The wind rises at the end of the Ming Dynasty

"This...is this the Jingnan Army...?"

Zheng Zhi, wearing a black gauze hat and a flying fish robe, stood in front of the towering vermilion gate of the Duke of Yan's mansion.

The autumn sun shone on the four gilded characters "Yan State Duke's Residence" on the lintel, reflecting a dazzling light.

Zheng Zhilong subconsciously tried to straighten his clothes, but found that his fingertips were trembling slightly.

On either side of the gate of the Duke of Yan's residence, dozens of fully armed soldiers of the Jingnan Army stood like statues with their hands on their swords, their eyes cold and their killing intent palpable.

That was the sharpness of someone who had truly experienced mountains of corpses and seas of blood, as if it could pierce through clothes and go straight to the heart.

Unlike Zheng Sen and Zheng Zhibao, who had previously fought alongside the Jingnan Army, this was the first time Zheng Zhilong had seen the Jingnan Army's armored soldiers.

Although he had already learned of the Jingnan Army's strength from Zheng Sen and Zheng Zhibao, seeing is believing.

When Zheng Zhilong saw the armored soldiers of the Jingnan Army with his own eyes, if he had previously felt a little unwilling,

Now, all his resentment has vanished without a trace, like the morning mist before the sun rises.

His soldiers were no match for the armored soldiers of the Jingnan Army.

Only now does Zheng Zhilong realize how ridiculous his original view was.

As he traveled along, the strength of the Jingnan Army grew increasingly frightening in him.

The proportion of muskets and rifles in the Jingnan Army has reached an astonishing level.

Whether it was the soldiers guarding the gate or the armored soldiers on patrol, they all carried the specially made Hai Shi gun of the Jingnan Army on their shoulders.

Zheng Zhilong had seen the Hai Shi gun before; its design was ingenious, and its bullets were far sharper than any other gun he had ever seen.

Zheng Sen had been training alongside Chen Wang. Previously, Zheng Sen had returned to Fuzhou Prefecture with the imperial envoy's entourage.

Zheng Sen specially brought a Hai Shi gun to show him.

That gun was ingeniously designed, with a range far exceeding that of ordinary firearms, and its accuracy was astonishing.

Such powerful weapons were merely ordinary military equipment widely deployed in the Jingnan Army.

The closer they got to the Duke of Yan's mansion, the more elite the soldiers they saw along the way became.

Initially, the soldiers patrolling the streets only wore one breastplate.

Upon reaching the streets and alleys surrounding the mansion, one finds that half of the people are clad in waist-high armor, carrying muskets on their shoulders, including the Hai Shi muskets with bayonets at the muzzle.

Zheng Zhilong had heard from Zheng Sen and Zheng Zhibao that most of the soldiers guarding Nanjing were actually soldiers from Pingnan Town.

This is only a third-line unit within the Jingnan Army's ranks.

The true elite of the Jingnan Army, the garrison troops of Hanzhong Town, and the newly formed elite troops from Henan and Shandong Towns, are currently concentrated along the Hanzhong and Henan lines, confronting Li Zicheng, who is entrenched in the northwest.

The Jingnan Army guards standing before them were all fully armored, with armor plates protecting them all the way up to their calves.

However, upon arriving at the gates of the Duke of Yan's residence, the soldiers guarding it reverted to using cold weapons.

These soldiers on duty were all carrying swords and bows, and they were all wearing polished helmets and armor. They exuded a deep killing intent, and their eyes could send chills down one's spine.

Although it has returned to using cold weapons, its deep and imposing aura makes it even more awe-inspiring.

Zheng Zhilong's heart sank deeper and deeper. He had no doubt that if they were on land...

Even if he gathered all his followers, they would still be no match for Chen Wang's personal guard.

The disparity in strength made Zheng Zhilong increasingly desperate.

Amidst the chaos of thoughts, a steady sound of footsteps slowly drifted from inside the gate of the Duke of Yan's residence.

Zheng Zhilong looked up and saw Dai Zhenglin, dressed in military officer's uniform, stepping out.

"Duke of Yan, please invite Marquis Jinghai inside."

Zheng Zhilong bowed subconsciously, feeling slightly flustered, but the composure he had honed over many years at sea allowed him to barely maintain a calm demeanor.

"Yes, sir."

Zheng Zhilong lowered his head and bowed respectfully.

Then, calming himself down, he glanced to his left and right.

Zheng Sen's eyes were filled with reverence, and he nodded slightly with a smile.

Zheng Hongkui, standing to the side, had a deep expression, but his eyes held more helplessness than anything else.

Zheng Hongkui looked up at Zheng Zhilong and sighed softly, lowering his head slightly.

"Marquis Jinghai, please."

Dai Zhenglin turned slightly to the side, and Zheng Zhilong took a deep breath and stepped forward. He, Zheng Sen, and Zheng Hongkui followed Dai Zhenglin into the Yan State Duke's residence.

