Mixed with salted fish in Hongwudang

Michael Harris has been doing business in Nanyang for several years, and the number of times he has come to Daming cannot be counted on one hand.However, no matter whether he was in contact with officials of Ming Dynasty or ordinary businessmen, he almost never heard anyone call him by his full name.

Some called him Harry, some called him Mike, and some mixed his first and last name and called him Maha or Mahas.Today, he was originally pulled by the officials of the Songjiang City Bureau to make up for their empty City Bureau, but he never expected that His Royal Highness the Emperor Taisun of Daming would call out his full name in one gulp, and that his name was in Before the surname, the pronunciation is also very standard.

This made him feel greatly respected, and he even had the kindness of a local accent.Although the local accent was separated by hundreds of thousands of miles, and it still carried the blunt and convoluted words of Daming dialect, it still moved him to tears, and he wished to kiss the other party's toes to express his inner excitement.

Zhu Yunxi stepped forward to help Michael Harris up, and casually uttered a few words of Ming dialect mixed with this English word.Although the present Britain is far inferior to the future Empire on which the sun never sets, the basic English grammar is still formed. Even if Zhu Yunxi speaks irregularly, it can still be understood by Michael Harris.

"Is your King of England Charles II?" "Is your war with France over?"
Zhu Yunxie pretended to be Michael Harris directly. Michael Harris never thought that in the distant Ming Empire, there would be someone who knew about a small country like England!
He has been doing business all these years, not to mention Southeast Asia near the Ming Empire, even the Mediterranean coast. There are still many people who have never heard of England, and do not know that there is such a country in the world.

"His Royal Highness, the wise and wise Emperor Taisun of the Ming Dynasty, your wisdom and insights really make the foreign envoys admire you!"

"Michael Harris, the British envoy, is completely impressed by your wisdom!"

"You are right. When the envoy left his hometown, Charles II had been the king for 12 years. As for now, the envoy doesn't know who is the king in the envoy's hometown.

"However, when the foreign envoys left their hometown, it was widely rumored that the Plantagenet Dynasty was coming to an end. Both the foreign envoys and the people of England were not optimistic about King Charles, and felt that he was not worthy to lead the subjects of England.
"As for our war with the French.
When Michael Harris said this, there was a trace of seriousness on his face.

"I am afraid that the foreign envoy will not hear the news of the victory of the mother country in his lifetime.
Michael Harris has always emphasized that his status as a foreign envoy was actually a popular trade method at the time.

Because in principle, Daming is not allowed to trade with overseas fan merchants. There is only one way to trade, and that is tribute.However, if you want to qualify for the tribute, you must have the status of a foreign envoy.

Therefore, they collectively made a decision against their ancestors, which was to pretend to be envoys of overseas vassal states.

Some honest fan merchants also know to go to the Nanyang island country to catch a few savages to pretend to be, and some shameless people just make up their identities and come to trade.Anyway, no one can prove their falsification these days. To distinguish their authenticity, it will take a year or two just to go back and forth to the country they arranged.

Michael Harris has always claimed to be an envoy from England, but he came to Daming too late, just in time for Zhu Yuanzhang.Fortunately, smuggling has become popular in Daming, and he has made a lot of money in these years.

If it hadn't happened this time, when there was a typhoon, and he was hung up at the mouth of the Yangtze River in Songjiang Prefecture, he really didn't want to go to the Shibo Department to ask for trouble.

Seeing Michael Harris' distress, Zhu Yunxi patted his arm and encouraged him.

"Then pray to God a lot and let God bless your country, hahaha"

When Michael Harris saw that Daming's grandson Jingran still knew about God, and knew how to make fun of God, he also laughed.

"God is very busy, and he is busy selling indulgences, I'm afraid he can't take care of our England, haha
While joking with Michael Harris, Zhu Yunxuan walked into the Shipping Department surrounded by a large number of officials.

Zhou Zhiqing, an official in charge of the construction of the Municipal Shipping Department, tried his best to introduce Zhu Yunfan.

"His Royal Highness, the main body of the Shipbuilding Department is basically completed, and some buildings are ready for use, and the remaining phases II and III are expected to be completed before the end of this year.

