I'm really not doing business

Chapter 405 Put yourself to death and survive

Regarding anti-corruption, Gao Gong studied corrupt officials, Zhang Juzheng studied the corruption environment that tolerated the disadvantages, and Wang Qian studied concubines and concubines.

It has to be said that even Gao Gong, a traditional anti-corruption expert, was a little confused when he saw Wang Qian's methods.

As Wang Zhigao spoke, Gao Gong could only shake his head repeatedly. These three aunts and six wives had loud voices and would say anything. There were truths and lies in these words, but this guy Wang Qian used money to clear the way. These three aunts and six wives saw that When money is open, some specious news will naturally be spread.

This method to guard against could not be simpler, that is, not to keep concubines or concubines.

Can you bear it? Gao Gong knew that anyone who was greedy for ink would not be able to bear it.

Food and sex are also natures. This color and food are juxtaposed. Once greed is turned on, this color will naturally follow. The temptations sent by those seamless and luxurious households can be resisted once or twice, and eight times out of ten. This time, naturally I couldn’t help it.

Gao Gong and Wang Zhigao chatted for a long time, traveling all over the world. It wasn't until Gao Gong felt tired that Wang Zhigao decided to leave.

"Mr. Xinzheng, take care of yourself. Everything in our Ming Dynasty has been renewed. It's a good idea to take a second look at these great rivers and mountains." Wang Zhigao looked at Gao Gong and warned him.

"I am old and sick, and my time is running out." Gao Gong waved his hand and hesitated. In fact, he wanted to invite Zhang Juzheng to come over, but in the end he did not say anything.

The great medical officers would come here every fifteen days. In fact, Gao Gong knew very well that the emperor did not want him to die and wanted him to watch. Watching the Ming Dynasty changing with each passing day, watching the emperor bringing the Ming Dynasty to reform and reform, Gao Gong naturally wanted to Look more.

The emperor didn't pursue the original matter, but Gao Gong was a very stubborn person. He had actually been shaken. No matter from which angle he looked at it, at least at this point in time, his majesty was a wise king. He told Wang Zhigao that he was not optimistic about the emperor. , it’s just a tough talk.

Many old people cannot survive the winter and spring. Winter is cold, and spring is full of illnesses. Gao Gong took the advice of the great medical officials to heart. At the end of February in the eighth year of Wanli, Gao Gong became seriously ill again. On the second day of March, Zhang Juzheng, who was busy with everything. , on the emperor's order, he took the courtiers to the Gaofu in Xitucheng.

"Jiang Ling Gong has many things to do. It's a great honor to come and visit." Gao Gong was lying on the hospital bed, his vitality almost extinguished by the pain.

Zhang Juzheng sat in front of the hospital bed and said with great emotion: "It's better for Mr. Xinzheng to rest."

"People live with a lot of energy. If this energy is gone, the remaining life will only be lingering. It may not be a bad thing to die." Gao Gong took out a memorial from under the pillow. He wrote this memorial intermittently. After many years, I couldn't write anymore, so I asked my son to write it for me, and finally I finished it.

"Jiang Linggong, help me forward this to Your Majesty." Gao Gong's last memorial was nothing else but a confession of guilt, called "Chen Gui Shu on the Sickbed".

In the sixth year of Longqing's reign, all kinds of disputes after the late Emperor Long Yu's guests came to an abrupt end and were completely determined because of this memorial. Gao Gong was very stubborn and very tough-tongued, but he regarded himself as a gentleman. If he was wrong, he would admit it.

His Majesty has grown up and is wise and powerful. In the memorial, Gao Gong admitted that he had misjudged the situation, admitted that he had done something wrong, and that he had brought it upon himself. This was a thorough explanation for His Majesty, and an explanation for his own life.

Gao Gong leaned on the pillow, looked at Zhang Juzheng who was already a little blurry, and said with a smile: "I remember when I celebrated my sixtieth birthday, there were more than a hundred Hanlin doctors in the Hanlin Academy, and my Seventy or eighty of my disciples wrote longevity lists for me, and they also asked Duke Jiangling to write me two prefaces."

"It does happen." Zhang Juzheng remembered this incident. The difference is that Gao Gong's two prefaces were written by Zhang Juzheng himself.

