No matter how troubled the Ming Dynasty was, Zhou Zheng was orderly advancing his plan.

Shangguan Xun, who went to the south, finally came back and brought Zhou Zheng a large order.

There were only the two of them in Zhou Zheng’s study.

Shangguan Xun handed over an account book and said, "Sir, those Westerners want to do business with me, the Ming Dynasty, but have always been taken over by me, the Ming Dynasty. I heard that we could give them the goods they wanted, and an order of nearly 200,000 taels of silver came in one go."

Zhou Zheng was waiting for Shangguan Xun and looked at the order. Tea ranked first, followed by silk, porcelain, and various products from Zhou Ji, which cost 198,000 taels!

This is a very good start!

Zhou Zheng knew very well that Western Europe had begun a great voyage, merchant ships were spread all over the world, the Ming Dynasty was vast and the business potential was huge.

Daming, continue to transfusion overseas!

Zhou Zheng was excited and looked at it for a while and said, "Well, okay, it's done well. By the way, tell them, have you received the goods at Yongping Mansion?"

Shangguan Xun said: "After saying that, they seem to be worried that they will be seized by our government and want to go on the sea route. We agreed to pick up the goods in our designated Haikou in February next year."

Zhou Zheng closed the account book and said, "This is the first business, you must do it well, and you must hide it from others."

The court strictly prohibited Ming people from having contacts with overseas exchanges, especially commercial ones.

Shangguan Xun knew the importance and said, "Don't worry, sir. I have discussed with Shopkeeper Cheng. I will soon set up a chamber of commerce in Yongping Prefecture, especially Xinqiao Haikou, and then use the escort agency as a cover. No one should notice it on the territory of the adult."

Zhou Zheng said nodded and said, "You make plans for me, and I will also let Yongping Mansion provide a good cover. In addition, the contact with overseas countries should be expanded, and we should find ways to expand our exports through these people..."

Shangguan Xun listened carefully and said, "Yes. I also contacted many merchants in Guangdong and Fujian, especially some people who went overseas, to find ways to broaden our sales channels..."

Zhou Zheng was very satisfied with Shangguan Xun's actions and said, "The far away is temporarily handed over to the Westerners, but we cannot always do this. A shipboard under the business is set up, starting with the neighboring North Korea and Japan. We control these routes ourselves..."

There is still a sea trade between the Ming Dynasty and North Korea, but it is controlled by the pirates.

Shangguan Xun said: "Yes, after I go back, I will discuss with Manager Cheng and make a charter to report to the Lord."

Zhou Zheng glanced outside and whispered to Shangguan Xun: "The artillery of the Westerners is still good. Please find a few people with good skills and send them to the Military Weapon Bureau."

Shangguan Xun was slightly shocked and said, "Sir?"

Zhou Zheng smiled and comforted him: "It's okay, I've arranged everything. If there are people from the Military Weapon Bureau, there will be no accident. Just study it first."

Shangguan Xun understood and said, "Yes, I'll make arrangements when I go back."

Zhou Zheng nodded, sat back, and said, "There is no trouble on the salt merchant's side, right?"

Shangguan Xun smiled this time and said, "There are a few restless people who were raided by Mr. Wei through the eunuch party case. Then no one dared to cause trouble. The others were very obedient."

Zhou Zheng knew about it before, and when he heard Shangguan Xun's words, he pondered for a moment, and said, "Okay. I will leave the business matters to you. Follow my business plan. You can adjust the details. If you have any questions, please write me."

"It's an adult." Shangguan Xun said.

Zhou Zheng picked up a teacup and drank tea. He wanted to set up a commercial area in Xinqiao Town, but reality does not allow it.

...

It is the end of the year, and all departments of Yongping Prefecture are busy settle accounts and summarizing, no one is idle.

Zhang Heyi came the most. He stood in front of Zhou Zheng's desk, holding a thick account book in his hand, and said happily: "Sir, we collected 80,000 shi of grain tax this year, which is nearly 60,000 shi more than last year, and we also collected nearly 100,000 taels of miscellaneous taxes such as commercial taxes... This is the first year. If we continue, in less than three or five years, we will receive nearly 300,000 taels of silver every year, which is comparable to a middle-class government..."

