Daming Yinghua

Chapter 440: Fatten and then Kill (Part )

General Lucas was grazed on the forehead by a piece of iron. His subordinates used a satin handkerchief to press the wound hard and carried him to the lower deck.

The sound of cannons, gunshots, the whistling of arrows, and the killing sounds of both sides after the nearby warships connected were almost deafening.

General Lucas's mind was still as clear as a commander's.

For a brief moment, he even had a moment to laugh at how lucky he had been over the past few years.

He was lucky that every time he sailed north from the Philippines to the sea off Ningbo, he never encountered the Chinese who wanted to collect the money from the command flag, General Yan.

He was fortunate that the governors of the provinces in the Ming Empire did not send patrol fleets to conflict with them.

It seems that the Japanese and Dutch smuggling merchant ships are enough to satisfy General Yan and his companions. Coupled with the theory that the Eastern Empire was in decay and spread in Europe, Lucas analyzed that perhaps the navy of the Ming Dynasty had passed its peak period and began to decline due to internal corruption and power struggles. It had no time and no courage to compete with The powerful armada clashes, just like when they did not care about the life and death of the Ming Dynasty Chinese merchants in the Philippines.

After all, although the Armada had been severely damaged by the English Navy, it still had an advantage in competing for sea power in the Pacific.

Today's battle, this kind of luck is really like a slap in the face joke.

The captain of the command ship rushed down: "Sir, there are many people from the Ming Dynasty who have jumped into assault boats and landed on the island. Their strength this time is at least 5,000, and most of them look more ferocious and good at fighting than Japanese pirates. . Let us surrender. The officers and soldiers of the big country are shouting in our language, they will not kill the prisoners."

Lucas held the blood-stained silk handkerchief, stood up suddenly, and returned to the deck that was already damaged everywhere.

The captain was right, the sight before him, if God were on the ship, would have approved his surrender.

"Raise the white flag!" Lucas finally said these words through gritted teeth.

Three days later, Songjiang Mansion.

Lucas, several captains, a dozen merchant ship captains, Father Morais as a translator, and several Ningbo people found on Shuangyu Island were escorted to the yard behind the court.

Seeing Zhuang Yumin, the prefect of Songjiang, who was wearing official robes, and Liu Qiao, the governor of Fusi in Beizhen, who was wearing Feiyu uniform. Several Ningbo people who always ran errands for dignitaries and courtiers, immediately knelt down and bowed.

The Spaniard stood hunched over.

They are prisoners of war, not slaves. Even if the Ming Emperor comes, they will not kneel down.

Several knights in royal robes were about to come up and hold them down, but Liu Qiao waved his hand to indicate that there was no need.

"Go and get the interpreter sent by Mr. Yao." Zhuang Yumin ordered his men with official authority.

This year is the eighth year that Zhuang Yumin has been appointed to Songjiang. Originally, according to the norm of promotion, as long as there were no serious problems in his examination, he could be promoted to Nanjing to be the governor of Jiangsu no matter what.

But in the first year of Jingtai, he sent his son to Beijing to ask Zheng Haizhu, who had been treated well by him when he was still a young daughter, to ask for clues. Mrs. Zheng asked him to calm down and not be impatient. If the official is in a hurry and demands hard, he will give someone a handle. She, Zheng Haizhu, promised that in at least three years, she would arrange a great military exploit for him.

Mr. Zhuang inquired about Huang Zunsu's arrangements again, and found out that he went to rebuild a military town outside the Great Wall. It sounded like a hard job that might cost you your life. It can be seen that it was not because he was a direct descendant of Donglin that he was so extraordinary as his father. Direct lineage rises quickly and well.

After listening to his son's reply, the uneasy feeling in Magistrate Zhuang's heart was finally suppressed.

