After Higashi'mon Kei finished taking care of important matters in Hirado, he was escorted by Wu Ping to Goto. At this time, the sea area near the five islands is really a thousand sails racing, and hundreds of boats are competing for the tsunami and sea breeze!

Wu Ping said on the side: "This time, there are forces with names and surnames in the East China Sea, but I'm afraid that more than half of them are coming!" I heard that even my uncle is here. ”

Dong 'Men' Qing asked, "Uncle?" ”

Wu Ping said: "Uncle Lin - Little Tail Lao!" ”

Dongmenqing couldn't help but sigh, although he had expected it to be a grand event, he didn't expect such a big scene!

When it was about to enter the port, a huge ship came out and flew the flag of the five peaks! Qing Huaxiang's sailors cheered when they saw it, and shouted: "The owner of Wufeng actually came to greet him in person, our chief owner has a big face!" ”

Seeing this, he thought that even if Wang Zhi was not on the ship, he would send a ship to greet him, which would be enough to make him proud!

Unexpectedly, Wang Zhi stood at the bow of the boat, smiled and waved hello to the East Gate, and the East Gate Qing hurriedly bowed deeply and returned the salute. Hui Bi lost his head, the two boats entered the port side by side, and the east 'gate' Qingming sailors slowed down a few zhang to show that they did not dare to stand side by side with Wang Zhi.

When he got ashore, Wang Zhi came over and grabbed the hand of the East 'Gate' Qing and scolded: "You two-headed koi, are you in a hurry to jump the dragon 'Gate'?" What a bold thing to do! ”

Dongmen' Qing hurriedly apologized: "It's not that my nephew doesn't listen to my uncle's orders, it's really 'forced' by the situation!" You can only move forward, not backward! So much so that it made it so big for my uncle to make it difficult for my uncle. ”

When Wang scolded him, his eyes did not show a stern look, and when he saw that he had relented and made amends, he turned into a smile and said, "I don't have anything difficult to do!" Actually, you are bold! But the proportions are just right! If I had gone, I wouldn't have been able to do better than you. Speaking of this, he suddenly sighed.

Dong Men' Qing asked, "Uncle, what's wrong?" Is there something else I haven't done yet? ”

"It's not." Wang Zhi sighed: "I sigh that we didn't need to be so timid. With our strength at the moment, even if we walk sideways here! ”

"I can't do it, uncle." The east 'gate' Qingdao: "They have a hinterland and a rear. If one is defeated, the other will rise, and even if Kyushu is defeated, it can retreat to Honshu Island to regroup. The sea is behind us. ”

"yes." Wang Zhi sighed: "Originally, if the sea passed, there would be a continent!" That's our big backer! It's a pity that this backer won't let us rely on it! Hehe, if there is the support of the imperial court, I am not afraid of making things bigger! ”

Suddenly, a familiar voice said, "Wang Wufeng, what are you going to make a big fuss?" ”

Wang Zhi laughed when he heard this: "The first step is to make the business bigger, the second step is to make the momentum bigger, and the third step is to make the territory bigger, and it is best to make trouble in Nanyang, and take Penghu and Nanao over!" ”

The person laughed and said, "Then you better make trouble first - Penghu doesn't need you to make trouble, as long as you are willing to help me feed those children!" I'll give it to you now! ”

At this time, the east 'gate' Qing heard the voice of the little tail elder and shouted happily: "Uncle Lin! "Rushed forward, and sure enough, it was the little tail old man! After not seeing each other for many days, this 'tide' sea lord seems to be two points old, but the 'spirit' spirit is very excited, and he grabbed the east 'gate' celebration and said goodbye to each other.

After the two of them said a few words, they heard one of them say: "Qingguan, you are such a big shelf!" Let's wait for you for so long! Now that they've all walked to the 'door', they're still here hanging out with Xiaowei - can you treat all the heroes in the Justice Hall as dead? But it was Li Guangtou who walked out, although he was scolding, there was a smile on the corner of his mouth.

