Yongli Ming Dynasty

Chapter 396 Starting Price
In Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, in the back hall of the General's Mansion, Tian Xiong was sitting in the hall wearing a black round-collared robe, and below him was Xu Xin, the deputy general of Tian Xiong's army.
Tian Xiong picked up the teacup and took a sip, then said softly
"How is the inspection of the Ninghai batch going?"

"General, I have led people to inspect the seized Ninghai merchants' goods. There are a total of 1,500 dan of white silk, 600 dan of yellow silk, and 1,000 rolls of brocade and cotton cloth of various colors from Jiangnan. There is nothing else."

Tian Xiong put down the teacup, his face darkened, and he couldn't help but ask

"There are so many goods, but only silk cloth. Are there any prohibited items?"

"I personally checked the warehouse and found that there were only silk and cloth in it, and no prohibited items."

Xu Xin saw Tian Xiong's expression and seemed to know what Tian Xiong wanted to ask. Before Tian Xiong could speak, he continued
"I have also searched and interrogated the caravan members, but have not found any hidden letters."

"I have also checked the company that shipped goods for Ninghai. This company has been doing business in Zhejiang Province for more than ten years. Its past history is clear. It is not a newly established company."

After Tian Xiong detained the Ninghai caravan, he ordered people to investigate the situation of the caravan, hoping to find evidence of Ninghai's corruption on the caravan.

Ninghai's smuggling business is considered to be one of the best in Zhejiang Province. According to Tian Xiong's estimation, Chen Tianchong was able to sell such a large amount of silk goods to the Ming court, so he must have had a deep connection with some people in the Ming court.

This connection does not mean that Chen Tianchong has secretly rebelled against the Ming court, but that he has reached some kind of tacit understanding with the Ming court.

This is also the current situation of smugglers in Zhejiang Province. The Ming court spends money to buy smuggled goods from the Qing court, while the smugglers on the Qing court help the Ming court do things like delivering messages within their capabilities.
Although Ninghai was smuggling goods to the Ming court, smuggling alone was not enough to threaten Chen Tianchong.
What Tian Xiong wanted at this time was to find evidence from the caravan that Ning Hai assisted the Ming court and secretly delivered letters of intelligence. As long as these letters were found in the caravan, he would have Chen Tianchong's handle.

But Tian Xiong never thought that Chen Tianchong would be so cautious.
Yes, Tian Xiong did not believe that Chen Tianchong and the Ming court had a simple smuggling relationship. Tian Xiong just thought that Chen Tianchong was cautious and did not use the caravan to pass on information for the Ming court.

Xu Xin looked at Tian Xiong who looked unhappy, hesitated for a moment, and then spoke

"General, Ninghai Chen Tianchong has sent a letter to me, saying that he is willing to follow your instructions and only take thirty heads for his military merit."

"After all, Chen Tianchong is the general of Ninghai, with 4,000 to 5,000 men under his command. He is not an easy person to deal with."

"Since Chen Tianchong has already bowed to us, I think it is better to make a big deal out of it."

Tian Xiong heard this, but his expression was cold and he said

"What do you mean by bowing your head? His military exploits were all fake. I was just reporting them truthfully. In my opinion, Ning Hai's so-called military exploits are fake even if they are at level 30."

"This Chen Tianchong is really a thief with audacity. Once the Ming army stepped on the grain, he dared to report hundreds of military exploits."

"In recent years, those who came here to steal grain were all elite soldiers of the Ming imperial army. Zhejiang Province didn't even take many prisoners alive."

"Even those rotten soldiers of Chen Tianchong dared to say that they killed hundreds of people. Why didn't he say that he broke into Guangzhou and captured the Regent Gui?"

Tian Xiong never believed the military exploits reported by Chen Tianchong. All the generals on the front line of Zhejiang Province knew that there was definitely some water in it.
Although the Ming army only had two or three hundred people each time they went to steal food, they were all elite soldiers in the Ming army.
These Ming soldiers rode Liao horses and were fully armored. Even though Tian Xiong was the general of Zhejiang Province, he only had three or four hundred of these elite cavalrymen under his command.
These elite servants were the commanders of the armies, used to protect their lives on the battlefield. The rice destroyed by the Ming army belonged to the imperial court, but these servants were their own.
Who would use their own elite troops to fight against the Ming court for the sake of the court's rice?

In Tian Xiong's opinion, Chen Tianchong and his men should have killed some Ming soldiers who stepped on the grain, but it is impossible for them to kill hundreds of people.

As for the so-called military merits of hundreds of heads, most of them must be Chen Tianchong killing innocent people to claim credit!
Xu Xin also knew why Tian Xiong was so angry. Tian Bao was defeated so badly in Tiantai. Tian Xiong had used so many connections and spent so much money to protect Tian Bao.
In order to reduce the punishment from the court, Tian Xiong even used his connections to obtain some Ming army heads from Xinchang and other places, and ordered Tian Bao to hand them over to the court to report his merits.
The heads of the Ming army could not only be exchanged for rewards in the Qing army, but also be recorded as merits. Of course, the merits that Tian Xiong wanted were not free.

