East Factory Governor

Chapter 785 Sharpening the Knife (Two Chapters in One)

The recent Chongzhen is very busy.

Envoys from the Western Regions, Mongolia, and Korea came in waves one after another, and officials from Honglu Temple went to the palace every day to report to Chongzhen the news of the visits of the missions from various countries.

Chongzhen was naturally happy.

So many missions have come to visit, but it has been a long time.

He even personally received the Korean and Mongolian missions, held a grand state banquet, and greatly satisfied the vanity of the lord of the celestial dynasty.

In view of this, he suddenly thought of holding a large-scale celebration to reproduce the grand occasion of all nations coming to court, so as to leave a bright future for future generations.

It should be said that there is the cost of his vanity. After all, such a grand event can evolve into various versions of history in the future and be passed down through the ages.

But from a national level, this is really an important form of promoting national prestige and deterring foreigners.It can be said that if a grand celebration of all nations coming to court can be held, the prestige of Ming Dynasty to its neighbors and even distant countries can be raised to another level, and the effect may be no less than a large-scale war of conquest.

This kind of thing was done a lot during the Tang Dynasty.And Chongzhen's first goal was to catch up with the prosperous Tang Dynasty, how could he not be interested in this?
What's more, he can afford it now!

Naturally, he would not tell anyone about this plan casually, that is, he revealed it to Qin Shuhuai in private.

Of course, this coincided with Qin Shuhuai's thoughts. Didn't he just need such a big event to complete the ultimate mission?
Not now, though.

Because Annan and Dongwu (that is, Burma) have not yet settled down, if they don't come to pay tribute, it can't be said that Wanbang has come to court.

So he told Chongzhen that it would not be too late to talk about everything after Daming defeated Xiyi in the Netherlands and then conquered Dongwu.

After hearing what Qin Shuhuai said, Chongzhen temporarily suppressed his desire.

Think about it too, if Dongwu, an old opponent, has not been conquered, how can the dignified Ming conquer the small country?

In the seventh year of Chongzhen, for a whole year, under the leadership of an ambitious monarch and an even more ambitious unworldly talent, the Ming Dynasty frantically prepared its army for war like a machine at full power.

In late August, Zheng Zhilong, who had just assumed the post of chief professor of the Naval University, received an imperial order again, asking him to go to Beijing to report on his duties immediately after receiving the order.

After Zheng Zhilong received the imperial decree, he was extremely excited, and when he shouted Long live Long En, his voice almost broke.

Everyone in the Zheng family was excited about it.

Ever since he was transferred to the position of chief instructor of the Naval University, Zheng Zhilong guessed that the imperial court would most likely re-enable him, and that going to the Naval University was just a lingering experience.

And this decree made him almost sure that his thoughts were right.

Because the normal report has a fixed time every year, if the emperor summons him suddenly, then the report is only in name, and the real intention is probably to transfer him to another place, and this position is very important, so according to the usual practice, the emperor will call him in person for an admonition talk.

He can also think with his heels that he will return to Fujian, to a place he is familiar with, and then take his navy, oh no, lead the Daming Navy to set sail and expand the frontier for thousands of miles!

He, Zheng Zhilong, will definitely become an important founder of the prosperous Ming Dynasty. This is not only to honor his ancestors, but to remain in the annals of history forever!

And his Zheng family can make a comeback!
On the second day after receiving the imperial decree, Zheng Zhilong took Zheng Zhibao together and rushed to the capital impatiently.

On the evening of the fifth day, they arrived in the capital immediately.

They didn't care about rest, so they went straight to the Duke's mansion first.

Firstly, it is natural to get in touch with the Duke, and secondly, after seeing the Duke, one will know exactly what the Emperor is planning.

Naturally, the two of them couldn't go empty-handed, but knowing that the Duke of the Kingdom doesn't accept money now, it's not easy to handle.

To send or not to send?

After discussing for a while, they finally decided to find an antique jewelry store on Chang'an Avenue, and spent nearly 1 taels of silver to buy a pair of top-quality jade horses and a pair of top-quality bracelets.

