Ming Dynasty man

Chapter 470
Even the Dutch had to reach an agreement on maritime navigation and trade with him. Zheng Zhilong stipulated that when the Dutch trade with Japan, the goods must be shipped to Taiwan before they can be sold to Japan.

That is to say, if businessmen from various countries want to conduct maritime trade in Southeast Asia, they all have to pay protection fees to Zheng Zhilong.

Moreover, Zheng Zhilong was not satisfied with only collecting protection fees. He himself also conducted overseas trade. His fleet traveled between Japan, Taiwan, Fujian, Luzon, and Southeast Asian countries, earning a lot of profits.

From the information sent back by Zong Chao, it can be seen that the people from the Ministry of State Security investigated Zheng Zhilong in great detail.

These materials are useless at first glance, but in fact they are not. Zheng Zhilong's fortune was not smooth sailing. There were tricks, robberies, battles, and killings.I don't know how many people have been offended.

For example, Zheng Zhilong's first sea force came from Li Dan. After Li Dan died, all his property and power fell into Zheng Zhilong's hands.

But Li Dan also has a son named Li Guozhu. Li Guozhu is also engaged in maritime trade and works part-time as a pirate. How could Li Dan give all his property to a man with a foreign surname instead of his own son?

Obviously, Zheng Zhilong must have used some means to snatch Li Dan's property from Li Guo's assistants.

It is precisely for this reason that when Liu Xiang and the Dutch jointly fought against Zheng Zhilong, Li Guozhu also joined Liu Xiang's camp. Later, during the naval battle between Zheng Zhilong and Liu Xiang in Kinmen, Li Guozhu turned his back and surrendered to Daming.

Although Li Guozhu became Zheng Zhilong's subordinate, he really surrendered to the court, not Zheng Zhilong himself. His hatred for Zheng Zhilong did not disappear with his surrender. He was just forced by Zheng Zhilong's strength and dared not resist for the time being.

Similar to Li Guozhu's situation are the pirates Zhong Bin, Yang Liu, Yang Qi and others. These people were originally Zheng Zhilong's sworn brothers, that is, members of Shibazhi.

When Zheng Zhilong was recruited by the imperial court, they were dissatisfied with Zheng Zhilong just like Liu Xiang because of the low positions they had recommended for his brothers.

But these people are all overlords who once ruled the sea, and it is impossible to completely surrender to Zheng Zhilong.

Li Jing wants to use troops against Zheng Zhilong, and these people are likely to become Li Jing's help.

But before Li Jing decided to do something, Zong Chao couldn't disturb them.There is a saying that if the ruler does not keep secrets, he will lose his ministers, if the ministers do not keep secrets, he will lose his body, and if few things are not kept secret, it will cause harm.

If Zong Chao instigated these people in advance, once the matter was leaked and Zheng Zhilong found out, then Zong Chao and the people in the security department would be in danger.At this time, Li Jing had not yet sent troops to Fujian. If Zheng Zhilong rebelled, one can imagine how Fujian would be harmed by Zheng Zhilong.

Now that Li Jing has started to arrange the use of troops, instigating rebellion against these people must be put on the agenda.

If Zong Chao was still in Fujian, then Zong Chao would naturally be in charge of instigating the rebellion, but Li Jing wanted to ask Zong Chao for more details in order to decide how to use troops against Zheng Zhilong. In Fujian, the task of instigating these people will fall on the Ministry of Security.

But the people from the Ministry of Security are good at inquiring about news. If they want to persuade Li Guozhu and others to fight against Zheng Zhilong, Li Jing doesn't know if the people from the Ministry of Security have this ability, so he has to ask Luo Yangxing.

Picking up the teacup, Li Jing took a sip and said to Luo Yangxing, "Brother Luo, your subordinates have done a good job this time, but I still have a more important task to entrust to them. Do you have this ability?"

When Luo Yangxing heard the words, he hurriedly said, "Please tell me, Commander."

Li Jing took out a list from the table and handed it to Luo Yangxing, saying: "These people either have grievances with Zheng Zhilong, or they have different ideas from Zheng Zhilong. If we can make them turn to the court, it will greatly weaken Zheng Zhilong's power." Strength. Do you think your subordinates in Fujian have the ability to instigate them?"

Luo Yangxing nodded, took the list and read it carefully.

After reading it, Luo Yangxing suddenly showed a puzzled look on his face. Luo Yangxing didn't expect that Li Jing only chose three people on this list, and one of them was Zheng Zhilong's son.

You must know that Luo Yangxing has read all the materials Zong Chao sent back, and he also knows the purpose of Zong Chao's sending back these people's materials.From Luo Yangxing's point of view, some people should be easy to win over, but Li Jing did not choose these people.

Seeing Luo Yangxing's puzzled expression, Li Jing smiled and said, "Do you think there are a little few people on the list?"

Luo Yangxing nodded and said: "I think the descendants of Li Kuiqi, Yang Liu, Yang Qi and others who were killed by Zheng Zhilong are more likely to be recruited by us. In addition, Liu Xiang has several powerful subordinates. These people should also It can be drawn in."

Li Jing shook his head: "The more people there are, the greater the possibility of leaking secrets. The fewer people there are, the more secrets will be kept. In addition, some people are not very useful for us to recruit, but will cause us a lot of trouble."

Gently clicking the list in Luo Yangxing's hand, Li Jing continued: "Look at the information of these people, the first one is Li Guozhu, he is Li Dan's son, Li Dan used his life's accumulated property to be taken away by Zheng Zhilong, Zheng Zhilong He has achieved a lot of hegemony, but he has been reduced to Zheng Zhilong's subordinate. If it were you, would you be willing?"

