The Reborn Duke of Ming Dynasty

The so-called "heaven above, Suzhou and Hangzhou below".Although it was not until the Yuan Dynasty that someone wrote this sentence into "Shuangtune Toad Palace Song".However, comparing the two places to heaven and earth has appeared in Abi Juyi's poems since the Tang Dynasty.

Zhang Fan is now in one of these places.In this city of Suzhou with more than 4000 years of written records.It's also quite emotional.Suzhou Wuhua Tianbao.Outstanding people.It can be said that it has been prosperous and prosperous since ancient times.The cultural economy is enduring.Known as the "Silk House" and "Garden City".It's not that Zhang Fan in his previous life has never been to Suzhou.At that time, he had lived here for a few days at the invitation of his classmates.Although at that time he also thought Suzhou was beautiful.But compare it with the scene in front of you.Suzhou in later generations pales in comparison.

This is a typical Jiangnan water town.Let Yingyue who came here for the first time.Especially Zhu Yijun felt as if he was in a dream.Especially Zhu Yijun.This current prince.The owner of the entire world in the future.Knowing that there is such a wonderful place on the land of my own home.It really made him happy for a long time.

Suzhou has always been famous for its beautiful landscapes and beautiful gardens.It has the reputation of "Jiangnan gardens are the best in the world. Suzhou gardens are the best in the south of the Yangtze River".The arrival of Zhang Fan and others.Wang Yuanhuai, the prefect of Suzhou, was quite upright.He just came to do some official reception with Zhang Fan.The guarding eunuch Wei Yuanna tried his best to pursue Zhang Fan.In addition, representatives of various big families in Suzhou also came to welcome the arrival of Zhang Fan and his party.Zhang Fan was nothing.After all, as time goes by.He is used to this kind of scene.On the contrary, Zhu Yijun hated these things very much.The impatient expression on his face was revealed without restraint.Zhang Fan saw it and immediately rejected everyone's invitation.It is said that the journey is exhausting.I want to rest first.Everyone naturally said yes.But here is not the old fritters who have been in the officialdom for many years.It is a shrewd person who wins in the fierce business war.How could it be impossible to see that Zhang Fan declined his invitation because of Zhu Yijun.These people have never seen Zhu Yijun.Now I saw that Zhang Fan, in such a submissive position today, had to be so submissive and winking to a child.They couldn't help guessing about Zhu Yijun's identity.It's just that they all guessed that Zhu Yijun might be a descendant of a certain noble family.This time I accompanied Zhang Fan on a trip to the south of the Yangtze River.But he didn't think about the identity of the prince.

Wei Yuan took great pains this time.He knew Zhang Fan was coming.However, the magistrate Wang Yuanhuai didn't like him very much.So he left Wang Yuanhuai behind.Came to Zhang Fan's place to do some business alone.But Wang Huaiyuan disdains these things.But he didn't ask anything.So Zhang Fan and his party were arranged by Wei Yuan to live in a gorgeous garden that occupies a vast area in Suzhou City.It is the Humble Administrator's Garden of the Ming Dynasty.This garden is also one of the best in Suzhou City.It was purchased by Wang Xianchen in the fourth year of Zhengde.And commissioned the painter Wen Zhengming to do the design.It lasted sixteen years.This garden is considered complete.Unexpectedly, Wang Xianchen died not long after.The entire Humble Administrator's Garden was lost to the Xu family by Wang Xianchen's son in a one-night gamble.

Wei Yuan has been the eunuch guarding Suzhou for a long time.He has good eyesight.Take a fancy to this garden.The current owner of this garden has been charged with some crimes.This garden is now under Wei Yuan's name.Now he is playing the role of this garden even more.Use it to entertain Zhang Fan.It's an investment.The purpose was to extract benefits from Zhang Fan.It's just that he doesn't know.Want to extract oil from Zhang Fan.Difficulty is high.