This made me feel more at ease.

When we arrived at the Duke's mansion, it was already dinner time, and the two of them were not timid because they had prepared a generous gift, at least 1 taels, the Duke of the Duke rewarded him with a meal, right?
The two of them reported the house at the gate of the Duke's Mansion in a regular manner, and then waited quietly outside the gate for the housekeeper to report.

Not long after, Qin Shuhuai came out with a smile.

To welcome them in person is enough to give them face.

"Brother Yiguan, Brother Zhihu, you are welcome! Hehehe!" Qin Shuhuai laughed.

Zheng Zhilong and Zheng Zhihu quickly bowed to each other.

"Grandpa Lao came to greet him in person, I am really ashamed."

Qin Shuhuai grabbed Zheng Zhilong's hand, "Brother Yiguan pinched this point, I'm afraid he's here for dinner? Haha, just in time to have a drink with me."

Zheng Zhilong smiled and said, "To tell you the truth, my brother-in-law and I just arrived in the capital, thinking that we haven't seen you for a long time and miss you so much, so we came here to eat with the cheek."

"Come and just come, it's just that there is only light food at home, so you are not allowed to choose."

"How dare you dare, hahaha!"

After some politeness, the distance was shortened immediately. It has to be said that these clichés that are popular in official circles still have meaning for his existence.

After entering the mansion, Zheng Zhihu first presented an exquisite box with both hands, and said to Qin Shuhuai, "Master Guo, we came in a hurry and didn't bring anything decent. I was embarrassed to come here empty-handed, so I gave it to Qin Shuhuai." Madame has brought some small items."

Zheng Zhilong immediately added, "Don't blame the Duke, they are all small gadgets that don't stand on the stage. They just look good and are worthless. Don't dare to ruin the reputation of the Duke."

Qin Shuhuai chuckled, "Brother Yiguan has a good intention, so it seems like I won't accept it."

Zheng Zhilong felt relieved, and said a few more words.

Not long after, the housekeeper came to report that the food was ready, so Qin Shuhuai led Zheng Zhilong and Zheng Zhihu to the dining room, chatting while eating.

Since there were guests, Chen Qing'er and the others ate at another place.

After drinking for three rounds, Zheng Zhilong naturally wanted to talk about himself, so as to find out the tone of Grandpa Tan.

He said, "My lord, I heard that my lord designed a large ship called 'Battleship', equipped with [-] red cannons, hehe, I am really fascinated! I don't know when I will meet you See?"

Qin Shuhuai knew that Zheng Zhilong wanted to lead the topic in the direction of the navy, but he pretended not to know.

"Hehe, I didn't design it. I just suggested some ideas."

Zheng Zhilong paused, and said, "The Duke is too modest. Speaking of which, our Ming Dynasty must have a big ship. On the third day of last month, the Dutch Red Hair sank a merchant ship, the Kuisheng, although the people on board were rescued by them. Got up, but the cargo of the whole ship is gone. Moreover, Hongmao wants the Kuisheng to bring money to redeem people, it is really disgusting to think about it!"

Zheng Zhihu added, "That's right, everyone in the Naval Academy is filled with righteous indignation when the news comes! I can't wait to go to sea and teach these bastards a lesson."

Qin Shuhuai nodded, "The Dutch have been arrogant for a long time. They also sank our merchant ship last month, and the Fujian governor's negotiations were fruitless. In addition, they are now expanding the port in Dongfan. I'm afraid they want to monopolize Nanyang trade."

Zheng Zhilong said, "They are very familiar with the situation in Dongfan. If it weren't for Liu Xiang's lackey to help them, they would not have expanded to where they are today so quickly."

Qin Shuhuai asked, "I heard that Liu Xiang is the brother of an official brother?"

Zheng Zhilong said, "My lord, although I said that I had friendship with him in the early years, but he worked for tigers, not only helping the Dutch, but also robbing my people who went to sea in Ming Dynasty. As a member of Ming Dynasty, I have long been at odds with him !"

