The beginning of the new year. Another peaceful year passed. It seems that all of them have passed an era peacefully.

Of course. Except for Zhang Fan. He's still resentful. This is called the work unit of the imperial court. I didn't even have a holiday for the New Year. Of course. The rest of the officials are used to it.

New Year’s Day. That is, on the first day of the first lunar month. The country name Wanli was officially launched. Zhu Yijun, who has been on the throne for more than nine months, has finally ushered in the era named after himself. But that's just the beginning. Although the current Zhu Yijun is sitting on the era named after himself. But at the moment, he didn't have any rights in his hands. Although the officials in the court are no longer dog-eat-dog now. Calmed down a lot. If only there was no contradiction. It's still early. Or rather, there will always be contradictions. It's just that it won't intensify. It depends on the situation.

In a word. At least now it's all right. Even if it's temporary.

The same goes for Zhang Fan. This time. Zhang Fan felt that he was a little bit of a backyard fire. As a matter of fact. This fire is only limited to the two daughters of Zhaoxue and Yingyue. It seems that Zhaoxue's entry into the door. Obviously, he was already standing on the same steps as Yingyue. But it didn't ease the relationship between the two of them. On the contrary, it became intense.

But Zhang Fan didn't ask about this. Even the Zhao family and the other daughters did not. It's not that they're going to sit on the sidelines or anything. It's just that it looks to them. There doesn't seem to be anything bad about that. In the words of Zhang Fan's previous life. The hostile state of Zhaoxue and Yingyue. Always make her look and feel. Some...... Harmonious. It seems that the relationship between the two is also heating up sharply. It's getting better. It's just that Zhaoxue and Yingyue, who are the parties involved, don't think so.

The so-called new year, new atmosphere. Since this year is the first year of the Wanli Dynasty. Then a lot of corresponding benefits for the general public will also be introduced. This is just as the people imagined before. Really. Decrees such as rent reductions and exemptions were also issued. And it's a lot bigger than it has ever been.

In fact. There's a reason for that, too.

Frankly. Since the founding of the Ming Dynasty. It is based on agricultural taxes to support the country. Attitude towards businessmen. The two emperors, Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Di, were also a lot more tolerant. Although the social status of the merchant did not improve much as a result. But almost a lot of businessmen. Especially those who do small businesses. Almost all of them are tax-free.

Therefore. The Ming Dynasty past. No matter what happens when you need to pay benefits. The tax relief is not much.

But it came to Zhu Yijun's Wanli era. Because Longqing ordered the switch. Countless ships of the Ming Dynasty went overseas. Whether it's a philistine or not. If you want money, you don't want to die. But they can make money. And to be able to make a lot of money. This is not false at all.

Naturally, the imperial court would not let go of such a lucrative source of income. The standard of taxation is not much, though. But due to the large base. Therefore, the taxes that the imperial court can collect are also quite large. Moreover. The silver that was recovered from the hands of these maritime merchants. It would be much more than the amount of tax collected every year in the hope of a good harvest.

But. It is also because of the social status of the merchants. This part though has. And everyone in the DPRK and China understands. I also took it out and discussed it. But it's never documented.

And now it's different. It seems that the imperial court has already recognized the legitimate status of merchants. After all, Longqing had already agreed that the imperial court would send warships to escort the merchant ships going to sea. Then the tax piece. Nowadays, it also has the names of merchants.

Think about it. The year before last, Zhang Fan went to Jiangnan to find out about the corruption. Just those two or three years. Only from the hands of the maritime merchants. Wherewhere the officials withheld as much money as they wanted.

Apparently. The introduction of this policy has also made these businessmen more energetic. Although the tax they were going to call was not reduced by a penny. But in the future, when the imperial court announces the annual taxes. But they have their names. How can this not make these businessmen who have been oppressed for thousands of years feel happy.

And the imperial court is not just collecting taxes and not doing things. After all, their safety at sea is also guaranteed. Naturally, everything is fine.

That's actually the way to do it. After all, in this day and age. The ocean has already begun to be explored. The land of China is no longer as dominant as it was in the Han and Tang dynasties. So for the Ming Court. Whether it is necessary or not. This military power on the sea must also be built. Not to mention. There are no antiques like Xu Jie's in the court and cabinet today. And no one was trying to stop that. On the contrary, there are more people who agree.

