Chapter 79 Beginning to bear fruit, knowing this, Shen Chongming also knew exactly how to go the next step when he fell to the ground. It's also simple to say, that is, slowly move the center of gravity to the maritime yamen, and use this as a springboard to stand on the court as a civil servant again. Only when you have the kind of power in your hands that can completely control the situation of the dynasty can you realize the reform plan in your heart step by step.

"James's letter was received by the younger brother six days ago, although the messenger traveled quickly, but it took more than half a month on the road, and it is estimated that James will be able to reach Tianjin Wei in two days." Xiao Ershao said while dialing the little gold bead in front of him and counting the days.

Shen Chongming, an authentic businessman, didn't see his actions, and then asked, "Then what about the harvest of this trip?" ”

"I didn't say anything specifically, but he said in his letter that the benefits are quite large, but I'm afraid that there will be no less, Brother Shen, you can rest assured." Xiao Ershao raised his head and smiled, he also knew why Shen Chongming cared about this matter, after all, this was the first business since the opening of the port, although it involved not a lot of money, but the significance was very significant.

"Hehe, that's fine." Shen Chongming smiled and nodded, but he couldn't wait to go directly to Tianjin Wei to wait for James's fleet.

"Lord Bond, the fleet is about to enter the docks." Early in the morning, James was awakened by a knock on the door.

James, who heard the words of the attendant outside the door, quickly got up from the bed, hurriedly put on a cotton robe and opened the door.

Looking at the familiar Tianjin Port not far away, James couldn't help but show a smile on his face. "Hehe, finally back."

This time, the fleet did not travel far, but only wandered around the South Sea countries, and the trip was only more than two months. But these two months have been like years for James. He knew the significance of leading the fleet to sea this time to his great benefactor, Lord Shen, and he also understood that success or failure was closely related to his future. If you succeed, everything will be fine, if you fail, I am afraid that you will have to live that kind of depressed life again.

Now that Tianjin Port is in sight, his heart can be regarded as completely down-to-earth. Involuntarily let out a sigh of relief, James raised his head and ordered: "Order, let all the sailors assemble in the bow, and give the officer a hundred times the spirit, understand?" ”

The attendant hurriedly bowed down, took out two small red flags from his arms, climbed the mast with his hands and feet, and then waved them very rhythmically.

Seeing this scene, James couldn't help but smile. This Lord Shen is really an omnipotent person, and the flag language he taught himself is really effective at sea. As long as it is not a heavy rain and fog weather, even if it is a few miles away, you can smoothly convey your orders to various ships, which is really a necessary weapon for going to sea.

Shen Chongming didn't know that James had pressed this invention on his head, and at this moment, he had just heard that Brother Erdan had reported that a fleet had appeared and rushed to the dock.

After waiting in the capital for two days, seeing that there was no news that James's fleet had arrived at Tianjin Port, Shen Chongming couldn't hold back the anxiety in his heart, and finally rushed to Tianjin Wei with a group of guards. did not go to the city to stay, but directly lived in the Tianjin Weihai Yamen, which was built in the port, and it was only a tea walk away from the wharf.

"Where are the ships?" Before the person arrived, before the second brother was tired, Shen Chongming snatched him thousands of miles away.

"My lord, over there, look over there." Seeing Shen Chongming like this, Brother Erdan was also happy in his heart, and he began to point in the direction while holding his neck.

After a few adjustments, Shen Chongming really saw more than ten big ships sailing on the sea, and the bright yellow flag of the Royal Trade House on the bow of the ship was waving in the wind, and it was so clear to see.

"Okay, I'm finally back." Shen Chongming put down his clairvoyance and sighed, at this time he could already vaguely see a few small black spots, needless to say, it must be a ship.

When the ship docked, James, who was putting on a majestic face and preparing to get off the ship, couldn't help but be dumbfounded when he saw Shen Chongming waiting on the shore with a group of people.

"My lord, why are you here?" Speaking more and more fluent Chinese, James jumped ashore and rushed to Shen Chongming with two long legs that were different from ordinary people.

"Haha, Mr. Bond, it's been a hard journey." Shen Chongming smiled, this was indeed from the heart.

To be polite, Shen Chongming insisted on taking James's arm and walked towards the Tianjin Weihai Yamen on the dock under the support of a group of guards.

As soon as he sat down, Shen Chongming couldn't wait to ask, "Mr. Bond, did you go to sea smoothly this time?" ”

As soon as he heard this, James could not hide the joy on his face. "My lord, don't you know, this trip to the Nanyang countries is really smooth and unexpected, our goods were snapped up as soon as they were put on the dock. If it weren't for the fact that you instructed the villain to explore the way in all the countries of the South Seas before leaving, the villain's fleet would have returned at least twenty days earlier! ”

Shen Chongming's eyes lit up, but before he could ask, he heard James continue: "Not only that, but in the Nanyang countries, those precious spices are also very cheap, and the villain returned with a full load this time, but unfortunately he was bought by merchants from all over the world before he arrived in Tianjin Wei, and the price was ten times higher than the purchase price!" ”

"Oh, tell me how much money we've made this time?" Shen Chongming asked expectantly.

