Good morning Daming

Chapter 1010: Fighting for Pleasure
shipbuilding?

The five ministers were all stunned.

There is a shipbuilding base in Nanjing, right in Longjiang.

Back then, the eunuch Zheng He set out from Longjiang and sailed out to sea with his huge fleet.

Today, the man is gone and that huge fleet has long become a legend.

Minister of War Lin Zhian has been feeling a little uneasy lately. After Minister of Rites Wang Hui was killed by Jiang Qingzhi as if he were the monkey, he was worried that he would follow in his footsteps.

For this reason, Lin Zhian tried to test Xu Chengzong, but Xu Chengzong's family was trying hard to get close to Jiang Qingzhi and the new policy, so how could they have the time to care about him?
Lin Zhian went to look for the garrison eunuch Wang Yan again. Who was Wang Yan? He would not get up early without profit.

Sorry, he wasn't even allowed in.

When the news of Songjiang Prefecture's surrender came, Lin Zhian knew that he had to make a choice.

Should I bow my head completely, or pretend to obey but secretly disobey?

Before going to Songjiang Prefecture, Xu Chengzong had a gathering with several ministers and said: How do we compare to Lord Xu?
Xu Jie has already been disgraced, what are we waiting for?
You guys continue, I'm leaving... Xu Chengzong, Chen Zheng, and Prince Jing went south to Songjiang Prefecture.

Lin Zhian immediately jumped up.

That’s right!
This person chose to bow his head.

He said solemnly, "The shipbuilding that Long Wilbur mentioned... is it related to the lifting of the sea ban? I think it is just the right time."

The other three ministers were dumbfounded. After the court passed the resolution to lift the maritime ban, people in the south were very excited.

Some people were overjoyed and said that the opportunity to make a fortune had come.

The foundation of the southern literati is the land, and Jiang Qingzhi is about to cut everyone's flesh. This is the imminent crisis.

Ruining the new policy!

We oppose anything that the new policy and Jiang Qingzhi support or agree with.

When the news of lifting the ban on sea trade came, logically speaking, as the South is close to the water and gets the moon first, everyone should be cheering.

But apart from some businessmen, there was widespread opposition in the South.

As the six ministers of Nanjing, they naturally could not go against the mainstream public opinion. Whether attending banquets or in public, several ministers expressed their opposition to lifting the maritime ban in various ways, either explicitly or implicitly.

Among them, Minister of War Lin Zhian was the most determined and active.

——People’s hearts are no longer the same as they used to be!
——People are uneasy!
——Lifting the maritime ban will inevitably require the expansion of the navy, which is too wasteful!

——Longjiang has long lost its ability to build ships. Do we have to start from scratch?
Lin Zhian had many reasons for his opposition and was known as the number one opponent of lifting the maritime ban.

But at this moment, the Nanjing Minister of War suddenly changed into a staunch supporter of lifting the maritime ban.

Looking at that determined look, it seems that he has been a supporter of the new policy and Jiang Qingzhi from the very beginning.

Damn it!

The other four were furious.

Jiang Qingzhi used an iron fist to suppress local tyrants and literati in Songjiang Prefecture, demonstrating his determination.

Logically, he should have expanded his victory immediately, but this guy changed his mind.

Benber wants to build a ship.

With the lessons learned from the "predecessors" of Songjiang Prefecture, who would dare to stop it?

Since it is impossible to stop it, why not show your approval and gain a favor at the same time?

So the four ministers all wanted to agree, but after all, we are the ministers of six ministries, so we must be reserved, right?

Unexpectedly, Lin Zhian, the biggest opponent, was the first to jump out and express his loyalty.

Damn it!

Where do you, Lin Zhian, put us?
Four pairs of eyes stared at Lin Zhian, and there seemed to be flames rising in their eyes.

The garrison eunuch Wang Yan sat on one side drinking tea, leisurely watching the eye contact between the ministers.

It’s so damn interesting!
Wang Yan laughed sarcastically.

"After the maritime ban is lifted, there will inevitably be a lot of trouble. The navy...is it unusable?" Minister of Justice Zhang Quan tentatively asked.

"Ha ha ha!" Wang Yan laughed happily, "Minister Zhang, don't you know that the navy has already become a salted fish?"

