When Zhang Yanling led hundreds of cavalry off the boat and rushed to the pass behind the castle, the battle was already over.
In the pass where the gunpowder smoke still lingers, the air is filled with a disgusting smell of blood. The corpses scattered on the ground are unbearable to see. The Franco soldiers among them are just that, they are indeed dead. But the civilians, women and children were also killed.
Killing was very difficult for Zhang Yanling to accept.
At least a dozen children died in this massacre, the oldest no more than ten years old and the youngest still in their infancy.
Zhang Yanling never expected that Bu Guliang would actually carry out indiscriminate killings. He only asked him to control these guys, and did not let him massacre the Folangji people. Is this old guy crazy? How could he be so ruthless?
"Mr. Zhang, how are you doing with me? You want me to express my loyalty. Such loyalty should be enough." Bu Guliang said with a smile to himself.
Zhang Yanling frowned. He wanted to scold this ruthless old man, but he finally held back. Bu Guliang may have another purpose in doing this, and it was not to express any loyalty. Perhaps this old man was secretly talking to Fo Langji.
People have some shady deals. Since they are going to fall out, it is natural to kill them all to avoid future troubles.
Zhang Yanling also made a mental note that when dealing with people like Fan Guo, he must be extra careful and not make any oversights. These people are barbaric, cunning, and ruthless. The tragedy that happened to the Fo Langji people today is unprecedented.
It won't happen to the Ming army.
Because in essence, what they want to do is not much different from that of the Folangji people. Although the people of Champa are said to be a vassal state of the Ming Dynasty, they are actually non-Chinese and cannot be treated as their own people.
They must maintain absolute vigilance. If necessary, they should take ruthless and thunderous measures. They must not let the tragedy before them happen to the people of Ming Dynasty.
This is true for the Champa Kingdom, and it will also be true for people from other countries in the future.
"What? The Protector seems a little unhappy?" Bu Guliang asked in a deep voice when he saw Zhang Yanling's unhappy expression.
Zhang Yanling waved his hand and said: "His Royal Highness the Prince of Guangnan is overly concerned. These people died unjustly and deserved their punishment. However, I originally hoped to capture them alive as a bargaining chip. In this way, there will be no bargaining chips in the future."
"Negotiation? Haha. Mr. Zhang, I'm not an old talker. The Flemish people never negotiate with others. They will only impose their own ideas on others. They will only be willing to compromise unless you use force to defeat them. Otherwise, negotiate with them.
It's like seeking the skin of a tiger. I have been dealing with them for six years and know them best. If I don't kill them today, not only will I not get sympathy, but later on they will be ungrateful and come to massacre us." Bu Guliang sneered.
Zhang Yanling couldn't help but frowned and said: "Your Highness, why do you need to kill all these women and children? It is detrimental to God's virtue of good life."
Bu Guliang looked at Zhang Yanling's strange expression and suddenly laughed: "It turns out that Zhang Guogong is still a Bodhisattva. But does Zhang Guogong know how many women and children died at the hands of the Folangji people in our Champa Kingdom? A few years ago, the Yaxin Attack
At Xinzhou Port, I led my troops to attack the city of Guangnan, burning, killing, and looting all the way, killing thousands of women and children from the country that occupied the city. Why didn't they show mercy?
In the past few years, the Fo Langji people have been tyrannical in our Guangnan Prefecture. People die in their hands almost every day, but they are never punished. They rob and humiliate the girls of our Champa Kingdom, rob property, and force our people to do things for them. They
They despised us and called us monkeys and dwarfs. The people from Folangji even insulted the king of Champa City to his face. At that time, why didn't Duke Zhang say something fair?"
Zhang Yanling curled her lips and wanted to say something, but couldn't.
Sometimes things in this world cannot be explained clearly. This is an era where the strong prey on the weak. Of course, we must have compassion, but we must not be the Holy Mother.
When the Flemish people embark on the road to conquer the world and slaughter others, they will also have to bear the corresponding consequences. In fact, they should also be mentally prepared for this.
Although Bu Guliang's words were somewhat to defend himself and could not conceal his cruel nature, they also reminded Zhang Yanling to remind herself not to have her character shaken or doubt her actions just because of the occurrence of some terrible things.
things.
