Chapter 363 Whose cake has moved

Military Equipment Department, Tiangongfang.

"Your virtue nephew, have you asked the emperor to open the sea ban? At this time?" Zeng Jian had just finished inspecting the Military Weapons Department and returned to Tiangongfang and heard the news that Xie Hong was about to open the sea ban. He was shocked.

The old man also knew the current situation. The scholars obviously made up their minds to lose their own losses and ignore the turmoil in the world. As long as Zhengde does not give in for a day and the imperial power remains strong for a day, they will continue to struggle until Zhengde gives up his authority and let them control the government.

At this time, the proposal to open the sea ban was undoubtedly adding fuel to the fire. No one could predict how crazy the scholars in Jiangnan would do. The risks to be faced were only lower than those of Zhengde Emperor's personal expedition.

"Well, this is already the case anyway. Instead of compromise and negotiation, it's better to do it a little bigger." Xie Hong touched the teacup and said with certainty: "The Guards need to be expanded, and various institutions need to be expanded and expanded. Originally, the output of Zhenbaozhai was not large enough, but now it is even more embarrassing to be dealt with by the people of Jiangnan. Therefore, only by opening the sea can we solve the current situation."

"Sea ban, sea ban, how much did these two words cost the Ming Dynasty? Who can clearly calculate it?" Zeng Jianyu sighed with vicissitudes of life: "Well, I'll try this old bone to be the one who discusses opening the sea."

"Uncle, how can you do this little thing for you?" Xie Hong was shocked and said it was a little thing, but the sea ban was related to the interests of many people. The first person to propose must be criticized by thousands of people. How could the elderly bear it?

"Who do you mean except me, my nephew?" Zeng Jian asked back.

"Uh, what about the censor Zhang Nai?" Although Zhang Nai last time said some of the plans of the court officials, this thing was not considered a letter of fame. At most, it was just a reminder to Xie Hong. He submitted a memorial to suggest opening the sea, which is enough and worthy of the position of Zuodu Censor.

"Although Zhang Yonghe has some decision, he definitely dared not accept this matter." Zeng Jian shook his head.

"What about Liu Yu, Cao Yuan, or Jiao Fang?" Xie Hong asked again. Zhang Nai has not yet joined the group completely, so he may not dare to give up, but these people are already treacherous parties, so what are the concerns?

"They are afraid that they are not afraid. Besides, the three of them are at least a minister. If they ask them to propose from the beginning, there will be no room for maneuver. Nephew, it is a big deal to open the sea ban and be cautious. Even if they have the determination, they must be careful to prevent accidents." Zeng Jianyu said earnestly.

"Can the scholars in Jiangnan really raise troops to rebel?" Xie Hong hesitated.

"It's hard to say whether there would be such a disrespectful act, but they will do their best to obstruct the matter." Zeng Jian said in a deep voice: "Nephew, don't look at them connecting everywhere and making a lot of noise, so they think they have done their best. In fact, Wang Yang's entry into the cabinet still made them feel a little relieved, so it didn't start a complete fuss, but if you mention opening the sea..."

"I know, my nephew." Xie Hong nodded.

The scholars' nerves are already very fragile. If they had shown the sure-win situation from the beginning, there would be no room for maneuver. Judging from the situation in the past two months, they obviously would not have the idea of ​​caring about the people of the world. It was not his original intention to really cause chaos in the world.

However, we can adopt the practices of later generations. Xie Hong thought about it again, but he had an idea.

Houdefang has now become a vane for entertainment in the capital. It is a bit ambiguous from the Lichunyuan. Houdefang takes a cultural route and has a bit of political significance. The roadside club is almost formed. The spokesperson and the media can be used to release the news. When the time is ripe, you can find a low-level official to submit a memorial.

However, before this, you might as well find Zhang Nai and others to test it. Since Uncle Zeng said so seriously, it is just right to use this matter to test the loyalty of several people.

...

"Sir, do you want to lift the maritime ban? You also need to ask the officials to submit a memorial!" Zeng Jian's predictions were extremely accurate, but Zhang Nai's face changed drastically when he heard this, and his voice burst out.

"Chief Zhang, since you are following your official leader, isn't it time for you to serve?" Xie Hong asked coldly.

"Sir, it's not that the officials are unwilling to serve, but..." Zhang Nai's face looked like earth, but it didn't seem like he was simply ruling. He hesitated for a while, and then he said hesitantly: "This strategy of sea ban has been implemented for a hundred years. Can you tell me the reason?"

"Oh?" Xie Hong raised his sword eyebrows, a little surprised. He asked coldly: "Is there any other reason besides the interests of the scholars in Jiangnan?"

"This..." Zhang Nai was slightly stunned when he heard this.

He was not surprised by Xie Hongneng's incident. What is the matter of the maritime ban? In the folk, few people know it, but in history books, they are also vague or find some high-sounding principles. But in fact, most of the high-ranking officials in the court have some understanding of this matter.

He was just not very familiar with Xie Hong's speech style. He was implicit in the officialdom, so how could Xie Hong be so straightforward? Besides, he also had other insights on this matter.

"My Lord, I have learned that most of the people who benefited from the strategy of maritime bans were scholars in Jiangnan, but the matter was not the same."

"Oh? I'd like to hear it carefully." This is the first time Xie Hong heard of this statement. If it weren't for this benefit, how could the scholars in Jiangnan gradually grow and eventually monopolize the Ming Dynasty? Isn't the so-called Donglin Party in later generations a branch and representative of the scholars in Jiangnan?

