Zhejiang, Zhejiang Governor's Mansion.
Since Hu Zongxian wiped out all the Japanese pirates along the southeast coast, he has had a lot of leisure, and only needs to deal with the affairs in the Governor's Mansion every day.
It is precisely because of this that Hu Zongxian has more leisure time than before.
At the moment, Hu Zongxian is practicing calligraphy in the study.
"Phew, it's finally done!"
Hu Zongxian looked at his work on the desk, nodded with satisfaction, and said slowly.
At this moment, the guard's report came from outside the door: "Mr. Governor, your Majesty's reply has arrived!"
After hearing this, Hu Zongxian immediately put the brush in his hand aside and ordered in a deep voice.
"come in!"
After getting Hu Zongxian's permission, the visitor gently opened the study door and handed the letter into Hu Zongxian's hands.
"My Lord Governor, here is your Majesty's reply!"
Hu Zongxian took the envelope, then turned his eyes away from the stranger and said slowly.
"Well, I know, please go down!"
"Yes, Lord Governor!"
Seeing that his mission for this trip had been completed, the visitor respectfully left after saluting Hu Zongxian. When leaving, he closed the door of the study as usual.
Afterwards, Hu Zongxian came to the desk and sat down. After pouring himself a cup of hot tea, he opened the letter and read the contents carefully. He saw what was written above.
"I am already aware of what Aiqing said in the letter. The imperial court's strategic plan should be adjusted now!"
"In addition, not only should the court's strategic focus be shifted, but the strategy for suppressing Japanese pirates along the southeastern coast should also undergo new changes."
"For those Japanese pirates, we can no longer kill them all after they are captured as in the past!"
"It's about identifying those who are willing to be loyal to our Ming Dynasty. As for those stubborn Japanese pirates, just follow the past practice and just kill them directly!"
"In addition, the imperial court will issue corresponding notices soon. At that time, more ports will be opened for trade with foreign merchants, and the originally abandoned ports in Zhejiang will also be restored."
When Hu Zongxian saw this, his heart was full of joy and he said thankfully.
"As expected, the imperial court will open more ports for trade! Fortunately, I asked Zheng Michang to handle all the matters at Ningbo Port."
After Hu Zongxian finished speaking, he immediately picked up the teacup on the side, took a sip, and continued to look down.
"I can see all the achievements I have made."
"My previous promise remains unchanged. Once the southeastern coastal area is completely settled, you can officially join the cabinet!"
After Hu Zongxian thoroughly read the contents of the letter, he was filled with excitement and could not help but murmur.
"Your Majesty, Hu Zongxian, will definitely live up to your Majesty's trust!"
Immediately, Hu Zongxian put the letter away solemnly, called his subordinates, and gave instructions.
"Call them all to me and tell them that I have something to discuss with them!"
"Yes, Lord Governor!"
After the subordinate responded, he didn't stop at all and immediately set foot on the road.
…
The chief envoy to the Yamen, Zheng Michang, is handling the official affairs of the Yamen.
"Oh, when will this day end?"
"When will I be able to be transferred to the capital like Hai Rui?"
"Hai Rui has not been heard from since he arrived in the capital. If we want to enhance our relationship with him, there is no corresponding channel."
After Zheng Michang finished complaining, he immediately called his subordinates to take down the official documents that had been processed.
At this moment, there was a sound of footsteps from outside, and a subordinate came to Zheng Michang and reported respectfully.
"Sir, someone is coming from the Governor's Mansion."
When Zheng Michang heard his subordinate's report, he couldn't help but frowned and said in a deep voice.
"What are you still doing here? Why don't you let me in quickly? If you delay anything, I won't let you go!"
"Yes, sir, I will leave immediately."
Hearing this, the previous subordinate suddenly panicked, and after leaving these words, he hurriedly left the room.
After a while, the official who came from the Governor's Mansion came to Zheng Michang to report.
"Your Majesty the Governor-General, the Governor-General has asked you to go to the Governor's Mansion immediately. He said that he has something important to discuss!"
Zheng Michang sat at the top, nodded and gave instructions.
"Well, I know, please go down!"
"Yes, Lord Chief Envoy!"
After the visitor finished speaking, he turned and left the Chief Secretary's Yamen.
After the visitor left, Zheng Michang was seen supporting his chin with one hand and thinking.
"Your Majesty, the Governor, suddenly summoned us to the Governor's Mansion to discuss matters. Will anything happen?"
With such doubts in mind, Zheng Michang embarked on the journey to the Governor's Mansion.
