The Prosperous Era of Longwan

Wei Guangde did not consider banning trade with the Japanese at first, because he knew that Japan at this time seemed to have mountains of gold and silver, as well as a large amount of copper materials, and even saltpeter. Almost whatever the Ming Dynasty lacked, the Japanese had it.

Of course, due to productivity, the Ming Dynasty's demand for iron at this time was far less huge than that of later generations, so domestic iron ore could also be supplied.

Since the material shortage problem of the Ming Dynasty can be solved through the Japanese country, why is it forbidden to communicate with the Japanese?

But sometimes the calculation is not that way, and political factors have to be considered.

The Ming Dynasty had been fighting Japanese pirates for so many years. Both the official circles and the people hated the Japanese country extremely. Xu Jie's proposal to ban trade with the Japanese people just scratched everyone's itch.

I give my good things to others, but I won’t give them to you Japanese people.

I emphasize this point in particular, because when this policy is implemented, it will be easier to pass, and at least the people from top to bottom will not be so resistant.

I have to say that there is nothing wrong with the saying that "younger people are still smarter than old people." Wei Guangde only thinks about benefits, but does not know how to obtain policies in the first place.

However, Wei Guangde also wanted to understand the benefits after Zhang Juzheng emphasized the trade with foreign countries and banned the Japanese trade.

As for the final trading partner after the ship leaves the sea, it is no longer under the control of the Ming Dynasty. The only thing that can limit them is the time they go to sea.

The Ming Dynasty's so-called Tongdong Ocean actually refers to the transactions between Korea, Ryukyu, etc. If the trade was to Japan, the time would be very tight, and it would even be too late.

However, the Chinese are really good at taking advantage of loopholes. Almost instantly, Wei Guangde thought of trading with Japan through North Korea or Ryukyu. It was just a matter of changing the transaction location. The two parties chose to trade at the ports of these two places, thus naturally avoiding this policy.

It's not that Wei Guangde only wanted to do business with the Japanese country. In fact, the profits were huge, and it could supplement the domestic needs of the Ming Dynasty.

As for whether to use the strong strength of the Ming Dynasty to teach Japan a lesson, Wei Guangde vaguely remembered that many years later, the Ming Dynasty and Japan had their first confrontation on the Korean Peninsula.

If he lived to this point, he wouldn't mind contributing to it.

While Wei Guangde was lying there thinking wildly, Zhang Juzheng also finished his words.

"The Chief Assistant believes that the policy of maritime ban is an ancestral system and cannot be shaken. Your Majesty is a benevolent king, and he should be considerate of the sufferings of his people. Opening a port for the livelihood of the people will not fundamentally shake the ancestral system of sea ban. This is the only solution he can think of that is barely the best of both worlds."

After Zhang Juzheng said this, he lay on the ground and waited for Emperor Longqing to make a decision.

"Xu Shou assisted the old ministers in planning for the country. His methods inspired me a lot."

Xu Jie took the lead in proposing the opening of a port, and also emphasized that other coastal counties should continue to implement sea bans. In fact, it coincided with Wei Guangde's idea, and Emperor Longqing was not too surprised.

Because Zhang Juzheng had already been surprised when he said some things that needed attention.

However, he did not agree immediately. In fact, Wei Guangde's original mention that if the court's opposition was too strong, letting the inner court take control of the matter was too attractive.

The inner court was short of money, but Kaihai only sent people to collect taxes per ship. It was real money and silver, not taxes and levies collected from the local government. The difference was not huge.

Wait and see how the ministers of the DPRK and Central Government respond to Xu Jie's proposal.

Emperor Longqing only had money in his head at this time, so he looked at Gao Yi.

He is the person in charge of opposing the opening of the sea this time, and his attitude will also greatly affect the people behind him.

"Gao Aiqing, what do you think of Xu Chieffu's proposal?"

Emperor Longqing said with a pleasant look, he had mastered this after half a year of study, and his expression and tone of voice made it impossible to tell the slightest bit of his mood.

The ball has reached Grohe, and he is actually in trouble now.

Yu Zhuan's old attitude made his initial analysis wrong. He thought that the matter was Gao Gong's personal opinion and irrational behavior due to the confrontation with Xu Jie.

But now it seems that is not the case.

Even Xu Jie, an old cunning man, constantly expresses his attitude, which is his sympathy for the difficulties of the people in Fujian. If he really wants to oppose it forcefully, his reputation will be ruined.

People in the camp knew what was going on, but others would not think so. They would think that Gao Yi was a beast for not caring about the life and death of the people, and even stole the book of the Ministry of Rites.

Thinking of this, Gao Yi felt a chill in his heart.

If the reputation of the Minister of Rites is not good, this position should not be taken.

But if I agree to this here, how will I explain it when I go back? Will they understand my difficulties?