Dongmenqing said in fear: "Uncle Li, you say this to kill me!" ”

The little tail laughed and said, "Okay, okay!" You are also a fellow, how can he also be your junior, don't scare him! ”

The corners of Li Guangtou's mouth cracked, smiled, and turned to enter the 'door'. Wang Zhi and Lin Guoxian took the east 'gate' Qing into one left and one right, but this is a hall made of thick and rough buildings, the building materials are mainly bamboo and wood, and the building is quite rough, but it is extremely atmospheric! Although the furnishings are very simple, because the place is large enough, people will be in awe as soon as they enter!

At this time, more than 100 heroes in the hall had already sat down, and only Wu Ping, the subordinate who came to Qinglai with the east 'gate', could enter the 'door', and the others were all blocked out. In the center of the hall was an incense case, and there were eighteen chairs on either side of the incense case, and fifteen people sat on the eighteen chairs! Among these fifteen people, in addition to Li Guangtou, there are Xu Weixue, Ye Zongman, Fang Tingzhu, Xie He and other four heavenly kings, 'Mao' Haifeng, Xu Yuanliang, Wang Qingxi and other rookies, and even a very familiar big fat man, the east 'gate' took a look at it more, and only then did he recognize that person was his enemy Hong Dizhen! In addition, there are several people, all of whom are extraordinary, but they are all fresh, and they are all expected to be heroes!

Except for the fifteen people, everyone else stood, and they didn't dare to make a sound.

After the east 'gate' Qing entered the 'gate', he was also infected by this atmosphere, and he didn't dare to laugh lightly, Wang Zhi led him forward, and said in front of the first 'handover' chair: "Big brother, Wang Qing has arrived." ”

As soon as he heard the East Gate, Qing knew that this person was Xu Dong, the big leader of the East China Sea! Where are the orders? Hurry up and see you. Then he took advantage of raising his head and secretly glanced at Xu Dong closely, and saw that he had half white hair and wrinkled face, thinking that he had suffered too many hardships at sea! Only those eyes still fought against the years, and there was heroism - Dongmen' Qing only glanced at it, didn't dare to look at it again, and lowered his head.

Xu Dong had no joy or anger in his eyes, he only nodded and said, "Wang Qing, you came late and missed the discussion!" But we've got a place for you, would you like to sit down? ”

When Dongmen' Qing came in, he noticed at first glance that three of the eighteen chairs were empty, two of which were very forward, both above Li Guangtou, which was definitely not reserved for himself, but expected to be Wang Zhi and Lin Guoxian's seats. The remaining empty chair was located in the middle, and when Xu Yuanliang got started, it was expected to be reserved for himself. He thought that this position was also suitable, not to mention that although he was not there, Lin Guoxian, Li Guangtou and others were all here, and he thought that he had also won for himself, so he said: "Wang Qing is willing to obey the arrangement of the leader and several elders." ”

"Good! Get up. Xu Dongwei looked back, and a middle-aged man sitting on the fifth seat said: "The auspicious time has come." ”

Xu Dong stood up, patted Dongmen' Qing's shoulder and said, "You came by chance, you missed the hour!" Then he walked towards the incense case. Wang Zhi pulled the east 'gate' Qingyi, pointed with his hand, and then walked up to Xu Dong side by side. The other people on the eighteen 'handover' chairs also stood up, divided into two columns, and went forward to incense. The east 'gate' Qing followed Wang Zhifang's direction, listed after Xie He and before Xu Yuanliang.

After the eighteen people, there were ninety leaders, each in order, lined up to carry incense, and Wu Ping was among them. Although Xu Dong and Wang Zhi's subordinates had some Japanese, Koreans, and even Francos, none of them could enter this hall!

One hundred and eight people, under the leadership of Xu Dong, first faced the northwest, went to the ninety-five, and then faced the southwest, and sacrificed to Mazu. In the end, the king led everyone to swear a blood oath, about life and death together, and wealth together! Since then, the Daming Donghai Chamber of Commerce has been officially established!

