Late Ming sea owl

Chapter 220: Robbery of Angels Again
In early April of the seventh year of the Apocalypse in Danshui, the northeast monsoon that had been blowing for half a year quietly stopped. On this day, the south wind suddenly blew.

The twice-yearly monsoon transition period has arrived as scheduled, and the wind direction will change for nearly a month before it is the southwest monsoon's turn to dominate the sea.

A lot of things have happened in the past two months. First, Ou Zuoji took Jiang Yu and others south to the East, and then Hamada Yabei successfully kidnapped the red-haired acting commander De Wet in Dadan. Not long ago, Return to Japan via Keelung.

On Jeju Island, Yuan Jin and others sent a total of two groups of messengers. First, they sent people in early February to inform them that the operation was successful. Then at the end of March, another group of people was sent. They said that the order on the island had basically stabilized and the government had sufficient food in stock. However, the troops were still not enough to defend the North Korean mainland, so they asked Lin Hai to send troops for support.

The coastline of Jeju Island is so long that patrolling and warning alone requires a lot of troops. In view of this, Lin Hai decided to mobilize another 600 sailors and send four old two-masted lock ships northward. A quarter of the existing warships of the Navy have been sent to Jeju Island.

Fortunately, when the modification of the Dingyuan was completed, the shipyard under the leadership of Master Pan was basically in place and initially ready for use. Of course, the two stone shipyards in Keelung were still under construction.

However, Lin Hai was not in a hurry to build Galen. The Ship Bureau first began to build two main types of warships, the Calais galley and the Throop. The latter was a sloop that could be regarded as a new port. Lin Hai personally led Pan Xuezhong to preside over the design work for the mini version of the account.

The reason why these two types of ships were built was mainly to make up for the deficiencies exposed in the Battle of Dongshan. Both types of warships have shallow drafts and have certain gun-carrying capabilities, and can be used in the decisive offshore battle with Zheng Zhilong.

Another reason is that the cost of building the Galen ship is too high. Lin Hai plans to let the reserved wood dry in the shade for one more year to prevent the new ship from being decommissioned in less than two years. At the same time, craftsmen in the Ship Bureau needed to accumulate experience in building Western-style sailing ships, and sailors in the Admiralty also needed time to become familiar with the operation of Western-style soft sails.

At the Ministry of War, the reorganization work has been completed. The number of chief officers at the bureau level has been reduced from four to three. However, the number of chief officers at sentinel level and below has increased a lot. Most of them were promoted from within the Ministry of War, and a few were promoted from within the Ministry of War. Transferred by an officer of the Security Division.

All this is going on nervously and orderly. The people of Jinhe Kingdom are in a hurry every day. Officials, soldiers, craftsmen, farmers, everyone walks with the wind. Everywhere as far as the eye can see is full of vitality. The scene is just like the spring when everything comes alive.

Losses in the process of fighting the wind are unavoidable, but the time it takes for immigrants to come with the wind is very short, and there are no diseases in winter, the mortality rate during the journey is so low that it can be ignored.

"You are not allowed to talk nonsense..." Zhu Niang's long eyelashes covered the mist in her eyes, "My husband is protected by my mother, and auspicious people have their own destiny."

Feng Yidao, Jiuzhi, Waizui and others went to the coast of Fujian to recruit troops in the first month. More than ten days ago, they brought back the 400 people Lin Hai requested. Half of them were hunters, and the other half were grooms, postmen and the like who could ride horses. Among them, the hunters They are all selected and powerful people.

On this day when the south wind blew, Lin Hai said goodbye to Zhu Niang at home: "Madam, my husband will go to Zhoushan tomorrow to pick up the pig and return home. If everything goes well, he will be back before the end of the month. This should be the last time we say goodbye this year." ”

This was the first time that Lin Hai used financial means to make use of the wealth accumulated among the people. He adopted a short-term bond model with fixed interest rates, coupled with the political appeal of the leading project, which was considered a great success. As long as the company can repay this debt at the beginning of next year, its credit will be guaranteed for subsequent debt issuances.

"Haha, that's natural, it was just a joke." Lin Hai felt that this scene seemed familiar, but last time he was worried about Zhu Niang and the baby in her belly, this time there were nearly a hundred thousand people. people.

The production capacity of Shenji Shipyard simply could not meet Lin Hai's needs, and the company did not have the money to buy so many ships. It could only keep sending ships to beat the wind and go north, and then take the immigrants south with the wind.

The 300 Jinjiang horses that Xu Xinsu was entrusted to purchase on his behalf were already in place, and the Jianbing Bureau was officially opened. After the competition, half of them received three times the monthly salary as Lin Hai said, and the other half received the same salary as the rest of the Security Department.

Zhu Niang still looked reluctant to leave, and her beautiful eyes were filled with tears. Lin Hai then said: "There must be maids to serve in the palace, or we should follow the example of the Ming Emperor and select a show girl in Wanhua and Yilan ?”

All these things seemed very complicated, but together they delayed Lin Hai's efforts for seven or eight days. Most of his energy was devoted to shipbuilding, and he even took time to learn to ride a horse. The Jinjiang horse was indeed much more docile and not as fierce as the Andalusian horse.

