The most reckless man in the Ming Dynasty.

Chapter 299 Interests are heart-warming

Jeju Trade!

I only recognize you!
Tang Hao's words undoubtedly gave Cui Tan great confidence!
You have to know that this is a trade between the Ming Dynasty and Korea, how amazing would the profit be?

North Korea had a corrupt political situation and declining national strength because of the incompetent ruler Yeonsangun and constant court struggles!
If we can seize this opportunity to open up Jeju trade with Ming Dynasty, we may be able to use the trade profits to reverse the corrupt status quo of the dynasty!

As a result, Cui Dam himself is destined to become the leader of the old nobles and return to the center of the court!

When he thought of this, Cui Tan stopped pretending.

He looked at Tang Hao with red eyes, and asked with a little vigilance: "Tang Hou helped me rise to the top, so what did Tang Hou Jiang get from me?"

"Hahaha..." Tang Hao sneered when he heard this.

"You are an old man in your sixties or seventies. You may die any day. What can I do to you?"

Cui Tan: "..."

Well, he shouldn't have asked that.

This bastard, Marquis Zhongshan, is notoriously bad-mouthed!

"I just want to use your help to promote trade between our two countries."

Tang Hao replied lightly: "Japan has been conquered by our Ming Dynasty. It is now a slave state of our Ming Dynasty. There will be no more Japanese pirates in the future!"

"The last hidden danger of the East China Sea trade has also been solved. The three countries will be the main ones, namely, Ming Dynasty, Korea and Ryukyu. This is a mutually beneficial thing. Naturally, the earlier the three countries proceed, the earlier they can benefit."

"After you, Cui Tan, become a powerful official in Joseon, you must do your utmost to protect the East China Sea trade, that's all!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Tang Hao turned and left, leaving Cui Tan secretly shocked and horrified.

Was Japan destroyed by the Ming Dynasty just like that?
Oh my God!

That’s Japan!
What the Yuan Dynasty failed to accomplish was accomplished by this Marquis of Zhongshan?
Since the Ming Navy has the ability to destroy and conquer Japan, doesn’t that mean...if Korea does not agree to trade in the East China Sea, then the Ming Navy also has the ability to send troops to destroy Korea?
When he thought of this, Cui Tan couldn't sit still anymore.

The Ming Dynasty today is no longer the Ming Dynasty that was declining!
Under the planning of this Marquis Zhongshan, the Ming Navy has become an existence that all the countries in the East China Sea need to respect and admire!

Therefore, this East China Sea trade must be promoted!

Even if it is not for ourselves, it is for North Korea, otherwise North Korea will be the next Japan!

Cui Tan was not stupid, so he naturally understood the threat from Marquis Zhongshan!
So he rushed back to North Korea overnight, ready to give it a try!
When Tang Hao heard the news, he was not surprised.

Cui Dam was a smart man. The reason why he chose to take refuge in Jeju Island was because he had no support behind him, so he did not dare to get involved in the struggle between the two major court forces in Joseon.

Tang Hao gave him the courage and confidence, which came from the horrific profits from the East China Sea trade.

Li Yi, an ordinary emperor, certainly loves money, and no one can resist money.

As long as Cui Tan goes back to persuade them, coupled with the "Zou Xiao Wei Wang" incident, Li Yi will probably immediately carry out the bloodbath of the Shilin faction this time, and then, under the leadership of the old meritorious forces, he will officially open the East China Sea trade with the Ming Dynasty!
Of course, if Li Yi insisted on being reserved and pretending to be the cool and aloof King of Korea, Tang Hao would not mind leading the Ming navy north to visit Korea. As for how many people would die and where the battle would end up, that was not something Tang Hao could decide.

After resolving the issues with North Korea, Tang Hao called Wang Dabao again and gave him some serious instructions and warnings.

Following Tang Hao's previous reminder, Wang Dabao and other garrison troops had already built a customs service between North Korea and Jeju Island.

The huge profits from maritime trade will definitely stimulate a large amount of smuggling. No matter whether it is the Korean side or the Ming side, those people can do anything. This requires the Ming navy to be more powerful and able to search any ship at any time on the sea. Any ship that has not paid taxes must pay a fine of three or five times the tax.

The tariffs collected by the customs belonged to the court, or more precisely, to the emperor's wealth. According to the Ming Dynasty system, this was actually a commercial tax. The gentry and gentry had not yet realized the importance of commercial taxes, which gave Tang Hao and Zhu Houzhao the opportunity to fill the treasury.

"My Lord, how does the Jeju Customs operate?"

"If the customs wants to collect taxes, then they must leave a navy to crack down on those who don't want to pay taxes and deliberately smuggle!"

