Welcome the first merchant ship to return to the sea this year. Now Zhao Xiande has returned safely. This matter is over. There are still many people watching the merchant ships that returned after that. But he couldn't alarm Zhang Fan, the minister, anymore.

But the officials were quite discussant. The most important thing is naturally about Zhao Xiande. The most adventurous of all, not only brought back a large sum of money. This time, the tax money he handed over to the imperial court alone reached tens of millions of taels. It's just that there has always been a lack of recognition of the status of businessmen. So that this silver could not be counted in the imperial court taxes. And Longqing, who was quite happy that his treasury and inner treasury had silver for his own lavish spending, although he also looked up to Zhao Xiande in his heart. But you can't praise a businessman. Fortunately, news came that Zhang Fan had absorbed this multi-gold merchant Jia into Jinyiwei. This point of Longqing is also regarded as a reward for expressing his heart.

The rest is naturally about Zhao Xiande being recruited by Zhang Fan into Jinyiwei. Jinyiwei is the emperor's personal guard. In charge of the functions and powers of the supervising officials. The sheer magnitude of its power is obvious to all. And the various personnel under it are countless. Although the Jinyi Guard is nothing more than the establishment of a guard. A guard house is no more than 5,000 people. However, the number of Han generals who formed their own army alone is almost this number. And it includes the captains and wrestlers who carry out the task of arresting thieves and traitors. At its peak, it even reached 60,000 people. The Jinyi Wei Official Academy generally selects two people from the private sector who are powerful and have five bad records. After that, he gradually rose through the ranks based on his ability and seniority. However, this is just official rhetoric. People who have something to do with the DPRK and China don't know that Jinyiwei is a person who can use it. It doesn't matter if you are a hero in the green forest or a bandit in the rivers and lakes. As long as they are not rebels, they will be recruited. And none of these people who run the rivers and lakes have a little grudge. Most of them will also choose to take refuge in Jinyiwei. It's just that for some people, there are some unstable factors. If you use it, you can just throw it away. In the brocade guard. It's so normal for people to disappear suddenly. Therefore. For Zhao Xiande, he was recruited by Zhang Fan into Jinyiwei. There is nothing strange about these officials. Most people thought that Zhang Fan was just in love with Zhao Xiande's money. Wait until Zhang Fan has his money-making road in his hands. It is estimated that Zhao Xiande will be useless.

However, these officials also have a lot of complaints about this matter. This year, because Zhang Fan came to Jiangnan to check taxes. They are also like Zhang Fan stuffed red envelopes. And this is naturally not accepting bribes on the surface. But now Zhao Xiande has entered Jinyiwei. Who will dare to ask him for money in the future. You must know that Zhao Xiande is the richest of these businessmen who go to sea. Plus this person never colluded with any officials. It's not like getting in trouble. As long as you speak. Zhao Xiande basically will not refuse. Therefore. For the lack of Zhao Xiande, such a gold master. These people are very unhappy. But this unhappiness can't be expressed. Now these people are quite uncomfortable. But he couldn't speak.

However, these are not what Zhang Fan needs to know or worry about. He left some people who knew how to do it in Taicang. In addition, people were also sent to Hangzhou, Quanzhou and other important ports to supervise. Now he is sitting in the carriage back to Suzhou. The reason for not returning to Yangzhou is simple. Zhang Fan just wanted to live in the Humble Administrator's Garden for a while. Zhu Yijun went to Taicang this time to really see the huge treasure ship. However, he did not appear on any occasion. First, the time to go to Taicang this time is very short. Second, Zhang Fan was also worried about his safety. Especially when Liujiagang welcomed the return of sea ships. There are many people. Even if the Jinyi Wei master he specially selected was strict. Zhang Fan is also careful and careful. I'm afraid something will happen. After all, Longqing handed Zhu Yijun into Zhang Fan's hands.

Those who came back with Zhang Fan were not only those guards. and Yingyue, who is still angry with Zhang Fan. As for the reason. Naturally, it has something to do with Luo Ling'er in the car behind them. And. What makes Yingyue quite unhappy is. This time back to Suzhou there was another carriage. Inside were Richard and Joanna, thousands of miles away from Portugal on the other side of Eurasia. Today, Richard is still dressed as a Western man. But Joanna is now wearing a silk dress. It's a bit exotic. Yingyue wasn't too worried about Joanna's appearance. After all, in her eyes. This Joanna is not only because of race. Her skin is whiter than hers, and her breasts are larger than hers. Yingyue didn't feel a hint of threat at all. It's just that Zhang Fan's act of kissing the back of Joanna's hand that day made Yingyue very unhappy. After all, although she is very delicate. But it's not the roundworm in Zhang Fan's stomach. There is no way to know what he is thinking. Maybe Zhang Fan likes to be small and exquisite. I also like this kind of ugly girl who looks speechless, maybe I can't say. This thought made Yingyue look at Zhang Fan a few more times.

