Ming Zuo

Chapter 689 A Whale Falls
Because of the joining of Shandong, the trade pattern in the Far East Ocean has undergone tremendous changes.

From the perspective of the Dutch, Shandong's approach undoubtedly surprised them.

The Dutch, known as sea coachmen, were more interested in trade than colonial expansion.

However, Daming is too conservative and always refuses their communication.

God will not forgive the Dutch if they do not seize the chance that someone in the richest land in the world has finally stepped forward and opened their arms to them.

Anthony straightforwardly told Zuo Hua that from his personal point of view, he fully agrees with the establishment of trade relations with Shandong.

But for related matters, he needs to ask Batavia's high-level officials for instructions.

Zuo Hua expressed his understanding of this.

After all, to be able to decide this matter, Shandong high-level officials also need to come forward.

However, the first contact between the two sides went very smoothly, and the next thing to do is to deepen communication.

After the battle was over, Zuo Hua set off to return after studying the naval warfare of this era.

The boat was getting farther and farther away from Fujian, staring at this sea area, Zuo Hua made an assertion.

"Sooner or later, Zheng Zhilong will pay the price for his style of being the king of the mountain. He doesn't know how to play with the ocean in this era. It is the tragedy of our Chinese nation to have him. After returning, our navy must work hard and constantly Only by improving the level can we take over the mission of developing the ocean from Zheng Zhilong in the future."

The whole navy looked solemn.

After this battle, these immature marines finally had a deep understanding of the ocean.

Zuo Hua hadn't come back yet, and Zuo Menggeng, who was in Shandong, had already received detailed information about the war.

"Your Ministry of Commerce must draw up a trade list with the Dutch in advance, not only to sell our things, but also to buy what we need."

Huang Zongxi added from the side: "War horses, the most important thing is war horses."

E Raiders and others revealed that there are some very good horses in the distant Middle East and Tianzhu, far exceeding the quality of Chinese war horses.If it can be obtained, Shandong's cavalry development will not be restricted.

Everyone nodded when they heard it.

The war cavalry of this era is the absolute king.

As the territory of the new army is getting bigger and bigger, without enough cavalry, it will be impossible to ensure its own safety, let alone expand outward.

By trading with the Dutch, Shandong can obtain commodities such as horses, spices, furs and even metals, which are very important to the development of Shandong.

Zuo Menggeng originally wanted to wait for Zuo Hua's return in Qingdao, but when he came west on a fast horse, the rider on the horse looked flustered.

"Commander, an urgent letter from Linqing."

Zuo Menggeng took the letter, only glanced at it, and immediately became dizzy and nearly fell down.

People around panicked and supported him one after another.

Zuo Menggeng struggled to catch his breath for a long time, and gradually calmed down, but his whole face was full of sadness.

Seeing that everyone was very concerned, he did not hide it.

"Mr. Xuan Hu is afraid that he will fail."

When everyone heard this, their faces darkened.

Although everyone has known about Xu Guangqi's situation for a long time, when this day comes, it is still difficult for everyone to accept.

Especially in the Shandong camp, many people learned the knowledge of Xu Guangqi on their growth path.

In the eyes of many people, Xu Guangqi is their first teacher.

Now that the old man has reached the end of his life, many people can't help crying.

Zuo Menggeng exhausted all his strength to control his sadness.

He clasped his fists at everyone and said sincerely: "Everyone, I will leave all government affairs to you, and I must hurry back to Linqing."

Naturally, everyone had no objection, but advised him to pay attention to his health when he was on his way.

Zuo Menggeng didn't want to delay for a moment, even if he set off from Qingdao.

Originally, the most comfortable way back to Linqing from Qingdao was to take a boat around the Jiaodong Peninsula, then go up the Daqing River, and then transfer to the canal.

But Zuo Menggeng knew that Xu Guangqi couldn't wait for that time.

He rode fast and traveled all the way, and only took three days to rush back.

The atmosphere in Linqing was suppressed to the extreme.

After seeing him come back, many people finally cried out.

Zuo Menggeng had no time to take care of everyone's emotions, all the way inside, he saw sisters Xu Ruolin and Xu Ruoxin hugging each other, their eyes flushed.

"You are finally back."

Seeing Zuo Menggeng, Xu Ruolin shed the appearance of a strong woman at once, and finally found her backbone.

Zuo Menggeng didn't care about the eyes of everyone, and hugged her to comfort her.

"Don't be sad. If you cry like this, grandpa will be even more sad when he sees it."

Xu Ruolin wanted to control it, but the sadness spread, making her very weak.

Hearing the commotion outside, the people inside came out.

Xu Erjue didn't know when he came to Shandong, but he didn't catch up with Zuo Menggeng.

"Grandfather has been waiting to see you."

Zuo Menggeng handed his wife to Xu Ruoxin and walked into the room alone.

Today is a rare sunny day in early winter.

The old man with a famous name in Qing history sat quietly under the eaves, covered with a thick blanket, with his face always facing the sun.

He must know that the time to feel the warmth is running out.

This old man who has been indifferent all his life should be greedy now.

Zuo Menggeng walked over gently, squatted beside the old man, wanted to say something but felt stuck in his throat, full of sadness.

After another period of time, the old man looked even more haggard.

The whole person was huddled in the chair, like a handful of dry sticks, as if they didn't even have the strength to turn their heads.

But Xu Guangqi knew that Zuo Menggeng was here.

"Zhongheng, I've been waiting for you to come back."

Zuo Menggeng had a sore nose and tried hard to control his voice.

"What did grandfather order?"

No matter how much you say at this time, it is superfluous, and being able to fulfill the old man's wish is far better than anything else.

Xu Guangqi fumbled back and forth with his hand, Zuo Menggeng saw it and quickly grabbed it.

It was cold and without a trace of temperature, and the bones were very fragile through the thin skin.

Xu Guangqi still stared straight at the sun, his voice full of memories.

"This old man has wasted the first half of his life, and made some achievements in the second half of his life. Seeing that the world is in a mess day by day, his lifelong wish is to do what he has learned to save all people from fire and water. It's a pity that the decline of Ming Dynasty is coming to an end. Can't stop!"

Zuo Menggeng exerted a little force on his hand.

This is telling the old man that he is listening.

"You have done very well in the past few years, and the lives of the people in Shandong are getting better every day. This is enough to prove that you are right. Daming is Daming, and the world is the world. Compared with Daming, the world is more important."

After hearing this, Zuo Menggeng finally shed tears.

Xu Guangqi has never commented on what he did, but chose to watch from the sidelines.

As for why this is so, he actually knows it well.

That is, deep down in the old man's heart, there is always a leeway for Daming.

The two hundred years of Ming Dynasty is not so easily forgotten.

There are always people who miss the afterglow of Ming Dynasty and long to rebuild the glory of Ming Dynasty.

However, in the past two years since he became an official, he has witnessed the earth-shaking changes in Shandong, and Xu Guangqi finally recognized Zuo Menggeng's philosophy.

He knew better that these words were not meant for himself.

It was to Xu Erjue who was at the side.

When Xu Erjue heard it, it meant that the Xu family listened.

It also means that from now on, the Xu family has finally strengthened their determination.

(End of this chapter)