The jealousy towards his former subordinate Huang Zunsu was gone, and Zhuang Yumin returned to being 70% to 80% smart in officialdom. He regarded the school run by Huang's wife Yao, who was still in Songjiang, as the same as the firearms factory, and paid more attention to the public security. Mrs. Zheng must be informed no matter what happens. He, the prefect Zhuang, can withstand Mrs. Zheng's test.

Principal Yao is really a capable person. The students he sends out are talented in both literature and martial arts. Some are gunners and some are interpreters.

The two female interpreters sent today usually earn money in the government-run dental shops at the Shanghai dock and have a good reputation.

As soon as the female interpreter spoke Frankie, Lucas was surprised and pointed at Father Morais behind him: "He can also understand Mingguo dialect. When you translate to your superiors, don't do anything deliberately. Trick.”

The young female interpreter glanced at Lucas as if he were seeing a joke, with an expression like "Dad, are you worth any of our tricks?"

Then he returned to work and translated Liu Qiao's question: "Write down the names of the Ming merchants who smuggled with you along the coast of Zhejiang, the prefecture where they are located, the prices of the goods smuggled over the years, and the prices."

While she was still translating, the faces of several Ningbo people kneeling on the ground changed.

This kind of old man, who has been smuggling sea trade for the local gentry for many years, found out that he and the Spanish were taken to Songjiang instead of Ningbo by Zheng Zhilong. Ten thousand taels of labor money can be settled.

Lucas is not stupid either. The entanglement of interests between the central and local governments is the same in every land.

So he asked simply: "If I write it out, what will be your reward?"

Liu Qiao signaled to Zhuang Yumin that they, Jin Yiwei, did not understand the rules and regulations of the imperial court involved in customs and maritime trade.

Zhuang Yumin coughed lightly and said sternly: "First, even though we have three customs markets in Ming Dynasty, you are still collaborating with Ming people for smuggling. The goods seized from Shuangyu Island this time must be detained in Ming Dynasty. The silver or silver coins will also be confiscated. We can release the merchant ships, warships, merchants and sailors. Secondly, if you can bring a letter of guarantee signed by the king, you will promise not to collude with any merchants under our Ming Dynasty, and to be willing to accept and cooperate with others. The terms are the same as those of other Westerners or Southeast Asian countries. If you pay the ship’s bill and pay the tax through the bank run by the Ming government, Shanghai Customs can allow your Spanish merchant ships to enter, but only ten ships are allowed in the first year. "

After listening to the translation, Lucas thought about it first, and then whispered with several captains at a volume that the female translator could not hear. He turned back and said: "We need to settle here first, send a ship, and put these conditions in place." Report to the Governor of Manila and wait for his instructions."

The female interpreter couldn't help but smile meaningfully while translating into Ming dialect.

Liu Qiao smiled even more heartily: "Oh, brother Frankie, even some naval generals of our Ming Dynasty said that you are very cunning. I took a look today and found that your brains are actually not clear. Well. Do you know why we, little girls, are so happy?"

When the female translator heard this, she hurriedly leaned over and apologized.

On the contrary, Liu Qiao's tone became more relaxed. After confirming a few words with the female interpreter, he nodded and said: "You little girl is very insightful. She is laughing at the same thing as the governor. Come on, tell this Thai monkey directly."

The female interpreter said: "You have to wait for the governor's reply for a month, right? That's enough time for the gentry in Zhejiang who have an affair with you to come and kill you every time."

Lucas suddenly woke up.

I am indeed stupid, not as thoughtful as a brat like Ming Guo.

It's really not very harmful, but very insulting. Lucas suddenly became fierce in his words towards Liu Qiao: "You, we are your prisoners. According to the conventions of international war, you must ensure our personal safety."

Liu Qiao let out a cry: "Huh? What kind of charter is this? I have never heard of it. This is too unreasonable, isn't it? You don't pay me, so why should my people be here when you are sleeping? I'll work so hard to hold the door for you, okay..."