As for Huang Guangsheng beside him, he was in a similar mood.

Originally Huang Guangsheng should support opening up the sea in Fujian, but his family has lived in Quanzhou for a long time and has inextricable connections with local maritime merchants.

The opening of the sea in Fujian has both advantages and disadvantages for his family. The advantage is that he can start a maritime trade business openly, but the disadvantages are not small. The previous independent business will increase many competitors, which is a problem for the older generation of families who seek stability in everything. It is also unacceptable to the elders.

Because of this, the news he received also tried his best to oppose this matter, and he would never let the court pass the proposal to open the sea.

However, when all this has become the emperor's decision, how effective will their opposition be, as well as the first assistant's statement, and the second assistant's previous position with Xu Jie.

That is, their views on opposing the opening of the sea remain unchanged, but one thing that has not been said is that if the emperor insists on opening the sea, they will not fiercely oppose it, but will accept it.

Gao Yi and Huang Guangsheng both turned their heads and glanced at the group of Yu Zhuan's old people next to them. They all thought of delaying it for a while and discussing it after they got down.

Xu Jie's idea doesn't seem unacceptable, but should there be some more clauses added to it?

For example, to limit the number of import and export merchant ships, it is best to set it according to the current number of Fujian maritime merchant ships. This is nothing more than paying some money to the court, but it will whitewash the original illegal business.

These words should not be said in court, but should be said to several ministers in the cabinet privately, so that everyone is well aware of it.

With this idea, Gao Yi immediately said: "Your Majesty, I have some insights after listening to Mr. Xu Ge's suggestion, but I can't think clearly for a while. Please allow me to go down and think about it, and then I can summarize it with the memorial." method and submit it to His Majesty for review and decision.”

"It's good to have some insights and think of the people in Fujian."

Emperor Longqing nodded slightly, then looked at Huang Guangsheng, the Minister of Punishment, and asked, "What does Huang Aiqing think?"

"Your Majesty, I and Gao Shangshu have the same idea. We need to think about it carefully. Especially since Mr. Xu Ge has added many revisions. Wei Chen feels that this matter is of great importance. It is best to list the relevant provisions one by one to discuss the pros and cons. , let’s talk about whether it’s feasible.”

Huang Guangsheng also echoed, but he did not express his agreement with Xu Jie's suggestions. Instead, he said that Xu Jie's suggestions should be listed one by one, and then the court officials would debate and analyze the pros and cons, and then decide whether to give Fujian Make an opening.

Nodding, Emperor Qianlong didn't bother to ask other people's opinions, so that was probably what he said.

"Since everyone attaches great importance to Xu Shoufu's opinion, the matter will be handed over to the cabinet for handling. The terms proposed by Mr. Xu Ge will be listed one by one, and then opinions from various ministries will be solicited, and finally handed over to the Supervisor of Ceremonies."

Emperor Longqing felt that he was opening up the sea, and the attitude of the officials was not as fierce as expected.

Looking at the court's reaction after someone proposed opening the sea several times in the past few times, I couldn't help but feel that I was a little out of control.

However, when his eyes touched the large group of officials who were still kneeling below, Emperor Longqing suddenly realized something.

As the court meeting ended, the officials exited the Huangji Palace in an orderly manner, and Emperor Longqing had already left on the Dragon Boat.

Along the way, the officials gathered together and whispered about what happened at the court meeting.

There is still a clear distinction between supporters and opponents, and the fence-sitters also have their own independent small circles. The atmosphere between them is relaxed, chatting and laughing.

"Thank you for your help with today's matter."

Outside the palace, the cabinet ministers, the six ministers, and the censor of Zuodu did not leave. They would join hands to seek an audience with Emperor Longqing soon.

However, this did not prevent Gao Gong from delaying for a while and pulling Yin Shizhen and Wei Guang aside to talk.

"Brother Suqing, don't say that. I have thought carefully about the opening of the sea. I feel that Brother Suqing's opinion is very pertinent. For the sake of the people of Fujian, I should support Governor Tu's proposal of opening the sea."

Wei Guangde answered.

Although he is the driving force behind the scenes, the only people in the capital who know about this matter are Emperor Longqing, Chen Yiqin, and Yin Shizhen. There may be others who have doubts, but after all, it has not been confirmed personally, so Wei Guangde will naturally not confirm anything. .

As for Tu Zemin and Tan Lun, Wei Guangde did not think that they would betray him, because although they served in the coastal areas, they were not from these provinces.

Tu Zemin is from Sichuan, and Tan Lun is from his hometown in Jiangxi. When the news comes from the capital, he will naturally know how to handle the matter.

"What Shandai said is absolutely true. Opening a sea in Fujian will benefit the country and the people, at least that's what I think."

