Chapter 252: Waiting for the wind to set sail, shining brightly

The eighth year of Emperor Wanli, the seventh month, Bing-Shen day.

The Directorate of Ceremonial requested the new production of treasure banners and dragon flags, and ordered the Ministry of Works to imitate the form of the Wu Sect era, allocating craftsmen to assist in the labor.

Transferred Luo Luo Sigong, Assistant Regional Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, to be the Commander of the Imperial Guard of the Five Chief Military Commissions, in charge of six hundred personal guards.

This year can be said to be the year when contradictions have concentrated and erupted since the Emperor Longqing and Emperor Wanli eras.

Several major strongholds in the north have taken on a new look with the Five Chief Military Commissions, re-dividing the power of jurisdiction, and no one from the Regional Commander downwards has been able to have peace.

In the Central Plains and Guandong areas, suffering from the pain of the land-clearing review by the field-patrolling Prefectural Yamen, civil unrest and protests have risen and fallen, and the sound of shoulder poles hitting has been endless.

The southwestern provinces each have their own merits.

Yunnan has been harassed several times by the external enemy of the Toungoo Dynasty, exhausted in defense, and miserable; the corrupt officials in Sichuan have been trained to look like mourning spirits after a few years, and after Hai Rui left, they vaguely showed signs of returning to their old ways; the chieftains in Guizhou spend their days raping women and castrating Han people, living a happy life, but were reported by Yang Zou Yinglong of Bozhou, leading the Governor Wen Chun to be furious and take action.

Jiangnan is even more lively; the civil unrest caused by land clearing, the cancellation of the poll tax in Huizhou Prefecture, and the regional dispute that has inexplicably swept up seem to have endless issues.

The entire Great Ming Dynasty is truly like boiling soup, rolling endlessly.

However.

Even if the overall situation of the world is so contentious, it is not without quiet places.

For example, the Fujian Provincial Administration Commission has not had any trouble since the sacrifice to heaven in the southern suburbs last year.

This is because the Governor, Li Li Zaiting, was a capital official sent down, and after experiencing countless battles from the size of the provincial administration commission, he climbed up step by step.

He flatters those above, acts ruthlessly toward those below, has defeated countless superiors and colleagues, and has operated for several years as a frontier official; now he can be said to have real power and says one thing and no other.

Not to mention the matter of newspaper offices in Zhejiang threatening officials.

Even if the subordinates and powerful gentry arrived at the Governor's Prefectural Yamen meeting a moment late, they would immediately be carried by three or five big men under their armpits, their seats would be pulled away, and they would stand and listen.

This guy happens to be a wicked official who doesn't care about reputation, is addicted to officialdom, and is full of thoughts about catering to the New Policies to return to the center, squeezing his colleagues all day with the "Kao Cheng Fa" to make a show of his political achievements.

The Fujian officialdom was forced to be wound up, and even the exploitation of the countryside was restrained by three points, appearing dead and silent.

Benefiting from the first-mover advantage of the pilot project that began in the sixth year of Emperor Longqing, the land clearing in Fujian has progressed step by step and has been completed in an orderly manner—the land clearing in Fujian has been completed, and the ministry has stated that it should be published as a book and included in the Yellow Register, so that treacherous and powerful people cannot change it.

In addition, the Japanese pirates and sea thieves who frequently harassed the area have also visibly subsided after the years of clearing by Yu Yu Dayou before he was promoted to the Five Chief Military Commissions, and Fujian's further opening of the sea ban and reorganization of the Maritime Trade Office.

The struggle is not intense enough, and the atmosphere in the officialdom and scholarly circles is cold.

However, precisely because of this, it has allowed the small merchants and commoners in the province to get a breath of relief under several big mountains, and they have become much more lively.

Especially several ports.

Needless to say, the Yuegang port opened during the Emperor Longqing era, with seven wharves densely packed along the two-mile coastline, and 124 types of import and export commodities in the foreign market, becoming the place that Zhangzhou commoners love to stroll around the most.

The Fuzhou port, which rose in the Han and Tang dynasties, declined a lot due to the sea ban at the beginning of the country, but after it was reopened in the early Emperor Wanli years, it quickly reappeared in glory.

As the location of the Fujian Maritime Trade Office, the stopover for offshore trade, and the necessary passage for foreign tribute, the Quanzhou port is managed by officials and run by the people, building several large Mazu temples, and every day there are small commoners and merchants who come to worship by name.

Only the Anping port in Jinjiang County, Quanzhou, is half a step behind.