Zhang Quan was stunned. Wang Yan said, "Last time we boarded the ship, we said we were going out to sea. Who would have thought that water would enter the bottom of the ship as soon as it set sail? The navy commander said we should change the ship, but how could we dare to board it?"

Zhang Quan laughed dryly and said, "In that case, building a ship... is just the right time. But there is a problem."

"Are you talking about the shipbuilding blueprints, Minister Zhang?" Lin Zhian said with a smile, "The mechanical skills of the Mohist school are unrivaled in the world, and Chang Wei Bo is a great master of the Mohist school. The shipbuilding skills are just a small matter."

Zhang Quan thought to himself that I am the Shangshu after all, and even if I want to show my goodwill to Jiang Qingzhi, I have to be reserved and show some attitude, so as not to be looked down upon by him.

But just when I was putting on airs and was about to bow my head, you, Lin Zhian, came to disrupt the situation again.

Zhang Quan stared at Lin Zhian, his eyes almost spitting fire.

Lin Zhian said seriously, "Once the sea is opened, I can't help but think of the grand scene of Quanzhou Harbor in the pre-Song Dynasty when the sails covered the sky. However, I have found a lot of news recently. There are not only many Japanese pirates but also more pirates in the southeastern coastal areas."

He bowed towards the north, "When the eunuch Sanbao sailed to the West, he wiped out so many pirates. But there were also thieves in the court who ignored the overall situation and cancelled the voyage. Then the navy declined and pirates revived. If there is no strong navy, how can we wipe out those pirates? If the pirates are not wiped out, how can merchant ships dare to go to sea."

Lin Zhian said sincerely: "If you want to do your work well, you must first sharpen your tools. This is the case when Chang Wei Bo first built warships. I have never seen Chang Wei Bo's calm demeanor in commanding a battle, but I have glimpsed the demeanor of a famous general from this incident."

This flattery... Zhang Quan's cheeks trembled slightly, and he cursed Lin Zhian in his heart, you are at least a Shangshu! Even if you are from Nanjing. Where is your face?

Reserved?
Aren't you afraid of being criticized or even ostracized by the southern literati for flattering Jiang Qingzhi in this shameless way?

Zhang Quan turned his eyes and saw Jiang Qingzhi nodded slightly, obviously approving of Lin Zhian's attitude. And Lin Zhian's eyes were faintly happy... Zhang Quan was startled, and then he thought of what Jiang Qingzhi said in Songjiang Prefecture.

——Investigate thoroughly and eradicate all evil!

Following these words, Songjiang Prefecture turned over like a dragon on earth.

The entire southern region has a complex network of relationships, and Songjiang Prefecture has close ties with Nanjing. This time Jiang Qingzhi has launched a major case. According to Zhang Quan's analysis, he is following the clues and suppressing the entire south through Songjiang Prefecture.

And Nanjing is the core.

Nanjing will inevitably undergo a purge.

Before this, Jiang Qingzhi would remain calm and even pretend to be submissive.

But the more this happens, the more severe the subsequent crackdown will be. If things go wrong, a high-ranking official today may end up as a prisoner tomorrow.

Who is clean among us these days?

No one's ass is clean.

If you want to save yourself, you have to bow your head.

Surrender your head before Jiang Qingzhi attacks Nanjing. Judging from the feedback from all sides in the capital, as long as you are submissive and have not committed any major crimes, Jiang will let you go.

If things go wrong, he might even become one of Jiang's own, and from then on become a member of Jiang's faction, reaching the pinnacle of his life...

That’s what Lin Zhian thought.

And seized the initiative.

When everyone gathered to discuss matters yesterday, this guy was still complaining, saying that Jiang Qingzhi was too harsh in Songjiang Prefecture, making things difficult in Nanjing.

But within one day, this guy changed his face.

What's your complaint?
That is a means to paralyze us, with the purpose of gaining the upper hand!
Damn it, Lin Zhian, let’s wait and see!
Zhang Quan thought about this and smiled, "Chang Wei Bo's move is far-sighted. I think building ships is the top priority right now. The most important thing is the craftsmen. I just happened to know the origins of those craftsmen."

