Hu Baiqi drank half of the wine in the cup in one gulp, wiped his grease and said, "Okay." Yan Xiaoxianggong, these two gentlemen are just talents when it comes to fame......"

When Yan Hong heard this, he was dumbfounded, the official system of the Ming Dynasty usually raised people to be officials, and they were often petty officials. Hai Rui, as a lifter, can be a seven-grade county order at the age of forty or fifty, which is already higher than most lifters. To be a big official, you generally have to be a jinshi. There is also the fact that after the prisoners of Guozijian are released from prison, they can also be officials, and Yan Shifan is this type. However, Jiang Zhou and Chen Ke are willing to show their talents with mere talents, and they can be promoted from the fifth grade to the sixth grade, which is really rare. He hurriedly said: "The two gentlemen are only eight buckets high, and the so-called extraordinary people can do extraordinary things." ”

Jiang Zhou hurriedly arched his hand and said: "Yan Xiaoxiang praised it falsely. The two of us were able to get this official position, and it was because Hu Lao Governor Xian vigorously promoted him. This kind of kindness, I can't forget. ”

Hu Baiqi continued: "That's right, the two gentlemen are indeed my father's exception, but why can they break such a standard? Yan Xiaoxianggong, your contribution to the dynasty, recruiting An Wang Zhi and Xu Hai is an important one. But for this merit, Mr. Jiang and Mr. Chen will first explore the way for you. ”

When Yan Hong heard this, he hurriedly said, "Brother Hu, you should come and hear it." ”

Hu Baiqi said: "You know about this southeast trouble, Yan Xiaoxianggong. Since the 27th year of Jiajing, the officers and soldiers in Shuangyu broke the Japanese people, the Francophone people, and the old ship owner Wang Zhi fled to the East, and in the next six or seven years, it became stronger and stronger, and repeatedly invaded the southeast of our Ming Dynasty. Since my father served as the governor of Zhejiang, he has repeatedly sent troops to suppress them, although he has made quite a success. We must never cut off the troubles. To the thirty-third year of Jiajing. Wang Zhi tens of thousands of Japanese invaders threatened the southeast. That's it. This Mr. Jiang Zhou, who was a master in my father's shogunate at the time, and he and Mr. Chen actually stepped forward and said that they were willing to go to Japan alone to persuade Wang Zhilai to surrender to the country! Yan Xiaoxianggong, you say, is this a good man who stands up to the sky? ”

What the? Take the initiative to recruit An Wang Zhi. Is it the credit of these two people?

Yan Hong was also quite shocked when he heard it. He was not very familiar with the history of the Ming Dynasty, and before he crossed, he only knew that he had recruited Wang Zhi, but later killed Wang Zhi. Unexpectedly, the vanguard army of Zhao'an Wang Zhi was actually these two scholars who only showed off their talents and fame, and looked polite. You must know that in the 33rd year of Jiajing, it was when Wang Zhi was arrogant and rampant in the East China Sea. At such a moment, he took the initiative to appease him. And those who are willing to act as envoys to Japan must have great wisdom and courage. And he traveled through the post-historical plane. In the end, it was able to make a way to appease Wang Zhi and calm down the troubles on the southeast coast, and a large part of the journey was also due to Jiang Zhou and Chen Keyuan taking the lead in opening up the minefield. Yan Hong immediately raised his glass: "Count, count!" Two gentlemen, you are divided into the tiger's den and have the courage of the tiger, I Yan admire it very much. Here, a glass to the two of you! ”

Hu Baiqi, Jiang Zhou, and Chen Ke were busy all toasting to each other. Hu Baiqi said: "After you go, what to do, Mr. Jiang, Mr. Chen, you two can say it yourself, and ask Yan Xiaoxianggong to listen to it." I'm stupid, I can't figure out how many ways you have to say. ”

