On an early summer night in the south of the Yangtze River, the air was filled with the fragrance of flowers and plants, which mixed with the smell of fertilizers in the fields to create a strange smell. However, the Ming Dynasty imperial envoy and his party did not feel it. Under the escort of dozens of Chinese soldiers, they rode horses or carriages and walked towards Qimen of Suzhou City.
They were still immersed in what they had seen and heard throughout the day, unable to extricate themselves.
Civil servants have been talking about the new atmosphere in the Chinese army barracks and the incredible behaviors of the Chinese army soldiers. When Xu Guangqi presided over the founding of the new army, he was very familiar with the various rules and regulations of the Ming army, and he had also seen the officers of the Ming army doing things. The scene of a small soldier acting domineering in front of him and groveling in front of his superiors made him sigh: "In my imperial guard army, as usual in the Central Army, when General Qian meets the commander of the camp, he will kneel down and bow once. The commander of the joint camp will do the same. The commander of the other camp will be honored by his title." Standing next to the corner of the gate, one kneels and two bows...Generally, when the commander-in-chief greets the Chinese army, he greets the commander-in-chief with the salute of an officer. Normally, he bows twice and kneels once. When he is asked to do something, he kneels and listens. All troops are in charge of the commander-in-chief. , the flag is in the commander-in-chief, in peacetime and in the training ground, it is the same as the soldiers are in the team commander... But today we are waiting in this Chinese army camp, and we see that no matter how big or small the generals and officers meet, the soldiers and generals meet on the road, it is normal. This kind of salute with horizontal hands and chest, concise and lively,..."
The deputy imperial envoy Sheng Yihongyuan was the Minister of Rites. He was born in Tongguan Guards and served as an envoy. However, he abandoned martial arts and followed civil service. He always thought that he was an upright disciple of Confucius and Mencius and valued etiquette the most. Therefore, he has never been able to accept and accept what he has seen and heard today. He understood, and couldn't help but say at this time: "Acting like this is nothing more than the behavior of bandits without distinction between superiority and inferiority. Human beings are rude because they are still human."
Xu Guangqi glanced at him silently, disapproving of his pedantry in his heart. He didn't say anything, but just ignored him. He turned to Yuan Chonghuan behind him and said, "What does the element have to say about today's affairs?"
"Students are stupid and cannot afford to be a teacher." Yuan Chonghuan seemed to become very humble all of a sudden, and Xu Guangqi couldn't help but turn his head to look at him.
Yuan Chonghuan gave a wry smile, cupped his hands to Xu Guangqi and said: "It's not because I'm a humble student, but because I don't understand much about what I saw and heard today. Mr. Xu is very knowledgeable and talented. I would like to ask: Mr. Xu is proficient in Western knowledge." Knowledge, we can know that this land of Europe in the far west can have an army like the one we see today,"
Xu Guangqi was stunned, frowned and thought for a moment: Over the past ten years, he has painstakingly studied the Western science and Catholic teachings brought by Matteo Ricci in an attempt to communicate with traditional Chinese academics. He has heard a little about Western military technology, and has no idea where it is. But the situation of the army is not well understood.
He thought carefully, recalled some letters exchanged with the Jesuit missionaries, and said slowly: "I have heard of a certain prince of the red-haired barbarians. He was very rigorous in running the army and was good at using firearms. However, as he is today, I have seen an army like this, with such a complete system, such arduous training, and extremely elite weapons and soldiers... There should be no other army like this in the entire world."
After hearing his words, Yuan Chonghuan sighed: "Such a powerful army, but it does not belong to the imperial court... In this case, who is this Yin Feng? How could a mere maritime merchant have such ability to create such an army out of thin air? ,"
Zhang Ye and Zhou Xiang had just been discussing some military-related topics.
Zhou Xiang, who had been at the bottom of the Ming army before entering Jinyiwei, compared what he saw today with his personal experience and the situation of the Ming army he had heard and witnessed. He couldn't help but despair about the outcome of the war between the two sides. At this time, when he heard Yuan Chonghuan's sigh, he felt sad. With a trace of luck, he said: "Perhaps, today's army is just elite soldiers specially selected from various departments by the pirate army, and they are all gathered here to perform for us. Is it possible that every unit in the pirate army is so elite? ,"
Zhang Ye and Yuan Chonghuan shook their heads together. Zhang Ye, who had led troops in battle, said: "It is indeed possible to gather a group of people to train hard for a few days, such as a marching army. It's just that the training in the afternoon is suitable for combat." The reality cannot be imagined without years of actual combat training. This cannot be faked. I once intentionally eavesdropped on the chat of these soldiers while they were resting. The soldiers here are all very familiar with each other. It is obvious that We have been training together for a long time, at least a year or two. We have only been here for a few days, so they can't cheat." After all, Zhang Ye has served in Jinyiwei for many years, so he has no idea how to get information from people's conversations. , it’s still somewhat professional.
Yuan Chonghuan also said: "When we boarded the ship from Guazhou, I paid close attention to the food and accommodation of the sailors on the warships. At that time, I thought it was the pirates who wanted to save face in front of the imperial envoy. Now it seems that the sailors' accommodation on the warships The food is similar to the food of these infantry troops today. How did they do it?"
Xu Guangqi shook his head: "I don't know who Yin Feng, the leader of the pirate army, is."
