In the eyes of the locals, including the government officials, the outline of the matter from beginning to end is as follows -
Qin Zhongtang heard that smuggling was very profitable and wanted to make a fortune, so he asked Yan Shifan and Xu Weixue to transport thousands of pieces of silk to Sanjiangkou.
Yan and Xu did not understand the local business rules, so they relied on the fierce dragon crossing the river, and they had disputes and conflicts with the locals in Yahang. The matter became more and more serious, and finally resulted in a big fight involving two to three hundred people, and also destroyed the Sanjiangkou market.
More than a dozen rooms of the building were burned down.
Then Qin Zhongtang drove to Ningbo and assumed the posture of raising an army to investigate the crime.
As for whether Qin Zhongtang's purpose is to ask for compensation, to vent his anger, or to open up a situation in the smuggling market, everyone has their own interpretation.
But no matter how you interpret it, Qin Zhongtang came here "looking for trouble." When asked about the detained Xu Weixue, it was obvious that he was looking for a reason.
The Ningbo Guard commander Liu Jie stood out from the crowd and reported to Qin Zhongtang: "Xu Weixue is temporarily detained by the Fusi of Ningbo Guard Town."
If large-scale massacres occur in most areas of the mainland, the government will usually take the lead in solving the problem.
But in Ningbo City, Ningbo Wei came to detain people. This is not surprising at all.
In coastal places like Ningbo Prefecture, the power of the guards is far greater than that of prefectures and counties in the interior. In this regard, they are more like the guards in border towns in the north.
In addition to the Ningbo Guard in Ningbo city, there are also many solid land guard posts such as Dinghai Guard, Guanhai Guard, Changguo Guard, etc. on the seaside. The coastline actually falls under the jurisdiction of these guard posts and is beyond the control of the Ningbo Prefectural Government.
This is why Shen Kai, the prefect of Ningbo Prefecture, seems a bit weak and not strong enough.
Qin Dewei stared at Liu Jie for a while. The third-grade commander was already considered a senior military attache, especially a military attache with real local power.
Qin Zhongtang has been telling his subordinates that the situation in Ningbo Prefecture is difficult to handle, and it is difficult to handle it here.
As we all know, military households in the Ming Dynasty were all hereditary, so the guards in Ningbo Prefecture, from military households to military attaches, have been local for generations.
Therefore, Ningbo Prefecture not only has the four major families that prospered due to the imperial examinations, but also a large number of military attache families.
These forces are intricately combined to form a tight vested interest group. Moreover, this interest group is very exclusive, which is why local forces in Ningbo do not want them to come to Ningbo.
In this interest group, on the one hand, there is a steady stream of successful politicians exported through the imperial examinations, and on the other hand, they have the armed escort of the Home Guard, which is enough to distort all orders from the outside world, including the imperial court, in this three-acre land.
The imperial court's sea ban was indeed implemented here, but it was unlikely to have much effect.
The result is that Ningbo Prefecture has become a smuggling trade center, and Ningbo Prefecture is richer than Shaoxing Prefecture, which has better natural conditions next door.
Qin Zhongtang said: "Did you know that Xu Weixue was sent by the shogunate on errands?"
Commander Liu Jie of the Ningbo Guards responded with reason and evidence: "Xu Weixue couldn't produce evidence at that time, so you can't believe it just based on his words.
Secondly, there are rumors that one side is invaded by Japanese pirates. This is no ordinary fight. Therefore, the guard cannot take it lightly, and it is appropriate to detain Xu Weixue first."
To everyone's ears, there was nothing wrong with Commander Liu's answer. It was very reasonable and could even be said to be watertight.
Unless you Qin Zhongtang is unreasonable and directly orders his release, then you have no choice but to admit it, but don't blame others for criticizing you.
Then they heard Qin Zhongtang yelling aggressively and directly: "You, Liu Jie, don't want to do it anymore?" Everyone was speechless because Qin Zhongtang's words were very incompetent.
Commander Liu made his point, and then you, Qin Zhongtang, can apply pressure in many ways, but the result is this sentence? What is the essential difference between this and a shrew who scolds and acts in the street?
The key point is to put it this way, how do you ask Commander Liu to go down? Commander Liu has no normal steps to go down. He has to either grovel or give another soft nail.
As expected, Liu Jie later heard a helpless response: "I am just doing things impartially. As for whether I can continue to serve as the commander of the Ningbo Guard, it also depends on the court's will."
In full view of everyone, Qin Zhongtang didn't say a word in the end.
He stretched out his finger and tapped Commander Liu, snorted coldly, turned around with a puff of sleeves, and boarded the official ship again without even saying hello, as if he was angry with Commander Liu.
Qin Zhongtang's entourage was so surprised that they almost failed to follow Qin Zhongtang's footsteps. What if they agreed to do it now?
In recent years, Qin Zhongtang has usually been the one to make others angry. I have never seen Qin Zhongtang being so angry that he left without being able to say a few words!
