Chapter 258: Hiring the Battalion, Borrowing Chickens to Lay Eggs
Detachment is a kind of self-understanding that has its feet off the ground, and this self-understanding is common among the powerful and powerful people of the Ming Dynasty.
Everything is done for you by someone, you just need to enjoy it, and the threshold of enjoyment increases higher and higher in the long-term extravagant life, and eventually you enter a state of detachment, feeling that you can defeat the ego of death head-on. Cognition, self-detachment.
This is the mental state of the humble Confucians in the Ming Dynasty, and the current situation is: since Wanli, in the Ming Dynasty, only death and taxes are inevitable.
Zhu Yijun and Zhu Yiliu talked for a long time about this sense of superiority, which was the fundamental reason why Zhu Yiliu criticized his subordinates harshly. His status was respected and he could do whatever he wanted.
Zhu Yijun educated Zhu Yili. He did not give any other examples, but talked about Tao Master, the 21st year of Jiajing, and the Renyin Palace change.
The Renyin Palace Incident and the assassination of the emperor by more than a dozen palace maids. Emperor Jiajing was in an extreme passivity when dealing with this matter, because he was indeed suspicious, moody, and harsh on his subordinates. , the assassination of more than a dozen palace maids was an extremely rare major palace case, but Emperor Jiajing could only settle the matter in the end and did not fully investigate it to the end.
Therefore, being harsh on your servants only brings disadvantages but no advantages.
After Zhu Yijun visited Wang Xijue's mansion in the capital, he took a jade chariot back to the palace. The next day, Zhu Yijun went to Yongding Woolen Factory. Today's trip is to meet with Taixi Special Envoy Legas at the woolen factory. and Antonio.
Legas and Antonio were horrified when they faced the woolen factory that had formed a huge industrial scale.
The two special envoys from the West felt that the Ming Dynasty was superior to the West in two areas. The first was shipbuilding and sea trade. The Ming Dynasty could not build sea-going ships and had no plans. This sense of superiority was reflected in Antonio's purchase of the Ming Dynasty's five-masted ocean crossing ship. , has been completely lost.
The second sense of superiority is the wool business. Spain is a country sitting on the back of a sheep. As for the woolen industry and Spanish craftsmanship, in this era, only the British can see their backs.
But now, Daming is ahead.
Daming’s construction of the industrial chain left Legas speechless and could only choose to accept it.
This is the terrifying and tyrannical national power of the Ming Dynasty, or the terrifying power of the Eastern Emperor. As long as you think about it, someone can realize it.
Zhu Yijun asked the general office of Yongding Woolen Factory to take the special envoy from Thailand and the West to visit the official woolen factory.
"Ci Fu, I have never been to the palace construction site since the last time. Ci Fu tried to stop him every time. Why is that?" Zhu Yijun mentioned one thing with some confusion. Matter: The palace construction site, the emperor is prohibited from entering.
Although Wang Chonggu always excused himself by saying that a noble man should be humble, it was not the case anyway. Zhu Yijun even went to see a compost factory, which was an official factory that accumulated and sold the capital's excrement as fertilizer. It was also Wang Chonggu's. One of the huge official factory complex built.
You can go to the composting plant, but you can’t go to the palace construction site. The idea of a lowly land is untenable.
It is worth mentioning that because the emperor amassed profits and even made money from excrement, among the people, Zhu Yijun earned the title of the best excrement tyrant in the world.
"Your Majesty is still frugal. This is the blessing of the country and I am always happy." Wang Chonggu answered his Majesty's doubts with a flattery. While praising His Majesty, he also answered his Majesty's doubts head-on.
In fact, the reason is very simple. Wang Chonggu was afraid that Zhu Yijun would come to the construction site to instruct him on how to cut corners.
The last time Zhu Yijun came to the construction site, it really frightened Wang Chonggu. The holes in the Great Wall were repaired, and Wang Chonggu was frightened. If anything goes wrong with the palace, Wang Chonggu is fully responsible. He can't let the emperor take the blame. .
