Chapter 308 Overseas Base Plan
The person standing in front of you is not someone else.

He was a businessman in Beijing who came from the Hu family of Longchuan, Jixi, Huizhou Prefecture.

That is, when Shuntian Prefecture was hit by a disaster last year, Yan Shaoting was one of the many merchants who were forced by the Jinyiwei to donate food and fodder.

Now the two meet again.

Hu Dahai, a businessman from the Longchuan Hu family, is still the representative of the Longchuan Hu family in Beijing.

And Yan Shaoting.

However, he has changed from Yan Shidu last year to Yan Guest, a high-ranking official of the third rank in the court.

Hu Dahai's face was filled with undisguised flattery and courtesy.

In the current Ming Dynasty, no one, from top to bottom, can ignore the existence of this young man in front of them.

If it were this year.

There was no need for Yan Shaoting to ask. Considering the disaster in Shuntian Prefecture last year and the government's need to borrow grain, he would have definitely delivered everything that was needed without Yan Shaoting having to step out of Yanfu Lane.

Looking at these businessmen who have clear goals and all have fawning faces.

Yan Shaoting felt extremely calm.

Although from the perspective of etiquette, it is unbecoming of an official to meet with these merchants.

But since he was now in charge of the opening of seven maritime customs offices in the southeast of the Ming Dynasty for foreign trade, it made sense for him to meet these people.

Even the censors from the Censorate and the Six Ministries could not accuse Yan Shaoting of being mercenary in this matter.

And the same.

The arrival of these merchants meant that their backers in the court had already bowed to the Yan family.

In the vigorous opening of the sea to trade that had already begun in the Ming Dynasty, the Yan family or Yan Shaoting would be chosen to follow their lead.

Nowadays.

It's just a day for both sides to draw a bottom line.

"I know you."

Yan Shaoting smiled and spoke softly, looking at the Hu businessman from Longchuan in front of him.

The smile on Hu Dahai's face became even more intense.

There was almost no possibility that his waist could bend any further.

Hu Dahai seemed to not care about his face and flattered: "Guest Yan has a good memory. I am very lucky to be able to make you remember."

The businessmen around him did not show any disgust at all. Instead, they all felt that what Hu Dahai said was the truth.

Yan Shaoting was calm and composed, and smiled faintly: "But the last time I saw you was last year when I brought the Jinyiwei to borrow food from you..."

As soon as these words came out.

The atmosphere in the hall suddenly stagnated.

Borrow food.

That's just official rhetoric.

If I really want to borrow grain, do I need to bring the Imperial Guards with me?
obviously.

Yan Shaoting did not accept their deliberate flattery and fawning today.

And in fact.

Yan Shaoting really didn't need to flatter these people or even greet them with a smile.

Who were his opponents in the past?

Which one of them is not a cabinet minister or one of the six ministers of the Ming Dynasty?
The lowest rank has to be the Five Temple Minister!
However, the more Yan Shaoting acted like this, the more at ease Hu Dahai and others felt.

Steady!

This is the prince's guest who holds great power, is in charge of the country's military supplies, and is in charge of the Ming Dynasty's opening of the sea for trade!

then.

Hu Dahai and others became more and more fawning.

"The guest taught me a lesson!"

"We were blind in the past. If God could give us another chance, we would give our lives to you, my guest."

"Yeah!"

"The guests want to kill us!"

"Just take it, old man!"

"..."

Yan Hu, who was standing aside, raised his chin quietly.

But Yan Shaoting just smiled faintly.

His eyes turned to Hu Dahai.

Yan Shaoting suddenly asked, "Does the Grand Marshal know that you came to Yanfu Lane today?"

This statement came out.

Hu Dahai was stunned again.

After a long while, he stammered, "In reply to the guest, with the status of the Grand Marshal and the tense war situation in the five southeastern provinces, I dare not disturb..."

After saying this first sentence.

Hu Dahai hastily added, "But the Grand Marshal returned to his hometown to worship his ancestors last time, and I greeted him and performed the clan rituals."

After saying this, Hu Dahai stood there with his hands and feet hanging down.

Yan Shaoting smiled in his heart.

This Hu Dahai.

Interesting.

However, as for the matter of opening up the sea, even if the Hu family of Longchuan wanted to take the initiative and curry favor, Hu Zongxian would definitely not interfere.

But Hu Dahai said that when Hu Zongxian returned to his hometown to worship his ancestors, he greeted him and performed clan rituals.