James smiled, lowered his voice and said, "My lord, it's a million taels!" ”

Rao is Shen Chongming, who is well-informed, was also taken aback by this number. Although the sea trade has made a lot of profits, there have been many smuggling merchants along the coast over the years, and I have never heard of any one who can earn so many silver taels when they go to sea.

Seeing Shen Chongming's doubts, James smiled and said, "My lord, you don't know something. The reason why we were able to earn a million taels of silver this time was because there were no losses on the way to the ship. More than a dozen ships went back and forth safely, and there was no mistake on the way, do you say that it is difficult to earn a million taels of silver? ”

Shen Chongming suddenly realized, nodded and smiled: "Well, it makes sense. Mr. Bond, you have made a great contribution this time, you will rest here for a day, and return to Beijing with this official tomorrow, and we will announce this good news to the world! ”

"One, a million taels? Shen Aiqing, I heard you right, right? Emperor Longqing was very stupid, and Shen Chongming, who was standing in front of him, held back a smile and bowed his head: "Emperor Qi, it is indeed one million taels." ”

Stunned, Emperor Longqing looked up at the top beam of the main hall, and was inexplicably excited for a while, not knowing what words to use to describe his current mood.

After a long time, Emperor Longqing let out a sigh and looked at Shen Chongming. "Hehehe, Shen Aiqing, you have made a great achievement, I must reward you well this time!"

"Thank you for the emperor's grace, but the one million taels of silver earned from going to sea this time can only be said to have achieved initial results. Moreover, the size of the fleet is too small, and many of the possible problems have not been exposed, so Wechen feels that it is better to be cautious. Shen Chongming kept in mind Gao Gong's teachings, now is not the time to try to be promoted, the only thing to do is to make the emperor trust him more, only in this way can everything be stable and not go wrong.

"Haha, Aiqing, if you think like this, then I will be even more relieved. You can do this maritime yamen with confidence and boldness, and I will back you up for everything. "Emperor Longqing is domineering. This is also for a reason, if the future sea trade can be like this time, then there will be no problem in reproducing the prosperity of the Han and Tang dynasties in his lifetime.

Striding out of the palace, Shen Chongming rushed to the maritime yamen without stopping.

"Brother Shen, how did the emperor react?" Inviting Shen Chongming into the house, Shi Bingzheng couldn't wait to ask.

"Hehe, of course it's a big compliment. Ah Bing, without further ado, immediately sent a letter to the maritime yamen in various places, and officially reviewed the qualifications of merchants in various places to go to sea to do business from now on, but those who meet the conditions will be released. In addition, tell them that they must always keep in mind the laws and regulations of the imperial court, and never do those corrupt things, if they ruin the reputation of our maritime yamen, they will be severely punished! Shen Chongming's face became serious.

The meaning is also very clear. After all, these merchants who sent ships to sea were all fat and oily, and as long as they leaked a little oil and water between their fingers, it was enough for the people of the yamen to eat and drink spicy food. Therefore, in a fat and oily place like the Maritime Yamen, the most likely breeder is the corrupt. If this pass is not strictly controlled, this good scripture will be sung by them.

"Brother Shen rest assured, the junior brother has already informed Lord Wang, and he is personally responsible for this matter. You also know that this person is honest and like-minded, and it is absolutely impossible to leave this matter to him. Shi Bingzheng said with a smile.

This Lord Wang is Wang Siming. Shi Bingzheng and him are also inseparable from Meng Meng in the officialdom, and the two brothers are developed and unlucky, which is also closely following in the footsteps of Shen Chongming. It's just that the relationship between the two and Shen Chongming is quite different, and since they returned to the dynasty with high arches, the status of the two has been quite different.

However, Shi Bingzheng has never forgotten his difficult brother, this time he served as the governor of the maritime yamen, Tongzhi, who was responsible for the selection of subordinate officials, and the first person who thought of it was Wang Siming, and he handed over the most important department of the maritime yamen to him without thinking about it.

Speaking of Wang Siming, Shen Chongming hadn't seen him for a while. It is said that the relationship between the two was good before, but unfortunately officialdom is like this, even if they have been friends for many years, they will gradually become estranged because of the gap in identity. So as Shen Chongming's status became higher and higher, the intersection between him and Wang Siming became less and less.

But there are few intersections and few intersections, and I still remember Wang Siming and Shen Chongming. Now that I heard Shi Bingzheng say this, I couldn't help but nod and said, "Well, this Wang Siming and we have shared weal and woe, and there is really no problem with handing it over to him." By the way, I'd better meet him. ”

"It's fine." Shi Bingzheng nodded, turned around and ordered the handyman outside the door to invite Wang Siming to come.

At this moment, Wang Siming is idle and bored. Although this maritime yamen has a lot of power, it has been busy for a while since its establishment, and then it is a long wait. Because the imperial court has not ordered the maritime yamen to approve the documents of merchants from all over the world, the entire yamen is in a state of nothing to do.

Now that he heard that Shen Chongming was going to see him, Wang Siming immediately realized that the current situation was about to change, and hurriedly got up and walked towards the main hall with the servant.

"The adults stay, and the little ones go in first to make a report." The handyman stretched out his hand to stop Wang Siming, who was in a hurry, and said with a smile on his face.

Wang Siming was stunned for a moment, and then nodded and said yes, but his face was faintly ugly.