Suddenly he was inspired: Xu Guangqi introduced a lot of Thai and Western agricultural methods and machinery in Tianjin, and the results were outstanding. This so-called "Taishi" might also contain the things of the Kun thieves.
If I rashly ask what Sun Yuanhua Tongkun is doing, won't I offend Xu Guangqi as well!
Xu Guangqi has been an official for many years and has deep connections. As the leader of the followers of the Western religion in China, he has a group of religious gentry around him. If he offends him, his position as an official will not be reliable.
Even if Sun Yuanhua had an affair with the Kun thieves, it was just some Australian maritime businessmen who wanted multiple ways to make money. The land in Denglai is barren and it is known for its poverty. It is not as rich as Qiongzhou. Without years of onshore operations, It won't be a serious problem for a while. Even if one day, the bandits invade Dengzhou, he, Sun Yuanhua, will be the first to be questioned, and he has nothing to do with him. Thinking of this, Yang Sichang echoed:
"Since the Dengzhou Incident, Sun Yuanhua pacified the Dongjiang River and contained the Tartars, and he has repeatedly performed extraordinary feats. His loyalty and diligence can be seen from the sun and the moon. If the Kun thieves are really involved with him, it is just that there are many merchants selling Kun goods under his rule. That’s all. Denglai is located on the coast, so there must be merchants from the sea trade. It’s not surprising that merchants are so profit-seeking that they sell items and even weapons made by Kun thieves. Your Majesty, in today’s world, there is nowhere in the world where Kun goods are not sold, and who is not using Kun? Goods? I think that since Kun goods can be used by the Ming Dynasty, there is no need to ban Kun goods for the time being."
After hearing this, Chongzhen nodded. Regarding Sun Yuanhua, there were many people who participated in his performance, and he was also suspicious. He instructed the eunuchs guarding Denglai and the Jinyi Guards to investigate. Although the results were not exactly as Yang Sichang said, there was no culprit in the performance. There were signs of ground activities in Denglai. However, it was reported to Sun Yuanhua that the Dengzhou Army had purchased from maritime merchants gunfire and cannons that they claimed came from Southeast Asia. They were extremely sharp and seemed to have been obtained from Kun thieves. However, Chongzhen then asked the Ministry of War about the matter and found that It is said that the gunfire from Southeast Asia, including the Guan Ning Army, is equipped with the elites of Zhenbiao and Fubiao in many military towns. This matter has been dismissed.
Yang Sichang's words hit Chongzhen's appetite. In the current situation, he did not want to lose this capable minister. The reversal of the situation in Denglai and Jiangdong greatly restricted the activities of the Tatars, and Sun Yuanhua and others were killed due to the Dengzhou Rebellion. Because of the crime, Sun Yuanhua became much softer in asking for food and salary from the court. Shangshu allowed him to recruit refugees, open up forts, and use food as payment. In addition, Sun Yuanhua could directly transport food from Taicang to Dengzhou and Lushun, and Sun Yuanhua could now save almost the same amount of money from the court every year. An expense of one hundred thousand taels. This kind of minister who is good at reducing expenses, increasing efficiency and making it easy for leaders to shift blame is naturally a favorite in Chongzhen's eyes. As for the thief Kun really causing trouble in Denglai, it will not be too late to investigate him. .
"I heard that the Tingkun thieves are also from the Chinese lineage. After the Song Dynasty was exterminated, they went into exile overseas. Although they are now occupying Guangdong and Guangxi, if they can avoid chaos and the people will less suffer from the war, they will be my pure sons."
The emperor's words were somewhat abrupt, but Yang Sichang had long heard Wen Tiren's hint that the emperor did not think that the thieves were a hidden danger, and had a vague intention of recruiting them. The policy of "first pacifying the inside and then fighting the outside" seemed to be the right one. He surrendered to the emperor's will.
"Yes, your Majesty is kind. The thieves are the Chinese Miao descendants. As long as the Emperor gives them a chance, they will always repent and change their past mistakes."
The monarch and his ministers talked for almost an hour before Yang Sichang withdrew. Chongzhen stretched his body and walked out of the Qianqing Palace. Since he ascended the throne, the Ming Dynasty has been in trouble in all directions. This young emperor, who is only 26 years old, But his expression and movements were as haggard as that of a middle-aged man. This time he felt extremely clear. A few months ago, the world-famous Chuang King Gao Yingxiang was escorted to Beijing to be executed. Sun Yuanhua recently reported the great victory of Zhenjiang Fort. Now Yang Sichang has announced the victory for Zhenjiang Fort. He offered advice to defeat the thieves. He seemed to see the resurgence of the Ming Dynasty right in front of him, so he ordered Wang Chengen:
"Go to Houyuan (now the Imperial Garden)."
He has not been to the back garden for a long time. The capital is not as good as Jiangnan, and there are more or less evergreen trees. The weather is freezing, and the imperial garden is desolate and solemn. As a garden, there is no reward. Moreover, the inner garden is cramped, and the emperor When traveling, I often go to Xiyuan, Long Live Mountain and other places.
After receiving the order, the eunuchs were in a hurry. When the emperor arrived at the Houyuan, the garden was already ready. A fire was lit in the Yufangxuan (now Yuzhai) where the emperor usually came to the Houyuan for living and banquets. The decorations were decorated with flowers from Haidian. Nuandong flowers sent.
The emperor came to this unattractive back garden not on a whim, but to summon an important person.
This person is not a high-ranking official, nor is he a trusted minister, but the emperor was deeply moved after reading his letter not long ago, so he specially summoned him to see him today.