This means that he and Hu Zongxian are from the same family, the Hu family of Longchuan.

Yan Shaoting glanced at the other people present.

"Where are you guys?"

Three words.

The Ming merchants present all lowered their heads.

It is clear.

These people are different from the Hu family of Longchuan. They all came to Yanfu Lane after contacting and discussing with their respective bosses.

Yan Shaoting smiled and nodded.

He leaned back in his chair, crossed his legs, and tapped the table with his fingers.

After a long time.

He then said, "You all came to my Yanfu Lane today to discuss the matter of opening the sea, right?"

Immediately.

Countless eyes once again focused on Yan Shaoting.

But he said calmly: "If that's the case, today I will just tell you the truth."

Da da.

Bai Fugui and Hu Dahai rushed to take the lead and led a group of people to nod and bow.

"I will obey the orders of Mr. Yan!"

How much silver is the total worth of these people?

No reason.

A thought flashed through Yan Shaoting's mind.

Immediately.

He then said, "It's not an order, but the emperor has already decided to open the sea. The seven maritime customs offices along the southeast coast will open the sea for trade, and the navy will also send officers and soldiers and warships to protect everyone from going out to sea to do business. This is the emperor's kindness, the court's fairness and love for the people, and it is a blessing for people like you!"

Everyone immediately agreed.

Hu Dahai drew inferences from one example and said, "It is Yan Binke who is loyal to the country and gives advice on good policies. If it were not for you, Yan Binke, we would not have the opportunity to pay taxes for the court's trade with the sea."

"Yeah!"

"Nowadays, everyone in Beijing knows that the person His Majesty trusts the most is Guest Yan."

"People below are now saying that your majesty treats guests like his own sons and nephews, and he is constantly showing favor and grace to them."

"From now on, if Guest Yan tells us to go east, we will never go west."

Flattery.

Full of flattery.

Countless flattery.

This is what power feels like.

Yan Shaoting frowned slightly and coughed lightly.

Yan Hu, who was standing nearby, immediately said in a loud voice: "Everyone, please be quiet."

Following Yan Hu's words.

The hall finally fell silent again. Yan Shaoting continued, "However, despite the grace of His Majesty and the love of the court, the navy currently has only a limited amount of assets and only a few warships.

"This time the imperial court opens the seas, not only do you merchants not get to trade overseas, but the imperial court itself also has to do business with the royal families of those overseas countries.

So this navy is guarding the warships going out to sea..."

In the past, the imperial court was responsible for opening up the seas for trade. But this time, when the Jiajing Emperor opened up the seas, both officials and civilians could go out to sea for trade.

Therefore, even with the escort of naval warships, it is impossible to take full care of them.

Hu Dahai immediately patted his chest and said: "The court has exempted us from taxes and silver for future voyages. We are not ungrateful. As long as we can follow the navy warships and the court's merchant ships every time, even if we are far away..."

Without waiting for Hu Dahai to finish speaking.

Yan Shaoting immediately asked, "Are you willing to give me a sum of money for protection every time?"

Everyone was stunned.

That's what it was for.

They smiled immediately.

"Of course. How can we let our brothers in the navy suffer losses and still suffer at sea?"

"It's enough money for tea and wine!"

Yan Shaoting smiled faintly: "In this case, from now on, we will pay the guards according to the size of each ship."

Hu Dahai and the others looked at each other, then nodded repeatedly.

Hu Dahai also asked in a low voice: "Then this guard money..."

"The Maritime Customs will transfer the task to the Navy to build more warships and recruit more officers, soldiers and sailors."

Yan Shaoting looked gloomy and responded casually.

Hu Dahai glanced at it and said, "Then about opening the sea..."

Yan Shaoting stood up with a smile on his face. "As for the rest of the matters, the court will announce the details soon. I am carrying out the emperor's order and am involved in this matter with only one principle."

Everyone immediately looked at him expectantly.

And Yan Shaoting didn't keep them waiting for long.

"fair!"

Hu Dahai, Bai Fugui and others left.

He left Yanfu Lane satisfied.

They originally thought that in order to be able to follow the imperial navy's warship escort in the opening of the sea and grab the first prize in the opening of the sea for trade this time, they would need to spend a lot of money.

even.

The bosses behind the group of people present today have already instructed that they can give a portion of the profits to Yanfu Lane for free.

But unexpectedly, Yan Shaoting said that he would treat everyone fairly.

The only requirement was to pay a sum of escort silver according to the size of each ship every time they went out to sea.

This is more than just satisfaction.

