The small Ryukyu Islands, once appeared in Nanshan, Zhongshan, Beishan three countries, but now it has been unified for 76 years, because the Ming Empire, which should have the largest trade throughput in the East, has been banning the sea and banning business, Ryukyu as a maritime trade transit station in Northeast Asia and Southeast Asia The important role has not yet been reflected, so this small country has not yet aroused the covetousness of careerists.

The capital of the Ryukyu Kingdom is the sauri, and the Ming Emperor of Xuande gave the Ryukyu King the surname Shang, and since then the Ryukyu King has taken Shang as his surname. At present, the king of the Ryukyus is called Shang Zhen, but the minister of state is a talent who moved from the Jianning Mansion of the Ming Dynasty.

Although this country is very small, but the Ming Dynasty has done its utmost etiquette for the envoys of the vassal state, not to mention that the visiting prince is a prince, and the political envoy of Zhejiang arranged him in a luxurious official post.

The sedan chair of the Chincha arrived in front of the door, and the Ryukyu prince Shoqing was already standing respectfully in front of the door to greet him. Because Yang Ling is meeting with state guests, he is solemn and important, with a python robe and jade belt, a full guard of honor, and outstanding character, this momentum is huge enough.

On the other hand, the prince of the Ryukyus looks to be only sixteen or seventeen years old, with a short figure, a black face, and only a pair of eyes. Yang Ling got off the sedan chair and saw at a glance that the prince of the Ryukyu Kingdom was wearing the robe of a scholar from the Central Plains, but his hair was combed into his own hairstyle, which looked nondescript, and he was stunned.

Although Cheng Qiyun tried her best to understand the situation of the Ryukyu Kingdom and took the trouble to tell him, she didn't know so much about the dress and eating habits of the Ryukyuan people.

The Ryukyuan people used Chinese characters as their official script, but their spoken language was similar to the spoken language, so in addition to a tributary envoy, a chief envoy, and an interpreter who was familiar with the official language of the Ming Dynasty, he accompanied the prince Shangqing.

Prince Shangqing clasped his hands together, waved to Yang Ling with a Buddha salute, and said a few words, and the interpreter hurriedly came over and said: "Lord Qincha, the prince said that he is very grateful to you for coming to visit him, and he has missed the distance, please forgive your sins."

Yang Ling smiled and said: "The prince doesn't have to be polite, the official came to Suzhou, and I heard that the prince was here, so I came to visit before, hehe, although this is a pavilion, now the prince is the master, don't you invite me in for a cup of tea?" ”

The translator knew that Yang Ling was joking, so he repeated it to Shang Qing with a smile, and Shang Qing smiled when he heard it, and hurriedly invited Yang Ling into the house.

This house is antique and full of Jiangnan charm. The brick carved heavy eaves gatehouse, the relief of the blue brick, is extremely luxurious. Entering the courtyard, the pink walls and tiles are quiet. Hall attic platform eaves bucket arch, carved beams and painted buildings, lotus pond under the rockery, a pool of water in the blue and secluded, even the sunshine also brings a bit of spring.

Yang Ling and Shang Qing Shizi chatted while walking, and after saying a few words, they paused and asked the interpreter to translate. The two sides entered the "Cong Gui Hall", and the guest and host sat on the official hat chair of Huanghuali wood, Yang Ling asked the Qing Shangqing prince to inquire about the lifting of the ban on the opening of the sea by the Ming Dynasty, and then told him about the national policy of the Ming Dynasty and the plan for future trade and trade.

Shang Qing listened to the details of the interpreter's words, and couldn't help but be overjoyed, knowing that Ryukyu was completely dependent on the Ming Dynasty, and the Ming Dynasty did not trade with the Ming Dynasty in the past, so they bought the goods of the Ming Dynasty and sold them at a high price to the Ming Dynasty by taking advantage of the opportunity of tribute, and then resold the things bought back from the Ming Dynasty at a higher price, relying on intermediate trade to make a living.

If the Ming Dynasty and the book of direct trade, their livelihood will be lost, after coming to the south of the Yangtze River, although the local officials respect him, but the responsible officials are all busy with the preparation of various yamen by Gu Dayong, there is no time to answer him, this is the first time from the mouth of the Ming Qincha to hear the official complete news.

Shang Qing looked like a simple and straightforward young man, but he was very business-minded, and they originally sold silver, lacquerware, swords, screens, and fans to the Ming Dynasty, and resold Chinese medicinal herbs, porcelain, silk, and copper coins to Yueben and North Korea.

