Chongzhen revived the Ming Dynasty

Chapter 189 Water Margin and Recruitment
Because the conversation was private, Yu Zigao did not have so many scruples and told Qi Changguo and Li Shunzu many of the facts about Fujian.

He knew that Jin Yiwei must need this information. Whether and how to tell the emperor was also their business.

Qi Changguo and Li Shunzu knew the emperor's methods, and they also knew that their current status depended on the emperor's trust. Tell the emperor almost exactly what Yu Zigao said.

Zhu Youjian was very happy to hear that Zheng Zhilong was waiting to be appeased. Knowing that Ming Dynasty has lost another front, the maritime borders will not be in chaos.

After recruiting Zheng Zhilong, the largest pirate gang, it would be best for Liu Xiang and other pirate gangs to surrender. If not, Zheng Zhilong can be sent to deal with them——

It was obvious that Zheng Zhilong was learning Song Jiang's hypocritical methods, so Zhu Youjian used corresponding methods to deal with him.

After Song Jiang was recruited, he was ordered to attack Fang La. If Zheng Zhilong wants to imitate Song Jiang, he has to fight pirates.

However, because "Water Margin" clearly stated the fate of the people after being recruited, Zhu Youjian knew that Zheng Zhilong, like those bandit leaders, was wary of the imperial court——

After being recruited, these people will instinctively stick together to protect themselves. If the court's measures are slightly inappropriate, they may surrender and rebel again.

The influence of "Water Margin" is too great. Needless to say, "Donglin Dianjianglu" compiled by the eunuch party, when the refugees rebelled in the late Ming Dynasty, the bandits of different groups held large gatherings many times, and the leaders of the bandits made jokes The influence of "Water Margin" can be seen in the name. These people were unwilling to sincerely surrender to the imperial court, and they also saw the fate of Song Jiang, a capitulation faction.

It can be said that for Zhu Youjian, "Water Margin" was not "good for surrender", but that it had a too bad impact on Zhao An. If he hadn't known that it couldn't be banned, Zhu Youjian would have banned it.

After "Water Margin", the gangs of thieves and bandits no longer have any culture, and they also know the consequences of being recruited. The cost of recruiting people to the imperial court has skyrocketed.

Like now, when Zhu Youjian recruits Zheng Zhilong, he has to find a way to make him feel at ease:

"What method should be used?" 』

"The Ming Dynasty had a very bad reputation in terms of recruitment. Wang Zhi was killed after being recruited as a typical example. Zheng Zhilong must have been wary. 』

"If Zheng Zhilong is not allowed to get rid of his guard, it is impossible for him to really be used by the court. 』

They are unable to wipe out Zheng Zhilong's gang, but they don't want him to grow stronger through his official status after being recruited. Zhu Youjian was quite embarrassed about this matter and fell into thinking.

Qi Changguo continued his report and mentioned that Zheng Zhilong extorted wealthy households to "repay water", which he regarded as robbery. In Zhu Youjian's view, it has other meanings.

He knew that this was Zheng Zhilong setting the rules along the coast of Fujian. As long as this rule was established, reporting water would become reporting taxes.

Daring to collect taxes on behalf of the imperial court illustrates Zheng Zhilong's ambition. Such an ambitious person cannot be allowed to grow along the coast of Fujian.

So after thinking about it, Zhu Youjian took up the previous idea of ​​Chengtian title again. He wanted to drive Zheng Zhilong overseas and prevent him from staying in Fujian.

Moreover, the best way to relieve Zheng Zhilong's wariness is to become a knight. The court's reputation in terms of titles can make people trust it.

It can be said that the Ming Dynasty had a very bad reputation in terms of recruitment, and the court never gave credibility to bandit leaders.

In terms of title, Daming's reputation is very good. Many nobles who share the same relationship with the country are proving this point.

If Zheng Zhilong and others were knighted, they would definitely feel more at ease. Because except for the unstable period in the early years of the Republic of China, very few people in the Ming Dynasty were deprived of their titles. You can count them on your fingers.

It is impossible for Zheng Zhilong and others to think that the imperial court would ruin the reputation of the title for pirates like them.

