Chapter 237: Decision

Although there are not as many high-tech means of collecting intelligence in modern times, basic intelligence personnel are still necessary, which is the spies mentioned in this era, with a large number of people.

The "fisherman" who came ashore in Dengzhou was definitely not the sailor. Some people even walked around Shandong and Beizhili for a whole circle before returning. The troops were fully understood and the situation among the people were fully understood. There were also people who disguised themselves as Mongolians in the north, and went south at various entrances. As small vendors, they also walked around to investigate the reality and everything they should know.

There were also spies like this in the capital and Northern Zhili. Anyway, there were many Han people in the Later Jin Dynasty. Moreover, after the Jurchens in the East Repelled, many Liao people entered the pass, which was confused and difficult to identify.

At the foot of the emperor, there were many rumors in the court. Gao Qiqian and Yang Sichang advocated peace talks with the Jurchens, and it was easy to find out that the Northern Zhili was even a little relaxed in the military and military preparations of foreign tribes because of this policy of peace talks.

As for Shandong, the spies' comments are almost the same, saying in a wide range of words, "The troops are scarce, and the people's livelihood is extremely declining after the major disaster."

Most of the Donglu Jurchen sentinels were from Han people. These people were walking, walking, or riding horses in the inland, so they naturally could not search in a carpet-like manner. In the middle and late periods, the Ming army liked to be stationed in the city, or they were stationed directly in the city. First, they could rely on the natural range of the city to define defense areas, second, the houses in the city can be directly used as barracks, third, the city itself is a very good fortification, fourth, the city has abundant materials, and it is much easier to collect.

Of course, the military's performance is a kind of depravity and corruption, which is why the Swiss infantry's military discipline earlier had strict orders and night accommodation should not be in the private houses.

Since this is often the case, the spies of the Later Jin Dynasty did not go to any wilderness when they were exploring the inland of the Ming Dynasty, but moved along those cities and the like.

Jiaozhou Camp is different. The camps in Jiaozhou Camp are all places far away from the city, and choose places with convenient transportation and dangerous terrain to establish camps. This purpose is to protect the city, and Li Meng avoids having too much contact with local gentry.

Jiaozhou City, Laizhou Prefecture, is stationed at the headquarters of Jiaozhou Camp. However, the Jiaozhou Camp is located in the area between Fengmeng Town and the beach. This is the same as a no-man's area. A large number of cavalry are routinely trained and inspected every day. When outsiders appear in this area, they are basically caught.

The spies did not expect to come to check out remote places like Jiaozhou. The soldiers stationed in Laizhou Prefecture were all from Pingdu Army Prefecture. They all heard that a general guarded the four prefectures, and each of them had only more than a thousand soldiers. Who would have thought that there were soldiers in the Jiaozhou Camp? Who would have thought that a general had such a large army?

In mid-July, Zheng Zhibao took a boat to Jiaozhou City for the second time. If you want to say that if you saw Li Meng in the same day, he had some psychological disorders when he saw him, he would be respectful from the bottom of his heart.

The generals from the four governments in the town are also considered to be able to show off. Their strength has expanded so much that people have to respect them.

"General Li, my eldest brother is willing to give five merchant ships. The two gunboats that the adults request can also be sold, but they just need to talk to the general about the conditions."

For Li Meng, the value of these two gunboats is far higher than that of these five merchant ships. At present, he does not have the strength to take into account the interests of the sea. He is naturally willing to use it for exchange. He nodded and signaled the other party to speak.

"If there is no war, those two gunboats will come to Shandong once a year. The adults will arrange sailor crew members to conduct regular inspections. They will follow our Zheng family in Fujian on weekdays and obey the allocation. The adults do not need to manage these five merchant ships. The Zheng family will settle the money for the adults according to the most profitable fleet, which will not be a cent or a cent less."

It seems that Zheng Zhibao had a long time ago and sat there talking. After saying this, he asked Li Meng about his meaning with his eyes. Li Meng thought about it. The plan Zheng Zhibao said was no different from what he had proposed before, but the other party would not do a loss-making business. Since he agreed, there would definitely be a follow-up. He said in a deep voice:

"I have no objection to this arrangement. I don't know what Zheng Guerrilla needs?"

This Zheng Guerrilla is Zheng Zhilong. When Zheng Zhibao heard Li Meng agree, he was excited and said with a smile:

"My elder brother said, "It is already a kindness for the whole world to allow us to open a port in Shandong. These five cargo ships and two gunboats are too stingy. There will be good rewards in the future, but there are some things that the adults have to agree first. The Zheng family's business owner should not interfere. The Zheng family's two routes to the Japanese, and the Zheng family will have to take over the two routes to the Seoul of Goryeo."

