Chapter 405: Put yourself to death and survive

Chapter 405: Put yourself to death and survive

Anti-corruption, Gao Gong studied corrupt officials, Zhang Juzheng studied the corrupt environment that tolerated the disadvantages, and Wang Qian studied concubines and concubines.

It must be said that even Gao Gong, a traditional anti-corruption expert, was a little confused when he saw Wang Qian's methods.

As Wang Zhigao spoke eloquently, Gao Gong could only shake his head repeatedly. These three nuns and six women had loud voices and would say anything. There were truths and lies in these words, but Wang Qian, this guy, used money to clear the way. , these three aunts and six wives are so jealous of money that they will naturally spread some specious news.

This method to guard against could not be simpler, that is, not to keep concubines or concubines.

Can you bear it? Gao Gong knew that anyone who was greedy for ink would not be able to bear it.

Eating and color are also natures. This color and food are juxtaposed. Once the greed is opened, this color will naturally follow. The temptations sent by those seamless luxury households will be tolerated again and again. I can't help it, eight times out of ten, of course I can't help it.

Gao Gong and Wang Zhigao chatted for a long time, traveling all over the world. It wasn't until Gao Gong felt tired that Wang Zhigao decided to leave.

"Xinzheng Gong, take care of yourself. Everything in our Ming Dynasty is renewed. It's good to take a second look at these great rivers and mountains." Wang Zhigao looked at Gao Gong and warned.

"I am old and sick, and my time is running out." Gao Gong waved his hand, but he hesitated to speak. In fact, he wanted to invite Zhang Juzheng to come over, but in the end he did not say anything.

The great medical officers would come here every fifteen days. In fact, Gao Gong knew very well that the emperor did not want him to die and wanted him to watch. Watching the Ming Dynasty changing with each passing day, watching the emperor bringing the Ming Dynasty to reform and reform, Gao Gong naturally wanted to Look more.

The emperor didn't pursue the original matter, but Gao Gong was a very stubborn person. He had actually been shaken. No matter from which angle you look at it, at least at this point in time, your majesty is a wise king. He Telling Wang Zhigao that he was not optimistic about the emperor was just being tough.

Many old people cannot survive the winter and spring. Winter is cold and spring is so sick. Gao Gong took the advice of the great medical officers to heart. At the end of February in the eighth year of Wanli, Gao Gong became seriously ill again. On the second day of the lunar month, Zhang Juzheng, who was busy with everything, took the court officials to the Gaofu in Xitucheng on the emperor's order.

"Jiang Ling Gong has many things to do, so I am honored to come to visit." Gao Gong was lying on the hospital bed, and his life was almost extinguished by the pain.

Zhang Juzheng sat in front of the sickbed and said with great emotion: "It's better for Mr. Xinzheng to rest."

"People live with a lot of energy. If this energy is gone, the rest of their lives will be miserable." The only thing he can do is live on, or die." Gao Gong took out a memorial from under his pillow. He wrote this memorial intermittently for a year, and then he couldn't write it anymore, so he asked his son to write it. Finally, he finished it. .

"Jiang Ling Gong, help me forward it to Your Majesty." Gao Gong's last memorial was nothing else but a confession of guilt, called "Chen Gui Shu on the Sickbed".

In the sixth year of Longqing, all kinds of disputes after the late emperor Long Yu invited guests were brought to an abrupt end and completely determined because of this memorial. Gao Gong was very stubborn and very tough-tongued, but he regarded himself as a gentleman. Since he was wrong, he would Admit your mistake.

His Majesty has grown up and is wise and powerful. In the memorial, Gao Gong admitted that he had misjudged his vision, admitted that he had done something wrong, and that he had brought it upon himself. This was a thorough explanation for His Majesty, and an explanation for his own life. .

Gao Gong leaned on the pillow, looked at Zhang Juzheng who was already a little blurry, and said with a smile: "I remember when I celebrated my sixtieth birthday, there were more than a hundred Hanlin officials in the Hanlin Academy. People, as well as seventy or eighty of my disciples, wrote longevity lists for me, and they also asked Duke Jiangling to write me two prefaces."

"It does happen." Zhang Juzheng remembered this incident. The difference is that Gao Gong's two prefaces were written by Zhang Juzheng himself.

