Chapter 9: Using Money to Acquire Talent

Xia Yuanji

His subordinates are not without capable individuals; Liu Jian, Xie Qian, and Li Dongyang—each one is exceptionally talented. However, they do not share the same resolve as him. Liu Jin and Gu Dayong can manage some sabotage, but they are fundamentally incapable of handling significant matters. Only Wang Yangming is of any use, and even he is quite helpless.

As an emperor of the Ming Dynasty, his achievements are not significantly inferior to those of Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Di. What qualifications does Zhu Yunwen, a defeated dog driven off the stage by Zhu Di, have to admonish him

Such absurd words should not be uttered by the Zhengde Emperor

Old Zhu sighed and declined Zhu Houzhao's proposal, stating that talent is rare and should not be missed

If you are short on money, feel free to tell me. As long as you send me a few people, I can provide each of you with 120 million taels of silver.

Zhu Di was somewhat hesitant; he believed that Zhu Houzhao would not engage in a losing venture, after all, Zhu Houzhao was a descendant of Zhu Di. Moreover, Zhu Di had always been one to roam the world like a wolf, feasting solely on meat

Zhu Zhanji coldly remarked that he had nothing to say about this grandson's grandson, and that the idea of exchanging money for talent was indeed a peculiar notion

Lao Zhu and Zhu Di's refusal was also within Zhu Houzhao's expectations. After all, both of these individuals were extraordinary emperors of great talent and vision, and how could they easily relinquish talented individuals for mere wealth? There was really no reason to feel disappointed.

Unfortunately, as two of the Five Dragons of the Ming Dynasty's founding, Zhu Gaochi and Zhu Zhanji are not fools; they are fully aware of how crucial Yu Qian is to them.

For Qian, the hero who turned the tide during the perilous times of the Ming Dynasty, there are evidently many more aspects he values.

No.

In a moment, both fathers and sons set their sights on that small piece of land in Fusang, contemplating sending troops to annihilate it upon their return, daring to hoard a large amount of silver mines; the Fusang clan is simply not worth mourning.

Lao Zhu and Zhu Di both had a sudden realization; as kindred spirits, they were not particularly concerned about whether Fusang would be destroyed or not. Instead, it was the large silver mountains possessed by Fusang that piqued their strong interest

Zhu Yuanzhang taught his imperial strategies hand in hand using the head of Lan Yu, yet he did not study diligently. Instead, he listened to three corrupt scholars who tried to deceive him. Zhu Yunwen's mind is not ill, but rather filled with pitfalls.

Zhu Houzhao spoke in a very domineering manner, stating that he truly lacked for nothing in terms of wealth. He had destroyed Fusang, suppressed a large number of gentry from Jiangnan, and dealt with the wealthy families along the coast. Furthermore, he had one of his inner court officials, Ma Yongcheng, one of the Eight Tigers, devise various methods to collect commercial taxes. His wealth was so immense that even he himself was unclear about the exact amount.

Zhu Yunwen coldly shouted, even if Zhu Houzhao had no grievances with him, he still found Zhu Houzhao extremely displeasing

Zhu Houzhao secretly thought that this fellow must have taken the wrong medicine, but his temper was not very good, so he immediately retorted: "What do you intend to do?"

Zhu Houzhao's eyes narrowed slightly, and those familiar with him knew that this was a precursor to his anger

Zhu Houzhao knowingly asked the question

Moreover, in his world, there is also Fusang and the Iwami Silver Mine, and it is entirely possible to send troops to conquer Fusang and seize the Iwami Silver Mine for oneself

The founding figures of the Ming Dynasty include the Hongwu Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang, the Prince of Yiwen Zhu Biao, the Yongle Emperor Zhu Di, the Hongxi Emperor Zhu Gaochi, and the Xuande Emperor Zhu Zhanji. Each of them was formidable, and it is quite normal not to gain any advantage from them. Zhu Houzhao immediately turned his attention to Zhu Yunwen.

He has indeed considered others, but those individuals are fiercely loyal to Old Zhu and Zhu Di. Even if Old Zhu and Zhu Di were willing to offer, he might not dare to accept.

Yang Shiqi

Zhu Yuanzhang was even more seriously suspicious: could this foolish thing truly be the heir he had chosen for the Ming Dynasty's second generation?

What kind of person?