"Sir, our Ming Dynasty is vast and has many coastal areas. It is normal to the north. However, in the south, in addition to Jiangnan, the people of Fujian and Guangdong also rely on the sea to make a living. Although the land of these two places is barren and the population is small, the proportion of scholars who have served in the court is not low."

Xie Hong, who Zhang Nai said, also knew that during the Song Dynasty, Quanzhou could be said to be the largest port in the world. It is said that there were millions of people in Quanzhou at that time. Although it was difficult to believe it, from such records, the prosperity of Quanzhou at that time was evident.

When the Mongol Yuan invaded and the Ming court banned the sea, Quanzhou gradually disappeared, but when Longqing opened the sea, Quanzhou's prosperity became even more prosperous. According to the Portuguese records, if the ships at Quanzhou Port were lined up one by one, they could even connect from Quanzhou to Malacca. This was too exaggerated, but it showed the grand occasion at that time.

Obviously, the three feet of ice is not a day's cold. If the reconstruction of Quanzhou Port was not started until Longqing ascended the throne and opened the sea, such a grand occasion would have to be seen many years later. Since it was clear that the smuggling of officials and businessmen in the Ming Dynasty had never stopped, Xie Hong would not naively think that Quanzhou is now a dead port.

"What you mean is that the scholars in Fujian and Guangdong are also very powerful, so you are afraid?" However, Xie Hong did not intend to let the other party go easily.

"Sir, it's not that the subordinates are timid, it's really..." Zhang Nai's mouth was full of bitterness. Xie Hong intended to test his determination to surrender. He was also an old bureaucrat. How could he not hear it? However, although he was very jealous of the position of Zuodu Imperial Commander, he had to have the will to enjoy it even if he got the position of official position!

"The scholars in Jiangnan are very good at managing the business. Although they can reap the benefits of maritime trade with geographical advantages, they do not enjoy it alone. Instead, they make good relationships in the court. Whoever has confiscated their shareholdings? Even if they are in kinship, they have formed many. If the court has opened a ban on maritime, it will not be the interests of one or two people."

"Although the lord is intimidating the government and the public, those people cannot deal with the lord, and it is no problem to deal with the lord. If the lord is not able to do it on the surface, they will also take action secretly. If the lord is the person who discusses this song, I am afraid..."

Unlike Zeng Jian, who lived in the capital for a long time and worked in the Ministry of Works, Zhang Nai started as a county magistrate in Xiangling in the 11th year of Chenghua. He served for many years and was more familiar with the local situation. At this time, he was caught between Xie Hong and Jiangnan people. He also tried all his skills, and even said many things that Xie Hong didn't want to ask.

"Just like Datong Town dealing with the Tartars in private, there were censors who mentioned this matter at the beginning. Long Yan was furious and sent an imperial envoy to investigate in detail, but what was the result? Not only was the imperial envoy who was thieves on the road, causing a big storm, but even the proposed censor was dead on the street. Then when he sent an imperial envoy to investigate in detail, he was always clean when he went there, but when he came back, he was full of gold and jade, and his words were the same. It was said that there was no such thing..."

Zhang Nai paused slightly. He really didn't want to say these words, but Xie Hong forced him too hard. The consequences of not saying anything were as terrible: "Sir, the little thing in Datong Town privately has only a lot of benefits, so they dare to do this, let alone the sea trade? Their power is mixed and has long been deeply rooted in the court. If anyone touches their interests, how could they let it go?"

He continued with a sad voice: "It's not that the lower officials are timid, but that the lower officials still want to keep a useful body to serve the Lord. Moreover, the following officials are humble in their opinion. If the Lord really wants to do this against the heavens, he should be cautious."

If Xie Hong forced him again, the old man would have to cry and show Xie Hong. Neither side could afford to offend him. Although he was a right deputy commander and was also in charge of the Censorate, he would be disgraced in three days as soon as he handed over this memorial. He was not Xie Hong. How could he hold on to the anger of the Shilin in the world?

...

After Zhang Nai left, Xie Hong sat quietly for a long time before he smiled bitterly, and he still thought about things simply.

He also heard about Datong in later generations, including the neighbors of Datong and Xuanfu, but the main force of the Tartars has always wandered in Xuanfu, Ningxia and even Jizhen, and rarely went to Datong. Although the Tartars' invasions were aimed at looting, and even Datong was richer than Xuanfu.

This situation can be traced back a long time ago, until the time of the Tumu Fort Incident, the emperor was defeated in Xuanfu. Although the Datong border army was close, it did not even have a single soldier. When the Tatars returned to the capital without success, they only robbed the Xuanfu in Xuanfu, and did not bother Datong at all. The tacit understanding was amazing.

He should have thought of a long time ago that if the people of Jiangnan were so stupid that they would have been attacked by the court for a long time. Those scholars and officials were not easy to deal with. They were all sharp-eyed and gentlemen who did not speak of profit. They just didn't talk about those things.

However, I want him to retreat like this? No way! Even if he is an enemy of the world, he is already doing this. Xie Hong brushed his sleeves and whispered: "Come on, come and invite Mr. Tang to see me."

"As for the order." Someone outside responded, and the footsteps sounded softly, and then he left. Xie Hong's request to his subordinates was to have less etiquette and focus on efficiency. Whether it was for the craftsmen or soldiers of the workshop, even the Ivy Academy.
Chapter completed!