This was due to the smooth operation of the Civil Affairs Yuan system headed by Zhu Niang. Apart from shipbuilding and bond issuance, Lin Hai basically did not interfere with any affairs of the Civil Affairs Yuan, including immigration and the construction of water conservancy projects.

Lin Hai then smiled and said: "After I come back from Zhoushan this time, I will build a palace for you. There may be envoys from several countries coming here next year. Our Jinhe Kingdom cannot be too shabby. At least it must look like That’s what happens.”

"Most of the Navy Department and the Security Department are your brother's old subordinates. If I don't come back this time, you will give up the throne of Jinhe Kingdom to your brother..." Before Lin Hai could finish his words, his lips were covered with delicate hands.

"Go away, go back to Zhoushan for me tonight!"

In addition to these four hundred people, more immigrants continued to arrive from the coast of Zhejiang and Chongming. With the endorsement of a provincial governor, it is different. The recruitment of immigrants has accelerated greatly in the past two months. On average, three to four boats come every day, and nearly 30,000 people can be recruited in a month.

Now that Wanhua's water conservancy project has been completed according to the plan, it took more than three months. Almost everyone from the older batch of immigrants set out during the slack winter season in order to repay the loan from Sihai Bank as soon as possible.

Despite this, the huge immigration costs are still unbearable for Huiyou companies. In view of this, Sihai Bank, a subsidiary of the Finance Department, issued one-year corporate bonds for the first time. Lin Hai took the lead in subscribing. Cadres at all levels and many soldiers also responded to the call to buy. In the end, more than 300,000 taels of cash were raised, which basically covered the entire bank. The cost of immigration in the past two months.

Just like the difference in treatment between combat soldiers and auxiliary soldiers of the Army Department, Lin Hai decided to set two levels of salary for the top military bureau in order to put pressure and motivation on these stragglers.

"Go on, leave early and come back early, I'll wait for you at home." Zhu Niang didn't say much, just snuggled tightly into Lin Hai's arms. She knew that her husband's trip to Zhejiang was not as simple as picking up his son. What happened this time was quite dangerous, but she was used to it.

This year's early rice planting started a month ago, and water conservancy experts went to Yilan not long ago. The agricultural conditions there are better than those in the Taipei Basin. Tens of thousands of immigrants have begun to settle in Yilan. They have been allocated fields with naturally good irrigation conditions, but Yilan still has more arable land to be developed that relies on artificial canals.

This trick finally worked, and the parting atmosphere was finally no longer so solemn. Lin Hai came to Tamsui early the next morning and led two 500-ton old lock boats and five small sand boats of less than 100 tons to the north.

There are nearly a thousand people on the seven ships, but only about thirty of them know the target of this operation. They are all carefully selected old brothers with strong political skills and great skills.

Most of these people were from the Security Department, and some were from the navy and army. Most of the group of Yuan Cong followers who paid New Year's greetings to Lin Hai on the first day of the Lunar New Year were there. After the fleet sailed to the border between Fujian and Zhejiang, one of the small sand boats broke away from the fleet and began to send orders along the way to let the immigration recruitment points from Wenzhou to Chongming begin to evacuate.

This is a very normal order. After all, the south wind season is about to begin, and it is unrealistic to recruit people from the north. There are boats at each recruitment point, so this sand boat only needs to be responsible for conveying orders.

After the remaining six boats arrived in Zhoushan, they were divided into two teams. One team continued northward, and the other team stopped at Cengang. Lin Hai was in the latter team. He only stayed in Qianhu Yamen for one night, and the next day Then he took a small sand boat and headed west.

Shortly after leaving Cengang, the ship hoisted the recognition flag of Linshan Guard Sanshan Guards Qianhu Station. This was given to him by Xie Zhengqian more than two months ago. The transaction place agreed upon by both parties was Sanshansuo on the seaside in Yuyao County.

After getting off the boat, Lin Hai first went to Xie Zhengqian's home on the bank of Ruqiu Lake to inquire about the preparations for the 1,500 loads of raw silk. This batch of goods will be sold to Japan and Luzon this year. Lin Hai also bought 500 tons from Xu Xinsu and is sending people to receive the goods.

"Lin Qianhu, the Han family has prepared the raw silk they need, but it will take a few days to transport it to Sanshan. If Lin Qianhu has some free time, why not let Xie accompany him and visit Yuyao's mountains and rivers." Xie Zhengqian still said Just as polite as last time.

"Thank you, Mr. Lin, for your kindness. I appreciate it. Zheng Nai has been busy with mundane affairs recently, so I just want to get this deal done. Lin's money has been prepared in Zhoushan. I wonder when will this batch of raw silk arrive soon?" Lin Hai had no time to linger here.

"In that case, please come to pick up the goods in three days, Captain Lin. Xie will be waiting for you in person at Sanshan." Xie Zhengqian was quite efficient, so Lin Hai sent someone back to Zhoushan and ordered the old boat loaded with silver to hang the flag of Sanshan and come here.

