Ming politicians

On the fifth day of February, Su Tiancheng finally returned to Dengzhou.

All developments are proceeding according to the predetermined goals. After a battle, the navy defeated the fleet of Zheng Zhilong, the former overlord of the sea, and its confidence increased greatly. The coach Sun Chuanting stepped up the training of the navy. After this battle, the battle There are also certain problems in the ship formation, that is, there are too many huge warships and patrol ships, and there is a lack of small ships. The maneuverability in the sea is somewhat insufficient, especially in offshore patrols, which has the problem of excessive cost. Because of the lack of experience in naval warfare, these issues were not taken seriously before. Now, both Zheng Zhilong and Zheng Hongkui have put forward suggestions.

Zheng Hongkui and Zheng Chenggong have changed a lot, especially Zheng Chenggong, because his mother was appointed as his wife, and because he received a letter from his father Zheng Zhilong. Before Su Tiancheng returned to Dengzhou, Zheng Hongkui and Zheng Chenggong had already filed an application to join Jiangning. Even if it is an ordinary sergeant, Sun Chuanting will not make decisions, everything will be decided upon Su Tiancheng's return.

The governor's office, Deng Hui, Lan Qiaozheng, Liu Yunqing and others are all here to report the relevant situation, especially the situation of spring farming, because the Weihaiwei Wharf has opened, and because the Jiangningying navy defeated Zheng Zhilong's navy, A large number of merchant ships began to gather at the wharf, which led to the development of Dengzhou, Laizhou, and Qingzhou. Qingzhou was the fastest, because a large number of merchants gathered here, and overseas ship owners purchased the goods they needed in Qingzhou, such as silk and tea. , Porcelain, medicinal materials and other items are their most favored goods, which also makes this place begin to gather merchants from all over the Ming Dynasty, and the development speed is significantly accelerated.

The rudiments of capital operation began to appear in Dengzhou, Laizhou and Qingzhou, and some processing workshops began to relocate here.Merchants are shrewd, producing directly here can save a lot of cost, many workshops and merchants, and a large number of recruits.Some farmers began to leave the land and directly entered the workshops and shops. [

Su Tiancheng is very clear that this is an inevitable historical development. If the Ming Empire wants to truly dominate the world, it must get out of the agricultural-based model and start thinking about industrialization and commercialization.Only in this way can the productivity be activated to the greatest extent and create more wealth, but he did not expect that in such a short period of time, Dengzhou, Laizhou and Qingzhou.It has achieved considerable development, which also reminded him of the establishment of the special zone hundreds of years later. Isn't today's Dengzhou and other places the same as the special zone hundreds of years later, but it occupies a more powerful position.

The development of commerce and trade has brought about a substantial increase in government taxes.The daily tax income of Weihaiwei Wharf exceeds 5 taels of silver. If this trend continues, Weihaiwei will be able to receive more than 500 million taels of tax each year, plus Dengzhou, Laizhou and Qingzhou The commercial and trade taxes collected, the annual tax revenue can reach about 500 million taels of silver, with so many tax support, maybe a year.Perhaps in two years, Su Tiancheng will consider canceling the agricultural tax in Dengzhou and other places.

It is not enough just to have silver, but also need to have strong production capacity and the great development of Dengzhou, Laizhou and Qingzhou.This was what Su Tiancheng valued most. The development of agriculture and commerce went hand in hand. There was sufficient food and goods, and the income of the common people increased. This was the kingly way for the rise of the Ming Empire.

Su Tiancheng is very satisfied with the development of Dengzhou and other places. His current attention needs to be on Jiangningying.

When Sun Chuanting, Xiong Zijian, Zheng Hongkui, Zheng Chenggong and others entered the wing room, Su Tiancheng smiled and stood up.

"Xiong Zijian, the imperial decree has arrived, are you ready?"

"My lord, the next official is ready. After saying goodbye to my lord, I will rush to Quanzhou, Fujian immediately."

"Okay, go to Quanzhou and bring your family with you. Quanzhou is far away from Dengzhou. If you encounter any problems, you should consult with Zheng Hongkui and Zheng Chenggong."

Zheng Hongkui and Zheng Chenggong have actually been thinking about talking for a long time. They have made up their minds and must join the Jiangning camp, especially Zheng Hongkui, who is preparing to take the martial arts exam. Once he wins the exam, he must develop in the army .

When he heard Su Tiancheng ask Xiong Zijian to discuss with them, Zheng Chenggong looked at Zheng Hongkui, cupped his fists at Su Tiancheng and spoke.

"My lord, my lord and my fourth uncle implore your lord's permission to join the Jiangning battalion and start as an ordinary sergeant."

Su Tiancheng shook his head.

"I already know about this matter. Zheng Hongkui joined the Jiangning camp and went through the formalities immediately. You can't do it. You are a student. You have to take the provincial examination this year. You should work hard in your studies. After passing the examination, you have to go to the capital. Going to take part in the examination, Mr. Zheng was appointed as the Imperial Envoy of Zuoqian Capital, and he is already working in the Metropolitan Procuratorate. We must study hard and take the road of imperial examinations."

