Since the beginning of winter this year, it has been unexpectedly peaceful!
For the entire Ming Dynasty, starting from August and September every year, it was a period of fear. Tartars always arrived unexpectedly during this season. The weather began to get colder at the huge border gates and nine military towns.
, almost all of them entered a state of combat readiness.
This happens every year, fight every year, defend every year.
Defend small and hit small, defend big and hit!
However, even though the Ming Dynasty spent a huge amount of national power on border towns, there were still times when it was neglected. From time to time, Tatars would break in from somewhere, burn, kill, and loot before leaving. This year, the Tatars were even more...
The captive army detoured through Mongolia, avoided the Guan-Ningjin defense line, and went straight to the walls of Beijing.
That recent incident had made the ambitious young emperor on the dragon throne feel suspicious and depressed.
However, starting from this year, the situation seems to have changed a lot.
Sun Yuanhua and his close colleagues and close friends in his small circle should be the people who feel this change most closely. It is ironic to say that these officials who were excluded by the imperial court and were assigned to the Overseas Pressure and Control Department are now the Overseas Pressure and Control Department.
The people here who have the closest connection with the imperial court are not only more sensitive to the trends and climate of the imperial court than the officials in the Overseas Government, but are also more sensitive than the officials far away in the capital.
The Tartars are now shrinking across the board and are deploying troops on the Mongolian Chahar tribe. It is said that Sun Chuanting, the governor of Liaodong, took the initiative to raise troops several times, intending to take advantage of the Tatars' emptiness to gain more room for the imperial army to move.
However, it seems that over at Zhenwu, Sun Chuanting's army fought several battles with the Tatar army. Naturally, the governor reported many successes to the court, but the real situation is probably only known to these officials in Liaodong.
.
Probably didn’t win!
If the current Liaodong army has the moral character, as long as it establishes a firm foothold in one place, it will immediately carry out large-scale construction, establish military fortresses, and then connect these military fortresses to form a new defense line against the Tatars.
Although Sun Chuanting's army received frequent reports of success, there seemed to be no news about the construction of a new military fortress. Anyone with a discerning eye could see that this meant that the Ming Dynasty's army was definitely not victorious.
However, you should not lose either!
If the Tartars really had the upper hand and Sun Chuanting was defeated, Zhenjiang Fort should have received news asking for help. However, from the beginning to the end, no one heard any news in this regard. The entire military and political yamen and its subordinates
The army has also been operating in an orderly manner, with no sign of emergency deployment, assembly, and departure.
The Civil Affairs Office did not receive a notice to allocate grain and grass to recruit young people.
Therefore, everyone’s judgment is that Sun Chuanting and the Tatars did fight several battles. Both sides suffered casualties, but no one took much advantage. The Tatars’ thoughts were not on the side of the Ming Dynasty, but Sun Chuanting’s army wanted to
It seems that they don't have the fighting power to completely defeat the Tartar troops.
As a result, both sides hurriedly withdrew their troops before the first snow fell this winter. If there were no accidents, both sides should have stopped during this winter.
They were all civil servants. Although they expressed respect for Sun Chuanting, the governor of Liaodong, they were probably more jealous in their hearts. Sun Chuanting was promoted too quickly. If he wins a few more battles in a row, then what will happen to him?
Isn't it about to be knighted?
And when they were in the capital, Sun Chuanting would have to call out "Sir!" when he saw them.
There was a slight noise outside the door and the sound of footsteps. Everyone looked up at Sun Yuanhua in astonishment: "Master Sun, are there any other guests?"
Sun Yuanhua smiled and looked at Chen Fusheng who walked in from the door: "Let me introduce to you, Prince Dinghai, Uncle Chen!"
"What prince, Mr. Sun is joking!"
Chen Fusheng came in and greeted everyone with a smile. Some of the people here he had seen before, some he had never seen before, but seeing them on this occasion was naturally different from seeing them outside.
"Master Sun talked about a gathering of fellow villagers in Beijing. As soon as I heard about it, I begged to come with a shy face. Sirs, if you think I am an eyesore, don't say anything. I won't leave even if you do!
"
Everyone laughed, and the atmosphere in the room instantly became more lively.
"Sanjiang Commercial Bank has now settled down in Overseas Zhenfusi. From now on, I will have to trouble you all with matters big and small. This is your place. You have the final say. When you return to Beijing, when will you be able to do so?"
Find me at Ding Haibo Mansion, and I, Chen Fusheng, will definitely remember your lords’ care today!”
