Win the Ding 1617

This time going north to trade, the Zheng family made a lot of money.

"Brother, I asked several accountants to do the calculations several times, including our capital, the food and water of the boatmen and sailors, and the loss of a dozen boats that were sunk and taken away by that little girl Li Huamei. , we earned more than 700 million silver dollars in Beijing and Liudu! It’s more than Chongzhen’s children’s taxes in a year!”

Zheng Zhihu, who returned to Xiamen excitedly, handed in the account books of this northward trade to his brother Zheng Zhilong.

A large number of Liaodong specialties were wholesaled by the Fan family, Wang family, Huang family and others in Tianjin, in exchange for boxes and boxes of silver dollars. Similarly, in Nanjing and Yangzhou, high-quality furs were also snapped up by those big businessmen. empty.

"You mean to gain a lot?"

Zheng Zhilong's face was as calm as an ancient well.The income of more than seven million silver dollars did not seem to make him happy.

"That's right! Brother, I think besides the money, Fusongwan has gained experience, which is the biggest gain! Also, Shi Daxuan's son Shi Lang is also a good player! On the way back, the two little guys were with me Said that we should build big ships like the Nanyue Army in Xiamen, build more large red-haired ships, and install more cannons, so as not to be unable to escape after being intercepted!"

With a wry smile, Zheng Zhilong ordered someone to close the carved wooden door, and took out a stack of letters and official documents from the drawer.

"Shortly after you went north, my place was full of people."

Zheng Zhilong, who is in charge of the Fujian army, owns a huge naval fleet, and travels with him, is also in the eyes of Jiangnan businessmen because he lies within the maritime anti-smuggling range of Li Shouhan's three provinces.Immediately became a popular figure.All of a sudden, acquaintances, strangers, acquaintances who nodded, came to the door one after another.

Without exception, it was either visiting or exchanging letters. Even Qian Qianyi, who may not be able to reply to one of Zheng Sen's three letters in the past, wrote several letters with his own hand.

these people.Without exception, they first praised Zheng Zhilong's personality and achievements.How to hold loyalty in the midst of thousands of hectares of waves, think of being loyal to the emperor and serving the country, and resolutely accept the recruitment, (amount. It seems that Zheng Zhilong’s recruitment was spent a lot of money. At this time, Xiong Wencan, who advocated recruiting him, has already returned because of Zhang Xianzhong’s surrender The rebel was beheaded by Chongzhen.) For the court, he wiped out pirates in Fujian, Guangdong and other places.The red-haired barbarians who violated our borders were wiped out.

After that, the conversation changed, and he began to yell at the court for treacherous and sycophant power.Harm good people, extort money, and rob merchants at sea under the guise of pirates.

"Brother, who are these bird people talking about? Isn't this calling the thief bald in front of the monk?" Hearing this, Zheng Zhihu couldn't stand it and jumped up.

After the Zheng family recruited security, they wiped out Liu Xiang and other colleagues on the sea. For a while, their power was huge.Maritime merchants everywhere have to buy it. In order to be safe, these people went to the Zheng family's barracks and spent money to buy a Zheng family's flag to hang on it. an insurance policy.The price of this safety flag varies, and it is generally determined according to the draft specifications of the ship.

If there is no such flag, or if the Zheng family knows that the goods carried on the ship are too enviable, then these ship owners will inevitably be ransacked by pirates.

Zheng Zhihu, who had such a ruffian in his heart, heard this, of course, immediately became furious.

"sit down!"

Zheng Zhilong shouted majestically.

Regarding the authority of the eldest brother, Zheng Zhihu, the titan who is not at all afraid of the enemy's artillery salvo, did not dare to violate it a little bit, so he sat down and drank tea obediently.

"These people are talking about Li Shouhan!"

After the Nanking turmoil, Shouhan moved the Haiphong Yamen of the three provinces to Shanghai County, which is adjacent to the Cape of Songjiang Prefecture.

At the same time, it is unavoidable to order someone to find Zhang Xiaohu, the commander of the navy fleet, and others, and teach them face-to-face.

Not long after, a large group of pirates used Tamra Island as their lair, and traveled between Wusongkou and Hangzhou Bay. When they encountered ships from Jiangnan merchants going out to sea, they immediately plundered all the people and ships, including the goods on board.

