"Alright, I'll go with Eunuch Chen now!"
Qi Jiguang was more than happy to have such a good opportunity. It was impossible to waste time. He turned around and gave some instructions, then left with Chen Ju with his personal guards. He couldn't wait to see the cannon.
Qi Jiguang went to get the cannon, while Zhu Yijun gave his final instructions.
In front of him were Zhang Jing and Cao Yikui, the main force of this trip to Yangzhou.
"That's how it is. I've made it clear to you. You'll be in charge of investigating the salt administration. Don't get involved in other aspects.
Arrest all salt ambassadors, transport envoys, and those who are corrupt. "
"Arrest all the illegal salt merchants, those who dominate the market, and those who run amok in the villages."
"Don't be afraid. If anything happens, I'll take care of it. This time, Li Zhonghang from the Ministry of Internal Affairs will follow you to Yangzhou.
He'll take care of the salt administration. Don't be afraid. If it's destroyed, he'll rebuild it. "
In fact, Zhu Yijun was talking to Cao Yikui. He wanted him to go all out and do what he wanted.
As for Zhang Jing, Zhu Yijun wasn't worried that he wouldn't dare to make a move. After so many years, Zhang Jing had always understood Zhu Yijun's way of thinking.
Zhu Yijun believed that it would be the same this time. Zhang Jing definitely wouldn't let him down.
"I understand!" Cao Yikui bowed. His face was still expressionless.
Zhu Yijun nodded and said with a smile, "It's good that you understand. Since everything is ready, you can leave tomorrow!"
After Cao Yikui and Zhang Jing left, Zhu Yijun sighed. This time, he had sent Zhang Cheng and Zhang Jing. With Qi Jiguang's departure from the capital, his plan could be said to be completely unfolding.
Glancing at the young eunuch serving him, Zhu Yijun was filled with emotions.
This young eunuch was called Zhang He. He was a newly risen eunuch in the palace. He was the Minister of Rites and was Zhang Zhang Jing's godson. After entering the palace, he became Zhang Jing's disciple. Even his surname was Zhang Jing.
"Zhang He, is there anything urgent at the Ceremonial Bureau?"
"In reply to the Imperial Majesty, no. The memorials sent by the Cabinet are of no importance."
Zhang He hurriedly bowed. He knew that this was his chance. His godfather had left the capital and he was serving the Imperial Majesty. If he could gain the trust of the Imperial Majesty, his future would be limitless.
Zhu Yijun nodded and said in a deep voice, "That's good. Let's set off to the Kunning Palace!"
"Yes, Imperial Majesty!" Zhang He answered and turned around to lead the way.
Tianjin Wei, the seaside.
Song Yingchang stood on a reef, wrapped in a large cloak. He looked at the sea in front of him and shivered. Then, he turned around and came down from the reef.
Ever since he arrived in Tianjin Wei, Song Yingchang had been looking for a suitable place to build a ship.
The seaside was still a little cold. Even if he wore thick clothes, he still couldn't stand the sea breeze.
"Old Liu, have you finished drawing everything?"
Song Yingchang asked as he glanced at the old man not far away.
Old Liu was actually only in his fifties, but he looked a little old. His ancestors were craftsmen at the Longjiang shipyard. It was said that they had even built treasured ships for Zheng He.
Among the craftsmen transferred here, he was the most experienced and the best craftsmanship.
During this time, Old Liu had been enjoying the sea breeze with Song Yingchang. Song Yingchang knew that Old Liu was a capable man.
Wiping his face and wrapping the tattered cotton-padded jacket around his body, Old Liu glanced at the young people drawing nearby and said to Song Yingchang with a smile, "Sir, they're still drawing. It looks like they're finished."
Song Yingchang nodded. He couldn't help but turn his head to look at the young people drawing over there.
These people were all sent by the emperor to him. There were only ten of them in total. He didn't know where they came from, but their skills were truly not small.
There was really nothing to say about the drawing of the map. Even the commander of Tianjin Wei wanted to snatch them away.
However, Song Yingchang wouldn't hand these young people over to the other side. They were true talents.
"This is the last shipyard location we've chosen!"
Song Yingchang said with a smile, "After this inspection, we can return to the capital to report to the emperor. The sea breeze doesn't taste good!"
Old Liu said with a smile, "Then I'll have to congratulate you. After you return to the capital, you'll definitely receive the emperor's commendation."
Song Yingchang waved his hand. When he thought of the emperor, his heart was very complicated.
Back then, he had been attracted by the position of assistant minister of the Ministry of Works. However, only when he arrived at Tianjin Wei did Song Yingchang realize that this job wasn't easy!
Right now, it was only an inspection. When the shipyard was actually built, who knew how many things would happen!
Song Yingchang hadn't opened his mouth to say anything else when a group of people suddenly came over. There were dozens of them, and they were all cavalry.
This surprised Song Yingchang. Who would run over here at this time?
However, they weren't too worried. This was Tianjin Wei, and the barbarians couldn't attack here.
When the group approached, everyone saw the other party's attire. They were all Daming soldiers, and their leader was a general.
He nimbly jumped off his horse and walked over with large strides.
The person walked over to Song Yingchang's side and said with a smile, "Lord Song!"
