Chapter 890: Ruining people’s way of making money
Wei Shan returned to silence and did not answer Yu Pingfeng's question, but judging from his expression, he undoubtedly acquiesced to the other party's view.
Liao Xun, who had been silent until now, spoke at this time: "Master Yu, the people in Ningbo Prefecture may not stand with us, and we cannot count them among them if we want to take action."
Only then did Yu Pingfeng realize that there was indeed a loophole in what he just said. The Ningbo garrison had violated the Zhejiang Dusi's instructions and deliberately delayed it. How could they choose to cooperate with the Shaoxing garrison to send troops without a formal military order? Attack Zhoushan.
Liao Xun continued: "Master Wei has his own difficulties, and I can understand it. If the Haihan people are indeed as tyrannical as Master Wei said, they really cannot fight head-on. Otherwise, even if they can win, it will be a miserable victory. There will be no way Report to the top.”
Wei Shan then nodded and responded: "Nowadays, there are constant wars outside the Northeast Pass, and rogue bandits are everywhere in the Central Plains and Southwest. Only Jiangsu and Zhejiang are the areas where the imperial court can rest assured. If there is another military disaster here, the adults in the capital will probably not give you good luck. . I don’t intend to condone the Haihan people’s reckless behavior, but I just want to take the overall situation into consideration and some things should not be rushed.”
Yu Pingfeng pondered: "Then I wonder if Mr. Wei has any ideas about dealing with the Haihan people?"
"If you want to deal with Haihan, I am willing to cooperate, but please don't mention it again about sending troops to Zhoushan." Wei Shan was also extremely slick. On the one hand, he stated that he would not choose the Haihan camp, but on the other hand, he I don't want to send troops to attack Haihan. I just want to cause trouble for you. I will wave the flag and cheer for you.
Guo Zheng asked: "If there is no need to send troops to Zhoushan, will Mr. Wei be willing to cooperate?"
Wei Shan asked: "What does Mr. Guo mean?"
Guo Zheng explained: "Although the Haihan people occupied Zhoushan, they only occupied Zhoushan. Zhoushan is just a corner of Zhejiang. This maritime trade market can be placed in Zhoushan, but of course it can also be placed elsewhere."
Liao Xun continued what Guo Zheng said: "As far as we know, a large part of the reason why the Haihan people robbed Zhoushan was because they took a fancy to the maritime trade market that has naturally formed in Zhoushan for a long time. If we try to prevent this market from opening or move it to Elsewhere, the Haihan people's conspiracy will be self-defeating. No matter how good Zhoushan is, it is just a big island in the East China Sea and has no other use than feeding fishermen."
These three people had naturally passed the Qi before coming to Shanwei, and they had also prepared several different sets of measures for the situation in the East China Sea. If Wei Shan readily joins and is willing to send troops to intervene, then these three people will try their best to cooperate within their scope of authority. But if Wei Shan is ambiguous and unwilling to join this plan, he will have to adjust his strategy immediately. From the conversation just now, it is not difficult to find that Wei Shan has deep scruples about confronting the Haihan people head-on, and this is the main reason why he went around in circles and refused to join.
In view of this, Guo Zheng decisively gave up his original plan and adopted another plan. Since the Haihan people came to Zhejiang to do business, they should try to prevent them from doing business and cut off their financial resources in exchange for concessions from the Haihan people.
Wei Shan understood a little bit, but still asked: "It sounds reasonable, but what specific measures are there?"
Liao Xun responded: "Let me explain this matter! The day before yesterday, the Haihan people held a so-called investment conference on Zhoushan Island. I must have heard about it, right?"
Wei Shan nodded and said: "This matter has a great impact, and many businessmen from Shaoxing Prefecture rushed to participate. I heard that the competition for Haihan commodity franchise is very fierce, and the franchise rights in Shaoxing Prefecture alone have sold tens of thousands of taels. Silver. The hottest topics in Shaoxing these days are all related to the Haihan Investment Promotion Association.”
Liao Xun continued: "After these businessmen get the franchise rights given by Haihan, they must go to Zhoushan Island regularly to purchase goods. As long as we prevent these goods from being sold on the market, the merchants who cooperate with Haihan will suffer. , unable to profit from it, will naturally deter latecomers.”
Wei Shan responded: "Mr. Liao, most of these businessmen who go to Zhoushan Island to discuss business are local prominent figures, and many of them have their own backers. Besides, this business matter is a matter for the Shibotiti. , if I interfere too much, I will inevitably be sued by other yamen. Although I, Wei, am bold, I don’t want to attract a lot of enemies to myself.”
