It was already late autumn, and the sea was beginning to be swept up by the strong winds blowing from the north.

On the sea surface of Zhejiang, near the Zhoushan Islands.

The rising sun finally broke free from the shackles of the sea, jumped out of the sea level, and cast its light on the dark green and deep sea, inlaid a golden skirt on every wave.

A few fat seagulls chirped happily, as if celebrating the end of the difficult monsoon season. They glide lightly across the sea, their black wingtips splashing with sparkling water and glowing in the sun.

Looking at the dreamlike and enchanting scenery, no one would believe that just yesterday it was a nightmare place.

The raging monsoon winds and the mountains of waves filled the entire world, and the Oriental sea flaunted its terrifying and primitive power.

No one dared to doubt the strength of the force, for not far from the seagull, a wreck had proved with all its life and property what happened to the fools who wanted to challenge the strength of the sea, and they proved themselves wrong with the swollen corpses that floated.

Two fat seagulls floated comfortably on the surface of the sea, the two largest and strongest seagulls in the flock, and now their stomachs were filled with small fish snatched from the mouths of their weaker companions, and they happily enjoyed the feeling of the warm sun shining on their white feathers after a long absence.

Suddenly, something alarmed the two fat robbers. They flapped their wings and kicked their short legs off the water, then swayed to join the group of their companions who were flying wildly.

From the junction of the sky and the sea in the south, a few sail shadows vaguely appeared, and then a few became dozens, dozens of pieces became hundreds, and in just a moment, the white sails like clouds, like a forest, covered the entire horizon.

The sailors of the fleet skillfully adjusted the sails, making the most of the wind speed and approaching with the speed of the fleet. In the golden sun, the huge fleet revealed its true colors.

This is a fleet of nearly 100 Daifuku ships. The number of large-caliber guns on the ship, the busy sailors on the ship, the square bridge and the tall first floor all silently illustrate the strength of the fleet. The flagship, which is surrounded by many lucky ships like stars holding the moon, easily cuts through the waves with ease, stirring up bursts of snow-white waves. Pearl-like droplets flew and splashed down on the battleship's hard gray shell. It then condenses into strings of crystal water droplets and slides into the turquoise sea. On the mainmast. A white moonlight on a red background embroidered with a big "Zheng" character flag fluttering in the north wind.

This is Zheng Zhilong's fleet that went north to traffic grain.

Zheng Ran, Lin Cha, Chen Lin, Yang Geng, Su Cheng and others. The same fluttered on several Daifuku ships around the flagship.

In the cabin of the flagship, Shiba Tiger and his nephew Fukumatsu Maru were enjoying the breakfast brought by the house.

"Uncle, through the Zhoushan Islands. We're about to reach the surface of the South Naoli Sea, right? ”

After a few years, Zheng Sen, who has spoken a mouthful of Fujian official dialect very fluently, put the crab rice cake in the bowl into his mouth and chewed, tasting the delicious taste made with a little dried shrimp, shiitake mushrooms, and diced meat mixed with the crab. The rice cake is very flavorful after the penetration of crab juice, and the tendons are elastic; The meat of the crab is delicious, the crab roe is full, and the aroma is rich.

"Sen'er, there's something wrong with what you're saying. It should be said that since we arrived at the sea of Zhejiang, we have been on the sea of Nanzhili. ”

"Then, how many days are there to go to Wusongkou? I'm going to visit Mr. Qian in Nanjing. ”

"When we deliver these goods, we will load the goods that the northern Yankees promised us on the ship, and naturally we will go to Nanjing. Otherwise, Fujian is so poor, how can we exchange these goods for money? ”

"We can go to Japan! By the way, look at the uncles! ”

Although he has already taken the exam to become a tribute student, Zheng Sen is a little stupid to read too much. Zheng Zhihu could only shake his head and sigh secretly.

Since the shogunate put down the Shimazu War, Japan has become more and more stable, and there is no longer any desire for the daimyo to compete for supremacy, as long as they can pass on the family legacy. For a while, Japan actually had a bit of a taste of peaceful years.

And this kind of thing that everyone has dreamed of for many years came like this, and the Tokugawa family couldn't help but be ecstatic. Openly and secretly thanking the Nanyue Army, the decrees continue to be introduced.

And the Zheng family's share of trade in Japan is getting smaller and smaller.

A few days ago, news came out from Japan that the shogunate was preparing to re-implement the national closure order, and only allow ships of the Nanyue army to enter Japan for trade.

