The master is the secretary, a secretary who has no official position and only relies on the trust of officials.
It was really unexpected that it was so violent.
But everything is tainted with power and is reasonable.
"Deal with it as appropriate!"
Zhu Yixi wanted to find a way to solve its shortcomings, but felt powerless.
How is it possible to set up a secretary position like in later generations? Isn't this just adding more official positions and creating redundant officials?
And allowing officials to self-employ themselves violates the fundamentals of selecting scholars through the imperial examination and shakes the foundation.
Chu Yu naturally understood that this meant stopping at the end.
Catch all those involved, but do not implicate innocent people to avoid unnecessary reactions.
After all, if the group of masters is not related by family ties, if it gets bigger and can involve tens of thousands of families, the entire Shaoxing master industry will collapse.
Treatment is to eliminate the root cause of the disease, not to kill the person.
The dragon boat sailed south to Hangzhou.
Zhu Yixi wanted to go there by rail, but the ministers stopped him because it was unsafe. However, he did as he pleased and continued to ride the comfortable dragon boat.
At this time, outside the city of Hangzhou, a group of merchants came in a hurry, with several Xiyi people mixed in among them, making them particularly conspicuous.
Wenster looked at the bustling city of Hangzhou and felt quite moved for a moment.
After going through untold hardships, he finally arrived in Hangzhou.
Since the establishment of the customs in the Ming Dynasty, merchants from various countries have been allowed to move freely in the areas under the jurisdiction of the customs, buy and sell business, and purchase real estate, but they cannot leave the city.
Although it has limitations, it has made businessmen from Europe and other countries overjoyed, and they have logged in and opened shops to do business.
At this time, the Dutch ambassador in Beijing immediately sent a letter to his brother, asking him to come to Ming Dynasty to do business and gain profits:
China is a land that has never been developed. Anyone who has the courage to come here will immediately receive tenfold or a hundredfold benefits.
Vincent knew that his brother was not just an empty talk, and since he had such an invitation, he decided to go out in person.
Since you are doing business, you have to take a quick look and browse everything.
From Guangzhou, Taiwan, to Fuzhou and Hangzhou, the goods along the way were of high quality, low price and exquisite, which made him very excited.
After all, it is the place of origin, so it is much cheaper than things shipped thousands of miles to Europe.
Abandoning the boat and landing, we went all the way to the customs office at Hangzhou Pier, registered our name and place of origin, and then entered the city with the sign.
This time when he came across the ocean, he brought a large amount of money with him. He just wanted to buy more cheap Chinese products and bring them back to the country to sell them and make a lot of money.
At the same time, the Dutch financial industry was developed, and he wanted to imitate the Netherlands and establish a bank in the East.
It's a pity that he can't find a way whether it's Fuzhou, Guangzhou or Ningbo.
He thought too simply, thinking that if he brought money to do business with the Chinese, the other party would definitely welcome him from afar. However, the Ming Dynasty kept a respectful distance from Westerners like him, who were blond and blue-eyed.
People are willing to do business with acquaintances, but they don't know the credibility of strangers and don't know the details, so they reject them.
This made Vincent particularly depressed.
I originally wanted to rely on my own ability to do business without bothering my brother, but I didn't expect that without my brother, I really had nothing to do.
At this time, the interpreter beside him said: "Sir is carrying ivory, animal skins, carpets from Persia, gems from India, peacock feathers, etc. brought from Africa. To sell such things in the Ming Dynasty, you need connections.
It is better to use these things as gifts and give them to people in the officialdom of the Ming Dynasty.
When the time comes, with these people helping you, your business will really grow."
After all, Vincent was born as a businessman and was greedy and stingy by nature, but in order to do business, he had to agree:
"The officials who wanted to come to Ming Dynasty were just as greedy as the Dutch, hoping that these things would satisfy his appetite."
In this way, he felt that instead of giving this bribe to some small officials, it would be better to give it to the largest official to obtain better benefits.
So he went to the Zhejiang Governor's Yamen and asked to see the governor.
The chief attendant at the door was glaring angrily, but when he received a few silver coins, he immediately showed a real smile: "Wait a moment, I will report it."
After saying that, he took three steps and two steps and left.
If someone else knew that the Xiyi people were asking for an audience, they would naturally ignore him.
After all, a consensus has been formed in the official circles of the Ming Dynasty that the Western barbarians seek profit but have no virtue, so they can only make friends with them but not get close to them.
But the governor of Zhejiang at this time was Fang Yizhi, who had written some knowledge about physics.