Liu Qiao said, holding his arms leisurely, he walked to a few Ningbo people who were kneeling on the ground, and continued with a smile: "Don't be afraid, don't be afraid, I won't let you try the fun tricks in Beizhen Fusi." . I will ask Magistrate Zhuang to let you go now, and you should go back to Zhejiang and report to the family leader."

The female interpreter mumbled and translated Liu Qiao's words to Lucas.

Lucas's psychological defense completely collapsed.

"Okay, I order the people in our business group to write now. However, after you release us, you must send out frigates to take our merchant ships all the way to Fujian Ocean."

Liu Qiao understood.

I heard from Zheng Zhilong and Xu Yilong that their warships were basically destroyed on Shuangyu Island.

Liu Qiao turned to the backyard, asked "Er Long" a few words, and soon came to Lucas: "You can be reasonable, our Ming Dynasty will also treat you leniently. Not only sent to Minhai, but also from our Xuanfu Department in Taiwan General Yang will follow your merchant ships all the way to the sea southeast of Taiwan."

Songjiang is not far from Hangzhou and Ningbo. Four or five days later, based on the confessions of the Spanish businessmen, the Jinyi Guards arrested the talkers of several Jin gentry who were private merchants in the Second Prefecture of Zhejiang to Songjiang Prefecture.

Liu Qiao checked the list given to him by the Ministry of Personnel. Sure enough, he was either the direct son or grandson of a second- or third-rank official who had been in office for many years, or someone from the Zhejiang Party network who was not completely outdated. Fang Ge, who had been in the field for two years, was not in his hometown, but Yao Zongwen, whom he once relied on as his arm, had an uncle who had very large transactions with the Spaniards.

Those who followed Tiqi behind were naturally the governor of Zhejiang and the prefect of Hangning.

In normal times, how could they condescend to enter Songjiang Mansion, a government office lower than Suzhou.

Today is different from the past. It is important to quickly crowd in front of the emperor's personal guards and dispel the doubts of the Sacred Heart.

Liu Qiao said carelessly: "Everyone in the government, it is not an exaggeration to say that I don't know. I will report to your Majesty, so you don't have to be in trouble in your dormitory. Go back to Zhejiang as soon as possible. In two days at the latest, I will bring you with me People, go and ransack the houses of these gentry who smuggle their own wealth."

The Ningbo magistrate said sternly: "Before I came to Songjiang, I had already ordered people to surround their houses."

Liu Qiao said with a smile: "Oh, actually, Futai has a clear idea of ​​which families have fornicated Shuangyu Island."

"Ah this..." Ningbo Magistrate's expression suddenly changed.

The governor of Zhejiang glared at him and cursed in his heart: You idiot, if you can't speak, you can shut up. I haven't suffered enough from you!

Liu Qiao's face was warm: "Let's go and copy it. I estimate that the smuggling has lasted for three or four years, involving five or six families, and none of them are worth 300,000 taels. It's hard for me to deal with Long Live Lord."

The governor of Zhejiang breathed a sigh of relief.

If his superiors are willing to give him a clear explanation, there is still hope for his official career.

A few days later, everyone who had to leave was gone, and Zhuang Yumin finally felt a stone fall from his heart.

He called his son: "Go home and ask your mother for a thousand taels of silver. Exchange the five hundred taels for rice, noodles, meat and vegetables. Find someone to row two boats and send some rewards to Zheng Ziying of Chongming. Give the five hundred taels to that one." Guerrilla Xu Yilong.”

"My son understands that Mrs. Zheng also gave half of the credit to daddy this time."

"Hey..." Zhuang Yumin leaned back on the Grand Master's chair and sighed, "Yao Zongwen, when Mr. Fang Ge came to power, he was such a arrogant person. I saw that day that he had no dignity at all and faced Governor Liu with a disgraced face. The imperial court Damn it, if you want money, it doesn’t matter whose direct descendant you were.”

……

"Zheng Siqing, when you ask for money, you are more ruthless than Liu Qiao and others who ask for confessions from prisoners."

