Ming Zhengzhi, I am Zheng Kezang

In mid-July, Liu Guoxuan returned to Dongning from Penghu, and then Zheng Kezang held a military-political joint meeting. At the meeting, it was unanimously agreed that although the Qing government had sent Shi Lang as the admiral of the Fujian Navy, the Qing army’s ships were not in order, and Fujian also suffered from drought. There is a shortage, and it is impossible to use troops against Taiwan in a short period of time. At this stage, Zheng Jun's main task is still to assist the slave labor team of the Ministry of Industry and the Dongning people who have been recruited for labor to work together to dig wells, repair canals, and fight drought.

Although the military and political conference made a quiet deal, due to the deliberate spread of Fu Weilin who returned to Taiwan, Shi Lang's arrival still caused unrest in Dongning. For this reason, on July 27, Zheng Kezang mobilized General Kou , You Dudu and Kuang Mingbo Wang Jingong of the Rear Army Governor's Mansion were the officers of the Army Division, and General Fengdanglu, the former Army Governor's Mansion Dudu Qianshi, and Zhang Xueyao were the Deputy Division Officers.The next day, Zheng Kezang announced that Chen Mengwei, the eldest son of Chen Yonghua, was the official of the Ministry of Civil Affairs of the fifth rank, the examination of meritorious service and clearing the officials, and that Cai Qian, the former doctor of the Ministry of War, was transferred from the fourth rank and Huaidu. Secretary.In this way, coupled with Yu Ping, the Secretary of the Military Constitution Department, who has already taken office, the Ministry of War has taken the lead in completing the restructuring under the current situation of the enemy, but Liu Guoxuan still has reservations about the restructuring of the Ministry of War

"I give this ship the Feitian." Zheng Kezang slammed the clay pot lightly, and the aroma of sugarcane wine wafted out, so the largest 180-ton ([-] materials) ship in the Boy Scout Navy The brig left the tide-filled dock slowly driven by the towing boat. "Although a few of you are about to leave." When the boat actually floated to the surface of the sea, Zheng Kezang thanked several British, Guilian and Li craftsmen who were about to return to China. "But I still want to say thank you. You have perfectly completed the contract and trained qualified craftsmen for us. Your name is always worthy of our memory."

Zheng Kezang clapped his hands, and a guard in a flying fish robe brought a box. After opening it, Zheng Kezang took out a few shiny silver medals, and then hung the ribbons made of silk around the British man's neck one by one: "I On behalf of the Ming Emperor, I confer on you the Medal of Loyalty and Diligence in recognition of your achievements."

The British guys stood up straight. Although they still couldn't figure out the relationship between the Ming Emperor and the Dongning King in front of them, it was a big deal for them to be able to bring back a medal bestowed by the king from far away China. The unprecedented glory is enough for ordinary craftsmen like them to squeeze into the upper class of Britain in the future.

Of course, Zheng Kezang did not simply confer a medal. Along with the medal, there was a thank-you letter signed by Zheng Kezang and a certificate about the medal, and the owner and officials of the British Guilin Chamber of Commerce made a statement on the side. Forensics, the whole set of procedures is much more complicated than that implemented in the boy scouts, but this is also the style of Zheng Kezang's Qianjin Shigu. As for whether he can invite a real expert, how can he know if he doesn't try it.

"I hope that you can continue to contribute to the friendship between the two countries after returning to China, and I hope that you can introduce more technicians to Dongning after returning to China." Zheng Kezang also knew that no matter how good he said now, it was empty, so he took Gifts were given out one by one. "This is Yu's last gift, I hope you like it."

Zheng Kezang left the shipwrights and walked down the stage, and Stevenson came over, but today was different, the British guy had just walked in, and two swordfish guards stood in front of him, Stevenson knew it Bowing to Zheng Kezang, Zheng Kezang nodded slightly, and the two guards let him pass, but a few pairs of guarded eyes were still fixed on him, for fear that this Hongyi would do anything unfavorable.

"Your Majesty, you are too generous." Stevenson complimented first. "I didn't expect you to confer the title of lord. I think those shipbuilders who didn't accept the recruitment will regret it. Of course, those extra silks are also very beautiful. Oh, and the tea, my God, when they arrived in Europe, they It’s worth more than gold.”

Since the Ming Zheng regime has not set foot in the inland of Taiwan with high terrain, there are not many places suitable for tea plantation under the rule, and the actual output is even lower. People usually can only quench their thirst with barley tea or honeysuckle and other medicinal teas, but a few Zheng Kezang could still afford a piece of tea brick, and the same goes for silk, but these are extremely valuable foreign trade products, and only the rich and powerful in the island can afford them. Stevenson, who is unwilling to buy them out of his own pocket, is no exception. .

"I really envy those shipbuilders. It's a pity why I didn't go to the shipyard to study." Stevenson continued to compliment, but the ultimate goal was only one. "Your Majesty, I heard that you have decided to terminate the previous contract from next year due to financial constraints and weather problems leading to food shortages."

"Where did you hear the rumor?" Zheng Kezang immediately denied it. "Although the drought did cause a reduction in the production of rice and wheat, the temporarily rushed potatoes still provided enough food. Of course, the clan still needs to import some grain as military rations and reserves, but this will never affect the clan's ability to pay."

"I heard that many tea trees and mulberry trees are dead." Stevenson did not accept Zheng Kezang's explanation. "Can it be considered that your payment has been affected to a certain extent." Zheng Kezang did not answer, but Stevenson said seriously before him. "Your Majesty, I personally believe in your reputation, but this matter is very important. It is related to whether our business hall can continue to exist in Dazu. Please don't deceive me."

