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Nanjing.

Kong Zhenyun of Nanzong, who was conferred the title of Yanshenggong by Zhao Han, came to Nanjing to meet the emperor before going to Shandong to receive the title.

Kong Zhenyun can be regarded as having made meritorious service. When the Datong Army attacked Zhejiang, he accompanied the army to persuade several counties to surrender.

At this moment, he stood upright and listened to Zhao Han's instructions.

"When I went to Qufu, I worked hard to cooperate with the government and restore the people's livelihood in Qufu," Zhao Han said to Kong Zhenyun. "Shandong suffered from locust droughts, military disasters, and plagues one after another. This year, the Yellow River burst its banks and flooded the southwest border of Shandong. The people were in dire straits and the dead were dead. There are countless others, so please don’t cause any more trouble to the officials and the people. Do you understand?”

Kong Zhenyun quickly bowed: "I would like to obey your Majesty's teachings!"

Zhao Han waved his hand and said, "Go."

Kong Zhenyun bowed and stepped back, being careful in both words and deeds.

The Datong Army was victorious in Shandong and Henan. Zhao Han had already dominated the world. In Kong Zhenyun's view, he was even more majestic, and there was something invisibly weighing on him.

This person left, and Zhao Han continued to review the memorial.

After half an hour of processing, Zhao Han suddenly stopped, thought carefully for a moment, and Zhu said: "Yes. Leave it to the Ministry of Etiquette to handle it with full authority."

However, the deans of the five major medical schools jointly petitioned to establish a medical center in Qintianjian.

There was a Taiyuan Hospital in the Ming Dynasty, but Zhao Han did not set one up. When he was sick, he always consulted famous doctors at Jinling Medical College.

Although the doctors under Zhao Han's rule have improved their social status, they do not have an institution similar to Tai Hospital. In the past two years, he had achieved success in preventing and controlling the plague, so he became bolder and took the initiative to petition the emperor to set up a medical center.

Doctors with official status were called "ceremonial doctors" in the Ming Dynasty, and everyone who practiced medicine wanted to have the title.

After reviewing the memorial about Taiwan, Zhao Han immediately said: "Bring those little Franji people here!"

Not long after, several Spaniards were brought to Zhao Han by the female officer, along with an accompanying Chinese translator.

The leader immediately knelt down and bowed: "Jose, the Spanish envoy, pays homage to His Majesty the Emperor of Datong, China."

The officials and people under Zhao Han's own rule did not need to kneel to the emperor. However, envoys from other countries or forces, including Fu Geng sent by Li Zicheng, knelt down as much as they wanted, and Zhao Han did not stop them.

Zhao Han asked: "The Dutch went north?"

Jose said: "Your great majesty, those damn Dutch, sent troops to raid our stronghold, but were fortunately repelled by the brave Chinese soldiers. But the Dutch retreated to Santo Domingo (Tsui) and began to build a castle there. Please ask His Majesty the Emperor to send troops to expel them immediately, otherwise it will not be so easy to fight when the Dutch build the castle."

In addition to chicken coops, Spain also used Tamsui as a colonial base in Taiwan. They built a wooden fence as a city wall by the river, built an earthen fort in the city, stationed fifty soldiers, and named the fresh water "Santo Domingo".

A few years ago, Taiwanese natives attacked Santo Domingo one after another, forcing the Spanish to abandon the city and destroying the Spanish fort.

Now the Netherlands suddenly went north and planned to build a castle in Tamsui, which is under the jurisdiction of Taipei County!

This time, not only did the Spanish ask Zhao Han to send troops, but Sun Chuanting, the magistrate of Taipei, was asking for instructions on whether to start a war to drive away the Dutch.

The reason why Sun Chuanting did not take action directly was because he knew that Zhao Han was purchasing war horses through the Netherlands. If a fight with the Dutch leads to the interruption of the war horse trade, it would be a small impatience but a big plan.

The problem is that the Netherlands had just sent an envoy before, trying every possible means to please the Chinese emperor. Why did he suddenly come and touch the tiger’s butt again?

Zhao Han couldn't understand and was puzzled.