Zheng Chenggong was a little disappointed, but he also knew that Su Tiancheng was telling the truth, and he could only take the imperial examination path. This was also what his father emphasized in his letter. Seeking a genuine background is the most important thing up.

Soon, Zheng Hongkui mentioned the matter of the [-] sergeants in Quanzhou, Fujian.

"My lord, the [-] sergeants in Quanzhou, Fujian are still stable at present. The subordinates have sent people to stabilize the situation. After the subordinates follow Lord Xiong to Quanzhou, Fujian, they are about to dismiss these sergeants. I don't know what your lord's request is."

"Fujian has many guard troops. The [-] soldiers of the Zheng family must be dismissed. Among them, [-] elite soldiers will come to Dengzhou immediately and be incorporated into the Jiangning battalion. General He Renlong will follow. Go to Quanzhou and bring back the [-] sergeants. The Jiangning battalion has strict military regulations. Now you are one of them. These days, you are also familiar with the Jiangning battalion military regulations. After returning to Quanzhou, warn the [-] soldiers Sergeant Qian, you must follow the Jiangning Battalion's military regulations, otherwise the military law will prevail."

"Yes, don't worry, my lord, my subordinates will definitely do a good job."

After everything was arranged, Su Tiancheng talked about the navy in Fujian. [

"Xiong Zijian, Zheng Hongkui, Zheng Chenggong, the most important task for you to go to Quanzhou, Fujian this time is to integrate the navy. The Zheng family's navy has a stable hegemony in the sea. The coastal areas of Fujian, Guangdong, and Zhejiang must not be chaotic. , This is the task of the navy. I have already reported to the emperor. The merchant ships belonging to the Zheng family can be traded in Quanzhou. The taxes collected are mainly used to maintain the expenses of the navy. As for maritime transactions, Weihaiwei is the main one. No matter where the merchant ships are, they must go to Weihaiwei to trade. If there are merchant ships passing through the South China Sea, they will not be charged any taxes. No mercy."

"Taiwan's status is very important. It is now occupied by the Netherlands and Spain. The next task of the navy is to occupy Taiwan and use it as a base for maritime trade. It can not only protect the interests of our Daming Sea, but also protect the safety of the coast. After you have gone to Fujian, you must be prepared and obey orders at all times. Now you are not ready to attack Taiwan. Therefore, you must step up training of the navy. One month later, the newly formed Quanzhou warship formation will go to Taiwan. Quanzhou, responsible for guarding the outer seas and recovering Taiwan, your responsibilities are not light, and you cannot be negligent in the slightest."

Sun Chuanting, Xiong Zijian and others didn't find it strange that Su Tiancheng made such an arrangement, but Zheng Hongkui and Zheng Zhilong didn't see it that way, they admired Su Tiancheng more and more.

In Zheng Zhilong's letter, he explained in detail that the Zheng family and Su Tiancheng did not know each other, and they were able to achieve their current status, all relying on Su Tiancheng. The descendants of the Zheng family must never do anything against Su Tiancheng's interests. In addition, Su Tiancheng did what he said and safeguarded the interests of the Zheng family. This kind of behavior is not something ordinary people can do.

Zheng Hongkui has joined the Jiangning camp and has become Su Tiancheng's subordinate. Zheng Chenggong is going to take the provincial examination, and if he wins the exam in the future, he will also work under Su Tiancheng's subordinates. He even thought about it. Once he passes the provincial examination, or If you can take the exam, you can go directly to Dengzhou to work in the government, and you can also learn from Su Tiancheng.

Su Tian became a navy officer in Fujian, and made clear the next step. After they returned to Quanzhou, they just had to follow the requirements. Many family members in Dengzhou, most of them went to the capital, and Su Tiancheng didn't even stay. Family members, this is the greatest trust in them, give them peaches, and return them with plums.

It's time to go.

Su Tiancheng sent Xiong Zijian, Zheng Hongkui, Zheng Chenggong and others outside the city of Quanzhou. He Renlong also set off with him, and he needed to bring back [-] soldiers.

"Xiong Zijian, this time you are going to Quanzhou. The task is very heavy. The situation there is no different from Dengzhou, Laizhou and Qingzhou. You are fully responsible and you need to be able to handle it with ease. Zheng Zhilong has gone to the capital. The local government's opinion will also change. I am afraid the situation There will also be changes. You must stabilize the situation, especially when dismissing sergeants. This task is handed over to the local government. You should interfere as little as possible. Your core task is to integrate the navy. The young men were all pirates in the past, and they have some bad habits. You have to judge the situation. If those unqualified navy officers and soldiers can't abide by military discipline and regulations, they will be abolished resolutely. There is no need to worry about Zheng Hongkui's face in this regard. , Stability comes first.”

"My lord, these days, I have trouble sleeping and eating, and I feel a heavy responsibility. Please rest assured, my lord, I will do my best and fulfill my mission."

"Okay, I'm in Dengzhou, waiting for your good news. If there is any problem that is difficult to deal with, please write to me at any time. Your ability to stabilize the situation of the navy is the greatest contribution you have made." (To be continued... )