Beijiangzhou.
Groups of clerks were sitting, lying down, or leaning against trees, chattering among themselves.
Qu Bao walked to the river, looked at Chang Baiye who was looking at Duobang City, and said with a smile: "President Chang, can we collect a lot of property this time? If not, neither the Ministry of War nor the Fifth Army Governor's Office will spare us. After ten years, it will be difficult for us Shanxi merchants to catch our breath."
Chang Baiye smiled confidently: "Uncle Qu knows Li Gongyun, right?"
Qu Bao nodded.
Li Gongyun was the founding monarch of the Li Dynasty of Vietnam. He had many wars with the Song Dynasty, Chenla, and Champa, and occupied a large area of territory. The current situation of Annan's territory was the foundation he laid.
Chang Baiye put his hands behind his back and said with a somewhat scholarly tone: "Li Gongyun established the powerful Annan Kingdom (Jiaozhi) after the Han and Song Dynasties. This man had great talents and great strategies. Shenglong City was built by him. The terrain here is flat." , rich in products and not far from the sea, it can be said to be a land of abundant resources and treasures.”
"I think back then, Li Gongyun gathered all the efforts of Annan to build the prosperous Thang Long City, with the Chao Palace inside, the Jixian Palace on the left, and the Jiangwu Palace on the right. The Feilong Gate is on the left, and the Danfeng Gate is on the right. The high hall of Yangqi is called Longqi. The inner wings of the Qi are covered with corridors and are surrounded by corridors on all sides..."
Listening to Chang Baiye's words, Qu Bao frowned slightly, and finally added: "But that's the Li Dynasty's business. Shenglong City has been attacked many times, and I'm afraid there won't be much in it."
Chang Baiye shook his head slightly and looked longingly to the southeast: "Whether it is Hu Ji Ya or Chen Chao, even if they set up the western capital Thanh Hoa, they will stay in the eastern capital from time to time. Why? Because Thang Long City is prosperous. , rich and safe. During the Chen Dynasty, the nobles were extravagant and collected countless wealth. Later, they surrendered to Hu Ji Yao, and those wealth are still in Thang Long City."
"Not to mention other things, the rosewood and spices are enough for us to get back the cost, not to mention gold, silver, copper coins and other rare treasures. Uncle Qu, ten million taels is a sky-high price, but treasures are also a sky-high price, chess scale A big or small piece of red sandalwood is worth five hundred taels when you take it back. If you are in a hurry, you can still make money by taking away thousands of pieces of wood from him..."
The corner of Qu Bao's mouth trembled and he said quickly: "Rosewood is indeed expensive. Even if we transport a few thousand pieces of wood, we still have to transport other goods, haha. But after hearing what you said, I feel confident."
Chang Baiye pointed at Duobang City: "Duobang City has been destroyed. It will not take more than two days to capture Shenglong City. When the city is destroyed, that will be the day we make a fortune!"
Qu Bao felt a little hot in his heart.
Who would have trouble with money? Now he has invested a lot of money and even rented a lot of money in order to search for property. Since Chang Baiye knows the truth and has learned a lot of information from the captives, he cannot afford to pay compensation this time. , it depends on how much profit can be obtained.
Chang Baiye looked at the flowing river and said to Qu Bao: "Uncle Qu, what do you think the Ming Dynasty will do after Hu Ji Yao and his son are captured or killed?"
Qu Bao smiled and said: "What else can be done? Of course, the master will return to the court, those who have received merit will receive merit, and those who have received rewards will be rewarded."
Chang Baiye turned sideways and asked seriously: "Is it possible to take Annan back to the Ming Dynasty?"
Qu Bao's eyes widened, extremely shocked.
Take back?
Is this possible?
Chang Baiye pointed to the east: "The imperial court has set up a shipping department. The Maritime Silk Road will reappear in our Ming Dynasty, and Nanyang trade will become the norm. But Nanyang is far from the Ming Dynasty after all, and now we only rely on Champa Port. For supply transfer, you cannot rely on Champa as a cargo transfer. If the Ming Dynasty captures Annan, it can definitely find a new large port in the Cochin Ocean to serve as a cargo transfer and supply place for merchant ships on voyages."
