Ming Dynasty: I risked my life to teach the prince, the emperor begged me not to die

Chapter 348 There are policies from above and countermeasures from below

The Japan-North Korea meeting ended in mid-September, and the issue of opening the sea was finally put on hold.

In Huaihua Hutong, bursts of coughing continued to come from the small courtyard. Liu Wentai gave Chen Ce a few injections, which temporarily stopped his coughing.

The copper basin next to the armchair in the middle hall was filled with bloody handkerchiefs.

Liu Wentai prepared some medicine for Chen Ce. After Chen Ce drank it and his condition became more stable, he said to Chen Ce, "Have a good rest. I'm leaving now. Alas!"

He wanted to comfort Chen Ce with a few words, but didn't know how to start. As long as there was a little hope, Liu Wentai would say a few words of comfort.

But there is no hope for this disease, especially since Chen Ce’s health is getting worse and worse.

Chen Ce bowed and thanked Liu Wentai.

He came to the study room dressed in his clothes. The cool autumn evening breeze blew in from the window. Chen Ce stared blankly out the window until Minister Qin appeared outside the courtyard.

Chen Ce went to open the door and invited Minister Qin to enter the middle hall. Qin Hong saw the copper basin and blood-stained handkerchief that had not been cleaned up yet in the middle hall, and asked Chen Ce with concern: "Are you coughing up blood again?"

Chen Ce said: "Doctor Liu just came and there is no major problem."

Qin Hong sighed deeply, somewhat reluctant to tell Chen Ce what happened in the court today, but he still said to Chen Ce: "Today, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince used historical materials to debate the issue of opening the sea, which was very exciting."

"Did you teach him?"

Chen Ce did not hide anything. Minister Qin should have known everything he should know, so there was no need to hide it.

Both Chen Ce and Zhu Houzhao actually knew each other's identities, but they just maintained a subtle tacit understanding.

Qin Hong said: "Unfortunately, it failed. In the end, Elder Liu decided to stabilize the business development first and not open the sea for the time being."

As if afraid that Chen Ce would be disappointed, Qin Hong encouraged him: "But it's already good. Your Highness the Crown Prince's wonderful debate has convinced many people. You have done well enough. There is no need to be sad."

Chen Ce hummed and said, "Okay."

Qin Hong was stunned for a moment. Why did he feel that he did not see disappointment on Chen Ce's face?

There was something wrong with his expression.

If he really wanted the Southeast Sea to be opened, then when he knew he had failed, he shouldn't have this expression. He would be a little sad and unwilling, and he might even think about remedial measures and so on.

In any case, it shouldn't be the expression that is expected now.

Yes, it was expected.

It was as if he already knew the result of today.

But this made Qin Hong even more confused. Since Chen Ce already knew the result, why did he repeatedly ask me to raise the issue of opening the sea in the court?
"Are you...really planning to go out to sea?" Qin Hong stared at Chen Ce and asked.

Chen Ce: "Well, what's wrong?"

Qin Hong shook his head and said, "Nothing."

Chen Ce just reacted at this time, and then sighed: "Hey!"

The next day, Zhu Houzhao found Chen Ce again in a huff, no doubt complaining to him about the failure of opening the sea. He also comforted Chen Ce and told him not to take it to heart.

Everyone thought that Chen Ce’s plan had failed this time, at least it had not achieved the goal of opening up the sea.

But...what if Chen Ce had no intention of opening the sea from the beginning?

……southeast.

The news of the court meeting reached the ears of officials in the southeast and Fu Han in just three days.

Big businessmen throughout the southeast have formed a group, with officials colluding with each other to form a huge chain of interests.

The imperial court has repeatedly begun to discuss the issue of opening the sea, and each time it has become more intense than the last. This is enough to show that the imperial court has actually already considered opening the sea.

But once the ban on maritime trade in the southeast is lifted, how can these maritime merchants in the southeast continue to make huge profits through smuggling?

Once the big businessmen can't make money, how can the officials in the southeast demand bribes?

Fu Yuan sat in his study, tapping documents rhythmically with his fingers. In front of him sat more than a dozen businessmen and bureaucrats.

They were all waiting for Fu Yuan's countermeasures.

Today, Fu Yuan holds a very high status among the businessmen and bureaucrats in the southeast. The largest smuggling group in the southeast is the Fu family. Moreover, Fu Yuan is as smart as a demon and can also hold up the southeast.

After an unknown amount of time, Fu Yuan stopped tapping his fingers and said calmly, "Since the court has shown signs of opening up the sea, let's put out this spark of fire!"

A businessman asked Fu Yuan suspiciously, "What does President Fu mean?"

Fu Yuan narrowed his eyes and said, "It would be enough if we could let the imperial court know the disadvantages of opening the sea."

amount.

It's easy to say, but how can they let the court know? They can't send officials to the court to tell them, right? And who has the eloquence to convince the court?
Fu Yuan said calmly: "Let the Japanese pirates in!"

"As long as the Japanese pirates are causing chaos in the southeast, the imperial court will naturally guard the sea strictly without us saying anything."

"Through, through Japan?"

Several businessmen were terrified, and even the officials present were a little frightened.

If this matter is discovered, it will be a serious crime that can cost you your head!
Fu Yuan said: "I didn't ask you to let the pirates in on purpose. If you just relax your defense a little, give the pirates a chance, and let them enter the land, wouldn't that be enough?"

"If we really want to investigate your crime, at most we can only accuse you of not being vigilant enough, but we can't accuse you of colluding with the Japanese, right?"

After a pause, Fu Yuan said, "If the small merchants who follow the smuggling business hear the news that the imperial court has opened the sea, they will be more anxious than us."

"When the Japanese invaders come in, let the retail merchants below lead them to burn, kill and loot. There are many smart people among them. They can think of what we can think of."

"All you need to do officially is to relax the coastal defenses a little."

As long as the Japanese pirates cause chaos in the southeast, once the news reaches the imperial court, the imperial court will certainly strictly guard the sea. Will there still be calls to open the sea at that time?
Who dares to clamor for opening the sea?
After hearing Fu Yuan's words, everyone looked at each other, but soon they nodded secretly. If they wanted to completely prevent the court from opening the sea, they could only let the court see the dangerous side of the ocean.

After the Japanese pirates committed crimes along the coast, the imperial court would know the harm that would be caused by opening the sea. At that time, they would not have to do anything and the door to the sea would be closed forever.

They can continue to smuggle and make huge profits.

If the maritime ban is lifted, this big overseas pie will be shared by countless people. At that time, they will not be able to form an overseas price monopoly and they will lose a lot of economic benefits. Therefore, the maritime ban cannot be lifted at any cost.

"Okay, are there any other questions?" Fu Yuan looked at everyone present calmly.

Everyone clasped their fists and bowed, and after leaving, they started to do their work, working together to fight against the court!

After the crowd dispersed, Fu Yuan sat alone in the study, squinting his eyes and said, "Chen Ce, is this your plan? Are you pushing for the strategy of opening up the sea? Unfortunately, it is doomed to fail!"

(End of this chapter)