Where did Zhang Fan know what Yingyue was thinking. thought that the little girl was still angry with herself. But it's hard to explain. Now he is busy instilling a global strategy for the future in Zhu Yijun.

"The teacher said. Those what Europeans found another piece of land. On their side there is a further west. Zhu Yijun was very surprised when he heard Zhang Fan's introduction. And the territory there is even greater than that of my Ming Dynasty. ”

"Exactly." Zhang Fan replied affirmatively. Merely. "Only. That land is not still in the West in Europe. From my Daming to the east. It is also possible to arrive. ”

"This ......" Zhang Fan's words made Zhu Yijun a little surprised. He has been very smart since he was a child, and he thought about it in his heart. I couldn't help but say. "That's it. Isn't the earth round? The education that he has been exposed to since he was a child is what he said, and Zhu Yijun naturally didn't believe Zhang Fan's words.

"I didn't believe it at first." Zhang Fan also pretended to be slightly surprised. Said. "But according to the Europeans. There was a navigator named Magellan. Risk one's neck. From Europe. All the way to the west. In the end, he returned to the place where he went to sea. This makes me have to believe it. ”

"Wonderful. Wonderful. Zhu Yijun sighed. Although he was born in feudal times. However, what happened since he was a child to the present has given birth to a rebellious character in his heart. Zhu Yijun really wants to challenge those traditions and ancestral teachings. It's also easy to accept new things. Really. He was only surprised by Zhang Fan's words. But there was no rebuttal.

After being surprised. Zhu Yijun began to think about what Zhang Fan told him. The current situation in Europe is described by Zhang Fan. Just like during the Warring States period. It's just that those countries have the intention of unifying the European continent. But no one can help anyone. Moreover, other countries that see a threat will not turn a blind eye to the war between the two countries. Zhu Yijun also understood what the American continent meant to Europeans under Zhang Fan's on-demand. He likes to listen to Zhang Fan's stories, and now he is gradually influenced by Zhang Fan. The inner concept is also changing subtly.

Now Zhu Yijun has to start thinking about these issues. Those Europeans now have cheap, almost free, labor. Don't think about the lives of those people. Those people were powerless to resist. Under such plunder. There is no country that is not strong. In addition, once the European countries relied on these plundered resources to develop to a certain peak. When the time comes, no one can help anyone, and they will once again look overseas. The deserts of the Middle East may become the hottest spot in 500 years. But now it's barren land. No one cares about it; Africa. The continent is vast. The population is also quite small. is a goal; The northern part of Eurasia. Although now Ivan the Terrible has changed the Grand Duke to Tsar for more than twenty years. The regime is unstable. The land is also vast. However, the harsh climate is not what Europeans aspire to. Zhu Yijun did the math. Now the sea ban is open. Merchants of the Ming Dynasty traveled to Europe. The people there knew that there was such an empire in the East. The items it produces are so eye-catching. Zhu Yijun felt worried.

Zhang Fan also told him. The Portuguese had already begun to set their sights on India. Although this can't harm the interests of Daming. Zhu Yijun didn't know what the word "colonization" meant. But Zhang Fan's explanation has made him understand the meaning of these two words. For everything of this kind. Zhu Yijun was deeply worried.

Zhang Fan looked at Zhu Yijun's wrinkled little face. But in his heart he knew that his purpose had been achieved. Zhu Yijun is now the crown prince. But he has no real power. Originally, if Zhang Fan was really worried about these things, he should have talked to Long Qing. However, Zhang Fan still had a worry in his heart. Even if Longqing is very open-minded. Even if Longqing wants to change everything that his ancestors have formulated. However, for a Han Chinese who has never invaded another country on a large scale for thousands of years. What colonization represents is difficult to make Longqing. Nor is it acceptable to the ministers who keep the teachings of the saints on their lips all day long.

Thankfully, this is just the beginning. The great colonial era did not come. Zhang Fan still has time. So he put the bet on Zhu Yijun. Later generations came to know a little bit about it. That is, Longqing is estimated to not have a long time to live. And the Zhu Yijun in front of him is about to become the longest-reigning Wanli Emperor of the Ming Dynasty. Today's Zhu Yijun is very dependent on Zhang Fan. And so it goes. There are many things that Zhang Fan can instill in the crown prince who has not yet formed a fixed idea. And once Zhu Yijun ascends the throne. Zhang Fan believes that with his current relationship with Zhu Yijun. You will inevitably gain more rights. Coupled with his status as the commander of the Jinyi Guard who broke away from the imperial court. A lot of things are much easier to do.

