After the imperial court promulgated the edict, it passed through the inn at an accelerated speed of 800 miles. After several days, it was sent to Zhejiang. As for other remote provinces, it took more time.
Hu Zongxian is the highest official in Zhejiang, so the work of receiving and announcing the imperial edicts is completed by him! When Hu Zongxian finished listening to the contents of the edict, the respectful expression on his face remained unchanged, but there was an uproar in his heart.
"What? The imperial court wants to lift the sea ban!"
In his view, although the imperial court has only opened one port in Quanzhou, it means a good start. Soon, the previously abolished shipping departments will be restored.
This also means that in the coming period, the maritime ban policy will be gradually abolished.
"Your Majesty is wise! Now the people along the coast have a way to survive."
Thinking of this, Hu Zongxian quickly summoned everyone to the Governor's Mansion for discussion. Soon, everyone rushed to the meeting hall of the Governor's Mansion to wait.
After a while, Hu Zongxian was seen humming an unknown song and walking into the meeting hall at a leisurely pace.
"The Governor is in a good mood today! I wonder if he has encountered some good news?"
Everyone present guessed this in their hearts, and then they stood up one after another, bowed to Hu Zongxian and said, "We have met the Governor!"
"Sit, everyone, sit down!"
Hu Zongxian waved his hand and motioned for everyone to sit back in their seats.
"Teacher, I am so happy to see you today. Is there any good news?"
Ma Ningyuan stood up on behalf of everyone and asked Hu Zongxian.
"Just before, the imperial court has issued an edict from His Majesty, and Quanzhou Port will be opened soon! Not only that, the imperial court has also set up a special agency called the Maritime Trade Department."
After Hu Zongxian finished speaking, he picked up the teacup on the side and took a sip.
"What? The imperial court wants to reopen Quanzhou Port!"
Hu Zongxian's voice was not loud, but it made everyone present feel deeply shocked and unable to extricate themselves.
After a long time, Ma Ningyuan looked extremely hesitant and mustered up the courage to ask: "Teacher, are what you just said true?"
In fact, it's no wonder that Ma Ningyuan is so cautious. Ever since the Tribute Battle, the word "lifting the sea ban" has become an untouchable topic in the Ming Dynasty!
For a period of time, as long as someone dared to mention the word "lifting the sea ban", what awaited him was the end of having his family confiscated and exterminated! After decades of persistence, the sea ban policy has been deeply rooted in the hearts of many officials, as if the Ming Dynasty had always implemented the sea ban policy.
"Of course it is true. Do you need me to show you the edict issued by the imperial court?"
Hu Zongxian raised his eyebrows and responded.
"No need, Lord Governor! We believe it."
Seeing this, Zheng Michang stood up from his seat and responded.
"Then Mr. Governor, you came to us today to discuss this matter?"
Gao Hanwen on the side seemed to have guessed Hu Zongxian's purpose of asking everyone to come over, and asked.
"Well, that's right. I feel that the opening of Quanzhou Port is just the beginning, and more ports will definitely be opened in the future!"
"As for Ningbo in Zhejiang Province, it has completely declined since the abolition of the Shipping Department! Now, we should make corresponding preparations."
After Hu Zongxian finished speaking, he looked around at everyone, and then said in a deep voice.
"Yes, Lord Governor!"
Seeing that Hu Zongxian had already given the order, everyone immediately responded.
"By the way, Mr. Governor, who is in charge of the Maritime Trade Department you mentioned earlier? In addition, what are the main responsibilities of this Maritime Trade Department?"
In the end, Zheng Michang couldn't restrain his curiosity and asked Hu Zongxian.
"Well, I don't know much about this, but just from the name, I know that this newly established organization is closely related to sea trade!"
"Oh, by the way, I almost forgot to tell you! The Maritime Trade Department is solely responsible for all specific trade matters."
After Hu Zongxian answered Zheng Michang's doubts, he added another sentence.
"Hiss~"
After hearing Hu Zongxian's words, everyone present took a deep breath.
If it turns out that according to what Hu Zongxian said, the Maritime Trade Department will be in charge of specific trade matters, there is no doubt that this will be a department with extremely powerful power and extremely rich profits.
Zheng Michang and He Maocai had already begun to make plans in their hearts. After the meeting, they would immediately write to Mr. Xiao Ge in the capital to inquire about this news.
Hu Zongxian took in the expressions on everyone's faces, and then reminded: "By the way, before this, I got the news that the imperial court has sent the supervisory censor Zhao Zhenji as the imperial envoy to thoroughly investigate the previous case. Yes! You should pay more attention to this aspect."
As soon as Hu Zongxian finished speaking, the scene immediately fell into deathly silence. Everyone knew what case Hu Zongxian was referring to.
The imperial court has always failed to implement tax reductions and exemptions for the people. Now, His Majesty actually sent an imperial minister here!
"Zhao Zhenji, the supervisory censor, is a ruthless person in charge of the Supervisory Council. Although his rank is not high, he is only a seventh-rank official, but he has the power to supervise hundreds of officials and report rumors!"
"Not to mention us local officials, even those first- and second-grade court officials in the capital must be polite when meeting Zhao Zhenji."
"It's over now!"
When Zheng Michang and He Maocai thought of this, their faces were full of despair.
In the following time, they only saw Hu Zongxian's lips moving, but could not hear any sound. It was not until everyone stood up from their seats that they followed suit and saluted.
After coming out of the Governor's Mansion, Zheng Michang and He Maocai met in a private room of the restaurant to discuss the next response.
This time, Zheng Michang arrived at the box first and ordered the waiter to serve the food and wine.
After a while, He Maocai opened the door of the box and walked in.
"Come on, sit down!"
After Zheng Michang finished speaking, he pointed to the empty seat beside him.
"Come, let's have a drink first!"
He Maocai said and raised his wine glass.
Zheng Michang obviously had no intention of drinking, but subconsciously raised his glass and clinked it with He Maocai.
"Hey, what should we do next? The imperial court sent Zhao Zhenji as the imperial minister to supervise the case."
"I heard Mr. Xiaoge say that this Zhao Zhenji is quite extraordinary."
After Zheng Michang finished speaking, he picked up his chopsticks, took a bite of food and put it into his mouth, his face full of sadness.
"Don't worry, Mr. Ge and the others will not let anything happen to us! After all, we have done so much dirty work for them."
Seeing this, He Maocai put down his wine glass and then comforted him.
"Well, I hope so, but I always feel that we have to leave a way out for ourselves, right?"
"If one day we are no longer of use to Mr. Ge and the others! Then we will end up like Shen Yishi, being ruthlessly abandoned."
"By then, without Mr. Ge and the others protecting us, the things we did in the past will soon be revealed to the world. By then, beheading will be considered a light thing!"
After Zheng Michang finished speaking, he picked up the jug on the side and poured himself a glass of wine.
"Well, for now, we can only take one step at a time! After all, right now, we still need Mr. Ge and the others to protect us, right?"
"I can only be more careful when doing things!"
After hearing this, He Maocai sighed helplessly.
"Come on, don't think about this anymore, cheers!"
"cheers!"
(End of chapter)
