In fact, Zheng Zhilong had long wanted to meet the wise and mighty emperor. What kind of person was he?
As a man who started from scratch and rose from the bottom to become the Pirate King of the Ming Dynasty, there are not many people who can admire him. Among them, Lu Xiangsheng is one.
And Emperor Chongzhen, even if his identity was removed, still won the respect of Lu Xiangsheng, not to mention Zheng Zhilong himself.
Therefore, with the joy of being reunited with his son and the imagination of Emperor Chongzhen, Zheng Zhilong took a fast boat directly to Tianjin, and then rushed to the capital.
Needless to say, the first time he saw his son, he naturally asked about Zheng Chenggong's study with the prince and told him to work hard. Then, he requested an audience through the General Secretary.
In fact, when he arrived in the capital, Jin Yiwei had already reported the news.
Emperor Chongzhen originally wanted to see Zheng Zhilong for something. After receiving Zheng Zhilong's request, he received him at Wuying Hall.
The reason why he did not summon him directly was to ask Zheng Zhilong to come and request an audience. In this, there is a meaning of showing kindness to him.
Sure enough, the emperor immediately agreed to Zheng Zhilong's request. Of course he was very happy. He felt that he was indeed valued by the emperor. Therefore, he was a little excited when he entered the Forbidden City for the first time.
When Emperor Chongzhen greeted him, he was also sizing up this man whom he had admired for a long time but met for the first time. It has to be said that Zheng Zhilong looks more like a businessman even if he is wearing a military uniform.
After Zheng Zhilong's greeting, Emperor Chongzhen asked with a smile: "Have you ever seen success? This guy looks really good to me. He will definitely be promising in the future!"
The emperor's official decision on his son's future made Zheng Zhilong feel overjoyed. Returning the favor, he immediately said after thanking the saint for his kindness: "General, seeing that there is a shortage of food in the north, I would like to let my family purchase food from Nanyang and go north to Tianjin for the court's disaster relief!"
He knew that the emperor must have figured out how much money he had. Therefore, he did not shy away from the emperor. It was useless in front of the emperor to keep his money secret.
In addition, he vaguely felt that there was a possibility that the emperor looked so favorably on his son and treated him well, which was probably related to the wealth in his hands. In this case, instead of waiting for the emperor to ask for it, it is better to do it yourself, which can get more benefits.
From this point of view, Zheng Zhilong has indeed always acted like a businessman.
Emperor Chongzhen was also happy after hearing this. He secretly praised that it was comfortable to deal with smart people. He nodded, smiled and said to Zheng Zhilong: "Zheng Qing is dedicated to the country, which is really rare in our Ming Dynasty. I can't let you pay this money in vain. That's good..."
At this point, Emperor Chongzhen seemed to think for a while, and then continued to say to Zheng Zhilong: "Just make your brother Zheng Hongkui a guerrilla for Fujian coastal defense."
Although Zheng Hongkui was actually the controller of the Zheng family's fleet when Zheng Zhilong was away in Fujian. Now if it is designated as a coastal defense guerrilla, part of the Zheng family fleet can become an official army. Speaking of which, there is actually not much difference.
However, no matter what, Zheng Hongkui is now just a martial arts scholar, and he has obtained the position of guerrilla from this. This is already several levels higher. At least at the government level, Zheng Hongkui has officially entered the ranks of generals and has status, which can be regarded as fulfilling his wish to change his name.
Zheng Zhilong was happy after hearing this, but on the surface, he still pretended to be a little frightened, and hurriedly said: "Your Majesty, I have made a lot of money in the past. If you don't care about me, I will feel very sad." I’m uneasy, it’s only natural that I can do something for the imperial court now, I don’t dare to ask for any more rewards!”
"I have made up my mind, so you don't have to refuse!" Emperor Chongzhen said happily about his knowledge. "It takes a lot of energy to buy grain from Nanyang and transport it northward. This matter is also the responsibility of your brother. Worry about it. For this reason, I will grant him a coastal defense guerrilla title, which is also a reward for him."
Speaking of this, he sighed and said: "Actually, our Ming Dynasty is indeed short of food. If possible, I hope to buy as much food as possible from Nanyang and transport it northward. That's good, I will also give a decree to the governor of Fujian, Let’s see how much money Fujian can squeeze out. How about giving it all to your Zheng family to buy Nanyang grain?”
After hearing this, Zheng Zhilong wanted to refuse, saying that he didn't need the money from the Fujian governor.
After hearing this, Emperor Chongzhen had to emphasize: "You may not understand what I mean. In the next few years, you will still need to purchase grain from Nanyang. If possible, you can even buy up all the grain in Nanyang. That's it. We cannot allow your Zheng family to keep spending too much money. Although I am short of money and need money everywhere, I will not always worry about your Zheng family’s money. Of course, I will not worry about other people’s money either. As long as I keep my integrity, I will not worry about it. Something will happen."
