In Li Kuiqi's view, this is the time for the Zheng family to ask for benefits from the imperial court.

Do you want to go straight to the capital now?

"Big brother, shouldn't we have a good deal with the imperial court first and go to the capital? If you are so sloppy, I am afraid that you will have to suffer. ”

"At the end of the day... We're just a bunch of pirates, and if we don't get into the eyes of the emperor, wouldn't we?"

In fact, Li Kuiqi's worries are not unreasonable.

It's just that Zheng Zhilong, who was standing on the bow of the boat at the moment, said indifferently: "Brother, do you think we still have such an opportunity?" ”

"We were able to make a fortune because the imperial court couldn't get out of the way at the beginning, but now you have seen the ironclad ships of the two naval divisions of the Ming Dynasty, and one of them is enough for us to sink several warships to the bottom of the sea."

"I can't even hurt it."

Li Kuiqi was a little silent, he knew that what his eldest brother said was very reasonable.

This time, he took the initiative to go to South America to find the rubber trees needed by the imperial court.

is not only what Zhu Youzhen confessed, but more importantly, Zheng Zhilong regarded it as an attitude manifestation of his submission to the Ming Dynasty.

The whole of Qiongzhou Island is now filled with a large number of rubber plantations.

Not only that, Zheng Zhilong also laid a large number of ships in South America to continuously deliver this rubber tree to Daming.

It can be said that the current Ming Dynasty has come to the forefront of rubber planting in the world.

The fourth spring of Daming Chongzhen.

Zheng Zhilong slowly parked the ship close to the wharf of Tianjin Port, and the other two brothers of the Zheng family were standing beside him.

That is, Zheng Zhibao and Zheng Zhihu.

In fact, the two of them couldn't understand the eldest brother's decision at first, but the three Zheng brothers were quite united internally.

The things that the eldest brother decides, even if there is no way to understand, must be followed.

As soon as I got off the ship, there were already officials waiting here at the dock.

"Lord Zheng, I have lost my distance, I have worked hard all the way..."

Seeing that the person was wearing a scarlet robe, Zheng Zhilong just squinted his eyes and knew that the person who came was definitely different.

This is the color of the official robe that only the court officials can wear, and Zheng Zhilong hurriedly changed to another expression.

He arched his hand and said: "This official is also a minister of His Majesty, how can His Majesty summon this official to be tired, even if it is thousands of miles, he should come to see him immediately." ”

Zhang Lun's expression twitched slightly.

Who doesn't know all the despicable things that the Zheng family has done in the southwest coastal area.

It's just that His Majesty has already said that this person should be looked at from two sides.

Although he is a pirate, in a sense, he also defends Daming from enemies from the sea again and again.

Resist the invasion of the Japanese invaders, so that the Ming Dynasty will not completely lose the initiative on the sea.

It can be regarded as Zheng Zhilong's work.

"Lord Zheng has worked hard all the way, we will rest for a day in Tianjin Weixian, and then go to the capital tomorrow."

"I don't know what Master Zheng thinks?"

However, what Zheng Zhilong was thinking about was who this person was, why he didn't take the initiative to introduce himself, but asked himself vigorously if he wanted to stay in Tianjin City.

In desperation.

He could only say: "The official thinks that since His Majesty has summoned the official to discuss important matters, I don't think I should stay again, the official doesn't feel tired, so it's better to go to the capital today." ”

Zhang Lun waved his hand.

"It's not difficult to go to the capital, just go with this official tomorrow."

After finishing speaking, Zhang Lun didn't wait for Zheng Zhilong's response, but arranged it on his own, and said to several officials of the Ministry of Rites beside him.

"Have you contacted all the inns you prepared before? Quickly arrange a few adults properly. ”

"Lord Zheng, please!"

How can there be such an official?

Zheng Zhilong's expression twitched, but there was no way to do it.

After all, he recognized himself as soon as he got off the ship, which means that this official must have been sent by the imperial court to wait for him.

Since he was waiting here for a long time.

Maybe this one has already been arranged, since you can't resist, it's better to enjoy it as soon as possible, and I have indeed never been to Tianjin City, Zheng Zhilong was more excited.

Facing Zhang Lun, he said, "I don't know the name of the adult? ”

"Waiter of the Ministry of Rites, Zhang Lun."

When Zheng Zhilong heard this, he was immediately stunned in his heart, the official rank of this waiter of the Ministry of Rites seemed to be higher than himself.

In front of him, he looked younger than himself, and he was actually a court minister with a higher status than himself.

Zheng Zhilong hurriedly arched his hand.

"The lower official is clumsy, I don't know if Lord Zhang came to greet him in person, it's rude, and it's rude, please don't blame the adult."

"It's okay."

After being polite, Zhang Lun took a look.

said to the few big men behind Zheng Zhilong: "These brothers behind Lord Zheng are probably the two famous Zheng family brothers on the sea, right?" ”

Zheng Zhilong hurriedly said: "It is the younger brother in the family who has been with me from birth to death for many years. ”

"Haha, okay."

"They are all tiger generals of the imperial court."

Zhang Lun's face did not change.

....

So under Zhang Lun's arrangement, Zheng Zhilong and the others stayed in an inn in Tianjin City first.

And the rest of the ship was well arranged in some inns near the port.

It's getting late.

Just when the three brothers of the Zheng family and Li Kuiqi were whispering in the room of the inn, they only heard the sound of knocking on the door.

It turned out that a fellow man came to pass the word.

"A few adults, Lord Zhang has prepared a thin banquet in the restaurant next door, please go to a few adults."

The person who came was just a buddy, and Zheng Zhilong really couldn't excuse himself.

Then he opened his mouth and said: "Okay, okay, it's not too early, and the official will leave." ”

The guy nodded and went out.

But Zheng Zhihu on the side said with some dissatisfaction: "That Zhang Lun is also rude, since it is a banquet to invite me and others, he actually didn't come to greet him in person, just looking for a guy to pass the word, what does it mean?" ”

"That's, that's it, big brother! In this case, I might as well go back! ”

On the side, Zheng Zhibao also expressed dissatisfaction.

But Zheng Zhilong just laughed lightly twice, and then looked at Li Kuiqi.

Li Kuiqi knew that Zheng Zhilong was waiting for his position.

It's no longer hidden.

Li Kuiqi opened his mouth and said: "Big brother has actually seen it a long time ago. ”

"It's just that I didn't say it directly, so I'll tell you."

"Only if the imperial court arranges it like this, it can be regarded as a good thing for us, if we are raised too high..."

"It could be a disaster."

After hearing this, the two brothers lowered their heads thoughtfully, and only Zheng Zhilong spoke: "Master Zhang has already set up a banquet on the other side, don't think about it anymore, let's go together." ”