In the autumn of the first year of Jianwu in the Song Dynasty, on the coast of Zhejiang, Qingyuan Mansion, Meicen Mountain, and later Putuo Mountain in Zhoushan Islands.
The four counties of Wenzhou, Taizhou, Mingzhou and Yuezhou along the coast of Zhejiang have vast seaways and are infested with pirates. Ever since the Coast Guard established the Naval Academy and expanded and trained the military, the pirate force has long been on the verge of survival.
Since the third year of Xingqing, the navy of the Coastal Planning Department of the Song Dynasty has stepped up its efforts to destroy pirates in the South and Indian Oceans, and has basically eliminated pirates on the Chinese and foreign seas. As for the great pirate Zhu Qing and his gang from the Zhoushan Islands along the eastern Zhejiang coast of the Song Dynasty, they only had one stronghold at Meicen Mountain.
It's not that the Song Dynasty Navy couldn't capture Meicen Mountain, but in the past few years, the Song Dynasty Navy's goal was to colonize the South China Sea and the Indian Ocean, including Africa. Instead, it gave Zhu Qing, the great pirate of the Zhoushan Islands, and others a chance of survival.
The sea breeze was gentle, the waves were sparkling on the sea, and several tall ships were heading to Hangzhou Bay in the north. This is a merchant ship from a large food merchant, transporting spices from Southeast Asia, and its destination is Lin'an Prefecture, the largest gold-selling cave in the Song Dynasty.
"Official, you can make a lot of money when you come to Lin'an Mansion this time!"
In the cabin, the servants complimented the captain.
"It's no better than before. The Emperor of the Song Dynasty advocated frugality and investigated corruption. The tariffs at Quanzhou Port are high, and the royal family of the Song Dynasty are stumbling upon us. There are many fewer people buying these expensive things."
The captain of the ship is richly dressed and has an extraordinary demeanor, but his appearance is very different from the people of the Song Dynasty, except that he has a tall nose, deep eyes, and a full beard.
"Officials, we have money and ships. Whatever the people of the Song Dynasty are in need of, we will sell it. The spice business is not easy to do, so we will do other things. Now the waters of the South China Sea are full of navy from the Song Dynasty, and we are not afraid of pirates. And harass the small countries along the way. There are so many people in the Song Dynasty, and in such a big place, there are many things that can make money!"
Following his master, he travels all over the country and across the ocean, and the servant is also well-informed.
It has to be said that since the Song Dynasty court renovated Quanzhou Port a few years ago, the profits of luxury goods such as spices have become lower and lower. The large food merchants who once traveled across the ocean were replaced by the merchants of the Song Dynasty.
The shipping departments of various ports and cities in the Song Dynasty increased the import tariffs on spices, ivory, and rare birds and animals, from the original one or two out of ten to five out of ten. The high import tariff of up to 50% has also made these big food merchants complain endlessly.
If import tariffs on goods are high, prices will naturally increase and fewer people will buy them.
On the other hand, the Song Dynasty court greatly reduced import tariffs on the import of grain, horses, sulfur, gold, silver, iron and copper ores, and encouraged imports.
Similarly, for the export of Song porcelain, silk, tea, including soaps, soaps, bone china, etc., the Song Dynasty court also reduced export tariffs to stimulate exports. As a result, Song Dynasty’s domestic exports increased sharply, and the entire Southeast Asia and Indian Ocean were covered by the Great Song Dynasty. The merchant ships of the Song Dynasty and the merchants of the Song Dynasty replaced the food merchants and merchants from various countries and became the only existence on the ocean.
Of course, this is also related to the powerful navy of the Song Dynasty. With the protection of Song Army warships, Longmen (Singapore), Manila (Philippines), Guawa (Indonesia), Bo Ni (Borneo), Australia, Ceylon Island (Sri Lanka), Africa, whether it is Song merchants or foreign merchants, are It received due protection and ensured the smooth flow of maritime trade routes.
"You are right, Da Song has a lot of good things! I want to think about it carefully and see what I can do in the future."
The captain picked up the teacup and began to think.
The young shipowner was named Pu Shougeng, who was a big cannibal. His ancestors were Arab businessmen living in Champa (now southern Vietnam). He originally lived in Guangzhou and later moved to Quanzhou. He has been engaged in maritime trade for generations. His father, Pu Kaizong, once served as the chief registrar of Anxi County and was awarded the official title of "Chengjie Lang" by the Song court for his meritorious service in trade.
