It's not a short journey. Zhang Fan and others rode a carriage through the entire Zhejiang Political Division. Even the world-famous Hangzhou Mansion continued to drive without much stop.

After entering Fujian. Everyone went straight to Quanzhou. Fuzhou Prefecture has not stopped. Because there's nothing worth staying here. Because the political envoy Wen Ruchun and the governor He Kuan had already gone to Quanzhou to investigate the case. Zhang Fan came to Fujian this time under the guise of inspecting coastal defense. I should have stayed in Fuzhou for more. However, whether it is to inspect Haiphong on the surface, it is necessary to meet with He Kuan, the governor of Fujian, or secretly to go to Quanzhou to investigate. He didn't have to stay in Fuzhou.

After entering Fujian, everyone found that it was different from other places. Since the beginning of the Tang Dynasty. Tang Xuanzong in order to strengthen the border defense. Take one word each from Fuzhou and Jianzhou. The establishment of the Fujian Economic Strategy Envoy began. This place is called Fujian. However, in the pre-Qin and even the Shang and Zhou dynasties. It is part of the so-called "Land of Hundred Miles". It is regarded as a place of transformation. Even if two or three thousand years have passed. It has been assimilated with the Central Plains. Customs are still distinctive.

Entered Quanzhou. Zhang Fan saw some differences. It has been here since the opening of the port in the Tang Dynasty. Until now, it is the largest port in the land of China. Even it has always been in a feudal society and has not been developed. Zhang Fan still saw here the germ of capitalism that was even stronger than that in the south of the Yangtze River.

Zhang Fan was nominally here to supervise coastal defense. The most important person to see is Governor He Kuan. However, since Zhang Fan is a member of the imperial court. Naturally, officials from Fujian Province wanted to come and pay a visit. Thereupon. In addition to the commanders in charge of the military, they all command the same knowledge, and they all have affairs. Outside the town guard and the general army; Those civil servants. The left and right political envoys, the left and right political envoys, and even the irrelevant procurators and envoys who had nothing to do with the punishment and the procurators all came to Quanzhou to visit the Qincha.

Due to the fact that there are now too many seagoing ships returning to the sea. There were many more people in Quanzhou than usual for a while. The streets and alleys are full of people. Zhang Fan: They even saw many foreigners. It wasn't because the merchant ships returning to the sea brought these people here. Rather, it has hosted countless seagoing ships over the centuries. Many foreigners have settled here.

If the Chin Cha is going somewhere with great fanfare. It's bound to cause a stir. Zhang Fan has now gone from discomfort at the beginning, to gradual habituation, and then to numbness now. But Zhang Fan came this time for other things after all. Naturally, I didn't have the heart to be rewarded. postponed everyone's banquet, so he asked Wen Ruchun and He Kuan for questioning.

"Your Excellency." The two of them followed Zhang Fan to a room. greeted Zhang Fan very respectfully.

Although Zhang Fan is young, there are too many people. But after all, he has the title of a prince and a prince. He naturally accepted the courtesy of the two: "The two adults don't have to be polite. Let's sit down and talk. ”

After the two of them sit down. Only then did Zhang Fan speak: "What is this official doing when he comes to Jiangnan this time." I don't think it's going to have to be repeated like two of you. This time, the two adults were summoned to ask them about the whole story of this matter. ”

The two looked at each other. Zhang Fan's purpose for leaving Beijing has long been an open secret. The two of them also knew. A few days ago, when Zhang Fan asked people to inform them that they were going to come to inspect the matter of coastal defense. The two of them discussed. Although now is the time when the Japanese are rampant. But the two also understood the purpose of Zhang Fan's visit. Only then. Wen Ruchun has never met Zhang Fan. It is not certain which side Zhang Fan is on in this matter. So there is some hesitation. What's more, he had some friends with Qi Jiguang. When I wrote to him. Qi Jiguang also mentioned Zhang Fan in his heart. Praise him a lot. He Kuan can believe Zhang Fan. The two plan to explain everything to Zhang Fan.

"Your Excellency. Adults should know what happened. Xia Guan didn't say anything more. "As the director of this matter. Wen Ruchun was the first to speak: "Presumably, adults are concerned about the current situation. And then. Wen Ruchun told what happened after the incident.

