Zhou Zheng didn't expect that Li Hengbing could really do it, so he could bring Hong Chengchou down so quickly.

He picked up the teacup and took a sip. Zhou Zheng said, "It's okay to tell you. The reason why I captured Gao Yingxiang is because he is an incompetent person and is not convinced by the public. He is not enough to accomplish anything."

Li Hengbing's eyes widened, stared at Zhou Zheng with bright eyes, and said, "You really have great ambitions."

Zhou Zheng laughed, put down the teacup, and said, "You can go around and tell me to the emperor in person. Guess who will believe you?"

The system of the Ming Dynasty was very special. If civil officials wanted to rebel, there was no possibility of success at all, let alone Zhou Zheng had just captured Gao Yingxiang. If Zhou Zheng had a bad plan, no one would believe it. He would only think that Li Hengbing was crazy about gaining and losing his mind. Or he deliberately framed and revenge, just like in the Golden Palace for ten years.

Li Hengbing's expression was restrained, his eyes flashed with a strange look, and he said, "Why should I report you? I am more disappointed than you in this court. What do you want to do next? Want the position of Minister of War, or do you preside over the northwest to suppress bandits and hold troops to respect yourself?"

Zhou Zheng shook his head and said, "I don't want to do it. I will seriously suppress the bandits, consolidate Liaodong, fill in the gaps for the court, and revive the Ming Dynasty."

Li Hengbing said: "At this time, why do you have to pretend to be a pretentious person? I have helped you overthrow Hong Chengchou and can help you more."

Zhou Zheng was inaccurate about Li Hengbing's current mentality, and would not ask this person to help him. He said lightly: "The transaction has been completed, you should leave. Also, don't do anything that makes me unhappy. You should know that I can make you disappear silently now."

Li Hengbing didn't care about Zhou Zheng's warning and said, "I will prove it to you. I know that Yuan Fu is about to be unable to hold on, and the court will inevitably be in chaos. Within half a year, you will definitely be able to get a minister of the court, and there will be no problem in joining the cabinet within two or three years!"

Zhou Zheng looked plain and said, "I will not be promoted in a short period of time. I said, "I should concentrate on doing things and sending guests."

Liu Liuzhe came over with two servants disguised by secret guards and said bluntly: "Please."

Li Hengbing stood up and refused to give up and said, "I will find a way to get back."

Zhou Zheng didn't bother to pay attention to him and drank tea on his own.

Liu Liuzhe sent him away, turned back, and said, "Second Young Master, what is this person doing?"

Zhou Zheng also shook his head and said, "I don't know, just stare at it. By the way, I heard that Ruan Dacheng wants to present Jiangnan beauty to the emperor?"

Liu Liuzhe said: "Yes, Ruan Dacheng has been very active recently and has done a lot of things. I heard that the resumption of the Jiangnan Society is also related to him."

Zhou Zheng laughed. People like Ruan Dacheng are really clowns, and they will jump up and down, and they can't tell the difference at all.

Zhou Zheng was too lazy to pay attention to him and said, "I may have to go to Liaodong and Shandong after the New Year. You are ready for those things and wait for me."

Liu Liuzhe responded quickly and whispered: "Second Young Master, Lord Man, Lord Zhao and Lord Cao from Tianjin Wei have all sent a letter, hoping to have time to visit."

These three people were all protected by Zhou Zheng, although they didn't know. However, they had a close relationship with Zhou Zheng, and Zhou Zheng was the Minister of War again, so he naturally wrote to ask.

Zhou Zheng pondered for a moment and said, "I'm making a plan, please wait a little longer."

Liu Liuzhe responded and said, "Young Master Wei is said to have fought fiercely with the pirates in Japan. When he sent a message back, he said that he would also need to build ships and cannons."

Zhou Zheng smiled and said, "Well, tell Tianjin Wei, on Xiangyun Island, and give him thirty cannons and three big ships."