"That's it." Zhu Yijun understood Wang Chonggu's concerns and stopped forcing it. In his opinion, there was no need for extravagance, but in Wang Chonggu's opinion, this was already very frugal. The emperor and Wang Chonggu were opposed to extravagance. There are differences in definitions, and everyone will not give in on their respective positions.
Soon Legaz and Antonio saw the entire woolen factory, then met with His Majesty and presented Felipe II's credentials.
Felipe II’s credentials mainly emphasized the importance of business exchanges and recognized the changes in public opinion in the Ming Dynasty, especially the opening of the sea. At the same time, he reminded the Ming emperor to always pay attention to those invisible things. enemy.
Zhu Yijun looked at a sentence in the credentials, looked at Antonio and said with a frown: "Civilization, order, and peace are just compromises made by powerful forces without absolute advantages to break the balance."
< br>These are Felipe II’s original words, which are Tessie’s definition of civilization, order, and peace. This sentence is straightforward and explicit, and it shows the pattern and values of the bandit logic developed by Tessie.
Obviously Felipe II was very aware of the conflict between the Ming Dynasty and Spain in Luzon. It was a situation where no one could do anything about the other. Felipe II’s projection ability in the Far East was really too low. So, I can only choose to ignore it and compromise as if I don’t know.
"The two envoys sent by the Ming Dynasty to the West, Gao Qiyu and Xu Fan, told some things, and the king's special envoy Legas often wrote letters telling the current situation of the Ming Dynasty. This was the king's response to the Ming Dynasty's civil and military power. The king was very puzzled as to why Ming Dynasty should give the power of being beaten to the enemy." Antonio said very sincerely.
Felipe II is very curious about the Eastern world. He really can't understand the formation of public opinion like the Ming Dynasty Xingwen and Wu. He can understand the reason, but Felipe II also doesn't agree with this kind of wind.
“Ah, so that’s it.” Zhu Yijun bit his back teeth, looked at Antonio, and said calmly.
The supreme Ming Emperor was stabbed in the lungs by Felipe II, the king of the empire where the sun never sets, tens of thousands of miles away. Antonio’s explanation was just to rub salt into the wound. At this time in Jialongwan Here, Xing Wen Yu Wu is equivalent to stretching his face to be beaten. The left cheek is swollen, and then stretching his right cheek out.
Zhu Yijun was really hit on a sore spot. The little emperor, who was eloquent and good at eloquence, was completely silent this time. He could only choose to remain silent, because the facts were right in front of him. As the emperor, Zhu Yijun could not talk in vain. Teeth are telling lies.
In the 29th year of Jiajing, the Anda Khan entered the banditry, in the first year of Longqing, the Tuman Khan entered the banditry, and in the 20th year of Jiajing, the Japanese invasion lasted for decades, etc., these are all typical examples. Two hundred years have brought about an era of humiliation.
Antonio actually didn’t finish what he said, but the emperor understood.
There is no need for the captain to make it too clear. In the Ming Dynasty, in the capital, and in front of the Han generals in Jinyiwei, it was a very bold act to poke the emperor's lung tube. Just poke it lightly and your majesty will be blocked. , forget it if you can’t argue with it, kicking the nose and hitting the face is really going to kill someone.
In fact, Antonio’s subtext is that the gentle Ming people are not suitable for sea trade. Sea trade involves risks and opportunities, high risks and high returns. Those indigenous people who live on livable land are willing to put down all morals. , to be driven away with weapons.
Because sea trade is a commercial activity, driven and dominated by interests, how to maximize profits in the shortest time is the purpose of going overseas.
Antonio knew very well that His Majesty understood. Since he understood, there was no need to say more.
"The king reminded me to be careful of some enemies, but the words were unclear." Zhu Yijun looked at the credential and asked about the content that was not clearly stated in the credential. Felipe II used an exclamatory tone to criticize the devil's belt of money. It was terrifying to come, and it also solemnly reminded the emperor to be careful of those demons whose souls were corrupted by gold and silver.
“The most popular activity in Europe and the West right now is grand tours. In this travel atmosphere, the boundaries of countries have begun to blur. Only a small number of people can participate in grand tours. This small part can determine the fate of most people." Antonio's words were also very vague, but his meaning was very clear.