"That guy Zhang Siwei also wrote a longevity preface for me. This guy's longevity preface only has 1190 words in total, and he used 333 words to praise his own name. It really pissed me off!" Gao Gong said about this. Even his voice was a little louder and his face was a little rosier. He was obviously angry. In addition to scribbling in the preface of Qi Zhang Si Dimensional Life, he was also assassinating Wang Shajia in Qi Zhang Si Dimensions.

Zhang Juzheng said with a smile: "Okay, okay, it's all over. Why bother with him?"

Zhang Juzheng and Gao Gong chatted for a long time. They mostly talked about state affairs, such as passing the imperial examination, shipping, returning the father to the land, the war with the northern captives, etc. Gao Gong also mentioned that Wang Zhigao could still be used in his prime, but Zhang Juzheng refused.

Wang Zhigao is indeed his son and daughter's in-laws, but Wang Zhigao's initial retreat directly led to Wang Chonggu's return to Beijing from Xuanda University, which also made Zhang Juzheng fall into some passivity at that time. The word "Hongyi" was Zhang Juzheng's standard for judging people. Obviously Wang Zhigao still lacked something. Yi.

At first, even Wan Shihe stayed.

On the fifth day of March, Gao Gong died of illness.

Zhu Yijun ordered an official burial, presented Gao Gong as Taifu, and gave him the posthumous title Wenxiang. He then gave his son Gaowuguan the title of Sicheng of Shangbaosi, and received his salary regardless of matters.

Gao Gong's departure was not sudden. He had already begun to fall ill intermittently in the winter of the seventh year of Wanli. In order to use the ability of the chief medical officer of the hospital, he could only try his best to treat him. During the Chinese New Year, he got slightly better, but suddenly worsened at the end of February. , and finally passed away.

The Ministry of Rites submitted three memorials in total, requesting Gao Gong to be buried and given the posthumous title Enyin, but they were not approved. It was not until Zhang Juzheng went to the imperial study room in the Li Palace that he was considered to have received the honor after his death. Even so, Zhu Yijun gave the Ministry of Rites Zhu's approval is: Gao passed through sea transportation, ordered border defenses, established southern Yunnan, and Pinglingbiao. He controlled and surrendered the Western captives. He was responsible for accepting the surrender. The Northern captives became ministers. Their contribution is indelible.

In terms of title, Zhu Yijun still called Gao Gong Gao, and he did not stop paying homage to Gao Gong because of his death. It was obvious that the emperor did not like Gao Gong.

Without Gao Gong, the Jin Party would never have developed to this scale. His connivance directly caused the political situation in the early years of Wanli and Zhu Yijun's passivity. It is indeed not Gao Gong's fault to assassinate the king, kill the king, and burn the palace. Gao Gong's conniving Jin Party made many mistakes.

Even after repeated weakening and checks and balances, the Jin Party was still the second largest crony force in the Ming Dynasty.

Yin Zhengmao stayed in the capital for more than half a month. At the grand wedding ceremony, Princess Yingjia and Princess Zhu Xuanchang of the Ming Dynasty married Yin Zhengmao's third son Yin Zongxin with a generous dowry.

Concubine Zhou De, who was already pregnant, cried like a tearful person. On the one hand, she was happy that her daughter, who was only seven years younger than her, had found a good home. On the other hand, she was sad. After leaving, I am afraid she will never see her again in this life. When we don't meet each other, we are far apart from now on.

Luzon is far away overseas, and it would be difficult for Zhu Xuanchang to come back.

Zhu Xuanchang was the name changed by Empress Dowager Li. Zhu Yijun had never seen this cheap daughter until the day she married her daughter, only her portrait.

The princesses of the Ming Dynasty also had their own names. Emperor Sejong only had one daughter left named Zhu Luyu, and Emperor Longqing's four surviving daughters were all named after Zhu Yao. The last word must be followed by "girl". According to the According to Empress Dowager Li's plan, Zhu Yijun's daughters were all named after Zhu Xuan, and they also had to have a female character next to them, so the name Zhu Xuanchang came into being.

Zhu Yijun bid farewell to the princess whom he had never met, which completely confirmed the identity of Emperor Yin Zhengmao as a relative.