It was originally a supplement after the decline of the Quanzhou port, a port that rose by relying on smuggling. After the imperial court opened the sea ban, it was reorganized and rectified, saying that it would be like the Yongle era, still serving as a port for ocean voyages.

But since the time of Duke Zheng, the country had long since stopped ocean voyages, and the port had no ships sailing, so naturally, it rarely saw people.

It was only at specific times that there was excitement to see.

For example, previously, the second Yongle Treasure Ship replicated by the Longjiang Shipyard assembled at Taicang's Liujia port, and after test voyages around Tianjin, Dengzhou, and Two Huai'an, it arrived at Fujian's Anping port last month.

The black treasure ships, along with over a hundred accompanying coastal ships, cargo-carrying Fujian ships, and escort warships, were connected head to tail, sailing into the port one after another, and moored neatly.

It caused sea merchants and commoners to vie to watch, which was very lively.

Since it is waiting for the wind to set sail, this excitement naturally has its coming and going.

That is to say, today it has welcomed the second round of excitement—everything is ready, and the Emperor Wanli Treasure Ship is finally going to set sail in the wind!

Before dawn, a black mass of onlookers had already gathered on the wharf.

Heads were moving, looking up and watching.

The salty and fishy smell carried by the sea tide hit the shore.

In the darkness, the creaking sound of cables rubbing against wooden piles, the sound of helmsmen shouting directions, and the muffled sound of anchor chains hitting the water surface were endless.

I don't know how long it had been.

The red sun slowly rose from the sea surface.

The floating light jumped like gold, and the port, several miles wide, was quietly lit up.

A huge treasure ship, incomparably large, with cloud-dragon patterns embroidered on the hull, appeared slowly under the daylight, like a small mountain lifting the curtain covering it.

Instantly, it took away everyone's gaze.

Everyone looked up.

The behemoth, nineteen zhang long, spanned the port, with five masts and seven sails towering into the clouds, the tiger-head relief on the bow staring with wide eyes, and gun barrels emitting cold light surrounding the hull, baring fangs and brandishing claws.

One by one, the tiny Fujian ships, warships, and coastal ships dotted the surroundings, setting it off like a patriarch among ships.

The golden and green colors barely crossed the building ships that blocked the sun, half and half with the shadows, covering the countless mortal bodies looking up on the wharf.

As the daylight shone, the treasure ship appeared, and the entire port seemed to come alive instantly.

Red flags were fluttering, gongs and drums were deafening, and firecrackers were ringing.

Small merchants and commoners were all excited, dancing with joy.

Big is good! Big is strong! Big is showing off in front of people!

At the same time.

In the wharf office, the final official document handover was taking place.

"Measurement: The treasure ship is nineteen zhang long, three zhang and two chi wide, one zhang and five chi deep, divided into twenty-three cabins, the front mast is seven zhang and four chi long, six chi and six cun in circumference, the rear mast..."

"Approved: 800 bags of rice, 400 barrels of drinking water, various medicinal materials, one cabin of bean sprouts..."

The sound of calculation and proofreading was endless.

Only after there were no errors would the seal be stamped on the official document of the Fujian Maritime Trade Office.

Of course, this was the work of the minor officials, who were tired to death.

The real high-ranking officials did not touch the dust and had already hidden in the attic upstairs, resting for a while, sitting and waiting for the treasure ship to set sail.

Sun Long vaguely listened to the movement downstairs and sighed sincerely: "I still have to thank Governor Li for his multi-party mediation, so that I could make up for the supplies for this long voyage."

The Taicang Treasury had indeed allocated silver for this long voyage.

But wanting to purchase a large amount of supplies in a short time was not as simple as just opening a price.

"Serving the country is the duty of an official; ocean voyages are public affairs. How can there be any talk of thanks?"

Li Li Zaiting sat opposite him at the tea table, his right hand holding the pot, turning circles along the tea cup, and without raising his head, he answered with a smile.

Sun Long glanced at the expression of the person across the table, feeling inexplicably anxious.

This Governor Li, having been away from the capital for many years, I don't know how, but he had developed the same habit as Yan Song back then, always greeting people with a smile, like a smiling tiger!

Especially when he smiled and narrowed his eyes, it was truly creepy!

"Eunuch Sun, when do you expect to return from this voyage to the isolated island?"

Li Li Zaiting stopped the "Shi Guan Gong patrolling the city" movement, and while pouring tea, he expressed concern.

Sun Long subconsciously left his seat to show his lower position: "Governor Li, according to the established route, the round trip will take at least a year."

Li Li Zaiting waved his hand lightly, pressing down on Sun Long who was half-rising: "Is it via Champa to the Old Port Pacification Commission, or via Luzon?"

