Sun's House was built outside Tongji Gate in Nanjing.
Tongji Gate faces south and is the largest city gate in history. The Fuchuan-shaped (fish belly-shaped) inner barbican city gate is easy to defend and difficult to attack. There are three inner barbicans alone, four gates, and two
The upper city's horse paths and sidewalks, as well as several urn caves, are masterpieces of the Chinese city defense system.
Sun Kewang, the Minister of the Conciergerie of the Ming Dynasty, chose to set up his home here, not out of safety considerations, but because of the nearby scenery. Because this gate is close to the Qinhuai River and is shaped like a boat, it was named Tongji Gate, which means helping each other in the same boat. Guard it.
The inner and outer Qinhuai River divides the area, with the imperial city to the northeast and the commercial district to the southwest, which is the throat of Nanjing. It is both beautiful and prosperous.
Sun Kewang specially chose the house beside the beautiful Qinhuai River. As soon as he steps out, he can see the splendid jade belt and willow trees. Walking a few steps to the southwest, he can see many shops, which are very lively and life is very convenient.
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He is getting older, he is sixty-eight years old this year, and he likes this kind of place more and more picturesque and close to the fireworks of the world. The ambition he had back then has long been gone.
Once upon a time, he was also a decisive hero. When he was young, he had no food and followed the Eighth King Zhang Xianzhong in rebellion in order to survive. Even though he was four years older than Zhang Xianzhong, he reluctantly worshiped the Eighth King as his adoptive father. Later, he became the leader of the Great Western Army.
, holding 200,000 soldiers, thought that the world was vast and allowed him to dominate. Unexpectedly, he met the wise and powerful Emperor Guangwu. The battle of Zhazuo City broke the backbone of the Daxi Army, and he had no choice but to return to the Ming Dynasty.
It is said that the emperor treated him well. He was granted the title of Marquis of Pinglu, promoted to be the Minister of the Court of Conciergerie, and was in charge of the Ming Empire's diplomacy. He was quite trusted, but he was not allowed to take charge of the military.
He was old in a flash, and he only wanted to find a place with beautiful scenery to entertain his grandson. He no longer had the ambition of the past. Emperor Guangwu's attitude towards him also changed from being both useful and defensive back then, to now being only useful but not defensive.
From time to time, he was also called into the palace to chat and recount interesting events from the past.
"Sir, the son of Ibrahim, the prime minister of the Sultanate of Johor, Raja Bajja, has come again with generous gifts," the white-haired old housekeeper reported respectfully.
When a country is strong, its diplomacy will be strong. As the Minister of the Conciergerie, many vassal princes have followed Sun Shangshu's path, and gradually their pockets have become richer.
"Why are you here again?"
Sun Kewang frowned and said, "What this person is asking for is not easy to do. Let him go back." This minister is a kind person and pays attention to receiving gifts before doing things. If he cannot do it, he will not accept the gifts. Therefore, in imperial diplomacy,
It has an excellent reputation in the industry.
"Master, you should take a look at the gift list. This time, the father and son made a big deal." The old butler presented the gift list.
"A big deal?"
Sun Ke looked at it for a moment, then opened the gift list. There was a banknote worth 300,000 taels from Daming Bank hidden in the gift list.
Three hundred thousand taels!
His heart was shocked. He looked at the gift list and saw that there was a golden Buddha made by the imperial palace of the Manchurian Kingdom, two boxes of top-quality bird's nests, ten luminous pearls and many other valuable gifts. It was indeed a big writing brush!
Sun Kewang was hesitant. He was old. According to the routine, he would retire after working for another two years. He really wanted to accumulate more family property for his children and grandchildren before he retired. But what Ibrahim wanted was to usurp the throne.
Big things are hard to handle!
Ibrahim's father, Rajgbarga, was a powerful official in the Sultanate of Johor and had great influence in Pahang. Because of his poor relationship with Sultan Abdul Jalil III, he simply established himself as the "Stern Sultanate" in Pahang.
Tuan Muda" (equivalent to the Prime Minister), united with the Dutch, drove the old Sultan to the Pattani Sultanate (today's southern Thailand), and actually took control of the power of the Johor Sultanate. Being a fake queen was still not enough, and she still wanted to take it seriously.
The king sent his son Ibrahim to the Ming Dynasty for activities and requested that the Ming Dynasty canonize him as the Sultan of Johor.
As we all know, Emperor Guangwu of the Ming Dynasty was a concubine who usurped the throne of his direct descendants and conquered the world. Because he won the country incorrectly, he was most afraid that other concubines would imitate his example and usurp the throne of his descendants, so he vigorously promoted the orthodoxy of the patriarchal system and emphasized that it was not
His own lineage cannot inherit the unification. If any concubine or powerful official in each vassal country attempts to usurp the throne, the old emperor will definitely issue an edict and reprimand him.
So, this matter is really difficult to handle!
"Let him come in," Sun Kewang thought for a while and said.
Ibrahim walked into the living room. He was an elegant young man with good features, wearing a traditional Johor headscarf and a gold brocade wide-sleeved robe. When he saw him, he bowed in accordance with Ming Dynasty etiquette and said, "I'm the official."
See Pingluhou". In the Ming Dynasty, titles were more valuable than official positions. He was called Pingluhou, not Shangshu. This man really understood the officialdom of the Ming Dynasty.
Sun Kewang couldn't help but have a good impression of this young man. He was a military commander and spoke straightforwardly, "The gift you gave is too heavy, and the task you entrusted is too difficult. I'm not sure, so I'd better take it back."
Ibrahim smiled secretly, if he really didn't want to accept my gift, he would have just stayed away from me. After seeing me, he said he was not sure, obviously because he wanted to eat but was afraid of choking. These Ming people are really hypocritical! It seems like
My father and I spent a lot of money to do this, and it really worked!
He was mocking in his heart, but respectful on his face, "The Ming Dynasty is a small country, and if it is a country of parents, you are like the father of a small minister. It is only a small gift, and the power is used as a filial piety. Please do not refuse!"
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What? When did I become your father?
Sun Kewang was shocked by his shamelessness, but he could not help but recognize this family member and said slowly: "I am only 30% sure about this matter."
This is a showdown. Let me tell you clearly that we are only 30% sure of this matter. Will you give me the gift? If you don’t give it, you will take the gift note back. If you give it, there is little hope of success, and it may be wasted.
Decide for yourself.
Only 30% sure?
Ibrahim thought carefully and slowly made up his mind. How difficult it is to build a country! Let alone 30% certainty, even if it is only 10%, you must go all out! Moreover, this Sun Shangshu does not speak official language and speaks directly.
Telling himself the difficulty shows that he is a trustworthy person. Once such a person accepts the gift, he will do his best for himself!
"I know that this matter is difficult. As long as you are willing to help my father and son, I will be grateful! If this matter fails, I will never dare to blame you; if it can be accomplished, my father and son will have to thank you with great gifts. I will not dare to do it for the rest of my life.
Forget your kindness," he said with a sincere expression.
After hearing this, Sun Kewang glanced at the young man again and nodded approvingly. Although this man is young, he is ambitious and can do great things! If he can't do it, he will admit it and won't blame himself; if he can do it, he will not blame himself.
Give him another big gift. By acting like this, how could you be embarrassed not to sacrifice your life for his father and son?
Then he solemnly said: "Don't worry, I will do my best to speak for you and your son. Please go back to the hotel first and wait for the news."