The Ming Dynasty started with saving the eldest grandson

Chapter 250 Nanyang Strategy
Whether the Luzon Kingdom colluded with the Japanese pirates or assassinated the Ming Dynasty envoys, anyone with a discerning eye can see this.

Just pretending to be confused.

After taking such a big advantage, what else can I do if I don't pretend to be confused?

Chen Jingke was also very curious about the person who single-handedly planned this case of annihilation of the country.

A Jinyiwei secret agent and a businessman can actually have such courage.

Especially Xu Chailao, could he be Lu Buwei again?
When he learned that the two were visiting, he naturally wanted to come and see them, not to mention that they also had Du Tongli's greeting cards.

After meeting, Cen Xintong and Xu Chailao were very humble and rarely raised their heads.

Chen Jingke was also observing them.

Both were in their thirties and had distinctly tropical dark skin.

As for the rest, I can’t tell for the time being.

Without asking why he wanted to help Cen Xintong, he knew the answer without even thinking about it.

Cen Xintong also brought a letter written by Du Tongli, which introduced the relationship between the two in detail.

"You two did a good job on this."

They will not be punished, but there is no need to think about the credit. At most, they will be given credit for gathering intelligence.

Chen Jingke was very satisfied with his attitude.

"In this matter, the two of us acted without the permission of the court. We are very touched that the court does not convict us, and we really don't dare to take credit."

If I didn't know his identity, I would have thought he was just a boy next door.

This Chen Bandu looked very gentle, different from any official he had interacted with before.

No wonder Du Tongli recommended him here, because his transparency surpassed many others.

Chen Jingke said: "Your merits are all seen by the court, and they will definitely not treat you badly."

Under normal circumstances, at least one should be left behind to help collect intelligence.

Through the Q&A, Chen Jingke also had a general understanding of Xu Chailao's abilities.

The imperial court is unwilling to assume this responsibility, so why should it ask the people to trust it?
Zhu Yuanzhang has many advantages, but his biggest shortcoming is cognition.

He doesn't have sharp eyes, so he can't always observe other people's micro-expressions.

Chen Jingke shook his head secretly. It wasn't that they couldn't recognize this, but that Ming had not shouldered the corresponding responsibilities before.

"Just because of the reasons that everyone knows, you may have to suffer some injustice this time."

"Da Ming's attitude is the fundamental reason that controls everything."

Gradually, his nervousness gradually relaxed.

"It's a pity that many Nanyang Ming people don't understand this."

Sure enough, people cannot be judged by their appearance.

Now Chen Jingke's words are equivalent to giving them reassurance.

This was also the reason why Zhao Zhi sent both of them to Yingtian on the pretext of reporting victory.

After praising him a few more times, Chen Jingke turned to ask about Xu Chailao.

Among other things, he knows the situation in Nanyang well and has a relatively deep understanding of many issues.

"With the Ming Dynasty here, the natives are particularly polite to the Nanyang Ming people and pay attention to fairness in everything."

"This is also the reason why I took the initiative to help Envoy Cen."

Xu Chai Lao knew these data well and gave detailed answers one by one.

Especially the changes in the relationship between the Nanyang natives and the people of the Ming Dynasty are more clear.

It is nothing more than false and empty words such as that as a citizen of the Ming Dynasty, you should be loyal to the emperor and patriotic.

For Cen Xintong, this is the best news.

It doesn't matter whether he has merit or not. What is important is that he has entered the sight of the big shots in the court and even the emperor.

Forging evidence to destroy the country without permission is more of a sin than a blessing to the imperial court.

If Zhao Zhi and Geng Zimao still have merit, Cen Xintong and Xu Chailao deserve to die.

"When the voice of the Ming Dynasty disappeared, the natives began to be arrogant and domineering, treating the Nanyang Ming people like lambs."

To paraphrase what some people said about him in his previous life, he thinks like a landlord or a wealthy man.

Cen Xingtong was overjoyed and said quickly: "Thank you Chen Bandu for the compliment. I owe this to Zhao Shaoqing and General Geng. I dare not take credit for my humble position."

Cen Xingtong's heart dropped completely and he quickly said:

This kind of hot potato can only be left to the court for disposal.

He directly asked about the situation in Nanyang, how many people there were, what industries they were engaged in, what their relationship was with the natives, etc.

Knowing that the two sides still had such a connection, and that Cen Xintong obviously wanted to surrender, Chen Jingke's attitude towards them changed again.

These are not polite words, but words spoken from the heart.

Although it is a bit harsh, it also points out his flaws to a certain extent.

Think of yourself as a landlord, the common people are all tenants, and the officials are all stewards.

Many policies have been formulated...

Forget it, just don’t mention it.

At least in this life, this situation won't happen again.

Today's Ming Dynasty is shouldering that responsibility.

