Wei Guangde was still considering developing the Ming Dynasty's industry, starting with the woolen textile industry.
These days, it's a complete seller's market. Daming's products are famous for their exquisite craftsmanship, and there is almost no need to worry about selling them after they are made.
Why not worry about not selling the product?
It is not the current West, it is a nouveau riche. The biggest market is Spain. They dug mines in the Americas and had endless gold and silver, which greatly stimulated the purchasing power of the Spanish nobles.
They bought up all the best things in Europe, which of course caused a large amount of gold and silver to flow to other European countries.
In this way, the whole of Europe was flooded with gold and silver from the Americas, and market activity increased.
Of course, these gold and silver are still in the hands of nobles and big businessmen from various countries, and ordinary people are still struggling to have three meals a day.
Correspondingly, the Portuguese also gained huge benefits through trade in Africa and Asia.
In fact, commerce is relatively easy to get involved in this era, as long as you have the transportation ability.
In the Age of Discovery, shipbuilding was a natural thing. As long as we could build seagoing ships for international trade, we could continue to make profits.
As a result, countries and regions with developed shipbuilding industries also followed Spain and Portugal and vigorously developed maritime trade.
Among them, the first to rise were not the future European hegemons, Britain, France and Germany, but a place called the Netherlands.
The Netherlands is just a region on the northern coast of Europe, including what is now the Netherlands, parts of western Germany, Luxembourg, Belgium, and northern France.
In the Middle Ages, there were many feudal feudal territories there, belonging to the Duchy of Burgundy and the Holy Roman Empire.
The Netherlands was officially established as a country in the early 1460s, but it remained in a state of feudal separatism until the 16th century.
In the early 16th century, due to complex royal marriages, it was gradually unified under the rule of the Habsburg dynasty of the Holy Roman Empire, and because the ruler of the Habsburg dynasty at that time was also the King of Spain.
Therefore, the Netherlands came under Spanish rule at this time.
The king of Spain at that time was Charles V, who was the Habsburg Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, the monarch of the Netherlands, the king of Germany, and a member of the Austrian Habsburg dynasty.
At this time, Spain was extremely powerful. It also won wars with the Kingdom of France and the Ottoman Empire, establishing its hegemony on the European continent.
In order to get rid of Spain, the Netherlands at that time started a long war that lasted for 80 years, also known as the Eighty Years' War, starting in 1568 under the leadership of William I, Prince of Orange.
The germ of capitalism in the Netherlands appeared almost simultaneously with Italy around the 14th century AD.
By the sixteenth century, capitalist development gradually entered into shackles in Italy, while it developed rapidly in the Netherlands.
The capitalist economy of the Netherlands developed earlier and grew faster. Among them, handicraft workshops manufacturing cloth, silk, linen, carpets, soap, glassware, leather and metal products developed rapidly.
Although at this time, the separatist situation among the Dutch princes caused internal chaos, they were not yet able to reach out to the sea and compete with the old maritime powers such as Spain and Portugal.
However, the development of capitalism laid a good foundation for the development of the Netherlands. Its shipbuilding industry was also on the rise at this time and began to export materials from the region.
In fact, it can be seen from the development of the Netherlands at this time that thanks to the large amounts of gold and silver brought back to Europe by the Spaniards, the entire European market was activated and the economy was in an unprecedented state of development.
This can be regarded as the main reason why during the Ming Dynasty, Ming products could circulate around the world with almost no resistance.
Although the Europeans ushered in the Age of Discovery, their industrial production was still extensive and could not compete with the finely manufactured products of the Ming Dynasty.
The products of the Ming Dynasty were treasures that the upper class and big merchants in Europe were eager to buy, and they had no worries about selling them.
Even though Europe's wool textile industry has flourished during this period, product quality still lags behind that of Daming. Perhaps after Daming's wool textiles enter the European market, they will only be able to compete in the mid-to-low-end market.
For the high-end market, nobles and big businessmen will still prefer products from the East.
Wei Guangde actually didn't know that Europe was also developing the wool textile industry at this time, but it was still in its early stages of development and had not reached the level of "sheep eating people".
But it’s fast. After all, in order to make money there, you can think of any way and can do it.
Therefore, he is still considering using the sheep on the Mongolian grasslands to continuously provide him with cheap wool for spinning, and then dumping it abroad to make money.
However, after he had dinner, Zhang Ji came in and reported: "Master, Mr. Tan and Mr. Jiang are here."
"Besides them, is there anyone else?"
Wei Guangde asked calmly.
