Chapter 0002: The Founder Had a Dream

Based on Zhu Cilang's years of experience in the financial market, it is quite normal for businessmen to be reluctant to pay taxes. However, it is highly abnormal for officials to be unwilling to collect taxes. This abnormal phenomenon can only be reasonably explained by the fact that the money that businessmen should have paid has not been paid, but has not flowed into the national treasury. As for where it has gone... Hehe, this matter is hardly a challenge for Zhu Cilang

But how can one persuade the most trusted honest eunuch of Emperor Chongzhen to help arrange an escape?

"Your Excellency," Huang Dabaos suddenly spoke, "Director Wang has arrived and wishes to see you."

But how has such a great Ming dynasty fallen to this state today

Not only is it incompetent, but there are also significant hidden agendas involved

From the perspective of contemporary financial standards, the Ming Dynasty, a company on the verge of suspension from listing, is actually a company of exceptional quality. It possesses products that can dominate the global market for an extended period and generate substantial cash flow. Moreover, in the foreseeable future, there are virtually no competitors for Ming's products. China National Petroleum and China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation are not as stable, with only China Tobacco being comparable.

Is it true that there is not a single capable talent in the entire Ming Dynasty?

The assets of the Ming Dynasty are indeed of such high quality..." Zhu Cilang crossed his arms, feeling emotional, "It truly lives up to the legacy left by our ancestors, it is indeed remarkable

This point is beyond doubt

If one cannot escape, in a few more days, one will become a prisoner under the rule of Li Zicheng, and the valuable assets of the Ming Dynasty will belong to others, having no relation to oneself at all

Wang Cheng'en, who was deeply favored by Emperor Chongzhen, was an honest eunuch without any strong opinions

In his previous life, he was a seasoned professional in the financial industry, having navigated the field for over a decade. In addition to analytical skills, the ability to persuade and to resist persuasion are also essential competencies.

Oh, it is not that the roots are rotten now, nor is it that there is no money, but rather that the ministers are not good

... ...

"There is hope for salvation... but this prince must first enter Beijing to demonstrate his abilities?" Zhu Cilang muttered to himself, "Oh, ancestors! The time you have given is too tight! Moreover... how can I leave Beijing? Could you please provide a solution!"

He is the eunuch who holds the pen, Wang Cheng'en, the commander of the Eastern Depot! Huang Dabaos said, The Emperor summoned him a few days ago to oversee both the internal and external military camps and to command the Nine Gates... I wonder how he still has time to move around in the palace

Otherwise, how could it be more than 10 million? Doubling it is not a problem at all

Historically, the reason why Chongzhen was hanged on the crooked tree at Coal Mountain was not only due to his own obsession with saving face but also because Wang Cheng'en was too honest and did not know how to arrange an escape for his master. The master was fixated on maintaining his dignity and refused to issue an edict to relocate the capital; as a servant, shouldn't you have arranged for your master's escape?

"Your Highness, this old servant heard from the divine physician that you have slept for a day and a night not due to any illness, but because the ancestors are sending you a dream. Is there any truth to this?"

Huang Dabaos, go outside and keep watch, send away any idle people.

That is likely just nonsense... During the late Ming Dynasty, there were indeed many talented individuals, such as Li Zicheng and Li Dingguo who were rebels, Zheng Zhilong and Zheng Chenggong who were pirates, and traitors like Hong Chengchou, Wu Sangui, Geng Zhongming, and Shang Kexi, among others

To say that there are no talented individuals is sheer nonsense; it is more accurate to say that the talent is not being utilized effectively

Even within the court, there are many talented individuals, such as Lu Xiangsheng, Sun Chuanting, and Mao Wenlong. Even among the traitors, figures like Hong Chengchou, Wu Sangui, Geng Zhongming, and Shang Kexi have served under Emperor Chongzhen. As for the Zheng family pirates, they, alongside Li Dingguo, became the backbone of the resistance against the Qing during the late Ming dynasty

As for the financial situation of the Ming Dynasty, there are indeed short-term difficulties. As Huang Dabaos said, it is caused by a lack of funds.

In the memories of Wang Cheng'en and Zhu Cilang, there is a very definite evaluation - an honest person!