That was an unexpectedly great harvest!
For Yan Shaoting, it was also a great harvest.

After this group of profit-seeking businessmen left, Xu Wei, who had been promoted to the Right Shuzi of the Right Spring Office of the Zhanshi Palace and the Attendant of Prince Yu's Palace and was still in charge of Changping affairs, quietly walked up to Yan Shaoting from outside.

Looking at Xu Wei in front of him.

Yan Shaoting smiled and said, "The matter of the escort silver has been settled. From now on, this account will not be recorded in the accounts of the Maritime Customs. A separate account book will be set up. Changping will keep one copy and send another copy to Xiyuan."

Xu Wei nodded and said with a smile, "Lu Tongzhi, Zhu Qi, Qi Dazhu and others have also been informed. Jinyiwei will send a group of people to the navy. After the sea is opened, when the navy and merchant ships are out to sea, they will look for suitable locations along the sea route, set up outposts, build camps, and station personnel in turn."

Yan Shaoting nodded and started to think about it in his mind.

This time when the sea was opened, the imperial court was unprecedentedly generous.

In opening up the sea, the imperial court not only allowed private trade, but also did not collect taxes from Ming merchants when they went out to sea. Instead, they were taxed based on the price of the goods when they returned.

For the court.

Maybe that's enough.

But for Yan Shaoting, it is far from enough.

Opening the sea is just a means.

Go to sea.

The real purpose is to establish outposts overseas, and then gradually build camps and expand them into military camps and castles stationed overseas by the Ming Dynasty.

this matter.

There is no way the court will pass it now.

According to those people's ideas, the kingly way is everything.

Therefore, the so-called escort silver was just to accumulate it and establish the Ming Dynasty’s outpost on overseas trade routes.

Wait until the Ming Dynasty’s overseas interests become large enough in the future.

Once these people understand, there must be a strong force to protect their interests overseas.

Make preparations at that time.

It's too late.

not to mention……

Xu Wei smiled and said, "Second Young Master wants to participate in this matter, and he also said..."

Yan Shaoting looked over immediately.

"What else did he say?"

Xu Wei smiled and shook his head: "Nothing much, just said that if this matter allows him to go out with us, he will definitely be able to set up a large family business for the family within three years, so that in case of any unexpected events in the country in the future, the family will have a way out..."

Hear this.

Yan Shaoting was stunned at first, and then he couldn't help but laugh helplessly.

He shook his head and said, "Why should he worry about this matter?"

Xu Wei said, "But I think that the guests should indeed arrange some retreat routes for the mansion overseas in advance. After all, the court... the court situation, no one can predict what the situation will be like."

After saying that.

Xu Wei immediately lowered his head.

Yan Shaoting also fell silent.

Xiao Que'er is right.

What Xu Wei said was also correct.

No one can fully grasp the current situation in the court.

Even though the Yan family seems to be at the peak of their power in the court now, the emperor may lose all hope of their family in the next second.

After a while.

Yan Shaoting then said, "Tell the second son to be obedient. He doesn't want to study, and I satisfy him. If he wants to do something, let him wait quietly. He will get his chance!"

Xu Wei nodded, then hesitated and said, "Then overseas..."

Yan Shaoting raised his head silently and looked at Xu Wei.

Xu Wei immediately understood and nodded.

"There are many people under the Public Security Department, and they are all loyal to the mansion and the academy."

"This time the imperial court is opening the sea, I think there will be many people willing to go out to sea and earn a lot of money."

Yan Shaoting then smiled and said, "Keep your hands and feet clean and don't let people gossip about you."

Xu Wei nodded and bowed: "Don't worry, my guests. We are already familiar with this kind of thing. Nothing will happen..."

Yan Shaoting smiled.

Xu Wei and his men were indeed very familiar with this matter.

A place no one knows.

In the city of Beijing, countless inconspicuous places have quietly taken on new faces.

Although officially, these people have different backgrounds and places of origin.

But only the encrypted record is at the bottom of the library in Changping.

Who are from Changping?

There are countless ways to make a person disappear openly!

at this time.

Yan Shaoting suddenly smiled.

"I heard that Hai Rui will arrive in Beijing soon?"

Xu Wei also immediately smiled and nodded, "According to the news, we will be able to arrive at Chaoyangmen Pier by boat after noon tomorrow."

Yan Shaoting smiled and shook his head.

His face was full of anticipation.

"It seems."

"Our city of Beijing is going to be lively again!"

…………

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　There's another chapter coming later.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)