Chen Zilong bowed his order, but Huang Zongxi said: "The commander-in-chief, although the canal has been fully opened, and the transportation of grain in the south and the north is not a problem. However, the current food shortage of our army is too large. North Korea, southern Liaoning, Kagoshima, and Shandong cannot achieve self-sufficiency. I suggest that in addition to purchasing grain in the south, we should also purchase it from Ryukyu, Japan, North Korea, Sulu, Brunei and other countries through maritime trade to reduce the grain burden in various places. And we should also store more reserved grain to deal with possible wars in the future."

Zhou Xian nodded, "Your proposal is correct. Since you have given this to you in full, you can do whatever you want! I don't care about the process, I only look at the final results."

Huang Zongxi clasped his fists and said, "The subordinates will definitely live up to the trust of the governor."

Zhou Xian nodded and continued: "With the current situation in Shandong, it is absolutely impossible to support these many people by relying on its own land and taxes. Therefore, the scale of maritime trade must continue to expand, and most of our officials know nothing about maritime trade. I think we can hire more merchants who have been living in Nanyang as officials, such as Chen Huarong and Lei Mingmu. They have a lot of business in Batavia and are also interested in the Central Plains. If they are given such an opportunity, they should accept it. Taichong, you send someone to Nanlu County and ask them to select a few representatives to meet me in Jinan."

Huang Zongxi frowned slightly, feeling that Zhou Xian seemed to value Hai Trade a little too much. But he just hesitated for a moment, and then hurriedly bowed: "I understand, I understand."

Zhou Xian nodded slightly, "Everyone, I'll say the same thing, each performs his duties, stabilize Shandong and appease the people. I will do my best to defeat the Manchu captives and recover Liaodong first. As for what will happen in the future, we will discuss it later."

When everyone dispersed, Zhou Xian picked up the teacup and found that the tea had already been cold. He hesitated for a moment, put the teacup down, and sat back on the chair with a tired look.

After a while, Wan Ji walked back from outside and sent the others away. "Wang Zi, why did you suddenly take Gu Yanwu's name and put Chen Zilong into the seven-man group? Haven't we discussed it before? This seven-man group was built in the cabinet, and its power will continue to expand in the future. Is it really wise to let someone like Chen Zilong enter, who has not yet fully returned to his heart?"

Zhou Xian looked up at Wan Ji and said, "Mr. Wan, you said that only in terms of talent and knowledge, which one is better, Chen Zilong and Gu Yanwu?"

Wan Ji sat opposite Zhou Xian, shook his head and said, "It's hard to say that each has its own strengths! But for now, Chen Wozi has more strengths. After all, Gu Yanwu is still too young and has a sharp edge. Just today, he and Peng Shiqi are fighting to that point, which is indeed too much."

Zhou Xian nodded, "So, I want him to train below for a while. He is not old, and there will be opportunities in the future. Besides, his uncle Gu Xianzheng is already in the seven-man group, so it doesn't matter whether he is there or not. Chen Zilong is different. The six prefectures in Shandong, plus Yangzhou, Huainan, and Daming Nine Prefects, Xia Yunyi has the highest governance ability. But even he is not as good as Chen Zilong in many aspects. Chen Zilong is a versatile talent, who can be literary and military, which is rare. My expectations for him are far from being a prefect. Now I have given him enough courtesy. If he still cares to the south, he can only give it up. On the contrary, I am willing to give him more emphasis."

Wan Ji lowered his head and thought, he didn't expect how Zhou Xian would value Chen Zilong. After a moment, he said, "When I have time, I will talk to Gu Yanwu about this matter in detail to relieve his heart."

Zhou Xian nodded gently, "Mr. Wan, the whole world is in turmoil now, and people's minds change. I am willing to reform, but the current time is wrong. I can only slow down but not hurry. I want to use old-school officials like Peng Shiqi, Zhang Zhengfan, Wu Zhengwen who have the ability to govern; I want to use those who are eager to reform; I want to use those who are talented in Xia Yunyi, Gu Xianzheng, etc. I also want to use those who are outstanding in talent. At present, the stability within Shandong is the most important, and the rest can be put back."

Wan Ji frowned and hesitated for a while and said, "Forget it, have you ever thought about forming a clan? Try to bring people together as much as possible."

Zhou Xian nodded and said, "I thought about it, but the examples of the Donglin Party, Qi Party, and Chu Party are there, which has made it difficult for me to make up my mind. And now, isn't it that the talent of the world pushes out? Wait a little! After defeating the Manchus, we will discuss this in detail."

The two chatted for a while, and Zhou Xian got up and returned home.

When he arrived at the residence, Zhou Xian handed over the mount to Sun Bao, "After feeding the horses, you can rest early!"

As he said that, he walked towards the inner house and saw Jinse and Zhu Mi coming towards him. Zhou Xian felt a little strange and asked, "It's so late, why haven't you even had a rest?"

Zhu Mai said, "Zhou Xian, I have something to discuss with you."

Zhou Xian nodded and asked, "Jinse, where are you! Is there something wrong?"

Jinse shook her head and said, "Second Young Master, Brother Li's wife has moved here. I arranged a house for her and had two maids. Do you think there are anything else to prepare?"

Zhou Xian nodded, "You can do it."

Jinse turned to Zhu Meiyu and said, "Your Highness, it's too cold outside. Let's talk to the second young master first! I'll cook some hot porridge for you to warm up your body."

Zhou Xian changed into plain clothes, closed the firewood in the charcoal basin, and said lightly: "Did Sister Feng tell you all this?"

Zhu Meiyu nodded, "Sister Feng said she could give out 300,000 silver to help me expand the scale of the girls' school, and also give out some food to support those refugees, but they all have to be done in my name."

Zhou Xian asked, "What do she want?"

Zhu Mei thought for a while and said, "She said she wanted to do some canal water transportation transactions in the future and wanted to work with the government. But she said, it doesn't matter if you don't agree, the things she promised will not change."

Zhou Xian nodded and smiled faintly: "Her news is very informative. I just ordered to eliminate the Jianghuai thieves as soon as possible. She immediately wanted to do a water business."

Zhu Moe frowned and said, "Zhou Xian, would you agree to Sister Feng?"
Chapter completed!