“That guy Siwei also wrote a longevity preface for me. This guy’s longevity preface only has 1190 words in total, but he used 333 words to praise his own name. It really pissed me off! "Gao Gong's voice was a little louder when he talked about this, and his face turned rosy. He was obviously angry. In addition to scribbling in the preface of Qi Zhang Si Dimensional Life, he was also assassinating Wang Shajia in Qi Zhang Si Dimensions.

Zhang Juzheng said with a smile: "Okay, okay, it's all over, why bother with him."

Zhang Juzheng and Gao Gong chatted for a long time, and they talked a lot. Gao Gong also mentioned that Wang Zhigao could still be used for state affairs, examinations, shipping, the return of the land to the land, the war with the northern captives, etc., but Zhang Juzheng refused.

Wang Zhigao is indeed his son and daughter's in-laws, but Wang Zhigao's initial retreat directly led to Wang Chonggu's return to Beijing from Xuanda University, which also made Zhang Juzheng fall into some passivity at that time. The word "Hongyi" is the standard by which Zhang Juzheng looks at people. Obviously Wang Zhigao still lacks some perseverance.

In the beginning, even Wan Shihe stayed.

On the fifth day of March, Gao Gong died of illness.

Zhu Yijun ordered an official burial, presented Gao Gong as Taifu, and gave him the posthumous title Wenxiang. He then shaded his son Gaowuguan and made him Sicheng of Shangbaosi, regardless of the situation.

Gao Gong's departure was not sudden. He had already begun to fall ill intermittently in the winter of the seventh year of Wanli. In order to use the ability of the chief medical officer of the hospital, he could only do his best to treat him. During the New Year, he was slightly ill. He got better, then suddenly got worse at the end of February, and finally passed away.

The Ministry of Rites submitted three memorials in total, asking Gao Gong to be buried with an official and given the posthumous title Enyin, but they were not approved. It was not until Zhang Juzheng went to the imperial study room in the Li Palace that he was considered to have received the honor after his death. Even though In this way, Zhu Yijun's comment to the Ministry of Rites was: Gao passed the sea transportation, ordered the border defense, settled southern Yunnan, and Pinglingbiao, controlled the surrender of the Western captives, and accepted the surrender. The Northern captives became ministers, and their contributions are indelible.

In terms of title, Zhu Yijun still called Gao Gong Gao, and he did not stop paying homage to Gao Gong because of his death. It was obvious that the emperor did not like Gao Gong.

Without Gao Gong, the Jin Party would never have developed to this scale. His connivance directly caused the political situation in the early years of Wanli and Zhu Yijun's passivity. It was indeed not true that the king was assassinated and the palace was burned down. Gao Gong did it, but Gao Gong's conniving Jin Party made many mistakes.

Even after repeated weakening and checks and balances, the Jin Party was still the second largest crony force in the Ming Dynasty.

Yin Zhengmao stayed in the capital for more than half a month. At the grand wedding ceremony, Princess Yingjia of the Ming Dynasty Zhu Xuanchang married Yin Zhengmao's third son Yin Zongxin with a generous dowry.

Concubine Zhou De, who was already pregnant, cried like a tearful person. On the one hand, she was happy that her daughter, who was only seven years younger than her, had found a good home. On the other hand, she was sad that this departure , I am afraid that we will never see each other again in this life, and we will be far apart from now on.

Luzon is far away overseas, and it would be difficult for Zhu Xuanchang to come back.

Zhu Xuanchang was the name changed by Empress Dowager Li. Zhu Yijun had never seen this cheap daughter until the day she married her daughter, only her portrait.

The princesses of the Ming Dynasty also have their own names. Emperor Sejong only has one daughter left named Zhu Luyu, while Emperor Longqing's four daughters who are still alive are all named after Zhu Yaomou. The last character is, They must have a female character. According to Empress Dowager Li's plan, Zhu Yijun's daughters were all named after Zhu Xuan, and they also had to have a female character, so they got the name Zhu Xuanchang.

Zhu Yijun bid farewell to the princess whom he had never met before, completely confirming his identity as a relative of Emperor Yin Zhengmao.