"The owner of the museum is really aggressive." Zheng Kezang chuckled. "Okay, to be honest, this contract needs to be revised." Stevenson's face collapsed, but Zheng Kezang chose to turn a blind eye. "It will mainly reduce the import of black slaves." Zheng Kezang explained. "This is also to ensure the supply of food. Of course, if this part is reduced, other parts will increase accordingly." These words made Stevenson's face turn cloudy. "Next year, our clan will increase imports of iron ore and saltpeter. Of course, if you have spare space and can bring some food along the way, this clan will also be very grateful."

"As long as His Majesty is willing to continue to fulfill the contract, I believe that the British East India Company will assist His Majesty to achieve his wish." Stevenson's face flushed, and Taiwan's performance was related to his status within the company, so he couldn't help but care. "Of course, it would be even more perfect if His Majesty can award me a medal or a title."

"The curator is joking." Zheng Kezang politely refused. "It is the custom in this dynasty that only the people of this dynasty can confer titles. Is it possible that the owner of the museum wants to become a Ming nationality? I am afraid that if you become naturalized, you will not be the owner of the museum." Of course Zheng Kezang knows that the European hierarchy is far stronger than that of China. Be strict, so I am afraid that Stevenson will really return it for a noble title, so he immediately gave the other party a relief dumpling. "However, if you can provide a large amount of food, I will not hesitate to give you a medal."

After sending away Stevenson and a group of British guys, Zheng Kezang brought Su Dagong and Ma Yuan over: "Yingyi has already left, and we will have our own next, Ma Yuan, Tang Tong, now let you Is there any problem with building a brig yourself?"

The two-masted schooners built by Ma Yuan have been delivered to the Yuanhang Battalion, just to replace the damaged Knight, and the young men who can only help Su Dagong for the time being, look at me and I look at you, and I swear Assured Zheng Kezang: "Grandchildren, we have already learned what we should learn. If the British, Guilian and Li can make it, we will be able to make it."

"It's good to have confidence, but you have to do what you say." Speaking of this, Zheng Kezang looked at Su Dagong. "Mr. Su, I'm sorry to trouble you to keep an eye on them for Yu." Su Dagong, who was getting older and older, nodded in response. Seeing that his back was a little hunched, Zheng Kezang remembered the promise he had made back then. "Mr. Su, the Boy Scout Shipyard is Yu's private property. Now it is under the name of the Anping City Manager's Office. I will bother Mr. Su to be a deputy envoy at the shipyard." Mr. Su was taken aback, then listened to Zheng Kezang's order. "In the above form, recommend Su Sancai to be the deputy director of the Qipinhu Guangbu Political and Sili Wenzhi Office. Ask, what is the name of the horse foreman, and the form is the governor of the Zhengjiupin Anqing Mansion."

Two old craftsmen knelt down to Zheng Kezang. Although Ma Yuan and the others had long been officials, these people were the emperor's disciples after all, and they were different from generations of craftsmen like me. I didn't expect too much, but I never thought that joy would suddenly fall from the sky today, so they couldn't help but feel mixed with sorrow and joy.

"Yu said earlier, Yu Sheng can't bear your kneeling." Zheng Kezang helped the two of them up, and at the same time, Ma Yuan and the others approached. "I'll show you a diagram." Zheng Kezang showed the line diagram he drew after racking his brains and changing his draft several times. "Yingyi is gone, so we naturally no longer hide it. Can you build this boat?"

Several people looked carefully, and it turned out to be a double-bottomed schooner with Chinese elements such as a watertight cabin.

Wu Hu looked at it for a while, and saw that none of the people expressed their opinions, so he took the lead and said: "It can definitely be made, but in this way, the bottom floor cannot be stocked. If the middle floor is made of gun bays, then it can only be If you sail close, you can't go far."

Zheng Kezang looked at the others, Ma Yuan nodded, Su Dagong also nodded, and the others also nodded one after another. Obviously what Wu Hu said was right, if you want to take a longer route, the same type of ship must be Building one more class A than others, so the draft, materials and corresponding costs will naturally be greatly increased.

"If a ship with three thousand materials makes this happen, how far can it go?" Zheng Kezang confirmed that the two-masted schooner is a fast ship, and its speed is enough to cope with the reduction in cargo capacity.

"Except for artillery, ammunition, and drinking water, I'm afraid it can only hold seven or eight days' worth of food." Su Dagong calculated in his mind. "This boat is fast. It is enough to run back and forth from Dongning to Nagasaki, and I am afraid it will not be able to go further."

"Then this ship meets the Qing army, or our own water friend ship, which one will win?"

Su Dagong thought for a while: "If it's [-] yuan, at least ten to twelve cannons can be mounted on one side, which is more than our water friend boats, but once you jump out of the gang..."

Zheng Kezang laughed, Su Dagong was wondering, and Li Ping next to him explained his confusion: "Mr. Su, you are confused, what are we going to do with this boat?"

Su Dagong suddenly patted his head, and said repeatedly: "I'm confused, I'm old."

Zheng Kezang joked: "It's not that I'm confused, it's that I'm overjoyed."

There was a burst of laughter on the sidelines, and after everyone laughed, Zheng Kezang made a final decision: "Since we can make a trip to Nagasaki, this ship can be used in the Taiwan Sea, so let's build one first, Ma Yuan, Tang Tong, you take the lead, Mr. Su." Help me to watch"