Early in the morning of the next day, the three commanders of the seaside military guards, Dinghaiwei, Guanhaiwei, and Changguowei, who had rushed to Ningbo City from the surrounding coasts, all came to the gate of the mansion where Qin Zhongtang was stationed to ask for an audience.
First, due to official etiquette, Qin Zhongtang is the supervisor and they are the commanders. The relationship between superiors and subordinates is very clear. It is etiquette to take the initiative to visit.
The second reason is because yesterday I heard Hu Yushi leaking information, saying that Qin Zhongtang intended to adjust the coastal guard station.
Third, there were rumors that the imperial court would mobilize the Beijing army to deploy defenses along the southeast coast. If it came true, this would inevitably affect them directly.
The three Haiwei commanders were only introduced into the gate, and then stopped outside the Yimen. Qin Zhongtang sent word that there were other guests and asked them to wait first.
The three of them looked at each other, a little confused.
The three sea guard commanders together are quite large on the ground of Ningbo Prefecture. Besides the prefect himself, who else in Ningbo City can have higher priority than them?
Not long after, I heard some movement outside the gate, and then I saw someone walking in surrounded by a strange-looking monk.
Even if you haven't seen the three commanders waiting outside the Yimen, you can probably guess that this person is probably Ceyan Zhouliang, the envoy sent by the Japanese Kingdom.
I don’t know what’s wrong with the Japanese country across the sea. They always like to use monks as envoys.
Then they saw that Ce Yan and Zhou Liang did not stop and continued walking into the Yimen. This made the three conductors feel unbalanced.
Could it be that in Qin Zhongtang's mind, a Japanese envoy was more important than their three commanders?
When I was doing Digu, I suddenly saw several servants carrying a heavy box behind Ceyan and Zhou Liang, and they followed Monk Ceyan in.
Dinghaiwei Commander Ma Kui stared at the box, made a visual inspection, and whispered to the other two people: "This box is not light, and 80% of it contains gold and silver."
Commander Cai of Guanhaiwei also said: "The Japanese country has no special products, but I heard that the Japanese country dug up a silver mountain in recent years, so I guess there must be silver in that box."
After the discussion, the three of them all understood. No wonder Qin Zhongtang received the monk envoy from the Japanese country first to give money.
Qin Zhongtang, you should have told me earlier! If I had known you had such a hobby, wouldn’t we all have a common language?
Ma Kui immediately said to Sui Ma Er, the head of Qin Zhongtang who was guarding the Yimen: "I would like to ask you to report this to the Zhongtang. I understand the etiquette and come back to see you later!"
The other two commanders followed suit and left together.
Here, Ceyan Zhou Liang and his ministers entered the Mingtang. After greeting Qin Zhongtang, they sat down and chatted.
Not long after, a servant approached and whispered a few words to Qin Zhongtang.
After that, Qin Zhongtang smiled and said, "Of course I know the purpose of Monk Ceyan's visit. I have also been thinking deeply about the next tribute period for several days."
Ceyan Zhou Liang hurriedly said a few words, and the general interpreter said: "There are many people in our country who are devoted to China. I would like to take the wind as faith and visit again next year."
However, Qin Dewei said: "This year in our country, a tribute ship turned into a bandit. The circumstances were so bad that even the main hall was implicated, so we must be punished!"
Ceyan Zhou Liang said anxiously: "Those are all unscrupulous people from Satsuma and other places. After seizing the survey, they pretended to be tribute ships and committed mischief. They have nothing to do with us good people!"
Qin Dewei scolded: "Originally, the law of our ancestors was to pay tribute once every three years. In mind of our country's desire to transform our country, I asked the emperor to change it to once a year, but something unexpected happened again!"
I am really disappointed with this hall! Therefore, I will not pay tribute next year as a punishment. The tribute group should wait until the year after next to come again!
Those perpetrators must have masters of their possessions, and your country can bring me the heads of these masters!"
Ceyan Zhou Liang wanted to say something else, but Qin Zhongtang saw him off.
Mr. Feng, the merchant who accompanied the meeting, said worriedly: "Many people in our generation have benefited from this year. If there is no tribute next year, I am afraid that they will all become Japanese pirates."
Qin Dewei sighed: "So I made a big bet to see if I could catch all these treacherous Japanese and avoid future troubles for the time being."
From the experience of another historical time and space
, the so-called Japanese pirates are like a snowball getting bigger and bigger.
Maybe the first batch of people to eat crabs tasted the benefits, and then they followed suit in droves.
Now, if we can cut off the symptoms when they first arise, and then cooperate with the policy of opening up the sea, the situation in the future will be much better than the original history, right?
Feng En said again: "I know your idea. By continuing to ban the sea and pay tribute, you can lure the most restless Japanese or maritime merchants into pirates.
If thousands of Japanese pirates attack after the trade wind next year, can you really afford it? I personally feel that the officers and soldiers at the guard station are not as capable as me."
Qin Dewei just said: "It should be okay."
Yu Dayou went to Guangdong to receive the Guangxi wolf soldiers, and collected and supervised the construction of warships. This was a top secret matter. No one in Zhejiang knew about it, and Qin Zhongtang did not intend for anyone to know the secret weapons and trump cards.