"It's just that there are very few officials in the Shibo Department at this stage, and less than a dozen rooms have been used. The entire Shibo Department has more than 100 vacant rooms. If it is rebuilt, it will only be vacant. The Songjiang City Ship Department has been greatly repaired , several times larger than the Yamen of Songjiang Prefecture. At that time, many people dissuaded him and asked him to build as many houses as he wanted, and there was no need to make it so large.

It's just that Zhu Yunxi firmly believes that Songjiang will become the largest trading place in Ming Dynasty and even in the world, and it will become the most prosperous place in the world, so he built a super-large Shibo Division against all opinions.

After Zhou Zhiqing overturned Chang Sheng's case, Zhu Yunxi sent him to Songjiang Prefecture to serve as the promotion of the Municipal Bureau, and asked him to fully take charge of the construction of the Municipal Bureau.

Hearing Zhou Zhiqing's complaint now, how can he not know what this guy means.

This is complaining to myself that the official position is low, that the Shibo Secretary has no future, and wants to be promoted!
"You don't have to worry about whether there is anyone in Shibo, you just set up the shelf for Gu!
"Also, from today on, you will also be in charge of the prefect of Songjiang Prefecture.

When Zhou Zhiqing heard this, his face flushed with excitement, and he knelt down to Zhu Yunxi with a plop.

"My minister, Zhou Zhiqing, thanked His Majesty the Grandson for his trust. My minister has gone through fire and water, and I have to repay His Majesty's kindness!"

Zhu Yunxi smiled slightly when he heard the words.

"Actually, Gu has been interested in you for a long time, and wants you to be the prefect of Songjiang Prefecture."

"The reason why you were not allowed to take up the concurrent post was just because I was afraid that you would be distracted and delay the important matter of Gu Xingjian Shibo."

"Now that the Shibo Department is almost completed, Gu will naturally want to promote you!"

"Your job going forward will still be based on the Department of Shipbuilding, and Xiao Guilei will take care of the Songjiang Mansion's affairs.

When Zhou Zhiqing heard this, the joy on his face disappeared, and he was replaced by incomparable Shen Wen and Yu Wen.

"His Royal Highness, the Shipbuilding Department has been built for some time, but no maritime merchant is willing to come here at all!"

"Besides, the imperial court doesn't assign officials to ministers, and everything depends on humble ministers, humble ministers."

To be honest, Zhou Zhiqing really didn't want to be promoted by the Shibo Secretary.

He already knew what was going on along the coast of the south of the Ming Dynasty.Smuggling has become a common practice in Daming maritime merchants, so rashly asking them to come to the Shipping Department to pay taxes is like killing their parents.Once you act too hastily, it is possible to be "suicide" inexplicably.But these words are inconvenient to say to the emperor grandson.

It's not that Zhou Zhiqing wanted to hide from the emperor's grandson, but he was afraid that if he said these things, he would harm the emperor's grandson instead.Hearing Zhou Zhiqing's complaint, Zhu Yunxi showed a knowing smile on his face.

"Just do it with your heart, and I will help you find a solution for the officials' affairs!"

"Your Highness, Shengming?"

Zhou Zhiqing flattered with a questioning tone. Although the emperor's grandson was very sure, he didn't have much confidence. Because the old emperor didn't have any idea of ​​delegating power at this stage, the emperor's grandson just took a position. The title of righteousness actually does not have the authority to appoint and remove officials at will.

Not to mention the official history for the Shibo Department, I am afraid that the post of magistrate of Songjiang Prefecture will have to be exchanged by the emperor's grandson.When Zhu Yunxi entered Shibosi, he directly designated Shibosi as the grandson's palace.Every day he either met with the officials of Songjiang Mansion, or took Michael Harris on a tour, never mentioning trade matters.

When did Michael Harris receive such respect? Thanks to him, he offered to trade with Daming, and became the first registered businessman of Songjiang Shipping Department.

Zhu Yunxie only smiled and was not too enthusiastic when he said that, which made Michael Harris feel drummed in his heart.

According to his guess, the Songjiang City Shipping Department was built by the Emperor Taisun of the Ming Dynasty. He should be very concerned about the business of the City Shipping Department. Why is he so indifferent after hearing his own investment?
In fact, the main reason why Zhu Yunxi was indifferent was that he thought Michael Harris' business was too small.

Moreover, how many shipments of Daming can be transported away by him alone? He is now focusing on winning over Michael Harris.

