I'm really not doing business

Chapter 338 The Way of Heaven
Shah Maimaiti was in Songjiang Prefecture. Wang Daokun, the governor of Songjiang, personally received the Shah envoy and even accompanied the envoy to visit the Ming Dynasty's shipyard. The condition of the shipyard shocked the Shah. In addition to the existing shipyards, , the shipyard is surrounded by busy construction sites, all of which are newly built shipyards.

Even this item of shipbuilding made Shah Maimaiti feel the terrifying manufacturing capabilities of the Ming Dynasty.

"The Ming Dynasty is open to all rivers." Shah Maimaiti showed off his Chinese. He has really worked hard to learn Chinese culture this year, although it is really difficult for him to understand the humor of the Ming Dynasty's bombardment of the Dragon King Temple. The capital The miscellaneous reports always made it a joke that Li Chengliang really bombed the Dragon King Temple.

There are many jokes of this kind. For example, the frugality of the Ming Emperor will also be compiled into Ming jokes.

The Shah was a devout believer. The Ming Dynasty's attitude towards gods and ghosts could only be attributed to the Ming Dynasty's own national conditions and cultural differences.

"Can I go to my boat and have a look?" Shahamaiti was very concerned about his boat.

The king of the Ming Dynasty promised fully, but when he arrived, he repeatedly pushed back. This kind of thing is an extremely common thing in any big country. He came to Songjiang for more than ten days, but the Ming Dynasty still did not notify him of the delivery. He was a little impatient. Shah thought he would add more money to satisfy the appetite of local officials in the Ming Dynasty.

Now in front of Governor Songjiang, Shahamaimaiti finally proposed the idea of ​​watching the ship himself.

Whether it's money or something, let's figure it out.

Wang Daokun, Songjiang Shipyard Supervisor Guo Rulin, General Office Zhao Shizhen and others whispered a few times, and said with certainty: "The preparations are not completed yet. If Shah's envoy wants to see it, come here."

"You must bring this with you when you enter the dock." Wang Daokun asked someone to get a bamboo hat. This is a hat made of high-quality moso bamboo with a hardwood lining inside to prevent falling objects. After a shipwright who was hoisting a sail on the mast had a tool fall from the sky and killed a man, the workshop began to vigorously promote this thing.

If you enter the shipyard without a bamboo hat, you will be slapped in the face. Those strange rules in the factory are all summed up by the price of blood.

After Shah Maimaiti entered the workshop, he saw the huge sail and knew why it had been being repaired. The local officials of the Ming Dynasty really did not force him to spend more money.

The sail delivered to Taixi had a big red cross on it, and the ship that Shah Maimaiti wanted to carry had a crescent moon symbol on it. The craftsmen of the Ming Dynasty were removing the stitches and replacing the cross with a crescent flag.

Shah Maimaiti discovered that the Emperor of Ming Dynasty really did not lie. Ming Dynasty's production capacity was tight, and he really jumped in the queue to pick up the ship. In this way, some of the slight depression about the price increase disappeared without a trace in an instant, and some worries about boarding the ship disappeared without a trace. It also disappeared.

He said quite sincerely: "I think there is some misunderstanding here, and we just need to remove the cross."

"Our shipyard also has its own delivery standards." Guo Rulin said with great conviction. How could he allow substandard products to leave the factory?The gold-lettered signboard of Songjiang Shipyard was personally written by His Majesty, and Guo Rulin would not let the sign fall into his hands.

Of course Guo Rulin knew that Shah Maimaiti was very impatient. He smiled and said: "It only takes three days, that's enough."

"Thanks for the supervisor's answer." Shah Maimaiti thought for a while and said: "In fact, we don't use the crescent flag, but the lion and sun emblem. If it is convenient, can we change it to the lion and sun emblem?"

"What kind of style is it?" Only then did Guo Rulin realize that he had made the wrong flag. Guo Rulin kept improving, but he had made the wrong flag. Isn't it nonsense?The Turks and Persians who were active in Wanli Seawall all used the crescent flag. He thought that the Mongol Kingdom also used this flag, but he found that he lacked understanding of the Mongol Kingdom.

Shah Maimaiti handed a painting to Guo Rulin, with the lion and sun emblem and flag on it. Zhao Shizhen took the pattern and arranged it.

