Late Ming sea owl

Chapter 174

Lin Hai took a boat south from Chongming and stayed in Zhoushan for a few days. Suddenly Xu Xinlan came to report that there was a message from Cengang Division. Pan Ruzhen, the governor of Zhejiang, asked Lin Hai to visit the governor's office in Dinghai.

In the Ming Dynasty, the governor and commander-in-chief of Zhejiang were not located in Hangzhou, but in Dinghai County, Ningbo Prefecture. Because Zhejiang’s military pressure mainly lies in coastal defense, and Dinghai is in the center of Zhejiang’s coastal defense hub. Whether it is Hangzhou Bay in the west or Wenzhou, Taizhou and other places in the south, it is not too far away. The governor and general troops stationed here can be more Effectively coordinate the overall situation.

"Did you tell me what it was about?" Lin Hai asked with a frown after hearing Xu Xinlan's words. He remembered that before leaving office, He Rubin specifically told him not to have too close contact with the eunuchs. In addition, he also kindly reminded him that he was the governor of Zhejiang Province. Pan Ruzhen and General Guo Qin were both eunuchs.

"It is said that Mr. Pan Du wanted to find out the situation from Dong Weng face to face about the Fujian pirates." Xu Xinlan added, "However, Xu feels that this matter may not be that simple."

Lin Haidao: "Oh? What does Mr. Xu mean by this?"

Xu Xinlan said: "Master Pan Du is the governor of a province. He has many channels to understand the pirates in Fujian. Why summon Dong Weng, a fifth-grade Qianhu, is really a bit abnormal."

Lin Hai nodded when he heard this. His first reaction was that this matter might be related to the Wu family in Shanyin. After pondering for a moment, he said to Xu Xinlan: "In this case, you can go to Dinghai for me and say that I am not in Zhoushan. Let’s first find out what this Pandu Master means.”

"This... I'm afraid it's inappropriate." Xu Xinlan was a little surprised when she heard this. Lin Hai kept everything about the Wu family in Shanyin hidden from the Xu family, so he didn't know why Lin Hai was so cautious.

"What's wrong? I have been transferred from the Coastal Defense Road, and I am currently assisting in the defense against coastal pirates in Fujian." Lin Hai still insisted on his opinion.

He was afraid that he would be arrested as soon as he arrived at the governor's office, and then be imprisoned by Pan Ruzhen for colluding with the pirates to capture Lihai. After all, the last time he went to the Wu family in Shanyin, he had a faint feeling that Wu Mengren knew that it was him. Dry.

Although he asked himself that he did not leave any evidence, the judiciary of this era does not need to talk about evidence. It is very easy to beat someone into submission or forge a confession.

"But Dong Weng has met several subordinate officials in Zhoushan in the past few days."

"Then let's just say that I just took a boat to the south today. Anyway, you should go and find out what Master Pandu means."

Xu Xinlan saw that Lin Hai insisted on this, so she had no choice but to prepare a generous gift and go to Dinghai. Two days later, he came back from Dinghai with a happy face and said happily to Lin Hai: "Congratulations to Dong Weng, less than a year after his release, he will be promoted again."

Lin Hai was surprised when he heard this: "What does Mr. Xu mean by this? Could it be that Mr. Pan Du wants to promote Lin?"

Xu Xinlan replied: "That's right. Asking about the Fujian pirates is just a pretense. I didn't see Pan Duye when I went to Dinghai this time, but I met his close family member Pan Qi. It turned out that Dong Weng was in Xiamen His military exploits were reported by Dong Daozun of Haiphong. Mr. Pan Du would like to ask Dong Weng if he wants to be promoted based on his military exploits."

"Oh...it turns out it was Dong Daozun who repaid me for my merits." When Lin Hai returned to Zhoushan from Xiamen last time, he brought back all the heads he had captured when he defeated Chen Zhongji and Yang Tiansheng's group of pirates. He originally wanted to repay Hong Chengchou's death. Later, when he heard that Hong Chengchou was leaving office, he handed over these heads to the newly appointed Dong Chengzhao of Haiphong Road.

Lin Hai said and added: "Before promotion, you must first ask yourself what you want. Does the Ming Dynasty have this rule?"

"Dong Weng is joking." Xu Xinlan laughed when she heard this, "The reason Pan Duye asked this is just because he wanted to ask for a bribe. If Dong Weng said he wanted to be promoted, then the price would have to be negotiated."

"That's it." Lin Hai secretly said, feeling ashamed. After being the Caotou King in Dongfan for half a year and getting used to the official administration of the Qingming Dynasty, he temporarily forgot the virtues of the Ming Dynasty officialdom. He then asked, "Then what is Master Xu?" Opinions, should I be promoted to this official position or not?"

"Of course I want to be promoted," Xu Xinlan said, "Master Pan Du is now a popular figure in Eunuch Wei. If Dong Weng refuses to give him the money, I'm afraid he won't get any good results."