In this way, the trade routes in the north became even more important to the Zheng family.

These more than 100 boats carried more than 100,000 pieces of japonica rice on the stone, which was undoubtedly a test for the Zheng family, preparing to transport these japonica rice to the vicinity of Juehua Island for delivery.

In order to successfully complete this business, which is related to the smooth survival of the entire group, Zheng Zhilong deliberately summoned his subordinates who had various official titles of deputy general, staff general, guerrilla, and garrison to one place to discuss matters!

Thinking about these things in Chongzhen's eleven years, the shipowners are divided into several factions, one group thinks that the sky is high and the emperor is far away, and we are on the sea, and no one can control it. One faction is worried that it will be hit head-on by the sailors of the Nanyue Army going south, which will ruin the harmony of the two families, and it is best to say hello to several generals of the Nanyue Army in Guangzhou in advance. This faction is headed by Shi Daxuan, Shi Lang and his son, while the other faction advocates going quietly, returning quietly, and making a fortune in a muffled voice.

But thinking about the current situation in the hinterland of the Central Plains, Zheng Zhilong still gritted his teeth and was ruthless.

On July 17, Liangyu led an army to pursue Xianzhong, more than 80 miles from Fang County, and was ambushed and besieged by Zhang Xianzhong. The left army attacked from afar, the soldiers lacked food, the forward general Luo Dai was captured, Liangyu was defeated and returned, the military seal letter was lost, more than 10 million military funds were abandoned, and 10,000 soldiers died. The emperor was shocked when he heard this, and on August 27, he specially ordered the heir to supervise the teacher and give Shang Fang a sword to reward him with a cheap price. On the first day of September, the emperor summoned his heirs to the platform. Hei Changyan said that the ministers were ordered to set off on the eve of the order. February. Give 100 platinums, 40,000 silver, 1,500 silver medals, etc. Seven articles of the Sichang article are dedicated and approved. On the fourth day, he summoned the banquet, and on the second day, his majesty resigned. On the 29th, he arrived in Xiangyang. On the first day of October, Sichang swore an oath to the three armies in Xiangyang to suppress the peasant army. The generals of the Ming Army were arrogant and had no fighting spirit. He whipped the deputy general of Sichang, beheaded the military servants, and impeached Fang Kongzhi, the governor of Huguang. Rectify military discipline.

"While thieves are being suppressed everywhere, Emperor Laozi's attention is on Zhang Xianzhong, Yang Sichang and others, let's just go!"

"That's it! A few shopkeepers in Shanxi said that in order to receive our grain. The buyers in the north prepared to send troops to attack Ningyuan. Attract the attention of the officers and soldiers there. Make room for us! ”

Thereupon. In addition to dispatching nearly 100 Dafu ships and Daqingtou in his hands, Zheng Zhilong also gritted his teeth and extracted three of the several soft sailing boats of the Dutch Hongmaoyi that began to be imitated after the Battle of Liaoluo Bay as a reinforcement force for the fleet, taking advantage of their speed advantage. Provide sentinel scouts for the front, rear, left and right sides of the fleet.

sent his younger brother Zhihu, who can beat the best, and his eldest son Zheng Sen to the north together, one is the younger brother who can fight the most, and the other is the eldest son who has grown up and needs to go through some training.

And Shi Lang also returned from the Nanyue Military Naval Academy, and was generously arranged by Zheng Zhilong into the fleet, and joined the ranks of the north with a sand boat at home.

"Second master, the forward sentinel ship has a flag, and further forward is Causeway Island, the fleet should be able to arrive in Putuo before sunset, and ask us if we want to replenish fresh water in Putuo and take a rest?" If needed, they will first settle in Putuo District. ”

"It's okay, tell the boats, hang the sails, and rest in Putuo tonight!"

Zheng Sen listened to the second uncle's order, hurriedly put down the bowl and turned around to look in the direction of the bow of the ship, only to see a series of small black dots faintly emerging from the distant horizon between the rise and fall of the seabirds on the sea.

"It's Causeway Island, we will go to Zhoushan, and soon we will reach the mouth of the Yangtze River."

Shi Lang, who was on his sand boat, put down the binoculars in his hand and said with a smile to the boss of the boat under him.

"Yes, Dashao. Brothers, we all hope that we will be like this along the way. ”

The sea trading fleet laden with japonica rice slowly sailed towards the distant island, and no one knew what was about to happen to them.

