Ming Dynasty: At the beginning of the game, Lao Zhu resigned and retired.

But after hearing what Monk Daoyan said, combined with what Song Li had just said, he immediately understood.

But even Zhu Biao, who had been well-read since childhood and was carefully taught by Zhu Yuanzhang, still did not quite understand the twists and turns here.

Or rather, I didn't react immediately.

"Daoyan, since you said that the merchants were seeking the benefits of maritime trade, then why do they support the maritime ban?"

"If the Ming Dynasty abolishes the maritime ban and opens up maritime trade, wouldn't they be able to make money openly? Why are they still opposing it?"

Monk Daoyan nodded at Zhu Biao and then explained.

"Your Highness's idea is certainly not wrong. Or rather, this is what ordinary people would think, but it is not what these sea merchants think!"

"For them, maritime trade is, of course, a big business that they have inherited for a hundred years. If the Ming Dynasty opens up maritime trade, they will definitely make a fortune."

“But they felt that this was not enough!”

"After all, when the sea was banned in the past, they were still able to engage in maritime trade, and it was a unique business."

"Whether it's shipping out or selling in, the profits from both ends are theirs alone."

"Since the sea ban has been implemented, anyone who wants to get involved will be punished by local officials."

"In this way, these sea merchants can earn their fortunes in peace and security!"

"That's why I just said that each of these maritime merchant families is truly as wealthy as a country!"

"According to my guess, several sea merchants have accumulated cash worth no less than five million taels over the years!"

"Even after your majesty expelled the Tartars and restored China, the entire Central Plains slowly recovered and implemented a maritime ban."

"Then this is great news for these families."

“There are many who produce goods;”

“There are many who buy the goods they bring in;”

"After the maritime ban, there is no one left who can compete with them!"

"How can they bear to let go of such a good situation?"

"That's why they decided to go all out to assassinate Lord Hu and at the same time steal Liulifang's talents!"

"Nothing special. I'm used to making a lot of money. Who wants to live a hard life?"

When Monk Daoyan finished his "long speech", Zhu Yuanzhang and his son were speechless.

It turns out that the policies they originally set were used by others as a tool to make profits without their knowledge.

More importantly, when Zhu Yuanzhang and his father recalled the various policies implemented over the years, they suddenly felt a chill in their hearts.

Is there any policy here that has been messed up?

"Daoyan, you said before that we were wrong. According to the problem of the Song Dynasty, we over-favored civil officials."

"Weiyong also mentioned this!"

"Tell us now, we want to hear what's different between what you said and what Weiyong said!"

Zhu Yuanzhang never made much of an issue about the maritime ban.

He was the one who decided this matter, and he even included it in the "Imperial Ming Ancestor Instructions" as a "rule" that he intended for future generations to follow!

As a result, he was used to this extent by the officials he looked down upon, and what else can he say!

So, he decisively changed the topic, but at the same time, he was really interested in this question.

In his opinion, Mr. Hu was undoubtedly a smart man.

Although the monk Daoyan in front of him is not as good as Master Hu, he is still far superior to ordinary people.

If only Mr. Hu asserted that there was something wrong, Zhu Yuanzhang might be skeptical.

But if even Monk Daoyan swore that there was a problem, then... there was most likely a real problem.

It's impossible for two smart people to be stupid.

Monk Daoyan didn't think so much. He only had one idea at the moment.

So excited!

Not to mention the pleasure of giving advice and giving instructions in front of the emperor and the prince.

Just when Zhu Yuanzhang mentioned this issue just now and said that Master Hu had also made such a statement, Monk Daoyan immediately became angry.

If two people answer the same question, doesn't that mean they are fighting each other in the air?

This is interesting!

Monk Daoyan truly admires Master Hu.

Although Daoyan was somewhat unable to describe Master Hu's temperament, he had never doubted his talent.

At the same time, he is also a person who is extremely conceited about his own talents.

Now that there is a chance to compete, it is no wonder that Monk Daoyan is so excited.

"Your Majesty, in my opinion, your Majesty is too lenient towards civil servants."

"One is the tax exemption for gentry and students!"

"This strategy is a surefire way to destroy our country!"

Monk Daoyan really wants to shock people with his words!

In front of the emperor, the crown prince, and even the founding emperor, he talked about the country's fall.

Zhu Yuanzhang even felt the corners of his eyes twitching.

Without him!

I can't hold back and want to kill someone!

But Monk Daoyan didn't care about all this at the moment.

"I don't know whether Your Majesty thinks so or was advised to do so by others."

"Anyway, judging from the results, the Ming Dynasty clearly claimed that it would emphasize agriculture and suppress commerce, but in reality, it actually suppressed agriculture and emphasized commerce!"

"You fart!"

Zhu Yuanzhang, who had been able to hold back, could no longer hold back after hearing this.

He pointed at Daoyan's nose and cursed at him.

But Daoyan looked at Zhu Yuanzhang calmly.

"Your Majesty, whether to emphasize agriculture and suppress commerce or to suppress agriculture and emphasize commerce is not determined by what is written in the imperial edict or what you say in the court."

"Ultimately, it depends on what the policy will be after it is implemented."

"But judging from the current situation in the Ming Dynasty, the gentry are exempt from tax, the common people are heavily taxed, commerce is tax-free, and farming is heavily taxed!"

"Your Majesty, under such circumstances, do you still think that the Ming Dynasty really emphasizes agriculture and suppresses commerce?"

"You can't possibly think that collecting more taxes is actually emphasizing agriculture, right?"

Monk Daoyan's sharp and harsh words completely silenced Zhu Yuanzhang.

He wanted to say something in rebuttal.

But when the words were on the tip of his tongue, he found that whatever he said seemed to be a little pale.

Just as Monk Daoyan said just now, it doesn’t really matter what is said or what is written in the imperial edict.

Ultimately, it all comes down to what is done in the end.

After hearing the monk Daoyan's summary, Zhu Yuanzhang was shocked to find that he had been advocating "emphasis on agriculture and suppression of commerce" all the time.

But in fact, the emphasis on agriculture and the suppression of commerce is the emphasis on heavy taxes.

The emphasis on agriculture and the suppression of commerce should be beneficial!

Because the benefits did not fall on the peasants at all, but were all taken away by the gentry and merchants.

From this perspective, Zhu Yuanzhang has been making a joke all these years!