Chen Tingyang gently pulled Zhu Yihai and whispered: "Your Highness, the court has always been strict with the vassal kings. In the ninth year of Chongzhen, the capitulations entered the frontier and the capital was martial law. Zhu Youjian, the former Tang king, was eager to recruit soldiers and horses without regard to the national rules of "the vassal kings do not control the troops", and led a thousand guards to the north to serve the king. At that time, although Zhu Youjian violated the rules, it was understandable. However, the emperor still ordered his throne to be seized, demoted to common people, and was permanently imprisoned in Fengyang. Although the former Lu king Zhu Yisect was coerced by Liu Zeqing, such crimes were still unforgivable, and those clans who stayed in Shandong would also be severely punished. If they could use family property and other external things to be exempted from punishment, it might not be a good thing."

The boat was a closed and narrow space on the sea. Most of the people on the boat were either boatmen or some big-headed soldiers. As Zhu Yihai's identity, it was impossible for them to have any interaction with them. Apart from these people, there were only a few people left on the boat who could talk to him.

Since boarding the ship, Zhou Xian has been reading various documents in his house and has not had any deep conversations with Zhu Yihai. Although Liu Konghe came from a family of officials and saved Zhu Yihai's life, because they had different personalities, they did not have much contact. Instead, Chen Tingyang, because he was soft on the outside and strong on the inside, and was knowledgeable and knowledgeable, he had a very good conversation with Zhu Yihai. Therefore, although they had not known each other for a long time, their relationship was very good.

After hearing Chen Tingyang's words, Zhu Yihai frowned high and thought for a while before he slowly sat down and said nothing for a long time.

Zhou Xian looked at him and said slowly: "Your Highness, you can think about this matter slowly. But I hope that when we meet again, you can make the right choice."

Zhu Yihai shook his head gently and said nothing.

Chen Tingyang asked with confusion on his face: "Does Governor Zhou want to leave early?"

Zhou Xian nodded and said, "I want to go to Lushun first. Tomorrow, I will ask Minister Chen and His Highness of Lu to lead the fleet to continue to travel to Denglai first. After arranging some things in Jinzhou, I will go and have a peace with you. But the food transport matters must not be delayed. I have a letter here. You will bring it to Governor Zeng, and he will cooperate with you with all your strength. Any ships that can go out to sea in Denglai can be called as you wish. When I arrive in Lushun, I will immediately transfer ten sea boats from the navy to you."

Chen Tingyang frowned and said, "Is this number too small for ten sea boats? Moreover, most of the ships in Denglai are civilian ships, and the load capacity is limited. The most important thing is that those ships are owned by private people. How could they let the court requisition for nothing?"

Zhou Xian said: "Ten sea ships are the limit for me to call ships at present. I have other naval ships and should not be used lightly. As for those private ships, the court certainly cannot use them in vain. After you arrive in Denglai, let Governor Zeng issue an order in the name of our Shandong Governor and his Governor Denglai. Anyone who is willing to go to Suzhou and Hangzhou to transport grain will be rewarded with two taels of silver for every successful delivery of one stone of grain to Denglai. If the ship capsizes, crew casualties, etc. during the transportation process, the government will be responsible for compensation."

Chen Tingyang thought for a while and said, "This is not a small amount of money! I'm afraid the court can't support it."

Zhou Xian waved his hand and said, "You don't have to worry about this. I am the one who is responsible for all the rewards. I don't need the court to pay additional silver. But the court needs to agree to me with two conditions. First, the Haishi Department, which Ma Shaoyu is currently in charge, must be under my control immediately. Second, the food and grass of Wudeying must be supplemented first."

Chen Tingyang thought for a moment and said, "It is natural for Governor Zhou to conquer Liu Zeqing immediately, and it is natural for him to give priority to replenishing food and grass, but it is not something that I can decide for the Haishi Municipal Department. But I will write to the emperor and suggest that it meet your requirements."

Zhou Xian bowed and said, "In this way, please ask Mr. Chen."

Chen Tingyang said: "When I was an official in the Ministry of Revenue, I paid attention to the situation in the Haishisi Department. Since Ma Shaoyu took office, he has sent at least 100,000 taels of silver to the court every month. If the governor of Zhou takes over, I hope this amount will not be reduced. After all, you know what the court's finances are. If you can guarantee that the money in this regard will not be reduced, I think the emperor should not object to this matter."

Zhou Xian thought for a while and said, "I will double it, and I will guarantee to ship 200,000 taels of silver to the capital every month."

Chen Tingyang didn't expect Zhou Xian to agree so easily. Although he was familiar with sea transportation, he was not very clear about sea trade. He thought it was not easy for Ma Shaoyu to pay 100,000 taels of tax and silver to the court every month, but Zhou Xian doubled the amount all at once, which surprised him from the bottom of his heart. He was stunned for a moment and said, "This is the best."

Zhou Xian said: "If these ten sea ships plus all the civilian ships in Denglai still cannot meet the quantity you need, then I can do nothing here." Zhou Xian was silent for a moment and said: "In fact, no one can surpass the number of sea ships in Fujian General Zheng Zhilong. Why didn't the court issue an edict to let him be responsible for transporting the grain?"

Chen Tingyang sighed long and said, "The canal was blocked, and some of the grain had been robbed by Sun Thief. Most of the remaining grain transport ships were concentrated in Jinling, Suzhou and other places. Only by sea, could these grains be transported to the capital. In fact, the emperor had issued an edict to ask Zheng Zhilong to transfer the ship north, but he finally agreed to send ten dilapidated small boats. Everyone knew that he had the strongest navy in the entire Ming Dynasty, but he just did not admit that he had it, and the court could not do anything to him."

Zhou Xian was silent for a while and said, "Zheng Zhilong was born as a pirate. Whether he was a pirate or surrendered to the court, the most important thing is to pay attention to interests. Over the years, he has earned more than tens of millions of dollars through smuggling ships. A sea boat went to the South China Sea and would bring back a large amount of money after returning. It is indeed unlikely to expect him to give up the opportunity to earn money and do thankless things like transporting grain."

Chen Tingyang shook his head and sighed, "A gentleman loves money and makes it easy, but there is nothing wrong with pursuing profits. But in times of crisis, why can't he give up his own interests temporarily and do something for the court? Don't you know where to attach the skin to him? If the Ming Dynasty is gone, what's the use of no more money he earns?"

Zhou Xian smiled and said, "It is meaningless to talk about these to people like him. If you want him to obey the will of the court, don't force any orders, and talk to him about interests like a merchant. As long as the interests come, he will fully comply."

Chen Ting raised his eyebrows and looked at Zhou Xian strangely and said, "Director Zhou has any good suggestions?"
Chapter completed!