To introduce more maritime merchants.

Since Michael Harris hasn't realized this yet, it proves that he is not mature enough and needs to be trampled slowly.While Zhu Yunxi was traveling in the mountains and rivers, Zhou Zhiqing was like an ant on a hot pot, worrying about the officials of the Department of Shipping all day long.

He wanted to urge him several times, but he didn't dare to offend the emperor's grandson, for fear of causing the emperor's grandson to be bored.

But after waiting for three days, Zhou Zhiqing couldn't help but tactfully raised his mouth when he met the emperor's grandson. "His Royal Highness, the issue of the history of the Shibo Division you mentioned earlier."

Zhu Yunxi showed a suddenly realized expression, and then picked up a folder from the table.

"Look at this, if you think there is no problem, follow the method above!"

Zhou Zhiqing opened the notebook suspiciously, and was dumbfounded when he saw the plan given by the emperor's grandson.

"Your Highness, in this case, you will have to bear a huge responsibility!"

"If it is not handled well, it will lead to impeachment and even criticism by the civil and military forces of the Manchu Dynasty!"

Zhu Yunfan smiled wickedly when he heard the words.

"rest assured!"

"They can't care about Gu anymore, Gu put them together before leaving Beijing, and now they are dealing with their own son
Ni Sun doesn't have time yet, how can he have time to talk to us!
"Let's finalize this matter while they are in a hurry, and the framework of the Shibo Department will be completely set up!
When Zhou Zhiqing saw the emperor's grandson saying this, he immediately remembered what his colleagues in the capital had mentioned in the letter, and couldn't help showing a smirk on his face.The grandson of the emperor was indeed too shady, but he just casually sealed off a group of vain jobs with no rank or level, which messed up the capital like crazy.

It is said that now Yan Shenggong is so angry that he has fallen ill, scolding his rebellious grandson at home every day.Chen Zongli, Shang of the Household Department, was even called a waste by the civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty and the Household Department officials. He couldn't even control his own son. .

"Zhiqing, your official career these years has not been easy."

"If you can't do well here in Gu, then look at Daming, and you won't have a place to stay."

As soon as Zhou Zhiqing heard this, he quickly knelt on the ground and kowtowed to Zhu Yunfan.

"His Majesty the Emperor's grandson's kindness to my minister is higher than the mountains and deeper than the sea. Even if the minister is heartbroken, he must swear to follow His Highness to the death and never disappoint His Highness's expectations of this minister!
Zhu Yunxi originally wanted to hit him so that he could see the situation in front of him clearly.

Now seeing that he already understood who he should be loyal to, he stopped talking to him.

"carry on!"

"In the name of Guhe Songjiang Mansion, post the notice. For the famous family, it is even more important to order someone to deliver the news in person!"

"The Imperial Examination of Ming Dynasty is in autumn, and the Imperial Examination of Gu is in summer!"

"promise!
With a promise, Zhou Zhiqing stepped back quickly, summoned the officials of Songjiang Mansion to write a notice, and posted it in the streets and alleys of Songjiang Mansion.

The fact that Zhu Yunxi came to Songjiang Mansion not only affected the court, but also affected the nerves of the Ming maritime merchants.

Therefore, as soon as Zhu Yunxi arrived, they drove over by boat or car.

Not for anything else, just for the first time to see the methods of the great grandson of the Ming Dynasty, and see how he breaks the situation!
For the emperor and grandson of the Ming Dynasty, there are four problems in total if he wants to make the Shibo Division successful.

The first problem is that there is no one! Neither the court nor the local government will cooperate with him and provide him with enough manpower.

The second problem is unbelief.The imperial court has been good to the common people these years, but it has no faith at all in dealing with merchants. The richer the wealthy merchants, the more afraid they will be targeted by the imperial court. How could they throw themselves into a trap and report to the Shibo Department on their own initiative?
The third piece of the puzzle is no quotient.Overseas fan merchants have long been monopolized by the nine major families in the south of the Yangtze River. In Quanzhou, Fujian and other places, there are also local maritime merchant families who have monopolized transactions with Biluo, Vietnam and other places.

Even if the emperor's grandson has the means to reach the sky, he can't contact the Shanghai merchants, and he can only watch the goods of the Shibo Division unsalable.

