Eighth year of Chongzhen

Chapter 577
Just as autumn in Jiangbei is getting stronger, the summer heat in the southeastern provinces of Fujian has not subsided.

On September 11, the 29th year of Chongzhen, there were thousands of sails in Quanzhou Port. Ships of various sizes arrived with full loads, or left after unloading the goods. Inviting to go to nearby teahouses and restaurants for business talks, countless porters and porters pushed their carts to carry their loads. Amidst the yelling of the businessmen, they left the dock with the goods, and the whole port was busy.

At this time, the main berth of the wharf has been cleared out of a large vacant area, and more than a hundred government soldiers drove the irrelevant people out of the clearing area, and then stood guard with their arms facing outward.

Zheng Zhilong, the Boss of Jinghai, the newly appointed governor of Fujian, Lu Jun, the governor of Fujian, Wang Zhinai, the governor of Fujian, Zuo Liangming, the governor of Fujian, Lin Yurong, the prefect of Quanzhou, and Qianhusuoqian of Jinyiwei Quanzhou, were informed in advance. Household Liu Xuan, Fujian General Soldier Zheng Zhibao and other Fujian local officials gathered at the pier to welcome the arrival of the imperial envoy.

At about Shen o'clock in the afternoon of the same day, a large ship with the flag of the Zheng family sailed slowly into Quanzhou Port and docked at the dock. After that, dozens of guards in various imperial outfits stepped onto the pier along the wooden boards, and then spread out to both sides in the shape of wild goose wings.

The officials who came to greet him at the pier were not allowed to wait long. After the imperial envoy's guard of honor was set up, Zou Weilian, who was dressed in a red official robe and white beard and hair, came out of the cabin with a smile on his face and walked steadily down the board. More than a dozen entourages from the Ministry of Rituals followed and boarded the pier.

"I thought it would be difficult to see each other again in this life after the Butang was promoted, but I didn't expect to see the honor of the Butang again in less than a year. Feihuang really feels honored! Welcome back to the old place of the Butang!"

Zheng Zhilong, who was dressed in a uniform with a collar, black gauze on his head, and a slight beard under his chin, was the first to go up to the salute and chat with Zou Weilian with a smile.

"I haven't seen you for more than a year. Uncle Jinghai has become more and more noble and dignified like me. It's really gratifying, hehe! This time, the old man is here on order. Apart from business, he also has to go to the mansion to have an autumn breeze. Tasting a delicious seafood meal is a must, then Jing Haibo, don’t dislike me being able to eat it! Hahahaha!"

Zou Weilian joked with a smile while cupping his hands in return.

"What did Butang say? It is a happy event that Feihuang can't wait for Butang to condescend to the Zheng family. When Butang took office in Fujian, Fei Huang benefited a lot. I really want to listen to the teachings of Butang every day. ! Since we are returning to Quanzhou this time, we should live in the Zheng residence!"

The most sociable Zheng Zhilong returned with a sincere smile.

At this time Lu Jun also smiled and went forward to greet Zou Weilian, and then introduced the other officials who came to greet Zou Weilian one by one.

It was only about two years before Lu Jun took over as Governor of Yunyang. It happened that Zhu Youjian ordered to split Huguang, and Yunyang Mansion was also downgraded to Hubei Province. It just so happened that Fujian Governor Ding You went home to guard the system, and Zhu Youjian issued an imperial decree. , Lu Jun came to Fujian a month ago.

After a lively exchange of greetings, Zou Weilian declined Zheng Zhilong's kind invitation, took an official sedan chair and headed straight to Hongyuanju, the largest inn in Quanzhou City, to rest, and then he and his entourage will attend the welcome ceremony held by Jinghaibo Zheng Zhilong in the evening Banquet, and plan to have a secret talk with Lu Jun and Zheng Zhilong the next day.

"Brother, why do you think old man Zou came here as an imperial envoy? I always feel something is wrong in my heart. A few days ago, many brothers said that many Northland business gangs came from Quanzhou Prefecture and Fuzhou Prefecture. Later, I didn't see them go shopping at the docks and commercial shops. Instead, they wandered around the city, behaving very suspiciously.

The whereabouts of these people have not been found out until now, and this time old Zou came here under the banner of an imperial envoy, could there be some connection between them? "

After sending the imperial envoy to the inn where they stayed, Zheng Zhilong and Zheng Zhibao returned to a mansion in the city.The two took off their official uniforms and put on casual clothes and came to a flower hall in the backyard, drinking tea and chatting.