Sheng Yihong said a little surprised: "Mr. Xu, didn't you just meet this big boss Yin Feng during the recruitment negotiations in Jinling?"
Xu Guangqi said: "I only met him once and saw that he was very cordial to me, but I didn't know why. Then, Yin Feng stopped showing up and always made excuses, so he asked his student Chen Zhongji to negotiate with me... …That’s the Chen Zhongji who is negotiating with us now,”
…
At this time, Yin Feng, who was in the backyard of the Hong Kong Prince's Mansion in Taiwan, sneezed several times behind his desk.
Qiao Ling'er, who was serving him, quickly put on his coat and said softly: "Look at you, you are just now. The sea breeze here is strong and it is still very cold at night..."
Qiao Ling'er is Yin Feng's concubine. She is the youngest. She comes from the Qiao family of Shanxi merchants. She is a concubine of the Qiao family. The Qiao family gave away this concubine in order to fight for overseas land rights in Yin Feng's ruling area. For Yin Feng.
The most powerful Shanxi merchants, Qiao and Chen, and several other big businessmen were operating several boats at the same time. Not only did they make money and sell officials and titles in the Ming Dynasty, they also communicated and traded with the Mongolian tribes and the Eight Banners of Manchuria, buying and selling various iron tools, grains and other prohibited items. After the Hetuala War, the Jurchen Eight Banners weakened rapidly, and the various ministries in Eastern Mongolia were in chaos. The Shanxi merchants had a very keen nose, and immediately sent their own children to the south with a large amount of funds to go to sea, and hurriedly came to negotiate with Yin Feng and Zhonghua Company was building connections. At this time, Qiao Ling'er, who had always been ignored in Yin Feng's back house, was young and not outstanding in appearance, suddenly became a hot commodity, and all Shanxi businessmen wanted to meet her through her doorstep. When I met Yin Feng.
Yin Feng didn't hate her. On the contrary, he had great sympathy for this girl who had become a weight in the family's hands at such a young age. Qiao Ling'er was soft on the outside but strong on the inside. She came from a large Shanxi merchant family and had done all kinds of dirty things. She has seen a lot, but her brain is also flexible. She usually doesn't show off her appearance, and Mai Wan'er treats Li Lihua with respect and courtesy. Therefore, everyone in Yin Feng's back house treats her well.
At this time, girls in big northern families generally got married early. When Qiao Ling'er was sent here, she was actually only twelve years old.
Even now, this young woman wearing a woman's bun is only 19 years old. She has a round face and is very attractive. She still has a hot figure wearing a skirt. She has never given birth to a child, and her body still retains the charm of a girl. , causing Yin Feng to take a few more glances.
Qiao Ling'er had just been appointed by Yin Feng to be in charge of the company's northwest trading route, which was to be responsible for liaising with Shanxi merchants and other large businessmen.
Tonight, Yin Feng is dealing with some matters regarding the opening of secret branches of China Bank in Shanxi, Shaanxi and other northwest areas. China Bank is jointly funded by China Corporation and jointly established with major Jewish business families in Asia. Neither of these two branches is suitable for public appearances. The northern interior of the Ming Dynasty.
Therefore, cooperating with Shanxi merchants and other northern merchants to open banks has become Qiao Ling'er's main job now.
"I probably caught a little cold when I went out to wash my hands just now. It's okay. Let's finish sorting out these bank partnership articles and we'll be fine tonight." Yin Feng took a sip of tea and pointed to Qiao Ling'er who was looking down at the document: " These regulations involve the deposit matters of overseas merchants. I think there is a famine in the northwest now, and the Ming Dynasty's sea ban is still there. For a while, there will be no overseas merchants going there to sell goods. In this case, these regulations can be deleted to save money. That Mr. Qiao of your family is too worried,"
Qiao Ling'er chuckled: "The master said this, but I am overthinking it. The master is rigorous and meticulous, but he knows the general trend of current affairs best. If there are foreigners doing business, as long as they can make money, he will not No matter where you are from,"
When Yin Feng saw her looking at him with a smile, he couldn't help but hold her in his arms.
That night, Yin Feng rested in Qiao Ling'er's room.
...The next morning, Yin Feng really caught a cold and a fever.
On this day, Zeng Yue, Chen Zhongji and others' report on the Jiangnan negotiations had been sent to Taiwan Port. The sick Yin Feng was lying on the bed, drinking decoction, frowning at the report, and said to Xu Hongji, who had just arrived: "Sir, I plan to ask the angels from the Ming Dynasty to come over,"
"Come here and let them come to Taiwan,"
"Yes, let's negotiate here, talk to them on our territory, let them see that we are not pirates, but a regular country,"
Therefore, that night, the captain of the communication ship that carried Zeng and Chen Hui from Jiangnan stayed at his home for only half an hour before being summoned away by Yin Feng's messenger.
Then, he and more than 20 of his men received a new mission and immediately rushed to Jiangnan with a written order from Yin Feng.
Ten days later, the communication ship appeared at the Chongming base dock, and three days later, Yin Feng's order was delivered to Zeng Yue, Chen Zhongji, Luo Quanxiu and others.
On the same day, Chen Zhongji sent someone to inform Xu Guangqi and others: The Chinese army will begin to withdraw from tomorrow and completely evacuate from the Yangtze River. Of course, Zhenjiang, Suzhou, Songjiang and other prefectures and counties will continue to be occupied. These places must be negotiated between the two parties. confirm ownership,