Taiwan since the time of the Three Kingdoms. Sun Quan of Eastern Wu sent 10,000 men to this place. Call it Yizhou. This is where the written history begins. to the Sui and Tang dynasties. This Taiwan is known as the Ryukyus. and then to the Song and Yuan dynasties. The Han people began to explore Penghu. Began to develop towards Taiwan. And bring advanced production technology. to the twelfth century. Song Chang placed Penghu under the jurisdiction of Jinjiang County, Quanzhou, Fujian. and sent troops to defend it. Until the Ming Dynasty. The imperial court began to set up patrols in Penghu. Responsible for patrolling and detecting criminals. It also runs salt classes. This is the history of Taiwan until Zhang Fan is now.

Taiwan, known today as Xiaoliuqiu, is still under the jurisdiction of the Fujian Provincial Government. The chicken coop is its northernmost port. This up-and-coming town doesn't have much history.

"What do you mean. The news was leaked out of the chicken coop. Wen Ruchun asked. The brow on his forehead furrowed deeply.

Zhang Fan didn't answer him out loud. Instead, he nodded solemnly. Wen Ruchun and He Kuan watched. Bow your head and think. Truly. What Zhang Fan said is very reasonable. The three ships set sail at the beginning of this year. There aren't many destinations to go to, but it's impossible to grasp. After all, for a couple of ship owners. They are businessmen. What is pursued is the greater good. Where to give a good price is what they care about. So. If it is said that the pirates have been eyeing them from the beginning. And wait until they return to the sea before attacking. It's hard to say. In the middle of the ocean. With the few small boats of the pirates. Not to mention that you can't catch up with three huge sea ships. Even if you encounter wind and waves, it is unharmed. Not to mention finding these three ships accurately on the endless sea.

The reason why Zhang Fan is suspicious of the chicken coop. It is precisely because it is the closest open sea port to the mainland. It is also a place where almost all returning ships dock. This is obviously the best place for the pirates to find out the news.

And the reason why they didn't attack when the ship was just out of the boat. It's also very simple. It doesn't matter what the purpose of this gang of pirates is. It doesn't matter who instructed them. After all, they are Japanese robbers. The main thing they want is money. And the goods that the merchants brought in for sale were of little value to them. It is even possible to expose yourself by selling them. And there is no doubt about it. The returning ship must have had a great deal of money on board. You can make some money on top of completing the kidnapping of several people. This is a natural thing to do.

Wen Ruchun and He Kuan thought about it along Zhang Fan's clue. Then it was completely understood. At the same time of identifying with Zhang Fan. The two also admired Zhang Fan for being able to make such a reasonable reasoning in such a short period of time.

It's just that Zhang Fan doesn't feel that there is anything to be happy about. No matter how accurate his guess is. Even if things just go the way he says they are. It doesn't help with the current situation. What Zhang Fan really wants to know is. What the hell was the idea of the group of pirates who kidnapped several ship owners? No. It should be said what kind of idea the people who instructed them behind these pirates were fighting.

"It could be the idea of the head of some daimyo or group in that island nation to the east." Zhang Fan thought of this possibility. After all, it is now in the Warring States period. It is not impossible for such a thing to occur in the case of a scuffle between many princes. But Zhang Fan just thought about it. I don't think that's going to be the case. The reason is simple. For those who are concerned. These businessmen are completely insignificant. It doesn't do anything for them. Perhaps each of these three men possessed a wealth greater than that of the princes who were called daimyo. But kidnapping them didn't do much. Even when the pirates attacked. Not even the money that was readily available on board was snatched up. Just took away the most valuable things they could carry. Let's look at this scenario. Apparently not instructed by someone on the island.

"Then the rest ......" Zhang Fan thought of this. Things are also a little clearer. The only people who have something to do with this matter are the people on the land where Zhang Fan is standing. But come to think of it. Zhang Fan began to worry deeply again. After all, no matter how fierce the infighting is. That's just a matter of my own family. But now the people here have risen to the level of collusion with the Japanese bandits. This is just going too far.

Of course. Even so. Things can still be separated. Maybe. The other party only has a grudge against the three shipowners. That's when they colluded with the Japanese to kidnap them. In this way, even if there is any accident, they will not be able to find out. But Zhang Fan is not optimistic about this possibility. If so. Why did those robbers kidnap these three people? When the ship was hijacked, it should have been a hundred kills for them. It can also create an unexpected scene. Take them away. Not only will it drag them down. In case something unexpected. Aren't you asking for trouble for yourself?

And if someone else did. So what kind of conspiracy is hidden behind this whole thing. Zhang Fanke is difficult to guess. But even if you can't guess. You can also feel the smell of earth-shattering conspiracy.

"Your Excellency. The families of the three abductees have now arrived. Just after hearing the news. It's been painful all the time. Wen Ruchun said on the side.

"Lord Wen. I'm sorry you can send someone to appease me. Wait until they calm down. Let people ask them. What kind of enemies does the kidnapped have? Zhang Fan looked at a few people who were crying in the distance. said to Wen Ruchun.

"Your Excellency suspects that the gang was sent by their enemies." He Kuan asked on the side.

