I was compiling the daily records during the Wanli reign

The last day of March.

The imperial edict from the young Wanli Emperor in response to the "Policy for the Reform of Commerce and Trade in Jizhou" reached Jizhou City.

He basically agreed to implement this policy.

Emperor Wanli had no objections to the establishment of Xingbian City, the restart of the maritime supply line, the construction of a super shipyard and a super port. In order to ensure the smooth implementation, he also granted Shen Nian control over the military and political power of Tianjin Wei, Dengzhou in Shandong, and Laizhou.

In addition, he named the port: Jibei Port.

Ji refers to Jizhou, and Bei refers to Beihai (i.e., Bohai Sea). They also sent a framed large calligraphy piece.

Shen Nian was very satisfied with the name.

After this port is built, future generations will surely be grateful to the soldiers of Jizhou who made tremendous efforts for it.

However, Emperor Wanli made adjustments to the number of soldiers transferred from Jizhou.

Shen Nian applied for 30,000 garrison soldiers, 10,000 recruited soldiers, and the rest to be used from the Linhai garrison soldiers. He also specified that no civilians would be used under the guise of labor service (no unpaid labor, but skilled workers could be hired).

Emperor Wanli the Younger claimed that Jizhou was the gateway to the capital and that the number of soldiers could not be greatly reduced. Therefore, he reduced the number of recruited soldiers by half and required that only 5,000 recruited soldiers could be taken away.

Neither Shen Nian nor Qi Jiguang had any objection to this.

From the perspective of the young Wanli Emperor, nothing was more important than the safety of the imperial city.

In addition, the young Wanli Emperor made a rather demanding request.

In order to build Jibei Port and Jibei Shipyard without using a single penny of the imperial court's money, he hoped that Shen Nian and Qi Jiguang could sign a military pledge to guarantee that within three years, the commercial tax revenue from Jibei Port could cover twice the military expenses of Jizhou, and then use the commercial tax revenue from Jibei Port to make up for the military expenses. Otherwise, Shen Nian and Qi Jiguang would be held guilty of dereliction of duty, and Jibei Port and Jibei Shipyard would be handed over to the imperial court for replanning and handling.

The reason for requiring twice the amount of military expenditure was that half of the commercial tax revenue had to be handed over to the imperial court.

Within three years, Jibei Port was self-sufficient in both expenses and commercial taxes, and could not ask the court for anything or pay taxes to the court.

Of course, the imperial court still needs to provide sufficient military funds for Jizhou.

The purpose of this move is obvious.

Three years later, Jibei Port and Jibei Shipyard will either share profits with the imperial court or become part of the imperial court, allowing the imperial court to decide how to maximize its interests.

In addition, the young Wanli Emperor hoped to completely tie Shen Nian to the development of trade in Jiliao, leaving him no time to attend to other matters.

……

The General's Mansion, in the front hall.

Qi Jiguang looked at Shen Nian and said angrily, "Building a port will take at least a year, and building a shipyard will also take at least a year. These costs will require us to increase trade and raise funds from military expenditures. How is it possible to achieve an annual profit of two million taels of silver within three years?"

"Possibly!" Shen Nian stood up and said, "This pledge puts pressure on us, but it also motivates us!"

"Before coming to Jizhou, I had calculated that building a port like Yuegang would mainly involve constructing breakwaters, wharves, piers, and warehouses, which would cost 100,000 taels of silver. The real expenses would be in operation and maintenance, plus labor costs, but these are all subsequent costs."

"My plan is to first build up the infrastructure, then rapidly expand maritime trade. Leave the maritime trade to me; I guarantee I can make this port thrive. If we run out of money, we can have merchants raise funds, and we'll reduce their taxes. As for labor costs, since they're all soldiers, the costs won't be high and will be stable. I suggest keeping the monthly wages slightly lower for the first three years, then gradually increasing them each year, and establishing a bonus system, just like the Yaodong Trading Company. I've already spoken with some members of the Capital Mathematical Society; they'll be in charge of the overall budget later..."

……

"As for the shipyard, we will first establish the infrastructure. As long as the trade in Jibei Port is prosperous, merchants will come to rent or build ships. We will use the deposit to build ships. After the transaction is completed, this will be a very large income. We may have to tighten our belts for the first two years, but we will definitely be able to make a profit in the third year. As for whether we can make more than two million taels, it depends on our efforts!"

Shen Nian chose to use soldiers as the main force for infrastructure construction because he valued efficiency.

Whether it can become profitable in three years depends on whether the route set up by Shen Nian, from Jiangnan to Jibei Port, then through Korea and Japan, and finally to the northernmost port of the Jurchens (Vladivostok), can become the Ming Dynasty's "Maritime Silk Road".