Fang Yizhi was one of the "Four Young Masters of Chongzhen". He was a native of Anqing Prefecture. He had a rich family background and learned from many other people's strengths. He was a scholar in the 13th year of Chongzhen's reign.
After he grew up, he went boating on the Yangtze River and Huaihe River. Among his schoolmates were Western missionaries Bi Fanji and Tang Ruowang, and he read Western books.
During the Chongzhen period, he saw the corruption of the government, so he respected Xu Guangqi's theory, which emphasized the combination of Chinese and Western styles, and the unification of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism, so as to find a way to save the country.
He even described and examined the traditional Chinese natural sciences and the Western sciences introduced by Matteo Ricci and Xu Guangqi, and divided the entire science and technology into "quality" (natural science) and "zhili" (social science) according to their objects.
Science) and "Taoji" (philosophy).
In the same way, after his knowledge of physics was included in the imperial examination, Fang Yizhi became famous and his official career became smoother, reaching the position of governor of Zhejiang.
At this time, his interest continued, and he wanted to integrate everyone and compile a comprehensive encyclopedia, so as to leave a name in history and benefit the country and the country.
"Why do you want to see me?"
Fang Yizhi spoke in Latin, and the latter looked confused.
The interpreter said tremblingly: "Governor, he doesn't know this. He is a Dutchman."
When Fang Yizhi heard this, he was quite disdainful: "The Dutch only know how to do business and are greedy for small profits."
"Ask him, what do you want with me?"
"Your Excellency the Governor, I am the brother of the Dutch Ambassador. I came to Hangzhou this time for business."
Vincent smiled.
"Then just do it. As long as you are a kind person and are honest, doing business will naturally go smoothly."
Fang Yizhi lost interest and picked up the teacup to see off the guests.
I thought he was a knowledgeable person, but he turned out to be a greedy person, which is so disappointing.
Vincent was unwilling to do so, but he had no choice but to leave the governor's office reluctantly.
Unexpectedly, after he visited Governor Fang, the merchants in Hangzhou thought that he was a member of the governor. Even if he was not the governor, they knew everything about him, so they were all willing to do business.
Only then did Vincent feel that the officials of the Ming Dynasty were so powerful. He had benefited so much just by borrowing his reputation. What if he could really establish a connection?
It's a pity that he shamelessly asked for a meeting for a few days and was ignored.
At this time, he learned the news that the emperor's imperial chariot had arrived in Hangzhou.
No matter what, the Ming Emperor was always more powerful and more prominent than the King of the Netherlands or the King of France.
Once you win the favor, won't it be a success in doing business?
A lot of money was spent, but only a brief glance from the Minister of the Interior, Wang He:
"What do you want to see me for?"
"I am willing to become an imperial merchant."
Vincent said righteously.
"Hahaha, imperial merchant!" Wang He laughed out loud: "You know, not everyone can be the imperial merchant of the Ministry of Internal Affairs."
"With the official title and the convenience of imperial merchants, with such great power, there are countless merchants in the world who want to be there. Together they can block the Yangtze River."
After laughing, he said in a deep voice: "For the sake of you sending me a pair of ivory and two rubies, I will give you a chance to explain my reasons."
Vincent quickly reacted and bowed: "I know that the Ming Dynasty has endless wealth, but the Ministry of Internal Affairs has always served the emperor and transported large amounts of silver and gold to the palace."
"But Your Excellency, although Ming Dynasty is rich, wealth is also spread throughout Europe."
He straightened his back, raised his head and said: "Every year, Spain travels to the New World of America (the main ports of call include Havana, Veracruz, Portobello, and Cartagena) to transport large amounts of gold, silver, gems, spices, etc. back to Madrid. Six
With ten ships, one year’s worth of gold and silver would be worth tens of millions of taels of silver.”
"The silver and gold were squandered by the Spanish nobles, who imported porcelain and silk from the East. In Europe, the Russians contributed furs, the English sold textiles and fish, the Dutch prepared Spain's wealth, and the French supplied food.
"
"With so much wealth, doesn't the Ministry of Internal Affairs not want to participate?"
"Ten million taels? Gold and silver mined from the New World?"
First, Wang He felt unbelievable when he heard such a huge number.
Just opening the mine is so much, but if you cast it into silver coins, you will get at least 15 million, right?
And you must know that the internal funds are only about 30 million a year, of which the customs contributes 20 million.
This supply and demand is extremely unbalanced.
What's more, the customs has a semi-independent bureau: the General Department of Customs and Taxation.
