"Zheng Yiguan, the official of the imperial court, does what he does with great enjoyment. It seems that he plans to continue doing it."
Regarding Zheng Zhilong sending Zheng Chenggong to study under Qian Qianyi's name, Zuo Menggeng was very clear-eyed.
Zheng Zhilong is an official fan, and he will not let go of any opportunity to clear his name.
As a leader in Jiangnan literary circles, Qian Qianyi has a far-reaching reputation and far-reaching influence.
As long as Zheng Chenggong studied under Qian Qianyi for a period of time, it would be equivalent to having a foothold in the upper echelons of the Ming Dynasty.
However, the appearance of Zheng Chenggong suddenly made Zuo Mengeng realize that Zheng Zhilong's rise from the Southeast Sea was not solely due to his own hard work and luck.
There should be support from the Donglin Party behind him.
Zuo Mengeng's thoughts were wandering far away, and he finally had a deep understanding of some historical fog.
There is no doubt that the aristocratic families and landowners in the southeast were the main promoters of the Ming Dynasty's maritime ban.
Because these people are powerful and powerful, once the imperial court bans the sea, ordinary people will naturally not be able to engage in foreign trade.
As a result, this lucrative channel fell into the hands of these aristocratic families and landowners.
Some people in later generations blamed the Donglin Party for the ban on sea, and used this to criticize the Donglin Party for causing harm to the country and the people.
But in fact, although the Donglin Party was born in Jiangnan, it is by no means the most powerful here.
The main structure of the Donglin Party is merchants, handicraftsmen and farmers. Obviously, these people are all victims of the maritime embargo.
What they most hope to do is to break the sea ban.
However, it is the powerful gentry and bureaucrats in the southeast who implement the maritime ban policy. The military power in the southeast is in the hands of these people, and the Donglin Party is obviously unable to break it.
This is also the reason why during the Longqing switch, Zou Yuanbiao and Xu Fuyuan placed the switch in Yuegang, Fujian, avoiding the prosperous places in the southeast.
Yuegang is Zheng Zhilong’s hometown.
Later, the Longqing switch was closed, and the Donglin Party's efforts to lift the maritime ban failed. They finally realized that if they wanted to break the monopoly of maritime trade by aristocratic families and bureaucrats, they must have strong military power in their hands.
I am afraid that from that time on, the Donglin Party has continued to support the pirates in the East China Sea.
Zheng Zhilong's rise is obviously due to this.
To deal with Zheng Zhilong in the future, the issue of the Donglin Party must also be considered.
"Speaking of all the sages in Shandong, they were once our best friends and fellow-minded people. I, Donglin, started from a young age and took it as our own responsibility to help the world and restore orthodoxy. We have always had an endless stream of loyal ministers and righteous men. I never thought that my former colleagues would actually go the same way. If you go astray, your reputation will be ruined, how sad!”
Zheng Sanjun is old and stubborn when he speaks.
In his view, the actions of Hou Xun, Liu Zongzhou and others were treasonous and self-destructive.
For such people, Zuo Menggeng is not afraid to criticize them thoroughly.
"Ruogu Gong and Niantai Gong once went astray, and a leaf blinded their eyesight, which led to half a lifetime of hard work and failure to achieve great achievements. Only now do they understand the path of the world. What a gentleman does, seize the day and night. Given time, their great achievements will surely shine through the ages. , far beyond the reach of mediocre people like you."
This scolding attitude made Zheng Sanjun's face turn red and his chest heaved with anger.
But he didn't dare to fight back angrily.
It's not that Zheng Sanjun is afraid of death, but that he knows that he really has a heavy responsibility here.
Compared with the honor and disgrace of one person, the safety of the Jiangnan community is greater than the heaven.
If Zuo Mengeng was angered by this and Jiangnan was plunged into a war disaster, Zheng Sanjun would not be able to atone for his crime even if he died to express his gratitude.
Yao Shishen stood aside, fearing that the two sides would intensify and the situation would be irreversible.
