Zhu Yuanzhang then remembered that he had not yet shown his first heavenly book to all his confidants.
The content of the first heavenly book is so shocking. Will there be any problems if I show it to my confidants?
They won't rebel against me, will they?
Zhu Yuanzhang was eager to try it out, so he gathered six literati from eastern Zhejiang, the only literati from Huaixi, Li Shanchang, and three of his childhood generals who were the most tight-lipped, and displayed his heavenly book.
Tang He: "I read the first one, but I didn't understand it."
Xu Da: "I read the first one, but I didn't understand it."
Zhou Dexing: "The first one...凸(艹皿艹)! How come I'm the only one who hasn't read it? You're excluding me again!"
Tang He and Xu Da held the furious Zhou Dexing on either side. "Old Zhou, it's not that we're ostracizing you. Aren't you illiterate?"
Zhou Dexing: “…Yes.”
Zhou Dexing slapped his thigh in anger. Not only do I have to practice my acting skills, I also have to study and learn calligraphy to avoid being ostracized by my childhood friends. This is too difficult!
Ye Zheng went straight to get the second book, and the other writers looked at him with sharp eyes.
Ye Zheng smiled: "I have borrowed it and copied it in Yangzhou."
Song Lian, who was also in Yangzhou: “…” This guy has another trick up his sleeve!
Li Shanchang said aggrievedly: "My Lord, I have followed you the longest..."
Why wasn't I the first to see this!
Zhu Yuanzhang said carelessly, "The heavenly book written by Biao'er accidentally got mixed into the books I borrowed. I only discovered it when I arrived in Yangzhou. After that..."
Zhu Yuanzhang slapped his head and said, "I wanted to tell you once I understood it, but the three of us couldn't understand it no matter how hard we tried. Mr. Ye is in Yangzhou and can't help me. So I forgot! Sorry, sorry."
Li Shanchang: "..." Damn it! Do you think I will believe it?
But since his lord had already apologized, Li Shanchang could not hold on to it any longer , so he had to "believe" Zhu Yuanzhang's perfunctory excuse.
In fact, Zhu Yuanzhang was not being perfunctory. He was telling the truth.
He first wanted to think about it himself, but then he had too many things to do and forgot to tell others about it. Now that Chen Biao took out the second heavenly book, he remembered it.
The scholars began to read the first heavenly book. After reading it, they were amazed and felt good, and began to copy it.
It is normal that they do not feel any discomfort, because the ultimate goal of all Confucian doctrines is "the world of great harmony".
What is the world of great harmony?
Confucianism hopes to restore the "well-field system," eliminate private ownership of land, and restore public ownership, so that there will be no land annexation;
Confucianism also hopes to restore the system of abdication, whereby both officials and emperors should be held by virtuous people rather than being passed down through bloodlines;
"The Book of Rites: Li Yun" says, "When the great way is practiced, the world is shared by all." The king and his officials are all virtuous people, everyone is honest and trustworthy, the old, the weak, the sick, the disabled, and the orphans are all provided for, doors are not locked at night, and no one picks up lost items on the road. This is the Great Harmony.
Regardless of Confucianism, ... and Confucianism, regardless of whether human nature is good or evil, or whether it is the cultivation of the mind or the practice of deeds, their ultimate goal is the great peace of the world.
The world described in this heavenly book is similar to the world of Datong.
The only difference is that the Great Harmony World only proposes a wonderful idea, while this book seems to have been put into practice by someone.
The world of Datong is a fairy island, separated by mountains and seas. This book is a winding and treacherous road. No matter how many difficulties and obstacles there are on the road, with this road, people know that the fairy island is not a mirage, but a paradise on earth that can be truly reached.
Li Shanchang, a half-baked scholar, was still pondering about class issues when he felt a layer of cold sweat on his back. Several other great Confucian scholars were already crying, and their tears melted the graphite as they copied this heavenly book with a pious attitude.
If time and circumstances did not permit, they would probably burn incense, bathe, and fast for three days before touching this heavenly book.
But when they thought that Ye Zheng had already read it, they stopped wasting time and quickly copied it down and went back to memorize it.
These people seemed calm, but there was a hint of madness in their eyes.
Several generals were familiar with this expression.
When they were bloodshot with rage, their hearts and expressions were extremely calm, only their eyes were bloodshot and showed madness. Then they rushed forward with their swords, thinking of nothing but killing the enemy, even death was thrown behind their minds.
The three generals scratched their heads and turned to look at Zhu Yuanzhang, whose face was as gloomy as water.
What did these great masters understand? Why are they going crazy?