Now that he has heard the policy of the Ming Dynasty, Shang Qing has a little calculation, although the business between this and North Korea can not be done, but it was not easy to sail at sea at that time, many small countries in the southeast did not have the ability to sail, even if the Ming Dynasty opened the sea ban, they could only look at the ocean and sigh, and the Ryukyus were in between, they could undertake the rhinoceros horn, spices, tin, sugar, ivory, ambergris and other goods of the southeast countries to trade with the Ming Dynasty, and then buy the ceramics, lacquerware and silk of the Ming Dynasty and sell them back, it is still very profitable.

Shang Qing was very happy in his heart, so he lost no time in mentioning to Yang Ling the desire of the Ryukyu Kingdom to do business with the Ming Dynasty, Yang Ling smiled and said: "This is easy, the Celestial Empire is tolerant, Ryukyu has always been a subject country of the Celestial Empire, you come to do business, we are welcome."

Yang Ling paused, and said casually: "If the prince still wants to know more about these things, you can ask the Governor of the Yamen of Haishi Gu Gonggong that this official came to Jiangnan this time mainly for the rampant affairs of the Japanese at sea."

When Shang Qing heard this, his face tightened, and he hurriedly asked: "The Japanese invaders have come to the Daming coast to raid again?" ”

Yang Ling listened to the interpreter's inquiry, and said with a smile: "Yes, in order not to be affected by pirates, the country is now exterminating pirates with great fanfare, and the pirates have nowhere to hide, so they have to wander on the sea. ”

Shang Qing's face turned pale, and he said nervously: "Our country is small and weak, there is no standing army, only one palace guard, the total number is no more than three thousand, if the Japanese invade, it will be difficult for us to resist."

Yang Ling listened, let out a long sigh, shook his head and said: "That's difficult, now several sea giants are gathered together, with a total number of no less than 20,000 people, they have no place to entrench, I'm afraid they will covet your country, it is inevitable."

Shang Qing said nervously: "I originally wanted to go to the capital to make a pilgrimage to His Majesty, but it seems that I have to return to China now, and I am very worried about my father and our people."

Yang Ling slapped his thigh and said with a compassionate look: "Pirates are really rampant now, alas! The country is full of thorns, the son of the world knows the country of thorns, right? They had recently been captured by a mere 400 Western pirates, and the king had fled to an island in the middle of the sea, and the palace ministers could not even find the king.

Originally, how could the Great Tomorrow Dynasty sit back and watch its own subject country being bullied? However, there is no letter of request for troops stamped with the golden seal of the king, I will be nameless tomorrow, but even the princesses and princesses have been humiliated and bullied by robbers and reduced to slaves, and this official is really sad, and when the official inspects Guangdong, he will send someone to the sea to find the king of the country, I hope he is still safe and sound."

The prince Shangqing couldn't sit still anymore when he heard it, he just got married this year, the princess is a famous little beauty on the Ryukyu Islands, in his heart, his beloved wife is as bright as a shining pearl in the deep sea, thinking of his charming and lovely wife, it is possible to become a cruel and despicable slave girl, and suffer from their destruction, Shang Qing suddenly felt like a knife.

He hurriedly begged: "Lord Qincha, the Ryukyu Kingdom is the most loyal courtier of the Ming Dynasty, we pay tribute every year, come to the court every year, abide by the duty of the Ming courtiers, each generation of kings succeed to the throne, and personally ask for the title of the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty, and now our country is in danger of being invaded by pirates, and please also ask Lord Qincha to send heavenly soldiers to help him for the sake of the country's loyalty to the Heavenly Empire."

Yang Ling hesitated: "This", he frowned with embarrassment, and said: "Son, it's not that this official is unwilling to help, one, there is no letter of invitation from the king of your country, this."

Shang Qingxi said: "This is easy to do, the Japanese have also harassed us, we have already asked the Celestial Empire to send troops to rescue, I will rush back to China immediately, ask my father to enter the table again, and implore His Majesty the Emperor to send troops."

Yang Ling covered his mouth and coughed, and said slowly: "Don't worry, don't worry, don't worry, the Celestial Empire Navy Division is also responsible for chasing pirates everywhere, and the troops that can be drawn are limited, and besides, the garrison protects the island, how can there be 17,800 people, so many people have to eat and drink, and the cargo ships transporting heavy grain and grass are not allowed to leave the port every day?" Although Daming is strong, it is also a little unbearable."

