Shi Jinqing nodded without hesitation and said, "Yes."
The smile on Han Du's face bloomed like an epiphyllum. He turned to look at Zhu Biao and said, "Your Highness, I have an idea. It will not only greatly facilitate the transaction between them, but also allow the court to make a fortune."
"How do you say that?" Zhu Biao asked curiously. If other people said such things, Zhu Biao might not believe it. But since it was Han Du who said it, Zhu Biao naturally had no doubts at all.
"Set a bank here. Westerners who come to the Old Port to trade must first exchange the gold and silver they bring into treasure banknotes." Han Du said, looking sideways at Wang Yuanji, and continued: "The Governor's Office can order that gold and silver be banned in the entire Old Port.
Silver, only treasure banknotes are allowed to be traded."
Zhu Biao also had specialized research on banks. As soon as Han Du said it, he knew what Han Du wanted to do. It is indeed a very good idea to use banks to forcibly unify transaction currencies into treasure banknotes. As for what Han Du said about the imperial court
Being able to make money through this, Zhu Biao also knew what was going on. The value of Ming Dynasty treasure notes was so great in Old Port, which formed a scissors difference with the value of Ming Dynasty treasure notes in Old Port. Businessmen just brought treasure notes to Old Port.
You can make a lot of money.
Once a bank was set up to exchange treasure banknotes, Ming maritime merchants could no longer rely on treasure banknotes to make money. All the benefits originally brought by treasure banknotes fell into the hands of the bank. This was equivalent to the profits that originally belonged to some maritime merchants.
It was taken away by the bank.
"What a good idea." Zhu Biao nodded in approval: "After I return to Beijing this time, I will report to my father and strive to set up a bank in the old port."
After the unified use of treasure banknotes in Old Port, transactions will become more convenient and smoother. There will be no losses for Shi Jinqing and Wang Yuanji, and they are naturally happy to see the results.
As for the order to ban gold and silver transactions and switch to using treasure banknotes, it is not a problem for the Governor's Office. Even businessmen will not object, because the treasure banknotes in the old port are better and more obtainable than the gold and silver of poor quality in the West.
Everyone’s approval.
Setting up a bank and fully using treasure banknotes is just a small matter for Zhu Biao. Now that he has decided, he can wait until he returns to Beijing to report to his father and see what he wants.
Put this matter behind you for now.
"That's right. Along this journey, only Luzon Port can be compared with this place. It is indeed the famous twin pearls of the South Seas. Moreover, the feeling here is very different from Luzon." Zhu Biao sighed.
Fan, under the introduction of Wang Yuanji and Shi Jinqing, walked towards the Governor's Mansion.
From Han Du's point of view, Luzon is certainly different from the old port. Luzon is a resource-based port, providing the Ming Dynasty with food, spices, sugar, gold, silver, copper, and rubber that will be extremely important in the future.
The old port is completely a trading port, where various goods from the East and the West meet, and people and customs merge here.
Arriving at the gate of the Governor's Mansion, Wang Yuanji quickly bowed to Zhu Biao and said, "Your Highness, I have prepared a banquet in the mansion. Please come to the table."
Zhu Biao had been drifting on the sea for more than ten days and was already tired and sleepy. Seeing this, he was not polite. He turned around and smiled at Han Du and Tang Ding and said, "Then let's take a seat."
A group of people walked into the Governor's Mansion and came to the inner hall.
Zhu Biao naturally sat in the upper seat, while the two Marquises Han Du and Tang Ding sat on Zhu Biao's left and right. Next on the left was Wang Yuanji, while Shi Jinqing actually took the initiative to sit on the right.
Zhu Biao saw Shi Jinqing's actions and couldn't help but look at him and Wang Yuanji. He was very satisfied with the current situation.
As a native of Old Port, Shi Jinqing was one of the four original families. It is almost impossible for Ming Dynasty to trust him completely. After all, before Ming Dynasty came, Shi Jinqing also belonged to the Shi family, and it is now occupied by Daming Dynasty.
.To say that the Shi family has no resentment at all and is completely loyal to the Ming Dynasty, I am afraid no one dares to guarantee this.
But judging from the current situation, Zhu Biao is still very satisfied. First of all, since Wang Yuanji was able to surpass Shi Jinqing and host the reception banquet at the Governor's Mansion, and Shi Jinqing came to the banquet with a normal expression. This at least shows that in this old port
The intimidating power of the Governor's Mansion is still greater than that of his old port ambassador. And when he took his seat, Shi Jinqing was able to take the initiative to put Wang Yuanji above him. This also shows that at least Shi Jinqing paid enough respect to the Governor's Mansion.
of.
These two points are enough. It is impossible to achieve complete loyalty.
When the food and wine were served, Zhu Biao, as the person with the highest status, picked up the wine glass without hesitation and said, "Before that, I would like to congratulate Shi Aiqing first."
Shi Jinqing never expected that the prince would suddenly say such words. He quickly stood up from his chair in surprise, bowed and was about to speak.
But Zhu Biao waved to him, "Sit down and talk."
"Thank you, Your Highness." When Shi Jinqing saw this, he had to sit down slowly. His heart was in over his head, and he was constantly thinking about what happened that made His Highness so solemn. Is this good or bad for him?
Zhu Biao did not
After Shi Jinqing sat down, he said to him: "Shi Aiqing has been diligent in his work and loyal to the Ming Dynasty since he served as the ambassador of old port. My father deeply loves you and loves the Ming Dynasty even though he is far away from home. He also works for the Ming Dynasty."
