Chapter 329 Lifting the sea ban policy (fourth update)
Chapter 329 Lifting the sea ban policy (fourth update)
Soon the matter spread in the capital.
Under his deliberate arrangement, the whole process of him driving an armored warship to extort Japanese pirates was also widely known.
After tea and dinner in the streets, everyone was talking about this matter.
"It's incredible. His Highness the Ninth Prince actually built an armored warship without making any noise. I can't even imagine what it looks like!"
"That must be amazing! Haven't you heard? It uses a steam engine as the power. It doesn't need a sail or a paddle. It's incredibly fast!"
"It's unbelievable that the Japanese pirate warship was directly hit and smashed. How strong this ship must be!"
"What is this? The most outrageous thing is that His Highness actually blackmailed the Japanese pirates with five armored warships. If I hadn't seen real money, I wouldn't have believed it!"
"No, I guess the Japanese pirates were frightened by His Highness the Ninth Prince's strong ships and cannons, and were afraid that we would launch a national war against them in anger."
"Who would have thought that the Japanese pirates, who have always been kings and hegemons at sea, would be so vulnerable now!"
"This is all thanks to His Highness the Ninth Prince!"
"..."
After resting for a day, Li Changfeng went to the palace to see Emperor Qianwu the next day.
Emperor Qianwu smiled with a smile on his face: "Daqian God of Wealth, you are finally back. I heard that this trip has been quite rewarding."
He is in a very good mood.
When Li Changfeng went on an expedition, he was often criticized for using artillery battalions, musketry battalions and air forces for private use. As an emperor, he also suffered a certain amount of pressure.
He originally wanted to wait for Li Changfeng to give some advice after he returned to Beijing, and ask Li Changfeng to spend some money to stop the crowd.
Who would have thought that as soon as Li Changfeng entered the capital, he sent a million taels of silver to the Ministry of Revenue in a very high-profile way, which made everyone in the capital know about it and gave him a bad face.
One million taels of silver is enough to make the current stretched treasury of Daqian much richer.
Li Changfeng casually cupped his hands as a greeting, sat across from Emperor Qianwu and said with a smile, "It's not bad, the Japanese pirates are soft-headed people who bully the weak and fear the strong. They will give up even if they are easily frightened."
Emperor Qianwu leaned forward and said curiously: "What exactly is going on? Please tell me carefully."
Next, Li Changfeng described the process in detail.
Finally, Li Changfeng said: "Father, the ammunition consumed along the way is actually less than one thousand taels in total. Do you know why my son is so high-profile and spends five hundred thousand taels as military expenses?"
Emperor Qianwu thought for a moment and then said: "Do you want to take the opportunity to lift the sea ban policy?"
In fact, after Emperor Qianwu learned that Li Changfeng had started building ships last year, the two discussed the matter in the imperial study room, and Emperor Qianwu agreed at that time to lift the sea ban policy.
He later discussed the matter with the most important officials in the court, but all the court officials expressed opposition because Daqian's naval force was too weak to protect the coastline.
At that time, the ship had not yet been built, so Emperor Qianwu put the matter on hold. Li Changfeng did not urge it, but he was always thinking about it.
This time, the steam-powered armored warship was successfully built, and he personally went to collect the account. The purpose of making such a big fuss was to build momentum for the lifting of the no-sea policy.
If the Daqian Navy is so powerful, what else do we need to be afraid of?
Li Changfeng nodded: "That's right."
"There will definitely be no surprises in lifting the sea ban policy at this time." At this point, Emperor Qianwu showed a helpless look: "It's just that your armored warship belongs to you privately, and the Daqian Navy is afraid that it will not be able to buy it for the time being."
After saying that, Emperor Qianwu looked at Li Changfeng expectantly.
Li Changfeng showed a vigilant look on his face: "Father, the armored warships have cost me a lot of money. You must distinguish between public and private affairs and have your own ideas. If you want, use the money to buy them!"
Emperor Qianwu was a little angry: "Isn't there not so much money in Daqian's treasury now?"
Li Changfeng refused to give in: "Then wait until we have money!"
Seeing that Emperor Qianwu's face became even more ugly, Li Changfeng quickly added: "Father, don't worry, although the ship does not belong to Daqian, I am absolutely responsible for anything that happens. Isn't it just a matter of your words?"
Emperor Qianwu's face finally looked better now.
Li Changfeng added: "Father, please hurry up and cancel the sea ban policy, so that I can make money for the national treasury quickly, and you can save some worry, right?"
Emperor Qianwu suddenly became interested: "Oh? How do you say this?"
Next, Li Changfeng introduced the seafood in detail.
Emperor Qianwu traveled all over the country, but he really didn't know that many seafoods were edible. After Li Changfeng introduced it, he understood what he meant.
Developing the fishing industry will not only increase the income of coastal people, but also increase tax revenue, which can indeed make money for Daqian.
Emperor Qianwu was in a better mood.
Early the next morning, Emperor Qianwu raised the matter of lifting the sea ban policy at the morning court, and some conservative ministers in the court stood up to express their opposition.
"Your Majesty, the policy of banning seas has existed since ancient times. How can it be easily canceled?"
"Yes, there are too many thieves on the sea. If my people go out to sea to fish, they will be robbed. The gain outweighs the loss!"
"If there are more people living on the beach, more pirates will be attracted, which will make relocation very troublesome in the future!"
"Your Majesty, think twice!"
"..."
Before Emperor Qianwu could speak, Ye Qingcang stood up and pointed at several opposing ministers and cursed.
"This is absolutely ridiculous! Don't you know that His Highness the Ninth Prince built a steam-powered armored warship?"
"Haven't you heard that His Highness the Ninth Prince used five armored warships to force the Japanese pirates to beg for compensation in silver?"
"Now that I have an armored warship, do I still need to be afraid of mere pirates?"
As soon as he finished speaking, Chen Dingyuan, the Minister of Household Affairs who had just received one million taels of silver from Li Changfeng, also stood up.
"Old General Ye Qingcang is right. Now that we have His Highness the Ninth Prince's armored warship, what else do we need to be afraid of? Besides, the sea is rich in products, which can not only provide the people along the coast with an additional source of income, but also increase tax revenue.
, why not?”
The old Prime Minister Feng Quji also stood up and expressed his position: "His Royal Highness the Ninth Prince once said to an old minister that we must know how to advance with the times and not be too conservative. The old minister also believes that it is time to lift the backward maritime ban policy."
These three people all have important positions in the court. Once they expressed their opinions, other ministers no longer objected and expressed their approval.
In this way, the sea ban policy was lifted very smoothly.
After Li Changfeng learned the news from the palace, he immediately sent someone to deliver a message to Zhou Jianbo, and also sent several ice-making technicians to accompany him.
Although it is now late autumn and the weather in Beijing has turned cold, it is still very hot in the south. Seafood transportation will definitely not be possible without ice to keep it fresh.
After arranging this matter, Li Changfeng summoned the people in charge of Dian Doude, Beer BBQ City and Hudilao together and asked them to prepare in advance to withdraw from seafood dishes.