Chapter 49

In this world, there are many beautiful lies. They appear real, beautiful, and enticing, but they are like the moon in the water, essentially nothing but an illusion.

For example, the tempting words Zhao Junchen is now using to entice Emperor Deqing.

The soap Zhao Junchen has made is indeed much better than soap nuts, and the cost is not much higher than that of soap nuts. According to Zhao Junchen's estimate, once production is expanded, the cost will decrease, and the price of a regular piece of soap will be around half a tael of silver.

Half a tael of silver doesn't seem like much. Zhao Junchen now spends more than that on a single breakfast, and the silver he has embezzled and received as bribes over the years amounts to tens of thousands of taels. But in reality?

During his time in Luan Prefecture, Zhao Junchen had a good understanding of the people's hardships. He knew very well that in this era, the living costs for ordinary people were shockingly low. The average annual expenses for a commoner, including everything, amounted to only about two taels of silver.

Two taels of silver could buy only about forty pieces of the lowest-grade regular soap.

In such a situation, how many commoners could afford to buy soap?

In fact, in this era, even ordinary soap nuts are considered a luxury by many commoners. The cleaning products used by the people are either homemade bath beans or even nothing at all.

The population of the Ming Dynasty is certainly in the millions, but the number of people who can afford to buy soap is only about one-tenth, at best.

Of course, what Zhao Junchen said to Emperor Deqing is not entirely false. Even if only one-tenth of the people can afford to buy soap, the silver earned from selling soap would still be an astronomical figure.

...

Emperor Deqing does not understand these things. He only focuses on major national affairs, and the actual living standards of the people do not fall under the category of "major national affairs." He can only make assumptions based on his imagination.

Just like many people in remote areas think that the emperor's life is so luxurious that he can eat pork every day, Emperor Deqing believes that even if the people's lives are hard, they can at least eat a few steamed buns every day, right?

Therefore, Emperor Deqing was easily deceived by Zhao Junchen. Although his expression remained stern and composed, his dazed eyes revealed that he was already fantasizing about how much silver the national treasury could earn if tens of millions of people used soap.

The various soaps in front of him now seemed to Emperor Deqing like countless gold and silver.

Emperors also love wealth, especially a "poor emperor."

On the other side, after Emperor Deqing learned about the magical effects of the soap, Zhao Junchen began to introduce the specific effects of various soaps to him.

"Your Majesty, the soap that Eunuch Zhang used earlier is called 'fragrant soap.' Not only is its cleaning ability much stronger than that of soap nuts, but it also leaves a pleasant fragrance that lasts for a long time. The cost is less than two taels of silver, but if sold, the price would not be less than half a tael of silver. In other words, each piece of fragrant soap can earn three taels of silver in profit."

Hearing this, Emperor Deqing snapped out of his fantasy, frowned, and asked, "Half a tael of silver, can the people afford it?"

Zhao Junchen smiled and said, "This fragrant soap is not meant for ordinary people. Your Majesty has governed the country well, and now the country is peaceful and prosperous. There are millions of wealthy people. For them, half a tael of silver is a small amount. However, considering the limited wealth of ordinary people, I have also had people make another type of soap."

As he spoke, Zhao Junchen picked up the regular soap and said, "This soap, although it has no fragrance, is simple to make and costs less than half a tael of silver. It is suitable for ordinary people to use. When sold to the people, the price will not exceed one tael of silver. Although the profit per piece is low, the large volume of sales will still result in significant earnings."

Hearing this, Emperor Deqing nodded in understanding, a satisfied look on his face. He nodded, signaling Zhao Junchen to continue.

In Emperor Deqing's view, this price is already very low, and the people "certainly" can afford it.

Next, Zhao Junchen picked up the "medicinal soap" and continued to explain, "Your Majesty, this soap is called 'medicinal soap.' After searching through ancient formulas, I had the craftsmen specially make it for Your Majesty. It contains dozens of precious herbs. Long-term use can not only invigorate the body but also have the miraculous effect of extending life. Your Majesty is now in the prime of life, and with the help of this medicinal soap, I believe you will be even more vigorous and youthful."