Zhao Han said to Jose: "Go back and tell the Governor of the Philippines that Spain must give up its claim to occupy Chicken Coop. The entire island of Taiwan is Chinese land. Chicken Coop, which is your city of San Salvador, must be handed over to the management of Datong officials. . I allow the Spaniards to continue to stay in the chicken coop, allow you to keep a church, and allow you to open a trading post. However, the laws of the Datong Court must be abided by!"

"Of course, that's what the Governor meant." Jose accepted immediately.

In other words, only by handing over the chicken coop to China can Spain continue to stay and do business. Otherwise, they will not be able to withstand the Dutch attack.

Even if Zhao Han didn't bring it up, the Spaniards would ask China to take over the chicken coop.

Since Spain is so sensible, Zhao Han also wanted to express his attitude. He smiled and said: "I have two gifts, one for the King of Spain and one for the Governor of the Philippines. I hope the friendship between the two countries will last forever."

"Thank you so much, His Majesty the Great Emperor of China Datong!" Jose thanked him quickly.

As for gifts, give me porcelain.

Official kilns in various provinces, including Jingdezhen, have begun to be privatized.

In fact, there were not many official kilns in the Ming Dynasty. There were only fifty or so in the whole country. This thing is not profitable at all, and it requires local funds to be fired, and porcelain craftsmen must be recruited to serve for free.

It can be said that it was a waste of money and people, the local government suffered financial losses, and the porcelain craftsmen were oppressed. The palace could only get free porcelain, and all the profits were made by eunuchs and civil servants.

It would be better to sell the official kilns to merchants and private owners.

Regarding the royal family's expenses, the results are now being discussed. The annual royal expenses are directly extracted in proportion to taxes on customs, tea, porcelain, salt, textiles, etc.

Next year's royal family expenses are expected to rise to 800,000 taels.

During the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty, China's multicolored porcelain had matured, but its exports were mainly blue and white porcelain.

Zhao Han wanted to help open overseas markets for colorful porcelain, so he took this opportunity to send one piece to the King of Spain and the Governor of the Philippines. Multicolored porcelain is definitely more in line with the aesthetics of European aristocrats, and I will be able to break my head for this thing in the future!

It's time to establish a diplomatic department, not only to deal with foreign countries, but also to deal with Li Zicheng, the Manchus and Mongolia.

For example, inciting rebellion against the Mongolian nobles, inciting Mobei Mongolia to attack the Manchu Qing Dynasty, or alienating the Manchu Qing nobles, etc.

This organization should not have too much power and should be affiliated with a certain ministry.

Zhao Han has not yet decided whether to be affiliated with the Ministry of Rites. He will discuss it with the ministers slowly in the future.

But it was said that Jose and other members of the mission were arranged to rest in the hotel while waiting for Zhao Han's official diplomatic letter to the Spanish Governor.

That night, he received several pieces of porcelain.

The most exquisite one was presented to the King of Spain, and the lesser one was presented to the Governor of the Philippines. Each member of the envoy received a small colorful cup, and Jose also received a teapot as a special gift.

"This is more beautiful than Clark porcelain!" Jose was stunned, holding the teapot and cup with trembling hands.

With just two gifts, Jose would be able to make a fortune if he returned to Europe.

After giving out the gifts, you can wait for the order. The Governor of the Philippines will definitely send a fleet to buy colorful porcelain.

The Netherlands is similar. Maybe they can also use colorful porcelain to directly trade Indian Marwari horses.

Not one for one, but one porcelain bowl for several fine war horses!

Of course, you have to teach him a lesson first.

Zhao Han used a red pen to reply to Sun Chuanting's memorial: "The barbarians are afraid of power but not moral. If the enemy comes, attack and annihilate them!"

As soon as the memorial on Taiwan was completed, the three cabinet ministers took the Minister of War and hurriedly asked to see Zhao Han.

"Your Majesty," Pang Chunlai cupped his hands and said, "an emergency report was sent from the north. The Tatar slaves moved out of Beizhili and the entire clan retreated outside Shanhaiguan."

Zhao Han was startled, then laughed: "It can cut off a strong man's wrist."

The situation in the north is very strange this year. In Shanxi, Shaanxi, Shandong, and Henan, there are only local droughts. Most areas have frequent rains, and some places even have floods. Only Beizhili continues to suffer from drought in the entire province.

