Chapter 1032 1027 [Using fake gold mines to trick people into going to Malacca]
The floods in Fujian, Zhejiang and Jiangxi provinces have receded, but the relief work is far from over.
Many people lost everything, including houses, livestock, food, furniture, money... all were ruthlessly washed away by the floods. They relied on various means to survive.
There are also many people who barely managed to take away some of their property because it was difficult to escape quickly, but it will be difficult for them to restore their basic lives in a short time.
Public security problems are also very serious, especially in places far away from cities. Catastrophes have destroyed the original order, and many gangsters make a living by cheating and robbing.
The Ming court's disaster relief response was very fast, quickly transferring grain from Huainan and the middle and upper reaches of the Yangtze River, and even appointed a full-time disaster relief governor for the three provinces (with the power to temporarily open the government).
Local officials also responded quickly to the disaster. Even before they received approval from the central government, they did what they could. Including the gentry and temple officials, they also contributed money and food. No matter what they thought in their hearts, they must at least be able to live well on the surface.
In fact, in ancient China, local officials, gentry and temples were the main body of disaster relief most of the time - officials forced donations, wealthy households provided food, and gentry and temples took the initiative to provide porridge.
Generally speaking, the various losses caused by this flood are equivalent to fighting a war to destroy the country.
It will take at least half a year for the disaster area to basically resume production.
When the six second-generation officials came to Zhejiang, the post-disaster dredging of the Jiangnan Canal had been completed, which was a top priority in disaster relief.
But in the villages on both sides of the canal, traces of the floods can still be clearly seen.
Vast tracts of rice fields have completely lost their harvest due to floods, and the soaked rice has collapsed in the fields.
When Lu You passed by Wangting Town by boat, he saw an official ship docking.
Two officials posted notices outside the town, and literate residents came to read them. Then someone cheered and shouted: "Quickly inform the township security chiefs that the disaster relief grain and grain seeds have arrived! Villagers took copies of household registration cards and went to the county to collect grain.
, each person can receive one stone of rice and one liter of late rice seeds. If the copy of the household registration is damaged or lost, please go to the county government office to get a replacement as soon as possible!"
When the news spread, people from all over the country rushed to tell each other.
This is the second batch of disaster relief grains. The first batch was distributed even less and belonged to the grain stored in the local Changping warehouse. The current batch was transferred from other places, and late rice seeds were also transferred for replanting.
After receiving the news, the Baojia chiefs immediately called a meeting with the villagers.
Those who have boats go out, and those who have people go out, and they organize themselves to go to the government to collect food.
During special periods, it is also very quick to apply for a new household registration.
Don't even think about taking advantage of loopholes to get more. The original copy of the household registration book is in the hands of the government, but what the common people get is a copy. The number of people in a family is clearly written down.
People who did not have a household registration before could not even receive disaster relief food this time!
"Is the disaster so serious?"
Fan Chengda looked at the rice fields that had failed to harvest, and his expression became a little grim, because his hometown is only a few dozen miles away.
The other five second-generation officials all offered words of comfort.
After rushing home in a hurry, Fan Chengda felt a little better.
His mother worked as an official away from home with her husband, and there were only grandfather and uncle in the family.
Grandfather Fan Shiyin said to Fan Chengda: "This area has not been flooded. The area around Taihu Lake has been flooded. Wangting Town has been completely flooded, and the canal over there has been unnavigable for the past month. Wujiang County has also been severely flooded. Disaster relief is needed."
The governor specially sent an officer to guard it."
"It's good that our home wasn't flooded," Fan Chengda sighed, "people's livelihood is so difficult."
Fan Shiyin said: "As long as the government is not corrupt, no matter how big the disaster is, it is nothing. I am an old man who is half dead, but I have never seen such an effective court in disaster relief. In the pre-Song Dynasty, Wu Di suffered more than once
Not only did the foolish king and treacherous ministers not provide relief, they also intensified the levying of exorbitant taxes and miscellaneous taxes."
Bai Shihou immediately said: "When the Holy Emperor is alive, all the dynasties will be virtuous ministers, and there will be many local officials."