Three days later, the two parties completed the silver wire transaction, and Lin Hai returned to Cengang by the old lock boat. First, he asked Xu Xinlan to come over, and then he personally went to Qianhu Yamen to pick up Shi Wusi, Qizai, and Shi'er, and He brought thousands of households with him to report themselves, edicts and official seals.

It was only then that Xu Xinlan felt something was wrong, and asked Lin Haidao with fear in her voice: "Dong Weng, what are you going to do?"

"Nothing, I'm just inviting Master Xu to Dongfan as a guest." Lin Hai replied with a smile, and then said to the two sailors who had been accompanying Xu Xinlan, "You two, take good care of Master Xu."

After saying these words, Lin Hai floated away with his official seal and other items, leaving Xu Xinlan behind him dumbfounded.

The old lock ship loaded with raw silk then headed south to Tamsui, but Lin Hai continued to sail west with the remaining two ships, riding the tide and sailing into the Qiantang River. He carried a full set of official certificates on his body and arrived at the south of Hangzhou without any hindrance.

On April 12th, Lin Hai sent Feng Yidao into the city. That night, he brought Shan Sinan and Shan Zhaodi to the ship.

"Since you two are here, husband Li must still be in Hangzhou?" Lin Hai asked with a smile after seeing the Shan family's father and daughter. He brought Shan Laidi over this time. This tough girl has already been with him. Second Young Master Chen is engaged, but both parties are persons of high status, and it will take a few months for the three letters and six rites to be completed.

"Yes, Li Shi went to Suzhou last month, and other than that he was in Hangzhou." Shan Sinan replied after hearing this. He and his eldest daughter Shan Zhaodi were already staying in the inn closest to the Hangzhou Textile Department. It lasted almost three months, during which I also followed the ceremonial guard woven by Suzhou and Hangzhou on a trip to Suzhou.

"Got it." Lin Hai nodded slightly. During the Ming Dynasty, there were one weaving bureaus in Nanjing, Suzhou, and Hangzhou. The weaving bureaus in Suzhou and Hangzhou were supervised by the same eunuch and were called Suhang Weaving.

Suhang Weaving is a foreigner of the Supervisor of Liturgical Affairs, and the position is basically taken by the eunuch Bingbi of the Supervisor of Liturgical Affairs. This means that this person is usually one of the most powerful eunuchs in the entire Ming Dynasty. Compared with Wang Minzheng, who is about to become the eunuch, The insider is much more awesome.

Take Li Shi for example. In the sixth year of Wanli, he was selected to study in the Wentang. Later, he was personally selected by Emperor Wanli to be the prince's companion. At that time, he was sent to the East Palace with Wang An, Wang Tiqian and others.

After Guangmiao ascended the throne, these old eunuchs from the East Palace naturally ascended to heaven. Except for the ceremonial eunuch's palm seal, which was left behind by his father, Emperor Shenzong, Li Shi and others all became Bingbi eunuchs. His ranking was after Wang An and before Wang Tiqian. At that time, Wei Zhongxian was just the first eunuch of the Xixin Division. That’s all.

However, Guangmiao became emperor after only a few days. After the Carpenter Emperor ascended the throne, Wei Zhongxian rose to prominence through the relationship with Tianqi's wet nurse, the Hakka family, and he was promoted to the post of Director of Ceremonies Bingbi not long after.

Afterwards, Wei Zhongxian overthrew the new chief official Wang An. Because he had little qualifications and was illiterate, he made Wang Tiqian, who was obedient to him, the chief official, and sent Li Shi, who had an ambiguous attitude, to Suzhou and Hangzhou. .

As Wei Zhongxian's power became more and more powerful, Li Shi finally couldn't sit still a year ago and began to falsely accuse people in Donglin to show his goodwill to Jiu Qiansui. Based on Mr. Li's status and qualifications in the eunuch world, this surrender is equivalent to announcing that Wei Zhongxian has complete control over the entire Ming Dynasty eunuch system.

Lin Hai's main goal in coming to Zhejiang this time was to meet this top eunuch leader. This was a move he had hesitated for more than half a year, and he finally made up his mind only after receiving the letter from Xu Xinlan.

The reason why he wanted to take the risk himself was because Mr. Li was so powerful that it would be no exaggeration to say that he was the most powerful person outside the Forbidden City in the entire Ming Dynasty.

Lin Hai would not trust anyone to lead the team to perform this kind of task. No one could guarantee that his subordinates would not betray him out of greed for wealth. After all, a whistleblower might become a confidant of the Suhang weaving eunuch.

Even if he came here in person, Lin Hai would have to prevent his men from defecting in battle, even though the more than thirty people who ultimately performed the mission were all carefully selected.

Suhang Weaving is not only a foreign missionary of the Li Jian, but he can also be regarded as an angel. This is equivalent to Lin Hai kidnapping an angel for the second time.

The difference is that the last angel round of financing was for financial benefits, but this time it was mainly for political prestige. In the Ming Dynasty, having the former may not necessarily lead to the latter, but having the latter can definitely lead to the former.

Before Lin Hai's hard power can break the situation with force, only in this way can he defend his trade empire, otherwise one black hand after another will keep reaching out to him.

(End of this chapter)