Chapter 58 of Part One

  Changsha, once a temporary capital, still can't hide its past prosperity. The wide roads are filled with young people riding bicycles everywhere. Since the bicycle horns have not been installed yet, they are all blowing whistles in their mouths to alert others that a vehicle is coming, so as not to affect other pedestrians. China now has a new type of police officer, the traffic police, and every road nationwide has a dedicated bike lane. Changsha can be said to be one of the earliest cities to do this, and now it's also the city with the most privately owned bicycles. Owning one's own bicycle is now a goal for young people in the empire.

  On the top of Yuelu Mountain by the Xiangjiang River in Changsha, a middle-aged man wearing modern clothes looked at the trees swaying on the mountain with a worried expression. He sighed and said to a family member behind him, "Ah De, I've taken care of all the things you asked me to do."

  That man named Ade said, "Master, all the assets have been transferred. The land has also been transferred to local wealthy merchants in various forms. The account books are hidden, and I believe that this time the central government will not be able to find anything."

  The middle-aged man nodded in satisfaction, and then resumed his usual leisurely appearance. He picked up the teacup on the table, took a sip of tea, and said, "What's this nonsense about high salaries and preventing corruption?" After finishing speaking, he slammed the cup to the ground and said, "All of this is rubbish! I'm Zhang Jizhou, who spent ten years studying diligently. Then I went on to study Western science. Now that I've finally made it, I have to hold onto power but can't use it - what kind of logic is this?" After finishing speaking, he turned around and asked Ade, "Ade, do you think I should plan some benefits for my descendants?"

  "Ah, yes, yes, young master has been clever since he was a child and never knew the concept of money. The old man is also considering for him."

  Two people talked for a while before leaving Yuelu Mountain satisfactorily. After they left, a young man wearing clothes that were almost the same color as the stones walked out from behind the pavilion. He walked into the pavilion and picked up the broken cup pieces. He muttered to himself, "Zhang Jizhou, just wait for the people's trial."

  The entire empire launched a fierce anti-corruption campaign from north to south. For this, Zhu Xiao personally signed an order to separate a batch of people from the original spy unit, Mingfeng Unit, to form a department that can be exposed in public - the Anti-Corruption Inspection Department under the management of the Procuratorate.

  By the Spring Festival of that year, two provincial-level officials were investigated and punished nationwide, namely the Governor of Shaanxi Province and the Governor of Guangdong Province. Sixteen municipal-level officials were also investigated and punished, with more than 300 million yuan in illegal funds being recovered. In total, more than 30 corrupt officials were sentenced to death and had their political rights revoked for life.

  After this rectification, all the people in the country were inspired, and after this incident, all the people in the country believed that the government and the emperor were sincere in doing things for the people. The whole country started a new round of production. At the same time, trade with various countries became more smooth, and cities such as Hong Kong, Macau, Hainan Island, Shanghai, Tianjin, Dalian, Wenzhou, Taipei, Keelung, Xiamen, etc. were set up as open ports for trade. Trade relations were established with European countries. A large number of textiles, furs, embroideries, tea leaves, ceramics, glass, cement, furniture, matches, tobacco, medicines, and other handicrafts were sold out. Through the Strait of Malacca and the Indian Ocean, they entered Europe and became the objects of competition and purchase among the upper-class nobles in Europe. At the same time, a large number of foreign scholars also entered our country by sea. After seeing the advanced technology and culture of our country, they all asked to join the nationality of our country so that they could further conduct their scientific research in this good atmosphere.

  At the same time, the Immigration Bureau also gave great preferential policies to immigrants. For every village that immigrates, in addition to each person being allocated 50 acres of land, they can also be exempt from taxes for five years. At the same time, children in the new immigrant area will enjoy free education and medical care. The state is responsible for production materials (including seeds, fertilizers, etc.).

  The people's concept at home has not changed overnight. There is no way. Only by mobilizing the family members of active-duty armed police officers to immigrate and serve in the local area, and correspondingly providing more preferential measures. It was only then that the immigration work began to proceed smoothly. The entire Kyushu Island and Shikoku Island were basically fully migrated.

