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Tong Haifeng has a nickname called Bainiu. People who live on the sea all year round usually get tanned, but Tong Haifeng is an exception. His skin color has always been whiter than others, and he is handsome, so he got this nickname.
Because of this nickname, Tong Haifeng usually likes to act ferociously to avoid being misunderstood as a "little bottom".
He squinted at the fake monk in front of him, and spit at him: "Fuck, you have a slave face. Don't think that I won't recognize you just because you shave the hair on top. Even if you shave the hair below, I will still recognize you. Tell me, what are you doing here?"
This fake monk was Su Zhonggui, an attendant of Huang Xiyin, the imperial envoy who surrendered to the Qing Dynasty. He wiped the saliva off his face and said angrily, "Who are you? You are so arrogant that you have ruined the important matter between me and your Duke Ping. Can you afford to offend me?"
"Oh, a dog slave is a dog slave, and he really knows how to take advantage of the power of his master. Come on, guys, beat him up!" Tong Haifeng's handsome face turned black and he was so angry.
Although his nickname is Bai Niu, he is an excellent martial artist, a righteous man, and a smart man. He is highly respected in the Zheng family fleet, and his subordinates are even more obedient to him. As soon as they received the order, seven or eight big men rushed forward and beat Su Zhonggui violently no matter what he said.
"stop!"
"Boss, why did you stop?"
"Why are you talking so much nonsense? You guys are having fun, so how can I have fun? Get out of the way, get out of the way."
It was still very hot in Fuzhou in August. Bainiu Tong Haifeng used a big knife as a fan to fan himself a few times to cool down. He stepped forward and stepped on Su Zhonggui's cheek and said, "What I hate most is a dog slave like you. You don't want to be a good Han Chinese, but choose to be a slave to the Tartars.
Do you know that I have arrived in Japan? The Japanese slaves know that I am from the Ming Dynasty, and they all bow and scrape, wag their tails and beg for mercy. You can play with any beautiful woman you want, I am so proud!
But you, instead of being a good person, choose to be a slave to the Tartars, bringing shame to me. Tell me, how can I hold my head up high when I go to Japan, huh?"
"General, General, I had no choice but to do this. Please forgive me. I really have something important to tell you about. I have some silver on me. Please take it and have some tea. I am really delaying your business. I am afraid that I will cause you to be scolded, and then I will add to my crime."
"Tell me the truth, what are you doing here with us, Duke Ping?"
"This... General, it's actually nothing."
"Since there is nothing wrong. Can you just meet my Duke Ping casually?" Tong Haifeng put more force on his foot and moved it violently, causing Su Zhonggui to scream like a pig being slaughtered in pain.
"General, please spare my life. I have something to say. But this is confidential. I dare not talk about it..."
"You won't tell me, boys. Chop it up and feed it to the dogs."
At Bai Niu's command, seven or eight minions rushed up again and beat Su Zhonggui to death. These guys had done everything from killing people to robbing and stealing at sea, and they were experts at torturing people.
"General, please spare my life... I'll tell you, I'll tell you..."
"Hurry up and tell me. If you tell me a lie, I will torture you to death."
Su Zhonggui was worried about his life, and the situation in Jiangnan was critical. He could not afford to delay even a second. Under the intimidation of Tong Haifeng, he had to tell him everything he wanted.
After the fall of Beijing, Zheng Sen left Fushui Villa and returned to Fuzhou. Shortly after Longwu ascended the throne, he gave him the surname of the country, the name Chenggong, and the title of Loyalty and Filial Earl. Therefore, the people of the Zheng family changed their name to Guoxingye.
Zheng Sen knew very well that at that time Longwu wanted to win over Qin Mu, so he gave Qin Mu the national surname and made him the King of Liao. In order to show fairness, he also gave him the titles.
Thinking of Qin Mu, Zheng Sen couldn't help but take out the letter again, "The destiny belongs to Qin... The destiny belongs to Qin... Is this really the will of heaven?"
Zheng Sen was different from his father. His father started out as pirates and had little education, but his brothers all practiced martial arts and literature, and were proficient in both literature and martial arts.
He himself learned from Qian Qianyi and had great attainments. Confucius did not talk about strange things, supernatural powers, and gods. He did not really believe in the theory of destiny before, but now he really had to believe it.
Judging from the current situation in the world, Qin Mu is also the most likely person to become the one who unifies the world.
As for the Zheng family, they were born with deficiencies. Not to mention that the fathers in power had not received much education and did not have the vision and courage to rule the world, from a geographical point of view, Fujian was located in a remote corner and it was difficult for it to become a major force.
In addition, the Zheng family has always focused on dominating the sea. Apart from the navy, they have no power to dominate on land.
