Governor's Yamen, wing room.

Shi Kefa, Zeng Yongzhong, Cui Yunhui, Liao Wenru and Liu Ning were all waiting.

Penglai Water City is a naval wharf and is an absolutely forbidden area. Other ships are absolutely not allowed to approach it, especially merchant ships. Unexpectedly, Wu Zongrui decided to temporarily build a commercial wharf not far from the navy wharf. This is a crime.

It’s a big taboo, if you don’t do it well, you’ll be impeached.

Besides, the emperor and the court did not support maritime transportation at all. At that time, Zheng Zhilong of Fujian dominated the sea, and the East India Company continued to harass the sea, which became a huge headache for the court. It was not easy for the governor of Fujian, Xiong Tingbi, to recruit Zheng Zhilong and suppress the East India Company.

Indian Company, it was unexpected that Wu Zongrui was actually preparing to do business with the East India Company.

Even Shi Kefa and Cui Yunhui thought this was incredible.

The purpose of everyone is to prevent Wu Zongrui from making this decision.

A quarter of an hour later, Wu Zongrui entered the side room.

Shi Kefa spoke first.

"Sir, five merchant ships of the East India Company broke into the naval dock. According to the court's order, they should be detained..."

Cui Yunhui also spoke.

"Sir, you must never build a cargo terminal near the Navy Pier..."

Wu Zongrui waved his hand, looked at everyone, and spoke with a smile.

"Are you all here for this reason today?"

Zeng Yongzhong then spoke.

"Sir, we have the same understanding as Mr. Shi and Mr. Cui. We not only want to seize the five merchant ships of the East India Company, but also order the East India Company not to break into our naval dock without authorization in the future. Otherwise, the cargo ships will be impounded and the personnel will be imprisoned.

In jail..."

Liao Wenru and Liu Ning did not speak, but nodded repeatedly.

The smile on Wu Zongrui's face slowly disappeared.

"If you are here to dissuade me about this matter, then you will not achieve your goal. I have made a decision not only to let the East India Company trade near the Navy Terminal, but also to build a freight terminal..."

Shi Kefa was also anxious and took a step forward.

"Why do you do this, sir? Why don't you listen to the advice of the subordinates and everyone else? We are doing this for your own good."

Wu Zongrui sighed softly.

"Of course I am aware of your good intentions. Building a cargo terminal near the Navy Pier violates the rules of the imperial court. At worst, you will be impeached. The emperor issued an order prohibiting the construction of cargo wharfs. In worst cases, you will be dismissed from office and go home, or even be thrown into prison.

go..."

"Since you know it well, why do you still do this?"

"For Dengzhou, for Laizhou, and for the people here, if I don't think of a way, according to the current situation, Dengzhou and Laizhou will be even more depressed in a year's time than now. By that time, I'm afraid we won't have the face to continue to work here.

I am an official here."

When Wu Zongrui spoke his words, the room was silent for a moment.

After a while, Shi Kefa spoke again.

"Your Excellency is devoted to Dengzhou and Laizhou. I understand, but you must also protect yourself. There are some things you can do and some things you cannot do. If you can't protect yourself, how can you do anything for the people of Dengzhou and Laizhou."

"Well said, brother Kuan, it seems that this time, you have thought carefully and come up with your own opinions."

Shi Kefa's face turned red, he clasped his fists and nodded, and spoke again.

"Xiaguan is not unreasonable. Regarding business transactions, if your Excellency can give you a reason and convince me, I am willing to work with you to advocate for the freight terminal..."

Cui Yunhui also spoke.

"Xiaguan is the same as Mr. Shi. As long as what you say is reasonable, I will follow you resolutely..."

Wu Zongrui nodded, Shi Kefa was different after all, his thinking was still rigorous.

"Okay, I'll tell you the reasons. Please listen carefully."

Wu Zongrui stood up and walked to the wall. On the wall was a map of Dengzhou and Laizhou, with the number of households and population clearly marked on it.

“I won’t go into detail about the situation in Dengzhou and Laizhou. As you all know, almost two months have passed and very few people have settled in Dengzhou and Laizhou. On the contrary, people continue to leave Dengzhou and Laizhou for Jinan and other places.

land."

"This situation has lasted for nearly two months and is still continuing."

"I have tried my best to change this situation, but the actual situation still has not improved."

Having said this, Wu Zongrui walked up to Shi Kefa and Cui Yunhui.

"Brother Kuan, Master Cui, do you have any good ideas?"

The two shook their heads repeatedly. They definitely didn't have any good ideas in this regard.

Wu Zongrui walked to the table and tapped his fingers lightly on the table.

"Since ancient times, when commerce and trade prospered, the local area prospered. This was not the case in the Han and Tang dynasties. Mr. Cui must have been particularly touched by this aspect. Why is Nanzhili prosperous and prosperous? Why are places such as Nanjing and Huai'an so popular that people forget to leave? Most of them are where commerce and trade are developed.

reason."

"Maybe you don't agree with this concept, then let me explain it to you."