Is this Commander Liu so terrifying? Even the eloquent Qin Zhongtang can't get any advantage from his words?
But Commander Liu himself was even more surprised. He thought he would have to pull the strings back and forth for a few rounds, and then pretend to save face and let him go.
The purpose of detaining people is to prevent Qin Zhongtang from talking about the thousands of pieces of silk! Is it really possible to detain Qin Zhongtang’s people and not let them go? That would do no good, and he is not an official fool!
But why did Qin Zhongtang leave angrily without saying a word after he had just said a few words and put on some posture? How could a dignified Grand Master of the Zhongtang University have this much magnanimity?
However, the locals looked at Commander Liu with a bit of reverence. He could make the world-famous Qin Zhongtang pout, what a good man he is!
Yang Meihuang, a famous member of the Yang family who was in his seventies, solemnly saluted Commander Liu and praised him: "Master Liu, don't
Fearing power and upholding justice can be regarded as a role model for Sangzi! Mr. Liu has brought face to Ningbo City, and we will definitely support Mr. Liu!"
Commander Liu accepted the praise, but his mind was still confused. Did he win? The welcoming ceremony for Qin Zhongtang in Ningbo City ended unhappily and ended hastily.
Later, Qin Zhongtang's boat entered Ningbo City from Shuimen and moved into the mansion located in the northwest of the city.
According to the reception rules, there should also be a party to clean up the dust, and get together with the people who can be on the stage.
But Qin Zhongtang said that he was feeling sleepy today, so there was no need to have a feast, and the reception banquet was postponed for one day. Everyone expressed their understanding of Qin Zhongtang's order.
By now the news had spread, and many people knew that Commander Liu defied the police to contradict Qin Zhongtang.
Qin Zhongtang has lost face, and he will definitely feel uncomfortable with it. It is reasonable to need time to relax. Although public events such as the reception banquet have been cancelled, there are still many people who visit Qin Zhongtang privately, but they are all
He was turned away and was told that Qin Zhongtang would not see any visitors today.
Only Feng, a doctor from the Ministry of Household Affairs who was also the Chief Shipping Officer, and Hu, the patrol censor, did not accept the rejection. After being notified, they entered the mansion together.
This is normal. There are no secrets in official circles. The locals have long known that these two people have a close relationship with Qin Zhongtang.
Today's official welcoming ceremony was a public place with many people, so it was difficult for the two of them to communicate privately with Qin Zhongtang.
However, both of them felt that Qin Zhongtang seemed to be different from the past. Not only was it difficult to argue with the commander, but there were also many unexplainable changes.
Qin Dewei met the two people in the reception room next to the judge's hall, and took the initiative to say: "Putting public affairs first and private affairs first, let me tell you what you have done since you took office."
Mr. Feng Enfeng, who was in charge of the Shipping Department, spoke first: "Since Xianguan took office as the Shipping Department, due to a certain minister of the imperial court's indiscriminate exploration and cooperation, the number of Japanese tributaries has increased sharply, ten times that of the past.
This year, the Municipal Shipping Department received a total of eight batches of Japanese tribute groups, with a population of nearly 2,000.
The lower officials have worked diligently and tried their best to take care of them. They have organized exchanges six times to show the kindness of the Ming Dynasty, and beat and punished the Japanese eighteen times to show off our Ming Dynasty's power!"
After Qin Zhongtang listened to Feng En's report, he didn't care about data such as how many times he was beaten, and asked: "How much money did you make?"
Mr. Feng thought in surprise, is this question a bit vulgar?
The duties of the Municipal Shipping Department are not as simple as they were later. First of all, it is a diplomatic reception department, and secondly, it is an intermediary department. It is also responsible for tax collection. The purpose of its responsibilities is not to make profits.
Qin Zhongtang was even more surprised, "Isn't it right? You didn't make any money in a place like Shibosi?" Feng En replied
I asked, "What kind of money do you mean?"
Qin Zhongtang said straightforwardly: "Whether you are using the official status of the Shipping Department to earn the price difference between inside and outside, or using the Shipping Department as a cover to engage in smuggling, you are still making money!"
Feng En answered subconsciously and honestly: "That's not true." The Feng family is not short of money, so why do they make money while in office?
Qin Dewei sighed and commented: "It's nothing!"
Then he asked again: "The emperor is already in a coma, so there is no need for Ceyan Zhou Liang to go to the capital to see him. Why is he still lingering? Do you have any ideas?"
Feng En reported: "The court meeting is only one of his responsibilities. He also has to confirm the next tribute matter, such as whether the tribute will be paid in three years or continue next year? Only if it is agreed in advance, his responsibilities will be considered completed!"
Now that the court has become like this, there has been no final decision, and you have not spoken, so Ceyan Zhou Liang can only keep waiting."
