The Portuguese, Souza, was nominally still the commander of the East Indies fleet, as well as the royal trade representative responsible for trade in the East China Sea.
Now that the Great Ming had organized the textile industry, colonial trade was facing a life-or-death threat. This was not the most serious issue; the most serious was that the discourse power in maritime trade absolutely could not be held by the Great Ming. Otherwise, his position as fleet commander would be a mere decoration, and he would no longer receive protection fees. Without protection fees, the fleet itself would struggle to sustain itself.
It should be known that he was originally a Portuguese nobleman, of the Faria family, and this fleet commander position had cost him a considerable sum of money to acquire. Even as a business transaction, it could not continue like this.
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Just now,
Everyone had heard clearly. Zhang Jing had stated all the key points. What happened next depended entirely on the Yan father and son. Since this was a common interest, even a fundamental interest, it was naturally different from usual. If it weren't for this, those four or five sea merchants wouldn't have come in person. And if the Yan family couldn't come up with a solution, it would be truly difficult to lead the team.
But now, the Yan family's last offensive had completely failed, even losing two and a half ministers as allies. How could they organize a counterattack? For this reason, everyone turned their gaze to Yan Song, but Yan Song closed his eyes. The four or five great merchants were anxious, and their retainers sighed in secret.
Yan Shifan knew this clearly. Seeing that the old man was feigning deafness, he said:
"Esteemed merchants, you have probably misunderstood. I, Yan Shifan, have something to say here. Please relay to the lords of Kyushu and General Souza… This opening of ports will certainly happen, and it has already happened. Hasn't Zhu Mo opened the ports? You say there is no silk, but my people say that silk is everywhere in Jiangnan now, several times more than last year! Why don't you have it?
This shows the problem isn't here… Where is the key? It's in the reform, Zhu Mo's reform! Understand? Because of Zhu Mo's reform, unlike before, it cuts off our financial path from the root… His goods are already being sold directly to the West Ocean, bypassing all of us! What can be done?
You talk about free ports, and we will establish them! Zhu Mo will certainly establish them, but will you want them once they are established? Just like the silk now, you won't want it!
I am very grateful that you have come to the Yan family. But this matter cannot be solved with just a memorial… This requires struggle! It requires fighting! This time, that Grand Minister of the Interior, and General Souza, have shown their stance! But this fight cannot be a reckless one; it must be a clever fight, involving sea battles, land battles, and also battles against his reforms…
To be honest, we of the Yan family have stumbled a few times, but you must also see that if this Zhu Mo ultimately defeats us… you cannot just stand by! Since we are fighting him in the Great Ming, you must listen to us of the Yan family! How to fight? How to cooperate? We must plan carefully…
For now, there is still some time. Please relay this to them when you go back, and talk more with General Souza! Tell him about the situation in the Great Ming. This matter must be done step by step, like eating a meal one bite at a time!"
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Mmm,
The five great merchants exchanged glances, feeling that the Yan family was not without sincerity, but rather that they had truly encountered a difficult obstacle this time. They were also Chinese and had naturally heard of Zhu Mo's reforms. Taking the latest decrees from Hangzhou as an example, that Zhu Mo was indeed trying to eradicate the old sea merchant model.
The leader of the five, Chen Dong, who had made his fortune on Luzon Island and was a scholar before that, having even passed the provincial examination, was very familiar with the Great Ming. He said at this moment:
"Young Grand Secretary, we are not ignorant of current affairs, but with so much money tied up, it is difficult… Now, we can only order from the Textile Bureau. Not only can we not get enough goods, but the prices are too high. Those Western and Southeast Asian merchants, upon hearing the news, have bypassed us and bought several ships at once. What remains are just scraps. If this continues, all our money will be wasted…
Young Grand Secretary, we have truly listened to your words. We will go back and explain clearly to General Souza. As for how to cooperate, we do not understand these matters. It will be up to Lord Zhang Jing to decide… We came in a hurry this time and did not bring any gifts, only a few carts of seafood, coral, and the like, as a token of respect for you, Sir. We hope you will not be displeased."
Hahaha,
Yan Shifan stood up and said with a laugh, "Not at all, not at all. Your trust in Yan is the greatest thing! Someone, bring out the ginseng and sable furs I prepared and give them to these five gentlemen!"
After some pleasantries,
Yan Shifan personally escorted the five out.
Returning to the study,
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Everyone was in a state of chaos. Seeing Yan Shifan return, they immediately fell silent.
...
Yan Song then stood up, walked to the window with his hands behind his back, and said leisurely, "This is the last battle… I am old. You all decide for yourselves…"
Yan Maoqing said:
"Grand Secretary, Young Grand Secretary, we cannot afford to capsize again this time! The few daimyo lords of Kyushu can recruit three to four thousand ronin this time, and Souza can secure over a hundred warships, which shows we have an advantage at sea. The rest is how to fight on land and where to fight. How will we people fight against that Zhu Mo?"
Yan Shifan nodded and said:
"Indeed, Old Yan is right. We already have an advantage at sea, so we won't lose in this battle. But how do we fight the reform battle? That is the real problem… Discuss it among yourselves!"
Luo Longwen, who had always had a unique approach, presented the strategy he had thought of last night:
"Young Grand Secretary, your subordinate has already considered it. Zhu Mo has issued four decrees that are all intended to destabilize people's minds. We should focus our efforts on the matter of people's minds…
One of his decrees abolishes the *qinu*. These people are now working for the textile merchants, but their wages are higher than usual. The textile merchants, for the time being, have no choice but to hire people. I estimate that these people, combined, number around one hundred and twenty thousand. They have left their former masters and have no one to rely on. With any slight disturbance, they will cause trouble.
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We should start from here. First, let these *qinu* cause trouble, forcing back all four of his decrees. Then, the textile merchants, gentry, and scholars will all exert pressure, causing unrest among the populace. Only then will he have room for his strategies…"
Mmm,
"Attacking the mind is paramount; attacking the city is secondary…"
Old Yan Song, as if hearing but not hearing, clapped his hands in admiration and continued, "Tingyi, you are the Governor of Fujian and Zhejiang and are most familiar with the situation. Please speak…"
Zhang Jing coughed and replied:
"Grand Secretary, Young Grand Secretary, before coming here, your subordinate had several in-depth discussions with the sea merchants and also met with General Souza… They are most worried about only one thing—
Those great merchants from the West Ocean and Southeast Asia, this time, bypassed the fleet and went directly to Hangzhou to procure goods from the Manufacturing Bureau. This is why the fleet lost its profit. Souza and his men are now thinking of turning Yuegang and Liyugang into free ports, like Shuangyudao, where all goods are traded within the port.
As everyone knows, in the past, these Southeast Asian and West Ocean merchant ships could not enter. Before they even reached Quanzhou, they would be intercepted and robbed by pirates. To make money peacefully, they could only trade at military ports. This time, because the Japanese pirates and pirates have been in decline for a while, merchant ships have been able to enter Hangzhou…
Well, your subordinate's opinion is that since we are going to make a move, we should make a big one. Let the pirates sink a dozen or twenty merchant ships for him, so that Zhu Mo cannot fulfill his orders! Then, inform those merchant ships and convoys about who is the real authority on the seas! Moreover, with this as a reason, we can force the imperial court, and the Grand Secretary and Young Grand Secretary can exert influence in the court discussions. Only then can the reform battles be fought!"
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Hiss!
Everyone was immediately awestruck.