At first, these merchants thought that there were indeed pirates making trouble, but soon after some people escaped from Tamna Island, the truth spread along with rumors in Jiangnan and Jiangbei.

"Where are there pirates!? It is clear that the Southern Guangdong Army is pretending to be a thief and robbing! Robbing merchants!"

"It's no wonder that Li Shouhan is so rich, he bribed the imperial court with a lot of money at every turn, but he is just like that Shi Chong!"

The merchants who suffered heavy losses cursed Li Shouhan angrily when their own fleet was beaten by several gunboats as soon as they left Hangzhou Bay or Wusongkou.

In the past, every silk came out and every silver came in!Now it is not only that there is no money in the account, but also those old and weak women and children who have lost their husbands and sons cry outside the gate of the house.

There was also a bright mind, and I remembered the announcement posted in Nanjing and nearby counties that day. In the announcement jointly issued by the Caojiang Yamen and the Haiphong Yamen, it was announced that the joint defense of the river and the sea would no longer be carried out, but it also said that if there were pirates. That kind of thing don't come to me for words.Aren't the pirates here now?

After finding the root of the disease, these veterans have a prescription for curing the disease.As a result, the garrison yamen, the Caojiang yamen, and the nobles in Nanjing, which were in a hurry with Jiangnan and Jiangbei, suddenly became popular.The east family please listen to the music, and the west family please enjoy the scenery.There is no other purpose, just want to ask for a safe way.

"Holding and hitting things that are going backwards!" All the lords cursed in their hearts.

Therefore, according to the price agreed in advance, one side of the flag of Caojiang Yamen will be used for five thousand silver a month.

The flag was hung on the mast, and after going out to sea, I met those vicious sea heroes, and it really worked, but those people no longer fired guns, killed people, seized ships and robbed cargo, but sent people on board to check it out, according to the cargo. prices are taxed.If there is no money to pay taxes, it is also possible to move some goods accordingly.

Although it cost a lot and made the merchants very painful, it is much better than the previous loss of money.

However, how can a mere fifty flags meet the needs of the entire Jiangnan?These fifty flags are no less than adding fuel to the fire.Immediately, Shilin's dissatisfaction with Li Shouhan was pushed to a new height.As a result, all kinds of celebrities, mountain people, bigwigs who had returned to their hometowns after returning to their official positions, and officials in charge of various ministries and yamen in Nanjing came out one after another to signal to Zheng Zhilong.

"Brother, what are they going to do?"

Zheng Zhihu didn't understand. In the past, when these adults and gentlemen met him who was born in the sea, they would cover their noses and leave.Why is it so now?

"Do you think they are disciples of saints? They belong to his aunt! They all worship Zhao Gongming as their patriarch! You see, sooner or later, as long as the price is right, this group of guys will be able to sell them for a lot. Two clean!"

Zheng Zhilong was somewhat disapproving of his younger brother's bad attitude towards those Jiangnan scholars and natural allies. "Whether they sell or not is none of our business. Let's just think about how to deal with the pressing force of the Li family."

From a pile of letters and documents.Zhilong checked out an official document.

It is covered with cinnabar Guanfang the size of a cow's hoof.

Guan Fang is impressively ordered to supervise the coastal defense of the three provinces and handle anti-smuggling matters.

"This Li Shouhan. I really thought that with this eight-two-fold copper bump, I became his subordinate?" Zheng Zhilong's face showed a hint of ferocity and disdain.

The official document was a notice-type official document sent by the superior to his subordinates, informing Fujian General Zheng Zhilong to go to Guangzhou to discuss matters in November of the 12th year of Chongzhen to discuss the coastal defense of the three provinces of Zhili in southern Fujian and Guangdong.

For this document.Zheng Zhilong returned a copy very politely, claiming that he had an old injury, and the winter was humid, and rheumatism had recurred, which was not conducive to walking, so he would not go to the meeting this time.

However, less than ten days after this document was sent away, another official document was delivered to Zheng Zhilong by a messenger from the Southern Guangdong Army on a fast boat.