Sun Long pulled the corners of his mouth reluctantly and said a word of apology.

He sat back on the needle-felt seat and used both hands to receive the cup: "The Emperor explicitly ordered us to moor at Malacca and contact the Han people."

Speaking of this, Sun Long seemed to remember something and explained again: "The Four Barbarian Hall has re-interpreted the names of overseas places in the past two years; Malacca is now called Malacca."

Li Li Zaiting didn't have much expression and nodded casually, indicating that he already knew.

Since the Emperor explicitly ordered to moor at Malacca, it was clear that he wanted to pick up the Old Port Pacification Commission again.

The imperial court couldn't even keep the Nurgan Regional Military Commission, yet it had already started to think about picking up overseas exclaves. It was truly...

Truly worthy of being His Majesty!

With such a bosom, embracing the four seas and the firmament, except for Taizu and Cheng Zhu, who could compare!?

Looking at Sun Long at this time, he was still a long way from integrating flattery into his body and mind.

After mentioning the Emperor, Eunuch Sun didn't even have a word of praise, and hurriedly continued to explain.

"So when going, take the Taiwan Strait, pass Champa, temporarily moor at Malacca, then go south from Sumatra, pass Surabaya in Java, moor at Timor, which is also Zheliwen, and finally arrive at the isolated island, about 120 days."

"After exiling the Liu Liu Shiyan clan and over 170 death-row prisoners, the Earl of Jinghai still has to survey the land and build a port, which will take at least two months."

"The return journey will only pass through Banten, and then supply along the way, returning directly from the Dongsha Islands, about 100 days."

The route obtained from archaeology, although compared with the sea charts of foreign tribute, had almost no major omissions, but it was hard to guarantee what accidents would happen.

Just like when Zheng He first went to sea, passing through the Majapahit Kingdom, he had no choice but to fight with the East and West Kings of that country.

In addition, there were sea thieves everywhere that needed to be summoned.

Re-gathering the Han people of the Old Port Pacification Commission.

Buying and selling local goods, dumping tea, silk, fragrant oil, etc...

Because there were too many uncertain factors, the time could only be estimated as "at least."

Regardless, this period of time away from the local land, drifting without support, would not be less than a year.

However, although the matter sounded arduous, Sun Long's expression was exceptionally excited.

Even a eunuch wants to leave a name in history!

This is Zheng He's old business!

Ordering the warships to shine, galloping on the stormy waves, making the people of the Yan Continent and the rising sea wear crowns and belts in thirty-odd countries; although Ban Chao and Fu Jiezi are not strange, the heaven-shaking achievements are right in front of him, who is willing to be a smooth, weak, and insignificant person for a lifetime?

Moreover, among those who appear to be men of spirit, who would willingly settle for being spineless and weak? A heaven-shaking career lies right before their eyes; who would be content to spend their whole life as that kind of slick, feeble, and insignificant person?

The two people in the room were talking.

Outside the house, a sound came kicking and stepping.

Li Li Zaiting and Sun Long looked out together.

The door was not closed, and a figure wearing armor and helmets appeared outside the door.

"Governor Li, Envoy Sun."

It was the Earl of Jinghai, Zhu Zhu Shitai, who walked in with big strides, pressing his sword.

Sun Long hurriedly stood up to return the salute.

Li Li Zaiting left his seat and signaled with a smile.

"Earl of Jinghai."

Since Zhu Zhu Shitai was transferred, he had been in charge of the family for many years and had long since faded his youthful frivolity.

At this moment, reporting the official business, it could be said to be solemn and serious: "Envoy Sun, the treasure ship and the hundred accompanying ships, my department has inspected them all."

"The accompanying officials, soldiers, interpreters, astronomers, foreign employees, helmsmen... are all here."

"The Cheng-yi Earl clan and several death-row prisoners have been detained properly."

Logically speaking, the rank of the nobility must be higher.

However, for things like going to the Western Ocean, one has to look at the dispatch.

Since there is an imperial edict, "Send the inner official Sun Long and others to carry the edict, to inform the countries of the Western Ocean, and to bestow upon the kings of the countries gold, silk, and colored silk, each with differences," then Zhu Zhu Shitai must report the work to the eunuch.

Sun Long nodded in understanding.

The number of people was counted, and he and Zhu Zhu Shitai should board the ship.

He turned around and bowed to Li Li Zaiting: "I have disturbed Governor Li for many days, and I should set off."

The document verification at the port had not yet ended, but the envoy was not without work, and he had to board the ship in advance to reorganize.

Speaking human language, it was time to go on board to shout slogans and mobilize.

