In fact, Zheng Zhilong has long wanted to meet the wise and martial emperor, what kind of person is he?

As a self-made man who climbed from the bottom to the Daming Pirate King, there are not many people who can admire him. Among them, Lu Xiangsheng is one.

And Emperor Chongzhen, even if he removed his identity, he also won the respect of Lu Xiangsheng, not to mention Zheng Zhilong himself.

Therefore, Zheng Zhilong took the joy of reuniting with his son and the imagination of Emperor Chongzhen, took a fast boat to Tianjin, and then rushed to Beijing on a fast horse.

Needless to say, the first time he saw his son, he naturally asked Zheng Chenggong about the situation of accompanying the prince to study, and told him to work hard. He then asked for an audience through the Secretary for Communications.

In fact, when he arrived in Beijing, the news had already been reported by Jinyiwei.

Emperor Chongzhen originally had something to see Zheng Zhilong, and after receiving Zheng Zhilong's request, he received him in Wuying Palace.

The reason why it was not directly summoned was that Zheng Zhilong was asked to ask for an audience. In this, there is a meaning of mercy to him.

Sure enough, Zheng Zhilong immediately approved the request he handed over, of course he was very happy, and felt that he was indeed valued by the emperor, so he was still a little excited when he entered the Forbidden City for the first time.

When Emperor Chongzhen was at his salute, he was also looking at this man who had admired the name for a long time but met for the first time. I have to say that even if Zheng Zhilong is wearing a military uniform, he looks more like a businessman.

After Zheng Zhilong finished saluting, Emperor Chongzhen smiled and asked, "But have you seen success?" This kid, I look really good, and he will definitely have a future in the future! ”

Emperor Yukou decided on his son's future, which made Zheng Zhilong feel overjoyed. After thanking the Holy Grace, he immediately played: "Seeing that there is a shortage of food in the north, the last general is willing to let his family buy grain from Nanyang and go north to Tianjin for disaster relief in the imperial court!" ”

He knew that the emperor must have figured out how much money he had, so on the emperor's side, he didn't shy away from it, and the fact that money was not revealed was useless in front of the emperor.

In addition, he also vaguely felt that there was a possibility that the emperor looked at his son so differently and treated him well, which was probably related to the wealth in his hands. In this case, instead of waiting for the emperor to ask for it, it is better to be a little more simple, but in exchange for more benefits.

From this point of view, Zheng Zhilong has indeed always done things with the thinking of a businessman.

When Emperor Chongzhen heard this, he was also happy in his heart, and secretly praised that dealing with smart people was comfortable. Seeing him nod, he smiled and said to Zheng Zhilong: "Zheng Qing is dedicated to the country, which is really rare in my Ming Dynasty. I can't let you pay this money for nothing. That's good......"

Speaking of this, Emperor Chongzhen seemed to think for a while, and then continued to say to Zheng Zhilong: "It's okay for Feng Qing's brother Zheng Hongkui to fight for Fujian coastal defense." ”

Although Zheng Hongkui was actually the controller of the Zheng family's fleet during Zheng Zhilong's absence in Fujian. Now if it is sealed as a coastal defense guerrilla, it can make part of the Zheng family's fleet become an official army. Speaking of which, it doesn't really make much difference.

However, no matter what, Zheng Hongkui is now only a martial artist, and he has obtained the position of guerrilla because of this, which is already several levels. At least at the level of the government, Zheng Hongkui officially stepped into the ranks of generals, which has an identity, and it can be regarded as fulfilling his wish to change his name.

Zheng Zhilong was happy when he heard this, but on the surface, he still pretended to be a little sincere and afraid, and hurriedly played: "Your Majesty, the last general used to make a lot of money, and if you lose Your Majesty, you don't care about the last general, and the last general is also very uneasy in his heart, and now he can do something for the imperial court, which is also a matter of course, and he doesn't dare to ask for a reward!" ”

"I have made up my mind, so I don't have to excuse myself!" Emperor Chongzhen was still very happy about his acquaintance and said, "It takes a lot of energy to buy grain from Nanyang and then transport it north. This matter is also what Qing's brother is worried about. On the basis of this, I named him a coastal defense guerrilla, which was also a reward for him. ”

Speaking of this, he sighed with emotion: "Actually, I am really short of food. If possible, I hope to buy as much grain as possible from Nanyang and transport it north. In this way, I also gave a decree to the governor of Fujian, to see how much silver Fujian can squeeze out, and give it all to your Zheng family to buy Nanyang grain? ”

When Zheng Zhilong heard this, he wanted to excuse himself, saying that he didn't need the Fujian governor to give money.