"For example, in Dengzhou, if there is a freight terminal and a large amount of goods are traded at the freight terminal, merchants will definitely gather here because they need to trade goods here. A large amount of goods will be transported from here to the north and south, and a large amount of goods will be transported from the north.

shipped here and south, and then shipped overseas.”

"For the convenience of transactions, merchants must rent houses and shops here to facilitate transactions. They always need money to eat, drink and have sex, and their daily entertainment always needs money. They spend money here, and they will definitely be able to

Attract more merchants to come, this is a cyclical process."

"Mr. Zeng, Wenru, Liu Ning, Huai'an Water Transport Terminal, you should know it very well."

"Next let's talk about the people in Dengzhou and Laizhou. With the establishment of the cargo terminal, there will definitely be people to carry the goods and get paid. This will allow some people in Dengzhou and Laizhou to find work on the terminal, get paid, and support themselves.

There are more family members and merchants, and there will always be a need for them in inns, restaurants, gambling houses and **. The jobs recruited by these places are also my people in Dengzhou and Laizhou, so another group of people can survive."

"In the long run, once the freight terminal is established and commercial trade develops, all grains, vegetables and even meat in Dengzhou can be traded, including the fruit trees grown by some farmers. They can also be traded, as long as they earn some silver.

, they can maintain their family's expenses, and they earn money through business transactions. Even if they encounter famine, they can still buy food through business transactions and tide over the difficulties."

"You can't deny what I said."

"Let's talk about the most critical point. The shortage of people in Dengzhou and Laizhou is now unsustainable. Why is this happening? Because the rebels have ravaged this place. Because the rumors from the outside about Dengzhou and Laizhou are still a thousand miles away, and there are still murders like this.

The rebels who came here are in danger and cannot survive. Under such circumstances, who would go to Dengzhou and Laizhou?"

"The fields need to be cultivated, the cities need to be repaired, and the official roads need to be maintained. All of these require people. If no one comes to Dengzhou and Laizhou, it will be useless even if we risk our lives."

"Merchant can't afford to go early without profit. Wherever there is money to be made, even from the ends of the world, they will come after hearing the news."

"When the commercial wharf is built, merchants will definitely come to Dengzhou. It is said that hearing is believing and seeing is believing. Many merchants came to Dengzhou, saw the situation here, and knew the notices and documents of the governor's Yamen. Through their mouths, they told the story of what is happening here.

If I tell you the situation, how can others not believe it? Moreover, I conclude that the first people to move here are those merchants."

"Through the trade terminal, a large number of people are attracted to Dengzhou and Laizhou, and all problems are solved. Why not do it."

"Such an opportunity is in front of me. Everyone, do you think I am taboo against the court's rules, or am I going to do anything wrong?"

"So, the freight terminal must be built. Now that it is winter, it is time to build a large-scale freight terminal. It will be put into use next spring. We also need to build a large-scale commercial trading place so that merchants can have a place to specialize in transactions."

"Of course, we will also establish a shipping department to collect taxes from commercial transactions."

"Okay, I've said everything that needs to be said. Do you have any objections?"

...

There was another long silence.

Finally, Shi Kefa was the first to clasp his fists and bow his head.

"Your Majesty, I fully understand your painstaking efforts. I support you. If the court blames you, I am willing to share the responsibility with you..."

Cui Yunhui also clasped his fists and bowed his head before speaking.

"I am willing to follow you, Sir. Regarding the construction of the cargo terminal, I am willing to do my best..."

...

The atmosphere in the wing room was still a bit solemn. Although Wu Zongrui said well, there was also a practical problem before him, that is, building a cargo terminal near the Navy Pier violated the court's system and might lead to impeachment.

Unless this problem is solved, everything else is in vain.

Zeng Yongzhong and others did not speak, as they were most worried about this issue.

Wu Zongrui understands everyone’s worries.

"Everyone, I will find a way to deal with it from the court. Don't worry too much. I am not a reckless person. I won't do this if I don't have a good way to deal with it."

Wu Zongrui had just finished speaking, and the atmosphere in the wing quickly became relaxed.

...

Only Liu Ning was left in the wing.

"Liu Ning, this is a letter written by me. You take the letter, the two luminous pearls, and ten brothers, and travel day and night to the capital, and deliver the letter and the luminous pearl to Eunuch Gao Qiqian. Remember

, you must hand it to Eunuch Gao personally, this is my jade token, Eunuch Gao will see you when he sees this jade token."

"Let's set off today. Remember, we must hurry up. If Eunuch Gao is willing to reply, it would be best. If he is not willing to reply, he will also bring a verbal message. You must bring it back word for word."

...

Liu Ning set out with ten sergeants.

Wu Zongrui was not worried about the safety of Liu Ning and others. With the title of Xinyi Chief, no one dared to rob anyone along the way.

It should be said that Wu Zongrui made the most correct move by making good friends with Gao Qiqian. With Gao Qiqian's support for what he did in Dengzhou and Laizhou, he basically didn't have to worry about anything.
Chapter completed!