At the beginning of the civil castle, the Ming God of War was a little panicked

Chapter 386
Negombo Harbor, the morning breeze is gentle.

The waves crashed against the rocks, and occasionally a few seagulls croaked, and then flew across the water quickly, catching an unlucky little fish.

Zhu Qizhen stood on a higher ground, feeling the breath of nature, feeling relaxed and happy.

It has been a long time since I went to sea that I have been so relaxed and comfortable.

Although the front line was still fighting, he knew very well in his heart that there was no suspense about the outcome of this war.

It can be seen from the previous contacts that the Ming army completely crushed the Eastern Romans in terms of weapons and equipment, tactical literacy, and fighting will.

When the first rays of sunlight fell on Ceylon, the battle should have been over.

"Fan Zhong!"

"emperor!"

Fan Zhong hurriedly stepped forward and bowed in salute.

Zhu Qizhen sat down lazily, looked at the ocean and sky, and said, "Don't be restrained, come!"

While talking, he patted the reef beside him.

Fan Zhong hesitated, all these years, he had always stood behind the emperor.

In his opinion, he must ensure that the emperor appears in his field of vision, so that he can feel at ease.

Zhu Qizhen looked back at him and said with a smile, "Talk with me."

Fan Zhong could only nod his head, then took off the scabbard at his waist, held it in his left hand, and sat on the ground.

"Your Majesty, are you worried about the situation on the front line?"

Zhu Qizhen shook his head slowly, and said: "Whether it is land or water, the Eastern Romans can't resist at all, so there is no need to worry about this battle."

"Why...why look at your face, a little...worried?"

Fan Zhong made great efforts to say these words, he is usually not good at talking, especially in front of the emperor, because of his status, he can't speak casually.

"Yes, I am a little worried."

Zhu Qizhen let go of the emperor's airs, just like chatting with an old friend.

"However, what I am worried about is not the battle situation, but the island of Ceylon."

Fan Zhong said again: "Your Majesty, you don't need to worry, at most three to five months, it will be no problem to take down the entire Ceylon Island."

"You are right, it is only a matter of time before Ceylon is taken, but have you ever thought about what will happen after it is taken?"

"after……"

Fan Zhong hesitated, as if he hadn't thought about this question.

If Ceylon Island is included in the territory of Ming Dynasty, how will it be managed in the future?
If something happens here, how should the message be delivered?
This island is really far away from the mainland of Daming, at least tens of thousands of miles away.

To go to the capital by boat, even if it is an ironclad ship, it will take several months to go back and forth.

Whether it is the memorials on the island or the orders of the imperial court, they cannot be effective at all.

Fan Zhong felt dizzy when he thought of these things, so he said: "Actually... this island is isolated overseas, and it is of no value. If the emperor thinks it is too troublesome to manage, don't worry about it!"

"My navy has spent a lot of manpower and material resources to come here. It can't be in vain. The battle of Ceylon Island has already started. It would be a pity to give up now!"

Zhu Qizhen didn't want to explain too much. He knew very well that not only Fan Zhong, but many people would not understand how important this island was to Daming in a short time.

In the eyes of many people, it is just an island hanging overseas.

However, this island allows Daming to go deep into the Indian Ocean, and then expand the waterway to Africa and the European continent, occupying more high-quality ports before the European voyage.

Moreover, the territory of the Ming Dynasty does not stop there, continuing to the west, is the famous Constantinople, once the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire, now occupied by the Ottomans.

Since the Ottomans can occupy it, why can't Ming Dynasty?
This question deserves consideration...

Fan Zhong scratched his head. With his comprehension ability, he didn't know why the emperor valued this island so much. However, as long as the emperor decides, it can't be wrong.

"Is the emperor planning to establish a province here?"

"That's right, the Ceylon Dusi and the Ceylon Guard are established. From then on, this is the territory of the Ming Dynasty."

Fan Zhong finally understood why the emperor was distressed. If a capital is established here, who will be in power?
The isolated islands outside the sea, to put it bluntly, may be separated from each other at any time.

This person must be absolutely loyal to Daming, and must not have two hearts.

Even the vassal king couldn't guarantee that under such favorable conditions, he would not come to his door to become the emperor himself.

Zhu Qizhen asked suddenly: "Who do you think is more suitable to be in charge of Ceylon Island?"

Fan Zhong couldn't help it all at once, so he smiled awkwardly and said, "I don't know."

"Whatever you say, it's fine!"

"I really don't know..."

"I'm just asking you what you think, but I didn't let you make a decision. What are you worried about?"

"Um……"

Fan Zhong hesitated for a moment, and finally said: "His Royal Highness King Tan!"