Li Li Zaiting also stood up and said apologetically: "The Maritime Trade Office still has some loose ends, so this official can only watch you off with regret."

After saying that, he bowed to the capital far away and sincerely wished: "May the Human Emperor protect you, and may you all have a smooth voyage."

Sun Long and Zhu Zhu Shitai looked at each other and bowed to the north together.

"We will definitely not fail the heavy responsibility entrusted by the Human Emperor!"

The two sides were just nodding acquaintances in officialdom, so naturally, there was no need for any lingering farewells.

After the two envoys said goodbye, they simply turned around and walked out.

Li Li Zaiting watched them off with a smile.

Zhu Zhu Shitai lagged behind by one step, glanced at the Fujian Governor in the room, hesitated for a moment, and closed the door smoothly.

The sound of stepping on the stairs gradually disappeared, and the room returned to tranquility.

Only then did Li Li Zaiting restrain his smile, appearing a bit exhausted.

He looked down, and the tea in the cup on the table had just been brewed, untouched.

He shook his head and sighed, stretched out his palms to grab a cup each, and poured them into his stomach in one gulp.

Seven years.

It took seven full years to prune the situation in Fujian to this point!

Compared to when he first arrived in Fujian, saying it was a great success would not be an exaggeration!

At that time, the land-clearing order was issued, and the prefectures and counties responded perfunctorily, "Ordering the people to report themselves, without ever measuring the fields."

Now, the hateful poems of the powerful gentry have become the best footnote to the outcome of land clearing.

Measuring all the mountain fields and water fields, leaving only the vast sea and the blue sky; now that there are idle sandbars, I send a message to the sand gulls not to sleep in the waves.

At that time, the power of patrolling the sea was a mess, and the Governor's Prefectural Yamen intended to adjust it, transferring the power of patrolling the sea of the Zhangnan Circuit, which was unable to separate itself, to the Sea Patrol Circuit.

The Imperial Envoy in charge of military preparation and concurrently managing the Zhangnan Circuit of the Surveillance Commission actually resisted the order, gathering soldiers and saying, "How can the Zhangnan Circuit not ask about military affairs!?"

Now, under the suppression of Yu Yu Dayou, all the coastal stockades, tours, and camps in Fujian are selected for officers and soldiers, inspecting food and pay, and repairing ships and weapons, all of which are reported to the Sea Patrol Circuit, listening to its specialized management—Yu Yu Dayou's old Jinjiang troops are naturally attentive to suppressing pirates and are commanded by the Governor's Prefectural Yamen like an arm.

At that time, the Maritime Trade Office was even more famous in name only.

Above, the provincial government infringed on power, and the supervising eunuch repeatedly appealed to the state and prefecture, "Should follow the edict and clarify the duties," but the three divisions and the patrol court remained indifferent.

Below, the "Prefectural Yamen party" forces, including the grain-supervising hall, the coastal defense hall, and the clerks, colluded with each other, turned the guest into the host, and even formed a monopoly situation—"Above to taste officials, below to erode merchants. Reporting goods hides half, measuring ships hides one; even if officials are broken and clerks are still fat, pay is lost and books are full."

Even for a single board to go to sea, the Maritime Trade Office couldn't make the decision!

Now...

Li Li Zaiting stretched, and slowly walked to the window.

The Emperor Wanli Treasure Ship's voyage this time means that the last piece of the puzzle has also been completed!

This Fujian Governor should also move up to a new nest!

"Fourth Uncle..."

The sudden sound gave Li Li Zaiting a start.

Only after turning back did he find that it was his own nephew standing behind him!

Li Li Zaiting was suddenly startled, and regardless of anything, he scolded in anger: "What Fourth Uncle! When you were bitten and sent into the palace, I warned you that there is a difference between inside and outside, and you should call each other by your official titles!"

Li Wen shrank his neck, feeling bitter in his heart.

He was a nephew of the same blood, just because he played too much with his brothers and couldn't pass on the family line, how could the wording be so vicious?

No wonder the whole of Fujian spread gossip about the Fourth Uncle; this appearance of smiling at those above and being moody to those below is truly not likable!

He had to collect his mind and reluctantly salute: "The subordinate, Deputy Prefect of the Fujian Maritime Trade Office, has something to report to the Governor."

Li Li Zaiting scolded a sentence, and his anger subsided a bit.

He gave a light "hmm" and said: "We are all our own family, no need to be so polite, speak, what is it?"

Li Wen choked, almost unable to catch his breath.

For a time, he didn't know whether to bow or stand up.

He stood in place, wanting to cry without tears, and simply omitted the title: "The ships for this long voyage have been inspected by the Maritime Trade Office."