Before the arrival of the East Gate, the elders had agreed on the articles of association of the Chamber of Commerce, which were set as the "Regulations of the Daming Donghai Chamber of Commerce". At this time, Wang Zhi drafted the "Regulations & Preface of the < Ming Donghai Chamber of Commerce" under the recommendation of everyone. A Bo recorded this preface in the rubbings of the remnants left by Li Zhen, see below.

The preface reads:

Gaiwen is a Chinese guild and a public constitution, which has been around for a long time. After the five directions, teachers and friends from all walks of life have their own rules. That is, our maritime business, in the Yongle years, has established rules, so far more than 100 years, do not abide by it. In addition to the forbidden sea, thieves have risen one after another, and the hearts of the people are different, and they are afraid that the ignorant and the lucky people will take advantage of the gap to be 'chaos', and if there is no rule of unity and discussion, there will be no order, and there will be disputes between right and wrong, and there will be disputes. Therefore, we and other special fellows will resume the public discussion, so that each observance will not be violated, which is the order.

The preamble is followed by the Twelve Statutes:

One discussion, loyalty. Although we seek profit from the sea, sell goods and live on the sea, we must not forget the gods of heaven and earth, the ancestors of China.

One meeting, member. For those who join the same industry, the owner will pay the entrance fee of 1,000 taels of silver, and the retail merchant will pay the entrance fee of 100 taels of silver.

One discussion, recommendation. The Chamber of Commerce intends to elect 18 directors to be specifically responsible; The chairman of the board of directors is the head of the chamber of commerce.

1. Membership dues. All the owners and merchants who join the association shall trade with five taels per thousand taels of 'draw' for each year, which shall be used as the standing fee of the Chamber of Commerce, and shall be collected according to their account books. and whosoever deceiveth him shall be punished tenfold.

A discussion, a stand-up. Where there is a big sea, there are 800 taels of silver with more than 5 masts, 500 taels of silver with 4 masts, and 200 taels with 3 masts.

One discussion, weights and measures. China Overseas, the measurement is not the same, that is, the Ming Dynasty, the size of the bucket, there are also differences, now set the rules, where the traders in the trade will be traded, the ruler, bucket, scale, must be subject to the Chamber of Commerce, in order to be uniform, not 'private' for their own use. (Detailed on weights and measures, omitted)

One discussion, currency. The silver coin is 'colored', and the following shall prevail. (Details of the identification of the next silver coin, omitted)

A discussion, business habits. Maritime customs must be observed. (Details of the habits of going to sea, omitted)

A discussion, a lawsuit. All members of the Chamber of Commerce are not allowed to fight 'privately' at sea or on land, and in case of disputes, they must listen to the mediation of the directors and elders in accordance with the rules. Directors and elders must comply with the following rules when mediating disputes. (Lowering the suspension rules, omitted)

One discussion, sanctions. After joining the association, if the industry violates the rules of the association, the meeting will be punished. (Forbidden Matters, omitted)

A discussion, a good deed. When you encounter a Chinese slave overseas, you must redeem it if you can; Walking on the sea, you must be saved if you drown; If a member goes bankrupt overseas, the Chamber of Commerce must raise money to go home and entangle... (omitted below)

One discussion, sacrifice. Mazu Niangniang is the god of protecting the sea, not blasphemed, and sacrificed on the New Year's Day, and the Chamber of Commerce will take reasonable measures. (Detailed rules for the following measures, omitted)

——The above articles of association are the public discussion of the maritime industry; If there is any non-compliance, the public will be punished, and there shall be no favoritism, and the public will be abolished with 'private'.

After the rules were formulated, three major issues were discussed. The first is how to urge the imperial court to ban trade, the second is how to crack down on pirates and protect trade routes, and the third is how to elect directors and leaders.

The first and second things are long-term work, so let's talk about the third thing first.