It turns out that after the incident. On the third day of the man's suicide. The suicide note left by the man on the verge of death went to Wen Ruchun's hands. Wen Ruchun, who was furious, immediately began to investigate. Although the officials here have a huge network. It was known in a timely manner. But the man who committed suicide really had no identity. It's overlooked. Although they knew about it, they immediately began to erase their traces further. But Wen Ruchun's quick action still allowed him to find a lot of things.

Because the man was not a wealthy businessman. Most of the officials who had some interests in him were petty officials of the shipping department. But these are enough for Wen Ruchun. After all, he didn't have any evidence to summon those powerful officials. On the contrary, these little officials do not think about it. Directly pull the culture is.

Maybe it's because the customs office has only been open for a few years. Corruption on this scale has not been in serious trouble. These people have never been investigated and punished under the unscrupulousness. Wen Ruchun's interrogation made them a little nervous. In addition, Wen Ruchun acted quickly. The men were arrested before they could communicate with the people above them. Most of them have no bottom in their hearts. If you don't pay attention, you will say that you have leaked your mouth. Wait until those officials above heard the rumors and wanted to come to Wen Ruchun to forcibly ask for someone. He Kuan's army had blocked the yamen. Those people were helpless for a while.

"Your Excellency. That's right. Wen Ruchun said. These people are just petty officials. A lot of people are even people who haven't read anything. An official position that was bought with money. This was also a year ago. It was not switched on at the time. These people don't have much oil or water to fish. And no one cares. But since His Majesty's switch. These positions of theirs immediately became sweet. These people also began to have bad thoughts. The official did not know about it when he took office. Consideration is now being given to removing them. Who knows, these things are happening. "Finished. These made Wen Ruchun feel a little self-reproachful.

"Lord Wen doesn't have to blame himself." Zhang Fan persuaded. "Lord Wen is in charge of the affairs of a province in Fujian. It's always busy. These people are so inconspicuous. It's normal for Lord Wen not to notice for a while. What happened after that. ”

"These people were all street ruffians back then. Most of them rely on showing off their might to bully others. But he has no backbone. The officer was just using Lord He's sergeant to scare them a little. And they all did it. "Finished. All three laughed.

Not for long, though. The laughter died down. Zhang Fan saw that the faces of the two people in front of him became serious again.

"These people are of low status. Not much contacted. Most of them are small fish and shrimp that are one level higher than them. Wen Ruchun continued. However, there was a person named Wang Xu who sent money to his official mansion once. I heard something. ”

Zhang Fan listened. Suddenly I became interested.

According to this Wang Xu. They just want to take some bribes from those maritime merchants who have little wealth. Eighty percent is handed over to their superiors every year. The rest is their own. Last year, it was probably around that time. Wang Xu went to his Shangguan ship envoy Qian Le's house to hand over the silver. But it was the Qian family who asked him to wait. It is said that there are visitors to Qian Le.

"This Wang Xu is also a restless lord. Suddenly I was curious. Taking advantage of the fact that the Qian family was not paying attention, they wanted to investigate. But I heard Qian Le talking with a person in the side room. It was also about collecting money from these maritime merchants. But he didn't hear what he said. Just heard because the amount is too large. Qian Le was a little worried. And the other party is reassuring Qian Le. It is said that most of the officials in Fujian Province know about this. If something happens to Qian Le. They will all come forward to protect him. ”

Zhang Fan listened to this. pondered. This news told him that there were many corrupt officials in the entire Fujian Province. And it's already connected. One wins, one loses. Advance and retreat together. However, Zhang Fan is not optimistic about Qian Le. This man is nothing more than a ship envoy. The official position is too small. I don't think I know much. Wen Ruchun and He Kuan didn't know how much he knew. Now. Qian Le also clamped his tail. However, it would be very easy for Zhang Fan to let Jinyiwei arrest him. After all, what other reason does the factory guard have to take people? But Zhang Fan was afraid that he wouldn't be able to ask for any news from Qian Le. I also have to scare the snakes. That's not what he thinks.

Wen and He also knew that this news was useless except to make things more complicated. But now they know so little. There was nothing they could do.

"The official is also looking for money to question. It's just that Qian Le insisted that Wang Xu slandered him. In addition, Wang Xu's reputation is not very good. The officer has never been able to get him in for questioning. It's the same with Lord Ho. Although Lord He has military power in hand. You can't act rashly. Wen Ruchun looked at the pensive Zhang Fan and said.