Tian Xiong was in a state of panic, but Ninghai reported a great victory, which made Tian Xiong dislike Chen Tianchong even more.

Although Xu Xin knew the inside story, he remained silent for a moment, then he spoke

"General, Chen Tianchong has deep roots in Zhejiang Province. He is definitely not an ordinary person. We don't need to make enemies for nothing."

"Not long after we seized the Ninghai merchants, Sun Zhixiu, the Qinghai governor in Ninghai City, sent people to ask for their release. A few days ago, Chen Daotai, the Ningshaotai governor in the city, also sent people to question us."

"Even Governor Xiao in Hangzhou sent someone to pass on a message, saying that the frontline should focus on military affairs and not make things too tense."

"The general is the commander-in-chief of Zhejiang Province, so he doesn't need to be afraid of Chen Tianchong. But if we fall out with Chen Tianchong over such a small matter, it seems a bit not worth it."

Tian Xiong's face darkened when he heard this, but he soon sneered and said

"Qinghai Road, Ningshaotai Division Road, Governor's Office, great, it's a good saying that wealth can make the gods go crazy, this Chen Tianchong has become the God of Wealth of my Zhejiang Province"

The Qinghai Province was responsible for the coastal defense of Ninghai, Changguo and other Zhejiang provinces. The Ningshaotai Sub-province also had the right to inquire about the military affairs of various places on the Ningbo front.

As for the Zhejiang Provincial Governor's Office, it is not necessary to mention that it controls and supervises the military affairs of the province.

At this time, almost all the civil officials in Zhejiang Province who were responsible for supervising military affairs stood on the side of Chen Tianchong. How could Tian Xiong not be angry?

Tian Xiong also knew why these people stood on Chen Tianchong's side. Before surrendering to the Qing court, Chen Tianchong was just a minor officer in the Ming court army. In terms of status, he was not even as high as Xu Xin in the Ming Dynasty.

At this time, the reason why Sun Zhixiu and others stood on Chen Tianchong's side was just for money.

Chen Tianchong has made a lot of money from smuggling Jiangnan silk products over the years, and he must have used the money to feed these corrupt officials.
This is actually one of the reasons why Tian Xiong is so hostile to Chen Tianchong. Although Chen Tianchong also gave him a portion of silver, that little bit of silver is nothing.

Every family on the border made a lot of money from smuggling, but Tian Xiong, the powerful general of Zhejiang Province, could only watch and drink some soup. How could Tian Xiong not be angry?

Tian Xiong also asked Tian Bao to try smuggling, but because of Tian Xiong's own reasons, the merchants from the Ming court knew Tian Xiong's identity and dared not do business with him even if they had to pay a high price to buy goods from other companies.

The atmosphere in the hall was heavy. Xu Xin tried to persuade him several times, but seeing the gloomy look on Tian Xiong's face, he dared not persuade him again.
There was silence in the hall for a while. Tian Xiong looked annoyed. He waved his hand and was about to speak, but at this moment, a guard outside the door hurried into the room and said

"General, Ninghai Deputy General Zhong Mo just came and said he wanted to see you. Now Zhong Mo is waiting outside the mansion. Do you want to see him?"

Tian Xiong thought for a moment, then suddenly a sneer appeared on his face and he said

"Since he came to ask for an audience, let's meet him."

In the lobby, Tian Xiong sat at the top, Xu Xin sat at the bottom left, and Zhong Mo sat at the right.

Zhong Mo looked up at Tian Xiong, bowed, and said

"General Tian, ​​my general has given up the remaining heads as the general said and acknowledged the military merits reported by the general's office." "The caravan's travel permit has also been sent to the city, which is enough to prove the innocence of the caravan. Why is the general's office still unwilling to return my general's goods?"

Tian Xiong heard this, but his face was cold and he said

"Admit it? Do you really think I'm one of those civil officials who don't understand military affairs?"

"The military exploits reported by Ninghai City were all false. I was just acting impartially. Why would I need Chen Tianchong to acknowledge them?"

"As for the caravan's innocence, it's ridiculous. Ninghai is on the front line, and the people in the city can't even get enough food, so where can they get the money to buy silk?"

"Are you going to tell me that these silks are worn by the people of Ninghai City?"

"You guys transport silk every day and every year, where are all these silk products going? You guys know it best."

"Ninghai actually dared to disobey the imperial order and secretly transport silk goods to the Ming court, and he still dared to quibble here."

Zhong Mo's face darkened when he heard this. Tian Xiong had now seized a total of 20,000 taels of silver from Ning Hai.
After Ning Hai learned that the goods were detained, Chen Tianchong also began to inform Sun Zhixiu and others to put pressure on Tian Xiong.
Chen Tianchong gave so much money to Sun Zhixiu, Ningshaotai Dao Chen Mo and others every year, and it was used at this time.

But Chen Tianchong did not expect that despite the pressure from several parties, Tian Xiong still held on to Ninghai's silk goods. Chen Tianchong had no choice but to order Zhong Mo to go to his house in person to ask for them.
Zhong Mo's face turned cold at this time, and he said

"Let's not mince words. It's obvious where this batch of goods will end up. General Tian will know that."

