The Reborn Duke of Ming Dynasty

The distance is not short.Zhang Fan and others drove through the entire Zhejiang Chief Secretary in a carriage.Even the world-famous Hangzhou Prefecture continued driving without stopping.

After entering Fujian.Everyone went straight to Quanzhou.Fuzhou government did not stop.Because there is nothing worth staying here anymore.Because the chief envoy Wen Ruchun and the governor He Kuan have already gone to Quanzhou to investigate the case.This time Zhang Fan came to Fujian under the guise of inspecting coastal defense.Should have made more stops in Fuzhou.But no matter whether it is to check the coastal defense on the surface, you need to meet with Fujian governor He Kuan, or you need to go to Quanzhou to investigate secretly.There is no need for him to live in Fuzhou.

After entering Fujian, everyone discovered that this place is different from other places.Since the Kaiyuan period of the Tang Dynasty.In order to strengthen the border defense, Tang Xuanzong.Take one word each from Fuzhou and Jianzhou.The establishment of the Fujian Economic and Strategic Envoy began.Here it is called Fujian.But the pre-Qin and even the Shang and Zhou dynasties.This is part of what is known as the "Land of Baiyue".It is regarded as a place of alienation.Even though these two 3000 years have passed.This place has been assimilated with the land of the Central Plains.Customs are still different.

Entered Quanzhou.Zhang Fan saw some differences.Since the Tang Dynasty began to open the port here.It has been the largest port in China until now.Even it has not been developed in the feudal society.Zhang Fan still sees the germination of capitalism here, which is stronger than that in the south of the Yangtze River.

Zhang Fan is nominally here to monitor coastal defense matters.The most important person to meet is Governor He Kuan.But since Zhang Fan is an imperial envoy.Officials from all over Fujian will naturally come to pay their respects.then.Except for the commanders in charge of the military, the commanders of the commanders, and the officials.Outside the guards and general soldiers; those civil servants.All the left and right political envoys, left and right political envoys, and even the irrelevant procuratorial envoys and envoys who set up punishments all came to Quanzhou to meet the imperial envoys.

Because there are too many ships returning home now.There were many more people in Quanzhou than usual for a while.The streets and alleys are even more crowded with people.Zhang Fan and the others even saw many foreigners.This is not because the merchant ships returning to the sea brought these people.Instead, it has hosted countless sea ships for hundreds of years.Many foreigners live here.

If the imperial envoy goes somewhere with great fanfare.It is bound to cause a sensation.Zhang Fan has now gone from being uncomfortable at the beginning, to getting used to it, and finally to the current numbness.But Zhang Fan came here for other things after all.Naturally, he didn't have the heart to accept the reward.After postponing everyone's banquet, they asked Wen Ruchun and He Kuan for questioning.

"My lord." The two followed Zhang Fan to a room.He greeted Zhang Fan very respectfully.

Although Zhang Fan is too young, two people are too many.But after all, he bears the title of a prince and a tutor.He naturally accepted the courtesy of the two: "You two adults don't need to be too polite. Let's sit down and talk."

After the two of them sat down.Only then did Zhang Fan speak: "What is this officer doing here in Jiangnan this time. I don't think I need to repeat it like you two. This time I called the two adults here to ask you the whole story of this matter."

The two looked at each other.The purpose of Zhang Fan's trip to Beijing has long been an open secret.The two also knew.A few days ago, Zhang Fan asked them to come to inspect the coastal defense affairs.The two discussed it.Although now is the time when Japanese pirates are rampant.But the two also understood Zhang Fan's purpose for coming here.Only then.Wen Ruchun had never known Zhang Fan before.It is not sure which side Zhang Fan is on when dealing with this matter.So some hesitation.What's more, he has some friendship with Qi Jiguang.When communicating with him.Qi Jiguang also mentioned Zhang Fan in his mind.Praise him a lot.Only then can He Kuan trust Zhang Fan.The two planned to explain everything to Zhang Fan clearly.

"My lord. Your lord should know what happened. I won't say any more as an officer." As the supervisor of this matter.Wen Ruchun was the first to say: "Your Excellency must be concerned about the current situation." Then.Wen Ruchun then told what happened after the incident.