In the West Nuan Pavilion of the Qianqing Palace in the capital, Zhu Changluo read the list of house searches submitted by Jin Yiwei. He was very satisfied with the numbers and teased Zheng Haizhu who was sitting next to him with a smile.

Zheng Haizhu said: "That will only happen if His Majesty can keep his composure and trust us ministers."

Zhu Changluo nodded, looked at Cao Huachun, who was still a little confused, and said with a sense of nostalgia: "Three years ago, almost this month, Wang Banpan was still here. He and Mrs. Zheng advised me not to treat those late emperors first. When I was in power, I treated my ministers harshly and demoted them. Don't rush to open a business in Ningbo. There is a long history of smuggling there and the power of the Jin gentry is entangled. It is better to let them continue to make money. Anyway, the maritime merchants from South Zhili and Fujian cannot enter the territory of Zhejiang. , we still pay taxes at Songjiang and Yuegang.”

Cao Huachun finally understood.

This is, first sharpen a few more good knives, and then kill the pigs in the pig pen at once.

Cao Huachun couldn't help but secretly thought that he, as the Chief of Ceremonies, had to learn how to assist the government in such a way.

But what was shown on his face was a measured sadness: "Long live my godfather, ah no, if only he, the prince, were still here today and knew about the great victory at Shuangyu, it would be great."

Zhu Changluo sighed softly: "Yes, you go back today and write a post and burn it to him in front of the memorial tablet. When I was still in Ciqing Palace, Wang Banban was most concerned about my lack of food. After I came to Datong, he was most concerned about me. I am short of money..."

After hearing these few whispers from the emperor, Cao Huachun finally began to wipe his tears.

"No more talking," Zhu Changluo waved his sleeves, "Back to national affairs, Zheng Siqing, fighting a war is not about sailing a boat and seeking a sword. Now three or four years have passed, and many things have changed. Please give me a detailed calculation of the accounts. If you come here, I will give you a lot of money."

Zheng Haizhu took out the prepared bill-like memorial.

"Your Majesty, let us first calculate it based on three months. Ma Xianglin's department in Daning, natives of the Sichuan army, Jizhou soldiers, and Daifan clan, total 8,000 people, 2,000 people stayed behind, 6,000 people marched eastward, and 50,000 yuan of food and silver were collected. The general troops of Jizhen are Du Song, who has 10,000 men, and Li Rubai, who has 20,000 men, and Mao Wenlong's troops, who have 30,000 men and 180,000 gold men. The Che Division has 5,000 men and 30,000 taels. My battalion at Chongming and Taiwan Yan Xuanfu's navy will land at Huining with 8,000 and 60,000 taels at Chahar and Duoyan Haraqin. They sent troops to involve Horqin, no matter what, they had to give him 20,000 taels, including military uniforms, weapons and weapons, driving civilians, food and logistics, buying horses from Mongolia, and preparing various rewards. If you really want to sweep the hole and drive them all the way to the original Haixi Jurchen place, you can't spend money. I estimate that 1.2 million taels of silver were copied from Zhejiang. There is still a shortage of nearly one million taels.”

As soon as Zheng Haizhu finished speaking, Cao Huachun couldn't help but said: "Hey, what a coincidence, isn't it? Wei Zhongxian finally found out recently. The one in Luoyang has only been a feudal lord for nine years. He has paid land rent, miscellaneous taxes, and salt, even if he spends money like water. , The current family fortune is more than one million taels, which is quite appropriate. "

"Oh? Prince Fu's purse turns out to be much richer than my inner treasury? Then how come he was not even willing to give out tens of thousands taels of silver a year ago. Alas, he really enjoys a blessed life all his life. He doesn't know that I and Daming Difficulty. But if I don’t ask him to help, who else can I ask for help?”

Zhu Changluo went from pretending to be surprised to deliberately expressing emotion, and then finally made the final decision.

Zheng Haizhu and Cao Huachun both understood. The emperor meant: You should hurry up and do it.