When the situation becomes dire, one cannot even leave the city gates

Because he did not help, Zhu Cilang found it difficult to even leave the Forbidden City, let alone travel to Jiangnan

Moreover, this "non-destined king" Chongzhen, during the seventeen years leading up to the fall of the country, held significant power. How is it that he appointed a group of ministers who contributed to the downfall of the nation?

In his previous life, he was also a noble of the Ming Dynasty, and he was certainly well aware of the painful history surrounding the fall of the Ming. Moreover, he was a licensed financial analyst, particularly skilled in analysis, and upon analysis, he immediately recognized that what Chongzhen said was nonsense

Just when Zhu Cilang was at a loss for words, "Wang Laoshi" took the initiative to speak up and resolved this dilemma for Zhu Cilang

Zhu Cilang smiled and uttered two words: "Nonsense!"

It is evident that the Ming Dynasty, as a nation, has not fundamentally decayed. Not only has it not decayed, but it is also in quite good condition

If we were to replace Grand Eunuch Wei and the Carpenter Emperor, it is uncertain whether they could capture and kill Li Zicheng, but it is certain that they would not sit idly by in the city of Beijing, and would have long since fled to Jiangnan to live freely and comfortably

Zhu Cilang slammed the table and exclaimed, "That is the path to survival given to me by my ancestors!"

During the reign of the Hongwu Emperor, the Ming Dynasty had an annual income of over 30 million... Of course, this was not in silver, but primarily in grain! However, during the Hongwu period, there was not much silver circulating in the country, as the silver from the New World had yet to be mined. It was quite normal not to collect silver.

Certainly, there were indeed corrupt officials, and there were also many royal family members who lived off their privileges without contributing. Additionally, there were indeed numerous issues with the tax system during the Ming Dynasty

According to this standard, is the Chinese stock market still viable?

Eunuchs are not all cunning and treacherous; even among the high-ranking eunuchs, there are many who are quite honest. Do not assume that honest eunuchs have no prospects in the palace; in fact, the masters in the palace prefer honest individuals. Eunuchs are household servants, and how many masters would favor a servant who is full of malice?

A company has collapsed, yet the big boss bears no responsibility; all the blame falls on the group of workers below. Is this something a person would say

Although Wang Cheng'en was not capable of great use, Zhu Cilang, in his desire to save the Ming Dynasty, could not do so without his assistance

Dreaming! Zhu Cilang is perceptive and will soon find a solution

However, during the late Ming Dynasty, the domestic silver reserves in the Ming Dynasty amounted to at least 500 million, while the court collected only two to three million silver coins annually (excluding grain), which seems rather inadequate

"Your Majesty..." Huang Daba, who was nearby, heard Zhu Cilang's words and thought they were directed at him, so he replied in a low voice, "A few days ago, when the Emperor was holding court at the imperial gate, he said: I am not a ruler of a fallen nation; all the ministers are merely ministers of a fallen nation!"

His previous profession... wasn't it just about playing with money? Therefore, money is not an issue. However, there are still challenges before Zhu Cilang now.

However, the financial condition of the Ming Dynasty is superior to that of the vast majority of listed companies in the Chinese securities market in later generations

"Which one?" asked Zhu Cilang.

In the dim light, Zhu Cilang sat upright behind the desk, while Wang Cheng'en, dressed in a bright red python robe, stood opposite the table with a slight smile, appearing to be a kind and honest elder watching over his junior

The Ming court was merely lacking in operational cash, but it had no debts whatsoever.

However, by observing Wang Cheng'en, the most trusted official of Emperor Chongzhen, one can probably discern the type of individuals that this "not a king of a fallen nation" used during his reign

He has a nickname in the future financial worker circle of Lujiazui, called "Pigs Can Fly". It means that even a pig, he can make it soar into the sky. His ability to deceive is far inferior to that of a big swindler like "Fake Medicine Stop", but is there any problem in deceiving a "Wang Laoshi"?

A publicly listed company that has no debt whatsoever, while also possessing high-quality products capable of monopolizing a vast market for the long term and generating abundant cash flow, is suddenly facing operational cash depletion due to certain unforeseen events... Is this truly a dire situation?

After sending away Huang Dabo and all the attendants, only Zhu Cilang and Wang Cheng'en remained in the Duan Jing Hall of this palace