Zhu Qizhen said with a smile: "If you haven't found it, you haven't found it. What crime does the Qing family have if they work so hard?"
Wang Zuo felt relieved and said: "I am incompetent!"
Wu Canghai then said: "The guilty people made a mistake, and it has nothing to do with Wang Shangshu. If the emperor wants to blame, the guilty people alone will bear the responsibility!"
"What are you two doing? Did I say I would blame you?"
Zhu Qizhen was also puzzled. When he first considered the issue of immigration outside the customs, he naturally thought of sweet potatoes and potatoes. Later, he calmed down and thought about it carefully. In this era, Columbus seemed not to have been born yet...
Sweet potatoes and potatoes are both crops in the Americas. The Age of Discovery has not yet begun. How could such a thing be possible?
Too sloppy...
But that's fine. After Mobei is pacified, wouldn't it be wonderful to send people to the West and reach America before the Westerners do?
Since there are no sweet potatoes and potatoes at the moment, we can plant wheat and highland barley in the Monan area, and then ask North Korea to donate some drought-tolerant rice to occupy the land first.
In addition, we should find ways to introduce rye from Northern Europe, which can be grown in the Mobei area.
As for the Beihai, it is not only rich in fishery products, but also has vast black soil, and the climate is relatively mild. Wheat, highland barley, and rye can be grown, which is very suitable for the development of farming.
"Wang Qing's family!"
Wang Zuo quickly replied: "I'm here!"
"Immigration from outside the customs is imperative. The imperial court must do its best to ensure the daily necessities of the people north of the Great Wall, including seeds and farm tools. The Ministry of Household Affairs will distribute them all free of charge. As for sweet potatoes and potatoes, I have my own plans, so you don't have to worry about them!
”
Wang Zuo nodded repeatedly and said: "I obey your order!"
As long as you don't let yourself go looking for those sweet potatoes and potatoes, it's nothing to pay for some money and food.
You know, before the emperor's personal expedition, the proceeds from the house raids were more than 50 million taels in cash. Now the treasury is abundant and there is no shortage of money.
Zhu Qizhen looked at Wu Canghai and asked: "Your name is Wu...what do you mean?"
"Sinful people...Wu Canghai!"
"Wu Canghai, have you ever been to the sea?"
"Back to the emperor, the guilty people have been to Luzon, Annan, Champa, Sudan, Brunei and other Southeast Asian countries."
Zhu Qizhen couldn't help but be surprised. The Ming Dynasty frequently banned seas and called overseas countries Fanyi. It didn't pay attention at all. Instead, it was a private smuggling gang that had been to so many places.
What a talent!
"What are you smuggling?"
"Mainly silk, cotton, tea, porcelain, and sometimes some copper coins are also smuggled."
"Copper coins?" Zhu Qizhen was surprised and asked, "What are you doing smuggling that thing for?"
Wu Canghai said truthfully: "Back to the emperor, the small country in Nanyang lacks mineral resources and the technology of minting is relatively inferior. The copper coins of the Ming Dynasty are very popular in the local area. Therefore, there are many smuggling groups among the people who take risks and transport the copper coins overseas in exchange for local coins."
spices, sucrose and other materials, and then transport them back to China to sell them at high prices."
Zhu Qizhen was immediately shocked. Such a huge business opportunity was ignored by the imperial court. Instead, private smuggling gangs made a lot of money. It was simply unreasonable!
No, if we want to open the sea, we must open the sea!
While Zheng He's crew for his voyages to the West are still there, it is not too late to open the sea now.
"Wu Canghai, I want to ask you something, and you have to answer it honestly!"
Wu Canghai hurriedly said: "Your Majesty, please tell me everything that the guilty people know!"
Zhu Qizhen said seriously: "Is there anyone alive in your hands?"
Wu Canghai was startled and said quickly: "Sin the people...sin the people..."
"Answer truthfully, otherwise, I will punish your nine tribes!"
"The criminals dare not hide it. There are indeed... more than a dozen lives in their hands..."
Zhu Qizhen's face became extremely gloomy and asked: "Who are they?"
Wu Canghai looked extremely frightened and said: "They are all bandits on the sea. The sea is dangerous and the criminals want to protect themselves. It is really... a helpless act..."