The Humble Administrator's Garden covers an area of ​​78 mu.The garden is not now divided into three as it will be in the future.Today's Humble Administrator's Garden is still a whole.The residence in the pavilion is a typical Suzhou dwelling.White walls and black tiles.There are not many buildings in the garden.But it weighs a lot of flowers and plants.This is not only because the soil where the Humble Administrator's Garden is located is soft and the humidity is too heavy.Not suitable for pruning large-scale complexes.More importantly, the owner of the garden, Wang Xianchen, and the designer, Wen Zhengming, both loved flowers and plants.The lotus is the most abundant in the courtyard.Even the names of buildings are mostly related to lotus.Wang Xianzhi did this to express his aloof and noble character.

Zhang Fan verified that this place was not obtained by Wei Yuan temporarily persecuting someone in order to win him over.Moreover, the people who originally owned this place had indeed done a lot of outrageous things.They stayed.to be honest.Zhang Fan is very satisfied with this place.I don't know if it's because there are many ponds and lakes in the garden.Still the feng shui here is good.In this scorching summer.It's the hot sun outside.People can't feel a trace of heat in the house.And it's not like there is a little majesty coming out.It is very refreshing.Today's Zhang Fan even has a plan in his heart that he will die here in the future.

Zhu Yijun liked it even more.Not only because of the stunning scenery here.And it's comforting.It is also because the sense of tranquility here is something he has never experienced before.It is said that the area of ​​the Forbidden City is much larger than here.Even the East Palace, where he only lives, is about the same size as this place.But Zhu Yijun always felt empty and lonely there.It's different here.It's pretty empty here though.But it is full of vitality; although it is also very quiet here.But not boring.On the contrary, it is reassuring.There is only one thing that Zhu Yijun is very dissatisfied with

Yingyue also liked the scenery here.It is different from the southwest where she grew up.It's not like the heat and humidity in the mountains here.On the contrary, it is very broad.It's just another point where Yingyue is very dissatisfied.This is actually the same as Zhu Yijun's dissatisfaction.

That's why they don't understand why the eunuch and vixen they hate also live here.

good.Liu Shan and Luo Linger, who came to Suzhou with Zhang Fan and others, also stayed here.Zhang Fan didn't say anything when he saw it.On the contrary, Zhu Yijun and Yingyue were more dissatisfied.But it's okay.There are many houses in this Humble Administrator's Garden.The two have seen things so far.Also had to give up.Yingyue didn't want Zhang Fan to know her jealousy.However, she was also angry at Zhang Fan's behavior of not saying anything when he knew that the other party was here to seduce her.Secretly scolding men really every good thing.Zhu Yijun didn't want to reveal his identity.In addition, in Zhang Fan's eyes, he also wanted to maintain a prince's belly.That's why there was no objection.

But Zhang Fan is not in the mood to savor the garden art here.Because after the rest of the day.the next day.The merchant ship is about to dock.early in the morning.All the people, including officials from Suzhou, left Suzhou City from the east.Go to the not-too-distant Taicang Prefecture.There, Liujia Port is waiting for merchant ships returning to sea.This is the place known as "the first wharf in the world".It was here that Zheng He set sail on all seven of his voyages to the West.

Local officials seem to be following the habit of picking up the first merchant ship returning to sea.It's just that they didn't expect the imperial envoy sent by the court to come in person.The officials immediately came over and bowed.This made Zhang Fan tireless.But it can't be sent at will.

The time has just arrived.Everyone could see three black dots the size of soybeans slowly coming here on the sea level.It's just that the speed of the ship is really not flattering.Know when noon is approaching.Only three ships entered the port.

张凡看了看这三艘海船。当真与自己从京城乘坐的海船一模一样。只不过规模大了许多。而且。与当年郑和下西洋之时所用的海船不同的是。由于是民间私人用度。穿上并沒有任何可以防卫的武器。张凡不由得对于那些敢于出海的商人有了许多感慨。且不说海上的自然天气无法预知。就说人祸。万一遇到海盗。这些人恐怕也不是能这么顺利的回來了。想來商人逐利。却是这般的不要命了。想到当年学习之时。老师曾经说过马克思的一番话：“如果有10%的利润。那足以让人疯狂；50%的利润让人不顾一切；100%的利润可以铤而走险；300%的利润可以践踏人间的一切。”明朝的海外贸易。向外国输出的那些瓷器、茶叶、丝绸又何止300%的利润。也不怪当年这大明会生出汪直这样的海盗王了。

It was the first time for Zhu Yijun to see such a huge ship.It's not like he hasn't seen Zhang Fan's treasure ship going to the south of the Yangtze River.But that is used in inland rivers.It pales in comparison to this.Although many ordinary people who are officials abroad have seen such scenes many times.Still amazed by it.