Standing next to the "Sea Shark" that was wiped by the sailors' glossy guns, a gust of salty sea breeze gently blowing on his face, Zheng Zhihu felt an indescribable comfort.

Half an hour ago, Causeway Island, which was just a faint black dot on the horizon, has now been revealed to everyone in its entirety.

On the shore of the flotilla side of the island stands hundreds of meters high, and the dense vegetation covers the hard rocks with an emerald green tent.

Several mountain springs cascade down from the cracks in the cliffs, like white streamers hanging from the emerald green brocade tent, and the clear spring water is like strings of crystals flying into the waters of the Oriental Sea.

Countless huge reefs stood menacingly above the sea beneath the cliffs, and these staunch guardians of the islands silently warned ships that wanted to approach them that any stupid provocation would end up as a crash into flying splinters like the waves crashing on the reef.

Behind Causeway Island, under the afternoon sun, a series of large and small cyan island shadows are faintly revealed. The outline of the village community and temple can be seen faintly on the island.

Zhoushan Islands, like a string of pearls left in the sea, beautiful so that the sailors who arrived here to express their heartfelt admiration, people all admire the magical nature between heaven and earth, what kind of great power can create such a paradise in the middle of the boundless ocean.

Zheng Sen, like the sailors, couldn't help but let out the same exclamation, for a while, the poetry was booming, and the Chinese thoughts were gushing in his mind, but he couldn't find a suitable outlet for a while to make these gorgeous poems gush out.

"Order, for now, let's go with the wind and turn the fleet into a straight formation."

Zheng Zhihu was not as educated as his nephew, looked at the small pennant on the top of the mast, put down the telescope in his hand and turned his head to order to his subordinates.

One of the guards replied loudly.

"Send a signal, and the whole team will change to a straight formation."

More than anyone else, the sailors on the ship are eager to arrive at Putuo Island as soon as possible, so that they can have a good meal, drink a few glasses of wine, and worship in the temple, if they are lucky. You can also find a woman on the island to vent the anger accumulated from these days of wandering at sea. The owners of the ship are thinking that they can exchange the grain they carry on the island for some supplies and valuable catches, and this trip can't all be for the public, right?

The entire fleet quickly headed for Putuo Island in such an atmosphere.

Think of the hot and fragrant fat chicken wine waiting for everyone in the evening, the sailors have a lot of hands and feet, and a few old guys are still adjusting the angle of the sails when they sing the minor tune of their hometown, for a while, the fleet is full of joyful atmosphere.

When the flotilla passed Zhujiajian on Xifeng Island, a soft sailing ship imitating the Dutch in the vanguard found seven or eight gunboats crossing the exit of the Baisha Waterway between Baisha Island and Xifeng Island.

"Damn it!"

At a glance, the captain of the soft sailing ship saw the iron-blooded eighteen-star military flag and the phoenix flag on the gunboat, which were the naval division of the Nanyue Army! I'm really afraid of something!

White smoke and fire flashed from the ship opposite, and a cannon rang out.

Follow, in the midst of waves and wind and waves. You can vaguely hear the sound of the Nanyue Army sailors shouting with a loudspeaker.

"We are the sailors of the Nanyue Army! The purpose is to patrol the coastal defense. Maritime smuggling is detected. The opposite flotilla stops and is inspected! ”

"We are the ship of Fujian Sailor Zheng Zhilong and Lord Zheng! Brothers of the Nanyue Army, hard work! ”

Zheng Zhilong's men have always intercepted others at sea, and they have never seen such a thing. Although I was puzzled, I replied honestly. After the last, I didn't forget to carry it with me, and I was close to these Nanyue Army sailors. After all, the relationship between the two families has always been good, and the rice transported on the ship is all purchased from Nanzhong.

At this time, the soft sailing ship was already close to a thousand steps away from the gunboats of the naval division of the Nanyue Army, and it could already distinguish the outlines of the gun windows on the opponent's gun deck.

"The fleet of the Fujian Navy Division Zheng Zongbing? All immediately lowered the sails, dropped anchor, and stopped the ship. Get checked. ”

The lead gunboat gave the order to stop the ship.

This order made the people on the soft sailing boat completely crazy, how to say that the Nanyue Army and Zheng Zhilong's gang also fought Hongmaoyi together, and the goods loaded on his fleet were all japonica rice purchased from all over Nanzhong, and they had also paid tariffs at Nanzhong Port, so why did they need to stop the ship for inspection.

