1627 Rise of the South China Sea

Chapter 2283
From an objective point of view, the Danzhou government has indeed provided a lot of convenience to Furuifeng's local business activities, ensuring that Furuifeng's industries here can have good profits.Because of this, Zhang Xin believes that it is possible to ask Fu Ruifeng to participate in infrastructure projects to improve Danzhou's business environment in exchange for future preferential conditions, which can be regarded as a win-win situation.

Of course, from Li Nai's point of view, he actually has certain doubts about this. He doesn't doubt whether the conditions promised by Zhang Xin will be fulfilled, but whether the various preferential conditions given to Furuifeng can have a long enough implementation period is a matter of course. It probably depends on how long Zhang Xin can be in charge of Danzhou.If Haihan changes officials to take over Danzhou in a few years, it is hard to say whether the conditions given by Zhang Xin can continue.

Most of these preferential conditions are Zhang Xin's verbal promises, and it is inconvenient to write them down in black and white. If there is any disagreement with the change of people, Fu Ruifeng will not even be able to produce the slightest evidence.

However, it is inconvenient for Li Nai to speak directly about these matters in front of Zhang Jinbao, an outsider, so he can only skip this section first, planning to discuss these matters face to face with Zhang Xin when he goes out with Zhang Xin for inspection in the next two days How to solve the problem properly.

Zhang Xin and Li Nai had a heated conversation, and Zhang Jinbao's mind was no longer on the wine table at this time. Since he was going to Guangzhou for inspection next, he had to implement his plan for the branch hospital in detail as soon as possible.Which majors to set up in the branch, how to deploy existing teachers, initial start-up funds and preparations for enrollment publicity work, all have to start to enter the implementation stage.

When the banquet was over and returned to the academy that day, Zhang Jinbao summoned his key personnel overnight and announced to them the preparations for the opening of the Guangzhou branch.

For Jonesy Academy, this is probably the top priority since its establishment.After all, no matter how much the scale of the academy in the local area expands, and no matter how famous it is, it is only a local educational institution, but if the branch is opened abroad, the management level of the academy will immediately rise to a big level.

Although the academy currently has some students from other countries, Zhang Jinbao thinks that it has truly achieved "internationalization" by being able to open branches abroad.The benefits that this change will bring to Jonesy College may be able to change the current single business model of the college and allow the college to have considerable influence in more fields.

"Everyone, the signboard of Johnsey Academy will definitely be mentioned and admired in more and more places in the future, and our branch will also appear in foreign countries with the continuous expansion of our country overseas, becoming An important part of Haihan culture! I would like to remind everyone present that when the Guangzhou branch is completed, a suitable candidate for the branch president will definitely be selected from among you, so I hope that everyone will have this awareness from now on , actively participate in the preparatory work of the branch. This title is waiting for a vacancy, and it is for those who are capable. Everyone, please work hard!"

When Zhang Jinbao talked about the great significance of establishing an overseas branch, he did not forget to draw a big cake for his backbones and remind them to pay attention to the immediate benefits that the establishment of a branch will bring.If they have the opportunity to be independent, most people will definitely try their best. This pie should also stimulate their subordinates to make good preparations for related matters.

Of course, for Zhang Jinbao himself, this is also a good time to improve his personal reputation. He is no longer satisfied with the title of "folk educator". If possible, he also wants to try to go to a higher place. Walk.

Zhang Jinbao is now one of the members of the local council of Danzhou. Although this council attached to the government does not have any actual power, at most it is to give feedback to the mayor Zhang Xin and raise opinions, but he can Becoming one of them is itself a status symbol.

And above the council at this level, it is said that a national council will be established next year at the latest, and these senior councilors will also be selected from local councils at that time.If he could improve his personal prestige by opening the Guangzhou branch before then, Zhang Jinbao thought that he might also have a chance to win the qualifications of the first batch of senior councilors, and then he would really step into the upper class.

As for what benefits he will get from reaching that height, Zhang Jinbao still doesn't have a clear idea, but judging from his current experience as a councilor in Danzhou, it is definitely beneficial and harmless.