"Commander Zuo, I once studied hard with Duke Xuan Hu and encouraged each other. We are sincere friends. Now, why don't you sell me a piece of noodles so that the Shandong New Army will retreat and we can eliminate the war and rebuild on good terms? Isn’t it good?”
Zuo Mengeng smiled slightly.
"My ancestors have no regrets in their lives to have such close friends as our seniors. However, personal friendship cannot replace justice, and human feelings cannot corrupt the overall situation. Today's situation is caused by the misbehavior of the imperial court. All the responsibilities are on your side. How can you let this go? ?”
Seeing him holding on, the three people in Nanjing were dejected.
At this time, they finally realized the helplessness of Zhang Fengyi and others.
Qian Qianyi thought about it and proposed cautiously.
"No matter what, what do the people of Li deserve? If we can eliminate the military disaster and restore peace to all people in the world, we can discuss all kinds of matters."
This is to ask Zuo Mengeng to put forward conditions.
Regarding this kind of thing, Zuo Mengeng didn't have any gentleness, thrift and courtesy, and he was bloody when he opened his mouth.
"Since the matter has reached this point, we, Shandong Province, will never give in to Songjiang Prefecture. In other words, from now on, Songjiang Prefecture will be under our jurisdiction, Shandong Province."
"this……"
Zheng Sanjun and the others' scalps were numb.
Jiangnan was originally the rear area of the Ming Dynasty. It had been stable and peaceful for hundreds of years. Now that a piece of land has been cut off, I really wonder how the imperial court will feel?
Furthermore, Shandong occupied Songjiang Prefecture, with a huge army and strong soldiers on the side. They Jiangnan officials were afraid to turn a blind eye even if they slept.
I’m afraid it’s hard to explain to the court!
Zheng Sanjun thought of the reason.
"At that time, you and the imperial court signed a treaty in Cangzhou, stating that you would maintain the status quo. Now you are brazenly occupying Songjiang. This is a breach of contract."
After hearing this, Yao Shishen and Qian Qianyi's eyes lit up, and they felt that they could make a big fuss out of this matter.
However, they were facing Zuo Mengeng.
"The treaty of that day refers to the events of that day. If the agreement of that day is followed, the Xu family, the Pan family, the Qu family and other Songjiang merchants and gentry should be safe and sound. It was you who broke the contract first, and you will naturally have to bear the consequences."
Zheng Sanjun argued hard.
"Fang Sichang (Fang Yuegong) is the magistrate of Songjiang and the official of the imperial court. It is his duty to enforce the laws. What is wrong with him?"
Zuo Mengeng looked over coldly.
"Is it also their duty to massacre merchants and common people from Fang Yuegong and the Xu family in Qingpu?"
The three people in Nanjing were speechless.
Regarding what Fang Yuegong and Xu Erxuan did in Qingpu Town, they all felt that it was excessive after hearing about it.
However, we are in the same camp and the situation is difficult, so it is difficult to make unreasonable accusations.
Unexpectedly, they were caught by Zuo Mengeng here today and forced into a corner.
Zuo Mengeng knew very well that the balance of power between the two sides was very different now, and there was no need to waste words with these people.
"In view of your perverse behavior, cruelty and easy killing, which has led to the destruction of people's homes and various consequences. Without severe punishment, it is not enough to serve as a warning to others. You are hereby officially notified that if you want to end the war and restore peace, you must take the following measures. Show sincerity.”
Zuo Mengeng was arrogant, but his words were like the sharpest knife.
"First, from now on, the imperial troops will retreat to the west of Suzhou Prefecture and are not allowed to cross the border. Suzhou Prefecture is a military buffer zone for both sides. If you violate it, you will be responsible for the consequences;
Second, you must recognize the independent status of Songjiang Prefecture. From now on, there will be no embarrassment or blockade, and the communication between Songjiang Mansion and other places in Jiangnan will be as usual;
Third, Fang Yuegong, who provoked the trouble, must be punished, and the Qingpu Xu family from Xu Erxuan on down and other landlords and gentry who caused the massacre must be handed over to us.
If you can't do the above three points, then let's see you on the battlefield! "
