The Ming Dynasty started with caution

The princes did not believe what Yan Chengjin said.

This guy has been staying in the capital, how could he know about Manjiala's banknotes?

Moreover, the customs tax is related to the number of passing merchants. The more merchants carry goods, the more taxes they pay.

The Grand Canal connects the north and south of Zhili, and business is extremely prosperous. Will it be inferior to the barbaric land?

Wang Qiong lowered his head and reminded in a low voice: "My dear nephew, the annual tax paid on the Grand Canal is three million taels of silver. How much is a hundred times? Don't just talk nonsense."

The Supreme Emperor Hongzhi's eyes widened when he looked at Yan Chengjin.

The princes also took a deep look at Yan Chengjin.

What is one hundred times three million taels of silver? Thirty million taels! Besides, this is a tax collected by a banknote.

This is why they questioned Yan Chengjin.

"I heard from Li Zhaoxian that the location of this place is similar to a pass.

All merchant ships traveling east to west need to dock here for supplies. If it can be set up as an overseas banknote for the imperial court, it will surely earn a lot of tax money. "Yan Chengjin said.

This is the first time I cut leeks. When I arrived at Qiaoguan in the Ming Dynasty, I could cut several more times.

Liu Jian opened his mouth slightly, still a little unbelieving in his heart.

Can collect 30,000 taels of tax silver! ?

Jiang Mian and Zhang Fuhua also looked at Yan Chengjin, feeling unable to calm down for a long time.

Mao Ji, the Minister of Rites, said calmly: "Sending troops overseas once will easily cost millions. Can Master Yan dare to guarantee this?"

"Don't dare."

Zhang Fuhua, Minister of the Ministry of War, asked: "I want to know how Lord Yan knows how many merchant ships come to and from Mankara?"

The Supreme Emperor Hongzhi turned his eyes and he also wanted to know.

In this matter, it is necessary to know the number of merchant ships in order to roughly calculate the tariff.

The faces of the princes were complicated. Based on past experience, Yan Chengjin must be confident before speaking.

But the tariff of 30,000 taels is equal to the taxes in the seven years of the Ming Dynasty.

Perhaps the pockets of 50% of the gentry of the Ming Dynasty were emptied to have so much money.

"I don't know."

The princes gradually showed disappointment.

Wang Hao said: "Since Master Yan doesn't know how many merchant ships there are in Mankara, how can he dare to claim that there are 30,000 taels of tax silver?"

If you say that you are just guessing, everyone will not take it seriously.

Yan Chengjin thought for a moment and then said: "The commercial goods circulating in the Grand Canal are mostly rice grains and coarse salt, which are not as valuable as tea, silk and porcelain, and the taxes are not as high as silk and other items.

Secondly, now the Ming Dynasty exports more goods than through the canal, and most of the exported goods have to go through Manjiala.

But based on these two points, I guess there are more than the Grand Canal. "

The Grand Canal is narrow and cannot accommodate many merchant ships, far fewer than those overseas.

The Supreme Emperor Hongzhi showed a slightly disappointed look.

I thought Yan Chengjin got the exact number from Li Zhaoxian. This is what this person speculated.

The Supreme Emperor Hongzhi looked at Zhang Fuhua: "The Ministry of War has roughly calculated how much silver is needed?"

"Two million taels." Zhang Fuhua bowed.

One large ship costs hundreds of thousands of taels of silver, and ten ships cost one million.

Liu Jiandao: "Sending troops overseas will cost a lot of money, and it is a vassal state and does not belong to our Ming Dynasty territory. I hope the emperor will think twice before doing so."

"I think about it and withdraw from the court first."

If Yan Chengjin remembers correctly, Henry VIII is currently reigning in the Tudor Dynasty.

This man was a talented and ambitious king who single-handedly created the Royal Navy and fought from the west to the east.

Moreover, all-round reforms have taken place in the country, and the national power has become unprecedentedly strong.

If the Ming Dynasty lags behind, it will fall behind every step.

But now he is only the fifth assistant, and the power is in the hands of the Supreme Emperor and the princes, so he has very little to say.

Returning to the Ministry of War, Zhang Fuhua thought hard for a while and ordered the chief secretary and doctor to come to the ministry hall to discuss the matter.