"Within two days, please prepare all the things that you just asked for. If anyone is willing to work in the Guangzhou branch, please let me know within these two days. I will have a meeting with Li San from Furuifeng in a few days The young master is going to Guangzhou together to investigate the matters of running a school, and will bring people with him at that time. Everyone, this is the end of the matter, let's split up and prepare to go!"

Anyone who is not a fool should be able to understand Zhang Jinbao's words. The person he will bring to Guangzhou for this investigation is likely to be the candidate for the future president of the Guangzhou Branch.As for who can win Zhang Jinbao's favor, it probably depends on who has done the most thorough preparations.

The next day, Li Nai was invited to inspect the infrastructure projects in various places in Danzhou with Zhang Xin, while Zhang Jinbao stayed in the academy and began intensive planning for the establishment of a branch.

Two days later, Li Nai visited the academy again, saying that the affairs in Danzhou had been dealt with, and he planned to leave for Guangzhou the next day.Of course, Zhang Jinbao's preparations are not yet complete, but he is also eager to finalize the matter of Guangzhou earlier. It will take several days to travel from Danzhou to Guangzhou, and it is just right for him to slowly discuss the matter of running the school on the way.

After departing from Danzhou, Li Nai told Zhang Jinbao that they would stop at Haikou Port for a while, meet Annan Zheng Zuo, and then head to Guangzhou together.

Zhang Jinbao didn't know Zheng Zuo's intention to go to Guangzhou, but he was a political figure in a country, so he didn't dare to talk about it behind his back, but since he had an appointment first, he naturally wouldn't object.

Zheng Zuo arrived at Haikou Port one day earlier than the agreed rendezvous time, but he did not arrange any social activities here.For the sake of convenience, Zheng Zuo will not reveal his identity during this trip to Guangzhou.

At this stage, the diplomatic relationship between Ming and Annan is very delicate. Since the king of Annan, Mo Dengyong, asked for surrender from Ming during the Jiajing period, Annan is actually a territory of Ming in name, and the administrative level is only Annan's capital envoy.However, with the end of the civil war in Annan, the military and political power in the country has been concentrated in the hands of the Qing capital Wang Zhengyi. Annan also regards himself as an independent country, and he is unwilling to continue the affiliation with Ming Dynasty in the past.

After Zheng Bing came to power, he drove back all the envoys and officials of the Ming Dynasty, and at the same time canceled the thirteen ministers and various official positions that the Ming had set up in Annan, and established diplomatic relations in the name of Annan, as if he had already separated from the Ming Dynasty. the officer.

In recent years, Da Ming has been too busy to take care of himself, and he doesn't want to pursue Annan's transgressions. What's more, behind Annan, there is a Haihan Kingdom that Da Ming doesn't want to provoke him, so he can only pretend to be deaf to what he did dumb.So in name Annan is still a territory of Daming, but in fact it no longer regards Daming as the suzerain state.

As Zheng Zuo, if he wants to go to Daming territory, according to normal procedures, he must first ask Daming for instructions and report, and at the same time, he must be accompanied by Daming officials of comparable rank throughout the journey.As for the establishment of an embassy-like institution, it is necessary to submit an application to the current reigning Emperor Chongzhen in a memorial.

And Zheng Zuo obviously didn't want to make such a trouble, he just wanted to go to Guangzhou quietly to finalize the matter without alarming the Ming Dynasty.At that time, the institution in Guangzhou will be established in the name of the guild hall, rather than under the banner of the official, so as to prevent uninformed people in Guangzhou from criticizing the construction procedures of the guild hall.

So when Zheng Zuo left Sanya, he only informed a few senior officials of the Executive Committee, and then went to Haikou Port quietly to wait for Li Nai.

The two groups met smoothly at Haikou Port, and after a little resupply, they set off together for the Pearl River Estuary in the northeast direction.The voyage from Haikou Port to the Pearl River Estuary is more than [-] miles, and it takes about three days for a normal voyage, so they can slowly discuss related cooperation matters on board.

In order to facilitate communication on the way, Zheng Zuo boarded Li Nai's ship at Haikou Port.Zheng Zuo's boat is also an expedition-class sailing boat customized from Haihan, but the various facilities on the boat are not as exquisite as Li Nai.After visiting the various facilities on the ship, he couldn't help but admire that this is indeed one of the most comfortable sailing ships he has ever been on.