"You don't have to worry about taking people. Just want to catch. Anyone can let him come over obediently. Have you forgotten your identity? Zhang Fan said.

The two of them thought about it too. Jinyi Wei dignitaries. Who dares to resist.

"It's just that this official can't act rashly now." Zhang Fan said again. "If this Qian Le really knows what the inside story is. This official can go and arrest people. But if he doesn't know anything. That's a big deal. Although the official has the right to arrest people. Can we arrest all the officials of Fujian, big and small, and interrogate them? ”

The two listened to Zhang Fan's words. I also began to be embarrassed.

Suddenly. Zhang Fan thought of something. Said: "Two adults. In the opinion of this officer. We might as well be like this. These people must also know what this official is doing here. Although the official refused this lunch. But they must have come to invite me again in the evening. The official will calculate the plan. Go and find out what they're talking about. ”

"Your Excellency. These people will inevitably use this opportunity to buy adults. Not to mention said on the side.

"This official naturally knows. And the official has also made up his mind. Those who come do not refuse. Zhang Fan said with a smile.

The two were not surprised to hear Zhang Fan's words. In a blink of an eye, it was clear that Zhang Fan was ready to win the trust of these people first. Let their guard down. That's how you can do it.

This can only be done for the time being. There was so little that the three of them knew. There's nothing you can do about it. But Zhang Fan has something else. Since he came to Fujian in the name of inspecting coastal defense. Things always have to be asked.

This is the field of He Kuan. listened to Zhang Fan's question. He Kuan immediately replied, "My lord." It's not just after His Majesty switches. It was before. Every summer, it is a time when a large number of Japanese robbers come to raid. Previous years. After Lord Qi eliminated several quite large bandit leaders. The plague has improved a lot. However, small groups of pirates came in groups to raid from time to time. The coast of Fujian Province alone is very long. There is no good way to stop it.

"After the switch. The people of the coastal lands were much richer than in previous years. There are even more of them. Now the ship has returned. We're keeping an eye on it. Not many of them came. But a little longer. The ship is almost back. They're coming again. ”

Zhang Fan frowned again when he heard this. These people are really annoying. They also know that they can grab a lot of money if they concentrate on it. But the goal is also big. It was easy to be surrounded and suppressed by the Ming army. Now it's scattered. Let the Ming army be exhausted.

"Is it possible to go straight to the nest of the pirates? After all, if you can run, the monk can't run the temple. Zhang Fan came up with an idea.

"This is a solution that the official has also thought about. But since Wang Zhi was exterminated. Both pirates and pirates have learned a lot smarter. They often have several offshore islands that serve as their nests. Change places of residence from time to time. It's hard to grasp. "What's more, he sighed and said." Even these small islands are hard to find. And most of them are in places full of treacherous shoals and reefs. Even if it was found. Our warships are too big. It is also impossible to enter. ”

Zhang Fan frowned. He didn't expect these wouldn't be so difficult to deal with. Now there is a guerrilla war. I thought about it for a while. Zhang Fan asked, "Lord He." You say that these are for money. After they robbed the money, they had to find a place to spend it. You can't spend all day holding on to gold and silver. There are fish in this sea. It's okay to eat. But the officer did not believe that these people would not really go ashore to have fun. ”

"That's what my lord said." He Kuan said. "However, these are the samurai who were abandoned by the daimyo on the island of Fuso. But presumably they will still return to Fuso to have fun. This ......"

Zhang Fan heard this. His little knowledge of history, coupled with the glorious game he had played in his previous life, suddenly came into play: "Two adults. Speaking of Fuso. I don't know what the two of you know about the situation there today. ”

Wen He and the others looked at each other. I don't know what Zhang Fan means.

"Now the princes of Fuso Island are divided. The war has been going on for decades. That's why these samurai who have lost their monarchs will be reduced to Japanese robbers. Zhang Fan opened his mouth and said: "Among them, there are many undesirable people who are struggling to persevere. We just need to talk to the nearest daimyo. As long as they can refuse to support the Wakos. We can support him with something. Anyway, all they want is money or something. We must give more and better than what the Japanese have given them. ”

As soon as the two heard it, they understood what Zhang Fan meant. That's a good idea, too. But what the two don't know is. Zhang Fan had some other thoughts. He was going to make the Warring States situation on that island even more chaotic.