"How many naval forces are mobilized now?"

"Less than 60,000 people," said Guo Hong, the chief secretary of the Ministry of War.

The imperial court was frugal in spending, so the garrison did not recruit many navy troops, and they had to garrison the coastal prefectures, prefectures, and counties.

The chief clerk and the doctors could not calm down for a long time.

Yan Chengjin actually dared to say that Manjia's banknotes could collect 30,000 taels of silver?

The Supreme Emperor Hongzhi was thinking that this matter was no different from gambling. If Yan Chengjin gambled once, he might lose a year's money from the national treasury.

This is nothing, mainly the human population.

Hundreds of thousands of strong men were killed to put down rebellions in various places. If hundreds of thousands more strong men were sent to fight, the imperial court would be seriously weakened. "Your Majesty, Mr. Zhang from the Ministry of War wishes to see you."

Zhang Fuhua walked into the main hall and said to the Supreme Emperor Hongzhi: "There are only 60,000 naval troops available, and we need to recruit troops to go to sea."

…

Shouninghou Mansion,

In the main hall, Lu Wandui said with a smile on his face: "I haven't seen the Duke for two years, but he is still so vigorous."

"No, no, this meat is five kilograms, right? Oh, it's such a waste!"

Zhang Heling said it was a waste of money, but he grabbed it and weighed it with a smile, showing a deep smile.

At this time, Zhang Yanling strode in from outside and shouted happily: "Brother, you are going to get rich!"

Zhang Heling rolled his eyes at his younger brother and asked harshly: "Brother, what's the way to make money?"

"Yan Chengjin said to the court that Mankari can collect a hundred times the tax of the Grand Canal, but the court doesn't want it. If we two brothers can build a banknote checkpoint in Mankara..." Zhang Yanling couldn't help but said with joy.

Zhang Heling looked at his brother suspiciously, as if he could not figure it out, "Who told you?"

"It's Yan Chengjin. I just came out of the palace and met that dog official."

Snap!

Zhang Heling slapped him in the face, but quickly calmed down and asked again: "What do you mean when you say the imperial court doesn't want you?"

"Yan Chengjin advised the court that the princes and the emperor did not want to send troops..."

Zhang Heling's eyes shone.

"Hey, Lord Lu and Lord Zhang, please go back. I have something to do at home, so I won't keep you for dinner."

Yan Chengjin dared to say it in front of His Majesty, and it was probably true, but those ministers didn't believe it.

Just like when Yan Chengjin said that the island country had silver mines, it turned out that there were silver mines.

This guy's mouth is more effective than auspicious signs.

Coming out of the Shouning Marquis's Mansion,

Lu Wan shook his head and sighed softly: "Yan Chengjin has a good plan."

"Openly inciting the Duke, it will be a serious crime when it comes to Queen Mother Zhang. How can there be a good plan?" Zhang Mao, the chief clerk of the Ministry of Rites, sighed softly.

"Brother Shangyi doesn't know, the Zhang brothers are officials and gentry. Yan Chengjin told them, which is equivalent to telling the gentry."

Zhang Mao still looked confused.

Lu Wan pondered for a moment and said: "Silk and tea are to be transported to the West, and they have to pass through Mangara. If the French set up a banknote gate, will the gentry be willing to pay customs duties to the French?"

Now, Mangara is occupied by the French, but the trade between the East and the West is prosperous.

The gentry sold silk and tea, and took a lot of silver from the French.

The French may have set up a bank there.

Early the next morning, the Duchayuan was on duty.

Yan Chengjin came to the duty room to read the memorials, and Zheng Qian walked in quickly and said, "Sir, the new Right Censor-in-Chief Lu Wan has arrived."

Lu Wan took office from Nanzhili, and after being the governor of Xuanfu, he was transferred back to the capital to serve as the Chief Censor.

Not long after, a handsome man walked into the duty room. Concubine Lou specifically mentioned this person, and he had some impression of him.

"Lu Wan, meet you, sir."

"I heard that you are a counselor?"

"I dare not, I will need your guidance in the future in the Duchayuan."

Yan Chengjin stood up and pointed to the family files, "I am going to court, you can sort out the family files first."

Lu Wan raised his head slightly, and there were many family files on the desk that had not been closed in time, "Yes, sir."