Behind the great cultural trend of travel and the benefits of full cultural exchange is the emergence of betrayers, and they appear in endlessly, which makes Felipe II very anxious.
This is the person Felipe II reminded the emperor to be careful about. Their reasons are all kinds of strange, some are against religion, some are business contacts, and some are telling their sorrows and misfortunes to provide evidence for their betrayal. Some self-comfort.
Translation, translation, these people will be called international citizens in later generations.
This small group of people controls the fate of the country. If the Ming Emperor is not careful enough, he will encounter various problems in the sea.
The specific embodiment of Ming Dynasty was Tongwa.
Zhu Yijun and Antonio chatted for a long time, mainly about some basic situations in Taipei. Then Antonio presented the national gift, and Zhu Yijun returned the national gift.
"Your generous and kind majesty, can you give me a few more five-masted ocean-going ships this year? This time Songjiang Shipyard only gave me one." Antonio put forward his request. "Antonio said very sincerely. He had exhausted his own methods, but Daming just refused to let go.
Zhu Yijun shook his head and said: "It only takes one day from Songjiang to Tianjin Wei. The decision of Songjiang Shipyard, It's the result of the court's discussion. Even I can't change it easily and let the captain down. ”
"But I have something you are interested in here."
Zhu Yijun introduced his products mysteriously. These products are expensive, but they are definitely worth the money. With Antonio's wealth, he still needs to borrow Money can only buy it. Antonio was very moved, but he still planned to give His Majesty the answer after thinking about the pros and cons.
What Zhu Yijun provided were retired guest soldiers of the Ming Dynasty Navy. To be more clear, they were the mercenary battalions of the Ming Dynasty.
Antonio can hire the Ming Dynasty Navy on an organized basis, and the starting price for a battalion of 3,000 people is only two hundred thousand taels of silver, not counting other military supplies. If Antonio does not trust these hirelings, Soldiers, you can also choose to purchase only armaments. Naval armaments for a battalion are not expensive, so Antonio does not need to borrow money.
Can be purchased separately or in combination.
Qi Jiguang repeatedly told the emperor that the most important thing in the army is soldiers, not armaments, because all ordnance must be used by people. If people's hearts are divided, no matter how sophisticated the equipment is, it is just a pile of scrap copper and iron. .
It doesn't matter if Antonio refuses to hire, because the training of military personnel and the maintenance of ordnance are also a huge business.
"In fact, I suggest that you directly hire the Ming Dynasty Navy instead of purchasing military equipment and building it yourself." Zhu Yijun put forward his suggestion very sincerely. He said with great certainty: "You are very clear. Selecting soldiers from civilians is a very difficult matter. The quality of the soldiers directly determines the combat effectiveness of the battalion. "
"So, it is easiest to hire directly into the establishment. "
"What your Majesty said is indeed heart-warming, but I can't believe that they won't blast my head with a musket." Antonio was still very hesitant.
Zhu Yijun said with a smile: "I thought that the captain, who had been wandering at sea for more than ten years, had already understood the truth after seeing the strong winds and huge waves, that is, everything is risky. Maybe the captain understood this truth, as long as I want to bear the profits, but I don’t want to bear the risks.”
“Captain Antonio told me that he was the heir to the King of Portugal, but now it seems that he just told a good story for the sake of profit from maritime trade. "
"Your Majesty can always see through the hypocrisy in the world, and your teachings will benefit me for life," Antonio said very politely, he was still hesitating.
Antonio has already seen the powerful combat power of the Ming Navy, but he really cannot bear the risk of hiring a battalion. Military power still played a decisive role during this year. These hired troops Bing, did you listen to him? Or do you listen to money? Or do you listen to the emperor?
Antonio has extensive plantations in Southeast Asia and the West. These plantations are not peaceful, and the fortresses they build are not indestructible. They are always broken down and burned by the local indigenous people. On the shipping route, there are various The pirates on the Malacca Strait gave Antonio a headache.
Antonio has real needs.
But the Ming Navy is loyal to His Majesty the Emperor. There is no doubt about this. After seeing the Ming army standing still under the heavy rain, Antonio knew that these soldiers would always be loyal to the Ming Dynasty.
