What? Going to the New World?
After hearing Zheng Zhilong's words, Zheng Xi wanted to slap his own ears. One of the old man and his brother-in-law is the richest man, and the other is the richest. They both know how to make money. How can they be wrong about the projects they are optimistic about? You are a scumbag and you know nothing? What are you talking about? If you have this spare time to worry about raising money for the richest and richest man, you might as well brush up on French and mathematics and try to do better in the exam next time. After all, you have to have a score of 40 or 50 points (out of 100 points), right? If you work hard like this for two more years, you can be promoted to the second grade.
Thinking of this, Zheng Xi immediately said to Zheng Zhilong with a serious face: "Father, my child is very willing to travel to the New World for you, but my child's studies cannot be delayed. My child finally got into the engineering school, and he must have Study hard and succeed in what you learn, so that you can repay your kindness in raising me in the future. It's getting late now, I have to go to Bingzhuye to study, I'll take my leave..."
After saying that, he was about to leave as soon as he got up. When Zheng Zhilong saw him leaving, he immediately snorted: "Stop! You bastard, you still have the nerve to talk about your studies? Did you get admitted to the engineering school? It's obviously your father. I spent three years on it." I bought it for you with 10,000 taels of silver. You didn’t study hard after you got there. You’re still in the first grade after reading. Don’t you blush? If you want to repay your kindness by studying, my father must live a long life. Got it!"
Zheng Xi hurriedly said: "Of course my father will live a long life, and my child will definitely honor you..."
"Okay, okay, I don't need you to have a son. I have eighteen sons. Except for a few little kids who have not yet enlightened, who is not better at studying than you? I will let you go to the New World now! From the Engineering School Don’t stop reading the book, drop out of school, don’t embarrass me!”
"Sir, I... want to study!" Zheng Xi really never dreamed that he would say such a thing, and he meant it!
"Hmph," Zheng Zhilong snorted again, "You still want to study? There's no chance... Go on your way honestly, I won't treat you badly, I'll have someone go to Kou's house on Chaoku Street tomorrow to propose marriage! "
The Kou family on Chaoku Street is the natal family of Kou Baimen. Because Kou Baimen has served as Fengluan, the secretary of the Jiaofang for a long time, the Kou family is naturally the first family on the Qinhuai River.
However, this first family is not innocent by any means, and it also runs a brothel. Therefore, no matter how talented and beautiful the young lady of the Kou family is, it will be difficult for her to marry into a noble or official family. But Zheng Xi happened to be in love with Kou Yumen, a young lady from the Kou family. This made Zheng Zhilong angry and furious. If it hadn't been for Princess Zheng's refusal (Zheng Chagu and Kou Baimen are good sisters), Zheng Zhilong would have So I sent people to Chaoku Street to cause trouble.
Lao Zheng saw that his daughter did not fall out of favor, but he did not agree with Kou Yumen's entry. This was a good thing for the couple to be in love, so he, a feudal father, stopped him.
Now he is willing to go all out to encourage his son to go to America.
"Let that Kou Yumen go to the New World with you then!" Zheng Zhilong said.
"Okay then!" Zheng Xi gritted his teeth and stamped his feet. He had no choice but to fight for love!
"Hey, good boy!" Zheng Zhilong nodded and said, "Your Damu brother has trained 1,000 Iron Warriors in Quanzhou. He has not been in battle for many years. Your father even asked for them for you and asked them to protect you when you go to America. bay.
In addition, Omu also built two new Wanshi bombardment gun ships at Ishii Shipyard, which are said to be extremely strong and able to withstand strong winds and waves. Father has also asked for them for you, so just feel free to take them to America... Nothing will happen! "
"My child thanks you, sir..."
Zheng Xi said thank you, but in his heart he couldn't help complaining about his father. Can he guarantee the affairs at sea? This time we have to cross the Pacific Ocean, and the wind and waves are so high that it makes me nervous just thinking about it!
...
"Ah? You want to go to the New World on behalf of your father? Well, what a filial son! I am also a filial son, and the most important thing is a filial son. But can your father stay alone in Japan to recuperate? Without you as a son to fulfill his filial piety at the bedside, he When will your illness be cured?"
