At this time, Qi King Zhu Cunhua was inspecting Penglai City with his Prime Minister Gu Yuan.
The huge Qi State, after years of development, already has two prefectures and seven counties.
They are Linzi, the capital of Qi, and the two basic counties of Jimo and Langya. The latter is Linzi Prefecture, with Fu Yin, which belongs to the capital.
After the Sulu Kingdom was destroyed and Futongdao County, Dongdao County, and some islands were established, it was called Xihaifu.
After the Penglai gold mine was excavated, many silver mines, iron mines, and coal mines were discovered nearby. These were all minerals urgently needed by Qi State, so Penglai Prefecture was immediately established, with jurisdiction over Penglai and Chengshan counties.
Among the seven counties, Xihai Prefecture has a total of 50,000 people, Linzi Prefecture has nearly 100,000 people, and Penglai Prefecture, which has only been developed for two years, has sharply increased to 20,000 people.
The population of Qi State jumped to 170,000, and the rate of growth continued to accelerate. Immigrants from the mainland and Qin State continued to increase. It is expected that in less than ten years, it will be 500,000.
The reason for its rapid development is that the Qi State lacked capital and people and allowed merchants from overseas and the Ming Dynasty and its tributary states Baoshan to mine gold mines.
After paying a licensing fee of 10,000 silver dollars, you can find mountains and forests to mine at will. If it is a gold mine, you only need to hand over half of the gold.
Even if Qi State controls the richest part of the gold mines, for businessmen, the profits cannot be underestimated.
As a result, merchants from all over the world gathered together, including wealthy merchants from East India, as well as merchants from Luzon, Qin, and even Guangdong and Fujian.
Either in groups or alone, it can be said that the work is in full swing.
In view of the shortage of manpower in Qi State, in addition to purchasing slaves from other island countries themselves, they also often transferred slaves from their own country.
After all, slaves are unruly and cannot understand the language, so how can any fellow countryman be useful?
Gold mines and silver mines can be exchanged for silver coins, coal mines, and lime mines can be transported to Qi State. You will not lose money, you will only make more or less.
"Gu Qing's development strategy has already paid off."
King Qi looked at the convoys that were leaving the city in an endless stream, and couldn't help but sigh: "Although the gold mine is profitable, you have to give it up. Half of the gold is exchanged for immigrants, and a large amount of grain is used to sell the gold. What is really giving up?"
No more than 20 to 30 percent."
“Worth it.”
"Gold mining is a waste of money, and it costs a lot of money. Moreover, the mine site is uncertain, and it is possible that everything will be lost. The only way to do this is to specialize in gold mining and let these businessmen keep the gold in Qi."
Expected.”
Gu Yuan hunched his waist slightly when he spoke. The hunchback did not affect his speech at all, with a flying color on his face: "The reason why I asked His Highness to establish two counties is because I saw the potential of Penglai Mansion."
"Next year, there will be more people coming to open gold mines, and they will also bring more workers. Who wouldn't be happy to win them over to our country of Qi and grant them land and houses?"
"The land in Qi State is not enough."
King Qi hesitated for a moment: "If we just grant the land, I'm afraid it will be disrespectful and unfair to the people."
Gu Yuan frowned.
What King Qi said was beyond his expectation.
However, he has been in power for many years and is no longer Wu Xia Amen. His political level is much higher. After thinking about it, he understood the general idea.
The interests of the State of Qi and the interests of the King of Qi are not the same.
For example, mines and the benefits of mountains and rivers were originally the property of the King of Qi. If they were in the Ming Dynasty, they would have to pay licensing fees and pay high taxes and profits to the emperor.
As for gold and silver mines, only the emperor can mine them exclusively, and now they are greatly profitable.
At the same time, granting land and houses also violated the interests of the King of Qi.
The army spent great efforts to capture wild slaves to open up wasteland, and all the land was granted to immigrants. You must know that these lands theoretically belong to the King of Qi.
The huge State of Qi was entrusted by the Ming Emperor to the King of Qi, both in terms of people and land.
In the Ming Dynasty, the emperor may not be able to use his power to decide all the land in the country, but the King of Qi can.
The long-term profit concession has made King Qi dissatisfied.
After all, the Qi State is changing with each passing day. Although it is not a giant, it is still as big as a state in the mainland. It is time to harvest.
In other words, after having wronged King Qi for many years, it was time for him to enjoy himself.
After all, King Qi is only twenty-one years old, very young.
No matter how powerful the prime minister is, he is no match for the king of a country.
Gu Yuan's thoughts changed and he said casually: "The vassal government clears tens of thousands of acres of wasteland every year, which consumes a lot of money. It's hard to justify doing it for nothing."
"Besides, there are so many people and so many eyes, so it would be inappropriate to let some strangers in."
