Daming: Stealing Chen Yuanyuan at the beginning

Chapter 208

Anping Town, Jinjiang, Fujian.

In the spring of the third year of Chongzhen, Zheng Zhilong built a luxurious mansion in Anping Town, which took 3 years and 2 months to complete.

The magnificent mansion of the Zheng family has become the business card of Anping Town. Many officials pass by here, and they feel honored to be able to visit the mansion and have a banquet.

Zheng's Mansion is located in the north of Anping Bridge, from Xidai to Xigang in the west, Xidiantou in the north, Anping Qiaotou in the south, and directly leads to Wugang Port, covering an area of ​​138 mu.

The main structure is a Xieshan style with five bays and thirteen frames, with three-way gates, two fire lanes and five entrances to the courtyard.Wings, pavilions, and pavilions on both sides face each other and form a barrier around it.There is "Dunren Pavilion" in the east, "Taiyun Tower" in the west, the "Catholic Hall" in the front hall, and the "Xiaosi Hall" in the middle hall, which are grand in scale.

There is a "Zhiyuan Garden" behind the big house, surrounded by walls, with hills, pavilions, abodes, ponds, small bridges, winding paths, beautiful trees, exotic flowers and plants, all of which are luxurious and extravagant.

One day at the beginning of June, all the leaders of the family gathered in Zheng's mansion, and they were discussing an important matter.

Under the leadership of Zheng Zhilong, the family members first went to the ancestral hall to worship their ancestors, and then returned to Taiyun Building, where they sat at the wine table according to their seniority.

In addition to the members of the Zheng family, there are three people with other surnames, namely Shi Fu, uncle and nephew Shi Lang, and Zeng De.

These three people are all able-bodied generals of the Zheng family, and they are loyal to Zheng Zhilong, and they are qualified to participate in the discussion on any important matters.

At this time, Zheng Zhilong has passed his forties. He has been sailing for many years, his skin is a little rough, and his eyes are shining.

He raised his wine glass and said: "Although we are a family, it is rare for us to get together. Today, we gather everyone together to worship the ancestors and express the family relationship, and secondly, there are important matters to be resolved by the family." Let's make up our minds together. Come on, let's have a drink first!"

After everyone drank, Zheng Zhilong put down his glass and said solemnly: "The world has been in chaos for decades, my Zheng family has not suffered from the chaos of war, but my business is flourishing, and my family has a big business. I don't know if it is a blessing or a curse."

Zheng Zhilong's fourth brother, Zheng Hongkui, said: "Brother, our family business was created by fighting with swords and guns. We are rolling in the ocean with our heads up. We should get rich. What is the trouble?"

Zheng Zhibao, who was ranked fifth, said: "Fourth brother, just listen to what elder brother has to say, don't interrupt!"

Zheng Hongkui glared at Zheng Zhibao and drank sullenly.

Zheng Zhilong said: "This family fortune is not easy to come by, what's more, in the eyes of the world, we are pirates who are doing harm to one side. We can enjoy all this with peace of mind, but the world has hatred and jealousy, and the world is unpredictable. Do you know what will happen next?"

"I am over 40 years old, and my fourth and fifth younger brothers are not young anymore. The burden on the family is even heavier. When we get old, what should the Zheng family do? Are all children and grandchildren going to be pirates?" Are you going to be criticized and criticized for generations to come?"

"Brother, what exactly do you want to say?" Zheng Zhibao asked.

"Being prepared for danger in times of peace can last forever!" Zheng Zhilong stood up and said in a deep voice, "We have dealt with the Japanese, Portuguese, and Dutch, and we have seen all kinds of life. Come and tell me, we Chinese and How are people from other countries and countries different from each other?"

"One nose and one mouth, two arms and two legs, there is no difference!" Zheng Hongkui said, and everyone present laughed.

"No, the difference is too big!" Zheng Zhilong raised his voice and said seriously, "People in the country relocate and relocate, and they pay attention to returning leaves to their roots. The concept of locality is very serious, and we are no exception. When this mansion was built, you did not object, and you all Said to come back to retire in the future.”

"I want to ask you today, do you really think you can live in Anping Town for the elderly?"