"There are also Mr. King Xilie of the Ministry of Rites and Mr. Wei Shiliang of the Ministry of Punishment"
Zhang Ji announced a few more names, and Wei Guangde nodded, "Invite them to the flower hall for tea. I will change my clothes and go out."
Several old guys came to Wei Guangde, naturally because of Zou Yuanbiao's matter.
Although it may not seem like a big deal, it involves the unity of their small group.
How come they are able to command the people below when they are at the top? Or is it because they see someone above them protecting them, and their career becomes much smoother.
Although Zou Yuanbiao was looking for trouble on his own, everyone was watching to see if the bosses like them could protect him.
At first, they thought that Wei Shiliang could hold Zou Yuanbiao down. After all, he was the superior in charge. If he, Zou Yuanbiao, wanted to stay in the capital, he had to provide for Wei Shiliang.
But who knew that after hearing the news from the Ministry of Punishment in the afternoon, Zou Yuanbiao and Wei Shiliang stood firm and refused to withdraw the memorial.
They do understand that when you encounter such a stubborn species, you will have a big problem, and it will be the same for everyone.
I saw Wei Shiliang outside just now, and several people asked about it.
"I have already discussed this matter with Feng Bao this afternoon.
You will definitely not be able to escape this beating. His Majesty just got angry yesterday and beat a few people, just to scare the monkeys.
He committed a crime against the wind, and His Majesty will definitely not let him go easily.
However, Feng Bao also promised that he would not kill him. It was just a skin injury and he would be cured in a few days.
Officials can also stay, that is, they can be sent to remote places to serve as officials.
His personality is really not suitable for staying in the capital, and this is also to protect him. ”
In the flower hall, Wei Guangde sat down and exchanged a few words before getting down to business.
"That's fine. I hope Erzhan can mature after this setback."
Wei Shiliang said.
"For a stubborn guy like him, the Metropolitan Procuratorate is the best place for him to go."
Wang Xilie said.
Wei Guangde glanced at Wang Xilie. This old boy must also want to make progress.
It is estimated that after seeing the current situation of the cabinet, he may be betting on joining the cabinet or succeeding Ma Ziqiang as Minister of Rites.
In the current cabinet, Zhang Juzheng introduced Zhang Siwei and overpowered Wei Guangde in the cabinet.
Ordinarily, Wei Guangde should also consider introducing an alliance to increase his voice in the cabinet.
There was some trouble with Wei Guangde before, but now Wang Xilie seems to have figured it out and plans to cooperate with Wei Guangde.
However, Wei Guangde never thought of giving Wang Xilie a hand. He had no choice but to grow a big beard. It was too late to think of making progress now.
Age is the official's flaw.
"Come on, if he goes to the Metropolitan Procuratorate, Shandai won't even be able to wipe his ass.
It's no small matter that he caused trouble when he first entered the court.
The memorial he wrote was a disdain for the emperor. ”
Jiang Zhi said.
With Zou Yuanbiao's temper, none of his fellow villagers dared to speak for him or use him. Next, Wei Guangde chatted with them about the Yellow River flood control and the southwest before sending them out of the house.
Before leaving, Wei Guangde gave each of them a piece of wool.
Cashmere is such a precious thing that even people like Tan Lun and Jiang Zhi don't have it.
On the contrary, Wang Xilie's family was well off. When he saw the woolen cloth, he immediately recognized that it was not blue velvet, but a slightly inferior fabric.
"This is not woven from cashmere, it is woven from wool on the Mongolian grasslands.
They relied on wool to weave blankets to keep out the cold, but the craftsmanship was much poorer.
I found someone to set up a chamber of commerce, and brought back a lot of wool from the grassland for spinning, and this was how I came up with it.
I actually made a batch last year, but the quantity was not large. It is said that the effect of keeping out the cold is pretty good. ”
Wei Guangde smiled.
Wei Guangde didn't want last year's woolen cloth, mainly because the output was low.
There is no mistake in every song, one post, one content, one 6 one, one book, one book, take a look!
These items were sent to the caravans in Liaodong for use, so that they could feel the thermal insulation effect of wool.
If you make something else and don't keep it warm, it's a waste.
After using it last year, I felt that the effect of keeping out the cold was good, so I started to increase production. The officially produced products were naturally sent to Wei Mansion first.
There is still time before winter, so I can seize the time to make a few outfits that I can change into when the weather gets cooler.
Early the next morning, not long after Wei Guangde entered the cabinet, Lu Bu came to deliver a message. Jinyiwei was ordered to capture Zou Yuanbiao early in the morning.
Not only that, the palace issued a decree that all officials in the capital should go to the Meridian Gate to be imprisoned as long as there were no particularly important matters.
The news from Lu Bu was naturally a notification that Wei Guangde had to go too.