"Little Marquis is right." Fan Shiyin smiled and flattered him.
Bai Shihou waved his hands repeatedly: "I am the second son in the family and cannot inherit the title."
Fan Shiyin said: "You can also call him this respectful title."
Bai Shihou laughed.
Fan Shiyin did not pass the Jinshi examination, nor did he serve as an official in the former Song Dynasty, but he was by no means an ordinary old country man. After all, one of his daughters-in-law was the granddaughter of Cai Xiang and Wen Yanbo.
Although he was a white man, he was married to the prime minister, so one can imagine the influence Fan had at that time.
The second generation of six officials asked where the disaster relief governor was and learned that he had established a government in Nanjing, so they were not in a hurry to go to sea and rushed to Nanjing to help.
Although they all have titles, under normal circumstances they would not be employed by the governor-general and shogunate.
What really matters is the "queen from a famous family".
The disaster relief governor had the temporary power to open the government, and the number of official officials was limited. They soon became contract workers for a period of three months, were paid as first-class officials, and did some writing and statistical work.
I am very busy every day, but I feel extremely fulfilled.
When the three-month employment period expired, the six people left their letters and ran away without receiving their wages. Each of them also wrote a poem to the disaster relief governor.
On the passenger ship, Li Zuqia asked: "Brother Zhi Neng is so talented, why don't you hurry up and become an official through the imperial examination?"
"Most likely I won't pass the exam. I still need to improve my knowledge," Fan Cheng said with a laugh. "While I'm still young, it's better to travel more. When my horizons are broadened, the articles I write will naturally be different."
Bai Shihou said: "I can't even graduate from Imperial College. If I really go to the imperial examination, I can only be a scholar. Anyway, my father is a rough man, and I am also a rough man. I don't expect to be admitted to the imperial examination, so I can run around with a sword."
Your family is different, with generations of scholars. If your grandfather knew you were going to sea, he would probably break your legs."
Fan Chengda said: "I have an elder brother who has passed the Jinshi exam for several years. After my brother passed the Jinshi exam, the control at home was not so strict. However, it is best to take a detour this time and don't pass by my house again.
"
"Ha ha ha ha!"
Everyone laughed when they heard it.
They took a boat all the way to Shanghai, transferred to a sea ship and headed to Hangzhou, intending to find a ship to go to Nanyang at Hangzhou's outer port (Kanpu Town).
Due to the floods in Fujian, Zhejiang and Jiangxi, Hangzhou seaport has been affected to a certain extent, and the prices of many goods have increased to varying degrees.
The six of them went around the town with their entourage and learned that there was still one month left, which is the season of smooth sailing and smooth sailing. They also asked for a lot of information about the fleet.
Lu Youyou: "There are many seagoing ships going south, but they can be summed up in three types. One goes to Fujian, one goes to Guangdong, and one goes to Annan and beyond. We can go to Fujian and Guangdong first, go ashore for a tour, and then change
When the ship goes to an overseas vassal country, you can also directly choose an ocean-going ship without changing ships midway. Which one do you think you should choose?"
"Anything is fine," Qi Qi'an said, "but I found a very interesting fleet. They only have three ships, and they are still recruiting crew members. Did you read the recruitment notice? It says that all three ships have iron cannons!"
Bai Shihou said with a smile: "I know the details of these three ships. They fished up the imperial seal of the Liao Kingdom. They asked for no other rewards but to let the ships go to sea. The officials asked them to study at the Kangguo (Zhoushan) Naval School for half a year.
, and then went on cruises with the navy, and became the captain this year. The iron cannons on those ships were all eliminated by warships. They were also allowed to recruit retired navy soldiers. "
Wang Lianqing's eyes lit up: "This is very good, it's a semi-official ship!"
…
Wang Chongdu, Gao Wenbao and Li Bin are busy purchasing goods.
These three ships, as well as the artillery on board, were sold to them on credit at low prices. The professional navigation personnel on board were also seconded to them by the Navy.
They can only sell goods at China's coastal ports when they return to China to prevent these guys from only doing domestic trade and not sailing far.