Guo Rulin promised that Daming would still deliver the goods as scheduled three days later, and Shah was very satisfied with this.

"That's that?" Shah pointed to the dock in the distance and asked with interest.

The ship built in the dockyard over there was obviously a five-masted ocean crossing ship. Shah could still count the masts, but the shape of the ship was more slender and more ferocious. The rounded bulbous bow was obviously specially designed.

"Type C, this ship has not passed the sea voyage yet." Wang Daokun chose to be vague, and the implication was that he would not sell it.

Shah Maimaiti nodded. It was a five-masted ocean crossing ship for Ming Dynasty's own use.

Everyone calls it a five-masted ocean crossing ship. Its larger tonnage, faster speed, stronger passing ability, better resistance to wind and waves, more gun positions, and more reasonable design will result in the Type C's combat effectiveness being much stronger. The boat purchased in Shah Maimaiti.

Of course, Shah Maimaiti heard that the boat was not for sale. He tentatively took out his all-conquering money to open the way, and asked in a low voice: "Can I get it with more money?"

"Type C is not something you can get with extra money." Wang Daokun smiled and answered with certainty.

Letting every customer see Daming's new, more advanced ships is a deterrent and deliberate. The purpose of the Type C ocean-going ship under construction is to tell every customer not to overestimate their capabilities.

The results of provocation are never good, and will be difficult to achieve in the future.

"Sure enough, gold and silver are not omnipotent." Shah Maimaiti showed a smile and said: "This is reasonable. The Celestial Kingdom is indeed a country of etiquette. If gold and silver can do whatever they want, they can do it." What, then I must be worried about the future of Ming Dynasty."

Nothing is impossible without money, but money cannot do anything. Shah Maimaiti has a deeper understanding of the culture of his friendly countries.

Shah Maimaiti was very envious of the Ming Dynasty's dazzling arsenal. Although he didn't have to pay extra to pick up the boat, when Shah saw the arsenal, he couldn't move at all.

Add money to get more gunpowder and firearms.

The quality of the gunpowder of the Ming Dynasty far exceeded that of the Mongol Kingdom. Various artillery and muskets for sea and land were placed there. Each one was exciting, but of course the price was prohibitive.

For example, Qi Jiguang's invention of the Pingyi gun, a sixty-step accurate fire gun that can tear through iron armor, made Shah Maimaiti excited. However, the price of a Pingyi gun is as high as 25 silver, and each lead bullet, The selling price of oil paper, gunpowder and five cents of silver made Shah Maimaiti doubt whether he was really rich.

These are really good and really expensive, and there’s only one downside to expensive things, and that’s that they’re expensive.

"Envoy Shah, there is actually no need to buy this kind of flat gun. It is specially used to deal with Tiehun armor. Even the red-haired enemies that your monarch has to face, not everyone has Tiehun armor. I, Ming Dynasty, I have been fighting against the Taixi Hongmaofan for a long time. Among the 100 of them, one set of low-quality iron armor is considered elite." Wang Daokun does not recommend the flat gun. It is more powerful and more accurate, but the usage scenarios , also relatively few.

It's good, but it's useless.

The number of artillery and fire guns in the Mongol Kingdom is extremely rare. No one in the Mongol Kingdom knows how to use these things. Even if they are trained, they are of little use. It is better to replace them with more affordable bird guns.

These bird guns are more suitable for the Mongol Kingdom's combat needs.

A bird gun costs only five silver, and the price of lead bullets and gunpowder are both one-fifth of that of a flat gun.

"I very much agree with what the governor said, but how can I bear to miss such a good thing after seeing it?" Of course, Shah Maimaiti knew that Wang Daokun had good intentions, and also knew that this thing was not suitable for the Mongol battlefield, but after seeing it, he didn't take it with him. If you walk a few times, you may regret it for the rest of your life.

This is the most sophisticated firearm in the world today.

Shah Maimaiti still bought a lot of flashy but useless weapons at the shipyard. For example, there was a foot-long riding gun that had no use on the battlefield, but the price was as high as 120 silver. This thing It is mainly used for self-defense by nobles. If there are assassins, they can hit them by raising their hands. The reason why it is expensive is that it has a fire sickle, which can be fired at any time without the need for fire.