Shang Qing calculated that the expenditure of nearly 20,000 troops was indeed enough for the Ryukyu Kingdom to drink a pot, but compared to the danger of losing the country, what was this? Moreover, the Ming Dynasty was about to open the sea for trade, and with such a large army stationed there, the merchant ships of the South Seas countries dared to rest assured that they would anchor in their Naha port.

Whether the Ryukyus extract tariffs or resell goods in the middle, the huge income is still very surplus after paying for military expenses, the Ming army is stationed there, once the Ming court is defeated, it is bound to refuse to rest, which is more cost-effective than raising 20,000 troops by themselves.

Thinking of this, Shang Qing Huoran stood up and said: "Don't worry about this matter, the Celestial Empire Sailor is here to protect our country, and this money and grain will naturally be paid by our country."

He was still hesitating, so he simply lifted the sleeves of his robe and knelt on the ground, and said in a lamented voice: "Lord Qincha, the small country of Ryukyu is in danger of dying at the hands of pirates at any time, I have heard that the Lord is the most favored minister of His Majesty the Emperor, please have mercy on you, and you must help us."

"Okay!" Yang Ling picked up Shang Qing and said angrily: "Since the prince said so, I will immediately write a secret letter to the emperor, as for your country."

Shang Qing said without hesitation: "I will return to China immediately, ask for my father's aid, and personally send it to Daming Jingshi."

Yang Ling put on a smiling face and said, "Okay, it's urgent, then the prince will return to China as soon as possible, and I will rush back to deal with this matter immediately."

Shang Qing was grateful, prepared a generous gift, and sent Yang Ling out of the mansion with great gratitude.

Although Yang Ling's move has damaged a little, he has no choice, although this matter is beneficial to the Ming Dynasty, in fact, the advantages outweigh the disadvantages for the Ryukyu Kingdom, at least the Ming Dynasty did not annex their black heart, and this small country stayed there, without the blessing of a strong country, it was a matter of time before it was annexed and destroyed.

The reason why Yang Ling was putting on a posture was only to change the initiative to send troops to being invited to send troops, so that he could try to grasp the initiative when formulating the "Mingliu Security Treaty" in the future, so as not to have problems one day.

Yang Lingxing rushed back to Qincha Xingyuan, and as soon as he entered the living room, he saw a military general rushing over to salute him, and shouted in a loud voice: "Xiaguan Jiangnan Provincial Commander Min Wenjian, see the mighty Marquis, the right pillar of the country Longhu General, and the admiral of the inner factory Qincha Yang!" ”

Yang Ling let out a "yes", hurriedly helped him up, punched him in the chest and said with a smile: "Lord Min, do we still talk about these rules?" ”

Min Wenjian stood up and said with a smile: "Public before private, let's talk about business first, and then personal relations, so that adults can do it."

Yang Ling laughed and said: "Since Lord Min arrived in Jiangnan, this knowledge can be seen to grow, and the idiom is becoming more and more standard.

Cheng Qiyun had already greeted her, and stood aside with a shallow smile, waiting for these two old friends to be intimate, and then interjected: "My lord, the commander of Jiangnan Province has been waiting for a long time, such as Lord Bai Chongzan Bai and Peng Fugui, the commander of the navy."

Yang Ling noticed that there was still a thin military attache in the hall who was about fifty years old, and a burly old man with a figure like a leopard, a face like a heavy date, and a silver beard.

Although Bai Chongzan is as beautiful as a scholar, he is also a veteran from the army, he meticulously met Yang Ling according to the military salute, and the pirate king Qian Zong Peng Shark also stepped forward to salute, and looked at the posture is indeed a tiger general.

Yang Ling and the two of them said a few more words, invited a few people to sit down again, and Bai Chongzan bowed and said: "Lord Yang, in addition to opening the sea and lifting the ban, this is presumably to sweep away the Japanese invaders?" ”

Yang Ling said: "Exactly, in fact, the two are two and one, one and two relationship, it is difficult to open the Japanese without removing the sea ban, and recently the Japanese are forced to say that the country is very tight, and they have all fled to the coast of Daming, even if they are not to understand the ban, they must pay attention to how to prevent their incursion."

Bai Chongzan smiled and said: "What my lord said is very true, the sailors under the jurisdiction of the lower officials were originally only cruising in the coastal seas, and most of them used stable but slow fortune boats, not so much that they were ocean sailors, but rather that the inner lake sailors came from the truth, and the difference was not small."

Not long ago, we also held a naval battle trial according to the order issued by the Ministry of War, and the combat power of the naval division increased greatly.

(To be continued)