This embarrassed the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
If the income from internal funds can be increased, his status in the emperor's heart will inevitably improve. Coupled with the contribution of the woman a while ago, promotion is just around the corner.
"How much money can you make?"
Wang He opened his mouth and said.
"I am a Dutchman, and what I am best at is doing business."
Vincent was overjoyed and hurriedly said: "Businessmen from various countries came to the East from Europe, carrying a large amount of gold and silver, but it was inconvenient for them to move around."
"And Tianxia Bank is distributed throughout the Ming Dynasty, with huge storage and branches. If a bank is set up to provide turnover loans to European and Eastern businessmen, the annual profits will be extremely considerable."
"Besides, I am a Dutchman. I can use the East India Company's trading station to purchase supplies. Within three years, my profit can easily exceed one million."
"Wait, what is a bank?"
Wang He was puzzled.
Vincent hurriedly explained.
The difference between a bank and a money bank is obvious.
There is a fee for depositing money in a bank, which is a custody fee.
Banks, on the other hand, only provide interest on deposits in order to better carry out loan business, so as to better attract deposits.
At the same time, banks are very cautious when lending money, but once they trust someone, they will definitely lend money generously without even signing a contract.
Even if the bank borrows money from the owner, it must sign a contract and provide collateral.
One relies on emotion and trust, while the other only trusts in a cold contract.
"Lending it to someone you don't know?"
Wang He didn't understand: "This money is for turnover, why should I lend it to him?"
"If you're a leper, you can't borrow even if you have collateral."
Vincent had no choice but to say: "In a bank, as long as there is collateral, the higher the interest, even if the enemy who killed his father needs money to buy a gun, he will be lent to him."
"The Bank of Amsterdam has been established for sixty years and its annual profits exceed one million guilders."
(One Dutch guilder is approximately equal to one silver dollar)
Although the annual income of one million silver dollars is not comparable to the income of 30 million domestic funds, it is still a huge number.
Wang He was tempted.
And he feels that replacing banks with banks is also an opportunity.
Although he does not approve of banks, from a businessman's point of view, this is a very profitable and guaranteed industry.
If Ming people can't do it, then let Xi Yi do it.
The emperor has always been interested in such novel things, why not let him know?
Just do it.
The next day, Wang He told the emperor about the incident and brought Vincent.
Zhu Yixi was surprised that the emperor had an additional Xiyi person among his relatives, and felt very good about it:
"As long as you can make money for internal funds, it doesn't matter what Westerners you are, even black people can be imperial merchants."
Moreover, since ancient times, a leader has been indispensable. A behemoth like the East India Company must know itself and its enemies.
Soon, Vincent met Emperor Shaowu, who had ruled the Ming Dynasty for twenty years.
"His Majesty the Emperor, Vincent sends his regards!"
Vincent was very courageous. As soon as he met the emperor, he immediately knelt on his knees and bowed respectfully.
Zhu Yixi was very satisfied, but if it was someone with backbone, he would not be happy.
"Get up!"
Looking at this slightly thin middle-aged man, Zhu Yixi smiled and said: "Are you Dutch? I heard that the banking industry in the Netherlands is good."
"Your Majesty, I am here to bring you the bank."
Vincent was overjoyed. He did not expect that the emperor would take the initiative to talk about banks, and he hurriedly polished what he said yesterday.
Zhu Yixi smiled.
Sure enough, banks are superior to money banks.
From this point of view, it is inevitable for banks to replace banks.
Vincent talked eloquently, and when he saw the emperor smiling, he immediately flattered him: "Your Majesty, I really want to serve the Ming Dynasty and serve His Majesty the Emperor."
"I know."
Zhu Yixi nodded slightly: "It is inevitable to establish a bank that can exchange things. It is convenient to do business, but the risks are also very high."
Vincent panicked.
"But the greater the risk, the greater the profit."
"I agree with you to establish a bank. Let's call it the Bank of the East. I will give you one hundred thousand silver dollars as capital."
Zhu Yixi said with a serious face: "At the same time, I will also send someone to supervise you."
"I will give you an annual salary of one thousand silver dollars."
"As long as you do a good job, I will give you 10% of the shares in the future and make you a shareholder."
"Your Majesty, I don't want an annual salary." Vincent hurriedly patted his chest and said, "Now I just want to serve His Majesty the Emperor."
A flattering smile appeared on his face, and his wrinkles were obvious.
"Very good!" Zhu Yixi laughed.
"In this case, I will reward you with an eighth-grade title so that you can do things for me."