Not long after Yin Zhengmao left, at the end of March, Zhu Yijun once again received news from the Strait of Malacca. The Governor of Goa, Menezes, asked for surrender, hoping to divide the territory according to the current actual control area, and the west side of the Strait of Malacca would belong to them. All, the east side belongs to Ming Dynasty.

Menezes's letter of surrender did not cause any ripples in the court. The Ming Emperor wrote the sentence "Look ugly but think beautiful", which was regarded as the result.

The importance of the Strait of Malacca is already well known to the court officials. This chokepoint must not be in the hands of the West under any circumstances, otherwise there will be no peace in the Ming Dynasty's maritime territory.

Zhu Yijun was a little confused. Menezes's letter of surrender was a bit puzzling. His question would be answered soon.

The violent waves of the Atlantic Ocean cannot affect the hustle and bustle of Liberty City. The sea breeze blows through this land of freedom, the City of Sin. Under the gentle hum of the sea breeze, the sound of seagulls spreading their wings and crows intersects with the noise of the port. In response, the sunset on the seaside turns the sea surface golden and then is broken by the waves.

Xu Fan lives near the city hall in the city. It is a three-story castle. It is a converted church. The stone arched roof has some spiers. This is obviously influenced by the Huihui people. It is supported by Roman columns. The corridor is both supportive and solemn. The sunlight shines into the House of the Wise Man through the window grilles with complicated patterns, and shines on Xu Fan's body.

(Xu Fan’s residence—House of the Wise Man)

Antonio and Marcus broke into the house of wise men and rushed into the study. They said with excitement: "Counsellor, the pure man is dead. Felipe II killed King Enrique I of Portugal!"

"I have received the news. Your Highness, there is no need to panic. Stay calm and wait until I finish writing this article." Xu Fan has been writing and drawing. He is writing a eulogy. His father has died, and in a He died in the prison of the Ming Dynasty in a humiliating way. Xu Fan had already received the news.

When Xu Fan received the news, he had mixed feelings. When he left, he saw the stubbornness of Xu Jie and Xu Heng. The wind direction had changed long ago, but Xu Jie could not adapt. He could avoid it if he could not adapt, but Xu Fan could not adapt. Jie always keeps an eye on those interests and insists on his own way.

When Xu Fan left, he thought of the four words "you have yourself to blame" for today. As a son of a human being, Xu Fan couldn't say it out loud.

Fortunately, the Ming Emperor did not execute the Xu family, and only Xu Jie and Xu Heng died.

In the private market of Guiyanwan, during the Japanese Rebellion in the Southeast, Xu Jie served as the second assistant. After twenty years as the second assistant, how could Xu Jie not know the horror of the private market?

In the end, he died for the sake of profit.

Xu Fan did not hate the Ming Emperor. Emperor Shizong, Emperor Longqing, and His Majesty all forgave Xu Jie's sins several times, especially Your Majesty. He did not kill the Qing abbot when he returned to the fields, nor did he kill the rich people who moved to the fields. Zhang Juzheng and Ding You, the emperor still did not take action. Who can blame you if you take mercy for granted?

Xu Fan put the memorial away, and after finishing the work at hand, he wanted to burn incense for his father's memorial tablet. Xu Jie's memorial tablet was carved in the Ming Dynasty.

According to Shouxiao, he shouldn't do anything at this time, but people have already arrived in the extremely free city of freedom, so there is no need to abide by Eastern etiquette so much. When in the countryside, do as the Romans do.

"Does Your Highness want to go to Lisbon (the capital of Portugal) to inherit the throne?" Xu Fan looked at Antonio and asked.

"This is what I long for!" Antonio said loudly: "Of course! Isn't it just for the arrival of this day after so many years of hard work?"

"No, you are going to Lisbon now. You just fell into a trap that was set long ago. Even if you can ascend the throne, I judge that you will not last for a year." Xu Fan said with confidence: "Feli Pei II can't do anything to you now because your fleet is so elusive that no trace can be caught. Once you enter Lisbon, your fleet must be nearby. In this way, you will fall into his advantage. .”

"Even seventeen five-masted ships can't do it?" Antonio looked unwilling. The old king was dead and he, as the heir, could not go. He was unwilling, but the wise man told him the danger.

