() Emperor Chongzhen noticed the uncomfortable look on Zhong Jinwei’s face, where he wanted to laugh but was holding back. He couldn’t help but shook his head. Master Zhong was like a child sometimes. Thinking of this, he also laughed, and even laughed out loud
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As soon as Emperor Chongzhen noticed that he was laughing, he immediately realized that this scene was not suitable for laughter. However, he found that the two people were still in a daze and did not hear him laughing at all, so he couldn't help but feel a little funny. However, Zhong Jinwei heard the movement and looked over.
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Finally, Emperor Chongzhen felt that they had seen it through, so he said to Wen Tiren and Xu Guangqi: "Two dear friends."
When there was no response, Emperor Chongzhen had no choice but to raise his voice again and said: "Two beloved ladies!"
Wen Tiren and Xu Guangqi finally ended their daze and looked towards Emperor Chongzhen.
"My dear friends, do you still think that I am too ambitious? I still think that I was a frog in the well before."
Wen Tiren's old face turned red and he admitted his mistake to Emperor Chongzhen: "Your Majesty, I am confused."
After apologizing, Wen Tiren said again: "Your Majesty, the Ming Dynasty is really powerless right now to fight for the world."
"That's why I need your elders to help me reform the government, exterminate the captives and provide disaster relief, and then send troops overseas to create an unprecedented foundation and build an empire that will last forever." Emperor Chongzhen immediately felt better when he saw Wen Tiren admitting his mistake.
"Your Majesty, is this map of the world real?" Xu Guangqi was confused. It was too detailed, and now he feels that it is fake. Who could draw this map? It is unimaginable that it would be impossible even after the efforts of several generations of people.
Wen Tiren understood the origin of this picture and looked at Zhong Jinwei.
When Zhong Jinwei saw Wen Tiren looking over, he nodded slightly.
"Xu Qing has no need to doubt, I can assure you that this map is absolutely authentic." Emperor Chongzhen endorsed the map with the emperor's golden tongue.
"This, this..." Xu Guangqi was speechless. Thinking about it, it was still impossible for anyone to draw this map. But it felt inappropriate for him to immediately deny the emperor's statement.
"Master Xu, there is no need to doubt. One day, when the Ming Dynasty sends troops overseas, you can go with us to see. To verify whether it is true, it is best to see with your own eyes." Zhong Jinwei watched Xu Guangqi's request.
If you find yourself in trouble, give him some advice.
"Okay, I must go and have a look." After hearing this, Xu Guangqi perked up and said.
However, his mood immediately dropped, and he murmured to himself: "It's a pity, I'm old, I don't know if I can see that day."
"So, you should take good care of your body, pay attention to rest, and try to live for a few more decades. Maybe you will see it." Zhong Jinwei obviously heard Xu Guangqi's soliloquy and said to him with a smile.
Originally, he wanted to borrow a line and say that he would live another five hundred years, but considering that the emperor was also around, he decided not to misunderstand. It was not good for him to use the slogan of five hundred years when he died not long ago at nine thousand years old.
"I need your help to put down the Jianqi as soon as possible, take care of internal affairs, and send troops overseas as soon as possible." Emperor Chongzhen also encouraged them.
Wen Tiren and Xu Guangqi both bowed to Emperor Chongzhen: "I will serve my whole life till death."
Zhong Jinwei was speechless after hearing this. Do all literati like to quote Zhuge Liang's words?
Seeing that the two men no longer had any doubts about their ambitions, Emperor Chongzhen turned around and asked Zhong Jinwei on the other side of the screen: "Master Zhong, please continue what you just said."
"Yes, Your Majesty. I believe that the Ming Dynasty will go to sea sooner or later to compete with the Westerners. And this will inevitably require solving the piracy problem on the southeast coast first. Therefore, I suggest that the court make arrangements in advance."
"Master Zhong, how do you plan the layout?" Emperor Chongzhen asked Zhong Jinwei while slowly walking back to the throne.
"Your Majesty, there are so many pirates now. I think we should first send some undercover agents to infiltrate the pirates. Once the imperial court takes action, we will respond to the imperial measures from the inside and take down the pirates in one fell swoop." When Zhong Jinwei said the next part, his voice rose and he stretched out his voice.
Put out one palm and make a fist with force, which is quite a bit like catching everyone in one fell swoop.
"Uncle Zhongxing, are you talking about careful work? Isn't it necessary? The imperial court has already recruited Zheng Zhilong, the largest pirate in the southeast, and asked him to deal with other pirates." Wen Tiren did not agree with Zhong Jinwei's point of view.
"Mr. Wen Ge, let me ask you, after this Zheng Zhilong annexed all the pirates with the support of the imperial court, will he listen to the imperial court?" Zhong Jinwei looked away from the back of Emperor Chongzhen, turned to Wen Tiren, and asked him.
