"This Zheng Zhihu not only recaptured 100,000 shi of grain from the pirates, but also seized 30,000 shi of grain. The timing was also very coincidental, right around the time we recaptured Shandong and Henan."
Zhu Yuanzhang then looked at Zuo Maodi's memorial reporting that Zheng Zhihu had regained Nanliang, and murmured to himself: "Zheng Zhibao's contribution is not insignificant, but the Zheng family has already made two earls. If we add more rewards, I'm afraid the tail will be big!" "
As he spoke, he put the memorial aside and picked up the last memorial.
This memorial was written by Liu Wenbing after he was ordered to return to the court. The memorial roughly tells the story of the crusade against North Korea and the attack on the Jurchens, and lists in detail the contributions of the generals.
Among them, except for Zhang Huangyan and Jin Xuan, most of them were from the Zheng family. Zheng Sen, in particular, had outstanding merits. Judging from the rewards for previous military achievements, at least he had to be granted the title of uncle.
After Zhu Yuanzhang looked at it, his brows wrinkled again.
Because if rewards were awarded based on merit, the strength of Zheng's navy might exceed that of Zuo Liangyu, which would be like raising another fierce tiger.
But if the reward is not awarded, resentment will arise in the hearts of the generals. In addition, although the Korean and Jurchen navy were crippled in this battle, their remaining forces cannot be underestimated.
In particular, the Ming Dynasty still needs to contain the Jurchens from the sea, and will still need to rely on the power of the Zheng family.
Furthermore, the situation in the south is complicated and confusing. If the Zheng family holds a grudge and joins hands with the people behind the scenes, then Jiangnan will not belong to the Ming Dynasty.
Thinking of this, Zhu Yuanzhang shook his head slightly and said thoughtfully: "Not only should the people of the Zheng family no longer be rewarded, but this navy cannot allow them to return to Fujian."
"But according to what Jiang Dejing said, Zheng Zhilong has nearly 100,000 elite soldiers. Even if he keeps this navy, it will not have a big impact on it. On the contrary, it will attract resentment and some losses will outweigh the gains."
"For the current plan, it is best to divide the Zheng clan and disperse the military power in their hands, so that they will not pose a threat to us."
After he finished speaking, he picked up the draft in the memorial and looked at it.
The cabinet clearly disliked warriors and believed that the Zheng family's rewards had already expired and it was not appropriate to add more rewards at this moment.
For other meritorious ministers, although the cabinet agreed to reward them, their official positions were not high. It also suggested that the Zheng Navy should be dispersed and let the meritorious ministers lead the army alone.
Zhu Cixiang believed that Zheng had made great contributions this time and should be rewarded accordingly. Otherwise, not only would Zheng be dissatisfied, but the generals in the world would also be chilled.
Later, he also agreed to the cabinet's proposal to split up the Zheng Navy, but proposed to do it slowly to avoid conflicts.
Zhu Yuanzhang frowned even more when he saw that both the cabinet and Zhu Cixi were wary of Zheng.
Because once this suspicion spreads in the court, even if the Zheng family is awarded a reward, the effect will be greatly reduced.
Especially since Zheng Zhilong was a pirate, he had no education, and he was a warrior. If anyone else took the opportunity to provoke him, he would probably cause chaos immediately.
Zhu Yuanzhang read the memorial back and forth several times, and then picked up the memorial about Zheng Zhihu's encirclement and suppression of pirates and recapture of Nanliang, and murmured to himself: "Zheng Zhihu's encirclement and suppression of pirates must have felt that we had secured the victory, and at the same time he must have been jealous of Zheng Zhilong, Only when Zheng Hongkui was granted the title of uncle would he encircle and suppress the pirates at this time and return the southern grain."
"If we don't make him a count, he will definitely be dissatisfied and may conspire with the pirates."
"But if we grant him the title of uncle, then Zheng Sen will also have to grant the title of uncle. In addition, even if Huang Ting and others are not granted the title of knight, they will at least be granted the title of general."
"When they recruit more troops, their strength will reach a higher level. Moreover, these people will be rewarded by us, and their salaries and military pay will also be borne by the court..."
While Zhu Yuanzhang was deep in thought, a guard in Jinyi came in to report that Zhang Huangyan and Zhao Erhu were outside seeking to see him.