For three days in a row, Wei Guangde was speechless after reading the board twice.
According to the time, Wei Guangde arrived at the Meridian Gate and saw a man in white underwear already tied to a bench. There were still four chamberlains standing there, preparing to be tortured.
The man looked a little embarrassed and his hair was in a messy bun.
"Wei Ge Lao."
"Mr. Wei Ge, you are here."
After Wei Guangde arrived, several people from the Sixth Department in front of him greeted him one after another.
Wei Guangde also gave him up all the way. After all, he has a higher official position, but he is younger than most people here, so he cannot be trusted to be older.
Age is both an advantage and a disadvantage for Wei Guangde.
Seeing Wei Shiliang, Wei Guangde pointed over there and asked softly: "What's going on?"
The day before yesterday, I saw that Wu Zhongxing and others were not in such a miserable state. At least they were not so miserable before the execution.
"What happened to Jin Yiwei was that he still resisted, but that's not it."
Wei Shiliang whispered something, and Wei Guangde was also speechless.
It is said that when a scholar encounters a soldier, there is no reason to explain. This Zou Yuanbiao was so weak that he actually got into trouble with the Jin Yiwei people.
"Has the doctor been found yet?"
Wei Guangde asked quietly.
"The best trauma doctor in Sijiu City, he will take you for treatment immediately after the treatment, alas"
Wei Shiliang replied softly.
After all, it was the people on his side who felt a little uncomfortable seeing someone being spanked in public.
Although the "Ting" Chen of the Ming Dynasty was very powerful, and many people were proud to have received the imperial staff, this was actually just an ignorant view among the people, thinking that those who dared to contradict the emperor were all strong-willed men.
They have never seen the miserable condition of those who were subjected to the imperial cane. Not to mention those who did not survive, but those who survived. If they are not in time, one of the disadvantages will be disability.
"Fifty boards, I hope I can wake him up."
Wei Guangde whispered.
When the time came, Zhang Hong walked out of the Meridian Gate, said a few words to the eunuch outside, and then ordered the execution.
Feng Bao didn't come, so he probably found it boring.
If he comes, I'm afraid that I won't be able to hold it back and forget how to put my feet.
"Pa bang bang"
The two imperial staffs were waved one after another. The person in front loudly reported the number, while the other person squatted there to observe the condition of the victim.
If the wooden stick falls from the mouth, the torture must be stopped immediately, and the torture must be resumed after being bitten.
There were no heart-rending screams, and there were no other sounds than the sounds of hitting the board and counting the numbers.
When the waiter shouted "fifty", the sound of hitting the board suddenly stopped.
"The execution is over, let's all disperse."
Zhang Hong shouted at the officials surrounding him at this time, not even bothering to say a lesson.
Perhaps, in the eyes of these eunuchs, the officials outside, whether they are in Fei robes or Qing robes, are just a bunch of people without discernment.
Knowing clearly that the empress is unhappy and the emperor is dissatisfied, you still go up to the pole to get beaten. Isn't it mean?
Wei Guangde did not go up to check on the situation. The four chamberlains over there had already retreated, and Wei Shiliang had already gone up with several people.
Since the person is from the Ministry of Punishments, it is natural that they still have to shoulder the responsibility.
A doctor passed by carrying a medicine box. Wei Guangde only glanced at it, turned around and walked towards the Meridian Gate.
This matter is over today, I hope no one will continue to cause trouble.
Outside the Meridian Gate, all the people who had gathered around had left, but there were still more than twenty new scholars who had not left. They were still concerned about Zou Yuanbiao's injury.
When Wei Guangde returned to the check-in room, another note came from Lu Bu.
"It was sent by the chief steward, saying it was what happened at the chief minister's house yesterday night."
Lu Bu whispered.
Wei Guangde took it and took a look. It was Ma Ziqiang, Wang Xijue and others who ran to Zhang Juzheng to plead for mercy, asking him to plead with the palace and bypass Zou Yuanbiao.
Seeing this, Wei Guangde's eyes widened.
Was this because he was afraid that Zhang Juzheng would let Zou Yuanbiao go?
It's obvious that the palace will never let this matter go, otherwise I don't know how many people will follow suit and continue to make trouble.
However, it was written that when Zhang Juzheng was forced to do anything, he actually took out the knife and handed it to Ma Ziqiang, asking him to kill him.
This frightened Ma Ziqiang and Wang Xijue directly, and they could only return in anger.
"Hey, what kind of reforms are you doing? No one who carried out reforms in ancient China would have a good death."
After a long time, Wei Guangde put down the note and sighed. (End of chapter)