"No, and according to my impression, and from chatting with Gu Baichuan, I learned that the southeastern coast is now full of heroes fighting for hegemony. Pirates are fighting each other, and it is difficult to determine the outcome. Zheng Zhilong therefore defected to the imperial court, hoping to monopolize the South China Sea with the imperial court's support.
"Zhong Jinwei continued without waiting for Wen Tiren to answer.
"Who is Gu Baichuan?" Wen Tiren asked.
"My escort is a stall in Dongchang. He knows some about the situation along the southeast coast." Zhong Jinwei replied.
"Your Majesty, from now on Zheng Zhilong will dominate the South China Sea and make a fortune. His annual income is more than the Ming Dynasty's annual taxes. But he has never contributed to the court and ended up taking advantage of others." Zhong Jinwei turned to look back at Chongzhen.
The emperor continued.
Emperor Chongzhen had already walked back to the throne, sat down, and listened attentively. When Zhong Jinwei said that Zheng Zhilong's annual income was more than the court's annual tax, his eyes shone.
"Uncle Zhongxing, how did you know that Zheng Zhilong would have so much income after dominating the South China Sea and end up benefiting others?" Xu Guangqi's puzzled voice came from behind Zhong Jinwei.
Zhong Jinwei was stunned when he heard it. He said it smoothly and forgot about Xu Guangqi. He turned around, looked at Xu Guangqi, and suddenly grinned: "I guessed it."
Then, regardless of Xu Guangqi's dumbfounded look, he turned around and said to Emperor Chongzhen: "Your Majesty, after Zheng Zhilong got rich, he was greedy for life and afraid of death. It shouldn't be difficult for the court to control him. But he still has many people under his command.
I have some thoughts. In order to prevent it from being used by the imperial court, I suggest that I send out a special agent to not only undercover the various pirate forces, but also Zheng Zhilong’s men."
Before Zhong Jinwei finished speaking, Emperor Chongzhen had already made up his mind.
As soon as Zhong Jinwei finished speaking, Wen Tiren spoke first: "Your Majesty, I think what Uncle Zhongxing said is reasonable. This matter does not require much effort from the court, but it can get twice the result with half the effort."
He knew the origin of Zhong Jinwei, so it was easy to understand his words. Unlike Xu Guangqi, he had to think about how illogical Zhong Jinwei's words were.
Emperor Chongzhen was very pleased that Wen Tiren was not affected by what happened just now and was already thinking about Ming Dynasty's future struggle for maritime hegemony.
He nodded and said to Zhong Jinwei: "Master Zhong, the person you just mentioned to recommend is the person you want to send as an undercover agent?"
"Ah, no, he can't lie down even if he has three heads and six arms. It's just that this person has extremely high psychological quality and knows how to play his role within the enemy's sphere of influence without being easily seen through. Therefore, I recommend him
He, if he trains a group of people and sends them undercover, there should be gains." Zhong Jinwei quickly explained as soon as he heard that Emperor Chongzhen had a different idea.
"Who is this person?" Emperor Chongzhen was very interested and asked quickly.
"This man's name is Liu Xingzuo, a general in Dongjiang Town, and he is currently serving the king's army outside the city." Zhong Jinwei said, and then he introduced Liu Xingzuo's experience in detail to Emperor Chongzhen, Wen Tiren and Xu Guangqi.
After Zhong Jinwei introduced him, Emperor Chongzhen vaguely remembered this person.
"This person came from Jianlu, is he reliable?" Wen Tiren asked Zhong Jinwei with a little worry.
"Wen Ge is always worried that he will be involved with Jianlu?" Zhong Jinwei asked rhetorically.
"Uncle Zhongxing, we must pay attention and be cautious." Xu Guangqi also advised Zhong Jinwei.
Zhong Jinwei looked at the two of them, then turned back to look at Emperor Chongzhen, and found that Emperor Chongzhen also had a trace of doubt in his eyes.
Zhong Jinwei thought for a moment and then said: "Your Majesty, I saw him in King Qin's camp. His deeds were told to me by Lord Sun Chengzong at that time."
Zhong Jinwei carried Sun Chengzong to the front desk. If there is a problem, he must first go to Sun Chengzong. But the fact is indeed the case, that is, the deeds Sun Chengzong told him. Zhong Jinwei continued: "Therefore, I think Liu Xingzuo is still reliable. If he is Jian
The slave chief was so angry that he sent people to hunt him down.
It can prove his innocence from the side."
When Zhong Jinwei said this, in order to be more on the safe side, he added: "Moving him from the front line against the Jianlu to the rear can better prevent him from infiltrating the Jianlu. Let people participate in his training and teaching of fine craftsmanship throughout the process.
If we send Xi Zuo out again, even if he has any problems, how much effect will he have?"