In accordance with the principle of "frankness and openness" proposed by Zhao Ran, major journals published the full text of the battle report that was personally reviewed by the joint meeting, describing the cause, process, and results of the war in objective words as much as possible.
In addition to battle reports, various periodicals also distributed "exclusive reports". These reports were more intensely exaggerated. For example, "Junshan Notes" mainly exposed the evil deeds of pirates, and included all the stories in Dongzhong.
, reveals the brutality of the pirates in the Clam Harbor robbery incident, and criticizes the cunning of the pirates who did not hesitate to use themselves as bait to lure the inspection fleet into an ambush during the naval battle.
"Inside and Outside the Imperial City" strives to create a heroic image of Li Dayin, focusing on intercepting and reporting in detail Li Dayin's deeds when he gave up hope of breaking out after being besieged and voluntarily stayed behind.
"Dragon Tiger Mountain" reports the heroic images of heroes who fought at sea and were not afraid of death through the voices of survivors.
"New Theory of Lingbao" focuses on Zhou Keli and Ling Congyun, telling how many comrades they rescued after the war.
As soon as these reports came out, they immediately caused a huge shock. The entire Ming Dynasty was talking about this naval battle that took place deep in the distant sea.
There are those who are frustrated, there are those who are angry, there are those who are disappointed, and there are even more those who demand severe punishment for the pirates. In the pavilions, in the jungles of the ten directions, in the court hall, and in the streets, everyone is discussing this defeat.
At Zhao Ran's request, members of the joint meeting appeared everywhere to explain various questions.
Zhao Ran appeared in the training ball competition and presided over a collective moment of silence before the game, and then held a grand prayer ceremony for the fallen Badu at Wenchang Temple; Lu Xixing led the students of the captain's monk training class to hold a water ceremony on the river.
Actual combat drills; Ninth Girl delivered a highly inflammatory speech on behalf of Taoism in the court meeting; Wei Chaozong, Tang Yaozu and even Lu Yuanyuan also attended in front of the public, doing a lot of explanation and agitation work.
At the end of May, Zhao Ran allocated the first pension for those killed in the battle from Jimingguan's accounts, and distributed pension money to the monks, sailors, sergeant sects, and families whose bodies had been found or whose deaths were confirmed, totaling more than 30,000 taels;
A total of more than 40,000 taels were allocated to the combatants who were seriously injured, disabled and lost the ability to fight.
After allocating the money, Zhao Ran showed his hands to Rong Niang: "There is no money now."
Rong Niang said: "Didn't you say before that you confiscated 1.2 million from Shang San Gong? It's only been two years and it's all been spent? You haven't paid back the 500,000 you borrowed from Four Seasons Bank!"
Zhao Ran explained: "There are still 400,000 yuan left, but this money cannot be touched arbitrarily. This is the basis for maintaining the continuation of the joint meeting."
Rong Niang said: "Spending eight hundred thousand in two years is also an exaggeration, right?"
Zhao Ran said helplessly: "Naval battles are too expensive. The defeat of the inspection fleet cost me nearly two hundred thousand taels. There will be more wars in the future. I don't know how much money will be spent to fill the holes."
Rong Niang asked: "What should we do? How about borrowing some money from the Four Seasons Bank in the name of Ji Ming Guan? Or simply withdrawing the 600,000 in cash from the Baochao Department?"
Zhao Ran said: "That amount of money cannot be touched. If we really raise it, the credit of the small banknote will be ruined and it will become another kind of treasure. My idea is..."
Before he finished speaking, Suchuan Yao quickly appeared in front of Jingyang Tower: "Teacher, someone from Maoshan is here."
Zhao Ran asked: "Who is it?"
Suchuan Medicine: "Sima becomes rich."
Zhao Ran frowned: "What's he doing here? He's missing!"
Suchuan Yao reminded: "He came with the name card of Master Dead Horse and wanted to see the teacher."
Zhao Ran thought for a moment and said, "Take him to my study."
Rong Niang said: "Why don't you want to see him? In fact, Senior Brother Sima is not a bad person, he is just a little arrogant."
Zhao Ran replied: "It has nothing to do with him personally. This time I went to Lushan to be questioned. All the other true masters were easy to explain, but only Sima Tianshi was yin and yang. He also wanted to hold Li Dayin accountable who appointed him. He also said that he hoped that the joint meeting would have contact with the pirates.
Be flexible.”
Rong Niang frowned: "What do you mean by being more flexible?"
Zhao Ran said helplessly: "He is advising us both inside and outside to know how to keep things quiet. He also said that the Taoist sect's energy is in the Buddhist Kingdom of the West, so let us not stir up trouble in the East China Sea."
Rong Niang said angrily: "My father said a long time ago that Tianshi Sima lacks a long-term vision. If he concentrates on practice, he can become a great scholar in Maoshan. If he goes to Mount Lu, he can become a layman. It is true."
Zhao Ran nodded: "These words deeply touched my heart. I will look for an opportunity to have a wine chat with Lao Taishan later."
In the study, Zhao Ran met Sima Zhifu, a third-generation disciple of Maoshan Yuanfu Wanning Palace who had dealt with Zhao Ran more than once before, but there had never been a truly meaningful conversation.
In Zhao Ran's eyes, Sima Zhifu has all the shortcomings of "Second Generation Xiu" and "Third Generation Xiu", but so far he has not found the advantages that he should possess.
After the meeting, Sima Zhifu gave a high-level speech about the disastrous defeat of the naval battle, and then changed the topic and advised Zhao Ran to talk to the island owner alliance as soon as possible.
"Among their requests, there are actually three points that can be discussed. Why did Zhiran refuse?"
"Want to hear the details."
"First, consecrating monks to Donghai monks is the easiest thing for our Taoist sect to do. Why can't we talk about it?"
"What about the second one?"
"Secondly, I think it is not a bad idea to concentrate maritime trade in a few ports. In this way, wouldn't it be easier to control? Thirdly, regarding the establishment of a pavilion in the East China Sea, this is a good thing and does not cost a single soldier.
Death, the vast land of the East China Sea is all owned by the Taoist sect! Isn’t it a hundred times better than consuming the people’s wealth and cultivation resources in war? Doesn’t Zhiran not know that even if a country is large, it will perish if it is warlike?”
Zhao Ran asked: "Is this your suggestion or that of Master Yunqing?"
"My grandfather and I both thought so."
"Well, I can solemnly answer Tianshi Yunqing. Firstly, no matter who is given the gift, the recipient should be a person who admires the Taoist sect, otherwise he is no different from being an enemy. Secondly, where are the places allowed to carry out maritime activities?
Trade is our Taoist sect, and the main power of our Ming Dynasty is definitely not a bargaining chip that can be used for negotiation. Thirdly, whether to build a pavilion in the East China Sea and who can preside over the East China Sea pavilion are matters that can only be decided by the Zhenshitang.
The joint meeting can be discussed, let alone others setting up French crossbows and heavy cannons. Do you remember it? If you remember it, please go back and tell Tianshi Yunqing that if you don't defeat the pirates, these terms will be kept forever.
On the table, let them eat ashes!"
Sima Zhifu was unhappy: "Why are you so persistent? You said to defeat the pirates, what are you going to use? How to fight if there are no ships? Are you going to let the Lianxu monk personally take action for your rashness and selfishness? How many people will you kill? How can you fight?
How dare a refiner come forward in person? Aren't you afraid that you can't eliminate the cause and effect?"