Zhu Qizhen nodded and said: "King Yi is indeed more suitable, but, from Jiaozhi to Luzon, then to Nanhaiwei, and now the Ceylon Guard, I can't just transfer King Ying every time I open up territory. ? I have decided that King Tan is mainly in charge of the South China Sea Guard and will not be transferred for the time being."

"Then..." Fan Zhong thought for a long time before tentatively saying, "His Royal Highness King Xiang?"

"King Xiang went to Oceania, which is also a new continent, more than ten times larger than Ceylon Island, and he has a lot to do."

"Or...His Royal Highness King Ning?"

"King Ning?"

Zhu Qizhen shook his head with a smile, and said, "The problem of Wu Sizang has not been solved yet!"

Fan Zhong really can't do it anymore, this one won't work, and that one won't work, but you say you can do it!

can never...

Suddenly, a flash of inspiration flashed in his mind, and he said, "His Royal Highness is already six years old, maybe..."

"Hurry up!"

Zhu Qizhen waved his hands and said, "Six-year-old child, he hasn't been weaned yet!"

Fan Zhong thought to himself, if you are not weaned, you can bring a nanny here...

"I'm here to ask you, why do you always answer vassal kings and princes?"

Fan Zhong was startled, seemed to realize something, and said nervously: "I'm talking nonsense..."

Zhu Qizhen smiled lightly, and said: "Don't be nervous, I'm just chatting with you today, just now you mentioned four people, three vassal kings, and one prince, do you think Ceylon Island must be controlled by the clan?"

"I thought that..."

Fan Zhong's expression was tangled, and after careful consideration, he still said: "This island is isolated overseas, and it is more appropriate for the clan to take charge of it, and it can also reduce troubles."

Zhu Qizhen nodded, and said: "Yes, Ceylon Island is so far away from the mainland of Ming Dynasty, if the people in power have misconduct, even if the imperial court sends troops to conquer, it will consume a lot of money, food and time. Considering suitable candidates..."

Fan Zhong stopped talking, because he knew that the emperor already had someone in mind.

Since it has already been decided, there is no need to participate in it.

"...This person must be courageous and resourceful. More importantly, he must be loyal to Daming and me. As for whether he is a clan or not, it doesn't really matter, what do you think?"

Fan Zhong nodded in agreement.

Zhu Qizhen continued: "The Three Thousand Battalion and the Shenji Battalion are too important to me. Chen Ying and Li Zhen cannot stay. As for Yuan Bin, Jin Yiwei still cannot do without him. The rest are civil servants. It’s okay to manage the civil affairs, but I’m afraid it’s not enough to lead troops.”

Fan Zhong continued to nod while listening.

"Zhang Mao is not bad, but his qualifications are still young, and in Jiaozhi, the king of Jing'an County is getting old, so he still counts on him, and he can't stay..."

Fan Zhong is still nodding...

"After much deliberation, it is most suitable for you to stay on Ceylon Island!"

Fan Zhong was still nodding, but suddenly froze and shook his head violently.

"Your Majesty, my subject... is not suitable!"

Zhu Qizhen smiled and asked, "Where is it inappropriate?"

"Chen, minister..."

The expression on Fan Zhong's face was both surprise and fear, and he stuttered all of a sudden.

"I'm here to ask you, do you know how to fight?"

Fan Zhong shook his head subconsciously, then reacted and nodded vigorously.

"Will it be, or won't it be?"

"meeting!"

"Are you loyal to me?"

Fan Zhong got up, knelt down on one knee, and solemnly said: "If a minister has two minds, the world will not tolerate it!"

"very good!"

Zhu Qizhen nodded and said: "You know how to fight and are loyal to me, why is it inappropriate?"

Fan Zhong lowered his head, pondered for a long time, and then said: "The duty of the minister is to protect the safety of the emperor, and the other... I haven't thought about it..."

Looking at the gray-haired and bearded man in front of him, Zhu Qizhen secretly felt emotional.

If history hadn't repeated itself, in Tumu Fort, Fan Zhong killed Wang Zhen first, and then died in battle in order to protect himself.

"I punish this thief for the sake of the world" became his last words.

Over the years, Fan Zhong has been by his side during all the battles in the south.

Even when he was sleeping at night, he would guard the gate of the camp, and he had never complained for many years.

It is no exaggeration to say that with this person around, he can sleep soundly at night.

However, Daming's future is more important than sleep.

The island of Ceylon needs an absolutely loyal person to be in charge. Looking at the world, even a vassal king cannot promise to be of one mind with himself.

Because my ancestors came from the rebellion, there is a successful case like Jing Nan, which undoubtedly planted the seeds of rebellion in the hearts of future vassal kings, who do not know when they will take root and grow into towering trees.

