I'm a big dick

Chapter 665 Briton

The emperor has a good understanding of the psychology of merchants, because he has the thinking of a time traveler, and he knows that in the feudal era, the imperial power is supreme, and you have no security to talk about.

In other words, there is no psychological security, always worrying about getting rich because of crime, and getting rich because of disaster.

In view of this, the emperor was more tolerant of merchants.At least, compared to the officials, the emperor was considered merciful.

As for wool, it’s better to gather sheep when there are more sheep, but when one comes, how many sheep will be bald, and the other sheep will run away for us.

As long as they abide by the law, merchants will make more money and business taxes will increase, which is beneficial to the country, the court, and even the people.

In particular, the initiative of "repaying society" has set an example for the royal family, and merchants and all social classes have increasingly recognized it.

Being rich and being unkind is what the emperor detests.In the society of Ming Dynasty, this kind of concept is also gradually formed.

The traditional gentry class is being replaced by emerging merchants and landlords, and the symbol is a plaque awarded by the royal family.

And the preferential treatment for gentry is being gradually canceled and replaced by retired officers and soldiers.In addition, even retired officials do not have the privilege of tax exemption.

The imperial court has implemented a pension system, and officials can live without worry after retiring from their posts, and they no longer have to enjoy the preferential exemption from taxes.

In short, the politics, economy, military, and even all aspects of life of the Ming Empire are changing according to the emperor's vision.Some are stormy, and some are subtle.

Except for the commendation of the descendants of the Meng family, the gift of the cross to the successors, and the pre-issue of 3000 million war bonds, it seems that there are no major events.

Therefore, in the impression of the vast majority of people, the Spring Festival passed quite peacefully in this calm atmosphere.

New year, new outlook, new longing, in everyone's heart, they are planning and busy for their own life.

However, the state machinery of the Ming Empire was still operating normally, and the cabinet had a relatively young face.

Sun Yuanhua, Bi Ziyan, and Tao Lang first replaced Yuan Keli, Xu Guangqi, and Sun Chengzong. The personnel changes did not cause political chaos. In fact, the order and rules of the court had been established, and the change of anyone would not have much effect.

Minister of the Ministry of War, Xiong Tingbi, and Prince Taibao, can be regarded as a compliment to the victory of the Ming army in the war.

The Ministry of War has also begun organizational reforms. The framework of the three major institutions, the Ministry of War, the Ministry of the Navy, and the General Staff Headquarters, has been established, and the gap in personnel can only be filled slowly.

The army of the Ming Empire must not only move towards modernization in terms of equipment and tactics, but the entire military organization must also keep up.

Others thought that the emperor was ingenious, but only the emperor knew that he was following the gourd.

Originally, Xiong Tingbi could also enter the cabinet as a second assistant, but no one has taken over his job for the time being.

Sun Chuanting was in the northwest preparing to launch a campaign to regain the front; Shen Yourong was concentrating on the navy and was too old; Mao Wenlong seemed not quite qualified...

There are quite a few generals who are used to fighting, but not many may have reached a high level.And he is still relatively young, so he has no problem fighting wars, but he is not so good at strategizing and scheming.

Although Xiong Tingbi has a bad temper, he has changed a lot now, but the emperor doesn't care.He didn't point his nose at him and scold him, scolding others has nothing to do with him, he only cares about Xiong Tingbi's ability.

There are not many emperors in history who are as broad-minded, kind and generous as I am!

Just when the emperor was intoxicated, admiring and praising himself in the Qianqing Palace, a fleet was sailing towards the Ming Empire in the South China Sea thousands of miles away.

Weddell stood on the deck, looking at the vast sea with a telescope, imagining the first direct trade with the eastern power.

In the Far East, the Dutch and the Portuguese made a lot of money in trade, as did the Spaniards.Silk, porcelain, tea and other commercial goods of the Ming Empire were extremely popular in Europe, and the profits were astonishing.

The British were jealous, and King Charles I of England appointed Captain Weddell as the commander to lead a fleet of six armed merchant ships and set sail for China.

In fact, this is not the first contact between the British and the Ming Dynasty.Before, a British merchant ship had arrived at the Chinese port.

However, the British merchant ship was very unlucky. Under the desperate slander of the Portuguese, a lot of money was extorted by the officials of the Ming Dynasty, and not many goods were shipped back.

In order to continue to develop trade with China, some British businessmen united to form the Gottin Union.

This consortium of businessmen did everything possible to lobby King Charles I to grant them the privilege of trading with China.Charles I generously agreed, and specially invested [-] pounds in the Getting Federation.

The fleet led by Weddell first arrived in India and was received by Brother Asan.After a brief replenishment, it crossed the Strait of Malacca and entered the South China Sea.

Regarding the current situation of the Ming Empire, Wedel is not very familiar with it.His impression is still a few years ago, when the Portuguese occupied Macau and enjoyed the privilege of trading with Ming Dynasty.

Similar to the Dutch, Wedel believes that through the Portuguese, it is possible to conduct trade with the Ming Dynasty.Alternatively, directly contact Daming officials.

"Sir—" the sailor on the mast reminded loudly, "There is a ship ahead, it doesn't look like a merchant ship."

Wedell hurriedly shifted the telescope, but couldn't see very clearly.

As the distance got closer and closer, the sailor reported the detailed situation again, "Ten ships, all of them are warships. My God, they can't be pirates, right?"

Wedell was taken aback, and hastily ordered that the ships be ready for battle.Armed merchant ships also have an advantage in numbers against warships, and Wedell also feels that he lacks confidence.

"Is it the flag of the Ming Dynasty?!" The ship was getting closer and closer, and Wedell could see it more clearly, and turned to a sailor on an unlucky merchant ship who had been to the Ming Dynasty as confirmation.

After carefully identifying it, the sailor nodded vigorously and said, "That's right, it's the flag of the Ming Dynasty."

Wedell roughly judged the location, it should be near Cam Ranh Bay.It was beyond his expectation that Ming warships could sail so far.

boom!The warships of the Ming Dynasty fired warning shots and started in battle formation.

Wedel weighed the pros and cons and ordered the sails to be lowered to stop the ship, but the ship remained alert.

A smaller warship sailed over nimbly. Even if it was a small warship, Wedell did not dare to make a mistake when he saw the gun positions on the side.

"You have entered the waters of the Ming Empire, report your country's name and identity, and accept inspection." A Ming soldier held a tin horn and shouted at Wedell and the others.

Weddell was also unlucky. This was not an inspection by the customs of the Ming Dynasty, and he couldn't reach such a far place.This is a routine cruise fleet stationed in Saigon Port, Mekong Province.

Now that they met, and the flag was relatively unfamiliar, the Ming army fleet sailed over to check it out.Because, they still have a task, that is to eliminate pirates.

(End of this chapter)