The fourth problem is out of stock.The silk and tea in the south of the Yangtze River are almost all in the hands of the nine masters.Even the silk collected by the imperial court was finally bought back by them and distributed in Suzhou, Hangzhou and other places.
All kinds of silk are woven in the textile workshop.It can be said that after the imperial court issued thousands of looms under the control of the Weaving Mansion, there was no other source of goods in hand.However, how much can these thousands of looms weave even if they weave non-stop day and night? I am afraid that even if they are busy all year round, they will not be enough to fill ten cargo ships.

Lu Shiyuan led his beloved daughter, strolling on the streets of Songjiang Mansion, casually looking at the goods sold at the stalls on both sides of the street. "Father, Songjiang Mansion is so poor. It is far worse than our Zhenjiang, not to mention Suzhou and Hangzhou." I really don't know if the emperor's grandson is really stupid or not, but he chose such a poor place as his home. Shibosi, it's no wonder that no one is willing to come, he will pay for his death, hee hee. Hearing this, Lu Shiyuan knocked his daughter on the head with a folding fan.

"Silly girl, just from this point of view, the difference between you and the grandson of the emperor is more than 01:30!"

"Fortunately, you often call yourself Tao Zhugong and feel that you are a business genius, but you can't see that Songjiang Mansion is the best natural seaport in Ming Dynasty?"

"Relying on the water transport of the Yangtze River, this place has the advantage of going to the sea. It is flat and very suitable for farming, and can provide a steady stream of vegetables and other materials for the dock." Lu Hongfu said unconvinced.

"Then why didn't all dynasties build Shibosi here, and we never built it here before the Ming Dynasty?"

"Is it possible that the old emperor is not as smart as the grandson of the emperor?"

Lu Shiyuan shook his head and smiled wryly when he heard the words.

"The talent of His Majesty the Ming Emperor, even among the emperors of all dynasties, can at least rank in the top five."

"How could he fail to see the advantages of Songjiang Mansion?"

"It's just that his old man's perspective on problems is different from that of the emperor's grandson. The emperor's grandson likes the way of merchants and is willing to use merchants' means to solve problems. However, His Majesty the old emperor thinks more about military and security issues.

"Although Songjiang Mansion has all kinds of conveniences, there is a flaw that can never be made up for, that is, it is too close to the capital of Daming!
"As long as you go straight up against the current, you can reach the city of Nanjing in less than two days. This is an intolerable danger for the emperor." Therefore, when you manage your family business in the future, you should also try to think about things in the way of the emperor and the court. .

"Only in this way can our Lu family seize the opportunity and remain invincible!"

After hearing his father's analysis, Lu Hongfu said in a sincerely convinced way.

"What the father teaches is that the daughter must keep it in mind!
"It's just a pity that my father has the talents of the world, but he can only live in Zhenjiang and do business things that his father doesn't like." Lu Shiyuan also sighed when he heard the words.

"Ugh!"

"Time and destiny!"

"I'm too greedy. I was born with the shadow of my ancestors, and I have a fortune of tens of millions. But I'm greedy for fame and fame, and I want to become noble on the basis of being rich.
While the two were talking, they suddenly heard the sound of gongs and drums coming from the front.

"Look, Dad, it seems that the government is posting notices!"

Lu Hongfu couldn't help but run over, holding his father's hand impatiently.

Lu Shiyuan was dragged forward by his daughter, with a wry smile on his face again.

This wild girl in my family is too good, what's so good about a government notice?
However, when Lu Shiyuan was pulled to the notice and saw the contents of the notice, he was completely stunned.

"Recruitment Notice of Shi Ship Division!"

"According to the order of the emperor's grandson, the Department of Shipbuilding is now recruiting officials and subordinates from the Ming Dynasty to respond to scholars, civilians, businesses, and industries.

"Now we are recruiting one person for promotion, who will be treated from the fifth rank. Two vice-promoters will be treated from the sixth rank. 20 governors will be treated from the seventh rank. Shimu 40 people will be treated from the ninth rank."

"There is no quota for officials and subordinates, and it is planned to recruit 300 people."

"In terms of remuneration, refer to the official history system of the Ming Dynasty. After three years of service, you will automatically be qualified as a student. You can be admitted to an official position in the Municipal Shipping Department through internal recruitment, or you can be selected to become an official through the imperial examination."