"Otherwise, everyone will evade customs duties by bypassing the customs, and the customs duties will definitely not be collected. However, the combat effectiveness of our guards is not strong..."

Wang Dabao is indeed a talented person. When he received the order from Zhongshan Hou to build a customs, he immediately learned some knowledge in this area.

For example, the reforms carried out by Marquis Zhongshan at the Linqing Customs are undoubtedly the best example to learn from.

However, there is a problem. The Linqing Customs is located in an important inland area and is guarded by government officials. Merchants have to pay taxes even if they don't want to.

But the Jeju Customs is different. If there is no powerful navy to suppress it, why would they pay taxes to you? Not to mention that the Jeju Customs are facing two foreign countries, Korea and Ryukyu, which makes it much more troublesome to deal with.

"Why? Do you regret taking on this good job?"

Upon hearing this, Tang Hao couldn't help but joke, making Wang Dabao blush.

"It's actually quite simple. We just need to pick a suitable place on Jeju Island and set aside a port specifically for the trade among the three countries."

"All fleets entering this port for trade, whether from the Ming Dynasty, Korea, or Ryukyu, all need to pay taxes. You must remember this."

"In order to facilitate tax collection, we will levy taxes according to the size of the ship, regardless of the cargo on board. The amount of tax for each load will be posted at the port entrance so that the ship owner can see it at a glance. The simpler and clearer it is, the less likely it is to engage in corruption. The more complicated and cumbersome it is, the easier it is to harbor corruption."

"This commercial tax may not seem like much, but it will last for a long time, and will eventually go into the emperor's treasury, so you must pay enough attention to it. In other words, you are now helping the emperor make money!"

As soon as these words were spoken, Wang Dabao's whole body shook violently and his face turned red with excitement.

That is His Majesty the Emperor!

Haven't we become successful now and become the Emperor's man?

"But what you said makes sense."

"There still needs to be a navy stationed on Jeju Island."

"I will leave behind a general and a navy. I estimate that His Majesty the Emperor will also send a garrison eunuch. Then, with you as the commander of the Jeju Guard, we will form a three-way balance of power. Your Jeju Guard will be responsible for maintaining the normal operation of the port; the navy will be responsible for patrolling the area around Jeju to combat smuggling; and the garrison eunuch, as for you, knows everything!"

"After returning to the capital, I will discuss this with Your Majesty and draw up a charter as soon as possible."

In fact, in this way, Wang Dabao's power was divided.

In the past, he, as the commander of Jeju Guard, was the number one person on Jeju Island. According to the three-party check and balance structure, he would be the number three person.

However, Wang Dabao didn't have any idea about this. He was originally the son of an ordinary farmer. He had his current career and wealth because of the support of Marquis Zhongshan. He just had to do whatever the marquis said and didn't have that much ambition.

"Don't worry, you are my man!"

"Whether it's the navy or the eunuchs guarding the garrison, whoever dares to take bribes, whoever dares to bully others, send a message to this marquis!"

Tang Hao smiled and patted Wang Dabao on the shoulder, and the latter immediately became full of energy.

This Jeju Island was forcibly taken from North Korea by the Marquis, and he put in a lot of effort and hard work for it, which led to the establishment of the trade pattern of the three countries in the East China Sea!

As the commander of Jeju Guard, I will never allow anyone to destroy the Marquis’ hard work!

no way!

The next day, Tang Hao left Tang Mu and three thousand naval soldiers behind, while he continued to lead the fleet back to Ming Dynasty.

There is no way. Tang Mu is the most trusted and respected person among all the generals by Tang Hao, and he is also the most intelligent one.

He stayed to guard Jeju Island and would return home smoothly only after North Korea officially agreed to open up trade in the East China Sea.

We have to be on guard against this. If the Korean King Yi Gye suddenly goes crazy and refuses to join Ming's East China Sea trade, Tangmu will respond immediately. Three thousand naval soldiers are enough to dominate the Korean waters.

As for the military merit rewards for Tang Mu and other soldiers, naturally not a penny will be reduced. Tang Hao will naturally fight for all that they deserve, and then send soldiers over for rotation. He will just return home a step later.

After seeing off the main fleet, Tang Mu patted Wang Dabao on the shoulder with a smile.

"The young man is quite good, and he is highly valued and trusted by the Marquis."

Wang Dabao chuckled twice and bowed respectfully to Tang Mu.

"Thanks to the general's support."

"No need to thank me, we all follow the Marquis to make a living."

Tang Mu waved his hand with deep emotion and warned: "You spend your whole life protecting Jeju Island for the Marquis and the Ming Dynasty. It will be enough for you to be famous in history for wealth and glory!" Wang Dabao nodded in agreement, then stood beside Tang Mu and watched the main fleet gradually disappear on the sea level.

