living in 16th century england

Chapter 31 Money is Power
Cohen also wanted to come in, but was shut out by Henry VIII.I had to wait at the door with two guards.

"Irene, help me with two glasses of beer and some fruit. Then leave me and the king alone for a while."

Of course Irene recognized Henry VIII, and quickly saluted and agreed.

Henry ignored a maid, but soon found the bronze mirror, and couldn't help leaning over to take a picture.

Henry VIII: "This is... there are strawberries on your ship?"

Matthew: "I happened to see it yesterday, so I bought some."

Henry picked up one, looked at it carefully, and then ate one.

Here Matthew began to flicker: "My king, there is no one now, I can explain my plan in detail. First, the battleship is divided into two important parts, one is the hull, and the other is the artillery..."

Henry VIII: "I heard that there is a kind of glass mirror in Italy that can reveal everything. Have you seen it?"

Matthew said casually: "It's just a mirror, it's very simple...you listen to me first."

Henry VIII: "..."

"The materials for the hull are basically ready, it just takes some time to produce. The artillery...needs more iron ore, because each ship has 70 guns..."

Henry VIII wondered: "How did it become 70 doors? The model is not like this."

Matthew said bluntly: "...the model is for reference only."

Henry VIII: "..."

Matthew: "... 70 cannons weigh about 108 tons, and ten ships need about 1100 tons of iron in total. But each link will have losses, and I estimate that it will eventually exceed 2000 tons. My blacksmiths believe that high-quality iron ore produces iron The ideal rate is 50%, but in fact it is far from reaching. They estimate that they need 6000-8000 tons of iron ore. However, there will always be various problems, and some artillery reserves will be needed in the future. The figure I finally determined is 2 tons of iron ore. This is a slow collection process, and the corresponding coal is also indispensable, and the production cannot be completed overnight. But obviously, this fee will be paid bit by bit. So there are more than [-] Sterling can only be kept in my warehouse, which is a great waste."

Henry VIII didn't understand: "...waste?"

Matthew smiled: "So my plan is to find a way to double them and use the profits they generate to maintain the production of warships. If it goes well, while you get ten warships, you may also have a profit of [-] to [-] pounds .and more to come.”

Henry VIII thought he was dreaming.What's the meaning?Thirty thousand pounds turned into ten warships in two years, and bonuses... Ten to twenty thousand pounds?This far exceeded his expectations.

No, no, this guy should have ten or twenty thousand pounds...maybe more.

Of course more ~ ​​all will belong to Matthew's fixed assets.

There are many people who speak big words, but those who say it can be believed are rare.

Henry VIII is hesitating, does he believe this big talker?Or cut him down and quickly recover some losses?
Matthew laughed, and Henry VIII's reaction was exactly as he expected.In order to coax this Party A's father, of course he was fully prepared.

"My king, you know...grain, salt, pickled products, wine, wool, woolen wool, and various ores are the main commodities in Northwestern Europe, some such as cloth, candles, and lamp oil in the Netherlands, and grain in Danzig, The salt from Lisbon and the spices they brought from the East, and the goods from the New World in Spain...are all at low prices. There are also many types that are large in size, heavy in weight and low in profit, and few merchants trade them."

"But it is foreseeable that I will have a lot of ships and even have some captains ready."

"In general, the price difference between near the place of production and distant areas is not small. As long as there is a 20%, you can get some considerable profits. There are also Newfoundland fishing grounds. Due to the lack of suitable fishing boats, currently only a small number of British fishermen will Take the risk. Salted fish is very expensive, and the profit only depends on the number of our fishing boats. Another big problem is the cost of salt. But I have already started to organize production, but it is just the beginning, and it will take time."

"Many materials will have seasonal price fluctuations. I plan to choose some durable types for hoarding, such as copper ore and tin ore produced in the Duchy of Cornwall. Idle funds can be used as long-term investments."

"In my opinion, these are all gold coins, just waiting for me to pick them up."

Henry VIII blinked in confusion: "Waiting for you to pick it up?"

Matthew's bombardment had stunned Henry VIII.This guy actually has so many ways to make money and profit points?Why didn't you think earning gold coins was so easy before?Cornwall... those mines in my domain?

"You get a trade ship for this?"

Matthew: "Yes, but the quantity is not enough. I need at least 15 more. Compared with artillery, the cost of ships is not worth mentioning. But their role is far beyond artillery."

Henry VIII was silent for a while, and said: "In England, there are also iron ore and coal. You'd better spend your money on these places. As long as they can be sold, their production will increase."

Stimulate domestic demand?Develop domestic mining industry?Thinking can be my king.

This is historical, but unbeknownst to Matthew, this thinking is ahead of schedule.

The Tudor Dynasty took many measures to encourage the development of metallurgical industries including but not limited to coal mining, copper smelting, zinc smelting, iron smelting, lead smelting, tin smelting, brewing industry, construction industry, gun industry, gunpowder industry, steel industry Industry, metal wire industry, soap industry, salt industry, etc... As for restricting the export of raw materials and encouraging imports, it is his thinking.The ban on the export of copper and iron was not abolished until 1694.

