Zhu Cihong visited the waterwheel under the guidance of Gao Hongtu.
Generally speaking, this waterwheel is in line with Zhu Cixiang's vision.
It's just that some details still need to be improved.
Zhu Cixiang made some more targeted arrangements and then drove back to the palace.
But as soon as he returned to the palace and had no time to spare, Han Zanzhou, the eunuch superintendent of the inner factory, came to ask for an audience.
Zhu Cihong summoned Han Zanzhou in Nuange.
Since the last time Zhu Cihong and Long Yan got angry and scolded Han Zanzhou for rectifying the inner factory, the efficiency of the inner factory has been greatly improved, and it is generally on track to catch up with Dongchang and Jinyiwei.
Moreover, in the collection of external intelligence, the internal factory does play an irreplaceable role.
"Speaking of which, why are you here to see me today?"
Zhu Cixiang took a sip of tea and said calmly.
"Reporting to your Majesty, this is news from Fujian."
Han Zanzhou answered cautiously.
Zhu Cixiang's heart trembled when he heard the word Fujian.
Because of Zheng Zhilong, the Military Intelligence Department of the Inner Factory sent a large number of spies to Fujian.
If there is any trouble in Fujian, the news will be quickly sent back to Nanjing.
"What news?"
"Your Majesty, according to the report from the Military Intelligence Department informant, Zheng Zhilong is afraid that he is secretly in cahoots with Donglu."
Although he had already had a premonition, Zhu Cixiang was still shocked when he heard this sentence.
In the original history, Zheng Zhilong's surrender to the Qing Dynasty was made when the Manchu Qing Dynasty had already rushed to Fujian with the overwhelming momentum of Mount Tai.
Now that the situation in Ming Dynasty is very good, why is Zheng Zhilong still flirting with the Manchus?
Zhu Cihong knew that such a major matter would be verified by the factory again and again before reporting to him.
If Han Zanzhou is just chasing rumors, then he really doesn't want his head.
"Explain the cause and effect of the matter to me clearly, and don't miss a word."
Zhu Cixiang sat upright with a serious look on his face.
"Slave, I obey."
Han Zanzhou paused for a while and then continued: "The military intelligence agents in Fujian recently discovered that the local food prices in Fujian have increased significantly.
Originally, the increase in food prices was nothing, but this time they couldn't hold back the increase, and they actually doubled.
More than double.
Although Fujian is not a major grain-producing province, there have been no major disasters this year, so the grain on the market should be sufficient.
After a thorough investigation, they found that the grain on the market in Fujian was sufficient.
All the food was taken away by Zheng Zhilong."
Zhu Cixiang's mood suddenly became much heavier.
Why did the good Zheng Zhilong buy so much grain?
There must be a plan for hoarding food.
The most direct explanation is that he wanted to rebel and hoard food for the army.
"Go on."
"Later they discovered that Zheng Zhilong began to purchase grain from Guangdong and Guangxi, and even grain from Huguang was shipped to Fujian."
Han Zanzhou's words were measured just right, leaving Zhu Cixiang time to think without speaking too slowly.
"It's really suspicious that Zheng Zhilong had such a big change.
These spies tried their best to finally find that the grain was transported to the dock for loading and floated northward." hiss Zhu Cixiang took a deep breath when he heard this.
It was too obvious what Zheng Zhilong wanted to do when transporting grain northward.
The Zheng family has many profitable maritime trade projects, so there is no reason to sell food.
No matter how much profit can be made from food, Zheng Zhilong has been engaged in maritime trade all his life.
Does he know this?
Of course, this alone is not enough to prove that Zheng Zhilong had an affair with the Manchus.
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Zhu Cihong also wanted to hear what Han Zanzhou had to say next.
"Your Majesty, according to the report from Governor Denglai, the Zheng family navy has indeed bypassed Dengzhou and continued to the north.
Looking at the direction, it is towards Tianjin Wei."
Han Zanzhou's words undoubtedly eliminated Zhu Cixiang's last illusion about Zheng Zhilong.
Now the entire North Zhili is in the hands of the Manchus.
Zheng Zhilong sent the navy northward and was already convicted of secretly liaising with the Qing Dynasty.
If he goes to Japan, there is absolutely no need for him to go around in such a big circle.
Doesn't this mean that he is seeking the far distance instead of the near?
Zhu Cixiang's mood was very complicated at the moment.
He treated Zheng Zhilong well, but he didn't expect that Zheng Zhilong still failed him.
Thinking of Zheng Zhilong's betrayal of Emperor Longwu in the original history, it can be concluded that he is a despicable person.
When Han Zanzhou saw Zhu Cixiang's gloomy expression, he lowered his head and did not dare to speak.
After a long time, Zhu Cixi sighed: "The scope of this matter must be strictly controlled, and no one is allowed to mention it except me."
"My slave obeys the order."
Han Zanzhou responded quickly.
"Please step back.
I want to be alone."
Zhu Cixiang's voice was a little tired.
"Slave, please leave."
Han Zanzhou carefully stood up and exited the hall.
Zhu Cixiang simply closed his eyes and thought about countermeasures.
Zheng Zhilong dared to communicate secretly with the Manchus because he was sure that the court would not dare to do anything to him.
After all, the Zheng family navy is now far stronger than the imperial navy.
If the imperial court really pushed Zheng Zhilong into a hurry, he could have carried the gold and silver on board the ship and surrendered the entire clan to the Qing Dynasty.
But Zheng Zhilong did not rebel blatantly, which shows that he is also cautiously optimistic about the Manchu Qing Dynasty.
He was not convinced that the Manchu Qing Dynasty would be able to conquer the world, so he chose to have two boats, so that no matter who conquered the world in the future, Zheng Zhilong would enjoy glory and wealth.
It's a pity that he met Zhu Cixiang.
Zhu Cixiang is not a weak-minded person and will never accept this kind of behavior of sitting on the fence.
Zheng Zhilong's behavior is not much different from directly launching a rebellion.
In essence, it is a trampling on the imperial power.
But how to deal with it is really a problem.
It would definitely not work to directly send troops to fight.
Zheng Zhilong is fully capable of leading the navy northward to surrender.
The best way is to weave a big net and cover Zheng Zhilong in it.
Then slowly tighten it, so that by the time Zheng Zhilong realizes that it is too late to break free.
However, the technique of weaving the net must be delicate.
It would not be beautiful if Zheng Zhilong noticed it.
Zhu Cixiang didn't intend to let too many people know about this matter, but there had to be someone who could discuss it.
After careful consideration, Zhu Cixiang decided to summon Lu Zhenfei.
As the Minister of the Ministry of War, Lu Zhenfei had the unshirkable responsibility for this matter.
But Lu Zhenfei, who was working in the Yamen of the Ministry of War, hurriedly entered the palace on orders.
After he came to the Nuan Pavilion of Qianqing Palace to salute, Zhu Cihong gave him a seat.
"I urgently summoned my soldiers for an important matter."
Zhu Cixiang said straight to the point: "Zheng Zhilong has secretly communicated with Donglu and has turned against him."
Lu Zhenfei was shocked.
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"Your Majesty, this news is true."
"The Military Intelligence Department of the Inner Factory and Governor Denglai have confirmed it.
There should be no fake news."
Zhu Cixiang smiled bitterly and said: "I didn't expect that I treated him so favorably, but he actually raised a white-eyed wolf.
Please tell me what I should do for the current plan."
Lu Zhenfei was silent for a moment and then said: "Your Majesty, I thought we could first issue an imperial edict to Zheng Zhilong to go to Beijing to report on his duties and find out his background.
Whether he comes or not is acceptable to the court
.
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