Because of the addition of Shandong, the trade pattern on the Far East ocean has undergone tremendous changes.
From the Dutch perspective, Shandong's approach undoubtedly surprised them.
The Dutch were known as sea coachmen, and they were more interested in trade than colonial expansion.
However, Ming Dynasty was too conservative and always refused their communication.
Now someone in this most fertile land in the world finally stood up and opened their arms to them. If the Dutch don't seize this opportunity, God will not forgive them.
Anthony bluntly stated to Zuo Hua that from his personal perspective, he fully supported the establishment of trade relations with Shandong.
But for related matters, he needed to seek instructions from Batavia's senior officials.
Zuo Hua expressed his understanding of this point.
After all, the one who can decide this matter also needs the Shandong senior management to come forward.
However, the first contact between the two parties went very smoothly, and the next thing to do is to deepen communication.
After the battle was over, Zuo Hua set out to return home after studying the naval warfare of this era.
The boat was getting further and further away from Fujian. Staring at the sea, Zuo Hua made a conclusion.
"Zheng Zhilong will pay the price sooner or later for his style of being a mountain king. He simply does not know how to play in the ocean of this era. His existence is a tragedy for our Chinese nation. After returning, our navy must work hard and continue to work hard."
Only by improving our level can we take over the mission of opening up the ocean from Zheng Zhilong in the future."
The whole navy looked solemn.
After this battle, these young naval officers finally had a deep understanding of the ocean.
Zuo Hua hasn't returned yet, but Zuo Mengeng, who is in Shandong, has received detailed information about the war.
"Your Ministry of Commerce must draw up a trade list with the Dutch in advance. Not only must we sell our things, but we must also buy what we need."
Huang Zongxi added from the side: "War horses, the most important thing is war horses."
E Gao Lue and others have revealed that there are some very fine horses in the distant Middle East and Tianzhu, which far exceed the quality of Chinese war horses. If they can be obtained, the development of Shandong's cavalry will not be restricted.
Everyone nodded after hearing this.
The war cavalry of this era is the absolute king.
As the New Army's territory grows larger and larger, it will not be able to ensure its own safety without enough cavalry, let alone expand outward.
By trading with the Dutch, Shandong could obtain commodities such as horses, spices, furs, and even metals, which was very important to the development of Shandong.
Zuo Mengeng originally wanted to wait for Zuo Hua to come back in Qingdao, but a fast horse came west, and the knight on the horse looked panicked.
"Commander, urgent message from Linqing."
Zuo Mengeng took the letter and after just one glance, he felt dizzy and almost fell down.
The people around him were panicked and helped him one after another.
Zuo Mengeng tried hard to breathe for a long time and gradually calmed down, but his whole face was full of sadness.
Seeing that everyone was very concerned, he didn't hide it.
"Mr. Xuan Hu is afraid that it will not work."
When everyone heard this, their faces darkened.
Although everyone had known about Xu Guangqi's condition for a long time, when this day actually came, it was still a little hard for everyone to accept.
Especially in the Shandong camp, many people learned Xu Guangqi's knowledge on their growth path.
In the minds of many people, Xu Guangqi is their enlightenment teacher.
Now that they know that this old man has reached the end of his life, many people can't help but shed tears.
Zuo Mengeng used all his strength to control his sadness.
He clasped his fists at everyone and said sincerely: "Everyone, I will leave all the government affairs to you. I must rush back to Linqing."
Naturally, everyone had no objections, but advised him to pay attention to his health when he was on his way.
Zuo Mengeng didn't want to delay for a moment, so he set off from Qingdao.
Originally, the most comfortable way to return to Linqing from Qingdao was to take a boat around the Jiaodong Peninsula, then go up the Daqing River, and then turn to the canal.
But Zuo Mengeng knew that Xu Guangqi couldn't wait until that time.
He worked hard all the way and got back in only three days.
The atmosphere in Linqing was extremely oppressive.
It wasn't until they saw him coming back that many people finally cried.
Zuo Mengeng had no time to take care of everyone's emotions. When he got inside, he saw sisters Xu Ruolin and Xu Ruoxin hugging each other, with red eyes.
"You are finally back."
Seeing Zuo Mengeng, Xu Ruolin suddenly shed her strong woman appearance and finally found her backbone.
Zuo Mengeng ignored the public gaze and hugged her to comfort her.
"Don't be sad. If your grandfather sees you crying like this, he will be even more sad."
Xu Ruolin wanted to control it, but the sadness spread and made her very weak.
Hearing the commotion outside, the people inside came out.
Xu Erjue arrived in Shandong without knowing when, but he did not reminisce with Zuo Mengeng.
"Grandpa has been waiting to see you."
Zuo Mengeng handed his wife to Xu Ruoxin and walked into the inner room alone.
Today is a rare sunny day in early winter.
The old man whose name was recorded in Qing history sat quietly under the eaves, covered with a thick blanket, his face always facing the sun.
He must know that there is not much time left to feel the warmth.
This old man who has been indifferent all his life should be greedy at this time.
Zuo Mengeng walked over gently and squatted next to the old man. He wanted to say something but it felt stuck in his throat, and his heart was filled with sadness.
After not seeing him for a while, the old man looked even more haggard.
The whole person was huddled in the chair, like a stick of firewood, and it seemed that he didn't even have the strength to turn his head.
But Xu Guangqi knew that Zuo Mengeng was coming.
"Zhongheng, I've been waiting for you to come back."
Zuo Mengeng's nose felt sore and he tried hard to control his voice.
"What are your instructions, grandfather?"
At this time, no matter how much you say, it will be redundant. Being able to fulfill the old man's wish is far better than anything else.
Xu Guangqi's hand was groping back and forth, and Zuo Mengeng saw it and quickly grabbed it.
There was no warmth at all, and the bones were very fragile through the thin flesh.
Xu Guangqi was still staring straight at the sun, his voice full of memories.
"I spent the first half of my life in waste, and did a little bit in the second half. Seeing that the world is getting worse and worse day by day, my lifelong wish is to do what I have learned and save all people from misery. Unfortunately, the decline of the Ming Dynasty has to be stopped.
Can’t stop!”
Zuo Mengeng's hand used a little force.
This tells the old man that he is listening.
"You have done a good job in the past few years. The lives of the people in Shandong are getting better day by day. This is enough to prove that you are right. The Ming Dynasty is the Ming Dynasty, and the world is the world. Compared with the Ming Dynasty, the world is more important."
After hearing this, Zuo Mengeng finally shed tears.
Xu Guangqi never commented on what he did, but chose to watch on the sidelines.
As for why this is the case, he actually knows it.
That is, deep in this old man's heart, there is still a trace of Ming Dynasty.
Two hundred years since the Ming Dynasty, Zuo is not so easily forgotten.
There are always people who miss the afterglow of the Ming Dynasty and are eager to restore the glory of the Ming Dynasty.
However, in the two years after he became an official, he witnessed the earth-shaking changes in Shandong with his own eyes, and Xu Guangqi finally recognized Zuo Menggeng's ideas.
He knew even more that these words were not actually meant for him.
But he said it to Xu Erjue who was sitting nearby.
Xu Erjue listened, which means that the Xu family listened.
It also means that from now on, the Xu family has finally strengthened its determination.