In the middle of the fifth lunar month of the second year of Chongzhen, Fuzhou was more humid and hot than in previous years, but what was even more hotly discussed was that the Ryukyu king Shang Feng and the prince Shang Gong, who had disappeared after the "Ryukyu War Disaster" a few years ago, suddenly appeared again.

It is said that at this time, the Ryukyu Kingdom has been successfully rescued by the Ming Jin Penghai Waterproof Division, and the Ryukyu Kingdom of the Yan family's rebellion fell into the hands of rebellious soldiers and Japanese pirates, and now it is once again under the rule of the country. In order to express his gratitude to the Ming Dynasty for saving the country, the returning king Shang Feng decisively sent envoys to the Ming Dynasty to thank him, and the tributary mission landed in Fuzhou, and is now preparing to go to Nanjing to wait for the emperor's holy decree.

A coalition fleet composed of the Zheng family and the Yan family "abandoned their previous suspicions" fought a bloody battle with the fleet of the pirate leader Li Kuiqi in Dinghai (Zhoushan Islands). Li Kuiqi, who knew that he was desperate, finally detonated the gunpowder of the ship and died in the fire.

Subsequently, in the battle against Zhong Bin, another pirate leader who was anchored in the Ryukyu Islands, the Huamei Expeditionary Fleet provided fire support, and in front of Zheng Zhihu, used long-distance line tactics to defeat Zhong Bin's fleet, which was assisted by Japanese pirates. The Zheng family then rushed to Ryukyu Island and seized a large number of silver ingots, copper ingots, and sulfur smuggled by Zhong Bin from Japan, as well as thousands of loads of raw silk, salt, and tea to be shipped to the Satsuma Domain.

The successive victories at sea have greatly increased the prestige of Xiong Wencan, who is "strategizing", and almost every few days there are documents sent to Beijing to report success. On the other hand, with Zheng Zhilong's "ordered" large-scale attack, the Zheng family's "customs defense ticket flag" that was "promoted" in the coastal areas of Fujian and Zhejiang also quietly disappeared, and Xiong Wencan also lifted many maritime bans that made Fujian and Zhejiang maritime merchants very unhappy in a timely manner, so that the local gentry celebrated and praised each other.

Contrary to the overall atmosphere in the East China Sea gradually becoming calmer, in the yamen of the Fujian governor of Fuzhou City, Xiong Wencan was still pacing worriedly in his study, thinking about the final solution of Dayuan Island.

Zheng Zhilong's series of victories in Fujian, Zhejiang, Ryukyu and the northern coast of Jiangsu, others don't know, he Xiong Wencan is clear. With the ability of Zheng Zhilong's Jin Penghai waterproofer, it still has some strength to do evil in the border sea of Daming, but it is impossible to exterminate those troublesome pirates or Japanese pirates in ten years and eight years.

But this time, in less than two months, in the sea areas including the Ryukyus, several big pirates who rose up after the death of Li Dan and Yan Siqi were wiped out. In this, Zheng Zhilong's cooperation with those "Miyi soldiers" after getting his acquiescence is the key.

originally thought that the Miyi people were at most on the same level as the Dutch Fanyi, but they didn't expect the soldiers to be so prosperous, and even Zheng Zhilong, who has always been confident, showed an unusual attitude. There is no profit and it is not early, and the Miyi people come all the way. Who would believe the excuse of relieving the suffering of the Chinese people in Nanyang and suppressing the bandits......

This time forced Zheng Zhilong to attack on a large scale, no matter whether the other party continued to "do his own thing" and chose to be the enemy of the Yan family or Mi Yiren, or simply "obediently" took a new black pot to open the knife, it was inevitable to break his muscles and bones. As a result, after several victories, in addition to some of the property handed over to the governor's yamen to fill the façade, almost all the ordnance and war trophies such as warships were eaten by Zheng Zhilong on the grounds of "making up for losses", and even recruited a considerable number of prisoners of war, and the strength has increased compared with before, which makes people even more uneasy.

