No matter how troubled Da Ming was, Zhou Zheng was advancing his plan in an orderly manner.

Shangguan Xun, who went to the south, finally came back and brought a large order to Zhou Zheng.

In Zhou Zheng's study, there were only the two of them.

Shangguan Xun handed over an account book and said, "My lord, those Xiyi people really want to do business with my Daming, but they have always been relied on by my Daming, and I heard that we can give them the goods they want, and an order of nearly 200,000 taels of silver came at once. ”

Zhou Zheng has been waiting for Shangguan Xun, looking at this order, tea is the first, followed by silk, porcelain, and Zhou Ji's various products, which are counted as 198,000 taels!

That's a great start!

Zhou Zheng knew that Western Europe had begun to sail to the world, with merchant ships all over the world, and the Ming Dynasty had great commercial potential.

Daming, continue overseas blood transfusions!

Zhou Zheng was agitated, looked at it for a while, and said, "Well, good, it's very good." By the way, tell them, did you pick up the goods in Yongping Mansion? ”

Shangguan Xun said: "I said, they seem to be worried about being caught by our government and want to take the sea route, and we agreed to pick up the goods in our designated Haikou in February next year." ”

Zhou Zheng closed the account book and said, "This is the first business, we must do it well, and we must hide it from others." ”

The imperial court strictly forbade the Ming people from having dealings with overseas, especially commercial dealings.

Shangguan Xun knew the severity and said, "Your Excellency, don't worry. I have already discussed with the shopkeeper Cheng, and soon I will set up a chamber of commerce in Yongping Mansion, especially in Xinqiao Haikou, and then use the dart bureau as a cover, and no one should find out on the territory of adults. ”

Zhou Zheng snorted and said, "You plan for me, and I will also let Yongping Mansion cover here." In addition, we will expand our contacts with overseas countries and find ways to expand our export ...... through these people."

Shangguan Xun listened carefully and said, "Yes." I also liaise with many businessmen in Guangdong and Fujian, especially some people who go to sea, to find ways to broaden our sales channels......"

Zhou Zheng was very satisfied with Shangguan Xun's actions, and said: "The far ones are temporarily handed over to the Xiyi people, but we can't always do this, set up a shipping company under the commercial bank, starting from the neighboring North Korea and the Wa Kingdom, and we will control these routes ourselves......"

The Ming Dynasty still has maritime trade with Korea and the Japanese Kingdom, but it is in the hands of pirates.

Shangguan Xun said: "Yes, after I go back, I will discuss with the shopkeeper Cheng, and report to the adults after formulating the charter." ”

Zhou Zheng glanced outside, and whispered to Shangguan Xun: "The artillery of the Xiyi people is still good, you find a few people with good skills and send them to the Ordnance Bureau." ”

Shangguan Xun was slightly shocked and said, "My lord? ”

Zhou Zheng smiled and said comfortingly: "It's okay, I've arranged everything, the Ordnance Bureau has my people, there will be no accidents, just study it first." ”

Shangguan Xun understood and said, "Yes, I'll arrange it when I go back." ”

Zhou Zheng nodded, sat back, and said, "There's no mess on the salt merchant's side, right?" ”

Shangguan Xun smiled this time and said: "There are a few restless ones, who were copied by Wei Gongzi through the eunuch case, and then no one dared to make trouble, and the others were very obedient." ”

Zhou Zheng knew about it before, and when he heard Shangguan Xun's words, he pondered for a moment and said, "Okay." I'll leave the business of the merchant house to you. Follow my business plan, you can adjust the details, and if you have any questions, write to me. ”

"Yes, my lord." Shangguan Xun said.

Zhou Zheng picked up the teacup and drank tea, he wanted to build a business zone in Xinqiao Town, but the reality did not allow it.

……

At the end of the year, all departments of Yongping Mansion were busy settling accounts and summing up, and no one was idle.

Zhang Heyi came the most, he stood in front of Zhou Zheng's desk, holding a thick account book in his hand, and said happily: "My lord, we have collected 80,000 stone in grain tax this year, nearly 60,000 stone more than last year, and nearly 100,000 taels of miscellaneous taxes such as commercial tax...... This is still the first year, and if we continue, within three or five years, we will receive nearly 300,000 taels of silver every year, which is comparable to the middle government......"