Qu Bao swallowed: "What if the people here don't agree?"
Chang Baiye raised his head and looked outside Duobang City, and said softly: "Don't agree? Just build a few more Jingguan..."
Qu Bao's face turned a little pale.
In the distance, Jingguan was sobbing in the wind, the wind was blowing, and even the weather seemed to be getting colder.
Zhang Fu did not stop. The day after he captured Duobang City, he issued an order to seize the eastern capital of Shenglong City. He left 50,000 troops to guard Duobang City. He personally led the army down the Tao River and set up Annan along the way. The already deserted camps and fences were burned to the ground, and they continued to fight all the way to the outside of Thang Long City.
Thang Long City is far less sturdy than Do Bang City. Although there is a stone stripe, the city wall is mainly made of clay and fences. The city is not high, just over one foot, and it is easy to climb the city.
Zhang Fu originally thought that there would be a group of sergeants to resist here, but he never imagined that the defenders of Shenglong City had no will to resist. As soon as they saw the Ming army attacking the city, they turned around and started running away. The army almost occupied the east capital of Annan without any blood!
The sergeants swarmed in and took control of all the palaces of the princes and nobles in the city, including the palaces of Hu Ji Yao and the Chen Dynasty. Tie Xuan arranged for people to notify the merchants to station in Thang Long City. The carnival time for the merchants had arrived.
There are more than 800 large and small merchants. There are more than 2,000 shopkeepers alone, followed by countless clerks. Looking at the team, there are at least 15,000 people.
Zhang Fu stood on the city wall and looked at the caravan entering the city. He couldn't help but secretly smacked his lips. This group of people looked like a group of bandits, and they numbered ten thousand people. This was really terrifying.
Tie Xuan didn't mind anything at all. Most of the merchants who came this time came with ox carts and donkey carts. Some of them were very particular, and even brought draft horses to pull the goods. Those who didn't have conditions were just people pushing carts. They came by themselves. Prepare food, do not take military rations.
Anyway, the imperial court sold all Annan's wealth. How many people come to move is their own business. As long as they abide by the laws and regulations and do not disturb the people.
"Such a search for Annan's wealth will hinder Annan's governance in the future."
Han Guan walked over and looked at the huge caravan with disgust.
Tie Xuan laughed and didn't take it seriously: "The foundation of Annan's governance is not the princes and nobles here, but the common people. Those who surrendered to the Hu family and his son need to be sent back to the capital. If they want to return here, I'm afraid it will be difficult. possible."
Zhang Fu nodded: "As long as the people have food to eat, it doesn't matter who is in charge. Killing more and looting more now is also for the purpose of ruling in the future, so that no one will become ambitious and rebel again."
Mu Sheng got angry step by step and said: "Duobang City has been destroyed, Shenglong City has been destroyed, and the Dayu defense line run by Hu and his son has completely collapsed. If we want this piece of land, we can't go too far."
Zhang Fu shook his head slightly: "If you want to completely control this place, you need to clear out a group of princes and nobles, and then support a group of reliable people. If these people do not intend to cooperate with our Ming Dynasty, then please ask them to leave here."
Tie Xuan agreed with Zhang Fu: "The nobles here are used to enjoying and squeezing, and they have also enjoyed power. If you let them stay here, sooner or later there will be trouble. Kill some, send some away, cultivate some, and live a good life. In ten years, this place can be completely managed by the Ming Dynasty and people close to the Ming Dynasty."
Mu Sheng and Han Guan looked at each other, and seeing that Zhang Fu and Tie Xuan agreed, they stopped entangled in the matter.
"There's a problem."
Mu Sheng's face became serious.
Zhang Fu and others looked at Mu Sheng with some confusion.
Now that Dayu's defense line has completely collapsed, and the Ming army has become the autumn wind sweeping away fallen leaves, what else can cause trouble?
Mu Sheng said seriously: "Although the Annan Chen family is extinct, the Chen family is not completely extinct. I have received news that Chen Jianding and Chen Jikuo of the Chen family are in Chang'an Prefecture. If I keep them, I'm afraid they will Trouble after birth.”