Not long after Yin Zhengmao left, at the end of March, Zhu Yijun once again received news from the Strait of Malacca. The Governor of Goa, Menezes, asked for surrender, hoping to divide the territory and rule according to the current actual control area. The west side of the Strait of Malacca belongs to them, and the east side belongs to the Ming Dynasty.

Menezes's letter of surrender did not cause any ripples in the court. The Ming Emperor wrote the sentence "Look ugly but think beautiful", which was regarded as the result.

The court officials already know very well the importance of the Strait of Malacca. This chokepoint must not be in the hands of the West under any circumstances, otherwise there will be no peace in the Ming Dynasty's maritime territory.

Zhu Yijun was a little confused. Menezes's letter of surrender was a bit puzzling. His question would be answered soon.

The violent waves of the Atlantic Ocean cannot affect the hustle and bustle of Liberty City. The sea breeze blows through this free place, the City of Sin. Under the gentle hum of the sea breeze, there are the sounds of seagulls flying and crowing, Echoing the hustle and bustle of the port, the sunset on the beach turned the sea into a golden color and was then broken by the waves.

Xu Fan lives in the city near the city hall. It is a three-story castle that was transformed from a church. It has a stone arched roof with some spiers. This is obviously influenced by the Huihui people. , the corridor supported by Roman columns is both supportive and solemn. The sunlight shines into the House of Wise Man through the window grilles with complicated patterns, and shines on Xu Fan's body.

(Xu Fan’s residence - House of Wise Men)

Antonio and Marcus broke into the House of Wise Men, rushed into the study room in a hurry, and said with excitement: "Advisor, the Pure One is dead, Felipe II killed King Enrique I of Portugal!"

"I have received the news, Your Highness, there is no need to panic, please be patient and wait until I finish writing. This article." Xu Fan has been writing and painting. He is writing a memorial. His father died, and he died in a humiliating way in the Ming Dynasty Prison. Xu Fan has already received the news. arrive.

When Xu Fan received the news, he had mixed emotions. When he left in the first place, he saw the stubbornness of Xu Jie and Xu Heng. The wind direction had changed long ago, but Xu Jie couldn't adapt. Adaptation can be avoided, but Xu Jie always keeps an eye on those interests and insists on his own way.

When Xu Fan left, he thought that today, he would be responsible for his own fault. As a son of a human being, Xu Fan could not say it out loud.

Fortunately, the Ming Emperor did not execute the Xu family, and only Xu Jie and Xu Heng died.

In the private market of Yanwan, during the Japanese Rebellion in the Southeast, Xu Jie served as the second assistant. After twenty years as the second assistant, how could Xu Jie not know the horror of the private market?

In the end, he died for the sake of profit.

Xu Fan did not hate the Ming Emperor. Emperor Shizong, Emperor Longqing, and His Majesty all forgave Xu Jie's sins several times, especially His Majesty. He did not kill the Qing abbot when he returned to the fields, and did not kill the wealthy households who moved to the countryside. Zhang Juzheng and Ding You were not killed. , the emperor still did not take action, taking mercy as a matter of course, who can blame him.

Xu Fan put the memorial away, and after finishing the things at hand, he wanted to burn incense for his father’s memorial tablet. Xu Jie’s memorial tablet was carved in the Ming Dynasty.

According to Shouxiao, he shouldn't do anything at this time, but people have already arrived in the extremely free city of freedom, so there is no need to abide by Eastern etiquette so strictly. Just do as the Romans do.

"Does Your Highness want to go to Lisbon (the capital of Portugal) to inherit the throne?" Xu Fan looked at Antonio and asked.

“This is what I long for!” Antonio said loudly: “Of course! Isn’t it just for the arrival of this day after so many years of hard work?”

“No, you Going to Lisbon now is just falling into a trap that has been set long ago. Even if you can ascend the throne, I am sure you will not last for a year." Xu Fan said with confidence: "Felipe II is now. There is nothing we can do against you because your fleet is so elusive that once you enter Lisbon, your fleet must be nearby. In this way, you will fall into his advantage. "

"Not even seventeen five-masted ocean ships?" Antonio looked unwilling. The old king was dead and he, as the heir, could not go. He was unwilling, but the wise man told him of the danger.

Antonio has seen Xu Fan's intelligence and ruthlessness more than once. Antonio actually does not lack force, he lacks wisdom.