Liu Liuzhe agreed.

...

Zhou Zheng returned to Beijing, not as busy as he thought.

The current headquarters of the Zhou Chamber of Commerce is in Tianjin Wei, Chengjin, Shangguan Xun and others are very capable and have his strong protection. The merchants in Nanzhili were invited by Li Huazhen to drink wine and never dared to act evil again. The business everywhere went very smoothly.

Especially the sea trade is expanding, and the trade with North Korea, Japan, Ryukyu and surrounding areas is expanding the fastest. The Western barbarians seem to have tasted the sweetness. The merchant ships traveling in Tianjin and Dengzhou have almost never stopped, bringing Zhou Zheng a generous profit.

Zhou Zheng was able to concentrate on his government affairs. He had a tacit understanding with Yang Sichang. He was in charge of Liaodong, Tianjin Wei and Shandong, which involved Jianlu. The two of them did their own things and buried their heads in preparing their arrangements.

In December, the new Shandong Governor Ma Shiying and the same new Liaodong Governor Fang Yizao returned to Beijing to report their work at the request of Zhou Zheng.

They first met Yang Sichang, the Minister of War, and talked for a long time before they transferred to Zhou Zheng's class room.

Ma Shiying was most excited. In just a few years, Zhou Zheng was already the right assistant minister of the Ministry of War. He also became the governor of Shandong and the chief official of the border!

Ma Shiying was full of expectations for the future. When she saw Zhou Zheng, she raised her hand without hesitation and said, "You have met the lord."

Fang Yizao was also recommended by Zhou Zheng. He did not notice the problem in Ma Shiying's words, and raised his hand with joy and said, "Fang Yizao, I have met Lord Zhou."

Zhou Zheng stood up from the chair with a smile, greeted the two of them to the small table not far away, and while someone was pouring tea, he said with a smile: "Have you met Lord Yang?"

Ma Shiying quickly snatched the words and said, "Yes. Lord Yang told us that we should act according to the plan of the Ministry of War without any violation."

Yang Sichang's words seemed to be shaping the authority of the Minister of War, but in fact, both Ma Shiying and Fang Yizao knew that the three places in Liaodong were under the jurisdiction of Zhou Zheng. Yang Sichang's words also required them to listen to Zhou Zheng's words.

Zhou Zheng smiled and nodded, saying, "Have you read all the letters I have given to you?"

Ma Shiying immediately said, "I have seen it. When Xiaguan and his two people came, they also went to Yongping Prefecture and Hejian Prefecture to see it. The reform of the adults is very effective. We have also discussed it privately. If we reform according to the adults' strategy, it will be of great benefit. It is good governance for both the country and the people."

Fang Yizao glanced at Ma Shiying and said, "Governor Ma said that the lower officials also thought so. However, it is inevitable that some people will offend..."

Zhou Zheng waved his hand and said, "I will do things that offend people. You should do them with confidence and boldness. You should calm down and serve the country and the people, and not be afraid of the powerful."

Ma Shiying said in a serious look: "Sir, please listen to the teachings of the Lord!"

Fang Yizao has seen it thoroughly this time. Ma Shiying is a flatterer and doesn’t even want basic face.

But he also said, "Yes, the lower official understands."

Seeing that the two of them were obedient, Zhou Zheng felt relieved, and said in a stern face: "Okay. For specific strategies, I will send aides to tell you in detail. But there are two points in general, one is people's livelihood. This point, Hejian Prefecture and Yongping Prefecture have many years of experience, which can be learned from. I will dispatch officials at all levels to assist you. The second is military affairs. You also know about the matters in the northwest. Although I captured Gao Yingxiang, the rebellion in the northwest has not been decided. Lord Shangshu has already made major plans and needs assistance from the three places of Liaodong. Therefore, I will allocate civil and military generals and military forces in the three places of Liaodong. You two must cooperate and not miss the major affairs of our country!"
Chapter completed!