A few gunners who were short-tempered and rushed to Putuo as soon as possible to find a woman to fire, their noses were almost crooked, and they scolded on the spot.

"Don't mess around!" The captain of the soft sailing ship was also a sentry officer who participated in the Battle of Liuluo Bay that year, and he recognized at a glance that the giant ship in front of him was Li Shouhan's former ship, the Changsheng, and he thought that there were also important figures in the Nanyue Army here at this time.

"Raise the flag to the flagship, tell the second master and the eldest son, there is a naval division of the Nanyue Army to intercept it, and ask how to deal with it!"

"Damn it!"

From the lens of the telescope, Zheng Sen could see very clearly that on the main mast of the flagship headed by him, there was a plum blossom flag embroidered with a plum blossom flag proudly open in the ice and snow. It is his sworn enemy, Li Shouhan's eldest daughter Li Huamei!

"It turns out that my niece is here!" Zheng Zhihu thought about it, and after weighing the pros and cons, he decided to come out and say hello to Li Huamei, on his side, although there are many fleets, they are all cargo ships with deep draft and slow speed, and they are all full of grain and rice, and they are blocked in the waterways between the islands, and they can't escape if they want to.

Although there are few ships on the opposite side, they occupy the geographical advantage and seize the upper hand, and the naval division of the Nanyue Army has always been known for its fast speed and large number of artillery, and the most ruthless tactic is to resist the volley of artillery and shoot a salvo, so that no matter how strong the sea hero is, he must bow his head and submit to softness.

"Oh! It turned out to be the second uncle of the Zheng family. ”

Li Huamei also saw Zheng Zhihu opposite from a distance in the bow of her flagship, and the captain of the personal soldier beside her, Tianzhu beauty, Aji, held a big horn made of copper for her.

"I wonder what the second uncle is doing here with so many ships?"

"Huh." Zheng Zhihu snorted, and said secretly in his heart, sure enough, it's a little girl, can Lao Tzu tell you that I want to sell grain to Liaodong?

"Oh! The niece of the world, on the order of the brother, transported a batch of grain and rice to the Beijing Division, which can be regarded as military rations for service! Zheng Zhihu made up a nonsense very casually, preparing to fool Li Huamei, the yellow-haired girl in his eyes.

"If that's the case, the second uncle has worked hard. This thousands of miles of grain transported to Beijing, the emperor has to praise you and the uncle of the Zheng family. Bring. ”

Li Huamei stretched out a pair of small white jade-like hands and waved them at Zheng Zhihu from afar.

"What is my niece going to want? Uncle came back from the capital to bring it back to you. ”

"Don't want anything else, the second uncle just needs to leave a copy of the grain transportation document issued by Uncle Zheng's Fujian General Army Yamen to his niece. lest the father of the family ask about it in the future, and the niece will not be able to explain. ”

Li Huamei's words happened to hit Zheng Zhihu's seven inches. Smuggling grain to Liaodong is in itself a head-killing business for huge profits, and no matter how arrogant Zheng Zhilong is, he will not openly issue an official document stamped with the Fujian General Army's customs defense.

Shi Lang, who was at the rear of the fleet, heard that there was a naval division of the Nanyue Army blocking the road in front of him, and secretly cried in his heart, being blocked in this kind of water, he couldn't move forward, and it was inconvenient to retreat, so he could only think of going out of this waterway first.

"Drop the two sails, prepare to retreat to Putuoyang, and turn the rudder from Putuoyang to the north." He quietly commanded the sailors on his ship.

"Tell all ships and all guns to prepare." Zheng Zhihu quietly instructed his subordinates to prepare to turn their faces.

"Order everywhere, turn the hull of the ship, and reload the guns on the left gun deck." Li Huamei also instructed Aji to pass down the order on his behalf.

"It's long overdue, what do you have to say to this little girl of the Li family!" Hearing that the second uncle was ready to force his way through, Zheng Sen, who seemed to be born to fight with Li Huamei, couldn't help but dance and urge the gunners on the Daqingtou boat to take off their gun jackets and brush their guns, load the medicine bags, and prepare to fire.

"Boom!"

On a whim, a sailor on the head of Daqing fired a twelve-pound cannonball. He turned pale with fright.

This cannon shot became the first shot in the conflict between the Nanyue Army and Zheng Zhilong's group.

And this war, which decided the masters of the East Asian seas, was called the children's war because the children of both sides were on the scene. (To be continued......)