Hearing about the effects of the medicinal soap, Emperor Deqing's spirits were indeed lifted. He stared at the medicinal soap in Zhao Junchen's hand and slowly asked, "Is this medicinal soap really so effective?"

Zhao Junchen smiled and said, "How could I dare to deceive Your Majesty? This soap may look simple, but it contains ginseng, polygonum, angelica, and other nourishing herbs. Not only is it difficult to make, but the cost is also high. How could it not be effective?"

In fact, Zhao Junchen's words were completely nonsense. The "medicinal soap" was made to please Emperor Deqing, but in the end, it was just a simple addition of many precious Chinese herbs during the soap-making process. Whether it has the effect of extending life, Zhao Junchen did not know.

He only knew that doing this would please Emperor Deqing.

Sure enough, hearing Zhao Junchen's words, Emperor Deqing was very pleased and said with a smile, "You are loyal and always consider the emperor's affairs."

Zhao Junchen shook his head and said with a serious face, "Your Majesty is too generous. Considering the emperor's affairs is just the duty of a minister. Since it is a duty, how can it deserve such praise from Your Majesty?"

Hearing this, Emperor Deqing nodded in satisfaction. Although he did not say anything more, his gaze towards Zhao Junchen became even more approving.

Having the various soaps brought to him, Emperor Deqing held them in his hands, finding the fragrant soap appealing and fragrant, and the medicinal soap with its deep color and strong medicinal smell. He believed Zhao Junchen's introduction.

Zhao Junchen continued, "In my opinion, these soaps are rare goods and can be entrusted to the Ministry of Revenue for exclusive production and sale. This way, not only can the Ministry of Revenue earn no less than a million taels of silver annually, but it can also avoid the situation where the government competes with the people for profit. What do you think, Your Majesty?"

After a moment of contemplation, Emperor Deqing slowly said, "You mentioned earlier that you need several imperial edicts to assist. Are you referring to the exclusive production and sale by the Ministry of Revenue?"

Zhao Junchen nodded and said, "Your Majesty is wise. My intentions cannot be hidden from you. With Your Majesty's edicts, I can gather merchants to auction the soap supplies, and the Ministry of Revenue's earnings will not be hindered."

Hearing this, Emperor Deqing smiled but did not speak or respond, remaining silent.

Seeing Emperor Deqing's silence and lack of response to his suggestion, Zhao Junchen was puzzled. After a moment of thought, he finally understood.

In the early Ming Dynasty, there was no distinction between the national treasury and the inner treasury. All the silver of the government went into the inner treasury, which was the private silver of the emperor. However, the government's expenses, military costs, and officials' salaries were all paid from the inner treasury. The Ming emperors, seeing their private silver flow out like water, felt very pained. Later, during the Zhengtong period, the national treasury and the inner treasury were finally separated. From then on, the inner treasury truly became the emperor's private silver, while the government's expenses were paid from the national treasury.

However, ironically, the Ming emperors, having finally separated the national treasury and the inner treasury, began to envy the silver in the national treasury. Almost every Ming emperor from the middle to the late period wanted to transfer the silver from the national treasury to the inner treasury.

This time, Emperor Deqing's southern tour was also due to his unwillingness to use the silver from the inner treasury.

In the end, this situation was about the emperor competing with the state for profit.

Emperor Deqing's silence and lack of response at this moment, in connection with the Ming emperors' habit of competing with the state for profit, made Zhao Junchen realize that because the Ministry of Revenue suddenly had so much income, Emperor Deqing... was jealous and envious.

Thinking about this, Zhao Junchen changed his tone and continued, "Of course, entrusting the Ministry of Revenue with exclusive production and sale is just one option. In my view, entrusting the inner treasury with exclusive production and sale might be an even better choice. Although the production of soap is simple, the initial investment is a large sum of silver. Compared to the Ministry of Revenue's financial difficulties, the inner treasury has more silver and can see results faster."

Hearing this, a hint of joy flashed in Emperor Deqing's eyes, but his face was full of hesitation. He slowly said, "Is this appropriate? This soap is related to your bet with the crown prince. If it is entrusted to the inner treasury for exclusive production and sale, and the Ministry of Revenue does not earn income, won't you lose the bet?"

