Quanzhou, Fujian, is a city that is not well-known in Chinese history. Especially compared to Chang'an in Shaanxi, Luoyang in Henan, Jingshi, Nanjing and other cities that are the political core, Quanzhou seems to be much more unknown.

During the Song and Yuan Dynasties, under the rule of the Wang family, Quanzhou began to show great commercial potential, such as "recruiting foreign merchants from all over the world." Coupled with the southward shift of the economic center and its own superior geographical location, it seemed that Quanzhou had become a superior place.

The harbor is a matter of course. There is such a description in "Longqing Mansion Annals": "The spring is located in the south of Ba Fujian. The mountains are winding and there is no carving. The harbor is meandering and there is no wave.

In other words, Quanzhou has many deep-water ports including Houzhu Port, which can accommodate hundreds of large-scale ships at the same time. It is also very convenient and trouble-free for ships to enter and exit, which provides a basic foundation for the arrival of foreign merchant ships.

condition.

At the same time, Quanzhou is also located at the intersection of Jinjiang River and the ocean, which can play an important role in connecting the inland and the ocean. However, with the development of time, by the Hongzhi period, it had gradually declined and lost all its previous status and scenery.

, returned to its previous unpretentious appearance.

From the perspective of foreign trade, Quanzhou has also become the most satisfactory choice for foreign businessmen. Since the opening of the Overland Silk Road in the Western Han Dynasty, China has had a profound tradition of trade exchanges with foreign countries. When the time came to the Song Dynasty

, the trade between China and overseas countries has expanded day by day, creating an era of commercial prosperity.

For those overseas merchants, if they can conduct business and trade exchanges in a city close enough to the South China Sea, it will not only greatly shorten the navigation time, but also reduce the risks on the voyage.

The reason why Guangzhou has been able to exist as an international metropolis for a long time in ancient times is largely because it is close enough to the south and provides enough convenience for overseas merchants. Under such circumstances, Quanzhou naturally became one of these cities.

The best choice for overseas businessmen

Recently, Chen You, the largest maritime merchant in Quanzhou, will celebrate his 60th birthday. Chen You, who has been in Quanzhou for decades, has already had a big business. His family assets are considered to be the richest man in Quanzhou. During his birthday, he will have many achievements in all walks of life.

Come and cheer.

Chen You is very old, so he needs to pay more attention to the arrangements for his birthday this time. According to a rough calculation by the receptionist, except for the military and political cadres in the province who are busy with government affairs and cannot come, the remaining officials from the surrounding government offices have to go.

Come to Quanzhou to celebrate Chen You’s birthday.

The reason why Chen You can develop the industry to such a large scale is that in addition to having a business acumen that is different from ordinary people, he also has his own private armed fleet and a one-stop service industry chain for maritime distribution. In the coastal area of ​​​​Fujian, many pirates encountered Chen You's business

The fleets all had to be given three cents of noodles, and Chen You established deep underground cooperation and friendship with caravans and pirates from various countries.

On the waters of the Penghu Islands, a large sailing ship about twenty feet long was slowly moving forward.

The vast sea is boundless. It is rolling and rolling, with each wave as high as a wave. On the deck of the sailboat, several people are sitting around a table eating and drinking. Looking at the rolling waves, everyone laughs wantonly.

"Brother, do you think the prefect of Quanzhou will let us in? We are wanted criminals by the government. Letting us into the city is a crime that he cannot bear, just like any other prefect!"

I saw that the man who was called Big Brother ignored the person who asked him. Instead, he used a sharp knife to cut off a piece of lamb leg and ate it with relish. It is worth mentioning that there was a mark on his face.

The long scar looked even more terrifying in the middle of the night.

Seeing this, the other person quickly patted the thigh of the person who was asking, winked, and shouted: "Er Niu, eat meat quickly and stop farting! Why can't you stop your mouth with so much meat? I didn't see the big brother.

Are you hungry?

After being scolded, the man named Erniu muttered in a low voice: "I'm just worried. I'm afraid that the government will make dumplings for us after we enter the city."

"Look at you, you're still saying that! Besides, I'm going to slap you, believe it or not!"

When Erniu heard this, he was so frightened that he quickly shrank back and shouted aggrievedly: "Brother Tong, you want to beat me again. You have beaten me before during the day!"

The person who called Tong Ge originally wanted to raise his hand to scare Er Niu, but who knew that raising his hand had already formed a conditioned reflex, which frightened Er Niu quite a lot. He told Er Niu all the things he had told him in the morning in one breath.

Said it out.

Brother Tong's face suddenly turned blue and purple. He glanced at "Big Brother" from time to time and saw that he continued to eat meat and seemed to pay no attention to this matter.

Erniu saw that he had not been careful and told what Brother Tong had told him in the morning. He suddenly became angry with himself and hurriedly explained.

When Brother Tong heard that Er Niu was going to talk about this matter, he couldn't hold back his temper anymore and stretched out his hand to beat Er Niu violently.

The man sitting next to Er Niu quickly grabbed him and shouted: "Liu Tong, just scare him. Er Niu is still a child, how can you beat him so often? His parents died early and came out to fight with us."

It’s not easy to be homeless, and if I get beaten by you again, what kind of thing is this!”

Liu Tong was about to speak when he saw the scar-faced man, whom everyone called "Big Brother", gnawed the last leg of lamb clean and threw it into the sea. He stood up, wiped his hands, licked his lips, and said coldly: "What are you yelling about!"

