1627 Rise of the South China Sea

Chapter 3171
At the same time, on the Zhoushan ship sailing on the Qiantang River, senior Haihan officials who had no knowledge of the situation in Hangzhou were enjoying today's dinner together.

Although the Zhoushan is almost the largest warship of this era, the space of the officer's restaurant on the ship is still very limited. There can only be a large long table, which can accommodate about [-] officers to eat here at the same time.

In addition to the function of the officer's dining room, this space can also be used as a conference room or a combat command room during wartime, and it can even be turned into an operating room for treating the wounded when necessary.

The content of the dinner can't be said to be rich, and almost all of them are Huaiyang dishes with a light taste.At their current age, they have long lost interest in big fish and meat. Fresh ingredients, exquisite cooking, and healthy meals are more in line with their needs.

It is said that the chef in charge was specially invited from Yangzhou, and he was responsible for the meals of the executive committee on the way from Zhoushan to Hangzhou, and his craftsmanship has won unanimous praise from everyone.

The wine served with the meal today is Shaoxing Huadiao, which can be regarded as one of the most famous local specialties in the East China Sea region.However, people who have lived in the south for a long time usually drink sugar cane wine such as Sanya special brew, and they are obviously not used to the taste of rice wine, so they just taste it.

However, Shi Diwen has long been accustomed to the local taste, drinking lightly and slowly, quite enjoying it.

"These meals on the boat, and tomorrow's welcome banquet in Hangzhou, were all offered by the salt merchants in Yangzhou. They didn't make any special requests, but they hoped that we could find time to meet them during our stay in Hangzhou."

Shi Diwen said no and made a gesture, and the adjutant ordered someone to deliver the last dish of the day to all the high-ranking officials present - a personal gift list presented by a salt merchant in Yangzhou.

Given their current status, in fact, no matter how expensive gifts the Yangzhou salt merchants send, or how many banquets they arrange, the impact they can have on them is extremely limited, and even such trivial things will never be brought to the table Let's talk about it.

Although Shi Diwen has just joined the executive committee, it is impossible for him not to know the default "rules" of Haihan's senior management.He brought this matter up separately, so there must be another reason.

Tao Donglai said with a smile: "Yangzhou salt merchants have given you a lot of benefits, and they can persuade you to come forward and speak good words for them."

Shi Diwen said calmly: "A considerable part of the funds for the construction of the executive committee and the government offices of the major government offices in Hangzhou were donated by salt merchants in Yangzhou."

"In addition, the section of the Beijing-Hangzhou Canal from Hangzhou to Yangzhou needs to be dredged, and the Yangzhou salt merchants have paid a lot for the cost."

"He paid a lot of money in real money and has a high enthusiasm for supporting the country's construction. It should be reasonable for us to take some time to meet him?"

Tao Donglai said with a smile: "Then you can just call him a patriotic businessman, and you still have such a big circle."

After all, Tao Donglai took the gift list and glanced at it casually, then nodded and said: "When you arrive in Hangzhou, you can look at the arrangements."

Of course, the Executive Committee is not unaware of the conflict of interests between Yangzhou salt merchants and the East China Sea region.Shi Diwen's ability to promote the implementation of various large-scale projects in the East China Sea region is not unrelated to the strong support of the Yangzhou Salt Merchant Group over the years.

Even the battleship Zhoushan that everyone is currently riding on has more or less used funds from salt merchants in the process of construction and development.

Of course, even if Yangzhou salt merchants are the richest in the world, such a huge amount of donations is not a joke.People have paid such money, so of course they still have something to ask for.

Nowadays, in the military and political system of the East China Sea region, there are quite a few officials with the background of salt merchants in Yangzhou, and many of them are military officers with real power like Dai Chengrong.

And when Yangzhou salt merchants needed it, Shi Diwen would naturally become their voice in Haihan official circles.

After dinner, Shi Diwen didn't make any other arrangements, and everyone went back to the cabin to rest.After arriving in Hangzhou tomorrow, there will be various intensive public activities that need to be attended by all members of the Executive Committee. Given their current age and physical condition, they must have enough rest beforehand.

Back in the cabin, Tao Hong conveniently asked his father, "Yangzhou salt merchants have used so many resources, and invited Mr. Shi to speak for them, isn't it just to ask for an interview opportunity?"

Tao Donglai asked back: "What do you think their goal is?"

Tao Hongfang said: "Boys think that what they are looking for is nothing more than money and power. After spending so much money, of course they must find a way to earn more from other places. If there is power blessing, then the efficiency of making money will be even greater." Get twice the result with half the effort."

Tao Donglai nodded slightly and said, "What you think is actually almost the same as being a father. After you arrive in Hangzhou, everything will be clear."

Tao Hongfang said: "But it seems that Hangzhou is not very peaceful. If there are assassins among the people tomorrow, I'm afraid it will be very difficult to guard against."

Tao Donglai said: "If the Ministry of Security and the army can't even handle this small situation well, and if the executive committee hides and doesn't show up if there is any risk, then what else do we have to compete with Daming for the world? Don't worry, no Something will happen."

Although Tao Hongfang did not object, there was still an unconcealable worry on his face.Obviously, he was not as open to the unknown risks as the experienced Tao Donglai.

In another cabin on the ship, Shi Diwen was summoning his subordinate Ji Yuanqing.

Shi Diwen took a sip of hot tea, put down the cup, and asked Ji Yuanqing, "How's the situation in Hangzhou?"

Ji Yuanqing bowed and replied, "Dai Chengrong's troops have already entered the city, and they are working with the Ministry of Security, the Military Intelligence Bureau, and the local police to gradually search all over the city."

"The search and arrest operation was directed by Gong Shiqi of the Ministry of Security, but so far only one team of assassins has been captured, and efforts are still being made to track down the whereabouts of the other assassin teams."

Shi Diwen pondered: "Do you think they can catch those fishes that slipped through the net before tomorrow's activity in the city?"

Ji Yuanqing said: "From the perspective of humble positions, although many people have been dispatched in Hangzhou, if the opponents have not taken the initiative to expose them, the possibility of catching them tonight is very slim."

Although Ji Yuanqing was not optimistic about the situation, Shi Diwen showed no dissatisfaction on his face. He nodded slightly and said, "The factory guards of the Ming Dynasty have been planning for so long, and they must have sent mediocre people. If they can rest assured Hiding for one night, such a big city of Hangzhou is indeed not easy to find."

Ji Yuanqing said: "Although the Daming factory guards are cunning, they are ultimately our defeated opponents. How could they have thought that there would also be someone in the Ming court who would tip us off! Let them have all sorts of tricks, but in the end they are just playing tricks. That's all!"

Shi Diwen said: "Although this is the case, you can't be careless. Yuan Qing, if you make any mistake tomorrow and cause any adult to be killed or injured, you will be punished by death, understand?"

Ji Yuanqing said in a deep voice: "Please rest assured, my lord, everything is under control, and I will never allow any accidents to happen! If there is a mistake, I will come and see you!"

(End of this chapter)