After the Haihan people entered Zhejiang, the only Ming yamen that would openly welcome their arrival was probably Shibo Tijusi. This yamen in charge of import and export trade flourished and fell into disuse during the Ming Dynasty. It was not until the Wanli Period that it finally resumed operations. When the Haihan people traded with Zhejiang merchants, the Shipping Department could not collect taxes from the Haihan people. However, most of the Ming maritime merchants could not pass this test and had to pay taxes to them. If the local garrison comes out to disrupt the situation, the Shibo Tibetan Prosecution Department will definitely not ignore it. Although it may not be able to do anything to Wei Shan, it is still very embarrassing to be reported by other yamen.
Liao Xun said: "Master Wei, this matter should not be done openly, but it can be done secretly. We don't need to check the Haihan goods embargoed into Shaoxing Prefecture on the market, wouldn't it be more convenient to intercept them directly at sea?"
Wei Shan's eyes slowly narrowed: "You mean, rob a ship at sea?"
"There are many pirates in the East China Sea, and ship hijacking is an accident that often happens, isn't it?" Liao Xun said calmly: "It is more than two hundred miles from Shaoxing to Zhoushan Island, and it is reasonable for some minor problems to occur during the voyage. There are so many pirates in the East China Sea, who knows which one robbed them?”
"Having said that, if the guardsmen pretend to be pirates, firstly, their identity will be easily exposed, and secondly, it will be difficult to determine the itinerary of the merchant ship." Wei Shan immediately raised two difficulties. Liao Xun responded: "During the Investment Promotion Conference last month, the Jinyiwei Yamen also sent people to Zhoushan Island, and all the businessmen who won the exclusive rights of Shaoxing Prefecture were recorded. As long as these businesses are monitored, it is not difficult to control their overseas expansion. Shipping schedule. As for the timing and method of taking action at sea, we really need to plan carefully and try not to leave any clues.”
When Wei Shan heard this, it would be a lie to say that he was not moved at all. The actual effect of relying on this method to attack the Haihan trade system was one thing. The value of the goods that could be robbed from the sea was the real focus worthy of attention. Even if he had never handled it, he had heard about the value of Haihan goods. With so many businessmen flocking to them, their value was naturally very considerable. If it were intercepted directly from the merchants, even if it was just one or two batches of goods, the income would not be a small amount.
But things have to be looked at from two sides. Although this approach has the opportunity to bring huge profits, its risks cannot be ignored, and may even be greater than directly sending troops to attack Zhoushan. After all, as a local garrison, he was secretly acting as a pirate. Once exposed, he would definitely not be able to keep his official uniform, and he might even lose his life. Besides, the sea area near Zhoushan Island is under the jurisdiction of Ningbo Prefecture. The garrison of Ningbo Prefecture has obviously turned to Haihan's side. It is hard to say whether these guys will cause trouble in the middle.
Even if everything went smoothly, Wei Shan could not guarantee that the people under him could keep the secret. As long as one of the people involved in the operation had a loose mouth, it would be a disaster. Even if there is a flaw in the process of selling off the stolen goods afterwards, it is possible that the whole thing will be completely exposed. Although this wealth is attractive, the way to obtain it is really too risky.
Wei Shan thought for a long time, then shook his head and rejected Liao Xun's suggestion: "I have never heard of what Mr. Liao just said, so there is no need to discuss this matter again."
Liao Xun couldn't hide the disappointment on his face, but he still maintained his basic reserve: "Since Mr. Wei is unwilling to cooperate, there is no need to force him. However, if there is an accident in the nearby waters if a businessman from Shaoxing Prefecture gets into trouble in the future, I hope Mr. Wei can also Keep up this attitude.”
When Wei Shan heard this, it was obvious that Liao Xun did not intend to give up the plan completely. He might still organize other people to implement it. He would like to say hello first to keep himself quiet. But Wei Shan had already made up his mind not to go into this muddy water, so he just pretended that he didn't hear these words.
Out of official etiquette, after talking about the official business, Wei Shan still persuaded the three of them to stay for dinner. However, these three people came from Hangzhou secretly and came specifically to discuss the matter of dealing with the Haihan people. They were not in the mood to eat until the matter was settled, so they immediately Get up and say goodbye. Wei Shan pretended to hold on for a few words, but when he saw that the three of them were determined to leave, he sent them out of the mansion and watched them get into the car and leave.
As soon as the carriage these three people were riding in left, Wei Shan's face darkened. Although he did suffer certain economic losses because the arrival of the Haihan people changed the power structure in the East China Sea, it was not to the extent that he needed to fight Haihan to the point of life and death. In fact, he had also heard about the discord between the Zhejiang Dusi and the Ningbo Prefecture garrison over Haihan, but his focus was somewhat different from these three people.
