Back to Ming Dynasty with Industrial Revolution System

Chapter 345

"In March last year, there was a flood in Guangzhou. In June, Gaoyao and Gaoming in Zhaoqing were flooded. The city was flooded, and countless government and private houses were destroyed. This is unprecedented in a century. After the flood, epidemics prevailed, and thieves broke out in Huizhou. .This spring, there was a great famine in Panyu, in April, Xin'an Doumi was worth 1 cent and 6 cents of silver, Dashui in Lianzhou; Dongguan, Zengcheng, Chaozhou Prefecture Dapu, Pingyuan, Huizhou Prefecture Boluo, Haifeng, Xingning, Changle There is a great famine in the counties. Is this what Mr. Xiong said about living and working in peace and contentment?" Deng Qianlong said, counting his fingers.

"You... this is a natural disaster, not human-made." Xiong Wencan said.

"Natural disasters and man-made disasters are inevitable, but they are not invincible. If we can organize manpower to dredge the canals and clean the canals, so that the people have fields to cultivate and water to irrigate, and timely resettle the victims after the disaster, then the natural disasters will also be resolved." Deng Qianlong said.

"You think I don't want to? Have you ever seen that our Guangzhou government's finances are beyond our means? In the last year of Wanli, the imperial court increased Guangdong's taxes last time, with a total increase of 23 taels of silver. Last year, the imperial court raised taxes again to Guangdong by 77000 taels. In addition, Guangdong often suffered from floods. , There are constant riots, and the current situation is already very good." Xiong Wencan said.

"So we think that the people of Guangdong are in dire straits, and come to rescue them. If the Bureau of Shipbuilding is reopened, the Cantonese government will be able to get more taxes, which will relieve their urgent needs." Deng Qianlong said with emotion.

"..." Xiong Wencan felt something was wrong when he heard it, why did he get caught up in talking about it.

"What your lord said is true. Before the Song Dynasty, our place was just a remote place. Many officials were ashamed to be demoted here. After the Song Dynasty, it gradually prospered. It is all because of the harsh climate here, heavy rain every year, and miasma. There is not enough arable land." A Guangdong businessman complained, "If our Guangdong shipping department is no longer open, how will our common people live?"

Xiong Wencan glared at the businessman: "You businessman, how can you speak for the Liao army?"

"Master Xiong, please don't scold these innocent businessmen. Speaking of which, we have dealt with each other in Xiamen Bay two years ago. This time, it is better for us to cooperate sincerely to help you protect the environment and the people, and improve your political achievements." Deng Qianlong and Xiong Wencan hooked up shoulder to shoulder.

Xiong Wencan was a literati. He was held between Deng Qianlong's arms and he couldn't break free, so he could only grimace: "If you hadn't attacked Xiamen Bay two years ago, I wouldn't have lost my post as governor of Fujian..."

"Hey, don't say that, don't you see that not only have you not been demoted, but you are still the governor of a province? Moreover, the prime minister manages the affairs of Guangdong and Guangxi, covering two provinces at once, which is much more prestigious than the governor of Fujian." Deng Qianlong said.

"It's just that you have made such a fuss this time. I guess my position as governor of Guangdong will also be dismissed. The so-called incidents are nothing more than three. Under my rule, Fujian and Guangdong have accidents one after another. I am an official." Xiong Wencan Said.

"Really? But here I got the latest news from the imperial court about the re-opening of the Guangdong Shipping Department." Deng Qianlong took out a letter from the capital.

Xiong Wencan and many businessmen stared wide-eyed, looking at the letter Deng Qianlong said, unbelievable.

"The news approved by the imperial court, why your Liao army can get there first, even I, the governor of Guangdong, didn't know about it!" Xiong Wencan said in surprise.

"You don't need to know about this. In short, are you interested in the court's judgment?" Deng Qianlong waved the letter in his hand quite proudly.

The most interested businessman hung his neck long, wanting to see the court's resolution.

"My lord, please stop entertaining us. This matter is related to the survival of our Guangdong businessmen." The impatient businessman said eagerly.

"Cough cough." Deng Qianlong cleared his throat, "A decision by the civil and military officials of the imperial court to temporarily open the Guangdong Shipbuilding Department to see the effect."

"Great! The Shibo Department is finally open!" A group of Cantonese businessmen cheered excitedly, "Finally, we can freely enter and exit the Pearl River Estuary, and we don't have to be careful and worry about losing our heads!"

Xiong Wencan was still in shock: "Why did His Majesty agree to such a shameful condition?"

"My Lord Xiong, of course it is this thing that worked." Deng Qianlong pointed to the musket in the soldier's hand, "Our defenders on the front line of Ningyuan have increased from the original 1 to 3, and the pressure on Ningyuan's defense has increased sharply. Just fighting on two fronts can be difficult to sustain, so there is no energy left to deal with things in the south."

"You... are really rebellious warlords!" Xiong Wencan looked like a deflated ball, with his head downcast.

Even the biggest support behind him, the imperial court, had to compromise with the Liao army, so what can he do as a local official.

"My lord doesn't care if he is a warlord or not. We are also doing it for the good of the Ming Dynasty. You see, the thirteen ports in Guangzhou are very suitable for the trade between Lingnan and Nanyang. It's a pity to keep them." Deng Qianlong waved his arm and pointed to the port on the north bank of the Pearl River. said the store.

"Since the imperial court has decided to reopen the Shibo Department, I will personally supervise this matter. You Liao Army should not take this opportunity to control our Guangdong." Xiong Wencan straightened his messy sleeves when Deng Qianlong hooked his shoulders, Zheng Zheng said.

"Yes, we will also send officials to set up a pass here to help you manage the ships entering and leaving. There is also the fort of Guangzhou Mansion, let us take care of it for now. With our soldiers stationed here, no rogues, rebels, or foreigners dare to invade Guangzhou Mansion, from now on, Governor, you can be carefree and concentrate on government affairs." Deng Qianlong said.

"It's unreasonable!" Xiong Wencan was very angry. Today he was hit too hard, and he felt that he was being bullied by the Liao Army unilaterally. "How can we hand over the tariffs and forts of our Guangzhou government to you Liao Army!"

"Oh? Then the governor will go and ask about our guns and artillery?" Deng Qianlong threatened, "In addition to the guns and artillery, you can also ask the Dutch people who came with us. Anthony, tell us what we want Is it too much?"

Deng Qianlong looked at a Dutch businessman who followed the fleet, and the Dutch businessman quickly responded: "Not too much, not at all."

"Have you heard that, even Westerners don't think it's too much?" Deng Qianlong said.

What else can Xiong Wencan say, the Dutch look like they have been frightened by the Liao army, do they dare to say that the Liao army is bullying others?However, even the always fierce Dutchmen have become the lackeys of the Liao army, which shows how powerful they are.

"By the way, Anthony, our military lord asked you to look for a plant called rubber tree in East India. Have you ever found it?" Deng Qianlong seemed to remember something.

"Honorable Sir Deng, our people have searched all over the East Indies, and even asked businessmen from Spain, Great Britain and other countries, but we have never heard of this plant. Could it be that the commander of your army has made a mistake? "Businessman Anthony replied nervously and tremblingly, with beads of sweat on his forehead and erratic eyes.

(End of this chapter)