Everyone laughed and said they were polite.
"Don't listen to Uncle Chen trying to get close to you. When the next year passes, he will no longer be in our Zhenjiang Fort!"
Sun Yuanhua said with a smile: "Even if you return to Beijing and find Uncle Dinghai's house, you will definitely not see his people!"
"I'm not at home, there are others who are at home, right? Marquis Jinghai, Uncle An Yuan, Uncle Zixing... we all recognize this care!"
Everyone laughed again, and suddenly felt that the official hat on their heads and the chair under their buttocks were really comfortable. Where do I need to be an official to receive such care from the top nobles of the Ming Dynasty at once, even these so-called cares?
, does not play a big role in major matters of life and death, but even if it is a small matter, a word from these people may be more effective than them running to countless yamen to open countless joints!
"My uncle is going back to Beijing next year. Has he made arrangements for me?"
Someone asked with a smile, "It's a party. It's just casual chatting, talking about whatever comes to mind. It's not like he specifically inquired about the other person's privacy."
"It's not the family's arrangement, it's my own arrangement!" Chen Fusheng sat down: "I want to go to Ryukyu and join the Sihai Fleet!"
"Good choice!" Everyone nodded in unison. What is going on with the Sihai Fleet? They have been in the Civil Affairs Yamen for so long. Don't they still know?
Does this mean that Ding Haibo is moving closer to the Overseas Zhenfu Division? In official circles, there must be sides, and there must be close relatives and friends. If Chen Fusheng really joins the Sihai Fleet, he will be one of his own. From now on, regarding Ding Haibo,
Everyone must handle it a little differently from others.
"To be precise, my uncle didn't join the Sihai Fleet. He led his own ship and moved with the Sihai Fleet. It's considered that the Sihai Fleet hired him!"
Sun Yuanhua explained: "Of course, my uncle's ship must fly the flag of the Four Seas, not the flag of the Three Rivers!"
"They are all the same, they are all my Ming Dynasty's ships!" Everyone said with a smile, but they became suspicious in their hearts. Is this still allowed to be done?
"This is why I came to see you today!" Chen Fusheng cupped his hands and said calmly: "Let's talk first, I asked Mr. Guo Jiang about this matter, and he didn't object before I came to you. If you don't believe me,
Yes, feel free to ask Mr. Jiang, I don’t speak randomly!”
Everyone looked at Sun Yuanhua, but they were somewhat looking forward to what Chen Fusheng was going to say next.
Sun Yuanhua nodded, indicating that this matter was true.
"A lucky boat that the navy bought in exchange for money costs about 20,000 taels of silver. I and a few close friends pooled together, and we were able to make up the money. However, running a boat on the sea is not enough.
It’s useless to have a hull like this. I have the boat and the people, but I don’t have the guys on the boat!”
"You mean the cannon?"
Some people among the crowd realized that they knew better than anyone else the standard equipment of the Sihai fleet. As long as the Overseas Prosecution Division had cannons and guns, it wouldn't bother Sihai at all.
Of course, the profits and rewards brought by the Four Seas fleet also make them feel bad. The fleet is so profitable. If it were not equipped with good firearms, it would not be bad if they really meet pirates who can fight.
"This is for the Ordnance Department!" Everyone turned to look at an official at the table. The official looked at Chen Fusheng in astonishment with his mouth wide open. He didn't even know that he had dropped his chopsticks.
"This is going to kill your head!" he muttered in a low voice.
"I have already said that this matter has been reported to Mr. Jiang, but Mr. Jiang did not say that I am not allowed to discuss it with you!" Chen Fusheng shook his head: "Besides, before I even finished speaking, you started talking about it.
Yes, do you think I want you to secretly sell me a few cannons?"
"Isn't it?" the official asked in confusion.
"Of course not!" Chen Fusheng rolled his eyes: "If that were the case, I would quietly go to your house and knock on the door, and you can still talk here!"
"Then I'm relieved!" The official breathed a sigh of relief: "Uncle, please continue talking!"
"My ship will definitely need cannons. However, even if you have money, you may not be able to buy the cannons of the Overseas Pressure Division!" Chen Fusheng continued: "I want to rent a few cannons, and I will pay you the deposit and rent.
This matter needs to be dealt with by some adults!"
ah!
Everyone looked weird. Renting a cannon, why does it sound so unreliable? Can such a big killer be rented out?
