Chapter 353: Ding Xiu

In the south, in the land of Hangzhou,

Ever since the young Regional Commander of the two provinces arrived, the place had become bustling with visitors.

Looking at those who came to pay their respects, Ding Xiu finally understood just how staggering the value of Zhang Cheng's words from back then truly was.

Because even if he didn't go out to plunder, he could sit back and rake in over ten thousand taels of silver a year!

"These guys, aren't they just too rich?"

Looking at Zhang Cheng in disbelief, Ding Xiu picked up a list at random and couldn't help but examine it.

Hearing Ding Xiu's words, Zhang Cheng retorted: "What does this count for? The truly wealthy ones haven't even appeared yet."

Thinking of this, Zhang Cheng couldn't help but stroke his chin.

In truth, he was actually quite in favor of Yan Shifan's policy of encouraging agriculture and sericulture.

After all, in this day and age, only by shifting the economic focus toward commerce could the situation of the Great Ming be revitalized.

But the problem was, the Great Ming was a small-scale peasant economic system; once agriculture was shifted to sericulture, it meant the food system would collapse!

However, there was a better solution: plunder!

Obtain the resources needed for the Great Ming's steady development from the surrounding countries!

That was why Zhang Cheng was trying to find a way to get Zhang Juzheng into power, because his reforms were a further push toward strengthening the Great Ming itself.

It was a pity, though, that after Zhang Juzheng left, many of his reforms were abolished.

Because he had touched upon the interests of many people—it was practically equivalent to reaching into their pockets to take their money!

But this life was different; as long as Zhang Juzheng could stabilize the imperial court, Zhang Cheng had the means to hold a blade and make them spit that money back out.

Furthermore, the Great Ming royal family's "Order of Favor" must be carried out as soon as possible!

Otherwise, just by raising those tens of thousands of pigs of the Zhu family, the Great Ming would never be able to truly stand on its own feet.

"Tomorrow, go to Huating first and see what the situation is."

Tapping on the table, Zhang Cheng held the so-called pirates in utter contempt.

After all, when those people went out to plunder, they still needed to greet the local gentry, but Zhang Cheng didn't; he would just pull out the Holy Grail with a backhand and toss it into the sky.

As long as Mazu didn't refuse, he could board a ship that very night and land on Kyushu Island by tomorrow morning!

Regardless of who they were, anyone who stood in his way would become a slave of the Great Ming!

"Huating is Xu Jie's territory; that guy is not easy to deal with!"

Looking at Zhang Cheng, Ding Xiu couldn't help but turn serious.

Because the person who had plotted behind the scenes against Xu Jie's son was none other than the guy right in front of him!

Not only did he cause Xu Jie to lose his position as the Junior Grand Secretary, but his son was also thrown into the Imperial Prison!

"Don't they like to pretend to be Japanese pirates? I do too, didn't you know?"

Looking at Ding Xiu with a face full of smiles, Zhang Cheng still remembered that when he was in the Great Song, he was the King of the Shore!

No matter where he was, once he went ashore, he would go on a looting spree.

Staring at Zhang Cheng in astonishment, Ding Xiu asked in confusion: "Aren't you a bandit?"

"That's right. On land, I'm called a bandit; at sea, I'm called a fierce pirate!"

Standing up, Zhang Cheng walked outward with his hands behind his back: "Today, I'm going to teach these gentry a lesson: no matter who is poor, I cannot be poor! This damn thing is only a hundred thousand; are they trying to brush off a beggar?"

Back then, how much did Yan Shifan rake in from Jiangnan? Tens of millions of taels of silver!

He gave Jiajing a million taels and kept nine million for himself!

It was truly a reversal of the natural order! Even the Emperor didn't live as comfortably as that Junior Cabinet Minister!

However, Zhang Cheng was different from Yan Shifan; he split it fifty-fifty with Jiajing!

Jiajing: Fifty-fifty, who gets the fifty?

Zhang Cheng: You get the fifty.

In Hangzhou City, the wealthy merchants were still discussing the matter of the Regional Commander of the two provinces.

After all, Zhang Cheng had risen through military merit; people like him were usually the hardest to deal with!

Because he was from the Embroidered Uniform Guard, they were initially a bit restrained—after all, wouldn't sending too much make it obvious that there was something wrong?

