"Shaobing...newly baked pancakes!"
“Freshly picked pears, if they’re not sweet, you don’t need to pay for them!”
"Selling newspapers, selling newspapers!"
…
The streets of the capital were filled with cries of hawking, and people were coming and going, with a smile on everyone's face.
Among the crowd, a young man stood by the road, looking slightly confused and confused.
This young man was Zheng Zhilong, who came from Nan'an County, and behind him were several guards in casual clothes.
It was originally expected to arrive in eight or nine days, but unexpectedly there was a heavy rain on the way and we had to stay at the shore for more than ten days.
Even so, it was a month faster than riding a horse over land.
At this moment, he looked at the incomparable harmony between the people on the street and between the government officials and the people.
The streets are clean and tidy, and the shops on both sides are also extremely clean. The waiters at the door are all smiling and greeting people passing by.
There were dandy boys in small counties who flirted with cats and dogs, but in Beijing, a city with a population of one million, where the seventh rank was as numerous as dogs, the fifth rank was everywhere, and the third rank could barely be considered a high-ranking official, he didn't find any of them, which really surprised him.
If the Jin Yiwei who was accompanying him knew what he was thinking, he would definitely tell him that the grass on the grave of anyone who dared to commit suicide would already be three meters deep.
There were many things he had never seen before, such as newspapers shouted by children.
"Brother Cheng, what is this newspaper?"
"The newspaper was established by His Majesty. It is similar to the Tang Newspaper, but its content is more extensive."
Accompanying Cheng Mingyang, a member of the Jinyiwei Bai family, reached out and waved to the child selling the newspaper. He bought a newspaper and read it while saying: "This newspaper is published once a day. According to His Majesty's idea, it will be sold throughout the Ming Dynasty in the future.
It is still being slowly promoted. The provincial capitals of several provinces bordering North Zhili already have it. It is estimated that after the Chinese New Year, it will also be available in Fujian. "
While he was talking, Zheng Zhilong also came up and looked at the contents of the newspaper. Just one glance made him unable to look away.
"A column on the heroic deeds of the Dragon and Tiger Medal winners during the Siege!"
…
Every new term, such as the Dragon and Tiger Medal, the Four Seas Medal, the Martial Arts Hall, etc., all made Zheng Zhilong feel novel.
A quarter of an hour later, when he understood the meaning of the medal and the martial arts hall, he was completely stunned.
I felt even more regretful inside and wanted to strangle myself to death.
"Hey, I came back late. If it hadn't been for the heavy rain, we might have been able to make it in time for the award ceremony!"
"Master Baihu, this kind of reward ceremony is nothing. In a few years, your majesty will defeat Jiannu, and then the reward ceremony will be called a grand event!"
"That has nothing to do with us. We are not going to the battlefield. These things have nothing to do with us!"
"That's not necessarily true. The commander has won the Star Medal, which means that intelligence work can also win awards.
Work more carefully in the future. If we find some evidence of treason, conspiracy, etc., we can still get big rewards. "
…
"Cheng Baihu, His Majesty has an order to summon Zheng Zhilong at Dongnuan Pavilion at the wrong time!"
While several people were discussing, a Jin Yiwei found them and passed on the message.
Cheng Mingyang looked at Zheng Zhilong who was full of curiosity: "Brother Zheng, I guess you will stay in the capital for a while. You have plenty of time to see the new changes in the capital.
Now I will take you to have lunch first, and then go wash up and change clothes. You must not be rude when meeting His Majesty! "
"Thank you, Brother Cheng. After I meet with His Majesty today, I will do the favor. Please relax a few brothers. It's been a hard journey!"
"Easy to say, hahaha!"
Cheng Mingyang and several Jinyi laughed.
This errand is not too comfortable. Sitting on the boat, you can be served chicken, duck, fish, and good wine every meal, and you don't have to go through the hard work of riding a horse.
After eating and washing up, it was almost time. Cheng Mingyang sent Zheng Zhilong to the afternoon gate. There was already a young eunuch waiting at the door.
At this moment, Zheng Zhilong was a little nervous, but also a little looking forward to seeing this wise king known to the people.
In my wild thoughts, I entered Dong Nuan Pavilion.
Looking at the back of the figure standing by the window with hands behind his hands, Zheng Zhilong felt that this figure was as steady as a mountain.
Before he could think about it, the figure suddenly turned around. At this moment, he felt endless pressure coming towards him, and subconsciously knelt down: "Common citizen Zheng Zhilong meets your Majesty!"
Chongzhen didn't bother to play any tricks like showing off his power, and said directly: "Get up!"
Looking at Zheng Zhilong standing up, the information of Jin Yiwei's investigation suddenly poured out of his mind.
Such as business experience, naval combat capabilities, etc.
At the age of twenty-four, with such achievements, although he inherited the business of maritime merchant Li Dan, his own abilities are definitely second to none.
"Do you know why I'm looking for you?"
Chongzhen spoke up and continued without waiting for Zheng Zhilong's response: "You are a smart man. You have also seen Xiong Wencan. I won't beat around the bush anymore. Tell me what you think!"
Zheng Zhilong was caught off guard by Chongzhen's opening, it was so damn direct.
But he still calmed down: "If the grassroots surrender to the imperial court, the grassroots hope that your majesty can pardon the crime of smuggling in the caravan and give me and my brothers official positions..."
"What kind of official position do you want? Be specific!"
Before Zheng Zhilong finished speaking, he was interrupted by Chongzhen.
Listening to the emperor's inquiry, Zheng Zhilong gritted his teeth and said: "The common people want a third-grade military general position! Give the common people ten fifth-grade military general positions!"
"How dare you speak!"
Hearing the emperor's emotionless words, Zheng Zhilong's heart tightened.
But the words have already been spoken, and it has reached this point, so I can only bite the bullet and continue.
"Your Majesty, it's not the ordinary people who dare to speak, but the ordinary people are worth the price!"
Without waiting for Chongzhen to ask, Zheng Zhilong continued: "Your Majesty, the civilians currently have more than 700 ships of various types, nearly half of which are warships, including three Fu ships, eight Zhuang ships, twelve Centipede ships, and Haicang ships. Thirty ships...
There are more than 3,000 soldiers capable of fighting, and more than 5,000 sailors and others.
Defeating Fujian Deputy Commander-in-Chief Yu Zigao, defeating the Dutch fleet and expelling them from Taiwan shows that the grassroots still have some talent for commanding troops to fight.
The grassroots people have been to Haojing, Fusang, Luzon, Annan, Dadi, Fenni, Champa and other countries, and are familiar with the conditions of each country.
Proficient in Lusitan, Franconian (Portugal), Redmoon (Dutch), Spanish... he still has some talent for business.
In the Ming Dynasty, grassroots people helped the people of Fujian... a total of more than 500,000 taels of silver was spent...
Therefore, Caomin is worth the price! "
Listening to Zheng Zhilong's explanation, Chongzhen thought to himself, people in this era are so damn direct and confident.
Last time Hong Chengchou was the governor of the three sides, he boasted about himself, and Zheng Zhilong did the same this time.
"You are so confident, will I agree?"
Chongzhen sneered: "Don't forget that privately opening sea routes, smuggling goods, and privately gathering soldiers are all punishable by death!"
