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When the navy returned triumphantly, the streets of Ningbo were deserted and Sanjiangkou was packed with people eager to watch.
If it was the army that captured Fujian, the people might not be too surprised, but now it was the navy that achieved the great victory, which was definitely a huge surprise.
Especially the merchants engaged in maritime trade, they were ecstatic when they heard the news.
In the past, the Zheng family controlled the sea routes, and each merchant ship had to pay the Zheng family a protection fee of three thousand taels of silver, which made the merchants feel heartbroken as if they were bleeding.
Well, the once-mighty Zheng navy has been destroyed, and they no longer have to pay high protection fees. How can the businessmen not be ecstatic
Even Qin Mu couldn't help but clap his hands when he heard the news of the great victory. Before that, he had already made plans for the worst and ordered all coastal states and counties to strengthen their vigilance to prevent Zheng's army from taking advantage of the victory to attack after the navy was defeated.
He did not expect that the navy fought so tenaciously and achieved such a great victory this time, especially the capture of Zheng Zhilong alive, which made Qin Mu overjoyed. With Zheng Zhilong in hand, he believed that a series of problems in Fujian would be quickly resolved.
On this day, Qin Mu went to personally welcome the victorious navy officers and soldiers. At the Sanjiangkou dock, gongs and drums were beating, firecrackers were blasting, and the scene was full of joy. The navy's warships slowly approached the dock, and the soldiers lined up on the bridge and saluted the King of Qin who came to greet them in person.
They were in neat formation and in high spirits, winning warm cheers from the people watching around the dock.
Gu Rong, Di Zhongxing, Zhang Mingzhen and others got off the warship first, and then paid homage to Qin Mu.
Qin Mu held the hilt of the sword hanging at his waist and said with satisfaction: "Good, very good, the navy is great and did not disappoint me. You commanded well and made contributions to the Qin Dynasty."
"This great victory is indeed the result of the careful planning of the King of Qin. We dare not take credit for it." Gu Rong and others hurriedly said modestly.
"Before, although you were called the Royal Navy, it was a bit in name only. After this battle, you can be regarded as the real Royal Navy. With your victory, you have opened a glorious page for the Royal Navy of our Great Qin. I believe that you will create greater glory in the future and let the dragon flag of the Great Qin fly to every corner of the world."
After hearing Qin Mu's words, not only Gu Rongde and the others were excited, but the navy soldiers behind them cheered and saluted Qin Mu again, shouting loudly: "Long live the King of Qin, long live the King of Qin, long live the King of Qin!"
The navy actually suffered heavy casualties this time, but they defeated a powerful enemy and received personal recognition from the king of a country. Such a victory was particularly sweet.
That afternoon, Qin Mu prepared a celebration banquet, and all officers above the rank of naval battalion commander were fortunate enough to attend.
It goes without saying that the atmosphere at the banquet was lively.
Zheng Zhilong, Zheng Cai, Hong Xu, Zheng Ming, and others, including the injured Gan Hui, were also invited.
When you are under someone's roof, you have to bow your head. Zheng Zhilong took the lead and stepped forward, kowtowed three times and nine times to Qin Mu, saying: "I am the sinner Zheng Zhilong. I kowtow to the King of Qin. Long live the King of Qin. Long live the King of Qin. Long, long live the King of Qin."
Qin Mu sat still and said solemnly, "Zheng Zhilong, you have repeatedly refused my offer of amnesty and insisted on going to war with the Qin army, causing heavy casualties on both sides. Those soldiers who died in the battle were great men who should have become a powerful force to protect China's sea borders. Because of your stubbornness and selfishness, they lost their lives in vain. Zheng Zhilong, you are indeed deeply sinful."
Qin Mu's words shocked Zheng Zhilong, and Gan Hui and others also changed their expressions. Zheng Ming, who was of rough character, was about to stand up and argue, but Zheng Zhilong quickly stopped him.
Zheng Zhilong lowered his posture and kowtowed repeatedly, saying: "The King of Qin has taught me that I, the guilty minister Zheng Zhilong, know my crime. From now on, I will change my ways and go through fire and water for the King of Qin. I hope the King of Qin will be magnanimous and give me a chance to make amends for my crime."
Qin Mu was quite satisfied with Zheng Zhilong's attitude. What he wanted to tell Zheng Zhilong was that surrendering was not a conditional exchange, but unconditional obedience.
Qin Mu said calmly: "Zheng Zhilong, you must remember that what I give you is yours. Don't dream of what I don't give you. You are just a captive of mine, and you are not qualified to negotiate any terms with me. For your crime, it would not be too much to be beheaded in public.
Now, I am willing to spare your life, or grant you an official position, only because I think that God has the virtue of loving life and cannot bear to see innocent soldiers lose their lives in the civil war.