Zhu Yuanzhang's face was as gloomy as water and he was extremely panicked .
He always felt as if he had released a few monsters... Well, it must be an illusion. You see, Mr. Li is very normal.
Li Shanchang was very normal: "..."
No, I'll take another look, I'll read it again, I'm also a writer, I can't be sociable...
Hiss! The more I look at this thing, the scarier it gets!
Li Shanchang couldn't immerse himself in it and said tremblingly: "My lord, this heavenly book cannot be made public!"
Zhu Yuanzhang said perfunctorily, "Hmm, I won't announce it. Didn't the general outline say that production relations must match productivity? We haven't reached the standards of a world of great harmony yet, so we need to accumulate productivity."
I won't announce it now, I'll wait until I become emperor. Then I'll say this is the Neo-Confucianism that Biao'er and I researched together. We'll be called Big Zhuzi and Little Zhuzi! Biao'er and I will join forces to kill like crazy!
Li Shanchang breathed a sigh of relief. He smiled bitterly and said, "I don't have the noble sentiments of other gentlemen. I'm sorry to make you laugh."
Ye Zheng flipped through the second heavenly book without looking up and said, "They are all people who are willing to sacrifice their lives for their ideals. They need people like Lord Li and me who are more mature and steady to guide them. Although it is okay to hear the truth in the morning and die in the evening, it would be meaningless to die without accomplishing anything after having already glimpsed the path."
Liu Ji: "Li Baishi is younger than me."
Song Lian: "Li Baishi is not very old."
Ye Chen: "I remember Li Baishi is the same age as me?"
Zhang Yi: "He's the same age as me."
Wang Xi, who was eight years younger than Li Shanchang, was copying books silently.
Ye Zheng said, "Maturity and prudence refer to character, not age. Don't copy it. The first heavenly book is the most important, but it's not the most important. Biao'er's second heavenly book is interesting, but it's a pity that it's probably not finished."
Zhu Yuanzhang was so frightened by the sudden madness of the masters that he didn't dare to dissuade them. After Ye Zheng spoke, he took on the airs of a master: "That's right. I'll lend it to you to copy later. Master Ye also has a copy."
Song Lian glared at Ye Zheng fiercely and stopped writing first: "Of course I have to copy the original of the Heavenly Book."
Zhu Yuanzhang immediately said, "Okay, okay, I'll lend it to you in turns."
Song Lian was no longer able to glare at Ye Zheng. The scholars from eastern Zhejiang glanced at each other and smiled.
There might be some small disputes over who will be the first to take the heavenly book back and read it carefully.
The literati in eastern Zhejiang watched reluctantly as Zhu Yuanzhang put Chen Biao's handwritten version of the Heavenly Book into his arms and began to borrow the second Heavenly Book.
The second heavenly book has only more than 10,000 words, and like the first heavenly book, it is all written in plain language.
These scholars all had photographic memories and quickly understood it...the literal meaning.
Song Lian, who knew the least about economics, couldn't help rubbing his eyes with his sleeves.
It was the first time he saw a book in which every sentence could be read fluently, but when the sentences were combined into paragraphs, he had no idea what the book was about.
Liu Ji also frowned, feeling a little tricky.
He is not very good at economics.
Wang Xi barely understood some of it, while Zhang Yi and Ye Chen had already started discussing it with Ye Zheng.
Among the Four Masters of Eastern Zhejiang, Song Lian was the most knowledgeable, Liu Ji was the most strategic, and Zhang Yi and Ye Chen were good at governing the people and enriching the country.
This is also Ye Zheng's area of expertise.
Money is essential for enriching a nation and its people. Zhang Yi, Ye Chen, and Ye Zheng had long pondered the pros and cons of the Yuan Dynasty's monetary policy, but their observations were limited, and they concluded that it was "over-issuing." This was no better than the fake tycoon Zhu Yuanzhang.
After seeing the heavenly book, they suddenly grasped the essence.
The value of previous gold, silver and copper coins lay in their own value, while the value of paper money that appeared in the Song Dynasty and was popular in the Yuan Dynasty lay in its "credit".
A thin piece of paper is worthless. People are willing to use paper as money because they trust the person who issued it.
Increasing or overissuing banknotes will reduce the creditworthiness of banknotes, thus leading to their devaluation. However, actions that reduce the creditworthiness of banknotes are not limited to increasing or overissuing banknotes.
Ye Zheng sighed, "To use paper money instead of gold, silver, and copper coins, the most basic requirement is actually that the country is prosperous and strong, and the people have confidence in the court. For example, after a dynasty changes, the previous copper coins are no longer valid, and only pure gold, silver, brocade, and grain can be exchanged for goods. Let alone paper money?"
