Ming politicians

Quanzhou, Fujian, the residence of Zheng Zhilong.

After being recruited by the imperial court, Zheng Zhilong basically didn't go to sea. Under normal circumstances, he was in Quanzhou. As the governor of the Ming Dynasty, Zheng Zhilong's prestige was extraordinary. Yan Jiuding, prestige even surpassed that of the government. The Zheng family has controlled maritime trade for a long time, and quickly made a fortune by controlling sea routes and collecting fees from merchant ships from various countries. Therefore, the Dutch East India Company fleet, unable to withstand the exploitation of the Zheng family, started a naval battle with Zheng Zhilong's navy, but was defeated completely, so they could only succumb, obediently pay the border fees, or pay high taxes. Start the deal secretly.

A few years later, the Zheng family's supremacy in the sea has been completely stabilized. Zheng Zhilong's status as a court military officer has made the Zheng family's navy and merchant ships even more unscrupulous in the sea.

At this time, Weihaiwei in Dengzhou began to build a trading pier, and it was allowed by the imperial court. It was the only pier that opened the sea ban for trade. Under the persuasion of others, Zheng Zhilong calmed down. He believed that the navy of the imperial court was vulnerable, and even if a commercial wharf was established in Weihaiwei, it might not be of much use.

Soon, bad news came one by one. The one who built the wharf in Weihaiwei was Su Tiancheng, the governor of Jiliao. Su Tiancheng and the Jiangning battalion were well-known. Zheng Zhilong knew it well. He wiped out hundreds of thousands of wharves. The rogues, after fighting the Jin Tartars, dared not move in Liaodong. From the perspective of cavalry and infantry, the Zheng family could not compete at all.They can easily destroy the Zheng family in Zhangzhou, but Zheng Zhilong still has confidence. The Zheng family's navy has sailed across the sea for so many years. Although Su Tiancheng's Jiangning battalion is brave, it is after all the overlord on land.

Su Tiancheng formed a navy in Penglai City.Zheng Zhilong didn't care too much about it. To have a strong navy is not as simple as talking about it. It will take several years to build it. Besides, the court only has so much money, and the navy needs a lot of money. Where did Su Tiancheng get so much money?

Fujian is far away from Liaodong and Shandong.It is impossible for Zheng Zhilong to know the detailed situation. What he knows is all obtained from the mansion newspaper.

The news of the opening of Weihaiwei Wharf made Zheng Zhilong unable to sit still.If the navy of the Zheng family didn't show their power, I'm afraid a large number of merchant ships would go to Weihaiwei and do business there directly.What people wish for, the Dutch East Indian Ocean Company must know the news.They all made a detour through the Yellow Sea, and the Zheng family's business collapsed.

Zheng Zhilong surrendered to the Ming Dynasty and accepted Zhao'an, but in his bones, he dismissed the Ming Dynasty, the concept of master.It only exists in his words. If anyone violates his interests, he will show no mercy. Turning his face is very fast, after all.Everything Zheng Zilong agrees with is for his own survival, so he has been a pirate and a businessman, and he doesn’t think these things hurt his image. Behavior is still going his own way. He controls the maritime hegemony for the purpose of getting more income for the Zheng family. He is definitely not thinking about what he can do for the court. He also executes the orders of the court, but many times, he He got benefits. His behavior is no different from when he was a pirate in the past. In history, Zheng Zhilong surrendered to the Qing Dynasty because of this consideration. He believed that the Ming and Qing dynasties, but It's just a change of master, there is no essential difference.

Based on this understanding, and because of his own strength, Zheng Zhilong would not succumb to Su Tiancheng.

Zheng Zhilong is 37 years old. He is very energetic. He is very confident in everything he does. In the family, he has an overwhelming momentum. He will not wait to see things that harm his own interests. This is also vaguely doomed. There is an extraordinary battle.

Zheng Zhilong trusted his brother Zheng Hongkui the most. He discussed many things with Zheng Hongkui.

Zheng Hongkui is different from Zheng Zhilong. His loyalty to the Ming Dynasty comes from the heart. When Zheng Zhilong decided to accept the court's consolation, Zheng Hongkui strongly supported him. Zheng Hongkui has opinions on some of Zheng Zhilong's actions, but the Zheng family Zheng Zhilong is the one who decides. Zheng Hongkui's words are of little use, and Zheng Hongkui is not a fool. He knows that words are not very useful, so he doesn't say much. As Zheng Chenggong grew up, the contact between Zheng Hongkui and Zheng Chenggong gradually increased. I feel that Zheng Chenggong has some understanding, which is consistent with himself.

Zheng Hongkui is 27 years old, young and energetic. Zheng Chenggong is also 16 years old. He has long understood the truth. The age gap between the two is not too big. Bad understanding, so I should educate Zheng Zhilong when I have time, to form a correct understanding, to be clear about etiquette, righteousness and shame, what things can be done and what things cannot be done.