"Isn't that right? When it comes to flattering Eunuch Wei, no one dares to say first even if Pan Duye is second." Lin Hai said teasingly.

Pan Ruzhen submitted a memorial to the imperial court two months ago, requesting that a shrine be built for Wei Zhongxian next to the Temple of King Yue in West Lake. In the memorial, he said that Eunuch Wei "dedicated himself to the country and cared for the people." "Ancestral Temple", I had read this memorial to Shu Linhai in the Di newspaper.

Liu Zhidai, the Zhejiang patrol commander who had personally supervised the army's expedition to the sea to kill Lin Qilao, had been dismissed from office and returned home because he refused to sign the memorial.

"Eunuch Wei can be said to have one hand covering the sky now. If you want to get involved in the officialdom of the Ming Dynasty, don't you have to be like Pan Duye?" Xu Xinlan is not disgusted with the eunuchs. In fact, Yu Zigao's son and daughter, Wu Chunfu, is an eunuch. One of the Five Tigers of the Party, he is currently serving as Minister of Industry in the Central Government.

He continued: "What's more, Master Pan Du is the governor of a province. If Dong Weng is comfortable serving him, he can recruit as many private soldiers as he wants. It won't be easier to destroy the Zheng thieves in the future."

"What Mr. Xu said is true." Lin Haixin said that fortunately he still knew some history, otherwise he might have voted for the eunuchs at this time, which would be no different from surrendering to the national army in [-].

Seeing that Lin Hai had no objection, Xu Xinlan continued, "It's just that Pan Duye has a big appetite. Then Pan Qi asked for [-] gold. I'm afraid it's because he knew that Dong Weng was a maritime merchant, so he asked for it."

"Twenty thousand gold? It's okay, okay." Lin Hai smiled when he heard this, "Didn't Sanshu Xu spend so much money to donate a handful to Mr. Yu? By the way, Pan Qike said he would give me a promotion. What official?"

Xu Xinlan said: "I can be promoted to the rank of guard commander, but as for the actual dispatch? Zhejiang can choose any military attache at the general level."

"Since that's the case, let's make the commander-in-chief Dinghai, and you can send the money to Master Pan Du in one month." The reason why Lin Hai wants the commander-in-chief Dinghai is because this is the commander-in-chief Qinyi, who needs to be formally appointed by the court. After the formalities, It will be almost next year when I finish.

After Xu Xinlan left, Lin Hai called Ruan Mei over again. First, he gave him the latest manuscript of "Dream of Red Mansions" as usual. Now the book has reached its fortieth chapter, almost five chapters a month, and three chapters a month. Between [-] and [-].

"How is the sales volume of this book in various places in Jiangnan?" Lin Hai then asked.

"It's not bad. The bookstore just printed an additional batch last month and sold almost [-] copies." Ruan Mei replied from the side, "But compared with "Meat Futon", "Jian Deng Xinhua", "Ruyi" "Jun Zhuan" is still far behind."

"Of course it's incomparable." Lin Hai smiled when he heard this. "Dream of Red Mansions" is not a good novel after all, and having an average subscription of [-] is already quite good.

He went on to say: "On your way to Hangzhou this time, you took my post and went to the Xie family in Simen, Yuyao, and said that I wanted to buy [-] tons of next year's silkworm spring silk from them and take a look at the Xie family. Are you willing to cooperate with us?”

Ruan Mei said: "If the Xie family is interested, can they ask Master Xu to send someone to Dongfan to inform you?"

"No need, don't let Master Xu know about this." Lin Hai said and added, "If the Xie family is interested, you tell them and I will go and talk to their head in person before the end of the year."

After sending Ruan Mei away, Lin Hai returned to the back house to see his son, who was about to turn one year old. He was crawling all over the bed, babbling and making cute noises. While he was teasing his son, Qizai suddenly ran over and shouted: "Uncle, uncle, when will you take me to Dongfan?"

This kid heard that his father was back, and he had been pestering Lin Hai for the past few days, saying that he was going to Dongfan.

"It's almost time, probably after the New Year." Lin Hai replied to Qizai, and then went to see Piggy.

This baby also had a hard life. He was tossed on the sea for more than a month and took a sea ship from Xiamen to Zhoushan. After he turns one year old, he will go to Dongfan, a place full of malaria. All he can do is hope that he will be blessed with good fortune.

In the Wu Mansion in Shanyin, Wu Mengren was also teasing his son. His personal maid had just given birth to a son for him not long ago, and he was so happy that he couldn't open his mouth from ear to ear. This maid has now turned into a concubine.

However, Master Ren Wu has been quite busy recently, running back and forth several times between Shaoxing Fucheng and Dinghai County. Today he just came back from Dinghai, and as soon as he entered the house, he ran to his concubine to see his son.

Just when the fifth master Ren was amusing his son, a servant suddenly came to report that the fourth master Wen was here and was drinking tea in the flower hall.

