

"Your Majesty." Ma Bao smiled bitterly and said, "Weichen is stupid, I can't think about it." ”

"Whether it is holy or not, it depends on what is said in the history books and what the people say." Zhu Yongxing smiled and said: "As for the reform of the military system, you only know one thing, but you don't know the other, I will give you a brief explanation here." Non-commissioned officers, lieutenants, colonels, and generals, these are the four major classifications; At the level of generals, there are major generals, lieutenant generals, and generals; Admirals can be divided into one-star, two-star, three-star, and even five-star. If it goes any further, I am not afraid of the rank of marshal again. What about you, aside from the title, what rank are you now? It's not rewarding, it's too far away. ”

"Weichen thinks it's bad, please punish the saint." Ma Bao stood up and bowed deeply to apologize.

"There is no need for punishment, and there is nothing wrong with you." Zhu Yongxing waved his hand very magnanimously, paused, took a ruyi from the imperial case, and said with a smile: "Well, this is what I reward you." Don't have a different mind, lead the troops to fight well, and make meritorious contributions. You veterans, I still expect you to be on your own in the future! Before you get out of bed, you have to help me, and if you want to be lazy, there is no door. ”

Ma Bao fell to his knees and kowtowed to receive his reward. Zhu Yongxing's words were sincere and sincere, and there was encouragement and expectation in the jokes, so far, he is completely relieved. (To be continued......)