"The third young master's boat should have spent a lot of money on decoration, right?" Zheng Zuo sighed, "I also spent a lot of money on my own boat, but compared to the furnishings on your boat, it seems to be really beautiful. It's down a notch!"

Li Nai said modestly: "The decoration on this boat is just a personal preference, and it doesn't necessarily cost too much money to achieve the desired effect. Because I need to go to and from various places by boat frequently, I spend a lot of time on the boat, so I chose It took a little more energy to make myself more comfortable living at sea...it cost about a hundred thousand!"

Zhang Jinbao almost choked on the tea when he heard this figure nearby. Li Nai spent more to decorate this boat than to buy the boat itself. This is probably the way of life of the rich. Bar!
Zheng Zuo was very calm about this number: "I just saw that all the supplies in the cabin are custom-made, and the cost will definitely not be cheap. The quotation of the third young master really verified my guess."

Li Nai smiled and said, "I've also heard that the little prince's boat costs quite a lot. If you're lucky enough to be able to board the boat for a visit, that would be great."

Zheng Zuo said: "What's the difficulty? When you arrive in Hong Kong, I will invite you two to come to my boat to have a look. But although my boat costs a lot of money, it is really not as comfortable as the boat of the third young master. More than half of the money on board was used to buy various weapons."

In order to be able to serve as a flagship in wartime, Zheng Zuo originally ordered a warship model instead of Li Nai's civilian model.According to his customization plan, the changes to the hull structure are limited, and most of the artillery area on the second deck is still retained, and only the middle and rear parts are converted into his personal cabin.

In order to be able to equip the ship with larger caliber and more powerful artillery, more reinforcement measures have been made inside the hull, and space for sailors to live, so the space inside the ship is also narrower, which can be used to improve comfort. There is not much space left.Even if Zheng Zuo is not short of money, there is no way to put all kinds of furniture in the cabin like Li Nai, just like living in a luxurious guest room on land.

The firepower of Zheng Zuo's ship is enough to deal with ordinary armed merchant ships, and the speed is also relatively fast. Therefore, Zheng Zuo's visit to Haihan when crossing the sea is generally a configuration of a ship and a supply ship, and there is no need to bring any additional escort forces. up.

For Li Nai, comfort is undoubtedly the first priority, and he is not worried about safety issues.His handling method is different from that of Zheng Zuo. Zheng Zuo's concept is based on the sea battle between ships, while Li Nai's ship is not equipped with so many heavy artillery, and its load is much lighter. Few civilian ships can catch up with it. On his fast ship, naturally there is no need to consider the issue of naval battles.

The issue of security and defense was handed over to the more than ten dead guards on board.These people have served in the Haihan army for a period of time through special channels, have certain actual combat experience, and have received special training from Haihan's side. They are equipped with the close-combat muskets provided by Haihan, and it is no problem to serve as guards.

However, Li Nai did not have the habit of showing off his strength in front of the guests. He was more willing to show them the various utensils he had brought on board in pursuit of the comfort of life.

"Even if you go out to sea, you have to enjoy the best treatment. This is my creed." Li Nai picked up a glass from the tray held by the servant and said, "You two can have a taste, this is fresh iced coconut milk."

Zheng Zuo was greatly impressed by this: "The third young master really enjoys it, and I have learned something!"

Zhang Jinbao also praised unabashedly: "I have gone out to sea by boat no less than a hundred times, and it is also the first time I have seen ice-cold drinks on board. The third young master really opened my eyes!"

The journey of the three of them is like traveling in the mountains and rivers. Every day, they bask in the sun on the deck, chat about the common topics of mutual concern, and then enjoy the gourmet meal prepared by the chef on board, and drink a little wine by the way. They are very happy. .

Even Zhang Jinbao, who has never been too greedy for pleasure, couldn't help secretly sighing that it's good to be rich. It can be regarded as a special enjoyment to travel between Guangzhou and Haihan on such a boat.

Three days later, the group arrived at the mouth of the Pearl River.Li Nai had something to stop here, and Zheng Zuo, who came to see the world, naturally didn't want to miss this opportunity to visit Hong Kong Island.So the three of them went ashore together to visit this port city run by Haihan.

(End of this chapter)