Liang Daoming and Shi Jinqing invited the soldiers of the Ming Dynasty to rest in the palace. Although the main hall of the palace was burned down and the rear hall was looted, there was still room for people to live, so that no one would eat and sleep in the open.
Considering that the Srivijaya war had just ended and there was still fighting in some places, Zheng He did not bring the main force to the palace, but only brought 800 people. The other main force was arranged around the harbor to take on the responsibility of warning and protection.
"Let's postpone the banquet and other entertainment for now. You have been working hard all day and night. You are physically and mentally tired. Please rest first."
Zheng He couldn't help but say when he saw that Liang Daoming's eyes were bloodshot and his condition was poor.
Liang Daoming wanted to insist, but was rejected by Zheng He. As a last resort, he announced that he would hold a banquet in three days and went to rest first.
Long-distance raids and battles are almost fatal for the elderly Liang Daoming. If it were not for the support of his strong will and belief, he would probably not be able to persist until the end.
Fatigue is like a tide, and people fall asleep and snore.
Zheng He arranged for Zhang Yu, Zhu Neng and others to take turns on guard. Watching the sun gradually rise, he couldn't help but smile with relief.
"Deputy Commander-in-Chief, Liao King Zhu Zhi, businessmen Huang Facai, Shen Yiyuan, Wang Zhongfu and others are asking for an audience."
Li Xing approached and reported.
Zheng He was a little confused. Businessmen were businessmen and the army was the army. Along the way, businessmen rarely looked for him. Even the king of Liao, Zhu Zhi, followed this and kept a distance from the army.
Those who should do business should do business, and do not contact officials if there is nothing wrong. This state is comfortable and is what Zheng He hopes to exist for a long time. After all, these businessmen have money. If they have too close relations with the soldiers, they will pay to hire a group of sergeants. , to rob a house and destroy several countries, wouldn’t this be chaos?
In this Southeast Asia, the smallest country has only one or two hundred people, which is not enough for a wave of soldiers to attack.
Zheng He restrained the soldiers and merchants. In order to avoid suspicion, during this voyage, apart from strengthening the protection of Liao King Zhu Zhi, there was no other special care.
"If they don't do business, what are they doing here?"
Zheng He asked puzzledly.
Li Xing shook his head and said: "These merchants did not move the goods directly, but were waiting for a better opportunity. However, my subordinates heard that they seemed to want to make a deal with you."
"Business? With me?"
Zheng He was even more puzzled.
All he has in his hands are sergeants. Could it be that these businessmen actually want to take advantage of the sergeants?
"Let them in."
If it were just Shen Yiyuan, Huang Facai and others, they would just refuse if they refused, but Zhu Zhi, the king of Liao, also came together. The prince's face still needed to be taken care of. Even if he didn't want to take care of it, he couldn't make it too obvious.
Zhu Zhi, who was originally a little fat, has become much more capable and flexible. During the voyage from the capital to Yangjiang, and from Yangjiang to Srivijaya, Zhu Zhi did not regard himself as a noble prince lying in the cabin. Instead of being a carefree man, he chose to eat, live and work together with his assistants.
Zhu Zhi is an extremely perseverant person who is very cruel to himself. Even if he is as tired as a dog, he will never stick out his tongue and gasp for air, but always maintains a high fighting spirit and state.
This princely merchant won the respect of the accompanying merchants. Huang Facai, Wang Zhongfu and others gradually moved closer to Zhu Zhi. In addition, Shen Yiyuan had an unclear relationship with Zhu Zhi. As a result, many of the caravans going to Nanyang were Between the merchant and Zhu Zhi,
An organization similar to the "Merchant Alliance" was formed, and the leader of this organization was Zhu Zhi, King of Liao.
Zhu Zhi took these changes calmly. He knew very well that businessmen moved closer to him just because his status as vassal king could bring an invisible political protection to these businessmen. This kind of closeness was unstable and could even It is said to be temporary. Once the status of the merchant group increases and the court affirms and supports the merchants, they will no longer need them.
Zhu Zhi didn't mind, and even expected this result, so he was very clear-headed and had been planning his business empire carefully, preparing to win business with business and make it bigger and stronger. Only in this way can he truly influence and connect these Only businessmen can gain real say in the business community.
The group of people entered the West Garden of the Imperial Palace. Zheng He had difficulty finding a few chairs, so he had to arrange for everyone to sit on the floor.
Zhu Zhi did not mince words and said bluntly to Zheng He: "Deputy Commander-in-Chief, there are two main reasons for coming here this time. I hope to get the approval of the Deputy Commander-in-Chief."
"The Rebirth of Financial Giants"
Zheng He looked serious and replied cautiously: "As long as it does not violate the imperial prohibition, I will seriously consider it."
Zhu Zhi knew Zheng He's bottom line and responsibilities. He smiled lightly and said, "Since I have come to see Deputy General Zheng, I will not bring up anything that violates the imperial prohibition. The first thing I want to do is to hire a rotational rest worker at the expense of a businessman." The sergeants are used as protection to ensure the safety of merchants' transactions. At present, in the Xuanwei Division of Old Port, there are still a small group of Majapayi sergeants, as well as some evil people who take advantage of the situation, so it is not very safe."
The people who came to do business did not bring any bodyguards, but only some hard-working guys. Now they have reached the end point, and they will return home in a short time. There must be no accident here.
