"Qing Jiang, please draft a decree for us and confer Zheng Hongkui the title of Uncle Ning Yuan!"
"In addition, I sent a decree to Zheng Zhilong, saying that we will carry out overseas trade in the near future. Due to rampant piracy, we will use Japan as a transit point and send troops to protect it."
"If he intends to participate in this matter, we will allocate one million to him to make him happy!"
When Jiang Dejing heard this, he was slightly startled, and then hesitantly said: "Your Majesty, this..."
Before he finished speaking, Zuo Maodi interrupted: "Your Majesty, this is absolutely impossible!"
"You must know that the current war is not over, and the Zheng Navy is still needed. Moreover, I heard that Zheng Zhilong has a grudge against Tokugawa Iemitsu. If he is allowed to go to Japan, the war will definitely start again."
"The current national treasury is too empty to support a war. If we use troops against Japan at this moment, I am afraid it will only waste money and be of no benefit to the overall situation. Please think twice!"
When Zhu Yuanzhang heard this, he glanced at Zuo Mao dissatisfiedly for the first time and said in a deep voice: "Draw up the decree!"
When Zuo Maodi saw this, he wanted to dissuade him, but Fan Jingwen stopped him and said in a low voice: "Master Zuo, you don't have to worry about money. I heard that Ruyu (Ni Yuanlu's nickname) has raised two more people in Shanxi. More than one million taels of silver are enough to cover this expense."
"Although overseas trade has some disadvantages from the current perspective, in the long run, it will be quite beneficial to our country, the Ming Dynasty. You must know that today's firearms..."
However, although Fan Jingwen spoke in a low voice, his voice was just right enough for everyone present to hear clearly.
When Zhu Yuanzhang heard this, he knew that Fan Jingwen was excusing Ni Yuanlu in advance.
Because as far as he knew, Ni Yuanlu couldn't win favors, so the inventory of the land was ineffective.
Later, war broke out. Although Ni Yuanlu raised a lot of money and food for Gong Yonggu, she had close contacts with Wang Dayu and others.
Fan Jingwen must have heard something and was worried that Ni Yuanlu would be implicated, so he took the opportunity to dissuade Zuo Maodi to tell the story.
Zhu Yuanzhang had previously transferred Ni Yuanlu to Shanxi, firstly to defeat the Donglin Party, and secondly to facilitate Li Jing and others. When Fan Jingwen took the initiative to mention it, he smiled and said: "Fan Qing, what are you two talking about? You might as well speak louder and let us listen!"
Upon hearing this, Fan Jingwen not only told the previous events in an orderly manner, but also proposed to reorganize the Jiangnan Navy and let them go to sea to protect merchants together with the Zheng Navy.
Zhu Yuanzhang knew that Fan Jingwen had always been cautious in his words and deeds. At this moment, he was slightly surprised when he saw that Fan Jingwen not only took the initiative to excuse Ni Yuanlu in such a delicate situation, but also suggested reorganizing the navy.
You must know that the reason why Zhu Yuanzhang raised the issue of overseas trade at this moment was not only to disperse the strength of the Zheng Navy, but also to weaken Zhu Hengjia's financial resources.
Although overseas trade is profitable, it takes a long time to travel back and forth.
Once the wealthy households in Jiangnan are involved in this matter, the financial resources to support Zhu Hengjia will definitely decrease.
If Zheng Zhilong used another excuse to attack Japan, the travel time would be longer, which would be more beneficial to countering the rebellion.
But if the Jiangnan Navy is allowed to accompany them, it can serve the purpose of checking and balancing the Zheng Navy.
However, the control of the Jiangnan Dynasty by the Donglin Party members will definitely allow the commanders to shorten the time in order to maximize their interests, which will run counter to Zhu Yuanzhang's plan.
If the south can develop a powerful navy because of this, it will be even more difficult for Zhu Yuanzhang to control Jiangnan.
Judging from Fan Jingwen's previous actions, although he is close to the Donglin Party members, he still puts the government's affairs first.
Zhu Yuanzhang was suspicious, so he followed Fan Jingwen's words and said: "Fan Qing, in your opinion, who is the best commander of the Jiangnan Navy?"
Fan Jingwen responded: "Taizhou Shipu guerrilla Zhang Mingzhen has always been loyal, has great strategies, and is proficient in water warfare. I think he is the most suitable candidate."
Zhu Yuanzhang had met Zhang Mingzhen before in Linyi and admired his talents. However, because he was a military commander and was too close to the Donglin Party members, he did not entrust him with important tasks.
When he heard Fan Jingwen mention it, he asked tentatively: "Since Fan Qing thinks he is a talent, let's make him General Fubo and lead 5,000 navy to escort the caravan. What do you think?"