If the Manchus stay in Beizhili and do not leave, a great famine will inevitably occur next year.

If we return to Liaodong as soon as possible, we can replant some food.

Li Banghua said: "Your Majesty, you should send troops quickly to capture Beizhili before Li Zicheng!"

Zhao Han shook his head and said: "It is impossible to send out a large number of troops. The epidemic in Beizhili is also serious, and drought and famine are everywhere. Send light cavalry north to occupy as much as you can. Send more officials to manage it. We are not in a hurry to divide the fields for the time being. Let the people of Beizhili fend for themselves."

Zhao Han is really out of food. The previous war has caused food prices in the south to skyrocket.

The hungry people in Henan and Shandong can only receive symbolic relief. If the mess in Northern Zhili is taken over again, people's livelihood in the south will be severely affected, and it is estimated that wages in cities will not be enough to buy rice.

As Zhao Han made his decision, all the divisions stationed in the north sent dragoons northward to occupy the prefectures and counties.

In ten months, they captured Hejian Mansion and Baoding Mansion, but only took half of Zhending Mansion. The other half of the Zhending Mansion was preempted by Li Zicheng. Both parties maintained restraint and did not conflict over the territory.

Li Zicheng's side seems to be like Zhao Han, sending troops quickly to occupy as much as they can.

Moreover, after occupying the city, they only want to govern the city and leave the people outside the city to fend for themselves. The only thing we can do for the time being is to fend for ourselves, which is better than being exploited by the Tatars.

After all, Li Zicheng's center of rule was closer than Zhao Han, and he could dispatch troops much faster.

Xuanfu, Baoan Prefecture, Yanqing Prefecture, half of Baoding Prefecture, and most of Shuntian Prefecture were all captured by Li Zicheng. Zhao Han only occupied a small half of Shuntian Prefecture and pushed northward to Bazhou and Tianjin.

Both sides unanimously ignored Yongping Mansion because it was adjacent to Shanhaiguan - it was not cost-effective to garrison it with heavy troops, and it would be very laborious to transport grain and grass. If it was not garrisoned with heavy troops, it would be easily attacked by the Tatars.

But it was said that after the Manchu Qing returned to Liaodong, due to food shortages, they did not choose to cultivate their health and recuperate, but immediately launched a war!

Internally, the Manchus forced the savage Jurchens to provide food. If they do not hand over enough food as required, they will often slaughter a tribe and take away food, livestock and women.

Externally, it attacked North Korea to the south and plundered Khalkha Mongolia to the north.

The king of North Korea was going crazy. He had already surrendered to the Manchus, and even the king's personal soldiers, the Fire Gun Team, were given to the Manchus to take out and fight at will. As a result, Nima was also plundered, northern Korea was almost emptied, and the plague was also brought to Korea.

In northern Korea, ten houses were empty, and famine and plague spread rapidly.

On the Khalkha Mongolian side, the Chechen Khan tribe closest to the Manchu Qing Dynasty had also long ago paid tribute to the Manchu Qing Dynasty.

As a result, more than 20,000 Manchu cavalry and Mongolian cavalry suddenly sent troops to attack the Chechen Khan.

The Chechen Khan tribe has 30,000 cavalry, but they are scattered in the grasslands grazing and there is no time to assemble. He was killed by Manchu cavalry all the way to the Khan's court. Chechen Khan Shuolei died in the battle, and his son Babu was supported by the Manchus as the puppet Khan.

Shuolei died unjustly, this guy has been plotting to stab the Manchus in the back.

Historically, after another four years, Shuolei incited the Horqin tribe to rebel, and he himself went out to help. As a result, he was defeated by the Manchus, Shuolei died tragically, and the Chechen Khan continued to pay tribute.

The Manchu Qing Dynasty, which was about to run out of food, relied on internal and external wars to quickly obtain sufficient food.

However, North Korea was almost collapsed, and the Chechen Khanate and Mongolia have never recovered. The Manchu Qing Dynasty did not massacre the Chechen Khanate, but they robbed other people's cattle and sheep. I don't know how many people will starve to death this winter.

Datong, Dashun, and Daqing were all short of food.

The Manchu Qing Dynasty, which seemed to be the worst, actually recovered the fastest.