Because of his special status, he did not go to the Qianqing Palace where the emperor usually summoned his ministers, but chose to stay in the inner garden.
Not long after we sat down, someone came to report that Cao Huachun, the admiral of the East Factory, had arrived.
"This slave has met the emperor."
Chongzhen nodded silently and asked: "I heard that something happened at Delong Bank a few days ago. What is the situation now?"
Cao Huachun had already received news from Wang Dehua: the emperor was sending a royal guard to secretly investigate Delong's affairs.
He had probably already found out the whole story about Delong Leng Ningyun's kidnapping. However, he couldn't explain it too clearly, lest the emperor suspect that he was prepared.
"Reporting to your Majesty, this is indeed the case. It is said that some bandits from the suburbs of Beijing ganged up and kidnapped Shopkeeper Leng and extorted one hundred thousand taels of silver. After an investigation by Shuntian Mansion, Shopkeeper Leng was rescued years ago." He paused. , and added a few words, "Because shopkeeper Leng was kidnapped, Delong was unstable for a while, and people went to cash in. Now that he is back, the market has calmed down."
"Is this Delong a bank that specializes in exchanges with Guangdong and Guangxi?"
"Yes, it's this one." Cao Huachun said, becoming more cautious.
"I heard that he makes exchanges with Guangdong and Guangxi. There is a so-called wire transfer, which can be received in two days. I wonder if this is the case?"
"My servant has never handled banknotes in Delong and has no relatives or friends in Guangdong, so I don't know whether this statement is true. However, Delong is known for its speed, secret and efficiency in handling exchanges. As for the saying that it can be done in two days It's probably just market rumors, often exaggerated."
"I think so too." The emperor nodded. He originally thought this statement was absurd, but now the responses from Jin Yiwei and Dongchang were roughly the same, which also dispelled Delong's concerns about "demon magic". He asked again:
"I heard that a senior official has invested in Delong, is this relevant?"
Cao Huachun had been waiting for him to ask this question for a long time. Wang Dehua had already greeted him about this. He immediately said: "Most of these banks have a family in the capital and rely on them as a backer. This is true for every family, not just
Delong is like this. I think maybe this shopkeeper Leng is a disciple of a certain lieutenant..."
Chongzhen had received Wu Mengming's report, which was roughly the same as Cao Huachun's. However, Wu Mengming also clearly stated that Leng Ningyun was a disciple of Mr. Yang of the Bell and Drum Division.
Cao Huachun's report made him feel very satisfied. In contrast, neither Wu Mengming nor Cao Huachun dared to deceive him.
Cao Huachun retreated. On the way, he saw the internal prison officer leading Wu Mengming and a few others over. He did not speak, but nodded slightly at the other party, indicating that he accepted his love this time.
When Wu Mengming came to Yufangxuan, the emperor said: "How did the matter that I asked you to inquire about last time go?"
"For your information, Your Majesty, I have sent people to conduct a secret investigation. There is no connection between Zhou Lezhi and Qian Taichong this week."
"Where are the people now?"
"I checked out of Chongxiao Temple two years ago and said that I would go back to the south first if I had something to do. I would come back after the New Year and the house would be reserved for him." Wu Mengming said, "About February or March after the new year, I will naturally go back to the capital.
."
"How can I see it?"
"He is well-known in the local area and has many patients. After returning, he will not be able to make a good living like in the capital."
"That's true." Chongzhen suddenly smiled, "I heard that the officials who left the capital and the monks who entered the capital. I guess in addition to the monks, the same is true for Taoist priests and doctors."
"Yes, after all, the capital is the most benign place at the feet of the emperor."
"What's wrong with the money?"
"The minister has brought him here."
"Announce him to come in."
However, Qian Taichong was brought into Yufangxuan in a short time. He was somewhat confused when he was brought here. In the past few months, he had been living in the Fujian Guild Hall, moving around to do things for Zheng Sen.
Since Zheng Zhilong was killed by the Kun bandits, although with his clever calculation, Zheng Sen regained Anping and gathered a group of soldiers and ships left by his father, but in Zhangzhou Bay, the powerful factions of the Zheng family were divided into one corner.
He didn't take this young man seriously.
Before the civil strife was over, foreign troubles came again. After the bandits invaded Tainan and built "Kaohsiung City", the fleet cruised along the coast of Fujian all the year round. The originally lucrative trade with Japan and Southeast Asia was gradually taken away by the bandits. This made all countries
The fight between factions for limited resources has become increasingly fierce.
Zheng Zhilong left behind not only a huge fleet, but also a large amount of land and business networks. The competition for the ownership of these real estates has become an "invisible war" in Zhangzhou Bay. Although the parties did not openly fight,
The little fights in private never stopped.
As the youngest son, Zheng Sen naturally suffered a loss in this battle. Although Qian Taichong was in the middle, Tong Tailang was working outside, and he had the support of the governor of Fujian, he was only the nominal "head of the Zheng family" so far.
”, unable to command the heroes, and even the Zhongzuo Institute, the core of the Zheng family, was not under his rule.
Now all he can keep is the city of Anping and several thousand acres of land nearby. With only these, he can't even order the Zheng family, let alone revenge.
Qian Taichong had been working hard in Anping in the past few years, thinking and trying all kinds of tricks he read in books, but he still couldn't find a way to break the situation.
After Fujian Governor Zou Weilian left office, he even lost his biggest official backer. This made their situation in Zhangzhou Bay even more difficult.
Although Anping was originally dug out by the Kun thieves, there were large tracts of fertile farmland around Anping. With overseas trade almost cut off, these lands with a fixed annual output became a hot commodity, and all forces were eyeing it.