The disgraced official I took care of was actually Zhu Houcong's childhood friend.

Chapter 353

In reality, although the Yuan Dynasty collected a high commercial tax, it was almost the same as that of the Ming Dynasty, and they couldn't collect it at all, even though the Ming Dynasty's commercial tax was only one-thirtieth.

However, times have changed. Nowadays, many wealthy families dig up their buried silver melons and deposit them in banks to keep their businesses running.

The money shops opened by merchants from Jiangnan and Shanxi each had a considerable amount of silver stored up, which gave them confidence and prevented them from being afraid of someone suddenly exchanging large sums of money.

If someone makes a large amount of money transfers and the money shop can't keep up with the demand, then the money shop's credit will naturally collapse. After all, money shops rely on credit, and once that credit collapses, the money shop can no longer operate.

Emperor Jiajing was well aware that once the royal bank was established, neither the merchants of Jiangnan nor those of Shanxi would sit idly by and watch it grow bigger.

Once the royal banks grow too large, where will they have room to survive?

Once the Royal Bank opens, countless wealthy individuals will inevitably flock to Royal Banks across the country to exchange their money, all in an effort to bankrupt the Royal Bank's credibility.

This is also the fundamental reason why, although Jiajing was very interested in the royal bank, he refrained from opening one.

Although Zhou Chu confiscated a large amount of silver from the house, it was still not enough for the entire Ming Dynasty. Once it was exchanged in large quantities, it might not be enough.

For example, a wealthy merchant might deposit five million taels of silver in Jiangnan and then go to a royal bank in Jiangxi to exchange those five million taels, or even to any royal bank.

This required each royal bank to have sufficient silver reserves to cope with sudden currency fluctuations.

On the other side, the students were stunned after watching Zhou Chu's two experiments. Most of them had no concept of physics, and their impression of physics was nothing more than some numerology.

Some people specialize in studying numerology, but they are a minority. What good is studying numerology? Working as an accountant? Or becoming a clerk who surveys land?

Whether in the Ming Dynasty or in any other dynasty, since the imperial examination system was established, the primary goal of scholars has always been to pass the imperial examination. Compared with the imperial examination, everything else seems so unimportant.

"Of all professions, only studying is noble" is a self-praising phrase used by these scholars.

But at this moment, many students saw something different. Was the study of natural phenomena really so magical? It could make sheep fly into the sky, and it could make two copper hemispheres come together and it would take more than a dozen horses to barely pull them apart.

This seems to involve the mysteries of heaven and earth, and contains the ultimate truths of heaven and earth.

For a time, countless students developed a strong interest in the study of natural phenomena, but this interest was quickly dampened by their parents.

"What's the use of learning this? Let me tell you, Lao Tzu sent you here to learn the teachings of the sages. Only by learning the teachings of the sages can you pass the imperial examinations and enter officialdom, and only then can you bring glory to your family. This so-called study of things, can it make you a high-ranking official?"

At this moment, the middle-aged man no longer cared about offending Zhou Chu. He saw the excited look on his son's face and immediately realized that if he didn't dissuade his son from this idea, his son would have no hope of passing the imperial examination in the future.

This is not what he wants to see.

One by one, the students' eyes, which had been filled with excitement for the study of natural philosophy, dimmed after being persuaded by their parents.

Zhou Chu did not stop this phenomenon, nor did he say anything about how studying the study of things could lead to an official career.

Zhou Chu knew very well that if one studied the study of natural phenomena for the purpose of becoming an official, one would definitely not learn it well. One must be full of interest in the study of natural phenomena and have a spirit of exploration in order to carry forward the study of natural phenomena in the future.

Zhou Chu wanted those who persisted in pursuing the study of natural philosophy despite their parents' criticisms.

"My lord, the study of things is the true study of governing the world. I, Hai Rui, wish to study the study of things."

Hai Rui said with a resolute expression.