The owner of these three ships, Zhao Xiande, is from Suzhou Prefecture.At that time, the family also had a rather large family business.Just because he accepted the family business.The business at home is still on track.Don't worry about him.Therefore, he didn't know much about shopping malls, and he was cheated out of his family's shops and businesses by a few friends.Only a few large rented houses and a few barren fields remained.At that time, Zhao Xiande had just passed his thirties.He who has never suffered setbacks can't get sick after this blow.Fortunately, my wife and children care about me at home.Only then stood up again.But at that time he had nothing.The few fields under his name are very deserted.Not much food is produced every year.And Zhao Xiande didn't want to exploit those farm laborers too much.This is the time.Even maintaining this Nuoda family has become a problem.The rented house at home was left to him by his ancestors.He was reluctant to sell it.

Just right.This year is the first year of Longqing.Long Qing ordered the switch.Zhao Xiande knew.Ready to gamble with all your belongings.If you don't succeed, you will succeed.It's just that he is afraid that his wife at home will worry.I didn't dare to tell them my plan.He sold the land under his name.Mortgaged his rented house.Although the wife still lives there.But if he can't bring money in the second year.The family is about to be kicked out.He drove away all the servants.He left behind the silver taels that were barely enough for the two wives to spend more than half a year.The rest of the money was used to buy the goods.So he bid farewell to his family and went to sea to do business.

Because Zhao Xiande didn't have much money.Most of it was used to pay for chartering treasure ships.Therefore, he did not collect too many goods.With several other small households.Most of them are added to defeat.Those who want to go to sea for a last-ditch ride are in the same boat.The first voyage was not smooth.The nautical charts of Zheng He's voyages to the West have been preserved.The route on the map can still be seen clearly.However, most of those logbooks were recorded with brushes.Locked in a box in the Ministry of War warehouse.No one cares about it for hundreds of years.The cold and damp basement made the writing on it somewhat blurred.A lot of noteworthy places can't be seen clearly.In addition, in the Ming Dynasty, no one went to the ocean for many years.A lot of things to watch out for are unknown.The fleet encountered many troubles of nature.Thankfully though.The fleet did not encounter pirates on the way there.

that time.The fleet returned only as far as present-day India.Zhao Xiande watched many people exchange cheap porcelain, tea bricks and crude silk for a large amount of precious spices, precious stones, and gold.Then return with a rewarding experience.He knew that the few goods he had brought would be worth a great sum here.However, it is the nature of being a merchant family.make him yearn for more.He discussed with several businessmen on the same boat.Decided to continue west.

Several people on the same boat went through some discussions.Agreed with Zhao Xiande's idea.Several people took out some things in exchange for supplies.Even hired local guides.Then continue west.all the way.The guide has changed from batch to batch.But everywhere it went, it became more and more barbaric.Several people even saw the naked and dark savages.If it weren't for the hired guides and they said that they would continue north after passing through the most dangerous storm feet in the area.There will be a place called Europa.That's where the Great Qin used to be.Zhao Xiande and others have naturally heard the rumors about Da Qin.It's just that the way to Daqin is now occupied by Yuanmeng.Land routes are no longer available.

Dozens of people on the same boat drove hard along the road.Many people because of disobedience.Also fell ill due to the inadaptability of ocean sailing.Fortunately.Because there is a doctor on board.He ordered the people to throw the sick and dead into the sea.Although this is somewhat inconsistent with the tradition of the Han people.But also because of this.Put on no plague broke out.

It takes half a year for the ship to leave.The spirit of the person who put it on has been greatly tested.But Zhao Xiande was the same as the others on the same boat.Concerned about his wife and children at home.They survived.The scruffy bearded men landed for the first time in the port of a country called Portugal.Although the people who see here are different from those in their hometown.But it is the time of civilization.Everyone couldn't help but burst into tears.

after.Everyone has seen the rewards of this adventure.What was brought was exchanged for a hundred times more gold, silver, and precious stones than what was purchased.at last.They even traded directly with merchants who came from France, Britain and other places by comparing the volume of the item and the gold.