Without the foundation laid by the Tudor dynasty, it would be hard to say for the next few hundred years.

Matthew smiled and said: "This is exactly what I want to say. England lacks everything. Land cannot create more wealth. It is very wise for the royal family to limit the export of raw materials. England must develop its own industry, just like woolen cloth."

Henry VIII seemed to be admiring the glass: "...the wine tastes good...it's very good that you have such an idea, but how did I hear that the Hawkins family is the largest wool smuggling... gang in Devonshire. This is a rumor Is it?"

Fuck!Matthew suddenly went numb.

At this moment, there seemed to be a hateful head in a helmet jumping around in his mind, and even shouted: "Come on, come on and hit me! Come on! Come on and hit me!"

"...well... this... my king... I'm a merchant. You know, I paid the last payment for 100 looms. It's because of wanting to get rid of the terrible interest drive of the wool profit to the Hawkins family. All that will change if those looms get moving. You will soon see that the Hawkins have a share of England's woolen exports for gold."

Of course Henry VIII knew that it was precisely because the Hawkins family was already engaged in woolen cloth, so he only knocked a few words.

What interested him was Matthew's rhetoric: "Terrible profit-driven? What do you mean?"

Matthew thought for a while, and said: "Businessmen naturally pursue profits. For the sake of profits, the instinct of this profession will make any practitioner desperate, even murder and arson. At this point, businessmen and robbers are not the same. There is no superiority or inferiority."

Henry VIII put down his glass and said with a smile: "This is the first time I heard that there is no difference between a merchant and a robber... But... you are not a merchant?"

Matthew: "That's true, but people always have to pursue something, and they can't be controlled by instinct like a beast. That's why I have to buy 100 looms no matter what."

It was a little quiet in the room.Under Matthew's surprised eyes, Henry VIII actually took out a...golden cigarette rod.

"...Did you also say that merchants are the group most likely to treason?"

As expected, Matthew thought.

Before Henry VII, England practiced the so-called mercantilism.Suddenly someone came to say that merchants are less reliable than feudal lords.Even if Henry VIII could hold his breath, he...he couldn't hold his breath.

But Matthew, who is good at nonsense, has long been mentally prepared.A compelling case has been prepared.Using the same conditions to draw completely opposite conclusions is just a piece of cake for many people.

Matthew: "Yes, of course there are reasons for saying that. My king, please forgive me. It would be a huge disadvantage for the parliament to be full of merchants, gentry and rich people. I think it is very dangerous."

The British Parliament is divided into upper and lower houses, the upper house is full of nobles, and the lower house is the squires of the counties.In fact, this kind of system can also see a certain kind of thinking of the designer.

Henry VIII said: "It's just the House of Commons. Are you worrying too much? They have wealth, and if I tax them, I must give them the right to speak. Otherwise, what will we use to maintain the army?"

Matthew: "No, nobles will also become merchants...and the land and currency they own. In fact, they are not real wealth."

Henry VIII Daqi: "What did you say?... Money and land are not wealth?"

Matthew: "Actually, you said before that you want me to invest as much money as possible in the country, which shows that I have realized this, but it is not clear yet."

Henry VIII: "..."

Matthew: "The real wealth is the total amount of materials that you can deploy. The reason why you have the understanding that money is wealth is because it can be used to buy various materials. Therefore, what you need is actually various materials. rather than currency."

Henry VIII thought for a while: "It seems to make sense, but...does this have something to do with what you said before?"

Matthew: "Of course. Businessmen in the parliament have the power to set taxes. Do you think they will take the initiative to raise taxes? Even if there is no problem now, there will be problems in the future. Although money is not wealth, it can control wealth. Those Farmers, craftsmen, miners, etc. are the producers of materials. They should also have their place and voice in Parliament. You know, yeomen are the cornerstone of England."

Henry VIII smiled: "Production needs to be organized. Aren't businessmen the natural organizers driven by...uh...profit?"

Matthew: "My king, you are right. But it is precisely because of this that they cannot be given too much power. The voice of businessmen in the parliament will become louder and louder. They will only make decisions that benefit themselves .Don’t forget, businessmen will do anything for profit.”

Henry VIII: "..."

Matthew: "Power and capital cannot be in the hands of the same group of people. It's like the army. If they have both money and food, why should they listen to the king?"

Henry VIII: "..."

"For merchants, currency is actually power. Or, the ability to organize people is actually power. After a group with dual power grows, do they still need a king?"

Henry VIII: "..."

"When your father banned the export of wool, the Hawkins family chose to smuggle it to ensure profits. I was able to change it because I had a clear conscience and a heart of loyalty to the royal family. But what about others? In the future, similar things will Keep playing. Up to a certain tipping point, and guess what happens?"

Henry VIII looked at Matthew as if he saw a ghost.Even muttering to himself...