Zhou Zheng looked at his happy expression and waited for a while before saying, "What are you going to do?"

Zhang Heyi was stunned and looked at Zhou Zheng with some clues. He then suddenly woke up and frowned and said, "Sir, are you talking about the imperial court?"

When local taxes are collected, they must be paid to the court according to a certain proportion.

Zhou Zheng didn't say anything, Zhang Heyi frowned even more, and said to himself: "Sir, tax collections in various places are not ideal now. If we send too much at once, it will probably cause public outrage... Sir, why don't we pay it according to the previous year?"

Zhou Zheng then nodded and said, "Let's do it."

Instead of embezzling and wasting those people, it is better to keep it in his hands and do something practical.

Only then did Zhang Heyi understand what Zhou Zheng meant and hurriedly said, "Yes, I'll make arrangements now."

As soon as Zhang Heyi left, Yao Tongshun came in.

Zhou Zhengdao: "At the end of the year, the assessment of officials at all levels should be released as soon as possible. Those who should be punished must be severe and merciless; those who should be rewarded must be rewarded heavily. You can draw a specific list of rewards and punishments for me."

Yao Tongshun looked at Zhou Zheng and said tentatively: "Yes, the new magistrate will take office next year, those three magistrates..."

Yongping Prefecture has three counties: Lulong County, Changli County and Funing County. The three magistrates are all Zhang Yonglian's followers. They were captured by Zhou Zheng and given to the court.

Now, the three prefects are still vacant, for nearly a year, which is the result of Zhou Zheng's intentional obstruction by the court.

Zhou Zheng said: "Don't worry, be busy with our affairs first."

Yao Tong didn't say anything else.

Zhou Zheng has to be too busy with things. After a while, he has to go home for the New Year. His sister-in-law has given birth to a pair of twins and has long urged Zhou Zheng to go back as soon as possible.

It was not until the second year of Chongzhen, on the fourth day of the January 2018, that Zhou Zheng and others were busy, but they came to an end.

"Go back to Beijing."

Zhou Zheng stood up from his chair and looked at the group of people and said with a smile.

Everyone raised their hands together and said with a smile: "Thank you, Lord!"

Everyone had packed their luggage long ago, and several carriages were parked at the government office. Not long after, they began to leave Yongping Mansion in groups and return to the capital.

Three days later, as soon as Zhou Zheng arrived at the gate of Zhou's mansion, Uncle Fu came up and said loudly, "Second Young Master, you are back..."

Zhou Zheng had a big bag in his hand, and there was a group of guards behind him, and he smiled and said, "Dad, is your elder brother and sister-in-law at home?"

Uncle Fu asked Zhou Zheng to enter the door and smiled continuously: "Everyone is here, they kept muttering when the second young master will come back..."

Zhou Zheng was exhausted and walked straight to the backyard.

Zhou Qingli is now upset and is drinking tea in the back hall. Listening to Zhou Zheng coming back, he doesn't do anything.

Zhou Zheng came in, brought the gift, raised his hand and said, "Dad, I'm back."

Zhou Qingli glanced at Zhou Zheng, paused for a while before saying, "Well, take a break and go see your elder brother, sister-in-law, nephew and nieces."

Zhou Zheng looked at Zhou Qingli's face that was thinner than last year and his majestic look, and handed over the gift, saying, "Dad, this is for you."

Zhou Qingli nodded, without any extra words.

Zhou Zheng put down the gift, said a few more words, and then turned around to his elder brother Zhou Fang.

Zhou Qingli looked at Zhou Zheng leaving, then glanced at the gift that Zhou Zheng placed on the table, stood up, and reached out to take the gift.

Uncle Fu came up and was about to speak, but Zhou Qingli said, "I'll talk later." Before he finished speaking, he went straight back to his bedroom.
Chapter completed!