Red House Shoufu

Chapter 431 It's New Year's Eve Again
In the Hall of Qinzheng, no matter whether it is the emperor or several senior scholars, the three ministers of the Ministry of Household Affairs, the Ministry of Industry, and the Ministry of War, they all understand that what Lin Shu said is right: there is indeed huge wealth in the sea!
But to open the sea is to face huge dangers, there are natural disasters and human disasters.

Didn't the former Sanbao eunuch die overseas?Every time that huge fleet goes to sea, many crew members will die at sea.

Moreover, Great Chu is no better than Ming, and the strength of the navy has not yet returned to the level of the Yongle period. Among the thousands of miles of waves, there are still countless pirates colluding with the maritime merchants in the southeast, intending to monopolize the maritime trade, and even occupy the sea as king.

The monarchs and ministers in the palace actually understand that the resistance to opening the sea is huge and difficult to shake.Everyone was silent for a while, only Wei Qinghe seemed to be waiting for something, holding a teacup and savoring slowly.

No one thought that Xia Minxue, Minister of the Ministry of War, would be the first to speak, and he cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, since Wang Youxing has accepted the imperial court's offer, why don't Wang Youxing's people be stationed in Songjiang, so that they can help Marquis Lin eliminate pirates next year?" Isn't the premise of opening the sea is to clear the sea frontier so that the fleet can travel thousands of miles safely?"

"That's a good word, let's do it!"

The emperor nodded in satisfaction, and agreed to the matter in one gulp.

With Xia Minxue at the beginning, the atmosphere in the hall became lively.The resistance to opening the sea is great, but the benefits are also extremely attractive.

Not to mention the Ministry of Households and the Ministry of War, even the Ministry of Industry is unwilling to let others snatch the fat on its lips.

Wang Hongshuo, Shangshu of the Ministry of Industry, took out all his family resources, not only saying that he would do his best to build a solid big ship, but also move the artillery to the ship.

Although the sea ships of the Celestial Dynasty are only used for commercial purposes, there must be a few sharp weapons for frying fish, right?

It has to be said that Ma Fanteng has been in Dachu for a long time, and some of Europa's thoughts gave the dignitaries in the court new ideas.

Move the artillery to the merchant ship, and let the navy serve as a member of the merchant fleet. This kind of coquettish operation has long been a consensus among the cabinet, the five armies, and even the six ministries.

Lin Shu just watched silently as several bigwigs set up a general policy in a very short period of time, and even appointed himself a part-time mission of the imperial envoy, the governor-general of Kaihai and the Minister of Commerce, and assigned all Wang Youxing's troops to the imperial envoy's office. manage.

……

Lin Shu who walked out of Qinzheng Hall was still dizzy, Wei Qinghe invited him to take a car with him, and told him something.After the carriage turned slowly, Wei Qinghe told Lin Shu the story behind the incident.

It turned out that after Wang Youxing accepted the imperial court's recruitment, the cabinet had already discussed the matter of suppressing pirates.The naval forces of the imperial court have now increased their combat power. Together with Wang Youxing, the king of the three seas, they can not only completely wipe out other pirates, but at least temporarily eliminate the threat along the coast.

In this case, the coastal waters will be basically safe, and the sea trade will be more prosperous. This is the best time for the imperial court to officially open the sea.

Dachu's silk, porcelain, etc. were already extremely popular in Western countries.In the past, it was possible to exchange trade with Western countries through the Western Regions, but due to the influence of the chaos in the Western Regions, Yarkand and other Khanates, land trade basically stopped.

After calculation by the Ministry of Household Affairs, compared to the time and energy it would take to wait for the stability of the countries in the Western Regions, it would be more effective to open the sea.

In particular, while opening the sea, it can also suppress those wealthy families in the southeast who made their fortunes by relying on sea trade. The top management of Dachu felt that they had to give it a try no matter how difficult the resistance was.

Lin Shu smiled wryly and said, "Mr. Ge made it hard for me to hide it from me!"

Wei Qinghe blinked and replied: "Originally, I planned to tell you about this matter after you went to the south of the Yangtze River, but you accidentally took over the Yaerqiang mission, and found an opening for the old man." The reason for the sea. Now Yaerqiang will definitely turn against us, and the road to the Western Regions is cut off. Those silk, porcelain, tea and other things can’t be piled up in the warehouse. The only way to go to sea is to go to sea! "

After all, smuggling is not a long-term solution. Without access to the Western Regions, the big clans in the southeast will not be able to clear their inventory in a short period of time.

Then the imperial court's road to open the sea will not be so difficult.At least those who are eager to find new trade routes to sell their goods will no longer obstruct the imperial court's policy of opening up the sea.

……

The official envoy of the Yarkand Khanate, Prince Rashid, died in the prison of Shuntian Mansion on the [-]th morning of the twelfth lunar month.

Lin Shu froze for a moment when he heard the news, and then threw the note into the stove.It's just a pawn, and the Yarkand Khanate probably doesn't really care about the life and death of a prince.