Apart from the Zheng family, the only one who put down the world was Qin Mu. The Qin army was fundamentally different from the armies of Li Zicheng and other rioters. Li Zicheng and others grew stronger through destruction, while Qin Mu grew stronger through construction.
Under his governance, Huguang and Jiangxi have become the most stable places in the world, with people living a prosperous life and all industries thriving. This has provided Qin Mu with a stable rear base. With such a huge and rich foundation, he will not be like Li Zicheng, who would be seriously damaged by a little setback.
Now under Qin Mu's rule, the people truly support him, there are many talented people in civil and military affairs, and there is also a large army that is capable of fighting.
What surprised Zheng Sen the most were the assistant officers in the Qin army. These assistant officers were mainly responsible for implementing Qin Mu's will and political ideas, making the soldiers regard Qin Mu as a god and loyal to him. This was terrifying.
In this world today, only Qin Mu can rival the Tartars. If the destiny does not belong to Qin, who will it belong to
"Guoxingye, Guoxingye..." Tong Haifeng ran in breathlessly and shouted from afar.
"Haifeng, what happened?"
"Lord Guoxing, it's bad. Duke Ping is going to surrender to the Tartars..."
"What?" Zheng Sen stood up suddenly, stared at Tong Haifeng and shouted: "Tong Haifeng, what nonsense are you talking about?"
"Sir, I'm not talking nonsense. This is the second time the Tartar envoy has come. This time I personally stopped him outside the city and asked him everything. Sir, the Tartars want Duke Ping to lead the navy to the Yangtze River to destroy Qin Mu's navy. They also want us to send troops from Tingzhou to attack southern Jiangxi and raid Qin Mu's lair. After the mission is accomplished, the Tartars promised to make Duke Ping the King of Zhennan and keep Fujian forever."
Zheng Sen grabbed Tong Haifeng and asked, "Is this true?"
"Sir, when have I, Tong Haifeng, ever lied to you? If you don't believe me, you can take my life. By the way, you probably don't know that Duke Ping had long intended to surrender to the Qing Dynasty and sent Hong Chengchou's eldest son to Nanjing to contact Hong Chengchou a few days ago. Sir, I am telling the truth."
"Where are the people sent by Hong Chengchou?"
"I went to see Duke Ping."
"Just wait here and don't wander around for now."
After listening to Zheng Sen's instructions, Tong Haifeng knew that Zheng Sen was intending to protect him, and he was deeply moved. He felt that his loyalty had not gone to the wrong place.
Zheng Sen hurried to the outside of his father's study, but was stopped by several of his father's personal guards.
"Young Master, please stay. The Duke is discussing important matters with a foreign guest. If you have anything else to do, please come back later."
"Step aside!"
"My Lord, please don't make things difficult for me. This..."
"Okay, go and inform my father that I have something urgent to discuss with you. Go quickly."
"Yes, please wait a moment, sir."
Zheng Zhilong was very unhappy. He had Su Zhonggui taken away to be served tea, and then met Zheng Sen in the study.
Zheng Sen straightened his clothes and knelt solemnly in front of Zheng Zhilong: "My son, may I ask, father, are you willing to surrender to the Qing Dynasty?"
"It's none of your business to intervene in adult matters. I'm afraid Tong Haifeng has gone to hide somewhere with you again. Don't think I'll let him go just because he's hiding. I'll skin him alive later."
"Father, I asked Tong Haifeng to do this. If you want to punish me, then punish me."
"You... ... ... I sent you to study poetry for so many years, and all you learned was how to talk back to your father, right?"
"Father, please forgive me for being unfilial. We must not surrender to the Qing. Not to mention that the Zheng family will bear eternal infamy, father, please think about it. If the Tartars really unified the world, would they allow our Zheng family to own Fujian
As the saying goes, "I will not allow others to snore beside my bed." If the world is unified, no monarch will tolerate another family ruling a province. Father, have you never thought about this? The Tartars promised you a favor only because the world is not yet settled and they need your help. That's why they promised you such a favor."
"What do you know? The Tartars are a nation on horseback, used to riding and shooting, and not good at naval warfare. Qin Mu, however, is building warships and training naval forces, and is ambitious. After the Tartars unify the world, they may not be able to do anything to me, and they will have to rely on my Zheng family to defend the sea. If Qin Mu becomes the master of the world, my Zheng family will really have no place to stand."
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ps: In this late spring evening, with drizzle, listening to the song "Shu Huai", it feels like the sound of water drops dripping from the green bamboo leaves, from the tiles stained with green moss, and from the ancient eaves shaded by pear blossoms. Thoughts spread quietly in the faint twilight... ... .A little bit of loneliness... ... ..
.(To be continued..)
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