Wei Shan didn't care too much about the connivance of Haihan by his colleagues in Ningbo, because he also knew that if he were to be transferred to Ningbo, he would also be helpless against the powerful ships and guns of the Haihan people. To send troops to join the war, he would not have to use his own resources to join the war. Once inside, nothing else will happen. Even if they did not get the benefits from Haihan, they would still turn a blind eye to what happened in the East China Sea. As long as the Haihan people did not set foot on the mainland, everything would be fine.
However, since the garrison of the Ningbo Prefectural Guard later issued an official document to report their merits to the Zhejiang Dusi, saying that with the cooperation of Haihan, they destroyed the pirate den in the East China Sea, this obviously means that they have reached a cooperative relationship with the Haihan people. What Wei Shan cares about is, in addition to the pirate heads presented as tribute, what benefits did the Haihan people give the local garrison, so that they would be willing to withstand the pressure of Zhejiang Dusi to write such an article that a discerning person can see through the truth at a glance.
Wei Shan knew Yan Guowei, the commander of the Changguo Guard, and Huang Tao, the commander of the Guanhai Guard. They are all veterans who have been in Ningbo for many years. In other words, they have been collecting money from the cornucopia of Zhoushan Islands for many years. They will not change their position easily. At least the benefits given to them by the Haihan people should not be lower than in the past. , in order to get such a cooperative attitude from them. And if the Haihan people can take the initiative to send money to themselves, wouldn't it be safer and easier than raising troops to steal their money?
But so far, the Haihan people have not taken the initiative to come to the door, and Wei Shan has no channel to contact the Haihan people privately, so for the time being, he can only watch others get rich. However, Wei Shan believed that Shaoxing Prefecture was located at the entrance of Hangzhou Bay and its geographical location was very important. If the Haihan people wanted to ensure the safe and smooth trade route from Zhoushan to Hangzhou Bay, they would have to burn incense in their temple sooner or later. Therefore, after the situation in the East China Sea changed, he was not in a hurry to express his attitude. Instead, he planned to observe it for a period of time and find the right entry point before entering the market to seek profits. Different from the thoughts of the three people who visited today, Wei Shan does not think that it is necessary to drive away the Haihan people in order to protect his own interests. Since Haihan's entry into Zhoushan cannot be changed, he should consider how to get out of this situation. Get benefits instead of rushing to throw eggs against rocks.
Precisely because of this, Wei Shan adopted a respectful attitude towards the three visitors from Hangzhou Prefecture, and refused to let go easily no matter how much they lobbied. Although he is a martial artist, he still has enough brains. The three of them kept saying that they would work together to drive away the Haihan people, but as for how the benefits would be distributed after the goal was achieved, they did not mention a word. This was obviously a lack of sincerity. performance. If it weren't for their personal visit and the official position that Wei Shan had to maintain a respectful attitude, he would have terminated this negotiation long ago.
Only Liao Xun's plan made Wei Shan slightly tempted, but only for a moment. "No one in Jinyiwei is good!" Wei Shan looked at the car in the distance, spit on the ground, and returned to the house. But after walking a few steps, Wei Shan suddenly stopped again, as if he had some inspiration in his mind.
Wei Shan immediately returned to his study and wrote a letter by himself. Then he called his confidants to come in and handed him the secret letter sealed with a wax seal. After giving him a few instructions, he sent him off.
After leaving the Acropolis, the soldier went straight to the dock, showed his token and boarded a small boat. Then he took the boat all the way east, and arrived at the seaside near the Guanhaiwei Acropolis in Ningbo Prefecture that night.
Guanhaiwei was built in the 20th year of Hongwu in the Ming Dynasty and was affiliated to Zhejiang Dusi. It was named because "the great view of the sea is in the weiwei". Guanhaiwei Acropolis and Shaoxing Linshan Acropolis are only more than 80 miles apart. The two defense areas are adjacent to each other, and there are frequent public and private exchanges. The visitor from Linshan Guard showed his identity outside the acropolis, and was soon brought inside the city, where he presented Wei Shan's secret message to Huang Tao, the commander of Guanhai Guard, face to face.
Huang Tao asked the messenger to be taken down to rest, and then he opened the letter and looked at it. His face was uncertain. It was obvious that Wei Shan's letter mentioned something embarrassing for him. Huang Tao thought for a long time before recruiting someone to come in: "Early tomorrow morning, I will go to the navy station and ask General Xu Shaohua to come to me and tell me that I have something to discuss."
(End of chapter)