As long as this maritime trade route becomes bustling, Jibei Port will surely prosper, and incidentally, it will also boost the commercial tax revenue of the surrounding prefectures.

In the north, farming and growing grain were not enough to feed people, so trade was essential.

Currently, Shen Nian is very confident in herself.

Currently in Jiliao, he can control everything. Once the military order is signed, the young Wanli Emperor will not interfere too much with Shen Nian within three years. Some officials who dislike Shen Nian will no longer cause trouble for him, but will only look forward to seeing Shen Nian make a fool of himself after three years.

Qi Jiguang was impressed by Shen Nian's confidence and his detailed explanations.

“Then let’s take a gamble and treat this as a battle!” Qi Jiguang said.

"Yes, let's take a gamble and strive for a bright future for the soldiers in the North!"

Then, hearty laughter came from inside the room. That same day, the two signed a military pledge and sent it to the capital.

……

The next few days.

Shen Nian then gathered with Qi Jiguang and others in the conference hall of the General's Mansion, staying from dawn until dusk.

Shen Nian explained the entire process and precautions to everyone, as well as some special precautions, such as: prohibiting embezzlement and bribery, prohibiting shoddy workmanship, and prohibiting hiring migrant workers at low prices.

Anyone who breaks the rules will be severely punished.

In addition, Shen Nian promised to leave 100,000 taels of silver for Qi Jiguang for initial investment.

After that, Shen Nian was able to find the right talent for whatever was needed for port construction and shipbuilding.

Shen Nian was able to do many things that money couldn't buy, thanks to his official position and connections.

Some things are beyond his control.

For example, when requesting permission to use ships from Guangzhou Port or to jointly carry out a trade activity with officials from other ports, he would submit a memorial to Emperor Wanli for instructions.

As long as the request wasn't too outrageous, the young Wanli Emperor would grant it.

If the young Wanli Emperor were to truly abandon all these affairs to Shen Nian, and the court were to abandon them altogether, and other regions were to refuse to cooperate, then he would be destroying the Ming Dynasty's foundation and stability.

……

On the third day of the fourth lunar month, the penultimate day before Shen Nian was to leave Jizhou.

Qi Jiguang arranged for Shen Nian to give a lesson to a group of mid- to low-ranking generals who were about to be in charge of building Jibei Port and Jibei Shipyard.

He knew that Shen Nian could give lectures and that he could motivate the soldiers, so he hoped that Shen Nian could give the soldiers a pep talk before leaving Jizhou.

In the afternoon, nearly five hundred people gathered at the small drill ground in the east of the city.

The platform where Shen Nian was giving his lecture was set up in the middle. Originally, there was a table and a chair on the platform, but Shen Nian ordered them to be removed. The soldiers all stood to listen, as Shen Nian naturally did not want to sit.

A moment later, Shen Nian arrived at the high platform.

"Greetings, Minister Shen!" the soldiers shouted in unison.

Jizhou is very close to the capital, and most of the soldiers have heard the legend of Shen Nian and know his influence on the entire Ming Dynasty. In addition, Shen Nian once risked offending the powerful Wuqing Earl, a relative of the emperor, for the sake of Jizhou soldiers, which made the soldiers respect him very much.

Shen Nian looked around and waved to the soldiers.

Fifty-five-year-old Qi Jiguang stood in front, accompanied by a group of senior generals.

Under the guidance of these people, the soldiers stood in very neat and orderly formation.

Shen Nian had seen soldiers from Xuanfu, Datong, and Shanxi, but the soldiers from Jizhou had the strongest aura and the most standard posture. Even the soldiers from the garrison were quite heroic.

This is what the common people know as "Qi Family Army".

Shen Nian looked around and slowly opened her mouth.

"Soldiers, you must already know that in a few days, you will leave Jizhou for another battle, one that is bloodless but still not easy!"

“Some people may be unwilling, feeling that they are going to do forced labor, and that there is no future in it. Some have even planned to escape with their brothers halfway through, and after escaping, they will live in anonymity, become mountain kings, and live a life of drinking and eating meat but with their lives hanging by a thread!”

Upon hearing this, some soldiers lowered their heads.

Although their superiors offered explanations, saying that they would receive monthly pay, better meals, and the opportunity to learn skills, some soldiers still did not believe it.

"Next, I will tell you what your future should be like?"

"Since the third year of the Longqing reign, our dynasty has launched the Longwan Reforms, which have gradually increased the national treasury revenue and strengthened the national power. In the next ten or twenty years, or even our generation, there may not be any large-scale wars. Moreover, with the increase in the types of firearms, future wars will increasingly rely on strategy, tactics and cooperation."