……

"Teacher."

Just when Xiong Wencan was pondering and walking slowly. A familiar voice came from the door of the study. As soon as he raised his head, a short-bearded young man with a very elegant temperament stood in front of him although he was wearing armor, who was that not Zheng Zhilong?

"Oh, Feihuang is here. Sit down. You have been leading the army for days, and now you are rushing to Fuzhou, and the old man treats you poorly. Xiong Wencan greeted Zheng Zhilong cordially, his expression was very gentle.

"Students don't dare to complain. However, the teacher worked day and night, and the students were deeply disturbed. Zheng Zhilong hurriedly knelt on the ground. The head is lowered down.

"Okay, since you treat me as a teacher, you don't have to be restrained." Xiong Wencan accepted the other party's big gift before helping the other party up.

"I wonder why the teacher urgently summoned the students here?" Zheng Zhilong respectfully sat down at Xiong Wencan's head and saluted with both hands.

"The imperial court has issued an order to encourage the Fujian Sea to prepare for the Japanese and coastal defense camps, Feihuang you have made great contributions, and the old man is thinking about how to play the imperial court to determine the reward. However, the matter of Dongfan is not over yet, and the old man wants to hear your opinion. These are two letters, you can take a look at them first. ”

As he spoke, Xiong Wencan took out two letters from the bookcase and handed them to Zheng Zhilong.

"Students don't dare, they are all supervised by teachers, and they have all the wins." Carefully took it, and carefully read the "letter of guilt" from the Yan family, Zheng Zhilong showed a trace of disdain. After reading the letter with the seal of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the United States in China, Zheng Zhilong's heart jumped suddenly.

Mr. Yan of Huamei actually wants to occupy the land of the East China Sea on the grounds of "helping the Ming Dynasty and Qing Dynasty to suppress the East China Sea"?! The Yan family also transferred these contents directly to Xiong Wencan! Could it be that Mr. Yan's previous secret agreement "wants to help the Zheng family and the Yan family get back to their old goodness" is the means? !

The "peace" agreement with China and the United States is the right choice that Zheng Zhilong believes he has made. Huamei people made it clear that Daming Donghai maintained a tough stance on the status quo, and the attitude of supporting the Yan family was clear. However, Mr. Yan also expressed a very generous attitude towards Zheng Zhilong's appeal, saying that he would persuade the Yan family to launch a competition, recognize the Zheng family's trade monopoly on the Ryukyus, Korea and Japan, and the "people-for-goods" transaction in Nanyang also seemed more "cost-effective" and naked than the Dutch. But in this way, there is a smell that both he and the Yan family have been kidnapped by Huamei.

“…… It's not profitable, it's too early! Mi Yiyang is constantly scheming and aggressive, just the same as Nataixi Holland Fanyi. Feihuang, what do you think about this? Xiong Wencan touched his beard and began to squint his eyes and close his eyes to recuperate, but the corner of his eye was staring at Zheng Zhilong.

"Although the Yan family was suspected of helping rebellion before, no matter how heavy the court's disposal was, it was 'the mother blamed the son', and it was a 'family matter'. The teacher is aware of everything, and the rumors have been cleared, how can we allow outsiders to prey on the sword! If the teacher has made up his mind, the student should lead the boat master to fight to the death with Namiyi! ”

Zheng Zhilong came back to his senses, slowly stood up, and knelt in front of Xiong Wencan on one leg, with a resolute expression.

"How sure are you?" Xiong Wencan didn't open his eyes and asked slowly.

