Although Gu Shantong said that the scene of the trip was large, the present cannot be judged by the era of 20 years ago.

At present, Hangzhou is a big city with a population of one million, not only the Ming people, but also a considerable number of Nanyang and Westerners. These people have high-ranking officials, some are very rich, everyone has brocade hats, mink furs, and incense cars as companions.

Especially Westerners who want to make a fortune prefer to pretend to be strong and lively.

It has been 20 years since the Ming Dynasty opened up for trade, and Hangzhou City alone required tens of thousands of Westerners who drove to it.

The purpose is two words, to make a fortune.

They have also touched many ways to make a fortune...... Most were unsuccessful,

Speaking of which, the Ming Dynasty allowed the slave trade, and the human trade itself has existed for hundreds of years.

There are also Westerners who tie up cheap African black slaves and barbarian women from Northern Europe to the Ming Dynasty for sale, but the traditional culture of the empire is too strong, and most of the nobles and merchants do not accept black slaves.

Only people with no identity and no status use these cheap ghosts.

Most of them still like to call their own people.

In particular, black slaves are not very well-behaved, and after hearing some 'horrible' legends, no one wants to buy such slaves.

So, the business failed.

At the same time, Hangzhou, Ningbo, Songjiang, Suzhou, Nanjing and other cities rose one after another, and the Westerners who saw the prosperity and wealth of the East did not lose even if they failed in the slave trade, and they were always thinking about how to sell their products to the Ming people.

From low-end leather boots and knives to high-end pianos or all kinds of artworks, it cannot be said that this group of businessmen does not have many brains, but there are too few Western businessmen who really open the Daming market.

As a result, most people are concentrated in precious metals such as silver and gold.

In fact, the Portuguese and the Dutch also faced the same problems in Southeast Asia and the South Sea Islands, on the one hand, there was a huge demand for spices such as cloves, nutmeg and pepper in Western Europe.

But these Westerners who came from afar did not have anything of value to exchange.

So they resorted to force.

It is conceivable that if the Ming did not have a strong enough navy, the Portuguese would definitely do it.

Fortunately, they could understand the great ships and cannons, and fortunately, there was still a profitable trade in silver.

From the second half of last year to this year, there have been voices from the power centers of the empire in the north to reform the currency system, which has caused panic among many Western merchants.

They feared that their silver trade would be interrupted and that they would suffer huge losses.

Hangzhou,

The city, which prospered more than Constantinople in the hearts of Western merchants, the Portuguese and Dutch had already sent official envoys.

Large trading companies, including those that can represent the Portuguese government, also have offices in Hangzhou.

The empire's warships in the South Seas not only prompted them to learn to communicate first, but also comprehended the unique 'human sophistication' of the Ming society.

So they will first go to 'raid' Gu Zuo's son Gu Shantong, hoping to learn some about the current dynamics and establish a good, at least non-conflictual trade with Nanyang.

From this point of view, Gu Shantong needed those gorgeous scenes, not only to 'fool' the domestic merchants, but also to deter these Westerners with evil intentions.

The first half ended, followed by the second half, when Westerners came to visit.

They did not care about the war of the empire against Japan, but only about the new monetary reform,

As Gu Zuo's son, Gu Zhitong not only knew the history and current politics of Western countries, but he also worked hard to learn Portuguese and Spanish so as not to be deceived by these grandsons.

Sir Aveiro was his 'old acquaintance', but he still didn't get it right.

The specifics of the new coins also remained a secret within the Empire.

You also know that the vision of the Emperor is comparable to that of any great monarch of the Roman Empire that you know. Some of his thoughts and judgments are difficult for even those who know him best to guess. In particular, the currency reform is a completely new thing, to be honest, if it weren't for the voice from the north, I wouldn't have understood that there was a problem with the currency of the Ming Dynasty. ”

Sir Aveiro was eager,

"Dear Gu Gongzi, I understand the chaos you are facing. But please understand that the silver trade is the most important trade method between the East and the West at present, not only us, the Dutch, the Spaniards, all the merchant ships from the West have spent a huge price to transport silver, once the silver trade is cut off, or just facing the crisis of being cut off, this blow is fatal. ”

As he spoke, he emphatically said, "This is equivalent to murdering them!" ”

His palms were upward, clenching tightly and spreading out quickly, with an exaggeration that the Orientals did not have.

It was so exaggerated that Gu Shantong didn't understand, "But now there is no evidence to show that what you said is true." ”

Aveiro wanted to laugh, "Yes, but the Nanyang Trading Company has started to become cautious, and you have deferred all trade payments. I know the trick of it, if the silver is not used, it will inevitably be exchanged according to a certain ratio. What is this ratio? No one can tell me! ”

If this ratio is not appropriate, it is very likely that the price of the goods they buy will actually increase.

"We just want to keep it as it is." Again, he stressed.

"It's impossible, once the empire uses a new currency, the Nanyang Company will no longer accept silver, and we won't be able to spend it."