"This means the imperial court will no longer increase the number of troops, and may even continue to reduce the number of soldiers; it means it will be more difficult to rise through military merit. In the future, many soldiers who are not capable of becoming officers will be discharged early!"

“In the past, these people might have become poor farmers, tenant farmers, or even vagrants and refugees, seen as scoundrels by the common people and as a burden by the court. But Jibei Port will give everyone a chance to change their fate!”

"The construction of Jizhou Port is part of the new policy and an important link in the prosperity of the Ming Dynasty. Once Jizhou Port becomes the most important port for trade in the north, the commerce of the entire northern border will take off. The rise of commerce will make the lives of countless people in the northern border richer!"

"As the first people to build Jibei Port, you are all great contributors. His Majesty has agreed to my request. As long as Jizhou Port can be established within three years, he will guarantee that those who build and operate Jibei Port within three years will have a secure old age!"

Swish!Swish!Swish!
Upon hearing the words "the elderly have support," the soldiers all looked up.

As soldiers, they were well aware of how miserable their situation would be when they grew old, and now that the court had made a promise, their old age would be guaranteed.

Qi Jiguang looked at Shen Nian with a solemn expression.

Only he and a few senior generals knew how much effort it would take to ensure that soldiers could have support in their old age, and all the burden fell on Shen Nian's shoulders.

The more he looked at Shen Nian, the more he felt that Shen Nian resembled Zhang Juzheng.

Both of them wanted the country to prosper and for more people to live a peaceful life.

……

"The first two years after we go to Jibei Port may be tough, but after those two years, I can assure you that everyone will be very comfortable."

"I promise you all that in three years, your rewards will far exceed what you are currently receiving. The assignments that I have arranged for you will make you proud. You will be able to provide your families with a more stable life, and your children will be able to pursue their studies and become the people they want to be, instead of struggling to make ends meet!"

"Whether I can fulfill my promise or not, we'll see within three years. Are you all willing to believe me?" Shen Nian looked down, her heart suddenly filled with trepidation.

"Yes!" A deafening voice came from below.

The soldiers trusted Shen Nian so much.

On the one hand, it's because of the prestigious reputation Shen Nian has built over the years: "It's better for officials to suffer than for ordinary people to suffer."

On the other hand, it was because Shen Nian's words were very sincere and his analysis was very reasonable. These people's future was no longer in the Jizhou military camp, but in Jibei Port.

"Gentlemen, let's do our best! Today may be dark, but tomorrow will surely be bright!" After saying this, Shen Nian bowed deeply to those below.

Swish!Swish!Swish!
Led by Qi Jiguang, all the soldiers bowed and said to Shen Nian, "Thank you for your guidance, Minister Shen!"

For many soldiers, being able to receive a lesson from Shen Nian was an honor as if their ancestors' graves were emitting auspicious smoke.

They sensed sincerity, respect, and the direction they should take in the future from Shen Nian's words.

……

Shen Nian looked down, a smile on his face, and cupped his hands to the soldiers, saying, "I'm counting on you all!"

Qi Jiguang straightened his chest, full of energy at that moment.

He was well aware of the heavy burden Shen Nian was carrying, and what he had to do was to build Jibei Port and Jibei Shipyard according to Shen Nian's arrangements.

His generals beside him were also clenching their fists, extremely excited.

Protecting the capital and ensuring the safety of the Jizhou defense line were only some of the duties they had to fulfill.

Based on this, if they can help build Jibei Port and make the northern trade flourish, they will become meritorious officials and be able to transfer to more important government offices in the future, instead of being busy with capturing escaped garrison soldiers and supervising land reclamation matters outside of training, as they are now.

If the soldiers in the garrison could have enough to eat, they would never have deserted. The purpose of building Jibei Port was to ensure that more soldiers could have enough to eat.

……

April 5th, early morning.

Escorted by Qi Jiguang and his generals, Shen Nian and his party left Jizhou Town.

Next, Shen Nian and his group will head to Liaodong Town, which is about 1,800 li away from Jizhou and takes about a month to reach.

The situation in Liaodong is more complicated.

If we want to develop trade, it's not as simple as opening border markets and building ports. We must end the war, mobilize the peace-loving Jurchens, and mobilize foreign merchants from Japan, Korea, and other countries to participate in trade. Only in this way can we succeed.

Shen Nian didn't rest on the way either.

He wrote letters to the Jiangnan merchants he had met when he was the Minister of Revenue, to the old teachers of the Capital Mathematics Society, and to his father and father-in-law, hoping to use the merchants' influence to first bring a group of merchants to the northern border, to Jibei Port, and to the soon-to-be-built Eastern Port (Vladivostok), so that they could taste the benefits and the subsequent matters would be easier to handle.

Shen Nian was tired but happy; he felt certain he could succeed. (End of Chapter)