“The five-masted ocean crossing ship is invincible at sea, but once it is tied up in the port, it is like a dragon trapped in the shoals. No matter how powerful it is, it will become a chopping block due to the wrong time and place. The meat is left to be slaughtered." Xu Fan always looks at it from the perspective of a chess spectator.

Compared to Felipe II's strength, Antonio is too weak.

"I told you from the beginning that the only way you can get the throne is to make Felipe II feel unworthy." Xu Fan said slightly helplessly: "If you insist on going, I will Don’t stop me, but I don’t recommend it.”

Antonio thought for a long time and said loudly: “I decided to go to Lisbon. If I wait any longer, Felipe II will be canonized from the pope. "

Xu Fan took a sip of tea and said calmly: "Okay, but have you considered how to return His Majesty's war loan? There are twelve ships of yours still burdened with it? Are you considering repaying the war loan of 3.5 million silver first?”

“You may have made up your mind to die and cancel the debt, or simply refuse to pay, but let me remind you, Felipe. II, was happy to accept this debt, and borrow the Ming Dynasty's debt as the crown prince. For him, this debt would make it easier for him to rule Portugal. He would gain a generous image and use his financial resources to calm down the problems from the Ming Dynasty. The anger of the East, which represents smoother trade, will also make Portugal more accepting of him."

"This is probably the most difficult fact to accept for you, your enemy. Because you are more powerful. Just thinking about it makes me gnash my teeth with hatred, but I have no choice but to do anything." Xu Fan's words completely calmed Antonio down. Xu Fan's words poured cold water on him. He owned a five-masted transoceanic ship, and Felipe also owned it. When the ship arrived at the Atlantic City, according to the agreement, the ten five-masted transoceanic ships purchased by Felipe II had been delivered in full. It is an indisputable fact that Felipe is extremely powerful.

From beginning to end, Xu Fan had only one way to give Antonio, and that was to make Felipe II feel unworthy.

If Antonio fails to abide by the agreement and detains Felipe II’s ten five-masted transoceanic ships, Felipe II will definitely use Alvaro, the God of War and the First Marquis of Santa Cruz, who is angry and angry. ·De Bazin came to destroy him.

Diego de’s father, Alvaro, has an undefeated myth that no one has broken to this day. There are also great heroes in Tessie. For the sake of domestic stability, Felipe II no longer lets Alvaro play much. Varro went to war.

"What do wise men think should be done? Enrique is dead and Portugal has no king!" Antonio was so anxious that he stood up and walked around to vent his restlessness.

“I can set off tomorrow to France to meet the King of France, and then to England to meet the King of England. If you can get the support of the King of France and the King of England, you can return to Lisbon to inherit the throne, and Felipe II will become They will not use force easily, because the King of France and the King of England now need an opportunity to intervene in the Niland area." Xu Fan pointed out the second way.

The Netherlands was raging with war, and even when Don Juan went to suppress it, it all ended in vain. But for Felipe, the Netherlands was particularly important. Even if the resistance was so active, Spain Taxes of more than two million silver and one hundred thousand taels of gold can still be obtained from this area every year.

If England and France openly intervene in the Netherlands, from covert support to reasonable intervention, I am afraid that Spain will lose the Netherlands forever, and Felipe will really be reluctant to part with it.

"Okay, okay!!" Antonio's eyes lit up. Xu Fan's proposal made him excited. Although it would cost a lot, it was still a way out.

"Actually, there is still a way. This road will take a long, long time, but I believe that after you finish this road, you will become a real king." Xu Fan was still very calm. As a counselor, as a Advisor, he naturally wants to tell Antonio the true path to kingship.

“What is it?” Antonio sat down and asked curiously.

"You have the support of the civilians, but the power of the civilians has not been demonstrated. Now you give in and let Felipe II succeed the Portuguese king, and then send your people back to Portugal to start a real war that belongs to everyone in Portugal. War, a war against tyranny, on the day it succeeds, you will be a veritable king of Portugal. The best policy is to retreat in order to advance." Xu Fan said the third way, the way that can truly send Antonio to the throne.

The rule of Felipe II cannot be said to be friendly at all. It can be said clearly that it is cruel.