The Jian Nu swept across the entire Central Plains, and they were a hundred times more powerful than your Zheng family. Have you ever seen me compromise with them? Zheng Zhilong, I tell you, if it weren't for the fact that we are both Han Chinese, even if I lost to you this time, I would never compromise with you. Even if I mobilized the whole country and spent ten years, I would still ruthlessly destroy the Zheng family. "
"I deserve to die, but I am grateful to the King of Qin for not killing me. Thank you very much for not killing me..." Zheng Zhilong kowtowed again and again.
Gan Hui, Hong Xu and others felt very complicated after hearing what Qin Mu said. Indeed, Zheng Zhilong had been captured at that time, and the Zheng army was in chaos. It was only a matter of time before it collapsed completely.
Under such circumstances, the Qin army really did not need to negotiate any conditions with the Zheng army. In this way, Qin Mu's words were still very sincere.
Qin Mu's characterization of this war as a civil war also made them feel very emotional. What is a civil war? It is one's own people fighting against one's own people.
In other words, even when the two sides were fighting, Qin Mu always treated them as "his own people" and never thought of killing them all.
After the Qin army won a great victory, they did not kill indiscriminately, but instead adopted the method of persuading them to surrender. This also proved that Qin Mu really did not want to kill them all, and really regarded them as "his own people."
"As the saying goes, if you put down your butcher knife, you will become a Buddha. It is not too late for you to turn back. I am willing to give you a chance to redeem yourself and make meritorious contributions. I hope you can serve the Qin Dynasty loyally in the future."
"Thank you, King Qin, for your magnanimity. We will serve the Great Qin loyally in the future until our death." Not only Zheng Zhilong, but also Gan Hui, Hong Xu and others also kowtowed and swore an oath.
"I always listen to what they say and watch what they do. Today, you have sworn in front of everyone to be loyal to the Qin Dynasty. I believe you for now, and from now on, it depends on your actions."
Qin Mu then appointed Zheng Zhilong as General Huaiyuan, a third-rank official. Hong Xu, Gan Hui and others were appointed as General Wude, a fifth-rank official. Of course, these were all casual officials, not real positions, and were only used to temporarily appease Zheng Zhilong and others.
What specific job they will get depends on their subsequent performance.
After the banquet, Qin Mu immediately summoned the accompanying officials including the Vice Minister of War Gu Jun'en, the Minister of Dali Temple Yang Shen, the Right Vice Minister of Personnel Shi Chunqiu, and the Doctor of Justice Lin Jihai to discuss the matter.
Yang Shen spoke first, "King Qin, as the saying goes, strike while the iron is hot. What's most important right now is to take Fujian as soon as possible to avoid more trouble. I suggest that tomorrow we send Zheng Zhilong, Zheng Cai and others to Fenshui Pass and Xianxia Pass to persuade them to surrender. The army should quickly enter Fujian and take control of important cities such as Fuzhou and Quanzhou first."
Gu Jun'en added: "King Qin, in addition to what Lord Yang said, I think Taiwan should not be ignored. The one currently stationed in Taiwan is Zheng Zhibao. This is the retreat route that Zheng Zhilong prepared for the Zheng family.
Compared with important cities like Fuzhou and Quanzhou, I think Taiwan is more important. Only by quickly taking Taiwan can we truly cut off the Zheng family's retreat route and make Zheng Zhibao, Zheng Tai and other people unable to make further moves. "
Yes, now Taiwan is like a den of robbers. If we don't take it down, it will continue to harbor filth and corruption. In Qin Mu's opinion, not only should we take Taiwan down as soon as possible, but we should also strengthen its development as soon as possible.
With a popular base, Taiwan will be able to protect itself and will not be constantly targeted by external forces. Otherwise, if it is occupied by external forces such as the Netherlands and Portugal, the entire southeast coast will be threatened and it will be difficult to have peace.
If we want to station troops in Taiwan, we cannot always rely on inland transportation for supplies. It is imperative to gradually develop Taiwan.
"Okay, let's do as you said, let the navy rest for a day or two, and let Zheng Zhilong set off with the navy to Taiwan as soon as possible to persuade Zheng Zhibao to surrender. Zheng Cai, Hong Xu and others will go to Fenshui Pass and Xianxia Pass to persuade them to surrender;
In addition, pass on my order to have the capital immediately send an additional 20,000 troops to Fujian. Gu Qing, once the army can successfully enter Fujian, a capable person will be needed to pacify the local area. You will set out with the army tomorrow to inspect Fujian. If Fujian is stabilized as soon as possible, Daqin can concentrate on dealing with the Qing Dynasty in the north. "
"Your Majesty, I obey your order."
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ps: The previous land battles have been criticized by many readers. This is the first time I write about a naval battle, and I am even more unsure. There should be more naval battles in the future. If any book friends feel that there are any shortcomings in the naval battles, you are welcome to point them out in the book review area. I will humbly listen to your opinions.
Finally, I would like to ask for your recommendation votes and monthly votes, and hope for your support.
.(To be continued..)
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