"Alas. If that's the case. It's not a big deal. Sighed. Zhang Fan said. Truly. So far. He didn't care about the lives of those people at all. Zhang Fan is holding that he can save it. I can't save it, and I won't pursue this matter too much.

Wen Ruchun and He Kuan are not unaware. Just for this case. There was no better way for the two.

"Whatever the reason for this. The priority now is to ensure the safe return of the ships that come back later. Zhang Fan said. A large number of returning ships have entered the port. There weren't many ships left that hadn't returned. And yet that's it. will make them form a lonely situation. It's easy to be attacked by pirates when you're alone. ”

"This ...... What do you think is the way it should be? "This matter is up to He Kuan's contribution. It's not like he didn't think about it. But there has been no good way. Now Zhang Fan has brought it up. He Kuan thought he had some plan. Hurriedly asked.

"I also asked Lord He to send Fujian warships to patrol the waterway that the ships will walk when they return. In the unlikely event that a Japanese raid on a ship is encountered. It's good to help one or two. Zhang Fan said. And also. Half of the warships were sent to the chicken coops. It's also good that there is a response on both sides. ”

"Your Excellency. This ......" He Kuan heard Zhang Fan's words. His face suddenly turned ugly. "It's not that the lower officials are unwilling. It's not that the lower officials can't move the warship. Rather, there are strict orders from the imperial court. No warships are allowed to sail at will. ”

Truly. He Kuan didn't mean to make things difficult. Since Zhu Yuanzhang ordered the retreat. The maritime territory of the Ming Dynasty is even more woodless than the sea. And it wasn't until the Longqing switch was allowed. But the Ming Dynasty has always had warships. But I don't know why. The imperial court strictly ordered. In addition to training on weekdays. Ships are strictly forbidden to go to sea. The governors or commanders of the eastern coastal provinces had the right to move ships. However, if he privately ordered the warship to go to sea and did not report it to the imperial court. In the future, he will be punished for the sin of deceit. Although He Kuan is very upright. But not to the point of ignoring one's own head.

"Lord Ho, please rest assured. Zhang did not let Lord He deliberately disobey the strict orders of the imperial court. Zhang Fan said immediately. One comes. Things are no longer the same as they were in the past. The Wako committed crimes at sea. I have an army in the sky, but I can't surround the merchants and the crew of the ship who are civilians. It's really unreasonable. Second. Zhang Fan has this thing in his hand again. Zhang Fan said. Wang Meng, who motioned to the side, took Shang Fang's sword over.

Wen Ruchun and He Kuan are not illiterate people. Naturally, this sword is recognized. However, the two didn't think that Zhang Fan deliberately used it to pressure themselves. After all, seeing this sword is like seeing the emperor in person. Zhang Fan's current words represent the supreme ruler of the Ming Dynasty. The two of them had no reason or possibility to refuse. And as far as He Kuan is concerned. It wasn't unclear that he hadn't thought of sending warships on patrol. Now Zhang Fan gave him an excellent reason. Not to mention. Now if something happens. The court will never look for the two of them. Instead, I went to ask Zhang Fan. But......

"Adults have nothing to praise for their hearts for the people." He Kuan complimented. Said. "But this way. If it is known by the opponent of an adult. I will definitely participate in the adult book. Relying on His Majesty's trust. Privately transfer warships. Violation of the imperial court system. He Kuan was also thinking about Zhang Fan.

"Thank you Lord He for your concern." Zhang Fan thanked him. Said. "I have already planned what Lord He said. I'll just go back to my lodgings today. I will immediately play to the emperor. Explain the situation here. And ask the emperor to agree to send warships to escort them. ”

"I'm afraid that's not right." Wen Ruchun listened to Zhang Fan's words. Some doubts. "The upper fold must be approved by the celebrant and the celebrant to red. Today, the celebrant and the eunuch rushed to hear that it was the same as the first assistant of the cabinet. And the high arch is also a little holiday with adults. If so......"

"Alas. Lord Wen is just too worried. He Kuan stopped Wen Ruchun from continuing. You must have forgotten who you are as an adult. ”

Listen to He Kuan say this. Wen Ruchun suddenly realized. What is Zhang Fan's identity now? The Jinyi guards are all in command. Jinyiwei is the emperor's personal guard. The conductor has always been placed directly on the emperor's dragon book case. Where is the turn to be watched by the eunuchs of the celebrant priest. Come to think of this. Wen Ruchun couldn't help but be a little envious of Zhang Fan's "privilege". These officials, they have to play countless excerpts every year. However, in case there is any inappropriate remark or an excerpt to impeach someone, the supervisor will see it first. Hit a rake. The wicked in front of the emperor sued first. That's putting yourself in it. Because of this. It was too long, and the officials who were originally upright and clear gradually stopped asking about "idle things".

Come to think of it. Wen Ruchun couldn't help but look at Zhang Fan again. This young commander of the brocade guard made a difference. There is no arrogance of those who used to be. Wen Ruchun and Zhang Fan stood together. There was no pressure at all. Even like that. I almost forgot Zhang Fan's identity. "Maybe. His Majesty put him in charge of the Jinyi Guard. It's because of this personality. It can be tepid on weekdays. At critical moments, we must make decisions immediately. Wen Ruchun thought in his heart.