Their deputy envoy Ai Hemai was released by the Shuntian Mansion and returned to the Sifang Pavilion.According to the news from Xiuyiwei, this person should be the one who really makes up his mind in the mission.

Ai Hemai blamed Rashid's actions on himself after he wrote a short letter to complain.Instead, a brand new letter of credence was presented, saying that the Yarkand Khanate intends to pledge allegiance to the great Tian Khan and become a vassal state of the Great Chu, paying tribute every three years, etc...

As for their requirements, it is surprising. The Yarkand Khanate hopes to become the only middleman for Dachu silk, porcelain, tea, brocade, linen and many other commodities to the West!
It's really a good plan, Lin Shu had to applaud Ai Hemai's method, this person is not very courageous, but he has a good brain.He actually used the dead Rashid as a bargaining chip in the Ministry of Rites, trying to win the sympathy of the officials of the Ministry of Rites.

Such shameless people are the ones who are truly capable of doing great things.

Of course, these matters are still in the preliminary stage of discussion. After all, the Chinese New Year is coming, and the imperial court has already sealed it yesterday. It is impossible for those in the Ministry of Rites to buy him special treatment for Ai He.

Lin Shu pushed open the door, and there was already a thin layer of snow on the ground.On New Year's Eve, he didn't want to worry about the affairs of the court any more. It was serious to have a good New Year's Eve.

Gao Wanjiang and his party had already returned to the capital yesterday, and they made a special trip to the Lin Mansion after lunch.Lin Shu still attaches great importance to this future brother-in-law, and carefully asked about Shandong's experience and his injuries, and learned that apart from being a little tired from rushing day and night, his injuries have recovered.

Daiyu's previously hanging heart was completely relieved after seeing Gao Wanjiang, and her condition today is obviously much better than usual.

For example, she was making cakes with Wang Yuan at this time, and Bai Jingjing, who was lying on her stomach by the stove, kept her eyes on the dough in Wang Yuan's hands.

Lin Shu stepped forward and picked up the cat on the futon, chatting with the two of them while stroking the cat.The crackling sound in the stove and the purring sound of the cat in his arms made Lin Shu's eyelids fight, and he fell asleep directly on the rocking chair after a while.

"Sister Yuan, look at brother..."

Daiyu became very playful, looked at the writing brush in her hand for coloring the dim sum, and smiled...

Lin Shu slept very soundly this time, and sure enough the cat's purring was extremely hypnotic. He opened his eyes and looked at Bai Jingjing on his chest, and the round mandarin duck eyes were staring at him.

meow~
Lin Shu was about to stand up and put it on the ground, but he saw Bai Jingjing staring at her face, her claws were only grabbing her skirt to prevent Lin Shu from moving.

At this time, Wang Yuan on the side finally couldn't help laughing, and then Daiyu, Xueyan and other maidservants laughed one after another.

Lin Shu was laughed at inexplicably, and was about to ask, but Bai Jingjing moved up two steps, stretched out her claws and threw herself at Lin Shu's face...

This movement and demeanor obviously used him as a mouse to catch. Lin Shu held it firmly in his hand, got up and came to the basin, it turned out that his face was covered with two vivid mice, and there was a big one on his forehead. Wang character.

……

Crackling, crackling...

In the sound of firecrackers, one year old,

The spring breeze sent warmth into Tu Su.

Thousands of doors and thousands of households are chaotic days,
Always exchange new peaches for old ones.

Wang Anshi's poem on the first day of the first day fulfilled people's expectations for the New Year in this land. When the firecrackers sounded, the children of Huanghuafang flocked to the gate of Lin's mansion as usual, from Lin Shu, Lin Bo, Lin Feng, Lin Feng Gui, Wang Yuan, Daiyu and other female family members received candy, snacks and other things from their hands.

Saying a blessing and receiving a gift has become the favorite fun of the children in Huanghuafang.

Ancestor worship, vigil, New Year greetings...

Lin's mansion finished the New Year's Eve in an orderly manner, and on the first day of the new year, everyone in the whole mansion was beaming with joy.Wang Yuan, the newly married hostess, was sitting in the main hall for the first time, and accepted the visits of shopkeepers from various shops in the Lin family, the manager of Zhuangzi, and others.

Daiyu introduced these stewards to Wang Yuan in a low voice, while Lin Shu sat in the grand master's chair and drank tea leisurely.

After the luncheon, Lin Shu was planning to take advantage of the meeting to catch up on sleep, but when he heard the report from his disciples, Liu Xianglian unexpectedly came.

Liu Xianglian was dressed in new clothes, and the servants behind her were carrying various gifts.

Lin Shu greeted him at the entrance of the front hall, only to see Liu Xianglian bowed deeply after entering: "Greetings to Lord Hou, I wish you a happy new year!"

"Same joy, same auspiciousness, Brother Liu, you don't have to be so polite, just call me brother."

After Lin Shu bowed his hand in return, he welcomed him into the front hall.