After a moment of contemplation, Emperor Deqing finally made up his mind and said, "However, what you said makes sense. The inner treasury now has ample silver, and entrusting the soap to the inner treasury for exclusive production and sale is more convenient. Let's do it this way: the soap will be entrusted to the inner treasury for exclusive production and sale, and the profits will be shared between the inner treasury and the Ministry of Revenue. The inner treasury will transfer 200,000 taels of silver to the Ministry of Revenue each year from the profits made from the soap."

Hearing this, Zhao Junchen looked moved and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty is so considerate of me, I... I..."

As he spoke, Zhao Junchen lowered his head, looking as if he were speechless, but in his heart, he was already considering whether to carry a garlic or something similar in the future. If he could shed some tears at this moment, the effect would be even better.

Seeing Zhao Junchen's appearance, Emperor Deqing was even more satisfied and said with a smile, "Get up. We are a harmonious ruler and minister, and there is no need to kneel for every little thing. This idea is yours, and it benefits the country for generations. How could I let you suffer?"

Zhao Junchen wiped his tearless eyes with his sleeve and stood up, saying, "Thank you, Your Majesty."

...

After a conversation, Emperor Deqing knew that his southern tour now had no obstacles, and the inner treasury would have a large income. His mood improved, and his expression towards Zhao Junchen became even more gentle. He said with a smile, "These days, you must have been very tired dealing with the soap matter, right?"

Although the soap matter was resolved, Zhao Junchen's main purpose for this audience with Emperor Deqing was to address the cheating case in the autumn examinations of the three provinces. With Emperor Deqing's improved mood, it was the right time for Zhao Junchen to implement his plan.

Therefore, in response to Emperor Deqing's inquiry, Zhao Junchen did not answer but instead had a dazed look, as if he were thinking about something.

If it were an ordinary minister, Emperor Deqing would have been furious long ago, but as a favorite minister, Zhao Junchen received different treatment, especially since he had just found a large source of income for the inner treasury.

Therefore, seeing Zhao Junchen's appearance, Emperor Deqing was not angry but rather curious.

On the other side, Zhang De, seeing Zhao Junchen's appearance, was startled and quickly said loudly, "Lord Zhao, His Majesty is asking you a question."

Hearing Zhang De's words, Zhao Junchen finally "came to his senses" and hurriedly apologized to Emperor Deqing, saying, "I am at your disposal, Your Majesty, but I was distracted while speaking to you. Please forgive me."

Emperor Deqing did not blame him but waved his hand and said, "Never mind. It's just a casual conversation. How could I blame you for such a small matter? I am curious, though. You are usually cautious in your actions. Why were you distracted today? Is there something on your mind?"

Zhao Junchen shook his head and sighed, saying, "Your Majesty, I do not have anything on my mind. I was just moved by the mention of 'harmonious ruler and minister.'"

Hearing this, Emperor Deqing became even more curious and asked, "Oh? Since you were moved by the mention of 'harmonious ruler and minister,' it must be related to me. Tell me about it."

Zhao Junchen hesitated for a moment and finally said, "Your Majesty, you have been troubled by the cheating case in the autumn examinations of the three provinces recently. However, you may not know that my ability to serve you is partly due to the cheating case in the imperial examinations."

Hearing Zhao Junchen mention the cheating case in the three provinces, Emperor Deqing's expression darkened, but he still asked, "How so?"

Zhao Junchen sighed and explained, "Your Majesty, as you know, although I have some talent in finance, I am only average in the Four Books and Five Classics and the imperial examination studies."

Emperor Deqing nodded, as he was relatively familiar with Zhao Junchen's abilities.

Zhao Junchen continued, "When I took the imperial examinations, I was young and had limited knowledge. If it were a normal time, I would have failed. However, to my surprise, I passed the college, provincial, and metropolitan examinations one after another. In the palace examination, I was personally appointed by Your Majesty as the top scholar. Since then, I have been able to serve you."

Emperor Deqing frowned and asked, "I am aware of these facts, but why do you say that the cheating case in the imperial examinations is also a reason for your success?"

Zhao Junchen looked sentimental and slowly said, "Your Majesty, do you remember the cheating case in the Jiangnan imperial examinations twelve years ago