Zheng Zhilong felt relieved at first after hearing this, but then he thought about it and realized that his family had been making too much money by collecting protection fees for maritime smuggling. The emperor knew this. If the emperor uses this as an excuse to deal with him in the future, this should not be a violation of his promise. Is he not being law-abiding?
Thinking of this, the fear hidden in Zheng Zhilong's heart arose again.
After thinking for a while, he gritted his teeth and reported to Emperor Chongzhen: "Your Majesty, I didn't know the emperor's kindness before, and did some things that were against the laws of the Ming Dynasty. Now I have repented, and I will definitely write a letter to tell my family. Since If you eat the emperor's salary, don't betray the emperor again, or you will die!"
After saying this, he knelt down to apologize.
Although Zheng Zhilong's words were a bit cryptic, Emperor Chongzhen understood them. After thinking for a while, he stood up, walked around the imperial desk, walked down and helped Zheng Zhilong up in person, looked at him, and said with a smile: "Zheng Qing filtered it. Since Zheng Qing is not worried, then this is better..."
Hearing the emperor's words, Zheng Zhilong wanted to apologize again, saying that he did not dare to worry about the emperor. But at this time, Emperor Chongzhen had already taken the initiative and said: "The imperial court is seriously in debt. Although I have sent a patrol censor to collect it, I guess it will not go smoothly. However, the imperial court does need money. Therefore, I I have an idea..."
Hearing what the emperor said was a bit strange, Zheng Zhilong looked up at the emperor out of curiosity.
The emperor said to him very sincerely: "The money you collected from the imperial flag before was actually a disguised form of sea tax collection! It is absolutely impossible to collect such a large amount of sea tax in a serious way. Therefore, I am thinking that the Zheng family of Qing Dynasty will continue to keep the same and continue to collect the flag money from the maritime merchants. But after receiving it, it will be divided into 37%, the court will get 70%, and the Zheng family of Qing Dynasty will get 30%. I can give it to you. A decree, if anyone questions the Zheng family on this matter, you can come up with the decree to clear your name!"
If Emperor Chongzhen had made this request directly when he first came into contact with Zheng Zhilong, Zheng Zhilong would have felt that his interests had been harmed and wanted to share 70% of the proceeds, so there was a very high probability that he would resist the emperor's request.
However, Emperor Chongzhen did not make this request at the beginning, but threatened Zheng Zhilong first. After Zheng Zhilong gave in, he immediately gave him benefits. Not only was he promoted to the rank of commander-in-chief, but he also named his son and became the prince's companion. He praised his son well. After Wei, he showed his kindness and allowed Zheng Zhilong to come to Beijing to reunite. Even when he wanted to see him, he felt that the emperor looked at him differently.
In addition, another more important factor was that Zheng Zhilong felt the power of the court. With officials like Lu Xiangsheng who are both civil and military, and his emperor who is wise and powerful, he can do things that the previous emperors could not do.
The sum of these factors has greatly changed Zheng Zhilong's view of the imperial court and made him understand his position.
Under such a premise, it was not unexpected at all that Emperor Chongzhen made this request for money. At this time, Zheng Zhilong also felt that with the emperor's endorsement, it would legalize his collection of protection fees, which would be of great benefit to the future.
However, he was obviously still a little hesitant and did not answer immediately. After a while, he reported to Emperor Chongzhen: "Your Majesty, to be honest, this is not a bargaining, but it is true. If it is only 30% If so, I'm afraid it will be difficult for the general to keep the fleet home, and some people may leave and go do it on their own. Your Majesty, the general is really not..."
Before he finished speaking, Emperor Chongzhen smiled and said: "I like to be honest. Since Zheng Qing thinks there is a problem, it is a good thing to raise it. If it is based on Qing's estimate, how much should we divide to maintain the current situation? status quo?"
He could understand that Zheng Zhilong could not unify the pirates just by relying on his personal charm. It must have been coercion, inducement, and various means to get all the pirates on the southeastern coast of the Ming Dynasty to be under his command.
Zheng Zhilong couldn't help but be moved when he heard the emperor's words and understood him so well, and said quickly: "Fifty percent, if there is 50%, the general will be sure that they will not complain. Really, Your Majesty, these 50% are all It will cost a lot of money to distribute it to them and maintain the fleet."