Li Li Zaiting heard this and had no reaction.

This means that customs has finished registration and can set sail at any time.

However, this didn't count as a matter; what Li Wen wanted to say was clearly not this.

Sure enough, Li Wen paused, looked up at his Fourth Uncle, and said vaguely: "In addition, there are over twenty coastal ships and small Fujian ships that want to take this opportunity to go to sea together."

Li Li Zaiting didn't understand, and his brows frowned again.

He looked displeased and said coldly: "Speak clearly, whose ships? Where are they going? Isolated island? What does it mean to take this opportunity?"

Li Wen saw that his Fourth Uncle's face was not good, so he hurriedly poured out the beans like a bamboo tube: "They are the ships of the Grand Princess, the Marquis of Marquis Wuqing, the Duke of Ying, and the Earl of Pingjiang!"

"They are not going to the isolated island, they are going to Japan!"

"It is said that in Zhejiang, they were given the cold shoulder by the Earl of Ding'an, so they begged to come to us, hoping to follow Sun Long, so as not to attract attention."

The Grand Princess's ships?

Li Li Zaiting pondered for a long time before he realized it.

Nowadays, offshore trade is gradually being relaxed, and the first step of ocean ship introduction has just been taken.

This group of people, the Grand Princess and others, on one hand, are begging the Emperor for mercy to legalize it, and on the other hand, they are probably still thinking of making money first and then supplementing the procedures! This group of imperial relatives is truly a moth!

Thinking of this, Li Li Zaiting looked at his nephew again, looking him up and down.

Unknowingly, he tilted his head and narrowed his eyes.

Li Wen was terrified by the look.

He struggled to pull the corners of his mouth: "Fourth Uncle..."

Before he could speak, he was interrupted.

Li Li Zaiting's eyes had already narrowed into a line: "You waited until the departure to run to tell me, the Maritime Trade Office has already approved the document, right?"

Li Wen's face changed, and he subconsciously stammered to refute: "No, no..."

Li Li Zaiting heard this, motionless, just watching quietly.

There was no language between the two for a while, and the atmosphere gradually cooled down.

Dense cold sweat soaked the back of the Deputy Prefect Li.

I don't know how long it had been.

Li Wen finally couldn't hold on, his whole body collapsed from bone to hair and skin, crying: "The Grand Princess has sent many things over the years, and the ocean sea ban will be released within the year. It's a small matter, no risk, so I agreed."

"I was afraid that Fourth Uncle would know early, and I was afraid you wouldn't agree..."

His expression was remorseful, and his tone was begging for mercy.

Li Li Zaiting appeared a bit listless and sighed silently.

I don't know why he sighed.

He shook his head melancholically: "Why did they bring so many ships on their first voyage to Japan?"

Li Wen hurriedly answered: "I heard they brought a lot of people. Japan is currently in war and needs private soldiers to protect themselves."

"In addition, they also smuggled over a hundred Taoist priests who are good at geomancy and finding dragons and acupoints, and the messy rituals also take up a lot of space."

Li Li Zaiting was stunned.

Geomancy? Are they going to do business or rob graves?

Li Wen hesitated for a moment before carefully explaining: "It seems to be a secret heard by the Marquis of Marquis Wuqing when he entered the palace to see the Empress Dowager."

"One of the purposes of Zheng He's voyage to the Western Ocean was to find the whereabouts of the Jianwen Emperor."

"After seven pursuits, he finally found some clues!"

"It is said..."

Li Wen stopped abruptly and looked around.

Seeing that the building was old, he had to carefully lower his voice to the lowest, ghost-like: "It is said that the Jianwen Emperor originally coerced the Nanjing treasury and fled to Zhao Qing Temple to become a monk under the protection of his old subordinates."

"Later, he learned from Jianzhen's eastward crossing and fled to Japan, relying on the people's fat and ointment of the treasury to live a carefree life for half his life, and finally passed away on the northern coast of Japan!"

"Because he became a monk to avoid the world, the Jianwen Emperor did not leave any descendants in his life, and only built a tomb at the end, burying all the treasures with him."

"According to the news I heard from the Earl of Pingjiang's son, Chen Chen Yinzhao, who was on the ship, the Sado Island area is very likely to hide the Jianwen treasure."

"The wealth is as much as ten million taels! Comparable to a silver mountain!"

After Li Wen finished speaking, he couldn't help sniffing his nose, his hands suspended in the air, and gestured seriously.

"Pfft..."

Following that was his Fourth Uncle's ruthless mockery.

"Hahaha, Jianwen treasure!"

