Guide to Traveling through the Northern Song Dynasty.

Chapter 1032 1027 [Using fake gold mines to trick people into going to Malacca]

The floods in Fujian, Zhejiang and Jiangxi provinces have receded, but the relief work is far from over.

Many people lost everything. Their houses, livestock, food, furniture, money... were all washed away by the flood. They relied on various means to survive.

There were also many people who, because they fled so quickly, were able to take away some property, but it was difficult for them to resume their basic lives in the short term.

The public security problem is also very serious, especially in places far away from cities. The disaster has destroyed the original order, and many criminals make a living by cheating and robbing.

The Ming court responded very quickly to the disaster relief, quickly transferring grain from Huainan and the middle and upper reaches of the Yangtze River, and even appointed a full-time governor-general for disaster relief in the three provinces (with the power to establish a temporary government).

Local officials also responded quickly to the disaster, and even before receiving approval from the central government, they had already done what they could. The gentry and temples also contributed money and grain. No matter what they thought in their hearts, at least they had to look good on the surface.

In fact, in ancient China, local officials, gentry, and temples were most of the time the main bodies of disaster relief - officials forced donations, wealthy households donated grain, and gentry and temples took the initiative to provide porridge.

Generally speaking, the losses caused by this flood are equivalent to fighting a war to annihilate a country.

It will take at least half a year for the disaster-stricken areas to basically resume production.

When the six second-generation officials arrived in Zhejiang, the Jiangnan Canal had completed post-disaster dredging, which was a top priority in disaster relief affairs.

However, traces of the flood can still be clearly seen in the villages on both sides of the canal.

Large tracts of rice fields were completely destroyed due to the floods, and the soaked rice lay limp in the fields.

When Lu You was passing by Wangting Town by boat, he saw an official ship docking.

Two officials posted notices outside the town, and literate residents came to read them. Then someone cheered and shouted, "Quickly notify the heads of each village and township that the relief grain and rice seeds have arrived! Villagers should take their copies of household registration to the county town to collect grain. Each person can receive one stone of rice and one liter of late rice seeds. If the copy of the household registration is damaged or lost, please go to the household registration office of the county government to reissue it!"

When the news spread, people from all over the place rushed to tell each other.

This is the second batch of disaster relief grain. The first batch was even smaller and belonged to the local Changping Warehouse. This batch was transferred from other places, and late rice seeds were also transferred for replanting.

When the baojia heads received the news, they immediately convened a meeting of the villagers.

Those who had boats sent out their boats, and those who had people sent out their people, and they organized themselves to go to the government to collect grain.

During special periods, it is also very quick to reissue the household registration booklet.

Don't think about taking advantage of loopholes to get more. The original copy of the household registration book is in the hands of the government, and the common people get a copy, which clearly shows how many people are in a family.

The people who did not have household registration before cannot even receive disaster relief food this time!

“Is the disaster so severe?”

Fan Chengda looked at the barren rice fields and his expression became somewhat serious, because his hometown was only a few dozen miles away.

The other five second-generation officials all offered words of comfort.

After rushing back home, Fan Chengda felt a little better.

His mother followed her husband to work as an official, and there were only his grandfather and uncles at home.

Grandfather Fan Shiyin said to Fan Chengda: "This place is not flooded, but the area around Taihu Lake is flooded. Wangting Town is completely flooded, and the canal over there has been navigable for the past month. Wujiang County is also flooded quite badly, and the governor-general for disaster relief has specially sent an official to guard it."

"It's good that my home wasn't flooded," Fan Chengda sighed, "People's lives are so difficult."

Fan Shiyin said: "As long as the government is not corrupt, no matter how big the disaster is, it will not matter. I am an old man who is half buried in the ground, but I have never seen a court that is so effective in disaster relief. In the early Song Dynasty, Wu also suffered more than one disaster. The foolish emperor and treacherous ministers not only did not provide relief, but also levied more severe taxes."

Bai Shihou immediately said: "When the Holy Emperor is alive, the whole court is full of wise ministers, and there are also many capable officials in the local areas."