"But General Tian needs to know that it is not just Ning Hai who is doing this. Is General Tian really prepared to fight to the death in Zhejiang Province?"

Tian Xiong's expression changed slightly when he heard this. Although Chen Tianchong's smuggling of goods to the Ming court was a serious crime, it was not a handle at all.

Because at this time, the whole Zhejiang Province, not just Ninghai, but everyone is doing these things

It is a serious crime for Ning Hai's family to do it, but when everyone is doing it, it can no longer be considered a crime.

Now in Zhejiang Province, Ninghai, Xinchang, Jinhua, Yanzhou, all the frontline generals close to the Ming army are doing business with the people of the Ming court.

These generals from all over the country are not eating alone, they also have people behind them
Nowadays, almost everyone in Zhejiang Province, from the governor to the military officers and merchants, is profiting from smuggling.
If Tian Xiong dared to reveal this matter, not only Tian Xiong, the general of Zhejiang Province, but also Xiao Qiyuan, the governor of Zhejiang Province, would also be killed.

Tian Xiong was silent for a moment, but suddenly sneered and said

"I am different from you. You termites are all selling goods to the Ming court, but I have never done that."

"Of course I dare not reveal this matter, but I can seize your Ninghai goods. If you are dissatisfied, you can go to the court to make trouble. I want to see who will suffer in the end."

Tian Xiong certainly didn't dare to expose the smuggling, but Chen Tianchong also didn't dare to publicize it.
These goods are not clean to begin with. If Tian Xiong is determined to go against Ning Hai, Chen Tianchong will have no way to stop him.
Zhong Mo looked unhappy and said in a deep voice:

"My general has no grudges against General Tian. I came here this time hoping to speak frankly with General Tian. I don't mind asking what General Tian wants."

Although Chen Tianchong has no grudge against Tian Xiong, who made Chen Tianchong in Tian Xiong's jurisdiction? Since he cannot engage in smuggling, he has to earn the money back from Chen Tianchong.

Tian Xiong did not hesitate at all when he heard this and said

"Then I will make it public with you. From now on, my salary will be increased to 5,000 taels per year."

"This is impossible!"

Zhong Mo immediately refused when he heard this. Ninghai wanted to transport goods from Ningbo, and naturally he had arranged with Tian Xiong before. Ninghai previously gave Tian Xiong 2,500 taels of silver every year.
Two thousand five hundred taels may not seem like a big number, but in fact, after Tian Xiong took the money, he didn't have to do anything.

The purchase and transportation of these goods were all completed by the company. All Tian Xiong had to do was to close his eyes when the goods were being transported in Ningbo, and then he would get the two thousand five hundred taels of silver.
Tian Xiong suddenly made a huge request, wanting to double the regular silver.

Ninghai could certainly afford to increase Tian Xiong's annual allowance by 2,500 taels of silver, but Ninghai could never open this loophole.
Tian Xiong's silver has been doubled. Should we increase the amount given to Sun Zhixiu, the amount given to Ningshaotai Dao, and the amount given to the governor's office?

If Tian Xiong seized the goods, Ning Hai would pay immediately. If other places followed suit and seized Ning Hai's goods and asked Ning Hai for money, would Chen Tianchong give it or not?
Zhong Mo's expression darkened and he said

"General Tian, ​​the silver has been set in advance and has been in use for several years. How can General Tian go back on his word?"

"The past is the past. Recently, more and more goods have been shipped to Ningbo. I will stay in Ningbo. The more goods you transport, the greater the risk I will bear."

"I took such a big risk for Chen Tianchong, so I should get more money!"

"Of course, if you don't want to give it, you can go find a governor. I want to see who has the courage to come out and protect this batch of stolen goods."

Zhong Mo's face was red, and he was obviously furious, but Tian Xiong above him still picked up the teacup with a calm expression, as if he didn't notice anything.

There was silence for a while, and Zhong Mo seemed to have suppressed his anger and said in a cold voice

"I can make up the difference by paying 2,500 taels, but this batch of goods has been delayed for more than a month. We can't delay any longer and must ship it immediately!"

"I am not in a position to make the decision on the increase in the salary. I will report this to my general after I return to Ninghai, and my general Chen will make the decision."

Tian Xiong put down his teacup and looked at Zhong Mo who was trying hard to hold back his anger, but he chuckled.

"Then pay the money. When you pay the money, you can start shipping the goods."

Zhong Mo snorted coldly and stood up to leave. Tian Xiong looked at Zhong Mo who was leaving in a huff and said

"Tell Chen Tianchong that I have no control over other places, but I will keep my word in Ningbo."

"If you lose one ounce, you won't have to ship goods from Ninghai City to Ningbo City anymore."

Zhong Mo paused for a moment after hearing this, and then walked out of the hall without even turning his head.
Zhong Mo walked out of the house, and the anger on his face suddenly disappeared. Zhong Mo turned his head to look at the general's house behind him, but he sneered and then strode away.
(End of this chapter)