It was such a simple truth, but they had never thought about it before seeing the Book of Heaven.
Zhu Yuanzhang said happily: "Do you understand? Tell me quickly!" I will show off to Biaoer when I get back!
Ye Zheng said: "I only know the basics, it's still a long way from understanding it."
Ye Zheng tapped the pages lightly with his fingers. "This thin book is just a general outline. Behind every sentence in it may be a vast amount of knowledge. I wonder if Biao'er knows this knowledge."
Zhu Yuanzhang immediately said, "Don't ask! This is a heavenly book. We should just take a look at the heavenly book written by Biao'er himself. Don't ask any more questions!"
Ye Zheng immediately said: "Of course, Biao'er's safety is the most important."
He just felt regretful.
He had a glimpse of a huge treasure house but was not allowed to enter. How could he not feel regretful?
After calming his mind a little, Ye Zheng explained in detail the contents of the heavenly book as he understood it.
After Ye Zheng shared his insights, Zhang Yi and Ye Chen followed suit, and Wang Xi also made some supplementary comments.
Wang Xi's economic principle has always been to "keep wealth among the people." He hated the Song Dynasty's economic principle the most.
The Song Dynasty had a prosperous business, but the country was rich and the people were poor. The royal family was frantically sucking blood, and even the emperor was the "dung tyrant".
"Along the River During the Qingming Festival" depicts the prosperity of the city, but few people know that the only industry supporting the prosperity of Bianliang was bureaucratic consumption.
In a sense, currency is a way to gather the financial resources of the people for use by the court, so Wang Xi paid special attention to it.
As these people were talking, they were about to roll up their sleeves and start fighting.
Ye Zheng believed that paper money must be issued to quickly mobilize financial resources from the people and restore national strength. Zhu Yuanzhang's contributions in expelling the Yuan Dynasty and implementing the well-field system meant he could overdraw his credit for at least ten years. Even ten years later, there would still be time to remedy the situation.
Wang Xi believed that paper money should be abolished and copper coins should be used directly, as was the case during the Han and Tang dynasties. If this was inconvenient, silver and gold coins could be issued to minimize the depreciation of the currency in the hands of the people.
Zhang Yi and Ye Chen were centrists, believing that paper and metal currencies could be issued simultaneously. Just as during the Yuan Dynasty, as long as paper currency was strictly anchored to the gold and silver reserves in the treasury and the amount issued was precisely controlled, a balance should be achieved.
Ye Zheng was accused of harming the people and was truly a thief of the people; Wang Xi was accused of being a pedantic old thief who was afraid of choking and was truly a pedantic old thief; Zhang Yi and Ye Chen were accused of talking a lot of nonsense.
Who doesn’t know that precise control of issuance quantity is useful? The key is how to do it precisely!
Zhu Yuanzhang held his chin with both hands, his piercing eyes gleaming with wisdom: "Do you understand what they are arguing about?"
Xu Da pinched his chin: "I don't understand."
Tang He pinched his thigh to suppress a yawn: "I'm trying hard to understand!"
Zhou Dexing: "...Please continue to isolate me. I have to pee urgently and want to leave first."
Li Shanchang endured it again and again, but finally couldn't bear it anymore and slammed the table. "What nonsense are you talking about! Why are you talking about the future of the Lord?! Right now, the Lord is still conquering the world, and Chen Youliang is about to attack us! Can you please stop talking about the future? Come up with a transition plan first! What kind of currency should we issue now?!"
The quarreling crowd gave Li Shanchang a look of contempt: "Is there still a need to discuss the issuance of copper coins?"
After despising Li Shanchang, they continued to argue about what currency Zhu Yuanzhang should issue after becoming emperor.
Liu Ji came back with a pot of boiling water: "Tea or water?"
Song Lian took out a bag of tea from his sleeve: "I brought my own tea, do you want to try it?"
Liu Ji said, "Okay. My Lord, would you like some hot water?"
Zhu Yuanzhang said: "Yes, thank you."
Liu Ji asked around, and after pouring the water, he walked over to Zhu Yuanzhang with the hot water in his hand and said, "Lord, are you going to let them continue to quarrel?"
Zhu Yuanzhang was bewildered: "What else?"
Liu Ji was helpless: "Can't you show your authority as the lord and order them to shut up first and go back to discuss it slowly. Isn't what they need to do now to teach the lord to understand the heavenly book?"
"That's right." Zhu Yuanzhang agreed, his breath sinking into his dantian, "Stop arguing! Teach me how to argue later!"