Money is power?

The so-called modern international financial order is fundamentally the right to issue currency.In the era of capitalism, international currencies are naturally hegemonic.No matter what you do or think, as long as you are connected to its currency, you are being exploited by it, and there is no escape.

This is the most efficient means of exploitation in history.

The two sat opposite each other and smoked silently. In the captain's cabin, the sky was filled with smoke and the sky was dark.

Matthew felt that it was done.

Is he here to save England?of course not.Self-expression also pays attention to methods.That's right, performance.

So, in essence, he is actually the same as that unlucky guy.

Because only by truly helping the king can he gain the true trust of Henry VIII.So much trust that even if he rebelled in the future, Henry VIII would not believe that he really rebelled.

The most intuitive effect is that Henry VIII no longer cares about wool smuggling.In the future, maybe he won't care about his wealth.

If you want to protect your future wealth, nothing is more reliable than pulling a powerful king.Splitting all the "picked up" gold coins with the king in half was a decision he had long thought about.

If Matthew had royal blood, he might rebel.It's a pity that he doesn't have, and it's impossible to have the support of the church, so he has to settle for the next best thing.

Henry VIII finished smoking, and knocked the gold rod on the cast iron stove: "They are still loyal, I guess this day is far from coming. Maybe I won't see this day when I die. What's the matter?" Is there a solution?"

It's okay, it's worthy of being a born king, and I understand in minutes that this is a phased process.

Matthew: "Yes, just be richer than them."

Henry VIII wondered, "So...simple?"

Matthew thought to himself, what is so simple?It's not easy at all, okay?If it's simple, what else do I need to do?
Henry VIII stared at Matthew looking left and right: "Tell the truth!"

Matthew thought for a while: "Have you heard of guilds and gangs?"

Henry VIII: "...Of course I know."

Matthew smiled and said: "This will save trouble, you must first declare that all English people are your subjects..."

Henry VIII hesitated to speak, isn't this nonsense?

Matthew: "...Any act that kills or violates the interests of the English is an enemy of the royal family."

Henry VIII: "...to the point."

Matthew smiled and said: "In a word, this is my territory. I am in charge of my territory. After that, there will be methods of gangs and guilds, which is a matter of course."

Henry VIII was dumbfounded: "..."

He already understood what Matthew meant.

Gangs collect protection fees, and guilds engage in monopoly.

Monopoly can be understood, what the hell is the protection fee?Henry VIII couldn't help but said, "This...what's the difference between this and tax collection?"

Matthew: "No, no, you misunderstood, the gang doesn't accept poor people, only rich ones."

Henry VIII was in a hurry: "Only tax the rich? It's impossible for the parliament to pass it..."

Then he froze.

"Do you want me to remove merchants from Parliament?"

Matthew smiled and said: "You see, the country is sometimes inferior to the gang. This is difficult, isn't it? Find a way to reduce it. But there are also different types of businessmen, and small businessmen are fine. It's hard to say that the rich are invincible. But There do not seem to be any capitalists of this kind in England at present."

Henry VIII calmed down, and then sneered: "If earning gold coins is as easy as you said, wouldn't it be you who will be so rich in the future...?"

Matthew smiled and said, "Although you gave me [-] pounds to invest, I have to pay half of the profit as a "protection fee"."

Henry VIII scratched his scalp: "It seems so, have you thought of this long ago?"

Matthew: "That's right."

Henry VIII: "I don't think it's practical, let me ask you... what if you take all your belongings and go to another country?"

Matthew: "..."

This stumped Matthew.

If Matthew had nothing to do with being a capitalist, he might have shouted that capital has no borders, then emptied the feudal monarchy, and then went desperately to earn money.Unfortunately, he hates capitalists.This is a position that cannot be changed.

Each has its own position, and this is the problem of human beings.

What's even more ridiculous is that there are many people who hate capitalists but want to be capitalists.

Perhaps, this is the contradictory nature of human beings.

Matthew frightened Henry VIII with his mouthful.Although it is only "performance", the effect is indeed huge.Before he knew it, Matthew had become his most trusted person.It's just that he hasn't noticed it yet.

The little donkey wandered around and returned to the small pier in Greenwich.

When Henry VIII left, he suddenly said: "I think, "there is more money than them" may be more realistic."

The surrounding people looked puzzled.

Then Henry VIII asked: "Do you want to go to the House of Lords?"

Matthew shook his head immediately: "No, I'm very busy."

Everyone: "..."

It is a matter of course for nobles to enter the House of Lords, but this baron refused?What's even more outrageous is that the king didn't care?
Henry VIII nodded, and then said, "Come over at noon tomorrow, and I'll treat you to a meal."

There was silence all around.Many people suddenly found out in horror that this shipbuilding baron, a man without any public office, was actually the king's favorite?

Have a meal?No problem at all.

Then Matthew grabbed someone and sneered: "If I remember correctly, you owe me a thousand gold coins now!"

(End of this chapter)