"Zhang Fan, the imperial court, is going to return to Yangzhou in the near future." Such a piece of news has been frantically passed on in the officialdom in Fujian in the past few days. Now it's almost to the point where everyone knows about it. From the top to the political envoys, first-class high-ranking officials. The same is true of the guards who went down to the gates. Talking about it all day. It seems that Zhang Fan came to Fujian to do something earth-shattering.

But that seems to be the case. This trip to Fujian. Zhang Fan was nominally here to inspect Haiphong. In fact, it came to verify the corruption. And there is a big breakthrough. I know who the main messenger behind this scene is. Now we are waiting to have enough evidence. If you arrest someone and bring them to justice, everything will be fine.

It's just that this trip to Fujian also happened something that Zhang Fan didn't expect. The Japanese robbed merchant ships on their way back. And also hijacked the shipowner. It happened quite suddenly. Don't say it's Zhang Fan. All of them. Even those civil and military officials who have rich experience in suppressing Japanese soldiers did not expect such a thing to happen. After all. In the eyes of these people. It's just that they will only go ashore and rob the thugs. This robbery of a ship that is still in motion must have been done by pirates. Of course. This is not to say that the pirates have never done this kind of piracy before. But that was when Wang Zhi took them under his command. Command them to do it. Wait until after Wang Zhifu's method. His bandits have dispersed again. But he never did this kind of pirate work again. Until now.

Obviously. There must be someone behind these pirates who suddenly started pirates. Otherwise, they should concentrate on robbery. Instead of capturing a few shipowners. And why did they take the shipowner. Zhang Fan still has no clue about this matter. To know. Usually, this kind of kidnapping is just for money. But this time. There was no contact at all. Or a ransom or something. This is certain that there must be something strange behind this.

This act of piracy was carried out several times. However, the real success is only in the early stage. Wait until after the incident. Thanks to Zhang Fan's quick decision. Let He Kuan send warships to patrol the route of the return of the sea ships. and Zhang Fan's method of plagiarizing the fireworks distress signal invented by later generations. Every time they came, they didn't climb the ship at most, but they were stopped by the imperial warships that rushed in. Many of the small boats were sent to the bottom of the sea by the fast rear-loading Franco cannons. Of course, there are also the corpses of the pirates.

It's just that Zhang Fan is not bothered by the fact that the Japanese suddenly became pirates. After all, there are imperial warships patrolling everywhere on the sea. The pirates will never be so easy to kidnap people again. Zhang Fan was really troubled. What kind of conspiracy exists behind this? Whether it was also directed against him. This made him very confused. Sometimes he finds out, too. He has been an official for less than a year. How could he suddenly provoke so many enemies. Everything that happened to him. It doesn't matter if it's directly related to yourself. There's always a conspiracy behind the scenes. Why is it so uncomfortable? He didn't seem to have provoked so many enemies himself. But why did all these things move closer to him like moths to fire? It's too out of place. Isn't it. This is true, as later conspiracy theorists said: "There is a conspiracy in everything." This made Zhang Fan very troubled. But there is no escaping it. This kind of thing. You don't fight back. It's a matter of waiting. No matter how good your defense is. You're going to be knocked down. But for the moment. Fortunately, with Longqing's holy decree and He Kuan's active cooperation. The Japanese can no longer tie up a single person. Opposite. Hundreds of pirates have now sunk to the bottom of the ocean to feed the sharks. But the people who were kidnapped before. Although I feel very sorry for their family. However, Zhang Fanhe, not to mention and Wen Ruchun, felt that several of them had been torn up by the Japanese invaders. So now, only a very small number of people have been sent out to the sea to look for the nest of possible Japanese pirates. However, several people were not concerned about this matter. When it is possible to find those who have been kidnapped. All that was found were their bones. That's for the families of those people. Tell them about death explicitly. It's better to have a vague disappearance. After all, that's it. There is still hope in the hearts of their families. But after all, there is still something to be done to send people out to find it. Although Zhang Fan knows it. This is just a consolation to the families of those people.

Now the sea ships that went to sea last year. In addition to three others missing. All the others have already returned. Therefore, the fear of the robbery of the sea ship has begun to fade. As for how to ensure that there will be no danger in going to sea in the coming year. Zhang Fan assured these maritime merchants. The imperial court will definitely come up with a plan to ensure the safety of their voyage. At the very least, the existence of man-made dangers must be eliminated. These maritime merchants did not believe that the imperial court cared about the safety of those who were called "profit-seekers". However, Zhang Fan's sworn appearance still reassured them a lot.

According to the people on the other ships that returned. The remaining three ships did not return. Two were on their way to their destinations last year. It was because of a storm while sailing at sea. In order to rush to dodge, they sailed to the island in the sea. Unfortunately, he touched the reef and was silent. Then there is one ship left missing.