Maritime merchants are known for their wealth and strength, and refer to their prestige, qualifications and merits. All kinds of things are elected first, which eighteen seats are elected?

The first seat, the dragon head Xu Dong (Hui people), the second seat, the Wufeng ship owner Wang Zhi (Hui people), the third seat, Xiaowei Lao Lin Guoxian ('tide' people), the fourth seat, the lawless Li Guangtou (Min people) - is for the East China Sea Siyuan Kui.

Below the four yuankui, is Xu Dong's sixth brother Xu Gui, followed by the back sea whale Lin Bichuan, Huangyan Aozhu Xu Weixue, turning the 'wave' Jiaoye Zongman, Zhongli Fang Tingzhu on the sea, Qianli Feng Xie He, Shi Ao 'Mao' Haifeng, double-headed koi Wang Qing, Haidongqing Xu Yuanliang, Confucianism Wang Qingxi, Dragon Palace Maitreya Hong Dizhen, Daoshan crocodile Shen Nanshan, left horn shark Chen Dong, right horn shark Ma Ye - together with Siyuan Kui, a total of 18 people, that is, soon known as the East China Sea Eighteen Kou is also.

The relationship between these eighteen big businessmen and pirates is quite complicated.

Xu Dong and his family are the backbone of the entire Chamber of Commerce, and if the forces of Wang Zhi and Li Guangtou under them are divided, they will be enough to form a family of their own. Xu Weixue, Ye Zongman, Fang Tingzhu, and Xie He are all old heroes who followed Xu Dong and Wang Zhi to fight the world, known as the Four Heavenly Kings, and 'Mao' Haifeng, Xu Yuanliang, and Wang Qingxi are rookies in this system.

Lin Guoxian is a native of 'Chaozhou', between the East China Sea and the South Sea, and has power in the two seas, he must cooperate with Xu Dong on the East China Sea, but he is the overlord on the South Sea side, and the Xu Dong brothers have been helped by him several times when they go south to Manchuria, so Lin Guoxian came to Japan to make a fortune, and Xu Dong of course has to take care of it.

Lin Bichuan is a merchant in Nanzhili, and Shen Nanshan is his subordinate, but the power of this group is much smaller than that of Xu Dong and Lin Guoxian.

As for Hong Dizhen, Chen Dong and Ma Ye, they were not a very powerful group at this time, but Hong Dizhen was quite rich and was the head snake of southern Fujian, and Chen Dong and Ma Ye were the newly rising forces on the sea, and they were willing to belong to Xu Dong and Wang Zhi were also willing to accept it.

Among the eighteen thieves, Wang Qing is the youngest and has the least qualifications, but his status is extremely special, not only because the East Gate family is quite powerful in the southeast Gongmen, but also because he himself is the only person who has a meritorious reputation in the East China Sea, Wang Zhi, Xu Weixue, Wang Qingxi and others have a good cultivation, and they are also quite respected in Japan, and are regarded as Confucianism, but they are not tolerated by Shilin in the Ming Dynasty. Xu Dong, Wang Zhi and others hoped that the imperial court could open a sea ban and trade routes, and they attached great importance to Wang Qing's identity. In particular, Wang Qing's political protector, his grandfather Lin Xiyuan, was a big tree of Shilin that could reach nine days at the top and the southeast with a vein below, and Xu Dong, Wang Zhi and others hoped that Wang Qing's participation would help the imperial court open up the sea ban and gradually legalize the East China Sea trade route.

In accordance with the rules of the guild, the eighteen directors recommended Xu Dong as the chairman of the board of directors, and below Xu Dong, Premier Wang Zhi was armed with military forces, 'Mao' Haifeng was deputy, Premier Xu Weixue was mediated by litigation, Wang Qingxi was deputy, Xu Gui was responsible for financial supervision, Wang Qing was deputy, and other affairs had their own responsibilities.

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Tonight, I should go back to Guangzhou Bird......