The Wanli Emperor of the Ming Dynasty was extremely rebellious

Chapter 508: Nanyang Ming Merchants Being Humiliated

At the end of October, Wanli returned to Beijing.

The weather in the capital was a bit cold at this time, so he didn't go to the Summer Resort.

He went straight back to the palace with the concubines, princes and princesses.

Queen Wang was extremely happy that her beloved son had finally returned after being away from the palace for such a long time.

She also discovered that little Zhu Changxun not only learned to read and write, but also became extremely sensible as if he had been reborn.

This really made her very happy.

After Wanli returned to the palace, he did not stop teaching young Zhu Changxun.

Every morning at about 1 a.m. he would get up and exercise with the little one.

At around noon, he brought little Zhu Changxun to the imperial study, where he taught the boy to read and write while he handled memorials.

After dealing with the memorials, he would explain them in detail to little Zhu Changxun and teach the little guy how to handle state affairs.

At around noon, he would take little Zhu Changxun out of the palace, in disguise, to stroll around the streets and alleys of the capital and understand the people's sentiments.

At this time, the people in the capital have already had enough food and clothing.

Ordinary civilians only need to find some work in the workshops run by major businesses in Wanshengtang, and they can earn at least two or three taels a month. Regardless of gender, as long as every household has two people going out to work, they can have enough food and clothing.

Craftsmen are paid higher wages. As long as their skills are good, they can basically earn four or five taels a month.

Merchants' business is also good. Any small business can earn more than ten taels a month.

Not to mention the Beijing Camp, the Imperial Guards and the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Food and wages are nothing to them, and the extra benefits are enough to ensure they have enough food and clothing.

If we only look at the capital, the Ming Dynasty had already entered a period of peace and prosperity. And it was not just an ordinary period of peace and prosperity, but an unprecedented period of peace and prosperity.

However, not all civilians were living well at this time. There were still many people in the two capitals and thirteen provinces of the Ming Dynasty who were suffering.

In the feudal states and even in the fields seized by corrupt officials, many common people still lived like slaves.

Those common people didn’t even have household registration and were not on the Yellow Book of Taxes and Services at all.

Wanli did not just take Zhu Changxun to see the good life of the people in the capital. He would also mention from time to time the common people who were enslaved by the princes and corrupt officials to remind Zhu Changxun not to be blinded by the prosperity in front of him.

By following him, Xiao Zhu Changxun was able to see all kinds of people's lives and gained a lot of knowledge.

At about 5 p.m. that afternoon, when the sun was about to set, an inconspicuous carriage suddenly entered the imperial city from Dong'an Gate, passed through Donghua Gate and Ciqing Palace, and headed straight for Qianqing Palace.

Wanli had just returned from outside with little Zhu Changxun. Before they even got off the carriage, a young eunuch hurried over, clasped his hands, and said, "Your Majesty, General Li Yuansheng wishes to see you. He has been waiting outside the imperial study for a long time."

This guy is finally back.

Upon hearing this, Wanli immediately jumped out of the carriage holding little Zhu Changxun and walked quickly towards the imperial study.

Li Yuansheng was currently standing outside the imperial study with a strong man, waiting.

When he saw that Wanli was not only wearing casual clothes but also holding a little kid in his arms, he couldn't help but be stunned.

However, he quickly reacted and bowed, saying, "I pay my respects to His Majesty, and to His Royal Highness the Prince."

Wanli nodded slightly, then looked at the burly man behind the guy who was bowing his head and not daring to say a word, then raised his hand and said, "Let's go in and talk."

He held little Zhu Changxun in his arms and slowly sat down behind the desk before asking, "Pan Hewu?"

The sturdy man actually immediately fell to the ground and said, "Yes, Your Majesty, it is the criminal."

What is this for?
I'm not trying a case.

Wanli raised his hand slightly and said, "Stand up and speak, what criminal?"

I'm a murder suspect.

Pan Hewu quickly got up and said honestly, "Your Majesty, when I was in Southeast Asia, I got angry and killed the Spanish Governor of Luzon and more than a dozen of his guards."

I know about this.

Didn’t Li Yuansheng explain it to you clearly or what?
Wanli nodded slightly and said, "Well, killing people indiscriminately will result in death, but if you kill colonial bandits, that's another matter.

The laws of the Ming Dynasty do not stipulate that robbers cannot be killed. I think you did a good job in killing them. Robbers deserve to be killed. I ordered Yuansheng to bring you here because I saw that you dared to kill colonial robbers.

So, are you willing to lead your people to join the navy?"

So this is how His Majesty sees the matter.

In fact, Li Yuansheng did explain it to him clearly, and they even discussed it.

They all felt that it would be better to plead guilty first. After all, murder was not a trivial matter and they could not pretend that it never happened.

If he doesn't take this seriously, the Emperor might think he is a lawless bandit.

Unexpectedly, the current emperor thought he had done a good job in killing!

Pan Hewu was so moved that he repeatedly bowed and said, "I am willing. I swear to be loyal to Your Majesty until death."

Well, that’s right, the latter sentence is very good.