Song Yingchang was startled. Who was this person?
He had never seen him before!
"That's me. May I know who you are?"
Song Yingchang sized up the other party and found that he was wearing the uniform of a fourth-rank military official. However, in Tianjin Wei, only Tianjin Wei's commander, Zhao Fuke, was a fourth-rank official!
However, he had seen Zhao Fuke before, but he hadn't seen the person in front of him!
"I am the admiral of the Imperial Navy, Yin Zhengmao!"
Yin Zhengmao said to Song Yingchang with a smile, "I came to Tianjin Wei to select soldiers this time. I heard that Lord Song was here, so I specially came over to pay a visit. I have long heard of Lord Song's great name."
Song Yingchang had never heard of Yin Zhengmao, but he had heard of the Imperial Navy.
The shipyard he built was the Daming Royal Shipyard, and the warships he built in the future would be for the Imperial Navy.
This Yin Zhengmao was actually the admiral of the Imperial Navy, so he would have to deal with him in the future.
Song Yingchang hurriedly cupped his fists and said, "So it's Admiral Yin. My apologies for not recognizing you!"
Yin Zhengmao said with a smile, "Lord Song, I heard that you were inspecting the location of the Imperial Shipyard. I wonder how the inspection went?
If there's anything I can do for you, don't hesitate to ask. Although my subordinates are a bunch of uncouth men, I can still run errands. "
"I don't dare to trouble Admiral Yin. This is the last place this official will inspect."
"After the inspection is completed, this official will return to the capital to report to His Majesty. In the future, I will have to ask Admiral Yin to excuse me."
Both of them knew that this was actually a chance for them to get to know each other and lay the foundation for future cooperation.
Yin Zhengmao personally came over to pay a visit. In addition, his attitude was very humble, so the two of them had a very pleasant chat.
After the painting was finished, Yin Zhengmao brought his men to escort Song Yingchang back to Tianjin Wei.
At night, Yin Zhengmao sent Song Yingchang off. The next morning, Song Yingchang brought his men back to the capital.
Capital, Daxing County yamen.
Because Hai Rui didn't have any family, Xu Wenchang also lived in the back residence of Daxing County.
On the steps of the courtyard, Xu Wenchang made a rocking chair with a teapot beside him. From time to time, he would shake it or sit up to drink a mouthful of tea. He was very leisurely and contented.
The afternoon sun shone on his body, making him feel very warm.
Hearing the sound of footsteps, Xu Wenchang raised his eyelids and saw that it was Hai Rui, and he was very angry.
"What's wrong?"
Xu Wenchang sat up straight, picked up the teapot, and poured a cup of tea for Hai Rui. He said, "You're so old, but you're still so angry. Sooner or later, you'll get angry."
Glaring at Xu Wenchang, Hai Rui picked up the tea and took a sip. Then, he said, "Four more yamen runners quit."
Xu Wenchang was stunned, and then he laughed. "You're really famous in Hai Gangfeng. We've only been in Daxing County for a few days.
There are more than 20 yamen runners. Didn't you quit seven or eight? Plus the four this time, there are more than ten, right? "
Ignoring Xu Wenchang's teasing, Hai Rui said, "If you don't have a guilty conscience, why run away?"
Xu Wenchang glanced at Hai Rui and said angrily, "I told you long ago that we're here to find out the situation, not to fire people. Didn't I ask you to investigate old cases?
Isn't it a good thing to clear the people's grievances? "
"With this level of prestige, it'll be easier for us to do things in the future. Why do we have to argue with these petty officials? When the time comes, we'll naturally deal with them."
Hai Rui glanced at Xu Wenchang. "You can't say that. If we don't deal with them, how can we redress the grievances of the people? Anyway, they don't listen to us, so we might as well investigate.
I'm going to ask the emperor for two people to investigate the yamen from top to bottom. "
"What about the vacant positions?" Xu Wenchang looked at Hai Rui and asked, "We can't ask the emperor to give them to others, right?
We haven't started recruiting civil servants yet! "
Hai Rui touched his chin and said, "It doesn't matter. Anyway, we have to recruit people. Why don't we start with the yamen laborers first? I'll immediately ask someone to write a notice to recruit yamen laborers first.
I don't believe that we can't recruit people if we write down all the money and benefits given by the emperor. "
"When the civil servants arrive, these people should be trained."
Xu Wenchang nodded. "That's good. We can also appease the people. Otherwise, in a few days, everyone will leave, and there will be no one to work in the yamen."
"When the investigation starts, we'll get rid of a group of people!" Hai Rui still wanted to investigate them.
"I'll write the notice!" Hai Rui stood up and went into the room in a hurry.
Xu Wenchang knew Hai Rui's temper, so he didn't stop Hai Rui. He lay down and continued to rock on the rocking chair.
That afternoon, the yamen of Daxing County put up a notice directly to recruit yamen laborers.
This time, it was different from before. The treatment was written on it.
Two strings of coins per month, plus a load of rice. This treatment was not low.
However, there were also requirements. Those who were literate, strong, and skilled in martial arts were preferred.
At the same time, they were required to have a clean background, no misdeeds, and a good reputation.