"Young Marquis is right." Fan Shiyin flattered with a smile.

Bai Shihou waved his hands repeatedly: "I am the second son in the family and cannot inherit the title."

Fan Shiyin said: "You can also address him in this respect."

Bai Shihou just laughed.

Fan Shiyin did not pass the imperial examination and did not serve as an official in the early Song Dynasty, but he was definitely not an ordinary country old man. After all, one of his daughters-in-law was the granddaughter of Cai Xiang and the granddaughter of Wen Yanbo.

He was a commoner, but his children were married to the prime minister. You can imagine how influential Fan was at that time.

The six second-generation officials asked where the governor of disaster relief was and learned that he had set up his government in Nanjing. So they did not rush to go to sea and rushed to Nanjing to help.

Although they all had achievements, under normal circumstances, it would be impossible for them to be hired by the Governor-General's Office.

What really matters is the "descendants of famous families".

The Governor-General of Disaster Relief had the power to temporarily open a government office, but the number of official positions was limited. They soon became contract workers for a period of three months, paid as first-class clerks, and doing some writing and statistical work.

I am very busy every day, but I feel particularly fulfilled.

At the end of the three-month employment period, the six people left without receiving their full salary and each wrote a poem to the governor of disaster relief.

On the passenger ship, Li Zuqia asked, "Brother Zhineng is indeed very talented, why don't you hurry up and take the imperial examination to become an official?"

"I probably won't pass the exam. I still need to improve my knowledge," Fan Cheng said with a big laugh. "While I'm still young, I might as well go out more. When my horizons broaden, the articles I write will naturally be different."

Bai Shihou said, "I couldn't even graduate from the Imperial College. If I really took the imperial examination, I would at most pass the exam as a scholar. Anyway, my father is a rough man, and I am also a rough man. I don't have any hope of passing the imperial examination, so I just run around with a sword. Your family is different. It has been a scholarly family for generations. If your grandfather knew you were going to sea, he would probably break your legs."

Fan Chengda said, "I have an elder brother who has passed the imperial examination for several years. After he passed the imperial examination, the family's discipline was not so strict. But it's best to take a detour this time and don't pass by my house again."

"Hahahaha!"

Everyone laughed when they heard it.

They took a boat to Shanghai, then changed to a seagoing ship to Hangzhou, intending to find a ship to sail to Southeast Asia at Hangzhou Outer Port (Yanpu Town).

Due to floods in Fujian, Zhejiang and Jiangxi, the Hangzhou seaport has been affected to a certain extent, and the prices of many goods have increased to varying degrees.

The six people and their followers asked around in the town and learned that there was still a month before the favorable wind and water season began. They also asked for a lot of information about the fleet.

Lu You said: "There are many ships heading south, but they can be summarized into three types. One goes to Fujian, one goes to Guangdong, and one goes to Annan and beyond. We can go to Fujian and Guangdong first, go ashore for a tour, and then change ships to go to overseas vassal states. We can also directly choose an ocean-going ship and not change ships in the middle of the journey. Which one do you think we should choose?"

"All are fine," Qi Qi'an said, "but I found a very interesting fleet. They only have three ships, and they are still recruiting crew members. Have you read the recruitment notice? It says that there are iron cannons on all three ships!"

Bai Shihou smiled and said, "I know the details of these three ships. They salvaged the Liao Dynasty's imperial seal and did not ask for any other rewards, just to be given ships to go out to sea. The government asked them to study at Kangguo (Zhoushan) Naval School for half a year, and then go on a cruise with the navy. They only became captains this year. The iron cannons on those ships were discarded from the warships. They were also allowed to recruit retired naval soldiers."

Wang Lianqing's eyes lit up: "This is great, it's a semi-official ship!"

……

Wang Chongdu, Gao Wenbao and Li Bin are busy purchasing goods.

These three ships, along with their guns, were sold to them on credit at a low price, and the professional seafarers on board were also seconded to them by the navy.

They can only sell goods in China's coastal ports when they return, to prevent these guys from only doing domestic trade and not sailing long distances.