People stopped talking, the identity of the Zheng family was too sensitive, the occupation they were engaged in was too dangerous, and there were too many enemies, it seemed like a luxury to have a peaceful old age.

"Anping Town can't support the elderly, let's go overseas, there are so many small islands in the sea!" Zheng Hongkui said.

"Confused! How can it be so simple and easy?" Zheng Zhilong patted the table, pointed at Shi Fu and said, "These brothers Shi Fu have been working hard for the Zheng family, shouldn't we consider them? We now have more than 700 ships, and we have With so many people waiting to eat, you can't just look after yourself."

"After thinking about it, there is only one way, and that is to cooperate with the court and fundamentally get rid of the identity of a pirate. Serving the official job, the name is justified, and the children and grandchildren can hold their heads up."

Zheng Hongkui was puzzled and said: "Brother, you are the general soldier of Fujian, and you are already an official of the imperial court..."

Zheng Zhilong looked down on his fourth brother's clumsiness, and said in a bad mood: "Yes, I am the commander-in-chief of Fujian, but what is the use of a mere commander-in-chief? What's more, there was a ban on the sea in the Ming Dynasty, and our business at sea has always been Illegal, after all, is a hidden danger.”

"Oh, I understand. My eldest brother wants to be an official and he also wants money, right?" Zheng Zhibao said.

"Exactly!" Zheng Zhilong laughed.

"So, what should we do?" Zheng Hongkui asked with a shrug.

Zheng Zhilong sat down and didn't speak for a long time.After eating a glutinous rice dumpling, he chewed slowly and said, "Since last year, Master Fan Wencheng of the Manchu Qing court has been sending people to contact me and persuade me to submit to the Qing court."

"Especially this year, the envoys are more frequent, and the conditions are more generous. A few days ago, I met Fan Wencheng's envoy secretly in Zhoushan. He said that as long as he surrendered to the Manchu Qing, he could make me king. Can be named Marquis, Earl..."

Before he finished speaking, Zheng Sen stood up abruptly and said eagerly, "Father, have you agreed?"

"No, I'm still thinking about it. Didn't I ask you to discuss it together today?"

Zheng Sen breathed a sigh of relief and shouted: "Father, let me make a statement first. I will never surrender to the Manchu Tatars!"

"I think it's feasible!" Zheng Cai exclaimed.

Zheng Cai is Zheng Zhilong's nephew, who is about the same age as Zheng Sen. The two grew up together, but they are not convinced by each other and often have to compete for superiority.

Zheng Cai opposed Zheng Sen at this time, not because he really had the idea of ​​surrendering to the Qing Dynasty, but just to antagonize Zheng Sen and disgust his cousin.

Zheng Sen glared at Zheng Cai angrily, and Zheng Zhilong said, "If you two stubborn donkeys continue to argue, I'll throw you into the sea and shut up. The elders are present, and it's not your turn to express your opinions!"

Then he asked: "Fourth brother, fifth brother, what do you say?"

Zheng Zhibao said, "I'll listen to elder brother."

Zheng Hongkui said: "My brain is not as sharp as my elder brother's, and my mind is not as delicate as my fifth brother's. I am a big old man, and I often do things by intuition. I always guess that surrendering to the Manchu Qing court is not good for emotion or reason, so we can't do it! We are Han people, Is it not as good as Li Zicheng and Zhang Xianzhong?"

There was a quarrel in the building for a while, and opinions were not unified.The three of Shi Fu were silent, not daring to interrupt.

Zheng Zhilong patted the table and said: "Okay, calm down. I knew that this situation would happen, and arguing will not help. I have an idea here. Fan Wencheng asked me to go to Bujialao in Haojingaofanyi The Cannon Factory purchased artillery and ammunition and sent them to the north, and I agreed, so let’s take a look at Manqing’s attitude first.”

Zheng Sen stood up again, persuading: "Father, your strategy seems to be shrewd, but it's actually two ends of a snake and a mouse. Be careful and clever but you will be misled by your cleverness..."

"Get out!" Zheng Zhilong picked up the wine glass and threw it at Zheng Sen.

Zheng Sen ran downstairs and shouted, "Get out, get out, I'm going to sea, and I'm not coming back!"

"Evil!" Zheng Zhilong blew his beard and glared, very angry.

(End of this chapter)