The Emperor of the Ming Dynasty invented it himself without doing his job. It was a joint signature of the emperor. His Majesty kept three muskets of different sizes.

This thing may not be used once in a lifetime, and the gunpowder and lead need to be changed frequently, and the fire sickle needs to be checked and maintained regularly. It is so expensive that Shah Maimaiti bought a total of seventy guns. As long as one of the seventy guns is After it rang once, Shah Maimaiti made no loss on this purchase, and even made a huge profit.

"This guy is really rich!" Wang Daokun said in amazement as he looked at Shah Maimaiti's back.

Guo Rulin said calmly: "He even thinks it's worth the money."

The things sold by the Ming Dynasty are really not cheap. Because of the unique properties of arms, the profit margin of such things is usually ridiculously high. But even with such a high profit, the Shah envoy still feels that it is well worth the money. If I hadn't come this time and didn't bring enough money, I might have had to sweep up a lot of goods and take them back.

Shah Maimaiti has his own weighing. He is really not taken advantage of. He really feels that it is value for money, high quality and low price, because not to mention the artillery smuggled from the West and the nine-pound naval gun, which are not available in the West. An ordinary fire gun costs at least thirty silver.

A blunderbuss in the Ming Dynasty only costs five silver!

For the meat eaters of the Mongol Kingdom, the products of the Ming Dynasty are really high-quality and cheap, large in quantity and filling.

Shah Maimaiti came to the shipyard again three days later, and he successfully mentioned the ship he had been thinking about.

Five days later, he will return to the Mongol Kingdom. What makes Shah Maimaiti even more satisfied is that if the ship arrives in Daming, it can be maintained and cleaned at shipping companies in Songjiang, Ningbo, Zhejiang, Yuegang, Fujian, and Dianbai, Guangzhou. It's free, but the repair is not.

This is surprising enough, Daming Shipyard actually has after-sales service!

This flattered Shah Maimaiti!
"When will the Ming Dynasty capture Malacca? After we capture it, I won't have to travel so far to maintain the ships." Shah Maimaiti sincerely wishes that the Ming Dynasty will capture Malacca as soon as possible. In this way, there will be no need to travel so far to maintain the ships. .

Guo Rulin, Zhao Shizhen and other shipyard supervisors did not expect that maintaining the ship would also be a huge investment. Every time Captain Antonio came to the port, he had to pay more than [-] silver in maintenance and repair costs. Cleaning was free, but replacing a broken ship Plates, replacing watertight cabin accessories, repainting tung oil, repairing and replacing Taiyue boxes, etc. are all profitable businesses.

"We must win it as soon as possible. We must win it as soon as possible to make money." Wang Daokun said with a smile. Envoy Shaat spent so much money, so he certainly deserves a smile.

Guo Rulin and Zhao Shizhen are very confident in their products. Mongolia will definitely become another big customer of the Ming Dynasty. Antonio, the captain of Taixi, is the ironclad proof.

"Actually, I am very interested in Guojiao. I can only take one barrel back to try it this time. I hope that next time I come here, Ming Dynasty will have more Guojiao in stock." Shah Maimaiti said with great pity.

All the Guojiao accumulated by the Ming Dynasty were given to the navy of the Ming Dynasty in the Ryukyu expedition. Even the emperor's rewards were withheld. This made Shah Maimaiti very regretful. Whether the Guojiao tastes good or not is secondary, but this thing is sailing. Essential.

"Where are those big ships over there going?" Shah Maimaiti was quite curious as he looked at the nearly a thousand ships sailing out to sea in the port. They all had seven-star flags hanging on them. They were obviously official ships of the Ming Dynasty. There were so many official ships. The ship was dispatched, which really shocked Shah Maimaiti.

Hundreds of boats are draped in red and sounding trombones, and thousands of sails are flying over thousands of waves.

Today the sky is clear and cloudless. The rising sun in the distance is slowly rising from the sea. The golden light under the rising sun fills the sea and also shines on the sails. The ships are pulled by the barges. There were streaks of water on the sparkling sea, and the birds in the sky were singing happily as the sailors sprinkled grain on the deck to pray for the voyage. "Go to Ryukyu. The Ming Dynasty wants to build three ports there, and by the way, send supplies to the Ming Navy stationed in Ryukyu." Wang Daokun didn't hide it. The Shah was just a Mongol who didn't know that he was going to Ryukyu to send supplies. Everyone in Songjiang Prefecture knows that there are [-] civilians on these more than a thousand boats. These civilians are all poor coolies recruited by the Ming Dynasty to go to Ryukyu.