Maritime trade, with the highest profits of routes to Japan, the ones who go to Seoul were much worse. Hakata is the modern Fukuoka, which is an important port for Japan to trade with the Ming Dynasty. The Japanese princes on Kyushu Island fought for taxes. Li Meng didn't know about this, but the Jiaozhou camp was not here at the moment, so he could naturally give up. He smiled and said with a smile:

"I am not interested in the matters at sea, so the conditions are agreed."

"If the Zheng family has conflicts with other families at sea, please ask General Li to specialize in maintaining it."

"This matter is simple. You and I are one now. I will definitely do these things. Don't worry. But I also have a taboo. I have to say it first, so I won't be dirty."

Hearing that Li Meng agreed to the above conditions very neatly, Zheng Zhibao felt relieved. When he heard that the other party suddenly said that there were other conditions, he couldn't help but feel nervous and asked carefully:

"What are the conditions for me? Let me tell you. If I can't agree here, I'll send an urgent message back to Yanping to ask my elder brother."

He didn't dare to say death, Li Meng didn't ponder, but just said loudly:

"The port of Shandong is quite close to Liaodong, and North Korea is also occupied by the Tartars. There is a saying that in the front, it is fine if you do business with the Goryeo people. Don't have any relationship with the Tartars, otherwise, I, Li Meng, will turn against you."

Zheng Zhibao was stunned at first, then reacted, couldn't help laughing, and said repeatedly:

"So it's this. Don't worry, sir. Those who are small can make decisions and will definitely not contact you. Please rest assured."

Since it is decided, there is naturally no problem. Ning Qiangui, Huang Ping and others are responsible for the next reception. The terrain of several private ports on the other side of Lingshan is originally very good, and the manpower repair is just a little complete and can be used.

Li Meng's advice was just because the other party talked about North Korea's trade and remembered this aspect. Zheng Zhibao's answer after laughing was not straightforward, but instead gave him time to consider it with this laugh.

For the Zheng family, the Later Jin Jurchens, who occupied Liaodong, have a port and Haikou, are a business partner. However, this time when Zheng Zhilong came to Shandong, he explained to Zheng Zhibao clearly before leaving:

"As long as Li Meng promises to let us take over Boduo's route, it's okay to give him other routes."

With the words of his own leader, Zheng Zhibao naturally knew how to make a choice, not to mention that the Later Jin Jurchens are just a potential transaction object and have little benefit.

In the past few hundred years, the world was in the world, and the sea trade with Japan was the most profitable. Japan fought endlessly, with gold and silver reserves extremely rich, and there was a huge demand for various supplies in the Ming Dynasty. As long as you dare to go into business, there was no one who would not get rich. After the Zheng family ensured this route, everything else could be temporarily given up.

Zheng Zhilong was the overlord of the eastern seas in the late Ming Dynasty. The Dutch, Spaniards, and Japanese people had to avoid them. This man was indeed very talented. He started from a civilian to a prosperous man who led tens of thousands of pirates at this time. It was also a miracle of this era. However, Zheng Zhilong did not have much ambitions. He had such a scale. With the help of the Chinese resources in Nanyang, he conquered one or two small countries and became kings overseas. However, he was dedicated to accepting the recruitment and became a coastal defense guerrilla in Fujian. After ordinary military generals in the local area were satisfied. He set up a house in Anping, which was said to be extremely luxurious, and there was also an artificial canal from the seaside to the house.

This man later ended up surrendering to the Qing Dynasty and later killed by Dorgon, and died extremely worthless.

When he arrived at his son Zheng Chenggong, he had great ambitions but no great talent. He could only manage Taiwan. He failed several Northern Expeditions. As for Zheng Jing, he was a rat with no talent and no ambition.

The incident of Zheng Zhilong surrendering to the Qing Dynasty is one of the few historical events that Li Meng remembers. You should know that in modern times, because of Taiwan, Zheng Chenggong's history is highly praised. He promoted and educated on various occasions. Such characters, life and family, are also introduced in detail. In order to highlight Zheng Chenggong's tall image, he also mentioned the scene of breaking with Zheng Zhilong, a father who had no national integrity in surrendering to the Qing Dynasty.

As a non-commissioned officer in the army, Li Meng sometimes had to teach and educate the new soldiers, so he understood that although the Orientals in this era were not very accepting of things related to the navy and the ocean, Li Meng did not want a maritime force around him that colluded with the Jurchens.

Although there is not much binding force, after saying hello, the Zheng family will pay some attention. After all, businesses like Haiyan and Private Port with the Zheng family account for a huge proportion of Jiaozhou business income and cannot be given up at will.
Chapter completed!