owlsbooks Chapter 17 Port
Chapter 17 Port
Zhu Jiheng listened attentively, while his adjutant quickly wrote down the names of each person and the items they presented.
After everyone had finished speaking, Zhu Jiheng's face showed approval, and he said loudly:
"I am deeply aware of your fervent patriotism and your generous donations! Our Ming army's southern expedition to Luzon is precisely to protect our citizens and reclaim our Han homeland. Your righteous act today is not only a timely help but also clear proof of your unwavering support for our Ming Dynasty! On behalf of all the soldiers, I thank you all!"
He paused slightly, then continued, "Rewarding merit is the law of our Great Ming Dynasty. The money, grain, and supplies you have contributed will be registered and recorded by the newly appointed Director of the Maritime Trade Office, Lin Lisheng, and converted at market value. You will be rewarded in the future. Those who contribute grain will receive preferential treatment in future matters concerning commercial taxes and maritime trade. Craftsmen who have contributed their labor will also be rewarded according to their skills and contributions!"
Chief of the Maritime Trade Office!
They were all tempted when they heard about the official position. Lin Lisheng's rice shop was not considered one of the top in Linjiayan City, yet he only donated 800 shi (a unit of dry measure) to get a position in charge. This showed how generous the Crown Prince was.
Zhang Bonian, who donated the most, was filled with regret. If he had Lin Lisheng's courage to be the first to try something new, he wouldn't have had the chance to become that small rice shop manager.
Sigh... It seems the brave are the ones who get to enjoy the world first.
However, Zhu Jiheng's promise reassured the merchants present, and their faces lit up with joy. Their biggest worry was that their donations would disappear without a trace, just like when they were extorted by the Spanish in the past. Now, not only had they received a personal audience and affirmation from the crown prince, but they also had a clear promise of guaranteed benefits. How could they not be excited?
"Your Highness is wise! We are willing to serve Your Highness to the death!" The crowd bowed again in excitement.
Zhu Jiheng nodded slightly, taking in everyone's expressions, and continued, "Lingjiayan has just been established, and everything is in need of rebuilding. Expelling the Western barbarians is not something that can be accomplished in a day. The Franks will not sit idly by and watch this place change hands; they will definitely retaliate. The most important task at present is to strengthen the city's defenses, reorganize the army, and stabilize the people's hearts."
"Since you all have your hearts set on the Great Ming, in addition to donating money and provisions, if any of your clansmen are willing to join the army to serve the country, or know the true nature of the Franks, or are familiar with the geography and hydrology of Luzon, they may all serve at the front. Anyone with a skill that can help our Great Ming establish itself, develop, and grow stronger in this place will be generously rewarded!"
The merchants' eyes gleamed with ambition. Joining the Crown Prince in resisting the Western barbarians and participating in the reconstruction of Lin Jiayan's empire, and even the greater foundation for the future, was the opportunity they had longed for to change their own and their families' destinies.
"Your Highness, rest assured! When we return, we will certainly inform our relatives and neighbors, recruit talented individuals, gather brave warriors, and work together to achieve this great undertaking!" Zhang Bonian replied on behalf of everyone, his tone resolute.
"Good!" Zhu Jiheng nodded in satisfaction. "Adjutant, see these distinguished guests off for me."
"Thank you, Your Highness!" The merchants, filled with anticipation for the future, respectfully withdrew from the government office under the guidance of their adjutant.
After the merchants left, Zhu Jiheng waited for his adjutant to return before ordering him to organize men to recruit natives in the city and send them to the West City Fortress for military training. They would be trained as colonial infantrymen, and once they completed their training in the barracks, they would be completely loyal to Zhu Jiheng, even if he asked them to suppress their own people.
This is the advantage of the Total War system: it is completely loyal to the host, and its morale is almost comparable to that of an ordinary army, fighting to the death. The only drawback is that, for him at present, the early development time is too short.
