Ming politicians

() All the preparatory work before opening the port has been completed. In fact, before arriving at Weihaiwei Wharf, the patrol boats found a large number of merchant ships in the open sea. Su Tiancheng predicted that these merchant ships were going to Weihaiwei to trade. Yes, this shows that the previously released news played a role.Su Tiancheng is of course aware of what happened at Weihaiwei Wharf, especially some merchant ships that came in tentatively for trading. Su Tiancheng told Xiong Zijian, Su Jun and others that they must pay special attention. The Weihaiwei Wharf must be a hit. The purpose is to make this terminal truly successful and able to earn a lot of money, becoming one of the main places to earn money in Dengzhou, Laizhou and Qingzhou.

There must be worries. The warship formation has come to Weihaiwei Wharf. I believe that those overseas ship owners can see it, so they can rest assured. Although there are still many tasks to come, as long as there is such a large warship formation , can represent everything, and words are of little use.

After disembarking from the warship, Su Tiancheng and his party first came to the Shipbuilding Department.

The Secretary of the Municipal Shipbuilding Department was very busy in promoting Su Jun. It was impossible to meet Su Tiancheng at the pier. Besides, Su Tiancheng did not ask Su Jun to come and greet him. He didn't like these illusory things in the first place.

After entering the Shibo Department, everyone was busy, and they walked at a trot. After seeing Su Tiancheng, everyone stopped. They did not expect that Su Tiancheng would come to the Shibo Department first, ordinarily he should be the first Go to the barracks, or take a look around the pier.

Su Tiancheng asked everyone to continue to be busy. The port will be opened soon. At that time, a large number of merchant ships will come in. The task of the Maritime Department is very heavy.The purpose of wharf construction is reflected in the work of the Shipbuilding Department.

Su Jun went downstairs quickly, saw Su Tiancheng, and was about to kneel down and salute, so many years had passed.Su Jun will never forget that he is still the son of the Su family.

Su Tiancheng held back Su Jun, no matter what, Su Jun was a fourth-rank official in the imperial court, and his status and status were different.Seeing such a situation, Su Jun hurriedly took Su Tiancheng and his party upstairs.

"Su Jun. How is the operation of the Shibo Department and what are the difficulties?"

"My lord, I didn't expect that there are too many things to do in the Shibo Department. I thought that 50 people would be more than enough, but I didn't expect to feel that there were not enough manpower. The preparations for the past few days have all been completed, and the port will open tomorrow. , the Shipping Department will operate at the fastest speed to ensure that merchant ships will not be delayed entering the wharf."

"Well, the main responsibilities of the Shipbuilding Department are two aspects. The first is to collect taxes, and the second is to ensure that the merchant ships at the dock can trade as soon as possible. If you delay here, it will definitely affect the operation of the dock. "

"The next official understands, and must do his best."

"The City Shipping Department has been in trial operation for a month and has collected a tax of 30 taels of silver. Merchant ships with valuable cargo will continue to come to Weihai. It is estimated that there will be such a situation tomorrow. Therefore, the responsibility of the Municipal Shipping Department is indeed not light. I have considered it before. The staff of the Municipal Shipping Department is indeed a little small. It's hard to take on so many things, I think some people will be transferred from the Wendeng County Government to join the Shipbuilding Department to ease your pressure."

After saying these words, Su Tiancheng turned his head and spoke to Gu Xingsong.

"Gu Xingsong, you and Su Jun have a lot of discussions on this matter. Today we will confirm the candidates. The county government must deploy elite soldiers and strong generals. The position of the Municipal Bureau is extraordinary. Don't find those cunning and cunning people. Here There are a lot of taxes here, people who love money must not enter, otherwise they will die here in vain."

Su Tiancheng said it lightly, but everyone who heard it knew it in their hearts. Su Tiancheng did what he said, and he would never be polite. If those flexible and honest people come in, if they don't adhere to this principle, they will actually harm the officials who enter the Shibo Department.

According to Su Tiancheng's prediction, after the Weihaiwei Wharf starts operating, the taxes can exceed ten million taels of silver, that is to say, the daily income will reach or exceed 30 taels of silver. Faced with so much silver, it is difficult for ordinary people to hold on Yes, if you don't pay attention and stretch out your hand, that is the sin of beheading.

After leaving the Shipbuilding Department, Su Tiancheng went to the barracks and the dock successively, and several hours passed in a blink of an eye.

In the evening, Su Tiancheng lived in the barracks. He talked for a long time with Xiong Zijian, Ma Huabiao and others. The soldiers of the Jiangning battalion stationed at the pier had a heavy responsibility. To maintain the order of the wharf, it can be predicted that Weihaiwei Wharf, as the only wharf in Ming Dynasty that can conduct overseas trade, will flood in with a large number of people. The transportation team on the wharf alone can exceed [-] people. In addition, there are so many shops and Merchants, this place will become the busiest place in Dengzhou, Laizhou and Qingzhou.