In order for the powerful people to be exploited by them in a down-to-earth manner, the powerful officials usually only give one and a half share for the work done by three people, and then give half as a reward to the scabs.

When the imperial court called to go to Ryukyu, the desperate people chose to board the ship. After all, the treatment promised by the Ming Emperor was very good. The credibility of the Ming Emperor and the powerful Ming Dynasty were very sure.

The statue of Concubine Zhaoying Hongren and Puji, who protects the country and protects the people, is on the bow of the first ship. This is the title of the Ming Dynasty. People generally call her Mazu or the Goddess of the Sea. In addition to protecting the fleet, she also protects the fleet. During the Ming Dynasty, Mazu’s faith and customs were brought to Ryukyu.

When Shah Maimaiti left, he also got a statue of Mazu. Songjiang local officials, large and small, wholeheartedly asked Shah Maimaiti to have a safe journey back.

The Ming Dynasty navy has eliminated the Japanese pirates on the ground in Ryukyu, but the attack on Ryukyu has always been blocked. Attacks from the sea have been defeated by the Shimadzu family several times. Attacks from the land lack a stable force. supply.

After Chen Lin failed to attack three times, he chose to take a roundabout way. After several communications with the Nagasaki Governor's Palace, the Ming Dynasty Navy began to land in Nagasaki quietly, all of which was carried out without telling Otomo Sorin.

The strength of the Nagasaki Governor-General's Mansion quickly increased from more than 7000 to [-]. A total of two additional infantry battalions were added and stationed on the spot, waiting for the opportunity.

On a dark and windy night for a month, Chen Lin quietly stopped under the trestle of Nagasaki Port with thirteen hydrofoil sailboats.

Chen Lin, the commander-in-chief of the Ming Navy, personally set foot on the territory of Japan.

Chen Zhu, the same Chen Zhu whose father was forced to perform dog funerals by the Kong family's evil lackeys, was the coastal defense inspector responsible for this correspondence.

"I've seen the Navy General." Xu Wei, Sun Keyi and other officials from the Nagasaki Governor's Mansion were already waiting outside the pier. After Chen Lin got off the boat, he disappeared between the rows of large houses in the blink of an eye. Entered the Governor's Palace.

It was the first time that Chen Lin and Xu Wei met. Chen Lin's face was very fierce, not careless, but fierce with countless heads on his hands, and there was a glint in his eyes. At first glance, he was not someone to be trifled with.

Chen Lin was someone Yu Dayou personally asked the emperor and snatched from Yin Zhengmao's hands. Yu Dayou discovered Chen Lin's talent in naval warfare when Guangdong and Guangxi were fighting against Japan, and he always paid attention to it. When he was planning to build the Songjiang Navy in the first year of Wanli, , Chen Lin was transferred to Songjiang.

The first hydrofoil sailboat of the Ming Dynasty was tested by Chen Lin. Chen Lin personally led the hydrofoil sailboat fleet to complete the sea test from Songjiang to Tianjin Wei, and then from Songjiang Prefecture to Manila, Luzon.

Then Chen Lin personally took charge of escorting the Ming Dynasty's first grain shipment. In the past few years, Chen Lin made great military achievements and became the most powerful general in the Ming Navy.

"It's the first time we meet, it's not respectful." Xu Wei clapped his hands, and a group of merchants came in carrying two baskets.

Xu Wei unrolled the red silk, and inside was golden gold. This was pure gold. This basket was 800 taels, and the two baskets were 600 taels. According to the listed price, one tael of gold equals 16 taels of silver. These two baskets Gold, worth twenty-five thousand taels.

Xu Wei's action can be said to be generous.

"What's the meaning of this?" Chen Lin pushed, and two baskets of one hundred kilograms of gold were pushed out. Chen Lin frowned and put his hand on his waist knife. All the soldiers familiar with Chen Lin knew that Chen Lin was really angry. , everyone put their hands on the sword.

The atmosphere suddenly became tense.

Xu Wei and Sun Keyi immediately panicked. According to rumors, Chen Lin was very greedy for money.

