Every word is precious and every statement is convincing.
There is not a single word of nonsense in the whole article, and it points out the key to strengthening coastal defense.
After reading the article "Strategies for Improving Coastal Defense", Zhu Wan was deeply shocked.
What is even more commendable is that such an article was written by a fifteen-year-old boy.
Yesterday, Xu Yan's poem, written in Lanyue Tower, had already impressed Zhu Wan, though at the time he had thought the young man merely had brilliant literary talent. Now, it seemed, he possessed not only literary talent but also a deep-seated patriotism. Such a patriotic spirit at such a young age was truly remarkable.
"I appreciate your advice, Mr. Xu."
Zhu Wan's words startled Xu Yan. He quickly bowed and said, "Your Excellency, I am truly honored. I am a mere scholar, weak and frail, and powerless. Apart from writing this policy, I don't know how I can help Your Excellency."
Unexpectedly, Zhu Wan shook his head and sighed, "Xu Xiaoyou is truly too modest. Putting everything else aside, just your act of donating 3,000 dan of grain is something I believe few people could do. Such righteousness truly sets a good example for the people."
Although Xu Yan thought he was thick-skinned enough, he still blushed for a moment. It was obvious that Zhu Wan really admired him, and he must not let Zhu Wan down.
"Your Excellency, there is something I am not sure whether I should say or not."
After hesitating for a long time, Xu Yan still wanted to speak out what was in his heart.
"But it's okay."
Zhu Wan nodded slightly.
"In my opinion, the reason the Japanese pirates, foreign barbarians, Portuguese, and other bandits are so rampant is because they are colluding with the Fujian and Zhejiang merchants. To completely eradicate this scourge, we must look not only outward, but also inward. Only by severing the connection between the pirates and the merchants can we defeat them one by one."
The key to Xu Yan's direct criticism was his understanding of Zhu Wan's character. Not only was he an upright official, he was also incredibly responsible, daring enough to take action against local maritime merchants and other interest groups.
"I have also heard of this."
Zhu Wan stroked his beard lightly and said, "Tell me how we can break their connection and defeat them one by one."
Xu Yan, who had studied this subject extensively in his previous life, replied with ease, "Pirates are outsiders. If they want to gain a foothold in a region, they must cooperate with the local merchants. In other words, there must be many representatives of the local merchant families within these pirate strongholds."
After a brief pause, seeing Zhu Wan's lack of expression, Xu Yan continued, "If the Governor wants to eradicate this stubborn problem, he must first understand which merchant families are connected to it. Once identified, the best approach is not to alert the enemy, but to send undercover agents to infiltrate and gather information. These people are highly vigilant, and if they discover any disturbance, all previous efforts will be in vain."
"Go on."
"If these spies can infiltrate the pirate stronghold, they can record important information about the island's topography, including the docks, military camps, and warehouses. They can then create a map for the Governor to analyze. As the saying goes, knowing yourself and your enemy ensures victory in a hundred battles. Only by thoroughly understanding the enemy can the Governor have the greatest confidence in annihilating these pirates in one fell swoop."
With the resources and manpower at Zhu Wan's disposal, it's not impossible to storm each pirate stronghold. But since there's a better way to minimize losses, why not use it?
These Ming soldiers were all born and raised by their parents; they were all living people, some even around the same age as Xu Yan. In Xu Yan's view, he still had to be as responsible as possible for their lives.
"I will carefully consider what Mr. Xu said."
Zhu Wan picked up the teacup and took a sip.
Seeing that the fire was almost ready, Xu Yan bowed and said goodbye, "Your Excellency, I will take my leave!"
After coming out of the yamen, Xu Yan could finally breathe a sigh of relief.
Before he knew it, his chest and back were soaked, and beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.
Although he has lived two lives, this is the first time Xu Yan has talked face to face with a high-ranking official like the governor, so he can't help but feel a little nervous.
However, he was quite satisfied with his performance today. Now a seed had been planted in Zhu Wan's heart. As for how this seed would grow, it was not something Xu Yan could decide.
Two flowers bloom, each showing its own beauty.
However, County Magistrate Zhao Ruohai temporarily gave up the county government office to Governor Zhu Wan to live in, and moved to a separate courtyard.
He thought that serving this great Buddha well would help him have a smooth career in the future, so he naturally used all his resources to serve Governor Zhu. Judging from the feedback given by Governor Zhu, he was indeed very satisfied with Dinghai County's reception work.
County Magistrate Zhao was naturally very proud, but he said that just as he was about to go out that day, he received news that the governor planned to build a governor's office in Dinghai County to facilitate future inspections.
This scared County Magistrate Zhao.
Logically, the Zhejiang Governor's residence should undoubtedly be in Hangzhou Prefecture. Even if the Governor might inspect the region, his visits would only last a dozen days at most, making a separate inspection hall unnecessary. But judging by Governor Zhu's intentions, could he be considering Dinghai County as his permanent residence?
You should know that there is a saying circulating in the Ming Dynasty officialdom: If one is unlucky three times, he will be a county magistrate in the suburbs; if he commits evil three times, he will be a provincial magistrate in the suburbs; if he is full of evil, he will be a capital magistrate in the suburbs of the capital.
Dinghai County, where County Magistrate Zhao was located, was not originally an attached county, but if the governor made it his permanent residence, what difference would it make from an attached county?
When he thought of the hustle and bustle, the numerous demands and the exhausting days, County Magistrate Zhao almost fainted.
But the governor's orders had to be obeyed no matter what. County Magistrate Zhao could only hope that Governor Zhu would visit Dinghai County less often in the future.
In addition, the person sent by Governor Zhu also handed a letter to County Magistrate Zhao.
After seeing off Governor Zhu's confidant, he couldn't wait to unfold it and read it.
In the letter, there was a neatly copied article titled "Strategies for Improving Coastal Defense."
After reading it carefully, County Magistrate Zhao felt that the article was incisive and pointed.
After all, he was a Jinshi, so he had some ability to judge good writing. It looked like this was a strategy offered by a certain strategist to the Governor.
But why did the governor order someone to copy a copy for him?
County Magistrate Zhao continued reading and found a line of small words at the bottom of the article.
Written by Xu Yan from Dinghai County.
County Magistrate Zhao couldn't help but gasp.
This article was actually written by Xu Yan?
Magistrate Zhao boasted of his literary talent, but Xu Yan's writing was no less brilliant, and in some respects even more insightful. Doesn't this mean that Xu Yan's writing skills are comparable to those of a Jinshi scholar?
If it were a few days ago, County Magistrate Zhao probably wouldn't have believed it.
But the poem Xu Yan wrote yesterday in front of everyone to express his aspirations made County Magistrate Zhao believe that this boy had this ability.
"A seven-foot-long dragon-wrapped black silk sash, a Japanese sword hanging from a Han waist. From whose hand can I personally take it? A hundred times I charge and roll like a sea dragon."
How could the person who wrote such heroic poems be an ordinary person?
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