"General, will North Korea agree?"

"It would be best if they agree!" Tang Mu sneered, "Otherwise I will have to take my brothers to North Korea!"

"Now the hegemony of the East China Sea is in the hands of the Ming Dynasty. I believe that the Korean King Li Yi will not be so stupid!"

It is said that after Cui Dam returned to Wangjing, the capital of Joseon, he immediately went to meet Shen Zhen in secret.

In fact, the power of the old officials is still similar to the structure of the Three Ministers, except that they are replaced by three powerful ministers: Shen Zhen, Nan Gun, and Hong Jingzhou.

Compared with Nan Gun and Hong Jingzhou, the reason why Cui Tan chose Shen Zhen was not because of Shen Zhen's noble morals and outstanding virtues. On the contrary, Shen Zhen was famous for his "extraordinary talent and greed for fame", and was a person who was greedy for power.

When Park Won-jong, Sung Hee-yeon, Ryu Sun-jung and others conspired to launch a coup to depose Yeonsangun, Shim Jeong joined them, claiming to be "good at planning and dealing with emergencies" and was called a "brain trust". Later, the coup was successful, Lee Gye succeeded to the throne, and Shim Jeong was also named a third-class meritorious minister for stabilizing the country.

Later, the three ministers repeatedly forced Lee Gye to eliminate dissidents and consolidate the power of the old meritorious officials. Most of the conspiracies were also planned by Shen Zhen. For example, Shen Zhen and Nan Gun reported the coup plot of Li Ke and others, which led to the purge and slaughter of the Li clan. Shen Zhen himself was named Hwacheon Gun. After that, he served as Yingjiao of Hongwengguan, Youyun of Hanseongbu, Surveillance of Hwanghae Province, Canpan of Households, Punishments, and Personnel, and the Governor of Kaesongbu, and he rose rapidly all the way.

In other words, Shen Zhen is an out-and-out opportunist who will stop at nothing to advance his career.

This kind of person is exactly the political ally Cui Dam needs most now.

After all, Cui Damu could not be considered a member of the old noble faction, nor was he accepted by the Sillin faction, so the best way was to conspire with Shen Zhen and use Shen Zhen as a springboard to officially become the leader of the old nobles!
Shen Zhen still had some impression of Cui Tan. After all, he was the descendant of Cui Ying, a famous minister of Goryeo!
However, the two sides had no previous contact, and Cui Dam was now just a mere Jeju official who had long been squeezed out of the court and had no real power.

So Shen Zhen didn't take this kind of small character seriously at all. He waved his hand and asked the housekeeper to send the person away.

Now that his and Namgunk's plan has succeeded, King Yi Gye is wary and suspicious of Cho Gwang-jo. All he needs to do next is think about how to add fuel to the fire, and Cho Gwang-jo and his Sillim faction will surely die!
Shen Zhen was thinking with a frown when he saw the housekeeper coming back. He immediately said angrily: "Didn't you drive that guy away?"

"Master, Cui Tan insisted that he had something important to report, which was enough to prompt the king to make up his mind!"

Hearing this, Shen Zhen was stunned at first, then smiled playfully.

"interesting!"

"It's really interesting!"

"I want to see what good ideas he has!"

A moment later, Cui Tan successfully entered and met Shen Zhen in the study.

Shen Zhen held the scroll in his hand and glanced at Cui Tan with a slight contempt.

"Let's just get this straight!"

"Do you have any way to make the king make up his mind?"

Cui Tan didn't waste any words and answered directly: "Jeju trade?"

When Shen Zhen heard the word "Jeju", his face suddenly darkened.

"Cui Tan, have you secretly sided with Zhao Guangzu, and therefore resorted to these insidious tactics in front of me?"

Almost subconsciously, Shen Zhen felt that there was something fishy going on!
Everyone knows that the Jeju Racecourse incident has now become an indelible stain on the old nobles' power, and those Confucian scholars are still frantically criticizing and accusing the three ministers of selling out their country for personal gain!

As a result, at this critical juncture, you, Cui Dam, mentioned the Jeju trade again. Isn't this deliberately giving the Sillin faction an excuse to attack the old nobles?
Could it be that Cui Tan is here to die?
Cui Tan remained calm and just changed his words.

"Or rather the East China Sea trade!"

East China Sea Trade?!
Hearing these four words, Shen Zhen's eyes suddenly sparkled.

"What's going on?"

"Tell me the details!"

Cui Tan organized his thoughts and explained the cause and effect in a dignified manner.

"The Great Ming Zhongshan Marquis led the Great Ming Navy to attack Japan. Now Japan has been completely conquered. Japan has also become a slave country of the Great Ming Dynasty..."

This sudden shocking news made Shen Zhen's face change drastically!