Count the number of people who are busy.Only then did I find out.What a huge benefit this adventure has brought me.Zhao Xiande couldn't even believe it.What I have earned through hard work for half a year is even more than what my ancestors have accumulated for generations.

I went crazy for a few days full of joy.Only then did he remember that there was still someone waiting for him at home.So they started back.The way back is because of the previous sailing experience.Everyone is relatively smooth.However, when I arrived in Nanyang, I still encountered pirates.But this time it was a bit of a surprise.Everyone relied on the size of the treasure ship they were riding on.And did not let the pirates succeed.

Zhao Xiande who returned to his hometown was very excited.When he returned to the voyage, he had already planned his future life countless times.But when he just got home, he found that his wife and children were no longer there.But they changed to another family to live in.turn out to be.The person who Zhao Xiande mortgaged the rented house at the beginning saw that Zhao Xiande did not return with those people who went to sea.Thought he was dead.Regardless of whether Zhao Xiande's orphans and widows are weak.drove them out.Zhao Xiande couldn't help being shocked when he heard this.Immediately went to find his wife and children.Later, he finally found his wife and dying son in a slum in the western suburbs.When husband and wife meet, they naturally hug each other and cry bitterly.After that, Zhao Xiande spared no expense.Finally healed his son.But the clay figurines also have a third of anger.Zhao Xiande, who was so humiliated by others, naturally wanted to seek justice.He went to the man with the contract signed when he mortgaged the property.Ask him why he did this before the time limit.

That person also has some influence in Suzhou.He did not expect Zhao Xiande to come back.But then he found that Zhao Xiande was still looking poor.And the clothes are more shabby.He ignored Zhao Xiande's questioning at all.Send someone to beat him out with sticks.Zhao Xiande thought to himself that he had suffered so much to earn this money.Who knew that he would suffer this anger again when he returned home.

So he wrote a complaint and went to the Yamen to sue.That person was not afraid of Zhao Xiande at all.And Zhao Xiande also made a plan to bribe money.Unexpectedly, Wang Yuanhuai, the magistrate of Suzhou, was an upright official.After finding out the truth.Immediately returned the original house to Zhao Xiande.And Zhao Xiande didn't pay a penny.Even the silver originally borrowed was forgone.That person was not convinced.I also want to find Wang Yuanhuai's theory.But he was beaten up by Wang Yuanhuai.The person who was beaten did not dare to trouble the government.But they put the blame on Zhao Xiande.Who knows that Zhao Xiande is rich and powerful now.After everything settles down.He didn't want to make trouble anymore.Unexpectedly, that person took the initiative to come to the door.Sailing abroad for a year.Zhao Xiande, who fought against the wind and waves, also gave birth to blood.Find someone to teach him a lesson.

After this matter is over.Zhao Xiande told his wife and children what happened to him in the past year.His wife Li really did not expect her husband to be so bold.Go overseas alone.But now her husband has returned safely.He also brought back gold, silver and jewelry that he had never thought of in his life.Li Shi suddenly wept with joy.

Afterwards, Zhao Xiande lived comfortably for a year.However, he is not reconciled to his current achievements.The next year he ignored his wife's objections.I chartered two boats alone.The cargo hold is full of goods.Go west here.

I have to say that Zhao Xiande's luck is very good.No pirates were encountered either time.Plus experience from previous voyages.This time he returned to Europe very smoothly.With the last trade.Europeans also know Zhao Xiande.He's coming again this year.Brought something more.There are good and bad porcelain.So is tea.Even silk.There are top-quality products from Huzhou.There are also crude silks made by ordinary workshops.

The nobles in Europe thought it was last year.The goods that Zhao Xiande brought were the most exquisite.But now I know there is something better.So whether it is ordinary traders or nobles and royal families from all over the world, they are all flocking to it.

Zhao Xiande made a lot of money this time.Smiling from ear to ear, he returned with a boat full of priceless goods.The returned Zhao Xiande became the richest person in Jiangnan.Apart from not being able to compare qualifications with some aristocratic families.Few here can match his fortune.

last year.He got even worse.Bought three seagoing ships.Go to sea again.until June of this year.today.The three ships came back.