In the final analysis, what I did was to make the Ming Dynasty strong and prevent the future Chinese people from being slaughtered and bullied. From a certain perspective, compassion for the enemy is a cheap emotion.
The world is unkind and treats all things as stupid dogs. The right path in the world is the vicissitudes of life.
…
Five days later, the leader of the Champa Kingdom, Shakubulo, led the civil and military ministers to Guangnan Mansion and came to meet with Zhang Yanling, the Protector of the Ming Dynasty, and his entourage.
On that day, a banquet was held at the Prince's Mansion in Guangnan to entertain Zhang Yanling and his party.
Shagubulo is in his thirties, looks fair and tall, and speaks politely. He can speak Ming and Chinese very fluently.
According to what he said, he had admired the culture of Shangguo since he was a child, and the late king invited famous Confucian scholars from the Ming Dynasty to teach him. Not only was he proficient in the language and writing of the Ming Dynasty, he was also well-read in the poetry and books of the Ming Dynasty.
Shagubulo was very happy about the arrival of Zhang Yanling and his entourage, and his attitude was very cordial.
On behalf of the Ming Dynasty and His Majesty the Emperor, Zhang Yanling conveyed greetings to the monarchs and ministers of the Champa Kingdom. At the same time, he also elaborated on the purpose of the Ming Dynasty's Invincible Fleet's overseas mission.
Zhang Yanling is open and honest, and there is no need to be secretive about some things.
"Your Majesty the King, the purpose of opening up the sea ban in the Ming Dynasty is to open up trade routes and carry out trade with our Ming vassal states and other foreign countries to improve people's livelihood and well-being. Champa State is a vassal state of our Ming Dynasty and has benefited from the Ming Dynasty for many years. From its geographical location
For me, it is my first stop for Ming Dynasty to go abroad. Therefore, I also directly propose to Your Majesty
I have a few requests. First, we want to take over Xinzhou Port and make it a transit and supply port for our Ming Dynasty trade. Of course, we will not take it by force. I have already discussed this matter with Prince Guangnan and we respect your territorial rights.
, so we will spend money to rent this port. There is no upper limit on the number of years, and we will give you the money to rent every year."
At the banquet, Zhang Yanling did not want to waste time and directly discussed the trade agreement with King Shagubulo.
In fact, Shagubulo knew the purpose of Zhang Yanling and others, and he was actually unable to resist such a request. However, he thought it would be better to gain more benefits for Champa.
"May I ask Mr. Zhang Guogong, how much silver is there in a year?" Shagubulo asked with a smile.
"Oh? Your Majesty, we have agreed on five thousand taels of silver a year." Bu Guliang said hurriedly.
Shagubulo's eyes almost popped out. He rented his own Xinzhou Port for only 5,000 taels? It's better to give it away for free.
"Additional 10% trade tax." Zhang Yanling added.
"Oh?" Shagubulo's eyes lit up.
"This is our sincerity. Our Ming Dynasty develops maritime trade, strengthens the country and enriches the people, so we will naturally benefit you. Champa country produces ebony horns, ivory and other products, rice is harvested three times a year, rain is abundant, and various fruits are also abundant. These
It will be sold all over the world through merchants. It will not only be sold to the Ming Dynasty, but also to this country.
People open sea routes and sell to all countries in the world. I roughly estimate that 10% of the trade tax can increase the fiscal revenue of one hundred thousand taels of silver for your country. In addition, the sales of products can increase the income of hundreds of thousands of taels for the people of your country a year.
Silver. This is definitely a good thing for your country." Zhang Yanling said solemnly.
Shagubulo was very excited. The Champa Kingdom's sailors only had six to seven hundred thousand taels of silver a year, but Xinzhou Port alone could collect an additional one hundred thousand taels of tax silver a year, and benefit the people. This was definitely an exciting thing.
"We will not force the price of your products like the Folangji people. We will purchase them at normal prices, and we will be fair and impartial." Zhang Yanling said.
Shagubulo nodded and looked at Bu Guliang.
Bu Guliang said: "The conditions given to us by the superior country are absolutely favorable. Your Majesty, please think about it. In addition to these, the merchants' transactions, ship supplies, personnel's food and accommodation are all money. This money is also income. When it flows into the hands of the people, it will
It is equivalent to flowing into our country.