Sir Aveiro was serious, "If this is the case, it will definitely hurt the friendly trade relations between our two sides." ”

Gu Shantong didn't like this semi-threatening tone, "So what? If you don't think it's a good deal, you can stop trading with us. Look elsewhere for silk, tea and spices. ”

If only there was something else.

The Portuguese's face also changed.

To be honest, they still liked this Eastern Empire before, although it seemed a pity that she couldn't plunder it, but the Eastern Dragon liked silver, and they were willing to sell everything for silver.

It's also good that they can go all over the world looking for silver.

But if that's gone, what's the point?

In fact, Aveiro also blamed himself, he should have prepared for all this to happen earlier.

The Eastern Empire discovered mountains of silver on Treasure Island, and silver was no longer scarce for them.

The conversation ended unhappily.

After Gu Shantong returned home, he 'complained' to his father Gu Zuo.

Gu Zuo, who was over sixty years old, was unpacking the secret letter given to him by the emperor, and after quietly putting it away, he cleaned up his mood.

His sons, the second child, are the smartest, not only do not bother him, but also help him in many ways.

His role is not a simple official, it is impossible not to contact with businessmen, and his son is a very suitable bridge.

After General Gu Shantong said about the affairs outside, Gu Zuo first asked: "You didn't talk about the treaties between the Ming Dynasty and the Nanyang countries, did you?" ”

"Not a word. How can a son be so stupid? Such a treaty is unanimous with the outside world, and these Western pirates are probably green when they hear it, how could I have told them earlier and let them prepare? ”

"Hmm." Gu Zuo didn't hesitate to praise, "Your previous prediction was also accurate. This year is again drought and war...... Moreover, Wang Yangming has also played in detail about the fluctuation of grain prices in Jiangnan in the 20 years of Emperor Zhengde. It is indeed imperative to take precautions and import grain in advance. ”

Gu Shantong smiled, "It should have been like this a long time ago, with the current world situation, the strong are respected, and the Ming Dynasty has begun to occupy overseas territories, so it is still done generously, what can the king of Luzon do?" It's not like the food we worked so hard to grow there will be cheaper for them, right? ”

Gu Zuo sighed, "The imperial court has the overall situation of the imperial court that needs to be taken care of. Besides, the name is not right, although the country is big, it cannot bully a small country at will......"

Gu Shantong is a younger generation, and the ideological burden of young people is always smaller, in his opinion, how can there be so many concerns, especially after seeing the evil deeds of Westerners, he feels that the Ming Dynasty is too civilized.

So he spoke up directly, "Dad, no matter what the court has to worry about, this decision has been made now." Then the messenger will fall on your head, and I ...... on my side."

"Are you talking about bringing together merchants to occupy land in Luzon?"

"Time is of the essence, and cultivating the land is not like a cotton garment factory with a few machines and manpower to increase production."

Gu Zuo thought about the emperor's earnest instructions, and finally nodded, "Okay." Then set up a subordinate grain trading company in Nanyang Company, and go to the emperor for the father in the process, and you will promote it. Let them rest assured that the grain they produce will be purchased by the trading company as long as they can grow it! ”

"Good!"

Gu Shantong was excited, he believed that only through the stimulation of profits, with commercial methods, would the newly occupied land be digested as soon as possible, otherwise he would wait for the immigrants to shovel by shovel, and he didn't know when it would be.

In fact, growing grain will not make much money, but it is difficult to make a fortune, especially today is not like 20 years ago, when no one engaged in maritime trade, a few people pooled capital, got a boat to go to sea, as long as it was safe to go back and forth, it was several times the profit.

But now there are not many business opportunities, if you can find one, burn high incense, where will you pick and choose.

"Don't rush to go." Gu Zuo asked, "What do those Western robbers say?" ”

Gu Shantong was serious for a moment, "Dad, he used the word murder." With my child's understanding of Westerners, they are different from us, they are a business people. Now the imperial court's monetary reform will make their silver trade profits plummet, and the conclusion of treaties will hinder their spice trade in the South Seas. The child thought that the ruthlessness and madness of these robbers should not be underestimated. ”

Gu Zuo stood up and looked out the window with his hands behind his back.

Long.

"Got it."

Gu Zuo was ready to explain this situation in the secret recital with the emperor, and it would not be a bad thing to be lenient to the enemy.

Gu Shantong retired, "That son went to urge them." ”

Pay money and people, and find a way to transport the overseas materials of the South Seas back, instead of silver that cannot be eaten or worn.

However, this argument is a bit extreme, and silver itself has monetary properties and can be bought.

It can only be said that in the past, Daming was a black hole that absorbed silver, but now that silver is not scarce, it will begin to become a black hole for absorbing materials.

Speaking of how rich the Eastern Empire is, it is also happening that many people still don't have enough to eat.

In this case, the imperial court would of course make the right choice between exchanging silk for silver or silk for grain.

====

There will be one more chapter first, and then one more chapter. Play with the family for a while and then write.

Today is the thirtieth year of the Chinese New Year's Eve, and I wish you all a happy new year and a great fortune in the new year!

(End of chapter)