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Part One: Penghu Storm Chapter 238 Conflict

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    "How come you two didn't come until now?"

    Zhang Kentang¡¯s face was full of spring breeze.

    The banquet has already been set up, and all the officials have taken their seats, waiting for Ding Yunyi and Zheng Zhilong.

    He found an excuse and took his seat. Zhang Kentang spoke on the phone as usual before the banquet started.  Sitting at the main table were Fujian Governor Zhang Kentang, Chief Envoy Bao Hongjiu, Fujian Deputy General Zheng Zhilong, Staff General Ding Yunyi and others.  Ye Yuan, the prefect of Quanzhou, was placed at the main table because he was Ding Yunyi's brother-in-law.

    Zhang Kentang asked about the situation of the bandits in the Central Plains, and couldn't help but sigh: "You and I are still in peace in Fujian, but there were a few rebels in the past few years, and they calmed down in more than a month, but the Central Plains is in such chaos  , these bandits are far more harmful to the court than pirates."

    As soon as these words came out, those officials claimed that it was true.

    "Since the rogue bandits entered Anhui, it was as if they were entering uninhabited territory. Huoqiu, Yingzhou, and Fengyang were defeated one after another, and the imperial mausoleum was also damaged. This is a great shame for our court. Although the rogue bandits are fierce, the lack of military preparation in these places is also very serious.  The important reason shows how important it is to rectify the local military preparedness." When Zhang Kentang said this, he changed the subject: "Although there are no rogue bandits in Fujian at the moment, we must guard against them. I have thought about it a lot and wanted to organize a drill to test each department.  What do you think?"

    He was actually mainly asking Ding Yunyi and Zheng Zhilong, but both of them remained silent.

    Zhang Kentang smiled and said: "Our navy in Fujian is dominated by naval forces, and there are only two most powerful naval forces in Fujian. One is Deputy General Zheng's and the other is General Ding. What I mean is that Deputy General Zheng's navy  "As the main one, with General Ding Shen's navy as the auxiliary."

    Ding Yunyi and Zheng Zhilong looked at each other, and they understood Zhang Kentang's thoughts very clearly.

    The imperial court asked Zheng Zhilong to take charge of the Fujian Navy, but did not specify whether the Huben Guards, who were personally appointed by the emperor, would be controlled by him. Zhang Kentang gave Zheng Zhilong's navy the main command, just to deliberately provoke conflicts between the two.

    But he never imagined that these two former rivals had already formed an alliance before arriving.

    Zheng Zhilong coughed dryly: "I must do what Fushuai said, but my navy is indeed in some difficulties at the moment. The pirates at sea seem to be rampant recently. Therefore, most of the ships are patrolling, and I am afraid that they will not be able to assemble for a while.  What I mean is, let¡¯s wait until next year.¡±

    Kentang Zhang was a little unhappy.  Turning his attention to Ding Yunyi, Ding Yunyi also said: "I have been away from Taiwan for a long time, and I really don't know how the Huben Guards Navy is doing at the moment. I mean we will talk about it next year. Besides, this year has passed in the blink of an eye, and I want to come and caress.  Shuai doesn¡¯t mind waiting a little longer.¡±

    Kentang Zhang didn¡¯t expect that the two people¡¯s answers were exactly the same. He was speechless at the moment, picked up the wine glass and took a sip.

    Seeing that the atmosphere was a bit awkward, the chief envoy Bao Hongjiu said hurriedly: "Next year will be next year. Today we welcome General Ding Shen. Come on, come on. Everyone has a drink."

    Kentang Zhang cursed an idiot in his stomach.  He reluctantly raised his glass and drank a toast.  Opposite him, Ye Yuan's eyes were rolling around, and he didn't know what he was thinking about there.

    Zhang Kentang put down his cup: "General Ding, today is a happy day. There are some things that I shouldn't have said today, but after you return to Taiwan, these things should be done. I have to say it."

    "Please give me your instructions, Commander-in-Chief," Ding Yunyi said respectfully.

    Zhang Kentang nodded: "General Ding Shen, I heard that after you arrived in Taiwan, you greatly reduced local taxes. This is good to win the hearts of the people. But what about the court taxes? You still have to pay them.  This year, Fujian has to hand over not a penny less. The imperial court is also using troops at the border and suppressing bandits in the Central Plains. It is counting on this small amount of money from various places. In the past, Taiwan was stolen by the red barbarians.  But now Taiwan belongs to the Ming Dynasty. Ding Shen will control the important affairs of Taiwan and Penghu, and he always knows how much money to hand over. "

    Ding Yunyi cursed in his heart. He had worked hard to regain Taiwan and was dedicated to reducing the taxes of the people, hoping that they could survive the disaster years safely. However, he did not expect that on the level of the court's taxation, Kentang Zhang now openly raised it and moved the court's big hat.  Come out, what should I do?