Sun Keyi immediately said with a smile: "Isn't this asking for General Chen's help? The Nagasaki Governor's Mansion wants to trouble General Chen to come in person. The Nagasaki Governor's Mansion does not have such a strong general as the general. General Lao is coming, so he must be prepared. Give each other a small gift."

There are no strong generals in the Nagasaki Governor's Palace. This is indeed a borrowed force. How can anyone help and help with nothing?If Chen Lin fails to do his job, all his plans will come to nothing.

Xu Wei and Sun Keyi were both literati and businessmen. They naturally had their own way of doing things, and they had no ill intentions. The small amount of troops in the Nagasaki Governor's Mansion was not enough for Chen Lin and his soldiers to deal with.

"This is a state matter. The Shimazu family is rebelling against Tiangang. It doesn't have to be like this." Chen Lin unscrewed her cowhide bag and was about to take a sip when she realized there was wine in it, so she changed it to a bag of water and stopped drinking after getting off the boat. It was military discipline, the soldiers returned to their original state, and everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

Seeing that the tense atmosphere had eased slightly, Sun Keyi immediately said: "Pass the dishes!"

After eating and drinking, the atmosphere became harmonious. As the general manager of the business, Sun Keyi seemed to have mentioned the rumors inadvertently. He said with a smile: "I will punish myself with three drinks. Alas, this is just hearsay. I heard that the general is so good at this gold and silver." It’s because I have prepared something like Adu’s. If it offends the general, please ask the general to forgive me.”

Sun Keyi drank three large cups without hesitation. Everyone was a little dazed after drinking. This was Guojiao, and the alcohol content was not low. No matter how good he was at drinking, he still felt a little dizzy after three cups.

"Alas." Chen Lin sighed, poured himself a glass of wine, and said with a glass of wine: "We are overseas, so Sun Shang doesn't have to worry about it. Earlier, if we warriors were not greedy for money, It’s time to die.”

"This gold should be dedicated to His Majesty."

In the sixth year of Longqing, Luo Yinghe, the governor's censor, impeached Chen Lin for embezzling a huge amount of money. Chen Lin was dismissed from office. Later, he was appointed again because of the anti-Japanese incident. Sun Keyi and Xu Wei really thought that Chen Lin was very greedy for money.

Just like the rumor that Qi Jiguang was a Persian beauty, Qi Jiguang's family had a fierce wife. If Qi Jiguang was really a beauty, his family would have been turned upside down long ago.

To be a military commander, you must have some shortcomings, otherwise you will not be able to survive. It is under the background of making the country rich and powerful in the past few years that warriors finally become like human beings in terms of personal ethics.

Chen Lin believed that it was good for the Ming Emperor to be greedy for money. Government was achieved through bribery. Since bribes were required, why not bribe His Majesty?

"That's right." Xu Wei toasted Chen Lin, then placed the wine glass heavily on the table, and said somewhat angrily: "Which man from Pingbo is not a hero! Those bitches in the court, plotting and instigating, go up to With just a touch of lip service, good people become bad people!"

"I'm so angry! If it weren't for my inability to restrain a chicken, I would have to stab a few of them with my own hands in order to relieve the hatred in my heart!"

Xu Wei was Hu Zongxian's staff. After Hu Zongxian's death, Xu Wei spent seven years in the sky prison and he went crazy. He did think about killing people, but he couldn't kill anyone and could only be angry.

These generals are all human beings. Their personal ethics are really as bad as those bitches said. They don't even have the appearance of a human being. Why do they have to fight the Japanese with their heads in their belts on the battlefield? !Do swords and arrows have eyes?Avoid these generals?

When it came to scolding Confucians and being Japanese, there were more common topics, and the atmosphere finally became completely harmonious.

"I don't know what happened on Kyushu Island. Governor Xu, are we going to cooperate with Bungo Kingdom Otomo Sorin to completely destroy Shimazu Yoshihisa?" Chen Lin talked about the major event of peace against Japan.

Otomo Zonglin had just won a great victory in Erchuan, and when he was going all out, the addition of Chen Lin's six thousand troops and the last breath of the Shimazu family would inevitably be completely dispersed.

"This is Otomo Zonglin." Xu Wei took out a tea cup and started pouring water into it. He kept filling it up without stopping. Xu Wei didn't stop until the water was full and overflowed.