Zheng Hongkui hoped that the Zheng family could truly stand in the Ming Dynasty instead of relying entirely on financial resources and force.

When Zheng Hongkui entered the room, he was followed by Zheng Chenggong.

Seeing that Zheng Chenggong also came in, Zheng Zhilong was a little unhappy. He did not object to Zheng Gongcheng's participation in the discussion of major family affairs, but it also depended on what the matter was, and it was best for Zheng Chenggong not to participate in matters involving the court. His own background doesn't matter, everything is for the benefit of the family, but he still has the idea of ​​looking forward to his son's success. Zheng Chenggong faintly revealed an extraordinary temperament. Zheng Zhilong was very happy to find this out.

"Fu Song, what are you doing here? I'm discussing important matters with your fourth uncle, so you shouldn't join in."

Fu Song is Zheng Chenggong's nickname, and Zheng Zhilong has always been called this, and he has long been used to it.

Seeing such a situation, Zheng Hongkui spoke quickly.

"Brother, Fusong has grown up. When I was Fusong's age, I already traveled around with my elder brother. If we want to talk about big things in the family, Fusong should also be involved. Otherwise, it will be difficult to take on big responsibilities in the future."

Zheng Chenggong stood at the door, not intending to go out. Seeing this situation, Zheng Zhilong shook his head, and did not continue to ask Zheng Chenggong to leave.

Zheng Hongkui took care of the daily affairs of the Zheng family's navy and army. Zheng Zhilong mainly worried about big things and made major decisions. At the same time, Zheng Chenggong also began to help Zheng Hongkui manage the affairs of the navy and the army. Zheng Gongcheng passed the Chongzhen exam in 11 years A scholar, is a scholar of the Zheng family, which makes Zheng Zhilong proud. In fact, Zheng Chenggong didn't spend much time with Zheng Zhilong. When he was a pirate, he fought against the Ming Dynasty. Zheng Chenggong could not be by his side. , Zheng Chenggong came to Quanzhou.

After inquiring about the navy and the army, Zheng Zhilong went straight to the topic.

"Fourth, Weihaiwei Wharf has been opened. This matter poses a great threat to our Zheng family. What we can control is part of the South China Sea and the East China Sea. The open sea is so big and there are so many routes. It is impossible for us to completely Controlled, the imperial court decided to open the sea ban in Weihaiwei. Wouldn’t this take away our jobs? Anyway, we are also the Ming Navy, and I am also the commander of the imperial court. You know, the imperial court decided to open the dock in Weihaiwei Hai Jin, isn't this a slap in the face for us?"

Zheng Zhilong had raised this matter a long time ago, and Zheng Hongkui had tried to persuade him, but it didn't have much effect. However, from the perspective of the family's interests, Zheng Hongkui also couldn't figure it out, including Zheng Chenggong. The Zheng family couldn't have such a high awareness. Who doesn't love it? Now, the news of the official opening of Weihaiwei Wharf has spread. It has caused a lot of shock and influence among the navy and the army. Weihaiwei Wharf.

Zheng Zhilong didn't come up with a solution, Zheng Hongkui wouldn't speak up, and Zheng Chenggong also wouldn't speak up. After all, major matters in the family were decided by Zheng Zhilong, and they just put forward some supplementary opinions.

"We can't just look at it like this. Although the Weihaiwei Wharf was approved by the imperial court, our Zheng family has also proposed to open the sea ban. The imperial court has no news. This is bullying, thinking that I, Zheng Zhilong, have done it before. Pirates, who have fought against the Ming army, are so distrustful and make such a decision behind my back, this is definitely not acceptable."

Zheng Zhilong looked at Zheng Hongkui and Zheng Chenggong.

"I have decided to give Weihaiwei Wharf some color. This time, we will divide the operation into two steps. We will tighten the control of the outer sea along the way. No matter where the fleet is, they are not allowed to go to Weihaiwei Wharf. Go straight to Weihaiwei Wharf, cover up your identity, and destroy Weihaiwei Wharf.”

After Zheng Zhilong said this, Zheng Hongkui finally spoke.

"Brother, they are all troops of the imperial court. Is it appropriate to do this?"

Zheng Chenggong was about to speak, but Zheng Zhilong forced him back with his eyes.

"What's inappropriate? The imperial court has always looked down on our Zheng family and thought that I, Zheng Zhilong, came from a humble background. Then I'll show them how great I am. I heard that Su Tiancheng is amazing. He is in full bloom in various places in Ming Dynasty. I Let’s see how capable this Su Tiancheng is, isn’t he powerful, then I will destroy the Weihaiwei Wharf he built, see how he reacts, and see what the court’s attitude is.” (To be completed continued..)