There was silence in the Chief Secretary's back garden, except for someone talking in the "Ba Mian Lai Feng Pavilion" with the best location.
Zhu Zhen was a little surprised to tell the truth. He didn't expect He Zhen to be so frank and put the issue directly into the open.
He looked at Lin Zhongmo and said, "It's better to hear once than to see once. Mr. He lives up to his name, he is sincere and makes people awe-inspiring."
"Yes." Lin Zhongmo also said with admiration: "Everyone who has met Mr. He will say so."
"Haha, why go round and round? I know that His Highness loves the people like a son and is extremely intelligent. There must be a way to get the best of both worlds to solve this problem."
"No, I'm just a fool asking for trouble." Lao Liu smiled and shook his head: "But there is indeed a way, which is to let the Fujian and Guangdong maritime merchants join the Shipping Division, like the Jiangnan maritime merchants, accept the market
The protection of the shipping fleet and the unified command of the City Shipping Department!"
"The successful cases in Jiangnan have proven that a win-win situation can be achieved for the court, local governments, big households, and ordinary people." Zhu Zhen then said in a deep voice:
"Although for the big players, they may not be able to make as much money as they did by eating alone in the past. But as long as we work together as a rope, let the Ming Dynasty's shipping fleet dominate the five oceans, and continue to expand overseas markets, we will soon exceed the previous level.
!”
"There are so many merchants from Fujian and Guangdong, and there are millions of people who rely on the sea for their livelihood. Can the Shipping Department take care of them?" He Zhen asked softly.
"Hahaha, I'm just worried that there are too few like-minded people, but I don't worry about too many fellow travelers!" Zhu Zhen laughed loudly and said, "Young Master He should know how big this world is, right?"
"Yes, I heard that beyond the Nanyang there is the West, and beyond the West there is the West." He Zhen was indeed different from the inland scholar-bureaucrats in that he knew the world beyond the world.
This was also the limit of human cognition at this time. It was not until Columbus discovered the New World a hundred years later that we realized that there was a new world beyond the continents of Asia, Europe, and Africa.
"It's far more than that." Of course, when Lao Liu came, history changed. He told He Zhen brazenly about the gold and silver-filled South African continent, the extremely rich North American continent, and the snow-capped Antarctica.
The three of them were stunned for a moment.
"If we compare such a vast world to a country, our current territory of the Ming Dynasty is only as big as a province." Zhu Zhen waved his hands excitedly, as if he was pawing a dog: "So a million people are not enough.
Tens of millions of people have joined my cause, and it’s barely enough to see!”
"Your Highness is really ambitious..." He Zhen couldn't help but be very envious, saying that it was great to be young, thinking that the world belonged to him.
"Then can Mr. He's concerns be dispelled?" Zhu Zhen asked with a smile.
"Okay." He Zhen smiled and nodded: "The world is big enough, and His Highness's mind is big enough to accommodate us people from Fujian and Guangdong."
"Great!" Lao Liu laughed happily and said, "Then it's settled."
"Your Highness, don't worry." He Zhen smiled bitterly and said: "I said from the beginning that I am old and others don't listen to me anymore, and even find me annoying, so I can only say that I will try my best to facilitate this matter, but really
I can’t guarantee His Highness.”
Lao Liu's smile was a little stagnant. If he was happy for nothing, let's just say it wouldn't be that simple.
"Haha, I believe in Mr. He. Regardless of whether you can handle this matter or not, I am determined to be your friend." But he returned to normal immediately.
"I am extremely honored, and I will do my best." He Zhen said sternly, cupping his fists.
His Highness and the magistrate were recuperating from their injuries, so he didn't want to disturb them too much, so he stood up and left.
~~
Lin Zhongmo saw He Zhen out on behalf of His Highness. When he got outside, he asked softly: "Mr. He, how sure are you?"
"Uncle Fang doesn't know that there are many wealthy families in Guangdong, and everyone has their own ideas." He Zhen shook his head and said with a wry smile: "Even if it can be done, it won't be that easy. You have to be prepared to be in a stalemate for a long time."
"He Gong said this, but I feel at ease." Lin Zhongmo chuckled and said: "If you talk too much, it will make people worry."
"Don't worry, Uncle Fang. I'm only sixty-two, and I haven't reached the age of being an old fool yet." He Zhen smiled faintly and said teasingly: "If I don't come here quickly and express this attitude, your highness will treat me as if I'm here."
Guangdong’s number one enemy.”
"As expected of Mr. He, he is indeed very knowledgeable." Lin Zhongmo nodded and smiled, but he was a little bit embarrassed in his heart. Why didn't he see him in such a scene before? To put it bluntly, he was just looking at the dishes. He knew that the little bully who couldn't be offended was here.
Of course, it is indeed valuable to be so wise.
"Then, please ask Uncle Fang to take care of you and say some kind words in front of His Highness." He Zhen smiled and cupped his hands.
"It's easy to talk about. I also ask He Gong to say hello to everyone and cooperate well." Lin Zhongmo also smiled and cupped his hands.
"Hey." He Zhen sighed: "I will definitely say what needs to be said, but it is too early to say it now. His Highness has not yet shown his skills, so I am anxious to surrender. It is too unconvincing."
"That's true." Lin Zhongmo nodded. He naturally knew how difficult it was for those Guangdong local tycoons to deal with. Even He Zhen couldn't make orders and prohibitions at any time and place. He could only make the best of the situation and wait until the heat was up before starting.
"He Gong, I have to say that times have changed." He persuaded in a low voice: "Guangdong is now a province of the Ming Dynasty, and some old-era concepts should be changed."
"It's difficult." He Zhen sighed again, this time more heavily than the last time. "If I had relied on Lao Cao, he would have given up completely when he surrendered in the first year of Hongwu. It's a pity that most people can't let go..."
"Yes, the day the knife is not placed on your neck, you will always feel that you are invulnerable." Lin Zhongmo nodded slowly and said: "As long as the knife is placed on your neck, your fate will no longer be in your hands."
"Yes," He Zhen said with deep approval: "I often tell them, don't stick to the same attitude as in the past. The emperor has not freed up his hands to deal with them. Once he is freed up, he will just rely on them.
The ingredients are not enough for the emperor to knead with one hand."
"Alas, no one sheds tears without seeing the coffin. What can I do? Instead, I am despised by them." He sighed and said: "So Uncle Fang, please do what your Highness should do."
"Understood." Lin Zhongmo also smiled and cupped his hands and said, "He Gong's words are enough."
After sending He Zhen off, he returned to the pavilion and told His Highness the conversation.
"What is a real old fox? This is it!" Lao Liu couldn't help but admire: "Every word is true and the feelings are sincere, but the position is vague. In the end, everyone regards him as one of their own.
No one wins without him."
"It's really like this." Lin Zhongmo slapped his head, as if suddenly enlightened: "I thought he had changed his gender."
"It's easy to change a country, but it's hard to change one's nature. How can I change it when I'm already sixty years old?" Zhu Zhen said lightly: "But it's very gratifying that he is so wise, so that I can let go and not worry about the situation.