When Emperor Chongzhen heard this, he had to emphasize: "What I mean, Qing may not understand yet. In the next few years, it will still be necessary to buy grain from Nanyang all the time. If possible, even if you buy all the grain in the South Seas. With so much money, you Zheng family can't keep coming out. Although I am short of money and need to use money everywhere, I will not always worry about your Zheng family's money. Of course, I don't care about other people's money. As long as you keep to yourself, you will be fine. ”

When Zheng Zhilong heard this, he was relieved a lot at first, but after thinking about it, he thought that his family had been making a lot of money by collecting protection fees for smuggling at sea, and the emperor knew this. If the emperor used this as an excuse to deal with himself, he shouldn't have broken his promise, and he wouldn't be able to keep to himself, right?

Thinking like this, the fear that Zheng Zhilong had hidden in his heart rose again.

After thinking for a while, he gritted his teeth, and then said to Emperor Chongzhen: "Your Majesty, the last general didn't know the emperor's grace before, and did something that violated the laws of the Ming Dynasty. The last general is now repentant, and he will definitely write to explain to his family, since he eats the king's lu, don't do anything against the king again, the last general should die! ”

When he had finished speaking, he knelt down and pleaded guilty.

Although Zheng Zhilong's speech was a little vague, Emperor Chongzhen understood. After thinking about it, he stood up, walked around the imperial case, walked down and personally helped Zheng Zhilong up, looked at him, and said with a smile: "Zheng Qing filtered, since Zheng Qing is not at ease, then this is good......"

Hearing the emperor's words, Zheng Zhilong wanted to plead again, wanting to say that he didn't dare to worry about the emperor. However, at this time, Emperor Chongzhen had already taken the first step to speak: "The imperial court is seriously owed, although I have sent a patrol to collect the imperial history, but it is estimated that it will not be so smooth." However, the imperial court did need money. Therefore, I have an idea......"

Hearing that the emperor said something a little strange, Zheng Zhilong looked up at the emperor in curiosity.

I saw that the emperor said to him very earnestly: "The money that Qing collected before the order flag was actually a disguised collection of sea taxes!" It is impossible to collect such a large amount of sea tax. Therefore, I thought that the Zheng family of Qingzhi would continue to remain unchanged for the first time and continue to collect the Lingqi money from those maritime merchants. However, after receiving it, three or seven points, the imperial court accounted for seventy percent, and the Zheng family of Qing Zhi got three percent. I can give you a will, if someone questions the Zheng family because of this matter, Qing can come up with a will to justify himself! ”

If Emperor Chongzhen directly made this request when he first contacted Zheng Zhilong, Zheng Zhilong would definitely feel that his interests were damaged, and he would even share seventy percent of the profits, and there was a very high probability that he would resist the emperor's request.

However, Emperor Chongzhen did not make this request at the beginning, but threatened first, Zheng Zhilong gave in, and immediately gave him benefits, not only promoted him to the chief soldier, but also gave his son a name, became the prince's companion, and praised his son for being good. After Wei, he showed his favor and let Zheng Zhilong go to Beijing for a reunion, and even when he wanted to see him, he felt that the emperor looked at him differently.

In addition, there is another more important factor, which is that Zheng Zhilong feels the power of the imperial court. There are officials like Lu Xiangsheng who are both civil and military, and his emperor is wise and martial, and he can do things that previous emperors could not do.

The combination of these factors has greatly changed Zheng Zhilong's view of the imperial court and recognized his position.

Under such a premise, Emperor Chongzhen took the opportunity to put forward this request for a penny, which was not abrupt at all. At this time, Zheng Zhilong also felt that if he had the emperor's endorsement, he would be able to legalize his collection of protection money, which would be of great benefit to the future.

However, he was obviously still a little hesitant, and did not answer immediately, and after a long while, he said to Emperor Chongzhen: "Your Majesty, it is not a secret, it is not the last general to bargain, but really, if it is only thirty percent, the last general may not be able to maintain the center of the fleet, and some people are afraid that they will break away and do it themselves." Your Majesty, the last general is really not ......"

Before he finished his words, Emperor Chongzhen smiled and said, "I like to be open and honest, since Zheng Qing feels that there is a problem, it is a good thing to mention it." If it is estimated by Qing, how much will it take to maintain the current status quo? ”

He could understand that Zheng Zhilong could not have unified the pirates with his personal charm. It must be coercion and temptation, and all kinds of means are available to make the pirates on the southeast coast of the Ming Dynasty all under his command.

