Jiajing’s mood was complex. He walked for over half an hour before his anger slowly subsided.
Lu Fang, seeing his improved complexion, immediately said, “Your Majesty, this servant has considered, since it’s a grave crime of colluding with pirates, killing them is no… The problem lies with Yan Shifan and his ilk. If they seize this opportunity to stir up trouble, claiming Zhu Mo’s imperial decree was forged and he deceived the emperor, what then?”
Jiajing remained silent. Forged decree? Yan Shifan would surely say it… But whether it was deceiving the emperor, that was for *him* to decide! Was deceiving Yan Shifan considered deceiving the emperor?
Lu Fang had been observing for a while, sensing that the Emperor was not particularly angered by Zhu Mo’s treasonous act. Perhaps, he might even appreciate it? And when the Yan family was mentioned, an unprecedented murderous intent appeared on the Emperor’s face. Why?
Was it not protectiveness?
He then cautiously probed, “Your Majesty, this Zhu Mo, he appears so refined and cultured. This servant could never have guessed he would be so ruthless… It’s uncanny, who exactly is this person…”
Who? Ruthless?
Heh, how would you, Lu Fang, know?
He is my son!
If he were not ruthless, would he be qualified to be my son?
Jiajing’s brow finally unfurled, and he chuckled, “Lu Fang, since I sent him to do it, we shall bear the consequences… However, with all this commotion he’s causing, can he actually accomplish the task? If he fails, I’ll beat him until his backside blooms!”
Lu Fang glanced over and suddenly felt Jiajing’s expression was particularly contorted. There was anger on his face, but his eyes held profound pride and joy…
Heavens, this?
If he were not your son, Lu Fang would rather die than believe it.
He quickly changed the subject, saying, “Now that Your Majesty mentions it, this servant recalls something… He killed He Maocai, but did not confiscate his property… This servant had assumed that after confiscation, military provisions would be secured, why stir up more trouble?”
Jiajing was very clear—
What Zhu Mo sought was eternal peace for the dynasty. If confiscating property could achieve the goal, would he be needed? He would never accept the position of special envoy for disaster relief.
And this suited his temperament perfectly. If one were to act, they should act grandly; if one were to bear responsibility, they should bear the responsibility of the entire realm!
He sent Zhu Mo down this time precisely to test his capabilities. Now, it seemed he had passed the test of courage. The next step was to see if he truly possessed ability.
Furthermore, if Yan Shifan and his faction wanted to make a fuss, let them fuss to their hearts’ content!
“Lu Fang, what about Hu Zongxian and Tan Lun? Such a major event occurred, and they are hiding? Not even speaking to Yan Song or Prince Yu?”
Lu Fang replied, “Reporting to Your Majesty, Wu Feng’s verbal report indicates Hu Zongxian also replied to Yan Song, stating he had no prior knowledge… Tan Lun’s situation is similar, he claims to know nothing at all… They are all terrified, fearing implication by Zhu Mo…”
Oh?
“Heh, spineless!”
Jiajing cursed with a laugh, “Such a small matter, and they’re so scared? Colluding with pirates is a crime, killing them is nothing to be afraid of… Implication? Fearing implication by Zhu Mo, so they hide? Leaving Zhu Mo to face dozens of people alone?”
Lu Fang suddenly felt that Jiajing’s protectiveness was bordering on excessive—
Hu Zongxian, Tan Lun, just two months ago, were they not still pillars in your eyes? Now that your illegitimate son has arrived, they’ve all become mere straw and mud? Just now you said killing a second-rank official was a big deal, and now it’s trivial?
As Lu Fang’s mind raced with unspoken thoughts, Jiajing spoke again, “What about Xu Jie and the others? Do they also claim ignorance?”
“They do know. Tan Lun sent them a letter, and Prince Yu’s eunuch Feng Bao has informed this servant of everything… Prince Yu is naturally extremely apprehensive, and Xu Jie and Gao Gong also regret recommending Zhu Mo. Alas, human nature… However, Zhang Juzheng actually vehemently defends Zhu Mo…”
Oh?
Jiajing’s face lit up upon hearing this, saying, “This Zhang Taiyue is a talent…”
Of course,
Anyone who defends your son is a talent…
Lu Fang muttered internally while replying, “Indeed. Feng Bao was present. Zhang Juzheng said he would never stoop to kicking someone when they’re down, and he also said that Zhu Mo’s bold moves surely have further plans…”
“Mmm, kicking someone when they’re down, and further plans… This Zhang Taiyue has insight!”
Jiajing’s expression became instantly joyful, and he began to speak more, asking, “Yan Song and Yan Shifan, are they so certain Zhu Mo will fail?”
“Your Majesty, is that not the case? This servant’s informants at the Yan residence personally heard Yan Shifan shouting that Zhu Mo is bound to fail this time. At most a month, or two if slow, he will crawl back shamefully, and then we’ll have a court discussion and settle all accounts with him…”
“Court discussion…?”
Jiajing’s temper flared upon hearing this: Yan Shifan was calculating that the situation in Jiangnan would surely fail, thus he intended to strike and brand Zhu Mo with a crime…
The thought of Yan Shifan intensified his protective feelings. He slowly said,
“Let them discuss… Let them discuss… I wish to see what Yan Shifan can say? Don’t let him lift a rock only to drop it on his own foot…”
Hiss!
Lu Fang directly detected the pride in Jiajing’s tone towards Zhu Mo—
This, is still not protectiveness? If you say he’s not your own son, who would believe it?
However, can Zhu Mo truly succeed?
Lu Fang felt uncertain.
But for some reason, Jiajing was extremely confident at this moment. From Zhu Mo’s performance at the Hanlin Academy court discussion last time, he could tell this child was very shrewd. After all, few could deceive the elder Yan Song…
…
Meanwhile,
Hangzhou, Governor’s Yamen.
Zhu Mo had Zheng Bichang and Yang Jin sign a “guarantee deed,” a form of collateral agreement, and then personally penned the “Proclamation on the Establishment of the Imperial Ming Official Exchange Bank and Anti-Pirate Bonds,” instructing yamen runners to post it at all twelve public notice boards throughout the city. He also had thousands of copies made and distributed to various post stations.
This was the trump card Zhu Mo had held back until now.
Recalling his entire strategy, if he had exposed it from the beginning, it would have been stillborn. But now, with the situation wide open, barring any unforeseen circumstances, it was bound to yield astonishing results.
When issuing public bonds, the court officials assumed it would rely on governmental coercion. However, Zhu Mo had signed a guarantee deed, having the Imperial Textile Bureau act as guarantor for their issuance, thus ensuring credibility.
At this moment, an incentive was also necessary!
In the proclamation, Zhu Mo personally promised that the official exchange bank would use the funds raised from public bonds to issue loans, and to whom? To the myriad silk workshops!
Those who subscribed to public bonds exceeding 1,000 taels would automatically become shareholders of the imperial exchange bank after three years, enjoying investment returns of 6% or more annually. 5% plus 6% equals 11%, and it also avoided the risk of usury. This would be a significant attraction for idle capital among the well-to-do, including wealthy households and officials who lent money to the bank.
His certainty stemmed from the system’s assessment of the Textile Bank, which brought him great joy—
【Process: Increase the capitalization rate of the Jiangnan textile industry;】
【Method: Joint guarantee issuance of convertible bonds by the National Silk Import and Export Company and policy banks, with a combined annualized interest rate of 11%;】
【Feasibility: 85%, Description: Regional idle capital is approximately 50 million taels; Regional actual interest rate is approximately 9.4% annualized; Upgradeable workshops number 36,500 households, with potential annual output of 3 million bolts;】
【…】