The "Young Master" is too young, and he is only thirteen years old this year. "The Young Master is suspicious of the country", and most people with a little talent and strength are unwilling to rely on him. Even with the orthodoxy of the "Young Master", most of Zheng Zhilong's old subordinates It has still flowed to other forces. So far, the Zheng Sen Group gathered in Anping only has 2,000 troops and 30 large and small ships. It can only barely protect itself. The forces that covet the farms near Anping continue to intimidate and lure them. , to "support the young master". Qian Taichong was struggling from left to right, tossing and turning, and finally managed to maintain a small situation.
Under such pressure, Qian Taichong knew that even Zhuge Kongming couldn't perform in this small Zhangzhou Bay. To break the situation and survive, he had to find a bigger backer.
Originally, the governor of Fujian was his biggest backer, but after Zou Weilian left office, the new governor Shen Youlong was very cold towards the Zheng Group. He treated them with courtesy on the surface, but he was completely "sitting on a mountain and watching the fight between tigers and tigers" in the various struggles within the group. "Attitude. Qian Taichong rushed to Fuzhou several times, but did not receive any substantial assistance.
Fortunately, Shen Youlong's attitude toward the Zheng Group is still to divide and rule. Although he will not help any particular family, he will not allow them to merge with each other. But what about his next person? If someone offers a heavy bribe, or if this person intends to re- If the Zheng family is integrated, the Zheng Sen Group will be in danger.
After careful consideration, Qian Taichong decided to take a big gamble and go directly to Beijing to find a backer.
From the time he entered Beijing in the 9th year of Chongzhen's reign until the Chinese New Year, he found various ways in the capital and went through the door. It can be said that Zheng Zhilong left a lot of human connections. Qian Taichong met several people through Zheng Sen's reputation. I have also met the big shots in the DPRK, including Cao Huachun, the "internal prime minister". I have met many Fujianese officials in Beijing. I have spent tens of thousands of taels, but have not been able to get a useful reply.
During the more than half a year in the capital, he had really experienced what it meant to have "tea cool when one leaves". When Zheng Zhilong came to power, he had never enjoyed his glory, but he had fully experienced the harshness of the world while running for Zheng Sen.
Anyone else would have been discouraged. But Qian Taichong had a stubborn temper and wanted to do what others couldn't do. In despair, he decided to write a letter to the emperor in person. However, due to his low official position, he could not do anything he wanted. He has no right to report directly. He can only entrust courtiers to do so.
But this person is not easy to find. When Zheng Zhilong was alive, the maritime trade he ran was very profitable for the Fujian officials in the court. After Zheng Zhilong's death, all the small groups that spun off from the Zheng Group were excluded by the Kun thieves. Sea trade.
Without the connection of interests, these people would naturally not stand up for Zheng Sen. Qian Taichong finally took the path of a eunuch, hoping to make a last ditch effort. He spent this cup of tea and all the other messy expenses. One thousand taels of silver.
Unexpectedly, this "last ditch effort" worked! Qian Taichong was taken to the Jinyiwei Yamen and locked up for a few days, and he was questioned several times. Today, he was suddenly brought up and asked to wear official uniform and prepare relevant documents.
When asked where he was going, the other party kept silent. However, his behavior and speech were much more polite than before.
Qian Taichong vaguely had the answer in his heart, but he just couldn't believe it - the Golden Palace summons the right person. This is the dream of every scholar who studies hard. Even now, he still feels like he is in a dream.
As the eunuch came out to announce the summons, Qian Taichong quickly straightened his clothes, bent down, and followed the eunuch into Yufangxuan.
A palace maid lifted up the yellow satin door curtain, and Qian Taichong bent his back to almost ninety degrees and walked respectfully into the Dongnuan Pavilion.
He said: "I see you, Qian Taichong, the magistrate of Zhangzhou Haifang Tongzhi Yamen inspection office!" Then he knelt down and kowtowed to the emperor.
For such a private meeting, the officials did not report specific registrations, but Qian Taichong thought that he was not a close official of the emperor, so it was better to report all his official titles and full names, so that he could at least leave an impression on the emperor.
It is a rare blessing for him to see the emperor, but he really has to face the emperor face to face, which makes him feel uneasy. He is no longer a "citizen" now, but his official position is low, so it is taboo to write a letter to tell the truth. It is generally OK to be summoned.
It shows that the emperor is interested in the matter he wrote, but since ancient times, "accompanying the emperor is like accompanying a tiger". If there is any omission in the report, his personal safety is not insignificant, but also concerns Zheng Sen and the loyal people around him.
After performing the usual court rituals, he did not dare to raise his head and looked at the square tiles in front of the emperor's feet, waiting for the emperor to speak.
For a moment, Chongzhen didn't speak. He only looked at the person who was coming. He was in his thirties, with a calm expression, dark skin, and very thick hands and feet. Although his behavior was a little rough, his appearance was...
A very reliable person.
"Are you just too money-hungry?"
"Yes, it's Wei Chen."
"What year is the name of the family?"
"I am ashamed. The examination room was wasted, and only one student was born. I paid for the scholarship to be a supervisor of the Nanjing Imperial College. In the fifth year of Chongzhen's reign, peace was restored, Zhongzuo was restored to the record, and he was appointed as the inspector."