The official document is very polite, and Shou Han is completely in the tone of a boss caring about his subordinates.In the official document, Shou Han told Zheng Zhilong that since Zongbing Zheng is not fit for long-distance travel by sea or land in winter, then our discussion will be held in Zongbing Zheng's jurisdiction, and Ben Jue will bring along some good doctors along the way , and a few colleagues went to Zheng Zongbing's mansion to visit, so as to give Zheng Zongbing a diagnosis and treatment!

"This! This?" Although Zheng Zhihu was not as sophisticated as Zheng Zhibao, he still smelled a strong smell of gunpowder from this official document.His hand holding the official document couldn't help shaking, and even the official document rustled.Judging from the date of issuance on those two official documents, it was right after he had a conflict with Li Huamei in Baisha Waterway.In this way, the situation is clear at a glance.

After Shouhan returned to Guangzhou, his new nest, he was thinking about how to establish himself as the admiral of the three provinces' coastal defense anti-smuggling authority. He didn't want his daughter to send him Zheng Zhilong's blatant smuggling of grain to the north for profit, and clashed with the navy of the Southern Guangdong Army. , Whoever it is, should make good use of this matter!

On several hilltops in Xiamen, bustling crowds were moving heavy wood and stones, stones the size of a thumb, and bundles of heavy iron bars.Most of them are the ashes produced in Nanzhong in wooden barrels, and a large amount of sand dug from several river mouth sand dredgers.

"From Gulangyu Island to Jinmen Island and Xiamen Island, I am ordering people to build forts, under the unified supervision of Zhibao. In this way, Xiamen Fort, Hulishan Fort, and Gulangyu Fort will become corners, and any ship passing through The surface of Jinxia sea will be surrounded by my artillery fire on three sides, no matter how many ships, no matter how good the artillery is, it will not help!"

Numerous civilian men were organized into teams of one hundred people. Those who were responsible for transporting burnt ash, gravel and sand were only responsible for transporting them. There was another team responsible for mixing the burnt gravel and ash in one place, and another team was responsible for mixing them well. Burned ash sand was quickly transported to the construction site in large wooden barrels, and the person in charge of the construction poured the mortar and iron bars together.

"When the Hulishan Fort was built back then, we should have worked hard to build all these forts. It's a pity that we had a good relationship with Li at that time, and we helped each other. Besides, the cost at that time There are too many people, and there are too many people to manage. Where can I raise such a large amount of expenses? It has become easier and safer in the past few years. Huamei's little girl's marriage is settled, so that the Li family can live in peace and make a fortune together. I didn't expect that this person worked twice as a king, and became an earl in one fell swoop. Times have changed, and this fort has to be repaired !"

In order to build these life-saving forts, Zheng Zhilong had already spent nearly 100 million silver dollars to collect ashes, iron bars and other things in Nanzhong through merchants from various places.Go to various places to purchase sand, gravel and wood, and build fortifications according to the memories of the forts in Nanzhong Yuehai Tower and other places in the navy's impression.

In addition to the fort, there are various fortifications built for infantry.Breast walls, ditches, traps, horse faces, platforms, and thatched huts made of bamboo and wood for personnel to rest and stay.For the sake of confidentiality and to save manpower to the greatest extent, Zheng Zhibao specially implemented the water flow operation method. Those who dig trenches and do earthwork can only do this, and those who bind iron bars are done by a group of professional scaffolders, who are responsible for the last one. The process is a group of masons.

But if the Southern Guangdong Army found the people who were working at that time and wanted to know the situation of these forts.I'm afraid no one can tell clearly.

"With all due respect. Young Marshal. We can't win this battle!"

In Zheng Sen's study room, next to the shelf with one large, two small and three Japanese knives, an incense burner full of copper rust was slowly exhaling bursts of ambergris from the beast's mouth.

The bookshelves are full of classic works of Four Books and Five Classics and Neo-Confucianism. On the desk, the ink on Zheng Sen's apprentice post to Qian Qianyi is not completely dry.

When Shi Lang was invited by Zheng Sen to speak in his study.I studied from him for three years at the Naval Academy of the Nanyue Army.Familiar with both parties.When someone who knew himself and the enemy asked what the Fujian army's odds would be if the two armies fought together, Shi Lang shook his head and gave this answer.