Yin Shizhen also whispered.

"After these few days have passed, I will invite you all to have a banquet at my house. We will not return until we are drunk. Later I and several other adults will go to see His Majesty, so I will go ahead."

Although Emperor Longqing did not give a clear result at today's court meeting, overall, the emperor supported his opinion, which is a good thing.

But after he turned around, his previously calm expression turned serious.

Of course he knew that the memorial that Qi Kang submitted at this time made his situation even worse. He would have to think carefully about how to speak in front of Emperor Longqing to avoid today's trouble.

Seeing Gao Gong walking back to the queue of cabinet ministers, Yin Shizhen asked Wei Guangde in a low voice: "Shandai, do you think Gao Suqing can survive this time?"

"It's hard to say. It depends on Xu Jie's determination."

Wei Guangde shook his head and replied in a low voice.

At this time, they were outside the Huangji Palace. There were servants and Han generals everywhere, so they did not dare to speak louder.

"Xu Jie probably won't let him go, ugh."

Yin Shizhen sighed.

Wei Guangde didn't answer the question after thinking about it, and shook his head, "I can only blame Gao Suqing for not being strict with his subordinates. If Qi Kang hadn't interfered, why would this have happened."

"Do you think it was him who instigated it?"

Suddenly, Yin Shizhen asked in a low voice.

Wei Guangde frowned when he heard this, and then shook his head, "Gao Suqing is not that unwise. Even if he wants to mobilize his disciples, he will definitely not be the idiot Qi Kang. Think about what he said in his memorial. It is extremely stupid."

Yesterday's incident had already allowed Xu Jie to gain sympathy points from both the government and the opposition, but Qi Kang pushed him from behind like this, and even the old man would be dissatisfied.

Why, seeing how old you are, you can kick any young person?

If they don't kill this trend this time, who knows whether they will be kicked next time.

After leaving the palace, Wei Guangde and Yin Shizhen went back to their respective yamen to run errands.

An hour later, Lu Bu suddenly ran into the duty room in a panic and whispered in his ear: "Sir, it's not good. I just heard the news. The Second Assistant to the Cabinet, Mr. Li Chunfang, just resigned from His Majesty. After leaving the palace, he Went directly back to the house.”

"I see."

Wei Guangde was not surprised, he just nodded slightly and continued to deal with the official documents on his desk.

Seeing that Wei Guangde was not surprised, Lu Bu only said that Wei Guangde had known the details for a long time, so he quickly left the room.

After the people left, Wei Guangde put down the official document in his hand and sighed.

Today, Li Chunfang has done everything that the second assistant should do. In Qi Kang's memorial, he accused him of being attracted by Xu Jie and relying on his power to act with authority.

Although it was Xu Jie who was impeached, he was actually taken into custody.

It's just that if neither the first assistant nor the second assistant attends today's meeting, it will be a big scandal in the Ming Dynasty.

You know, there are still some foreign envoys living in the Huitong Hall in Beijing.

If it were reported today that the first and second assistants of the Ming Dynasty cabinet were impeached and had to be absent, it would be a big joke if the news spread to other vassals.

Li Chunfang read the memorial today, but as if nothing had happened, she first passed the court meeting before resigning to Emperor Longqing, which at least avoided such an embarrassing scene in the court.

By noon, the news had spread throughout the official circles of the capital, and by this time no one was covering up the news, and there was nothing that could be done to cover it up.

The first minister and the second minister of the cabinet were impeached together. The first minister was fine. He returned home begging because of illness the day before, and he was impeached again the next day. In fact, it was the same, except that Xu Jie had to go to court to defend himself "while sick".

But Li Chunfang was different. His return really irritated the nerves of many officials.

As an official, Li Chunfang has always been a good man, never arguing or arguing. Even if some people think that he is irresponsible and not qualified for the position of second assistant, they will never agree that he and Xu Jie are in the same group.

When both the first and second assistants in the cabinet are no longer in the cabinet, everyone knows in their hearts that the talking heads in the cabinet now become Gao Gong and Guo Pu. However, Chen Yiqin and Zhang Juzheng, who are new to the cabinet this year, do not have much say in terms of seniority. .

In the blink of an eye, everyone seemed to know Qi Kang's plan for this memorial, or perhaps understood Gao Gong's plan.

At the same time, Xu Jie and Li Chunfang were eliminated, and he and Guo Pu took over the positions of first and second assistants.

Gao Gong, is he worthy of becoming the chief minister of the Ming Dynasty?

Wei Guangde knew that he could only try to hide himself as much as possible at this time, otherwise if the outside world knew that he was responsible for opening the sea, they would even suspect that he and Gao Gong planned everything.

He keeps a low profile. He only steps forward when it comes to maritime matters and tries not to get involved in other matters.