They spent half a year in the naval school and went to sea with the navy for half a year. This time they led the fleet on their own voyage. The funds for the first purchase of goods were temporarily provided by the royal family.
"Second brother, six scholars came outside and said they wanted to take a boat out to sea." Li Bin hurried in.
Wang Chongdu smiled and said: "It is unusual for a scholar to go to sea."
Li Bin whispered: "They are all the sons of officials. There are the sons of Lord Bai, the sons of Lu Shangshu, and the nephews of Prime Minister Li... The one with the worst family background, his father is also the imperial painter. If they are not allowed to board the ship, then
It will offend these officials' children. If they are allowed to board the ship, they will offend their parents once they go to sea."
"This..." Wang Chongdu was dumbfounded.
Li Bin said: "No matter what, let's meet him first."
The six people came in quickly, without any airs of second-generation officials, and bowed and greeted them very politely.
The two parties bowed to each other and were considered acquainted.
Wang Chongdu took the vaccination and said: "Going to sea is extremely dangerous."
"We know ourselves."
"If you don't pay attention, you will be buried in the belly of the fish."
"Now that I'm going to sea, I'm not afraid of death."
"What are you doing at sea?"
“Travel around the world and gain experience.”
"This...I don't have idle people on my ship."
"We are willing to pay for the ship."
"Um……"
Bai Shihou said: "I have learned how to use bows and horses, can also use muskets, and have learned how to operate cannons. I have five followers, three of whom have served in the army."
Lu You said: "I know a little bit about astronomy and geography, I have read some overseas materials, and I also know how to draw a bow and dance a sword."
Wang Lianqing said: "I am good at drawing and have some knowledge of medical skills. I also learned Persian."
Fan Chengda said: "I also know some astronomy and geography, and have studied Buddhist scriptures. I can deal with overseas monks."
Qi Qi'an said: "I often go to the Hanlin Academy to communicate with overseas scholars there."
Li Zuqia said: "I don't know anything else, but I know how to boil sea salt. My family has a salt farm. If we are drifting on a deserted island, I can teach the crew to boil salt."
Wang Chongdu didn't know what to say and murmured in his heart: I see, you are all capable. But my temple here is small and there really is no room for a great Bodhisattva.
Even if you can't tolerate it, you have to tolerate it, and you have to serve it well.
More than a month later, the winter wind came, and everyone was extremely excited to hit the road.
Although the three sea ships are not big, they use new-style triangle sails.
This kind of sail is not very useful for offshore sailing, and its speed is far less than that of traditional straight sails. However, it is very useful in areas with chaotic wind directions, especially in distant sea sailing.
Six second-generation officials went out to sea for the first time. Everything they saw was exciting, and no one got seasick.
On the contrary, two of their followers were vomiting wildly.
When passing by the sea area of Xiepu Town in Dinghai County (Zhenhai), Wang Chongdu casually introduced: "It is the largest fishing port in Zhejiang. Most of the fish and crabs picked up by nearby fishing boats are transported to Xiepu Town for pickling. To the north, there are Whooping Crane Saltworks.
, the sea salt there is very cheap. Further ahead is Jiaomen, and there are rumors that there are dragons under the water... There is a naval academy on the islands in Changguo County (Dinghai), and there is a fishing port called Ligang which is also very big..."
The second-generation officials listened carefully and asked questions from time to time.
Bai Shihou suddenly pointed at a black sailor: "Why are there so many Kunlun slaves on the ship?"
Wang Chongdu explained: "They were recruited in Guangzhou, and Yaxing has helped to raise them to maturity. They come from Nanyang, have excellent water resistance, and are not afraid of death. The wages are not high, just give them to those who stutter, and occasionally reward them with good things to make them grateful."
.They are also very obedient. No matter how dangerous the situation is, they will obey orders."
"Do you understand what people say?" Qi Qi'an asked.
Wang Chongdu said: "I can understand people's words, but they can't speak it themselves. Well... they can also speak, but it's not easy to say."
Six second-generation officials sometimes chatted with the ship owner and sometimes asked professional sailors for advice.