People in the Netherlands are not old people who hang themselves for a long time. They know that Spain has an invincible fleet but still resist. The cruel ruling policy makes the people of the Netherlands miserable. The rise of handicraft workshops, Giving them wealth and vision, the emerging bourgeoisie could not accept the rule and exploitation of the Inquisition in any case.

The rule of Felipe II in Portugal will be the same and will never be friendly.

"How long will it take?" Antonio asked with a frown.

“Ten years, or more.” Xu Fan said with a smile: “His Royal Highness, you don’t have to worry too much about His Majesty’s war loans. His kind Majesty will definitely be considerate of the junior throne and His Highness’s difficulties. Give His Highness a suitable period of time to extend and repay these loans."

"His Majesty's imperial decree makes it very clear that the high interest will only be maintained during the war. When you win, the interest will be paid. Reducing from 24% to 4% will also provide extensions of twenty, forty and seventy years.”

“Your Majesty is so kind”

For Antonio at this time. This is of course a gift, but for Antonio in the future, it will be extremely painful.

"Let me think about it and give the wise man an answer." Antonio looked painful. There were three ways in front of him.

The next best thing to do is to go to Lisbon immediately to inherit the throne. This is a losing situation. Even if he can escape by chance, he will have to rely on others for his whole life.

The middle strategy is to send envoys to France and England, and pay huge benefits to gain the support of the King of France and the King of England. Even with this support, Felipe II may still send troops brazenly to obtain the throne of Portugal.

As for the best option, Antonio is not sure whether he will win, and the time is really long. During this long time, he may need to borrow more money, and then even if it is extended for a hundred years, he can pay it back. , the pressure is also huge, and Portugal, which is riddled with holes, needs an astronomical sum of money to recover.

How should Antonio choose? He fell into infinite tangles.

It was still due to his weak strength. If Antonio had ten thousand, no, only three thousand elite soldiers like the Ming Dynasty, he would fearlessly go to Lisbon and obtain the throne. Felipe dared to invade, Antonio also had the confidence to personally go to the Strait of Gibraltar to stop the Armada.

The powerful soldiers of the Ming Navy were so powerful that Antonio saw them with his own eyes.

But Antonio didn't. He only had a group of pirates. Although these pirates were extremely cruel, they had no military discipline at all.

(Topographic Map)

“If I were you, I would choose the third option. Although high debt will make people suffocated, you will become the real king. "Xu Fan made a very pertinent suggestion. He further explained: "Compared with the commitment and support of the King of France and the King of England, Your Majesty has more credibility, and he supports you with real money."

Xu Fan sincerely supports you. The practical suggestions did not convince Antonio. Antonio left with his first mate Marcus. They had to understand the pros and cons before making a choice.

And Xu Fan saw very clearly that Antonio would choose the middle strategy and send envoys to let Xu Fan go to France and England as a consultant.

This is not short-sighted, nor is Antonio indecisive, but Antonio does not believe that the power of the common people will win the final victory. The rich Felipe only needs to show a little wealth from his fingers, no, Felipe Lippe just needs to be a little gentler and loot less, and civilian resistance will turn into support.

Antonio is deeply loved and supported by the civilians, but Antonio does not believe in the power of the civilians.

Xu Fan did not offer any further persuasion. He had already made it very clear that it was Antonio's responsibility to make any decision.

Second way, can Antonio really secure his position as king? Xu Fan has imagined countless endings, all pointing to defeat, and no one is spared.

Three strategies: upper, middle and lower? In fact, the weak have no choice. Antonio's only way to survive is the third way, to survive after death.

When Xu Fan came to Taixi, why didn’t he risk his life and survive? If you don't choose this way, you are destined to end tragically.

"I need an identity so that my children and grandchildren can return to the Ming Dynasty openly." Xu Fan looked at the memorial in his hand. Xu Jie was dead. Xu Fan did not plan to go back in this life, but he planned to fight for the rest of his life. , get an identity and let your children and grandchildren go home.

"Special Envoy Xu, there is someone outside the door asking to see you." Chen Dazhuang walked in and said very respectfully.