Luo Yangxing shook his head and said, "I really feel unwilling."

Li Jing smiled and said: "So, as long as we promise him an official position and let him kill or drive away Zheng Zhilong with us, he will definitely be willing to do things for us. It can be said that we are the most confident in bringing him over. "

Luo Yangxing nodded repeatedly.

Li Jing continued: "The second one is Zhong Bin, this person is also Zheng Zhilong's brother, and he used to be Li Kuiqi's subordinate.

Li Kuiqi used to be the most powerful pirate leader among the Eighteen Zhi, he was cruel, cunning and untrustworthy.For the sake of money, both brothers died in his hands, and Zheng Zhilong suffered a lot from him.

Later, Zhong Bin turned against Li Kuiqi and turned to Zheng Zhilong, which greatly damaged Li Kuiqi's strength. Zheng Zhilong defeated Li Kuiqi with the cooperation of the Dutch.In other words, if it wasn't for Zhong Bin's betrayal, Zheng Zhilong and Li Kuiqi might win.

But then Zhong Bin was not reused by Zheng Zhilong, you think, can he be reconciled? "

Luo Yangxing silently shook his head when he heard the words.

Li Jing pointed to the last person on the list and said with a smile: "Is this person the most strange to you?"

Luo Yangxing smiled bitterly and said, "Marshal, you actually want Zheng Zhilong's son to turn against his father, can this work?"

Li Jing was about to answer when he suddenly heard a person outside the door laughing and saying: "Brother Luo, when is the commander-in-chief in doubt?"

Li Jing was stunned, and then said joyfully, "Yong Chao is back? Come in!"

As soon as Li Jing finished speaking, the door opened and Xiao Jiu and Zong Chao walked in with a smile.

Xiao Jiu smiled as he walked: "Just now the guards brought Mr. Zong over. I wanted to come in to report, but he said that I would wait until you finished speaking before reporting. Who knows that he couldn't help but interrupt after hearing what you said just now."

Li Jingwen said with a smile: "You don't understand, Yong Chao wants to take advantage of my conversation with Master Luo to sort out his thoughts, but he doesn't want Master Luo and I to talk about how to deal with Zheng Zhilong, which provides him with an idea, so he Interrupted."

When Zong Chao heard the words, he saluted and said: "The commander-in-chief knows people's hearts very well, which is rare in the world."

Li Jing waved his hands and said with a smile: "Don't talk nicely, come and sit."

"Thank you, Marshal." Zong Chao bowed and saluted, and sat down beside Li Jing.

Li Jing smiled, poured Zong Chao a cup of tea, and handed it over.

Zong Chao took the teacup and put it on the table, he cupped his fists at Li Jing and said, "The Marshal's skill in nourishing Qi is getting deeper and deeper, and the humble job is really admirable."

Li Jing shook his head and said with a smile: "If I can't hold my breath, you will panic, and if you panic, there will be chaos down here. So I have to be steady!"

Zong Chao said with a smile: "So, we work with the commander-in-chief, and we are at ease in our hearts!"

Li Jing shook his head, looked at Zong Chao and said with a smile, "I haven't seen you in half a year, your flattering skills have improved! Could it be that you learned it after you arrived in Fujian?"

Luo Yangxing next to him couldn't help but chuckled.

Zong Chao smiled and said: "Speaking of which, I really learned it after I came to Fujian. I can't help it. I have to deal with all kinds of people in Fujian. I can't do it without flattering!"

Li Jing nodded silently when he heard the words, and after a long time, Li Jing sighed and said, "Yong Chao, it's hard for you."

Zong Chao said with a smile: "As long as I can do the errand assigned by the commander-in-chief well, it's nothing for me to flatter people."

Li Jingjing nodded: "This time your errands are done very well. With this capital, no one will dare to gossip in the future, and you can be responsible for specific affairs in the future."

Zong Chao stood up and clasped his fists when he heard the words, "Thank you for your kindness, Commander."

Li Jing waved his hand: "Sit down and talk."

When Zong Chao sat down again, Li Jing continued: "Brother Luo asked me just now, is it feasible for Zheng Zhilong's son to rebel against him? You collected all the information on Zheng Zhilong's side, so you can explain it to Brother Luo. .”

Zong Chao nodded, turned around and cupped his hands at Luo Yangxing, and said, "This time Zong went to Fujian, thanks to brother Luo's great help, Zong thanked you very much."

Luo Yangxing returned a salute and said: "Don't say these polite words, we are all doing things for the commander in chief, there is no need to divide each other, not to mention that Luo will be useful to the elder brother in the future, and the elder brother can take care of me when the time comes gone."

Zong Chao hurriedly said: "Definitely! Definitely!"

After a pause, Zong Chao continued: "Brother Luo didn't believe the commander-in-chief said just now that he wanted to instigate Zheng Zhilong's son, but in my opinion, the possibility is still very high.

Although Zheng Zhilong's son is only 16 years old, his character is completely different from Zheng Zhilong's. Zheng Zhilong only has personal interests in his eyes and has no regard for the country at all, but this son understands righteousness and often advises his father to serve the court wholeheartedly. "

"Oh?" Luo Yangxing asked curiously: "Although I have read the information sent back by the people below, I don't pay much attention to Zheng Zhilong's son. I just remember that Zheng Zhilong's son seems to be born in Japan, and Zheng Zhilong seems to think highly of him. .”

(End of this chapter)