After Zhu Yuanzhang signaled for them to come in, he calmed down his expression and showed his mighty and domineering side.
After Zhang Huangyan and the two men saluted, they reported the matter of suspected soldiers to Zhu Yuanzhang.
After listening to their stories, Zhu Yuanzhang pointed out several shortcomings and asked Zhang Erhu to deal with them, leaving Zhang Huangyan behind and chatting with him about Jiangnan trade and the disaster caused by pirates.
Because Zhang Huangyan didn't know Zhu Yuanzhang's intentions, he had to deal with it carefully.
Later, when I heard about Liu Wenbing's return to the court and his efforts to appease the people in Henan and Shandong, I thought Zhu Yuanzhang wanted to use him to propose an increase in commercial taxes.
In fact, although he was from the south, he was quite dissatisfied with the plundering of some wealthy businessmen in the south of the Yangtze River.
Seeing that Zhu Yuanzhang had this intention at this moment, he was about to speak, but suddenly he thought that Guo Sheng was causing trouble in Jiangnan, and now people were panicking.
If taxes are raised at this moment, it will easily lead to civil unrest.
Then he thought that there were many loyal ministers in the court. Even if Zhu Yuanzhang was inconvenient to say it explicitly, someone would come forward with just a slight hint, and it would not be necessary for him to open his mouth.
Thinking of this, his newly opened mouth closed again.
But Zhu Yuanzhang didn't urge him, he just looked at Kun Yutu silently.
Upon seeing this, Zhang Huangyan immediately understood what Zhu Yuanzhang had mentioned about Liu Wenbing's return to the court.
But even though he knew Zhu Yuanzhang's intention, he felt even more troubled.
Because Zheng's meritorious service this time was too great, not to mention his friendship with Zheng Sen, he might not be able to persuade the other party to resign his favor.
Even if Zheng Sen listens to his words and refuses the reward, he will arouse Zhu Yuanzhang's suspicion.
And if he agrees to a reward, he will be even more passive.
First, it violated Zhu Yuanzhang's wishes, and second, he might be recognized by Zhu Yuanzhang as a member of the Zheng family, which would cause endless trouble.
Just when he was in a dilemma, he suddenly thought of Zhu Yuanzhang's words just now, and immediately bowed and said: "Your Majesty, I have a stupid idea, I don't know whether to say it or not."
Zhu Yuanzhang smiled slightly and said: "You and I, the monarch and my minister, are the only two here. If you have anything to say, it doesn't hurt to say it."
After Zhang Huangyan heard this, he said with a respectful expression: "Your Majesty, there are so many people in the world now that it is really difficult to provide for it with land tax alone."
"Therefore, I will be bold and ask Your Majesty to reopen the sea ban and allow Jiangnan merchants to go to sea for business. Due to the rampant pirates on the sea, in order to avoid losing the prestige of our Ming Dynasty, Zheng's navy can be used to protect it. Of course, the cost of warships and other expenses should also be borne by the merchants. ..."
Zhu Yuanzhang originally had this intention, but because he didn't know much about going to sea and was worried about Zheng's suspicion, he asked insinuatingly.
Seeing Zhang Huang's strong words at this moment, and thinking that he was cautious and would not deceive the emperor with empty words, he immediately felt a lot of peace of mind. Then he showed that he was afraid of Zheng's misunderstanding.
Upon hearing this, Zhang Huangyan knew that if he continued to shirk the situation, he would become suspicious, so he took the initiative to say that he had an old relationship with Zheng Sen and was willing to write a letter to explain.
Zhu Yuanzhang immediately praised Zheng Zhilong and asked Zhang Huang to draft a decree, conferring Zheng Zhilong the title of Marquis of Jinghai and giving Zheng Sen his national surname. The name change was successful.
However, the contributions of Zheng Zhihu and Zheng Hongkui were not mentioned and no rewards were awarded.
Zhang Huangyan was stunned, and then he drafted the decree according to Zhu Yuanzhang's instructions.
After Zhu Yuanzhang read it, he praised Zhang Huang's words and sent someone to convey the order.
At this time, a guard in Jinyi came in to report that Wu Laoliu and a Taoist priest were outside seeking an audience.
Some people died, but not completely...
