After the discharge, Zhang Mu was taken to the station by Han Fangshan, and then took a comfortable hot bath. He didn't eat any food and fell asleep.

I don’t know how long I had been sleeping, but I heard Han Fangshan’s voice in a daze, “Sir, Deputy General Li is here, and I’m waiting outside the door now.”

Zhang Mu rubbed his sleepy eyes and heard the sound of rain hitting banana leaves outside. He thought to himself that the hospital examination has been so tired these two days. He didn't even hear it rained last night. When he opened the window, the wet air rolled the fragrance of the soil into his chest, which made Zhang Mu feel refreshed.

"Come in quickly." Zhang Mu quickly turned over to the ground, washed and changed his clothes.

At this time, Li Yunchang pushed the door and entered. Zhang Mu was stunned when he saw him.

Li Yunchang was wearing a gray straight mat, his face was full of fatigue, and there was white salt stains on the front and back of his clothes. He hurriedly bowed his waist and bowed, "Thank you for your hard work, Lord Li."

Zhang Mu knew that although there were only five or six hundred miles from Hangzhou to Taizhou, the road from the Ming Dynasty was difficult to walk. He crossed mountains and rivers. Seeing that he was like this, he was afraid that there was no rest on the road. Today, Hangzhou opened the city gate before coming in.

"You are kind to you, Lord Zhang, sharing your worries for Your Majesty is my duty." Li Yunchang said hurriedly.

"Han Baihu, go and prepare some food. I'm hungry too." Zhang Mu smiled, then glanced at Li Yunchang and asked, "Is there any Japanese pirates in Taizhou?"

Li Yunchang was startled and smiled and said, "How did you know?"

"It has been a few days since I came back from Yan Li, and you have only arrived today. I guess it was the invasion of Japanese pirates and you were dragged down. Otherwise, you should have arrived long ago. And I guess the war has not ended yet, and you know that I will finish the exam soon, so you rushed to see me overnight." Zhang Mu smiled.

Li Yunchang smiled and said, "You are so beautiful that you can't hide anything from you. You guessed it right. Five or six days ago, a large number of pirates suddenly landed fifty miles from Wenlingsong Gate, burning, killing and looting all the way, with more than 3,000 people.

When I got the news, I hurriedly organized troops to suppress the bandits. I forced them back yesterday, beheaded 400 people, and captured dozens of people. Unfortunately, they were letting them run away and failed. I heard that these Japanese pirates were brave and ruthless and would revenge their grudges. I was worried that they would suddenly come back and I would not be at your side, so I came overnight."

When Zhang Mu heard this, he frowned. Li Yunchang came overnight, obviously realizing something, otherwise he would not have to be so anxious. He asked in a deep voice: "Let them run away? Does Lord Li think there is something tricky here?"

Li Yunchang sneered: "You boy, please keep me in touch. A few years ago, I have been in the defense of western Zhejiang, and all I have under my jurisdiction were military farms. Although I know a little about the frontline war, I didn't expect it to be so serious.

I spent all my efforts on this group of Japanese pirates to block them near Hengshan, and then ordered the Trumen to surround them. I led a large group of troops to encircle them in two directions, forming a three-sided encirclement, ready to capture them all.

Unexpectedly, our encirclement had not yet been formed, and they seemed to have received news in advance, but disappeared without a trace under my nose. When I discovered them again, they had crossed the defense line of the Trumen Institute and fled directly to the sea.

They are very clear about Taizhou's defense and are very familiar with the terrain here, so I suspect that there are traitors who inform them and even lead them. Otherwise, how could they disappear under my nose? So I hurried to see what you have found here."

Zhang Mu sighed softly: "These pirates colluded with the profiteers on the shore and colluded with each other. Through the profiteers, they won over the officers and soldiers of the Coast Defense Station, which has become a climate." When Zhang Mu said this, he took out the letter from Zhao Qianhu, Panshiwei, and gave Li Yunchang.

Li Yunchang looked at it and slapped the table and said angrily: "These bastards are simply disgraceful!"

"Please calm down, Lord Li, things are far more troublesome than you and I think. After I opened up the relationship with the Wen family, I realized that there was still a lot of articles later. It involved not only the unscrupulous businessmen, corrupt officers and soldiers of the guards, and even some marquises in Yingtian Mansion, but also far more than that." Zhang Mu said in his words.

When Li Yunchang heard this, he was shocked and looked at Zhang Mu in amazement and said, "You mean..."

Zhang Mu nodded slowly, and Li Yunchang couldn't help but sigh: "It's difficult to start a business, but it's even more difficult to maintain a business."

"Your Majesty doesn't have to be desperate. Although you look at the dark clouds covering the sky, fortunately, your Majesty is not bad yet. Your Majesty is wise and powerful, and you have long seen the tricks here, so you will be ordered to investigate this matter thoroughly. With Your Majesty's support, you will not worry about not being able to kill them. Just be careful," said Zhang Mu.

At this time, Han Fangshan came up with a steaming breakfast, and Zhang Mu said, "Sir Li, eat something first. Let's eat and chat."

Li Yunchang was already hungry all night, so he smiled awkwardly, "Then I won't be polite to you." When he said this, he grabbed a bun, ate it in big mouthfuls with white porridge, and looked up and asked, "What are you planning to do?"

"I have already gotten into their circle through the Wen family. The next step is to thoroughly understand their details. You don't have to worry about this. The only thing you have to do is to send troops to help when I am about to close the net. We will use the power of thunder to clear the sea and prevent loopholes to ensure the safety of the sea. However, this can only be protected for a while, not a long-term solution." Zhang Mu smiled.

Li Yunchang took a sip of white porridge and said, "Well, I'll go back and think about this matter. The most difficult thing at the moment is to need a loyal man. I have to choose carefully. But don't worry, your Majesty's will is very clear, and I will naturally do my best." Then he asked curiously: "Then tell me what is the long-term strategy?"

"Mr. Li, it's not to be hiding. Since the Tang and Song dynasties, there have been no ban on the sea. Even when the Mongolian Yuan was in the country, there were huge ports like Quanzhou. Before the ban on the sea, there were only pirates on the sea, but there were rarely any Japanese pirates. Does Lord Li know the reason?" Zhang Mu asked.

Li Yunchang asked tentatively: "Are you saying that the appearance of Japanese pirates is related to Your Majesty's will to seal the pass and ban the sea?"

Zhang Mu nodded slightly and said, "The coastal people regard the sea as their fields and fishing as their business. Secondly, maritime trade has been around for more than a thousand years. The so-called world is prosperous and all for profit. The south is rich, because it is indeed a warehouse of fish and rice, but more importantly, the wealth brought by maritime trade.

Although the Ming Dynasty was rich in resources and could be self-sufficient, it was definitely not a solution to block such huge benefits. If one of the Wen family was killed, more Wen families would emerge. If one wants to completely solve the problem of Japanese pirates, one can only abolish the national policy of banning the sea. Opening up trade ports and clearing the trade path. This will not only increase the income of the court, but also completely solve the problem of Japanese pirates, with all benefits and no harm.
Chapter completed!