Just the day after Zheng Xi, the filial son, made up his mind to drop out of school and go to the New World to investigate investment opportunities on behalf of his father, a filial son whose filial piety touched the heavens also came to the Huangji Hall of Laoshan Palace - there were so many filial sons in the Ming Dynasty!
This filial son's name is Wei Zhongcheng, Wei Zaode's son, who previously accompanied his father on a visit to Japan. Wei Zaode and his son had been in Japan for a year. They were about to go to America together, but something unexpected happened - Wei Zaode fell ill!
At least that's what Wei Zhongcheng, who returned to Ming Dynasty to report to Zhu Cixiang on the progress of negotiations with Japan, said.
"Your Majesty," Wei Zhongcheng, who was sitting on an embroidered pier, was already sweating a little on his forehead, "Your Majesty, although your father is ill, he is still worried about the king's affairs, so he sent me back to the country to inform your Majesty of the negotiation situation, and also hopes that Let me go to America to preside over the development of the situation in his place...As for my father's condition, he has improved after a period of recuperation, but his body is weak and it is difficult to withstand the storm at sea."
"Oh." Zhu Cixiang was still a little worried, "Is it really possible without relatives to take care of you?"
How come you don’t have any relatives? Wei Zhongcheng said heartily: It feels so comfortable to have three little Japanese wives waiting on me... I feel a little overwhelmed.
"Don't worry, your majesty. I still have a few messengers around my father...but I can't let go of the mess in America, so I want you to go there for him so that he can complete the errands entrusted to him by your majesty." alright."
"Okay, okay, you are such a loyal minister!" Zhu Cihong actually didn't care whether Wei Zaode was really ill or pretending to be ill. What he cared about was whether there were capable people who could go to America to "open up wasteland".
Since Wei Zaode has been able to maintain his position for so many years, there must be many capable people in his entourage, and his son Wei Zhongcheng is one of them.
"I can't treat you and your son badly," Zhu Cixiang said again, "Zhongzhi, have you heard about my plan to establish a joint stock country in North America?"
"I've heard some."
This incident has only come out a few days ago, so not many people know about it, but Wei Zhongcheng has such good ears and eyes, how could he not know about it?
"Also leave 1% of the shares for your family! The total share capital of the United States is 100 million, and 1% is 1 million. However, you do not need to subscribe in full immediately. You can invest 5% first, that is Fifty thousand taels." Zhu Cixiang smiled and said, "If you do your best, you will have a share in the future United States of Xinzhou!"
In the original plan, Zhu Cixiang wanted Wei Zaode to run the American Gulf area as a vassal town of the Wei family.
However, the plan could not keep up with the changes. After the Battle of Kagoshima Bay, the sea power in the Pacific was temporarily controlled by the Ming Dynasty, so the Ming Dynasty could transport personnel and materials to North America with great fanfare.
So it’s no longer appropriate to make small fuss, we must do something big and fast!
Because the situation in Europe can change at any time, and the reasons for the changes are very speechless... Once Cromwell dies, Charles II of the Stuart dynasty will be restored.
And Charles II is now an ally of the Kingdom of Spain! If he became king of England, England would definitely withdraw from the war.
Once Britain withdraws, France will probably have to accept the situation as soon as possible...because what France wants most now is the Spanish Netherlands, and the Netherlands will not be willing to be a neighbor to France. Today, the Netherlands has not officially joined the Anti-Spanish Alliance, but the Dutch East India Company has joined the alliance.
According to the latest report Zhu Cixi received from Li Shaoyou from France, the Parliament of the United Provinces of the Netherlands has officially refused to join the anti-Spanish alliance.
And among the many Spanish privateers operating in the English Channel, a considerable number came from the United Provincial Republic of the Netherlands!
In other words, the Netherlands actually adopted a pro-Spanish policy on the European battlefield. Once France invades the Spanish Netherlands, the Netherlands may even join the Spanish side.
With France's current strength, it is impossible to challenge Spain and the Netherlands at the same time.
In addition, Li Shaoyou also reported that the French Prime Minister Mazarin was secretly arranging the marriage between Louis XIV and Spanish Princess Maria Theresa...
Therefore, the good situation of the Eight-Nation Allied Forces beating Spain may not last long.
And once Spain gets out of trouble in Europe, Ming will be in trouble in the Pacific!
Therefore, Zhu Cixiang must make full use of the little time left to firmly control the Gulf of America!