Qin Zhongtang slapped the case and said: "That's right. Since I don't say anything, who can confirm the Japanese tribute issue?" Feng En quickly asked: "What do you mean?"
The tribute envoy has been stranded in Ningbo, and he, as the manager of the Shipping Department, has always been responsible. The sooner the mission is completed and sent away, the easier it will be for him.
Qin Zhongtang chuckled and said: "You also know that Monk Ceyan is actually a member of the Ouchi clan, a prince of Japan, and the Ouchi clan dug a silver mountain!
Therefore, since Monk Ceyan serves as an envoy, he must bring a large amount of money with him! They lack everything but money!
Since we want this court to continue to nod for tribute, it would be unreasonable not to offer some money, right? Let them figure out how much it should be!"
Feng En: ".."
I have never seen Qin Banqiao who is so greedy for money! Is the one in front of me a fake? Or was it taken away by another ghost?
After that, Qin Zhongtang stopped talking to Mr. Feng who was in a daze, and turned to Hu Zongxian, the patrol censor: "What have you done since you took office?"
Hu Zongxian showed what he thought was the most beautiful performance and said proudly: "Since I took office as a patrol officer, I have uncovered more than 20 smuggling cases and impeached guard officials six times!"
Qin Zhongtang asked directly: "Have you made any money?"
Hu Zongxian suddenly got stuck. What do you mean, Qin Banqiao? Let a censor in charge of supervising moral conduct think about making money? It's not like the old Hu family has no money! Have you ever heard of Huizhou merchants?
Qin Dewei shook his head at Hu Zongxian, "You can see that you haven't made any money since you were in office! You just stick to the way of making money, but your hands are empty and you have nothing!"
Hu Zongxian didn't want to speak and just rolled his eyes at Qin Zhongtang.
But Qin Zhongtang's words were not finished yet, and he asked again: "You have been a patrol censor for such a long time, how do you control the guards along the coasts of Zhejiang and Fujian?"
Are you familiar with the officer in charge?"
Hu Zongxian replied: "How can you not be familiar with it?"
What does the patrol censor do? One of his important responsibilities is supervision. How could he not know the main officials of the security office within his jurisdiction?
Qin Dewei said: "Well, you can make a list of the guards and thousands of households, and indicate each person's situation. This hall will be useful!"
Hu Zongxian did not doubt that he was there and agreed.
If Qin Zhongtang wants to quell the Japanese invaders, of course he must know himself and the enemy, and he should also be familiar with the military attaches at various coastal guards.
Then I heard Qin Zhongtang say: "I think these military posts, because military attachés are hereditary, have been in the local area for a long time, which has led to many disadvantages!
The reason why local officials in the Ming Dynasty were re-appointed was to prevent disadvantages caused by long-term appointments, but these military attachés took advantage of the loopholes because of their hereditary status.
So I have an idea to transfer the military attachés from these coastal garrison posts, either to the inland, or to each other!"
Hu Zongxian clapped his hands and praised, "This method is very good!"
Qin Zhongtang gritted his teeth and said, "Ningbo guard Liu Jie dared not to betray me and contradicted me in public. He must be transferred elsewhere!"
Hu Zongxian asked again: "Then how should other people be transferred? Should they be transferred to the mainland, or should they be transferred between Fujian and Zhejiang provinces?"
Qin Dewei pointed to the map in the direction of the court, "Lot
There are good ones and bad ones, and it’s very troublesome to change them! So after thinking about it, let’s look at their performance!”
Hu Zongxian didn't understand for a moment, "What performance? Do you want me to list all their past performances on a list for your reference?"
Qin Dewei waved his hand, "No need to bother! You just need to spread my words!"
There must be some sensible people who will know how to do it! These bastards from the guard house indulged in smuggling and got countless benefits, so they should spit out some of it!"
Hu Zongxian: "..."
Is this the way to make money that Qin Banqiao said? What else can you say besides shit?
Is this the depravity of human nature or the depravity of morality? A generation of powerful women who were originally seeking fame and reputation have turned into corrupt officials?
With Qin Zhongtang's powerful position and no emperor's restriction, if he really becomes greedy, nothing will happen to others! Master Feng beside him said unbearably: "You, Qin Banqiao, have really changed!"
Back then, Qin Banqiao's official career was based on pure desire for power and did not take money as the main purpose; but the Qin Zhongtang in front of him talked about money, which was simply degrading to the gentlemen!
Qin Dewei glanced at Mr. Feng and sighed: "It's not me, it's this era! Now everything must be centered on economic construction!"
Also, my thousands of pieces of silk are blocked at Sanjiangkou, why are you two unwilling to help? Do you still care about me?
From now on, I will cooperate with Yan Shifan and let him be responsible for the smuggling business. You two should cooperate more!"
Master Feng angrily accused: "No wonder you, Qin Dewei, can't even quarrel with a commander. If you are not straight-forward, you will not be strong, and if you are guilty, you will be short of breath!"