Zhu Jiheng did not forget the Hope, which was still anchored in the north. He sent someone to the Hope's anchorage to notify it to come to Linjiayan City to rendezvous.
After doing all this, Zhu Jiheng left the government office with several guards and decided to go to the port to check the situation himself.
As we traveled along the road, the scenery was completely different from when we entered the city yesterday evening.
The white uniforms of the Spanish soldiers have vanished without a trace, replaced by patrols of Ming soldiers in red uniforms, looking spirited and energetic. Many Chinese shops have boldly opened their doors, and passersby can clearly see a sense of relief and a hint of anticipation on their faces.
Upon arriving at the port area, the bustling scene far surpassed that inside the city. Soldiers from the second line infantry company were on guard and following Lin Lisheng's orders to count and move supplies from the warehouse.
The four captured two-masted fast ships were quietly moored at the dock. Although they had some damage, they were generally intact. The Burgundy cross flags on the ships had long been torn down. Inside the shipyard, under the supervision of Ming soldiers, craftsmen were repairing one of the damaged ships.
Zhu Jiheng did not disturb the busy Lin Lisheng. After discreetly showing his identity, he boarded one of the fast ships and stroked the cold bronze cannon barrel. This two-masted fast ship should be equivalent to the system's two-masted coastal defense ship. Each ship is equipped with less than ten light cannons. It may not be enough for a single ship to fight, but if four ships go together, the firepower density will be quite considerable.
However, the Spanish sailors who operated them are now prisoners, and the four fast boats are now empty and unmanned.
After inspecting the area, Zhu Jiheng disembarked and returned to shore. Lin Lisheng and Zhang Kui, the company commander of the second company, had already heard the news and rushed over. They happened to meet Zhu Jiheng as he disembarked, and the two of them quickly bowed and greeted him.
Zhu Jiheng nodded slightly, smiling as he told them to dispense with the formalities, and then asked Zhang Kui, "Among the captured Western barbarian sailors, are any willing to surrender and serve me?"
Upon hearing this, Zhang Kui was taken aback at first, then looked troubled. Zhu Jiheng assumed from his expression that no one was willing to surrender, but unexpectedly heard Zhang Kui say with a wry smile, "Your Highness, I ordered my men to explain the advantages and disadvantages to the prisoners and try to persuade them to surrender. Who would have thought that those prisoners would rush to say that as long as Your Highness can pay the military pay on time, they are willing to surrender and serve Your Highness."
"..."
Zhu Jiheng paused for a moment, unsure of what to say, but it was within his acceptable range.
The Spanish sailors' reaction was not beyond his understanding of the colonial armies of this era; they were far from home, serving the colonial empire, and loyalty often came after pay.
In places like Luzon, Spanish rule was based on military intimidation and the distribution of benefits. The loyalty of lower-ranking soldiers was not so unbreakable. In other words, whoever provided the benefits was their master, and as long as they were paid well, it didn't matter whether their superiors were European or Eastern.
Thinking of this, he chuckled and said, "Since they are willing to surrender, then let bygones be bygones. Those who are willing to serve the Ming Dynasty will be paid their military pay according to the original amount, without any delay. If they perform well, they will be given additional rewards."
"Your Highness, I understand." Zhang Kui clasped his hands in acknowledgment. After a moment's thought, he added, "Your Highness, I believe we should still conduct a thorough screening to prevent unscrupulous individuals from infiltrating and causing future trouble."
"I understand, of course." Zhu Jiheng nodded and said, "Those who are willing to surrender will be placed under the reorganization and supervision of your Second Company. They will not be issued weapons for the time being, but will only be responsible for miscellaneous tasks such as ship maintenance, upkeep, and cleaning. Once their temperament is stable and their performance is reliable, we will consider incorporating them into the regular army. As for those who are stubborn or suspicious..."
He paused for a moment, not saying anything more, but Zhang Kui already understood.
"Yes, sir! I will certainly keep them strictly under control and never let these surrendered soldiers cause trouble!" Zhang Kui replied in a deep voice.