As he scrutinized Zhu Yunwen alongside the illustrated book, Zhu Houzhao suddenly realized that there was indeed nothing about Zhu Yunwen that he desired

Who made them all so poor

They are all in dire need of money. Old Zhu has only recently established the country, and every region requires funds. As for Zhu Di, it goes without saying; the expenses for campaigns against the northern deserts, inspections of the western seas, and the compilation of the Yongle Encyclopedia are also incalculable.

Old Zhu was slightly tempted; exchanging two individuals for one hundred million taels of silver seemed like a profitable deal.

This gave rise to the idea of using wealth to exchange for talent with Lao Zhu, Zhu Di.

What are you looking at

Li Jinglong is even more treacherous than the Three Heroes of Jianwen. Although the three great war gods of the Ming dynasty may rank at the bottom, the fact that hundreds of thousands of troops were crushed by Zhu Di is not a fabrication

As soon as these words were spoken, they instantly offended Zhu Yuanzhang, Zhu Di, and Zhu Zhanji, all of whom were emperors in their own right. If we were to follow Zhu Yunwen's assertion, would they not be regarded as uncouth warriors like Zhu Houzhao?

Zhu Houzhao mentioned four names, and a hint of anticipation flashed in his eyes. If he could secure these four individuals, he would be able to freely pursue many endeavors!

What uninvited countries, what celestial dynasty etiquette, have all been cast aside by them; when there are no benefits, naturally one must pay attention to face. However, if there are benefits, then one cannot endure it!

Nonsense

"Great Ancestor, what is the matter? Are you in dire need of money?"

With Wang Yangming in the left hand and Yu Shaobao in the right, this dream team combination is such that who can withstand the might of his troops

Only because Zhu Houzhao is a descendant of Zhu Di, and he does not like the way Zhu Houzhao presents himself, as an emperor, he should naturally maintain a neat appearance and decorum. To dress like Zhu Houzhao, while also wielding a sword and engaging in martial activities, is indeed a disgrace to culture

Hmph, as the ruler of the great Ming dynasty, to be so attached to one's sword, exhibiting such a crude and martial demeanor, is utterly contrary to the way of a sage monarch

How could the illustrious and mighty Hongwu Emperor possibly raise such a foolish person with an abnormal mind

220 million taels of silver sounds like a lot, but to Zhu Houzhao, it is nothing more than that

For Zhu Yunwen and Zhu Houzhao, the only phrase that can describe them is "at a loss for words". This individual has read so much that he has become foolish, yet he speaks of the way of a sage ruler. If the teachings of Huang Zicheng, Qi Tai, and Fang Xiaoru on the way of a sage ruler were effective, how could he have been overthrown by Zhu Di

The palm rested on the hilt of the dragon-patterned spring knife, the blade slightly unsheathed. He was also mindful of ancestors such as Zhu Yuanzhang, Zhu Di, Zhu Gaochi, and Zhu Zhanji; otherwise, he would have certainly given Zhu Yunwen a lesson and some literature.

Shimane Silver Mine

Emperor Jianwen, I advise you to be less rigid in your thinking, as it can lead to dire consequences. This is not your palace, and no one will indulge you here

Nonsense

Huang Zicheng, Qi Tai, and Fang Xiaoru are known as the Three Heroes of Jianwen, but in reality, they are the Three Pitfalls of Jianwen. They possess knowledge, yet lack capability. Just look at how Zhu Di turned the tide against the odds; such individuals, even if offered to him, he would not dare to employ, fearing they would lead to his downfall. Zhu Yunwen's exemplary performance is a cautionary tale!

Old Zhu rolled his eyes at Zhu Di. Both of them were undertaking major projects, so how could they not be short of funds? It often involved investments of several million to tens of millions, and sometimes not even a ripple would be stirred.

Forget it

Han Yike

He casually turned his gaze towards Zhu Gaochi and Zhu Zhanji: "If both of you are willing to yield out of modesty, I can offer 200 million taels of silver"

Zheng Shiyuan

Zhu Di did not think twice and resolutely refused. Yang Shiqi was his key minister in the cabinet, essential for stabilizing the court. Xia Yuanji was even more so his financial supporter. If he were to give them to Zhu Houzhao, would his Yongle reign still be able to function?

At the beginning of the founding of the Ming Dynasty, the naval forces were exceptionally formidable. As for Japan, as long as one does not encounter a maritime storm as unfortunate as that faced by Kublai Khan of the Yuan Dynasty, a single battle would suffice to subdue it.