"Chang'an Prefecture?" Zhang Fu thought about the map. Chang'an Prefecture is south of Thang Long City, with two prefectures in between. It is north of Qinghua and is the only way for the Ming army to march into Qinghua.
Tie Xuan frowned and said, "If these two people keep to themselves and surrender voluntarily, we can spare their lives..."
Zhang Fu waved his hand and interrupted Tie Xuan: "If you don't remove the root, there will be disaster. Our goal is to let Annan return to the Ming Dynasty and leave the Chen family alive. I'm afraid it's inappropriate."
Tie Xuan shook his head: "I don't agree to kill Chen Jianding and Chen Jikuo. Our campaign against Annan was to punish the people. How can we kill Chen if he is not guilty? If he leaves a stigma in the future, wouldn't it mean that the Ming Dynasty Ugly?"
Han Guan thought for a moment and said, "I'm afraid the influence of the Chen clan is still there, so we might as well send them to the Ming Dynasty to settle down."
"What if they don't want to leave?"
Mu Sheng asked.
Zhang Fu said with a cold face: "Then let them go to the Ming Dynasty. If they don't want to leave, then eradicate the roots to avoid future troubles. I, Zhang Fu, will bear all the charges and stigmas alone!"
Tie Xuan was a little helpless. Although he was the Minister of War, the commander of the army was Zhang Fu, so he had to consider his opinions and views.
The group of people discussed walking towards the city wall, watching the merchants constantly coming in and out of various houses, moving and carrying goods, which made people very envious.
Zhang Fu looked at a shopkeeper standing on the ladder, preparing to take off a family's plaque. He frowned and said, "A plaque won't make you do it, right?"
Shopkeeper Wang turned around and saw that it was Zhang Fu and others, and hurriedly came down to salute: "Shuai Zhang doesn't know something. This plaque looks ordinary, but it's actually made of rosewood. And I looked at it specifically. It's at least two hundred years old. As long as it's done This number is indispensable when returning to the capital."
Zhang Fu looked at shopkeeper Wang holding out his hand and nodded. This is not fifty taels, but five hundred taels. If you can sell it for money, then so be it. That much money is worth shipping back.
"Then what is this broken ceramic used for?"
Mu Sheng looked at a piece of ceramic placed at the door.
Shopkeeper Wang laughed: "This is no ordinary ceramics. If I am not mistaken, I am afraid it was fired in the Xing kiln during the Sui Dynasty. It can be said to be a fine product."
"Oh, Xing Kiln, what an incredible treasure."
Zhang Fu had heard of the Xing kiln. It appeared and ended the era of celadon-based ceramics. It was famous for firing white ceramics. It formed a pattern of green in the south and white in the north with the Yue kiln. The emergence of tricolor in the Tang Dynasty was the Xing kiln. laid the foundation.
Seeing the merchant carrying the three-foot-high coral out, Mu Sheng was a little jealous, and Tie Xuan was also a little unhappy. When this thing got to the capital, not even a few thousand taels could even take a look at it. It was a pity that it all fell into the hands of the merchant.
Qu Bao plundered several rooms of spices from a rich family's house. He looked straight at it and immediately asked the clerk to carry it away. This thing is good. It will be valuable whenever you get it back. The most important thing is that it can be put away.
Chang Baiye held on to half of the wood without letting go. This is old agarwood, dear, fifty kilograms, at least fifty kilograms. As the first of all incense, agarwood is an extremely precious treasure in the Ming Dynasty. You must take it back. I have it. If you use this half piece of wood to make incense and sell it to monks and Taoist priests, you will definitely make a lot of money...
Thang Long City, it’s really extraordinary!
Countless businessmen are dividing the nobles' property, and some have even demolished their houses. It is said that the beams are very precious. Some utensils were also packed and thrown into the car, and countless clerks were busy coming and going tirelessly.
Got rich.
Got rich.
Many shopkeepers were smiling and full of joy. After a little calculation, they found that what they collected in just half a day was already worth ten thousand taels. How could there be any possibility of losing money on such a business? The Shanxi merchants have the right vision. Although Chang Baiye is young, he is discerning. It seems that he will need to deal with Shanxi merchants more in the future.