Jiang Zhou was not polite, and took advantage of the three-point wine, so he told that he and Chen Keyuan first found a private businessman along the coast of Zhejiang, took a boat to the sea, and went straight to Japan. After arriving in Japan, I met Wang Zhiyizi Mao Haifeng first, and then Wang Zhi. A moving emotion, saying that Wang Zhi's hometown is difficult to leave, and the old mother and wife are still in China, how can they give up? The second is reasonable, saying that Wang Zhi is a Ming person, if he colludes with the Japanese to rob his hometown, and is the enemy of the imperial court, even if he is arrogant for a while, he will not be able to last long. The three temptations were to take advantage, saying that Hu Zongxian had already played the imperial court and was ready to allow the opening of the sea for trade, and Wang Zhiruo returned to the imperial court and made great contributions, so that he could be awarded the title of official and knighted, and at the same time he could continue to make a fortune. These words made Wang Zhi's heart move. After that, Jiang Zhou and Chen Keyuan repeatedly spoke of Wang Zhi on the one hand, and on the other hand, they took the opportunity to wander around the daimyo of the Japanese archipelago, saying that the imperial court was ready to consider trade with Japan. After these aspects, Wang Zhi finally made up his mind, first sent Mao Haifeng to meet Hu Zongxian, and then led the brigade to the ocean of Zhejiang to accept Zhao'an.

When Jiang Zhou said this, Chen Keyuan said: "Wang Zhi just arrived in the ocean of Zhejiang, but suddenly news came that Xu Hai, who had recruited an early Zhao'an, was actually taken down by Lin Yangqian, the magistrate of Shaoxing. At this time, Wang Zhi was puzzled and refused to go again, even those Japanese and Han people under his command were also gossiping, and some even said that the two of us were sent by the imperial court to trap the old shipowner, and advocated killing the two of us directly, and completely turning over with the imperial court. Don't hide it from Yan Xiaoxianggong, at that time, the two of us were really precarious, trembling, for fear that if we fell asleep, we wouldn't see the next day's sunrise. Thanks to Yan Xiaoxiang's troubles in Shaoxing, and the court pardoned Xu Hai, we escaped with two lives. I am grateful to Yan Xiaoxiang for this matter. ”

Yan Hong smiled: "This is my business, why worry about it." Besides, Wang Zhi and Mao Haifeng are both understanding people, presumably although some of them are noisy, they will not really embarrass the two. ”

Jiang Zhou said: "Later, Xu Hai was recruited, and he even went to the sea to meet the old ship owner in person and tell the sincerity of the imperial court. The old shipowner was very happy and led the fleet to Zhoushan. When Hu Daduxian sent the commander Xia Zhengxia to replace him, Wang Zhi happily went ashore and gave us a generous gift to send us ashore. ”

Hu Baiqi ate and drank heavily at the banquet, and he was unrestrained, and at this time he had already brought six or seven points of wine, and he interjected: "That Xia Zheng is also a general in the southeast army, and the Japanese are here, a third-grade commander is naturally more valuable than a fifth-grade promotion and a sixth-grade deputy promotion." Actually, in my father's heart, Mr. Jiang and Mr. Chen are much more valuable than General Xia, hehehe. ”

At that time, it was the norm to emphasize literature and light on martial arts, not to mention that scarcity was precious, there was no shortage of famous generals under Hu Zongxian's command, although Xia Zheng's official position was high, in terms of the ability to lead the army to fight, it really could not be compared with Tan Lun, Yu Dayou, Qi Jiguang and others, and Jiang Zhou and the other two people's ability to cover and fold was indeed second to none under Hu Zongxian's account, so Hu Zongxian regarded Jiang and Chen as heavier than Xia Zheng in his heart, and used Xia Zheng to be a hostage in Wang Zhi's army in exchange for Jiang Zhou and Chen Keyuan, which was actually exchanging light for heavy. Hu Baiqi heard his father say this, but he didn't know the seriousness, and opened his mouth at the wine table. If his words get out. It will inevitably attract the dissent of others. Yan Hong hurriedly shouted: "Brother Hu can't talk nonsense. Mr. Jiang, you will talk about it later. ”