"Your Highness, I wish that Linzi Prefecture is an important place in the capital, and the vassal's confidants are not allowed to grant land. Instead, they can grant land and houses in Penglai Prefecture. After a few years, the land will no longer be granted, but sold at a low price..."
"Very good!" King Qi nodded and smiled.
Linzi Prefecture is located in the southwest of this large island, facing the sea plain and harbor. It has been developed for many years and is already the most prosperous area.
With the benefit, the King of Qi would be satisfied.
Although he is greedy, he is not stupid. Development and enjoyment can go hand in hand.
I gave away too much profit before, but now I have taken back some, which is enough.
Seeing that King Qi was satisfied, Gu Yuan breathed a sigh of relief and continued: "Your Highness, now our Qi State has too close contact with the Naxi Yi, and they actually want to preach..."
"No." King Qi heard this and sneered: "Now that the people are at peace, it is time for Confucianism and Taoism to prosper. Why do Western religions show off their prestige?"
"As far as I know, the Eastern Diocese that Your Majesty spoke of did not mention missionary work in our country. Even if it is missionary, it is the Society of Jesus. The bishops of our country are also appointed by me. Who do the Dutch think?"
When the state of Qi was newly built, like the state of Qin, many people's minds were not peaceful, so a large number of temples were built to express their homesickness.
Even Taoists also came to have a lot of people.
Thanks to the emperor's vassal gift package, Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism were all in place, with Taoist temples, temples, and schools, which quickly calmed the people's hearts.
As for the ancestral halls that existed all over the world during the Ming Dynasty, only some officials would build them.
Even, in order to establish the ruling order as soon as possible, everything from thoughts to behaviors should be completely followed Zhu Xi's Neo-Confucian model.
Because this is the most effective way to teach.
The so-called Qin Studies of the Ming Dynasty were based on Neo-Confucianism, but Qi State did not even have Neo-Confucianism. Therefore, the backward Neo-Confucianism of Zhu Xi took root deeply in Qi State from the beginning.
In a sense, it has reached an extreme level.
Under such circumstances, the idea of opposing Western Yi missionaries is naturally common.
Just like today's North Korea and Japan, even though they are aware of the Jesuits' compromise policy, they still resist it.
North Korea only allows the Jesuits to preach on Yeongjong Island, a commercial island, while Japan only allows them to preach within Nagasaki Castle, and every move is monitored.
"Your Highness, I think we can preach in Dongdao and Dongtai counties. After all, the Peace Sect is very powerful there..."
Gu Yuan said softly.
Xihai Mansion was built after the Sulu Kingdom was destroyed, but it had been baptized by the Peace Cult two to three hundred years ago.
Although the Heping Sect at this time was very easygoing and compromising, it was not as easy to handle as Confucianism, even though the King of Qi was honored as Sultan.
Therefore, for Xihai Mansion, the whole Qi State continued to work hard to assimilate it, but the time was too short and little effect was achieved.
"You mean, let the two religions conflict?"
King Qi narrowed his eyes: "Or, with the help of the Dutch?"
The Dutch East Indies were not far away, and if they were to preach, they would definitely have to compete and use their strength to fight against the Peace Sect.
When both of them were defeated, it would be appropriate for the vassal court to intervene.
"That's a good idea." King Qi nodded: "However, we have to turn the Quran and the Bible into Chinese characters..."
The Peace Religion believed in in Sulu naturally uses Arabic script. Although it is only in the hands of the imam, it is still a hidden danger.
Re-writing can not only instill Chinese characters, but also tamper with some unfavorable aspects.
After all, how many ordinary people at the bottom know how to read?
The monarch and his ministers reached a consensus.
…
Qin State, Hanoi.
It's the rainy season, the sky is cloudy, and it can rain three or four times a day. People on the streets are wearing bamboo hats, and only those who are slightly rich are holding umbrellas.
"Please, fifty pieces of iron money!"
The bullock cart was parked in front of the Yuelai Inn. The cover was soaked and drooping, but the huge signboard was very conspicuous.
As soon as Han Lin opened the curtain, he saw the driver stammering these words, which was very convoluted and awkward.
Obviously, he is a native of Qin.
"It's too expensive. Can I have forty coins?"
"No, it's okay." The coachman shook his head, his face very determined.
"That's all." Han Lin took out eight copper coins from his arms and placed them in his hand.
The latter left happily.
He shook his head and entered the inn carrying it as a salute.
In the Qin State, the silver-copper-iron model was implemented.
That is, one copper coin is worth five iron coins, one silver round base is worth one thousand copper coins, and five thousand iron coins.
There is really no way, who made Qin lack copper and silver?
So we can only forge iron money to activate the economy.
It's just that iron money is cheap, and both the private sector and the government prefer copper coins, so it's actually one copper for eight iron coins.
But this group of Qin people are smart and can recognize outsiders at a glance. They only need to pay iron coins. Once copper coins are given, they must exchange them according to the stated price.