  When we turned back, Deng Zhijiang's fleet had smoothly resolved the Spice Islands issue and was sailing south. The sea breeze of the South Ocean blew against the auxiliary sails of the fleet, which had all been taken down. A soldier came up to report: "Commander, a fleet has appeared in front of us. The national flag is unknown."

  Deng Zhijiang picked up the telescope and looked at it. "Notify the fleet, second-level combat alert. Warning. Report the origin."

  The fleet opposite fell silent for a moment, and then returned with a message: "We are passing merchants from the South Seas. Please let us go, General."

  Deng Zhijiang relaxed and said to the guard beside him, "Lower the alert level. Continue advancing."

  The fleets of both sides were getting closer and closer. Suddenly, the Jolly Roger flag was raised on the opponent's fleet. The naval warriors, who had been baptized in several wars, did not show much panic. Deng Zhijiang angrily said, "These pirates, they must have eaten leopard gallbladders to dare to attack us." Turning around, he ordered the guards, "Pass down my order. We must capture these pirates alive."

  The other supporting ships fanned out. Three ironclad warships quickly approached under the cannon fire of several enemy ships. Although the ironclads were massive, their increased maneuverability made them no less agile. The fleet quickly closed in on the enemy's flagship. The naval infantrymen were eager to go into action.

  After a fierce battle, the situation was finally under our control. Due to Deng Zhijiang's insistence on capturing alive, our soldiers did not have much advantage in using weapons. In the end, when the battle ended on the enemy's flagship, four of our soldiers were lightly injured and none were seriously injured.

  Deng Zhijiang looked at the soldiers who were bringing in a sturdy man with his hands tied behind his back. The long-term sea breeze had weathered this man's face, which only people who had spent their lives at sea could have. Deng Zhijiang sized him up. A square face. A beard that reached to his ears. His eyes shone brightly and clearly, not like those of a bad person.

  Deng Zhijiang looked at him and said in a deep voice, "You have a big nerve to dare attack the army of my Chinese Empire." He glanced at the man's eyes and continued, "I see that you are also descendants of China, descendants of Yan and Huang, why would you do something that will be ridiculed by future generations?"

  That man gave Deng Zhijiang a cold look and said, "We, the descendants of Chu Wang, are irreconcilable with you. Why should we suffer the humiliation of later generations? We will eventually fight back to the Central Plains and enter the Jiangshan."

  Deng Zhijiang also became enraged, almost shouting "Return to the Central Plains? Occupy the rivers and mountains? I think you are a fool talking nonsense. When the Qing army entered the pass that year, where did you go? You only know how to resist the country. I think you are fighting for your own tiny interests. Look at my great Chinese empire now, the country is prosperous and the people are at peace. The people live rich lives, with plenty of food and clothing. My army is so strong, you not only don't know how to return, but instead want to help foreign enemies to overthrow us." As he spoke, he slapped the table and said "You say you're not traitors, what else are you?"

  The man also lowered his head and fell into thought. After a while, the man said "I, Zhang Tianbao, admit defeat to you. Thinking back, the king did indeed rebel because of the people's suffering. Now that people's lives have improved, we shouldn't fight anymore." He then bowed to Deng Zhijiang and said "Please punish me, General."

  Deng Zhijiang smiled and said, "Alright, you tell me how to punish him."

  Zhang Tianbao looked at Deng Zhijiang in a daze, thinking where there was a need to punish and ask the offender how to punish.

  Deng Zhijiang smiled and said, "You just continue being your pirate."

  Zhang Tianbao was also confused by him and asked incredulously, "You mean to say that we should continue being pirates?"

  Deng Zhijiang said affirmatively, "Right, continue being your pirate. But it's not the same as before." Without waiting for Zhang Tianbao to respond, he continued, "However, you cannot rob Chinese merchant ships. Our navy will secretly provide you with weapons and ships. You must specifically target British, French, and other countries' merchant ships and warships. Make sure they can't rest easy in the South China Sea. How about it?"

  Zhang Tianbao nodded thoughtfully and said, "Alright, with me here and your weapons to support us, I, Zhang Tianbao, swear on the Sea God's oath that foreigners will not be able to live in peace. Let them not pass through Malacca."

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