    Ding Yunyi suddenly stood up: "Commander Fu, Yunyi is brave and willing to plead for the people of Taiwan!"

    "Please give me your life? What kind of life are you asking for?" Zhang Kentang asked slowly.

    Ding Yunyi couldn't control that much anymore: "Back to Fushuai, since the Hongyi people stole the country, the people in Taiwan have been in dire straits, and the people have been helpless and helpless. The harvests have failed year after year, which has made Taiwan even worse. Now the people of Taiwan don't even have money to eat.  How can I pay the taxes? Yun Yi begged Fu Shuai to spare them money! In this way, the people will be grateful for Fu Shuai's kindness and the court's kindness. "

    Kentang Zhang knows everything Ding Yunyi said?The truth.  If there hadn't been this incident between Ding Yunyi and Zheng Zhilong, it goes without saying that Ding Yunyi would have tried his best to be exempted from taxes even if he lost his black yarn, but there is no way now. The stability of Fujian is more important than anything else.

    Zhang Kentang said with a straight face: "Ding Yunyi, I know that you have made great achievements in the Central Plains and are highly regarded by the Holy One, but does this mean that you can do whatever you want? Taiwan is difficult? Isn't the imperial court more difficult than Taiwan? You don't know, then  Let me tell you! This year the imperial court is expected to have an annual income of 12.8 million taels, and it is expected to spend 12.1 million taels! Will there be a savings of 700,000 taels?  You know, the imperial court has to repay the owed border wages this year! Do you know how much the imperial court has owed over the years?¡±

    All the officials were silent, and Zhang Kentang said slowly: "Up to now, after years of arrears, the imperial court owes 6,819,029 taels only for side payments! The amount of money saved by the imperial court is not even a tael.  It¡¯s not even a fraction! The court has exhausted all ways to get money, but there is still such a huge deficit. Tell me, what will the court do if it even defaults on taxes?¡±

    "When the tax was formulated, Taiwan was not included in the calculation." After Zhang Kentang finished venting, Ding Yunyi said calmly: "Taiwan has just paid the money that should be paid to Hongyi, and suddenly it has to pay money to the court. Is it possible?  Are they really allowed to sell their sons and daughters and their land? When it comes to taxation, Ding Yunyi has something to say: Taiwan is different from other places."

    He paused and continued: "In the forty-sixth year of Wanli, when Nurhachi rebelled against the Ming Dynasty, the imperial court's salary increased suddenly by 3 million taels. Therefore, the tax per mu increased by 3.5 cents, and the world's tax increased by more than 2 million. The following year it was increased again.  Three cents and five cents. The following year, the Ministry of War and Industry requested an additional two cents for the front and back, and an additional 5.2 million for each acre.  But even if all taxes are added up, they are only 20% of the people's income. Normally, the people can afford it. "

    He glanced at the officials: "It's not that everyone doesn't know about the bitter cold in Taiwan. People have been farming for a year, and God doesn't help. They can't even fill their own stomachs. The taxes levied by Hongyi have exceeded 50% of the people's income.  Above, if the imperial court comes to impose taxes again, will the people of Taiwan still have a chance to survive? Are they going to start another uprising in Taiwan after the Central Plains bandits? "

    As soon as these words came out, all the officials were shocked and their eyes fell on Zhang Kentang.

    I just thought that the governor would be furious.  But I didn't expect that Kentang Zhang didn't say anything. After a while, he cast his eyes on Zheng Zhilong: "Vice General Zheng, you are familiar with Taiwan, what do you think?"

    "What General Ding Shen said is correct." Zheng Zhilong's words surprised everyone.  He once again sided with Ding Yunyi: "Zheng Zhilong mobilized the people from the mainland twice to move to Taiwan, and gave them three taels of silver and one cow. But now, as Zheng Zhilong knows, the tens of thousands of people who moved there have already run out of money and the cows are gone.  . Where are they? Sell them! If farmers can¡¯t live anymore, they will sell them in Taiwan.¡±

    Ding Yunyi simply showed his courage: "Spring is coming in a blink of an eye, and Taiwan is facing another disaster year. In order to reassure the people of Taiwan, Ding Yunyi decided to allocate food for disaster relief before going to the Central Plains. But where can we get the food? What to do with such a huge gap?  ? It¡¯s just that I, Ding Yunyi, have lost all my money and sold my house and my wife. I don¡¯t want Fujian¡¯s help. I know it¡¯s just as difficult in Fujian. I¡¯ll figure it out on my own, but what else can I sell if my cattle are suddenly taxed?  It¡¯s not that I don¡¯t listen to you, and it¡¯s not that I don¡¯t know the difficulties of the court, but you have to give me time and wait for the people to calm down and come here!¡±

    This time it was strange. The officials thought about how Ding Yunyi and Zheng Zhilong actually got along today, speaking as if they were wearing the same pair of pants.