"What a Jianwen treasure!"

Li Li Zaiting held his stomach, as if he couldn't stand still, pressed his nephew's shoulder, and laughed heartily.

Li Wen was embarrassed and didn't know what to do, asking unconfidently: "Fourth Uncle's reaction, could it be that Chen Chen Yinzhao is fooling me?"

This was a secret he had forced out of the Earl of Pingjiang's son after using the sea ban documents to hold a pose for several days and pouring wine for several nights, and it was actually mocked like this!

It was simply a great humiliation!

Li Li Zaiting wiped the laughter tears from the corners of his eyes, his grass and trees trembling: "Palace secrets naturally cannot be fake, it's just that this name is too childish, and I couldn't help but laugh for a while."

But any official with a normal mind wouldn't take it seriously.

Yet the Grand Princess, the Marquis of Marquis Wuqing, the Earl of Pingjiang, and these people really organized dozens of ships to explore it.

It was truly stupid to the extreme.

Oh right, his nephew was also among them.

Why is every dynasty getting worse?

It's because in the noble families, these kinds of fools are breeding more and more, swallowing wealth and occupying the center.

Jianwen treasure.

It was also thanks to the Emperor for prescribing the right medicine, being able to condescend to think of such things to guide sea trade.

Li Li Zaiting spent enough effort, and finally stopped laughing.

Facing his embarrassed nephew, he waved his hand against the norm: "Just like this, let them go to sea."

Li Wen heard this and was quite puzzled why his Fourth Uncle changed his face as soon as he heard about the treasure.

Could it be that he also wanted to take the opportunity to share a piece of the pie?

He was about to open his mouth to ask.

Li Li Zaiting was already impatient to drive people away: "While you are still the Deputy Prefect of the Maritime Trade Office, why don't you hurry up and get things done?"

"Wait until this official goes to the Surveillance Commission to write a document to handle your crime of corruption and bribery, then you will lose both your official position and wealth, and be sent back to the capital; at least you will still have the favor of the noble lords."

This was not angry talk.

This nephew was so stupid, once he left Fujian, he would only be eaten clean.

Li Wen was stunned, and then his face changed greatly!

Upon hearing this, Li Wen could not help but be stunned, and his expression changed drastically!

Instantly the world turned upside down, and a wild dog gnawed.

Li Wen rubbed his butt and came back to his senses, only to find that he had been paralyzed outside the house—he had been kicked out by his Fourth Uncle!

"Eh, Deputy Prefect Li, are you also looking for the Governor? Why are you paralyzed outside the house?"

Li Wen's rubbing movement paused.

His right hand moved up from his butt, rubbed his back without a trace, and with a yawn, turned into a stretch and stood up.

"Nothing, I just received the Governor's guidance and sorted out my insights. Hai Yushi Zhang, please go ahead."

Saying that, he turned around calmly, brushed past the person who came, and after walking down the stairs, he started muttering, praying that his Fourth Uncle was just angry talk.

The patrolling Hai Yushi Zhang Wei looked at the eunuch's back and felt inexplicable.

He shook his head and knocked on the door that was not closed.

Knock.

Knock, knock.

Li Li Zaiting raised his head, and seeing it was the patrolling Hai Yushi, he hurriedly stepped forward to welcome him, smiling: "Brother Zhang is also here to witness the Emperor Wanli Treasure Ship setting sail?"

The question was asked like this, but in fact, he was quite puzzled in his heart.

The Governor's Prefectural Yamen is in Fuzhou, which is some distance from Jinjiang County, Quanzhou. If he wanted to come, he should have planned it early and traveled with him, so how could he run over now?

Zhang Wei shook his head and went straight to the point: "There are nineteen days left until the Emperor's Longevity Festival. The Portuguese, Spanish, and Filipinos are coming to pay tribute. Previously, the Governor's Prefectural Yamen issued a constitutional plaque, allowing them to take the land route and enter the capital via the Grand Canal."

"Now I have to trouble the Governor to stamp the seal and chase this constitutional plaque back."

The Emperor's birthday is on the 17th of the eighth month, and this is the last bus for envoys to pay tribute.

Portuguese, Spanish, Filipinos—Zhang Wei was still not used to the new names changed by the Four Barbarian Hall.

Li Li Zaiting took the document handed by Zhang Wei, feeling a bit confused, and frowned: "Chase back? Why is this?"

The Governor's constitutional plaque naturally cannot be managed by the patrolling Hai Yushi; to chase it back, only the Governor can sign and draw the seal himself.

The problem is, what is the purpose of chasing it back?