Antonio has seen Xu Fan's intelligence and ruthlessness more than once. Antonio actually does not lack force, he lacks wisdom.

"A five-masted ocean crossing ship is invincible at sea, but once it is tied up in a port, it is like a dragon trapped in the shoals. No matter how powerful it is, due to the wrong time and place, it will become meat on the chopping board and be slaughtered by others. ." Xu Fan's perspective is always from the perspective of a chess spectator.

Antonio is too weak compared to Felipe II's strength.

"I told you from the beginning that the only way for you to get the throne is to make Felipe II feel unworthy." Xu Fan said slightly helplessly: "If you insist on going, I won't stop you, but I won't It is recommended to do so.”

Antonio thought for a long time and said loudly: "I decided to go to Lisbon. If I wait any longer, Felipe II will be canonized from the pope."

Xu Fan took a sip of tea and said calmly: "Okay, but have you considered how to repay His Majesty's war loan? Twelve of your ships are still carrying a war loan of 3.5 million silver. When borrowing money, would you first consider repaying it with compensation?"

"You may have made up your mind to die and cancel the debt, or simply refuse to pay, but let me remind you that Felipe II is happy to accept this debt and borrow the Ming Dynasty's debt as the crown prince. For him, this debt , which will make it easier for him to rule Portugal. He will gain a generous image and use his financial resources to calm the anger from the east. This represents smoother trade and will make Portugal more accepting of him."

"This is probably the most difficult fact for you to accept. Your enemy is more powerful because of you. Thinking about it, he gnashes his teeth in hatred, but there is nothing he can do about it."

Xu Fan's words made Antonio completely calm down. Xu Fan's words poured cold water on him. He had a five-masted ocean crossing ship, which Felipe also owned. When the ship arrived at Atlantic City, according to the agreement, , the ten five-masted transoceanic ships purchased by Felipe II have been delivered in full. It is an indisputable fact that Felipe is extremely powerful.

From beginning to end, Xu Fan had only one way to give Antonio, and that was to make Felipe II feel unworthy.

If Antonio does not abide by the agreement and detains Felipe II's ten five-masted transoceanic ships, Felipe II, who will become angry and angry, will definitely use Alvaro de Bazin, the God of War and the First Marquis of Santa Cruz. Destroy him.

Diego de's father, Alvaro, has an undefeated myth that no one has broken to this day. There are also high-achieving champions in Tessie. For the sake of domestic stability, Felipe II no longer lets Alvaro go on expeditions.

"What do wise men think should be done? Enrique is dead and Portugal has no king!" Antonio was extremely anxious. He stood up and walked around to vent his restlessness.

"I can set off tomorrow to France to see the King of France, and then to England to see the King of England. If I can get the support of the King of France and the King of England, and you return to Lisbon to inherit the throne, Felipe II will not use force easily. Because the King of France and the King of England now need an opportunity to intervene in the Niland region." Xu Fan pointed out the second way.

The Netherlands was raging with war, and even when Don Juan went to suppress it, it all ended in vain. But for Felipe, the Netherlands was particularly important. Even if the resistance was so active, Spain could still benefit from this area every year. The region received more than two million silver and one hundred thousand taels of gold in taxes.

If England and France openly intervene in the Netherlands, from covert support to reasonable intervention, I am afraid that Spain will lose the Netherlands forever, and Felipe will really be reluctant to part with it.

"Okay, okay!!" Antonio's eyes lit up. Xu Fan's proposal made him excited. Although it would cost a lot, it was still a way out.

"Actually, there is still a way. This road will take a long, long time, but I believe that after you finish this road, you will become a real king." Xu Fan was still very calm. As a counselor and an advisor, he naturally wanted to tell Antonio’s true path to kingship.

"What is it?" Antonio sat down and asked curiously.

"You have the support of the civilians, but the power of the civilians has not been demonstrated. Now you give in and let Felipe II succeed the Portuguese king, and then send your people back to Portugal to start a real war that belongs to everyone in Portugal. War, a war against tyranny, on the day it succeeds, you will be a veritable king of Portugal. The best policy is to retreat in order to advance." Xu Fan said the third way, the way that can truly send Antonio to the throne.