…
When Zheng Michang arrived at the Governor's Mansion in a sedan, he suddenly discovered that even Qi Jiguang and Yu Dayou had also arrived at the Governor's Mansion.
Seeing this, Zheng Michang couldn't help but feel a thump in his heart, and said to himself: "We're not going to fight again, are we?"
Zheng Michang immediately suppressed the chaotic thoughts in his heart and walked towards the door of the Governor's Mansion.
He came to He Maocai and asked, "Old He, do you know why the Governor suddenly summoned us here?"
He Maocai just turned around and glanced at Zheng Michang, and said angrily: "If I had known, I wouldn't have waited here!"
At this moment, an official from the Governor's Mansion came forward and spoke to everyone.
"My Lord Governor, please go to the meeting hall and wait. He will be here soon!"
"yes!"
After everyone responded, they immediately entered the Governor's Mansion, came to the meeting hall, and sat down in their respective seats.
A moment later, Hu Zongxian entered the meeting hall of the Governor's Mansion with brisk steps.
Upon seeing this, everyone stood up from their seats and saluted Hu Zongxian respectfully.
"I've met the Governor!"
"Well, sit down, sit down."
Hu Zongxian nodded and then gave instructions.
After everyone sat down, Hu Zongxian finally spoke.
“This time I’m calling everyone here mainly because I have two things to announce!”
After hearing Hu Zongxian's words, everyone present couldn't help holding their breath and focused all their attention on Hu Zongxian, for fear of missing any message.
Hu Zongxian paused for a moment, and after turning his attention to Qi Jiguang and Yu Dayou on the side, he spoke.
"Before this, I have received instructions from His Majesty."
"His Majesty specifically stated in the letter that our strategy for suppressing Japanese invaders along the southeastern coast should also undergo new changes!"
"We can no longer kill all the Japanese pirates after capturing them as we did in the past. Instead, we must identify the Japanese pirates who are willing to be loyal to our Ming Dynasty. As for those Japanese pirates who are stubborn and unwilling to do things for our Ming Dynasty, we must still follow the previous method. Dispose of it!”
"Did you all understand what I said?"
After Hu Zongxian finished speaking, he looked away from Qi Jiguang and Yu Dayou and asked.
"My Lord Governor, I understand!"
Yu Dayou nodded and responded like this.
"My Lord Governor, I still have something to puzzle about. Your Majesty asked us to screen the Japanese pirates and select those who are willing to be loyal to our Ming Dynasty. Is it possible that they are serving for some purpose?"
Qi Jiguang stood up and asked Hu Zongxian.
Hu Zongxian was not able to give an exact answer to the question raised by Qi Jiguang.
Therefore, Hu Zongxian just shook his head and said slowly.
"I don't know the specific reason. How can we understand His Majesty's wisdom?"
"Since His Majesty has ordered so, then we just need to follow it!"
"Thank you, Lord Governor, for clarifying my doubts!"
After listening to Hu Zongxian's words, Qi Jiguang nodded and responded in a deep voice.
"Next, the second thing I want to say is that the imperial court is about to open more ports!"
"The documents issued by the imperial court are already on the way, and our Ningbo Port in Zhejiang is also open."
"Zheng Michang, how is the situation at Ningbo Port now?"
Hu Zongxian turned his eyes to Zheng Michang and asked.
"Your Majesty the Governor, my previous subordinates have generally handled many matters concerning Ningbo Port according to your instructions!"
"Right now, the number of ships that can be berthed at Ningbo Port is about 70% of what it was at its peak."
Facing Hu Zongxian's inquiry, Zheng Michang gave an answer after organizing his words.
"Well, 70% to 70%!"
"Next, you have to pay more attention to the many matters related to the port."
"His Majesty is very concerned about sea trade!"
After Hu Zongxian finished speaking, he turned his gaze to Zheng Michang and gave instructions in a deep voice.
"Yes, Lord Governor, I will definitely handle this matter well!"
I saw Zheng Michang's expression stern and he immediately responded.
…
In the capital, in front of the mansion where Hai Rui currently lives.
"Sir, this is where Hai Rui currently lives!"
I saw a subordinate coming to Luo Longwen, the minister of the Ministry of Industry, and reporting respectfully.
"Is this where Hai Rui lives?"
"Not bad, the surrounding environment is quite quiet, and the decoration of the house is quite stylish."
After listening to the report from his subordinates, Luo Longwen, the Minister of Industry, took a general look at the mansion where Hai Rui currently lived and commented like this.
(End of chapter)