"Third son, you are also the majestic Fujian General Soldier, you must pay attention to your identity when you speak! What old Zou Lao Zou, you should call Zou Butang. If outsiders hear it, they will laugh at my Zheng family as a low-level maritime merchant! You must always remember your identity, identity! Do you know?"

Zheng Zhilong gently placed the white porcelain printed teacup on the low table beside him, frowned, looked at Zheng Zhibao and taught him a lesson.

Unlike Zheng Zhibao, who is crooked and sitting without a face, even if there are only the two brothers in the flower hall, Zheng Zhilong, who is in a moon-white jacket, still looks meticulous, sitting on the chair with his back straight.

Zheng Zhibao twitched the corners of his mouth and sat upright, looked at Zheng Zhilong, and continued to speak with a solemn expression: "I said big brother, can you hear the words of the younger brother just now? There was a news from the previous capital that it was the emperor. Planning to open the sea, the imperial envoy came to Fujian later, plus those strangers from the north who behaved suspiciously, could the court have some conspiracy to make it happen?
If this is really the case, then we have to be careful!It has been said in the play that the emperor is the one who turns his face and denies anyone! "

"Third brother, I understand what you said, the Holy Majesty sent Zou Butang here this time, he must be trying to convince us with the help of acquaintances.

Everyone in the world knows that maritime trade is very profitable. Now that the imperial court is short of money and food, it is understandable to reach out.It's just that it depends on what the strategy of opening up the sea is today.

The southeast coast is the foundation of my Zheng family. There are tens of thousands of large and small ships on the sea, and more than [-] brothers attached to my Zheng family name are our capital. If the imperial court wants to make money, it must not hurt I can do it at all, and I have to explain this matter to Zou Butang! "

After pondering for a while, Zheng Zhilong looked at a banana tree on the rockery outside the flower window and said slowly.

"Brother, do you really agree to the imperial court's policy of opening the sea? It doesn't hurt the root cause! Tianjin Wei Wharf has been established for half a year, and our merchant ships have docked many times. We have to pay taxes according to the value of the goods each time. After opening the sea, Southeast will follow this method. Doesn't that mean that the money that should be collected by our Zheng family has been moved to the imperial treasury? Isn't this hurting the root cause?

Brother, have you noticed?Ever since the emperor granted you this titular title, your temperament has changed a lot!He only cares about Jing Haibo's airs, and rarely asks questions about maritime affairs!

The fourth brother went to the Far West again a few years ago, and the younger brother was left to lead Zheng Qi and the others to work around. Lin San, Feng Gouzi, Huang Qilang and those bastards also gradually stopped taking our Zheng family seriously. Now, if the imperial court takes away the money after opening the sea, what else will our Zheng family use to support these tens of thousands of brothers? "

Seeing Zheng Zhilong's words and demeanor, Zheng Zhibao immediately became anxious, and straightforwardly revealed the current crisis facing the Zheng family.

Although the Zheng family is known as the overlord of the Great Ming sea, several powerful pirate groups only obey the orders of the Zheng family in name, but in reality they build ships and recruit people after making money in business. The Zheng family contended, among which the pirate leaders mentioned by Zheng Zhibao were the most important.

As Zheng Zhilong said just now, the interests of maritime trade are too great. Not only is Zhu Youjian coveting this big cake, but those ambitious pirate leaders have long been envious. He had to pay 1000 taels of silver, which was a huge profit for nothing, and let countless people replace it.

"Third son, whether it's Huang Qilang or Feng Gouzi, I know exactly what they have done in the past few years! Just relying on their hundreds of boats and thousands of men, even if they are combined, they can't stop me. The Zheng family hit!
These bastards still want to steal money from our Zheng family?Don't worry, I have already arranged for this! "

Zheng Zhilong turned his head and watched Zheng Zhibao finished speaking unhurriedly, with a look of wisdom on his face.

"Ah? I thought you were confused when you were young, big brother. It turns out that big brother knows everything! This is great. These days have given me so much trouble!"

After hearing his elder brother's short words, Zheng Zhibao realized that he was just worrying blindly. His elder brother was not like what he saw. Officials and gentry went to the Jinghaibo mansion to have a feast and enjoy themselves, and they even gave generous gifts before leaving. Completely control this sea of ​​gold and silver.

"Then, brother, how should the imperial court respond?"

　I hope that friends who have a book list can add this book and do some publicity. The grades are very poor and we need everyone's support.

　　Thank you Qi Yan for the reward.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)