After the servant girl brought the refreshments, Liu Xianglian sent a gold-plated invitation card and said with a slightly blushing smile, "Big Brother, I'm here this time to invite my brother to come to my humble house for a banquet on the sixth day of the first lunar month..."

"Oh?"

Lin Shu took the invitation and asked suspiciously: "Brother Liu, this is..."

"My little brother has invited His Royal Highness Prince Zhongshun, Second Brother Lian, Brother Bao, Brother Xue, Dalang of the Feng family, Brother Ruolan of the Wei family, etc. Naturally, if the elder brother goes, the brothers will be delighted. The main purpose of the banquet is my little brother. I would like to ask you brothers to help me out with ideas on how to give the third girl of Rongguo Mansion a grand wedding!"

Liu Xianglian was outspoken, but this guy looked thick and big-eyed, but he was actually a caring person.

He explained to Lin Shu the reason for doing this in detail. It turned out that Liu Xianglian returned to the capital triumphantly this time, although he has not yet been rewarded due to the seal, but according to the palace's intention, this time he should go further.

Liu Xianglian is a concubine of the Liu family in the Duke's Mansion of Liguo, but his parents died young, so he is the only one left in the family.In Liu Xianglian's view, the marriage of the three girls of Rongguo Mansion to the Liu family is considered a low marriage. As a man, he must find a way to make his wife look good...

"You are a good man who is affectionate, righteous and responsible!"

Lin Shu said with a smile: "Since you have the heart, I will join in the fun on the sixth day of the lunar new year."

"Thank you brother!"

Hearing Lin Shu's answer, Liu Xianglian quickly got up to thank her.He, a rough guy, really didn't pay attention to some things, and needed the help of Lin Shu, a star of Wenqu.

Lin Shu raised his hand to signal him to sit down, and asked about his preparations and difficulties.

After the two talked for a while, Liu Xianglian changed the topic and talked about some strange things he encountered in Shandong, and took the opportunity to ask Lin Shu to help him find the answer.

"The scourge of the White Lotus Sect has not been cured since the Tang Dynasty. You have many friends in the Jianghu, and you should know the dangers of the White Lotus Sect. Since they want to contact you through the people in the Jianghu, they must be I see your worth."

Lin Shu was a little surprised after hearing Liu Xianglian's statement, and at the same time sweated for Liu Xianglian.

Unexpectedly, after the Bailian sect suffered a big loss from Liu Xianglian, they didn't have any ambitions at the first moment, but they came up with Liu Xianglian's idea, wanting to develop Liu Xianglian into their person.

Compared with the struggle between the court and China, a cult organization like the White Lotus Sect is the most troublesome.Because the White Lotus Sect is not a benevolent sect, they will do everything they can to coerce and lure them.

Lin Shu got up and paced back and forth to think, and Liu Xianglian also fell into silence.On the night after he returned to Beijing, someone sent another letter to inquire.

The 1 taels of silver note and an arrow were contained in the envelope, which meant it was already extremely obvious.

This is also the reason why he came to Lin's house in person. The White Lotus Sect has suffered losses in Lin Shu's hands not once or twice, maybe Wenqu Xing Lord Lin Hou will have a solution to this matter.

"Brother Liu, you said that when you were in Shandong, someone recruited you through people from the rivers and lakes. Did any of them tell you what position they could give you?"

Liu Xianglian shook her head: "No, but yesterday they put a 1 tael bank note and an arrow in their proposal."

As he spoke, he handed the letter of submission and the contents inside to Lin Shu, who received it last night. Lin Shu took a look, and found that the bank note was actually issued by his own bank.

Ah……

Lin Shu couldn't help laughing: "This bank note is temporarily stored here for a few days, and I will ask someone to check which bank this bank note was given to."

Ok?
Liu Xianglian became puzzled, can this be found?Isn't the bank cashing the bills at sight?
Lin Shu didn't explain anything, just said: "This bank note is issued from my bank, try it, if you find out, it will be a clue."

He picked up the letter in the submission book and read it again. The handwriting was extremely neat, typical of the imperial court's special font.This was beyond Lin Shu's expectation. There were too many people who wrote about Guan Ge's experience, and there was nothing to be found by relying on handwriting.

The content of the letter was extremely simple, nothing more than threats and lures.But there was one thing that made Lin Shu frown.

The person who wrote the letter threatened Liu Xianglian that if he refused, his fiancée, the third girl from Rongguo Mansion, might not be able to wait until the day of marriage!
Today's Rongguo Mansion is not the former Rongguo Mansion. Since the White Lotus Sect threatened Liu Xianglian with Tanchun, it shows that the strength of this group of people should not be underestimated.

"Brother, this letter was thrown into the house before I came home. I once smelled a very familiar smell outside the house."

Liu Xianglian's words aroused Lin Shu's curiosity, and motioned him to continue.

I saw Liu Xianglian blushing, and whispered: "There is a special kind of rouge on the biggest painting boat by the Qinhuai River..."

(End of this chapter)