Father can be an enemy country

Chapter 880

After leaving the Chief Secretary's Yamen, He Zhen returned to He's Mansion located on Daximen Inner Street.

Unlike other rich people who built fortress-like mansions for the safety of their clans, He Zhen's mansion was really just a large mansion with a wok-shaped gable, no different from the mansions of dignitaries in the mainland.

It's not that he doesn't pay attention to the safety of the clan, but the He family still lives in Dongguan, a hundred miles away. He is not in the provincial capital most of the time, and only lives in this house when he comes to do business.

As soon as he returned, He Zhen had his brother He Di and his second son He Gui called to the back hall, and briefly told them the contents of his conversation with the King of Chu and Lin Fantai.

Finally, he picked up the tea cup and took a sip, and asked slowly: "What do you think?"

"Brother, what King Chu said about letting Fujian and Guangdong maritime merchants join the Shipping Department, to put it bluntly, is he just trying to recruit us?" He Di said in a low voice:
  "If you ask me, I don't agree. You gave the entire Guangdong to his old Zhu family before, but this is just one province. There are only twelve provinces in the entire Ming Dynasty! Don't talk about giving it to a king, just change it one province at a time Isn’t it an exaggeration to say that the Duke of the country is not an exaggeration? In the end, he didn’t even give him an earl, and the old Zhu family has simply got rid of the family. "

He Gui also echoed: "Second uncle is right, and the imperial court has been trying to mess with us over the years. It has transferred dad out several times. Isn't it just that they want us to be leaderless and then defeat each other? Fortunately, we are united and we have not let the imperial court succeed. .”

"The King of Chu wants to recruit us this time. It's nothing more than trying to find another plan after it fails. Seeing that he can't do it forcefully, he is going to use some tricks." He Di then said in a deep voice: "He must have done some research and knows that we are in Guangdong. A large clan must make a living by going to the sea, otherwise it would be impossible to support such a large clan. We also need to carry out group training and build watchtowers, and the money also comes from the sea. So it is not an exaggeration to say that the sea is the lifeline of big clans like us. "

After a pause, he said angrily: "The King of Chu wants to recruit our fleet because he wants to hold our lifeline in his hands. When the time comes, he will have many ways to manipulate us!"

"Yes, the second uncle is right!" He Gui nodded and said: "When he wants to deal with us, there is no need to go to war. He will directly cut off our share, so that our income will drop sharply, and the whole family will have to drink from the northwest wind. go."

"You guys think too badly of the King of Chu. Aren't those big families in the south of the Yangtze River living better now than before?" He Zhen sighed: "I think His Highness has a big plan, which can accommodate people like us, and will not take advantage of us. To manipulate us with his trust. A smart person like him cannot do such a stupid thing."

"Brother is always like this. He thinks too well of people." He Di sneered: "If the king of Chu is really big enough, why does he still monopolize the sea? How can we hinder him in doing our business? Everyone The water from the well should not interfere with the water from the river, right?"

He Di is in charge of the He family's maritime trade. He has been bullied by the shipping fleet in recent years and has the greatest prejudice against Lao Liu.

"That's what I said." He Zhen shook his head and said: "The commercial fleet has to clear out pirates every year and prevent foreign merchant ships from entering. This cost is very high. How can we let us just hitch a ride without paying a penny? "

"If it were you, you would also want to monopolize trade, and the food would definitely be uglier." He glanced at He Di and said, "Don't you think so?"

"That...of course." He Di also said without hesitation: "Monopoly trade is so exciting. You can set the price as high as you want, as long as the buyer can afford it."

"So don't say that the well water does not offend the river water." He Zhen said solemnly: "It will be the same for everyone."

"But brother, they can't do anything to us!" He Di was still unconvinced: "In the past few years, the municipal fleet has come to catch smugglers. But as soon as their fleet comes, we can receive the news and escape immediately. Change to Go somewhere else to load the ship. We’ll come back after they leave and won’t even meet them.”

"That's right, if they have the ability to take over all of us, then don't try to create a monopoly if they don't have the ability!" He Gui is He Di's deputy, so naturally he shares his anger with his second uncle. "Do you really think that the city fleet can't do anything to you because of your own contribution?" He Zhen said with a smile: "Yes, our sea is wide and there are many islands, making it difficult for the army to find you. But without the protection of Yongjiahou and Xu Zhitai , can you jump up to now?"

"..." The two of them fell silent for a moment. Of course they knew that thanks to Marquis Yongjia not cooperating with the Shibo Fleet's actions and Xu Benya's advance notification, they could always be one step ahead and prevent the Shibo Fleet from catching them.

"Xu Jiantai cannot protect himself this time, and even Marquis Yongjia is in danger. The new commander of the Guangdong capital must be from the King of Chu." He Zhen said solemnly: "When the time comes, they will work together to do both land and water. I think What else are you going to do?”

"Is it true that Xu Jiantai can't be saved?" He Di had a look of reluctance on his face. The cost of dragging down a provincial inspector general was too high. If Xu Benya falls, his losses will be too great.

"Isn't this nonsense? If something like this happens, even the gods can't protect him." He Zhen sighed: "This is self-inflicted and you will not survive. You should also take warning."

"What about Marquis Yongjia?" He Di was more concerned about Zhu Liangzu. If this real boss failed, they would have no hope at all.

"Marquis Yongjia should be... okay." He Zhen muttered: "As long as Xu Zhitai doesn't confess him, and there is no conclusive evidence, the King of Chu can't touch him."

After a pause, he whispered: "It's not that he is so powerful, but that the top priority of the imperial court is to recover Yunnan. A war is imminent, so it is taboo to change generals on the spot."

"What about after recovering Yunnan?" He Di asked.

"The future is the future, who wants to bring up the old things again." He Zhen said slowly. "Of course he has to fight beautifully."

"There will definitely be no problem in fighting Yongjia Marquis, that is to say, can we still count on him?" He Di said with a relieved smile: "Then why are you so anxious to recruit someone? There will be many variables when the war begins. It won't be too late to adapt to changes when the time comes. .”

"Yes, Dad, if we kneel down before someone even raises his hand, not only will it make other people laugh," He Gui also said forcefully, "Even the King of Chu himself will look down on us, right?"

"Alas..." He Zhen sighed and said: "Since you don't hit the south wall and don't look back, then just hit it. But that is your personal behavior, it does not represent the He family, and you are not allowed to talk about things under the guise of me. . I and the He family must still firmly support His Highness’s decision.”

"Dad..." He Gui just wanted to persuade him again, but his second uncle stopped him with his eyes.

"Brother, don't worry, we won't conflict with King Chu or cause you any trouble." He Di expressed his position to He Zhen: "We should hide as much as we can, so that they can't find them. Unless Chu The king changed his title to King of Guangdong and made Guangdong permanent, otherwise once he leaves, won’t it still be our world?”

"You must keep your word and don't strike with an egg against a stone." He Zhen finished his instructions in a deep voice and then said nothing.

(End of this chapter)