"There have been many wars recently, and there has been a huge loss of soldiers and horses, and the food and wages are also poor. However, when the narrow road meets, the brave wins, and there is a mentor in front of him. Soldiers use their lives behind, even if they die, they will go to them! However, if the students think about it, this must be the Miyi people who provoked the momentum, intending to use the hands of the teacher to abandon the Yan family and swallow it alone. This is indeed the same as when the Dutch coveted the big man. ”

After Zheng Zhilong's generous speech, he changed his words again, hinting that his strength was insufficient, whether it was against the Yan family, who bargained with him, or the unfathomable Huamei fleet. None of them have much chance of winning.

"Haha, Feihuang, do you really think this is a move by the Miyi people to fall into the well of the Yan family? Why didn't the Yan family take it to bargain with the court...... has repeatedly conspired, but I have seen the greedy nature of this Miyi. Xiong Wencan opened his eyes and laughed, and glanced at Zheng Zhilong mysteriously, "Feihuang, you have a long way to go in the defense of the East China Sea of the Ming Dynasty!" ”

At the moment, the biggest beneficiaries of this ambitious lion opening in China and the United States are actually the Zheng family and the Yan family. If the Ming court refuses to appease the Yan family. or forced the Yan family to move inward on the grounds of appeasement, and the Yan family could only be forced to choose to belong to Huamei, or simply cede Dayuan Island to Huamei; And the entire Daming East China Sea can now compete with the Yan family supported by Huamei. There is only Zheng Zhilong, and if the imperial court wants to deal with several parties at the same time, it can't help but treat Zheng Zhilong carefully.

If it really goes that far, Zheng Zhilong will support his troops to protect himself. Huamei people forcibly occupy the big people, as long as someone fiddles with the article a little, then he Xiong Wencan may be "mistaken in response" overnight. led the wolf into the house, lost the army and humiliated the country", was arrested and imprisoned by the emperor.

From this point of view, the mind of the Huamei people is probably more about checks and balances, the Yan family wants to protect, and the Zheng family has not left behind, and the return to Daming is naturally the peace of the East China Sea and the South Sea for decades.

"The teacher's eyes are like torches, and the students understand. However, the students thought that although the Dayuan was a wild and evil place, if under the rule of the Ming Dynasty, the Yan family guarded it, it should be used as a screen for the East China Sea, and it must not fall into the hands of outsiders. Gu Youyun: Brothers are on the wall, and they are insulted outside. The student and the Yan family were public enemies before, not private hatreds. If the Yan family is sincere to the court, sincerely asks for mercy, and is the same as the royal Yikou, the student can guarantee it! ”

After speaking, Zheng Zhilong kowtowed to Xiong Wencan respectfully, and his attitude was extremely sincere.

Looking at the young general's serious face, Xiong Wencan smiled. The two sides basically agreed, but they were always a little bitter in their hearts. Huamei is a poor dagger, but he Xiong Wencan has to follow up. If it sounds good, it is a response, but if it is not good, he also has a bit of a taste of being kidnapped.

……

The large-scale anti-piracy operation launched by Xiong Wencan, the governor of Fujian, has achieved fruitful results so far, and the captured booty and prisoners have been sent to Beijing to report the victory, and finally gave the Ming Dynasty a handful of anger. The camps of Fujian coastal defense are the benchmark for the revitalization of the naval power of the Ming border since the Netherlands entered Kou Penghu many years ago.

The plan to praise the Fujian local government is still being discussed by the imperial court center, and the Fujian governor Xiong Wencan's "willows and flowers are bright and another village" has caused controversy among many cabinet ministers.

Xiong Wencan is vigorously pursuing the "East China Sea trafficker case" that made Emperor Chongzhen angry, but now there has been a dramatic change. In the context of a large amount of arrears in the food and salaries of the military towns in various parts of the imperial court, Yan Siqi, the former deputy general of the Eastern Fan Minister, is just a small microcosm of the military forces in the border towns seeking personal gains, and the intrigue between the various forces in the East China Sea is the main reason. But Xiong Wencan's dare to semi-openly pick on these things is a bit surprising.