Zhou Zheng looked at his happy expression and waited for a while before saying, "What are you going to do?" ”

Zhang Heyi was stunned, looked at Zhou Zheng with some confusion, and immediately woke up, tightened his brows and said, "My lord, do you mean the imperial court?" ”

Local taxes must be paid to the imperial court according to a certain ratio.

Zhou Zheng didn't speak, Zhang Heyi's brows furrowed even tighter, and he said to himself: "My lord, the current tax collection in various places is not ideal, if we send too much at once, I am afraid it will cause public indignation...... My lord, why don't we turn it in according to last year's payment? ”

Zhou Zheng hummed and said, "That's it." ”

Instead of embezzling and wasting those people, it is better to stay in his hands and do some practical things.

Zhang Heyi understood what Zhou Zheng meant, and hurriedly said: "Yes, the lower official will arrange it." ”

As soon as Zhang Heyi left, Yao Tongshun came in.

Zhou Zhengdao: "At the end of the year, the assessment of officials at all levels should come out as soon as possible, and those who should be punished should be severe and ruthless; If you should be rewarded, you should be rewarded, and you should draw up a specific list of rewards and punishments for me. ”

Yao Tongshun looked at Zhou Zheng and said tentatively: "Yes." My lord, the new prefect will take office next year, and those three prefects ......"

Yongping Mansion has jurisdiction over Lulong County, Changli County, and Funing County, and the three counties are all Zhang Yonglian's henchmen, who were captured by Zhou Zheng and sent to the imperial court.

Now, the three prefects are still vacant for nearly a year, which is also the result of Zhou Zheng's deliberate obstruction in the imperial court.

Zhou Zhengdao: "Don't worry, busy with our affairs first." ”

Yao Tong didn't say anything more by the way.

Zhou Zheng has too many things to be busy with, and after being busy for a while, he has to go home for the New Year, his sister-in-law has already given birth to a pair of dragon and phoenix fetuses, and she has long urged Zhou Zheng to go back as soon as possible.

It wasn't until the second year of Chongzhen, on the fourth day of the first month, that the busyness of Zhou Zheng and others came to an end.

"Let's go, go back to Beijing."

Zhou Zheng got up from his chair and looked at the group of people and said with a smile.

Everyone raised their hands in unison, and said with a smile on their faces: "Lord Xie!" ”

Everyone had already packed their bags, and several carriages were parked at the entrance of the mansion, and it didn't take long for them to leave Yongping Mansion in groups and return to Jingshi.

Three days later, as soon as Zhou Zheng arrived at the gate of Zhou's mansion, Fu Bo greeted him and laughed loudly: "Second young master, are you back......

Zhou Zheng had a big bag in his hand, and a group of guards behind him, and said with a smile: "Dad, the eldest brother and sister-in-law are at home, right?" ”

Fu Bo let Zhou Zheng into the door, and said with a smile: "It's all here, they have been talking about when the second young master will come back......

Zhou Zheng was dusty and walked straight to the backyard.

Zhou Qingli is now resting, drinking tea in the back hall, listening to Zhou Zheng coming back, and there is no action.

Zhou Zheng came in, brought a gift, raised his hand and said, "Dad, I'm back." ”

Zhou Qingli glanced at Zhou Zheng and paused for a while before saying, "Well, take a rest and go see your eldest brother and sister-in-law, nephew and niece." ”

Zhou Zheng looked at Zhou Qingli's face that was thinner than last year, and her look much more dignified, handed over the gift, and said, "Dad, this is for you." ”

Zhou Qingli snorted, without extra words.

Zhou Zheng put down the gift and said a few more words, then turned around and went to his eldest brother Zhou Fangna.

Zhou Qingli watched Zhou Zheng leave, then glanced at the gift that Zhou Zheng put on the table, stood up, and reached out to take the gift.

Fu Bo came up and was about to speak, Zhou Qingli said, "I'll talk about it later." Before he could finish speaking, he went straight back to his bedroom.