"Did you tell me what it was about?" Wu Mengren felt a little surprised. His fourth brother rarely came to his place. If something happened, he would usually be called over.

"I didn't say anything. The fourth master's face is not very good. It's probably not a good thing." The servant bowed to the side and replied.

"I know, you go down." Wu Mengren waved his hand to let the servants leave, and then came to the flower hall.

"Fourth brother, what brought you here?" Wu Mengren stepped forward and said to Fourth Master Wen, "It's such a hot day. If you have anything to do, just ask someone to tell you. Why do you need to go there yourself?"

"If you don't come again, I'm afraid that everyone in the Wu family will die at your hands in the future." Wu Mengwen put down the teacup in his hand and said, "What do you think you did in Dinghai again this time?"

"Fourth brother, did you send someone to monitor me?" Wu Mengren was a little angry when he heard this.

"What? Are you not convinced?" Wu Mengwen said, "How many times have I told you not to associate with the eunuchs, and you have turned a deaf ear to me?"

Wu Mengren said with a smile: "I really can't swallow what happened with Li Hai. Don't I want to regain my position?"

"That's not the way to go, Lao Wu, let me tell you. If you dare to run to Dinghai again, don't blame me, the elder brother, for turning against others." Fourth Master Wen has always been used to bossing around his concubine. , speaking at this time is not angry and self-defeating.

"Fourth brother, I don't understand. Nowadays, everyone wants to curry favor with Eunuch Wei. How come they can't avoid you when they come to you?" Wu Mengren said he couldn't understand this.

"I have told you several times that this dynasty has never had the right to eunuch to die a good death." Wu Mengwen continued, "What's more, since I fell into the water in May last year, I have been in poor health. Have you told me?"

The Emperor of Tianqi, Zhu Youxiao, accidentally fell into the water while boating in Xiyuan in May last year, and the root cause of his illness fell into place. Not many people know about this yet, but Wu Mengming, the boss of the Wu family, was a senior official of Jinyiwei at the time, so he was naturally interested in this. All heard.

"You have said this several times, but now more than a year has passed, and the Holy Father is still in good condition..." Wu Mengren was still dissatisfied. In his opinion, both the eldest brother and the fourth brother were too cautious. Be cautious.

"Although the condition has improved, it has not been cured. To be honest, there are several emperors of the Zhu family who have lived a long life. We would rather make less money than put our lives and wealth into it. How can it be that our Shanyin Wu family My children can still starve to death..."

Wu Mengwen stood up as he said this: "That's all I have to say. If you continue to insist on your own way, I can only take back all the business entrusted to you."

Wu Mengren was a little embarrassed at this time, and immediately replied: "Fourth brother, the overseas business was the family property that the old man gave me. You can take it back as you say. Why?"

"Just because I have been in charge of the family's business for twenty years." Fourth Master Wen said, a sharp light flashed in his eyes, "See if I have the ability to take it back as soon as I say it."

After saying this, Fourth Master Wen slammed the door and left. He, who had always been very well-mannered, was really angry this time. Wu Mengren stood in the flower hall, his face turning blue and white.

After a long time, he called a confidant he absolutely trusted and whispered in his ear: "After a while, you quietly go to Dinghai to see how Pan Qiye's affairs are going?"

On the other side of Zhoushan, Lin Hai did not stay too long. After explaining the immigration matters to Xu Xinlan, he quickly took a boat south.

Shortly after arriving in Tamsui, Miguel returned from Manila with a treaty signed with the Governor-General of the Philippines. With the mediation of the Dominicans and Karen's exaggeration of Lin Hai's strength, Governor Tavola quickly accepted the reality.

The Treaty of Manila was basically within the framework envisaged by Lin Hai. The West Philippine authorities did not make any excessive demands. After all, their military strength in Asia was too stretched to deal with the Dutch, as well as Sulu and Majindanao. The two sultanates were already beyond their capabilities.

However, in terms of raw silk trade, Governor Tavola asked the friend companies to carry out trade within the framework of Pancada, which was a unified purchasing and marketing policy similar to the Japanese silk cutting system, and the pricing power basically rested with Manila.

In this regard, Miguel tried his best to pursue free trade policies, but Tavola refused to let go, and said that if free trade was wanted, the location could be Keelung.

This was something Lin Hai had emphasized before that he could not agree to it. As long as a Spanish ship appeared in Dongfan, it would be regarded as an invasion by Huiyou Company. In the end, Miguel had no choice but to agree.

"Good job, old man." Lin Hai was basically satisfied with the treaty Miguel brought back, and he planned to start conquering the Lanyang Plain south of Keelung.

This is the land most suitable for agricultural farming in the north of Dongfan. It is currently the territory of the Kavalan people, who have a total of more than [-] villages and a total population of about [-].

If the entire Lanyang Plain is reclaimed into cultivated land, it will definitely not be a problem to feed [-] people.

(End of this chapter)