Pu Shougeng is proficient in Arabic and Champa, not to mention Chinese. As the Song Dynasty eradicated several major forces in Quanzhou, some businessmen who colluded with its officials and merchants were hit. The Pu Shougeng family rose rapidly, relying on maritime trade, accumulated a lot of wealth, and became somewhat famous in Quanzhou Port.
However, with the rise of the Song Dynasty navy, the Song Dynasty maritime merchants have become the replacement of the large food merchants, controlling almost the entire maritime trade.
"Officials, from the Song Dynasty to Da Shi, the road is now smooth. There are supply ports along the way, as well as the navy protection of the Song Dynasty. It used to take two years to go back and forth, but now it only takes one and a half years. On the Nanyang There are merchant ships from the Song Dynasty everywhere, it’s so lively!”
"I'm from Song Dynasty too!"
Pu Shougeng glared at the servant and said dissatisfiedly, as if he was very concerned about his identity.
Loading a boatload of porcelain, silk, tea, and new gadgets from the Song Dynasty to Dali, and then loading the horses and medicinal materials from Dali back to the Song Dynasty. A round trip would only take two years at most, and you would be able to live without worries about food and clothing throughout your life. Such huge profits made the merchants of the Song Dynasty flock to it, and the rise of exports could not be suppressed for a while.
Of course, he is also a participant and beneficiary.
"Master, is there anything new in China Daily?"
The servant stood aside and asked curiously.
"Here... you also read the newspaper?"
Pu Shougeng raised his head and looked at his servant in surprise.
These lowly paupers, he can also read?
"The villain likes to read about things all over the world. My servants have collected some of the newspapers that were thrown away from the house. I read them when I have time, just for fun."
The servant smiled flatteringly, with a hint of pride in his expression.
"It's nothing, that is to say, the Song Dynasty has recovered Xixia, and Xixia has now become the 19th Road of the Song Dynasty, Xixia Road."
Pu Shougeng nodded and spoke casually.
From occupying Hexi to regaining the entire Xixia, the Song Dynasty court wanted to regain the lost territory by force.
Maybe the next step is Henan and the Land of Two Rivers.
"The Emperor of the Song Dynasty is really wise and powerful! Needless to say, it was the officers of the Jinling Military Academy who charged into battle to regain Xixia!"
The servant immediately became excited and his voice rose a few degrees unconsciously.
With the new policies of the Emperor of the Song Dynasty, the Jinling Martial Arts Lecture Hall was established and the border troops were rectified, so that the lost territory could be recovered.
If it were like that before, I wouldn't be able to take it back.
"Do you also know about the Jinling Martial Arts Lecture Hall?"
Pu Shougeng was surprised again.
It seems that the servant knows a lot. It seems that this newspaper is really powerful, allowing the people of the Song Dynasty to understand the affairs of the world without leaving home.
"Not only the Jinling Martial Arts Lecture Hall, but also the Jinling University Hall, Jinling Normal School, and Song Dynasty Naval School were all run by the Emperor of the Song Dynasty himself. The northwest generals Cao Youwen, brother Yu Jie, Wang Jian, Lu Wende, etc. were all The emperor is giving lectures on his favorite generals at the martial arts hall in Jinling. If I were not too old, I would also like to join in the fun!"
The servant was smiling, but there was a trace of longing in his eyes.
The four major schools of the Song Dynasty, plus branches in various places, attracted thousands of young people. He was only in his early twenties, so he was no exception.
In fact, he wanted to go, but habit and cowardice prevented him from taking this step.
"Hexi Road, Xixia Road, you say we go there to do business and sell spices there, what will happen?"
Pu Shougeng rolled his eyes and had another thought.
"This little guy doesn't know. I've never been to Xixia, so I'm not familiar with it. But the northwest is barren and far less prosperous than Lin'an City and Jinling City. Maybe it would be good to go to Sichuan."
The servant was smiling and noncommittal.
If you are used to overseas trade, it may be difficult to switch to mainland business. In addition, spices are luxury goods, and only those wealthy people can afford them. Northwest is probably not a good choice.
Pu Shougeng nodded. It might not be easy to do business in the northwest. However, there are few merchants there and it is easy to do business. You can give it a try later.
Suddenly, a sharp whistle sounded outside, and there was a lot of people's voices, and there seemed to be chaos.
"Go out and have a look!"
Pu Shougeng was startled, stood up, and strode out, his servants following closely.