When crossing the Taiwan Strait, Wang Chongdu introduced: "There is a Taiwan Island opposite, and the name was given by His Majesty. There were not many Han people on the island, but in recent years, tens of thousands of gold diggers have flocked to it."
"Is there gold on the island?" Li Zuqia asked excitedly.
Wang Chongdu said: "Not only are there gold mines, but they are also accompanied by copper mines, and they are all rich ores."
The gold mine in Taiwan mentioned by Wang Chongdu is the Keelung Jinguashi Gold Mine.
Another time and space was discovered during the Guangxu period, when railway workers discovered alluvial gold in the river. At that time, Japan's gold mines were exhausted, and Taiwan's Jinguashi gold mine was once known as the number one in Asia.
That gold mine is not difficult to find. In the past few years, merchants went to buy furs, and some natives used gold nuggets in exchange for salt.
After asking, I found out that it was picked up from the river at the foot of Keelung Mountain.
As the news spread, gold prospectors from Fujian flocked to the place.
The Taiwanese county magistrate quickly hired professional craftsmen to survey, and soon found veins of gold and copper mines.
Ever since, the vigorous gold mining operation began.
The Fujian gold diggers were mining for gold sand in the river, but the government was too lazy to take care of it. They only stipulated that they must sell the gold sand to the government. As for the gold mines in the mountains, they captured the gold mines in the southern part of the island for mining.
Wang Chongdu said: "If it were not for livelihood, coastal people would rarely take the initiative to go to sea. Taiwan's gold mines have attracted many people, and the same is true for Malacca."
"Where is Malacca?" Lu You asked.
Wang Chongdu said: "Malacca is the territory of Srivijaya, and this name was also given by His Majesty. In fact, there are no gold mines in Malacca. There are only two to three hundred miles around it. Moreover, the climate and terrain are complex, so gold can only be mined and sold to the sea.
business."
Fan Chengda guessed what happened: "Deliberately deceiving people?"
Wang Chongdu nodded and said: "It's just a lie. Your Majesty wanted to get a port from Srivijaya, but the king of Srivijaya was very respectful to the court, so it was difficult to directly send troops to occupy it. So he adopted a compromise plan and chose a port on the north bank of the strait.
A port was built in a fishing village. The land there was barren and not suitable for farming. King Srivijaya agreed to sell the land. It was a poor and remote place, and there was no way to grow much food. The only way to deceive the Han people was to rely on fake gold mines. Of course.
, His Majesty did not know about this, it was false news released by the Navy."
Qi Qi'an asked: "Where did the Han people go and find that the gold mine was fake, so they wouldn't make a fuss and go home?"
"Will they swim back to the vast sea?" Wang Chongdu said with a smile, "Although you can't farm there, there are many things that can make money. All kinds of aromatic woods are very valuable, especially sandalwood. And they also produce the best rosin. They rely on
You can make a lot of money by cutting down trees and collecting rosin, which is probably more profitable than gold mining. By the way, there is also a tin mine in Malacca, and the governor ordered the arrest of Shengfan to mine it."
Shengfan was not a native of the country, and the scholars did not think it was cruel.
Li Zuqia asked: "There is a governor in Malacca? It is not suitable for farming. Where does the usual food come from?"
Wang Chongdu explained: "There are many grain-producing places in the surrounding area. Silk and porcelain can be exchanged for anything, and shipping is cheap and can arrive in a day or night. With the help of the Han people who were deceived and the raw meat captured from the local area, Malacca not only
A port was built, as well as a castle and a fort. Now, King Srivijaya regrets it to death."
Bai Shihou asked: "Why does King Srivijaya regret it?"
Wang Chongdu said: "Malacca is located at the choke point of shipping. Malacca does not force ships to enter the port, but the port entry tax is lower than Sriwijaya, and the Ming Navy stationed there also provides force protection to merchant ships from various countries. Sriwijaya does not
If you dare to attack our warships, you can only watch the merchant ships leave. It has only been three years since Malacca Port was established, and 60 to 70 percent of the merchant ships passing through the strait choose to replenish drinking water and repair their ships at Malacca Port."
"So, King Srivijaya really can only act in a hurry." The second-generation officials couldn't help but smile.