Jiang Zhou smiled: "There will be nothing in the future." I'll wait until I get ashore. Hu Daduxian personally set up a banquet to celebrate our achievements. I don't know how long it will take. Wang Zhi was taken by Wang Bengu again, claiming that he would go to the imperial court, behead him, and impeach the lower officials for colluding with the Japanese and wanting to be traitors. Hu Daduxian rescued Wang Zhi many times but could not, and it is rumored that Lord Xia Zhengxia has also been arrested by the Japanese invaders, and the news of the Japanese invaders on a large scale has also come. The two of me were just terrified. If Wang Zhi really wants to be killed, the hostages who are in the Japanese army will inevitably lose their lives. If it weren't for Hu Lao Duxian, he replaced the two of us with Lord Xia. This doom is on both of us. But Rao is like this, if Wang Zhi dies, the Japanese will be burned and killed, then the two of us this envoy, not only did not make an inch, but caused a catastrophe in the south of the Yangtze River, one of their own hard work was annihilated, and the other was that the court was afraid of asking for guilt. So, the heart is just apprehensive. Who knew that you came again later, Yan Daqincha, vigorous and resolute. single-handedly suppressed Wang Bengu and saved Wang Zhi's life. The second-hand destruction of the Japanese invaders saved the wrath of the heavenly family, and finally contributed to Zhao'an, so that the troubles in the south of the Yangtze River were calmed. Although Lord Naxia saved his life, he also spared the two of us the pain of breaking our intestines. Yan Xiaoxianggong, Jiang sincerely respects you here. With that, he raised his glass and drank it all.

Yan Hong smiled: "Mr. Jiang, you are polite. Wang Zhizhao An is successful, and Hu Daduxian wants to thank you heavily. ”

Jiang Zhou said: "The lower officials only have a show of talent and fame, and the official position promoted by the city boss in the previous time was also an exceptional appointment, just to have a title when he went to Japan, and had no other power." Although Yan Qincha and Hu Lao Duxian were defeated, after all, the army and civilians also suffered more than 10,000 casualties, and at most the merits and demerits were offset, and I wanted to remove my official position. Jiang was a scholar, and he only wanted to build the size of the country by sailing thousands of miles, and he was successful and slandered, and he sacrificed his life, what more hope could he hope for than the example of atonement? At this point, his face flushed, and he felt unfair.

When Yan Hong heard this, he slammed the table and said, "Ridiculous! Absurd! Mr. Jiang and Mr. Chen, as scholars, went to Japan during the rampant period of the Japanese invaders, and this vision and courage could not be compared with those officials in the DPRK and China who were looking for chapters and sentences? The two of you are carrying your heads to Japan for the dynasty and thousands of people, and those tongue-chewing fools are hiding behind and shooting the hidden arrows of the two of you, and there is nothing more than this in the world! But please rest assured, with me Yan here, I will never let the two of them make great achievements and fall into the hands of others. Speaking of which, now that we have recruited An Wang Zhi and temporarily quelled the troubles, the merit has been established. However, there is an even greater credit, and the eight characters have not yet been skimmed. I'm in need of two gentlemen! ”

Jiang Zhou and Chen Keyuan were surprised and delighted when they heard it, and looked at each other. Chen Keyuan asked: "Yan Xiaoxianggong, what is the greater credit you are talking about?" ”

Yan Hong stretched out a finger and said, "Why do you two ask knowingly? This greater merit is the opening of the sea to trade! I also know that the reason why the people along the coast go to the sea is because many of them have no way to make a living because of the ban on trade routes; Wang Zhidang's willingness to accept Zhao'an is for the promise made by my Uncle Hu to approve the same thing; The Ming Dynasty is now lacking in finance, and it also needs to open the sea to make up for it. Recruiting Wang Zhi and temporarily quelling the Japanese troubles is the first step to open up the sea and trade, because the Japanese are uneven and the sea is not restless, how can they trade? But the road ahead will still be extremely difficult. We need to open up trade routes, send envoys to various countries, manage merchants and people, and prevent local wealthy merchants from sabotaging the opening of the sea for their own selfish interests. These are inseparable from the wise and brave people who serve the country loyally. Two, don't say that your fame is just a show, when it comes to your talent and courage, you are ten times stronger than those Jinshi Juren! I, Yan Hong, for the sake of the Ming Dynasty and the people's food and clothing, have offended a lot of the Qingliu who are crippled. If you two are willing, you will work with me to conspire for the benefit of the country and the people! ”

Chen Keyuan and Jiang Zhou were enthusiastic by Yan Hong's words. Chen Keyuan slapped the table and said, "Yan Xiaoxianggong, you said that my heart is on the road." I am not famous with Brother Jiang, but I am loyal and brave. In this case, I am willing to listen to the little minister's dispatch and share the worries of the country! Jiang Zhou didn't say a word, full of tears, and got up and looked at Yan Hong deeply.