After the original thing happened.On the third day after the man committed suicide.The suicide note left by the man before his death came into Wen Ruchun's hands.Out of anger, Wen Ruchun immediately started to investigate.Although the officials here have a huge network of connections.Things were known in a timely manner.But the person who committed suicide really has no identity.people ignore.Although they knew the matter and immediately began to further erase their traces.However, Wen Ruchun's quick actions allowed him to find a lot of things.

Because that person is not a wealthy businessman.Most of the officials who have some interests with him are petty officials in the Shipping Department.But these are enough for Wen Ruchun.After all, he had no evidence to summon those powerful officials.On the contrary, these petty officials don't think about it.Just pull the culture directly.

Maybe it's because the customs has just been opened for a few years.Corruption of this magnitude has yet to run into any serious trouble.These people have never been investigated and dealt with unscrupulously.Wen Ruchun's interrogation made them a little nervous.In addition, Wen Ruchun acted quickly.These men were caught before they could even communicate with those above them.Most of them don't know what to do.If you don't pay attention, you slipped your mouth.When the officials above heard the news and wanted to come to Wen Ruchun to force him to ask for someone.He Kuan's army has blocked the Yamen.Those people are helpless for a while.

"My lord. That's it." Wen Ruchun said. "These people are just petty officials. Many of them are even uneducated people. Official positions bought with money. This was also a matter of many years ago. Because there was no switch at that time. These people have nothing to earn. No one cares about it. But since His Majesty switched the switch, their positions have immediately become popular. These people have started to have bad intentions. I didn't know it when I took office. Now I am considering removing these people. Who knew these things would happen." He finished.These made Wen Ruchun feel a little guilty.

"Lord Wen, don't blame yourself." Zhang Fan persuaded. "Master Wen is in charge of the government affairs of a province in Fujian. He must be very busy at ordinary times. These people are too inconspicuous. It is normal for Mr. Wen not to notice for a while. What happened afterwards."

"These people were all street ruffians back then. Most of them bullied others by showing off their might. They themselves have no backbone. I just used Mr. He's sergeant to scare them a little bit. They all recruited. " Finished.All three laughed.

But not long.The laughter died away.Zhang Fan saw the faces of the two people in front of him becoming serious again.

"Although these people are of low status, they don't have much contact with them. Most of the people they talk about are small fish and shrimps who are higher than them." Wen Ruchun continued. "However, there is a man named Wang Xu who sent money to his own government. He heard something."

Zhang Fan listened.Immediately became interested.

"According to Wang Xu. They just want to take some bribes from those sea merchants with little wealth and power. They hand over [-]% to their superiors every year. The rest is their own. Last year was about this time. Wang Xu went to He went to the court to envoy Qian Le's family to Bank of Communications, but Qian's servants told him to wait, saying that Qian Le had a visitor.

"This Wang Xu is also a restless master. Immediately, he became curious. He wanted to inquire while the servants of the Qian family were not paying attention. But he heard Qian Le talking with a person in the wing room. What he talked about was also the same. About collecting money from these sea merchants. However, he did not hear the previous words. He only heard that because the amount was too large, Qian Le was a little worried. I know about it. If something happens to Qian Le, they will come forward to protect him."

Zhang Fan listened to this.I meditated.The news told him that there are many corrupt officials in Fujian province.And it's already connected.One wins and one loses.advance and retreat together.But Zhang Fan is not optimistic about Qian Le.The man was nothing more than a ship's steward.The official position is too small.Probably not too much to know.Wen Ruchun and He Kuan didn't know how much he knew.now.Qian Le also tucked his tail.But it would be very easy for Zhang Fan to let Jin Yiwei catch him.After all, what reason does the factory guard need to take people.But Zhang Fan was afraid that he would not get any news from Qian Le.But also to scare the snake.This is not what he thought.

Wen and He also knew that the news was useless except to complicate matters.But now they know too little.There is no way for the two of them.

"This officer also wants to ask for money. It's just that Qian Le insisted that Wang Xu slandered him. In addition, Wang Xu's reputation is not good. This officer has been unable to get him to question. Where is Mr. He?" That's right. Although Mr. He has the military power in his hands, he can't act rashly." Wen Ruchun looked at the pensive Zhang Fan and said.

