After hearing the report of the chamberlain, Zhu Youzhen nodded and instructed Wang Chengen: "Let the directors of the Four Seas Commercial Bank go and discuss with them about the matter of raising materials." I will talk to Wang Lao again, and after a while, I will let Wang Lao discuss with them how to accept banknotes. ”

After sending all the people in the Five Dragons Pavilion away, Zhu Youzhen said to Wang Fengyuan: "Although I agreed to the Jin merchants to open a bank of their own, it does not mean that I will let them go. You should know how damaging an unregulated bank can be to the country. ”

Wang Fengyuan was just stunned, and subconsciously replied: "Your Majesty is right, if someone raises funds through the bank and then hoards materials, then they can simply manipulate prices at will, so as to obtain high returns." ”

Zhu Youzhen bowed his head slightly and continued: "Therefore, the Financial Authority that the Ministry of Household Affairs has been preparing for is set up to supervise banking business. I've asked Tobe Shangshu to add your name, and the central bank can recommend two more people, and then make a regulatory policy for banks, and I want you to understand what that means. ”

Wang Fengyuan immediately replied with understanding: "Xiaomin... The minister will definitely study and formulate this financial control policy..."

After listening to Wang Fengyuan's assurance, Zhu Youzhen pondered for a long time before he made up his mind to say something temporarily.

"I still have one more thing to say hello to Qing first, and you can think slowly after you go back, and give me a comprehensive plan at the right time."

For the emperor's solemn order in front of him, Wang Fengyuan didn't dare to take it lightly, he quickly gathered his mind and said, "Please also ask Your Majesty to command." ”

Zhu Youzhen took out an ingot of gold and an ingot of silver from his bosom and put them in front of him, and then asked, "Qing should know these two things, right?" ”

"Gold and silver?" Wang Fengyuan studied for a long time before he said with some uncertainty.

"You're right, so do you know what the price of gold and silver is?" Chongzhen nodded and said.

Wang Fengyuan replied without hesitation: "The ratio of gold and silver in Beijing is 1:5, and in Nanjing it is about 1:6; ”

Zhu Youzhen immediately asked again: "Then do you know what is the price of gold and silver between Japan and Europe, which is far away from the West?" ”

Wang Fengyuan was suddenly stuck, and he was really unfamiliar with affairs other than Daming. Zhu Youzhen quickly interrupted his thoughts and said: "In Japan, it is between 1:12 and 13, while in Europe it is said to be about 1:15. ”

Wang Fengyuan only thought about it for a moment, and then suddenly said: "Your Majesty means, can we mobilize gold to Japan to exchange for silver?" ”

Zhu Youzhen shook his head and said, "Is Qing's vision only so small, how much hard-earned money can you earn by transporting gold to exchange for silver?" ”

Seeing that Wang Fengyuan hadn't figured it out yet, Zhu Youzhen had already said honestly and unceremoniously: "The comparison of gold and silver between Japan and Europe has clearly told us one thing, there is less gold and more silver in this world.

And the reason why the price of gold and silver in my Ming Dynasty is higher than that in other regions is not because my Ming Dynasty is rich in gold, but because the people of my Ming Dynasty value silver more. If the gold-silver ratio of the Ming Dynasty slipped to 1:15 in three years, how much profit do you think the central bank could make? ”

Wang Fengyuan felt as if his brain was about to explode, and the emperor's words suddenly made him react, if the funds raised by the central bank were used to hoard gold, then the silver in the market would depreciate by nearly half, and the merchants who got the news could make a big profit.

And that's not all, when the value of gold is artificially inflated, it means that the final repayment of silver-denominated bonds and equities in the market is only half of what it is now.

This is a plan worth tens of millions of taels, perhaps even tens of millions of taels. When Wang Fengyuan was still stunned, Zhu Youzhen had already said to him: "It is not a simple matter to take the initiative to adjust the price of gold and silver in the Ming Dynasty.

Not only will it first absorb enough gold reserves, but the Ministry of Households will also implement a decree prohibiting gold from leaving the country, and eventually the central bank will be prepared to convert the current silver standard monetary system into a composite gold and silver standard system, and eventually transition to the gold standard monetary system.