Of course Antonio had to hesitate. He gave so much money and had to pay so much interest to maintain the stable operation of the shipping routes and plantations. In the end, it was all used to hire the Ming Dynasty Navy to garrison and pay protection fees. , calculated this way, it is really a bit of a loss.
However, he did covet the powerful combat power of the Ming Navy. A battalion of three thousand people really arrived in Taixi, which was a force that could change the situation of the war.
Expensiveness is not the shortcoming of the Ming Dynasty's mercenary camp, it is Antonio's shortcoming. Zhu Yijun did not make further sales. Anyway, Antonio knew the combat effectiveness of the Ming Dynasty Navy clearly. Zhu Yijun was not afraid that Antonio would not be moved. As long as the flame of heartbeat was ignited in his heart, there was no possibility of extinguishing it.
The Ming Dynasty's employment of battalions was not Zhu Yijun's idea alone, but was discussed by the court.
The placement of guest soldiers in the Ming Dynasty has always been a huge problem. Frequent wars have resulted in guest soldiers with only military skills. After leaving the army, they will inevitably become a hidden danger for the Ming Dynasty, and the local area is also short of resettlement guests. Soldier's ability.
The Ming Navy now has a serious problem, that is, it has a serious lack of experience in maritime warfare. The accumulation of experience in the last naval battle of the Ming Dynasty can be traced back to the great voyage of the Yongle period. It is not what it used to be. No matter how much training, without actual combat, it is just an embroidered pillow.
What prompted the imperial court to pass the resolution on mercenary camps was mainly the fear of poverty.
The expenses of the Ming Dynasty Navy are almost equal to half of the expenses of the 120,000 Beijing camp. The expenditures of the military affairs of the Ming Dynasty in one year are: 6.6 million taels of silver and 2 million stones for nine sides. Rice grain, while the Ming Dynasty's capital camp's annual expenditure is 2.6 million taels of silver and nearly one million shi of rice, grain, beans, etc., while the navy's annual expenditure has exceeded more than one million taels.
But the Ming Navy only had 30,000 people in total.
In any era and at any time, the price of a sophisticated navy is extremely expensive because of the ship.
Such horrific expenditures often make Da Situ worry. It is true that the imperial court is now in a good financial situation due to increasing revenue and cutting expenditures, but once it encounters a large-scale war, military expenditures will increase at a terrifying rate. Once it falls into the Jiajing 29 After years of endless war quagmire, Ming's finances will immediately be stretched.
So the idea of hiring battalions and using chickens to lay eggs is widely recognized.
Antonio really wanted to hire him, but he still needed to think about it carefully and needed the court to give him some time.
"Then captain, let's think about it carefully." Zhu Yijun chose to end Antonio's meeting. He believed that Antonio would make the right choice. Antonio is a very ambitious person and wants to realize his ambition. , it requires huge wealth to operate.
After Antonio left, Zhu Yijun stood on the Wangshan Tower of Yongding Woolen Factory and looked to the west. Over there was Zhang Juzheng's Yicheng residence.
"Your Majesty?" Feng Bao saw His Majesty's face solemn and his eyes far-reaching, knowing that His Majesty wanted to take a look, so he tentatively reminded His Majesty.
Zhu Yijun got on the jade chariot and thought for a while, then said to Feng Bao: "Let's go to the uncle's house in Yicheng."
"I obey the order." Feng Bao replied quickly.
The place where Zhang Juzheng lives is only fifty-one miles and thirty-two steps away from where Zhu Yijun lives. It only takes half a day for Zhu Yijun to drive there, even from Yongding Woolen Factory. .
But Zhu Yijun is heading to Yicheng Bofu at this hour and cannot return to the palace today. It is not because the little emperor is afraid of the dark, but because the city gates must be closed.
Zhu Yijun did not ask the ministers to go with him this time. He went as a disciple, not as an emperor.
When Zhu Yijun went to Yicheng Bo, Wang Qian walked into the Tianlao. Today he went to the Tianlao in Fusi, Beizhen, to see Wang Xijue, or to supervise Wang Xijue's suicide in fear of crime.