Through this, we can also have good communication with the Ming Dynasty. Zhang Guogong also said that in the future, we can send people to learn the rice planting technology of the Ming Dynasty to increase production and income. If the country I occupy the city has enough money and food, it will become rich and strong. In the future
Who dares to insult our country’s small strength?”
Bu Guliang tried his best to persuade him, because he would benefit more from it. Privately, he and Zhang Yanling had agreed to set up a Xingang Shipping Department and put it under his management. He would take care of all the port facilities, restaurants and other business projects. In addition, he would get 10% of the tax.
.In other words, he alone gained more benefits from Xinzhou Port than the imperial court of Champa City.
In fact, Shagubulo didn't have much choice. He nodded and said: "That's a good thing. Just do what Zhang Guogong said."
Zhang Yanling said hurriedly: "Wait a minute, I haven't finished speaking yet. I still have conditions. Xinzhou Port will set up a municipal shipping department, and all goods from the Champa Kingdom must be bought and sold by our Daming merchant ships. You can't trade privately. As long as you do overseas trade,
The goods must be obtained with our consent. The Shipping Department is under the management of Ming Dynasty, and you have no right to manage it."
Shagubulo frowned and was speechless. Bu Guliang said: "Your Majesty, this is a reasonable matter. The old minister will participate in the management."
Shagubulo knew that this meant that he had been deprived of the privilege of sea trade. His own country's goods could not be sold by himself, but could only be bought and sold exclusively by Ming Dynasty, which had a huge impact. But it seemed that he had no room for struggle.
"That's all. If Prince Guangnan can participate in the management of the Shipping Department, then we, the Kingdom of Occupy, have the right to know."
"Of course, Prince Guangnan will be appointed as the special envoy of the Municipal Shipping Department, so he can know all business and trade situations. Open and transparent, fair transactions." Zhang Yanling said with a smile.
"Then so be it." Shagubulo said.
Zhang Yanling smiled and said: "Your Majesty is wise, and there is a third request. We must station troops at Xinzhou Port to protect trade routes. But we cannot station too many troops. Therefore, please allow us to recruit people from your country into the army.
Of course, we pay the soldiers, we manage the people, and we decide the number of soldiers. It has nothing to do with your country."
Shagubulo smiled bitterly and was speechless. This was too cruel. He occupied his own land, sold his own goods, and had to use his own people. It seemed reasonable, but in fact it was extremely unfair.
"If that's the case, I will make a request and let the Duke see if he can agree to it," Shagubulo said.
"Your Majesty, please enlighten me."
"I ask the Duke to discuss with the Hou Li Dynasty in the north and order them not to harass our border anymore and become our enemy in the city. In addition, if the enemy country attacks our country in the city, the Ming Dynasty cannot sit idly by and do nothing. It must ensure the safety of the country in our city."
Shagubulo is not a fuel-efficient lamp. If you use me, I will naturally use you to solve my safety concerns.
Zhang Yanling burst out laughing. This Shagubulo was quite smart. But this matter was what he wanted to solve. If Xinzhou Port was to become the trade hub of Indochina, it would not just be the Champa Kingdom. He
I was going to discuss trade matters with Hou Li Dynasty.
"Your Majesty, I will go to the Li Dynasty tomorrow, and I will make this matter clear to them. I believe that the Li Dynasty will still give them some face. They are also my vassal state of the Ming Dynasty. I hope you can live in harmony and make money. This matter
I dared to accept the request." Zhang Yanling said with a smile.
Sagubulo was overjoyed. In fact, this was his biggest concern. No matter who occupied Xinzhou Port, he could solve the threat of the powerful Li Dynasty in the north to the Champa Kingdom. This was what he cared about most as the leader of the country. Zhang Yanling
Once you make such a commitment, everything else becomes secondary.
A banquet ended happily, the two parties signed an agreement, and the signature came into effect. The name Xingang was changed by Fo Langji, and it would not be good to change it back to Xinzhou Port. Zhang Yanling decided to give it a new name.
"Xinzhou Harbor is shaped like a Da Nang shell. I think it should be called Da Nang." Zhang Yanling said casually.