Listening to this warning, it seems that you have encountered a pirate.
On the ship, the lookout on the mast blew his whistle, moved his arms and shouted at the top of his lungs.
"There are pirates! There are pirates!"
The sailors on the deck were in a panic, in a mess, and at a loss.
"Why panic!"
Pu Shougeng walked out of the cabin. He looked at the pirate ships coming from all directions on the sea with a calm expression.
The pirate ship is still far away, and it has already reached the Wengzhou waters. Less than a hundred miles ahead is the Song Army's navy stronghold.
Haven't the pirates been exterminated? Why are there still remnants?
"Official, what should I do?"
The pirates looked fierce, brandishing their swords and guns, and seemed to be roaring wildly. The servants' faces were full of panic.
"Continue forward and go straight to the Song Army Navy stronghold in Dinghai!"
Pu Shougeng said coldly, his demeanor remained the same and his face was calm.
The merchant ships are as tall as buildings. Even if the pirates catch up, it will not be easy to capture them.
It seems that when the Song army cleared the sea, these pirates were forced to make a desperate move and chose to attack offshore.
The ship accelerated forward, and the pirate ships surrounded it from all directions, chasing closely.
"Two... the boss, the officer and army's... Fengyan!"
On the pirate ship, a gangster pointed at the thick smoke rising from the western islands and shouted in horror.
"Let's go!"
The second master was so frightened that he no longer thought about plundering the ships, and immediately ordered the pirates to row away.
The current navy of the Song Dynasty is well-trained and has sharp firearms. They are not soft-footed shrimps. Once they are surrounded, they will be in danger.
Thick smoke billowed from the beacons, and countless Song warships appeared on the sea. The huge warships were daunting. Their warships surrounded them from the north and south, approaching the pirates' ships.
At the same time, on the Song Army's warship, cannons were pushed out of the gun windows one after another. The muzzles of the guns were faint, like man-eating beasts. The Song Army on the ship was in a hurry and seemed to be loading ammunition.
"Quick! Rush out!"
The second master's face turned pale and he almost roared.
Once the Song army fires cannons and the warships speed up, it will be difficult to escape.
The two sides moved toward each other, and the warships quickly approached. The pirates turned pale, rowed their wooden oars desperately, and fled away.
"Peng! Peng! Peng!"
Suddenly, the Song Army's warships were filled with smoke and the sound of artillery was loud. Several pirate ships were hit one after another. Wood chips were flying on the ship, and several large holes were smashed out. The pirates on the deck were all bloody and fell down.
"Pull quickly, let me rush out..."
Before the second master finished speaking, the sound of "Pengpeng" artillery sounded again. The pirate ships on the sea were constantly being hit, and the pirates kept screaming. Pirates were constantly being hit by the artillery, and their flesh and blood flew everywhere. Some people continued to fall into the water. Like making dumplings.
The warships of both sides approached, and thunderstorms from the Song Army's navy flew onto the pirates' warships. There were rumbling explosions and screams everywhere.
The pirate ships that fled to the outer sea were, without exception, quickly overtaken by the tall warships of the Song Army. They were either hit by artillery, or were quickly shattered into pieces under the indiscriminate bombardment of thunder. Broken boards were floating everywhere on the sea.
But some pirate ships still broke through the siege and fled desperately towards the pirate lair in Mecen Mountain. The warships of the Song Army followed closely behind.
On the merchant ship, I saw the pirates crying and howling, and the pirate ships were sunk one after another. The sailors and the merchants on the ship were cheering and happy.
"The navy of the Great Song Dynasty was so powerful!"
The servants cheered, but Pu Shougeng was calm and seemed to take everything for granted.
The vast South Ocean and Indian Ocean were swept away by the Song navy, not to mention Song lands such as the Zhoushan Islands.
"People on the ship, listen up! We are the navy from the Coastal Planning Department of the Song Dynasty. Follow our warship to Qingyuan Mansion!"
A Song Army warship approached the merchant ship. The Song Army general on top shouted loudly, commanding the warship to move forward to escort the merchant ship.
"Long live the Song Dynasty!"
"Long live the Song Dynasty official army!"
The people on the merchant ship cheered, and the merchant ship followed the Song Army warship and headed towards Hangzhou Bay.
Pu Shougeng shook his head, what is there to cheer about? With the strong ships and powerful guns of the Song Dynasty Navy, it was not a piece of cake to deal with these pirates who were still using swords and guns.