The four walked along the bluestone path, through layers of corridors and deep courtyards.

Throughout the journey, Zheng Zhilong kept his head down and eyes downcast, not daring to look around or peek inside the mansion.

His back was already soaked with cold sweat. The past events of Wang Zhi being lured and killed cast a shadow over his mind, making it difficult for him to find peace.

This feeling of being at the mercy of others is truly suffocating.

Zheng Zhilong suppressed his inner unease and followed Dai Zhenglin through the last courtyard gate.

Four fully armed soldiers stood solemnly on either side of the gate, their cold iron armor gleaming in the sunlight.

However, the moment he stepped into the courtyard, Zheng Zhilong's pupils dilated suddenly in astonishment.

It was midday, and the autumn sunlight filtered through the branches of the ancient trees in the courtyard, casting dappled shadows on the bluestone ground.

A figure wearing a narrow-sleeved, crimson, over-the-shoulder python robe stood with his hands behind his back.

The man wore a jade belt around his waist and carried no swords or knives. His calm and composed demeanor was completely out of place in this austere mansion.

"The Marquis of Jinghai has come from afar, and I should have personally greeted him in the front hall, but unfortunately I am too busy with official duties to do so. I am truly sorry for not being able to welcome him properly."

Chen Wang's voice was gentle and warm, completely unlike the ruthless and decisive person Zheng Zhilong had imagined.

What shocked Zheng Zhilong even more was that the powerful Duke of Yan strode forward and extended his hands.

Zheng Zhilong was shaken and subconsciously raised his hand as well.

With their hands clasped tightly together, Zheng Zhilong felt the steady strength emanating from Chen Wang's hands.

Zheng Zhilong had imagined countless scenarios for their meeting.
They either treated him with intimidation or cold indifference, but to their surprise, Chen Wang was very gentle towards him.

"The Duke's treatment is so generous, this humble official... this humble official..."

Zheng Zhilong was at a loss for words and didn't know how to answer for a moment.

Chen Wang's attitude was indeed gentle, and his demeanor was calm and composed, but Zheng Zhilong could still sense the hidden bloodlust in him.

Anyone who knows about Chen Wang's life and past experiences will know that Chen Wang was by no means a gentle and peaceful person.

Within two months of the new policy, tens of thousands of people were affected.

Whether on the battlefield or in the political struggles of the court, Chen Wang has always been decisive and ruthless, never showing the slightest bit of mercy.

"Lord Jinghai, you have traveled a long way. I have already ordered people to prepare a meal. Let's leave all other matters at the dinner table first."

Chen Wang held Zheng Zhilong's arm and smiled.

Following the direction Chen Wang pointed, Zheng Zhilong noticed that an exquisite feast had been set up in the side room.

"My Lord's kindness, I am deeply grateful to you."

Zheng Zhilong bowed again, this time his movements were noticeably more composed, and he felt slightly relieved.

If Chen Wang really wanted to kill him, he wouldn't have needed to go through all this trouble.

However, Zheng Zhilong remained cautious and sat down in the side room with Chen Wang. "I've been busy with official duties lately and it's inconvenient for me to drink."

Chen Wang picked up the teacup on the table and raised it in invitation.

"This is Wuyi tea sent from Fujian. I will use tea instead of wine to welcome Marquis Jinghai."

Zheng Zhilong also picked up a teacup.

"Your Excellency's hospitality is too kind for me to bear."

Chen Wang took a sip of tea, looked calmly at Zheng Zhilong, and said.

“I know what Marquis Jinghai has been worried about…”

Chen Wang's gaze sharpened slightly, and his gentle and composed demeanor vanished instantly, replaced by a chilling killing intent that suddenly poured out from his eyes.

Zheng Zhilong was shaken, and his hands holding the teacup trembled slightly.

The tea was warm, but he felt the porcelain cup was scalding hot.

Zheng Sen's expression froze, and he opened his mouth as if to speak.

Zheng Hongkui's expression changed drastically, and he subconsciously reached for his waist, but the Japanese sword at his waist had already been taken away at the front gate of the mansion.

"The sea is treacherous, and the imperial court is a deep and complex place."

"The fact that Marquis Jinghai entrusted his life and fortune to us, and that he personally came to Nanjing, shows his sincerity."

Zheng Zhilong was in a state of confusion and his face was pale.

"But I am not Hu Zongxian... Marquis of Jinghai... nor will I be Wang Zhi..."

Chen Wang's expression remained unchanged, and he paid no attention to Zheng Sen and Zheng Hongkui's actions.

Inside and outside the room, the Jingnan Army soldiers, who stood at attention with their hands on their swords, did not make the slightest move.

"Lord Jinghai, you can rest assured."

Chen Wang put down his teacup and smiled calmly.