The rule of Felipe II could not be said to be friendly at all. It can be said clearly that it was cruel.

People in the Netherlands are not old people who want to hang themselves for a long time. They know that Spain has an invincible fleet but still resist. The cruel ruling policy makes the people of the Netherlands miserable. The rise of handicraft workshops has given them wealth and In any case, the emerging bourgeoisie cannot accept the rule and exploitation of the Inquisition.

Felipe II's reign in Portugal would be the same, and it would never be friendly.

"How long will it take?" Antonio asked with a frown.

"Ten years, or more." Xu Fan said with a smile: "His Royal Highness, you don't have to worry too much about His Majesty's war loan. His kind Majesty will definitely understand the junior throne and give His Highness a suitable period of time for his difficulties. Go to extension and pay back these loans.”

"His Majesty's imperial edict is very clear. The high interest will only be maintained during the war. When you win, the interest will be reduced from 24% to 4%, and you will also receive twenty, forty and seventy years. year’s exhibition period.”

"Your Majesty is truly kind."

For Antonio at this time, this is of course a gift, but for Antonio in the future, it will be extremely painful.

"Let me think about it and give the wise man an answer." Antonio looked painful. There were three ways in front of him.

The next best thing to do is to go to Lisbon immediately to inherit the throne. This is a inevitable defeat. Even if he can escape by chance, he will have to rely on others for his whole life.

The middle strategy is to send envoys to France and England and pay huge benefits to gain the support of the King of France and the King of England. Even with this support, Felipe II may still send troops brazenly to obtain the throne of Portugal.

As for the best strategy, Antonio is not sure whether he will win, and the time is really long. During this long time, he may need to borrow more money. Even if it is extended for a hundred years, the pressure to pay it back will be extremely high. Moreover, Portugal, which is riddled with holes, will need an astronomical sum of money to recover.

What choice does this give Antonio? He fell into infinite tangles.

It was still due to his weak strength. If Antonio had ten thousand, no, only three thousand elite soldiers like the Ming Dynasty, he would fearlessly go to Lisbon and obtain the throne. Felipe dared to invade, and Antonio had the confidence to rush to Gibraltar himself. Strait to block the Invincible Fleet.

The powerful soldiers of the Ming Navy were so powerful that Antonio saw them with his own eyes.

But Antonio didn't. He only had a group of pirates. Although these pirates were extremely cruel, they had no military discipline at all.

(topographic map)

"If I were you, I would choose the third option. Although high debt will make people suffocated, you will become the real king." Xu Fan made a very pertinent suggestion, and he further explained: " Compared with the commitment and support of the King of France and the King of England, His Majesty has more credibility and has supported you with real money."

Xu Fan's sincere suggestion did not convince Antonio. Antonio left with his first mate Marcus. They had to understand the pros and cons before making a choice.

And Xu Fan saw very clearly that Antonio would choose the middle strategy and send envoys to ask Xu Fan to go to France and England as a consultant.

This is not short-sighted, nor is Antonio indecisive, but Antonio does not believe in the power of the common people and will win the final victory. The rich Felipe only needs to show a little wealth from his fingers. No, Felipe only needs to be a little gentle. A few, and a few looted, and the resistance of the civilian population will turn into support.

Antonio is loved and supported by the civilians, but Antonio does not believe in the power of the civilians.

Xu Fan did not offer any further persuasion. He had already made it very clear that whatever decision he made was Antonio's responsibility.

Second way, can Antonio really secure his position as king? Xu Fan has imagined countless endings, all pointing to defeat, and no one is spared.

Three strategies: upper, middle and lower? In fact, the weak have no choice. Antonio's only way to survive is the third way, to survive after death.

When Xu Fan came to Taixi, why didn't he risk his own life and survive? If you don't choose this way, you are doomed to end tragically.

"I need an identity so that my children and grandchildren can return to the Ming Dynasty openly." Xu Fan looked at the memorial in his hand. Children and grandchildren come home.

"Special Envoy Xu, there is someone outside the door asking to see you." Chen Dazhuang walked in and said very respectfully.