After hearing this answer, Zhu Qizhen's expression softened slightly.
"I ask you again, before you went to sea, did you kill any people in the Ming Dynasty?"
"No, absolutely not!"
Wu Canghai shook his head desperately and said: "The sinners went out to sea to smuggle because they could no longer survive. Not only would they not harm the people of the Ming Dynasty, but they would also give alms to poor people when they encountered them. Please be aware of this, Your Majesty!" p>
"Who have you helped, what is their name, and how you helped? Tell them immediately!"
Wu Canghai said without thinking: "Five years ago, the criminals landed in Zhangzhou and learned that Shaanxi was experiencing another severe drought, so they purchased fifty dan of grain locally and arranged for people to deliver it to the folks in their hometown."
"Any more?"
"Yes, yes!"
Wu Canghai swallowed and continued: "The criminals often receive goods in Quanzhou. There used to be some fishermen there, and their ancestors made a living by fishing. Later, the imperial court issued a sea ban, and these people lost their livelihood. The criminals paid for it themselves.
, purchased a large number of spinning wheels and looms locally, allowing them to spin yarn and weave cloth at home, and then purchase cotton cloth from these people on a regular basis. Over the years, it has been able to feed a lot of people."
The murderous intent in Zhu Qizhen's eyes gradually dissipated. If what this man said was true, what qualifications did the court have to convict him?
Just because he couldn't survive anymore, he went to sea to do some business?
"Wu Canghai!"
"The guilty people are here!"
"I will send someone to verify what you just said. If it is true, you will be forgiven of all your sins."
Wu Canghai burst into tears with gratitude and said in a trembling voice: "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace. What the guilty people just said is true, but there is a lie. I am willing to be punished by a thousand cuts!"
Zhu Qizhen thought for a moment, and then said: "I am going to give you an errand. If you do it well, you will be rewarded."
Wu Canghai hurriedly said: "Your Majesty, please tell me that the guilty will go through fire and water without hesitation!"
"It's not that serious!"
Zhu Qizhen waved his hand and continued: "I ask you to call together all the smuggling gangs you know who go out to sea after you go back."
Wu Canghai was suddenly stunned. Was this preparation... to catch them all in one fell swoop?
"This...this..."
Zhu Qizhen raised his eyebrows and asked: "What, is there a problem?"
"Your Majesty!"
Wu Canghai bowed his head to the ground, mustering up great courage in his heart, and said: "They are all miserable people. I beg the emperor to be magnanimous and let them go."
"Bold!"
Wang Zuo on the side really can't stand listening anymore. The emperor has given you a great favor, but you don't appreciate it?
"Wu Canghai, do you dare to resist and disobey the order?"
"I...I...the guilty people dare not resist the decree, but as long as the people can survive, no one is willing to leave their hometown and wander overseas. Your Majesty, Lord Wang..."
Wang Zuo was about to have a fit, but Zhu Qizhen waved his hand to stop him.
"Wu Canghai, you misunderstood!"
Zhu Qizhen sighed and said: "What I mean is that you go and tell them that the imperial court understands everyone's difficulties and should not engage in smuggling secretly in the future. Wouldn't it be better to serve the imperial court in an open and aboveboard manner?"
"Ah?"
"Huh?"
Wu Canghai and Wang Zuo were stunned at the same time.
Your Majesty, are you... preparing to open the sea?
Wang Zuo couldn't help but said: "Your Majesty, the ancestors of the Ming Dynasty taught that ordinary people are not allowed to enter the water..."
"The people can't do it, but the court can!"
Zhu Qizhen smiled faintly and said: "When the late emperor inherited his great cause, he specially sent a fleet of three treasure eunuchs to go to sea to promote the country's prestige. I was still young when I succeeded to the throne, and now that I am in charge, I naturally want to follow the footsteps of the late emperor. The Qing family said
Isn’t it?”
Wang Zuo thought about it, and there seemed to be nothing wrong with his words, so he could only nod his head in agreement.
"Wu Canghai, do what I tell you better and don't let me down!"
Wu Canghai was so excited that he couldn't speak. He leaned down and knocked his head heavily on the ground.