The reason why he told Zhu Yijun these things now. It's about planning for the future. Zhu Yijun was also moved by Zhang Fan's words. He hadn't thought about the fact that his family's future would perish. But he did hear that someone was going to threaten the land that his ancestors had conquered. This is something that no one can tolerate.

"That's what the teacher told me. Presumably, the teacher also has a plan in mind. Zhu Yijun thought for a while. Said to Zhang Fan. "I don't know what the teacher is going to ......"

"I do have some plans now. But I don't have a clue. Sighed. Zhang Fan said. Forthwith. He said part of what he told Zhao Xiande.

"Not bad. It's a good idea. Zhu Yijun said. Use the people of that land to make the money of the Europeans. The money I earn can also allow me to sit back and enjoy the success. Merely. This Zhao Xiande can really deal with it. ”

"A Zhao Xiande naturally has no choice." Zhang Fan shook his head and said. "But your majesty has opened the sea ban. However, the imperial court never thought of organizing a fleet of ships to go there. ”

"There's no way around it." Zhu Yijun said. "Business is an inherently undesirable matter in the eyes of the ministers. Now let them agree that the imperial court will do it themselves. It's simply not possible. ”

"Alas. These are all white and bright gold and silver. Let them just flow away in vain. Zhang Fan pretended to be sad and said. then praised Zhao Xiande's worth with great fanfare. Yingyue on the side heard him pretend to speak. I almost burst out laughing. But under the gaze of Zhang Fan's eyes, he quickly covered his mouth and didn't laugh.

As soon as Zhu Yijun heard the words gold and silver. Suddenly, a golden light appeared in his eyes. Zhang Fan knew at a glance that Zhu Yijun had been tricked. I can't help but laugh in my heart. Let's talk about the emperor of the Ming Dynasty. No. Zhu Yuanzhang's descendants. More or less have some personal preferences. Think of Zhu Yuanzhang himself. The corrupt officials were almost addicted at that time; Zhu Di is a murderer. likes to fight; Zhengde. likes to play as a palace maid and sing; Long Qing likes women. And this Zhu Yijun. Somehow. The greed for money has reached a terrible level. As long as it's money. There's nothing he doesn't like. Zhang Fan looked at Zhu Yijun's childish but greedy face. I couldn't help but wonder in my heart: "Although this kid was unhappy when he was a child. But he was not poor. How to be like poor and crazy. It's really nature. Immediately. Zhang Fan thought of one more thing. He is not too familiar with history, though. However, there were not many travel experiences in my last life. He had been to the tomb of King Lu in Henan. He has a good memory, but he remembers the life of King Lu introduced by the narrator at that time. That King Lu is also greedy for money. I don't know which vassal king of the Ming Dynasty this King Lu is. In this life, when I heard Zhu Yijun's younger brother's name Zhu Yijun. I got it all right. Now it seems. The two brothers born from the same mother are simply a virtue. The greed for money is incomparable.

But it's also thanks to this greed for money. Zhu Yijun was completely moved by Zhang Fan's words. He was worried about it in his heart. Now he is just a prince. Although the whole world will be his. But now the prince's son is nothing.

"But now I can't do anything." Zhu Yijun said slightly deflated. "Even if you tell your father. Even if the father agreed. The ministers probably won't agree to it. ”

"I understand Jun'er's troubles." Zhang Fan comforted. "It's just that Jun'er thinks things are too rigid. But I didn't think that there was room for this. "There are no more people in this world who dare to say that Zhu Yijun is rigid than one hand. But Zhang Fan is here. And Zhu Yijun was very happy to hear it. He looked at him with curiosity on his face.

Jun'er thought. This is what we used to grab money. "Zhang Fan said it very bluntly." Since it's a money grab. Naturally, this matter will not be known to the ministers. Jun'er forgot what I did? ”

Zhu Yijun listened. Oh, yes. Originally, this matter had to be kept secret. Even if he is the current emperor now. Nor will it openly announce that the imperial court is about to start doing business. And. Zhang Fan is now in charge of Jinyiwei. The activities of Jinyiwei are only responsible for the emperor alone. But the ministers can't control it.

"The teacher meant. Go and explain all this to your father. As long as the father agrees. There is no need to tell the ministers about this. The teacher just sends someone out to do it privately. Zhu Yijun, who had figured it out, said happily.

"That's it." Zhang Fan also said happily. "But this matter needs to be thought about. Don't let your majesty get annoyed. Don't let Your Majesty know that we're plotting against him. That's a crime of deception. ”

"Yes." Zhu Yijun nodded yes. For the emperor who is able to deceive his father. The young Zhu Yijun was extremely curious and expectant.

The carriage was under the puzzled gaze of a group of entourage. With laughter, he drove into the city of Suzhou.