I, the Ming Dynasty, can still save me

Chapter 358 The Yalu Riverside
Liaodong, Zhenjiang Fort.

It's August now, and the weather has long passed the scorching heat and is gradually getting cooler.

Zhenjiang Fort, located on the west bank of the Yalu River Estuary, is picturesque. The trees on Zhendong Mountain to the north are gradually turning golden, harmonizing with the cool blue and endless flow of the Yalu River to the east to create a very high-end tone.

But none of this stopped the North Koreans who wanted to row across the river to trade. These, together with the maritime merchants coming from the mouth of the Yalu River in the south, made Zhenjiang more lively than in previous years.

"Now more and more maritime merchants are coming from the south. Tell Cao Wenzhao to keep an eye on the merchants and the Koreans. Jiulian City to the north of Zhenjiang Fort is an important military area. They are not allowed to cross Zhenjiang Fort and dare to step into it. Those in Jiulian City will directly engage in military law."

Man Gui, the commander-in-chief of Zhenjiang Fort, stood on the city wall, looking at the bustling market south of Zhenjiang Fort with a serious look on his face, showing some displeasure.

"Bizhi understands that Lord Guerrilla has complained to Beizi before, saying that some of the maritime merchants there belong to the Ming Dynasty Trading Company.

It is now well known that His Majesty and the British public are shareholders in this Daming Trading Company, so they do not dare to offend.On weekdays, as long as they are slightly restricted from entering Jiulian City, they don't dare to interfere with others. "

"He doesn't dare to offend the trading company. He clearly doesn't want to cause trouble for his nephew."

Listening to the complaints of the soldiers around him, Man Gui complained expressionlessly.

However, he also knew that Zhenjiang was not a small town in Liaodong, but it was far away from Liaoyang, and also a long way from Jinzhou and Gaizhou Wei, so daily supplies were also difficult.He has been here for four months, and he is deeply aware of the hardships here. If it were not for the purpose of fighting against the Jianlu, he would not have led nearly [-] soldiers to station here.

Now it is difficult for maritime merchants to come here to trade, and they can help replenish supplies. Naturally, he will not drive them away easily, not to mention that there are people from Daming Trading Company here.

Just as Mangui was looking into the distance and thinking deeply, suddenly a report from a soldier came from behind him.

"Sir, Commander-in-Chief, Jinyi Guardsman Chitoda is already waiting at the house."

Only then did Man Gui come back to his senses, nodded and said:

"I know, I'll go right away. Also tell Cao Wenzhao to come to the house to discuss matters quickly without delay."

"As ordered."
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Zhenjiang Fort City South Market, this place was originally an open space outside Zhenjiang Fort, and there were usually not many people.But now it is bustling with people. There must be more Koreans and Han people coming and going than in previous years, and the goods on display are much richer than before.

In the past, North Korea would trade cattle goods here, including salt, sea vegetables, sea cucumbers, large and small papers, linen cloth and even iron plows, for cloth with the military and civilians in the Zhenjiang Fort area every spring and autumn.

But now since maritime merchants began to come here two months ago, in addition to salt, cloth, ironware, etc., the goods traded include medicinal materials, furs, ginseng and even ores.

There is no other reason than that maritime merchants are willing to buy these things at high prices.

Therefore, not only the Koreans, but also the Dingliao Youwei to the west of Zhenjiang Fort and the Yongdian Fort and Changdian Fort to the north would send people here to trade with each other, all in order to make a lot of money.

"General Cao Shen, don't worry, I will definitely bring the message to your nephew when I return to the capital." "That will help you."

In the garrison in the south of the city, Cao Wenzhao, who was not yet [-] years old, was standing in the main hall. Opposite him stood a merchant wearing a robe and a square scarf. He was thin and small, but his eyes were very bright, revealing his shrewdness.Seeing Cao Wenzhao being so polite to him, he quickly waved his hand and said:
"Where, where~ When our trading company comes here, General Manchu and Cao Shen will take care of it, otherwise how could it be so smooth. We will rely on you to take care of us in the future. This is a small gift from me to General Manchu and you. , these are some items from the capital that are not valuable, so I hope you will accept them."

Cao Wenzhao laughed when he heard this and secretly thought that this man knew the rules.

"If it's valuable, I won't dare to accept it. I'm also afraid that it will be included in the book, which will involve all the soldiers."

"It's worthless. It's worthless. Someone has already sent it to you and the Manchu Army. No one knows."

The merchant immediately clasped his hands and bent down to respond to Cao Wen's edict, secretly happy that it was done.The signboard of our Daming Trading Company is really easy to use. Although it is very dangerous to take this sea route by yourself, you need to understand the sea conditions, draw a sea map, and choose people to protect you.

But it was all worth it. The food, cloth and other items brought by the five ships on this trip were all sold out.The return ship was loaded with rare and in-demand goods such as wild ginseng, furs, and Korean medicinal materials. This trip could not be doubled or tripled.

Thinking of this, he couldn't help but get excited. Zhenjiang Fort was so profitable, so wouldn't the profits be even higher if they went to trade with North Korea east of Zhenjiang?

Thinking of this, he couldn't help but look at Cao Wenzhao. During this period, Cao Shen would take a lot of care of him.I just didn't know if I could get some information about North Korea from him. Thinking of this, he gritted his teeth and said:
"General Cao, Zhenjiang Fort is located on the west bank of the Yalu River, adjacent to North Korea. I believe there are many local North Korean guides here. I just wonder if there are any people who are familiar with the sea and land routes to Seoul?"

When Cao Wenzhao heard this, a look of understanding suddenly appeared on his face, and he looked at the person opposite him with amusement, making the merchant opposite him tremble, not knowing what he meant.

"It seems that you want to go to North Korea to do business? Well, you have a good idea. Although North Korea is a vassal state of the Ming Dynasty, it also implemented a maritime ban in order to prevent Japanese pirates. Very few merchant ships can go to North Korea. However, our trading company It’s special, maybe the North Korean government will treat it specially.”

Cao Wenzhao turned around and sat on the chair, while sipping tea, he tried to speak calmly to him.When the merchant heard this, he was immediately overjoyed and immediately raised his hands and said:
"Please give me your advice, Sir. If it succeeds, I will definitely give you a generous gift in return."

Having said this, he looked around, and when he found no one there, he quietly approached and lowered his head and said:

"I will also report the contribution of the General Counselor to the truth. His Majesty may also know about it by then."

When Cao Wenzhao heard this, he immediately laughed, looked at him with a smile, and finally shook his head and said:
"My nephew is highly valued by His Majesty in Licaolanchang, and of course I want him to advance to a higher level. So my advice to you now is, don't go to North Korea! There will be many opportunities in the future."

The merchant from Daming Trading Company was stunned when he heard Cao Wenzhao's words. He had tried this trick many times and never expected that Cao Wenzhao would reject him.However, hearing Cao Wenzhao’s words didn’t sound like a joke, so he hesitated and asked:

"I don't know how to say this?"

Cao Wenzhao shook his head and was about to explain when he heard a sudden sound from outside the door.

"General Cao Shen, the General Manchu Army has an order, ordering you to go to the General Army Mansion as soon as possible."

(End of this chapter)