But after seeing that Zhang Cheng accepted everything that came his way, everyone realized one thing: it turned out they were all birds of a feather!

Thinking of this, many people's minds became active.

But before they could continue sending gifts, Zhang Mou turned around and headed for Huating, seemingly to wipe out the Japanese pirates!

Hearing this, the wealthy merchants were dumbfounded—was this kid a hot-headed fool?

Who in Jiangnan didn't know that the real "Japanese pirates" were them!

Anyone with a brain knew that the Japanese pirates weren't causing trouble for coastal defense, but for the opening of the seas.

Because as long as there was any thought of opening the seas from above, the Japanese pirates would appear right on schedule! Huating County,

Looking at the naval ships before him, Zhang Cheng suddenly felt a bit stifled for some reason.

Because he had thought Jiajing would provide him with better warships, but as it turned out, they were all decrepit, ancient things.

However, it was precisely because of these decrepit things that the Great Ming could run rampant in the surrounding countries!

Inside the naval camp,

Zhang Cheng sat at the head, looking at the many generals who had rushed over: "Who else hasn't arrived?"

"Reporting to the Regional Commander, except for the Taizhou Naval Garrison Commander, basically everyone is here!"

Looking at Zhang Cheng, the people sitting below hurriedly cupped their hands in response.

Because they weren't people without brains; Zhang Cheng had come out of the Embroidered Uniform Guard—if they provoked him, wouldn't that be like dancing on the edge of the Imperial Prison?

"Oh, still missing one? In that case, carry his chair out!"

Waving his hand, Zhang Cheng signaled to the "Embroidered Uniform Guard" beside him.

Stepping forward to move the chair, the guard hadn't even had a chance to leave when a man rushed in hurriedly: "Regional Commander, please forgive me, this subordinate is late!"

"Late? Do you know what place this is? This is the navy. With just one 'late', do you know how many people you could get killed?"

Slamming the table and roaring, Zhang Cheng couldn't help but scold: "I don't care who you're doing business with behind my back, and I don't care who your superiors are, but the fact that I dared to come here today proves that I have His Majesty behind me. I am here for the Great Ming, and the Japanese pirates must be wiped out. It doesn't matter who comes, listen to me well!"

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As Zhang Cheng spoke, the generals present were all so frightened they didn't dare to speak.

Because his scarlet eyes swept over, it was truly enough to make one dare not meet his gaze!

"I know that empty-pay exists, but I can promise that forty percent of every seizure can be distributed; the remainder will be turned over to the inner treasury. We set out tomorrow to first clear the pirates from the nearby islands."

Walking toward the outside, Zhang Cheng looked back: "If anyone wants to go and tip them off, do it quickly; otherwise, if I catch you, don't blame me for being impolite!"

Suddenly hearing these words, those with guilty consciences all lowered their heads.

Ignoring them, Zhang Cheng returned to the main tent.

Picking up a blueprint, Zhang Cheng began to sketch.

Watching a naval ship appear before him, Ding Xiu, who had leaned in, asked in confusion: "You can even build ships?"

"I said I hadn't read many books, did you really believe that?"

Turning his head, Zhang Cheng looked at Ding Xiu and couldn't help but sneer.

Silently watching Zhang Cheng, Ding Xiu spoke up: "My master, you know him, right?"

"How much?"

Without looking at Ding Xiu, Zhang Cheng rolled his eyes in speechlessness.

Because he knew that whenever Ding Xiu said that, he definitely wanted money!

"Three thousand taels, I only need three thousand taels, and I can trick—pfft, I mean, bring my master and the others over!"

Looking at Zhang Cheng earnestly, Ding Xiu couldn't help but turn serious.

"I'll give you five thousand taels. If they don't come, I'll punish you by forbidding you from participating in the battle!"

Looking at Ding Xiu, Zhang Cheng smiled.

"What? I can't participate? Then how do I get my share, you..."

Looking at Zhang Cheng with fury, Ding Xiu couldn't help but grit his teeth.

You have to know, Zhang Cheng had said that forty percent of the spoils would be used for distribution; if he didn't participate, he wouldn't even have the right to a share—too ruthless!

Ding Baiying: Five thousand taels, and you sold out the entire sect!

Ding Xiu: Master, he offered too much!

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 354 =====