Chen Dazhuang served as a guest soldier under Ling Yunyi. Chen Dazhuang killed a dog in the Confucius family. His father was forced to carry out the funeral for the dog. Yanzhou Confucius has fallen. Last year, Chen Dazhuang came to Taixi on a large sailing ship and became He took Xu Fan's escort and led three guest soldiers to protect Xu Fan.

Xu Fan is still an official of the imperial court and a special envoy to the West appointed by His Majesty.

"It was sent by Felipe II, a priest." Chen Dazhuang explained.

"Please come in." Xu Fan nodded and motioned to Chen Dazhuang to lead the people in.

Only one person came alone. This person wore a gray pointed hat and a linen cloak. He didn’t have the disgusting smell of not taking a bath all year round. He also had a short knife on his waist. Sword, thick white beard almost covering the cross on his chest.

The visitor saluted and said very sincerely: "Guests from the East can hear your wisdom as far away as Toledo. This reckless and imprudent visit regardless of the occasion is The Lord’s guidance is also the king’s order. I hope the distinguished guests will not feel uncomfortable.”

“Please sit down.” Xu Fan motioned to the pastor to take a seat.

"Your Latin is as fluent as the nobles. You can call me Sauron. I am the king's palace secretary and palace pharmacist." Pastor Sauron looked at the furnishings in the room and nodded at Chen Dazhuang. nod.

Sauron sat up straight and said: "My king has met you once before. This time, my king brought you some gifts. This is a clock from Nuremberg. I hope you like it. ."

"Thank you for the gift." Xu Fan accepted the Nuremberg egg. The Emperor of Ming Dynasty also had one, which was given as a national gift.

Sauron took off his hat and said very sincerely: "The wisdom of our distinguished guest from the east has brought a lot of trouble to our king. Antonio is rich in force. If he is more wise, he will be extremely difficult to deal with. The opponent, the facts have also proved this. The last disastrous defeat troubled my king extremely. My king hopes that you can agree to our conditions. Compared with Antonio, the Spanish stage is easier for your talents to be fully displayed. .”

"We brought full sincerity."

Xu Fan shook his head and said: "I am from the East. Since I am working for Antonio, I will not abandon it easily."

"Please listen to us. Sincerity." Sauron took out a piece of parchment and said: "If you agree to our conditions, this contract will be distributed to every corner of the diocese through the Holy See, and you don't have to worry about my king breaking his promise."< br>
“This is the king’s personal letter.”

Xu Fan opened the parchment, and it was indeed Felipe’s personal letter. The handwriting of the letter of credence he wrote to Ming Dynasty was almost the same as this.

Full of sincerity.

When Xu Fan arrives at the Summer Palace, he can obtain the chief secretary of the palace, a fief of more than 5,000 hectares in Castile, the canonization of a count, and the official position of a Spanish diplomat.

“The whole of Europe and the West excludes Spain from the Grand Tour. We lack talents in this area. The most famous people in Spain are warriors who can only speak with their fists. There are many wars. In fact, there is no need at all. Your Suggestions will also be given priority. We secretaries are actually very incompetent. The king has to write at least more than 4,000 letters to communicate with the governors of various places every year." Solon chose to tell the truth. Felipe II's diligence was often attributed to them. This is due to the incompetence of these secretaries.

“The conditions are very exciting, but I still don’t plan to go.” Xu Fan finally chose to refuse.

He wants the position of King of Portugal, will Felipe II be willing to give it to him?

"What does your distinguished guest need before he is willing to serve my king?" Sauron was not in a hurry. When discussing a business, how could he not let the other party negotiate the price.

"I want the position of King of Portugal." Xu Fan said directly.

Sauron took out another piece of parchment and said: "Yes, my king is never stingy. What Antonio can give, a generous king can give you double. What Antonio cannot give, we can also give. "Here."

Xu Fan was sure that there was nothing wrong with him, but that the other party was abnormal.

How can anyone win over people like this? Which Ming Dynasty’s special envoy to Taixi can withstand such a test? !

I don’t know if you can understand the extension period here. It is based on the end of the war. It is 24% before the end and 4% after the end. The 4% extension period is forty years. The interest is also an astronomical figure. This figure is already very moderate. For those who lent money during the Wanli period, the interest rate for one year even exceeded 50%. Please give me a monthly pass, ow! ! ! ! ! ! !

(End of this chapter)