Wanli nodded slightly, then asked, "Do you know what the current situation in Luzon is?"

What do you think about the situation over there?

Pan Hewu thought about it carefully, and then said carefully: "Your Majesty, the merchants in Luzon are having a hard time right now.

Originally, the Spanish used to exploit our merchants to make money and even hired us for work. However, as more of our people came over, the Spanish gradually began to suppress us. Now, the Spanish are constantly increasing taxes, beating and scolding merchants at will, and even forcibly seizing their wives and daughters and abusing them at will.

Many merchants couldn't stand it anymore and ran back, but some merchants had no choice but to stay there because they didn't make any money or had no connections in their hometowns.

These colonial bandits are just like wild beasts in the jungle, without any humanity at all.

Upon hearing this, Wanli couldn't help but frowned slightly.

It seems that the Spaniards are ready to take action. The reason these guys do this is to force the merchants to resist. Once the merchants resist, they will have an excuse to suppress them.

This is only when facing the merchants of the Ming Dynasty that these guys will find excuses or create excuses, because these guys know that the Ming Dynasty is very powerful. There is no excuse to catch and kill the merchants of the Ming Dynasty. The consequences of angering the Ming Dynasty will be very serious.

If they were facing merchants from a small indigenous country, these guys would have started a massacre long ago.

This is the world we live in now, where the strong prey on the weak and there are no rules at all.

At least these colonial bandits have no rules and only use their fists.

Alas, as the emperor, he felt really uncomfortable when he heard that the people of the Ming Dynasty were being bullied outside.

If he could take action at this moment, he would definitely do it immediately.

However, this is a big game, and his target is not just the small Luzon.

If we take action here first, the Spaniards in America will definitely be on high alert.

After all, they are not fools. They have already beaten them, so they can't just remain indifferent.

If they attack here, Spain will definitely strengthen its defense in America, and then we will be in trouble.

These colonial bandits also had muskets and cannons, plus piles of defensive facilities, it would be strange if they didn't suffer heavy casualties.

Wanli frowned and pondered for a while, then could only sigh softly and said, "I will redeem them for the humiliation they suffered.

However, we are too busy to deal with those colonial bandits at the moment. We have no choice but to let them suffer for a while.

I have called you here to deal with those colonial bandits. Let's make some preparations in secret first, and then we'll take action when we're ready."

It is not easy for His Majesty to go to great lengths for ordinary people like them.

As for the fact that we still have to wait, everyone can understand that.

After all, this is a war between countries, not a trivial matter.

Moreover, Spain was the maritime hegemon.

It can be said that apart from the Ming Dynasty, Spain is the most powerful country in the world today.

Facing such a powerful opponent, His Majesty would not be able to take action immediately without making some preparations.

Pan Hewu was so moved that he repeatedly bowed and said, "Your Majesty, we can wait. We all know this is no small matter. Spain is not ordinary and strong. Your Majesty is willing to go to war with Spain for us. It is a great favor. On behalf of the merchants of Luzon, I thank Your Majesty."

Well, not bad, he is a man of temperament.

Wanli nodded slightly, then asked, "Are you familiar with the merchants in Luzon?"

Of course this is familiar.

Pan Hewu nodded repeatedly and said, "Your Majesty, I am from the same hometown as them. We all know each other. Moreover, when I was sailing there, most of the work I did was from them. I am very familiar with the merchants there."

That's good.

Wanli asked again, "Do you dare to sneak back to Luzon with the elite navy and secret guards?"

For the sake of my fellow villagers, I dare to sneak back without the elite navy and secret guards.

Pan Hewu nodded without hesitation and said, "I dare you."

Very good, from now on you are no longer a commoner.

Wanli nodded slightly, then said solemnly: "I will now promote you to the rank of captain of the navy, give you two thousand elite navy soldiers, and send a thousand secret guards with you.

You must place these 3,000 troops under the command of reliable merchants, hide them first, and don't let those colonial bandits notice them.

How about it, can you do it?"

There are more than 30,000 of our fellow countrymen over there, and many people are running there to make money. It is not too difficult to place 3,000 people there.

Pan Hewu nodded repeatedly and said, "Your Majesty, I can do it."

That'll do.

Wanli nodded slightly, then pondered, "When we're ready, Yuansheng will withdraw the two thousand troops that are visible. Do you have a way to make the Spaniards immediately slaughter the merchants there?"

This one is simple.

Pan Hewu nodded slowly and said, "The Spanish are actually looking for an excuse to attack us right now. If we catch them forcing us to pay taxes or steal women, they will definitely take advantage of the opportunity to attack us."

well.

Wanli nodded slightly and gave detailed instructions: "If they start, you should pretend to gather the merchants over there to prepare for resistance, and it would be best to lure out all their musketeers.

When the time comes, just order your elite navy and secret guards to take action. If you can kill all their musketeers, it will be easy for us to take Luzon."

This shouldn't be a big problem. As long as we make a bigger noise, Spain will most likely send out all its musketeers.

Pan Hewu nodded repeatedly and said, "I understand."

(End of this chapter)