Having made great achievements many times, I decided to make Aiqing the uncle of Palembang. I specially ordered my son to come here to pardon Aiqing. Tomorrow is an auspicious time, and Shi Aiqing will prepare the incense case and prepare to receive the decree."
Feng Bo? This is something Shi Jinqing has never dreamed of, and he has never dreamed that one day the emperor would confer him a title.
"Your Majesty, Shi Jinqing, thank you for your kindness. Long live my emperor!" Shi Jinqing plopped down, slipped off his chair and knelt on the ground, kneeling down towards Zhu Biao with all his body prostrated.
Zhu Biao smiled and stretched out his hand to help him slightly, and said: "Uncle Jugang is so generous, so I'd better wait until tomorrow when I receive the order."
"Your Majesty's kindness is so great that I am willing to die for the Ming Dynasty even if I die!" After saying this, Shi Jinqing bowed several times more and did not get up until the etiquette was fulfilled.
Although Shi Jinqing's eyes were red when he stood up, his energy and energy changed drastically as soon as he knelt down. Originally, when Shi Jinqing faced Zhu Biao, Han Du and others, he always had a good grasp of things.
Be careful. Because although he was also from the Central Plains because of his ancestors, he barely got the recognition of the Ming Dynasty and became the ambassador of the Old Port. But after all, he succumbed to the power of the Ming Dynasty's navy, and there was always an invisible connection with the Ming Dynasty.
gap.
But now, this time the barrier is gone. He was named Uncle Jugang by the emperor, and he truly became a nobleman of the Ming Dynasty. From now on, no one can say that he is not a Ming Dynasty man anymore. The Shi family, whether old or young
No matter whether you are a man or a woman, you can set foot on the territory of the Ming Dynasty from now on. Even if you settle down in the capital from now on, it is a matter of course.
Han Du did not expect that Lao Zhu would be so generous and actually directly confer Shi Jinqing with the title of uncle. Don't say whether he deserves credit or not. In the Ming Dynasty, people who have made greater contributions than Shi Jinqing are not to say that they are everywhere, at least they can be found, but
Why didn't Lao Zhu confer them the title of uncle?
Lao Zhu was the founding emperor, and the titles he was granted, whether earl or marquis, were hereditary and non-replaceable founding titles. This is why Lao Zhu was extremely cautious in conferring titles.
But what surprised Han Du was that Lao Zhu sealed Shi Jinqing. Han Du lowered his eyes, and the thoughts in his mind were spinning like lightning. He quickly guessed Lao Zhu's intention, and couldn't help but sigh in his heart: "
What Lao Zhu was thinking was unexpected. I'm afraid no one would have thought that in order to win over the Shi family, Lao Zhu would directly move Shi into the Qing Dynasty and become his uncle.
"
At the same time, Han Du secretly glanced at Zhu Biao. In the past, Zhu Biao gave Han Du the feeling of being kind and generous, and full of gentlemanly demeanor, making people unable to help but trust and be close to him.
But Zhu Biao's behavior just now made Han Du see another side of him.
Han Du knew better than anyone why Zhu Biao went to sea. However, it was clear that Zhu Biao came by the way to grant Shi Jinqing the title of uncle, but he insisted on pretending that he came specifically to pardon him.
Don't look at this same sentence, it just changed a little bit. But just such a little change makes the meaning completely different.
If Zhu Biao said that he was just stopping by to pardon Shi Jinqing, he would be grateful to Shi Jinqing, but it would not be so grand.
But Zhu Biao happened to say that he came to Jiugang specifically to pardon Shi Jinqing, which meant something completely different. The crown prince of the Ming Dynasty, the crown prince of the country, risked his fortune and traveled thousands of miles just to pardon and grant Shi Jinqing the title.
Come to grant him pardon. Shi Jinqing owes him a great debt for this kindness.
Shi Jinqing had received such great kindness from the prince. If he could not go to pieces for Zhu Biao, he would have been poked in the back by the world and stabbed to death.
Zhu Biao didn't do anything from the beginning to the end. He just changed one sentence and easily conquered a pair of earls whom he was devoted to. This political skill made even Han Du look at him.
Thinking of this, Han Du picked up the wine glass and gestured to Shi Jinqing: "Uncle Jugang, congratulations!"
Tang Ding and Wang Yuanji also came to their senses and congratulated Shi Jinqing together.
Shi Jinqing was inexplicably excited, and his face was rosy with excitement.
Seeing that Shi Jinqing was at a loss, Zhu Biao opened his mouth to help him out, "Come, let's drink to Mr. Palembang."
"I am so flattered, so flattered by Your Highness's kindness, I will die ten thousand times in repayment!" Shi Jinqing held the wine glass in both hands, bent to the limit towards Zhu Biao, and bowed three times in succession. Then, he turned around and bowed to Han Du and others.
Several people raised their glasses and drank it all in one gulp. With such a happy beginning, the banquet immediately entered a lively stage.
But among the few people, Wang Yuanji felt a little uncomfortable. Originally, Shi Jinqing was the ambassador of old port, and he was the governor of old port. Although his official position was the same as Shi Jinqing's, he held the military and political power of old port, which was a little higher than Shi Jinqing.
.
But now that Shi Jinqing has been granted the title of Uncle, he is completely inferior to him.