Xiong Zijian, Ma Huabiao and others have long understood the significance of Weihaiwei Wharf. It bears the weight of the future of Dengzhou, Laizhou and Qingzhou. There must be a reason why Su Tiancheng decided to station [-] soldiers from the Jiangning Battalion here. However, the artillery base in Yantai is only stationed at [-] Jiangning battalion soldiers.After the port is opened, many situations will be encountered, all of which need to be resolved by the Jiangning Camp. The Wendeng County Government cannot undertake this responsibility. Wherever commerce and trade are concentrated, there must be a lot of disputes, and the standardization will also take a period of time.

Until Zishi, Su Tiancheng was still not sleepy. He knew very well that the opening of Weihaiwei Wharf meant that Dengzhou, Laizhou and Qingzhou had officially embarked on the fast track of development. When it is taboo, try to strengthen your strength, and Chen Xinjia does not know when he will take action in Liaodong, and Zheng Zhilong in Fujian, what kind of attitude is it?

The first day of December in the 13th year of Chongzhen.

At three o'clock in the morning, Su Tiancheng came to the pier.

There are a series of procedures for the opening of the wharf, including worshiping the God of the Sea and the God of Wealth, praying for the prosperity of the wharf, and the shops around the wharf must enshrine the tablets of the God of the Sea and the God of Wealth in the shops at a specific time.

There are too many people on the pier. Not far away on the sea, you can see a large number of merchant ships, which are already waiting. The news of the opening of Weihaiwei Wharf has long been spread. Many overseas merchant ships are waiting for this time. Some The merchant ship has even been waiting at sea for nearly a month.

The guards of the Jiangning Battalion are very strict, there are too many people on the pier, fish and dragons are mixed, Master Su Tiancheng has requested that the roads cannot be closed, and people cannot be prevented from entering. Under such circumstances, ensuring Su Tiancheng's safety has become a The biggest task for Xiong Zijian, Ma Huabiao and others is now.

At the time of Chen, Su Tiancheng began to worship the Sea God. On the pier, there was an altar with pig heads, sheep heads, fruits and vegetables and other sacrifices. After burning incense, Su Tiancheng knelt down to the sea and prayed for the blessing of the Sea God.

After Su Tiancheng finished his worship, he left quickly. Next, many merchants and ship owners began to respectfully worship the Sea God, and countless offerings were thrown into the sea.

A few minutes later, Su Tiancheng came to the God of Wealth Temple located on the east side of the wharf. This was the only temple in Weihaiwei before. When the wharf was being built, the God of Wealth Temple was specially rested for many merchants to come to worship.

At the time of the hour, the worship ceremony was over.

It's time to open the port.

Holding a torch, Su Tiancheng ignited the cannon fuze in the middle of the pier. With the roar of the cannon, a huge splash rose on the sea in the distance. In the sea two miles away from the pier, the Penglai No. The artillery began to roar, and many naval officers and soldiers blew the sea horn, and the soldiers of the Jiangning Battalion stationed in Weihaiwei lined up neatly, facing the direction of the sea, and pulled the mechanism of the flintlock.

Many merchants had never seen such an aura before. They were stunned and even forgot to cover their ears. Su Tiancheng believed that the merchant ships in the distance must have seen the situation here through binoculars. This was deliberately arranged by Su Tiancheng. He needs to stand up, maybe there are people sent by Zheng Zhilong in the crowd, the biggest deterrence is to show his own strength, so that the opponents don't dare to underestimate them, don't dare to do anything, and be obedient.

After the sound of guns and guns, drums sounded, and the dragon and lion dance team organized by merchants began to perform on the pier.

The port opening ceremony lasted for an hour.

At that time, all the ceremonies were over, and Weihaiwei Wharf was opened.

But within half an hour, a dark line of merchant ships appeared on the sea, which could be seen with the naked eye. There were many blond sailors on the merchant ships, and these merchant ships flocked to the pier.

On the wharf, the merchants of Weihaiwei Wharf stood by the sea in person, with smiles in their eyes. They talked to the officials of the Shipbuilding Department from time to time, and looked at the oncoming merchant ships. These merchant ships were in their eyes. Inside, there are business opportunities. Most of the full-fledged city officials have come to the dock. They want to use the fastest speed to check on the merchant ship, transfer the merchant ship's manifest, and determine the tax. After that, a large number of people are waiting at the dock. The loading and unloading team will start to unload the cargo. It is estimated that it will take several days for the merchant ships that can be seen by the naked eye to complete the unloading.

Su Tiancheng was already standing on the temporary wooden platform, holding a binoculars, looking at the swarming merchant ships. This time the opening of the port was very successful, but to maintain this momentum, the Weihai warship formation has something to do , They need to patrol the open sea to clear the pirate ships. As for what Zheng Zhilong thinks or what measures he will take, that is the next step.

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