After spending half a year at the Naval Academy and another half a year at sea with the Navy, they led their own fleet this time. The funds for the first purchase of goods were temporarily provided by the royal family.

"Second brother, six scholars came outside and said they wanted to take a boat to the sea." Li Bin came in hurriedly. Wang Chongdu smiled and said, "It's rare for scholars to go to the sea."

Li Bin whispered, "They are all children of officials. There is the son of Lord Bai, the son of Minister Lu, and the nephew of Prime Minister Li... The one with the worst family background, his father is also a royal painter. If we don't let them on board, we will offend these children of officials. If we let them on board, if something happens to them when we go out to sea, we will offend their parents."

"This..." Wang Chongdu was a little dumbfounded.

Li Bin said: "No matter what, let's meet first."

The six people came in quickly, without any airs of second-generation officials, and bowed and greeted politely.

The two sides greeted each other and knew each other.

Wang Chongdu warned: "Going out to sea is extremely dangerous."

"We know it ourselves."

"If you're not careful, you'll end up in the fish's belly."

"Since we are out at sea, we are not afraid of death."

"Why are you guys going out to sea?"

"Travel around the world and gain experience."

"This... I don't keep idle people on my ship."

"We'll pay for the boat."

"Um……"

Bai Shihou said: "I learned to use the bow and horse, and I also learned to use the musket and the cannon. I have five followers, three of whom have served in the army."

Lu You said: "I know a little about astronomy and geography, I have read some overseas materials, and I have also learned some bow and sword dance."

Wang Lianqing said: "I am good at drawing, I know a little about medicine, and I have also learned Persian."

Fan Chengda said: "I also know a little about astronomy and geography, and I have studied Buddhist scriptures, so I can interact with overseas monks."

Qi Qi'an said: "I often go to the Hanlin Academy to communicate with overseas scholars there."

Li Zuqia said: "I don't know anything else, but I know how to boil sea salt. My family has a salt field. If we are stranded on a desert island, I can teach the crew to boil salt."

Wang Chongdu didn't know what to say, and he muttered in his heart: I can see that you all have abilities. But my temple is small and can't accommodate a great Bodhisattva.

Even if you can't accommodate them, you have to tolerate them and serve them well.

More than a month later, the winter monsoon arrived and everyone set out on the road with great excitement.

Although the three ships are not large, they use new triangular sails.

This type of sail is not very useful for offshore sailing, as its speed is far slower than that of traditional straight sails. However, it is very useful in areas with chaotic wind directions, especially for offshore sailing.

Six second-generation officials went out to sea for the first time. They were excited about everything they saw and no one of them got seasick.

Instead, two of their followers were vomiting uncontrollably.

When passing by the sea area of ​​Xiepu Town in Dinghai County (Zhenhai), Wang Chongdu casually introduced: "It is the largest fishing port in Zhejiang. Most of the fish and crabs caught by nearby fishing boats are transported to Xiepu Town for pickling. There is Minghe Salt Field to the north. The sea salt there is very cheap. Further ahead is Jiaomen. It is rumored that there are dragons under the water... There is a naval school in the islands of Changguo County (Dinghai), and there is a large fishing port called Ligang..."

The second-generation officials listened carefully and asked questions from time to time.

Bai Shihou suddenly pointed at a black sailor and asked: "Why are there so many Kunlun slaves on the ship?"

Wang Chongdu explained: "We recruited them in Guangzhou, and the pawnbrokers have helped to train them. They come from Southeast Asia, are very good at swimming, and are not afraid of death. The wages are not high, just give them food, and occasionally reward them with some good things, which will make them grateful. They are also very obedient, and they will follow orders no matter how dangerous the situation is."

"Do you understand what people say?" Qi Qian'an asked.

Wang Chongdu said: "They can understand what people say, but they can't speak it themselves. Well... they can speak, but they can't speak fluently."

The six second-generation officials sometimes chatted with the ship owner and sometimes asked for advice from professional sailors.