As soon as Zhu Yuanzhang said this, Jiang Dejing and Zuo Maodi both looked surprised.
However, Fan Jingwen said calmly: "Your Majesty, I think five thousand soldiers and horses are too few. He should be allowed to command ten thousand men!"
"Ten thousand people?"
Zhu Yuanzhang was stunned for a moment, then smiled and said, "Is Fan Qing asking Zhang Mingzhen to recruit troops temporarily?"
Fan Jingwen nodded and said, "I feel that not only do we need to recruit troops, but we also need to promote generals in an unusual way. Because the imperial court has banned the sea for many years, and this time the sea ban is reopened, the benefits from the first trade will be very generous!"
"But the Jiangnan Navy has always been weak, and the Zheng family has a reputation for evil. If there are no new soldiers to go to sea, the wealthy families in Jiangnan will not dare to make big bets." Xiu Shuzhu
"Therefore, only by recruiting new soldiers and generals, and involving reliable people from wealthy families in the south of the Yangtze River, will they give up their worries. Although this will cause some losses to the court, it will help the court to suppress the rebellion."
"You must know that the reason why Zhu Hengjia dared to raise an army was simply because he had the support of the wealthy households in Jiangnan. Those wealthy households took risks just for money and other things."
"Now that His Majesty has reopened the sea ban, it will not only allow them to profit safely, but also gain real power. They will naturally reduce their support for Zhu Hengjia."
"As for whether there will be a catastrophic situation, I don't think you need to worry too much. Firstly, the wealthy people in Jiangnan have always been at ease and do not like war. Furthermore, with your majesty's power, once Zhu Hengjia's rebellion is put down, it will definitely be powerful. ..."
After Zhu Yuanzhang listened to Fan Jingwen's story, he was silent for a while and said, "Fan Qing, your plan is very good, but for such an important matter, someone needs to mediate. Do you have a suitable person in mind?"
When Fan Jingwen asked, he recommended himself: "Although I am not talented, I am willing to share this matter for Your Majesty. Please agree with me!"
When Zhu Yuanzhang heard this, he knew that Fan Jingwen must have seen the clues from what he asked Jiang Dejing to draft the edict, so he took the initiative to ask to leave Beijing so that Jiang Dejing could take action.
However, Jiang Dejing has not yet agreed to this matter, and he has previously transferred Ni Yuanlu out of the capital. If Fan Jingwen is allowed to leave the capital now, the Donglin Party members will definitely panic, which will be detrimental to the overall situation.
However, he immediately thought that as long as it was handled properly, the impact would not be too great, and if Fan Jingwen could really accomplish this, it would be more beneficial to the overall situation.
He pondered for a moment, then looked at Jiang Dejing, who had already prepared the decree, and Zuo Maodi, who looked surprised. .Ь.
Jiang Dejing also knew what Zhu Yuanzhang meant when he looked at him, but although he was willing to take on the heavy responsibility, he was also worried that Fan Jingwen's departure would cause trouble, so he admonished him: "Your Majesty, the capital is in turmoil now, and you are leaving the capital soon. Fan Shoufu is in charge of the overall situation."
"As for matters in the south, I think... we might as well choose another virtuous minister to go there!"
Zhu Yuanzhang also heard the meaning of Jiang Dejing's words. He was about to say a few perfunctory words before agreeing to the matter, but he heard Zuo Maodi's voice saying: "Your Majesty, I do not agree with Jiang Shangshu's proposal."
"You must know that the Zheng family has always been domineering, and now the Zheng family is a marquis and two uncles. If there are no capable ministers to go there, I am afraid that overseas trade will be time-consuming and laborious..."
When Zhu Yuanzhang heard this, he was happy, but he pretended that it was difficult to do anything. "No, everything in the capital is complicated. If Fan Qing doesn't take the lead, I'm afraid everything will be difficult. It's better to send someone else."
Fan Jingwen was so smart, how could he not understand the meaning of Zhu Yuanzhang's words, and immediately said: "Your Majesty, I have been thinking about this for a long time and have discussed this matter with my acquaintances. They all agree with it."
"Moreover, the current capital is nothing more than money and food. Master Jiang and Master Zuo are in charge, so the presence or absence of my ministers does not have much impact..."
Although Zhu Yuanzhang agreed in his heart, he still disagreed on the surface.
It was not until Fan Jingwen repeatedly requested the order and Zuo Maodi repeatedly persuaded him that he reluctantly agreed.
However, in order to appease the Donglin Party members, he asked Fan Jingwen to draw up a decree to transfer Ni Yuanlu back from Shanxi and reward several Donglin Party members, thereby eliminating the impact of Fan Jingwen's departure from Beijing.