Wang Lao should know how big the interests involved in this plan will be, and I don't want to threaten Wang Lao, I just want to be honest with you.

The success of this plan will not only establish the central bank's unique position in the Ming financial community, but also the title of the secretary will be transformed into a knighthood. But if the plan doesn't work out because of someone else's leakage, then I can't guarantee that I'll do anything. ”

When the emperor left, Wang Fengyuan couldn't tell whether he was more happy or worried.

Immediately, two chamberlains came in, helped him change into a bullfighting uniform, and then invited him to go to the Jiale Hall to discuss with several Jin merchants.

After Wang Fengyuan, who was in a trance, walked into the Jiale Palace, the two groups of people who were still arguing in the hall unexpectedly quieted down when they saw him.

Wang Fengyuan's eyes suddenly regained their brightness, the emperor's threat may have made him feel very bad, but the benefits behind this incident were enough for him to devote to the rest of his life. It's like the first time he wants to spend his entire net worth to do a business.

Hou Wang's family in Hecheng, this name is indeed very pleasant, Wang Fengyuan thought to himself. After settling his mind, he felt very comfortable in his heart.

After Chongzhen left the Five Dragons Pavilion, he was about to return to the Qianqing Palace, walking on the path under the shade of green trees, and Wang Chengen needed to trot to keep up with him.

Looking at the emperor who was striding away and frowning, Wang Chengen wanted to distract him so that he could slow down a little, and couldn't help but say: "Your Majesty, why does Your Majesty think so highly of that Wang Hecheng, he is just a businessman, and he is not a talented person, if it is spread out, I am afraid it will damage Your Majesty's face." ”

Being interrupted by Wang Chengen, Chongzhen's footsteps really slowed down, he tilted his head and glanced at Wang Chengen, and then said gently: "Wang Banban thinks that what do people need to be feared when they live in this world?" ”

Wang Chengen saw Chongzhen's brows stretch a little, and hurriedly said, "Naturally, you want to be in awe of Your Majesty?" ”

"Haha, Wang Companion is really good at laughing. If the people of this world really fear me, how can there be party strife between the DPRK and China? ”

"The minister is ignorant, I don't know what is worthy of fear in the eyes of His Majesty?" Wang Chengen couldn't help but ask with some curiosity.

Zhu Youzhen suddenly stopped, looked at the towering palace wall in the distance, and the palace roof that reflected the sunlight and looked dazzling, before he said thoughtfully: "Of course it's money, haven't you heard that a penny forces a hero to death?" ”

Wang Chengen hurriedly smiled and said: "Your Majesty is rich in the world, I don't think I will encounter this situation in the future..."

Zhu Youzhen glanced at him and said meaningfully: "It's really a good idea to be rich in the world..."

Back in the Qianqing Palace, Lu Qi took a document and put it in front of the emperor, Chongzhen opened it and looked at it a few times, and the nerves that had been anxious for a day were finally relieved.

According to the assessment of officials of the Ministry of Industry, the construction time of the salt pans could be reduced by one-third, and the manpower could be saved by more than two-thirds.

And according to their evaluation, this kind of windmill is more efficient and more powerful than the original vertical shaft windmill used in the south of the Ming Dynasty.

In addition to grinding grains, logs can be sawn into trusses and planks, crushed for papermaking, and oil is extracted from various oil crops such as flaxseed and rapeseed.

Zhu Youzhen finally felt that he had finally heard a good news these days. The beginning of the industrial revolution began with a revolution in energy.

It could not be accomplished by human and animal power alone, and the accumulation of technology and materials before the invention of the steam engine could not be accomplished. The use of hydraulic machinery in the north is also a difficult project to achieve until the water conservancy facilities are completed.

Moreover, the hydraulic machinery that relies on the river is too restrictive. Comparatively speaking, although the windmill is also limited by geographical conditions, it is much better in comparison.