"It turns out to be you." When Wang Qian appeared, Wang Xijue suddenly realized that it was Wang Qian who was investigating him, and those bizarre places were no longer so bizarre.
Hai Rui is too upright and only follows the right path. For a third-level official with real power and vitality like Wang Xijue, Hai Rui will never get evidence. But Wang Qian is different. Wang Qian is ruthless and cunning. .
Wang Qian took the dossier and began to present evidence. Even though there was no trial, and even though it was ultimately determined that Wang Xijue committed suicide due to fear of crime, the process still had to be followed. The evidence of Wang Xijue's crimes was still clear. appeared in front of Wang Xijue.
"I want to see His Majesty." Wang Xijue's expression was still very calm. He knew that his death was coming, and he still wanted to meet the Holy Spirit to express his love.
"No chance. When His Majesty gave you the chance, you didn't take it yourself. Now you want to see me, but you can't see me anymore." Wang Qian shook his head and decisively rejected the proposal.
"Wang Qian, one day, you and I will die in the same way. In this dark and cramped cell, with three feet of white silk, we will die." Wang Xijue did not struggle too much, because there were many The evidence of the crime was all investigated by Tiqi, which means that His Majesty already knew about it, and the last summons was the last chance.
"Cruel officials will not end well!" Wang Xijue's tone finally brought anger, and he pointed at Wang Qian and said sternly.
Wang Qian blinked and said in surprise: "In the eyes of the prince, a certain person can actually end up hanging himself? I thought that a person like me would be cut to pieces with a thousand knives."< br>
“Shameless!” Wang Xijue had never dealt with Wang Qian before, so he never expected that this guy could be so shameless!
"Thank you, Your Majesty for the compliment." Wang Qiantian said shamelessly.
Before Wang Qian arrived, Tianlao had already sent a meal for the decapitation, which was bought according to the specifications of two taels of silver. Wang Xijue would not starve to death, so he put all the files in the rosewood box. Wang Qian then said: "Eat When you're done drinking, let's write a suicide note. "
"Can I see my son? I have something to explain." The corner of Wang Xijue's mouth twitched, but he felt a little relieved. The time spent waiting for the trial was very long. It was painful, but as soon as the results came out, he actually felt a little relaxed.
"Your son is in the casino." Wang Qian said with a complex expression: "Before I came, I sent someone to call him, but he hasn't come yet. Prince, please be patient. Let's wait. No rush.”
“Recently, the prince’s son lost a lot of money against a gambler named Long Er. I heard that he had bet on the prince’s ten-acre house in the capital, Long Er. It doesn’t matter if you win, the house is now part of the family. How brave is Long Er to come to His Majesty to settle gambling debts?”
Wang Xijue has a son named Wang Heng, who is very rich. He has a great talent and a suave personality. He writes a good song and a good play, and he is always called Wang Gongzi wherever he goes. However, Wang Heng has been targeted recently, mainly for the purpose of defrauding money.
Long Er did not dare to settle the gambling debt with the emperor, let alone Wang Xijue. The purpose of this game was just to make some money.
If nothing happens to Wang Xijue and Long Er wants to blackmail Wang Xijue, Long Er and his group will disappear forever the next day, and they will disappear without a trace or trace.
Wang Qian’s father was the second assistant to the dynasty, the crown prince Shaobao, and the Minister of the Ministry of Justice. He was one of the few people at the pinnacle of power in the Ming Dynasty. He knew that if someone set a trap for him like this, Wang Chonggu would definitely deal with it in this way.
To a certain extent, the aloof status of the courtiers in the Wenhua Palace has transcended the Five Elements, and there is no need to worry about the rules in most things.
The case of Wang Xijue also illustrates this current situation. Whether voluntarily or not, Wang Xijue committed suicide out of fear of crime. In this case, the debt of death has been wiped out.
"Alas." Wang Xijue sighed, and became even more depressed when he heard that his son was still in the gambling house.
"Don't worry, prince. After the prince leaves, someone from Long Er's gang will help clean up. After all, the prince still has some students in the court." Wang Qian smiled and persuaded Wang Xijue to relax. Wang Xijue's son was more Ordinary people have more opportunities to correct mistakes. Even if Wang Xijue dies, there will be someone to help take care of him.