“If I wanted to kill you, you would have been killed by bandits on your way from Fuzhou to Nanjing, and you would never have come to my residence.”

The tea sloshed gently in the cup, reflecting Zheng Zhilong's still-shaken face.

Zheng Zhilong took a deep breath and finally recovered from the suffocating pressure he had just been under.

Only then did he realize that, in the blink of an eye, his forehead was covered in cold sweat.

Chen Wang picked up the teapot and personally poured Zheng Zhilong a fresh cup of tea, his tone becoming more gentle:

"The reason I invited Marquis Jinghai here today is to discuss important matters concerning the maritime frontier. As for those pointless suspicions..."

Chen Wang shook his head slightly.

"There's no need to mention it again."

Chen Wang put down the teapot, then took out a document from his sleeve, placed it on the table, and pushed it in front of Zheng Zhilong.

Zheng Zhilong lowered his head slightly, looked at the document that was handed to him, and his pupils suddenly contracted.

The document Chen Wang handed over had a drawing of a Western-style warship at the very top.

The double-deck layout, the more than fifty cannons, and the hundreds of sailors were all described in great detail.

"The Haizhou navy already has ten such new warships, fifteen No. 1 Fujian ships, and nearly six thousand naval officers and soldiers, with all kinds of cannons ready."

"Marquis Jinghai has long been stationed on the coast and is skilled in naval warfare. If you have time, you may visit Haizhou."

"These warships were built by my generals behind closed doors. They must have many shortcomings. I hope that Marquis Jinghai can point them out and offer suggestions for improvement."

Chen Wang's tone was calm, but it struck Zheng Zhilong like a thunderclap.

Such a massive warship was a rarity in Zheng Zhilong's life.

In the Battle of Liaoluo Bay, the Dutch and Liu Xiang joined forces. Eight Dutch warships participated in the battle, and these warships carried more cannons than the warships with the most cannons under his command at the time.

Although they ultimately won, the Dutch fleet still inflicted considerable casualties on them.

Of the eight Dutch warships, five were sunk and one was captured.

The captured Dutch warship had twenty-four cannons, but so far, it is still the warship with the most cannons under Zheng Zhilong's command.

In naval warfare, a single barbarian warship was indeed comparable to several equally matched Fujian ships.

If they hadn't trapped them in Liaoluo Bay, they would have had to pay an even greater price in casualties to achieve victory.

The blueprints that Chen Wang has now handed over show that the main warships of the Jingnan Army are equipped with as many as fifty cannons, twice the number of the Dutch warships.

Even more terrifying, Chen Wang actually said that the Jingnan Army had built ten such warships.

In less than two years, while still needing to remain concealed, and with limited manpower and resources mobilized, ten such armed behemoths were created.

"By the end of next year, the three shipyards in Tianjin, Dengzhou, and Haizhou will be able to launch seventeen more of these warships, and at the same time build some escort ships with about twenty guns each."

Seeing Zheng Zhilong's frightened expression, Chen Wang uttered even more weighty words.

Zheng Zhilong was shaken, filled with fear, and felt increasingly powerless.

If he encountered a fleet of that strength at sea, he really didn't know how he could win.

Even sailors need a long period of training to develop combat effectiveness.

The Jingnan Army not only possessed such giant ships, but also a large number of Fujian-style ships.

With such a massive fleet arriving, blotting out the sky, would those pirates and bandits really be willing to fight alongside him against the Jingnan Army's navy?

Zheng Zhilong also considered that it might be fake.

However, Chen Wang's eyes were open and honest, and he even took the initiative to invite him to Haizhou.

Based on this alone, Zheng Zhilong knew that the Jingnan Army had indeed launched ten such giant ships.

"You handled the situation in North Korea well."

"The mission in Macau was also handled properly."

Chen Wang grasped the teacup on the table and spoke slowly.

"I don't care about the past."

“My words today are not meant to be difficult because of past events.”

Chen Wang turned his gaze, slowly sweeping over the solemn-looking Zheng Hongkui, then over the slightly depressed Zheng Sen, and finally settling on Zheng Zhilong's face.

"The empire's maritime borders cannot be handed over to any individual or any power; the empire's maritime borders can only be managed by the empire itself."

Chen Wang's tone was stern, carrying an air of unquestionable authority.

"The rivers and seas of the nine provinces, the seas of the world, the only flags that can flutter are the imperial banners..."

Chen Wang stared at Zheng Zhilong.

"If you wish to enjoy wealth and honor, I will guarantee your prosperity for generations to come."

"If you wish to wield power over Dingbo, I will grant you the title of the true Marquis of Jinghai."

"but……"

Chen Wang paused for a moment, his tone becoming increasingly cold.

"The seas are vast, but they cannot accommodate a second hegemon."

"The world is vast, yet it cannot tolerate any rebellious minister." (End of Chapter)