In addition, the recruitment of Yiwu soldiers will start soon. After training for half a year to eight months, they should be ready for use.
By roping in Fujian's commander Lu Bor, who has proven to be quite capable in fighting, we can also gather some soldiers from Fujian.
A three-pronged copying operation should not be a problem to deal with Japanese pirates who have not yet fully become a general trend.
The rest is nothing more than tactical details and strategies, and we have to wait until next year to see the specific situation.
Mr. Feng couldn't help but complain: "Everything is waiting for next year, so what will you do this year?"
Qin Dewei said impatiently: "I have told you several times that the main thing this year is nothing else but making money!"
Mr. Feng looked outside the door and said sarcastically: "Those commanders are really sensible, and they all took the initiative to go back and get the money."
Qin Dewei said with great enthusiasm: "If you think that I only know how to take bribes, then you are looking down on me!
You see, one year later, from the Yangtze River Estuary to the Pearl River Estuary, I will be the leader behind the largest maritime smuggling operation in the entire Ming Dynasty!"
Feng En: "..."
What the hell is this proud tone of yours, Qin Banqiao? Do you think this is something to be proud of?
As a person with vested interests, Mr. Feng felt for the first time that Ming Dynasty treated scholars too favorably!
Qin Banqiao acted so recklessly, taking bribes and corruption, and covering up smuggling. As long as he didn't rebel, he probably wouldn't lose his head!
Your Majesty, please open your eyes and take a look! No one can control the corrupt Qin Dewei!
After meeting the guests in the morning, Qin Dewei went to the banquet at noon. This was a formal official reception banquet.
The group of people who attended the welcoming ceremony yesterday will also appear at the banquet today. Anyway, these are the officials, gentlemen and people's representatives of Ningbo City.
Although there was an unpleasant scene at the welcoming ceremony yesterday, today's banquet was still the same hypocritical and polite manner. Everyone is a stage person, so we still have some Qi-nurturing skills.
When his ears were full of wine, Qin Zhongtang put down his glass of wine and said to Magistrate Shen: "Everyone thinks that this time I came to Ningbo because of the big accident at Sanjiangkou."
Magistrate Shen wanted to say, "No one thinks so," but he didn't dare to say it. He was not a coward and didn't have the guts to contradict Qin Zhongtang.
Then Qin Dewei said loudly: "Actually, this Zhongtang has the intention of investigating and wants to move the shogunate to Ningbo Prefecture and be a neighbor of Shen Huangtang!"
Everyone in the lobby was paying attention to what Qin Zhongtang was saying, so most people were stunned for a moment.
Qin Zhongtang looked around again and said, "Ningbo Mansion is a good place. Will you welcome me?"
The originally noisy lobby fell silent in an instant, and there was no more whispering. Everyone was afraid that Qin Zhongtang might misunderstand him as a cheerful welcome, so they simply became completely quiet.
It can be said that no one in the Ningbo government, from officials to squires, wants people like Qin Zhongtang to stay in Ningbo.
If an elder of Qin Zhongtang's level came, wouldn't all the officials become errand boys?
At the same time, it adds many variables to the smuggling business of local wealthy families. Who would welcome Qin Zhongtang to stay in Ningbo?
Qin Dewei looked at Mr. Feng from the shipping department again, but Feng En lowered his head and avoided Qin Dewei's eyes.
Please forgive me! If Qin Banqiao can be prevented from being corrupted, as an enemy, I don’t want you to come to Ningbo to make money!
Qin Zhongtang must have drunk too much, so he shook his finger and said, "This place of yours is so xenophobic!"
Yang Meihuang, a fellow eunuch from the country, said with some dissatisfaction: "My hometown has always been hospitable to people. People from all over the world gather here, and there are thousands of people living in Ningbo."
Even the various envoys felt at home after landing in Ningbo, so how can we talk about xenophobia?"
Qin Dewei sneered a few times and pointed at Ningbo Guard Commander Liu Jie, who was very low-key today, "Take this Commander Liu as an example. In the previous incident at Sanjiangkou, Commander Liu was very xenophobic!
Fights are always a matter between both parties. Since Commander Liu knew how to act impartially and detained Xu Weixue, did he also detain the leaders Zhang Shixing, Zhang Qishu and other leaders on the other side?
Only detaining foreigners while leaving locals alone is not xenophobia, so what is it?"
Commander Liu was stunned for a moment, why hasn't this matter been settled yet? He replied: "The Zhang family are all victims, and they are seriously injured and need to recover."
Qin Zhongtang sneered: "You are indeed doing things impartially! When you encounter a group fight, you only need to detain one side! And even before you find out the inside story, you can know that the Zhang family are all victims!"
Commander Liu still wanted to defend himself, but Qin Zhongtang suddenly asked again: "Two shogunate official ships were burned, have you ever gone to investigate?"
Commander Liu replied calmly: "It's not too late yet."
Qin Zhongtang scolded: "You don't have time to investigate such a big thing, what are you doing all day long? And the most suspected person is Zhang Qishu, why haven't you been detained?