Jiang Qingzhi watched the quarrels between several ministers, but remained calm, just like a monkey playing.

Seeing Zhang Quan lower his attitude, Jiang Qingzhi nodded encouragingly.

Zhang Quan's heart was lifted. "During the reigns of Emperor Taizu Gao and Emperor Chengzu, the court recruited hundreds of craftsmen from Zhejiang, Fujian, Suzhou, Songjiang, Jiangxi and other places to build large ships in Longjiang. After the Xuande period, the voyages to the West gradually declined. At first, those craftsmen could make a living by maintaining the treasure ships. Later, the voyages to the West were completely abolished, and Nanjing arranged for those craftsmen to go to the navy..."

Zhang Quan sighed, "Under the maritime ban, the navy gradually became useless. So those craftsmen dispersed. But they are craftsmen after all. I will go and look for the descendants of those craftsmen later..."

The household registration system of the Ming Dynasty was very rigid, with military households, artisan households... If one person was an artisan, his children and grandchildren would all be artisans. For example, if an artisan built a treasure ship, his children and grandchildren would most likely also be engaged in the shipbuilding industry.

The biggest benefit of this move is orderly inheritance.

Shipbuilding skills are the craftsmen's livelihood. Learning and practicing from generation to generation ensures that countless traditional skills will not be lost.

Others expressed their opinions and agreed to build warships.

The atmosphere was very good. Jiang Qingzhi said, "We need to hurry up on this matter. We have already recruited a group of craftsmen from Zhejiang and Fujian. They should arrive soon."

Zhang Quan was stunned, and then he felt a chill down his spine. He thought he was just picking up the pieces, but he didn't think about what this person was doing.

He is a famous general who is a master at commanding troops, so he is naturally thorough in everything he does.

"It's time to clean up Longjiang. I'll leave this matter to you guys."

The reopening of the Longjiang Shipyard required the support of Nanjing. Jiang Qingzhi thought there would be some disputes and was prepared to suppress them with an iron fist.

Before they could arrive, Lin Zhian was the first to turn against them, leading the other four to bow their heads one after another.

Jiang Qingzhi nodded slightly to Lin Zhian, and Lin Zhian subconsciously smiled apologetically.

Then dispersed.

Wang Yan walked out of the meeting room and said to Li Xin: "Some people say that being an official is like being a human being. Today, I have finally opened my eyes. The five ministers who used to be arrogant are now competing to flatter Chang Wei Bo, showing their ugly side."

Li Xin whispered, "Eunuch Wang, now that Chang Wei Bo is in the ascendant, it is inevitable that they will bow their heads. In addition, Zhang Tong, who is beside His Majesty, is now with Chang Wei Bo."

After Zhang Tong arrived in Nanjing, Wang Yan did not dare to neglect him and took the initiative to greet him. Zhang Tong was innocent, and all his tricks were met with indifference.

"What's the matter? Is Zhang Tong dissatisfied with us?" Wang Yan's heart tightened.

According to Wang Yan's connections in the imperial palace, Zhang Tong was the most useful person around the Jiajing Emperor. He would follow him around whenever he had nothing to do and the Emperor did not shy away from talking to Zhang Tong about many things.

——If nothing unexpected happens, this person will surely be very successful.

Such people can decide the future of Wang Yan and others with just one word from Emperor Jiajing.

So, Wang Yan is thinking about how to please Zhang Tong.

Li Xin looked around and lowered his voice again, "Yesterday I happened to see Chang Wei Bo and Zhang Tong talking. Chang Wei Bo patted Zhang Tong's shoulder like a brother, and Zhang Tong looked up and smiled at him, just like he trusted and attached himself to his father and brother."

"Did you read that correctly?"

"We saw it for real!"

Wang Yan's heart was lifted and he ran towards Jiang Qingzhi quickly.

"Long Wilbur, stay..."

Jiang Qingzhi and Xu Chengzong were talking about shipbuilding. When they turned around, they saw Wang Yan, who had been very reserved before, jogging towards them with a big smile on his face.

Nearby.

Wang Yan panted and bowed. "Although we don't understand the shipbuilding business, if there is anything, Long Wilbur just asks us. We will do what we can do, and we will also do what we can't do!"

(End of this chapter)