Zhang Wei was stunned for a moment, then reacted: "Governor, you are sitting in the Anping port, you must not have seen the Ministry of Rites document yet!"

Li Li Zaiting looked at him suspiciously.

Zhang Wei said briefly: "The document issued by the Ministry of Rites a few days ago says that the Emperor is touring the south, and all tribute envoys will not enter Beijing, but will go to Nanjing instead."

Li Li Zaiting then realized.

So it was the Emperor touring the south; no wonder he wanted to chase back the constitutional plaque that opened the way for envoys to enter the capital.

Since they are taking the land route, signing and changing the route now should still be in time.

Li Li Zaiting took out the Governor's seal from his arms—this was the lesson from the former Governor of Huguang, Zhao Prince Xian; now the Governor's officials are most afraid of the official seal being stolen, so they generally carry it with them.

He spread out the document on the table, raised the Governor's seal, and was about to stamp it.

Suddenly the seal stopped in mid-air.

Li Li Zaiting raised his head, looked at Zhang Wei belatedly, and said in astonishment: "Ah? The Emperor is touring the south!?"

"What are you saying? The Emperor is touring the south?"

Deng Deng Yizan was so lost that his teeth were not clear.

Wei Wei Zhongde coughed lightly: "Deng Gong, not yet; the Emperor's southern tour will wait until next month."

Before Deng Deng Yizan took this imperial edict, he was a white body who had not yet been restored, so he could only be called Gong.

Wei Wei Zhongde emphasized the title, which was also to remind Deng Deng Yizan to receive the edict first.

Deng Deng Yizan still hadn't come back to his senses.

How could he suddenly want to tour the south!

How did the result of the court discussion come out? What is the cabinet thinking? What are the censors doing?

Could it be that no one persuaded the Emperor!?

Is the southern tour a good thing? Do you really think it's as light as the awkward poem written by the Wu Sect Emperor? "The prestige of Zhengde has spread, daring to be the first in southern conquest and northern suppression. Life's prestige pacifies the world, forever guarding the country for ten thousand years?"

In the end, there were no ten thousand years; he died at the Fuzhou boat and died in the Leopard House.

Not to mention who harmed him, just say how dangerous it is to be away from the Forbidden City; the Shizong Emperor's southern tour burned the palace, the Yingzong Emperor's northern tour studied in Oirat, and none of them had peace!

"Cough, cough, Deng Gong, it's time to receive the edict." Wei Wei Zhongde coughed again.

Deng Deng Yizan then came back to his senses.

He sighed silently; regardless of whether the Emperor tours the south or the north, the edict of restoration must be received.

Because of the land clearing, he was set up by the gentry in Henan.

The progress of land clearing slowed down, and even his son's leg was broken.

If this revenge is not avenged, he is not a gentleman!

He hurriedly collected his mind, bowed, and received the imperial edict with both hands: "This subject receives the edict and thanks for the grace."

The Emperor restored him, clearly letting him clean up the mess himself.

He must not make a mistake again this time!

Wei Wei Zhongde didn't diligently help Deng Deng Yizan up, but bowed to the direction of the capital: "The Emperor's oral edict."

"Minister Deng's ability is not bad, it's just that his selfishness has not been removed, and his family governance is not strict. Now that he is rising again, I hope he will take it as a warning."

These words almost made Deng Deng Yizan cover his face and sob.

He bowed to the north from afar: "This subject will remember."

If you don't admit failure, how can you move forward?

Wei Wei Zhongde then put on a smiling face and diligently helped Deng Deng Yizan up: "Minister Deng doesn't need to blame himself too much. The Emperor said privately that some petty calculations are not worth worrying about. As long as you work for the country, even if you fall and rise three times, I will definitely protect you."

Deng Deng Yizan heard this and was even more speechless.

With such a monarch, he can work for another twenty years!

But personal honor and disgrace are ultimately small matters. He stood up slowly and brought up the previous words again: "The Emperor treats this subject like his hands and feet, and this subject also treats the monarch like his heart and belly!"

"Eunuch Wei, wait a moment, I want to write a remonstrance to persuade the Emperor not to tour the south!"

After saying that, he turned around and was about to go into the room to write a letter.

Wei Wei Zhongde hurriedly grabbed Deng Deng Yizan's hand.

Before the latter could break free, he smiled bitterly: "Minister Deng, the matter has already been decided. The ministers in the Hall of Literary Brilliance are already discussing who will supervise the country."

Deng Deng Yizan was displeased and asked: "Discussing? Isn't it the Emperor's own decision?"

Firm and resolute, that is, arbitrary.

With the Wu Sect Emperor as a pearl and jade, which court official would agree to this?