Ships from other places, even if they are official ships, are burned and don’t need to be taken care of. Is Commander Liu the commander of Ningbo City or the commander of the Ming Dynasty? "
Commander Liu was speechless. The locals were actually mentally prepared for Qin Zhongtang to talk with thousands of pieces of silk.
At worst, we're just overturning the table together. I don't believe that you, Qin Zhongtang, dare to make a big deal out of trying to smuggle.
Unexpectedly, Qin Zhongtang said nothing about the thousands of pieces of silk, but repeatedly talked about the two burned official ships.
Qin Dewei clapped his hands and said, "It's just too much to bully people. The shogunate's official ship was burned, people were detained, and they didn't go after the criminals!
Even with my status, Commander Liu dares to bully me like this! Even Tu Qiao and Zhang Bangqi here would not dare to do this to me!
I am really angry. I never thought that I, Qin Dewei, who has been so powerful all my life, would be so slighted in Ningbo Mansion!"
Liu Jie only felt aggrieved. Who bullied you, Qin Zhongtang? Who dared to bully you, Qin Zhongtang?
It's you, Qin Zhongtang, who has something wrong with you. Ever since you got off the boat, you've been acting like you're angry! It's simply a delusion of being persecuted!
Qin Dewei waved his hand: "That's all, I have already reported the matter of being treated poorly and let the court comment on it!"
People who have been in official circles, such as the old man Yang Meihuang, suddenly understood what it meant when Qin Dewei kept acting like he was being criticized!
The reason why local forces in Ningbo have been tough on the outside world in the past two years is all because of the emergence of two big bosses, Tu Qiao and Zhang Bangqi.
Whenever there is any trouble in Ningbo Prefecture, these two elders can help say a few words in the court, or attack those who undermine the stability of Ningbo Prefecture.
But if Qin Zhongtang shows an angry face, it will be difficult for Tu Qiao and Zhang Bangqi to talk to each other in court!
Everyone in the court knew what kind of distinctive character Qin Zhongtang was.
If even people like Qin Zhongtang are offended when they come to Ningbo, how will the people in the court view Ningbo?
Not to mention that if there is a conflict between the imperial envoy and the local government, people in the imperial court will naturally tend to the imperial envoy who represents the imperial court.
Under such circumstances, if Tu Qiao and Zhang Bangqi still spoke for Ningbo locals, they would be scolded to death in the court.
Without the protection of the two elders, the energy of the local people in Ningbo Prefecture would be reduced by half!
Liu Jie suddenly stood up, walked around the table, and shouted unbearably: "Qin Zhongtang! You are going too far to bully others, how can it be justified!"
Qin Zhongtang deliberately dodged for a moment, and then shouted: "You are even more serious about it?"
Take action? It’s simply lawless! Who gave you the courage?”
Commander Liu: "..."
Is this the myth of the legend?
Qin Zhongtang's soldiers rushed out and shouted: "Kneel down!"
Commander Liu was about to explode with anger. He restrained himself, turned around and walked out. However, there were soldiers from Qin Zhongtang at the door, who swarmed up and held Commander Liu down.
Magistrate Shen quickly advised Qin Dewei: "Commander Liu is very popular among the military households. If he handles this indiscriminately, the morale of the army will be unstable."
Qin Dewei asked curiously: "Why is it unstable?"
Magistrate Shen was speechless. You Qin Zhongtang was also the governor of a border town. Don't you know that there is something called a mutiny?
You have acted it out from beginning to end yourself, arresting people at will without even a solid reason. Are you really not afraid of problems with the morale of the army?
Liu Jie looked at the banquet and shouted to the other commanders: "We are all in uniform, so we should advance and retreat together, so why are we turning a blind eye?"
Ningbo Prefecture has a total of four guards. In addition to the Ningbo Guard in Ningbo City, there are three sea guards on the coastline. Generally, Ningbo Guard is the leader.
Ma Kui, the commander of Dinghaiwei who was sitting next door, sighed and said to Liu Jie: "Brother Liu, it's better to give in and admit your mistake. Why do you want to deliberately contradict Qin Zhongtang?"
Liu Jie was stunned, what kind of ecstasy soup did Qin Zhongtang pour into you?
His original intention was to stage a "mutiny" between officers and soldiers in the city after he was caught.
In a place where the guard system is similar to that of a border town, it is normal for the soldiers to mutiny. This is also the confidence of Commander Liu.
In recent years, Datong, Liaodong, and Ningxia have all had mutinies, and Ningbo is no less likely to have one more!
I originally hoped that the other commanders would also cooperate, but I didn't expect that they would directly abandon me!
If the other commanders all help Qin Dewei, then there will definitely be no chance of mutiny!
"Take Liu Jie down! Lock him up and wait for exile!" Qin Zhongtang waved to the soldiers, and then said in a deep voice to everyone: "Now let's talk about the matter of collecting Japanese wages. I will talk first, you all listen carefully!
"
The officials and gentry of Ningbo Prefecture finally felt the power of the legendary powerful woman.
Chapter completed!