Since the imperial court issued the edict, it was sent to Zhejiang at an expedited speed of 800 miles through the post station, and it took several days to reach Zhejiang, and as for the rest of the remote provinces, it would take more time.

Hu Zongxian is the supreme governor of Zhejiang, so the work of receiving and announcing the edict is completed by him! And when Hu Zongxian listened to the content of the edict, the respectful look on his face remained unchanged, but there was an uproar in his heart.

"What? The imperial court wants to lift the sea ban! ”

In his opinion, although the imperial court has only opened one port in Quanzhou at present, it means a good start, and it will not be long before the previously abolished city ships will be restored.

This also means that the maritime ban policy will be gradually abolished in the coming period.

"Your Majesty! Now the people of the coast have a way to live. ”

Thinking of this, Hu Zongxian hurriedly summoned everyone to the Governor's Mansion to discuss the matter, and soon, everyone rushed to the Governor's Mansion meeting hall one after another to wait.

After a while, I saw Hu Zongxian humming an unknown ballad in his mouth, and walked into the conference hall with a leisurely pace.

"Your Excellency the Governor is in a good mood today! I don't know what good news I have encountered? ”

Everyone present guessed this in their hearts, and then they all got up, bowed to Hu Zongxian, and said, "I've seen the Governor!" ”

"Sit, sit!"

Hu Zongxian waved his hand and motioned for everyone to sit back in their seats.

"Teacher, I am so happy to see you today, is there any good news?"

Ma Ningyuan stood up on behalf of everyone and asked Hu Zongxian.

"Just before, the imperial court has issued His Majesty's edict, and Quanzhou Port will be opened in the near future! Not only that, but the imperial court also set up a special agency called the Department of Maritime Trade. ”

After Hu Zongxian finished speaking, he picked up the teacup on the side and took a sip.

"What? The imperial court wants to reopen the port of Quanzhou! ”

Hu Zongxian's voice was not loud, but it made everyone present fall into a deep shock and couldn't extricate themselves.

After a long time, I saw Ma Ningyuan look extremely hesitant, and plucked up the courage to ask: "Teacher, is what you just said true?" ”

In fact, it is no wonder that Ma Ningyuan is so cautious, since the battle for tribute, the word lifting of the sea ban has become a topic that cannot be touched in the Ming Dynasty!

For a while, as long as someone dared to mention the word lifting the sea ban, what awaited him was the end of raiding his family and exterminating his clan! After decades of persistence, the maritime ban policy has been deeply rooted in the hearts of many officials, as if the Ming Dynasty has always implemented the maritime ban policy.

"Naturally, it's true, do you need this official to show you the edict issued by the imperial court?"

Hu Zongxian raised his eyebrows and responded.

"No need, Lord Governor! We believe it. ”

Seeing this, Zheng Michang, who was on the side, hurriedly stood up from the seat and said in response.

"Then Lord Governor, you came to us today to discuss this matter?"

Gao Hanwen on the side seemed to guess the purpose of Hu Zongxian asking everyone to come over, and asked.

"Well, yes, this official thinks that the opening of Quanzhou Port is just the beginning, and more ports will definitely be opened in the future!"

"And my Ningbo, Zhejiang, has completely withered since the abolition of the Municipal Division! Now, it's time to prepare accordingly. ”

After Hu Zongxian finished speaking, he looked around from everyone, and then said in a deep voice.

"Yes, Lord Governor!"

Seeing that Hu Zongxian had already ordered the matter, everyone immediately responded.

"By the way, Your Majesty Governor, who is in charge of the Maritime Trade Division you mentioned earlier? In addition, what are the main responsibilities of this maritime trade department? ”

In the end, Zheng Michang still couldn't suppress his curiosity and asked Hu Zongxian.

"Well, this official doesn't know too much, but just by listening to the name, you can know that this newly established institution is closely related to maritime trade!"

"Oh, by the way, I almost forgot to tell you! The Department of Maritime Trade is solely responsible for specific trade matters. ”

After Hu Zongxian answered Zheng Michang's doubts, he added a sentence next.

"Hiss~"

Hearing Hu Zongxian's words, everyone present gasped.

If the facts are really as Hu Zongxian said, and this maritime trade department is in charge of specific trade matters, there is no doubt that it will be an extremely powerful department with extremely rich oil and water.

And Zheng Michang and He Maocai have already begun to think in their hearts, and after the meeting is over, they will immediately write a letter to the little pavilion elder in the capital to inquire about this news.

Hu Zongxian took in the expressions on everyone's faces, and then reminded: "By the way, before this, this official got the news that the imperial court has sent Zhao Zhenji, the superintendent of the imperial history, as the minister of the imperial mission, to thoroughly investigate the previous case!" You'd better pay more attention to this aspect. ”

As soon as Hu Zongxian's words fell, the scene immediately fell into a deathly silence, and everyone knew what the case Hu Zongxian was referring to was.

The imperial court has not been able to reduce or reduce taxes for the people for a long time, but now, His Majesty has actually sent a minister!

"Supervising the imperial history Zhao Zhenji, this is a ruthless person in charge of the Inspectorate, although the rank is not high, only a seven-grade official, but he has the power to supervise hundreds of officials and hear about things!"

"Don't talk about us local officials, even those first-class and second-class court dignitaries in the capital, you have to be polite when you see Zhao Zhenji."

"It's over!"

Zheng Michang and He Maocai thought of this, and their faces were full of disgrace.

For the rest of the day, they only saw Hu Zongxian's lips moving, but they couldn't hear any sound, and it wasn't until everyone got up from their seats that they followed the salute with hindsight.

Since the Governor's Mansion came out, Zheng Michang and He Maocai met in the restaurant box to discuss the next countermeasures.

This time, Zheng Michang rushed to the box first, and ordered Xiao Er to serve the wine and food.

After a while, I saw He Maocai push the door of the box open and walk in.

"Come, sit!"

After Zheng Michang finished speaking, he pointed to the vacant seat on the side.

"Come on, let's have a drink first!"

He Maocai said, raising his wine glass.

And Zheng Michang obviously didn't mean to drink, but just subconsciously raised his wine glass and clinked glasses with He Maocai.

"Well, what should I do next! The imperial court sent Zhao Zhenji as a minister to supervise the case. ”

"I've heard Xiao Ge Lao say that this Zhao Zhenji is not simple."

After Zheng Michang finished speaking, he picked up the chopsticks, took a mouthful of food and put it in his mouth, his face was full of sorrow.

"Don't worry, they won't let us have an accident! After all, we do so much dirty work for them. ”

Seeing this, He Mao put down his wine glass, and then comforted.

"Well, I hope so, but I always feel that we have to leave ourselves a way back, don't we?"

"If one day we are of no use to the elder of the pavilion! Then our fate will be the same as Shen Yishi, and we will be ruthlessly abandoned. ”

"At that time, without the elders of the pavilion to protect them, the things we did before will soon be revealed to the world, and when the time comes, the beheading will be considered light!"

After Zheng Michang finished speaking, he picked up the wine jug on the side and poured himself a glass of wine.

"Alas, at present, we can only take one step at a time! After all, right now, we still need the elders to protect us, don't we? ”

"I can only keep a few more eyes on things when I am doing things!"

After listening to this, He Maocai also sighed helplessly.

"Come on, don't think about that, cheers!"

"Cheers!"

(End of chapter)