Chen Dazhuang served as a guest soldier under Ling Yunyi. Chen Dazhuang killed a dog in Confucius's dog-legged family. His father was forced to perform the funeral for the dog. Yanzhou Confucius has fallen. Last year, Chen Dazhuang came to Taixi on a large sailboat and became Xu Fan's bodyguard. He led three guest soldiers to protect Xu Fan.

Xu Fan is still an official of the imperial court and a special envoy to the West appointed by His Majesty.

"It was sent by Felipe II, a priest." Chen Dazhuang explained the person.

"Please come in." Xu Fan nodded and motioned to Chen Dazhuang to lead the people in.

Only one person came alone. This person wore a gray pointed hat and a linen cloak. He didn't have the disgusting smell of not bathing all year round. He also had a short sword on his waist and a thick white beard. Almost covering the cross on the chest.

The visitor saluted and said very sincerely: "Guests from the East can hear your wisdom as far away as Toledo. This reckless and rash visit regardless of the occasion is the guidance of the Lord and the king." I hope this order did not make our guests feel uncomfortable."

"Please take a seat." Xu Fan motioned to the pastor to take a seat.

"Your Latin is as fluent as the nobles. You can call me Sauron. I am the king's palace secretary and palace pharmacist." Pastor Sauron looked at the furnishings in the room and nodded to Chen Dazhuang.

Sauron sat up straight and said: "My king has met you once. This time, my king brought you some gifts. This is a clock from Nuremberg. I hope your distinguished guest will like it."

"Thank you for your gift." Xu Fan accepted the Nuremberg egg. The Ming Emperor also had one of the same egg-like watch, which was originally given as a national gift.

Sauron took off his hat and said very sincerely: "The wisdom of our distinguished guest from the east has brought a lot of trouble to our king. Antonio is rich in force. If he is more wise, he will be an extremely difficult opponent. Facts have also proved that Regarding this matter, the last disastrous defeat troubled my king extremely. My king hopes that you can agree to our conditions. Compared with Antonio, it is easier for your talents to be fully displayed on the Spanish stage."

"We are sincere."

Xu Fan shook his head and said: "I am from the East. Since I am working for Antonio, I will not abandon him easily."

"Please, distinguished guests, listen to our sincerity." Sauron took out a piece of parchment and said: "If you agree to our conditions, this contract will be distributed to every corner of the diocese through the Holy See. You don't have to worry about me. Kings will break their promises.”

"This is a letter from the king himself."

Xu Fan opened the parchment, and it was indeed Felipe's personal letter. The handwriting of the letter of credence he wrote to Ming Dynasty was almost the same as this.

Sincere.

When Xu Fan arrived at the Summer Palace, he could obtain the chief secretary of the palace, a fiefdom of more than 5,000 hectares in Castile, the canonization of a count, and the official position of a Spanish diplomat.

"In the grand tour, the whole of Europe and the West has excluded us Spain. We lack talents in this area. The most famous people in Spain are warriors who can only speak with their fists. There are many wars. In fact, there is no need at all. Your suggestions will also be given priority. , We secretaries are actually very incompetent. The king writes at least more than 4000 letters every year to communicate with the governors of various places." Solon chose to tell the truth. Felipe II's diligence was often caused by the incompetence of their secretaries. .

"The conditions are very exciting, but I still don't plan to go." Xu Fan finally chose to refuse.

He wants the title of King of Portugal, will Felipe II be willing to give it to him?

"What does your distinguished guest need before he is willing to serve my king?" Sauron was not in a hurry. When discussing a business, how could he not let the other party negotiate the price.

"I want the position of King of Portugal." Xu Fan said directly.

Sauron took out another piece of parchment and said: "Yes, my king is never stingy. What Antonio can give, a generous king can give you double. What Antonio cannot give, we can also give."

Xu Fan was very sure that there was nothing wrong with him, but that the other party was abnormal.

How can anyone win over people like this? Which special envoy sent by the Ming Dynasty to Taixi can withstand such a test? !

　I don’t know if you can understand the extension period here. It is based on the end of the war. Before the end, it is 24%, and after the end, it is 4%. The 4% extension period is forty years. The interest is also an astronomical figure. This figure is already very moderate. For those who lent money during the Wanli period, the interest rate for one year even exceeded 50%. Please give me a monthly pass, ow! ! ! ! ! ! !

　　

　

(End of this chapter)