"Okay, great!" Qin Shuhuai picked up his wine glass and said, "I admire the righteousness of an official brother! I believe that Mr. Zheng, who has such righteousness, will never disappoint the emperor and my [-] sons of the Ming Dynasty." The expectations of the people! The ten thousand miles of sea and land of the Ming Dynasty depend on Master Zheng to protect it! Come on, let’s do it!”

This sentence is equivalent to telling Zheng Zhilong in advance that the emperor will use you again!
Zheng Zhilong got up immediately, and shouted loudly, "If this day comes, Zheng and his two younger brothers, may the blood be spilled on the ocean, and my Ming Dynasty will open up the territory!"

After all, drink it up!

In fact, Qin Shuhuai didn't have any strategy to give Zheng Zhilong. After all, in terms of naval warfare, he was not even a primary school student in front of Zheng Zhilong.

The only thing he can do is cheer him up.

After dinner, Qin Shuhuai stayed with Zheng Zhilong and Zheng Zhihu for tea. They chatted about the situation in Nanyang from the Naval Academy, and asked about the essentials of the landing operations. The Zheng brothers knew everything, but Qin Shuhuai gained a lot of knowledge.

When Zheng Zhilong came out of the Duke's Mansion, it was already the time of day.

When he came back, Qin Shuhuai also gave him a gift box, saying it was for Mrs. Zheng.

Zheng Zhilong refused, but when he got home, he opened it and saw that it was a high-quality Tang Sancai, so he knew that this gift was more important than his own.

He understood that it was Qin Shuhuai who changed direction and returned the things.

Can't help but smile wryly, is the Duke of this country really planning to be an upright official?Back then, he was merciless when he took his bank notes!
Of course Qin Shuhuai wanted to be an upright official, because he simply couldn't spend all his money.

The Duke's salary is only one rank lower than that of the prince.

Moreover, he also has the salary of the cabinet Wuyingdian University scholar, the salary of the Governor of Dongchang, and the salary of the Liaodong Economic Strategy that has not been revoked. And know how much it adds up to.

Well, these salaries are actually only a part.

The income of the Jianghe gang is now increasing year by year, and the gang will at least send tens of thousands of taels of silver every month for the gang leader to spend.

And the White Lotus Sect has also started to make a profit. As the leader, he can also receive tens of thousands of taels of silver every month—it’s not enough if he doesn’t receive it. In the name of teaching affairs, so I can go back to the gang.

Qin Shuhuai doesn't know how much he can receive every month. Anyway, according to Qing'er, there are several days in a month when she collects cash and bank notes, and the emperor rewards some rare items from time to time. Now the family has too much money I don’t know how to spend it. Last month, she finally tried to spend 100 taels to order clothes for herself. It can be regarded as experiencing the feeling of being a loser, but when she got the clothes, she felt so-so. Isn’t it just silk, and the clothes are just like that son.

Once Chen Qing'er put a pile of banknotes on the bed and asked Qin Shuhuai:
Husband, how should we spend so much money?

Qin Shuhuai was also a little depressed, yes, how to spend so much money?

You can’t play games to recharge to pretend to be cool, you can’t reward anchors to pretend to be cool, and you can’t just buy luxury houses. The princes of other countries still have to live in the prince’s mansion. If you want to buy a luxury car, um, a luxurious carriage, it won’t cost much. money.

It seems that you can't eat much for delicacies from mountains and seas.

He doesn't know how to appreciate antique treasures.

It’s no wonder that in ancient times, the rich married concubines wildly. If they had money but no land to spend it, isn’t there only one way left to open a harem?

Or, the whole two?

In all conscience, he had really thought about it.

He thought he had a lot of ideas when he met Miss Liuyan from the Bailian sect in Tianjin.

But after thinking about it, I felt that he and Qing'er were a good family, and it was a bit strange that suddenly many people came in.

Finally, after much deliberation, he decided to throw money away.

Anyway, sprinkle some when you see the poor, it feels no worse than eating a big meal.

I have to say that when people are free, they will have all kinds of boring thoughts.