This is also the general tacit understanding of meat eaters mentioned by Zhang Juzheng.
The benefits of Wang Xijue's choice of respectability are reflected. If he is decent, his son can be decent, and everyone can be decent.
Wang Xijue began to write a suicide note. Although he looked calm on the surface, Wang Xijue's handwriting had been deformed. There was great terror between life and death. No one could defeat death head-on. Wang Xijue's hands were shaking a little. A suicide note was trembling. I wrote tremblingly for a long time, until the sunset.
Wang Heng hasn’t arrived yet, but Wang Xijue’s suicide note has been finished.
"I can't control my son's affairs." Wang Xijue delivered the suicide note to Wang Qian. Wang Qian read it and made a copy, then put the original into a rosewood box. After locking it, affixing the seal and printing it, the final process is completed.
"Send the prince on his way." Wang Qian nodded. The Tiqi had already tied up the three-foot white silk ribbon, and helped Wang Xijue to a chair. After Wang Xijue tied the white silk, the Tiqi took it. Walked away the chair.
Wang Qian watched Wang Xijue's struggling figure motionlessly. The golden light of the setting sun penetrated through the skylight of the cell and entered the cell, making Wang Xijue's struggling figure look beautiful under the light and shadow.
Wang Qian just watched like this until Wang Xijue's hand fell from the three-foot white silk and hung straight there, swinging from side to side.
He squinted slightly. The hanging figure seemed to be Wang Xijue, Wang Chonggu, and Wang Qian himself.
"Dad! Dad!" Wang Heng finally came, rushed in from outside, shouted heartbreakingly, crying too hard, and slowly squatted outside the cell, but Wang Xijue had already No more energy.
Tiqi carried the rosewood box and walked behind Wang Qian. When Wang Qian passed by Wang Heng, he stopped and slowly squatted down, looked at Wang Heng and said with a smile: "You are the bad gambler of Wang Gong. Ghost son?”
“You’re really a bastard.”
“Pa!”
Wang Qian slapped Wang Heng on the face. It was so forceful that it directly interrupted Wang Heng's crying, causing blood to flow from the corner of his mouth.
The cool official Wang Qian flexed his wrist and said: "Wang Heng, your majesty summoned the prince. The prince knew what your majesty was talking about, but he just refused to look back. Do you know why? Because you can't look back, you bastard Son of a gambler, how much have you lost in the past few years? One hundred thousand taels? Or three hundred thousand taels?" Wang Qian stood up and left with a group of people. In the cell, Wang Heng was left to collect the body.
Zhu Yijun has arrived at Yicheng Bo's Mansion. Zhang Juzheng, who is wearing Xiao, is standing in front of the door, waiting for the emperor. The threshold of Yicheng Bo's Mansion has been completely demolished.
"I pay homage to Your Majesty, is Your Majesty bowing well?" Zhang Juzheng saw the emperor getting out of the car and saluted respectfully.
Zhu Yijun helped Zhang Juzheng up and said with a smile: "Sir, please get up quickly. It's getting late. I'm afraid I'm going to bother you today, so I'm staying here in Yicheng's Mansion for one night."
"Your Majesty's holy grace, I am so grateful that I shed tears of gratitude." Zhang Juzheng bowed his head again.
The emperor lives in the Taifu's house. This is an extreme expression of trust and respect for the Taifu. As long as it is spread, it will be a good story about the emperor, the saint, and the minister. No matter what, it cannot be said in the future. Zhang Juzheng's country is powerful, Your Majesty, the emperor's actions are to rectify Zhang Juzheng's name and give Zhang Juzheng a platform.
"Sir, I killed Wang Xijue." The first thing Zhu Yijun said when he entered the door was about murder, the death of Wang Xijue.
"He committed suicide out of fear of crime. It was suicide, Your Majesty." Zhang Juzheng reminded the emperor, what kind of emperor kills people? What's the matter! It was clear that he had hanged himself, and there was even a handwritten suicide note.
Your Majesty, please don’t talk nonsense.
Please give me a monthly ticket, wow! ! ! ! ! ! !
(End of this chapter)