From now on, no matter where the people of the Ming Dynasty go, they can proudly say, I am a Ming citizen.

Of course, Chen Jingke is not excusing the group of businessmen in Nanyang.

The people there did lack national consciousness until the Spaniards came and taught them what tribe and species are with their butcher knives.

After hundreds of years of wandering, they deeply realized the meaning of nation and country.

Therefore, during the two world wars, overseas Chinese actively donated money and made great contributions to the country's rise.

But this was the beginning of the Ming Dynasty, and the virtues of Nanyang's wealthy families...

Forget it, just don’t mention it either.

As for Xu Chailao being kicked out of the family tree, Chen Jingke just smiled and did not give any comments.

Xu Chailao himself didn't seem to care on the surface, but it could be seen that he was very unhappy inside.

He felt that he had made a great contribution, but the family members would remove him at this time. It was too short-sighted.

Chen Jingke wanted to say that he was still too young.

Well...he's not young anymore even in his thirties.

It's because he stayed in a place like Nanyang for too long and didn't understand many issues deeply enough.

It is true that he has made meritorious deeds, but this merit is not so easy to obtain.

The imperial court approved it, but could not give him a reward out of righteousness.

You can't say that they framed it to create a reason for the Ming Dynasty to destroy the country, right?

If the court did not approve, he would probably be executed.

An ordinary businessman dares to frame up and destroy a country without any intention. This kind of person cannot be retained.

And the possibility of this happening is very high.

Xu Chailao himself didn't realize this, and it's impossible for the old foxes in his family to think of it.

Protecting him may help his light, but there is a greater chance that he will be implicated.

For a large family, seeking stability is more important than seeking success.

So they removed him and tried to clear up the relationship.

However, businessmen are businessmen and have no idea how the court thinks about issues.

Can the relationship be cleared by removing Xu Chailao?
Too childish.

If the imperial court really wants to kill him, the entire Xu family will not be able to escape the involvement.

There is no need to convict anyone, they will disappear silently.

It can only be said that Xu Chailao was lucky and encountered the policy transformation period of the Ming Dynasty.

In the past, he had only one way to die.

But if Ming Dynasty's policy did not change, he would not have the chance to do such a thing.

Overall, Chen Jingke still admires Xu Chailao.

He is courageous and knowledgeable, and has a deeper understanding of his family, country and ethnic group than most of his contemporaries.

With a little training, he becomes a good go-getter. And Chen Jingke has already thought of how to use him.

Next, is the inspection phase.

"The purpose of the Ming Dynasty's opening of the sea was not just to do business and promote national prestige, but also had a more far-reaching plan."

"However, no matter how long-term a plan is, it must start from the feet. Nanyang will be the next strategic focus of the Ming Dynasty."

"What do you think can be done to truly control Nanyang?"

Xu Chailao was very shocked. Ming Dynasty actually had such ambitions?
And then there's the ecstasy, which is wonderful.

He was born in Nanyang and knows the place very well. This is his advantage.

I can’t say that my glory and wealth are still in Nanyang.

He knew that now was his chance to show off his skills, and whether he could be reused depended on these questions and answers.

So he didn't rush to answer, but fell into thinking.

Cen Xintong was also secretly nervous. Although he took advantage of Xu Chailao at the beginning, this is how friendship between people comes about.

The two could be said to be natural allies, so he was naturally worried.

But he also knew that this was a test for Xu Chailao, and he couldn't say anything.

Chen Jingke did not rush and waited quietly.

After a while, Xu Chailao raised his head and said:

"If the Ming Dynasty wanted to explore Southeast Asia, one place was the most critical, Malacca."

Chen Jingke nodded secretly in his heart. In his previous life, this was common sense, but in this era, being able to realize this is already very powerful.

He asked calmly: "Oh, why?"

Xu Chailao traced the terrain of Nanyang with his hands and explained:
“Siam, Manchuria, Sumatra, and Java, the narrow territories of these countries are like walls, surrounding Nanyang.”

"There are only two entrances and exits, one is the Malacca Strait, and the other is the exit from Java."

"But if you go to Java, you have to walk thousands of miles each time."

"Not only is it dangerous, but it also wastes time. Basically no one takes that road."

"So, the Malacca Strait is the gate to Nanyang. Whoever controls this place will control the entire Nanyang."

Chen Jingke did not comment, but asked: "Occupation is easy, but what happens next?"

Xu Chailao hesitated for a moment and said: "This... such a big matter has its own decision made by the court. How dare I, a small citizen, comment on it."

There was a hint of smile in Chen Jingke's eyes, not bad, he was a person who knew how to measure things.

"It's okay, I asked you to say it. If you have any ideas, just say it."

"If you say it well, I will give you a credit. If you say it wrong, it doesn't matter."