Jiang Zhou failed the township examination for many years, and originally taught a private school in his hometown for a living. Because of the imperial court's sea ban and the plundering of the Japanese pirates, he witnessed the increasingly dilapidated and impoverished hometown and had contact with some merchants in the south of the Yangtze River, and learned the cause of the Japanese plague from his point of view. For this reason, this district Xiucai embraced the good policy of "opening the sea to trade and recruiting the people for the people", so that Zhao Wenhua's subordinates turned into Hu Zongxian's subordinates, and they spoke out with emotion, which was approved by Hu Zongxian. The subsequent series of accidents made him concussive, and he thought several times that he was going to be convicted in vain. Now, the eldest grandson of the old court in front of him is the cadre who resolved the crisis in Jiangnan and realized the recruitment of the Japanese Kou, and he wants to help open the sea by himself. For an aspiring reader, could there be anything more exciting?

Hu Baiqi saw that they were able to enter the port, and clapped his hands with a mouth full of wine: "Okay, Yan Xiaoxianggong, I am dissatisfied with you for saying that I brought Jiang Zhou and Chen Keyuan here this time, and I recommend them to you." By my side, there is a letter of recommendation from my father, and a letter of recommendation from Mr. Tan Zili, the right-hand political envoy. But now it seems that neither of these letters is necessary. Mr. Jiang, Mr. Chen, you two should follow Yan Xiaoxiang on business. ”

Yan Hong knew that it was said that Hu Zongxian's pacification of the Japanese in Jiangnan was precisely to show his ambitions, and it was completely useful to Jiang Zhou and Chen Keyuan. The reason why they were promoted to the central court was that they knew that there would be big moves and big arguments in the court in the new year for the opening of the sea, and the Yan Mansion, as the backbone of the open sea faction, needed such talents to assist. Second, it is probably because he is in the governor's office, it is difficult to appoint these two Xiucai too high official positions, and he also hopes to use the power of the Yan Mansion to promote the next two meritorious heroes. Yan Hong himself estimated that he was currently a favorite minister of Emperor Jiajing, his grandfather Yan Song was still the first assistant of the cabinet, and Wu Peng, the secretary in charge of the appointment of officials, was basically Yan Shifan's pawn, so it was not a big problem to arrange official positions for Jiang Zhou and Chen Keyuan.

Thinking of this, he nodded and said, "The two gentlemen came to help me, which is more precious than Uncle Hu giving me 100,000 taels of silver." Come on, come on, let's get drunk today! ”

Although Hu Baiqi was drunk, he still remembered the incident and said: "Yan Xiaoxianggong, my father has also prepared a batch of gifts this time, which will be sent to your mansion to honor Yan Ge Lao and Xiao Ge Lao." I'll have one for you and I'll send it back. ”

Yan Hong said: "This is easy to say, let's finish the wine and dinner, rest for half a day, and you can take it with you at night." It doesn't matter, our brothers are also friends in trouble, so there is no need to talk so politely. ”

Hu Baiqi smiled: "But in addition, there is also the letter from the Mo family in Jiangnan and Wang Cuiqiao to you, isn't the little minister in a hurry to read it?" ”

(Jiang Zhou is a tragic figure in the history of the real plane, he is a talented person, has great ambitions, takes the initiative to ask for help, and almost completes the great achievement of recruiting Wang Zhi and pacifying the Japanese invaders.) In the environment at that time, he was ambitious, talented, and executed, and he almost succeeded. It's a pity that the big plan was ruined by a mere king, and the country was certainly damaged, and Jiang Zhou's pride was all wiped out. After that, Jiang Zhou refused the offer of Tan Lun and others, and died a few years later in Changping, Beijing, which was very close to my current location. Thinking of the story of this ancient man more than 400 years ago, I can't help but feel emotional. (To be continued......)