Japan became a slave state of the Ming Dynasty, which is definitely not good news for North Korea!
If this is true, then Korea will be under the control of Ming and Japan, and will have to be more submissive to Ming and dare not make any offensive moves. Then, it will be impossible to take back the Jeju Racecourse!

And the key point is, since the Ming Dynasty has the ability to destroy Japan, can they also destroy Korea?

This question is terrifying when you think about it carefully!
"The Ming Dynasty conquered Japan and eliminated the threat of Japanese pirates."

"Then the Great Ming Zhongshan Marquis proposed to start the East China Sea Tripartite Trade on Jeju Island, focusing on the Great Ming, Korea, and Ryukyu!"

Cui Tan told the truth, and Shen Zhen was overjoyed!

"Hahaha……"

"God is really helping me!"

He has always been smart, so how could he not see that this was a great opportunity?
It’s okay that the Ryukyu indigenous barbarians are just backward. What good things can they have? They are just some local specialties. North Korea still looks down on them!
But the situation was different for the Ming Dynasty. After all, it was the suzerain state of the Celestial Empire. Their specialty products, such as silk, tea, porcelain, etc., were expensive luxury goods that the nobles in Korea rushed to buy. How staggering was the profit from this?
Every time North Korea sent an envoy to pay tribute to the Ming Dynasty, it could make a fortune by reselling the gifts bestowed by the Ming Dynasty after returning home. Not to mention that now it has directly opened up the East China Sea trade and can trade anytime and anywhere. How amazing would the profit be?

Incredible!

Crazy!

Not to mention Shen Zhen, even if Li Yi heard it, he would join in at all costs!
The key point is that the Jeju Racecourse incident was precisely the excuse for the Silhak faction to attack the old nobles. Now Cui Dam took the initiative to deliver this good thing to Shen Zhen. With the help of this incident, Shen Zhen is absolutely confident that he can immediately force Li Yi to massacre Zhao Guangzu and other Silhak factions!
Without thinking too much, Shen Zhen immediately stood up and pulled Cui Tan.

"You have done a great job!"

"Follow me immediately into the palace to see the king!"

"Zhao Guangzu and others are about to die, hahaha..."

Cui Dam pretended to be nervous and wanted to refuse, but Shen Zhen, who knew the East China Sea trade best, forcibly brought Cui Dam into the palace. Shen Zhen even did not inform Nan Gun out of personal selfishness, which gave Cui Dam a great opportunity to steal the old leader's position!
Li Yi was disturbed late at night, so his temper was naturally a little bad.

However, the person who came was Shen Zhen, one of the old meritorious officials and powerful ministers, so he could only endure it.

However, Li Yi was overjoyed when he heard about Shen Zhen's subsequent "East China Sea Trade".

He was worried about the empty treasury and the lack of money and food. Now the Ming Dynasty has taken the initiative to propose East China Sea trade. If North Korea successfully joins it, then why would he worry about the empty treasury?
We must join the East China Sea trade!
Then Li Yi looked at Cui Tan and learned the specific details in detail.

Shen Zhen proposed at an inopportune moment that if North Korea wanted to join the East China Sea trade, it must first eliminate Zhao Guangzu and other members of the Sillin faction.

Li Yi was naturally aware of the intrigues involved.

Originally, because of the "horse-riding king" incident, Li Yi had developed fear and suspicion of Zhao Guangzu.

Now that Zhao Guangzu and other members of the Sillin faction were blocking his way to wealth, Li Yi naturally no longer hesitated.

"In that case, Shen Qing, I'll trouble you..."

"Your Majesty!" Cui Tan suddenly spoke up, "Marquis Zhongshan once clearly stated that he only recognized one minister in the East China Sea trade!"

As soon as these words were spoken, Shen Zhen's face changed drastically and he looked at Cui Tan in shock and anger.

Li Yi was stunned at first, then looked at Cui Tan meaningfully, thought for a moment and nodded.

"Then I'll leave this matter to you!"

"Counselor Yi Ye, Criminal Minister Kim Jeong, Grand Censor Cho Gwang-jo, Grand Secretary Kim Seok, Deputy Superintendent Kim Hyuk, Chief Secretary Yoo In-suk and other members of the Shilin clan, arrest them all and put them in jail!"

Cui Tan knelt on the ground to receive the order, but his back was straight.

It’s no wonder that he pretends to be a grandson in front of Shen Zhen!

Haha, even this shrewd speculator can make mistakes sometimes!
As long as he arrested Zhao Guangzu and others and massacred the Sillin faction, he would naturally win the recognition of the old noble forces.

Hence, after tonight, Cui Dam will become the iron-blooded leader of the old heroes’ forces!

(End of this chapter)