Everyone, please go and try it soon.]

When several people saw their elder brother speaking, they instantly became quiet.

"Let me ask you, what are you shouting about?"

Scarface yelled loudly.

"Liu Tong, I remember, I remember saying something to you, please tell me."

Liu Tong's face was livid. For a while, he couldn't remember what Scarface asked, but he still tried to speak, but halfway through, Scarface shook his head.

"No, no, no, that's not it. I remember I told you two days ago that Er Niu's parents died to save me. His parents are my saviors. You have to treat him well and teach him

Kung Fu, teach him how to survive, don't beat or scold him at will, do you think I'm turning a deaf ear to what I say?"

Scarface's tone of voice became colder and colder, and every word he spoke seemed to be laced with murderous intent.

Liu Tong suddenly felt fear and quickly knelt down on one knee to beg for mercy: "Brother, I was wrong. I don't dare to fight two cows anymore."

Scarface was silent for a moment, then helped Liu Tong up and said coldly: "I hope this is the last time."

Now was the time to employ people, and Scarface didn't want to break an arm. He took Er Niu into his arms, gently stroked Er Niu's head, sighed, and said to everyone:

"Although Erniu is only sixteen years old, he has been to a private school since he was a child. Some of his insights and opinions are much better than yours! Erniu is right. If we rush into the city rashly, we will probably be tricked by the government."

."

Seeing that everyone was listening to him, Scarface continued:

"I, Chen Fu, worked in the military camp before. I can't hide the thoughts of the officers and soldiers. They often go back on their word when it comes to wanted criminals like us. They first win over us and lower our vigilance, and then they will cross the river and burn the bridges to catch us all! This is

The first time we went to Quanzhou City to celebrate the birthday of this old guy Chen You was just a pretense. In the past few months, we have been like a lost dog, being chased and beaten by the army. I have had enough of this endless escape.

!

"Yes, we have had enough, it's time to show them some color!"

"Yes, brother, whatever you say, we all listen to you. Those corrupt officials usually bully the people. In this case, why are they still allowed to do it? It will be done with one knife! So that the dog emperor in the capital can open his eyes and see, he

The corrupt officials under our rule are so ugly, and the lives of the people are so difficult!"

When the people on the sailboat heard Chen Fu's speech, they all gathered around. At this moment, everyone was filled with righteous indignation. Zhang shouted that he wanted to do justice for heaven, seeming to have forgotten that he was just a heinous criminal before.

Chen Fu waved his hand and signaled everyone to be quiet. He analyzed: "If we go to the city to celebrate our birthday, the Quanzhou government will definitely not agree. But if we go under the banner of an old man like Chen You, I believe that Chen You's reputation in Quanzhou

They dare not refuse to give it. Even though they are all sanctimonious, they have received a lot of money from the old guy in private. At that time, as long as we enter the city and everyone's attention is on the old guy's banquet, we can rise up.

By the time the officers and soldiers reacted, it was already too late."

"Miao Fu, have the guards at the east city gate been taken care of? Give me as much money as you can. If the brothers want to enter the city, they will need them to open the door."

Miao Gao cupped his hands and said respectfully: "Brother, please don't worry, all the defenders at the east city gate have been taken care of, and the money given to them will be enough for them to spend the rest of their lives!"

"Brother, there is something I don't know whether I should talk about or not."

Chen Fu glanced sideways at Liu Tong, curled his lips, and said, "Liu Tong, when did you start speaking so hesitantly? If you have something to say, just say it."

Liu Tong paused and said slowly: "In the past few months, we have annexed many pirates in the waters off Fujian, and our troops have grown to several thousand. Taking Quanzhou will naturally not be a problem. But the Fujian Navy is not a vegetarian.

Yes, if the navy from Fuzhou Prefecture and Zhangzhou Prefecture come to support us then, the problem will be a bit difficult."

"Well, what you said makes sense. I have already thought of a countermeasure. I have contacted the Folangji fleet. These foreigners have long wanted to open the door to Ming Dynasty and engage in port trade. When the Fujian navy comes, naturally

There is a fleet of Folangji fleet to resist. I have seen Folangji's ships, and their size is several times that of the Fujian Navy. Such strong ships and powerful guns are enough for the Fujian Navy to drink a pot."

Hearing what Chen Fu said, Liu Tong's anxious heart dropped into his stomach. I have to say that this move was really wonderful.

Use Fo Langji's fleet to contain the Fujian navy. When the Fujian army is in dire straits, the rebels can rise up and turn Fujian into chaos.

Chen Fu touched the scar on his face and gritted his teeth and said: "Fo Langji's fleet alone is not enough. We can kill this old guy Chen You and then put the blame on the army. Chen You is in control

For more than thirty years, he has adopted sons and grandsons all over the world. If he died in Quanzhou, his followers would definitely ask the officials and soldiers for an explanation."

…

Quanzhou Prefectural Government Office, Quanzhou Prefect Tan Tie looked at the list of letters on the table to congratulate Chen You on his birthday, and fell into deep thought. On that list were all the pirates wanted by the government. If they were allowed to enter the city and spread the word, he, the prefect, would

Even if it's the end. But if you don't accept it, it will be hard for you to explain to Chen You. They have received a lot of money from him over the years, and Chen You has records of his scandals. If you anger Mr. Chen, you still can't suffer.

Walk around.

Tan Tie made repeated decisions and finally agreed on the birthday list. He said to himself: "I hope nothing will happen..."
Chapter completed!