However, Xiong Wencan's "East China Sea thieves to prevent razing and razing, one strategy and two benefits" proposed in the fold of the song appealed to Chongzhen's appetite.

"Since the year of Longqing, Fujian and Zhejiang have spent a lot of money to prepare for the defense of the Japanese sea, but the thieves have been repeatedly suppressed. The minister thinks that 'suppression' is only in cutting off his actions, and 'fusing' can fix his heart. Only blocking but not sparse, just like overflowing the embankment, there will eventually be a collapse. There is the Zheng family in front of the country, and there are Ryukyu, Dinghai, and Futou Bay. Today, the coastal bandits and chieftains are all found out and awarded, and the case of traffickers is revealed. This is also a benefit. ”

"The Yan family Tuodong Fansheng is a desolate and evil miasma, and in the early years, it also has the meaning of lifting the soil and attaching it, but it is lonely overseas, and its land is mixed and untamable, and it is afraid that it will be difficult to govern. Today, Taixi Zhuyi has come to the east and has been provoking the border for more than 100 years. You can imitate the example of Hongwu and Yongle, preach the ministers, and place the land to defend the emperor. It does not cost a soldier of the imperial court, the west can protect Fujian and Zhejiang, the south can protect the west, and the north can suppress the Japanese Kou. This two benefits also. ”

The implication is that now that the Yan family of Dongfan Dayuan Island has an attachment in their hearts, why not get a big man who does not need to be taken care of by the court and pays a penny of silver, but can solve many problems for the court? What's more, the biggest hidden danger today may not be the East China Sea and the South Sea.

Xiong Wencan, who is very rich in appeasement experience, first exterminated several waves of pirates vigorously and resolutely, and also filled a large amount of property into the treasury in the name of Xianjie, and once again proposed to appease the Yan family.

At least to do this, Xiong Wencan can be regarded as "meritorious", but compared with Xiong Wencan's current career rise in the emperor's heart, on the other side of the Ming Dynasty, a huge shock caused by another civil official occurred.

On July 20, 1629, on the first day of June in the second year of Chongzhen of the Ming Empire, Yuan Chonghuan, the governor of Liaodong, suddenly led a team to land on the twin islands off the coast of Lushun and met with Mao Wenlong, the chief military officer of Dongjiang Town, to discuss changing the status quo of Dongjiang Town's "irregular camp system and good at military affairs", but Mao Wenlong rejected them one by one.

A few days later, after a reward meeting for thousands of meritorious soldiers in Dongjiang Town, Yuan Chonghuan, who was dead, invited the feudal imperial weapon "Shangfang Sword" and beheaded Mao Wenlong in front of all the generals in Dongjiang Town in the name of "Twelve Sins".

"Ming Ji Beiluo" contains: "The Liao people are bitter in the north, and when they want to return to China and North Korea, the way back is very difficult, and they go quickly in every way, and they arrive at the customs in a few days. He is arrogant, he has a lot of things to do, he asks for too much money, he is suspicious and disgusted with it, he holds a heavy army in front of him, and he lives on an island, so it is difficult to do it. Chonghuan slashed Wenlong at the beginning, and he was very happy, and his praise was doubled. ”

In the last years of the dynasty, the contradiction between the self-respect of the border town army and the civilian command of the army was staged again, and the conceit image of the literati bureaucracy represented by Yuan Chonghuan, and Mao Wenlong was only a microcosm of the border town army in the late Ming Dynasty that would become more and more difficult to restrain it. It doesn't matter whose hand Mao Wenlong died at, and the story of the civil and military confrontation did not end with Mao Wenlong's death, but was destined to become another plot line in the turmoil of the war at the end of the Ming Dynasty.

The merits and demerits of Yuan Chonghuan and Mao Wenlong, later generations have different opinions, and there are all cases of refuge. But the follow-up reaction of "landing on the island to kill the marshal" really made Emperor Chongzhen break his teeth a few years later. (To be continued......)