    Kentang Zhang did not find it strange that Ding Yunyi and Zheng Zhilong, two people who were so at odds with each other, told exactly the same situation in Taiwan. It was thought that Taiwan would be unsustainable.

    I tried to figure out the imperial court's thoughts and let Ding Yunyi and Zheng Zhilong continue to be hostile to each other. It seems that I used it at the wrong time this time. Maybe I made a mistake.

    Thinking of this, he raised his head and said, "Everyone, the wine has been used and the dishes have been used. You all have to take care of the place, so please disperse first. Ding Yunyi stays, I have something to ask you."

    I never thought that a good banquet would end so unhappy.

    After the officials dispersed, Zhang Kentang asked: "Xiang Wen, is the situation in Taiwan really as bad as you said?"

    "We can no longer use the word bad." Ding Yunyi nodded and said, "Commander Fu also heard what Zheng Zhilong said just now. After Ding Yunyi went to the Central Plains, why didn't Zheng Zhilong take action against Taiwan? Because he knew that Taiwan could not hold on anymore and no one would come.  Take this mess, Fushuai, don't tax him.? Otherwise Taiwan will rebel!  "

    The corners of Zhang Kentang's eyes twitched: "I originally planned to hold a banquet for you, but I didn't think carefully about it, and you were wronged."

    "Ding Yunyi will not be wronged." Ding Yunyi said loudly: "The main thing is to allow Taiwan to spend a few years in peace and recover its strength. Ding Yunyi is willing to accept no matter how big the grievance is."

    Kentang Zhang nodded slightly: "I understand, the taxation issue is postponed, you can go back to Taiwan first."

    Ding Yunyi walked out. He knew that Zhang Kentang was not targeting him this time. It was just his own impatience that made the atmosphere become like this.

    Kentang Zhang is a good official. After learning the true situation in Taiwan, he will not be stubborn.

    As soon as he went out, he saw that Ye Yuan was waiting for him and wanted to talk. Ye Yuan had already nodded in front of him: "Let's talk while walking."

    The two got on their horses and walked for a while. Only then did Ye Yuanxian say, "Xiang Wen, have you reached an agreement with Zheng Zhilong?"

    He is an old man, and he can tell at a glance that the relationship between Ding Yunyi and Zheng Zhilong has changed.

    Ding Yunyi nodded and briefly explained the alliance with Zheng Zhilong.

    "This has bought you five years, which is very good." Ye Yuan had no objection to the alliance at first: "But the reason why Zheng Zhilong spoke for you like this on the Taiwan issue is because he received a tip that Taiwan will have another disaster year next year.  I really don¡¯t want to go to Taiwan at this time and waste my money.¡±

    Only then did Ding Yunyi realize that what he originally said, "Why didn't Zheng Zhilong take action against Taiwan? Because he knew that Taiwan couldn't hold on any longer and no one was willing to take over this mess." It turned out to be a prophecy. No wonder Zheng Zhilong was so capable when he formed an alliance with him.  Feel free to give up Taiwan.

    His calculation was good. He put himself in charge of that random stall in Taiwan and threw money away, while he watched the show and seemed to have given Ding Yunyi a lot of face.

    "When Taiwan's strength recovers and the five-year alliance between them expires, it will not be too late to take action at that time.

    "The thoughts of these people are really deeper than the last, and you will fall into their trap if you are not careful.

    Ding Yunyi temporarily put these thoughts behind him: "Brother-in-law, what is the real situation in Taiwan now?"

    Ye Yuan was a little excited at first: "Since you left, all the generals have stuck to their guns. Qin Yun and Su Yang Qiuyuan each visited Taiwan and spread your reputation to other places. At the same time, Su Yang Qiuyuan also actively carried out self-rescue before the disaster, and achieved some results.  . As for the unfavorable situations that reached Zheng Zhilong¡¯s ears, they were all deliberately spread by Su Yang Qiuyuan. This person is very capable. "

    Ding Yunyi smiled with satisfaction, and Ye Yuan continued: "The maritime trade with Luzon is also going very smoothly, and there is a lot of money. They say that there is no business with Luzon. In fact, the dry silk people there are waiting for me, the Ming Dynasty Merchant Ship, etc.  Their eyes are red. Now that someone has arrived in Luzon, how can they not treat them as treasures? Therefore, they will accept all the goods sent from Taiwan. "

    "Okay, very good." Ding Yunyi was overjoyed: "As long as the maritime trade road is smooth, there will be a lot of money to be made. With money, everything will be easy to handle!"

    ¡°I can¡¯t finish talking about Taiwan right now, so I¡¯d better go back to Taiwan and see it with my own eyes before talking about it. Ding Yunyi thought about it and talked about marrying his wife in Suzhou.

    As soon as Ye Yuan heard this, he nodded repeatedly: "Okay, okay, I have known about the Deng family for a long time. It is a famous Confucian family, and it is a perfect match for the Ding family. You did the right thing.".rt  !  ~!
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