"This is Ryuzoji Takanobu, and this is Shimazu Yoshihisa." Xu Wei took out two more tea cups and started pouring water. Ryuzoji Takanobu poured more than half a cup, while Shimazu Yoshihisa's cup only had a little.

Xu Wei pointed to the three teacups and said: "Now Otomo Sorin is powerful. If we cooperate with Otomo Sorin to defeat Shimazu Yoshihisa, then Otomo Sorin will be the only one in the family. That Fanbang fanatic believer will definitely not be able to accommodate our Nagasaki Governor's Palace." ."

Fanbang fanatic is the nickname given to Otomo Sorin by the great names of Kyushu Island. This guy is a fanatic believer in Nestorianism. The Nagasaki Governor's Palace has bloodbathed the diocese. Otomo Sorin is completely a family leader, so the Nagasaki Governor's Palace is very dangerous. .

"What Governor Xu said makes sense." Chen Lin kept nodding her head.

Xu Wei continued: "The way of heaven is to make up for the deficiency when there is excess damage. Otomo Sorin has more than enough now, so we have to find a way to harm Otomo Sorin. I have contacted Ryuzoji Takanobu and Shimazu Yoshihisa, and we will fight Ergawa again!"

Chen Lin asked doubtfully: "Who should I help? Whoever wins will help whom?"

Xu Wei put three cups of tea together and said with a gloomy face: "When they are both defeated, eat them all in one fell swoop! Otherwise, there is no need for 6000 people, and General Chen will not be invited to come in person."

"Okay!" Chen Lin thought for a moment and said only one word.

Xu Wei said with embarrassment: "If we are unable to do so, we will help Ryuzoji Takanobu and Shimazu Yoshihisa. If the defeat of Ryuzoji Takanobu and Shimazu Yoshihisa is too ugly, we will help Otomo Sorin. How much money can we make?" Some benefits."

"To be honest, there are no good generals in the Nagasaki Governor's Palace. This fighter plan is really difficult to judge."

Xu Wei and Sun Keyi knew the situation on Kyushu Island very well, but their judgment on fighter planes was very poor. On the battlefield, fighter planes were fleeting. They really didn't know when to send troops and who to fight when. Although Chen Lin didn't know He knows the situation on Kyushu Island, but he is a good general.

"It's okay, just leave it to me." Chen Lin said calmly: "What is the strength of these three parties?"

Xu Wei began to explain the information he had heard. Chen Lin would naturally verify the information. Xu Wei told Chen Lin everything he knew.

"Otomo Sorin had 200 ashigaru, and even a cavalry force of 800 people, and an artillery team of 2 people. The total of Ryuzoji Temple and the Shimazu family was less than [-] people. They had no cavalry and no firearms. Just like that, Otomo Zonglin almost lost the battle?" Chen Lin felt a little incredible. He thought for a long time and said: "Is this Otomo Zonglin ignorant of soldiers?"

"Of course." Xu Wei said with certainty: "If he has such talent, how can he promote Nestorianism in the army? I don't know soldiers, and I know that this kind of forced promotion will affect morale."

"That's easy to handle." Chen Lin indicated that she understood the general situation, and then began to send out coastal defense inspections and scouts to begin investigation.

Businessmen active on Kyushu Island brought enough information, which made Chen Lin collect information much faster. Things were not optimistic.

After the coalition forces of Shimazu Yoshihisa and Ryuzoji Takanobu were defeated by Otomo Sorin in the Battle of Ergawa, their military morale became dispersed. They sent envoys to Bungo Kingdom to prepare for peace negotiations with Otomo Sorin.

Due to conflicts with his retainers, Otomo Sorin actually began to negotiate for peace even though he offered very excessive conditions.

If the peace negotiation is really completed, wouldn't Chen Lin's two camps be in vain?
　The way of heaven is to make up for the deficiency when there is more than enough damage. The next sentence is that the way of man is not the same. If there is not enough damage, there will be more than enough.That is to say, the way of man is different from the way of heaven. The way of man is to sacrifice those who are deficient and to worship those who have more than enough.This sentence comes from the Tao Te Ching. When I read it again today, I have a new understanding.Please give me a monthly ticket, wow! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

　　
　
(End of this chapter)