Chapter 2626
The Donghai Region invested a lot of resources and went through many twists and turns to arrange for Zhu Zian to win the position of Jieyuan in the provincial examination. It also carried out extensive publicity to guide public opinion to pay attention to Zhu Zian's background and trends. Of course, it hopes to gain more through this return. As for how to make full use of Zhu Zian's identity, Shi Diwen had already made a comprehensive plan for this. Before this mission, he also told Shi Chengwu to observe Zhu Zian's temperament and abilities during the trip.
If Zhu Zian can obey the arrangements and successfully complete the diplomatic mission, then he can be considered to arrange a prestigious position in the government in the future so that he can continue to serve as Haihan's propaganda tool. If this person's position is vacillating, he has selfish thoughts, or he shows shortcomings such as insufficient work ability and poor adaptability, then after this wave of publicity activities is over, arrange for him to become a teacher in a certain college. , it can be regarded as making the best use of people’s talents and materials.
Although Zhu Zian was born into a noble family, his previous social circle was relatively closed. Apart from frequent contacts with Haihan officials in recent times, he really had no diplomatic experience. Before setting off, Shi Diwen explained the mission of this trip to him, but he did not have a clear plan on how to carry out the mission to achieve the goal.
Now that he finally had the opportunity to talk to Shi Chengwu alone, Zhu Zian would not let it go and quickly asked for advice: "Brother Shi, there are still many things I don't know about this mission to Korea and Japan. , can you give me some advice? ”
Shi Chengwu nodded and responded: "But it doesn't matter."
Zhu Zian said: "In the early years, the Korean state had diplomatic relations with our Ming Dynasty... and the previous dynasty. However, since the rise of Haihan, the relationship between the Korean state and the previous dynasty has gradually become alienated. They have long followed Haihan's lead and followed suit." I am afraid that my identity will not attract the attention of North Korea at all, and it may not have the effect Master Shi expected.”
Shi Chengwu said: "What you said is indeed correct, but the imprint left by the previous dynasty in North Korea over the past two hundred years is too deep, and it cannot be completely removed in just a few years. Moreover, the change of dynasties is still in progress, and North Korea is still There are some people who are taking a wait-and-see attitude towards the situation here. The purpose of our mission is to make these people realize the real situation and give up their unrealistic illusions.”
Shi Chengwu did not explain further what an unrealistic fantasy was, but Zhu Zian already understood what he meant, which was to let those who were wavering give up the Ming Dynasty and accept the new master.
Shi Chengwu continued: "If you only represent Prince Deok's Palace and visit Korea as a descendant of the vassal king, it will indeed not have much impact. But we want you to show up as a royal family member. When the time comes, your Every word and deed represents the attitude of Ming Dynasty.”
Zhu Zian was still a little worried: "Will no one in North Korea question my identity?"
Shi Chengwu said: "Maybe there will be, but it is useless to question, because there will not be a second person who can represent the Ming Dynasty in North Korea. And we have also prepared other means to prove your identity, so you can rest assured. ”
Shi Chengwu didn't take the initiative to reveal it, and it was difficult for Zhu Zian to ask what other methods he had, but he thought he wouldn't lie to himself, so he felt relieved after all.
Zhu Zian added: "The previous dynasty has been at odds with Japan for a long time. I heard that Haihan had gone to war with it several times in the past few years, so the relationship must not have been very good. Then I am afraid that my influence in Japan will only be limited to Lower? ”
Shi Chengwu smiled and said: "There are still many Han people settled in Japan. For these people, your influence will be greater than us!"
Almost all the Han people who would settle in Japan were merchants engaged in transnational trade. Zhu Zian thought that the Haihan people probably needed to raise their voices and call on these merchants to submit to the Haihan banner.
Zhu Zian was still asking for some details about North Korea and Japan, when a sailor came to ask Shi Chengwu for military instructions. Zhu Zian knew what was going on and took the initiative to end the conversation and say goodbye to avoid suspicion. After blowing the river breeze for a long time, Zhu Zian felt that his symptoms of seasickness seemed to have been relieved. He thought that if he kept wandering on the deck, he might make Shi Chengwu and others feel inappropriate. So he followed the path back to the rest cabin on the second deck, found the bed before and got in, trying his best to close his eyes and fall asleep.
Perhaps the conversation with Shi Chengwu had a certain psychological effect and lightened his burden. Zhu Zian finally fell asleep slowly while swaying.
By the time he was woken up from his sleep, it was already noon. If he didn't get up, he would miss lunch on the ship.
Zhu Zian quickly got out of bed, straightened his clothes, and then followed the sailor who woke him up to the dining place at the back of the second deck.
The space in this cabin is slightly larger than the rest cabin. You can see three stoves at the stern of the ship, and there are still cooks busy in front of the stoves. Next to the stove is a long table that can seat about ten people. At this time, Shi Chengwu and others were already seated.
When Shi Chengwu saw him coming in, he invited him to take a seat. Although these people here are all young aristocrats with prominent status, the content of this lunch is very simple, just a few freshly fried large pot dishes and white rice.
"This is the officer's mess on the ship. It will also be used as a conference room during missions. It will also be used to treat the wounded during combat." Shi Chengwu briefly introduced the functions of this cabin to Zhu Zian, and then ordered the meal to be served.
Since they were on a warship to carry out a mission at this time, everyone naturally followed military disciplines and ate quietly without talking or talking. Zhu Zian didn't dare to say anything when he saw this, and started eating as he had done.
During dinner that day, Zhu Zian, who was watching the scenery on the deck, noticed that there was a river on the right converging into the Qiantang River, and the water in front suddenly became very open. After asking, he found out that this river was the Cao'e River, and the fleet was already On the boundary of Shaoxing Prefecture, proceed a little further and you will enter the waters of Hangzhou Bay.
Before dark, the fleet had already entered the boundary of Ningbo Prefecture. At this speed, it should be able to reach Zhoushan Dinghai Port the next morning.
With nothing to do in the evening, everyone gave Zhu Zian a brief introduction to the history and current development of Dinghaiport. After all, based on his experience, he could not imagine what a large trading port of Dinghaigang's level would be like. Of course, everyone took this opportunity to show off Haihan's achievements in seaport infrastructure and management.
Zhu Zian believed that there was no need for these young nobles to boast too exaggeratedly about a place where the truth could be verified tomorrow, so their description of Dinghai Port should be basically true. But based on Zhu Zian's knowledge, there will inevitably be some details that are difficult to imagine with verbal descriptions. He can only leave it to visit the site tomorrow.
(End of chapter)