The letter was written in neat regular script: "Zeng Liang replied to Ye Shangshu: The purchase of bird guns mentioned is indeed appropriate, and it is in the best interest of the public and the Ming Dynasty. However, merchant ships are wandering erratically, and firearms are unusual items. They are not allowed to be used privately." If it lasts for a long time, it will eventually be exhausted. If at that time, Mr. Ye will ride on a tiger and seize my household, what will happen? If the Ministry of War does not have such evil intentions, please send a memorial to clarify your original intention. '
"This person is too arrogant..." Du Qing sighed, threw the letter on the table, and glanced at Ye and Cai in the big tent.
"He just came here and gets along well with all the forces in the court. Who can control him?" Cai Xianqing swallowed helplessly, "Don't even think about getting involved with him... you can only stroke his hair. "
"Forget it, I'll write to him again and ask him." Ye Yongjia couldn't hold back his anger. He stood up immediately and walked out of the camp.
In just a moment, Ye Yongjia had written the reply, but due to his haste, the handwriting became a bit sloppy: "Going back to the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Affairs: The northern captives are at the pass, how can the new army defend itself against the enemy if they don't have sophisticated firearms?" When the border is in danger, the Ministry of Household Affairs should provide all-out assistance, so why is it pushing beyond its limits? Besides, memorials are always sent only to provincial stations, so you have no reason to interfere! If Xiangzhi insists on fighting, I can go up to the altar and fight with you! '
A few days after sending this aggressive letter, I received a calm reply from Zeng Liang: "I am not afraid of fighting. I only serve the common people and cannot resort to military violence." '
The questioning failed, which made Ye Yongjia very angry, and the last hope in his heart was extinguished.
"What are you going to do?" Du Qing looked at him quietly, watching him burning the two letters on the brazier.
"I still have to go back and run back and forth several times." Ye Yongjia let go of his hand and several pieces of paper quickly shrank into a ball and turned black. "We must get the Ministry of Household Affairs to agree to the proposal to cast shotguns."
"As long as he doesn't let go, everything he does will be in vain. Why don't you give in for the time being and cancel your proposal." Du Qing said again.
Ye Yongjia reached for the tongs: "It's not that the governor doesn't know that the old army can't fight a big battle. The key to keeping Suidi is this new army. If we really follow Zeng Liang's method and don't build it ourselves, we will just wait to buy Westerners." How long will it take for those thousand guns to be collected? If we can’t even collect a thousand guns within a year, the Northern Captives will be able to attack Suidi soon!”
"If we start building it quickly from this month, it can take as little as three months or as many as six months. It will be no problem." He took a piece of charcoal and threw it into the brazier, and the fire burned even more intensely.
"Isn't your military book a gift from a Westerner?" Cai Xianqing suddenly asked after being silent for a while.
"Yes, his name is Jian Wensheng."
"He came here for missionary work, and maybe he has some dealings with those caravans," Cai Xianqing speculated. "Go back and beg him, in case the blind cat bumps into a dead mouse."
Ye Yongjia slapped his thigh: "That's the truth. Mr. Cai reminded me well! With your words, I will have to make a name for myself when I return to Beijing!"
Cai Xianqing laughed and said, "Do you really think of me as a living god? Just make a few random guesses. Don't blame me entirely when the time comes."
"Don't worry," Ye Yongjia's tone was serious, "This junior has the responsibility, and you will definitely see these thousand guns this year."
Cai Xianqing also became solemn: "Okay, Governor Du and I are waiting for your good news."
On a sunny afternoon, the crowd on Taiping Street was even larger than usual. Ye Yongjia was squeezed among them. The noisy shouts kept getting into his ears, and the air was filled with the unpleasant smell of sweat. Everything in front of you is colorful and prosperous.
Wearing casual clothes, he gradually walked to the middle of the street and begged for two steamed buns. While eating, he found his way around. After wandering in the crowd for a long time, he saw the three words "Lingyuan Temple" on a large gold plaque in the distance. He thought of Jie Wen Wu Dai. The way he came.
He stopped in front of the white wall of Lingyuan Temple and watched the dignitaries wearing gold and jade being carried in one sedan after another. He couldn't help but secretly sighed: "Jie Gong, Jie Gong, you have never seen the prosperity of this place, and you thought it was all." Isn’t it sad for all the people in the world? '
After thinking about it, he had no choice but to gather his emotions and walk along the high walls to Jian Wensheng's church.
The bell rang loudly, but the falling sound continued to echo in the domed church. The colorful lights on the flower window were shining down one after another. Jian Wensheng had finished his prayers and turned around suddenly to see Ye Yongjia waiting at the door.
"Mr. Jian, I am here to visit you alone this time." Ye Yongjia made a deep bow.
"How can I bear the title of sir?" Jian Wensheng walked down and quickly returned the courtesy, "Master Ye, why didn't Minister Jie follow?"
"He..." Ye Yongjia's eyes moved hesitantly a few times, "He made a serious mistake and was hanged by the court according to his crime."
"Oh..." Jian Wensheng tugged at his beard and was a little surprised, "This gentleman still comes to talk to me often. It's a pity, it's a pity..."
"He has no pity."
"Why?"
Ye Yongjia rubbed his eyebrows, shook his head and said, "I'm sorry I can't answer. Let's talk about us."
"Then you have something to ask for from me?" Seeing that no believer had come yet, Jian Wensheng sat on the bench with him.
"Since I took your military book and read it, I realized that this firearm is the foundation of the strength of the army, and it is necessary to strengthen this method to revitalize the dynasty. However, there are many officials in the court who are ignorant of the situation and timid, and come to oppose This is my new policy. Now that the Ministry of Household Affairs refuses to allocate money to make guns, I just want to buy firearms from your Western maritime merchants. Sir, I also come from the sea. I wonder if I have any contact with these people?"
Jian Wensheng raised his head and thought for a while, then said slowly: "I was ordered to come here to preach. Although I traveled across the ocean, I have never had any contact with them. Most of them settled in the countries of Southeast Asia, but I have never been there. Cross the shore.”
Ye Yongjia's heart froze when he heard this cold response. He just held his hands in a daze and lowered his head, looking lonely.
"But... I came with a few priests, and I have a good relationship with them. There was a Chinese named Wu Sijing, whose courtesy name was Tongru. After meeting the emperor, he was also allowed to preach in the Celestial Dynasty. He established one near Beitang Church, and I have always exchanged letters. Because that place is backed by a port and is a gathering place for merchant ships, he often goes there to buy and sell things. Because of the common language, he is not only very familiar with the maritime merchants, but also knows all about their industry. It’s clear. If you go to him, it will be effective!”
Ye Yongjia's eyes lit up again: "Thank you, Mr., for your guidance!"
"Another word of advice, when you go to see him, be careful. This person is bent on profit and has a very smart mind. You can't follow his way."