The families of the crew members and the ship's owners wept when they heard about the nightwork. But the grief didn't last long. At least not on the surface. Although they did not go to the ocean with their families. But they also have some understanding of the dangers that exist on the way to the sea. Especially for these families. Always in the hope of being overseas. Husbands, fathers, and sons who may encounter unforeseen dangers at any time. This torment is even harder. Only now. The torment became even more intense.

These are things about sea vessels. Something else. After Fujian's officials, large and small, knew that Zhang Fan was going back to Yangzhou. Many people were secretly relieved. They felt that the real purpose of Zhang Fan's visit to Fujian this time had not been achieved. But for now. Many of them are safe. And so. These days. Zhang Fan is constantly feasting and feasting. Every morning after waking up, I began to prepare for the noon banquet. After returning in the afternoon, we will start preparing for the evening banquet. And he didn't shirk at all. It's almost a must-see. Of course. The word bribery is simply not missing from this kind of banquet. At first, these officials were sneaky when they feasted Zhang Fan and stuffed him with gifts. It's as if he's done something unseemly. But when they found out that Zhang Fan was the one who came, he did not refuse. And they became bolder. Gift-giving is also vigorous and blatant. Then they found out that Zhang Fan was always by his side with such a beautiful woman as Yingyue. A new round has begun. The daughters of Fujian's large and small officials. As long as it has some status. will come and climb a sister or two with Yingyue. And then again.

Of course, Zhang Fan knew what these people were thinking. They must have thought. Since Zhang Fan is willing to accept gifts. Then he must not be clean. Even if he is in the court at that time, he will still sue them. They are also sure to bring Zhang Fan down. Of course. They have not forgotten the identity of Zhang Fanjin's commander. This identity is so special. The power is sometimes not big. Sometimes it seems infinite. Of course. It depends on whether the current emperor is mediocre. Longqing may indeed be a little mediocre. But definitely not mediocre. This makes these people feel that there is a gap in this to drill. They have even listed many of Zhang Fan's bribery charges. I contacted the imperial historians in the capital who were attached to the high arch. Once Zhang Fan plans to hit a rake. Then the impeachment of Zhang Fan's embezzlement will immediately be overwhelmingly placed on Longqing's imperial book case. The eunuch Meng Chong is facing the high arch. And Gao Gong is also a little interested in bringing down Zhang Fan, a hidden danger that may become his future opponent. This matter naturally came naturally. But they don't know. Zhang Fan had a piece of Longqing awarded to him in his hand. For the first time in China's dynasties, the emperor issued a decree to a minister. All bribes received by Zhang Fan did not need to be reported to the imperial court. No conviction is required. It is up to Zhang Fan to handle it himself.

This kind of holy decree is simply an iron ticket to be invincible and avoid death. It's even better than a death-free ticket. To know. Since the founding of the Ming Dynasty. Anyone who got the iron ticket to avoid death was finally killed by the emperor for various reasons. The death-free iron coupon is like a life talisman in the officialdom of the Ming Dynasty. Especially for those who have obtained this thing by virtue of their merits and being appreciated by the emperor. Whoever gets the iron ticket to avoid death. Then let's hurry up and think about how to escape for your life. Flee to a place where the imperial court, Jinyiwei, and Dongchang can't be found. That way you can safely hold your name and that of your family. Of course. The first thing is to find this kind of place.

But the holy decree in Zhang Fan's hand is different. Exceptions are written on the Death Immunity Ticket. Let's say rebellion or something. Many people were killed by the emperor who found this kind of reason. But there are no exceptions to this decree. And the rhetoric clearly shows Longqing's trust in Zhang Fan. The implication is that Zhang Fan will never accept bribes for himself. Even if there is. It's just those people who want to bribe Zhang Fan. Zhang Fan accepted these bribes just to get along with the vine. It is just a matter of uncovering the conspiracy of these people and bringing them to justice. Few of the people in the court knew about this decree, which seemed ridiculous to them. But Zhang Fan doesn't have to worry about anything. This decree was promulgated by Longqing, Zhu Yijun was the promoter, and Zhang Fan was the only person who could enjoy this decree. Other words. As long as Zhang Fan is alive. And Longqing or Zhu Yijun is the emperor. They would never believe any minister's impeachment on the impeachment of Zhang Fan for corruption. Zhang Fan didn't need to show this holy decree at all. But even if I show it, what. There was nothing the ministers could do. This holy purpose is to have a record in Ouchi. is completely effective. This world belongs to the emperor. This decree is absurd. However, there was no ancestral ordinance that forbade Longqing to promulgate such a decree.

Thereupon. Zhang Fan accepted bribes with such peace of mind. Of course. At least for now. The two parties who gave and accepted bribes were very happy.

But just when Zhang Fan was about to go back to Yangzhou. Something happened that annoyed him.