Liu Ji: “…”
He felt that Zhu Yuanzhang's roar did not have the slightest aura of a lord.
Liu Ji was reflecting on himself again today, wondering why he served Zhu Yuanzhang as his lord.
How could this young man Zhu Yuanzhang look like a lord?
…
With Chen Youliang imminently approaching, Zhu Yuanzhang's territory is in jeopardy. Meanwhile, Zhu Yuanzhang's advisors are locked in heated debate over the monetary policy he should implement if he becomes emperor.
Our protagonist Chen Biao knew nothing about this magical scene.
If he knew, he would probably have given up on Zhu Yuanzhang and his think tank, packed up his bags and ran away to seek a living overseas.
Now, Chen Biao, who didn't know that his idiot father was Zhu Yuanzhang, still thought that Zhu Yuanzhang was the wise, brave, resourceful and cautious Emperor Hongwu. Neither Chen Youliang nor anyone else was Zhu Yuanzhang's opponent, and he was very safe in Yingtian.
So, his little head was thinking about eating, drinking and having fun.
There are many interesting , but they all require many people to play together.
Chen Biao's playmates in the past were Chen Ying, Zhu Wenzheng, and Li Wenzhong, all of whom were very busy. Only now did Chen Biao consider recreating these games, perhaps to help burn off the excess energy of the students at Yingtian Elementary School.
The first game that came to his mind was ball sports.
Basketball, football, table tennis, and badminton are all good sports. Although there is no rubber, cowhide and bamboo balls can also be used.
Chen Biao asked the craftsmen of the Chen family to tinker with it a bit, and they soon made a cowhide ball. However, it was a little troublesome to inflate it. If only people were blowing it up, it would be difficult to make the ball very full.
In order to make a leather ball, Chen Biao discussed the principle of an air pump with the craftsman and asked the craftsman to build an air pump with a piston.
However, the piston material of the air pump is not easy to choose, so I had to use leather as a substitute. But any leather will break after a few uses.
Chen Biao was particularly angry.
The most suitable piston material available now is natural rubber, and if you want natural rubber you have to go to South America.
If Zhu Yuanzhang hadn't stopped them, the Chen family would have already set foot on the American continent. Why would it be so difficult to even make a ball?
If there were natural rubber, Chen Biao would open a toy store in Yingtian now, and give an air pump for free when you buy ten basketballs and footballs. He would definitely make a lot of money.
Chen Biao slapped the basketball twice, then took it to his study to write a letter to Zhu Yuanzhang, again requesting him to send a ship to the New World.
This time, he gave good reasons.
Europeans claimed that the New World had cold-resistant, drought-resistant, high-yield crops that could save countless lives; that the New World also had natural rubber, which, when wrapped around the wheels of chariots, could extend the lifespan of chariots by several years; that the New World also had many medicinal herbs that could heal illnesses and injuries, such as quinine, the miracle cure for malaria; and that the New World had countless gold, silver, copper, and iron minerals, meaning that we would never have to worry about being short of money again.
Marshal, aren’t you moved?
If you're interested, act fast. I just need a few large ocean vessels to explore the area! Don't be so stingy!
Although Europeans had not yet discovered the New World, what did Zhu Yuanzhang know about Europeans? Chen Biao deceived Zhu Yuanzhang for natural rubber, so what?
Chen Biao put the letter into an envelope, sealed it with wax, and placed it under the inkstone, waiting for his father to come back and act as a messenger.
Then he took the basketball and went to school to teach elementary school students how to play basketball.
Football requires a field, but basketball only requires a hoop. There are no rules, and just shooting is fun. Chen Biao decided to teach elementary school students how to play basketball first.
Speaking of football, Cuju, which was very popular in the Song Dynasty, is actually not very different from football. He only needed to adapt the rules of Cuju to modern football.
During the Song and Yuan dynasties, Cuju was already associated with prostitution and gambling.
If the sons of gentry, wealthy people or officials played Cuju, they would often do so with geishas, making physical contact while kicking the ball, and engaging in sexual pleasure in public when they were having fun.
For example, Zhang Shicheng's younger brother Zhang Shixin was particularly fond of this.
Cuju is a good sport, but the problem lies with the players. Chen Biao wants to correct the original intention and restore a fair and just environment for Cuju, which will help sell footballs.
Football and basketball both have huge profits, and with the addition of limited edition signed versions, Chen Biao already sees countless gold waving towards him.
When we arrived at school, the primary school students were already having physical education class.