For Shi Lang's excellent performance on Baisha Waterway.The Zheng family's army is already well-known, and many people have already determined that this boy from the Shi family must be the best of the next generation in the Zheng family's army, and there are many people who show their friendship in private.

Seeing Shi Lang's head shaking like a rattle, Zheng Sen suppressed his heart and wanted to jump up and give this guy a three-bin (Japanese, slap in the face. In many of our literary works, devil officers beat soldiers, and veterans beat recruits. Give it!) impulse, but his face still has a look of polite corporal.

"Brother Shi, you served in the Southern Guangdong Army, so there must be a source for your words?"

"Young Marshal, among other things, our Fujian navy was engaged in maritime business before recruiting security. Both the Marshal and my father were making a living during the turmoil at sea. What they did was nothing more than transporting a certain product produced in Jiadi to thousands of miles away. Outside of B, they trade with people from C to earn dozens of times the price difference. It can be said that they are just merchants. However, the Southern Guangdong Army is different."

"What's the difference? They controlled Manga and monopolized the water trade routes to Japan and Southeast Asia. Isn't it for huge profits?"

Hearing Zheng Sen's words, Shi Lang smiled, looked around, and fixed his eyes on the sword and ribs.

"Young Marshal, can I borrow it to have a look?"

The Taidao and ribs are made of high-quality iron and steel by master craftsmen for decoration, and the ends are extremely sharp and gorgeous.Shi Lang looked at it and just nodded, but didn't say much.

"Young Marshal, this knife is a good knife, but the steel is from Nanzhong."

"Also, the robe on your body and the clothes on your lower body should be made of dyed cotton cloth from Nanzhong. The cotton produced in Tianzhu is printed and dyed by Tonghe dyeing workshop."

"Also, construction work is under way in various parts of Xiamen, Gulangyu, and Kinmen to rush to repair the forts. Young Marshal, those burnt ashes and iron bars are all produced by Nanzhong. Not only the steel, cotton, etc., but also our The Fujian navy and even the entire Fujian province probably purchased more than half of the food from Nanzhong. There are also artillery, knives, gunpowder, and firecrackers used by the navy, which one is not produced in Nanzhong?"

When Shi Lang said a word, Zheng Sen's face turned pale. After talking about it, Zheng Sen's face was already a little gray, as ugly as a dead person.

Shi Lang's words well pointed out the essential gap between the Southern Guangdong Army and the Zheng family's maritime merchant gang.One is a manufacturer and trader with a very strong scale and strength, and the other is at most a relatively powerful logistics businessman in the circulation field.

"If, as you said, our army has tens of thousands of people and thousands of large and small ships, we will hand them over to Li Shouhan?"

Following the deep voice, someone kicked Zheng Sen's study door open.

There are not many people in this mansion who can act so boldly.

It was Zheng Zhilong who came, and behind him, Zheng Zhihu and Zheng Zhibao followed closely.

Shi Lang couldn't help but change his face when he saw the head of the family coming. Although he could talk eloquently in front of Zheng Sen, he was still a little guilty when he saw Zheng Zhilong.

"Shi family boy, you just said our shortcomings, and what you said is somewhat reasonable. Tell me again, is the Southern Cantonese Army invincible? Don't they have any weaknesses?"

Gathering his mind for a while, Shi Lang replied in a deep voice: "Commander, yes!"

"Please give me a map, Commander!"

After Shi Lang dipped in cinnabar and circled and sketched on the huge map, the situation of the Nanyue Army and Zheng Jiahai Business Group appeared in front of Zheng Zhilong and others.

From Tamna Island, Shanghai County, and Zhoushan Islands in the north, to Japan, Taiwan, Ryukyu in the east, and Guangdong in the south, they were all occupied by small red circles representing the Southern Guangdong Army.However, its own territory, air routes, and commercial routes can only be limited to one place in Fujian, and there are barely a few routes leading to South Zhili.

"Southern Guangdong Army, the navy has many ships and many artillery ships. It can be said that the ship is strong and powerful. Often a round of artillery passes by, and a big blessing ship is wiped out. However, there is also a fatal weakness!"

"What weakness?" Zheng Zhihu's hand held Shi Lang's hand tightly like a pair of pliers. (to be continued..)