Besides. Although it seems a bit rude to escort those merchant ships. But think about it the other way around. Come to think of it. Even if it is to negotiate peace with the Tatars in the north. Traditionally, it has been the practice to send envoys accompanied by caravans. Now you can do it on land. Why not at sea?

And. The navy of the Ming Dynasty lacked actual combat. If you can meet a few little thieves at sea or something. I can also practice my hands along the way. And these military spending or something. Most of it was also paid by the willing maritime merchants. Why not.

Thereupon. The Ming Dynasty also began its Age of Discovery. It's just that the style here is not as barbaric and violent as those of the Europeans. It's just about opening up the market with your own goods. Of course. Zhang Fan understood. This cannot go on forever.

The reason why Europeans are now willing to spend a lot of money on goods from the East. Except that what is here is really appealing to them. Most importantly. Their colonialism was also just beginning. It can be regarded as entering the middle stage. Europe at this time. Looting large sums of wealth from overseas. In addition to continuing to reinvest. It's more about enjoyment. So these were transported there from the Ming Dynasty. Items that they find beautiful and valuable. It became what they needed most. At the same time, it is also a necessity to show off.

It stands to reason. That's a good thing. But Zhang Fan understands. That will change in a hundred or two hundred years. At that time. The distribution of colonies was completed. Conflicts between various countries in Europe are still there. But the intensity of this feeling is long gone. And. The gradual perfection of capitalism requires the market diligently. And most of the countries of Europe have completed the construction of capitalism. It is not possible to export products to each other. They desperately need a vast market that can be opened.

At that time. When they are idle, they will look to the East. In the face of perennial wealth output. No country is willing. So. For the sake of profit. The war will begin.

Zhang Fan really can't know. Wait until that time. Will this Ming Dynasty change because of its arrival? Or will it still be like it was historically. Decline. until it was replaced by another dynasty. But he was sure of one thing. It doesn't matter who rules the land. In the event of a war. It is definitely the common people who suffer. Zhang Fan from any point of view. I don't want that to happen.

But now. He's already planning though. And it's time to act. But because of a lot of factors. His movements can only be secretive. Don't dare to make it public.

Facing overseas. Zhang Fan didn't feel uneasy about using violence to conquer them. Last life. He didn't study history though. But he studied economics. For the history of economics. He knows a lot. He understood. In the hundreds of years since. Wealth will be the main theme of the world. And along with the wealth came blood and war.

There's nothing kind about it. Say it a little bigger. Either you die or I die.

But at this stage. Zhang Fan can only act slowly and secretly. But his actions were not aimed at overseas. Internally, he also put a lot of effort into it.

Target. It is Zhu Yijun, who will inevitably be in power in the future. Emperor Wanli is gone.

A few months ago. That batch of muskets had already been manufactured. It was handed over to Jin Yiwei.

Wait until the wax moon has just arrived. Zhang Fan ordered them to be sent to Fusang.

But this time. Two batches of muskets of different styles were also sent over in two ways. In order not to let the people there see any flaws.

And these people arrived in Fuso. There was no rush to get rid of it. Instead, I waited until the time of the Chinese New Year. Many of Fuso's calendars are copied from the Celestial Empire. The time of the New Year is also about the same.

First of all. A group of people negotiated with Oda Nobunaga's hostile forces. They certainly don't report themselves. It is said that these muskets were obtained by trading with Europeans. It's just that the Ming Dynasty was very strict in the management of firearms. The private sector cannot hold it. So they intend to exchange these guns for gold.

Originally. These anti-Nobunaga people are very powerful. Among them, Shingen Takeda is the leader. It is Nobunaga's Great. But. Since Nobunaga got that batch of muskets last year. Let him catch his breath at the same time. A counterattack was also launched. And it works well.

Therefore. Shingen Takeda, who was supposed to die of illness in April of this year. Almost half a year ahead of schedule. He died with a whimper. And Nobunaga now has the advantage.

Therefore, these people are in dire need of support. This batch of muskets. Undisputed sold for a high price. Each is six taels of gold. It's sky-high.

And Nobunaga's side. I also know about it. Although he was suspicious of the Ming envoy who arrived at this juncture. But the situation didn't allow him to think too much. And the price is still the same. Five taels of gold.

This trip can be regarded as earned. A total of three thousand muskets. The starting cost is only 30,000 taels of silver. But nowadays. That's it. But it was exchanged for nearly 17,000 taels of gold.

War money. It's really a huge profit.