Yu Qian is very suitable. This person is dedicated to the public and will definitely not rebel. It's a pity that he didn't bring him with him when he went to sea this time.

After much deliberation, only Fan Zhong is the most suitable.

"You get ready, I will return to the voyage soon, and the island of Ceylon will be handed over to you!"

After Zhu Qizhen had had enough of the sea breeze, he stood up and turned back to the camp.

Fan Zhong did not follow up for the first time, but knelt there blankly, like a statue.
-
Although Shenying City was completely bombed, it is the best city-state in the area after all. After some repairs, it can still be used as the main city.

Relatively speaking, the Governor's Mansion was relatively well preserved, because when the [-] Battalion rushed in, they encountered no resistance at all.

Zhu Qizhen looked around. The style of this building is very strange. It has the style of Buddhist culture and the shadow of Western churches, which seems a bit nondescript.

Queen Duo Xiya has become a prisoner, she tried her best to smile, trying to please the emperor from Ming Dynasty in front of her.

Zhu Qizhen didn't even look at her, and said, "Take her away, don't kill her, it's useful to keep it."

"Yes!"

Zhang Mao gave an order, and immediately the guards stepped forward and took Docia away.

Dosia thought she was going to be beheaded, so she yelled and screamed in fright.

Zhu Qizhen saw Zhang Jin in one place, and asked, "What is she calling?"

"she says……"

Zhang Jin hesitated, and said: "She said...she is very skilled in bed, and she will definitely serve you satisfactorily..."

Zhu Qizhen couldn't help laughing. The only heir of Eastern Rome turned out to be a slut. It seemed that he was really at the end of his life and hopeless.

It seems that in my memory, after the Ottomans occupied Constantinople, the Eastern Romans did not make a comeback.

Judging from the current situation, it is likely to face the counterattack of the Ottomans next.

As for the Eastern Roman Empire... it no longer exists, so naturally there is no need to think about it.

"Have you found the blueprint?"

"Go back to the emperor, I found it!"

Zhang Mao hurriedly said, "It's in the warehouse of the governor's mansion. Foreign devils can't understand it at all. When I found it, the blueprints were covered with dust."

Zhu Qizhen nodded, wandering thousands of miles, and finally found the blueprint.

"If you have military merits, you should be knighted. Your family has made great military exploits, and I will naturally reward you!"

After hearing this, everyone knelt down and saluted, shouting long live.

"Be flat!"

Zhu Qizhen waved his hand, and said solemnly: "From now on, the Ceylon Dusi and Ceylon Guard will be established, and Fan Zhong will obey the order!"

Fan Zhong stepped forward and saluted, "The minister is here!"

"The Qing family has followed me in the south and north wars for these years, and they have made great achievements. From now on, they will be promoted to Liang Guogong, and they will serve as the commander of the Ceylon capital, lead the Ceylon guards, and take charge of military and political affairs!"

"Chen Fan Zhong leads the decree to thank you, long live my emperor!"

After everyone heard this, the expressions on their faces were a bit incredulous. They didn't expect that the emperor would make a decision so quickly.

Moreover, the island of Ceylon was separatist, and the appointed commander of the capital turned out to be a commander of the guards.

If it was a vassal named Zhu, it would be easier for them to accept it.

Zhu Qizhen continued: "Tang Xinggu!"

Tang Xinggu was distracted, when he heard the emperor calling him by name, he hurriedly replied: "The minister is here!"

"I appointed you as the Commander and Co-Adviser of the Ceylon Metropolitan Command, to take an overview of the financial and civil affairs of Ceylon Island."

Tang Xinggu didn't even react, and replied in his mouth: "I... obey the order!"

Regarding Tang Xinggu's appointment, Zhu Qizhen also thought carefully.

It's no problem for Fan Zhong to be in charge of military affairs, but he is not necessarily good at civil affairs, he must be assisted.

Only Tang Xinggu is more suitable to follow him to sea this time.

"Zhang Jin!"

Zhang Jin suddenly became nervous, and quickly kowtowed: "Criminals listen to the decree!"

Zhu Qizhen said in a deep voice: "Your father conspired against and murdered the king. It is an unforgivable crime. Considering that you are still loyal, you have made some contributions in the battle of capturing the Shenying City. Let's count it as a crime and a meritorious service. The death penalty will be forgiven. From now on Come on, criminals, let's go!"

Zhang Jin felt trembling all over, and said, "Thank you... thank you... Your Majesty... Long live your Majesty!"

"There is still room for you in the future. If you make new achievements, you will definitely be rewarded!"

"Chen... I will die!"

Zhang Jin lay on the ground, weeping heavily. In his heart, there was only one thought, and he survived...

(End of this chapter)