Xu Chailao then said: "There are many islands near the Strait of Malacca. The Ming Dynasty can choose a large island suitable for living as the location for its garrison."

"Use this island as a base to control the entire Malacca Strait channel."

"But that alone is not enough. If the name is not right, the words will not be right."

"It is best to use the Ming Dynasty's status as a superior country to determine the ownership of the strait with the vassal states, and confirm the Ming Dynasty's ownership of the strait in rituals."

"In this way, Ming Dynasty can manage in a legitimate and legitimate manner..."

"Then, Ming Dynasty only needs to set up a checkpoint here to block the gate."

"The imperial court can impose customs duties on passing ships..."

Xu Chailao said a lot of ideas. Regardless of whether they were right or wrong, at least he really had many ideas.

After he finished speaking, Chen Jingke asked again:

"Do you think it is better to impose tariffs or to build a city for merchant ships to dock, replenish supplies, and repair ships?"

Xu Chailao said matter-of-factly: "Of course I want them all. Thousands of ships pass through here every year."

"After the Ming Dynasty opens the sea, more ships will pass through here."

"The customs duties alone can equal the taxes of the Ming Dynasty."

"The city you mentioned will definitely become the most prosperous place in Southeast Asia."

"With this city as its back, the naval forces stationed there can also get rest and supplies..."

Chen Jingke laughed dumbly. This question was indeed a bit stupid.

In the previous life, the Malacca Strait was a public channel, and ships passing through it were free of charge.

But now the Ming Dynasty has the final say in all of Asia. It is only natural to set up a tax collection gate in the Malacca Strait.

No one dared to say no.

As for whether the collection of tariffs will affect the passage of ships and thus affect import and export trade...

Just look at the Suez Canal, where all ships passing through are taxed.

Still out of the way, it becomes one of the busiest waterways in the world.

There is also the Panama Canal, where customs clearance fees are even more expensive, with an additional blockage costing millions of dollars.

There are still thousands of ships queuing to pass every day.

The Ming Dynasty set up a card to collect taxes in the Malacca Strait. As long as it was not too excessive, it would have no impact on business.

And why should the passing ships go to the port controlled by the Ming Dynasty to replenish?

Isn’t it the same when going to a port controlled by another country?

It would be different if you set up a card to collect taxes. You must go to the islands controlled by the Ming Dynasty to pay taxes.

We have to go anyway, so let’s just solve it together.

To put it bluntly, this is also a way to attract traffic.

"If you were asked to manage this city, what would you do?"

Xu Chailao's heartbeat suddenly accelerated. Could it be that my wealth is here?

Taking a deep breath to calm down, he said that he would share his thoughts.

To sum it up in one sentence, it provides a comfortable environment for merchant ships.

Chen Jingke nodded in approval. As a businessman, he is indeed more suitable than ordinary people to manage a commercial city.

He knows what businessmen fear most and what they need most.

Some of the suggestions put forward are entirely in response to these needs.

Chen Jingke couldn't help but look forward to how prosperous this city would be when it was really built.

What a shock it will bring to this era.

But in some aspects, he disagreed and even opposed it.

"Everything else is easy to say. It is best not to open casinos, or even ban gambling."

Xu Chailao asked in confusion: "Why?"

Casinos are gold-selling caves. Building a few casinos in such a hub can be said to be a day-to-day success.

Chen Jingke said solemnly: "What Ming Dynasty needs is order... Let's put it this way, business is a chicken farm."

"What Ming Dynasty needs is for chickens to be fat and strong so that they can continuously lay more eggs."

"You should know how harmful casinos are. What they do is kill the goose that lays the goose to lay eggs."

"If gambling flourishes here, there will be huge gains indeed in the short term, but the harm will be endless in the long term."

"So we have to take a long-term view."

"We cannot take the initiative to lead them down a wrong path. Instead, we must advise them to take a journey and make more money."

"The policies we formulate should also be conducive to the healthy and long-term development of the entire industry."

Xu Chailao said with admiration: "Chen Bandu is far-sighted and the common people admire him."

Seeing them chatting happily, Cen Xingtong was a little envious, and more happy for Xu Chailao.

Having brought him out from Nanyang, I finally lived up to my trust and friendship.

The three of them chatted until it got dark and it was almost time for curfew, so Cen Xingtong and Cen Xintong stood up to leave.

Chen Jingke stood up and sent them to the door of the main room. The two were flattered by this treatment and thanked them repeatedly.

"Don't think about anything when you go back. The imperial court will issue a decree soon, and you won't be disappointed."

The two of them were even more grateful and bowed down again: "Thank you Chen Bandu, I am willing to do your best."

Chen Jingke just smiled and said, "Doing good work is the best reward for me, so go ahead."

After the two of them left, he returned to his study and started writing a memorial.

(End of this chapter)