In June of the seventh year of Chongzhen, Chongzhen officially ordered Zheng Zhilong to be the admiral of the Nanyang Navy, with full power to control the Nanyang Navy, and also took care of the foreign affairs assigned to Xiyi.

The so-called Nanyang Navy was established on the basis of Zheng Zhilong's old department.

In July, Zheng Zhilong rushed to Fujian to take up his post, along with his two younger brothers, Zheng Zhilong and Zheng Zhihu.

After taking office, Zheng Zhilong first strictly ordered all maritime merchants and fishermen in Fujian to pass and fish only on the prescribed routes, and not to go to routes not allowed by the Dutch.

At the same time, he sent someone to contact Putesman, the governor of the Dutch East India Company and the chief executive of the Eastern Domain, saying that he would negotiate with him on the Nanyang route.

Just like in history, the arrogant Dutch believed that the Ming Dynasty wanted to trade interests for peace again. Wasn’t that the case when the Ming Dynasty gave up Dongfan in exchange for Penghu’s peace?
Therefore, the Dutch asked Ming merchants to bring a letter, asking them to garrison troops in Penghu and build a port. At the same time, the Dutch monopolized Ming's foreign tea trade, and other countries were not allowed to get involved.

In return, they will protect the passage of Ming merchant ships in Nanyang, and open one or two routes controlled by them to a limited extent—as long as Daming merchant ships pay them taxes.

In order to force the Ming Dynasty to speed up their agreement, they sank another Ming merchant ship on the same day they replied, and sent five large warships to show off their power outside the Dongfan Demon Harbor opened by Zheng Zhilong himself.

Unexpectedly, not long after, Zheng Zhilong pulled back all the warships in Hong Kong, even merchant ships and small clippers, and returned to Hong Kong.

Moreover, he wrote back to Putesman, telling him that the price he asked for was too high for me to bear, and that he could make some adjustments so that he could make a deal.

In a word, Zheng Zhilong was very cowardly.

Even the Spaniards can't stand it anymore.

They specially came to Zheng Zhilong and expressed their willingness to help Zheng Zhilong fight the Dutch. You must know that because of the Dutch War of Independence, Spain is the sworn enemy of the Netherlands, and their competition at sea has never stopped.

This is something that has never happened in history.

Why did the Spaniards help Daming?
The reason is simple. If Zheng Zhilong is persuaded, the Dutch power in the Far East will continue to expand, especially if they gain a foothold in Penghu and Xiamen, then the fleets of other countries in the Dongfan Strait will not have to play.

The Spaniard also said that if Zheng Zhilong is unwilling to cooperate with Spain, then Spain will also get the same conditions as the Netherlands.

The news reached Qin Shuhuai's ears, making Qin Shuhuai very angry.

My mother, I did not time travel wrong, did I?Is this late Qing or late Ming?

But he didn't interfere with Zheng Zhilong's handling, because he knew what Zheng Zhilong was doing.

This guy is waiting for 50 battleships!
He shrank his troops and gave up all the ports and routes to the Dutch, so that the Dutch warships were bound to be more scattered.At that time, he only needs to concentrate his forces to fight to the end.

Moreover, continuous forbearance can arouse the navy's great indignation.

But Qin Shuhuai understood him, but officials along the coast of Fujian may not understand him.

Until the end of the year, a large number of memorials impeaching Zheng Zhilong and retreating from the micro-site flew to Chongzhen's desk like snowflakes. If Qin Shuhuai hadn't said good things for Zheng Zhilong, Zheng Zhilong might not be able to hold the position of admiral for long.

Finally, the seventh year of Chongzhen came to December again.

Fifty brand new battleships were all launched.

All of them are equipped with eighteen improved Hongyi cannons, eight on the left string, eight on the starboard, and one on the front and rear.

This year, the ten weapons institutes plus the armor factory and Wang Gong factory directly under the Ministry of Industry produced a total of [-] Hongyi cannons.

After Zheng Zhilong got the news, he was already sharpening his sword.

(End of this chapter)