"Now."
"Continue the court deliberations."
"Let me repeat myself."
"Open the Maritime Ban and allow merchants to sail overseas for trade."
"Not only to earn the wealth of foreign lands and seize resources, but also to test the strength of foreign nations for Great Ming, preparing for future expeditions."
"Establish an Identity System. All citizens of Great Ming may travel freely throughout Ming territory. Those who have been imprisoned shall not be issued identification and may not travel freely."
"Encourage commerce and stimulate Great Ming's trade. So long as they pay sufficient taxes to the state each year, the court shall grant them the right to wear fine clothing. Merchants with outstanding tax contributions shall be selected from across the realm and invited to Yingtian, where our imperial family will personally host a banquet for them."
"Besides that."
"The Northern Frontier is vast. The national policy of population migration remains unchanged. Any who wish to move north and settle there from densely populated prefectures of Great Ming shall have all travel expenses covered by the court. After settling in the Northern Frontier, they shall be exempt from taxes for three years. Those skilled at farming may be allocated land to cultivate, while those skilled at herding may be allocated pastureland for livestock."
"In short."
"For the Northern Frontier's lasting peace, population migration is paramount." Zhu Ying gazed at the gathered ministers and declared loudly.
This time.
Not a single civil or military official in the court opposed him, nor did anyone raise any objection.
However.
Xu Huizu stepped forward and said loudly, "Your Highness, once the Maritime Ban is lifted, pirates will surely run rampant. This minister proposes that troops be added to the coastal prefectures. Only then can peace along the coast be ensured."
"This proposal."
"Is acceptable."
"However,