"If you don't come from a decent background, there is no need to feel ashamed. There are many talented people in the world, and all of them are from the imperial examination."
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your encouragement." After hearing these words, Qian Taichong felt sore in his chest and blood surged up. It was just a polite word, but coming from the mouth of the emperor, it was full of glory.
"Get up and talk."
Qian Taichong kowtowed, quickly stood up, lowered his head and waited for the emperor to continue speaking.
He looked over from the corner of his eye and saw a young man sitting on the throne in the middle. He was wearing a black gauze turban on his head, a four-piece dragon-like red robe with a coiled collar and narrow sleeves, and a rhinoceros belt around his waist. He could not be more than three years old in appearance.
He is ten years old, but his face is very poor, his eyes are dull, and he feels tired all over his body.
The emperor coughed lightly and said:
"You have been in the capital for many days and have been running for Zheng Sen. I have also read your memorial."
"yes."
"Even I am very moved by your sincerity towards General Feihuang. It is really a blessing for the Zheng family that he can use someone like you!"
This sentence made Qian Taichong feel full of melancholy. In the past few years, he had been working hard for Zheng Sen. However, there were not many people in the Zheng Group who said good things about him, not to mention outsiders, including those around Zheng Sen.
On the surface, he respects him, but secretly he also questions whether he is working so hard to sideline Zheng Sen and earn the remaining wealth of the Zheng family.
He could only confide this grievance in front of two foreigners, Tongtaro and Matos - of course, it was thanks to them that he could continue to give orders around Zheng Sen.
At this moment, it seemed that all his hard work and grievances had been rewarded. Just when he was about to speak, he felt a lump in his throat. He was afraid of losing his etiquette, so he quickly calmed down before speaking:
"I dare not say 'loyalty' to General Feihuang, but I am entrusted by others and do not dare to slack off. Now Zheng Sen is still young. Although he has inherited the secular position, he does not have half of the power in his hands. Most of the Zheng family does not accept him.
Even the land and money left by his father were occupied by his relatives. The general was killed by his concubine, and he was loyal to the country. His concubine fell into such a situation. The ministers were humble and had little power to support them. They had no choice but to come to the capital and try their best to help them.
run."
Chongzhen had already read what he said in the memorial and was not very impressed. Zheng Zhilong was also one of the "giant bandits" that gave him a headache at first. Later, although Xiong Wencan appeased him, he also pacified many pirates in Fujian and Guangdong.
He was a Japanese bandit. However, many ministers' secret reports mentioned that this person was "arrogant and arrogant" and "colluded with the Japanese bandits", which meant that he "listened to the tune but not the propaganda".
When the Zheng Zhilong Group was defeated by the Kun thieves, many ministers in the DPRK and China thought that this was a "fight between two thieves", which was the best thing. Some people even believed that since then, "there will be no more giant bandits in the Fujian and Guangdong seas"!
This emotion affected the emperor's judgment to some extent. The reason why he summoned Qian Taichong was not to seek justice for Zheng Sen.
"Have you ever gone to Shen Youlong about this matter?"
"I've seen it before, but...it doesn't help."
"How did he say?"
"Sir Shen said that although Zheng Sen has inherited the position, the Zheng family's affairs are private matters and it is not suitable for him to get involved." Qian Taichong said with difficulty, "Wei Chen also knows that what you said is reasonable, but this... bullying
Orphans and widows…”
Chongzhen nodded slightly. He had a good impression of Qian Taichong in front of him. He felt that in order to repay the kindness of knowing a little, he ran around calling for the orphan of his benefactor. He even thought of going to the capital to find a letter and file a lawsuit all the way to him.
before.
Such a person is not only "loyal", but also has a tenacity in doing things. It's a pity that he is a scholar and doesn't know what his specific talents are.
"From your memorial, I know a lot about Kun Qing?"
"Yes, the student was once a staff member of Shi Bangyao, who was guarding Hainan Province in Guangdong. In the third year of Chongzhen, the king sent troops to conquer the Kun bandits, and the students went with the army. The Wang division was defeated by Chengmai, and the students were captured by the Kun bandits in the rebellion. Until
It took Chongzhen five years to get out of trouble and return."
"Have you followed Wang Zunde to conquer the Kun bandits?" The emperor was greatly surprised. He did not expect that this scholar would still have this past event.
"Yes, I was sent by Master Shi to follow the king's governor from Qiongzhou City until he was defeated at Chengmai City." Qian Taichong said with sadness.
"No wonder you know so much about Kun Qing," the emperor said. Since Wang Zunde's defeat, many people have written letters to accuse Kun of thieves, but most of them are just scratching the surface. Even though there are many traitors in the capital and even the palace, from the beginning to the end,
There are very few people who understand Kun Qing. Now that the Kun thief has been trapped in Guangdong and Guangxi, we actually don’t even know what’s going on inside the Kun thief!
This person fought against the Kun thieves twice and was trapped in the thieves for several years. He must have a very clear understanding of Kun's feelings. He is a talent that is in urgent need right now!
He asked: "Since you know a lot about Kun Qing, let me ask you..."
At present, I inquired about various so-called concubines circulating in the court one by one. Qian Taichong was a man who had worked hard for two years under the Senate, and was different from ordinary literati who heard hearsay and were looking for novelties. Now
Explain one by one. Some of the various rumors were dismissed as ridiculous, and some were explained as "why".