When crossing the Taiwan Strait, Wang Chongdu introduced: "There is an island called Taiwan across the Strait. The name was given by His Majesty. There were not many Han Chinese on the island, but in recent years tens of thousands of gold diggers have flocked there."

"There is gold on the island?" Li Zuqia asked excitedly.

Wang Chongdu said: "There are not only gold mines, but also copper mines, and they are all rich mines."

The Taiwan gold mine mentioned by Wang Chongdu is the Jinguashi gold mine in Keelung.

Another time and space was during the reign of Emperor Guangxu, when railway workers discovered gold in the river. At that time, Japan's gold mines were exhausted, and Taiwan's Jinguashi gold mine was once known as the best in Asia.

The gold mine was not difficult to find. A few years ago, when merchants went there to purchase furs, some natives brought gold nuggets to exchange for salt.

After asking, I found out that it was picked up from the river at the foot of Keelung Mountain.

As the news spread, gold diggers from Fujian flocked to the area.

The Taiwan county magistrate immediately invited professional craftsmen to survey the area, and they soon found the veins of gold and copper mines.

Thus, the vigorous gold mining operation began.

The Fujian gold diggers mined gold in the river, but the government was too lazy to intervene and only required them to sell the gold to the government. As for the gold mines in the mountains, they captured the wild aborigines in the southern part of the island to mine them.

Wang Chongdu said: "If it weren't for their livelihood, coastal people would rarely go out to sea. Taiwan's gold mines have attracted many people, and the same is true in Malacca."

"Where is Malacca?" Lu You asked.

Wang Chongdu said: "Malacca is the territory of Srivijaya, and the name was also given by His Majesty. In fact, there is no gold mine in Malacca. There is only one gold mine within two or three hundred miles around it. In addition, the climate and terrain are complex, so the gold can only be mined by the aborigines and sold to the sea merchants."

Fan Chengda guessed what was going on: "Did he deliberately trick people into going there?"

Wang Chongdu nodded and said, "It was a lie. Your Majesty wanted to get a port from Srivijaya, but the king of Srivijaya was very respectful to the court, so it was not easy to send troops to occupy it directly. So a compromise was adopted, and a fishing village on the north bank of the strait was selected to build a port. The land there was barren and not suitable for farming, and the king of Srivijaya agreed to sell the land. It was a poor and remote place, and there was no food to grow, so the only way was to deceive the Han people with fake gold mines. Of course, Your Majesty was not aware of this, it was false news released by the navy."

Qi Qi'an asked, "If the Han people go there and find out that the gold mine is fake, won't they want to go home?"

"Will they swim back to the vast ocean?" Wang Chongdu laughed. "Although you can't farm there, there are many things that can make money. Various aromatic woods are very valuable, especially sandalwood. And it also produces top-quality rosin. They can make a lot of money by cutting down trees and collecting rosin, which is probably more profitable than panning for gold. By the way, there is also a tin mine in Malacca, and the governor has ordered the capture of savages to mine it."

The savages were not Chinese people, so the scholars did not think it was cruel.

Li Zuqia asked: "Malacca has a governor? It's not suitable for farming. Where does the food come from?"

Wang Chongdu explained: "There are many grain-producing areas around, and silk and porcelain can be easily exchanged for them. Moreover, sea transportation is cheap and can arrive overnight. Relying on the deceived Han people and the captured savages from the locals, Malacca not only built a port, but also a castle and a fort. Today, the King of Srivijaya is regretting his decision."

Bai Shihou asked: "Why did the King of Srivijaya regret?"

Wang Chongdu said: "Malacca is located at the throat of maritime transportation. Malacca does not force ships to enter the port, but the port tax is lower than that of Srivijaya, and the Ming navy stationed there also provides armed protection for merchant ships from various countries. Srivijaya did not dare to attack our warships and could only watch the merchant ships leave. Malacca was built only three years ago, and 60% to 70% of the merchant ships passing through the strait choose to replenish drinking water and repair ships in Malacca Port."

"So, the King of Srivijaya can only worry about it." The second-generation officials couldn't help but smile.

(End of this chapter)