Zheng He frowned. Hiring a sergeant was an extremely sensitive matter, and Zhu Zhi should be aware of the problems involved. Once this started, the sergeant would probably become a private soldier of a businessman out of money.
"Protecting the safety of merchants' transactions is one of the imperial court's missions to Southeast Asia. There is no need for merchants to pay for their employment. Tomorrow I will personally discuss with Xuanwei envoys Liang Daoming and Shi Jinqing to delineate trading streets. Then you can trade goods in the streets."
Zheng He directly took him over and rejected Zhu Zhi in a tactful way.
Zhu Zhi sighed and said: "You can't do much business in certain streets. Only by spreading out and letting the merchants go to all directions can they get rid of the goods in their hands in a short time and get more goods."
Zheng He did not give in and insisted: "The Ming Dynasty sergeants belong to the imperial court. Without imperial decree, I cannot give this permission."
Zhu Zhi frowned and said: "If this is the case, and the merchant cannot complete the final transaction, wouldn't it mean that the imperial court cannot see the wealth of Nanyang? If we continue to maintain the policy of not going to the sea, the deputy general will not be able to deliver errands to the imperial court, right?"
Zheng He understood that Zhu Zhi was putting pressure on him and retorted: "If the soldiers of the Ming Dynasty became merchants and private soldiers, wouldn't it be difficult for the prince to explain to the emperor after he returns?"
Zhu Zhi's face looked a little ugly.
Seeing that the scene had become tense, Shen Yiyuan stood up and said, "Actually, there is a compromise."
Zhu Zhi remained silent while Zheng He searched with his eyes.
Shen Yiyuan said: "The current situation in Srivijaya is special. The safety of merchants needs to be guaranteed, which means that there are some caregivers around them. However, the Ming Dynasty sergeants are weapons of the court and merchants cannot be used. Therefore, can we invite the deputy general soldier? After discussing with the Xuanwei envoy, the merchants took out the goods and exchanged them with the Xuanwei envoy to protect the merchants while doing business.
. "
Zheng He's eyes lit up. If this is the case, it might be possible.
Although the Jiugang Xuanwei Division was the territory of the Ming Dynasty and was nominally at the mercy of the Ming Dynasty, it actually had a high degree of autonomy. The Ming Dynasty did not add anyone to the original Sanfoqi civil and military personnel, out of respect for Liang Daoming, Shi Jinqing and others.
At present, the old port has suffered a lot of losses in the war. It is time for reconstruction, and the merchants have many exquisite goods that can be used. If they could exchange gifts for the ambassador's consent and arrange for sergeants to protect the merchants, wouldn't the matter be solved?
"This is a way, but we are businessmen and cannot directly contact the Xuanwei Envoy..."
Zhu Zhi said with a bit of boredom.
Zheng He shook his head slightly and took a deep look at Shen Yiyuan. Needless to say, he and Zhu Zhi sang and made it clear that they had agreed upon it. He rejected the King of Liao once first, and he was always embarrassed to reject it a second time.
"I can discuss this matter with Ambassador Liang Daoming. If he nods, you can discuss it directly with him."
Zheng He said warmly.
Zhu Zhi immediately laughed, cupped his hands and said, "Thank you so much, Deputy Commander-in-Chief."
Zheng He shook his head slightly and asked: "That's the first thing for now, what is the second thing you want to say?"
Zhu Zhi did not speak, but looked at Huang Facai.
Huang Facai stood up, saluted Zheng He, and said: "This second matter is a major matter to solve Majapahit's future troubles. This matter requires the joint participation of the deputy commander-in-chief, the propaganda envoy and others."
"Resolve Majapahit's future troubles?"
Zheng He looked at Huang Facai in surprise, then turned to Zhu Zhi.
First, Majapayi united with Chen Zuyi to occupy Sanviqi. Later, Sanviqi counterattacked and killed Majapayi general Wu Lu and captured more than 8,000 people. It was a great victory.
However, Majapahit will not be willing to fail. After the remnant soldiers return, Majapahit is likely to launch a large army and march into Srivijaya again. By then, it will no longer be a war between Majapahit and Srivijaya, but a war between Majapahit and Srivijaya. The war between Zhe Boyi and the Xuanwei Division in Jiugang, Ming Dynasty.
This is the trouble!
Zheng He saw through all this, so he did not mobilize the main force to garrison the palace, but stayed near the bay. First, he was on guard against Chen Zuyi's sneak attack, and second, he was on guard against Majapahit's counterattack.
Such future troubles will never be easily resolved.
Zheng He discussed with Zhang Yu, Zhu Neng and others, and even studied the most unfavorable situation, but he never thought that the matter would end well.
But these businessmen were so brazen and boastful that they wanted to solve Majapahit's future troubles?
Zheng He asked seriously: "How to solve the future problem of Majapahit?"
Huang Facai looked at Zheng He confidently and said: "Simple, let us businessmen go to Majapahit to make a deal."
Zheng He stared at Huang Facai.
Huang Facai explained: "What Majapahit needs most at this time is not necessarily revenge, but a step up. They know that with the support of the Ming Dynasty, trying to occupy Srivijaya is tantamount to idiotic dreams. Even if they occupy it, they must There will be heavy losses and the gains will not be worth the losses.”
"So, as long as we explain the interests to them and give them the goods they want, they will make a truce and even become friends of Ming Dynasty."
Zheng He asked in confusion: "What goods are you planning to use to impress the king of Majapahit?"
Huang Facai said softly: "Eight thousand prisoners."