Zheng Zhilong couldn't help but be very moved when he heard the emperor's words and understood him so well, and hurriedly said: "Fifty percent, if there is fifty percent, the end will be sure, and they will not complain." Really, Your Majesty, this fifty percent will be distributed to them, and it will cost a lot of money to repair the fleet. ”

"yes, I see." Emperor Chongzhen listened, nodded, thought for a while, and then said, "That's good, it's still fifty-fifty." In addition, Qing felt that those subordinates who were loyal to the court and could be promoted, give me a list, and I could seal the official to help Qing collect his heart. In addition, fleet maintenance, and the addition of warships, you don't have to worry about it. I and Qing said that at the end of the sea, there must be the banner of the Ming Dynasty, which is definitely not to say. Therefore, I will order the expansion of shipyards in various places, and the replenishment of his Japanese warships will not have to worry about it. ”

Hearing this, Zheng Zhilong couldn't help but be overjoyed. He provided the list, and the emperor would give him an official position, which would definitely be good for him to stabilize his subordinates. And the emperor once again reiterated his ambition for the sea, which means that he Zheng Zhilong will always be reused in the future.

Thinking of this, he immediately played: "Your Majesty, since this is the case, six or four is enough!" ”

Hearing that he took the initiative to pay one percent, Emperor Chongzhen shook his head with a smile and said: "As long as Chong Qing thinks about the imperial court so much, if he can ask for one percent less, I can't ignore the income of the Zheng family of Qing." It's set by 55 percent! ”

Zheng Zhilong's fleet collects protection fees in the southeast, with an income of about 10 million a year, and if it is divided into 55, the imperial court will also have an income of more than 5 million silver. I didn't pay anything, I just moved my mouth, and the saliva I consumed just now was probably the most valuable saliva. It is equivalent to the imperial court doing nothing, and it has more than doubled the annual treasury revenue of the previous year.

Zheng Zhilong solved the problems in the future, and Emperor Chongzhen received a large amount of income, and both sides can be said to have their own benefits, and their hearts are happy. When this matter is settled, even the relationship between the monarch and the minister seems to have taken a step forward invisibly.

Just listening to Emperor Chongzhen's small talk, he said to Zheng Zhilong: "The income of the treasury is too low, the taxes of the imperial court will be changed in the future, and I still have a lot of things to do, all of which need money......

When Zheng Zhilong heard this, he was a little surprised, and thought to himself, Your Majesty, you don't need to explain anymore, I am already willing to divide the money!

In his opinion, the emperor is more kind, and he is a little embarrassed to take so much money, and he wants to explain.

“…… Xiyi is expanding everywhere, and I can't ignore it, the world is righteous, and less Ming can't, so we need more ships, better ships, more guns, and better guns. Ship guns need to be built, and they need to be developed and improved, and all of this requires money......"

Hearing this, Zheng Zhilong couldn't help but immediately agree in his heart, it would be great if this money was really to be used for this.

“…… All parts of the world have been affected by disasters year after year, and in the next few years, it is estimated that the disaster situation will not be much better, and disaster relief is needed so that the people can live, so that the country can be stabilized, and these also need money......"

Zheng Zhilong nodded slightly when he heard this, it is true, otherwise, as before, there will definitely be thieves again.

“…… In addition to building water conservancy, I also plan to rebuild all the roads, bridges, etc. in the Ming Dynasty. Daming is a bit big, going from south to north, and I don't know how much time it will take on the road. Only when the roads are smooth and fast, and the trade between various places will prosper, and there will be more people doing business in this way, the life of the people will be better, and the court can receive more money, and then use the money to continue to build roads and engage in infrastructure construction. In short, if you want to get rich, build roads first......"

These words of Emperor Chongzhen, if they are said to other courtiers, I am afraid they will not have much effect. But the person in front of him is actually a businessman, and he understands business far more than ordinary officials. Therefore, when he heard the emperor say this, his eyes immediately lit up.

The emperor is really different, and he actually said something like this: If you want to get rich, you must first build roads!

You know, the previous emperors never had such thoughts. In fact, the previous emperor's approach was exactly the opposite.

They don't want the people to run around, which will be very inconvenient for the court to manage the people. As a result, of course, the merchant does not want to run away.

Therefore, in the past, road construction and the like were basically only for the transmission of official documents, and they had to be done for the use of the government.

But the emperor's statement in front of him is completely opposite to before. Although they are all building roads and bridges, the purpose is completely different. Zheng Zhilong can imagine that if the emperor really does this, then all parts of the Ming Dynasty will definitely become more prosperous, and the money is definitely worth it!

Listening to the emperor talking one by one about where the court spends money in the future, it is a place that benefits the country and the people, and he did not say that it should be used in the palace or on himself. Zheng Zhilong knew that the emperor in front of him had an overall plan, and he was definitely a good emperor of the Ming Dynasty!

The emperor wants a lot of money, and that's as it should be!

In this way, Zheng Zhilong couldn't help but admire the emperor even more in his heart.

After the emperor said this, it seemed that he was about to disperse, Zheng Zhilong remembered that Lu Xiangsheng's explanation before departure, and asked Emperor Chongzhen, why didn't he let him destroy the Jianyu Water Master in one battle?

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