"Well, I understand." Emperor Chongzhen nodded after hearing this. After thinking for a while, he said, "That's good, it's still 50-50. In addition, those subordinates who you think are loyal to the court and can be promoted will be given I have a list, and I can appoint officials to help you win over them. In addition, you don’t have to worry about the maintenance of the fleet and the addition of new warships. I and you have said that there must be a flag of the Ming Dynasty at the end of the sea. , This is definitely not just talk. Therefore, I will decree the expansion of shipyards in various places, so you don’t have to worry about the replenishment of warships in the future. "
Hearing this, Zheng Zhilong couldn't help but be overjoyed. If he provides the list, the emperor will also give him an official position, which is definitely good for him to stabilize his men. Moreover, the emperor once again reiterated his ambition for the sea, which means that he, Zheng Zhilong, will continue to be reused in the future.
Thinking of this, he immediately said: "Your Majesty, if this is the case, dividing it into sixty-four is enough!"
Hearing that he offered to pay 10%, Emperor Chongzhen smiled and shook his head and said: "Since you consider the court so much, even if I can ask for less than 10%, I have to consider the income of your Zheng family. I will divide it 50-50. It’s settled!”
Zheng Zhilong's fleet collects protection fees in the southeast, and the income is about 10 million yuan a year. If it is divided into 50 and 50, the imperial court will also have an income of more than 5 million silver. He didn't pay anything, he just talked. The saliva he just consumed is probably the most valuable saliva. This is equivalent to the fact that the imperial court has more than doubled its previous annual treasury revenue without doing anything.
Zheng Zhilong solved the problems in the future, and Emperor Chongzhen gained a large amount of income. It can be said that both parties have their own benefits and are happy. After this matter was negotiated, even the relationship between monarch and minister seemed to have taken a step forward invisibly.
Just listening to Emperor Chongzhen chatting, he said to Zheng Zhilong: "The revenue from the treasury is too low. The court's taxes will be changed in the future. I still have a lot of things to do, all of which require money..."
When Zheng Zhilong heard this, he was a little surprised and thought to himself, Your Majesty, you don't need to explain anymore, I have already willingly divided the money!
In his opinion, the emperor was quite kind. He was a little embarrassed for taking so much money and wanted to explain it.
"...The Western Barbarians are expanding everywhere, and I, the Ming Dynasty, cannot ignore it. Justice in the world cannot be achieved without the Ming Dynasty. Therefore, we need more ships, better ships, more cannons, and better cannons. Ship cannons must It also requires R&D and improvements, all of which require money..."
Hearing this, Zheng Zhilong couldn't help but immediately agreed in his heart. If the money is really used for this, it would be great.
"... All parts of the world have suffered from disasters year after year. In the next few years, the disaster situation is not expected to be much better. They all need disaster relief to enable the people to survive. Only in this way can the country be stabilized. All of this also requires money..."
Zheng Zhilong nodded slightly when he heard this, it was indeed true, otherwise, like before, there would definitely be thieves again.
"...In addition to building water conservancy, I also plan to rebuild all the roads, bridges, etc. in the Ming Dynasty. The Ming Dynasty is a bit big, and you don't know how long it will take to travel from south to north. Only the roads are smooth. , fast, and business between various places will flourish. With more people doing business, the people's lives will be better, and the court will receive more money, and then use the money to continue building roads and infrastructure. These things. In short, if you want to be rich, build roads first..."
If these words of Emperor Chongzhen were spoken to other courtiers, they might not have much effect. But the person in front of him is actually a businessman, and his understanding of business is far greater than that of ordinary officials. Therefore, after hearing what the emperor said, his eyes suddenly lit up.
The emperor was really different. He actually said this: If you want to be rich, build roads first!
You know, the previous emperors never had such thoughts. In fact, the previous emperor's approach was exactly the opposite.
They did not want the people to run around, which would cause great inconvenience to the court in managing the people. From this, of course, we don’t want businessmen to run around.
Therefore, road construction and the like in the past were basically just for the transmission of official documents and had to be done for the use of the government.
But what the emperor said in front of him was completely opposite to before. Although they are all building roads and bridges, their purposes are completely different. Zheng Zhilong could imagine that if the emperor really did this, then all parts of the Ming Dynasty would definitely become more prosperous, and the money would definitely be well spent!
Listening to the emperor talking about where the money will be spent in the future, it will benefit the country and the people. He did not say that it will be used in the palace or on himself. Zheng Zhilong knew that the emperor in front of him had a comprehensive plan and was definitely a good emperor of the Ming Dynasty!
The emperor wants a lot of money, this is what he should be!
In this way, Zheng Zhilong could not help but admire the emperor even more.
After the emperor said this, it seemed that he was about to leave. Only then did Zheng Zhilong remember Lu Xiangsheng's explanation before setting off, and asked Emperor Chongzhen why he was not allowed to destroy the Jianlu Navy in one battle?
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