After Xu Jie revealed his thoughts, the entire cabinet fell into silence.
Everyone at the scene was thinking about the feasibility of this strategy. Yan Song frowned and thought for a long time, but could not find any flaws in it.
"Well, Mr. Xu Ge's suggestion is very good. It really kills two birds with one stone! But I think this group of people should be properly trained to maximize their effectiveness."
Jiajing thought for a long time and then added.
"Your Majesty means..."
Yan Song guessed what Jiajing was thinking and hesitated, not daring to speak.
"Well, what I mean is to send the Jinyi Guards to provide necessary training to these people! For example, interrogation, extorting confessions, drawing maps, etc."
"These people can go to sea for trade normally when they have nothing to do. Once the court needs them, they can be dispatched to the places where they are most needed."
"Besides, the court doesn't have to bear any of their expenses! After all, the voucher in their hands is enough to offset all of this."
After listening to Jiajing's words, everyone at the scene couldn't help but their eyes shone, and they knelt on the ground and said in a deep voice.
"Your Majesty, you are wise! In this way, the court will not only be able to reduce its burden, but also be able to obtain the information it wants anytime and anywhere."
"Everyone, get up. I just slightly improved Mr. Xu Ge's plan."
Jiajing was in a good mood. He took his eyes away from these people and said slowly.
After everyone stood up, Yan Shifan frowned and expressed his opinion: "Your Majesty, I feel that since the certificate issued by the Maritime Trade Department is so important, I am afraid that someone will take risks by then!"
The question raised by Yan Shifan also made other people present start thinking about the solution.
"It doesn't matter, it's all a small matter, as long as there is a unique number on the issued voucher!"
"At that time, all the issued vouchers will be bound in a book. When the authenticity needs to be verified, just compare the string of numbers on the voucher."
After Jiajing heard the problem raised by Yan Shifan, he chuckled and gave a solution.
"Your Majesty is wise! In this way, the problem of fraud can be eliminated."
Xu Jie was also quite excited after hearing the method proposed by Jiajing.
"Okay, this matter is settled! Just follow what Mr. Xu Ge said before."
"As for the certificates of the Maritime Trade Department, I have no control over how much you want to sell them for! But we must not delay the important events of the imperial court. Do you understand?"
After Jiajing finished speaking, he added another sentence.
"Your Majesty!"
Seeing the emperor's warning, several people put their little thoughts away and responded respectfully.
"Okay, let's just stay here for today! I'm a little tired too, so let's break up the meeting."
After Jiajing finished speaking, he stood up from his seat and walked outside the cabinet.
"I will respectfully send you off to Your Majesty!"
When the remaining people saw the emperor leaving, they all knelt down and saluted, with uncontrollable excitement on their faces.
…
Not long after Jiajing returned to Yangxin Hall, the revised edict from the cabinet was sent to his desk.
The content has not been modified much compared to before, except for adding a sentence at the end that more ports will be gradually opened in the future.
After Jiajing confirmed that the content of the edict was correct, he called Lu Fang and whispered: "I have confirmed that the content of the edict is correct. Let's promulgate it directly!"
"This is your Majesty, I obey your orders!"
After Lu Fang finished speaking, he took the edict from the desk with utmost respect.
Next came a series of extremely complicated etiquette, and the edict was sent to the tower of the Forbidden City to be read out, to express the intention of announcing to the world! When the edict is promulgated, the Ministry of Rites will receive it and immediately transcribe or print multiple copies and distribute them to various places via inns. Local officials will then receive and promulgate the edict.
The content of the edict is as follows: "The Emperor of Heaven is responsible for carrying the emperor's orders. The edict states that since the battle for tribute in the second year of Jiajing, the Japanese pirates along the southeast coast have become increasingly rampant and have become more and more powerful! For the sake of the safety of the people living along the coast, the imperial court has no choice but to Abolish the Municipal Shipping Department in Fujian and Zhejiang."
"Right now, all the Japanese pirates along the southeastern coast have been wiped out! In order to make a living for the coastal residents, the imperial court will gradually open Quanzhou, Ningbo, Guangzhou and other places to trade with foreign merchants."
"Specific trade matters will be fully handed over to the newly established Maritime Trade Department of the imperial court. I appreciate this!"
As soon as this edict was issued, it caused an uproar in the capital. Countless officials rushed to tell each other, and the news soon spread.
"Have you heard? The imperial court is going to lift the sea ban!"
"Ah, how is it possible? The maritime ban is a national policy. How can it be lifted just by saying it is lifted?"
"The imperial edict has been issued, saying that specific trade matters will be handled by the newly established Maritime Trade Department."
"What kind of organization is this Maritime Trade Department? Why have I never heard of it?"
"I don't know either, but just by hearing the name, you can tell that this is a very well-oiled department!"
"Nonsense, if you are involved in sea trade, can you not have a lot of money and water?"
…
Soon, some well-connected officials found out the true story of the matter, and also learned that the person in charge of the Maritime Trade Department was Gao Gong, the Minister of Household Affairs.
For a time, the high-arched mansion was surrounded by officials who came to visit.
"Sir, there are all officials from the DPRK outside. Look..."
"Go ahead, I'm sick. I won't see anyone for the time being!"
Before the butler finished speaking, he was impatiently interrupted by Gao Gong.
"Yes, sir! I'll go explain to them right away."
After receiving Gao Gong's order, the housekeeper bowed and left.
The group of officials who gathered outside Gao Gong's residence to visit were helpless when they saw that Gao Gong refused to see them.
Then they dispersed in a hurry, some went to visit Zhang Juzheng, and the other went to Yan's house to visit Yan Shifan, but the final results were very similar, and no one saw them.
The attitudes of the three people made many officials in the capital even more curious about the Maritime Trade Department!
For a time, the newly established Maritime Trade Department seemed to have become a topic of conversation for officials of all sizes in the capital.
At this moment, Yan's study room.
Yan Song was holding a book and studying it carefully, while Yan Shifan stood respectfully aside.
"Well, you did a good job on this matter! Don't see anyone these days, just make the corresponding preparations safely."
Yan Song put down the book in his hand, then looked at Yan Shifan aside and encouraged him.
"Yes, father."
Yan Shifan was suddenly praised by his father Yan Song. He was obviously flattered and responded quickly.
"After all, Your Majesty is watching us from behind!"
After Yan Song finished speaking, he picked up the book again and started studying.
…
Forbidden City, Hall of Nourishing Heart.
"Your Majesty, in recent days, many officials have visited Gao Gong, Zhang Juzheng, and Yan Shifan."
Lu Fang didn't know when he came to Jiajing and reported respectfully.
"Oh, how did they cope?"
Jiajing raised his eyebrows and asked Lu Fang.
"Your Majesty, they haven't seen anyone. They are just concentrating on preparations."
Seeing Jiajing's question, Lu Fang quickly responded respectfully.
"Well, not bad, this is how things work!"
After Jiajing sighed, he seemed to suddenly remember it, and then asked.
"By the way, has Zhao Zhenji set off over there?"
"Your Majesty, Zhao Zhenji set off for Zhejiang two days ago."
(End of chapter)