Of course, copper coins and silver cents were also collected, but Han Lin was afraid that they would not be able to find them.
When Han Lin walked into the inn, his style was no different from that of the Ming Dynasty.
A room with three meals included costs one cent a day.
It was very cheap in the Ming Dynasty, but it was expensive in the Qin State.
"My silver is not easy to get." Han Lin took out the silver and looked at the shopkeeper and said: "You are taking advantage of my one hundred iron coins. You need to add a pot of wine and meat."
The copper round will automatically rise by 20%, which is much more than the copper coin, so naturally it cannot be let go easily.
"Sir, don't worry, it will definitely happen!"
The shopkeeper was heartbroken and could only accept it.
A plate of green vegetables and tofu, a plate of small fish, a bowl of coarse rice, and a pot of rice wine are enough to complete the meal.
Han Lin was sitting at the table eating. He looked at the waiter who was serving the food and casually rewarded him with a copper coin.
The latter pursed his lips, his eyes full of joy, but clearly: "Sir, do you have anything to ask?"
"I heard that the food in Qin is controlled by the royal family?"
"Your Majesty, you want to sell grain?" The waiter chuckled and said, "You are late. Now there are only three grain merchants in the Qin Dynasty. They are basically in the pocket of the King of Qin and senior officials."
"Now I'm afraid I won't even be able to eat the leftovers."
Hearing this, Han Lin was not discouraged.
Because among Qin's exports, although there are spices, silk cloth and other specialties, the bulk of them is grain.
Such huge profits are naturally coveted, and monopoly is the inevitable result.
It is said that the Qin State sold more than one million shi of grain in Yunnan, Guangxi, Hainan, Guangdong, Luzon and other places in one year.
Even if one stone of grain is calculated as 5 cents, it is still 500,000 silver coins. For the Qin State, which was short of copper and little silver, it really quenched a lot of thirst.
"What fun things does Qin have?"
"I don't know about this. After all, the Ming Dynasty is different from the Qin State." The waiter said helplessly: "If I had known about it, I would have gone to Zhennanguan to sell it and made a lot of money."
On land, Qin State borders Yunnan and Guangxi, with convenient transportation and frequent exchanges. There are "three passes" and "hundred passes" in the Guangxi section.
Among them, Zhennan Pass, Pinger Pass and Shuikou Pass are the most famous.
Qin was a vassal state, so it was naturally eager for trade with the Ming Dynasty. The Ming Dynasty was also open to its own sons and allowed the establishment of forecourts in the three passes to collect taxes and trade.
In these three levels, whether it is pearl agate, ivory or rhinoceros horn, or even iron, salt, or gunpowder, you can sell it with very few restrictions. There will be no restrictions like in Mongolia.
Han Lin had no choice but to let him introduce Hanoi City.
"Guest sir, there are now 300,000 people in Hanoi, and there are fifty or sixty thousand imperial troops nearby. People come and go every day. It is a first-class big city in the Qin Dynasty. The copper coins flowing around every day are gone..."
After listening to the introduction and with his stomach full, Han Lin left the inn and looked for business opportunities.
However, he still found two guides to lead the way.
Walking along the street, because it is the consumption of the princes and nobles, there are all kinds of shops with all kinds of goods.
It’s just that the goods from the North are more expensive.
As for southern goods, vendors along the street sell them one after another.
Whether it's a signboard or a cover, they are all Chinese characters, making people extremely friendly, as if they were in the Ming Dynasty.
He walked around the outer city, and then looked around in the village outside the city.
At this time, he discovered that buffaloes were very common in Qin State, and there were many cattle in every village, which were suitable for their growth.
Of course, beef tendons and cowhide were expensive and military supplies, so he would not dare to get involved.
But there are many horns!
In Guangdong, Guangxi, Yunnan, Guizhou, and Huguang areas, it is customary to use horns to make musical instruments.
Not to mention, it can be used as a bugle, a horn comb, a scabbard, and even to ward off evil spirits and control the house.
Of course, horns are also a kind of medicinal material, and all kinds of pharmacies collect them.
The urchins were playing with the horns at will, obviously not knowing their value.
That's right, there are too many of them and they are worthless.
It seems that close to Hanoi, there is a school in the village. Some children are shaking their heads while reading aloud in Mandarin that is slightly off-key.
The content of the lectures is nothing more than the Three Character Classic and Hundred Family Surnames.
There was a guide and the language difference was solved, so Han Lin collected five copper coins for an ox horn in the village and was widely welcomed.
In one fell swoop, I got about twenty qualified horns.
If you return to Guangzhou, you can get one silver cent for an ox horn, which is twenty times the amount.
Suddenly, a man secretly said: "Do you want to take away the rhino horns?"
Huge surprise appeared on Han Lin's face.
Rhino horns are extremely valuable, one tael is worth ten taels of gold.
If it is true, this trip will make a lot of money.