"Master Sun, Master Jiang really approved this?" someone asked Sun Yuanhua in disbelief.
Sun Yuanhua nodded: "...Master Jiang has no objection!"
There was no intention of objecting, it was acquiescence, but this matter could not be stated openly. Everyone was a veteran of many years of ups and downs in the officialdom, and they immediately understood the meaning of Sun Yuanhua's words.
"Then what is the explanation for the money obtained from renting?" Someone pondered for a moment and asked slowly: "I think Mr. Jiang will definitely not give these money to a few of us. Is this kind of public utensil for private use?
Lord Jiang will never allow you to pry into your own corner!"
"Yang Lian!" Sun Yuanhua said calmly: "The money earned will be distributed in the name of Lian Lian money according to the official position and the amount of effort. Of course, this money will not be distributed to you all at once, but will be deposited in the Sihai bank account as the principal, and the earned money will be distributed to you.
The profits will be used as additional allowances for your respective yamen!"
"...!"
"In short, it is our Lord Jiang who has authorized us to provide capital from your yamen to give you the opportunity to participate in this sea trade!" Chen Fusheng said: "This is a good thing that fell from the sky. You just sit at home and wait.
Just collect the money!”
Everyone's expressions were shocked. Just now they were talking about how to make money. In the blink of an eye, the money was delivered to their door?
How much profit is there from participating in maritime trade, and they can just sit back and enjoy the profits without doing anything?
"Of course you don't do nothing!" Sun Yuanhua said: "Every cannon, every firecracker, which flows out of your hands, whoever handles it must be responsible. We don't want to see one day
, the Tatars use our cannons and muskets to attack us!”
"This is natural!" Everyone nodded, this is only reasonable and there are no requirements at all.
"Don't agree so easily. If anything goes wrong with this kind of thing, at least you will lose your official position, or at worst, you will die!" Sun Yuanhua reminded: "Don't forget, you are officials of the Overseas Prosecution Department. We really have to deal with you.
, the superiors don’t even need to inform the imperial court, the Overseas Prosecution Department has the right to self-determination!”
"Secondly, the objects of these transactions must be specific people. People like my uncle are no problem. However, if some other random people come over, just hand them over to the Military Intelligence Department directly!"
Everyone nodded fiercely.
Sun Yuanhua smiled: "Of course, if the Military Intelligence Department says there is no problem, then there will be no problem. Let's just take care of our own affairs!"
"Master Sun, I don't understand this matter. What do we adults want to do by acquiescing to this? Once this is opened, it is okay for the uncle today, and it is also okay for the young prince to come tomorrow. At the moment, our cannon fire
There are not enough guns to use them all!"
"I still don't understand this!" Chen Fusheng looked at everyone with a half-smile: "Everyone has been an official in Beijing, and we still don't understand this kind of thing clearly. It depends on your salary, even if the salary of the overseas governor is very low.
Not bad, but compared with those corrupt officials, I’m afraid it’s still a drop in the bucket!”
He spread his hands and said very naturally: "As time goes by, when you see how much money other people make as officials, naturally some people can't help but imitate them. Since sooner or later, you will be corrupted by money, and you, Mr. Jiang, might as well just do it
Keep this matter within your control."
"Be an official well and do your work well. You can make a fortune without taking bribes and bending the law. With the huge profits from the yamen being paid out every month, will you break the rules for a small amount of money and be bribed?"
Everyone became awe-struck. This was not unreasonable. If he could earn several thousand taels of silver from his job every year, then the officials of the Overseas Zhenfu Department would probably be the most difficult officials to bribe in the world.
Of course, he will also be the most loyal official of the Overseas Prosecution Department.
"Of course, there is another possibility. Mr. Jiang wants to do this firearms business with the imperial court, but he is too embarrassed to ask. I just happened to come to your door. It is not certain that he would test the water in this way. Anyway, no matter what,
As long as the cannons and firearms on my ship are properly equipped, I don’t care about other things!"
"Tell me, can this thing work out? This is what I want. Take a look. If it works out, give me a price and I'll start collecting money!"
Chen Fusheng handed over a piece of paper with all the things he wanted on it.
Everyone looked at Sun Yuanhua, who slowly took a sip of wine: "You can discuss it yourself. Anyway, you all have people here from the Warehouse Department, Ordnance Department, and Transportation Department. Once you have discussed it, just tell me the result!"
Everyone nodded.
"By the way, don't forget to count me in!" Sun Yuanhua reminded.