Even the leader of the grassland tribe also believed this. Therefore, when Zhu Youjian canonized them as Shuntian nobles, he successfully recruited them.

It can be said that the reputation of the title is one of the few positive assets of the Ming Dynasty. Zhu Youjian is cashing it in to save the crumbling Ming Dynasty——

Whether it is the canonization of Shuntian nobles, the idea of ​​Chengtian nobles, or the implementation of well-field feudalism in Liaodong, they are all trying to realize this reputation.

At this moment, Zhu Youjian took out the Chengtian nobles he had previously imagined to appease Zheng Zhilong. Because martial law has been implemented overseas, management can be directly issued without going through the external court. Zhu Youjian immediately said:

"It is proposed that Dongning Wei Qianhu, who was conferred by Zheng Zhilong, be converted into a baron."

"The hundred households of Dongning Guards who were conferred by other leaders will be converted into knighthoods."

"Tell them that as long as Dongningwei is successfully established, these titles can be converted to hereditary status."

"In the future, they will become Chengtian nobles and even have fiefdoms overseas."

Such a generous reward surprised Qi Changguo and others. At the same time, it was also confirmed that the previously reported rumors of a noble official being transferred to a noble title were not just rumors.

Can't Zheng Zhilong and others convert their official positions into titles?

According to rumors, the two hereditary commanders can be converted into hereditary viscounts and first-class sons. As long as they work hard, they can obtain the hereditary earl title.

It can be said that the words spoken by the emperor officially confirmed this matter. It made them feel very excited and excited.

Jiang Dejing, the editor of the Hanlin Academy who was in charge of imperial edicts, was away and was sent by Zhu Youjian to Huguang to appease the King of Chu. Today, it is Jiangding Town that manages the imperial edict. This person is also an editor of the Hanlin Academy, but he was not selected by Zhu Youjian because he was embellished during the selection process.

However, considering that he is very obedient, he will do whatever he is told. Zhu Youjian promoted him and specially formulated the central decree.

This time the pirate leader was knighted, and he raised no objection.

Some officials thought it was inappropriate, but they could only record the emperor's words and had no power to dissuade him.

Therefore, Zhu Youjian's decree on knighthood was quickly drawn up.

Looking at this decree, Zhu Youjian asked Jiang Dingzhen to write a few more copies, and then said to Wang Wenzheng:
"Choose a reliable chamberlain and work with Jin Yiwei to deliver the decree to Fujian as soon as possible."

"Tell Zhu Yifeng, the governor of Fujian, that I will give him two to three barons and about ten knights to recruit Zheng Zhilong's gang."

"After the recruitment, let a baron lead the elite ships and soldiers to go north, and the remaining troops will serve as the soldiers and civilians of the Dongning Guard and go to the big island in the east to open up the Dongning Guard."

"After the development of Dongning Guard is completed, all official positions will be ennobled according to their contribution and converted into hereditary titles, and fiefdoms will be selected on the island."

"This is a condition for recruitment. Let Zhu Yifeng get it done as soon as possible."

The basic conditions for recruitment were stipulated. In order to ensure that Zhu Yifeng recruited Zheng Zhilong according to his will, Zhu Youjian ordered:

"Bring Zhu Yifeng a silver medal, and ask him to tell me what happened directly with the silver medal."

"Tell him that if this matter can be handled well, I will reward him with the title of Dongning Weishi, which can be converted into a hereditary title in the future."

"After Zheng Zhilong accepted the offer, he was also given a silver medal. He was asked to present the conditions that were inconvenient to him through a secret report."

　Liu Luan's "Five Stone Gourd·Water Margin Novel for Disaster":
　　Shenzong read "Water Margin" well. Or say: This is the beginning of thieves in the world.

　　Zhang Xianzhong was so cunning that he asked people to read the books "Three Kingdoms" and "Water Margin", and to ambush and attack Xianxiao.

　　In the 15th year of Chongzhen's reign: "(Water Margin)" was collected by every family and the original version was ordered to be burned and not allowed to be concealed.

　　"Records of Emperor Gaozongchun" of the Qing Dynasty: Those who fooled the people into being confused by cults and getting close to bandits were probably caused by reading this evil book.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)