Zhu Youzhen put down the documents in his hand and said to Lu Qi: "Help me draft a few documents, agree to Changlu Salt Farm's application for the construction of the first batch of 27 Dutch-style windmills at a cost of 600 yuan, and agree to the construction of two windmills at a cost of 1,200 yuan at Dagukou Shipyard.

In addition, officials of the Ministry of Works were asked to sort out the construction methods of Dutch-style windmills, and then formulate acceptance specifications based on them, and train construction companies on the key points for the construction of such windmills.

In addition, the palace allocated 200,000 yuan to the Ministry of Industry to find suitable sites on both sides of the lower reaches of the Haihe River to build a windmill. These mills were transferred to the disabled sergeants who had been discharged from Liaodong and allowed to purchase their own mills at cost price in installments..."

When the time entered June, the negotiations between Yang Hao and Amin finally came to an end, and Houjin no longer asked Daming to admit that Nurhachi raised troops with seven hatreds, and also avoided Daming's compensation for Houjin.

Similarly, the Ming Dynasty did not claim that Houjin was a traitor to his own country, and no longer asked Houjin for the traitorous Sun Degong clan. And the Ming Dynasty sells 5,000 pieces of silk at half price to Houjin every year, 50,000 horses of wool and green cloth, and then gives 50 horses of each of the four major Baylor brocades, and Houjin will give back 10 horses to the emperor of the Ming Kingdom, 20 catties of ginseng, and 20 pieces of mink.

The two sides also agreed that the Wugou in Kaijinzhou and Liaohe estuary would be used as a place for the two sides to trade with each other.

Amin glanced at the unfinished ink in his hand, threw it aside, and then couldn't wait to say to Yang Hao: "Yang Jingluo, in order to negotiate this peace agreement, Da Baylor and I have spent a lot of effort, I don't know the conditions you promised before?" ”

Yang Hao asked his entourage to send a brocade box, and then put it in front of Amin and said: "This is the old man's entourage after investigating the products of Liaodong, and found that it is the most suitable business for Erbeile and Dabeile. ”

Amin opened the brocade box with anticipation, and there was a folded piece of paper inside, he took a look at it, and then asked with some uncertainty: "Can this wood and soybeans be a good business?" Compared to ginseng and fur, isn't it much worse? ”

Yang Hao pursed his lips and said, "This ginseng and fur, everyone knows that it is valuable, except for you and Big Baylor, everyone is staring at this business." Ginseng is 6 taels per catty, and the fur is not the best, that is, 2, 3 taels to 10 taels or more.

You and Da Baylor worked hard, can you get 3,000 catties of ginseng and 20,000 furs a year? This ordinary wood costs 3 taels, and at least 6 or 7 taels are required for two people to hug each other.

With the hands of two Baylors, it shouldn't be a problem to get more than 100 a day. Put the wooden raft down from the Liao River, directly to the mouth of the Liao River, it doesn't take much effort.

Based on an average of 5 taels of wood, 20,000 pieces a year, the minimum income is 100,000 taels. ”

Amin scoffed at Yang Hao's computing power, and the mountains and forests outside Shenyang were so dense that even if he only used his own manpower, he would not be able to cut down more than 20,000 pieces of wood a year. After all, construction is still going on in Shenyang City, and he knows very well how long it takes to harvest these woods.

Amin pretended to be a little uncertain and asked Yang Hao: "If we cut down more wood than 20,000 by then, will the Four Seas Merchant House still accept it?" ”

Yang Hao said without hesitation: "Your Majesty has promised, Erbeile is our good friend of the Ming Dynasty, as long as there is no quality problem with the wood and soybeans you sent, we will collect as much as we want." However, half of the payment for the goods must be discounted for goods such as cloth. ”

For Yang Ho's conditions, Amin is not embarrassed. In Liaodong, southern goods such as cloth were more popular than silver. It's just that in the past, these goods were in the hands of the merchants supported by Huang Taiji, and no one else could touch them.

Being able to obtain the goods of the Ming Kingdom from another channel, Amin felt that he might not be able to win over the Jurchen relatives and nobles in the Houjin country.