Chen Biao said, "Hey guys... students! Today we won't be standing still in our PE class. Let's play a game! I'll teach you how to shoot basketball."
He rarely appeared in physical education class, and the primary school students were all waving their arms and shouting, just like a group of little bandits meeting the bandit leader.
Chen Biao held up the basketball: "Let me demonstrate."
The teachers and staff of the elementary school set up the basketball hoop. Chen Biao had a very serious expression on his face. He jumped with the basketball in his hand, making a standard three-point shot.
The basketball slipped out of his hand and fell to the ground.
The scene was completely silent.
After a while, Zhou Ji asked stupidly, "Does this mean you can't shoot into the basket?"
Chen Biao silently picked up the basketball, and with a standard three-point shot, the basketball hit Zhou Ji's head accurately.
Zhou Ji got enlightened after being hit on the head by the basketball: "I understand! The goal of shooting is to get the ball into the basket! The young master didn't make the shot, so he got angry!"
After saying this, Zhou Ji was very proud.
Oh, I actually said "angry out of shame", I am so talented!
Furious and embarrassed, Chen Biao waved his hand fiercely: "Get him out! Make him stand at the end of the line!"
So Zhou Ji was dragged away by two strong women and moved from the front of the team to the very end.
The classmates turned around and laughed at Zhou Ji.
Everyone in the school knows that Mr. Xiao is thin-skinned and narrow-minded. How dare you laugh at him in public? You deserve to be the last one to be finished!
Chen Biao looked up at the basket and thought it was too high and not suitable for his current three-head body.
Fortunately, he was well prepared and brought the Chen family's craftsmen with him.
The Chen family craftsmen took the wooden boards and banged them around, making basketball hoops of three different heights according to Chen Biao's requirements.
Chen Biao tried the basketball hoop at the lowest height again, and this time he finally made a successful shot.
The primary school students clapped and cheered loudly, especially giving face to the young gentleman.
Chen Biao nodded reservedly. "The simplest way to play is to stand in the same place and see who can shoot the most accurately. Basketball also has more complicated ways to play. I will explain them to you one by one."
He had already taught basketball knowledge to the Chen family servants in advance.
The Chen family servants who protected Chen Biao were all loyal personal soldiers carefully selected by Zhu Yuanzhang. They were very agile and smart.
They quickly became familiar with the rules and moves of basketball. From three-on-three to five-on-five, the game became increasingly intense, with dunks, blocks, alley-oops, and other difficult moves being performed.
Chen Biao was stunned.
How come I didn't know my servants were so amazing?! With all that skill, do they all have martial arts skills?!
Chen Biao was stunned, and the group of ignorant elementary school students were even more excited.
They shouted and jumped, clapping their hands until they turned red.
The servants of the Chen family put on red and blue coats and were divided into the red and blue teams. The numbers on the back of the coats were even for the red team and odd for the blue team.
Chen Biao assigned student numbers to the pupils, and they quickly voted for the red and blue teams based on their numbers, their expressions more excited than those of the players themselves.
Hearing a group of children cheering for them, Zhu Yuanzhang's personal soldiers on the field also fought with more courage and their movements became more agile.
Chen Biao took out a bamboo whistle, put it in his mouth, puffed up his cheeks, blew hard, and a long "beep" sounded.
After the beep, Chen Biao pulled out a yellow card: "Yellow card warning! Blue team committed a foul!"
Blue Team: "Tsk."
Red Team: "Huh."
The two teams rubbed their hands in anticipation: "Come again!"
Elementary school students: “Ahhhhhhhhh!”
There aren't many people in the elementary school, but it creates a bustling atmosphere.
…
Zhu Yuanzhang, who had become even more foolish after being indoctrinated with knowledge by his think tank, staggered home. He wanted to suck his son's blood to restore his health, but his son didn't see it. Instead, he saw his son's letter.
Is it true that high grain yields in the New World saved countless lives?
Gold, silver, and copper mines, no more lack of money?!
There was a "ding" in Zhu Yuanzhang's mind and his eyes lit up.
Zhu Yuanzhang listened to the think tank's teachings for a long time, but he only understood the principle that "paper money must be issued in equal amounts to gold and silver, so that the people will have confidence in the court."
With the gold and silver mines in the New World, I don't have to worry about what material to issue coins?!
But I don't have a huge ship that can sail far...
Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes, which had just brightened, dimmed again.
"Marshal, Marshal! Our spies said that Chen Youliang built a giant ship and he might really come to attack us!" The messenger hurried in with an urgent military report that had been sent over 800 miles.
Zhu Yuanzhang jumped up: "There is such a good thing?!"
Messenger: “???”