How many court officials did the Wu Sect Emperor demote when he toured the south?

How many censors did the Shizong Emperor beat when he toured the south?

Now that it is so calm, except for the Emperor's stubbornness, Deng Deng Yizan cannot think of any other possibility for this matter.

To this, Wei Wei Zhongde severely corrected Deng Deng Yizan's stereotype.

The former shook his head seriously: "Naturally not."

"This matter was initiated by Fan Xue Yingqi, the Vice Minister of Revenue and Governor of the Granary."

Fan Xue Yingqi?

Deng Deng Yizan took a deep breath; a treacherous official has appeared in the court!

"However..." Wei Wei Zhongde changed the subject: "Although the Emperor barely agreed, he could not withstand the court officials who vied to remonstrate, hoping that the Emperor would take back his order and punish Minister Fan."

Deng Deng Yizan nodded fiercely.

Punish? He should be dismissed directly!

Speaking of this, Wei Wei Zhongde suddenly became emotional: "Later, the court argued endlessly because of this."

"The petitions of the censors flew into the Western Garden like snowflakes."

"Successively, officials from the ministries and courts fasted and prostrated outside the Meridian Gate."

"Even in the Hall of Literary Brilliance, they were at a stalemate, and Minister Wan also instructed his grandson Wan Jing to sneak into Minister Fan's house and beat Minister Fan so that he couldn't attend the early court for several days."

Wan Gong was also a repeat offender.

When rumors spread in the capital that the Emperor was incompetent and had no descendants, Wan Gong thought it was the Imperial Uncle Zhu Zhu Zaiyu who secretly spread it, and instructed his grandson Wan Jing to climb over the wall and beat the Imperial Uncle.

Deng Deng Yizan then realized that the Emperor's southern tour was not as calm as he saw.

It's just that it seems that the Emperor's will was ultimately fulfilled.

Wei Wei Zhongde met Deng Deng Yizan's gaze and continued unhurriedly: "The Emperor saw this and knew that it could not be delayed, so he was immediately resolute."

"In the early court a month ago, he ordered the ministers in the Hall of Literary Brilliance to state the pros and cons, close the doors and be anonymous, and choose whether to select or not!"

Deng Deng Yizan's expression was stunned.

He understood every one of the three words, but every one of them was so strange.

What does it mean to state the pros and cons?

What does it mean to close the doors and be anonymous?

What does it mean to choose whether to select or not?

What is meant by whether or not there is a court selection?

He was silent for a long time, then asked as if speculating and as if confirming: "After closing the palace doors, was it the Emperor who stated the pros and cons and made the final decision?"

Wei Wei Zhongde nodded impatiently: "The Emperor spoke at length about many things; this servant is incompetent and can't remember most of them."

"I only remember the last sentence."

The expression on his face was like looking up at the sea and mountains, his lips moving: "The Emperor said that he would never allow the country to be torn apart!"

"What does it mean not to allow the country to be torn apart? Does the Emperor mean that we are tearing the country apart?"

Zhao Zhao Nanxing sneered, his expression full of dissatisfaction.

This is the Wu Tongzheng Office of the Southern Metropolitan Area, and also the editorial office of the Imperial Academy and the Donglin Academic Journal.

As a public place, generally speaking, it just doesn't kill people.

However, since parting ways with Gu Assistant County Magistrate, Li Sancai, and others, Zhao Zhao Nanxing had inexplicably become quite wild, and his desire to win was almost everywhere.

Not only did he pay to specially decorate this newspaper office, but he also invited several literati to write poems and paint.

So much so that an inconspicuous duty room was made to look elegant and full of Confucian spirit.

Coupled with the fact that the three Donglin gentlemen controlled two major newspapers, the output was frequent, and every time they stood high and looked far, they almost became the Confucian holy land of Jiangnan.

At this time, there were only three editors in the duty room.

Zhao Zhao Nanxing pointed at the official documents sent from Beijing and sneered endlessly.

Zou Zou Yuanbiao, who was also demoted in the southern suburbs, was equally full of resentment.

It's just that at this moment, he was a bit restless, his expression panicked: "The Emperor is coming! What should people like us do?"

Only Luo Luo Yuren was indifferent, still writing rapidly.

Looking closely, one could see it was such rebellious language: "The Emperor is truly greedy for money, how can he punish the gluttony of his subordinates; the Emperor is truly fond of anger, how can he persuade his subordinates to be harmonious."

"Who is more severe in splitting the territory than the master of the people?" ===== CHAPTER 253 =====

"In terms of tearing apart the territory, who exceeds the sovereign?"