"My lords don't have to worry about arresting someone. As long as you want to arrest him, anyone in my office can make him come here obediently. Have you forgotten your identity as an official?" Zhang Fan said.

The two thought it was the same.Jin Yiwei is an important person.Who dares to resist.

"It's just that I can't act rashly now." Zhang Fan said again. "If Qian Le really knows the inside story, I can arrest people right away. But if he doesn't know anything, it will startle the snake. Although I have the right to arrest people, can all the officials in Fujian, big and small, be arrested Grab it and ask questions."

The two listened to Zhang Fan's words.It also started to get difficult.

Sudden.Zhang Fan thought of something.Said: "My lords. According to my opinion, we are not as good as this. These people must also know what I am here for. Although I refuse this lunch, they must come to invite me in the evening. My official Just follow the plan. Go and find out what they say."

"My lord. These people will definitely use this opportunity to bribe your lord." What's more, he said from the side.

"This official knows of course. And this official has made up his mind. Anyone who comes will not be rejected." Zhang Fan said with a smile.

The two were not surprised when they heard Zhang Fan's words.In a blink of an eye, he understood that Zhang Fan was going to win the trust of these people first.Let their guard down.That's the way to go.

For the time being, this is the only way to go.The three of them knew too little.No matter how much you sit and think about it, there is nothing you can do.But Zhang Fan has other things.Since I came to Fujian in the name of inspecting coastal defense.Things always ask the last question.

This is He Kuan's field.After listening to Zhang Fan's questioning.He Kuan immediately replied: "My lord. Not only after His Majesty's switch, but also before. Every summer is the time when a large number of Japanese pirates come to plunder. A few years ago. After Lord Qi eliminated several large Japanese pirates. The disease has improved a lot. However, small groups of Japanese pirates come to plunder from time to time. The coast of Fujian Province alone is very long. I have no good way to stop it.

"After the switch, the people in the coastal areas are much richer than in previous years. There are more Japanese pirates coming. Now the sea ships are coming back. We keep an eye on them. Not many Japanese pirates are coming. But after a while, the ships will return It's almost there. They're coming again."

Zhang Fan frowned again after hearing this.These Japanese people are really annoying.They also know that they can grab a lot of money by concentrating.But the goal is also big.It is easy to be encircled and suppressed by the Ming army.Now break up.Let the Ming army be exhausted.

"Is it possible to go straight to the lair of Japanese pirates? After all, if you can run away, monks can't run away from the temple." Zhang Fan proposed an idea.

"I have thought about this method. But since Wang Zhi was wiped out, both pirates and Japanese pirates have learned a lot. They often have several islands in the sea as their nests. They change places from time to time. It is difficult to grasp ’” He said with a sigh. "Even these small islands are very difficult to find. And most of them are in places full of dangerous shoals and reefs. Even if they are found. Our warships are too big. They cannot enter."

Zhang Fan frowned.He didn't expect these Japanese pirates to be so difficult to deal with.Now it's a guerrilla war.Think for a while.Zhang Fan asked: "Master He. You said that these Japanese pirates are for money. After they robbed the money, they must find a place to spend it. They can't live with gold and silver all day long. There are fish in the sea. It's okay to eat. But I don't believe that these people really don't go ashore to have fun."

"What your lord said is true." He Kuan said. "However, although these people are samurai abandoned by the daimyo on Fusang Island, they must still return to Fusang to enjoy themselves. This..."

Zhang Fan heard this.His meager historical knowledge combined with the glorious games he played in his previous life immediately played a role: "My lords. Speaking of Fusang. I don't know what you two know about the current situation there."

Wen and He looked at each other in blank dismay.I don't know what Zhang Fan meant.

"Now the princes on Fusang Island are separated. The war has been going on for decades. That's why these warriors who lost their monarchs will become Japanese pirates." Zhang Fan said: "There are many unhappy people who are struggling to persevere. We just need to communicate with the nearest daimyo. As long as they can refuse to support the Japanese pirates, we can support him with something. Anyway, what they want is money or something. We must give them more than what the Japanese pirates gave them More, better."

The two understood Zhang Fan's meaning as soon as they heard it.This idea is also really good.But what the two don't know is.Zhang Fan also had other thoughts.He intends to make the warring states situation on that island more chaotic.